OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tampa Bay Water Regular Board Meeting - July 27, 2026

Hillsborough County Archive View Page — Monday, July 27, 2026
BodyHillsborough County, Florida
SessionHillsborough County Archive View Page
DateMonday, July 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:21:02

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the July 20th, 2026 regular board meeting of Tampa Bay Water.

0:13

This meeting was noticed in the Florida Administrative Register and on the Tampa Bay Water website.

0:17

The meeting is available for viewing through live stream, and a recording of the meeting will be posted on the agency's website.

0:24

Today we are going to begin using a new feature that allows board members to request to speak and to make motions and seconds using their tablets rather than speaking out.

0:34

We expect the change to improve accuracy and clarity as it will be difficult as difficult sometimes to hear across the dais.

0:40

So, board members, as we move through the meeting, please use your tablets for these functions.

0:44

We appreciate everyone's patience.

0:46

I'm sure it's gonna take a little bit to get adjusted to, but I believe that you will see the ability to make the motion come up when the time is right.

0:55

Okay.

0:56

And with that being said, um, our vice chair is out today, and so Commissioner Cohen was going to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:03

Commissioner Collins.

1:06

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:13

One nation under Godissi with liberty and justice for all.

1:20

Thank you.

1:23

Clerk, you please read the names of the board members to determine if there is a quorum.

1:28

Commissioner Cohen?

1:30

Here.

1:30

Mayor Davis.

1:31

Here.

1:32

Commissioner Eggers.

1:33

Here.

1:34

Councilman Miranda.

1:36

Here.

1:36

Commissioner Oakley?

1:38

Here.

1:38

Commissioner Peters.

1:40

Commissioner Wistol.

1:42

Here.

1:42

Vice Chair Waitemann.

1:45

Chair Hanowitz.

1:46

Here.

1:48

Madam Quormus Present.

1:50

Thank you so much, Clerk.

1:52

Okay, now we open up our regular meeting.

1:55

Are there any changes to the agenda?

1:58

Yes, uh, good morning, Madam Chair, members of the board.

2:01

Um we're requesting to defer agenda item C1.

2:04

Um, this is the eminent domain settlement with Fishhawk Ranch CDD 4 for the South Hillsborough Pipeline Project.

2:11

While the primary terms of the settlement, i.e.

2:13

the um the amount is not affected at all.

2:17

Uh we did receive wordly yesterday that several of the conditions for these easements um have been modified in the final settlement, and they're different from what was presented in the agenda packet.

2:28

So we intend to bring this back at a you know upcoming meeting, but we're in defer for today, so you have the accurate information in front of you.

2:37

Okay, well, thank you.

2:41

This moment we move on to public comment.

2:44

Each speaker will have three minutes to speak.

2:46

I have a card for David Geddes Jr.

2:56

Hi, good morning.

2:57

David Ballard Geddes Jr.

2:59

I live on Georgia Avenue in Palm Harbor.

3:02

Let's say, for instance, that I went door to door in every neighborhood in the county, and I deceived all the residents into signing the reclaimed water variants application, which in effect grants me development rights throughout the residents' entire parcel of property.

3:22

It permits me the right to replumb the residential homes with reclaimed water for laundry and toilet use.

3:30

The variance quarters the consent of the homeowner into forfeiting their Third Amendment rights, allowing me the right to enter the homeowner's property day or night, as based on Pinellis County Resolution 95286, section 3K, and to levy an annual indoor water inspection charge against the residents for water use privileges as written in Chapter 1, Section 13 of Maloney's Water Code, published in 1972.

4:08

The variance affirms my reasoning to take hold of civilian Fourth Amendment rights in my doing of things in statute 15320 and allows my seizure of civilian-owned property claiming eminent domain of the residents, taking all their personal and real property in statute 15303 section five, tapping title to the residential homes in Pinellas County Ordinance 97103, Section 126509, taking hold of their religion to as based on the variants in my development rights, as I have contrived and as I have invoked.

5:00

And let's say I want to take these reclaimed water variants and the development rights that go along with it and sell it to a third party developer transferring such development rights to a third party in order to limit my liability and legislation and the judges were all in on the scam using third party mercenaries as written in the Declaration of Independence using bashuas as written in Federalist Paper 30.

5:28

And now you have created a holy war based on the 14th Amendment and attorneys like Joe Morrissey over there.

5:36

He lit the fuse.

5:40

Well, thank you.

5:43

We get to consent agenda.

5:46

Is there anyone that wants to pull something from consent?

5:50

I see no hands.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████████████████████████63%
Procedural██████████14%
Fiscal Sustainability███████10%
Public Engagement██████8%
Technology and Innovation██3%
Urban Planning█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Tampa Bay Water Regular Board Meeting - July 27, 2026

Note: The meeting date is provided as July 27, 2026, though the transcript indicates July 20, 2026. This summary uses the provided date.

This regular board meeting of Tampa Bay Water covered drought conditions, water supply updates, approvals of a well field land exchange and a bond resolution, and presentations on member government projects, a 20-year system analysis, and construction progress. The meeting began with a deferral of an eminent domain settlement item due to last-minute condition changes.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda item C1 (eminent domain settlement with Fishhawk Ranch CDD 4 for the South Hillsborough Pipeline Project) was deferred because several conditions for the easements were modified after the agenda packet was published. The primary settlement amount was unaffected. The item will be brought back at a future meeting.
  • The remaining consent agenda items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Geddes Jr. spoke about alleged deceptive practices related to reclaimed water variances. He claimed that the variance grants development rights, permits entry onto properties, and infringes on constitutional rights. He referenced multiple statutes, ordinances, and historical documents. The speaker did not represent a specific organization.

Discussion Items

  • General Manager's Report (V1): Chuck Carden and Warren provided a drought update. June rainfall averaged just over 3 inches (normal 8). The Hillsborough River flow in July is the fourth lowest in 50 years. The regional reservoir is at 2.12 billion gallons (13.5% capacity). For the first time since October 2025, water was being harvested into the reservoir at 47 million gallons per day from the Alifia River (17 million to reservoir). Water use is 207.9 million gallons per day, 4% higher than last year. Phase 3 water restrictions remain through October 1. The East Pasco Well Field test well reached 2,850 feet. Legislative updates: $500,000 state funding for SCADA; $100 million authorization in WRDA; three community project funding requests totaling ~$2.1 million. Commissioner Wastel discussed data center water use; Warren explained that the water management district now requires permitting for data centers. Commissioner Eggers emphasized the need for a second reservoir; three feasibility studies are underway (expansion at current site, Lake Tarpon, Little Manatee River).
  • C2: South Hillsborough Well Field Land Exchange and Easement Agreement with Hillsborough County: Maribel Medina presented an interlocal agreement to exchange Tampa Bay Water's water supply development rights at the Lower Green Swamp Preserve for approximately 5 acres of easements within the Stacy R. White Nature Preserve at no cost, plus acquisition of 4.7 acres of utility corridor easements for $66,000. The well field will include eight production wells; one already exists. The agreement was approved unanimously.
  • C3: Supplemental Bond Resolution 2026-002: Christina Sacket, with PFM Financial Advisors and bond counsel, presented the issuance of $292 million in new money bonds (2026A) to fund capital projects, and refunding of 2016A bonds (2026B) for savings. Parameters: 2026A up to $325 million, true interest cost ≤5.5%, final maturity 2056; 2026B up to $100 million, true interest cost ≤4.5%, present value savings ≥3% of refunded amount. The refunding is expected to produce ~$7.8 million in net present value savings. The resolution was approved unanimously.
  • D1: Member Government Report from the City of New Port Richey: Colin Eichenmuller presented updates on the city's potable water (5.6 MGD avg), sanitary sewer (5.5 MGD), and reclaimed water systems (5-5.5 MGD). Key projects: West Grand neighborhood utility upgrades, smart meter replacement, reclaim system expansion needs assessment, and wastewater treatment plant improvements (Schreiber tank conversion, aeration refurbishment). No action required.
  • D2: 2045 System Hydraulic and Emergency Scenario Analysis: Eliana Lara presented findings from a comprehensive evaluation. Eight hydraulic capacity improvement concepts were identified; recommended: Cypress Creek Repump mode, Morris Bridge pump station upgrades, adding pumps at Lake Bridge Booster Station. Other concepts were deferred. Emergency scenarios: 20 analyzed, 8 critical outages identified; recommendations include developing emergency operating procedures and improving interconnections. Power outage analysis showed backup power deficits for 2045; recommendations include remote monitoring, increased generator capacity, and coordination with electric utilities. No action required.
  • D3: Construction Status Update on South Hillsborough Pipeline and Surface Water Treatment Plant Expansion: Danielle Kercy reported the pipeline is 5% complete (20% of budget spent), and the surface water plant expansion is 6% complete (17% of budget spent). A 48-inch pipe was successfully pulled under Little Fishhawk Creek. Complaints are tracked via a stakeholder database. Commissioner Wastel requested that the project team email be provided to all Hillsborough County commissioners for efficient complaint tracking.

Key Outcomes

  • Agenda item C1 deferred to a future meeting.
  • Consent agenda (excluding C1) approved unanimously.
  • C2 (South Hillsborough Well Field Land Exchange) approved unanimously.
  • C3 (Bond Resolution 2026-002) approved unanimously.
  • Receive and file of administrative items approved unanimously.
  • No other formal votes taken.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the July 20th, 2026 regular board meeting of Tampa Bay Water. This meeting was noticed in the Florida Administrative Register and on the Tampa Bay Water website. The meeting is available for viewing through live stream, and a recording of the meeting will be posted on the agency's website. Today we are going to begin using a new feature that allows board members to request to speak and to make motions and seconds using their tablets rather than speaking out. We expect the change to improve accuracy and clarity as it will be difficult as difficult sometimes to hear across the dais. So, board members, as we move through the meeting, please use your tablets for these functions. We appreciate everyone's patience. I'm sure it's gonna take a little bit to get adjusted to, but I believe that you will see the ability to make the motion come up when the time is right. Okay. And with that being said, um, our vice chair is out today, and so Commissioner Cohen was going to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Collins. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under Godissi with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Clerk, you please read the names of the board members to determine if there is a quorum. Commissioner Cohen? Here. Mayor Davis. Here. Commissioner Eggers. Here. Councilman Miranda. Here. Commissioner Oakley? Here. Commissioner Peters. Commissioner Wistol. Here. Vice Chair Waitemann. Chair Hanowitz. Here. Madam Quormus Present. Thank you so much, Clerk. Okay, now we open up our regular meeting. Are there any changes to the agenda? Yes, uh, good morning, Madam Chair, members of the board. Um we're requesting to defer agenda item C1. Um, this is the eminent domain settlement with Fishhawk Ranch CDD 4 for the South Hillsborough Pipeline Project. While the primary terms of the settlement, i.e. the um the amount is not affected at all. Uh we did receive wordly yesterday that several of the conditions for these easements um have been modified in the final settlement, and they're different from what was presented in the agenda packet. So we intend to bring this back at a you know upcoming meeting, but we're in defer for today, so you have the accurate information in front of you. Okay, well, thank you. This moment we move on to public comment. Each speaker will have three minutes to speak. I have a card for David Geddes Jr. Hi, good morning. David Ballard Geddes Jr. I live on Georgia Avenue in Palm Harbor. Let's say, for instance, that I went door to door in every neighborhood in the county, and I deceived all the residents into signing the reclaimed water variants application, which in effect grants me development rights throughout the residents' entire parcel of property.

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