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Home My WebLink About06-11-2018 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Orange County Sanitation District Monday, June 11, 2018at12:00 p.m. A meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Chair Sebourn on Monday, June 11, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Director Wanke 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 Chad Wanke, Member-At-Large John Withers, Member-At-Large COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Peter Kim, Member-At-Large Donald P. Wagner, Member-At-Large PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. REPORT OF COMMITTEE CHAIR: STAFF PRESENT: 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 Jennifer Cabral Tanya Chong Daisy Covarrubias Rebecca Long Kelly Lore Mark Manzo Kelly Newell OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hagin, General Counsel Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources (via teleconference) Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs Board Chair Sebourn did not provide a report. 06/11/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 4 REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER: Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli asked Jim Colston, Director of Environmental Services, to provide information on the recent Heal the Bay water quality report card for local beaches, harbors, and marinas. Mr. Colston indicated that all the coastal beaches in OCSD's service area received A+/A ratings during the recent dry and wet weather seasons (two separate seasons upon which the reports are done). Reports do not include events immediately following a significant rain event. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board) MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the Committee meeting held on May 14, 2018. AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: Bernstein, Sebourn, Shawver, Wanke, and Withers None None Kim and Wagner In response to a question from the Committee, staff indicated that follow-up to the microplastics/AB 2379 (Bloom) discussion at the May Committee meeting will be provided at the July meeting. NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: None. INFORMATION ITEMS: 2. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) Public Affairs Supervisor Jennifer Cabral gave an overview of recent tours provided and an overview of recent events which OCSD attended. Ms. Cabral thanked the Committee for their attendance at the Honor Walk. Ms. Cabral also reported that Blais & Associates has been selected as the grant management firm for the Sanitation District. The Committee requested that basic organizational information on Blais & Associates be provided to the Committee. Ms. Cabral also reported on the recent Water Summit, which was held on June 1. Ms. Cabral indicated that she found the event discussion on conservation and unintended consequences an interesting topic for wastewater agencies, including the increase in wastewater treatment costs in light of water conservation and the reduction in water recycling capabilities in light of conservation (which Assistant General Manager Rob Thompson discussed in an interview with the "Los Angeles Times"). Chair Sebourn requested staff make an informational presentation on the impacts of conservation of Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) to the full 06/1112018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 Board in the near future. Director Withers indicated it would be of benefit to OCSD to join the conversation currently occurring on this topic in the marketplace. Ms. Cabral also reported that she recently attended the NACWA Conference communications session and appreciated the outreach being done by other agencies. Ms. Cabral will bring some of the information learned to the Committee through the public affairs strategic plan. Ms. Cabral reported that she will be speaking on transparency, as a result of the Little Hoover Commission report, at the CSDA Conference at the General Manager's Summit later in June. Ms. Cabral also reviewed the modifications made to the social media report provided in the Committee agenda packet. Ms. Cabral distributed communication from one of the Sanitation District's social media sites, which shows how social media is of benefit in communication. Ms. Cabral also briefly reviewed the recently implemented Project Ambassador program. Ms. Cabral indicated that she would provide the biosolids social media graphic to Director Bernstein. Director Wanke asked that staff continually look for new social media platforms on which to have a presence. The Committee is interested in reviewing the costs of social media, in general and specific to any given project. 3. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) Rebecca Long, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, indicated that the Sanitation District is applying for the second round of WllN funding. Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, updated the Committee on the following items: Washington, DC policy activity, including WRDA, namely S. 2800 and H.R. 8, State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding, and climate resiliency grants that may become available; WIFIA; the 2019 appropriations process; funding for infrastructure improvements and desalination projects; California WaterFix and Water Recycling Assistance; policy riders related to the approval of WaterFix; and the possibility of tariffs on treatment technologies. Director Wanke departed the meeting at 12:48 p.m. Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), provided an informative PowerPoint presentation that began with reviewing the current legislative session and bills. The presentation also provided a review of Propositions of interest to the Sanitation District and the primary election results of these Propositions; an update on long term water conservation regulations [AB 1668 (Friedman) and SB 606 (Skinner)], which have been signed by the Governor, and highlights of these regulations; an update on the safe and affordable drinking water fund and cap and trade expenditure plan; and a snapshot of the current status of bills and advocacy of interest to OCSD. 06/11/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IFANY: Director Bernstein introduced the discussion of changing the structure of this Committee. Based on the discussion that occurred, staff was directed to prepare options for the Committee's consideration. Vice-Chair Shawver inquired as to the feasibility of establishing an Orange County special district Foundation or Sanitation District Foundation paralleling the District's mission, to be privately funded, to advocate on behalf of water/wastewater issues. Vice-Chair Shawver will discuss this further with Chair Sebourn and General Manager Herberg. Chair Sebourn indicated that this Committee will not meet in August unless a need necessitates a meeting be held. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Sebourn declared the meeting adjourned at 1 :19 p.m. to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting, Monday, July 9, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. Submitted by: TW-N {C-rt_ ~ Tina Knapp, CMC Deputy Clerk of the Board 06/11/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4