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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. 03/12/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 4 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 03/12/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 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. 03/12/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 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 03/12/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4