[Call to Order]
[00:00:06]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. WELCOME TO THE FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING FOR JANUARY 17, 2023.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THE OPENING
PRAYER. >> IN PROVERBS 27:17, IT SAYS AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, SO ONE PERSON SHARPENS ANOTHER.
HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR A FRESH YEAR AND FOR EACH DAY THAT WE HAVE TO SERVE YOU IN OUR COMMUNITY.
LORD GOD, MAY THIS NEW YEAR, 2023, BE A YEAR OF TAKING OUR TALENTS, KNOWLEDGE, AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP EACH OTHER GROW IN LEADERSHIP AND WISDOM. AS WE SHARPEN EACH OTHER, MAY GODLY VIRTUES SPREAD INTO OUR COMMUNITIES FOR A HEALTHY GR GROWTH, UNITY, PROSPERITY, AND SAFETY.
AS WE FACE NEW CHALLENGES KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, HELP US SEEK YOUR FACE FOR GUIDANCE. POUR OUT YOUR LOVE AND GRACE UPON THIS CITY IN YOUR MIGHTY AND HOLY NAME WE PRAY.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> MRS. BENNETT?
>> I BELIEVE THAT MR. FEE WILL BE A LITTLE LATE.
[B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
I TRUST THAT EVERYBODY HAS HAD A MINUTE TO REVIEW THE MINUTESFROM LAST MEETING? >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MR. LAMMERS?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MRS. GIBBONS?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC TODAY? NO? ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON.
I'M SORRY. >> WE NEED TO SET THE AGENDA.
[A. SET THE AGENDA]
DID WE DO THAT? >> OH, I'M SORRY.
CAN I GET AN APPROVAL TO SET THE AGENDA?
>> I APPROVE THAT WE SET THE AGENDA.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MR. LAMMERS?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON?
[D. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> YES, MA'AM. >> SORRY ABOUT.
THAT CON SEN AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
ANYTHING NEED TO BE PULLED? >> NO, MA'AM.
THERE ARE NO ITEMS TO BE PULLED TODAY.
>> THERE IS ONE AND I MOVE TO APPROVE IT.
CAN I GET A SECOND? >> SECOND.
>> MRS. BENNETT? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MR. LAMMERS? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES, MA'AM.
[G.1. Seacoast National Bank Presentation – For Information Only. ]
>> MRS. GIBBONS? >> YES, MA'AM.
ON TO NEW BUSINESS. MR. DIRECTOR.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THE FIRST ITEM THIS AFTERNOON IS THE PRESENTATION FROM OUR INSTITUTION SEACOAST BANK. STAFF WORKS WITH SEACOAST ON A DAILY BASIS. WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO INTRODUCE THEIR TEAM TO YOU, THE BOARD.
GREAT TO MEET ALL OF YOU AND APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND A LITTLE TIME TALKING ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP SEACOAST HAS HAD WITH FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY.
THE RELATIONSHIP GOES BACK 13 YEARS.
IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BANK THE UTILITY AND JUST... I'LL MAKE A QUICK COMMENT.
IT IS VERY MUCH AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT ACCOUNT FOR US.
PROBABLY ONE OF OUR TOP TEN RELATIONSHIPS IN THE COMPANY, IF NOT THE VERY TOP. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BANK THE UTILITY. I'M CHUCK SCHAFER, CHAIRMAN AND C.E.O. OF SEACOAST BANK. I GREW UP IN MELBOURNE JUST TO THE NORTH. I WENT TO COLLEGE AND THEN CAME TO WORK FOR SEACOAST. BEEN WITH SEACOAST FOR 25 YEARS.
IT IS A PLEASURE TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOU HERE THIS MORNING.
I WON'T SPEND A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME ON ALL OF THESE SLIDES UNLESS... THERE WE GO.
I TRUST YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK THROUGH THEM.
IAS POINTED OUT, THIS IS THE SEACOAST BANK RELATIONSHIP BANK TEAM LED BY DANA MCSWEENEY WHO OFFICES HERE IN FORT PIERCE WHO HAS HAD A LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UTILITY.
AS I SAID, WE ENJOY THE RELATIONSHIP.
WE ENJOY THE SERVICE WE CAN PROVIDE.
AND WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT ALL OF YOU.
JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COMPANY.
AND AGAIN, I WON'T SPEND A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME HERE.
[00:05:01]
BUT WE ARE HEADQUARTERED JUST TO THE SOUTH OF HERE IN STUART, FLORIDA. THE COMPANY HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1920S. TODAY WITH THE MOST RECENT CLOSING OF THE TRANSACTION WE HAVE DOWN IN MIAMI WILL BE ROUGHLY A $15 BILLION IN ASSETS BANK WHICH PUTS US ROUGHLY ABOUT THE 100TH LARGEST PUBLICLY TRADED BANK IN THE UNITED STATES. THERE IS 4,000 BANKS IN THE UNITED STATES. WE ARE RIGHT AROUND THE 100TH LARGEST. WE ARE THE LARGEST BANK HEADQUARTERED IN FLORIDA THAT FOCUSES ONLY ON FLORIDA.AT THIS POINT, THE COMPANY RUNS ALL THE WAY FROM JACKSONVILLE AT THE VERY NORTH PART OF FLORIDA TO MIAMI DOWN THE EAST COAST.
PRETTY MUCH COVERS ALL OF CENTRAL FLORIDA INCLUDING ORLANDO, GAINESVILLE, LAKE CITY. AND THEN RUNS FROM TAMPA ALL THE WAY DOWN TO NAPLES. SO FULL-SERVICE COMMERCIAL BANKING. EVERYTHING FROM COMMERCIAL CLIENTS, PUBLIC ENTITIES. WE BANK NONPROFITS, RETAIL, CONSUMERS AND THE FULL GAMUT OF SERVICE.
I WON'T GO INTO THE HISTORY WHILE YOU LOOK AT.
THAT JUST TO POINT OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY.
WE ARE... SINCE THE FINANCIAL DOWNTURN, THE COMPANY HAS GROWN FAIRLY MATERIALLY. WE HAVE DONE A FAIR AMOUNT OF BANK TRANSACTIONS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
WE ARE ALSO PROBABLY ONE OF THE STRONGEST BALANCE SHEETS IN THE INDUSTRY. WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL WHICH I'LL SHOW YOU A FEW SLIDES ON THAT IN A MINUTE.
A LOT OF LIQUIDITY WITHIN THE BANK.
WE HAVE REALLY WORKED TO POSITION THE BANK AS FORTRES BALANCE SHEET ORGANIZATION. WE ARE WELL-REGARDED BY SHAREHOLDERS AS A RESULT OF THAT FORTRESS BALANCE SHEET AND LOOKED TO AS ONE OF THE STRONGEST BANKS IN THE U.S.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT JUST THESE RATIOS HERE, JUST TO KIND OF POINT OUT TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF THE SLIDE DECK THERE, IT IS TOTAL RISK-BASED IN TIER ONE CAPITAL.
THAT IS HOW REGULATORS VIEW OUR CAPITAL POSITION.
AND THOSE LINES THERE, THE HARD LINE THAT SHOWS THE 10% OUT TO THE RIGHT AND THE 8% OUT TO THE RIGHT, THAT IS BASICALLY THE MINIMUM FOR A REGULATOR FOR A TIER... TOTAL RISK-BASED CAPITAL. AT THE TOP AT 10%.
AND TIER ONE WHICH MEANS SORT OF COMMON EQUITY CAPITAL.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT SLIDE, YOU KNOW, IT IS 17.5% ON TOTAL RISK-BASED CAPITAL. AND 16.5% ON TIER ONE.
WE ARE WELL ABOVE THE REGULATORY MINIMUMS. AND AGAIN, CONSIDERED A VERY STRONG WELL-PERFORMING BANK.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS SLIDE, AND AGAIN, IT IS A LITTLE SMALL.
HARD TO SEE HERE. BUT THIS IS VERY COMMON CAPITAL RATIOS. FOR BANKS COMPARED TO OUR PEER GROUP. THE LINE BEING SEACOAST BANK AND THE GRAY LINE BEING THE MEDIUM OF OUR TIER.
IN THE UPPER BOX THERE, THAT MEANS TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY TO TANGIBLE ASSETS. AGAIN, THE CAPITAL IN THE ORGANIZATION. YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE ALMOST DOUBLE OUR PEER. IN THE UPPER RIGHT, CET-1.
THAT IS COMMON EQUITY TIER ONE RISK-BASED.
AGAIN, THAT WAS A SIMILAR RATIO YOU SAW IN THE PRIOR SLIDE.
AGAIN, NOT QUITE DOUBLE BUT QUITE A BIT OF CAPITAL COMPARED TO PEER. AND THEN LEVERAGE RATIO IS KIND OF THE AMOUNT OF ASSETS WE HAVE WHEN COMPARED TO THE EQUITY IN THE COMPANY IF THE LOWER LEFT. AGAIN, TOTAL CAPITAL RATIO.
WELL AHEAD OF PEER. WHEN YOU CONSIDER WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO PUT YOUR MONEY AND WHO YOU ARE GOING TO BANK WITH, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE COMMON... OR ONE OF THE BIGGEST DIRCH YEA OR THES IS THE STRENGTH OF THE BALANCE SHEET.
IT IS RECOGNIZED IN OUR RATIOS. IT HAS BEEN A COMMON CORE PRINCIPLE FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO MAINTAIN THIS CONSERVATISM, GOING THROUGH THE CHALLENGES IN FLORIDA WE HAVE GONE THROUGH OVER THE YEARS WITH UP-AND-DOWN REAL ESTATE, MAINTAINING A STRONG CAPITAL BASE HAS BEEN A CORE PRINCIPLE FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME.
WITH THAT, JUST QUICKLY I WILL TALK ABOUT... YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN P PUT THE PUTTING TOGETHER VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES FOR THE
UTILITY. >> YOU LOOK AT THE LEFT THERE, WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A CHECKING ACCOUNT.
STANDARD CHECKING ACCOUNT THAT WE BANK WITH TODAY.
WE HAVE THE UTILITY AND ICS ACCOUNT.
THAT PROVIDES A 1.15% YIELD. AND IT IS ALSO FULL FDIC INSURANCE COVERAGE. WE HAVE TO SWEEP THAT EVERY NIGHT. THERE IS AN OPERATIONAL CHALLENGE. WE HANDLE IT WITH NO ISSUE.
WE ALSO CAN OFFER WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE EXCESS LIQUIDITY THAT YOU GUYS WILL BE HAVING, WE CAN PUT IT IN C.D.'S.
A LOT OF THIS IS FLEXIBLE. I MEAN, WE CAN COME UP WITH ALTERNATIVES ONCE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE AND WHAT YOUR OBJECTIVES ARE. AND THEN WITH THE C.D., IT WOULD BE FDIC COVERAGE UP TO $250,000 PER DEPOSITOR.
YOU MOVE TO THE RIGHT. THE RATE ON THE C.D. IS 3% FOR ONE YEAR. IF WE HAVE THE FULL FDS
[00:10:08]
INSURANCE THAT, SPREADS IT AROUND TO A NUMBER OF BANKS, KEEPING IT UNDER THE $250,000 THRESHHOLD.IT COSTS US SOME FEES. IT COSTS US ABOUT 15 BASIS POINTS. THAT IS WHY IT DROPS TO 285.
NOW TO THE RIGHT. WE LIKE TO THINK THAT IS PROBABLY THE BEST ALTERNATIVE FOR YOU.
A MONEY MARKET RATE OF 350. NAST WOULD ALLOW YOU FULL FLEXIBILITY TO MOVE THE MONEY OUT.
THERE WILL BE SOME CAPITAL NEEDS OVER TIME.
THIS WILL PROVIDE THE FLEXIBILITY AND LIQUIDITY TO INVEST WHENEVER YOU NEEDED TO. WE WOULD ALSO POINT OUT THAT 350 WAS SET TODAY BEFORE ANY FURTHER FUTURE RATE HIKES BY THE FED.
WE DO EXPECT A COUPLE MORE HIKES AND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS, YOU KNOW, IF THE FED WERE TO GO UP .25 BASIS POINTS, WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE HALF OF THAT WITH THE UTILITY.
IF THE FED WERE TO MOVE UP, SAY, ANOTHER .50, WE WOULD MOVE IT UP TO 3.75 AT LEAST FOR ANOTHER QUARTER.
THEN BEYOND THAT, WE CAN RENEGOTIATE THAT.
WE THINK THAT IS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE FOR THE SITUATION WITH THE EXCESS BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU THE FLEXIBILITY TO USE IT.
IT IS A 3.50 RATE. THERE IS... THE FDIC INSURANCE IS ONLY UP TO $250,000. WHY WE THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE OF THE CAPITAL IN THE ORGANIZATION.
I DON'T THINK THE CONCERN THERE AROUND CAPITAL...
ALTHOUGH I KNOW THAT YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND BANKS AND UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRY TO FULLY CAPTURE THAT, BUT THE REALITY IS WE ARE EXTREMELY WELL CAPITALIZED COMPARED TO PEER AND REGULATORY.
I DON'T FEAR THAT IS A RISK FOR THE ORGANIZATION.
YOU KNOW, IT PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY IN THE HIGHEST RATE.
AND LAST THING I WOULD LEAVE YOU, WITH I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS, WE ARE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU.
ONCE WE UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS, YOU KNOW, IS FDIC INSURANCE IMPORTANT IS. THEIR TERM IMPORTANT? ONCE WE LAY THIS OUT, WE ARE HERE TO CUSTOMIZE THIS FOR YOU.
WE WANT TO BE YOUR PRIMARY RELATIONSHIP.
WE WANT TO BE YOUR BANK. AND WE ARE OPEN TO WHATEVER CONVERSATION GOES FROM HERE. BUT I'LL STOP THERE.
I DON'T WANT TO SPEND TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.
I KNOW YOU HAVE A FULL AGENDA. I WILL SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS. >> ANYBODY HAVE ANY Y DISBHES.
>> NO QUESTIONS. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I EVER REMEMBER US HAVING A PRESENTATION. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> WE DEFINITELY APPRECIATE OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS AS WELL.
SO THAT IS... WE ARE IN A POSITION, PART OF US, FOR SURE.
>> MADAM CHAIR? >> MR. SCHAFER, YOU SAID A LOT OF THINGS THAT I COMPLETELY DID NOT UNDERSTAND AT ALL.
>> I FULLY UNDERSTAND. >> WHAT I THINK I DID PICK UP ON IS THAT, YOU KNOW, RELIABILITY IS IN OUR MISSION STATEMENT.
>> SURE. >> I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT ONE OF THED A ADVANTAGES THAT YOU ALL BRING IS THAT YOU MAKE SAFE INVESTMENTS. THEREFORE, OUR MONEY IS SAFER WITH YOU COMPARED TO THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE.
>> YES. >> YOU MENTIONED US PUTTING OUR MONEY IN MONEY MARKET AND THAT IT HAD A 3.5% YIELD.
AND WE COULD MOVE IT EASILY. SO WHEN YOU SAID THAT, I WAS THINK, WELL, WHAT IS THE DOWN SIDE? WHY WOULD WE DO ANYTHING ELSE? THEN YOU MENTIONED THE FDIC COVERAGE. THAT WOULD BE... AM I CORRECT
NAST WOULD BE THE MAIN... >> THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY REASON YOU WOULD DO IT. IF YOU WERE CONCERNED ABOUT...
JUST WANTED TO TAKE ZERO RISK. TO HAVE FULL INSURANCE COVERAGE, THEN YEAH. YOU WOULD WANT TO MOVE IT INTO PROBABLY ICS OR ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES WE HAVE.
>> I UNDERSTAND. YOUR ASSERTION IS THAT IS SOMETHING YOU NEEDED TO TELL US, BUT PAUSE YOU GUYS MAKE RELATIVELY SAFE INVESTMENTS, YOU DON'T THINK THAT IS A RISK REALLY WORTH BEING CONCERNED ABOUT.
>> CORRECT. I WOULD SAY THAT GIVEN OUR CAPITAL POSITION AND WHERE WE ARE, THE STRENGTH OF THE BALANCE SHEET COMPARED TO PEER, COMPARED TO THE REGULATORY MINIMUMS, WE CARRY A VERY STRONG BALANCE SHEET.
THAT SHOULD BE A CONSIDERATION. YOU GET THE FLEXIBILITY IN THE RATE. THROUGHOUT THAT.
>> AND HAS THERE BEEN DISCUSSIONS AMONGST STAFF AS FAR
AS WHAT WE PLAN TO DO? >> YES, SIR.
WE ARE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY TAKING SOME BOND FUNDS WE KNOW WE CANNOT SPEND IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, A PORTION OF THOSE FUNDS AND PUT THEM INTO EITHER A C.D. OR MONEY MARKET.
CAN AS YOU RECALL, AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING, WE APPROVED THE INVESTMENT POLICY. THAT WAS TO PROVIDE STAFF WITH DIRECTION TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME OF THESE DECISIONS AND ALSO WORK WITH THE WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE BOARD ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING. THE ADVANTAGE OF THE MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT IS THAT IF WE DO GET A 3.5% INTEREST RATE, WE WOULD BE OFF-SETTING SOME OF THE COST OF THE LOAN ITSELF.
WHICH IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE OR ACHIEVEMENT THAT IS
[00:15:03]
WE COULD ACCOMPLISH. AS YOU CAN RECALL, FROM THE BOND ISSUANCE, THE TIC, TOTAL IN COST INTEREST RATE WAS 3.97.WE WOULD BE OFF-SETTING THIS SERIOUS AMOUNT OF INTEREST.
BUT YOU KNOW, SOME THINGS THAT MR. SCHAFER MENTIONED WAS THE RISK AND EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE GETTING TO IS THE BANK IS PRETTY SAFE. THAT IS STILL SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO EVALUATE AS A STAFF AND THE BOARD.
DO WE WANT TO PUT RISK ON THE TABLE OR DO WE WANT TO HAVE NO RISK? THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE EVALUATED INTERNALLY. THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL BE
DISCUSSING WITH THE BOARD. >> I DO HAVE A QUESTION AS WELL.
WE CAN HAVE MULTIPLE MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS, THOUGH, CORRECT? IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ONE.
RIGHT. >> WE CAN SET UP AS MANY AS YOU
>> SO MADAM CHAIR, WE ARE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT ENTITY THAN... BECAUSE WE ARE QUASI-... WE ARE GOVERNMENTAL AS WELL AS PROVIDING A DIRECT SERVICE THAT COSTS RATE PAYERS.
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO OUR RATE PAYERS TO DO THE RESPONSIBLE
>> AND NOT THE RISKY THING. BUT ALSO TO SPEND THEIR PRECIOUS
>> EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IS TRANSPARENT IN THE PUBLIC AND NEEDS TO BE IN THE PUBLIC. WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE WHOLE...
ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT ACCOUNTABILITIES IN ORDER TO SPEND OUR MONEY WISELY... OR THEIR MONEY WISELY.
>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION.
I THINK IT KIND OF FITS THE DISCUSSION HERE.
ON SOME OF THESE, WE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THEM IN FOR THE TERM.
THE MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT, WE COULD GET IT OUT IMMEDIATELY
WITHOUT ANY KIND OF PENALTY. >> RIGHT.
>> THAT IS SOME OF THE WORKING ADVANTAGES... OR THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKING WITH THE CAPITAL THAT STAFF IS EVALUATING. WHERE SHOULD IT POTENTIALLY GO
BASED ON... >> GOT TO HAVE THE BALANCE.
>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY THE BILLS.
>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLANT OR EXPANSION PROJECTS. THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING
AT VERY CLOSELY. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WHOLE TEAM. ESPECIALLY DANA MCSWEENEY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
[G.2. Natural Gas Inspection for 2022 – For Information Only]
>> MADAM CHAIR, THE NEXT ITEM IS A PRESENTATION FOR OUR 2022 PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION NATURAL GAS SYSTEM INSPECTION REPORT RESULTS. FRED GATIS WILL PRESENT THIS
MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I BRING BEFORE YOU TODAY THE PSE NATURAL GAS REPORT FOR YEAR 2022.
FPUA OPERATES ITS NATURAL GAS SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TITLE 49 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PARTS 40, 191, 192, 199 AND THE RULES OF THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, CHAPTER 25-12. THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ENGINEERING STAFF COMPLETES ITS ANNUAL EVALUATIONS OF THE FACILITIES OF EACH REGULATED OPERATOR IN FLORIDA TO DETERMINE COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE AND FEDERAL SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PIPELINE FACILITIES AND THE TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL GAS WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
THE EVALUATION WAS COMPLETED ON AUGUST 8, 2022.
THEY DID NOT FIND SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES IN OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE FPUA SYSTEM. THAT WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF TITLE 49 PART 192, TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL GAS AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINES. THE MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS AND/OR THE RULES OF THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION CHAPTER 25-12. THE FOLLOWING AREAS WERE EVALUE WAITED IN 2022. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.
CORROSION SURVEY. PRESSURE REGULATION, VALVE SURVEY, EXCESS FLOW VALVES, ABOVE-GROUND PIPELINES, OPERATOR QUALIFICATION, HEADQUARTERS INSPECTION, PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS INSPECTION, AND DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM AND INSPECTIONS. LET ME TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOME OF OUR INSPECTIONS. THE PREST OF OUR STEEL PIPES, WHETHER THEY ARE UNDERGROUND OR ABOVE GROUND, ALL OF OUR UNDERGROUND PIPES ARE COATED PIPES.
WE HAVE NO BARE STEEL AT ALL. THE PROTECTION CONSISTS OF... WE HAVE MAGNESIUM THAT WE HOOK UP TO OUR STEEL MAINS.
AND THE MAGNESIUM IS A SOFTER METAL THAN STEEL SO THE POSITIVE ELECTRODES GO TO THE MAGNESIUM ANODES AND EATS THOSE AWAY.
[00:20:10]
WHAT THE PSC COMES IN TO CHECK IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A NEGATIVE READ OF 8.50 TO 1.3. THAT MEANS OUR SYSTEM IS BEING PROTECTED. NOW WE DO HAVE PEOPLE THAT WILL HOOK THEIR GROUND UP TO OUR RISERS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.AND THEN OUR SYSTEM GOES DOWN. THEN WE SEND OUR GUYS OUT WITH THIS LITTLE MACHINE, AND WE FIND ALL OF OUR SHORTS.
IN OUR SYSTEM. OUR ABOVE-GOUND, WE KEEP PAYING IT WHICH IS A STRUGGLE TO DO IN FLORIDA.
BEING CLOSE TO THE OCEAN. WE ARE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GO BACK. OUR PRESSURE REGULATION, THAT IS OUR GATE STATIONS. NORTH AND SOUTH AND SOON TO BE OUR LAKEWOOD PARK ONE. WHAT THEY DO THERE IS WE HAVE TO CHECK AND AND INSPECT EVERY REGULATOR IN FRONT OF THEM.
WE HAVE TO CHECK OUR PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES TO ENSURE THAT IF ONE OF THE REGULATORS FAIL, THAT WE WOULD NOT BE PUTTING TOO MUCH PRESSURE INTO OUR SYSTEM, THAT THAT PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE WOULD OPEN AND VENT IT INTO THE AIR. NEXT IS OUR ODORIZATION.
WE INJECT HER CAPTAIN INTO OUR SYSTEM.
IT IS ONE LITTLE DROP. IT GOES WITH THE FLOW OF THE GAS. WHAT WE DO, WE GO... WE HAVE POINTS AT THE END OF OUR SYSTEM. WE HAVE A MACHINE WE GO OUT THERE WITH. WE CALL IT THE SNIFF TEST.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN SMELL IT WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT SO THAT THE NORMAL PERSON IN THEIR HOUSE WOULD BE ABLE TO SMELL IT IF THEY HAD A PROBLEM. THE NEXT IS THE EMERGENCY VALVES. WE HAVE OVER A HUNDRED EMERGENCY VALVES IN OUR SYSTEM. WE NEED TO DO EVERY YEAR, WE CHECK OUR VALVES, WE MAKE SURE THE VALVE BOXES ARE LEAN.
THIS ENABLES US THAT IF WE HAD AN EMERGENCY, WE COULD GO OUT TO DIFFERENT KEY VALVES, SHUT DOWN PART OF THE SYSTEM, SO THAT THE REST OF THE SYSTEM WOULD BE OPERATING STILL.
OPERATOR QUALIFICATION: THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY THAT WORKS IN THE NATURAL GAS FIELD HAS TO TAKE.
>> YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK.
ON NATURAL GAS. IT IS FEDERALLY MANDATED.
WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT IS MID EASTERN ASSOCIATION THAT MONITORS OUR QUALIFICATIONS. AND THEY LET US KNOW WHEN ALL OF THE TESTS ARE UP AND WE HAVE TO DO MORE TESTS.
NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO DO THEM, BUT OUR CONTRACTORS HAVE TO DO
THEM, TOO. >> THEY ARE NOT OPERATOR-QUALIFIED AND WE DON'T AGREE WITH THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, WE DON'T HAVE TO LET THEM WORK ON THE SYSTEM.
NEXT IS INACTIVE SERVICES. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO USE GAS SOMETIMES. WE HAVE WITHIN TEN YEARS, TO CUT THE SERVICE OFF. IN OTHER WORDS, WE CAN LEAVE THE SERVICE ACTIVE FROM THE STREET UP TO THE HOUSE IN CASE SOMEBODY MOVES BACK IN OR SOMEBODY DECIDES THAT THEY NOW WANT GAS, BUT WE HAVE A RATING SYSTEM THAT GOES ONE THROUGH FIVE.
OF COURSE, ONE HAS TO BE CUT FIRST.
AND FIVE, I CAN GO UP TO TEN YEARS.
ALSO ALONG WITH THAT IS OUR EXCESS FLOW VALVE.
EVERY NEW SERVICE THAT WE PUT IN HAS TO HAVE AN EXCESS FLOW VALVE ON IT. THIS IS WHAT... WHAT HAPPENS IS SOMEBODY HITS THE SERVICE AFTER THE SLOW VALVE.
IT WILL SHUT THE GAS OFF IMMEDIATELY.
AND IF PSC COMES OUT AND THEY MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SERVER ON EVERY RISER. LEAK SURVEY AND LEAK REPAIR.
EVERY YEAR WE DO A THIRD OF THE SYSTEM.
WE DO THE COMPLETE DOWNTOWN. WE DO EVERY SCHOOL AND HOSPITAL AND ANY BUILDING THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE AT A TIME. WE WILL GO IN AND INSPECT THEIR SERVICE LINE, THEIR RISERS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
WE ALSO CARRY NO OPEN LEAKS. AS SOON AS WE FIND A LEAK, NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL IT IS, WE FIX IT THE SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY. THE COMPANY I USED TO WORK FOR, TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION, WE USED TO CARRY 500 OPEN LEAKS AT A TIME. SO FOR US NOT TO HAVE ANY LEAKS AT ALL, THAT IS A VERY GOOD THING.
PUBLIC AWARENESS: FLORIDA GAS UTILITY MANAGES THE WHILE PROGRAM FOR US. THEY ARE REALLY GREAT.
THEY SEND OUT FLYERS FOR US. THEY DO ALL THE NEWSPAPERS.
AND EVERYTHING ELSE. AND THEY ARE ALSO GREAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE PSC. WE GET ON THE PHONE WITH THEM.
THEY ANSWER EVERY QUESTION THEY WANT TO HEAR.
AND THEN WE HAVE OUR DRUG AND ALCOHOL BEING IN THE NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY, YOU GET DRUG-TESTED TWICE.
ONE FOR YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE. ONE FOR WORKING WITH NATURAL GAS. AND OUR HUMAN RESOURCE HANDLES ALL OF THAT. THAT IS ALL I HAVE.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> QUESTIONS?
>> MADAM CHAIR? SO HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN VARIOUS REGULATORY ENVIRONMENTS IN THE PAST, THERE IS ALWAYS A
[00:25:04]
COUPLE OF THE ITEMS THAT THEY DO INSPECTIONS FOR THAT SEEM TO BE THE THINGS THAT ARE FOCUSING ON EITHER FOR THAT YEAR OR IN GENERAL. WHICH OF THESE ITEMS SEEM TO BE THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE GET DINGED FOR THE MOST.>> THE LADY WHO JUST TOOK OVER FOR OUR... AS THE HEAD OF MIAMI DIVISION WHICH WE FALL UNDER IS VERY BIG INTO CORROSION.
SHE LOVES TO GO AROUND AND SHE WILL JUST DRIVE BY A HOUSE...
WHAT THEY WILL DO, IS THEY WILL PICK OUT CERTAIN HOUSES.
WE WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET.
SHE WILL BE LIKE, STOP. LET'S WALK UP TO THIS HOUSE.
I WANT TO CHECK THIS HOUSE OUT. AND THAT THAT IS HER BIG THING.
CORROSION. >> HOW HAVE WE BEEN PERFORMING
BECAUSE WITH THE AMI, WITH US INSTALLING AMI EVERY TIME THE GOES TO THE HOUSE TO INSTALL STALL A NEW AMI, THEY ARE PAINTING ALL THE METER SETS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
>> I LIKE TO JUST ADD ONE THING. YOU KNOW, WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT HOW HEAVY REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ARE FOR UTILITIES.
WE TALK ABOUT ELECTRIC, WATER WASTE, WATER, GAS.
ON THE GAS SIDE, IT IS PRETTY INTENSE.
I WOULD CONSIDER IT PRETTY DANCE.
FRED AND HIS TEAM DO A FANTASTIC JOB TO KEEP IT IN COMPLIANCE.
IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU DON'T REALLY SEE.
IT IS IN THE BACKGROUND. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE BOARD TO SEE SOME PRESENTATIONS. AND AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO GREG AND FRED AND HIS TEAMS.
>> IT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE... THE SAME ONE THAT IS STATE...
>> YES, MA'AM. >> OR APPROVES THE RATES OR DOESN'T APPROVE THEM. WHATEVER.
THE SAME ORGANIZATION DOES THIS? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> REGULATORY. IT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE... I MEAN, I DO UNDERSTAND CORROSION AND... I MEAN, I DO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE TERMS. BUT I APPRECIATE IT, THAT YOU ARE DOING SUCH A FINE JOB. AND SOMETIME YOU WILL TELL ME WHERE THAT OTHER PLACE WAS WITH THE 500.
I DON'T WANT TO LIVE THERE. >> THAT IS NEW JERSEY.
>> OH, WELL, I WOULDN'T MOVE THERE ANYWAY.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I WILL SAY MY BIG TAKE-AWAY FROM, THIS I KIND OF HAVE A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH REGULATION.
YOU WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE PROTECTED, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT CAN ADD A LOT OF SOMETIMES SEEMINGLY UNNECESSARY COST IN
ENERGY. >> THAT IS WHAT I WORK MOST OF MY TIME ON. STAIRING UP WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS. THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> BUT MY BIG TAKE-AWAY FROM THIS PRESENTATION AND FOR OUR CUSTOMERS IS THAT REGULATION IS IMPORTANT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
>> YES, IT IS. >> BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT WITH US. BECAUSE WE ARE A VERY SAFE UTILITY. AND WE DO EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE
SUPPOSED TO DO. >> I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING, TOO, IS THAT WE ARE EXTREMELY PROACTIVE ABOUT IT.
SO WHEN THEY ARE OUT THERE DOING AMI, THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY A CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE.
SO THAT MEANS THE SAFETY OF MY LIFE.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW? THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU. >> THIS WAS EXTREMELY COMPREHENSIVE. THE ONLY THING I SAW ON HERE WAS THE ODORIZATION, IT LOOKED LIKE WE HAD WITH THE ODOMETER WAS OUT
WE HAVE TWO BOXES THAT WE DO SNIFF TESTS WITH.
WE SENT THE ONE AWAY. >> OF COURSE.
>> TO GET REPAIRED. AND WE WAITED SIX AND A HALF
MONTHS FOR BATTERIES. >> OH, WOW.
WOW. >> YOU COULD NOT GET THE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FOR IT. WE WEREN'T THE ONLY ONE.
HALF THE STATE WAS IN THE SAME BOAT THAT WE WERE.
WE HAVE TWO OF THEM. WE CAN ALTERNATE.
WHEN ONE GOES AWAY, WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE.
ONE WAS IN THERE FOR OVER SIX MONTHS.
>> WOW. SO WHEN ARE YOU FORESEEING THAT
COMING BACK? >> WE GOT THEM BOTH BACK.
>> WE ARE GOOD FOR TWO YEARS. >> PERFECT.
SOUNDS GREAT. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.
SO I HAVE NATURAL GAS ON THE BEACH.
IT IS FROM A TANK. >> THAT IS PROPANE.
AND THOSE TWO ARE DIFFERENT THINGS.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> I KNEW THAT.
(LAUGHTER). >> THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL GAS AND PROPANE. NATURAL GAS IS LIGHTER THAN THE AIR. PROPANE IS HEAVIER THAN AIR.
>> MY QUESTION WAS GOING TO BE IS THE GAS COMPANY REGULATED LIKE THAT? THE PROPANE GAS INDUSTRY
REGULATED? >> THEY DO NOT FALL UNDER THE SAME SCRUTINY THAT WE DO. THEY FALL UNDER THE FARM LAND OT OF CONFIDENCE.
>> NOT AS STRICT AS OURS. >> THANK YOU.
[G.3. November 2022 Bill Comparison – For Information Only]
>> MADAM CHAIR, THE NEXT ITEM IS A BILL COMPARISON FOR NOVEMBER,
[00:30:02]
2022. ANDREA SLOAN, UTILITY ACCOUNTANTWILL PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU.
MAYOR HUDSON, MADAM CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS, I WILL BE PRESENTING THE MONTHLY UPDATE ON THE COMPARISONS OF FLORIDA MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC RATES AND THE LOCAL TREASURY UTILITY BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. THE FIRST GRAPH DEPICTS FPUA'S ELECTRIC RATES FOR 1,000 KILOWATT HOURS OF CONSUMPTION.
IT LIST IT IS MUNICIPALITIES BY RANK FROM LOWEST TO HIGHEST IN
TERMS OF BILLED AMOUNT. >> FPUA IS AT $139.48 FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. WE HAVE MOVED DOWN TWO SPOTS SINCE OCTOBER. WE ARE CURRENTLY THE LOWEST OF ALL 13-MEMBER MUNICIPALITIES. FOR YOUR REFERENCE, THE LAST TIME WE WERE THE LOWEST ARP MEMBER WAS SEPTEMBER OF 2021.
THIS NEXT GRAPH DISPLAYS A COMPARISON FOR THAT SAME LEVEL OF CONSUMPTION BUT INCLUDES ALL MUNICIPALITIES IN THE STATE.
FOR NOVEMBER, AT $139.48 AS INDICATED BY THE YELLOW BAR, OUR TOTAL RATE FOR A THOUSAND KILOWATT HOURS OF CONSUMPTION HAS REMAINED THE SAME SINCE OCTOBER.
WE MOVED ONE SPOT TO THE RIGHT WHEN COMPARED TO OUR POSITION FROM LAST MONTH. WE CURRENTLY RANKED 12TH AND REMAIN LOWER THAN MORE THAN HALF OF THE OTHER 31 MUNICIPAL UTILITIES. EIGHT OF THE UTILITIES LISTED IMPLEMENTED INCREASES IN NOVEMBER.
WE HAD 7 DECREASES AND 17 REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THESE CHANGES YIELDED AN ARP AVERAGE INCREASE OF $1.3 ONE AND AND MUNICIPAL DECREASE OF $1.08. IN COMPARISON TO THE MUNICIPAL AVERAGES, FPUA'S RATE REMAINS BELOW ALL THREE.
THIS NEXT GRAPH REPRESENTS A COMPARISON BETWEEN OUR MUNICIPAL ELECTRICAL PROVIDERS. FOR AN INCREASED CONSUMPTION LEVEL. FPUA IS AGAIN INDICATED BY THE YELLOW BAR. BOTH OUR NOVEMBER BILL AMOUNT OF $351.67 AND OUR POSITION REMAIN UNCHANGED FROM LAST MONTH.
OUR RANK OF 13TH PLACES US IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AND AGAIN, THIS CONSUMPTION LEVEL, FPUA'S BASE RATE IS LOWER THAN ALL THREE AVERAGES.
THIS SLIDE DISPLAYS THE COMPARISON OF AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL UTILITY BILLS ON THE TREASURE COAST FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. THE UTILITY BILL FOR INSIDE CITY LIMIT CUSTOMERS. THE OTHER COLUMNS REPRESENTING NEIGHBORING CITIES HAVE ELECTRIC SERVICE PROVIDED BY FP-AND-L AND WATER WASTEWATER BY THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY.
THE COMPARISON UTILIZES STANDARD RATES OF A THOUSAND KILOWATT HOURS FOR ELECTRIC AND 6,000 GALLONS FOR WATER.
THE SMALLER TABLE UNDERNEATH DEPICTS FPUA CUSTOMER BILL-PRICING USING AVERAGES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER RATHER THAN THE STANDARD CONSUMPTION RATES.
THOSE AVERAGES ARE 814 KILOWATT HOURS FOR ELECTRIC AND 4,810 GALLONS FOR WATER. SINCE I LAST PRESENTED THIS INFORMATION TO THE BOARD, VEER O BEACH HAS VOTED ON AND IMPROVED A 15% FORECAST RATE INCREASE THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 OF 2023. THEY HAVE ALSO APPROVED THREE ADDITIONAL FUTURE RATE HIKES. 18% IN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR.
18% IN OCTOBER OF 2024. AND 2% IN OCTOBER OF 2025.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE RATE HIKES WERE IMPLEMENTED TO FACILITATE THE RELOCATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN $82 MILLION WASTEWATER RECLAMATION FACILITY SO IT IS NO LONGER LOCATED ON THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON.
IT MAKES WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ON THE PROPERTY THAT IS BEING REFERRED TO AS THE THREE CORNERS PROJECT WHICH ADDITIONALLY ENCOMPASSES THE FORMER POWER PLANT SITE.
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN PRESENTED FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY AND REQUIRES NO ACTION. HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS THEM.
>> SO THAT INCREASE WAS CURRENT. IT WAS 15.
THEN IT IS GOING TO GO UP ANOTHER 15 AND THEN ANOTHER 15.
>> 15% WAS JANUARY 1. >> RIGHT.
OPINION THEN 18% IN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR.
18% IN OCTOBER OF 2024. AND THEN FINALLY, 2% IN OCTOBER
OF 2025. >> THEY ARE, LIKES, USING ALL OF THE FUNDING TO TEAR DOWN THEIR ELECTRIC.
>> THE ELECTRIC IS ALREADY DEFUNCT.
>> RIGHT. >> THE PROPERTY APPARENTLY IS ADJACENT TO WHERE THE WATER FACILITY IS.
THEY ARE TAKING THAT WHOLE PLOT WHICH I'M TOLD IS 38 ACRES.
[00:35:04]
>> WOW. >> AND THEY ARE GOING TO PUT A HOTEL, RESTAURANTS, MARINA, RECREATIONAL, WHATEVER THEY HAVE
APPROVED. >> RIGHT. SIMILAR TO WHERE OURS IS. ONLY OURS IS ON THE ISLAND.
THEIRS IS ON THE MAINLAND. YEAH.
>> STILL ON THE WATER. >> RIGHT.
STILL ON THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE AND EVERYTHING.
YUP. >> I DON'T... I THINK THAT THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS... THAT THEY HAVEN'T DECIDED EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO WITH IT.
>> THEY ARE STILL... YEAH. THEY ARE STILL... THAT IS A BIG DEBATE. AND THAT IS WHY I LIKE WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH OUR RELOCATION. WHATEVER IS GOING TO HAPPEN,
THAT IS NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY. >> YUP.
>> THAT IS NOT OUR... WE DON'T NEED... THAT IS NOT OUR
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I'M SORRY. I DON'T MEAN TO RUSH YOU OUT.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> OKAY.
>> I SHOULD PROBABLY MENTION THAT MR. FEE IS HERE NOW.
>> PRESENT. AND MY APOLOGIES, MADAM CHAIR AND TO THE REST OF THE BOARD. I, UNFORTUNATELY, HAD A VERY SORROWFUL CONSULTATION INVOLVING A CHILD, AND IT WAS ONE OF THOSE ONES WHERE I ACTUALLY HAD TO TAKE 15 MINUTES AND GET THE
>> IT WAS UNEXPECTED KIND OF WALK-IN SCENARIO.
I JUST DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I COULD PUSH THEM OUT THE DOOR.
YUP. >> MADAM CHAIR, THE NEXT ITEM IS
[G.4. FPUA Attorney/General Counsel Search Process]
A KISS CUSHION... DISCUSSION TO FINALIZE THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND SEARCH PROCESS FOR THE PPUA TOARCHLT I HAVE HAD DISCUSSION WITH THE MADAM CHAIR ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED.ONCE THE JOB DESCRIPTION IS APPROVED TONIGHT, OUR TEAM CAN POST THE POSITION ON-LINE. ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS THAT MADAM CHAIR AND I HAD WERE THAT JODY AND I COULD REVIEW THE LIST OF CANDIDATE AND PROVIDE A SHORT LIST OR WE COULD REVIEW THAT WITH YOU MADAM CHAIR. IT WOULD TAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME.
THAT SHORT LIST COULD BE THREE OR FOUR CANDIDATES OR WHATEVER THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD MAY BE.
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR INTERVIEWS. AND AFTER THAT, WE COULD SCHEDULE 101 INTERVIEWS OR DO A PUBLIC INTERVIEW.
I THINK MOST OF THE BOARD WAS AGAINST THAT.
THEY PREFERRED THE ONE ON ONE INTERVIEWS.
I'M OPENING IT UP TO THE BOARD FOR DISCUSSION ON HOW TO
FIRST OF ALL, WE CAN DISCUSS THE JOB DESCRIPTION.
I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY DET DETAILED.
I PERSONALLY LIKE THE ADDITIONS AND CHANGES THAT WERE MADE.
I ALSO THINK THAT IT ENCOMPASSES SUPPORT FOR OUR DIRECTOR AND THE STAFF. AND IT IS EXTREMELY CLEAR THAT THIS PERSON IS REPORTING TO US. DID EVERYBODY HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THEIR... >> WAS IT IN OUR PACKET?
>> I THINK IT WAS E-MAILED PRIOR TO.
>> I CAN GET YOU ANOTHER COPY. BUT AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING, I
DID PROVIDE A COPY. >> IS THIS THE ONE THAT HAD ALL
>> I HAD TO GET A COPY OF IT. I WASN'T HERE AT THE LAST ONE.
>> WELL, IT IS ALWAYS HELPFUL FOR ME TO READ IT WITHOUT ALL THE EDITS. I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF WORK WENT IN ON IT. AND IF IT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH IT. I HAVEN'T SEEN A COPY WITHOUT
ALL THE EDITING. >> WE WILL MAKE SURE TO GET YOU THE COPY TOMORROW MORNING EARLY. WE WILL SEND YOU AN EMAIL WITH
THE PDF OF THAT COPY. >> IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING THE JOB DESCRIPTION? I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE TO ADD.
I THINK IT IS READY TO GET OUT THERE AND SEE WHERE IT GOES.
I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF THE ONE ON ONE INTERVIEWS INSTEAD OF
>> I THINK THE IDEA OF GETTING A SHORT LIST BY MANAGEMENT DOWN TO THREE TO FIVE PEOPLE IS A GOOD WAY TO NARROW IT DOWN.
>> ONCE WE START LOOKING AT THE LIST, JODY AND I CAN LOOK AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE FIVE. WE WILL MAKE SURE TO GIVE YOU
THE LIST. >> IF THERE IS A LIST, WHATEVER THE COMPLETE LIST OF CANDIDATES IS, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT...
>> THAT IS WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY, TOO.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FULL LIST.
THEN MAYBE WE HAVE THE TOP THREE.
AND THEN IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE OTHERS, THEN MAYBE WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION AND REVIEW IT
WE WILL GIVE YOU A FULL LIST. WE WILL MAKE SOME KIND OF RECOMMENDATION FOR THE TOP THREE OR FIVE, FOUR, WHATEVER IT MAY
[00:40:01]
HOPEFULLY, WE HAVE THAT MANY. >> YEAH.
HOPEFULLY, WE WILL. AND THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND, BEING AN ATTORNEY, I WOULD THINK, IN FLORIDA, THAT THAT IS PUBLIC
>> IF THEY ARE APPLYING FOR IT...
>> RIGHT. >> THE WHOLE WORLD COULD KNOW.
MAYBE NOBODY IS INTERESTED. EXCEPT US.
>> IF THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT, THEY ARE PROBABLY NOT
QUALIFIED. >> THEY ARE OFF THE LIST.
>> REGARDING THE PATH TOWARD... I AGREE.
I REALLY LIKED IT THE WAY THAT WE DID MR. CISNEROS' INTERVIEWS. WE ALL HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE INTERVIEW. AND WE CAME BACK AND COLLABORATED. I THINK... I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO FOLLOW THAT KIND OF PATH. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS
THINK. >> WHAT YOU WERE SAYING?
>> ONE ON ONE. I THINK IT WORKED GOOD.
>> RATHER HAVING SOMEBODY COME UP.
AND THEN WE ARE ALL FIRING AT THEM.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU GET AS MUCH DETAIL.
WE ALSO GET... SITTING DOWN WITH SOMEBODY IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN THEM STANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS TABLE.
>> THIS IS... THIS LIVES FOREVER.
EXACTLY. YOU CAN'T FEEL LIKE YOU CAN ASK
AND... YUP. >> MADAM CHAIR? AND ALSO WE COULD LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THOSE INTERVIEWS AT BECAUSE LAST TIME, WE HAD THEM AT THE OFFICE.
>> WE COULD MAKE MY CONFERENCE ROOM AVAILABLE TO THE BOARD.
IT COULD BE AT THE AVAILABILITY OF WHATEVER THE BOARD WOULD NEED. SO THEY COULD HAVE A ROOM THAT BECOULD WALK OUT OF AND YOU CAN INTERVIEW THEM.
>> WE DID IT OUTSIDE THE PREMISES BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT WOULD... THAT WAS THE DIRECTOR. WE THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE A MO MORE... EASIER ON THE PERSON WE ARE INTERVIEWING.
IT WAS MORE PRIVATE. >> RIGHT.
>> THIS, I DON'T THINK, HAS TO BE THAT WAY.
>> RIGHT. WE DON'T ALREADY HAVE A LEGAL
RIGHT. AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO
PUBLICIZE THIS? >> IT ILL BE WHATEVER PLATFORMS OUR H.R. GROUP DOES. WE WILL PROBABLY LOOK AT SOME OF THE PLATFORMS THAT FMPPA LOOKS AT.
>> IT IS TYPICAL TO SEE COUNTY-CITY ATTORNEYS.
IN THOSE KINDS OF POSITIONS POSTED.
THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED AS WELL. >> I DON'T KNOW IF OTHER CITIES MAY HAVE SOME KIND OF PLATFORM THAT THEY DO THAT, TOO.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. >> I CAN FOLLOW UP ON THE PLATFORMS THAT WE POST. IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD, WE CAN ADD THAT WEBSITE OR WHATEVER PLATFORM.
>> WE ARE REQUIRING A MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA BAR.
RIGHT? IT DOES NOT... DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO GO BEYOND FLORIDA? IT DOESN'T TO ME.
I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT... >> YOU CAN HAVE A BAR IN SEVERAL STATES. SO YES.
>> BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT WH WHEN... FLORIDA DOESN'T ACCEPT SOMEBODY ELSE'S. RIGHT?
>> THERE IS AN IN-HOUSE RULE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT ALLOWS SOMEONE TO PRACTICE IN HOUSE WITHOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA BAR. THERE ARE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO DO THAT. AS AN EXAMPLE, FPL'S LAST GENERAL COUNSEL WAS NOT LICENSED IN FLORIDA.
HE MET THE IN-HOUSE COUNSEL RULE.
BUT YES, I THINK YOU WOULD CERTAINLY WANT SOMEONE WHO HAS THE FULL ABILITY TO REPRESENT YOU IN ALL MATTERS.
>> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> SO THAT WOULD BE A REQUIREMENT FOR OUR MEMBERSHIP. YES.
>> I'M SAYING THERE IS NO REASON TO GO BEYOND FLORIDA TO ADVERTISE IT? OR TO REACH BECAUSE YOU WOULD ASSUME THAT ALL CANDIDATES ARE HERE.
>> SOME PLATFORMS WILL PROBABLY REACH NATURALLY OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA. YOU KNOW...
>> YOU COULD HAVE YOUR BAR IN FLORIDA AND ALSO IN NEW YORK
>> YOU COULD CARRY IT IN SEV SEVERAL...
>> IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA BAR, THERE ARE OTHER STATES YOU CAN JOIN THE BAR. FLORIDA DOESN'T OFFER... THERE IS 130,000 OF US IN THE STATE. THAT IS TOO MANY AS IT IS.
(LAUGHTER) ANYONE COMING IN FROM ANOTHER STATE, IF YOU WANTED TO HIRE SOMEONE LIKE THAT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO SIT FOR THE BAR EXAM HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
>> I MEAN, I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND THAT DID TAKE HER FLORIDA BAR, AND THEN SHE MOVED AWAY. NOW SHE IS IN A DIFFERENT STATE AND YOU KNOW, HAD TO TAKE THE BAR THERE AS WELL.
YOU CAN CARRY BARS IN MORE THAN ONE STATE.
>> CORRECT. >> IN FLORIDA, THEY DON'T OFFER RECIPROCITY FOR A LOT OF PROFESSIONS.
>> THAT IS VERY TRUE. ACROSS THE BOARD.
>> RIGHT, RIGHT. >> YOU HAVE TO REALLY WANT TO COME HERE. YOU HAVE TO PASS THE TEST.
>> YES. >> NOW, AS A QUESTION, WE ARE STILL THINKING ON AN IN-HOUSE SCENARIO.
[00:45:01]
I KNOW THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS ITS OWN IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY.THEN THEY HAVE THE BOARD... THE BOARD HAS A SEPARATE ATTORNEY.
THAT IS ALWAYS AN OPTION TO LOOK AT.
WHEN YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT IN-HOUSE, OUR RESUME READS THAT THEY HAVE TO BE LICENSED BY THE FLORIDA BAR AND BE PREPARED TO GET THEIR CERTIFICATION, I THINK, FOR... WHAT IS IT?
CITY, COUNTY, CORPORATE LAW. >> OKAY.
YES. >> THAT WILL NARROW YOUR FIELD A LITTLE BIT. HOPEFULLY, WE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THOSE. WE ARE GUARANTEED TO HAVE A THR FL BAR ATTORNEY. IT IS WHETHER THEY WANT TO GET THEIR CERTIFICATION, OR WHETHER THEY HAVE THE CERTIFICATION
ALREADY. >> IT DOES SAY, THE ABILITY TO ACHIEVE THAT CERTIFICATION WITHIN A YEAR.
>> THAT IS GOOD TO HAVE. >> IS A YEAR ADEQUATE TIME?
IS THAT ADEQUATE TIME, A YEAR? >> WELL, IT SHOULD BE FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE GOING TO COURT A LOT.
YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY ARE WORKING IN-HOUSE.
IF YOU HAD A REGULAR PRACTICING ATTORNEY WITH ONGOING CASES, AND YOU ASKED ME TO GET CERTIFIED, I WOULD TELL YOU, I DON'T NEED YOUR JOB. I'M NOT TAKING ANOTHER TEST AFTER I TOOK THE FLORIDA BAR. I SWORE THAT OFF A LONG TIME AGO. (LAUGHTER) GENERALLY SPEAKING, THEY WOULD HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE AND BE READY TO GO AND TAKE A COUPLE OF CLE'S WHICH WOULD BE PROBABLY... I THINK YOU
HAVE TO HAVE 30 HOURS NOW. >> YOU HAVE TO HAVE 60 TO BE
THEN THEY HAVE TO GET THEIR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.
HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL HAVE THAT. THEN THEY HAVE TO SIT FOR THE
EXAM. >> THE ONE-YEAR REQUIREMENT TO BE... YOU HAVE TO HAVE FIVE YEARS OF SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE AS A CITY-COUNTY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW ATTORNEY.
THE ONE-YEAR REQUIREMENT MEANS THAT YOU WOULD BE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO ALREADY HAS SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE REPRESENTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UTILITIES.
>> OKAY. >> I THINK I READ IN THERE THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE SO MANY TRIALS THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO COMPLETE AS
WELL. >> FOR DIFFERENT CERTIFICATION,
YES. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE I IT... THAT IS A PLUS. THAT KEEPS A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT.
FOR INSTANCE, ME, I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN NOT KNOWING WHERE THE COURTHOUSE IS. YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE BEST LAWYERS KEEP YOU OUT OF THE COURTHOUSE.
THAT IS ONE THING TO LOOK AT. THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A PLUS FOR
THIS TYPE OF CERTIFICATION. >> JODY, DOES THE CITY COUNCIL REQUIREMENT... DOES THAT COVER THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE LAW?
>> I THINK THAT IS PRETTY IMPORTANT FOR US.
FLORIDA HAS ONE OF THE MOST STRINGENT SUNSHINE LAW REQUIREMENTS. THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE
BOARD. >> IF YOU ARE IN A POSTURE TO BE CERTIFIED WITHIN A YEAR, YOU HAVE TO HAVE HAD SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH SUNSHINE LAW, PUBLIC RECORDS LAW, AND ALL OF THE PARTICULARS IF LAWS, THE CODE OF ETHICS UNDER CHAPTER 112. ALL OF THOSE KIND OF THINGS THAT YOU INTERACT WITH AS A BOARD AND YOUR MANAGEMENT TEAM INTERACTS
WITH AS FPUA MANAGEMENT. >> THAT NARROWS DOWN... THAT HELPS SOLIDIFY THE COMMENT FROM THE MAYOR.
IT WILL BE MOST LIKELY A FLORIDA ATTORNEY.
>> I WOULD LIKE YOUR OPINION ON THIS AS WELL.
OTHER THAN HAVING PASSED THE FLORIDA BAR, BEING VERY FAMILIAR WITH PUBLIC RECORDS LAW AND SUNSHINE LAW, ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUALITIES THAT YOU THINK THE BOARD SHOULD REALLY BE
LOOKING FOR IN THIS POSITION? >> THE BENEFIT OF HAVING IN-HOUSE COUNSEL WHO WORKS FOR THE BOARD IS THAT YOU GET A FIDUCIARY WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR BEST INTERESTS FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON.
FINANCING, OPERATIONS, REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE.
THE ENTIRE PAN MY OF WHAT YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM HANDLINGS.
TO PRACTICE IN THIS AREA IS A VERY BROAD AREA.
YOU WILL HANDLE FINANCING ISSUES.
YOU WILL GO TO H.R. AND PERSONNEL ISSUES.
THEN YOU WILL GO TO REAL ESTATE ISSUES.
SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS THAT SORT OF BREADTH OF EXPERIENCE. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ATTORNEY AND THE BOARD.
AND THE ATTORNEY AND MANAGEMENT. SO THAT THERE IS NO TENSION.
THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTS MANAGEMENT AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND THEN REPRESENTS THE BOARD WELL ON EVERYTHING THAT IS DONE. THAT IS REALLY THE KEY.
YOU WANT SOMEONE, FRANKLY, WHO HAS A POLITICAL EAR AND UNDERSTANDS THE POLITICS. EVEN IF IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A LEGAL MATTER, IF IT IS A RISK ANALYSIS, YOU DIDN'T WANT SOMEONE WHO CAN GIVE YOU SOUND ADVICE BASED UPON UNDERSTANDING THE LAY OF THE LAND HERE, SO THAT YOU GET GOOD COUNSEL ON
[00:50:04]
EVERYTHING YOU ALL DO. >> NOT JUST LEGAL COURT BUT ALSO
THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION. >> YES, SIR.
>> SO I THINK THAT THE JOB DESCRIPTION... INHAD A CHANCE DO REVIEW IT AND ADD TO IT. I REALLY LIKE THE ONE THAT WE PUT TOGETHER. BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON THE ONE THAT JODY HAS FOR FMPA. IT TACKLES EVERYTHING I WOULD EXPECT OUT OF THAT POSITION. WORKING TOGETHER WELL WHICH WE DID. THE JOB DESCRIPTION HAS ADDRESSED ALL OF WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE IMPORTANT AND STAFF AS WELL HAD SOME INPUT ON THAT AS WELL.
>> AND I WOULD SAY THAT THIS PERSON HAS TO HAVE A STRONG...
IS GOING TO BE... GOING TO HAVE TO BE A STRONG MEMBER OF YOUR
>> AND OUR TEAM. IT HAS TO BE SOMEBODY THAT... SO IT IS ONE OF THE TOP JOBS IN THIS COMPANY.
A REALLY IMPORTANT JOB. BECAUSE THIS PERSON HAS TO KEEP US OUT OF TROUBLE. AND KEEP THE COMPANY OUT OF TROUBLE. AND MEANWHILE, MOVING US AHEAD.
>> RIGHT. >> YOU KNOW, I WON'T SPEAK FOR JODY. I WANT TO MENTION SOMETHING THAT HE MENTIONED TO ME THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE BOARD.
WE ARE DEFINITELY FPUA DEFINITELY NEEDS AN ATTORNEY.
WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON. IT IS CONSTANT.
I THINK JODY PROBABLY SAID THAT TO ME TWICE MAYBE.
HE SAID "YOU GUYS HAVE A LOT GOING ON.
YOU NEED SOMEBODY WHO CAN HELP YOU GUYS AND THE BOARD." THERE IS SOME THINGS WE DO FOR THE BOARD THAT REALLY THE ATTORNEY SHOULD BE DOING. AND SO I'M REALLY HAPPY ABOUT
GETTING THAT OFF OF THE DESK O'. >> STAFF AND PUTTING THAT ON TO THE ATTORNEY. BECAUSE WE ARE... YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT LEGAL MINDS AT THE STAFF LEVEL.
>> YOU NEED SOMEBODY AROUND WHO HAS A LEGAL MIND WHO IS TELLING YOU... HOW MANY HOURS HAVE Y YOU... DO YOU SPEND ON US A WEEK
ABOUT? >> WELL, YOU KNOW, I HAD AN EXPECTATION, AND THEN THE REALITY WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM THE EXPECTATION. YOU KNOW, I PROBABLY AM PUTTING IN 10-12 HOURS A WEEK ON FPUA MATTERS RIGHT NOW.
I WILL TELL YOU YOU ARE... I MEAN, I HAVE WORKED WITH YOUR DIRECTOR AND MANY DIRECTORS. YOU REALLY HAVE A TREMENDOUS DIRECTOR. OFF TREMENDOUS STAFF, SORT OF TOP TO BOTTOM. THEY HAVE... THEY DO A LOT OF THINGS VERY WELL, AND JUST BEFORE I WAS... I CAME OVER HERE, I WAS WORKING THROUGH AN ISSUE WITH A STAFF MEMBER WHO I HAD NOT MET YET BEFORE. SHE WAS VERY THOROUGH.
SHE HAD THOUGHT THROUGH EVERYTHING.
REALLY FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, YOU HAVE ANT EXCELLENT STAFF.
FRANKLY, RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE IN NEED OF REALLY FOCUSED HELP.
THE 10 OR 15 HOURS, 10 OR 12 HOURS THAT I'M PUTTING IN ON A WEEKLY BASIS WITH DAN O'HAGAN, ARE SORT OF JUST MOVING THINGS ALONG, BUT HAVING SOMEONE REALLY BE ABLE TO SIT AND FOCUS IN AND HELP IMPROVE PROCESSES AND IMPROVE DOCUMENTS AND WORK THROUGH THINGS IS... THAT SORT OF CONCENTRATED EFFORT IS REALLY
>> RIGHT. WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO WORKS HERE AND PRODUCES AND WORKS WELL WITH THE OTHER STAFF.
>> I'M HOPING WE CAN GET SOMEBODY, TOO, THAT IS GOING TO BE HERE FOR A LONG TIME. YOU KNOW?
>> YEAH. >> FINDING SOMEBODY FOR 20 YEARS
>> SOMEBODY THAT CAN SEE THROUGH THIS, PLUS... YOU KNOW, BE HERE
>> YUP. >> I WILL FOLLOW UP ON MR. LAMMERS' QUESTION AND YOUR RESPONSE WHICH WAS GOOD.
WE HAVE A BROAD SET OF SKILLS WE ARE LOOKING FOR.
AND JUST FROM MY BACKGROUND, WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW WE NEED SOMEONE FOR CONTRACTING, PURCHASING, FINANCE.
MOST DEFINITELY REAL ESTATE. WE ARE CONSTANTLY ANNEXING PROPERTIES AND DOING EASEMENTS. HOW MUCH KNOWLEDGE DO YOU THINK THE ATTORNEY NEEDS TO HAVE WITH REGARD TO EMPLOYMENT ISSUES? HOW MANY MATTERS HAS KOBI HANDLES LISTENS HANDLED?
>> FOR EMPLOYMENT MATTER, THAT IS TYPICALLY HANDLED THROUGH H.R. WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY THAT IS AN
THAT IS SOMETHING WE COULD RATE A LITTLE BIT LOWER ON THE SCHEME. SO IF I GET ALL THE CRYER TO YEAH OR SOMETHING ELSE WE ARE MISSING...
>> WE DO SUPPLY AGREEMENTS AS WELL.
WE COULD ADD EMPLOYMENT LAW TO THAT IF WE NEEDED TO.
I'M SURE THAT THAT WILL BE QUITE A BIT OF WORKLOAD.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT AN EXPERT, IF YOU FIND THE RIGHT CANDIDATE AND THEY ARE NOT AN EXPERT IN A CATEGORY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE NOW, WE CAN STILL WORK WITH OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL FIRMS THAT WE WORK WITH NOW TO GAIN THAT EXPERIENCE TO. GAIN SOME EXPERIENCE.
YOU KNOW, IF THEY ARE STRONG IN A COUPLE OF ARAB CASEY, BUT YOU
[00:55:01]
KNOW, THEY NEED SPREUMENT IN ANOTHER AREA, OR JUST EXPERIENCE... IF THEY FIT WELL WITH STAFF AND WELL WITH THE BOARD, I MEAN, THAT MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY AS WELL.>> I THINK, TOO, I WANT TO PUT IT OUT THERE.
IT ALSO... THIS IS EXTREMELY SO TOMP HENCIVE.
IT EVEN MENTIONS, LIKE, IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AND THIS IS NOT YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE, YOU SHOULD SAY "YOU SHOULD FIND A LAWYER TO HELP WITH THIS SPECIFIC THING."
>> THAT IS NORMALLY THE WAY WE WOULD HANDLE IT.
IF IT IS SOMETHING WE WOULD OUTSOURCE.
>> MADAM CHAIR IS RIGHT. THAT SPECIFIC PARAGRAPH IS IN
THE JOB DESCRIPTION. >> AT FMPA, I HAVE SIX LAW FIRMS THAT I MANAGE. THAT HANDLE A VARIETY OF THINGS. I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO HAN HANDLE... OR IT REQUIRES A PARTICULAR EXPERTISE.
THERE IS A LOT I CAN DO IN-HOUSE.
CERTAINLY, I WANT SPECIFIC ADVICE OR I NEED SPECIFIC REPRESENTATION IN A MATTER, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I NEED THAT PARTICULAR PERSON TO FILL THAT ROLE.
>> RIGHT. >> AND THE JOB OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL IS TO MANAGE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE TOOLS IN PLACE THAT HE OR SHE NEEDS TO REPRESENT YOU
>> DO YOU ENVISION OR MAYBE YOU ARE NOT READY TO SAY THAT THIS PERSON WOULD BE... WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH RISK MANAGEMENT? DO YOU HAVE RISK MANAGEMENT IN ANOTHER PLACE? I MEAN, IN THE CITY, WE HAVE PUT RISK MANAGEMENT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY.
BUT BEFORE IT WAS IN A DEPARTMENT ALL BY ITSELF.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER IF YOU ARE NOT READY.
>> WE WILL THINK ABOUT THAT. FOR SURE.
GOOD QUESTION. >> HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO HAVE THIS PUBLISHED OUT THERE LOOKING FOR... AS LONG AS IT TAKES?
>> I WOULD IMAGINE UNTIL IT IS FILLED.
WE WILL KEEP IT POSTED UNTIL FILLED.
>> JODY CAN CIRCULATE IT TO PEOPLE, YOU KNOW.
>> SO DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON WHAT WE WOULD
LIKE TO SEE? >> JOB DESCRIPTION IS GOOD THE WAY AS IT IS WRITTEN. WE WILL SEND YOU A COPY TOM TOMORROW. AND THEN WHAT WE CAN DO IS I CAN PROBABLY WAIT UNTIL FRIDAY IN CASE THERE ARE REVISIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ADD. IF I CAN GET A... AN ALL-CLEAR BY FRIDAY, WE WILL POST IT ON MONDAY.
>> PERFECT. >> WE WILL GO DOWN THE LIST OF ALL THE APPLICANTS. WE WILL PROVIDE SOME KIND OF SHORT LIST OF THE PEOPLE WE THINK SHOULD BE ON THERE.
WE WILL GIVE YOU A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL THAT APPLIED.
>> PLEASE SUPPLY US THE BIOS... >> WE WILL.
WE WILL DO RESUME BIOS. YES, SIR.
>> EXCELLENT. >> WE DID THAT WITH YOUR SEARCH
>> HELPS IN THE INTERVIEW, TOO. >> YES.
[G.5. FPUA Director of Utilities 2022 Performance Evaluation and Compensation Adjustment]
>> YOU ARE WELCOME. THANK YOU.
THE NEXT ITEM, THE NEXT ITEM IS A 2022 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION FOR MYSELF. AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING, I PROVIDED A SELF-EVALUATION MEMO THAT COVERS THIS PAST YEAR.
I PROVIDE EVERYONE WITH A FRESH COPY.
I ADDED ONE PHOTOGRAPH... PARAGRAPH ON PAGE TWO, I BELIEVE IT WAS. I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE TO WORK ALONGSIDE THIS AMAZING COMMUNITY OF HIGHLY DEDICATED FPUA EMPLOYEES. THIS YEAR WE HAVE HAD SOME OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES. SUCH AS THE BOND ISSUANCE.
THE POWER COST ADJUSTMENTS WITH THE NATURAL GAS PRICES.
ESPECIALLY THE VOLATILITY FROM THE NATURAL GAS PRICES.
AND ALSO CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN OUR TEAMS FOR THE FUTURE. YOU KNOW, I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR FEEDBACK ABOUT HOW I PERFORMED THIS PAST YEAR.
THIS ITEM IS A REQUIREMENT PER MY ACCOUNT CONTRACT.
IT DOES REQUIRE YOUR APPROVAL FOR ME TO RECEIVE A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT. I CAN NOT MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
>> SO I GUESS I'LL KICK THIS OFF.
I WAS... THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL.
I KNOW IT IS NOT EASY TO WRITE ABOUT YOURSELF.
AND YOU ARE NOT THAT TYPE OF PERSON THAT IT COMES EASILY TO YOU. SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME. I IMAGINE IT TOOK YOU SEVERAL
WEEKS TO PUT THIS TOGETHER. >> IT WAS TURVETION YES.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> FOR ME, LOOKING AT IT, COMING FROM YOUR SHOES, I WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME TRYING TO COME UP WITH WHAT THESE ITEMS ARE AND THEN WHAT I DID TO MEET THEM.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS IN THE PAST SOME SORT OF A FORM THAT YOU WERE, LIKE, OKAY, THESE ARE THE THINGS I WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET. BUT WITH REGARDS TO THE REST OF THE BOARD, NOT OBVIOUSLY THIS YEAR, THIS YEAR, LAST YEAR IS DONE. YOU DID A FE NO, MA'AMAL PHENOMENAL JOB. I'LL LET EVERYBODY ELSE TALK AND WE CAN DISCUSS FURTHER. GOING FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE TO MAYBE AT THE STRATEGIC PLANNING, HAVE MORE DISCUSSION REGARDING THIS SO THAT MR. DIRECTOR HAS A PATH TO FILL THIS OUT, RATHER
[01:00:06]
THAN HIM COMING UP WITH ITEMS THAT WERE COVERED AND WHAT HE FELT LIKE HE THOUGHT WE WANTED HIM TO DO.I WANT IT TO BE VERY CLEAR. IT ALSO MAKES IT EASIER FOR US TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM. IT HELPS US DRIVE.
RIGHT? HE CAN FEEL LIKE HE IS CONFIDENT IN WHAT HE IS DOING. AND MAKING AN IMPACT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE. OBVIOUSLY, WITH HIS INPUT.
BECAUSE WE VALUE THAT. REGARDING LAST YEAR, YOU GUYSES HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY?
>> I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU. THEY WILL BE SOMEWHAT POINTED.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A DIRECTOR?
>> FOR THE PAST YEAR AS THE DIRECTOR OF YOU'LLTITIES.
BEFORE THAT, IT WAS FOUR AND A HALF, JUST OVER FOUR YEARS AS THE DIRECTOR OF UTILITY SUPPORT SERVICES.
BEFORE THAT, I WAS THE SUPERVISING ENGINEER FOR EIGHT
YEARS, I THINK. >> SO WHEN YOU WERE APPOINTED THE DIRECTOR OF THE YOU'LLTY IS, DID THAT COME WITH A PAY RAISE?
>> IT DID. >> AND YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE JOB FOR A LITTLE OVER MORE THAN ONE YEAR?
>> I HAVE BEEN... YES, SIR. JANUARY 3 WAS MY FIRST DAY LAST
YEAR. >> NORMALLY, I WOULD BE VERY OPEN FOR A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT.
FOR AN EMPLOY OWE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE ROLE FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS. BUT SINCE YOURS JUST CAME WITH A PAY RAISE ONE YEAR AGO, I JUST DON'T THINK THE OPTICS OF GIVING YOU A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT THIS YEAR WOULD BE GOOD.
>> OKAY. >> BECAUSE IT IS KIND OF HARD TO ARGUE TO THE RANK AND FILE MEMBERS AND SAY HEY, HE JUST GOT A RAISE BECAUSE HE TOOK A NEW POSITION.
HOW CAN HE REALLY NEED A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT ON TOP OF
>> THAT IS THIS MEMBER'S WORD. DO I THINK YOU ARE DESERVING OF ONE? ABSOLUTELY I. DON'T THINK THIS WOULD BE THE RIGHT TIME TO DO IT.
>> TYPICALLY, FROM THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, SOMEBODY IN HIS SHOES GETS ACTUALLY TWO RAISES A YEAR.
THEY WOULD GET THE PAY RAISE AND ANOTHER RAISE.
THIS ONE IS MORE OF JUST THE ONE RAISE UNLESS THERE IS MORE DISCUSSION REGARDING. THAT I ALSO KNOW THAT THIS MARKET RIGHT NOW IS EXTREMELY DEMANDING, AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR GOOD MEMBERS TO RUN THEIR UTILITIES.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE MAINTAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE.
THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD LIKE... YOU KNOW, OTHER INPUT.
>> I THINK MR. CISNEROS, YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB.
AND LOOKING AT THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE FACED THIS YEAR AND LOOKING AT THE ECONOMY AND THE WAY THAT THINGS HAVE JUST SKYROCKETED... EVERYTHING HAS DOUBLED.
EVERYTHING IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL.
I FEEL THAT YOU WOULD BENEFIT FROM THAT BECAUSE IF YOU ARE LOOKING... IF I'M LOOKING AT HOW MANY YEARS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN A MANAGER, YOU HAVE BEEN A DIRECTOR, YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE BOTTOM TOTEM POLE. TO GET A RAISE, THAT WAS BECAUSE IT CAME WITH THE POSITION, AND THAT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT YOU ASKED FOR. THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE GIVEN YOU. AND THEREFORE, WITH THE COST ADJUSTMENT, I THINK THAT YOU WOULD DESERVE THAT.
>> WOULD OR DO? >> I THINK HE DO DESERVE IT.
I THINK YOU DO DESERVE IT. >> I GUESS WE CAN SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST WHICH MEANS I'LL GO NOW.
WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE AN ARM-WRESTLE FOR IT.
>> SO MR. FEE, I AGREE WITH YOU.
THERE IS DEFINITELY CHALLENGES RIGHT NOW WITH ANY RAISES THAT WE GIVE. THAT BEING SAID, I KNOW THAT MR CISNEROS, YOU HAVE BEEN WITH FPUA FOR 20 YEARS?
>> LAST THURSDAY WAS 23 YEARS. >> 23 YEARS.
23 YEARS. SO MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT WHEN YOU HIRE FROM WITHIN AND YOU PROMOTE FROM WITHIN, IN MOST
[01:05:06]
CASES, 95%, IF YOU PROMOTE FROM WITHIN, YOU DO NOT GIVE A PERSON THE SALARY THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE IF YOU RECRUITED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE COMPANY. I HAVEN'T DONE THE MARKET RESEARCH, BUT I VERY SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT MR. CISNERO RIGHT NOW IS BEING PAID THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR UTILITY DIRECTOR.HE IS PROBABLY BELOW THAT AND PROBABLY SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THAT. MY FIRST EVER ENGINEERING JOB, I WAS HIRED BY A PREVIOUS DIRECTOR WHEN I WAS A METER-READER.
I WAS HIRED AND INTERVIEWED BY BILL AND DANNY RUTHERFORD FOR POSITION THAT JAVY WAS GOING TO BE MY BOSS WHEN HE WAS ON VACATION. HE WAS ON VACATION, AND HE DIDN'T EVEN GET A CHANCE TO INTERVIEW ME.
HE COMES BACK OFF OF VACATION AND THEY SAY, "HERE IS THIS GUY." RIGHT? (LAUGHTER) SO I DON'T KNOW IF HE WOULD HAVE CHOSEN ME HAD HE BEEN IN THAT INTERVIEW, BUT I WILL SAY I HAVE SEEN AND WORKED WITH A LOT OF UTILITY DIRECTORS. AND I KNEW THAT JAVY WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD UTILITY DIRECTOR. I DIDN'T REALIZE HE WAS GOING TO BE AS GREAT AS HE IS. HE HAS DONE A LOT IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. FAST AND WITH THE SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE. AND HAVING HAD WORKED WITH HIM, I WILL TELL YOU THAT WHEN HE IS WORKING IN A TEAM, THINGS JU JUST... HE JUST GREASES THE GROOVE.
THINGS JUST MOVE. THEY JUST MOVE.
AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A REAL DISSERVICE AND A POOR MESSAGE TO SEND OF THE REST OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM IF WE DIDN'T SHOW THAT AS A BOARD, WE ARE WILLING TO REWARD EXCELLENCE.
INTHINK THAT IS WHAT JAVY HAS GIVEN US.
>> WELL, YOU HAD ME AT GREASES THE GROOVE.
(LAUGHTER) WITH THAT STATEMENT, IT WAS JUST, HOW CAN I ARGUE AGAINST SUCH LOGIC? JAVY, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT YOU SURPASSED EVERYTHING THAT THIS BOARD HAS ASKED.
I WOULD GO ON AND MAKE A MOVE TO... MOTION TO IMPROVE THE INCREASE. NOW, DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> I WOULD SECOND IT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO...
>> OH, DO YOU REALLY? >> WITH DISCUSSION, IF I COULD.
>> BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO SAY I UNDERSTAND AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO THE OPTICS. I REALLY THINK THAT... I UNDERSTOOD WHERE YOU WERE GOING WITH THAT.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. BUT WHEN WE HIRED JAVY, WE HAD INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSIONS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT IS IF WE GIVE YOU THE SALARY YOU REQUEST, I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS MY ANY BIGGER INCREASE THAN THE EMPLOYEES GET. UNLESS IT IS SOMETHING REALLY UNUSUAL. BECAUSE THIS IS A REALLY SENSITIVE POSITION. HE'S GOT TO LEAD THE EMPLOYEES.
HE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF US. AND HE HAS TO RUN THE COMPANY.
RIGHT? AND HE HAS 28,000 CUSTOMERS OUT FROM. ... OUT THERE.
I SAID... SO I FEEL STRONGLY THAT WE HIRED HIM AT THAT SALARY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT HE WOULD GET THE COST OF LIVING WHICH IS WHAT WE WOULD ORDINARILY GAVE DIRECTOR, AND WHICH WE HAVE IN THE PAST. IN THE PAST WE HAVE HAD DIRECTORS ASK FOR MORE, AND MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY IS THAT HASN'T SET WELL WITH ME. BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT LEADING THE COMPANY, YOU HAVE TO BE THE LEADER OF THE EMPLOY EASY.
THEY HAVE TO WANT TO WORK FOR YOU AND FEEL LIKE YOU ARE FAIR AND JUST. AND THAT YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF THEM WHILE YOU ARE NOT... YOU CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEM MORE THAN YOU TAKE CARE OF THE CUSTOMER OR MORE THAN YOU TAKE CARE OF US. YOU HAVE ALL THESE DIFFERENT AUDIENCES. I THINK WHAT... I PERSONALLY LIKE THE FACT THAT HE WROTE THIS OUT ABOUT WHAT HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED BECAUSE I MIGHT NOT HAVE REMEMBERED ALL THE THINGS HE ACCOMPLISHED. RIGHT? I JUST MIGHT NOT HAVE DONE IT. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, TOO. THAT IN STRATEGIC PLANNING OR IN SOME KIND OF SESSION, WE NEED TO HAVE THAT KIND OF CLEAR EXPECTATION OF WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.
I THINK HE HAS REALLY WORKED HARD.
GIVEN IT IS ALL... AND GIVEN HIS ALL.
HIS INTERACTION SHOWS THAT HE CARES ABOUT THE CUSTOMERS OF THIS COMPANY. AND THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE
[01:10:05]
CITY COMMISSION. AND TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.BECAUSE WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE ARE... IT IS NO NEWS FLASH. WE ARE NOT UNIVERSALLY LOVED.
RIGHT? WE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WORK TO GET... TO EARN THE TRUST OF THE CUSTOMER.
I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE THAT. WITH JAVY.
HE HAS SHOWN US THAT. THAT IS WHY I SECONDED YOUR
MOTION. >> HE IS A CHEERLEADER NOT ONLY FOR UTILITIES BUT ALSO FOR THE CITY.
THAT IS A VERY TOUGH POSITION. YOU ARE THE FIRST ONE.
WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT. >> A CHEERLEADER AND THERE IS A
>> WHEN IT IS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP AT THE TOP, IT
TENDS TO SPREAD OUT. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> SO THAT IS LEADERSHIP. SO... MAKES MY LIFE A LOT EASIER. I WILL SAY THAT.
(LAUGHTER). >> CALL THE ROLL, I SUPPOSE.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. >> WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH.
>> I WAS GOING TO LET YOU ALL DECIDE.
THAT. >> THAT IS DECIDED BY THE BOARD.
THE PERCENTAGE. >> THE AVERAGE... IT WAS 4% TO 4.5%. I BELIEVE.
CORRECT? >> THE RANGE FOR EMPLOYEES FOR THIS PAST YEAR WHICH WAS OCTOBER 31 WAS BETWEEN 4% AND 4.75%.
IT DEPENDS ON THE BRACKET. THE LOWER YOUR BRACKET, THE HIGHER THE PERCENTAGE. THE HIGHER THE BRACKET, THE
LOWER PERCENTAGE OF THE RAISE. >> WHERE ARE YOU IN THE BRACKET?
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS EVEN ANSWERABLE.
>> IF WE COMPARE OURSELVES TO COASTAL CITIES LIKE... THAT ARE CLOSE, IT WOULD BE THE CITY OF LAKE WORTH AND SMU MIR IS MA BEACH. THEY ARE ALSO IN THE WATER, WASTEWATER ELECTRIC BUSINESS. I WOULD PROBABLY BE IN THE
BOTTOM CAR TILE. >> WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH A
PERCENTAGE, TOO? >> WE HAVE TO OR ELSE IT IS NOT
>> I WOULDN'T WANT TO DO THAT FOR MYSELF.
>> OF COURSE, YOU DON'T. >> YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY.
>> THE RANK AND FILE EMPLOY EASY GOT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 4% TO
>> THE MAYOR'S PHILOSOPHY IS ALWAYS TO EQUAL WHAT THE RANK AND FILE MEMBERS... YUP. IN THAT BALLPARK.
>> ABOUT 4.5. >> THAT IS WHAT I WAS THINKING.
>> DOES THAT SOUND GOOD? >> THAT SOUNDS EXCELLENT.
YES. >> WE CAN NOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT. COME ON.
>> I'M SORRY. I COULDN'T HEAR.
>> SHOULD I START IT OUT WITH 4.75?
>> NO. THAT IS COMPLETELY UP TO THE BOARD. I CANNOT MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
>> I THINK 4.5 IS GOOD. >> 4.5 IS AN EXCELLENT POSITION.
>> THAT IS WHERE I WAS GOING IN MY HEAD.
>> DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MAJOR LEAGUES?
>> YES. >> TO APPROVE YOUR COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT. UP TO 4.75%?
>> SECOND. >> I TRIED TO WORK THAT IN
THERE. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> MRS. BENNETT? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
APPRECIATE THAT. >> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
>> THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR. YOU HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH IT SINCE YOU TOOK CONTROL. FIRST THING.
WE HAD ISSUES WITH THE PIPELINE. I MEAN, IT WAS, LIKE, I REMEMBER VERY CLEARLY IT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY YEAR.
>> IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR. WITHOUT A DOUBT, IT IS A GREAT TEAM. PART OF BEING IN THIS POSITION IS BUILDING A GREAT TEAM. AND THERE IS NO WAY TO GET THERE WITHOUT, WITHOUT A GREAT TEAM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IT IS A REALLY TRUE REFLECTION OF THE ENTIRE FPUA LEADERSHIP
TEAM, THE EMPLOYEES, EVERYBODY. >> YES.
>> YUP. >> KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
[I.1. Approve Resolution No. UA 2023‐02 – Contract Agreement Line of Credit with Seacoast Bank.]
LET'S SEE. NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE I AM AGAIN. WE'VE GOT RESOLUTIONS.IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM.
MADAM CHAIR, THE LAST ITEM THIS AFTERNOON IS A RESOLUTION FOR A LINE OF CREDIT WITH SEACOAST BANK.
THIS LINE OF CREDIT IS UP TO A 12-MONTH JUNIOR LIEN AND WILL BE USED FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS. WE ARE IN A GOOD FINANCIAL POSITION, AND THIS LINE OF CREDIT PROVIDES STAFF WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO MANAGE THE DAYS OF CASH ON HAND.
BARBARA MICA, THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES WILL PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON,
[01:15:25]
BOARD MEMBERS. MADAM CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS.I AM HERE TO PRESENT TO YOU TODAY A RESOLUTION FOR A LINE OF CREDIT FOR FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY WITH SEACOAST BANK.
FORT PIERCE UTILITIES HAS HAD A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH SEACOAST BANK AS OUR OPERATING BANK, AND WE HAVE WORKED WITH SEACOAST TO PROVIDE US WITH SOME INFORMATION FOR THE LINE OF CREDIT. OUR RECENT... RECENTLY WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME HIGH COSTS IN NATURAL GAS.
IT HAS IMPACTED THE LEVELS OF OUR UNRESTRICTED CASH.
MANAGEMENT HAS DISCUSSED AND DETERMINED THAT A LINE OF CREDIT WOULD PROVIDE THIS SHORT-TERM WORKING CAPITAL.
ALL MONEY THAT IS BORROWED THROUGH THE LINE OF CREDIT WILL BE A JUNIOR AND SUBORDINATE LIEN ON OUR SENIOR DEBT AS STATED IN OUR MASTER BOND RESOLUTION FOR... RESOLUTION 2022-10.
THE MASTER BOND RESOLUTION HAS MANY REQUIREMENTS THAT ASSURED THE FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS OF FPUA AND OUR ABILITY TO PAY THAT DEBT. THE TERMS AND AGREEMENTS ON THE LINE OF CREDIT HAVE BEEN REVIEWED TO ENSURE THE COMPLIANCE WITH THAT MASTER BOND RESOLUTION.
TWO OF THE MORE IMMEDIATE COVER NANTZ... COVENANTS WE WERE CONSIDERING IN THIS NEGOTIATION WERE THE DAYS OF CASH THAT WE HAVE ON HAND. THIS CREDIT LINE WOULD DEFINITELY HELP ADDRESS THAT. AS WELL, OUR DEBT SERVICE RATIO, THE RATIO OF DEBT TO OUR NET INCOME.
WE WILL VERY CAREFULLY GIVE CONSIDERATION TO ANY DRAWS ON THIS LINE OF KREVMENT IT WILL ONLY BE MADE IF THE MONEY IS NECESSARY. YOUR AUTHORIZATION TO OPEN THIS LINE OF CREDIT WILL ALLOW MANAGEMENT TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUITY OF OUR OUR OPERATIONS.
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LINE OF CREDIT, THE FIRST THAT THIS IS A TAXABLE REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT WITH A 12-MONTH TERM WHICH CAN BE RENEWED FOR A SUBSEQUENT YEAR.
IF NEED BE. THE MAXIMUM BORROWING AMOUNT IS $4 MILLION WITH INTEREST PAYMENTS DUE MONTHLY AND PRINCIPLE PAYMENTS WHICH WE CAN PAY DOWN ANY TIME.
THE RATE THAT WE WERE... THAT WE ARE NEGOTIATED IS A SOFER RATE PLUS 1.5%. IT IS AN ACRONYM FOR SECURED OVERNIGHT FINANCIAL RATE. IT MEASURES THE COST OF OVERNIGHT BORROWING. SO THAT RATE WHICH IS VARIABLE, IT IS CURRENTLY AT ABOUT 4.3 OR 4.2-SOMETHING.
PLUS A HALF A PERCENT WOULD BE THE RATE WE WOULD PAY.
DEPENDING ON WHEN WE TOOK THE DRAW ON THE NOTE.
THERE IS ALSO A NONUTILIZATION FEE THAT WOULD APPLY.
AND THAT IS TEN BASIS POINTS OR ONE-TENTH OF 1% ON THE UNUSED PORTION. AND THAT IS BASED ON THE... IF WE ONLY BORROW... IF WE BORROW LESS THAN 25% OF THAT $4 MILLION, WE BORROW LESS THAN $1 MILLION, WE WOULD PAY ONE-TENTH OF 1% ON THE UNUSED PORTION. AND THAT IS A VERY LOW NONUTILIZATION FEE. THE LOAN IS COLLATERALIZED BY UNRESTRICTED EXCESS REVENUES FROM THE POWER COST ADJUSTMENT AND THE PURCHASE ADJUSTMENT. RESOLUTION NUMBER UA-202-02 PROVIDES A LINE OF CREDIT FOR SHORT-TERM WORKING CAPITAL NEEDS. THE PLEDGED REVENUES OF THE SYSTEM AS DEFINED IN THE MASTER BOND RESOLUTION ARE NET REVENUES AND CAPITAL CONNECTION FEES WHICH ARE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT CHARGES. THIS RESOLUTION PLEDGES THOSE SAME REVENUES AS A JUNIOR AND SUBORDINATE LIEN ON THE EXCESS COLLECTIONS FROM THE ELECTRIC AND GAS POWER ADJUSTMENTS THAT IS OVER THE WHOLESALE POWER COST.
THE RESOLUTION HAD SOME ATTACHMENTS.
[01:20:02]
ATTACHMENT B IS THE PROMISSORY NOTE WHICH IS OUR WRITTEN PROMISE TO PAY THE LENDER WITHIN THE AGREED TERMS. YOUR ATTACHMENT C IS THE LOAN AGREEMENT ITSELF.THIS IS THE CONTRACT BETWEEN FPUA AND SEACOAST BANK.
THAT STATES THE TERMS OF THE LOAN.
AND THEY HAVE BEEN MUTUALLY AGREED UPON.
THE RESOLUTION ALSO DELEGATES THE AUTHORITY TO ASK FOR A DRAW ON THAT LOAN TO THE DIRECTOR OF YOU'LLTY TILLS.
UTILITIES. THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE LOAN AGREEMENT IS SET FOR SOME DATE NEXT WEEK.
WHEN ALL PARTIES ARE AVAILABLE. YOUR ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION WILL PROMPT OUR PRESENTATION AT THIS EVENING'S' CITY COMMISSION MEETING. IN NEED BE.
... IF NEED BE. MANAGEMENT IS REQUESTING YOUR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NUMBER UA-2023-02, AUTHORIZING FPUA TO OBTAIN A LINE OF CREDIT WITH ZSA ZSA GABOR COAST BANK IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4 MILLION. >> QUESTIONS?
>> QUESTIONS. >> HAVE WE DONE THIS BEFORE?
>> NOT SINCE I'M HERE. NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
NO. >> SO YOU WERE HERE BEFORE YOU
WERE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE? >> YES.
OKAY. AND SO THE REASON WE ARE DOING THIS... THIS IS AN UNUSUAL EVENT.
IT IS BECAUSE OF THE BIG PROJECT THAT WE ARE WORKING ON.
REMOVING THE WASTE WEARS TREATMENT PLANT.
>> RIGHT. THE OVERALL THEME OF THE LINE OF CREDIT IS TO USE THE LINE OF CREDIT TO PAY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THOSE... THAT FUNDING IN OUR DAYS OF CASH CALCULATION SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH OUR DAYS OF CASH.
BECAUSE OF THE SEASON WE HAVE GONE THROUGH WITH PAYING THE HIGHER YOULE THETY BILLS. WE ARE NOT USING THE LINE OF CREDIT TO PAY FOR THE FMPA BILLS.
THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE BOARD TO KNOW THAT.
WE ARE USING IT FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.
SO WE CAN FREE UP CAPITAL FUNDING.
TO HAVE OUR DAYS OF CASH WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.
AND IT IS ONLY IF WE NEED TO USE IT.
>> RIGHT. >> YOU KNOW, WE ARE PUTTING OURSELVES IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO GIVE STAFF ANOTHER TOOL TO MANAGE OUR DAYS OF CASH. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER TOOL.
IT IS POSSIBLE WE MAY NEVER USE IT.
WE ARE DOING THE LEG WORK NOW. AS WE GO INTO THE YEAR.
>> THE LINE OF CREDIT... I'M SORRY.
THAT IS OKAY. THIS IS A STANDARD BUSINESS PRACTICE TO HAVE A LINE OF CREDIT.
IN FACT, WHEN I BOUGHT MY BUSINESS, I HAD A VERY AMAZING LEADER THAT I WENT TO FOR FEEDBACK.
AND THE FIRST THING OUT OF HIS MOUTH WAS "YOU NEED A LINE OF CREDIT." I'M GOING TO TAKE YOU TO THE BANK. HE ACTUALLY HELPED ME WHEN I HAD MINE FOR THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE HAD ONE EVER SINCE.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU USE IT, IT IS... YOU NEED TO HAVE IT THERE
JUST IN CASE. >> IT IS A BACK-UP KIND OF
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT GIVES YOU POTENTIALLY SOME PURCHASING POWER AS WELL. SO SOME THESE PROJECTS, IF...
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD A HARD TIME GETTING SOME OF THESE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT OR WHATEVER AND TAKING SO LONG, IT MAY ALLOW US TO BUY TWO INSTEAD OF ONE. OR WHATEVER IT IS.
IF WE CAN GET IT FOR CHEAPER. HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, THEY CHOOSE TO USE THAT MONEY. YEAH.
WE WILL HAVE IT AT OUR FINGERTIPS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT, RATHER THAN FORECAST USING OUR MONEY AND
DRAINING OUR DAYS ON HAND. >> SO THE INTEREST RATE IN DOLLAR AMOUNTS... I KNOW... WHAT WAS THE...
>> ABOUT 4.5. 4.75 RIGHT NOW, I THINK.
>> 4.2 OR 4.3. PRUS THE HALF A PERCENT.
>> IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A 20-YEAR
LOAN. >> WE ARE NOT TAKING THIS.
>> THIS IS A 12-MONTH LINE OF CREDIT FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
>> LINE OF CREDIT IS A SHORT-TERM.
THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A LOAN. IT IS TO HAVE IT AVAILABLE TO
>> GO AHEAD, MR. LAMMERS. >> HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE RESOLUTION AND THE ATTACHMENTS?
>> OH, YES. NEGOTIATED SOME OF THE TERMS OF THE LINE OF CREDIT, REVOLVING LOAN AGREEMENT WITH THE BANK.
LINES OF CREDIT ARE SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE BANK BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO USE IT OR NOT BUT THEY HAVE TO CAPITALIZE THE BORROWING.
LIKE YOU HAVE USED IT. THEY USUALLY HAVE VERY, VERY SPECIFIC TERMS IN THEIR... WITH SOME OF THOSE KINDS.
[01:25:02]
WE WORKED ON THAT WITH THE SEE SEACOAST BANK COUNCIL AND WITH THE BOND COUNCIL. WE GOT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS INTO A PLACE THAT I THINK ARE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR APPROVAL.THE NOTE, THE RESOLUTION BOTH HERE AND FOR THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE LOAN AGREEMENT AND... HAVE ALL BEEN APPROVED AND REVIEWED BY ME. WE ARE WORKING ON THE CLOSING
DOCUMENTS NOW. >> MADAM CHAIR? OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS THE TYPE OF LENDING THAT I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH. BECAUSE IT SPEAKS IN TERMS OF THIS BEING... EVIDENCING A TAXABLE REVOLVING LOAN.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> SO IF WE DRAW MONEY, IS THAT GOING TO BE TAXABLE TO THE U. SNAVMENT.
>> IT IS TAXABLE TO THE BANK. THE BANK IS NOT... YOU ARE NOT
ISSUING TAX-EXEMPT DEBT. >> OKAY.
>> WHERE THE BANK IS BUYING THE BOND AND DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY FEDERAL INCOME TAX ON THE INTEREST THAT YOU PAY F TO THE BANK AS THE BOND-HOLDER. IN THIS CASE, THE BANK IS MAKING YOU A LOAN. THEY ARE MAKING YOU A LOAN AT A HIGHER INTEREST RATE BECAUSE THE INTEREST THAT YOU PAY ON THIS LOAN IS TAXABLE INCOME TO THE BANK.
THE... >> I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT IN A FLORIDA PROMISSORY NOTE. IN ANY TYPE OF LENDING.
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT EVERY INTEREST THAT GETS PAID TO THE
BANK IS ALWAYS TAXABLE. >> IF YOU WERE RESTRICTING THE USE OF THIS LINE OF CREDIT ONLY TO CAPITAL PROJECTS, THEN THE BANK COULD ISSUE THIS AND YOU COULD SELL THEM OR DELIVER TO THEM A TAX-EXEMPT NOTE. THEY WOULD HAVE TO GET AN OPINION, SAYING THAT, IN FACT, IT WAS TAX-EXEMPT TO THEM.
THE INTEREST YOU PAID THEM. IF YOU ALLOW IT TO BE USED BOTH FOR CAPITAL AND FOR... IT HAS TO BE TAXABLE.
UNDER THAT RUBE RICK RUBE RIC, THE INTEREST WOULD BE TAXABLE.
>> THE INTENT IS TO ALLOW YOU TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF YOUR MONEY TO KEEP YOUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS...
>> THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THE OPINION, THOUGH.
THEY WILL GET THE FLEXIBILITY. >> THE LINE OF CREDIT HAS TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY, YES. THAT IS CORRECT.
>> YEAH. WE WOULD FOCUS ON CAPITAL PROJECTS. NOT FOR O&M.
FOR CLARITY, THE LINE OF CRE CREDIT... NOT BORROWING IT.
>> WELL, IT IS SIMILAR. (LAUGHTER).
>> THAT IS A MIGHTY BIG PROMISSORY NOTE YOU ARE ASKING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD TO SIGN.
>> I'M SORRY. I HAD TO THROW THAT OUT THERE.
TIMING THE IMPECCABLE. >> IS MY ASSUMPTION THAT WE MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET A SLIGHTLY LOWER INTEREST RATE HAD WE SAID THAT WE WERE ONLY GOING TO USE THIS LINE OF CREDIT FOR CAPITAL?
IS THAT A RIGHT ASSUMPTION? >> TAXABLE, AND BARBARA CAN SPEAK TO THIS BETTER THAN I. TAXABLE IS TYPICALLY LOWER IN A RISE-INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT LIKE WE HAVE TODAY.
THAT MAY NOT BE NECESSARILY THE CASE... TWO YEARS AGO, TAXABLE WAS CHEAPER THAN TAX-EXEMPT. GENERALLY, TAXBLING IS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER. YES.
>> OKAY. >> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, TOO, BARBARA, IF THE BOARD APPROVES THIS TODAY, AS PER OUR CITY CHARTER, WE HAVE TO GO TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR ANY JUNIOR LIEN THAT IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS.
IF IT GETS APPROVED TODAY, WE WILL TAKE IT TO THE CITY
COMMISSION TONIGHT. >> IT IS ON THE AGENDA.
>> NO PRESSURE. >> WE DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE BONDHOLDERS ON THIS. CORRECT?
>> NO, SIR. THIS IS NOT A BOND.
THIS IS A NOTE THAT IS YOU ARE DELIVERING TO THE BANK.
THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE BOND RESOLUTION AS A PARODY DEBT.
HOWEVER, THE BOND RESOLUTION DOES ALLOW YOU TO ISSUE A SUBORDINATE DEBT. THAT IS WHAT THIS IS.
SWORD NAT SUBORDINATE DEBT. THIS COLLATERALIZED, AS BARBARA SAID, JUST BY THE ONE SLIVER OF THE REVENUE THAT YOU COLLECT ON
YOUR POWER COST ADJUSTMENT. >> YOU MENTIONED THIS IS GOING
TO BE A JUNIOR ENCUMBRANCE. >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> WHO SITS IN THE FIRST PRIORITY?
BONDHOLDERS? >> BONDHOLDERS GET PAID FIRST
ALWAYS. >> I THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD
POSITION, THEN. >> THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE NOT
GOING TO USE UNLESS WE NEED TO. >> WE DO USE IT, YOU ARE GOING
TO LET US KNOW. >> IF WE DON'T USE IT, IT COSTS
THERE IS A MINIMUM FEE ON THERE. >> THE BANK HAS TO HOLD THAT MONEY AVAILABLE TO US. RIGHT? IT IS LITERALLY AVAILABLE TO US. MINE, I CAN GO IN THERE AND MOVE IT FROM ONE ACCOUNT TO ANOTHER.
IT IS THERE AT THEIR FINGERTIPS. SO IS THERE... READ THE
[01:30:03]
RESOLUTION, I BELIEVE. >> YES.
>> RESOLUTION NUMBER UA-2023-02. A RESOLUTION OF THE FORT PIERCE UTILITY AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING THE AUTHORITY TO BORROW UP TO $4 MILLION IN THE FORM OF A TAXABLE REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT FROM SEACOAST NATIONAL BANK IN SUBSTANTIAL ACCORDANCE WITH THE BANK'S PROPOSAL, DATED DECEMBER 15, 2022, APPROVING THE FORMS AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF VARIOUS DOCUMENTS AND THE TAKING OF ALL NECESSARY ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY OF SUCH LINE OF CREDIT
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL FIRST.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MR. LAMEDDERS?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MRS. GIBBONS?
[J. DIRECTOR]
>> THANK YOU, BARBARA. >> DIRECTOR?
>> YES, MA'AM. THIS IS JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER THAT OUR NEXT GATHERING WILL BE AT THE GROUNDBREAKING ON FEBRUARY 3. WE ARE LOOKING TO WRAP UP THE AGENDA DETAILS FOR THAT DAY. WE WILL SHARE WITH YOU AS SOON AS THOSE ARE FI FINALIZED. THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 7 AT 4:00. WE ARE BACK TO OUR REGULAR TIME.
HOWEVER, THE MEETING AFTER THAT, FEBRUARY 21, WILL BE AT 2:00.
BECAUSE MONDAY IS A HOLIDAY. THE CITY COMMISSION MEETS THE FOLLOWING DAY IF THERE IS A HOLIDAY ON THEIR DATE.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD FOR YOUR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN ME OVER THE PAST YEAR.
I LOOK FORD TO AN EXCITING PROSPEROUS 2023.
[K. ATTORNEY]
>> YOU HAVE AN OUTSTANDING STAFF.
FROM JAVY AND HIS DIRECT REPORTS AND EVERYBODY.
IT IS A TESTMENT TO THIS ORGANIZATION.
AT THE NEXT MEETING, MY COLLEAGUE DAN O'HAGAN WILL BE HERE. SO I PROBABLY WON'T SEE YOU FOR A MEETING OR TWO. YOU ARE WELL-COVERED.
WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP THINGS MOVING ALONG.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE FOR US.
AND FOR STEPPING IN. >> YES, MA'AM.
[L. COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS]
>> BOARD? YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD
LIKE TO COVER? >> MADAM CHAIR, I WANT TO MENTION ONE THING. I KNOW WE HAVE MADE A COUPLE OF DECISIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR RELATED TO POWER COST ADJUSTMENT THAT I THINK HAS MADE BARBARA'S JOB A LITTLE BIT MORE STRESSFUL.
AND CHALLENGING. HOPEFULLY, WE MADE A DECISION TODAY THAT MAKES THEIR JOB A LITTLE BIT EASIER.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS. AND I'M SORRY.
I KEEP ASKING. I'M TERRIBLE AT REMEMBERING THIS STUFF. WHEN ARE WE PLANNING TO DO THE
STRATEGIC PLANNING? >> THAT HAS BEEN A MOVING TARGET. WE HAVE A STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION IN FEBRUARY WITH MMPA. I WOULD LIKE TO GET PAST.
THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM THAT.
THAT MAY HELP US WITH OUR PLANNING.
MAYBE IN MARCH. BUT THEN WE MOVE INTO BUDGET SCHEDULE SEASON. LY GET BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS I.
CAN WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE SESSION ALSO IN MARCH, I THINK.
>> THE 7TH, IT STARTS. >> ACTUALLY, IT IS THE 25TH.
>> A RALLY IN TALLAHASSEE. >> WE HAVE QUITE A BIT GOING ON.
LY GET BACK TO YOU ON. THAT ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT IS STAFF ENDS UP COMING UP WITH THE AGENDA ITEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO REALLY... IT WAS A CONVERSATION WE HAD THAT THE BOARD GIVE US THE DIRECTIVES, AND THEN WE MOVE FORWARD.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF INITIATIVES INTERNALLY.
BUT MOST OF THOSE ARE WORKING INITIATIVES.
REALLY I THINK THAT SHIFTING FROM WORKING INITIATIVES TO VISION IS PROBABLY IMPORTANT FOR STAFF TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THE VISION OF THE BOARD IS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
AND IT KIND OF TACKLES PREACHING THE AGENDA FOR A STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION. A LITTLE BIT EASIER THAN US TRYING TO TELL YOU WHAT WE ARE DOING.
WE NEED TO GET THE VISION FROM THE BOARD.
ON HOW TO PROCEED. >> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE DID
STRATEGIC PLANNING? >> 2018, 2020.
I THINK IT WAS 2020. 2018 WAS A REALLY, REALLY GOOD YEAR. THAT WAS YEAR THAT WE TALKED ABOUT RELOCATING THE WASTEWATER PLANT.
FPUA NET. TALKING ABOUT REBRANDING OURSELVES. YOU KNOW, WE CAME UP WITH THE LOGO. THEN WE GOT INTO 2020.
THAT BECAME A DIFFICULT YEAR. BECAUSE OF COVID.
WE DID HAVE A SHORT STRATEGIC UPDATE IN EARLY 2020.
OR IT MAY HAVE BEEN IN 2019. >> I THINK IT WOULD BE HARD FOR
[01:35:01]
THE BOARD TO JUST COME UP WITH... I MEAN, I WOULD LIKE TO BUILD ON WHAT WE DID OR AT LEAST...>> I HAVE STARTED A LIST. SO...
>> OH, YOU HAVE? >> I CAN SEND YOU WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT. I'M SURE THERE IS OTHERS.
I MEAN, AS YOU ARE LEARNING, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS. YOU REALIZE MAYBE THESE ARE SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE LOOKED AT.
OR ADDRESSED. AND ADJUSTED OR WHATEVER.
AND YOU KNOW, THAT IS KIND OF WHERE I...
>> GOOD. >> I CAN COMPILE A LIST OF WHAT WE KID BEFORE,... WHAT WE DID BEFORE, WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. AND THEN ADD TO THE LIST ANY ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD.
>> GREAT. ANOTHERTY ITEM THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR AN UPDATE ON, WE WERE GOING TO AT ONE TIME, HAVE THESE PACKETS SCANNED. RIGHT? AND E-MAILED? SO EVERYTHING IS AVAILABLE?
>> YUP. MOVING TO A DIGITAL VERSION OF THE AGENDA. YES.
WE TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST WEEKEND TODAY.
WE ARE LOOKING. WE HAVE MET WITH THE CITY STAFF AND DONE A REVIEW OF THE QUICK AGENDA.
AGENDA QUICK. WE ARE LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, HOW TO TRANSITION TO A DIGITAL VERSION.
THAT WOULD INCLUDE GETTING EVERYBODY A TABLET.
I THINK THE MAYOR ALREADY HAS ONE.
>> WE CAN GIVE BOARD MEMBERS A TABLET.
SO YOU CAN REVIEW IT DIGITALLY. IT WOULD SAVE QUITE A BIT OF
HUGE. >> THERE IS A COST SAVINGS AS WELL. IT PROBABLY MAKES IT EASIER FOR
I COULD HAVE REVIEWED IT WHEN I WASN'T HERE.
>> GREAT. IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE CITY COMMISSION TRANSITIONED TO ABOUT FIVE, MAYBE LONGER YEARS AGO.
AND IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THOUGHT TO BE SOMETHING THAT WAS CHALLENGING. ESPECIALLY FOR SOME COMMISSIONERS. BUT IT WAS AN EASY TRANSITION.
REALLY LOVELY. IF YOU LOOK ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. AND YOU LOOK AT THEIR AGENDAS.
YOU CAN CLICK RIGHT INTO THE LINK WITH THE ATASMMENTS AND EVERYTHING IS RIGHT THERE. IT IS REALLY VERY NICE.
>> AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT... I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF WHAT YOU ARE PLANNING TO DO. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE CITY THAN JER HAS IS A PROGRAM WHICH I CAN'T TELL YOU THE NAME OF IT WHICH TRACKS EVERYTHING THAT IS IN THE TRA TEENAGIC PLAN.
>> YUP. >> AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF
>> AND THE GOALS. IT IS... HE SHARES THAT WITH US. EVERY TIME SOMETHING MOVES THAT WE ARE WORKING ON, IT GOES INTO THAT SOFTWARE, AND THEN WE GET NOTIFIED OF IT. WE ARE ALWAYS, WE ARE ALWAYS INFORMED OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE TRA TEENAGIC PLAN.
>> CAN YOU SHARE IT WITH ME? I WAS WONDERING.
>> WE ACTUALLY HELP POPULATE SOME OF THE STRATEGIC VISION...
SOME OF THE STRATEGIC GOALS IN THE CITY, WE PROVIDE UPDATES FOR
>> FOR NICK AND HIS STAFF. >> RIGHT ARE.
YOU AWARE WE ARE HAVING STRATEGIC PLANNING?
HAVE YOU BEEN INVITED TO THAT? >> YES.
I HAVE BEEN INVITED. I HAVE BEEN GONE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THAT IS.
>> NEXT WEEK. YUVMENT THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE CITY TO HAVE SOMEBODY FROM THE UTILITY AUTHORITY THERE WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT STRATEGIC
WE NEED TO BE MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
>> THAT IS HOW WE... DANIEL AND MYSELF WENT LAST
YEAR. >> THERE IS NOTHING ELSE.
I APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH. CLEARLY, WE ALL DO.
I HOPE THAT DAME OUT IN YOUR REVIEW TODAY.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. >> HOPEFULLY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT YOURSELF NEXT YEAR. (LAUGHTER) IS THERE ANYTHING
ELSE? >> ONE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
ANY NEW DECISIONS CONCERNING GAS PRICES AND FUTURE PURCHASING?
>> WE WILL BE... I WILL BE AT THE BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS AN AGENDA ITEM SPECIFICALLY.
>> JUST AN UPDATE ON THURSDAY. >> JUST AN UPDATE.
THE PLANNING SESSION WILL DEFINITELY TALK ABOUT WHAT WE DO MOVING FORWARD INTO 2024. AND MAYBE EVEN INTO THE OUT-YEARS. YOU KNOW, DO WE WANT TO PURCHASE, SOME, REGARDLESS OF THE PRICE TO BE ABLE TO LOCK THOSE PRICES IN IF THEY ARE AT OR BELOW A CERTAIN BUDGET POINT? EVEN IF THEY DROP BELOW THAT, THERE IS SOME RISK.
YOU BRING PRICE SURETY TO YOUR CUSTOMERS.
THAT IS PART OF THAT... I BELIEVE THAT IS A TOPIC ITEM OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION. I DON'T THINK THE AGENDA IS OUT
WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. >> THERE IS AN FMPA MEETING
[01:40:04]
TOMORROW AS WELL. >> THANK YOU.
THERE IS A LIAISON POLICY MAKERS MEETING.
AS PART OF THAT, I SENT AN EMAIL INVITATION TO ATTEND A PRESENTATION BY... THE NAME ESCAPES ME AT THE MOMENT.
IT IS A VERY GOOD... HE IS A VERY WELL-KNOWN SPEAKER.
HE IS GOING TO TALK ON QUITE A FEW TOPICS.
SPECIFICALLY, RELATING TO THE ELECTRIC INDUSTRY.
THE EMAIL CONTAINS THE LINK TO TEAMS. I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER BRODERICK IS THE POLICY LIAISON APPOINTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION. HE WILL BE ATTENDING AS WELL.
I'LL MOST LIKELY BE ATTENDING TOMORROW AS WELL.
THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD TEAMS PRESENTATION.
HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN JOIN. >> I'M GOING TO ATTEMPT TO.
HOPEFULLY. IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE, MEETING ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.