HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-2018 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District
Monday, March 12, 2018 at 12:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by
Chair Sebourn on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 12:01 p.m. in the Administration Building
of the Orange County Sanitation District. Director Donald Wagner 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, Member-At-Large
Peter Kim, Member-At-Large
Donald P. Wagner, Member-At-Large
Chad Wanke, Member-At-Large
John Withers, Member-At-Large
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE CHAIR:
STAFF PRESENT:
Jim Herberg, General Manager
Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager
Rob Thompson, Assistant General Manager
Celia Chandler, Director of Human Resources
Jim Colston, Director of Environmental Services
Ed Torres, Director of Operations &
Maintenance
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Administrative Services
Tina Knapp, Deputy Clerk of the Board
Kathryn Beechinor
Jennifer Cabral
Al Garcia
Rebecca Long
Kelly Newell
Man Nguyen
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hagin, General Counsel
Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs
David French, ENS Resources (via
teleconference)
Board Vice-Chair Shawver reported on the recent honor of receiving recognition in
Sacramento for the 1 oth anniversary of the Groundwater Replenishment System. Vice-
Chair Shawver also reported that it was a successful lobbying trip and contact was made
with key legislators. Vice-Chair Shawver indicated that he will be departing the meeting
early.
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REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER:
General Manager Jim Herberg reported on outreach made pertaining to the proposed rate
increase and perceived responses to same. Director Withers suggested writing an op-ed
piece providing the reasoning for the rate increase and what services OCSD provides to
the public that can be further achieved through the increase. Vice-Chair Shawver
suggested doing this after the proposed rates are adopted.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board)
MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the
Committee meeting held on February 5, 2018.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Bernstein, Kim, Sebourn, Shawver, Wagner, Wanke,
and Withers
None
None
None
Board Vice-Chair Shawver departed the meeting at 12:07 p.m.
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
None.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
2.. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long)
Rebecca Long, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, reported on the CASA Federal
legislative meeting in Washington, DC that she and Jim Colston, Director of
Environmental Services, recently attended . Mr. Colston reported on a couple of
items that he learned during the meeting: the EPA continues to work towards a
better rule pertaining to effluent toxicity testing and has also been focusing on the
science and tools needed to support the land application of biosolids and the
screening needed.
Ms. Long introduced David French, ENS Resources, who reported on the following
items: Senator Feinstein's staff asked OCSD to consider submitting programmatic
appropriations requests in support of OCSD priorities and activities for further
review in the next round of appropriations, work continues on last year's
appropriations process and developing an omnibus spending bill which should
allow for grant funding for grants that were previously awarded, and this past week
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Representative Napolitano introduced the Water Recycling Investment and
Improvement Act (H.R. 5127). Mr. French continued by summarizing the key
elements of H.R. 5127 that are of interest to OCSD. Mr. French indicated that
meetings are being scheduled for the lobby days in Washington, DC in April.
Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), provided an informative PowerPoint
presentation that began with reviewing the key dates of the 2018 legislative session
and other general information pertaining to this legislative session and recent
activity regarding long term water conservation regulations (SB 606/AB 1668).
Board Chair Sebourn expressed the importance of the legislature acknowledging
the differences between potable reuse and recycling for irrigation use as it pertains
to these water conservation regulations and credits offered.
Mr. O'Donnell continued his presentation by reviewing SB 212 (Jackson) which
would define home-generated pharmaceutical waste in an effort to reduce harmful
disposal practices. OCSD supports SB 212 (Jackson) and will be part of working
group that will be convened regarding this legislation.
Mr. O'Donnell's presentation also provided an update on SB 831 (Wieckowski)
which would eliminate all local agency, school district, special district, and water
corporation fees for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). The Committee discussed
components of this bill and indicated it would be appropriate for OCSD to oppose
this bill, action which is consistent with the Legislative and Regulatory Plan adopted
by the Board of Directors.
Mr. O'Donnell continued by providing an update on AB 2003 (Daly) which is the
legislation sponsored by OCSD. This legislation should be heard in April. Mr.
O'Donnell also reviewed the advocacy strategy pertaining to this legislation and
support and opposition received thus far.
The Board Chair reordered the agenda and Item No. 4 was presented prior to Item No. 3.
4, GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM 1QTH ANNIVERSARY RECAP
(Rebecca Long)
Ms. Long provided a PowerPoint presentation that recapped the GWRS 101h
anniversary event, Winter Fest, and the Guinness world record setting. A video
pertaining to this event was also shown.
Director Withers departed the meeting at 12:41 p.m.
3. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral)
Jennifer Cabral, Public Affairs Supervisor, reminded the Committee that Honor
Walk nominations are due this week and provided an overview of outreach events
and activities.
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OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS,
IFANY:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Sebourn declared the meeting adjourned at 12:52 p.m. to the next Legislative and
Public Affairs Committee meeting, Monday, April 9, 2018 at 3:30 p.m.
Submitted by:
f lAJ.-iJ ~ t'-f'JC
Tina Knapp, CMC
Clerk of the Board
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