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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. 03/1112019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 4 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. 03/11/2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 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 03/11/2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 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 03/1 1/2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4