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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