HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-12-2015 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District
Monday October 12, 2015, at 3:30 p.m.
A regular meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order
by Chair Nielsen on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 3:43 p.m., in the Administration
Building of the Orange County Sanitation District.
Director Kring led the pledge of allegiance.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
John Nielsen, Board Chair
Greg Sebourn, Board Vice-Chair
Tom Beamish, Director
Robert Kiley, Director
Lucille Kring, Director
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Tyler Diep, Director
John Withers, Director
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
STAFF PRESENT:
Jim Herberg, General Manager
Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager
Nick Arhontes, Director of Facilities
Support Services
Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
Kelly Lore, Clerk of the Board
Jennifer Cabral
Norbert Gaia
Al Garcia
Rebecca Long
Kelly Newell
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hogin, General Counsel
Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via Teleconference)
Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs
Casey Elliott, Townsend Public Affairs (via
Teleconference)
Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs
Chair Nielsen asked that the Information Items be heard first.
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INFORMATION ITEMS:
2. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral)
Principal Public Affairs Specialist, Jennifer Cabral reported on tours and
events for September, reaching approximately 1000 people with speaking
engagements and community outreach which included: Coastal Cleanup day
at Crystal Cove State Beach; Huntington Beach and Newport Beach Eco
Green Fairs; and Placentia Heritage Fair. She also announced an upcoming
event -Wings, Wheels, Rotors & EXPO 2015 on Sunday, October 25 at 9:00
a.m. Ms. Cabral notified the committee that community events will be dark
for a few months due to short staffing.
Ms. Cabral provided photos of events and media clips including: Bloomberg
news interview and tour on GWRS was conducted with General Manager Jim
Herberg and OCWD General Manager Mike Markus; completion of a
documentary about drought issues worldwide with ARTE TV (comparable to
public television), with over 50 million viewers in German and French
speaking countries of Europe; USC students interview of Director of
Engineering, Rob Thompson; and the Singapore Public Utility Board. She
also reported on recent social media activity.
3. INSIDE THE OUTDOORS REPORT (Jennifer Cabral)
Public Affairs Specialist, Kelly Newell provided an informative presentation
on the Inside the Outdoors Program including number of students reached at
eight elementary schools and five high schools, which exceeded the original
targets; and each of the program details. The target goal for fiscal year
2015/16 will be to reach 1700 students.
Ms. Newell and Ms. Cabral responded to questions regarding: feedback
received from Inside the Outdoors, teachers and parents; Charter schools
and possible grant opportunities for bussing which would allow the students
to visit the District for a more hands on experience.
4. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (Rebecca Long)
Senior Public Affairs Specialist, Rebecca Long, reminded the committee of
the upcoming State of the District Breakfast to be held on Friday, October 16
at 8:00 a.m. and an upcoming tour with Senator Janet Nguyen on October
28.
Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources informed the committee that over the next
few weeks, the House Republican committee will decide on new leaders, and
discussed how these changes could affect the budget and limits, defense
spending and water infrastructure programs. He further reported on Senator
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Feinstein emergency drought relief assistance which amounts to
approximately 55 million to conceivably assist agencies such as ours.
Mr. Sapirstein reported that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
hearing on Senator Feinstein's drought bill, S. 1894 and HR 2898 was held
on October 8, where the senator testified that she has a list of 105 priority
agencies (including OCSD) for federal funding if her bill is adopted. Senator
Murkowski has also indicated her intention to develop a western states
drought relief bill which would address alternative water supply infrastructure.
Mr. Sapirstein will keep the district informed of these and any other upcoming
bills.
Casey Elliott, Townsend and Associates, provided an update on the
Governors' recently signed bills (800) and vetoed bills (133). Reasons for the
14% veto rate, bills that were vetoed, and signed bills including: SB 350
(de Leon), AB 888 (Bloom), and SB 355 (Lara) were reported to the
committee.
Cori Williams, Townsend and Associates, stated that active bill SB 163
(Hertsberg) regarding Wastewater treatment: recycled water, is in the
committee process and will be followed. Ms. Williams also reported on
funding for existing Cap and Trade and water programs.
Ms. Cabral announced that Ms. Long has taken a seat on the CASA state
legislative committee, and announced that CASA is scheduled to present
their platform to the committee at an upcoming meeting.
CONSENT ITEMS:
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board)
MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the
Committee meeting held on September 14, 2015.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Beamish, Kiley, Kring, and Nielsen
None
None
Diep, Sebourn and Withers
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
Ms. Long provided a brief introduction to Item 5.
5. LETTERS OF SUPPORT (Rebecca Long)
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MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve the following
letters of support:
A. Support for Ongoing Drought Assistance
B. The California Emergency Drought Relief Act 2015 Senate Bill
(S.1894)
C. Clean Water Citizen Suit Act (HR 3353)
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Beamish, Kiley, Kring, and Nielsen
None
None
Diep, Sebourn and Withers
Vice-Chair Sebourn arrived at the meeting at 4: 15 p.m.
Assistant General Manager, Bob Ghirelli provided a brief presentation of Item 6,
including the selection committee, application process, review and the final criteria
for awarding scholarships.
6. AUTHORIZATION OF CONTRIBUTION TO CASA EDUCATION
FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND (Bob Ghirelli)
MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board
of Directors to: Adopt Resolution No. OCSD 15-XX, entitled "A Resolution of
the Board of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation District approving an
annual contribution in the amount of $5,000 to the California Association of
Sanitation Agencies (CASA) Education Foundation beginning in
FY 2015-2016."
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
REPORTS:
Beamish, Kiley, Kring, Nielsen and Sebourn
None
None
Diep and Withers
General Manager, Jim Herberg, reported on the following: Attendance at the recent
WEFTEC 2015 conference in Chicago which included: utility leadership sessions; a
meeting with the Deputy Director of the EPA and 30+ other utility leaders; attended
the utility executive forum; and provided a presentation on overcoming barriers to
recycling at innovation pavilion. The theme of conference was water resource
recovery. OCSD also received the WEFTEC national safety award.
Mr. Ghirelli stated that it was staff's intention to renew the two legislative lobbyist
contracts for the available renewal period. There was no objection from the
committee.
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OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICAT IONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
Chair Nielsen inquired as to the status of t he Proposition 84 grant funding and was
informed by staff that the projects are in the final approval stages and should be
funded sometime in November.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Nielsen declared the meeting adjou rn ed at 4 : 18 p.m. to the next Legislative
and Public Affairs Committee Meeting, November 9, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.
Submitted by:
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