HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-2014 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, July 14, 2014, at 8:00 a.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange
County Sanitation District. Director John Withers led the Flag Salute.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Tom Beamish, Board Chair
David Benavides, Director
Tyler Diep, Director
John Nielsen, Board Vice-Chair
Brad Reese, Administration Committee
Chair
Greg Sebourn, Director
John Withers, Administration
Committee Vice-Chair
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
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
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
Kelly Lore, Acting Clerk of the Board
Jim Colston, Environmental
Compliance Regulatory Affairs
Manager
Kelly Newell, Public Affairs Specialist
Jennifer Cabral, Principal Staff
Analyst
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hogin, General Counsel
Heather Stratman, Townsend Public
Affairs
Ian Delzer, Townsend Public Affairs
Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via teleconference)
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
July 14, 2014
Page 2 of 4
REPORTS:
Mr. Herberg, General Manager, mentioned the process for the Professional
Services Agreements for Consent Calendar Agenda Item 2.
Chair Beamish acknowledged and welcomed new Committee members Greg
Sebourn and Tyler Diep.
CONSENT ITEMS:
1. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED to: Approve the minutes for
the Committee meeting held on June 9, 2014.
AYES:
Beamish; Benavides; Reese and Withers.
NOES:
None
ABSTENTIONS:
Diep and Sebourn
ABSENT: Nielsen
2. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED to: Recommend to Steering
Committee to:
A. Extend a Professional Services Agreement with Townsend Public
Affairs for State Legislative Services for the period of July 1, 2014
through December 31, 2014 at a monthly rate of $7,500 per month
for an annual not to exceed amount of $45,000; and
B. Extend a Professional Services Agreement with ENS Resources for
Federal Legislative Services for the period of July 1, 2014 through
December 31, 2014 at a monthly rate of $5,500 per month for an
annual not to exceed amount of $33,000.
AYES:
Beamish; Benavides; Diep; Reese; Sebourn and
Withers.
NOES:
None
ABSTENTIONS:
None
ABSENT: Nielsen
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
July 14, 2014
Page 3 of 4
Vice-Chair Nielsen arrived at the meeting at 8:04 a.m.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
3. Federal Legislative Update
Mr. Sapirstein reported on the following: appropriation efforts for State
Revolving Fund Program (SRF); EPA “Waters of the U.S.” rulemaking and
concerns to OCSD; water recycling and drought relief; challenges of the
drought bills H.R. 3964 and S. 2198; state financed water recycling loans;
Department of Energy’s “Quadrennial Energy Review”, reporting a
successful presentation from OCSD; Rip Rap removal for the Santa Ana
river; and staff changes in the Corps of Engineers.
General Manager Jim Herberg notified the Committee that the application
OCSD submitted for the 2014 Title XVI Feasibility program was not funded
for a feasibility study. He discussed possibilities of future funding.
Mr. Herberg further reported on his attendance at the “Quadrennial Energy
Review Public Meeting - The Water-Energy Nexus” on June 19th and
upcoming meetings with SAWPA and Corps of Engineers regarding Rip
Rap removal.
Mr. Sapirstein stated that the EPA is planning a meeting in Los Angeles
(date to be determined) regarding Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Authority (WIFIA), to discuss their intent for implementing
funding for low interest loans for water infrastructure. He will inform staff
when the date has been set and urged staff to attend this meeting.
4. State Legislative Update
Ms. Stratman provided an update on the status of SB 946, which is now on
the Governor’s desk for signing. A letter of support from OCSD, Yorba
Linda Water District (YLWD) and City of Yorba Linda urging the Governor to
sign was also sent.
She further reported on water bond issues; Emergency Drought Relief
funding; 2014 Water Use and Energy Efficiency Projects; Department of
Water Resources (DWR) draft guidelines, eligible programs and projects,
and the schedule of hearings and possible appropriations. She then
answered questions from the Committee.
5. OCSD Public Affairs Update
Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager, announced that Faviola Miranda
had accepted a position with Southern California Gas Co. and that OCSD is
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
July 14, 2014
Page 4 of 4
currently recruiting for the position. He further reported on OCSD’s recent
Public Affairs outreach efforts including: Fountain Valley Summerfest,
Westminster Safety Day, Honor Walk Ceremony, electronic budget
message on website; speaking engagements including: the OCSD
Disinfection Study, presented by Director of Operation and Maintenance Ed
Torres to the City Council of Huntington Beach and a presentation by
Director of Engineering, Rob Thompson regarding information and updates
to Newport Beach projects to their City Council; Career Day event at
Village View Elementary School; website updates; installation of a
dedicated rate phone line; possible partnership with the Discovery Science
Center and plant tours given. Director Sebourn suggested the possibility of
the District providing an exhibit booth at the OC Fair. Chair Beamish stated
that the Science station at the La Habra Children’s Museum has a great
water display.
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
Director Sebourn inquired about the recruitment of the Senior Public Affairs
Specialist; staff confirmed that the process was well underway and that other
dedicated staff will keep business as usual. He also requested a future
presentation for the City Council of Fullerton.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Beamish declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.
Submitted by:
_____________________
Kelly A. Lore
Acting Clerk of the Board