Orange Water & Sewer Authority (OWASA) public meetings in 2024
13 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Directors
The provided agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and software interface elements. No specific decisions, proposals, or discussion items are listed.
Board of Directors
The board will discuss a rate study scope with Stantec, PFAS issues, and UNC cogeneration fuel enhancements. Consent items include financial reports, operating trends, and chemical procurement. Closed sessions are planned for property acquisition and personnel matters.
- Rate study scope of work with Stantec (discussion)
- Board PFAS discussion
- UNC cogeneration fuel enhancements (discussion)
- Financial report for three months ended Sept 30, 2024 (consent)
- Operating trends report for fiscal year 2024 (consent)
The OWASA Board of Directors approved minutes from their October 10, 2024, annual and closed session meetings. The Board also discussed the UNC Cogeneration fuel enhancements and the scope of work for a future rate study. Additionally, the Board voted to cancel the meeting scheduled for December 12, 2024.
- Approved October 10, 2024, annual meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved October 10, 2024, closed session minutes (unanimous)
- Cancelled December 12, 2024, board meeting
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board will review the 2024 draft Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and discuss the proposed scope of work for a rate study to be performed by Stantec. It will also examine strategies for assessing risks tied to budget decisions. Routine consent items, including the quarterly attendance report and the September 12 meeting minutes, will be approved. Public comment is invited on agenda items.
- Review 2024 Draft Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
- Consider Rate Study Scope of Work with Stantec
- Discuss Strategies for Assessing Risks Associated with Budget Decisions
- Approve Quarterly Report on Attendance at Board Meetings
- Approve Draft Minutes of the September 12, 2024 Board meeting
The OWASA Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to sign the updated North Carolina Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement, which allows the utility to provide mutual aid during disasters. The board also approved the September 12, 2024 meeting minutes and rescheduled the rate study scope discussion with Stantec to November 14, 2024. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting included reports and discussions on the annual financial report and budget risk strategies.
- Approved updated NC Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement (unanimous)
- Approved September 12, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Rescheduled Rate Study Scope of Work with Stantec to November 14, 2024
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will consider a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2024 and resolutions to accept funding for water main projects. The meeting includes reports on material procurement and a preliminary financial report for the period ending June 30, 2024.
- FY 2024 Budget Amendment
- Material procurement for Clark Lake Road Water Main Replacement Project
- Resolution accepting an increase in State Revolving Fund Loan for West Cameron Water Main Project
- Resolution accepting Lead and Copper Rule Revisions funding
- Chemical procurement for water and wastewater treatment processes
The OWASA Board of Directors unanimously approved a FY2024 budget amendment, accepted a $1,000,000 lead service line replacement loan, and accepted a $5,040,191 State Revolving Fund loan for the West Cameron Water Main project. The board also approved minutes and a resolution honoring retiring Deputy Executive Director Mary Darr. No substantive decisions were made beyond these approvals and staff follow-up items.
- Approved FY2024 Budget Amendment (unanimous)
- Accepted $1,000,000 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Funding (unanimous)
- Accepted $5,040,191 State Revolving Fund Loan increase for West Cameron Water Main Project (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of June 13, 2024 regular and closed session meetings (unanimous)
- Adopted resolution honoring Mary Darr's service (unanimous)
Board of Directors
The provided agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and software interface text. There are no specific decisions, proposals, or discussion items listed.
Board of Directors
The provided document contains only procedural software interface elements and no meeting details. There are no specific topics, votes, or actions listed for the Carrboro Board of Directors.
Community Chat- PFAS Q and A
The meeting is a community chat focused on questions and answers regarding PFAS. The provided agenda contains no further details or specific discussion topics.
Board of Directors
The Board adopted the annual budget for Fiscal Year 2025 and a new schedule of rates, fees, and charges effective October 1, 2024. The Board also approved a five-year capital improvements program and elected new officers.
- Adopted FY2025 Annual Budget (unanimous)
- Approved Schedule of Rates, Fees, and Charges effective Oct 1, 2024 (unanimous)
- Approved FY2025-2029 Capital Improvements Program and Budget totaling $193,571,000 (unanimous)
- Approved FY2025 Infrastructure Improvements project fund of $25,621,000 (unanimous)
- Approved 1.7% cost of labor increase and merit pay increases for eligible employees (unanimous)
- Approved 5.25% increase to Executive Director's compensation (unanimous)
- Elected Mel Kramer as Chair and Kyle Onda as Vice Chair (unanimous)
- Elected Pedro Garcia as Secretary (5-2)
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors is conducting public hearings regarding the proposed FY 2025 operating and capital improvements budgets. The board will also consider proposals for new rates, fees, and charges. Additionally, staff will provide updates on PFAS drinking water regulations and related litigation.
- Public hearing on proposed annual operating and capital improvements budget
- Public hearing on proposed rates, fees, and charges
- Resolution for FY 2025 employee insurance plans
- Approval of 2024 revenue and refunding bonds
- Update on PFAS drinking water regulation and litigation
The Board approved the issuance of up to $23.5 million in Series 2024 bonds to finance capital improvements and refinance existing debt. The Board also approved employee insurance contracts and held public hearings on a proposed 15% rate increase, which will be decided on June 13, 2024.
- Approved issuance of up to $23.5M in Water and Sewer System Revenue and Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2024 (unanimous)
- Approved employee medical and dental insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC and life/disability insurance with USAble (unanimous)
- Approved resolution allowing Deputy Executive Directors to execute documents in the absence of the Executive Director (unanimous)
- Closed public hearings on Draft FY 2025 budgets and proposed rates (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from April 11, 2024 regular and closed sessions (unanimous)
Board of Directors
The board is reviewing the draft Fiscal Year 2025 budget and rate information. Members will also consider an amendment to the Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement. Other items include resolutions for PFAS treatment funding and infrastructure repairs.
- Draft Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and Rate Information
- Amendment to the Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement
- Resolution to apply for state funding for PFAS treatment at the water treatment plant
- Contract award for Digester 4 Steel Cap Coating and Repair Project
- Preliminary resolution for Series 2024 Revenue and Refunding Bonds
OWASA's Board authorized staff to publish information about the Fiscal Year 2025 proposed budget and rate schedule, which includes a 15 percent increase in monthly water and sewer rates, ahead of public hearings on May 9, 2024. The motion passed 6-1, with Elmira Mangum opposed. The Board also unanimously approved applying for state PFAS design funding, awarding a $1,376,500 digester repair contract, pursuing up to $23.5 million in 2024 revenue and refunding bonds, and amending the Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement to add about 360.23 acres to the Primary Service Area. The Board began nominations for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary for Fiscal Year 2025; no elections were held.
- Authorized staff to publish FY2025 proposed budget and rates with a 15% monthly water/sewer rate increase (6-1, Mangum opposed)
- Approved resolution to apply for state PFAS design funding at the Jones Ferry Water Treatment Plant (unanimous)
- Awarded $1,376,500 construction contract to Carolina Management Team, LLC for Mason Farm Digester 4 steel cap coating and repair (unanimous)
- Approved application to the Local Government Commission for up to $23,500,000 in Series 2024 water and sewer revenue and refunding bonds (unanimous)
- Approved amendment to the Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement adding about 360.23 acres to the Primary Service Area (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of the March 14, 2024 meeting (unanimous)
- Agreed to begin nominations for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary; nominees named but no election held
- Closed session held on personnel matters; no action taken
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors is reviewing the draft Fiscal Year 2025 budget and proposed changes to rates, fees, and charges. The board is also considering resolutions to schedule a public hearing for these items on May 9, 2024.
- Resolution to schedule a public hearing for the FY 2025 Budget on May 9, 2024
- Resolution to schedule a public hearing for proposed revisions to the Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges on May 9, 2024
- Discussion of the Draft Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and Rate Adjustment
The OWASA Board unanimously approved resolutions to hold public hearings on May 9, 2024, for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget and proposed revisions to rates, fees, and charges. The Board also approved the minutes from the previous meeting. During discussion of the draft budget, staff were asked to provide additional data on water rates and legal updates on PFAS litigation for future meetings.
- Approved resolution setting May 9, 2024, public hearing for FY2025 budget (unanimous)
- Approved resolution setting May 9, 2024, public hearing for rate/fee revisions (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from February 8, 2024 meeting (unanimous)
- Requested staff provide UNC Environmental Finance Center dashboard data for April 11 meeting
- Requested General Counsel provide PFAS litigation update for May 9 meeting
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will review financial reports and capital improvement updates. The meeting includes decisions on awarding construction contracts for the Morgan Creek Interceptor and Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant repairs. Additionally, staff will present FY2025 budget planning and a strategic plan update.
- Construction contract award for Morgan Creek Interceptor Phase 1
- Construction contract award for Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant Clearwell interim repairs
- Resolution establishing collaborative delivery criteria
- FY2025 budget planning presentation for operating departments
- Financial report for the period ending December 31, 2023
The Board approved two construction contracts totaling over $3.3 million for sewer interceptor and water treatment plant repairs. The Board also established new criteria for using design-build delivery methods for future projects.
- Awarded $2,541,512.00 Morgan Creek Interceptor Replacement Phase I contract to Park Construction of North Carolina, Inc. (Unanimous)
- Awarded $845,000.00 Jones Ferry Road WTP Clearwell Interim Repairs contract to Carolina Management Team (Unanimous)
- Adopted Resolution Establishing Collaborative Delivery Criteria for design-build projects (Unanimous)
- Approved January 11, 2024 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Approved December 14, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Decided not to conduct a Board Self-Assessment at this time
Board of Directors
The Board will discuss the Fiscal Year 2025 budget calendar, assumptions, and a review of the financial management policy. The agenda also includes a resolution to approve an audit firm contract and updates on the Clearwell Project.
- Resolution approving audit firm contract
- FY25 budget calendar and assumptions review
- Clearwell Project update
- Collaborative delivery presentation
- Review of Board work schedule
The Board unanimously approved a contract with Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. for the fiscal year 2024 audit, with costs not exceeding $33,575. The Board also reviewed the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget calendar and requested staff to provide updates on PFAS and Western Intake Partnership costs, drought surcharge analysis, and bond rating impacts. Additionally, the Board received information on a new clearwell need at the Water Treatment Plant and discussed project delivery methods for future capital improvements.
- Approved audit contract with Martin Starnes & Associates (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from December 14, 2023 meeting (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from December 14, 2023 closed session (unanimous)
- Received feedback on FY2025 budget calendar and financial policy
- Requested staff updates on PFAS/Western Intake costs and drought surcharges
- Received information on new clearwell need at Water Treatment Plant
- Discussed project delivery methods for future capital projects