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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-14 MinutesCAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY AUTHORITY BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 14, 2024 Room 139 Regular Meeting 9:00 AM 230 GOVERNMENT CENTER DRIVE WILMINGTON, NC 28403 I. CALL TO ORDER Ms. Adams called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM with a quorum present. Mr. Waddell moved to excuse Mr. Smith. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. II. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM PRESENT: Jennifer Adams, Chair Deans Hackney, Vice -Chair Jessica Cannon, Secretary Wes Corder, Treasurer Leslie Hudson, Authority Member Hollis Briggs, Authority Member Jonathan Barfield, Commissioner Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman Luke Waddell, Councilman Rob Zapple, Commissioner EXCUSED: William Smith, Authority Member ALSO PRESENT: Staff Present: Kenneth Waldroup, Executive Director Nicolette Fulton, Authority Attorney Beth Eckert, Deputy Executive Director, EMD, Sustainability, & Linear Assets John McLean, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer Julia Vosnock Faircloth, Deputy Finance Officer Lori McKoy, HR Director Vaughn Hagerty, Chief Communications Officer Cord Ellison, Chief Information Officer Cammie Bellamy, Public Information Officer Shannon Clayboss, Workforce Development Manager Gary McSmith, Assistant Engineering Director Tara Arnette, Environmental & Sustainability Manager Sydney Valliant, Environmental Regulatory Specialist Craig Wilson, Assistant Operations Director Matt Tribette, Assistant Operations Director Debbie Leonard, HR Manager Milton Vann, Wastewater Superintendent Geoffrey Cermak, Wastewater Treatment Supervisor Steve Styers, Wastewater Treatment Supervisor Rob Gunter, Wastewater Treatment Supervisor Tristian Rickabaugh, Wastewater Operations Supervisor Dennis Hicks, Senior Wastewater Treatment Control Operator Makeba Robinson, Deputy Clerk and Compliance Coordinator Donna S. Pope, Clerk to the Board III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Rivenbark moved to adopt the day's agenda. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. IV. AUTHORITY MEMBER OATH Ms. Robinson administered the Oath of Office as an Authority Member to Ms. Hudson. The Board welcomed Ms. Hudson. V. PEAK PERFORMANCE AWARDS Mr. Wilson presented the Gold Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). The Association represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide. The annual Award goes to wastewater utilities with no permit or regulatory violations for the past year. Mr. Wilson recognized the following Northside and Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations staff: Milton Vann, Steve Styers, Rob Gunter, Geoff Cermak, Tristian Richabaugh, and Dennis Hicks. He thanked all of them for their dedication and noted that Messrs. Cermak and Hicks have over 40 years of service, having started in the City's Utilities Department. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting - June 19, 2024 Mr. Zapple moved to approve the June Board meeting minutes. Mr. Hackney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 4 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER There were no public speakers. VIII. CONSENT AGENDA Following clarification questions, Mr. Briggs moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mr. Corder seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. A. $837,415.00 Construction Contract for Carolina Civilworks Inc. for Porters Neck Booster Pump Station Replacement project B. $288,500 Amendment #3 with W.K. Dickson for the Greenview Area West Force Main Project Mr. McSmith answered questions regarding the engineering supervision and inspection on the project. C. $3,381,005.68 Construction Contract with S&L Contracting, LLC for the Greenview Area West Force Main Project Mr. McSmith answered questions regarding the bids and requirements for special appropriations from the State. D. $283,310 Amendment #4 with W.K. Dickson for the Sidbury Road and Greenview Area East Force Main Project E. $4,391,860 Construction Contract with T.A. Loving Company for the Sidbury Road and Greenview Area East Force Main Project F. $220,082 Contract Amendment with Pencco, Inc. for Odor and Corrosion Control Services G. Design -Build Procurement Authorization for Wrightsville Beach Intracoastal Waterway Crossing and Interconnections H. Sole source purchase of iPERL Nicor Cable transmitters up to a value of $85,000 from Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. Sole source purchase of water meters up to a value of $1,162,867 from Badger Meters. J. Resolution Establishing a Capital Reserve Fund for the Wrightsville Beach Consolidation Project Ms. Adams reported that the Local Government Commission approved the utility consolidation with the Town of Wrighstville Beach. Items J & K of the Consent Agenda support the consolidation. K. Budget Ordinance Appropriating Funds for the Wrightsville Beach Consolidation Project IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Administrative Reports Attorney's Report Ms. Fulton had no report for open session. Executive Director's Report Mr. Waldroup reported that Mr. Ellison was testifying at Congressional hearings regarding cybersecurity relating to utilities. Key Indicators Messrs. Waldroup and McLean answered questions regarding disconnection data. Ms. McKoy answered questions regarding employee vacancies. Board members discussed data related to new connections and a possible slow down in growth. Mr. Waldroup reported on meter size differences between standalone single family homes and multi -unit residential buildings. Mr. Wilson answered questions regarding storm water flow into sewer gravity lines and to the treatment facilities. Inflow data reflects storm water entering pipes, and infiltration reflects leaking into pipes. The Southside wastewater plant received 22MGD following the recent tropical storm, as opposed to 7 to 8 MGD before the storm. Mr. McSmith reported that, in October, staff and a consultant will have completed a wet weather model that will go to the Board through the Long Range Planning Committee. Safety Report The item was reviewed. iii. Environmental Report The item was reviewed. iv. Strategic Plan Update Mr. Waddell asked if the Board would receive a report on the Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging survey. Mr. Waldroup reported that the survey closes on August 15. Over 50 percent of staff have responded to the survey, and Ms. Claymore is sending reminders to all staff encouraging participation. V. Walk In: 2024 Board CalendarAmend ments Mr. Waldrdoup reported that staff is closing monitoring several areas of concern that will be discussed by the State Environmental Management Commission. They include an interbasin transfer request and 1,4 dioxane issues. It is important that he or Ms. Fulton attend the Commission meetings for the foreseeable future to protect CFPUA's interests. He presented a staff recommendation to revise the 2024 Board meeting calendar as follows: Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Regular Authority meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Regular Authority meeting Board members supported the recommendation. The Environmental Management Commission meetings every other month, and staff will review the 2025 calendar to select meeting dates that accommodate attendance. Mr. Waddell moved to amend the Calendar Year 2024 meeting schedule as recommended. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. B. Committee Reports Executive Committee Ms. Adams reported that the Committee would have two personnel matters to discuss in closed session. Long Range Planning Committee Mr. Hackney reported that the Committee met on July 25 and received a report from the easement acquisitions team and an update on connections for wells contaminated by PFAS. Long Range Planning Committee minutes 7.25.24 ii. Easement Acquisition Team Progress Report 3. Finance Committee Mr. Corder reported that the Committee met on August 8. The minutes were in the Agenda packet. Finance Committee minutes 8.5.2024 ii. Monthly Financials Ms. Vosnock Faircloth presented the financial reports. CFPUA ended FY2024 with $49.7 million in its unrestricted fund balance. This amount will go down slightly due to year-end payments still being processed. FY2024 revenues were under budget, for both volumetric use and System Development Charges. Expenditures were 98.22 percent of budget for FY2024. FY2024 expenditures were 95.43 percent of budget. Messrs. Waldroup and McLean reported that a contract for large meter testing has been finalized and is out for signature. Mr. Waldroup added that staff will seek Board direction on back billing should the testing program reveal that large meters have not properly captured usage. Mr. Rivenbark stated that it is known that meters slow down over time and that he was not in favor of back billing because uncaptured use due to meter failure is not the customer's fault. Board members discussed plant design and capacity related to peak use. 4. Sustainability Committee Dr. Cannon reported that the Committee met on July 25, and the minutes were in the Agenda packet. Sustainability Committee minutes 7.25.2024 Greenhouse gas inventory for calendar years 2022 and 2023. Ms. Eckert introduced Sydney Valliant, who worked on the CFPUA Greenhouse Gas Inventory for calendar years 2022 and 2023. Ms. Eckert reported that the Board adopted a goal of reducing CFPUA's greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by the year 2030. From 2019 through 2023, CFPUA recognized a 20 percent reduction. Staff has replaced lighting with energy -efficient fixtures, and lighting retrofits are planned within CFPUA facilities. CFPUA has 47 acres within the Richardson wellfield area that functions as a carbon sink, based upon its biodiversity and the age of trees and other plant species located within that acreage. CFPUA has a project to install a 200,000 kilowatt solar array at the Richardson Water Treatment Plant site. Lining projects to reduce inflow and infiltration will lower wastewater operating costs and the related emissions. Duke Energy's carbon plan includes the reduction and replacement of coal-fired energy with reliable resources that will allow Duke to achieve a 70 percent reduction in CO2 from its 2005 levels. Duke's plan will support CFPUA's goals of greenhouse gas reduction. Ms. Eckert answered questions from Board members regarding CFPUA's carbon sink property, the solar array project, and Duke's carbon reduction plan. Mr. Zapple thanked Ms. Eckert and Ms. Valliant for the comprehensive report. 5. Human Resources Committee Mr. Briggs reported that the Committee met on August 13 and received information on benefits for calendar year 2025. Of particular important is the State Health Plan's shift to Aetna for administration of health coverage and staff's outreach plan to ensure a smooth transition for employees. The Committee also received a report on leadership training and new learning tools available to staff. Nomination Committee Ms. Adams reported that the Nominations Committee recommended the following slate of officers: Jennifer Adams, Chair Deans Hackney, Vice -Chair Jessica Cannon, Secretary Wes Corder, Treasurer Mr. Briggs moved the item. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. X. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. XI. AUTHORITY Q & A / CLOSING COMMENTS There were no additional questions or comments. XII. CLOSED SESSION Mr. Rivenbark moved to enter closed session to discuss personnel matters. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board entered closed session at 10:15 AM. Following reports and discussion, Mr. Rivenbark moved to return to open session. Mr. Corder seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board returned to open session at 11:09 AM. Mr. Briggs moved to approve a contract amendment with Mr. Waldroup to include a 3 percent cost of living salary adjustment and a 3 percent merit increase, totaling 6 percent. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. XIII. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Rivenbark moved to adjourn. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM. The next regular meeting of the Authority will be Tuesday, September 10, 2024. The Board will meet at 9:00 AM in Rooms 138-139 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Respectfully submitted, Donna S. Pope, Clerk to the Board Makeba Robinson, Deputy Clerk to the Board