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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2000 Steering Committee MinutesDRAFT FI LED IN TH E OFF ICE OF n:r: SF.Cf!ETAR V ORANGE COUNTY BMiiTXffGN DISTR ICT MAR 2 2 2000 MINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING J\ Wednesday, February 23, 2000 A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, February 23, 2000 at 5 p.m., in the District's Administrative Office. (1) The roll was called and a quorum declared present, as follows: STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Directors Present: Jan Debay, Chair of the Board Peer Swan, Vice Chair Pat McGuigan, Chairman, OMTS Committee Norm Eckenrode, Chairman, PDC Committee Jim Silva, County Supervisor Directors Absent: Tom Saltarelli, Chairman, FAHR Committee (2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PRO TEM No appointment was necessary. (3) PUBLIC COMMENTS OTHERS PRESENT: Thomas L. Woodruff, General Counsel Don Hughes Ryal Wheeler Director Brian Donahue STAFF PRESENT: Don Mcintyre, General Manager Blake Anderson, Asst. General Manager Jean Tappan, Committee Secretary Michelle Tuchman, Director of Communications Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services Lisa Tomko, Acting Director of Human Resources There were no comments by any member of the public. (4) RECEIVE, FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the January 26, 2000 Steering Committee meeting were approved as drafted. Minutes of the Steering Committee ·Page 2 February 23, 2000 (5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR Committee Chair Debay welcomed Director Brian Donahue to the meeting as her guest. (6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER General Manager Don Mcintyre reported that there was a spill Monday afternoon in the Buena Park/La Mirada area when a sewer line surcharged. Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services, said that the Regional Board has been notified and a written report is due by Friday. It is estimated that about 10,000 gallons may have flowed into the storm drain, which ultimately emptied into the ocean via the San Gabriel River. The OC Health Care Agency has closed the beach in the area of the mouth of the river, citing a sewage spill. Assistant General Manager Blake Anderson updated the Committee members on the problems with the valve and spring assemblies during the rebuilding of the central power generation engines. Additional investigation is being done, including destructive testing, to help identify and quantify the cause. A discussion followed on various issues related to treating and permitting Urban Runoff. Staff continues to meet with developers regarding terms and conditions for dry weather urban runoff permits. A memo (copy attached to minutes) dated February 23, 2000 was reviewed. The Committee directed staff to pursue Option 2: to accelerate efforts to study the hydraulic and quality impacts of accepting dry weather urban runoff and to provide a recommendation to the Board on the long-term policy decision regarding the acceptance of dry weather urban runoff in April. Each request will be considered separately to evaluate the potential impact on permit limits . The OMTS will oversee the policy development before sending to the Board in April. The other committees will be informed also. Director Swan suggested getting more pro active with the legislature to allow the treatment of urban runoff without penalty and avoid mandates. Mr. Ghirelli discussed the expert panel that will be convening February 28, 29 and March 1 to review the steps taken during the July 1999 beach closure . USC representatives will prepare a written summary of the deliberations and recommendations . Mr. Ghirelli reported that the wet weather has caused problems with biosolids disposal. Wet weather rates are in force. Fewer loads are being trucked offsite, and more is being temporarily stored onsite. Lisa Tomko, Acting Director of Human Resources, provided the members with a brief history of the Step 5 Grievance on the Board agenda and stressed that it is not a disciplinary issue. Mr. Mcintyre reported on a meeting he attended at the County on septic tank removals. The County is considering the removal of septic systems as part of the elimination of County islands. A good estimate is that there are about 3000 properties on septic in the County. The Health Care Agency will be contacted to see if they are to become involved in this issue. It is expected that Director Lynn Daucher from Brea will address the Steering Committee on this issue in either March or April. A written report will be provided before the next Steering Committee meeting . The members expressed concern about the fairness of providing relief to homeowners for future connections. . '. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 3 February 23, 2000 (7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel reported that he will be briefing the Board members at tonight's meeting closed session on Crow Winthrop and also the resolution reached regarding the sale of the Sakioka property easement. (8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A-C) A. Proposed March 25 Directors Workshop on GWR Project. The District's representatives on the GWR Joint Coordinating Committee have expressed some concern that some of the new Board members aren't very familiar with the project and could have questions on the issues. A workshop will be held on Saturday, March 25 between 8 and 11 to discuss the status of the project, what problems are anticipated, and what changes are being considered. In a related discussion, Director Swan suggested a workshop to discuss the consolidation of rates. It was decided that this would be a special discussion item at a future FAHR Committee meeting. B. Policy Decisions re Dry Weather Urban Runoff Issues. See discussion under Report of General Manager. C. The Agenda Items scheduled to be reviewed by the Board's working committees in March were reviewed. (9) OTHER BUSINESS, COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY Chair Debay asked that Russell Patterson be invited to the April Steering Committee meeting, followed by Steve Anderson in May. Jim Ferryman will be attending the March meeting. (10) MATTERS WHICH A DIRECTOR WOULD LIKE STAFF TO REPORT ON AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING Director Swan asked that staff begin planning for a Directors Workshop to help educate the Board members on impending financing issues and issuance of debt. (11) MATTERS WHICH A DIRECTOR MAY WISH TO PLACE ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR ACTION AND/OR STAFF REPORT There were none. (12) CONSIDERATION OF UPCOMING MEETINGS The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for March 22, 2000 at 5 p.m. .. . . ~ Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 4 February 23, 2000 The next Board Meeting is scheduled for March 22, 2000 at 7 p .m . (13) CLOSED SESSION There was no closed session. (14) ADJOURNMENT The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6 :36 p .m. H:\wp.dta\agenda\Steering Committee\00\Feb00\022300 Minutes. doc