HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-2015 Legislative Committee Minutes MINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District
Monday, December 14, 2015, at 8:00 a.m.
A regular meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order
by Vice-Chair Sebourn on Monday, December 14, 2015 at 8:00 a.m., in the
Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District.
Director Kim led the pledge of allegiance.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
Greg Sebourn, Board Vice-Chair Jim Herberg, General Manager
Tom Beamish, Director Nick Arhontes, Director of Facilities
Robert Kiley, Director Support Services
Peter Kim, Director Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering
Lucille Kring, Director Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Kelly Lore, Clerk of the Board
John Nielsen, Board Chair Jennifer Cabral
John Withers, Director Jim Colston
Chad Crow
Norbert Gaia
Al Garcia
Rebecca Long
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hogin, General Counsel
Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via Teleconference)
Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs
Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
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REPORTS: The Committee Chair and the General Manager may present verbal reports on
miscellaneous matters of general interest to the Committee Members. These reports are for information
only and require no action by the Committee.
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Consent Calendar Items are considered to be routine and will be enacted,
by the Board of Directors, after one motion, without discussion. Any items withdrawn from the Consent
Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board)
MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the
Committee meeting held on November 9, 2015.
AYES: Beamish, Kiley, Kim, Kring, and Sebourn
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Nielsen and Withers
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli introduced Item No. 2 and Senior Public Affairs
Specialist Rebecca Long who provided a PowerPoint presentation and overview of the
2016 Legislative Plan including: advocacy, legislative highlights and the OCSD Federal
and State priorities. Ms. Long further provided a 2015 bill update and specifically
discussed the efforts regarding SB 163 (Hertzberg).
Director Beamish suggested and the committee concurred to add a statement to State
and Federal priorities to support efforts to secure our water supply including water
storage, water quality and availability.
2. APPROVAL OF 2016 LEGISLATIVE PLAN (Bob Ghirelli)
MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board of
Directors to: Approve the Orange County Sanitation District 2016 Legislative
Plan as amended.
AYES: Beamish, Kiley, Kim, Kring, and Sebourn
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Nielsen and Withers
12/14/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4
INFORMATION ITEMS:
Vice-Chair Sebourn moved item 4 forward as requested by staff.
4. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (Rebecca Long)
Senior Public Affairs Specialist, Rebecca Long introduced Cori Williams from
Townsend Public Affairs, who provided information regarding: California's fiscal
outlook as reported by the LAO; Executive Order 8-36-15 which gives the State
Water Resources Control Board authority to extend restrictions in accordance
with the drought; public workshop regarding extension of emergency
conservation regulations; Senator Pavley's hearing to address underfunded
water needs; and WateReuse bottling education. Ms. Williams informed the
Committee that the Legislature reconvenes on January 4t1,
Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, provided an informative presentation regarding:
Budget agreement between House and Senate; funding of water infrastructure
needs; Drought relief bill update; and an update on H.R. 3353 (Hunter) Citizen
suits.
3. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral)
Principal Public Affairs Specialist, Jennifer Cabral provided an update on Public
Affairs community education outreach for the month and explained the process
and decision making regarding participation at City/Community events that will
be focused on for 2016. Ms. Cabral stated a draft plan will be provided to the
Committee in March.
Ms. Cabral also informed the committee of other proposed outreach efforts
including: career outreach; educational and professional outreach opportunities
such as: American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, CASA
Educational Foundation Scholarship Program, Gift of History; and media
relations including published articles and a television opportunity for our General
Manager and OCWD General Manager on the Discovery Science Channel.
Vice Chair Sebourn also expressed his approval of the white paper presentations
used for the Strategic Plan Update process as a method to promote OCSD.
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
None.
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ADJOURNMENT:
Vice Chair Sebourn declared the meeting adjourned at 8:49 a.m. to the next Legislative
and Public Affairs Committee Meeting, February 8, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.
Sub fitted by:
Kell A. re
Cler of t Board
12/14/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4