[Call to Order]
[00:00:10]
UTILITIES AUTHORITY REGULAR BOARD MEETING FOR JUNE 20TH, 2023. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PRAYER AND
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY AND FOR THE BLESSINGS YOU BESTOW UPON US AND THIS CITY BODY THAT HAS ASSEMBLEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE UNITED METHODIST AUTHORITY AND THANK YOU THAT OUR CITY IS PROSPERING AND THE OFFERINGS WE HAVE ARE SURVIVING AND FLOURISHING AND I THANK YOU FOR THE GRACE YOU BESTOWED UPON US AND THOSE YOU PLACED IN POSITION THAT HAVE THE BEST INTENTION FOR THEIR PEOPLE IN MIND IN JESUS' NAME, I EVEN PRAY FOR HURRICANE SEASON THAT WE SURVIVE UNSCATHED YET AGAIN AS WE SAW YOU DO MANY TIMES BEFORE IN THE PAST ANY, JESUS' NAME, AM 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. >> MRS. CORTEZ WOULD YOU CALL
[A. SET THE AGENDA]
>> PRESENT. >> HUDSON, BIB GONES, PRESENT.
>> I DON'T KNOW YOU IF HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THAT, BUT THERE'S TWO MORE ON NEW BUSINESS AND RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE SO IF I COULD GET A MOVE TO SET THE MODIFIED AGENDA?
[B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
MRS. GIBBONS. >> HAS EVERYONE HAD A MOMENT TO REVIEW THE MINUTES. ARE THERE QUESTIONS?
>> I MOVE APPROVAL? >> PLEASE CALL THE?
MRS. GIBBONS? >> DO WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM
[D. CONSENT AGENDA]
PUBLIC? MOVING FORWARD.CONSENT AGENDAS. THERE ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE
PULLED OR QUESTIONS ON ANYTHING? >>
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. ♪ SO WE DO HAVE A RECOGNITION OF
[E. RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE]
EXCELLENT IN HERE NOW, SO PASS THAT OFF TO MRS. CORTEZ.WE RECEIVED THE NOTE FROM FM PA. MADAM MAYOR AND CHAIR AND, MADAM MAYOR, MADAM CHAIR, FPUA BOARD MEMBERS, JAVIER & FPUA TEAM THANK YOU FOR THE TREMENDOUS HONOR YOU DID FOR DAN AND I WITH THE APPRECIATION FROM US BOTH. IT IS OUR HONOR TO BE OF SERVICE AND ASSISTANCE. IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO COORDINATE CLOSE WITH JAVIERIER AND THE ENTIRE TEAM AND CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THE HIGH QUALITY AND COST CONSCIOUS SERVICES YOU PROVIDE TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
WE BELIEVE CARE LINE WILL BE A GREAT ASSET AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US IF WE CAN HELP IN ANYWAY IN THE FUTURE.
JODY. >> OLD BUSINESS WE HAVE NONE SO NEW BUSINESS? I'LL PASS THAT OFF TO MR.
CISNEROS? >> GOOD AFTERNOON TO BOARD MEMBERS. G2.
RUNNING JUST A LITTLE BIT BEHIND SCHEDULE HERE SO I'LL PASS IT TO
[G.2. Sunshine Law Update]
MRS. VALENTINE FOR THE SUNSHINE LAW DATE.>> THANK YOU. I'M NOT SURE HOW TO GET IT ON THE SCREEN, BUT LET'S SEE. THEY SAID IF I PRESS THE CLI CLICKER.
>> I'M JUST LETTING THE GUY BEHIND ME HAVE MORE TIME TO MAKE IT HERE. I FEEL LIKE THE SCREENS WENT OFF. THEY ARE ALL BLACK UP HERE.
[00:05:02]
>> YEAH, THEY DID. >> WATCHING THE MIRROR.
>> WE MIGHT NEED BOBBY TO COME TO OUR RESCUE?
>> SOMETHING IS HAPPENING. >> NO SIGNAL YET?
>> YEAH, THEY'RE BLACK. >> IT IS SHOWING UNTO PUBLIC
OKAY. SO IN YOUR PACKET THERE IS ACTUALLY A PRESENTATION IF YOU WANT TO JUST LOOK AT THAT.
AND YOU ALREADY KNOW ALL OF THIS, BUT THE REASON WE BROUGHT IT TO THIS MEETING IS BECAUSE NA LITTLE BIT, IN A LITTLE LESS THAN A MONTH YA'LL WILL BE AT THE FM EA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND I'LL HAVE THE PLEASURE OF JOINING YA'LL THIS YEAR.
IT'S IN SAINT PETERSBURG AND THERE WILL BE SITUATIONS WHERE YA'LL MIGHT BE IN THE SAME CLASSROOM TOGETHER OR AT LUNCH OR AT A DINNER OR RECEPTION TOGETHER SO THIS IS JUST A REFRESHER AND, THANK YOU. I'M ON SLIDE THREE.
AS JUST A REMINDER, THE SUNSHINE LAW APPLIES TO ANY GATHERING OF TWO OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TO DISCUSS ANY ITEM THAT MIGHT FORESEEABLY COME BEFORE THE BOARD IN THE FUTURE, JUST TO BREAK THAT DOWN IT'S BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE SAME BOARD.
THERE MAY BE OTHER MEMBERS THAT YOU CAN SPEAK WITH BUT WHEN YOU ARE IN THE SAME AREA WITH THESE FIVE INDIVIDUALS HERE, HIGH ALERT SHOULD BE TAKEN THAT THE SUNSHINE LAW APPLIES.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN WHEN WE SAY THAT THE SUNSHINE LAW APPLIES? IT MUST BE NOTICED. THE MINUTES HAVE TO BE TAKEN AND THERE HAS TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT ABILITY AT A CONFERENCE. THERE HAS BEEN ANNA GO OPINION THAT SAYS JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL SITTING IN THE CLASSROOM TOGETHER. THAT'S NOT A VIOLATION.
IT'S WHEN YOU ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION.
THAT'S WHY THERE'S A POINT THAT SAYS TAKE CAUTION WHEN TOPICS THAT MIGHT COME BEFORE YOUR BOARD MIGHT BE DISCUSSED BECAUSE IT'S EASY FOR ONE BOARD MEMBER TO RAISE THEIR HAND AND ASK A QUESTION AND ANOTHER SAYS, JUST LIKE US AND WE SHOULD DO IN THAT SITUATION AND IT'S EASY TO DOVE TAIL TO A VIOLATION THERE.
ANOTHER THING TO BE AWARE OF IS THE GIFT LAWS.
I'VE BEEN TOLD, I HAVEN'T BEEN THERE YET, BUT THE FM EA IS GREAT TO SET UP THE LUNCHES AND RECEPTIONS IN AWAY WHERE IT IS MULTIPLE PEOPLE OR COMPANIES SPONSORING SO YOU DON'T GET IN THIS TERRITORY OF HAVING TO WANDER, WELL, WHAT'S THE VALUE OF THIS DINNER OR RECEPTION. BUT BASICALLY EACH OF YOU IS A REPORTING OFFICIAL AND YOU FILE A DISCLOSURE ON ETHICS AND YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM SOLICITING ANYTHING FROM A LOBBYIST OR A SURRENDER AND BOTH OF THOSE ARE HERE IN THE POWER POINT AND YOUR PROHIBITED FROM ACCEPTING ANYTHING OF VALUE.
DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IS IF IT IS INTENDED TO INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION IF A VENDOR SAYS I WANT TO TAKE YOU TO DINER AND TALK ABOUT OUR BUSINESS TO TALK ABOUT THE FPUA, THAT'S A RED FLAG RIGHT THERE. ANY GIFT IN EXCESS OF $100, NO MATTER INTENT IS PROHIBITIVE. JUST IN GENERAL YOU HAVE TO REPORT QUARTERLY GIFT IN ACCESS OF $100.
THERE'S EXCEPTIONS. GIFTS FROM RELATIVES.
GIFTS ALLOWED BY STATUTE. THOSE ARE ENUMERATED IN SECTION 3148, BUT GIFTS FROM LIKE A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OR A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION THAT HAVE A VALID GOVERNMENTAL SERVICE LIKE IF THEY TAKE YOU A BUS RIDE TO SEE A FACILITY, THINGS LIKE THAT ARE ACCEPTED BY THE STATUTE.
ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.
I WILL BE THERE SO IF QUESTION AS RISE AT THE CONFERENCE I'LL
[00:10:08]
BE THERE LOOKING OUT FOR YOU. >> THE ANGEL ON THE SHOULDER.
>> I MIGHT JUST POP IN THE MIDDLE OF YOU ALL.
ON THAT SAME TOPIC IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, MADAM CHAIR, DOES ANYBODY HAVE DISCUSSION ON THIS POWER POINT?
>> NOTHING. >> SAME TOPIC OF THE JULY 18TH, THAT'S WHEN THE CONFERENCE STARTS.
WE ALSO HAVE A MEETING THAT'S SCHEDULED FOR 2 P.M. THAT SAME DAY. WE WERE WANTING TO ALLOW THE BOARD TO DISCUSS WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANTED TO MOVE THAT MEETING TO ANOTHER DATE BECAUSE SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS AND MOST ALL OF THE STAFF WILL BE TRAVELING THAT NIGHT TO GET TO THE CONFERENCE. THERE IS AN EVENT PLANNED THAT EVENING THE BOARD MEETING STARTS AT TWO YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT EVENT. JULY 11TH, THE TUESDAY BEFORE, ANYTIME BEFORE 4:30 TO BETWEEN 2:30 TO 4:30 IT'S AVAILABLE IF YA'LL WOULD LIKE TO MOVE IT TO THAT DATE.
>> I AGREE WITH THAT. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE REST OF YOU
>> THAT IS A TUESDAY, JULY 11TH. THAT'S JUST THE WEEK RIGHT BEFORE AND WE'LL HAVE THE JULY 4TH MEETING CANCELLED I BELIEVE BECAUSE IT FOLLOWS, LET'S SEE HERE.
>> I THINK THAT'S ON A TUESDAY AND IS A HOLIDAY.
>> YES. >> SO YOU ARE OFFERING JULY
>> THERE'S AN FDR MEETING. I'M AVAILABLE FOR THAT.
>> WORKS FOR ME. >> WORKS FOR ME.
>> A VOTE IS NOT NECESSARY BUT IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A VOTE THAT WAY WE HAVE CLEAR DIRECTION AND WE'LL RE NOTICE FOR IT THE 11TH.
>> WE DON'T NEED A FULL MOTION? >> YEAH, JUST A VOTE.
IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO MAKE A MOTION TO CANCEL THE JULY 18TH MEETING AND RESCHEDULE IT FOR JULY 11TH AT 2:30.
>> SO MOVED. I MOVE TO CAN CELL JULY 18 MEETING AND MOVE IT TO JULY 11TH AT 2:30.
>> MRS. BEN MET? MR. FEE, MR. LAMMERS? MRS. HUDSON? MRS. GIBBONS.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> THAT WAS A GOOD SWAP.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE, THANK YOU. >> EXCELLENT.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR SO THE NEXT ITEM I WILL GIVE KEITH A CHANCE TO CATCH HIS BREATH.
[G.3. State Appropriation Update]
RACHEL WILL GIVE AN UPDATE ON GRANTS AND I THINK WILL FOCUS ONSTATE APPROPRIATIONS, I BELIEVE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
THANK YOU MR. CISNEROS, MADAM CHAIR, MADAM MAYOR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR HAVING ME. TODAY I'M HERE TO GIVE A SMALL UPDATE ABOUT THEW RF RELOCATION GRANT EFFORTS.
WE RECEIVED, THE FLORIDA APPROPRIATIONS ARE RELEASED AS APPROVED WHEN THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA SIGNS THE BUDGET INTO LAW. AT THE SAME TIME HE LISTS VETOED PROGRAMS THAT ARE STRICKEN FROM BUDGET HE SIGN, SO WE DON'T EVER REALLY KNOW IF WE HAVE RECEIVED APPROPRIATION FUNDING UNTIL FIRST, HE'S SIGNED THE BUDGET AND SECOND RELEASED THE VETO LIST AND WE'RE NOT ON IT. LAST WEEK GOVERNOR DESANTES SIGNED THE FLORIDA STATE BUDGET AND WE WERE NOT ON THE VETO LIST SO WE'RE OFFICIALLY RECIPIENTS OF $5 MILLION OF STATE APPROPRIATIONS TOWARD WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT.
>> THIS IS VERY MUCH A TEAM EFFORT FROM WITHIN F PUA.
THE BRICKER TO OF WASTEWATER IS PRESENT FOR THESE REQUESTS WHICH PRESENT THE FUNDING REQUEST AND THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE BEHIND
[00:15:06]
IT SO FOLKS ARE CONFIDENT WHAT THEY'RE INVESTING IN AND THANK YOU TO ERIN GRAUL AND ERIN FOR THEIR SUPPORT TO GET THE APPROPRIATION INTO THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE IN THE FIRST PLACE.WE ALSO OWE GRATITUDE TO OUR STATE LOBBYISTS WHICH IS THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON TANT TEAM IN TALLAHASSEE.
THEY WERE VERY IMPORTANT TO US, ESPECIALLY THIS ROUND BECAUSE WE DID GET CUT INITIALLY BECAUSE, WE THINK, BECAUSE WE RECEIVED THE $15 MILLION THROUGH RESILIENT FLORIDA SO THEY WORKED HARD TO GET US BACK TO THIS, AND IF WE HAD NOT HAD THEM, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT AND OF COURSE GOVERNOR DESANTIS FOR KEEPING US ON THE LIST. WE HAVE LETTERS THAT WERE DRAFTED THAT WE ASK YOU TO CONSIDER SIGNING TO ALLOW US TO SEND A THANK YOU TO ALL THREE GOVERNOR DESANTAS AND REPRESENTATIVE AND WE'LL HAVE A COMMITTEE TO SEND LETTERS FROM CITIZEN PERSPECTIVE OF THE COMMITTEE AND THEN JUST TO TALLY THIS PUTS US AS $20 MILLION RAISED IN GRANTS ON YEAR ONE.
>> THAT'S REALLY EXCITING. >> WAY TO GO.
>> I THINK THE LETTER IS PROPOSED TO BE SIGNED BY MADAM CHAIR. DON'T KNOW IF SHE HAS IT IN FRONT OF HER, BUT WE'LL MAKE SURE SHE HAS A CHANCE BEFORE YOU
>> THAT'S GREAT. NOW WHAT IS YOUR NEXT ACT?
>> YEAH, WELL I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED.
THE VERY NEXT DAY WE SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT AND SUBMITTED A $3.9 MILLION REQUEST TO THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND WE ARE ON THEIR LIST TO BE FUNDED AT ABOUT $3.31 MILLION FOR YEAR ONE AND THEN WE WOULD COME BACK AND ASK FOR YEAR TWO SYSTEM AND THAT'S AT THE REUSE SYSTEM ON ENERGY LANE. THEIR LIST IS A RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEP SO NOW THAT THE FLORIDA BUDGET HAS BEEN RELEASED THEY WILL CONSIDER THE WATER MANAGEMENT LIST AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL INCLUDE US, AS WELL. POSSIBLY SOON ANOTHER $3.31 MILLION AND WE HAVE A $10 MILLION ASKING OPEN FOR FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS AND I THINK WE'RE SUPPOSED TO KNOW WITH SOME LEVEL OF CERTAINTY THIS MONTH AT LEAST WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE STILL ON THAT LIST AND I GUESS IF YOU STAY ON THE LIST YOU ARE PROBABLY FUNDED, BUT THAT ONE IS WI WISHY WASHY AND THAT DOESN'T GET APPROVED UNTIL THE CALENDAR YEAR, IF WE'RE LUCKY. WE'RE IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE RESILIENT FLORIDA PROGRAM THROUGH THE DEP ABOUT RISING COSTS OF THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT BECAUSE OF THE RISING COSTS OF MATERIALS AND TALKING ABOUT THE CONVEYANCE SYSTEM AND HOW TO NOW LOOP IT INTO RESILIENT FLORIDA BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL GRANT WAS FOCUSED ON CONSTRUCTION AND WE KEPT THE CONVEYANCE SYSTEM SEPARATE SO THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.
GIVING $5 MILLION IS AWESOME, BUT WE'RE CHARGING AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW YOU HAVE POURED HOURS AND HOURS INTO THIS EVERY WEEK SO WITHOUT YOU AND THE TEAM WE WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR AND THAT GOVERNOR DESANTES MADE IT DOWN HERE HE SAW I THINK THAT WE ARE AN UPCOMING CITY AND HE NEEDS TO SUPPORT THAT. MAYBE WHEN HE DROVE OVER THE BRIDGE BECAUSE HE WAS AT THE PELICAN SO I'M HOPING SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE POINTED THAT OUT FOR SURE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY. WE DON'T NEED A VOTE FOR THE
LETER? >> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
DO WE NEED A VOTE FOR THE LETER? >> DO WE HAVE THE PHYSICAL
[00:20:02]
LETTER HERE IN FRONT OF US? IF YOU ALL HAVE A CHANCE WE CANAUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN. >> WE DON'T HAVE TO, JUST THE
CHAIR. >> WE CAN, WITH HER APPROVAL WE CAN ASK HER TO SIGN IT IF YOU AGREE WITH THE LETTER BUT IT'S EFFECTIVELY A THANK YOU TO THE GOVERNOR AND, THE GIST OF THE
LETTER FOR THE THREE. >> MOVE TO APPROVE THE LETTER TO BE SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
>> SECOND. >> MRS. BENNETT? MR. FEE? MR. LAMMERS?
>> MR. MAYOR? >> MRS. GIBB ON?
>> YES. >> I LOVE WHEN YOU COME HERE.
YOU ARE ALWAYS BRINGING US MONEY, IT'S SO GREAT.
EVEN THOUGH WE MIXED HER UP EVEN.
>> BAD NEWS I'M GOING TO HAVE HER DO IT NEXT TIME.
[G.1. POA 17-64: Approve Amendment No. 2 to the Sodium Hypochlorite Contract with Allied Universal Corp., of Miami, Florida to 1) increase the not to exceed contract amount by $140,000 from $350,000 to $490,000 annually, and 2) extend for an additional 2 years, contingent upon receipt of the required Certificate(s) of Insurance.]
THAT'S FOR SURE. MADAM CHAIR, THANK YOU.SO THE LAST ITEM THIS AFTERNOON IS REQUEST TO APPROVE CONTRACT FOR SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE TO COVER THE COST INCREASES WE'RE SEEING.
STEVEN KEEN E WILL PRESENT THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CISNEROS, MADAM MAYOR AND BOARD MEMBERS.
I WAS A LITTLE LATE. I WANTED TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.
>> SO I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW AND I THINK I'VE HAD TO COME UP AT LEAST TWICE THAT I CAN REMEMBER WITH SOME OF THE CHEMICAL PRICE INCREASES WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING ACROSS THE BOARD. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE SPREADSHEET, SOME OF THEM ARE VERY EXTENSIVE AND A HIGH.
YOU CAN SEE THAT AND I'LL PRESENT THIS.
CHLORINE, WE USE THAT THE MOST. IT'S OUR DISINFECTANT WITH AMMONIA AND LYME SOFTENING FOR OUR LYME SOFTENING PLANT AS YOU CAN SEE THE BIG INCREASES, BUT ALL CHEMICALS HAVE SEEN INCREASES OVER THE LAST FOUR TO FIVE YEARS AND QUITE A BIT IN THE LAST TWO OR THREE. I'LL START WITH THIS, AND IF THERE'S ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TWO TO THE SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE CONTRACT WITH ALLIED UNIVERSAL CORP. OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, TO INCREASE THE NOT TO EXCEED CONTRACT BY $140 THOUSAND FROM $350,000 TO $490 THOUSAND ANNUALLY AND CONTINGENT UPON RECEIPT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF REQUIRED INSURANCES.
ANY QUESTIONS? >> THERE WAS QUITE A FEW QUESTIONS I BELIEVE FROM TWO OR THREE BOARD MEMBERS TO STAFF AND GENERAL COUNCIL ABOUT THE COST INCREASES.
WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE MR. STEVENS HAD AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE. COSTS ARE GOING UP QUITE A BIT AND THE LAST BOARD YOU MENTIONED ARE WE EXPERIENCES COST INCREASES? YES, WE ARE.
ESPECIALLY WIRE AND CHEMICAL COSTS FOR THE WASTE WATER PLANTS
AND SOME OTHER AREAS, AS WELL. >> ARE WE HAVING A HARD TIME
OBTAINING THE CHLORINE? >> IT'S SOMETHING, ALTHOUGH YOU HAD GOOD NEWS THERE, WHEN WE GO OUT TO BID THERE'S ONLY TWO MAIN VENDORS THAT BID ON CHLORINE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
ALIED IS ONE OF THEM. WHEN IT COMES TO LYME I THINK THE MOST I'VE EVER SEEN IS FOUR AND THE THIRD AND FOURTH ONES ARE MUCH HIGHER AND THE SECOND ONE IS MUCH HIGHER.
YOU KNOW THE OLD SAYING, IT IS WHAT IT IS BUT THIS IS TSOME AR SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND THEY'RE COSTS MIGHT BE GOING UP BECAUSE OF LABOR AND PROCURING SOME OF THE PRODUCT THEY ARE PROVIDING
US. >> I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS BECAUSE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS QUESTIONS, AS WELL.
>> MADAM CHAIR, HOW MANY VENDORS IF WE WERE TO GO BACK OUT TO
[00:25:02]
BID, I KNOW IN THE BOARD'S SUBMITTAL THE REASON FOR NOT GOING BACK OUT TO BID IS THAT WE DIDN'T EXPECT THINGS TO IMPROVE AT ALL IF WE DID AND THERE WOULD BE A COST TO BID AND WE WOULDN'T GET LOWER PRICES AND I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN SITUATION WHERE'S YOU GO OUT TO BID AND END UP WITH THE HIGHER PRICE THAN THE EXISTING CONTRACT PRICE WOULD BE.SO YOU ANSWERED THAT FOR THE MOST PART AND IT'S SURPRISING.
I'M LOOKING AT THE SPREADSHEET FOR SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE OF 172.5 PERCENT WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, I GUESS I'M USED TO 30 OR 40% INCREASES SINCE COVID, BUT
THAT'S DRAMATIC. >> I CAN'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
IT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION. WHEN THEY CAME BACK AND SAID, WE WERE WILL RENEW, BUT AT THIS PRICE THAT I'M ASKING FOR HERE, WE WERE LIKE, WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU.
WE GOT IN TOUCH WITH OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND WE LOOKED ON-DEMAND STAR AND IT'S MUCH HIGHER THAN WHAT WE'RE GETTING AND THEY ACTUALLY SENT US AN E-MAIL THAT SAID YOU DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT THIS, BUT WE'RE PRETTY SURE IF YOU GO OUT TO BID IT WILL BE HIGHER AND THAT IS THE CASE.
SOME OF THE SOUTHERN STATES AND WHETHER OR NOT FROM MISSISSIPPI, GEORGIA, LOUISIANA TO THE CAROLINAS, SOME OF THEM ARE PAYING OVER $3 FOR A GALLON AND WE FOUND THAT SO WE DID DO OUR RESEARCH AND THAT'S WHY WE DECIDED TO GO WITH THIS ONE.
>> MADAM CHAIR? >> I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE SHEET. YOU ARE REQUESTING SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE, BUT THE CONTRACT COVERS ALL OF THEM?
>> I GAVE YOU THAT FOR A BACKGROUND FOR ALL CHEMICALS IN
GENERAL. >> CORROSIVE INHIBITO IS IN BOLD
TOO. >> I BELIEVE SINCE I WAS NOT HERE, WAS THAT ONE YEAR APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?
THAT'S WHY IT WAS DONE THAT WAY. >> THANK YOU.
>> WE BUY ALL OF OUR CHEMICALS FROM THE SAME VENDOR?
SOME DON'T EVEN PROVIDE SOME OF THE CHEMICALS.
DOES THAT SHEET SHOW WHO WE GET IT FROM?
>> IT DOES NOT. I SEE THE LYME IS WAY UP.
AND THE SODIUM SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE?
WITH THE PLANTS AND SUCH THEY COVER THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
THEY HAVE PLANTS ALL OVER. >> ANY IDEA WHAT'S CAUSING THIS
PRICE INCREASE? >> WELL THEY SAY THAT'S OUR COST AND I'VE EVEN ASKED THEM BECAUSE I KNOW WHERE WE GET OUR CHLORINE ON RANGE LINE ROAD BECAUSE ONE TIME THEY SAID WE HAVE TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND I SAID WELL THEY OPENED THEMSELVES FOR US AND THEN I SAID, BUT YOU GO INTO A POT WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.
WE CAN'T GIVE YOU LESS COSTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE A PLANT THAT'S TEN MILES DOWN THE ROAD. YOU CAN'T SAY WE HAVE A TRANSPORTATION COST WHEN IT'S TEN MILES DOWN THE ROAD, BUT I
HAVE TRIED THAT. >> SO I KNOW WHEN YOU TOOK OVER THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT, YOU WERE ABLE TO CUT THE AMOUNT OF CHEMICAL USE DRAMATICALLY. HAVE YOU LOOKED AT ANYTHING BEYOND THAT? IS THERE ANY UV LIGHT SOURCE TO DO SOME OF THESE OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT'S UP-AND-COMING NEW
THAT WOULD LOWER OUR COSTS? >> DISINFECTION WISE WE DID LOOK AT DIFFERENT THINGS. WE LOOKED AT CHLORINE GENERATORS. THERE'S A LOT OF DANGER TO THOSE AND YOU MAY HAVE TO CHANGE A LOT OF THINGS.
THE ONLY OTHER THING AT THIS POINT IS WHAT WE MENTIONED IN THE PAST. THERE'S G COME A TIME THAT PROBABLY AFTER I'M GONE THAT WE'LL HAVE TO REALLY CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO BE IN THE LYME LYME SOFTENING BUSINESS. THE LYME IS EXPENSIVE AND THE WATER THAT COMES IN NEEDS TO BE TREATED WITH MORE CHLORINE THAN FLORIDA WATER BY THE PROCESS SO THERE'S OTHER TREATMENTS WE CAN
[00:30:02]
DO. EYE ON EXCHANGE IS ONE AND WE COULD STAY WITH THE SAME INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE.BUT THESE ARE THINGS THAT PROBABLY WILL BE CONSIDERED AT A LATER DATE. OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A HIGH CAPITAL INPUT AND IT'S GETTING HIGHER LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.
LIKE THE WASTE WATER PLANT TEN YEARS AGO.
BUT THAT'S THE ONLY THING. WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO IMPROVE.
LIKE I STATED BEFORE WHEN I'VE BEEN UP HERE.
OUR MANTRA IS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE SO WE TRY TO OPTIMIZE AND IMPROVE THE PROCESS. I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN, WE WANT TO USE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF CHEMICAL TO MAKE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND I'M BIG ON NATURAL WATER, SO YES, MA'AM, WE DO
CONTINUE TO DO THAT. >> GREAT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR MR. CISNEROS YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROW. >> BENNETT?
>> MRS. GIBBONS? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> LOST MY PAPERWORK. ALRIGHT. SO NOTHING ELSE IN
[J. DIRECTOR]
HERE AND WE'RE ON TO THE DIRECTOR'S NOTES.>> YES, MA'AM, AS YOU MAY RECALL.
JANUARY 26TH, 2022 WE HAD A LARGE MAIN BREAK THAT REQUIRED OPENING OUR INTERCESSION CONNECT WITH THE CITY OF PORT SAINT LUCIE. THEY WERE ABLE TO HELP US GET THROUGH IT AND WE DIDN'T FOLLOW THE OPERATIONAL PROTOCOL, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS WITH THE WAY WE HANDLED THAT AND MOVING FORWARD. ON SATURDAY JUNE 10TH, LAST SATURDAY, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN THE FAVOR.
I WON'T GO INTO THE DETAILS, BUT THEY HAD AN ISSUE WITH THEIR POWER SYSTEM ON-SITE SO MOST OF THE LARGE INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS THEY HAVE THEIR ON TRANS FORMERS SO, I CALLED MR. STEVENS AND HE HEADED OUT THERE TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND REALIZED IT WAS IN FRONT OF THE METER AND THEY OWN THOSE TRANSFORMERS ON SO I CALLED MR. CROPPER.
WE WERE ABLE TO HELP OUT. VERY IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIP. IT WITH US AS GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO RETURN THE FAVOR AND THEY WERE LOOKING AT A MUCH A LONGER TIMEFRAME THAN THREE HOURS TO GET THAT ISSUE RESOLVED SO IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO IDENTIFY THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM. THE LAST THING IS YOU SHOULD HAVE A HARD COPY OF THE AGENDA. THE BUDGET WORKSHOP PRESENTATION FOR TOMORROW. IT'S RATHER A LARGE, THICK PACKET THERE. SO HOPEFULLY YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW AND I'LL CALL YOU AFTER AND SEE IF THERE'S QUESTIONS YOU HAVE IN PREPARATION FOR TOMORROW.
WE'LL START THE WORKSHOP AT 9:00 AND WE'RE EXPECTED TO GO TO 1:00 P.M. WE'LL HAVE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH, BUT I KNOW IT WILL BE A FULL DAY. WE'LL TRY TO FOCUS ON ANSWERING QUESTIONS THAT THE BOARD MAY HAVE AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR
THE BOARD TODAY, MA'AM. >> ALRIGHT.
[L. COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS]
MRS. ATTORNEY? >> NOTHING FOR ME, THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT THE FM I.T. MEETING MOST RECENTLY, THE SAME IS GOING TO BE HAPPENING FOR THE BOARD FOR OUR LIABILITY INSURANCE. IT'S GOING TO BE A DRASTIC INCREASE. JUST LING YOU KNOW.
WHOEVER HANDLED IT IN YOUR SHOP IS TALKING TO THEM NOW.
THAT IS STATEWIDE AND THAT'S ALSO TRUE IF YOU WENT TO ANOTHER INSURER, IT WOULD BE THE SAME THING.
>> THAT'S ONE THING I WAS TALKING TO MR. CISNEROS ABOUT REGARDING INCREASES HERE AND I RECENTLY GOT OUR IN INSURANCE RENEWALS AND THEY WERE DOUBLE. THE WORDS THAT CAME OUT OF MY INSURANCE AGENTS MOUTH WAS, IT'S LIKE THIS ALL OVER THE STATE.
IT SCARES ME THAT IT'S ONLY HERE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S NOT MUCH WE CAN DO BETWEEN THE RISING COSTS OF RUNNING BUSINESS AND THE RISING COSTS OF EMPLOYEE, SO I FEEL WE'RE RIGHT NOW NA CYCLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND SMART.
>> RISING COSTS BECAUSE OF THE DISASTERS.
[00:35:04]
>> WE'RE PUNISHED FOR THAT END, BUT DISASTER IN LIABILITY INSURANCE AND THAT REPLACEMENT COSTS AND EVERYTHING.
>> FOR SURE. ANYTHING ELSE THAT ANYBODY WOULD
LIKE TO TOUCH ON? >> I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE NATURAL GAS PRICES. I WASN'T HERE AT THE LAST MEETING, BUT YOU MENTIONED IN THE MINUTES THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE MAINTENANCE THAT'S GOING TO OCCUR IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. YOU THINK THAT WILL IMPACT
PRICING? >> I HAVE NO UPDATE BUT ANY TIME THEY TAKE IT OUT OF SERVICE IT AFFECTS PROJECTS.
WE WERE AT $50, $260. >> WHEN DO YOU THINK THEY'LL
TAKE THEM OFF SERVICE? >> THEY DON'T TELL US.
THEY GIVE THEM MAYBE A WEEK NOTICE.
WE ARE HEDGED THROUGH THAT MAINTENANCE PERIOD SO WE'RE
OKAY. >> THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING WITH. BASED ON OUR HEDGING.
>> THIS YEAR WE'RE PROTECTED AND NEXT YEAR FOR A PORTION.
WE KEEP AN EYE ON MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES, BUT WE DON'T CONTROL THAT AND SOME OF THE MAINTENANCE TIED TO EMERGENCIES, THEY WILL NOT TAKE THEM OFF-LINE UNTIL THE EMERGENCY ADDRESSED SO THEY ARE CONSTANTLY DEALING WITH OUTAGES FOR THE DIFFERENT HUBS
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. >> MADAM CHAIR, WITH THE INCREASING THUNDERSTORMS IS THIS ABOUT THE NORMAL OUTAGES?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT.
>> THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE INCREASING IN INTENSITY AND THEY ARE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, SEEMS LIKE.
>> THE MORE LIGHT NIC NLIGHTNIN. YES.
WE HAVE THOSE. BUT I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS IN
ANYTHING ELSE? ALRIGHT. MEETING ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.