Utility Advisory Board

CITY OF PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA UTILITY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 25, 2025, 11:00 A.M. 120 LAISHLEY COURT PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 MEMBERS PRESENT: Derek Rooney, Chair David Abderhalden, Gary Skillicorn MEMBERS ABSENT: David Hooper, George Ruchti CITY STAFF PRESENT: Steve Adams, Utilities Engineering Manager; Kristin Simeone, Finance Director; Tom Spencer, Utilities Director; Alexandra Friend, Board Recorder CALL TO ORDER Mr. Rooney called the meeting to order at 11:01 a.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. 1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.a June 23, 2025, Meeting Minutes. Exhibits: Cover Page June 23, 2025, Minutes The Board indicated they had not received agenda materials prior to this date's meeting. Ms. Alexandra Friend, Board Recorder, explained the Board could move the June 23, 2025, minutes to the September 22, 2025, meeting for approval. Consensus of the Board was to do same. 2) REPORTS 2.a Utilities Operational Data Exhibits: Cover Page JUL2025 MOR Mr. Tom Spencer, Utilities Director, reported the Water to Town Average for the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was 4.77 million gallons per day (MGD) and Peak day usage was 5.9 MGD. He stated the reservoir was at 5.7 feet. He further stated that the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) statistics were as follows: Average Daily Flow- 3.17 MGD; Rolling Average for Three Months- 2.8 MGD; Peak Day Flow- 4.59 MGD. He reported 7.52 inches of rainfall recorded in the month of July.

2.b TDS Chart Exhibits: Cover Page JUL2025 TDS Mr. Spencer presented the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) chart, noting the average concentration was 351 milligrams per liter (MPL) and the Blended Water Average TDS was 307 MPL. Mr. Rooney questioned how the new water supply plan would affect TDS. Mr. Spencer replied the goal was to maintain the current TDS levels, noting same would be lowered when reverse osmosis (RO) processed water was used to supplement demand. Mr. Rooney recalled the RO process could be costly. Mr. Spencer stated surface water would primarily be used to meet demand even once the RO facility was expanded. 2.c Utilities agenda items for City Council Exhibits: Cover Page JUL2025 Council Mr. Spencer reviewed the Utility items that had gone before City Council, noting both items had been approved. Mr. Skillicorn provided a brief history of his background in project management, questioning whether the purchase of equipment to upgrade the Wastewater Collection’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system had been identified as a capital improvement project (CIP). Mr. Steve Adams, Utilities Engineering Manager, replied same was a replacement program, noting capital funding was used for the purchase. Ms. Kristin Simeone, Finance Director, clarified the project was mostly grant- funded, noting it was added to the CIP program once the grant was funded. 2.d Utilities Financial Report Exhibits: Cover Page Ms. Kristin Simeone, Finance Director, presented the Utilities Financial Report, reviewing the revenues and expenditures. Mr. Skillicorn questioned if the revenue was considered industrially funded. Ms. Simeone replied affirmatively, noting same was the reason rate studies were performed. Mr. Skillicorn acknowledged the utility projects were costly, questioning if they were completed based on priority. Ms. Simeone replied the departments presented their CIPs to City Council for prioritization, noting some were identified as critical for completion. Mr. Spencer stated the projects that were identified as critical needed to be funded immediately, noting the City could not sustain the demands of peak supply days. He stated prioritizing long-term projects would be more attainable once the critical projects were complete.

Mr. Rooney thanked Mr. Spencer for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Story Map he created, suggesting information regarding the growth inside and outside the City be added to same. Mr. Spencer noted the increased rates would be used to meet the current demands of day-to-day usage. Mr. Rooney expressed concern for relying on funds that were not guaranteed such as grant funding and proposed developments. 2.e CIP Status Update Exhibits: Cover Page CIP update 7-9-25 Mr. Adams reviewed the CIP status report, explaining the phase each project was in. Mr. Rooney questioned if nonsolids were disposed through a deep injection well. Mr. Adams replied affirmatively, noting same currently happened onsite at the WWTP. Mr. Rooney suggested the City look into a cost benefit analysis that considered the reuse of the WWTP land if the City were to convert to a shipping method to dispose of the nonsolids. Mr. Skillicorn opined the existing reports did not convey information well, questioning if the materials could be presented in a different way. Mr. Spencer stated Mr. Adams was the only staff member in Utilities Engineering, noting an employee was needed to analyze data and update the format of the reports. He expressed desire to continue improving staff processes, indicating they were open to suggestions from the Board suggestions regarding the format of reports. Mr. Rooney questioned how much staff time was currently being used to prepare for the Utility Advisory Board and City Council meetings, suggesting a workshop style conversation could be had quarterly at Board meetings. He opined same would allow members to feel more connected to their positions on advisory boards. Consensus of the Board was to add a discussion regarding the format for future meetings to an upcoming agenda. Mr. Abderhalden questioned the status of the storage tank project. Mr. Spencer replied a cost benefit analysis would be performed regarding investing in the existing storage tanks versus building a ground storage tank. Mr. Abderhalden questioned if an engineer had been acquired for same. Mr. Spencer replied in the negative. 3) GENERAL BUSINESS 3.a AMI System Evaluation Study Results and Recommendations Exhibits: Cover Page Draft Revised AMI Evaluation Study.pdf Utility Advisory Board Presentation.pdf Mr. Spencer reviewed the results of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) study, discussing pros and cons for the different technology options in same.

Mr. Rooney questioned if the labor cost for the in-house option in the study factored in costs of the employee benefit plan. Mr. Spencer replied with uncertainty, requesting the Board make a recommendation on which technology they would like the City to consider. Mr. Rooney questioned the reliability of the Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system. Mr. Spencer replied same was historically more reliable than AMI systems. Mr. Skillicorn questioned if both systems could still produce visual readouts. Mr. Spencer replied affirmatively. Mr. Skillicorn questioned when the Board's recommendation would be presented to City Council. Ms. Simeone replied same would be presented in September or October. Ms. Simeone stated a semiannual meeting was being held with other municipalities to discuss commonalities in utility studies and billing and collection processes. Mr. Spencer stated he had multiple meetings with municipalities across the country, indicating many had reached out during their attempts to seek legal action against Zenner. Mr. Skillicorn opined all brass meters should be replaced. Mr. Spencer concurred with Mr. Skillicorn. Discussion ensued regarding which technology the Board desired the City to pursue. Mr. Skillicorn questioned if staff had a preference for which system they wished to pursue. Mr. Spencer replied staff consensus had been to pursue the AMR system, noting same would allow the City to convert to an AMI system if they chose to do so in the future. Mr. Rooney relinquished the gavel to Mr. Abderhalden. Mr. Skillicorn MOVED to recommend pursuing the AMR system, SECONDED by Mr. Rooney. AYE: Abderhalden, Rooney, Skillicorn ABSENT: Hooper, Ruchti MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Rooney reclaimed the gavel. Mr. Spencer stated the presentation would be presented to City Council at the September 10, 2025, meeting. Mr. Abderhalden questioned if the Board should attend the meeting to show support for the recommendation. Mr. Spencer replied affirmatively. STAFF COMMENTS Ms. Friend noted the September 22, 2025, Board meeting would be held at 11:00 a.m. MEMBER COMMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:38 a.m.Chair Board Recorder