HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-2019 Legislative Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District
Monday, May 13, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by
Committee Chair Peter Kim on Monday, May 13, 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
Lucille Kring, Member-At-Large
Erik Peterson, Member-At-Large
Christina Shea, Member-At-Large
David Shawver, Board Chair
John Withers, Board Vice-Chair
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE CHAIR:
None.
REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER:
None.
STAFF PRESENT:
Jim Herberg, General Manager
Rob Thompson, Assistant General Manager
Lorenzo Tyner, Assistant General Manager
Celia Chandler, Director of Human Resources
Kathy Millea, Director of Engineering
Lan Wiborg, Director of Environmental Services
Tina Knapp, Assistant Clerk of the Board
Jennifer Cabral
Tanya Chong
Daisy Covarrubias
Rebecca Long
Tyler Ramirez
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hogin, General Counsel
Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources (via
teleconference)
Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA)
Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA)
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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 April 8, 2019.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Bernstein, Kim, Peterson and Withers
None
Shea
Kring and Shawver
2. POSITION LETTERS: ASSEMBLY BILL 405 AND SENATE BILLS 69 AND 667
(Jim Herberg)
MOVED. SECONDED. AND DULY CARRIED TO:
A. Approve letter of Support for Assembly Bill 405 -Sales and use taxes:
exemption: water treatment (Rubio);
B. Approve letter of Oppose Unless Amended for Senate Bill 69 -Ocean
Resiliency Act of 2019 (Wiener); and
C. Approve letter of Support for Senate Bill 667 -Greenhouse gases:
recycling infrastructure and facilities (Hueso).
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
NON-CONSENT:
Bernstein, Kim, Peterson, Shea and Withers
None
None
Kring and Shawver
3. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2019
(Jim Herberg)
Board Chairman Shawver arrived at 12:02 p.m. and Director Kring arrived at
12:30 p.m.; both arriving during Item No. 3.
Committee Chair Kim welcomed Director Shea to the Legislative and Public
Affairs Committee.
Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long indicated that with the guidance of
this Committee, staff signed a California Association of Sanitation Agencies
(CASA) joint coalition letter to Senator Stern in support of his goal to appropriate
funds for research relating to fire ravaged land reclamation using biosolids. The
request includes a State investment of $200,000. A successful demonstration
project will give important insights into the potential for utilizing California sourced
biosolids to reclaim and stabilize wildfire burn scars in the aftermath of
catastrophic wildfire events.
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Ms. Long also indicated that staff is currently monitoring Senate Bill (SB) 332 by
Senator Hertzberg that, in its current state, would mandate a 50% reduction of
baseline volume by January 1, 2030, and a 95% reduction of baseline volume by
January 1, 2040. As part of this process, staff met with the sponsor of the bill, the
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Additionally, the Sanitation District
is participating in the CASA SB 332 workgroup helping to create a framework for
the author that represents water and wastewater agencies as well as the work
done by the Sanitation District. Staff is working with TPA to finalize a response
letter to the NRDC.
Ms. Long also indicated that DC advocacy days are schedule for
June 17-19, 2019.
Eric Sapirstein provided a PowerPoint presentation and a brief overview of his
monthly report which included: infrastructure initiatives, permit terms legislation,
and letters of support for key legislation.
Eric O'Donnell, TPA, provided a PowerPoint presentation with information on:
current legislative schedule, the Governor's May revise to the budget, and an
update on 2019 legislation. Mr. O'Donnell reviewed the current status of SB 332
(Hertzberg) -Ocean Discharge and reviewed the meeting that was had to discuss
the bill during the Sacramento advocacy trip and reviewed bill proponents and
components and the details of the letter that was sent outlining suggested
improvements. Mr. O'Donnell also reviewed the status of AB 1672 (Bloom) -
Flushable Wipes. Board Vice-Chair Withers requested an update on the
economics surrounding the food digester project at Plant No. 2 as the fee
discussion develops.
Committee Chair Kim deemed the Legislative Affairs Update for the month of
April 2019 received and filed.
4. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2019
(Jim Herberg)
Jennifer Cabral, Public Affairs Supervisor, provided a PowerPoint presentation
which reviewed outreach efforts made and meetings attended over the last month.
Ms. Cabral provided a brief description of upcoming events including information
on OCSD's 55th Anniversary Open House which will take place on Saturday,
July 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., along with the Centrifuge Ribbon Cutting
event being held at 8:30 a.m. on this same day. Ms. Cabral then announced
recent awards received by the agency. Board Chair Shawver expressed interest
in information pertaining to the agencies invited to participate in the Open House,
specifically SAWPA.
Committee Chair Kim deemed the Public Affairs Update for the month of
April 2019 received and filed.
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INFORMATION ITEMS:
None.
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
Committee Chair Kim and Board Chairman Shawver thanked staff for the recent tour of
Plant No. 2.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS INITIATED ITEMS FOR A FUTURE MEETING:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Committee Chair Kim declared the meeting adjourned at 1 :00 p.m. to the next Legislative
and Public Affairs Committee meeting, Monday, June 10, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
Submitted by:
T W4J~77Y
Tina Knapp, MMC
Assistant Clerk of the Board
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