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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. ,,