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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. 10/12/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1of5 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 10/12/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 5 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) 10/12/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 5 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. 10/12/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 5 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: 10/12/2015 Legislat ive and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 5 of 5