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)
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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 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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar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
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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.
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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
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