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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) 05/13/2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1of4 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. 05/13/2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2of4 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. 05/13/2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3of4 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 -.... -< .. ~ --....., -· ..... ----.... _-. .,,,, ,_. _.· .... ~ ·-., .. ~ :· '.. "-" ..!. • . • .,,.._ : ...... -"'· . ~ -.... ..... -~= ---_. r-" ............ _,,.,, . __ _;,.....;.. -';.. : ' __,,, --'-"" .. · ./ .__ ... ..--.:: " ---------· / ..... -. . :. -----... ,,, ... 05/13/2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4