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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. 12/14/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 4 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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business. 1.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. 12/14/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 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