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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-10 MinutesCAPE FEAR PUBLIC UTILITY AUTHORITY AUTHORITY BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 Room 139 Regular Meeting 9:00 AM 230 GOVERNMENT CENTER DRIVE WILMINGTON, NC 28403 I. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Corder called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. II. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM Mr. Corder determined that a quorum was present. Mr. Zapple moved to excuse Mr. Waddell from the meeting and to excuse Mr. Rivenbark until his arrival. Mr. Scalise seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Mr. Rivenbark arrived at 9:30 AM. Those present were: Authority Members: Wes Corder, Chair Deans Hackney, Vice -Chair Jessica Cannon, Secretary Bill Smith, Treasurer Jennifer Adams Leslie Hudson Hank Miller Charlie Rivenbark, Councilman Dane Scalise, Commissioner Luke Waddell, Sr., Councilman Rob Zapple, Commissioner Staff: Kenneth Waldroup, Executive Director Nicolette Fulton, Authority Attorney Beth Eckert, Deputy Executive Director Kevin Morris, Deputy Executive Director John McLean, Chief Financial Officer & Deputy Executive Director Lori Tayson, Human Resources Director Cord Ellison, Chief Information Officer Vaughn Hagerty, Chief Communications Officer Julia Vosnock Faircloth, Deputy Finance Director Cammie Bellamy, Public Information Officer Julia Vosnock Faircloth, Deputy Finance Officer Brittany McKim Spell, Deputy Attorney Mackenzie Coulter, Deputy Attorney Gary McSmith, Assistant Engineering Director Craig Wilson, Assistant Operations Director Matt Tribett, Assistant Operations Director Eric Seidel, Engineering Manager Deborah Leonard, Human Resources Manager Heather Wochole, Workforce Development Manager Makeba Robinson, Deputy Clerk Sara Eskew, Deputy Clerk Donna S. Pope, Clerk to the Board Guests: Jennifer Rigby, Lisa Wurtzbacher, and Jessica Loeper, New Hanover County III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mr. Smith moved to adopt the day's agenda. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting - August 13, 2025 Mr. Zapple moved to approve the minutes from the August Authority meeting. Mr. Hackney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS - 4 MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER Ms. Robinson reported that there were no speakers. VI. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Zapple requested clarification on Item G. Ms. Fulton advised that she could provide clarificaiton in closed session. Mr. Zapple moved to approve the Consent Agenda, in its entirety. Mr. Smith seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. A. $140,720.99 Change Order to Construction Contract for Carolina Civilworks Inc. for modifications to the Walnut Street Pump Station (PS9) Replacement Project B. $417,500 Contract for Professional Engineering Services with Black & Veatch for Blower Replacements at the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant C. $555,735.04 Vacall AVJ 1015 Combination Vacuum/Jet Truck purchase. D. $313,400.00 purchase for a used 2022 International HV Elliott 3105R 30-ton Crane Truck E. Landscape Maintenance Contract for Multiple Agency Sites F. $595,000 Contract for Professional Engineering Services with Ardurra Group North Carolina for the Scotts Hill Water Main Extension Project G. Resolution Authorizing Condemnation -Coastal Cement H. Resolution Authorizing Condemnation-Aftew Properties 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 potential litigation. 2. Executive Director's Report i. Key Indicators The report was available in the packet for review. Mr. McSmith answered questions about the 12-month rolling average for construction inspections. Mr. McLean answered questions about debt management and debt to capital ratios. Mr. Waldroup reported that staff recently received notice from the State regarding CFPUA's eligibility to receive grant funding for underserved communities. The funding is contingent upon North Carolina receiving funding through the Environmental Protection Agency. ii. Safety Report The report was available in the packet for review. iii. Environmental Report The report was in the packet for review. 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. B. Committee Reports 1. Executive Committee i. Executive Committee Minutes 9/3/2025 The minutes from the Executive Committee's September 3 meeting were in the packet for review. 2. Long Range Planning Committee The minutes of the Long Range Planning Committee's August 28 meeting were in the packet for review. 2026 Design Guide and Technical Standards Review Process Mr. Waldroup thanked Mr. Morris and Engineering staff for their work on developing and revising the design guide and technical standards review process. Mr. Morris reported that staff is receiving feedback from community stakeholders and that a public workshop is planned for September 18. Mr. Waldroup reported that staff had incorporated comments from the Committee into the design guide and technical standards. He asked that the Board approve the process at this meeting, with further modifications coming to the Board through the Committee. Ms. Adams moved to approve the 2026 Design Guide and Technical Standards Review Process. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. iii. Fourth Quarter 2025 CIP Report The report was in the agenda packet for review. iv. Water Master Planning Update The material was in the agenda packet for review. Staff received feedback from Board members on the master planning document. 3. Sustainability Committee Sustainability Minutes 8.14.2025 The minutes from the August Committee meeting were in the agenda packet for review. ii. 2024 Greenhouse Gas Report and Energy Action Plan Presentation Dr. Cannon reported that the Committee discussed CFPUA's greenhouse inventory. The Board previously adopted a plan to reduce emissions by 43 percent by calendar year 2030. With changes to Duke's fuel plan and increased energy needs for the Southside plant, it is unlikely that we can meet the 43 percent goal by 2030. 4. Finance Committee Finance Committee Minutes 9/3/2025 The minutes of the September 3 Committee meeting were in the agenda packet for review. Monthly Financials Mr. McLean presented the financial report. Staff is working to finalize FY25 financial data. The audit is underway and will come to the Board in October or November. Mr. McLean reported that the unassigned fund balance is $52,360,154. The fund balance is not a "rainy day fund," but a management tool that supports CFPUA's AA+ bond rating. The cost of operating the water and sewer systems is increasing, and staff recommends increasing the unassigned fund balance. Mr. McLean will bring the recommendation to the Board through the Finance Committee, and he anticipates setting the goal at $65,000,000. Wrightsville Beach system development charges will total approximately $13,000,000 and may be applied towards the increased unassigned fund balance. Mr. Waldroup reported that FEMA reimbursements to local governments are under review and may impact CFPUA's funding following storm events. iii. $ 11,097,245 Design Build Services Agreement with Crowder Construction Company for Wrightsville Beach Water System Interconnection and ICW Crossings Construction Ms. Adams moved to approve the contract. Dr. Cannon seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. VIII. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Board. IX. AUTHORITY Q & A / CLOSING COMMENTS Mr. Corder thanked staff for their work in revising the technical standards and design review process. He stated that CFPUA is being very pro -active and clear in its expectations of the development community. X. CLOSED SESSION Mr. Scalise moved to enter closed session to discuss potential litigation. Mr. Zapple seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board entered closed session at 9:35 AM and received a report from legal counsel. Mr. Smith moved to return to open session. Mr. Rivenbark seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Board returned to open session at 10:20 AM. XI. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Hackney moved to adjourn. Mr. Smith seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The Authority adjourned at 10:21 AM. The next regular CFPUA meeting will be Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The Board will meet at 9:00 AM in Rooms 138 and 139 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Respectfully submitted, Donna S. Pope Clerk to the Board