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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: