HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2014 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES
LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING
Orange County Sanitation District
The Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee meeting convened on
Monday, February 10, 2014, at 8:05 a.m. in the Administration Building of the
Orange County Sanitation District. Director Withers led the Flag Salute.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Troy Edgar, Board Chair
John Nielsen, Operations Committee
Chair
Brad Reese, Administration Committee
Chair
John Withers, Administration
Committee Vice-Chair
David Benavides, Director
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Tom Beamish, Board Vice-Chair
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
STAFF PRESENT
Jim Herberg, General Manager
Nick Arhontes, Director of Facilities
Support Services
Nick Kanetis, Director of Engineering
Jeff Reed, Director of Human
Resources
Ed Torres, Director of Operations and
Maintenance
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
Maria Ayala, Clerk of the Board
Jim Colston
Faviola Miranda
OTHERS PRESENT:
Heather Stratman, Townsend Public
Affairs
Eric Saperstein, ENS Resources (via
teleconference)
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
February 10, 2014
Page 2 of 4
REPORTS:
General Manager, Jim Herberg, reported that he along with Board Chair Edgar,
Board Vice-Chair Beamish, and Director Nielsen will be attending the future CASA
Conference in Washington DC. They will be making congressional visits. Director
of Engineering, Nick Kanetis, will also be attending as he will be moderating a
session during the conference. Mr. Herberg added that SAWPA General
Manager, Celeste Cantu will also be joining OCSD members in various
congressional meetings as they directly relate to the SARI Line.
Mr. Herberg announced that the Orange County Water District and OCSD have
been named the recipients of the 2014 U.S. Water Prize by the U.S. Water
Alliance for the Ground Water Replenishment System.
Chair Edgar announced that he will be providing a report of his recent attendance
to the International Water Summit in Abu Dhabi.
Chair Edgar reported that he and Vice-Chair Beamish attended a recent SAWPA
Board Meeting, at which they presented leadership certificates, on behalf of
OCSD, to Ron Sullivan and Don Galleano for their work with OCSD during the
arbitration process.
CONSENT ITEMS:
1. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED: Approve the minutes for the
Committee meeting held on January 13, 2014.
AYES: Edgar, Nielsen, Reese, and Withers
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Beamish and Benavides
2. Agenda previously revised to remove this item.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
3. Legislative Advocates' Contracts
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
February 10, 2014
Page 3 of 4
Jim Colston, Environmental Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Manager,
gave a brief informative on the current agreements with the legislative
advocates, and the future outlook of the legislative affairs program.
Director Benavides arrived at the meeting at 8:08 a.m.
The Committee discussed the following: possibly extending the current
agreements for another year; advertising a Request for Proposal in the
future for these services; current services being provided; and needs of the
District in this area. Staff responded to questions.
4. Federal Legislative Affairs
Mr. Sapirstein gave a brief federal legislative update that included the
following: meetings scheduled to take place in Washington DC with Orange
County delegation; providing a future update to the Army Corp of
Engineers; Water SMART program funding; recent visit by EPA; possible
additional future funding for existing program to combat drought.
Mr. Sapirstein responded to questions from the Committee.
5. State Legislative Affairs
Ms. Stratman gave an update on the District's bill, SB 946. She also gave
brief updates on: possible water bonds and funding resources for GWRS
expansion; updates and information on AB1831 and SB932.
Ms. Stratman responded to questions from the Committee.
6. Public Affairs Update
Faviola Miranda, Sr. Public Affairs Specialist, provided an update about the
recent and upcoming events the District is planning on attending as part of
the Community Outreach Program. She also announced May 21st as the
date of the VIP Breakfast, part of the District's 60th Anniversary celebratory
events. A follow-up meeting to the first meeting regarding odor complaint
issues -with the community -was being planned.
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
None.
I'
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
February 10 , 2014
Page 4 of 4
ADJOURNMENT:
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 8:53 a .m.
Submitted by:
~C!.~ ' M a ria ~-Ayala
Clerk of the Board