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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-2015 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Orange County Sanitation District Monday, March 9, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. A regular meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Chair Beamish on Monday, March 9, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Chair Beamish led the pledge of allegiance. A quorum was declared present, as follows: COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Beamish, Board Chair John Nielsen, Board Vice-Chair Tyler Diep, Director Greg Sebourn, Director John Withers, Director COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert Kiley, Director Lucille Kring, Director STAFF PRESENT Jim Herberg, General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager Nick Arhontes, Director of Facilities Support Services Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering Ed Torres, Director of Operations & Maintenance Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Kelly A. Lore, Acting Clerk of the Board Jennifer Cabral Tanya Chong Jim Colston Gregg Deterding Norbert Gaia Al Garcia Rebecca Long Kelly Newell Cheryl Scott OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via Teleconference) David French, ENS (via Teleconference) Ian Delzer, Townsend Public Affairs 02/25/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1of4 PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. REPORTS: Chair Beamish announced that he has appointed Director Robert Kiley, Yorba Linda Water District, to the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee but he was unable to attend today's meeting. General Manager Herberg reported that the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Region 9 awarded Orange County Sanitation District Headworks at Plant 2 their Wastewater Project of the Year Award. There was also an infrastructure symposium where Mr. Herberg gave a presentation on water resource recovery. Mr. Herberg also reported that he, Chair Beamish, Vice-Chair Nielsen, and Senior Public Affairs Specialist, Rebecca Long would be traveling to Washington D.C. CONSENT ITEMS: 1. MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the Committee meeting held on February 9, 2015. AYES: Beamish; Diep; Sebourn and Withers NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Kiley, Kring and Nielsen Vice-Chair Nielsen arrived at 8:04 a.m. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Chair Beamish moved Item No. 3 forward 3. Legislative Updates Eric Sapirstein and David French, ENS Resources reported that Rebecca Long attended the CASA D.C. Conference last week. On March 17, Rebecca Long, Chair Beamish, Vice-Chair Nielsen and General Manager Herberg will also be traveling to Washington D.C. for meetings with: the entire OC delegation, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Director of Civil Works and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about what the district is trying to 02/25/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 I accomplish. Ms. Sapirstein stated that the Department of Energy is doubling its efforts on the hydrogen fuel front, which may lead to funding opportunities in the coming months. Ian Delzer, Townsend Associates reported on: Deadline for bill introduction was February 27, 2293 bills were introduced and 60% of bills introduced were spot bills; SB 119 (Hill) stakeholder meeting and effect to the District's priorities; and Water Bond implementation. 2. Public Affairs Update Principal Public Affairs Specialist, Jennifer Cabral provided an update on recent public affairs activities including: 15 Plant tours including Orange County Coastkeeper who collaborated with Inside the Outdoors; Science, Technology and Math Summit at Sunny Hills High School; Garden Grove Tet Festival. Ms. Cabral further reported on the Honor Walk and construction outreach efforts. Director Sebourn questioned staff as to the responsibility of the recent traffic signal's power cut which was reported in the Daily Pilot. Director of Engineering, Rob Thompson reported that Cal Trans is responsible for marking its conduit. NON-CONSENT ITEMS: Ms. Cabral introduced the Public Affairs Staff, and provided a PowerPoint Presentation of the Public Affairs Strategic Plan, which included a broad overview of board relations, community relations, public education, capital projects and maintenance outreach, traditional and social media relations, external communications and internal communications. She then expanded on new proposals and events for 2015/16. Staff answered questions and heard suggestions regarding: construction news through social media applications/maps; student career opportunities; QC Fair - target audience; workforce planning; possibility of offering grants to technical colleges to develop specific curriculum in line with OCSD's needs; Orange County Business Council strategies; and providing information of OCSD capital projects at City Council meetings during public comments section. 4. MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: Receive and file the Public Affairs 2015/2016 Strategic Plan 02/25/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 AYES: Beamish; Diep; Nielsen; Sebourn and Withers NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Kiley and Kring OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: ADJOURNMENT: Chair Beamish declared the meeting adjourned at 9:03 a.m. to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Meeting, April 13, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. 02/25/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4