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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