HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-08-2014 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, December 8, 2014, at 8:04 a.m. in the Administration Building of the
Orange County Sanitation District. Director Lucille Kring led the Flag Salute.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESENT:
Tom Beamish, Board Chair
John Withers, Administration
Committee Chair
Greg Sebourn, Operations Committee
Vice-Chair
David Benavides, Director
Tyler Diep, Director
Lucille Kring, Director
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
John Nielsen, Board 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
Ed Torres, Director of Operations &
Maintenance
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
Maria E. Ayala, Clerk of the Board
Jennifer Cabral
Al Garcia
Rebecca Long
Kelly Newell
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
December 8, 2014
Page 2 of 4
REPORTS:
General Manager, Jim Herberg, introduced new employee Rebecca Long, Sr.
Public Affairs Specialist. Mr. Herberg also announced that the District would be
providing each employee with an OCSD commemorative 60th Anniversary blanket
during the employee holiday lunch this year. The Committee agreed to have a
blanket provided to each Board Member at the next regular meeting.
Chair Beamish did not provide a report.
CONSENT ITEMS:
1. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED to: Approve the minutes for
the Committee meeting held on November 12, 2014.
AYES: Beamish;Diep; Kring; Sebourn and Withers
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Benavides and Nielsen
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
2. Federal Legislative Update
Mr. Sapirstein gave a brief update on the following: the CASA strategic
planning meeting that took place at the District's Administrative Offices last
week; the federal fiscal 2015 budget and the potential monies being
designated for water recycling, energy efficiency, grant funding, loan
programs, etc.; possibility of a drought bill; and also reported on the recent
committee appointments in Washington.
Director Benavides arrived at 8:15 a.m.
Chair Beamish asked that Mr. Sapirstein work with staff this month to
develop a list of representatives to meet with in Washington, and to plan for
those meetings to take place in January.
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
December 8, 2014
Page 3 of 4
3. State Legislative Update
Ms. Stratman gave a brief update on the following: new members of the
Legislature were sworn in last Monday, and they will be adjourning until
January 5; the Governor's budget should be released in early January;
importance of monitoring how much funding will be put in Prop 1 for water
energy programs; and the District will be looking forward to meeting and
educating the new members of the Orange County delegation on OCSD.
4. OCSD Public Affairs Update
Jennifer Cabral, Principal Public Affairs Specialist, introduced Rebecca
Long. Ms. Long took a moment to briefly share her background experience.
Ms. Cabral reported on the following: that a number of letters had already
been mailed to a number of elected officials, introducing them to OCSD;
staff is working with Ms. Stratman and Mr. Sapirstein on the legislative
platform; latest tours and speaking engagements; Dr. Ghirelli and Mr.
Herberg attended reception in honor of Director Nguyen (at the County);
staff has also met with La Habra Museum; staff is also currently working
with the Orange County Department of Education on a potential sewer
science program; and the District is ramping up the social media outreach
as well. Ms. Cabral also announced that future news alerts would be
provided to the Board on a weekly basis via email, with the exception of
urgent items which will be sent out immediately.
NON -CONSENT:
5. MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the
Steering Committee to:
A. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Townsend Public
Affairs, Inc. for State Legislative Services, Specification No. CS-
2014-634BD, for the period of January 1, 2015 through December
31, 2015 at a monthly rate of $5,000 per month and not to exceed
$60,000 per year, with three one-year renewal options.
B. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with ENS Resources for
Federal Legislative Services, Specification No. CS-2014-633BD, for
the period of January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 at a
monthly rate of $7,500 per month and not to exceed of $90,000 per
year, with three one-year renewal options.
Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Special Committee
December 8, 2014
Page 4 of 4
AYES: Beamish; Benavides; Kring; Sebourn and Withers
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: Diep
ABSENT: Nielsen
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
Mr. Herberg announced that Jeff Reed, Human Resources Director, will be retiring
in January.
Chair Beamish reminded the Committee about the upcoming SARI Line Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 11.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Beamish declared the meeting adjourned at 8:49 a.m.
Submitted by:
~~·~ MafiE.A¢d
Clerk of the Board