HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-2019 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District
Monday, March 11, 2019at12:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by
Committee Chair Peter Kim on Monday, March 11, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. in the
Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Chair Kim led the
pledge of allegiance.
A quorum was declared present, as follows :
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Peter Kim, Chair
Allan Bernstein, Vice-Chair
David Shawver, Board Chair
John Withers, Board Vice-Chair
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Lucille Kring, Member-At-Large
Donald P. Wagner, Member-At-Large
Chad Wanke, Member-At-Large
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE CHAIR:
STAFF PRESENT:
Jim Herberg, General Manager
Lorenzo Tyner, Assistant General Manager
Celia Chandler, Director of Human Resources
Kathy Millea, Director of Engineering
Tina Knapp, Deputy Clerk of the Board
Jennifer Cabral
Tanya Chong
Daisy Covarrubias
Lisa Haney
Rebecca Long
Thomas Vu
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hogin, General Counsel
Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources (via
teleconference)
Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA)
Committee Chair Kim reminded the Committee to file their Annual Statement of
Economic Interests -Form 700 no later than April 1, 2019 and to contact the Clerk of
the Board's office should you have any questions or concerns.
REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER:
General Manager Jim Herberg did not provide a report.
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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 11, 2019.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Bernstein, Kim, Shawver and Withers
None
None
Kring, Wagner and Wanke
2. SUPPORT ASSEMBLY BILL 510 (COOLEY) -LOCAL GOVERNMENT
RECORDS: DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS (Jennifer Cabral)
MOVED. SECONDED. and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve the letter of support
for Assembly Bill 510 -Local government records: destruction of records
(Cooley).
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Bernstein, Kim, Shawver and Withers
None
None
Kring, Wagner and Wanke
NON-CONSENT:
None.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
Chair Kim reordered the items so that Item 4, Legislative Affairs Update, was heard first,
followed by Item 3 and then Item 5.
4. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long)
Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long introduced Eric O'Donnell with TPA
who provided a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the following: the legislative
schedule; an update on the Water Tax; a counter proposal to the Water Tax; and
2019 legislation, including SB 332 (Hertzberg) declaring ocean outfalls as waste
and unreasonable and AB 292 (Quirk) clarifying the terms/definitions used for
recycled water.
Board Chair Shawver expressed interest in exploring selling GWRS bottled water
as a response to SB 669 (Caballero), which pertains to assisting community water
systems in disadvantaged communities that are chronically noncompliant. Board
Vice-Chair Withers expressed concern with the water tax, which generates
revenue with no spending plan.
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In response to a discussion by the Committee, Jennifer Cabral, Public Affairs
Supervisor, indicated that staff is analyzing SB 332 and reviewing the positions
other agencies are taking . Staff anticipates bringing the matter back to the
Committee next month with a recommended position.
Mr. O'Donnell also indicated that Assembly Member Connie Petrie Norris will tour
OCSD on Friday, March 15 at 2:00pm and plans for an advocacy trip to
Sacramento this Spring are being made.
Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, provided a PowerPoint presentation and
updated the Committee on the following items: the House infrastructure hearings
have begun, with a focus on transportation and wastewater needs focusing on
current programs; the Senate infrastructure debate is pending, with support of
water infrastructure gaining support; Andrew Wheeler was approved as the head
of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and David Bernardt's nomination to
the Department of the Interior is pending; a review of legislative proposals
regarding infrastructure, H.R. 1162 (Napolitano/Rouda, Lowenthal, Cisneros,
Levin) concerning the Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act,
H.R. 1497 (Defazio/Napolitano), a bill to Reauthorize Clean Water State
Revolving Fund, and H.R. 1417 (Lawrence/Rauda), Water Affordability,
Transparency, Equity and Reliability; an update on Buy America; H.R. 535
(Dingell) concerning a Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan; an update
on S. RES 59/H.RES 109 (Ocasio-Cortez/Lowenthal, Levin and Markey/Harris)
regarding the Green New Deal; the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request; and
regulatory and budget initiatives.
Board Chair Shawver indicated that subsidies offered in the Buy America program
should be encouraged and Mr. Sapirstein indicated he will work with staff to
rev iew.
S. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral)
Ms. Cabral reviewed outreach efforts made and meetings attended over the last
month and reviewed items currently being worked on: the No Wipes in the Pipes
campaign and Honor Walk nominations. Ms. Cabral reminded the Committee of
the Honor Walk ceremony on May 22 prior to the Steering Committee meeting.
Ms. Cabral reviewed the awards recently received by OCSD. Ms . Cabral also
indicated that the ACC -OC forum and tour went very well and that OCSD has
established a partnership with UC Irvine for the American Academy of
Environmental Engineers and Scientists.
Board Chair Shawver indicated that partnerships with junior colleges to promote
careers in wastewater should also be considered .
3. 55rH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE (Jennifer Cabral)
Ms. Cabral shared the arrangements being made for the 651h Anniversary Open
House being held on Saturday, July 27 from 9:00am-12:00pm. Contact will be
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made with all member agencies for participation opportunities and outreach
efforts.
Board Vice-Chair Withers inquired as to the possibility of having the event
sponsored by agencies with whom OCSD does business. General Counsel Brad
Hagin indicated that he does not see, on the surface, any legal issues with this.
Ms. Cabral indicated that, historically, OCSD has opted not to engage in this type
of activity given possible perception and logistical constraints.
Board Chair Shawver indicated the importance of engaging a younger audience
at the Open House.
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS. IF ANY:
Board Chair Shawver expressed interest in appointing alternates to the Legislative and
Public Affairs Committee, and other Committees, to serve in the absence of appointed
Board Members. Board Chair Shawver also expressed an interest in ensuring that the
full Board is updated on activities of this Committee, specifically legislative items.
Several suggestions were made, and staff indicated they will review the matter and return
to the Committee with suggestions.
ADJOURNMENT:
Committee Chair Kim declared the meeting adjourned at 12:58 p.m. to the next
Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting, Monday, April 8, 2019 at 3:30 p.m .
Submitted by:
T (/VL µ '~ rfr
Tina Knapp, CMG
Deputy Clerk of the Board
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