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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-2014 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, April 16, 2014, at 8:06 a.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Vice-Chair Beamish led the Flag Salute. A quorum was declared present, as follows: COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Troy Edgar, Board Chair Tom Beamish, Board Vice-Chair Brad Reese, Administration Committee Chair John Withers, Administration Committee Vice-Chair David Benavides, Director COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: John Nielsen, Operations Committee Chair PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. STAFF PRESENT Jim Herberg, General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager Nick Arhontes, Director of Facilities Support Services Jeff Reed, Director of Human Resources Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering Ed Torres, Director of Operations and Maintenance Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Maria Ayala, Clerk of the Board Jim Colston Faviola Miranda Kelly Newell OTHERS PRESENT: Eric Saperstein, ENS Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee April 16, 2014 Page 2 of 4 REPORTS: Jim Herberg, General Manager, reported on the following: • Recent trip to Washington DC, with Chair Edgar, where they accepted the U.S. Water Prize and held various congressional office meetings regarding: SARI Line; funding opportunities; other possible District initiatives, etc.; • Grant Program application, and possible trip or teleconference to Denver, to discuss with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation the possibility of the District proceeding with a grant application; • Recent trip to Sacramento, with Chair Edgar, to attend the Committee Hearing on SB 946; and • With respect to federal funding, there may be an issue with the District's engine emissions control project (Project No. J-111), as any possible federal funding for this project can only be granted if the project has not started yet. At present, however, the District must move forward with beginning the project to ir order to meet its regulatory deadline. Chair Edgar reported on the following: • Thanked Mr. Sapirstein for being present at today's Committee meeting. Commended Mr. Sapirstein on his work with the District in federal legislation; and • Requested that PAO staff look into preparing reference material for all Board members to have regarding top 6 federal and state legislative focus points and how that may be communicated to the public. (Director Benavides arrived at 8:15 a.m.) • The District is considering having to restructure the rates, bonds, debt; and having more discussion on financial policies. CONSENT ITEMS: 1. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED: Approve the minutes for the Committee meeting held on March 10, 2014. AYES: Beamish; Benavides; Edgar; Reese; and Withers NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Nielsen Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee April 16, 2014 Page 3 of 4 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 2. Federal Legislative Update Mr. Sapirstein reported on Mr. Herberg's and Chair Edgar's trip to Washington DC and Chair Edgar's speech when receiving the Water Prize; the office visits held in Washington D.C.; and the impact to the District from the Buy American Mandate. 3. State Legislative Update Jim Colston, Environmental Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Manager, reported on the current bill AB 371 that regulates biosolids land application; and SB 1014 on pharmaceutical waste. 5. OCSD Public Affairs Update Faviola Miranda, Sr. Public Affairs Specialist, gave a report that included the following: What 2 Flush campaign's recent award; various recent and upcoming community outreach events attended by OCSD; upcoming 60 1h Anniversary celebratory events (Nacho Average Day, Employee Luncheon, VIP Breakfast, etc.); PAO presentations at April Committee Meetings; working on possible translation of OCSD information material into various languages; etc. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: Chair Edgar inquired as to an update on the local sewer service issue involving Tustin, LAFCO, and EOCWD. Mr. Herberg responded that a letter from OCLAFCO was recently received and he would distribute that to the Committee. Director Benavides inquired as to a possible Community Outreach Strategic Plan. Ms. Miranda responded that the District does have one in place and she would share it with the Committee. Director Withers announced he will be attending a meeting with OCLAFCO, and talked about the importance of a good working relationship between the two agencies. Chair Edgar, in light of the recent earthquakes that have been occurring, requested a staff update on the District's emergency response plan and/or process, and how that is communicated. Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee April 16 , 2014 Page 4 of 4 ADJOURNMENT: Chair Edgar declared the meeting adjourned at 8 :59 a .m. Submitted by: .~Gl ~- Maria l E. Ayalo 6 Clerk of t he Board