Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-2016 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Orange County Sanitation District Monday, October 10, 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, October 10, 2016 at 3:31 p.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: Tom Beamish, Director Robert Kiley, Director Peter Kim, Director John Nielsen, Board Chair Greg Sebourn, Board Vice-Chair COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Lucille Kring, Director John Withers, Director PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. STAFF PRESENT: Jim Herberg, General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager Celia Chandler, Director of Human Resources Jim Colston, Director of Environmental Services Ed Torres, Director of Operations and Maintenance Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Tina Knapp, Deputy Clerk of the Board Jennifer Cabral Tanya Chong Alfredo Garcia Rebecca Long Man Nguyen Kelly Newell OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hagin, General Counsel Adam Link, CASA Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources (via Teleconference) 10/10/2016 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. General Manager Jim Herberg announced that reservations are still being accepted for the State of the District being held on Friday, October 14th at 8:00 a.m. 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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business. 1.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 September 13, 2016. AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: Kiley, Kim, Nielsen, and Sebourn None Beamish Kring and Withers NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: None. INFORMATION ITEMS: 2. CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF SANITATION AGENCIES PRESENTATION (Rebecca Long) Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli indicated that this is the time of the year where we invite our legislative partners to update the Committee on legislative activities achieved over the past year and goals for the coming year. Mr. Ghirelli indicated that the Association of California Cities Orange County (ACC-OC) is scheduled to attend the November sth meeting of this Committee and that the District's legislative plan would be presented to the Committee in December. Mr. Ghirelli introduced Adam Link, Director of Government Affairs from the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), who provided a PowerPoint presentation highlighting CASA's legislative activities/platform, significant legislation in 2016, new developments at CASA, upcoming CASA events and initiatives, and CASA's priorities for 2017. Principal Public Affairs Specialist Jennifer Cabral commented that the intent of the recent presentations to the Board by Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) and 10/10/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 ENS, in addition to today's presentation by CASA and next month's presentation by ACC-OC, is to provide the resources to engage in a dialogue regarding the legislative plan and the Directors' goals for the District. 3. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) Ms. Cabral reported that the refreshed website should be launched this week. Ms. Cabral also provided a recap of September public affairs activities including community outreach and speaking events and tours. Ms. Cabral introduced Senior Staff Analyst Tanya Chong and indicated that Ms. Chong and Senior Staff Analyst Daisy Covarrubias would alternate attending these Committee meetings should there be specific questions regarding construction. 4. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long recapped the current number of individuals registered for the State of the District on October 14th. Eric O'Donnell, TPA, provided an update on end of session legislative activities in Sacramento and reported on a workshop he attended regarding direct potable reuse and the feasibility of same. Mr. O'Donnell indicated that there is support for direct potable reuse and provided an overview of the recommendations made for implementing such a program. Mr. O'Donnell responded to a question from the Committee indicating that SB 163 may be reintroduced by mid-February 2017. Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, provided a general update on federal legislative activity including Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation and WIFIA Program implementation advances OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: Director of Environmental Services Jim Colston responded to a question from the Committee indicating that there was no update on the pending regulations regarding dental practices and their impact on wastewater, and indicated that the implementation period would be no less than three years. Mr. Colston also responded to a question from the Committee indicating that permitting for organizations performing liquefaction of animal remains is still being reviewed and the proper process being determined. 10/10/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nielsen declared the meeting adjourned at 4 : 16 p .m . to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Meeting, Tuesday , November 8, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. Submitted by: T~~~ Tina Knapp Deputy Clerk of the Board 10/10/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4