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Home My WebLink About06-09-2014 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, June 9, 2014, at 8:03 a.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Director Reese led the Flag Salute. A quorum was declared present, as follows: COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Troy Edgar, Board Chair Tom Beamish, Board Vice-Chair John Nielsen, Operations Committee Chair Brad Reese, Administration Committee Chair John Withers, Administration Committee Vice-Chair David Benavides, Director COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. REPORTS: 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 Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Maria Ayala, Clerk of the Board Faviola Miranda, Sr. Public Affairs Specialist OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hagin, General Counsel Heather Stratman, Townsend Public Affairs Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via teleconference) Mr. Herberg, General Manager, reported on the community outreach activities and on the construction program for projects in the City of Newport Beach. He also Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee June 9, 2014 Page 2 of 3 reported OCSD has been invited to a study session with the City of Newport Beach City Council to review the overall program strategies. He also reported that he would be attending and presenting at the "Quadrennial Energy Review Public Meeting -The Water-Energy Nexus" on June 19th in San Francisco, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. He stated he would also be attending an OCDC Infrastructure Committee to talk about our CIP. Chair Edgar arrived at 8:04 a.m. Director Benavides arrived at 8:05 a.m. CONSENT ITEMS: 1. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED: Approve the minutes for the Committee meeting held on May 10, 2014. AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Beamish; Benavides; Edgar; Nielsen; Reese; and Withers. None None None 2. Federal Legislative Update Mr. Sapirstein referred back to Mr. Herberg's report on the Water-Energy Nexus and reiterated the importance of the meeting. He stated that President Obama would likely sign the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which will give courts more latitude in the riprap removal process and will provide rehabilitation of water infrastructure and restoration of most vital ecosystems. He further reported on the Reuse program and feasibility study via reclamation budget which is being formulated in the House; Senator Feinstein's drought and relief bill passing the Senate; funding for water recycling projects; Corp of Engineers Bill's enhanced subsidies regarding loan forgiveness and provisions for assistance. Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee June 9, 2014 Page 3 of 3 3. State Legislative Update Ms. Stratman gave an update on SB 946, which passed unanimously, and notified the Committee that it was amended due to the entity name change and verified that there would be no governance change whatsoever. She also stated that the emergency drought funding passed b¥ legislature is now available for solicitations of grant applications. The applications are due on July 21st of this year. If OCSD chooses to apply, we will have to go through SAWPA. The state has prioritized projects to create new water sources, or increased use of existing water. 4. OCSD Public Affairs Update Faviola Miranda, Sr. Public Affairs Specialist, reported on OCSD's recent Public Affairs outreach efforts including: Potential partnership opportunities with the Discovery Center, OC Public Works Open House; City of Irvine events; Tustin Chili Cook-off, Fountain Valley events; upcoming events: Chill Out Day for Employees; Honor Walk Ceremony on June 25 1h; Westminster Safety Day and beach cleanup day. 5. OCSD Memberships Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager provided an overview and a comprehensive list of organizations of which OCSD is a member. Staff will gather additional information as requested by the Committee and provide at a future meeting. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: ADJOURNMENT: Chair Edgar declared the meeting adjourned at 8:44 a.m. Submitted by: