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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar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:
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Tina Knapp
Deputy Clerk of the Board
06/14/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 5 of 5