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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-2002 Steering Committee Minutes\• DRAFT MINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, May 22, 2002 A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, May 22, 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 Joey Racano Randy Fuhrman Doug Korthof Jan Vandersloot STAFF PRESENT: Blake Anderson, General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services David Ludwin, Director of Engineering Greg Mathews, Assistant to the General Manager Lisa Murphy, Communications Manager Ryal Wheeler, Maintenance Supervisor Lynn Jensen, A~~iftrative Assistant IN THE OFFICE Of THE S£CRETARY ORANGE COUNTv o .A~UTATION DISTRtCT Mr. Doug Korthof suggested that the chair express an official position on the waiver. Mr. Jan Vandersloot requested that an explanation be given regarding the scientists' position on bacteria levels on the beach. Mr. Joey Racano gave an apology to Director Steve A~erson regarding his vote on the renewal of the waiver. Mr. Randy Fuhrman suggested that in the event the effluent plume reaches shore, the projected long -term effects should be made public. (4) RECEIVE, FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the April 24, 2002 Steering Committee meeting were approved as drafted. (5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR Committee Chair Eckenrode reported on the spring CASA conference where the following items were covered: Changes in environmental laws; changes in employment laws; and pending legislation. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 2 May 22,2002 Chair Eckenrode indicated he is very interested in microfiltration, and thinks it will be well-received as further studies are completed. (6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER General Manager Blake Anderson and staff reported on several issues, as follows. A. Maddox Bill (AB1969) Mr. Anderson reported on the current status of the Maddox bill. The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved the bill today and referred it to the full Assembly for consideration. Lisa Murphy indicated the full local disclosure language has been added to the bill, which passed with one no vote. B. Harman Bill (AB 1892) Mr. Anderson provided a progress report on the Harman Bill, which has moved successfully through the assembly and has been referred to the Senate. He explained that the state is not required to pay for the directives of the bill, (concerning dry weather runoff) which has little opposition at this time. C. GWRS Progress Report Blake Anderson reported on the status of the GWRS Project which has received $30 million from the state for the project. The project is to include areas up to the Anaheim Forebay, which might be too broad a scope for the project. He announced the retirement of Tom Dawes, project manager, whose temporary replacement has been announced as Bill Everest. Mr. Anderson noted OCSD would like to participate in the selection of a new project manager. D. Disinfection Project Mr. Anderson reported on the progress of getting the disinfection project moving forward, with the hope that we will be able to disinfect during at least part of the summer with help from the Regional Water Quality Control Board. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously carried to recommend moving forward with this project. E. SARI Relocation Project Blake Anderson asked for direction from the Steering Committee regarding his proposed letter to SAWPA requiring early resolution of the $3 million that SAWPA owes us for work on the SARI Line relocation project. Mr. Woodruff spoke regarding the new attorney review of the agreement, which will likely now go through further extensive reviews, even though it has been through over 30 drafts to date. The Steering Committee directed him to send the "get tough" letter to SAWPA. Mr. Anderson reported that CaiTrans will be pumping out the hot storm drain in Newport Beach. (7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel Tom Woodruff provided an update on two matters of litigation. Mr. Woodruff reported the Tran lawsuit was settled for far less than the requested amount, as was the Newport Beach contractor lawsuit. (8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A-H) A. County of Orange request to waive Connection fees for Select Properties in Unincorporated area of Santa Ana. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 3 May 22, 2002 After discussion, the Steering Committee directed staff to continue to charge new connections consistent with adopted fee schedules, but to allow time payments for large sums due. B. Consider Ballot Initiative for 301 (h) Waiver Director Steve Anderson asked that the Steering Committee consider the idea of placing a ballot measure regarding the ocean discharge question on the November ballot. After discussion, the Steering Committee directed staff to put a brief paper together discussing the pros and cons and summary of the logistics of putting such a measure on the ballot. C. Buy American Policy The Steering Committee discussed the question of a buy American policy related to the purchase of equipment for the Groundwater Replenishment System. The Steering Committee decided to recommend to the Board that Item 6-C be referred back to the GWRSJCC. D. Preparation for June 26 Board Meeting The Steering Committee discussed preparations for the upcoming June 26 Board meeting, presently scheduled as the night the Board decides on level of treatment. After discussion, the Steering Committee directed staff to continue to assume a decision on June 26 and for staff to outline the alternatives without a recommendation. E. Consider changing Board meeting start time and agenda order for June 26, 2002 Board meeting; i.e. Steering Committee at 5 p.m., Board Meeting Closed Session at 6:30 p.m. and consideration of regular agenda at 7 p.m. The Committee decided to change the start of the June 26 Board meeting to 6:30p.m. and will begin the meeting in closed session. The Board will reconvene in open session at ?:p.m. F. Review and consideration of Agenda Items for the operating committee meetings in June. The agenda items scheduled to be presented to the operating committees in June were reviewed. G. Review and consideration of Agenda Items for Board of Directors Meeting of May 22, 2002. The agenda items for tonight's Board meeting were reviewed to answer questions or get clarification. (9) OTHER BUSINESS, COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY There were none. (10) MATTERS WHICH A DIRECTOR WOULD LIKE STAFF TO REPORT ON AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING There were none. ,o ' ' '\I Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 4 May22, 2002 (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 Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at 5 p.m. There will be a Special Board Meeting on Wednesday, June 19, beginning at 6 p.m. The next Regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at 6:30p.m. (13) CLOSED SESSION The Committee convened at 6:35 p.m. in Closed Session, pursuant to Section 54956.9, to discuss two potential cases of 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 6:50 p.m., the Committee reconvened in regular session. (14) ADJOURNMENT The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:50p.m. Submitted by: Lyn Jensen ( Administrative Assistant G:\wp.dta\agenda\Steering Committee\02\May\052202 SC Minutes. doc