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Home My WebLink About2025-01-08 MinutesCAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY AUTHORITY BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 8, 2025 Room 139 Regular Meeting 9:00 AM 230 GOVERNMENT CENTER DRIVE WILMINGTON, NC 28403 CALL TO ORDER Ms. Adams called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Dr. Cannon moved to excuse Mr. Briggs. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. II. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM A quorum of the Board was present, with the following Board members: Jennifer Adams, Chair Deans Hackney, Vice -Chair Jessica Cannon, Secretary Wes Corder, Treasurer Leslie Hudson, Authority Member Bill Smith, Authority Member Charlie Rivenbark, Councilmember Dane Scalise, Commissioner Luke Waddell, Councilmember Rob Zapple, Commissioner Board member excused: Hollis Briggs Staff present: Kenneth Waldroup, Executive Director Nicolette Fulton, Authority Attorney Beth Eckert, Deputy Executive Director Kevin Morris, Deputy Executive Director John McLean, CFO and Deputy Executive Director Julia Vosnock Faircloth, Deputy CFO Lori Tayson, HR Director Cord Ellison, Chief Information Officer Vaughn Hagerty, Chief Communications Officer Cammie Bellamy, PIO Shannon Clayboss, Workforce Development Manager 1111 age Elizabeth Severt, Strategy and Performance Manager Brittany McKim Spell, Deputy Attorney Mackenzie Coulter, Real Estate Manager Robert Daughtry, Assistant Operations Director Matt Tribett, Assistant Operations Director Gary McSmith, Chief Engineer Deborah Leonard, HR Manager Sherry Brooks, HR Business Partner Ashley Rogers, HR Generalist Kelsey Mongeau, Strategy & Performance Analyst Ethan Waters, Strategy & Performance Analyst Scott Solari, Senior IT Specialist Sara Eskew, Deputy Clerk Makeba Robinson, Deputy Clerk Donna S. Pope, Clerk Guests: Tim Holleman, Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority Jennifer Rigby, Lisa Wurtzbacher, and Jessica Loeper, New Hanover County III. OATH OF OFFICE - DANE SCALISE Ms. Robinson administered the oath of office as an Authority member to Mr. Scalise. The group welcomed Mr. Scalise to the group. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Rivenbark moved to adopt the day's agenda. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approval of Minutes -Regular Meeting- Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 9:00 AM Mr. Zapple moved to approve the December minutes. Mr. Smith seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 4 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER There were no public speakers. VII. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Zapple requested that Item A be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion. Dr. Cannon requested that Item G be removed from the Consent Agenda. Mr. Zapple moved to approve Items B - F on Consent. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the 2111 age motion, and it passed unanimously. A. Preliminary Findings Resolution Mr. Smith asked for clarification on the amount of the bonds reference in the Preliminary Findings Resolution and if it included re -funding 2014A bonds. Mr. McLean reported that the $40 million in the Resolution is an estimate of new monies needed for identified projects. CFPUA is not locked into that amount. The Resolution further authorizes staff to analyze if re -funding the 2014A bonds is advisable. The amount includes the cost of issuing the bonds at $600,000, which is included in Item B on the Consent Agenda, the Budget Ordinance for issuance costs. The final Bond Resolution and issuance amounts will come to the Board in February. The Preliminary Findings Resolution is required for Local Government Commission approval. Mr. Zapple moved to approve the Preliminary Findings Resolution. Ms. Hudson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. B. Ordinance Appropriating Bond Proceeds to Fund Costs of Issuance C. $6,621,875 Construction Contract with Carolina Civilworks Inc. for the Northern New Hanover County Water & Sewer Main Project, N. College Road & Blue Clay Road Corridor D. $8,739,175 Construction Contract with RH Moore Company Inc. for the Northern New Hanover County Water & Sewer Main Project, Holly Shelter Road Corridor E. $743,600 Amendment #2 with McKim & Creed for the Northern New Hanover County Water & Sewer Mains Project F. $82,200 Amendment #1 for CDM Smith Castle Hayne Waterline Design G. $154,100 Engineering Contract Amendment to CDM Smith for the Wrightsville Beach SCADA Conversion and Generator Replacement Project Mr. McSmith answered questions regarding the item. Dr. Cannon moved to approve the contract amendment. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Mr. Zapple noted that the contract amendment was less than estimated. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Administrative Reports 1. Attorney's Report Ms. Fulton reported that staff has submitted written public comments to DEQ 3111age regarding ground water standards for PFAS. Board members received a copy of the comments via email. Ms. Fulton did not require a closed session. 2. Executive Director's Report Key Indicators The report was in the packet for review. Mr. Zapple noted that requests for information from the building community are at a 12-month high. Board and staff discussed how the requests could be indicative of future growth. ii. Safety Report The report was in the packet for review. iii. Environmental Report The report was in the packet for review. Staff answered questions regarding the wet weather model and methodology for sealing manholes to reduce inflow during storm events. Mr. Waldroup will include additional information in the weekly Board update. iv. Strategic Plan Update The report was in the packet for review. V. Economic Development Projects Update The report was in the packet for review. 3. Monthly Financials Mr. McLean presented the financial report. At the end of November, the unrestricted fund balance is just under $38 million. $8 million is restricted for principle and interest on bonds. The committed fund balance is for capital projects, including money to go towards the Southside project. Through December, revenues continue to trend under budget. Messrs. McLean and Waldroup answered questions from Board member regarding the methodology set forth by the North Carolina General Statutes for determining the system development fees. Ms. Hudson recommended that staff add the upcoming bond issuance schedule to the financial report. Mr. McLean reported that CFPUA will probably need to issue bonds more frequently in the future than it has for the past several years. IX. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. 4111age Staff distributed 2025 calendars to Board members. The artwork on the calendars is created by school children, and several images will be printed and placed in CFPUA facilities. X. AUTHORITY Q & A / CLOSING COMMENTS Mr. Waddell requested the addition of an item to the day's agenda. Under Article IV, Section 4.3 of the Authority Bylaws, ten days' notice to the Chair is required for a Board member to add an item for consideration. Ms. Adams reported that a two-thirds vote is necessary to suspend the requirement. Mr. Waddell moved to waive the ten-day requirement, and Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion. Ms. Adams, Ms. Hudson, and Messrs. Corder, Hackney, Rivenbark, Scalise, Waddell, and Zapple voted in favor of the motion. Dr. Cannon and Mr. Smith were opposed. Motion carried, eight to two. Under Robert's Rules of Order, Mr. Waddell moved to censure Ms. Hudson for remarks made in a voice mail left for Representative Ted Davis. Mr. Scalise seconded the motion, Messrs. Waddell, Scalise, Corder, Rivenbark, and Hackney spoke in favor of the motion. Dr. Cannon and Messrs. Smith and Zapple spoke against the motion. Following comments, Ms. Adams called the question. Messrs. Corder, Hackney, Rivenbark, Scalise, and Waddell voted yes. Dr. Cannon and Messrs. Smith and Zapple were opposed. Ms. Hudson did not vote, and Ms. Adams abstained. Motion carried, five to three. XI. CLOSED SESSION There was no closed session. XII. ADJOURNMENT There was no further business to come before the Authority, and Mr. Waddell moved to adjourn. Mr. Corder seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 AM. The Authority's next regular meeting will Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The Board will meet at 9:00 AM in Rooms 138 and 139, New Hanover County Administration Building, Wilmington, North Carolina. Respectfully submitted, Donna S. Pope Clerk to the Board CAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY S111 age