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Home My WebLink About06-26-2002 Steering Committee MinutesDRAFT MINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, June 26, 2002 A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at 5 p.m ., in the District's Administrati\e Office. (1) The roll was called and a quorum declared present, as bllows: 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 Jim Silva, County Supervisor Directors Absent: None (2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PROTEM No appointment was necessary. (3) PUBLIC COMMENTS OTHERS PRESENT: Thomas L. Woodruff, General Counsel Don Hughes Doug Korthof Don Schultz Larry Porter Randy Fuhrman Joan Irvine Smith Stephanie Barger STAFF PRESENT: Blake Anderson , General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services David Ludwin, Director of Eng ineering Bob Ooten, Director of Operations and Maintenance Gary Streed, Director of Finance Lisa Murphy, Communications Manager Jean Tappan, Committee Secretary Mike Moore , ECM Manager FILED IN THE OFF ICE Of THE SECRETARY OR ANGE CO t 1!\ITY ~,1\NI TAnO N OlSTR1C"'f AUG 28 2002 BY ___.;_._{.L..::-K--- Doug Korthof, Don Schultz and Larry Porter expressed opposition against renewing the 301 (h) modified permit. Mr . Schultz also congratulated Gary Streed, Director of Finance, for the recent award for the budget and asked that the District subsidiie the environmental groups in a like amount given political lobbyists . Randy Fuhrman asked that the directors continue their leadership role on the board to help them come together and mO\e forward regardless of the vote on level of treatment. Joan Irvine Smith asked that staff consider seeking state money from Proposition 13 fund and the clean beaches program to assist Vvith the secondary treatment money. Stephanie Barger stated that there is support for increased level of treatment and that residents are wiling to pay for a clean ocean. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 2 June 26, 2002 (4) RECEIVE, FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the May 22, 2002 Steering Committee meeting \'\ere approved as drafted. (5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR Committee Chair Eckenrode reported announced the Fall CASA conerence that will be held August 7-10, 2002 in Monterey, California . He also thanked the members br their support and leadership during the past too years. (6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER General Manager Blake Anderson reported on the bllowing items: A Update on Disinfection Project B. Update on EPA and RWQCB Action to Modify our Permit Items A and B were discussed together. The board has authorized studies and pre- purchase of some equipment and supplies to expedite the disinfection of the effluent. Staff is working with regulators to modify our discharge permit to include a chlorine residual limit, adding new marine species for acute toxicity testing, and changing the recreational standard to include all ooters within the 3-mile state territorial limit. lhis permit modification will be heard by the Regional Board on July 19. It is believed that disinfection is the only way to address the issue of pathogen reduction quickly and effectively. Full secondary is not an alternative to disinfection and it will take 11 years to complete. Staff estimates that disinfection could be on line in mid-August. Opposition by some members of the environmental community is expected. C. Update on Biosolids Management Program Mike Moore reported on the activities at Fort Mojave on the Colorado River. Open air windrow composting is underway. Several of our old composters from the old Bee Canyon land fill site are being used and a leasing agreement is being considered f::Jr the longer term. Blake Anderson reported that an idea has been proposed to the City of Irvine on building a green waste and biosolids composting facility on the El Toro site, assuming the city takes possession of that area. There are many advantages, including a revenue stream for the city. Director Pat McGuigan reported that the IWMD has formed a new biosolids committee and this oould be an ideal issue for it to consider. The District would be willing to invest $30-40 million. NIMBY is the biggest concern. A meeting INith Irvine is contemplated in August. D . Report of Director of Finance re Insurance Rates There are two items on the Board 's agenda regarding insurance purchases. Gary Streed reported that because of the adverse market conditions for earthquake and liability insurance, he is recommending that earthquake insurance not be purchased for the next year and that liability insurance be purchased for an additional month wh ile staff and consultants continue to negotiate better rates. Director Sii'B expressed concern about not have adequate coverage . The members of the Committee agreed that Director Bradywould present the Committee 's recommendations to the Board, IMlich is to follow Mr. Streed 's recommendations .. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 3 June 26, 2002 E. Award of UV Supply Contract for GWRS to Trojan Technologies The award of the UV supply contract to Trojan is on tonight's Board agenda. This item was previously reviewed by the Steering Committee and rei:med back to the GWRS JCC for discussion. This did not happen. Directors Anderson and Patterson were provided additional materials supporting the staff's decision to recommend awarding the contract. It appears the issue is buy American.' The general manager recommended that the aVvard of the contract to Trojan move forward. After discussion, it was decided to pull the item from the agenda and refer it to the July 10, 2002 FAHR Committee for review with a recommendation to the Board at its July17, 2002 meeting. Director Anderson presented an opinion letter tom an attorney on behalf of Calgon Carbon for receiving and filing. It will be given to the FAHR Committee members at the July 10 meeting as well as the JCC members . F. Update on Maddox Bill Blake Anderson reported that the bill has passed through out ofthe Senate Environmental Quality Committee and is now with the Appropriations Committee. Because there are no state funds involved, it is anticipated to pass on to the foor of the Senate. However, it was learned late this afternoon that Maddox has included an amendment that adds a deadline of 2008 for implementation of secondary treatment. Because of the mandatory fine law, the Regional Board must fine us between $3000 and $10,000 per day for every day of noncompliance, which would total between $5.5 and 18.2 million dollars if compliance didn't happen until 2013, which is the date our engineers advise is achievable. Mr. Anderson stated that v-.e could not comply by 2008. It is preferable that the District be able to negotiate a reasonable compliance schedule with EPA and the Regional Board rather than ha\1ng to comply with a state mandate with an unachievable schedule. (7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel Tom Woodruff did not make a report. (8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A-D) A. Consider placing the question of level of treatment as a Ballot 1\Jlaasure At the request of Director Anderson, General Counsel researched the issue and reported that this District has no legal authorityby itself and cannot put anything on the ballot. However, it is possible to frame a question and present it to the Board of Supervisors asking that it be put on the ballot. But the timing in the case ofthe level of treatment is too late as the statutory deadline for the November ballot is August 8. The Steering Committee decided not to pursue the matter f.Jrther. B. Provide advice and direction to staff on the format and conduct of the July 17 Board Meeting re Level of Treatment Decision Mr. Anderson outlined the tentath.e plans for the meeting, including a 6 p.m . start time; limiting the total time for public comments to 45 minutes and at the beginning ofthe meeting. The Board Room will be set up to facilitate discussion by the directors . C. Review Agenda Items scheduled to be presented to Committees in July These were not reviewed. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 4 June 26, 2002 D. Review and consideration of Agenda Items for Board of Directors Meeting of June 26, 2002 Mr. Anderson described the logistics for tonight's board meeting. The meeting will begin with a one-hour closed session. At 7:30 the public will be allowed into the Board room and the meeting will continue. The directors will determine how long each speaker may address the Board or the total time allowed for public comments. (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 There were none. (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, July 17, 2002 at 5 p.m. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at 6 p.m. (13) CLOSED SESSION There was no closed session. (14) ADJOURNMENT The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m . s Tappan ring Committee Secretary G:\wp.dta\agenda \Steering Committee \02\Jun \062602 S C Minutes.doc