The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2025-06-11 MinutesCAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY AUTHORITY BOARD MINUTES TUNE 11, 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. Those present were: Authority Members: Jennifer Adams, Chair Deans Hackney, Vice -Chair Leslie Hudson, Board Member Hank Miller, Board Member Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman Luke Waddell, Sr., Councilman Rob Zapple, Commissioner Staff: Beth Eckert, Deputy Executive Director Nicolette Fulton, Authority Attorney John McLean, Chief Financial Officer & Deputy Executive Director Julia Vosnock Faircloth, Deputy Chief Financial Officer Kevin Morris, Deputy Executive Director Brittany McKim Spell, Deputy Attorney Cord Ellison, Chief Information Officer Cammie Bellamy, Public Information Officer Lori Tayson, Human Resources Director Elizabeth Severt, Strategy & Performance Manager Craig Wilson, Assistant Operations Director Matt Tribett, Assistant Operations Director Matt Hypes, Engineering Manager Deborah Leonard, HR Manager Sherry Brooks, HR Business Partner Ethan Walters, Strategy and Performance Analyst Judy Lawton, Deputy Clerk Makeba Robinson, Deputy Clerk Donna S. Pope, Clerk to the Board Guests: Jennifer Rigby and Jessica Loeper, New Hanover County II. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM Ms. Adams determined that quorum was present. Mr. Waddell moved to excuse Dr. Cannon and Messrs. Corder, Scalise, and Smith. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Ms. Fulton requested that Item 3. iv., in the Finance Committee Report be moved to closed session for discussion and a vote after the closed session. Mr. Waddell moved to adopt the amended agenda. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. IV. OATH OF OFFICE Ms. Lawton administered the oath of office to Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller is a New Hanover County appointee, and Board and staff welcomed him to the Authority. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approval of Minutes- May 14, 2025 Mr. Hackney moved to approve the May 14 Authority meeting minutes. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 4 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER Ms. Robinson reported that there were no public speakers. VII. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Rivenbark moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. A. $514,945 Purchase Agreement with Curtis Power Solutions for Mobile Generators for Wrightsville Beach B. $5,815,182.50 Construction Contract with Heath Grading and Utility, Inc. for the Lead Gooseneck and Galvanized Water Service Lateral Replacement Project C. Approval for Write -Offs of Uncollectible Charges D. Renewal amendment for the Odor and Corrosion Control Program contract with PENCCO, Inc. for an additional 12-month term. E. Resolution to Accept State Reserve Funding for the NHC Drinking Water Extensions Project F. 421 Fire Station Interlocal Agreement G. Pender County Wastewater Treatment and Conveyance Interlocal Agreement VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Administrative Reports 1. Attorney's Report Ms. Fulton did not have a report for open session. She requested a closed session to discuss potential litigation. 2. Executive Director's Report i. Key Indicators Mr. Zapple noted that requests for information from Development Services was at a high point. Mr. Morris reported that 200 requests had been received for the River Lights area. 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 1. Executive Committee i. Executive Committee Minutes 6.4.2025 Ms. Adams reported that the Committee met on June 4, and the minutes were in the agenda packet for review. 2. Long Range Planning Committee LRP Minutes 5.22.2025 Mr. Hackney reported that the Committee met on May 22, and the minutes were in the agenda packet for review. The Committee reviewed several items, as indicated in the Committee report. Regional Biosolids Collaboration with Brunswick County The information was in the agenda packet for review. Staff and Committee members answered questions regarding the potential collaboration for biosolids disposal. Mr. Zapple stated that he supported exploring options other than landfill disposal but had concerns regarding land application as a solution. iii. Southside WWTP Value Engineering Update The information was in the agenda packet for review. iv. Wrightsville Beach ICW Crossing Project Update The information was in the agenda packet for review. Mr. Tribett answered questions regarding coordination with the Department of Transportation. V. Wastewater Infiltration & Inflow and Find -It, Fix -It The information was in the agenda packet for review. 3. Finance Committee Finance Committee Minutes 6.4.2025 Ms. Adams reported that the Committee met on June 4, and the minutes were in the agenda packet for review. Monthly Financials Ms. Faircloth presented the financial data, and she and Mr. McLean answered questions from Board members. The unassigned cash balance is $48.5 million. At the end of April, expenditures were at 79.61 percent of budget with 83.3 percent of the year complete. At the end of May, retail water and sewer revenues were over budget, and system development charges continued to trend under budget. Mr. Zapple requested talking points to address customer concerns about the irrigation rate increase in the FY26 budget. iii. Resolution Raising the Micro -Purchase Threshold FY26 Ms. Faircloth presented the item. Mr. Waddell moved to approve the Resolution. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. iv. Design -Build Procurement Authorization for the Twin 48-Inch Raw Water Transmission Main project. The item was voted upon following the closed session. 4. Sustainability Committee The Committee did not meet in May and had no report. 5. Human Resources Committee The Committee had three policy items for Board action, as follows: 1. Bilingual premium pay. Ms. Hudson moved to approve the policy. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. 2. Certification incentive pay. Mr. Waddell asked for clarification regarding comments noted on the draft policy. The Board agreed to vote on the item after staff provided a finalized copy of the recommended policy. 3. Paid parental leave. Ms. Hudson moved to approve the policy. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. IX. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Waddell moved to cancel the July 9 Authority meeting and the Committee meetings preceding the Board meeting. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. X. AUTHORITY Q & A / CLOSING COMMENTS Messrs. Rivenbark and Waddell requested that CFPUA staff work with City staff where possible to preserve the City's tree canopy. XI. CLOSED SESSION Mr. Rivenbark moved to enter closed session to discuss Finance Item 3. iv. contract negotiations and potential litigation. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board entered closed session at 9:32 AM with Ms. Fulton, Ms. Eckert, Ms. Spell, Ms. Bellamy, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Lawton, Ms. Pope, and Messrs. McLean, Wilson, and Morris present. The Board received a report from legal counsel and provided feedback. Following the discussion, Mr. Miller moved to return to open session. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board returned to open session at 10:18 AM. Mr. Rivenbark moved to approve Finance Item 3. iv., Design Build Authorization. Mr. Hackney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Ms. Hudson moved to approve the HR Policy for certification incentive pay. Mr. Waddell seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. XII. ADJOURNMENT There was no further business to come before the Board, and Mr. Miller moved to adjourn. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:28 AM. The next regular CFPUA meeting will be Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The Authority will meet at 9:00 AM 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