HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-2016 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District
Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.
A regular meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order
by Chair Nielsen on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 8:03 a.m. in the Administration Building
of the Orange County Sanitation District.
Director Withers led the pledge of allegiance.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
John Nielsen, Board Chair
Tom Beamish, Director
Robert Kiley, Director
Peter Kim, Director
Lucille Kring, Director
John Withers, Director
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Greg Sebourn, Board Vice-Chair
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
STAFF PRESENT:
Jim Herberg, General Manager
Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager
Celia Chandler, Director of Human
Resources
Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering
Ed Torres, Director of Operations &
Maintenance
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
Tina Knapp, Deputy Clerk of the Board
Jennifer Cabral
Tanya Chong
Jim Colston
Daisy Covarrubias
Alfredo Garcia
Rebecca Long
Mark Manzo
Kelly Newell
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hogin, General Counsel
Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via Teleconference)
Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs
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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.
General Manager Jim Herberg reported that Director of Engineering Rob Thompson
recently presented an overview of the Sanitation District, highlighting some of the
Capital Improvement Program projects, to the City of Brea. Mr. Herberg will be making
a similar presentation at the Association of California Cities -Orange County City
Managers' meeting on May 11, 2016.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Consent Calendar Items are considered to be routine and will be enacted,
by the Committee, 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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar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
regular Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting held on April 11, 2016.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Beamish, Kiley, Kim, Nielsen, and Withers
None
None
Kring and Sebourn
Director Kring arrived at 8:05 a.m.
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
None.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
2. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral)
Principal Public Affairs Specialist Jennifer Cabral indicated that staff will be
presenting an overview of the Sanitation District to the City of Tustin next week
and arrangements are being made with the City of Fullerton.
Ms. Cabral introduced Daisy Covarrubias, Sr. Staff Analyst, and Tanya Chong,
Sr. Staff Analyst, who are capital outreach program liasons. Ms. Covarrubias
and Ms. Chong provided an informative PowerPoint presentation regarding
Capital Project Outreach, highlighting how communities affected by Sanitation
District projects are engaged through a variety of means, providing information
ahead of construction, and providing response to questions from the public within
24 hours.
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Ms. Chong reported on the public outreach made to residents and businesses in
affected areas for the Newhope Sewer Replacement and Red Hill Sewer
Improvements projects. Ms. Cabral, Ms. Chong, and Ms. Covarrubias
responded to questions from the Committee regarding details of the outreach
done on these projects.
Ms. Cabral provided dates for upcoming community outreach events and
indicated that progress is being made to update the Sanitation District's video
portfolio as identified in the Public Affairs Strategic Plan. Ms. Cabral reported
that August 13, 2016 is the tentative date for the joint open house with the
Orange County Water District, which will highlight the Groundwater
Replenishment System. Ms. Cabral reminded the Committee of the Honor Walk
ceremony on May 25th.
3. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (Rebecca Long)
Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long announced that Friday,
October 14, 2016 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. is the tentative date/time for the State of
the District. Ms. Long provided a brief update on SB 885 Wolk (oppose) and
SB 163 Hertzberg (support). A trip to Sacramento is being coordinated for the
next couple of weeks to focus on AB 2022 Gordon (support). Letters of support
are also being worked on for the Matsui bill, Water Resources Development Act
bill, and HR 2993. The Sanitation District will also be applying for a Department
of Energy grant for AquaCritox® in the next several weeks.
Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, provided an update on the highlights over the
last month, which included a trip to Washington, DC in late April where General
Manager Herberg provided testimony to the House Committee on Natural
Resources. The visit also included meetings with members of the delegation
and committee staff at the Bureau of Reclamation and Environmental Protection
Agency.
Mr. Sapirstein reported that he has recently responded to questions surrounding
the rule that the Internal Revenue Service has published that would redefine
what sub-governmental units are eligible to issue tax-exempt bonds and the
potential need for the Sanitation District's General Counsel to review the rule and
determine future activity.
Mr. Sapirstein also reported that the California League of Cities wrote a letter of
support for Senator Feinstein's drought bill (S.2533).
Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs, provided an update on state legislative
activity including: an executive order made by the Governor yesterday requiring
that the SWRCB extend water conservation regulations through January 2017
and mandating new targets be made for permanent conservation while
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recognizing different conditions throughout the state, the Governor's May revise
of the state budget is expected in the next week, concerns and amended bill
language have been proposed to Senator Hertzberg 's office regarding SB 163
and work continues on this bill, and AB 2022 passed the Assembly and will next
be heard by the Senate (Environmental Quality). Ms. Williams responded to
questions from the Committee regarding SB 163 .
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
Ms . Cabral indicated that Sanitation District name badges/lapel pins have been
provided today to the Directors .
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Nielsen declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m . to the next Legislative and
Public Affairs Committee Meeting, Tuesday , June 14 , 2016 at 8:00 a.m.
Submitted by:
(~~Tr
Tina Knapp
Deputy Clerk of the Board
.....
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