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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-14-2016 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Orange County Sanitation District Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. A regular meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Vice Chair Sebourn on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 8:05 a.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Director Kiley 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 Greg Sebourn, Board Vice-Chair COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: John Withers, Director PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. STAFF PRESENT: Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager Celia Chandler, Director of Human Resources Jim Colston, Director of Environmental Services Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Tina Knapp, Deputy Clerk of the Board Jennifer Cabral Alfredo Garcia Rebecca Long Kelly Newell Nina Tran OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via Teleconference) Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs Stephanie Smith, Inside the Outdoors Mark Atkinson, Inside the Outdoors 06/14/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 5 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 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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business. 1.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 May 10, 2016. AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: Beamish, Kiley, Kim, Kring, and Sebourn None None Nielsen and Withers NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: 2. SUPPORT SENATE BILL S. 2848 and REQUEST CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR H.R.2993 (Rebecca Long) MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve letters of support: A. Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (S. 2848). Senator Dianne Feinstein AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: Beamish, Kiley, Kim, Kring, and Sebourn None None Nielsen and Withers MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve letters of support: B. Congressional Support Letter for the Water Recycling Acceleration Act of 2015 (H.R.2993). Congresswoman Doris Matsui. AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: 06/14/2016 Beamish, Kiley, Kim, Kring, and Sebourn None None Nielsen and Withers Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 5 INFORMATION ITEMS: 3. INSIDE THE OUTDOORS PRESENTATION (Jennifer Cabral) Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli introduced Public Affairs Specialist Kelly Newell who introduced the representatives from Inside the Outdoors, Mark Atkinson and Stephanie Smith, and provided a brief overview of the Inside the Outdoors organization. Ms. Smith and Mr. Atkinson provided an informative PowerPoint presentation on the Inside the Outdoors programs, which included an overview of the programs offered and components of the various programs. Ms. Smith responded to questions from the Committee regarding the age groups and schools selected for participation in the Inside the Outdoors programs, as well as questions regarding the length of the various programs and the success of the programs. Chair Nielsen arrived at 8:16 a.m. 4. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) Principal Public Affairs Specialist Jennifer Cabral indicated that Construction Outreach Efforts statistics will be provided monthly as construction provides outreach opportunities (such as meetings, mailings, incoming inquiries) that were previously unreported. Ms. Cabral provided an update on recent outreach activity and speaking engagements. Ms. Cabral responded to questions from the Committee regarding various tour groups and their reason for interest in the Sanitation District. Staff has been evaluating the possibility of the Sanitation District and Orange County Water District (OCWD) offering joint tours. Ms. Cabral indicated that August 13, 2016 is the date for the joint open house with the Orange County Water District, 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Marketing is being coordinated with each member City/Agency. Tours will be offered during the open house. Ms. Cabral reported that the Sanitation District was honored to receive a Golden Hub of Innovation award from the Association of California Cities -Orange County for the Newport Beach Outreach Program, which garnered community support for the project to rehabilitate the sewer system in the City of Newport Beach. 5. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (Rebecca Long) Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long indicated that Friday, October 14, 2016 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. is the date/time for the State of the District event. 06/14/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 5 Ms. Long reported that the Sanitation District recently submitted a concept letter regarding the Department of Energy grant for AquaCritox® and more information should be available in the next several weeks as to whether or not application can be made for the actual grant. Ms. Long also reported that a trip to Denver, to the United States Bureau of Reclamation, is being coordinated for legislative efforts related to funding. Ms. Long also indicated that Senator Feinstein is still committed to the identification of the Sanitation District as a priority for funding relating to drought legislation efforts. Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, provided an update on highlights of recent Federal legislative activity, including an update on Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation, the Environmental Protection Act budget, water recycling funding efforts, and drought legislation. Ms. Long reported that the Sanitation District continues to monitor SB 163 (Hertzberg) and is working with Senator Hertzberg's office to address the State- wide concern regarding the bill. Jim Colston, Director of Environmental Services, will be providing testimony on AB 2022 (Gordon) in Sacramento on Wednesday, along with OCWD, regarding water reuse and the benefits of bottling Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) water for educational purposes. Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs, provided an update on state legislative activity including: recent amendments to SB 163 (Hertzberg) pertaining to reuse requirements; AB 2022; State budget, which is due tomorrow and, at this point, includes less language pertaining to water; and Cap and Trade funding, which recently earned less revenue than anticipated Ms. Williams responded to questions from the Committee regarding the production quantity allowed for in AB 2022, specific concerns expressed by State Committee staff regarding AB 2022, testing requirements included in AB 2022, and components to Cap and Trade funding. 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: Chair Nielsen thanked Sanitation District staff for participating in and representing the Sanitation District at the Tustin Chili Cook-Off. 06/14/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 5 ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nielsen declared the meeting adjourned at 8:54 a.m. to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Meeting, Monday, July 11, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. Submitted by: r f/Ut-1JFn ~ Tina Knapp Deputy Clerk of the Board 06/14/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 5 of 5