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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-12 MinutesCAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY AUTHORITY BOARD MINUTES FEBRUARY 12, 2025 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. II. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM Mr. Zapple moved to excuse Messrs. Briggs and Rivenbark. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. There was a quorum of the Board, with the following members present: Jennifer Adams, Chair Deans Hackney, Vice -Chair Jessica Cannon, Secretary Wes Corder, Treasurer Leslie Hudson, Authority Member Bill Smith, Authority Member Dane Scalise, Commissioner Luke Waddell, Sr., Councilmember Rob Zapple, Commissioner The following staff members were present: Kenneth Waldroup, Executive Director Nicolette Fulton, Attorney Beth Eckert, Deputy Executive Director Kevin Morris, Deputy Executive Director John McLean, Chief Financial Officer & Deputy Executive Director Julia Vosnock Faircloth, Deputy Finance Officer Lori Tayson, Human Resource Director Vaughn Hagerty, Chief Communications Officer Cord Ellison, Chief Information Officer Brittany McKim Spell, Deputy Attorney Shannon Clayboss, Workforce Development Manager Cammie Bellamy, Public Information Officer Gary McSmith, Chief Engineer Craig Wilson, Assistant Operations Director Tara Arnette, Environmental Sustainability & Safety Manager Elizabeth Severt, Strategy & Performance Manager Kelsey Mongeau, Safety & Performance Analyst Ethan Walters, Safety & Performance Analyst Deborah Leonard, HR Manager Sherry Brooks, HR Business Partner Ashley Rogers, HR Generalist Judy Lawton, Deputy Clerk Makeba Robinson, Deputy Clerk Donna S. Pope, Clerk to the Board Guests: Jennifer Rigby Tyler Newman III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Ms. Adams moved to amend the agenda by removing Items III and iv from the Long Range Planning Committee report. The Committee did not review the items at its January 23 meeting. Dr. Cannon seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting - January 8, 2025 Dr. Cannon presented the minutes. There were no changes by the Board, and Dr. Cannon moved to approve the January 8 regular meeting minutes. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. B. Approval of Minutes - Southside Workshop - January 8, 2025 Dr. Cannon presented the minutes. There were no changes, and she moved to approve the January 8 workshop minutes. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 4 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER There were no public speakers. VI. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Waddell moved approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety. Mr. Corder seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. A. $676,964 Agreement with Crowder Construction Company for Design -Build Services for Intracoastal Waterway Water and Sewer Crossing B. $1,032,737 Contract Amendment with Crowder Construction Company for Southside WWTP Expansion and Upgrade project. C. Design -Build Procurement Authorization for Richardson WTP Raw Water Bio-growth Elimination Project D. Resolution Accepting Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grants for Water Main Extensions in the Areas of Rockhill Road and Alandale Drive E. Ordinance Appropriating Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grants (BIL-EC-SDC) for Water Main Extensions in the Areas of Rockhill Rd and Alandale Dr. Following the Consent Agenda vote, staff answered questions regarding funding for the grants. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Administrative Reports 1. Attorney's Report Ms. Fulton had no report for open session. She requested a closed session to discuss litigation matters and a personnel item. 2. Executive Director's Report Mr Waldroup reported that staff continues to consolidate reports and seeks feedback from the Board. i. Key Indicators Messrs. Waldroup and McSmith answered questions regarding the relationship between engineering requests for information and project timelines. ii. Safety Report The report was in the agenda packet for review. iii. Environmental Report The report was in the agenda packet for review. iv. Strategic Plan Update The report was in the agenda packet for review. V. Economic Development Projects Update The report was in the agenda packet for review. B. Committee Reports Executive Committee Executive Committee Minutes 2/4/2025 The minutes were in the agenda packet for information. ii. Request for Authorization to Change Articles of Incorporation Ms. Adams presented the item, which was recommended by the Executive Committee. Ms. Fulton and Mr. Waldroup provided supporting informationj. Mr. Scalise moved to request that the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County revise CFPUA's Articles of Incorporation to remove term limits for Authority members. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Mr. Waddell requested that a CFPUA representative attend City Council's meeting when they address the request. Ms.Fulton reported that she would send the formal request to the City and County Attorneys. 2. Long Range Planning Committee LRP Minutes 1/23/2025 The minutes were in the agenda for information and review. FY-2026 10-year CIP Preview Major Projects and Programs Mr. McSmith presented a brief overview of the recommended capital projects for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and the projected ten-year capital program. The recommended CIP includs projects and enhancements identified by staff as necessary and prudent investments and items that may be delayed beyond fiscal year 2030 to lesson the economic impact of the Southside project. Messrs. McSmith and Waldroup answered questions from Board members regarding the recommended projects and deferrals. The Board will hold a capital workshop following its March 12 meeting. iii. Selected Ongoing CIP Project Updates The item was removed from the agenda because it had not been reviewed by the Committee. iv. Potential Future LRPC Update Topics The item was removed from the agenda because it had not been reviewed by the Committee. 3. Finance Committee Finance Committee Minutes 2/5/2025 The minutes were in the agenda packet for information and review. ii. Monthly Financials Mr. McLean presented the January financial data. The unassigned fund balance is $39.9 million. With 50 percent of the fiscal year complete in December, expenditures were at 51.6 percent of budget. Usage revenues and system development fees are under budget. Staff has recognized some savings in lapsed salaries and benefits for unfilled positions. Messrs. McLean and Waldroup answered questions from Board members regarding the financial report. Mr. McLean presented the calendar for this year's bond issuance. He anticipates the bonds selling on April 16 and closing in early May. The 2025 bonds will not include Southside project funding. 4. Sustainability Committee The Committee did not meet in December or January. 5. Human Resources Committee The Human Resources Committee meeting was scheduled to follow the Board meeting. The Committee will report at the March Board meeting. VIII. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. IX. AUTHORITY Q & A / CLOSING COMMENTS There were no additional questions or comments. X. CLOSED SESSION Mr. Smith moved to enter closed session to discuss CFPUA v. Chemours, potential litigation, contract negotiation, and a personnel matter Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board entered closed session at 10:10 AM and received reports from Ms. Fulton and Mr. Waldroup. Following reports and Board discussion, Mr. Smith moved to return to open session. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board returned to open sssion at 10:51 AM. XI. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Smith moved to adjourn. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 AM. The next regular Authority meeting will be Wednesday, March 12, 2025. The Board will meet in Rooms 138 and 139, New Hanover County Administration Building, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Respectfully submitted, Donna S. Pope Clerk to the Board