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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