HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-2013 Legislative Committee Meeting MinutesMINUTES
LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING
Orange County Sanitation District
The Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee meeting convened on
Monday, December 9, 2013, at 8:08 a.m. in the Administration Building of the
Orange County Sanitation District.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Troy Edgar, Board Chair
Brad Reese, Administration Committee
Chair
John Withers, Administration
Committee Vice-Chair
David Benavides, Director
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
John Nielsen, Operations Committee
Vice-Chair
Joe Shaw, Director
VACANT, Board Vice-Chair
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REPORTS:
STAFF PRESENT
Jim Herberg, General Manager
Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General
Manager
Nick Arhontes, Director of Facilities
Support Services
Nick Kanetis, Director of Engineering
Jeff Reed, Director of Human
Resources
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
Kelly Lore, Administrative Assistant
Jim Colston
Faviola Miranda
OTHERS PRESENT:
Heather Stratman, Townsend Public
Affairs
David French, ENS Resources (via
teleconference)
General Manager, Jim Herberg, reported on his participation as a panelist at the
Water Infrastructure Town Hall meeting hosted by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-
Silva, held on December 3rd, regarding 2014 Water Bond. Mr. Herberg stated that
OCSD's message of recycling and of our accomplishments over the last few years
was very well received.
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
December 9, 2013
Page 2 of 3
Director Withers reported that he attended the ACWA conference on December 3-
6, 2013, and stated that Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (Lakewood), Chair of
the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, provided a keynote speech at
the conference and is a point of contact for the Water Bond. It was the consensus
of the Committee to extend an invitation to the Assemblyman to visit the District in
the near future.
CONSENT ITEMS:
1. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED: Approve the corrected
minutes for the Committee meeting held on November 12, 2013.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
2. 60 1h Anniversary -Faviola Miranda
Faviola Miranda, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, distributed OCSD's 601h
Anniversary Communications Plan to the Committee; introduced the 601h
Anniversary Logo and briefly discussed the theme, budget, objectives and
strategies of the plan. The Committee discussed and offered suggestions
regarding: giveaways; sponsorships; the importance of prioritization of the
intended audience and OCSD's intended message; a coffee table book and
a VIP reception.
3. State Legislative Affairs
Heather Stratman, Townsend Public Affairs, provided a political and
legislative update of the past month. She stated that Senator Huff had
taken the proposed legislative language to amend the District Act to
Legislative Counsel for consideration, and that a bill should be introduced
on February 22, 2014. Ms. Stratman further updated the Committee on:
LAO's $5.6 Billion Surplus and unfunded retirement pension liability
concerns.
Director Withers left the meeting at 8:40 a.m.
4. Federal Legislative Affairs
David French, ENS Resources, joined the meeting via teleconference. He
provided a federal update on the following: federal government shutdown;
federal budget; Water Resource Development Act (WRDA); Farm Bill; and
a US Bureau of Reclamation-Grant Opportunity.
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
December 9, 2013
Page 3 of 3
Jim Colston , Environmental Compliance-Regulatory Affairs Manager,
provided a brief summary of the recent meeting with Cymantha Atkinson,
Government & Community Relations for the County of Orange, in regards
to public relations and outreach between the District and the County.
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
Chair Edgar requested that Ms. Stratman provide an update on LAFCO at a future
meeting .
ADJOURNMENT:
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.
Submitted by: