DRAFT

PUBLIC UTILITY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

Present: Chair, Nicholas Trolli; William Bowteck; David MacIntyre; Ann Francoletti; Staff Liaison Anna Duffey, Public Utilities Customer Coordinator; and Recording Secretary Sue Carneiro.

Guest: Mike Vuolo, Utilities Field Operations Manager.

Absent: Vice-Chair, James Sawyer; Victor Dobrin; Alicia M. Phidd, Esquire.

The Regular Meeting of the Advisory Board was called to order at 9:30 a.m. in Room 244 by Chair Trolli, followed by roll call.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Board Member Bowteck.

1. COMMUNITY OUTREACH – ANNA DUFFEY

It was noted that at the May 3, 2018 Commission Special Meeting the Commission presented Proclamations designating May 6, 2018 through May 12, 2018 as “Drinking Week” and May 13, 2018 through May 19, 2018 as “Water Reuse Week”. During “Drinking Water Week” there will be posts on social media bringing awareness to our water sources and during “Water Reuse Week” there will be posts on social media bringing awareness to the importance of reuse water and the efforts of North Utilities in expanding the reuse water system.

a. Atwater Elementary Earth Day – May 11th.

May 11, 2018 is the Atwater Elementary Earth Day celebration. Public Utilities will be providing 20- minute presentations to students K-5 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Board Member Bowteck has volunteered to assist with this event.

b. Wyland Foundation Mayor’s Challenge

For most of April, North Port was listed in the top 10 nationally for the “Wyland Foundation Mayor’s Challenge” which ended April 30, 2018. Staff Liaison Duffey noted that the official results will be published on or before May 21, 2018 and she will notify the Members with the results when available. It was clarified that there is only 1 prize for the top ranked participating . This is the first year North Port has participated, and a ranking in the top 10 demonstrated excellent participation on the survey for the Challenge.

c. New Comer Day – May 19th

New Comer Day is scheduled for May 19, 2018 at the George Mullen Activity Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Members were encouraged to volunteer for this event.

d. H2O Program

Public Utilities to collaborating with Social Services to promote donations for the H2O Program. The H2O Program stands for “Help 2 Others” to assist families having financial difficulties with paying their water

Public Utility Advisory Board Page 1 of 3 Regular Meeting – 05-10-18 DRAFT bill. There is an opportunity on the utility bills to allow for donations which go into a fund to assist in this program to help North Port families in need. Social Services has not promoted the H2O Program in the past. Under new . Social Services will now be promoting more donations for this and other City Programs which are designed to help those in need.

Addressing a concern, Staff Liaison Duffey noted that currently Public Utilities is not aware of the amount of money donated, how many residents have applied for assistance, how many residents are participating in donating and if there are any “short falls” of donations for those who qualify for help. Staff Liaison Duffey noted that if Social Services does experience a short fall in donations for the H2O Program and other assistance programs, there are local charities which will assist in paying utility bills and housing for those in need. Staff Liaison Duffey agreed to contact Social Services to provide more information on the H2O Program and provide this information to the Members.

Discussion ensued regarding: 1) promoting the H2O Program; 2) Social Services screening process for potential recipients of the City’s assistance programs.

2. PROJECT UPDATES – MIKE VUOLO

a. Meter Change Out Program (Automatic Meter Read)

Utilities Field Operations Manager Vuolo reported that the Meter Change Out Program has been completed in the La Casa Mobile Home . Efforts are now focused on changing out the meters in Harbor Isles. The total change out for this project is 1,531 homes leaving approximately 2,500 homes to be changed out. The change outs are being done with consideration to meter reader cycles. The change out cannot be done during the time the meter readers are scheduled to read the meters. The scheduling methodology for the change out was provided.

Discussion ensued regarding: 1) the accuracy of the Automatic Meter Read drive by meter readings; 2) the American Water Works Association recommendation of changing water meters every 10 years; 3) new developments having the Automatic Meter Read drive by meters; 4) the equipment used to record the Automatic Meter Read was clarified; 5) if there is a higher than usual reading, the meter readers will check to see what the issues are causing the high reading.

b. Fire Hydrant Maintenance Project

R & M Solutions has been contracted to perform the flow test, paint, grease and painting the “bonnets” according to test results for the Fire Hydrant Maintenance Project. This effort will assist the City in maintaining the ISO ( Services Organization) ranking of 1 or fire protection, which is the highest rating possible. It was noted that currently there are approximately 1,932 fire hydrants in the City.

c. Administration Compound Project

Public Utilities is working toward building a new Administration Building, and Warehouse Facility with an accommodating parking lot. Negotiations are currently underway for an engineer to develop a site selection design. It is proposed to have the facility completed by 2020.

d. Myakkhatchee Creek Water Treatment Plant Piping Improvements Project

Myakkhatchee Creek Water Treatment Plant Piping Improvements Project is complete both on and off site. There is now a new 24-inch pipe leaving the facility which ties into the 16-inch off site connection.

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e. U.S. 41 Utilities Conflict Resolution Project

The U.S. 41 Utilities Conflict Resolution Project is complete with the installation of a 16-inch water main from Sumter Boulevard to the Cocoplum Village Shops. On the opposite side of U.S. 41 the 10-inch water main in front of Walgreens has been relocated and is now in service.

3. UNFINISHED /FUTURE BUSINESS

Regarding a quorum for a meeting, Members were encouraged to contact Staff Liaison Duffey if they are unable to attend a meeting. This will allow for a meeting to be cancelled in advance if there will be no quorum and will prevent those Members who are able to attend from coming to a meeting that will be cancelled.

As requested at the last meeting, Staff Liaison Duffey reported that Public Utilities Director Newkirk contacted City Clerk Adkins regarding a Board Member attending the West Villages Wastewater Treatment Facility design meetings. City Clerk Adkins noted that if a Board Member or a member of the public is to attend the meetings, the meetings would be considered public meetings and would need to follow the requirements of a public meeting including a notice posted and the meeting recorded.

Discussion ensued regarding the process for scheduling an individual or group tour of the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant. Staff Liaison Duffey encouraged Members to contact her if they wanted to schedule a tour.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

5. ADJOURNMENT

Board Member Francoletti moved to adjourn the April 12, 2018 Public Utility Advisory Board Regular Meeting; seconded by Board Member Bowteck. The motion carried unanimously.

The Public Utility Advisory Board Regular Meeting of May 10, 2018 adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

NICHOLAS TROLLI, CHAIR

Minutes approved at the Regular Meeting of the Public Utility Advisory Board this day of , 2018.

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