Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-2017 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Orange County Sanitation District Monday, March 13, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. A meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Chair Sebourn on Monday , March 13 , 2017 at 8:00 a .m . in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Director Bernstein led the pledge of allegiance. A quorum was declared present, as follows: COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Greg Sebourn, Board Chair David Shawver, Board Vice-Chair Allan Bernstein , Director Peter Kim, Director Donald P. Wagner, Director John Withers , Director COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Chad Wanke, 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 Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering Mike White , Controller Tina Knapp , Deputy Clerk of the Board Jennifer Cabral Rebecca Long Mark Manzo Kelly Newell OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hagin , General Counsel Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs Eric Sapirstein , ENS Resources (via teleconference) Cori Williams , Townsend Public Affairs (via teleconference) 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 reported that the Association of California Cities-Orange County (ACC-OC) continues work on developing a leadership symposium for elected 03/13/2017 Legislative and Public Affairs Comm ittee Minutes Page 1 of 4 officials that would begin with a leadership assessment and provide training on topics such as homelessness , transportation infrastructure , changing workforce demographics , among other topics . Chair Sebourn reported that an agenda item will be presented to the Steering Committee for consideration of chang ing the frequency of meetings of the Legislative and Public Affairs (LaPA) Committee . Chair Sebourn expressed an interest in having the public affairs update and legislat ive update (both currently monthly information items to the LaPA Committee) moved to information items for the Steering Committee and holding LaPA meetings quarterly. Vice-Chair Shawver expressed an interest in having the LaPA Committee meet when the legislature (State and Federal) is in session. Director Bernstein expressed his appreciation for what the LaPA Committee addresses and indicated that he would like to see more practical use of the Committee to delve into legislative topics facing OCSD. CONSENT CALENDAR: Consent Cale n da r Items are considere d to be rou tine and will be ena c ted, by the Committee , aft er one motion , without discu ss ion . An y item s withdr a wn from the Conse n t Calendar for separate discu ssion w ill be con s idere d in the re g ula r order of bu sin es s . 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Boa rd) MOVED , SECONDED , and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the Legislative and Public Affa irs Committee meeting held on February 6 , 2017 . AYES : NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: Bernstein , Kim , Sebourn , Shawver , Wagner , and Withers None None Wanke NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: None . INFORMATION ITEMS: 2 . LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) Rebecca Long , Sen ior Public Affairs Specialist , provided an update on the Cal Recycle program grant and indicated that OCSD wi l l be applying . Ms . Long also indicated that OCSD will be applying for the OC Waste and Recycling grant. Eric Sapirstein , ENS Resources , reported that appointments have been made with the Environmental Protection Agency , provided an overview on a variety of federal loan programs , and reported on the recent California Association of Sanitation Agencies conference . 03/13/201 7 Legi slative and Publ ic Affai rs Committee Minute s Pa ge 2 of 4 Ms. Long indicated that the Orange County Water District will be applying for funding through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) for the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) expansion . Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), provided an update on activities in the State government , including a recap of legislation submitted before the recent deadline for the introduction of legislation . Ms . Williams provided an update on legislation regarding the feasibility of direct potable reuse of water (AB 574) and SB 231 , which would amend Proposition 218 . Ms . Williams also indicated that the State Water Resource Control Board recently extended urban water conservation regulations until May. Eric O'Donnell , TPA , reported on the Little Hoover Commission and the recent meeting the Commission had regarding permitting and special district rules . Mr . O 'Donnell also reported on the recent Cap & Trade auction. Mr. O 'Donnell and Ms. Long indicated that congratulatory letters will be sent to State and Federal legislators , in which tours of OCSD will also be offered . 3. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) Ms . Cabral provided a brief overview of the Public Affairs Strategic Plan and reviewed the community events at which OCSD will be , and has been , present. Ms. Cabral also reviewed recent publications that have included information on OCSD . Ms. Cabral provided an overview on OCSD 's recent video production efforts and two videos were shown -the General Manager's welcome/introduction to OCSD video and recruitment video . Ms. Cabral indicated that the next video to be produced/finalized will be a tour video . Ms . Cabral reported on the upcoming marketing efforts for the GWRS water bottling campaign . The first event will be the WateRuse event on March 20th in San Diego and the second event will be in Sacramento on April 18th. The Chair and Vice-Chair will be attending , and there is one additional vacancy for another elected official to attend. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: None . 03/13/2 017 Leg isla ti ve and Pub li c Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 ADJOURNMENT: Chair Sebourn declared the meet ing adjourned at 8 :56 a .m . to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting , Monday , April 10 , 2017 at 3 :30 p .m. Submitted by: TiAMvrr T K ~ 1na napp Deputy Clerk of the Board -. --- ; : , . "' .. 9 /,, .. ..... ... .... •• 'fllf'.._ .... ,. .,. .,. .. .,. . .,,. ·-,...'l'r ' 03/13/2017 Legi s lat iv e and Public A ffairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4