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Home My WebLink About03-28-2001 Steering Committee MinutesI r:;u:o DRAFT IN THE OFFlCF ry T!<t ~1 ECRETARY ORANGE COUN \ Y .~. t,:IJn i·:no N DISTRIC r MINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING APR 2 4 2001 . Wednesday, March 28, 2001 !J '/ f -K. A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, March 28, 2001 at 4 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: Norm Eckenrode, Chair Peter Green, Vice Chair Pat McGuigan, Chairman, OMTS Committee Steve Anderson, PDC Committee Shirley McCracken, Chairman, FAHR Committee Directors Absent: Jim Silva, County Supervisor (2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PRO TEM OTHERS PRESENT: Thomas Nixon, General Counsel's Office Brad Hogin, General Counsel's Office Don Hughes Peer Swan, Director Ryal Wheeler STAFF PRESENT: Blake Anderson, General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services David Ludwin, Director of Engineering Greg Mathews, Assistant to the General Manager Gary Streed, Director of Finance Lisa Tomko, Director of Human Resources Jan Collins, Sr. HR Analyst Lisa Lawson, Communications Manager Jean Tappan, Committee Secretary Director Pat McGuigan was appointed Chair ProTem until Director Green arrived. (3) PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no comments by any member of the public. Lisa Lawson, Communications Manager, provided a heads-up on events occurring this afternoon in the District Attorney's investigation into Huntington Beach's sewer system problems. Director Swan expressed concern that this could cause cities to avoid maintaining the sewer lines rather than being fined for knowing there are problems with the system but not having the resources to repair it. (4) RECEIVE, FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the February 28, 2001 Steering Committee meeting were approved as drafted. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 2 March 28, 2001 (5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR Committee Chair Norm Eckenrode reported on the March 23, 2001 CASA Board of Directors meeting. Issues discussed were by-laws, expanding the role of associates; litigation funds and grounds for CASA-sponsored litigation. (6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER General Manager Blake Anderson discussed the logistics for tonight's Joint OCWD/OCSD Boards meeting as well as the rules of procedures. A. SARI Line Relocation Project-Review Updated Cost Estimate and seek direction. Staff is reviewing last year's adopted EIR and the most recent cost estimate of the project. David Ludwin, Director of Engineering, reported that the design is continuing. With the recent developments it appears that there will be about an 18-month delay, resulting in a completion of construction no sooner than 2005. The alternatives are being re- evaluated and a contract for a formalized risk analysis of protecting the line in the river will be awarded. A value engineering study was done which identified several major cost-saving ideas. The County of Orange has agreed to provide a portion of the funding. The PDC Committee will be reviewing all of the issues at its April 5 meeting. Lisa Lawson provided an update on the outreach activities and the formation of a citizens advisory committee. Counsel Brad Hogin discussed the ramifications of re- opening the EIR process should a new alternative be considered. The Committee requested that work on the plans and specifications be put on hold until a final decision is reached. B. Introduction to Communications Plan and Legislative Outreach. Lisa Lawson provided the committee with an overview of the new Communications Plan, which details involvement of employees, management and the members of the Board. Staff will be looking to the directors for advocacy assistance through their affiliations. Director Peter Green stated that the District's sponsorship and assistance with the Talbert Marsh Clean-up and other programs is most beneficial. Several directors mentioned that they are members of committees that could be approached to forward our programs in conjunction with the committee's goals. The committee asked that the plan be presented to the working committees at future meetings. C. Budget Projects for FY 2001-02. The major drivers for next year's budget were identified. Based upon preliminary review, they result in an increase of about $8 million over the current year's budget. Gary Streed, Director of Finance, presented an analysis of the major drivers and indicated that there is only about $5.5 million in additional items that were not included in the list. The preliminary proposed budget could be about 11 percent over the current budget. D. Hellman Ranch Annexation Fees. Blake Anderson reported on discussions with the developer of this property. The development has been scaled down to only 16.3 acres for residential. The remainder of the property is existing wetlands and oil production, as well as a proposed addition to a park. Staff is recommending that annexation fees be applied to only that portion of the property that will be residential. The Steering Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 3 March 28, 2001 Committee agreed to charge annexation fees on the 16 .3 acres and asked that an agreement be formalized addressing the possibility of changes in land use in the future. (7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL Counsel Tom Nixon did not make a report. (8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A -C) A. Reaffirm the Charter of the FAHR Committee with regard to Labor Negotiations. The Steering Committee recommended that the FAHR Committee continue to oversee the labor negotiations process. B. Consider At-will Contracts. Blake Anderson discussed the evolution of at-will contracts with new members of the Executive Management Team beginning in 1995. The General Manager's authority for negotiating new or increased benefits for employees with at-will contracts was considered. The Committee recommended that this item be referred to the FAHR Committee and that the details behind the percentages be presented. C. Review Agenda Items scheduled to be presented to Committees in April. There were no changes. (9) OTHER BUSINESS, COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY There was no other business discussed. (10) MATTERS WHICH A DIRECTOR WOULD LIKE STAFF TO REPORT ON AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING Director Steve Anderson asked that the Steering Committee consider a recruitment for an assistant general manager at a future meeting. (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 April25, 2001 at 5 p.m. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for April 25, 2001 at 7 p .m. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 4 March 28, 2001 (13) CLOSED SESSION The Committee convened at 5:30 p.m. in Closed Session, pursuant to Section 54956.9, to discuss Crow Winthrop Development Limited Partnership v. Orange County Sanitation District, Orange County Superior Court Case No. 000002012. Minutes of the Closed Session are on file with the Board Secretary. The minutes of the Joint Board will report on the actions when they are approved. At 5:35p.m ., the Committee reconvened in regular session. (14) ADJOURNMENT The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. G:\wp.dla\agenda\Steering Committee\01\Mar\032801 SC Minutes. doc