HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-11-2016 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District
Monday, July 11, 2016 at 3:30 p.m.
A regular meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order
by Chair Nielsen on Monday, July 11, 2016 at 3:31 p.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
John Withers, Director
Lucille Kring, Director
Greg Sebourn, Board Vice-Chair
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
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
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
Tina Knapp, Deputy Clerk of the Board
Daisy Covarrubias
Alfredo Garcia
Rebecca Long
Mark Manzo
Kelly Newell
Samir Patel
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hagin, General Counsel
Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs
Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via Teleconference)
Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs
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.
07111/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 4
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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar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 June 14, 2016.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Kiley, Kim, Kring, Nielsen, Sebourn, and Withers
None
Beamish
None
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
2. OPPOSE ASSEMBLY BILL 1217 (AB 1217) (Rebecca Long)
Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long provided a brief overview of
Assembly Bill 1217. Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs, responded to
questions from the Committee as to whether or not the Sanitation District is
coordinating with the Orange County Fire Authority and/or its lobbyists. Ms.
Williams also responded to questions as to whom is driving and supporting AB
1217 and the intent of the bill and the precedent it may set.
MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve letter of opposition
to Assembly Bill 1217 -Orange County Fire Authority. (Assembly Member Daly)
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
INFORMATION ITEMS:
Beamish, Kiley, Kim, Kring, Nielsen, Sebourn, and
Withers
None
None
None
3. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral)
Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli highlighted upcoming events, including
the Orange County Sanitation District Open House being held on August 13,
2016 in conjunction with the Orange County Water District. A flyer pertaining to
the Open House was distributed to the Committee.
Mr. Ghirelli reported that, as part of the Sanitation District's branding efforts, the
Sanitation District's website is being redesigned. Mr. Ghirelli introduced Senior
07/11/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4
Staff Analyst Daisy Covarrubias to provide a preview of the website and
additional details regarding the redesign. Ms. Covarrubias indicated that the
content of the website will be unchanged. The goal of the redesign is to make
the site more transparent, easier to navigate, and ensure compatibility with
mobile devices. Ms. Covarrubias indicated that various mechanisms were used
to determine the needs of users of the site. Ms. Covarrubias responded to
questions from the Committee regarding the mobile interface and enhanced
accessibility to content, especially transparency information.
4. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (Rebecca Long)
Ms. Long reported that the Sanitation District is working on completing the
application for the Department of Energy grant for the AquaCritox® project.
Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, provided an update on water recycling funding
efforts; Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation; drought
legislation; and the application for the grant for the AquaCritox® project.
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, water/wastewater industry concerns regarding the bill. Ms. Long
responded to a question from the Committee regarding support of the bill.
Ms. Long also reported that staff continues to monitor AB 2022 (Gordon) and is
working with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) regarding
concerns surrounding the bill. Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs, provided
a further update on recent amendments to AB 2022 and work being done with
the SWRCB. Ms. Williams responded to questions from the Committee as to
Assembly Member Gordon's concerns pertaining to AB 2022 and the SWRCB.
Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs, highlighted several of the measures
that will be on the November 2016 ballot.
Ms. Williams provided an update on the upcoming Cap and Trade revenues.
Ms. Long indicated that additional Open House flyers are available if anyone
would like more. Chair Nielsen requested that the flyer be emailed to the Board
of Directors. Ms. Long clarified that RSVP's are needed for tours only.
General Manager Jim Herberg responded to a question from the Committee
regarding hydroponic operations' potential impact on sewage treatment.
Ms. Williams responded to a question regarding the tax extension.
07/11/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
Director Withers confirmed that the request from the July 6, 2016 Operations Committee
meeting for additional details regarding the proposal process has been addressed.
Vice-Chair Sebourn thanked General Manager Jim Herberg and Director of Engineering
Rob Thompson for the recent presentation given to the Fullerton City Council.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Nielsen declared the meeting adjourned at 4:18 p.m. to the next Legislative and
Public Affairs Committee Meeting, Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.
Submitted by :
T lJL,c_v l0A oU
Tina Knapp
Deputy Clerk of the Board
07/11/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4