HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28-2002 Steering Committee Minutes(
DRAFT
MINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
VVednesday,August28,2002
A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was
held on Wednesday, August 28, 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:
Shirley McCracken, Chair
Steve Anderson, Vice Chair
Pat McGuigan, Chairman, OMTS Committee
Russell Patterson, Chairman, PDC Committee
Brian Brady, Chairman, FAHR Committee
Jim Silva, County Supervisor
Directors Absent:
Norm Eckenrode , Past Board Chair
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(2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PRO TEM
No appointment was necessary.
(3) PUBLIC COMMENTS
OTHERS PRESENT:
Thomas L. Woodruff, General Counsel
Don Hughes
Ryal Wheeler
Scott Baugh
Jan Vandersloot
Joey Racano
Larry Porter
Randy Fuhrman
STAFF PRESENT:
Gary Streed, Acting General Manager and
Director of Finance
Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services
David Ludwin, Director of Engineering
Bob Ooten, Director of Operations and
Maintenance
Lisa Murphy, Communications Manager
Jim Colston, Sr. Regulatory Specialist
Sonja Wassgren, Public Information Specialist
Jean Tappan, Committee Secretary
Dr. Jan Vandersloot thanked the Steering Committee and the Board for their July 17 decision. He
asked that the public be kept apprised of the 30:30 Committee actions and that they be allowed to be
involved. Larry Porter asked that the Steering Committee direct staff and the general manager to
notify The Register that the problem is not just bacteria. Randy Fuhrman suggested that the mission
statement be revised to include increasing wastewater reclamation. Joey Racano said that the
District should not be doing its own studies because of the perception of impropriety. He also said
that we should be working on eliminating endocrine disrupters.
Minutes of the Steering Committee
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August28, 2002
(4) RECEIVE, FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the June 26, 2002 Steering Committee meeting were approved as drafted.
(5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Committee Chair Shirley McCracken reported that Steve Anderson, Brian Brady, Norm Eckenrode
and Jim Silva attended the CASA conference in Monterey. They commented that the meetings were
very informative.
Chair McCracken reported that the GWRS JPA with the Orange County Water District appears to be
moving forward and that agreement in principle has been reached. The schedule is to release the
draft agreement on September 12 and the JCC will review it at its September 16 meeting. This
Steering Committee will review it on September 25 and the District's standing committees and the
Board will consider it at their October meetings. OCWD will also move it through their approval
process at the same time. Chair McCracken recognized the contributions of former Chairs Jan
Debay and Norm Eckenrode.
Chair McCracken reported that Gary Streed is acting General Manager while Blake Anderson is on
vacation. Mr. Anderson will return September 16.
(6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER
A. Update on FOG Management Issues
Bob Ghirelli reported that the County FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) ordinance is being
developed to deal with grease from restaurants. This ordinance is the result of an
Orange County Grand Jury investigation. At this time the ordinance is only applicable
to restaurants in the unincorporated area of Orange County. It will require that new
restaurants have grease interrupters installed and that the inspectors from the Health
Care Agency review the paperwork to ensure proper recordkeeping is being done.
The ordinance will not have much of an impact on the Sanitation District, but we are
funding in part a study that will result in a list of best management practices and best
applied technology available. We have offered to field test some of the recommended
equipment. The Committee members questioned Supervisor Silva about the
possibility of contracting with the County Health Care Agency to have them perform
the same type of oversight for the cities, as each city will be required to have a FOG
management plan as well. Supervisor Silva indicated that the County should be the
lead agency and would require a revenue stream to support the program. The role of
the Sanitation District has yet to be determined.
B. Grantsmanship: A DC Initiative
Mr. Ghirelli also provided a briefing on the proposed plan to secure federal funding for
secondary treatment facilities. In the past, there have been federal construction
grants and special legislation to assist with the funding. However, in order to take
advantage of these programs, we need to mount a concerted effort in Washington,
working through our representative, ENS. A proposal has been received from ENS for
short-term services to generate support with the legislators and their staff members,
as well as support from the various associations. Questions and discussion followed
by the directors, mostly expressing concern about the viability of undertaking these
Minutes of the Steering Committee
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August28,2002
efforts at this time of the year when Congress is pretty much in recess and the
legislators are not in Washington. After discussion, Chair McCracken asked that staff
share the directors concerns with the general manager and bring the issue back to the
committee with more detailed information on what services will be provided for long-
term efforts. At that time the Committee will decide whether to proceed with a second
phase.
C. Update on Ocean Permit Issues
This discussion was moved to Closed Session.
Gary Streed reported that the FAHR Committee meeting had been changed to September 18
to avoid any conflict with September 11 memorial events. The Employees Activity Committee,
on behalf of the employees and at their own expense, will install a large flag pole and plaque
at the front entrance at Plant 1 and a similar plaque will be installed near the flag pole at Plant
2. A short dedication ceremony will be held on September 11 .
(7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL
General Counsel Woodruff announced a need for a closed session, pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.9(b)(1 ), has arisen since the publishing of the Agenda. The item was agendized for
open session. The closed session is necessary and will discuss possible litigation in view of the
District being advised earlier this date of a petition for adjudicatory hearing being filed by legal
counsel for the Natural Resources Defense Fund, with the State of California, Water Resources
Control Board. It was moved, seconded and approved to move Item 8.B. to closed session.
Mr. Woodruff also described several changes that are being considered to Resolution No. OCSD
01-23, Establishing Rules of Procedure for the Conduct of Business of the District. These are minor
clean-up items providing more definition on committee assignments, time limits for speaking, and
conference and meeting attendance. After discussion, it was agreed that the only change was
related to Director's assignments to the OMTS Committee. The revised resolution will be submitted
to the Steering Committee and the Board in December.
The Chair ordered that the closed session be taken out of order at this time.
(13) CLOSED SESSION
The Committee convened at 5:46p.m. in Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956 .9(b)(1 ), to discuss possible litigation.
At 6:16 p.m ., the Committee reconvened in Regular Session. General Counsel advised that the
Natural Resources Defense Council filed a Petition with the State Water Resources Control
Board to review the decision and Order of the Regional Water Quality Control Board-Santa Ana
Region, amending the District's NPDES Permit re disinfection and declorination. The Committee
directed General Counsel and staff to monitor the Petition proceedings at the SWRCB, and to
represent and defend the District's interests.
Minutes of the Steering Committee
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August28,2002
(8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A-D)
A. Consider need for Ad Hoc Committee re Urban Runoff meeting in September
Bob Ghirelli updated the committee on some of the activities that have taken place
since the last meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee in February. The Committee thought
that it was time for another meeting on September 26. Director Don Bankhead has
been appointed chair of that committee.
B. Update on 30:30 Action Plan (NPDES Permit Renewal)
Bob Ghirelli and Jim Colston provided an update on staff activities since July 17 and
described the permit renewal options that will be discussed with EPA and the Regional
Water Quality Control Board in San Francisco tomorrow, August 29.
The draft mission statement was reviewed and the Committee asked that a statement
on water reclamation be included.
Mr. Colston provided additional information on actions taken by the California Senate's
Environmental Quality Committee on AB 1969. This bill was designed to grant an
exemption to the District for mandatory minimum penalties during the transition period
to secondary treatment. Monthly progress updates will be provided to the Steering
Committee and the Board concerning the permit renewal.
Bob Ooten reported on the results of disinfection and the increase in secondary
treatment that has been brought on line. A monthly update report will be provided to
the Steering Committee and the Board on these items.
C. The Agenda Items scheduled to be reviewed by the Board's working committees in
September were reviewed.
D. 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
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.
Minutes of the Steering Committee
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August28,2002
(12) CONSIDERATION OF UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 5 p.m.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 2002 at 7 p.m.
(14) ADJOURNMENT
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
e Tappan
t ering Committee Secretary
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