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Home My WebLink About02-27-2002 Steering Committee MinutesDRAFT MINUTES OF STEERING COMMIITEE MEETING Wednesday, February 27, 2002 A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 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: Norm Eckenrode, Chair Shirley McCracken, Vice Chair Pat McGuigan, Chairman, OMTS Committee Steve Anderson, PDC Committee Brian Brady, Chairman, FAHR Committee Directors Absent: Jim Silva, County Supervisor (2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PRO TEM No appointment was necessary. (3) PUBLIC COMMENTS OTHERS PRESENT: Thomas L. Woodruff, General Counsel Ryal Wheeler Randy Furhman Carl Newhausen STAFF PRESENT: Blake Anderson, General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services David Ludwin, Director of Engineering Gary Streed, Director of Finance Lisa Murphy, Communications Manager Chuck Winsor, Engineering Supervisor Jean Tappan, Committee Secretary FILED IN THE OFFICE Of THE SECRETARY ORAN GE COUNTY SAN ITATION DISTRICT There were no comments by any member of the public. (4) RECEIVE, FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the January 23, 2002 Steering Committee meeting were approved as drafted. (5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR Committee Chair Norm Eckenrode announced that CASA Conference reservations are due to Jean Tappan as soon as possible. The conference will be held at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Lake Tahoe May 1-4. He also reported on his meeting with members and staff representatives of the • Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 2 February 27, 2002 Orange County delegation in Washington, DC on February 13. This has become an annual event co-sponsored by the OCWD, MWDOC and the Sanitation District. (6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER General Manager Blake Anderson discussed the OCWD letter on the Metropolitan Water District Storage Contract and the potential financial impact on the Sanitation District. No action was requested. See No. {1 0). There are still some outstanding issues regarding the GWRS agreement. At tonight's board meeting a motion will be requested to pull the item from the agenda. It should be finalized in time for next month's meeting. The GWRS construction management services agreement will go forward. There will be no expenditures until the summer. The OCWD board will act on the agreement at its second meeting in March. Gary Streed, director of finance, updated the members on estimated future sewer user fee rates. He explained how the rates have changed over the past six years and the available options. At this time it is proposed that the board adopt a rate for 2002-03 of $87.50 for a single-family residence. Rates for industrial users will also increase. After the Strategic Plan is adopted and the level of treatment has been determined a multi-year rate plan will be proposed. These increases are exempt from Proposition 218 requirements; however, staff believes that the property ow'ners should be notified of the increases that will appear on their property tax bills. Notifications will be mailed to properties in Areas 2, 3, 6 and 7. There is no need to mail to all property owners in the service area because they already pay at least the $87.50 minimum. Mr. Streed also discussed estimated funding requirements and revenue sources through 2010. In the event full secondary treatment is implemented, the estimated annual cost for a single-family residence will increase to about $200 by 201 0. Mr Anderson and Bob Ghirelli, director of technical services, described the events leading to the decision to implement chlorine disinfection of the effluent. The monitoring results in waters in Newport Canyon indicated high counts of bacteria at levels not seen before. After conferring with staff and the Board Chair, a press conference was held to discuss the events and describe our plan of action. There have been some objections to the use of chlorine because of proven impacts on marine life. However, with careful oversight and proper holding time, the residuals should be diluted enough to protect the area around the end of the outfall. Dechlorination facilities may be necessary if the dissipation is lower than anticipated. Alternate processes and chemicals are available and they will be evaluated. Staff will prepare a more detailed explanation in the future. Staff is working with the regulators to make sure the proposed facilities are in compliance with requirements. Additional monitoring will be required. The chlorinated effluent will meet California Ocean Plan requirements. There is a tank farm at Plant 2 ready for use. Some additional piping and a meter will be added. Staff is also considering adding disinfection facilities at Plant 1 to increase the holding time. • Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 3 February 27, 2002 Mr. Eckenrode asked staff to prepare a report to the Board in September on the status of marine life at the outfall. Mr. Anderson described the relationship between disinfection and secondary treatment. Secondary treatment will reduce BOD and total suspended solids but will not reduce pathogens sufficiently. Disinfection will eliminate pathogens. Secondary treatment addresses environmental concerns. Disinfection address public health concerns. Lisa Murphy, communications manager, reported that a public information request for payments made to Chair Eckenrode and Director Pat McGuigan has been received. Staff will be presenting lump sum totals for fees and travel reimbursements only. Ms. Murphy also reported receiving 239 form letters via e-mail, fax and mail opposing the waiver. Of those, only 112 were from our service area. These letters are the result of a letter-writing campaign recommended by Surfriders. Only those letters requesting additional information will be answered. (7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel Tom Woodruff reported that Crow Winthrop has filed two new lawsuits. A motion was made, seconded and approved to add the discussion of these items to the closed session agenda. (8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A-C) A. Dave Ludwin, director of engineering, and Chuck Winsor, engineering supervisor, updated the members on the sewering of the El Morro Elementary School, which is under a 'cease and desist' order from the San Diego Regional Board . Mr. Carl Newhausen, Laguna Beach Unified School District Construction Administrator, explained their concerns and schedule . The options were discussed. Staff was directed to work with IRWD and the school district to develop either a pre-annexation agreement or an out-of-District service agreement. When finalized it will be presented to the Board for approval. B. The Agenda Items scheduled to be reviewed by the Board's working committees in March were reviewed. C. The agenda items scheduled to be presented to the Board at tonight's meeting were reviewed. (9) OTHER BUSINESS, COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY Chair Eckenrode and Director Anderson commented on the Joint Management Committee re SARI meeting held yesterday. Until the approximately $3 million SAWPA payment is received, they have recommended not finalizing the agreement. The next meeting is scheduled for April 16. ' . ' Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 4 February 27, 2002 (10) MATTERS WHICH A DIRECTOR WOULD LIKE STAFF TO REPORT ON AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING Director Steve Anderson asked staff to present a staff report on the OCWD letter regarding the MWD Storage Contract issue. He wants more details on the costs and credits. (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 27, 2002 at 5 p.m. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2002 at 7 p.m. (13) CLOSED SESSION The Committee convened at 6:18p.m. in Closed Session, pursuant to Section 54956.9, to discuss four items of existing and new litigation. Minutes of the Closed Session are on file with the Board Secretary. Confidential Minutes of the Closed Session held by the Steering Committee have been prepared in accordance with Government Code Section 54957.2, and are maintained by the Board Secretary in the Official Book of Confidential Minutes of Board and Committee Closed Meetings. A report of the recommended actions will be publicly reported at the time the approved actions become final. At 6:55 p.m., the Committee reconvened in regular session. (14) ADJOURNMENT The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. n Tappan eering Committee Secretary G:\wp.dtalagenda\Steering Committee\02\Feb\022702 SC Minutes. doc g:\wp.dtalagenda\steering committee\02\leb\022702 sc minutes. doc