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Home My WebLink About2023-08-09 MinutesCAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY AUTHORITY BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 9, 2023 Room 139 Regular Meeting 9:00 AM 230 GOVERNMENT CENTER DRIVE WILMINGTON, NC 28403 ,IfIZ61ORG II. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM Ms. Adams called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM with a quorum present. Mr. Hackney moved to excuse Messrs. Corder and Rivenbark. Mr. Briggs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Jennifer Adams Cape Fear Public Utility Chair Present Authority Wesley Corder Cape Fear Public Utility Vice -Chair Excused Authority Jessica Cannon Cape Fear Public Utility Secretary Present Authority William Norris Cape Fear Public Utility Treasurer Present Authority Deans Hackney Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Hollis Briggs Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority William Smith Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Jonathan Barfield Cape Fear Public Utility Commissioner Present Authority Charlie Rivenbark Cape Fear Public Utility Councilman Excused Authority Luke Waddell Cape Fear Public Utility Councilman Present Authority Rob Zapple Cape Fear Public Utility Commissioner Present Authority Kenneth Waldroup Cape Fear Public Utility Executive Director Present Authority Linda Miles Miles Firm, PLLC CFPUA Consulting Attorney Present Beth Eckert Cape Fear Public Utility Director of EMD Present Cal.,)e Fear Public Utility Authority Page I Minutes Authority Board August 9, 2023 Authority Carel Cape Fear Public Utility Deputy Executive Director Present Vandermeyden Authority John McLean Cape Fear Public Utility Chief Financial Officer Present Authority Nicolette Fulton Cape Fear Public Utility Deputy Attorney Present Authority Lori McKoy Cape Fear Public Utility Human Resources Director Present Authority Kristine Irick Cape Fear Public Utility Customer Service Director Present Authority Vaughn Hagerty Cape Fear Public Utility Public Information Officer Present Authority Cammie Bellamy Cape Fear Public Utility Assistant PIO Present Authority Julia Faircloth Cape Fear Public Utility Deputy Chief Financial Officer Present Authority Kathryn Pohlman Cape Fear Public Utility Assistant Director of EMD and Present Authority Sustainability Elizabeth Severt Cape Fear Public Utility Strategy & Performance Manager Present Authority Matthew Tribett Cape Fear Public Utility Assistant Operations Director Present Authority Craig Wilson Cape Fear Public Utility Engineering Manager Present Authority Michael Rich Cape Fear Public Utility IT Specialist Present Authority Marcus Robinson Cape Fear Public Utility IT Specialist Present Authority Sherri Alexander Cape Fear Public Utility Accounting Supervisor Present Authority Milton Vann Cape Fear Public Utility WWT Superintendent Present Authority Jeff Cermak Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Tristin Rickabaugh Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Steve Styers Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Rob Gunter Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Ted Beeson Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Emily Munoz Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Lucy Holliday Cape Fear Public Utility Present Cal.,)e Fear Public Utility Authority Page Minutes Authority Board August 9, 2023 Authority Kathy Willis Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Michael White Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Danny Sullivan Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Makeba Robinson Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Erin Tremblay Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Brittany Cummings Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Adam Poore Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Tara Arnette Cape Fear Public Utility Environmental Program Auditor Present Authority Jill Deaney Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Bernice Johnson Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Danielle Smith Cape Fear Public Utility Project Manager Present Authority Melanie Holt Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Ben Silvestri Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority John Hollerbush Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Allan Upham Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Allen Southerland Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Matt Darnell Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Sherry Brooks Cape Fear Public Utility Present Authority Judy Lawton Cape Fear Public Utility Executive Assistant Present Authority Donna S. Pope Cape Fear Public Utility Clerk/Executive Secretary to the Present Authority Board Sharon Sidbury Present Cynthia McIntyre Present Bonnie Murray Present Mamie Nixon Present Cal.,)e Fear Public Utility Authority Page Minutes Authority Board August 9, 2023 Carlos Louise Foy Present Daniel Greene Present Samuel Spicer Present Thomas Nixon Present Angelo Nixon Present Lillie Murray Present Eleanor Spicer Present Alex Carlos Present Kathy Caison Clark Present Andy Locarno Present III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Norris moved to adopt the day's Agenda. Mr. Barfield seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. IV. OATH OF OFFICE Ms. Lawton administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Smith. Board members welcomed Mr. Smith to the Authority. V. AWARD PRESENTATIONS 1. NACWA Awards Presentation The Board and management staff recognized staff members from across CFPUA for their work that resulted in CFPUA's receipt of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies' Award for Excellence in Management. RESULT: REVIEWED VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Authority Board -Regular Meeting -Jun 14, 2023 9:00 AM RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jessica Cannon, Secretary SECONDER: William Norris, Treasurer AYES: Adams, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Smith, Barfield, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Corder, Rivenbark VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 4 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER Ms. Sharon Sidbury spoke on behalf of citizens in the Creekwood Road and Stephens Church Road communities. Citizens request water and sewer service to their neighborhoods and Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page 4 Minutes Authority Board August 9, 2023 respectfully requested assistance from CFPUA and New Hanover County in seeking grants or other options to assist in paying for the construction of lines. Ms. Sidbury presented a sample of water from a tap in the area, and Board members reviewed photographs of water lines. Mr. Waldroup reported that staff is working with citizen groups to use CFPUA's petition process. The process will be reviewed by the Long Range Planning Committee. Mr. Barfield added that the County is looking at partnerships to assist citizens. VIII. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Datacenter Refresh RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jonathan Barfield, Commissioner SECONDER: William Norris, Treasurer AYES: Adams, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Smith, Barfield, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Corder, Rivenbark 2. Contract with Pencco, Inc. for Odor & Corrosion Control Services RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jonathan Barfield, Commissioner SECONDER: William Norris, Treasurer AYES: Adams, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Smith, Barfield, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Corder, Rivenbark 3. Authorization for the Executive Director to purchase the combination vacuum/jet truck from Rodders and Jets Supply Co., for $500,847.26 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jonathan Barfield, Commissioner SECONDER: William Norris, Treasurer AYES: Adams, Cannon, Norris, Hackney, Briggs, Smith, Barfield, Waddell, Zapple EXCUSED: Corder, Rivenbark IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Administrative Reports i. Attorney's Report Ms. Miles had no report for open session. She requested a closed session to discuss a claim, a contract negotiation, and personnel matters. ii. Executive Director's Report Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page Minutes Authority Board August 9, 2023 1. Key Indicator Mr. Vandermeyden answered clarification questions regarding the difference between treated water output and wastewater output. Some of the difference can be accounted for by irrigation that does not enter the sewer system. CFPUA's annual water audit will provide further research and answers about water use and wastewater production. RESULT: REVIEWED 2. Safety Report .. ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .................. RESULT: REVIEWED 3. Environmental Report RESULT: REVIEWED 4. Strategic Plan Update .. ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .................. RESULT: REVIEWED 5. Quarterly CIP Report .. ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .................. RESULT: REVIEWED 6. Overview of PFPrA Mr. Waldroup reported that perfluoropropanoic acid (PFPrA or PPF Acid) has been identified in both raw and finished water from all three of CFPUA's water systems. PFPrA is an ultra short chain PFAS. It is used in manufacturing and can be a byproduct of longer chain PFAS decomposition or desorption. it is a byproduct of the PFAS manufacturing process in the Cape Fear River and is referenced in compliance reports required by the State's consent order with Chemours. Over this summer, the EPA Office of Research and Development published a human health toxicity value for PFPrA with a calculated non -cancer chronic reference dose of 0.0005 mg/kg per day. A reference dose is one component used to establish non -regulatory health advisories. Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page Minutes Authority Board August 9, 2023 Laboratory testing continues to expand for newly isolated compounds. Newer testing methods are experimental and may not be certified. CFPUA publishes its test results on the website. Staff continues to monitor raw and finished water and is engaging with DEQ to further evaluate PFPrA. Staff will evaluate treatment techniques for ultra short chain PFAS. Mr. Waldroup reported that the Sweeney GAC filter system possesses some flexibility in treatment. Dr. Cannon clarified language regarding the reference dose. Ms. Eckert and Messrs. Waldroup and Vandermeyden answered questions from Board members regarding the report. Mr. Waldroup will continue to report to the Board on emerging contaminants. .. ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .................. RESULT: REVIEWED B. Committee Reports i. Nominations Committee 1. Nominations Committee -Regular -Jun 14, 2023 10:30 AM Mr. Barfield presented the Committee's recommendations for officers for the current fiscal year, as follows: Ms. Adams, Chair Mr. Hackney, Vice -Chair Dr. Cannon, Secretary Mr. Corder, Treasurer Mr. Norris seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. .. ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .................. RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED ii. Executive Committee 1. Executive Committee - Regular- Aug 2, 2023 10:00 AM RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED iii. Long Range Planning Committee The Committee did not meet in July. iv. Finance Committee Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page 7 Minutes Authority Board August 9, 2023 1. Finance Committee -Regular Meeting -Aug 2, 2023 9:00 AM RESULT: NO ACTION REQUIRED 2. Monthly Financials Mr. McLean presented the July financial data. The unassigned fund balance for the end of FY23 was $59,580,078, providing $9.5 million in surplus. Following the FY23 audit that amount will be available for the uses approved by the Board for surpluses. Staff will probably recommend placing the monies in a capital reserve for the Southside Wastewater Plant project. Designating surpluses into a capital reserve can lessen rate increases over the next four years. Messrs. McLean and Waldroup answered questions from Board members regarding revenues, budgeting, and rates. v. Sustainability Committee The Committee did not meet in July. C. Consolidation Study Update 1. Consolidation Study Update Mr. Hackney referred Board members to the consolidation report in the agenda packet. The study group met on July 25. The financial pro forma will be forthcoming. RESULT: REVIEWED X. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. XI. AUTHORITY Q & A/CLOSING COMMENTS Mr. Briggs urged the Board and staff to assist the residents of the Scots Hill and St. Stephens Church Road communities. Mr. Waldroup reported on CFPUA's partnership with the County to prioritize water and sewer needs in the community and to develop county grants to provide assistance to the Rockhill community. Staff is working on an interlocal agreement with the County to connect some homes that are adjacent to existing infrastructure. Mr. Zapple added his support to Mr. Briggs' comments, stating that he wants all properties using their own wells and septic systems to receive public water and sewer eventually. XII. CLOSED SESSION Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page Minutes Authority Board August 9, 2023 Mr. Waddell moved to enter closed session to discuss personnel matters, contract negotiations, and a claim. Mr. Barfield seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board entered closed session at 10:06 AM. Following staff reports and Board direction, Mr. Barfield moved to return to open session. Mr. Norris seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board returned to open session at 11:20 AM. Mr. Norris moved a 7 percent salary increase for the Executive Director, retroactive to July 1, and a 3 percent merit increase for the Clerk, retroactive to July 1. Mr. Barfield seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. XIII. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Barfield moved to adjourn. Mr. Norris seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:21 AM. The next regular CFPUA meeting will be Wednesday, September 13, 2023. The Authority will meet in the Rooms 138 and 139 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina, at 9:00 AM. Respectfully submitted, Donna S. Pope Clerk to the Board Caj.')e Fear Public Utility Authority Page