HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-2014 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, October 20, 2014, at 8:02 a.m. in the Administration Building of the
Orange County Sanitation District. Board Chair, Tom Beamish, led the Flag
Salute.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Tom Beamish, Board Chair
John Nielsen, Board Vice-Chair
Brad Reese, Administration Committee
Chair
John Withers, Administration
Committee Vice-Chair
David Benavides, Director
Tyler Diep, Director
Greg Sebourn, Director
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
Maria E. Ayala, Clerk of the Board
Jim Colston, Environmental
Compliance Regulatory Affairs
Manager
Jennifer Cabral, Principal Staff
Analyst
Kelly Newell, Public Affairs Specialist
Norbert Gaia
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hogin, General Counsel
Heather Stratman, Townsend Public
Affairs
Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via teleconference)
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
October 20, 2014
Page 2 of 4
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REPORTS:
Chair Beamish reported on the recent meeting from GWRS.
General Manager, Jim Herberg, reported on the following: OCSD agency and
individual memberships and annual cost for these memberships (a list of agency
memberships was distributed to the Committee); the plans to proceed with the
discussion on rebranding of the organization; the SAWPA Watershed Conference
held last Tuesday, Mr. Herberg presented at the conference and a number of staff
attended as well; and, the District received some calls from the media seeking
comment on the change of our investment management firm. Mr. Tyner
responded to the calls on this matter.
CONSENT ITEMS:
1. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED to: Approve the minutes for
the Committee meeting held on September 8, 2014.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
Beamish; Benavides; Diep; Nielsen; Reese;
Sebourn; and Withers
None
None
None
2. Federal Legislative Update
Mr. Sapirstein reported that various decisions and/or actions will not be
taking place until after the November elections, and the impact election
results may have on budget, certain bills, loan and grant funding. Mr.
Sapirstein gave a brief update on the drought bill. He also reported that he
attended the WEFTEC Conference. He sat in on a meeting that included
District employee, Christopher Stacklin. Mr. Sapirstein commented that Mr.
Stacklin represented the District very well.
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
October 20, 2014
Page 3 of 4
The Committee had questions regarding WIFIA and what projects qualify
for special government funding. Staff responded to questions accordingly.
3. State Legislative Update
Ms. Stratman provided an update on the current polling of the Water Bond.
If the bond should pass it could present significant funding opportunities for
water recycling. She advised the District to think about possible trailer bill
legislation, when planning potential future GWRS expansion, should the
bond pass.
The Committee briefly discussed the possibility of funding for future GWRS
projects.
4. OCSD Public Affairs Update
Assistant General Manager, Bob Ghirelli reported on OCSD's recent and
upcoming Public Affairs outreach efforts including: a local coastal cleanup
day, speaking engagements, plant tours, career days, etc.; the employee
health fair last week; hosting over 11 tours in the last month; etc.
Dr. Ghirelli explained the process for the upcoming RFP on legislative
services. Completion of the RFP process could be done in November and
presented to the Board for approval in November.
He also reported that the District has received 3-4 requests from local
hospitals seeking information and on how the District would handle Ebola
contaminated waste.
Dr. Ghirelli and Mr. Herberg may be meeting with Joe Adams, from the
Discovery Science Center, next week to discuss possible collaboration with
the District.
The District will begin internal branding workshops next week with staff
focus groups. There is a consultant on board, and staff should be reporting
on this no later than December.
Director Sebourn inquired about a possible District video on the water
treatment process. He also commended Rob Thompson, Director of
Engineering, for a very informative presentation at a recent Council Meeting
in the City of Fullerton.
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
October 20, 2014
Page 4 of 4
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Beamish declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.
Submitted by :
'I