HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2014 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, September 8, 2014, at 8:02 a.m. in the Administration Building of the
Orange County Sanitation District. Director Tyler Diep led the Flag Salute.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Tom Beamish, Board Chair
David Benavides, Director
Tyler Diep, Director
Brad Reese, Administration Committee
Chair
Greg Sebourn, Director
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
John Nielsen, Board Vice-Chair
John Withers, Administration
Committee Vice-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
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
Kelly Lore, Acting Clerk of the Board
Jim Colston, Environmental
Compliance Regulatory Affairs
Manager
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)
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
September 8, 2014
Page 2 of 4
REPORTS:
Chair Beamish did not provide a report.
Mr. Herberg, General Manager reported that he provided a presentation at the
CEO/Department Head meeting at the County of Orange on OCSD Strategic Plan,
goals and processes. He also reported that there will be an upcoming meeting on
September 16 with Orange County LAFCO and the various stakeholders regarding
the transfer of local sewers to the East Orange County Water District.
CONSENT ITEMS:
1. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED to: Approve the minutes for
the Committee meeting held on July 14, 2014.
AYES: Beamish; Diep; Reese and Sebourn
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Benavides; Nielsen and Withers
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
3. Federal Legislative Update
Mr. Sapirstein reported that Congress was out of session for the past five
weeks, will be back in session September 9, and will recess again in two
weeks until after the elections. He then reported on the following: Program
spending; Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act and the waiver on any new
mandate on wastewater facilities; Attorney General Eric Holder announced
a new formal Drug take back program for unused pharmaceuticals; Drought
efforts, compromise bills and Senator Feinstein's provisions to allow for 40-
year loans under the SRF program; Long-Term Drought and Climate
Resiliency; Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) and
long term grant and loan assistance.
Mr. Herberg asked if any local or sister agencies were working on the water
recycling desalination bill. Mr. Sapirstein stated that legislation
development has been functioned primarily by CASA, ACWA and NACWA.
Director Benavides arrived at 8:10 a.m.
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
September 8, 2014
Page 3 of 4
2. Memberships
Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli reported on agency memberships;
explained the comprehensive list provided and explained to the Committee
that staff had reviewed and will not be renewing three organizations whose
participation does warrant continuing the memberships and possibly adding
a membership with Utility Branding Network which is designed to help water
and wastewater agencies branding.
Brad Hogin arrived at 8:15 p.m.
Dr. Ghirelli answered questions from the Committee regarding the rationale
of certain memberships listed. He also provided information regarding
professional organizations that the staff holds membership. It was
requested that staff provide a list of professional memberships at the next
meeting.
4. State Legislative Update
Ms. Stratman provided an update on the legislative session, which
adjourned August 31 and SB 1390 (Correa) which would establish the
Santa Ana River Conservancy Program and explained its background. She
explained the amendments to the bill that added the word wastewater as an
exemption, answered questions from the committee regarding possible
challenges and stated the bill is now on the Governor's desk for signature.
Ms. Stratman then provided an informative PowerPoint presentation on
Water Bond Politics; the history of the Water Bond Package; proposals,
delays and funding sources; AB 1471 (Rendon) which was signed by the
Governor and will appear on the November ballot as Proposition 1; and the
advantages of the bill for OCSD.
5. OCSD Public Affairs Update
Assistant General Manager, Bob Ghirelli reported on OCSD's recent and
upcoming Public Affairs outreach efforts including: Beach cleanup day in
Seal Beach; Westminster Safety Day; Huntington Beach Green Fair Expo;
Coastal Cleanup Day; speaking engagement at Irvine Youth action team;
Nick Arhontes attended and gave a presentation at the American Public
Works Association Annual Conference; Bob Ghirelli and Lisa Rothbart
attended and made presentations at the recent CASA Annual Conference;
Public Service announcement contest; 35 tour groups and establishing a
relationship with "Inside the Outdoors" to administer a curriculum for
classroom education regarding wastewater.
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
September 8, 2014
Page 4 of 4
Construction outreach activities in the Newport Beach area were discussed.
Dr. Ghirelli further reported on the Board of Director's Nerissa tours; Public
Affairs budget amount of $800,000 and possible new District branding
efforts.
Committee members suggested using the word "Communication strategy"
instead of the word "Branding."
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Beamish declared the meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.
,,