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
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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
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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
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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.
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