[0:03] >> Good morning, everyone.
[0:05] Welcome to the August 26th regular board meeting of Tampa
[0:09] Bay water.
[0:10] The meeting is available for viewing through live streaming
[0:14] and the recording of the meeting will be
[0:16] posted on the agency's website.
[0:18] Today we are continuing to use our new feature that
[0:21] allows board members to request to speak and to make motions
[0:24] and seconds using their tablets, rather than speaking out.
[0:27] We expect this change to improve accuracy and clarity,
[0:30] as it can be difficult to hear across the dais.
[0:33] Board members, as we move through the meeting,
[0:35] please use your tablets for these functions.
[0:38] We appreciate everyone's patience
[0:39] as we adjust to this new process.
[0:41] At this moment, we have our pledge of allegiance,
[0:44] and our vice chair is going to lead us.
[0:50] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
[0:52] of America and to the Republic for which it stands,
[0:52] one nation under God, indivisible,
[0:53] with liberty and justice for all.
[1:02] >> Thank you.
[1:03] You may be seated.
[1:04] Clerk, can you please call roll call?
[1:13] >> (Calling roll)
[1:28] Madam Chair, a quorum is present.
[1:33] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[1:34] Board members, were there any changes to the agenda?
[1:37] I see none.
[1:38] At this point, we go to public comment.
[1:40] Each speaker will have three minutes to speak.
[1:42] The first speaker I have here is David Ballard Gettis,
[1:49] Jr. Good morning.
[1:53] >> Good morning.
[1:54] I live on Georgia Avenue in Palm Harbor.
[1:56] The Federalist Papers reveals three constitutions, the former,
[2:03] the latter, and the last resort.
[2:07] One and one and one is three.
[2:11] It's got to be good looking, it's just so hard to see.
[2:14] Tip your hat to the new constitution
[2:15] and pray you don't get fooled again.
[2:18] This change had to come.
[2:20] You knew it all along.
[2:22] And even Mick Jagger, at Madison Square Gardens in 1969,
[2:27] said, welcome to the breakfast shell.
[2:31] The Federalist Papers were not written by Hamilton, Madison,
[2:36] or John J. The Federalist Papers were originally drafted
[2:41] by a shoemaker by the name of Jacob Boehme --
[2:45] shoemaker, stick to thy last.
[2:47] The Declaration of Independence, in perpetuity,
[2:50] counterfeits itself as preamble to a second Constitution,
[2:54] seen as the captures of water, in article 1, section 8,
[3:01] clause 11, birthing unwarranted 14th amendment water
[3:05] jurisdictions, as declared, thus revealing the methodology
[3:09] of the Prince in the Declaration of Independence,
[3:13] written by Niccolo Machiavelli --
[3:17] for it is far better to be feared than it is to be loved.
[3:21] Even George Washington -- he claims to be of greatest
[3:26] rankness and truly one's worst enemy in his farewell
[3:30] to Christianity address.
[3:31] He states that, twice we are being given a useful lesson
[3:37] on our heads, seen as a useful art for limited times
[3:40] in article 1, section 8, clause 8.
[3:46] Our current constitution, unconstitutionally,
[3:49] is being used as a letter of Marquis, an ex post facto
[3:53] form of reprisal, seen as inexcusably
[3:57] defective in Federalist paper number 64,
[4:00] both deaf to the voice of justice and consequently,
[4:04] as written in the Declaration of Independence.
[4:07] Abraham Lincoln -- he did not write the 14th amendment.
[4:11] He amended it to include the rebellion clause,
[4:16] denouncing the book of Rebellion,
[4:18] such Well-bound book of rebellion as possibly
[4:22] found in statute 298.36.
[4:28] London bridges falling down, London Bridge is falling down,
[4:33] and they can take their wayfaring mercenaries
[4:35] down with them, too.
[4:37] Welcome to the bond market.
[4:40] Thank you.
[4:42] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[4:43] Next up, Joe Abersoch.
[4:48] Good morning.
[4:52] >> Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
[4:54] My name is Joe.
[4:55] I live in Tampa, Florida, 3.6 miles north of the football
[4:59] stadium on Lake Carol.
[5:03] Representing Lake Carol today -- approximately 1000 people.
[5:11] There's about 400 homes on the lake, about 600
[5:14] that used the lake.
[5:17] The lake is at record low, and we are (Inaudible).
[5:23] Based on that condition, the lake is under duress to this
[5:27] degree -- there is no boating.
[5:29] There is no fishing.
[5:30] There is no action.
[5:31] And worse, there is collateral damage.
[5:34] There is a number of boats, probably 50, up on the lift
[5:39] because we have no water under our dock or lift.
[5:43] Those boats are stranded there.
[5:46] That brings us to, why am I here?
[5:50] I am here representing the three associations
[5:53] that are asking for help.
[5:56] We know we cannot solve this problem.
[5:59] This problem is very complex.
[6:02] It requires a lot of effort, coordination,
[6:06] of which I want to report now that there was coordination
[6:11] being done through the coordination help (Inaudible).
[6:16] He's going to set up the meeting to do this.
[6:18] That's why I'm here, is to personally thank him
[6:22] for his responsibility to support us.
[6:25] But I also know that it's going to take a lot more coordination
[6:31] .
[6:32] We are in a drought.
[6:34] Where is it going to end?
[6:36] I don't know.
[6:37] But that's why we're here.
[6:38] In summary, I want to thank you for the time this morning
[6:41] and the opportunity to speak with you.
[6:43] And if you keep in mind, Lake Carroll needs your help.
[6:48] Thank you very much.
[6:51] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[6:52] I have no more public speakers.
[6:55] If you can just keep us posted on your work, we appreciate it.
[7:00] Thank you.
[7:01] Next up, we move on to consent.
[7:05] Are there any items that the board wishes to pull?
[7:08] I don't see any.
[7:14] So we have the --
[7:16] I had the mover to approve as Commissioner Wostal.
[7:23] Seconder, Miranda.
[7:29] >> I'm going to spam that button the whole meeting.
[7:35] Lisset Hanewicz: He moved quickly, and he exactly what
[7:37] he was doing.
[7:40] Board members, please enter your votes.
[7:45] >> Motion passes unanimously.
[7:48] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you, clerk.
[7:50] Next up, we move to the regular agenda.
[7:52] We have the general manager's report.
[7:54] This item is for information only.
[8:00] Charles Carden: Good morning, Madam chair and members
[8:01] of the board.
[8:02] We will start by having Mr. Hogg go to the presentation podium
[8:08] as I speak to the conditions out there briefly.
[8:10] He will get into a little more detail in.
[8:13] We are still in the drought.
[8:15] We are about more than halfway through
[8:17] our typical rainy season.
[8:19] Good news is, we did put some water in the reservoir,
[8:23] and it has been a long time coming.
[8:25] I know we are about -- we are over 4 billion gallons.
[8:29] The reservoir does hold 15 billion gallons,
[8:32] so we have got a long way to go.
[8:34] It took a while to get to where we are,
[8:36] so it will take a little while to get out.
[8:39] Warren, would you walk us through some of the statistics?
[8:45] >> Yes, good morning, Madam chair, members of the board.
[8:48] We are still looking at drought conditions
[8:50] that cover most of the state, especially our tri county area.
[8:55] We have started making some progress
[8:57] in diminishing the drought conditions,
[8:59] although it is still persistently
[9:02] in extreme or severe drought over almost all
[9:05] of the three county area.
[9:07] This was an update from last week.
[9:10] This map is updated once per week,
[9:12] and we do watch it closely to see how things are progressing.
[9:15] Since the rains happened, it caused some recovery.
[9:19] I don't expect a whole lot of gain
[9:23] to be seen for the next week or so.
[9:27] But we are anticipating our summer rains
[9:29] to return later this week.
[9:31] Hopefully they will return and stay with us.
[9:35] Our service area remains in a stage 3 regional water supply
[9:41] shortage under our Water Shortage mitigation plan,
[9:44] and that is because we are running a rainfall deficit
[9:46] of 14.3in over the last year.
[9:50] And the flow in the Hillsborough River
[9:53] remains at 23.3 million gallons a day
[9:57] below the normal level for the last 12 months.
[10:01] Water Management District continues its phase 3 water
[10:08] shortage restrictions, and that is good until at least October
[10:11] 1st.
[10:11] If we don't see some improvements in our conditions,
[10:15] that could possibly be extended.
[10:17] We'll be continuing those discussions with the Water
[10:20] Management district.
[10:21] So water conservation enforcement
[10:26] will remain critical through the summer
[10:29] and fall as we try to recover and focus
[10:31] on storing as much water in the reservoir as possible.
[10:36] Mr. Carden mentioned, it took a while to get into this.
[10:41] It's going to take a while to get out.
[10:42] We started our drought conditions
[10:44] in September of last year.
[10:46] We should have gotten 7.5 to 8in of rain,
[10:48] but we only got about 2.
[10:50] It has been very, very dry since, with only average rain
[10:55] in December and July.
[10:57] We had one good month, and that was May.
[11:00] That has put us into the significant shortage
[11:03] that we are in.
[11:05] We did get River flows increasing in late July,
[11:11] with rains finally in the upper part of the river basins.
[11:15] Until then, much of the rain had been
[11:17] along the coastal communities, which does help reduce demand,
[11:20] but it did not make the rivers flow to the point
[11:23] where we could sustainably harvest water.
[11:27] Through the month of July, for the first ten months,
[11:32] we delivered an average of 206.1 million gallons a day
[11:36] for the year to date.
[11:38] It's about 7 million gallons a day higher than last year
[11:41] because of the drought conditions.
[11:43] It's about 3.5% more water than last year.
[11:47] We are focused on refilling the reservoir,
[11:52] but we are looking for glimmers of good news.
[11:54] It appears that the conservation and enforcement of restrictions
[11:58] is paying off.
[12:01] We had projected, throughout the beginning of the year,
[12:05] we project what we need to deliver,
[12:07] we expect to deliver each month.
[12:12] For the month of July, we delivered about 10 million
[12:14] gallons a day less than we had anticipated.
[12:16] For us, that means that the restrictions and the enforcement
[12:20] are helping, along with some of the much needed rain
[12:23] in the coastal communities.
[12:25] The 12 month average rate for the consolidated permit
[12:30] Wellfields has been steadily increasing
[12:33] since July of last year, and we reached a 12 month
[12:37] running average of 106.3 million gallons a day
[12:40] at the end of July.
[12:42] As we are focused on refilling the reservoir as much as we can
[12:50] this summer, it has caused us to shift our production
[12:52] to other facilities, such as the well fields,
[12:56] at the desalination facility, so we can store
[13:00] as much water as possible.
[13:02] We do anticipate this will begin to decline as soon as we
[13:07] can get some sustained rains.
[13:09] We are running our surface water treatment plant
[13:11] at 30 million gallons a day.
[13:13] For this month, we have been running that simply
[13:15] from river flow, not taking any out of the reservoir.
[13:18] That's good news.
[13:20] We are either running at 30 for what we capture --
[13:23] everything else is going right into the reservoir for storage.
[13:26] The south Central Hillsborough Regional Wellfield, the running
[13:31] average, average 26.57 million gallons a day
[13:35] at the end of July, which is below its permit limit.
[13:38] And we expect to remain pretty close to the permit limit
[13:42] for the coming months.
[13:44] Our reservoir was forecasted to be almost 3.5 to 4 billion
[13:52] gallons at the end of July.
[13:55] We were flat lined, as we have not stored any water in it
[13:59] until really the end of the month.
[14:01] As of last night, we did increase over 4 billion gallons.
[14:07] We are now about 26% full.
[14:10] That's an encouraging sign.
[14:13] If we can get good summer rains starting again this week,
[14:16] we will store as much as we can for the coming dry season.
[14:20] Before we transition, I'd be happy to answer any questions
[14:25] on this section.
[14:30] Lisset Hanewicz: Questions?
[14:33] Thank you.
[14:38] Charles Carden: I will continue with some
[14:38] of the topics on this slide.
[14:40] In July, our IT department and some of our other leadership
[14:44] departments conducted a cybersecurity tabletop exercise.
[14:48] It was our first time doing that internally.
[14:52] It Was very well attended, and we
[15:00] learned a lot working amongst ourselves
[15:01] and something that is a different threat out there.
[15:05] We also continued to closely monitor
[15:07] reports of the cyber activity targeting water utilities
[15:11] across the United States.
[15:13] We remain actively engaged in evaluating possible threats
[15:17] to our systems.
[15:19] Also, last month, at the agency hosted a series of knowledge
[15:22] to implementation workshops --
[15:27] we call them K2i.
[15:27] We had three of our members -- they were represented here,
[15:32] Hillsborough County, Pinellas, with these workshops.
[15:36] We shared knowledge and explored innovative solutions
[15:38] to some of the common utility challenges that we all face.
[15:43] Also, just Tuesday last week, at the Pasco County Commissioners
[15:49] formally approved requesting with Tampa Bay water, somewhere
[15:55] east of Cypress Creek.
[15:55] We have to work out the details.
[15:57] It is something that will come to this board
[16:02] in the form of a letter.
[16:03] We will bring it to the next board meeting for approval,
[16:06] and then we will evaluate and work out
[16:09] an agreement with the county.
[16:11] I believe the letter coming will say a new point of connection
[16:15] is needed by the year 2035.
[16:17] Also wanted to give you an update on our pricing of bonds
[16:22] that we did in July.
[16:24] The board approved a resolution to secure $292 million
[16:28] for our capital improvement plan coming up and also refunded
[16:33] a portion of the outstanding 2016-A bonds.
[16:38] On August 4th column at the agency price the revenue bonds
[16:41] and the refunding bonds, and they were well received
[16:46] by the investors.
[16:47] In fact, they were oversubscribed six times,
[16:51] meaning we needed $360 million, and we ended up
[16:55] getting orders for over 2.3 billion,
[16:57] which put us in a good position to negotiate lower rates.
[17:01] The next challenge or milestone will be August 27th.
[17:05] That will be the closing of the bond funds.
[17:09] So that should be coming up here in the next two weeks.
[17:13] Also, we have been busy talking to local stations
[17:19] and the newspapers about the recent rain in our drought
[17:22] conditions.
[17:23] You see here, Warren, myself, Paul
[17:26] or on some of the local news stations
[17:29] talking about the recent rains and how they are affecting us.
[17:33] Malik Rankin -- she is on the picture on the far right --
[17:39] she is our public communications specialist.
[17:41] She participated in Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Back to School
[17:45] Bash earlier this month.
[17:47] We sponsor their education program,
[17:49] which helps make these events and activities possible.
[17:53] And recently, our staff attended the
[17:57] build Saint Pete Construction Expo, which
[18:00] connects businesses and buyers and agencies
[18:02] to provide access to opportunities and partnerships.
[18:06] And finally, I would like to congratulate the finance team
[18:11] for receiving the Government Finance Officers Association
[18:17] Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
[18:21] I believe it is the year number 18 in a war, so --
[18:26] your number 18 in a row, so -- year number 18 in a row,
[18:34] so congratulations.
[18:35] With that, I'm happy to take any questions.
[18:41] Lisset Hanewicz:18 year streak.
[18:41] I don't see any requests to speak.
[18:43] We are going to move on to our action items.
[18:45] We have C.1 and C.2 that are going to be presented together.
[18:52] Good morning.
[18:56] >> Good morning, madam chair, members of the board.
[18:58] Today will present two related action
[19:00] items that support the final delivery of the South
[19:03] Hillsborough pipeline and associated projects.
[19:06] This map illustrates our South Hillsborough pipeline project.
[19:12] The pipeline is essential to meeting
[19:14] Hillsborough County's growing water needs in the 2028 time
[19:18] frame.
[19:19] In addition to the pipeline, the project
[19:22] also includes the requested improvements
[19:24] to Hillsborough County's infrastructure, as well as
[19:28] new points of connection and a new alkalinity adjustment
[19:34] facility.
[19:34] This project is being delivered through the Construction Manager
[19:40] at risk.
[19:43] The work is competitively bid and awarded
[19:45] as the project advances, allowing construction
[19:50] to proceed while remaining design elements are finalized.
[19:52] The board initially approved Garney and has already
[19:59] approved the Preconstruction services and three
[20:02] guaranteed maximum GMP packages.
[20:05] Today's action is for the fourth and final package.
[20:07] The project is well underway, and work on segment B
[20:12] of the pipeline is beginning.
[20:13] And approval of this package will
[20:16] provide the remaining construction
[20:17] scope needed to complete the South Hillsborough pipeline
[20:21] project.
[20:22] I will proceed with a more detailed construction
[20:25] update at the end of this meeting under Agenda Item D.1.
[20:31] Now, moving on to the action Items, agenda item C.1 --
[20:35] we request approval of the Fourth Amendment --
[20:42] GMP number 4 includes the new alkalinity adjustment facility,
[20:48] Hillsborough County improvements, and the points
[20:50] of connection work.
[20:51] The total value of this GMP is $53.65 million,
[20:55] with Tampa Bay water funding about 38.8 million
[21:00] and Hillsborough County funding about $14.8 million.
[21:04] With that, staff recommends the approval of this GMP amendment
[21:12] in the amount of $53.65 million.
[21:25] Dave Eggers: Thank you for the presentation.
[21:25] Just a brief update on how we are doing with these projects,
[21:28] as compared to what we were estimating costs to be --
[21:33] just trying to get a feel overall.
[21:37] >> Sure.
[21:37] I have my handy notes in here.
[21:39] So initially, the project scope included segment a, segment B,
[21:43] and the points of connection work.
[21:46] The current budget, as published in our latest program,
[21:51] is $505.7 million, and with the work
[21:56] that we are requesting approval today,
[21:58] the total budget is $534.4 million.
[22:03] It's about $28.7 million above the current budget.
[22:11] Most of the work and the delta that we see in this project
[22:17] is reflected with work that was requested
[22:20] by Hillsborough County, a significant portion of that.
[22:23] In addition to that, we have increased slightly the budget
[22:28] for property acquisition for segment B.
[22:32] That's the delta that you will see and the net increase.
[22:40] Dave Eggers: Thank you.
[22:43] Lisset Hanewicz: I don't see any other request to speak.
[22:45] If anyone wants to make a motion --
[22:49] we have Commissioner Wostal moving with a second
[22:56] by Commissioner Cohen.
[23:01] >> Motion passes unanimously.
[23:04] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[23:05] Move on to the next item?
[23:08] >> With approval of the GMP amendment addressed in this
[23:10] agenda item, I will now transition to agenda item C.2,
[23:14] which addresses the program and Construction Management services
[23:17] for this project.
[23:19] Now, they have supported Tampa Bay water
[23:22] throughout the planning, design, GMP negotiations,
[23:26] and construction phases of the South Hillsborough pipeline
[23:28] program and associated projects under their Integrated Program
[23:35] Services Management contract.
[23:36] They have been supporting this program since 2022.
[23:40] This amendment to task authorization under
[23:44] their contract -- they will continue to provide the three
[23:47] key functions shown on this slide.
[23:50] Through these efforts, they will continue overseeing program
[23:54] delivery, coordinating the engineering and construction
[23:57] services and teams, and provide a strategic support to Tampa Bay
[24:05] Water --
[24:06] completion and closeout.
[24:07] With that, staff request approval of this assignment
[24:12] increase to Black and Veatch in the amount of $3.76 million.
[24:19] Lisset Hanewicz: I don't see any request to speak.
[24:24] Dave Eggers: Again, kind of a cost --
[24:25] this is just the last piece, so what is their contract total bid
[24:31] so far?
[24:33] >> Agenda item C.2 do have the total number reflected.
[24:37] If you give me one second, I will find it exactly.
[24:39] I believe it is $7.3 million, the total, since 2022,
[24:49] through the end of this project, which will be by the end of --
[24:57] Dave Eggers: 3.7 that we are --
[25:00] >> The aggregate of the entire assignment will be 7.37.
[25:07] Dave Eggers: $534 million?
[25:12] >> That's included in that total.
[25:15] Lisset Hanewicz: I don't see any other requests to speak.
[25:15] If there is a motion to approve --
[25:17] there is a motion by Commissioner Wostal and second
[25:23] by Commissioner Eggers.
[25:30] >> Motion passes unanimously.
[25:33] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[25:34] Next up, we have C.3 that is going to be presented
[25:38] by our general counsel.
[25:41] >> This is another item related to the South Hillsborough
[25:42] pipeline, requesting approval of the settlement with the Fishhawk
[25:46] Community Development District for easements and two temporary
[25:49] easements -- that's the most property we are obtaining from
[25:53] any one parcel or property owner.
[25:55] The amount of the settlement is a little over $2.1 million in.
[25:59] Recommended by our Special counsel,
[26:01] and we are recommending approval.
[26:03] Happy to answer any questions.
[26:08] Dave Eggers: Same question -- how are we doing as it relates
[26:11] to what we were estimating those costs to be total?
[26:16] >> I would have to defer to Maribel to give you those
[26:20] figures.
[26:24] >> I'm glad I prepared for this in.
[26:25] So actually, property acquisition
[26:27] have increased slightly for segment B. Most of the remaining
[26:33] parcels that we are acquiring are undergoing the eminent
[26:35] domain process.
[26:36] We have seen that we have been negotiating quite a lot
[26:41] with the property owners.
[26:43] So initially, segment B had a budget of $9 million,
[26:49] and we are estimating, as of today,
[26:50] that we will be spending $11.4 million -- fron 9,
[26:59] initial budget on property cost only.
[27:03] Dave Eggers: Let me just add, that is to segment B.
[27:05] The entire property budget for that whole pipeline is $23 --
[27:13] Charles Carden: Let me just add, that is segment B. We've got --
[27:18] a total of 204.
[27:19] We are getting close to the end.
[27:21] We have some -- in the budget.
[27:27] Dave Eggers: You have spent 11.4 on B?
[27:32] Charles Carden: On the entire A and B.
[27:36] Dave Eggers: The budget was 23 originally?
[27:41] Charles Carden: Yes.
[27:43] Dave Eggers: Thank you.
[27:45] Lisset Hanewicz: I don't see any other requests to speak.
[27:45] There's a motion to approve.
[27:47] There is a motion by Commissioner Eggers,
[27:53] second by Commissioner Wostal.
[27:58] >> The motion passes unanimously.
[28:02] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[28:04] C.4 -- this is going to be presented by Danielle,
[28:07] the senior project manager.
[28:08] Good morning, Danielle.
[28:12] >> Good morning.
[28:13] Agenda item C.4 is an action item.
[28:17] At the end of this presentation, I
[28:18] will be requesting approval for the Professional Engineering
[28:21] Services contract.
[28:22] As a reminder, the South Hillsborough Wellfield
[28:26] has been a potential water supply project since 2018,
[28:30] and public engagement has occurred since 2021.
[28:33] Staff completed a feasibility study in 2021
[28:36] that included the construction of the test production well
[28:39] and aquifer performance Test.
[28:40] The study confirmed the project's feasibility
[28:43] and alignment with the board's approved evaluation criteria
[28:46] of cost effectiveness, environmental stewardship,
[28:49] and viability.
[28:51] The second aquifer performance test
[28:53] was conducted in 2023, which validated these results.
[28:57] October of 2025, the board approved this project
[29:00] as a new water supply and treatment capacity project.
[29:03] Since then, the team has advertised
[29:05] request for proposals for professional engineering
[29:08] and Construction Manager at Risk Services.
[29:10] Today's presentation is for approval of the Professional
[29:13] Engineering Services contract.
[29:15] This project was originally contingent on agreement with
[29:18] Hillsborough County that included the purchase
[29:20] of groundwater recharge credits to provide the net benefit
[29:29] associated with our proposed withdrawals --
[29:34] unable to reach terms of agreement in a timely manner,
[29:38] and the project was put back into the long term master water
[29:41] plan for future consideration.
[29:42] Since that time, this board has approved the acquisition
[29:45] of water use permits from private landowners,
[29:47] enabling the transfer of water use permits to this wellfield.
[29:51] We now have acquired 3.7 million gallons per day
[29:54] and are working towards three more
[29:56] water use permit acquisitions that we estimate
[29:59] will yield about 5.5 MGD.
[30:05] We can also increase the yield of this wellfield
[30:07] by up to 6.1 million gallons per day
[30:09] if we can successfully negotiate to buy reclaimed credits
[30:11] with Hillsborough County.
[30:12] This yield is based on the county's minimum recharge
[30:15] of up to 10 million gallons per day.
[30:18] The total potential yield of 6 to 12 million gallons
[30:21] could go up if we acquire additional permits
[30:24] or if Hillsborough County increases its aquifer recharge
[30:26] system.
[30:27] This project does have potential to be implemented in phases,
[30:31] as we acquire additional quantities.
[30:35] The proposed wellfield layout shown here
[30:37] would support withdrawals of 6 to 12 MGD,
[30:43] with the design and construction of up to eight production
[30:45] wells, monitoring wells, approximately four miles
[30:47] of collector main piping, a groundwater ozone treatment
[30:50] facility for the removal of hydrogen sulfide,
[30:52] and a point of connection and metering facilities.
[30:54] This project will be delivered using a construction manager
[30:57] at risk, which is the same delivery
[31:00] method being used currently for the South Hillsborough pipeline.
[31:03] The estimated completion date is November 2029,
[31:06] which will help meet the region's growing drinking water
[31:10] needs.
[31:11] The scope of services for this project or this contract
[31:14] includes a well design and testing, water treatment
[31:17] and collector main design, groundwater modeling,
[31:20] permitting support, surveying services,
[31:24] CMAR collaboration and negotiation support,
[31:28] and public outreach.
[31:30] And with that, staff recommends approval of the Professional
[31:34] Engineering Services contract with Stantec consulting
[31:38] for $14.3 million.
[31:44] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[31:44] I don't see any requests to speak on this item.
[31:46] Is there a motion on this item?
[31:49] There is a motion to approve by Commissioner Cohen, seconded
[31:54] by Council Member Miranda.
[31:58] Please enter your votes.
[32:03] >> Motion passes unanimously.
[32:06] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[32:06] We are done, I think, with the South Hillsborough items.
[32:09] Next up, we have surface water treatment plant item.
[32:12] That is C.5.
[32:15] The project manager is going to be presenting.
[32:18] Good morning.
[32:22] >> Good morning Madam Chair, and members of the board.
[32:24] I am Tampa Bay Water Project manager I'm.
[32:26] Agenda item C.5 is an action item at the surface water
[32:33] treatment plant.
[32:34] At the end of this presentation, I
[32:35] will be requesting your approval for the contract amendment
[32:39] for the construction phase services associated
[32:43] to this project.
[32:46] The supervisory control and data acquisition system, better known
[32:53] as the SCADA system, is used by Tampa Bay Water
[32:57] to monitor and control facilities remotely, using
[32:59] real time operational data.
[33:01] The SCADA system project, which is included in our capital
[33:07] improvement program, will modernize the technology
[33:09] behind the system, including PLCs,
[33:13] data networks, and cybersecurity controls, among others.
[33:18] The design phase services, known as the phase 1 ,
[33:26] was approved by this board back in February 2025.
[33:28] Since then, our team have finished 100% design,
[33:32] which includes engineering evaluations and the negotiated
[33:37] guaranteed maximum price for phase 2, construction phase,
[33:42] which is amendment being -- which is presented today.
[33:45] As for the coming milestones, we will start construction
[33:50] activities now in August, concurrently
[33:53] with the surface water treatment plant expansion project,
[33:56] and we will reach substantial completion and final completion
[34:01] by December 2028 and February 2029, respectively.
[34:06] Moving on, this slide summarizes the project costs
[34:12] under the existing contract and the proposed $20 million
[34:21] amendment, which includes equipment and materials,
[34:25] construction labor, and owners allowances and contingencies.
[34:29] With that, staff requests approval of the negotiated
[34:34] agreement amendment with Veolia for the construction services
[34:40] in the amount of $20.3 million, which includes about --
[34:45] this concludes my presentation.
[34:46] I'm happy to take any questions.
[34:51] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[34:51] I don't see any requests to speak at this time.
[34:53] Is there a motion on this item?
[34:55] There is a motion from Commissioner Wostal, seconded
[35:01] by Council Member Miranda.
[35:02] If you can open voting, Council members,
[35:08] please issue your votes.
[35:12] >> Motion passes unanimously.
[35:14] Lisset Hanewicz: Next up, we have C.6.
[35:16] This is for professional services contracts,
[35:18] as needed engineering services.
[35:20] This is going to be presented by James
[35:22] Smith, professional engineer.
[35:26] >> Good morning.
[35:27] Again, my name is James Smith.
[35:27] I'm a professional engineer in the engineering department.
[35:30] This, I will present agenda item C.6 regarding the new as needed
[35:34] engineering services professional services
[35:38] contracts and request your approval.
[35:40] The current as needed engineering contracts
[35:44] approved in September of 2021 are nearing expiration.
[35:47] Recent updates to Florida's consultants Competitive
[35:50] Negotiation Act increased the threshold
[35:52] for continuing contracts, allowing
[35:55] Tampa Bay water greater flexibility in delivering
[35:58] smaller engineering projects.
[36:00] Tampa Bay Water continues to advance major capital
[36:03] improvements, asset renewal efforts, and long term planning
[36:07] initiatives.
[36:07] To support this work, we need to access a wide range
[36:10] of engineering expertise.
[36:12] These contracts provide flexibility to obtain
[36:14] specialized support through studies, design, permitting,
[36:18] and technical services, as needs arise,
[36:21] without conducting separate -- for each assignment.
[36:25] We conducted a procurement process
[36:27] that is described in your agenda memo.
[36:29] Firms were invited to create teams
[36:31] that qualified for all engineering disciplines.
[36:34] There were 25 responses to Tampa Bay Water's invitation
[36:38] for the five year contract at a value
[36:40] not to exceed $1.25 million.
[36:42] And individual tasks to up to $500,000.
[36:44] Tasks above this amount will require board approval,
[36:48] as the task that supports a CIP project.
[36:54] Evaluating 25 responses is a significant effort.
[36:57] A special thank you to the Committee for their huge effort
[37:01] in evaluating the responses.
[37:02] Award of these contracts does not obligate the board
[37:05] at this time.
[37:06] The budgets for these expenditures
[37:09] are (Inaudible) approved each year or in the project
[37:12] budgets, as approved by the board.
[37:14] Based on the qualifications and very tight scoring,
[37:17] all 25 contracts are recommended for award
[37:20] for as needed engineering for the next five years.
[37:23] This slide lists the recommended firms.
[37:26] Out of the 25, nine firms are brand new
[37:32] or have not worked with Tampa Bay Water recently.
[37:35] Staff recommends approval.
[37:38] This concludes my presentation.
[37:40] I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
[37:45] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[37:46] Any comments, questions?
[37:48] I guess we have increased over 100% -- from 12 to 25?
[37:54] That's good.
[37:55] More competitive.
[37:55] If there is a motion on this item --
[37:57] there is a motion to approve by Commissioner Wostal.
[38:02] Clark, if you can open the machine
[38:03] for voting, board members, please enter your votes.
[38:09] >> Motion passes unanimously.
[38:12] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[38:12] We move on to presentation and reports.
[38:14] The first presentation is the South Hillsborough pipeline
[38:18] and surface water treatment plant expansion projects
[38:20] construction update, and Maribel Medina is going to present this.
[38:28] >> Now to the fun stuff, right?
[38:34] Agenda item D.1 provides an update --
[38:37] I will start with an update on our surface water treatment
[38:39] plant expansion project.
[38:41] Now, the surface water treatment plant
[38:44] is the heart or workhorse of our surface water system.
[38:49] In 2022, the board approved this project
[38:52] as part of our long term master Water
[38:54] plan to meet the region's needs by the year 2028.
[38:59] The plant expansion will provide up to an additional 12.5 million
[39:04] gallons per day to the region.
[39:07] It includes a fifth treatment train,
[39:12] along with supporting systems, which are labeled A
[39:16] through E on the diagram.
[39:18] The new treatment train will mirror the existing treatment
[39:21] processes currently in operation.
[39:24] Area A represents the fifth treatment train.
[39:27] Area B shows the built -- belt press replacement.
[39:34] Area C identifies the location of the three new filters.
[39:39] Area D shows the location of the chemical buildings,
[39:43] and area E shows the expanded solids drying beds.
[39:47] In area A, ground reinforcement has been completed.
[39:50] The team is currently working to cut these reinforcement columns
[39:55] down to grade before installing the load to transfer platform.
[39:58] The picture on the bottom right shows the ongoing work
[40:01] for the routed columns cut down to rate in support of the load
[40:06] transfer platform installation.
[40:08] The main picture shows the pipe Gallery new overhead conduits
[40:14] piping from the south electrical building into train number 5.
[40:20] In area B, three of the belt filter presses
[40:22] have been delivered to the site and are set in place.
[40:25] The installation of piping and feeding
[40:27] connections to support the new presses is now in progress.
[40:31] And the main picture shows the new belt filter
[40:35] press area and plumbing work, and the top left picture
[40:39] shows one of the belt filter presses containment
[40:42] walls and concrete pedestals.
[40:45] In area C and D, the team have completed the installation
[40:51] of the 16 inch filter to waste piping and concrete encasement,
[40:56] the installation of formwork and Rebar
[40:58] at the hypochlorite and ferric tanks, and leak
[41:02] testing of the chemical tank containment area walls.
[41:07] The team is now working on the installation of the 48 inch
[41:10] piping at an existing connection and new filter 16
[41:15] through 18, load transfer platform, and conduit
[41:19] installation from the dry chemical building
[41:21] to the electrical building.
[41:23] Now, the top right picture shows the chemical tank containment
[41:27] wall Rebar installation, and the main picture
[41:33] shows the final product and leak test for this new chemical tank
[41:37] containment area.
[41:38] Overall, the surface water treatment plant project
[41:41] is progressing well and remains on track.
[41:44] Construction work is currently at 10% of work completed,
[41:48] and spending is aligned at 20% of the total $167 million
[41:54] budget.
[41:56] As construction activities increase,
[41:58] our effort will continue to be on maintaining
[42:02] alignment between progress, spending, and schedule
[42:05] performance.
[42:06] At this stage, we have not identified any need
[42:09] to use our owner's allowances.
[42:14] Now I will proceed with an update on our distribution
[42:18] system expansion project, the South Hillsborough pipeline.
[42:25] Lisset Hanewicz: Before you proceed,
[42:27] I have Commissioner Wostal.
[42:29] You want to wait till the end?
[42:33] Okay.
[42:34] >> This pipeline will carry water from our surface water
[42:34] treatment plant at the Regional Facilities site to Hillsborough
[42:38] County to meet the county's water needs.
[42:43] You will recall, from previous presentations,
[42:46] that we have identified 17 tunnel locations that
[42:50] were strategically planned to minimize traffic disruptions
[42:54] and reduce environmental impacts during construction, as well.
[43:00] Those are shown in the orange diamonds
[43:03] across the entire route.
[43:05] Since our last update, we have added
[43:08] two additional red circles, which
[43:10] show the locations where tunneling work has
[43:13] been completed.
[43:14] A total of six locations have been completed.
[43:17] Now, here is another look at the route,
[43:21] showing all the locations under construction for both segments A
[43:27] and B. These sites include micro tunnels, open trench
[43:34] installation.
[43:35] Over the past month, the project team
[43:38] has worked really hard to prepare
[43:41] for back to school traffic near construction zones.
[43:44] Numerous coordination meetings were
[43:46] held with Hillsborough County Public Schools, transportation,
[43:50] and safety departments, and Hillsborough County Sheriff's
[43:53] Office was represented in some of these meetings.
[43:57] There was also close coordination
[43:59] with Brandon High School, Kingswood Elementary,
[44:02] Boyette Springs Elementary, Valrico Academy,
[44:08] Bell Creek Academy, and Saint Stephen's Catholic.
[44:12] Before the school started, the team
[44:15] created and printed fliers for six different schools'
[44:19] back to back nights and created social media graphics
[44:22] for schools to post on their websites or social media
[44:26] channels.
[44:27] And we are happy to report that construction, despite all
[44:31] the weather-related challenges, at Brandon High
[44:36] School has been completed.
[44:37] The east and west parking lots were
[44:39] accessible before the start of the school year.
[44:41] And to make up time and minimize impacts at Kingswood Elementary
[44:45] School, the contractor had two crews working, one day crew
[44:52] and one night crew, to complete the installation
[44:55] as soon as possible.
[44:56] This morning, I got the text message
[44:58] saying that all work is complete.
[44:59] So this is excellent news for the project
[45:01] and the parents in that area.
[45:04] Moving on, crews also are making progress in other locations.
[45:11] In the image on the left shows installation of the carrier pipe
[45:15] for the Lakewood Micro Tunnel.
[45:18] The pipe has been installed, and crews
[45:21] are working to backfill the tunnel so that the roads reopen
[45:26] within the next two weeks.
[45:28] The image on the right is a drone view
[45:33] of the Little FishHawk horizontal directional drill.
[45:39] Completion of the horizontal directional drill
[45:41] marked a significant milestone, as
[45:44] both horizontal directional drilling
[45:47] crossings for the project are now complete.
[45:50] The remaining trenches work consists
[45:54] of microtunnel installations.
[45:59] Beyond the outreach to local schools,
[46:00] the public engagement team has created a video reel
[46:06] on the horizontal directional drill which received about
[46:10] 158,000 views across all platforms through July.
[46:14] We also created one on the process that received about
[46:20] 43,000 views and ones on the bentonite slurry used
[46:24] for the pool that received about 81,000 total views.
[46:27] The team is also coordinating efforts
[46:30] with two tours for Hillsborough County staff
[46:33] and a presentation to the Brandon Rotary Club.
[46:39] Overall calm at this project is progressing well
[46:41] and remains on track.
[46:42] Construction is about 8% completed,
[46:46] based on the number of linear feet of pipe installed.
[46:50] And construction spending is aligned
[46:52] at 20% of the total $461.2 million
[46:57] construction budget, which includes construction
[47:00] costs, engineering services during construction,
[47:04] and support.
[47:07] At this stage, we have not identified any correction
[47:09] actions for schedule and budget.
[47:11] And this concludes my presentation.
[47:13] I will be happy to answer any questions.
[47:19] Lisset Hanewicz: Commissioner Wostal?
[47:24] Joshua Wostal: Thank you.
[47:24] My comments are particularly about the pipeline, not
[47:25] the water treatment plant.
[47:27] I know that you guys have done significant outreach,
[47:30] and I understand that, in general,
[47:34] the public would like their water to just magically come
[47:37] from the faucet, and they don't want
[47:39] to see the construction that goes along with it.
[47:41] I met a nice young British woman,
[47:47] about 76, who stopped short of calling me the devil
[47:51] the other day, after acknowledging that I didn't even
[47:53] vote for this because it was done before I was elected.
[47:56] Factually, I would not have voted
[47:59] for this route had I been on the board at this time,
[48:01] or voted for the other one.
[48:03] The school images that we get are just --
[48:08] kind of negate all of the work that we have done to notify
[48:12] the public.
[48:13] You can't force people to be engaged,
[48:15] but we have got to do something more,
[48:18] whether if it is coordinating with Hillsborough County's sign
[48:24] Department that sticks the rezone signs everywhere --
[48:27] perhaps they can, way ahead of time,
[48:32] view scheduling construction, particularly near intersections
[48:34] and schools, that we are posting signs saying, hey,
[48:41] expect delays, explore alternative routes,
[48:44] whatever it is.
[48:46] We have got to find something to notify the public.
[48:50] I mean, I think that it was a poor idea to not do the more
[48:57] rural areas during the --
[49:00] or the more active areas during the summer
[49:02] and the more rural areas during the school season.
[49:05] Whatever can be done, whether if it
[49:09] was from Hillsborough County's water department,
[49:11] just helping notifying the public better,
[49:14] I think the general public would really appreciate it.
[49:17] I mean, they don't want to hear that we did something
[49:20] at the rotary.
[49:21] You can't force people to be engaged.
[49:23] But they are just going to blame no matter what.
[49:28] Whatever we are doing right now doesn't seem to be working.
[49:30] 158,000 views on Facebook might be nice,
[49:35] but I don't think that that's educating the actual residents
[49:39] that are going to see a disruption.
[49:41] Anything that can be done, I would appreciate it.
[49:44] I believe that this constituent was actually the one that came
[49:49] -- she said sometime last year with her daughter.
[49:53] Anything that we can do, I would appreciate it.
[49:57] Thank you.
[50:01] Lisset Hanewicz: I don't see any other comments.
[50:03] Commissioner Wostal, it's horrible to inherit a vote ,
[50:09] and you are not happy with the boat.
[50:12] I know I wasn't for this item because I
[50:13] thought some of this stuff was going to happen.
[50:15] But in any event, I think our team
[50:17] is trying to do the best they can
[50:19] with getting the communications out.
[50:20] If we can do more work, that would be great,
[50:24] to let parents and schools know.
[50:28] I will tell you, no one likes car lines,
[50:32] and no one likes traffic getting to car lines.
[50:38] Yeah, any work on this could be appreciated
[50:40] so we could get the word out.
[50:42] I do agree, the posts getting the views just shows people
[50:44] are interested in the issue.
[50:46] They probably need more communication.
[50:48] Okay, I don't see any other requests to speak.
[50:52] Do we have any other items, administrative matters
[50:58] that any board member wants to address?
[51:00] I don't see any requests to speak on that.
[51:03] That means that we have reached receive and file, which requires
[51:08] a motion to receive and file.
[51:10] I have a motion by Commissioner Wostal and a second
[51:20] by Commissioner Cohen.
[51:26] >> Motion passes unanimously.
[51:28] Lisset Hanewicz: Thank you.
[51:29] We have come to the end of our board meeting,
[51:31] I think, in record time.
[51:34] We have an October scheduled meeting that is one
[51:36] of the meetings that we can decide to go forward or not --
[51:40] I'm sorry, September.
[51:42] I'm looking at October --
[51:43] September meeting.
[51:44] I'm going to fast.
[51:45] We may look to see if maybe we don't have a September
[51:48] meeting, depending on what is on the agenda.
[51:50] I just wanted to let the board members know about that.
[51:53] With no other request to speak, this meeting is adjourned.
[51:55] Thank you, all.