HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-2002 Steering Committee MinutesDRAFT
MINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday , November 20, 2002
A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was
held on Wednesday, November 20, 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
Norm Eckenrode, Past Board Chair
Brian Donahue, Incoming PDC Committee Chair
Director Jim Ferryman, Incoming OMTS
Committee Chair
Directors Absent:
Brian Brady, Chairman, FAHR Committee
Jim Silva, County Supervisor
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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
·Jennifer Cabral
Mike Moore
Randy Fuhrman
Jan Vandersloot
Joan Irvine Smith
Paul Mosley
Larry Porter
STAFF PRESENT:
Blake Anderson, General Manager
Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services
David Ludwin, Director of Engineering
Greg Mathews, Administrative Services Manager
Bob Ooten, Director of Operations and
Maintenance
Gary Streed, Director of Finance
Sonja Wassgren, Communications Principal
Public Information Specialist
Jim Colston, ECM Legal and Regulatory Affairs
Specialist
Jean Tappan, Committee Secretary
Jan Vandersloot asked that the most recent version of the permit application transmittal letter be
provided to the Directors so that they are aware of the recent changes . Larry Porter addressed the
need for early determination of selected process to reach 30/30 standards. Randy Fuhrman
Minutes of the Steering Committee
Page 2
November 20,2002
submitted a copy of a letter he will be presenting to the Board on various items on the agenda,
including informed policy decisions, looking at the overall biosolids picture, including a fitness center
in the administration building expansion to improve and encourage employee health, and approving
the Ocean Discharge Permit application.
(4) RECEIVE, FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The minutes of the regular October 23, 2002 and the Special November 7, 2002 Steering Committee
meetings were approved as drafted.
(5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Committee Chair Shirley McCracken thanked retiring Director Pat McGuigan for her support and
leadership over the past eight years. She also announced that Jim Ferryman will be OMTS
Committee Chair and Brian Donahue has agreed to be PDC Committee Chair.
(6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER
General Manager Blake Anderson announced that he would like to combine two agenda items, 6.A
and 8.E, together as they are closely related. ·
A. California Legislative Agenda for 2003 (and Item 8.E., Washington, DC Funding Strategy)
Mr. Anderson provided a history on what initiatives the agency has supported in the past
and outlined those that could impact the District in the coming year. Discussions are
underway to amend Prop. 218 that would include urban runoff fees in the exempt
category. During the 2002 legislative session, an ACA was approved for the March 2004
ballot that could, beginning in 2006-07, transfer 1 percent of the General Fund to an
Infrastructure Fund if the State General Funds increase by 4 percent after inflation. Staff
anticipates working with CaiRac to build support in Sacramento for this amendment. We
will also attempt to change state law so that theCA Regional Water Quality Control Board
would be the state-wide regulator for biosolids in a systematic and scientifically-based
manner. Taking away local control will be a challenge.
Tom Woodruff mentioned that both the state and EPA are going ahead with biosolids
studies and this may be the time to move ahead. A coordinated cooperative effort with
other wastewater treatment agencies is required.
Bob Ghirelli addressed the action item to approve a budget of $200,000 for a federal
advocacy program, of which $180,000 would go towards a consultant contract and the
other $20,000 would cover staff costs, travel, etc.
A list of organizations and firms that provide some type of legislative lobbying was
reviewed. About $190,000 was spent on this year on these efforts, with another $92,000
on specific legislative bills.
In the past we have not sought grant funding for our construction program, but the
Directors have asked staff to consider this alternative. Part of the scope of the ENS
Resources contract is to provide an estimate of funds that might be available to the
District. Staff was directed to prepare a report for the Directors that would outline a
" Minutes of the Steering Committee
Page 3
November 20, 2002
budget for 2003-04, define the short-term strategy and a goal for how much money we
would like to obtain, and provide an estimate of grant assistance available.
MOVED, SECONDED AND DULY CARRIED: To recommend to the Board that the
contract with ENS Resources be approved.
Director Ferryman questioned whether Scott Baugh was the most effective representative
given the current political climate.
B. Committee Charters and Related Handbook for Directors
Greg Mathews, Administrative Services Manager, described the handbook that is under
development for Directors. It would provide information on what it means to be a director
of the Sanitation District and provide reference material and instructions. A draft manual
will be presented to the Directors at the December meeting and the final will be available
for the new directors as they join the Board. The Steering Committee members did not
make any changes to the items outlined.
C. Updates were provided on:
1. Achieving 30/30 Secondary Treatment Standards
Staff continues to move forward with improvements to the secondary treatment
process. Operations produced 62/39 effluent quality, down from the 72/51 produced
prior to July 17, 2002. Engineering continues to work on the CIP verification. Staff
continues to work with the Regional Board and others on the details of establishing an
independent expert panel to review the secondary facilities schedule. The panel
members must be registered professional civil and structural engineers and
construction professionals who can review the schedule based on their experience in
the industry.
2. Biosolids
This issue was not discussed.
3. Disinfection
Staff continues to get excellent results. 'Kills' are well within our operational objectives
that result in concentrations at the edge of the zone of initial dilution that meet the
California Ocean Plan limits. Temporary facilities are being converted to meet
redundancy requirements that will be able to meet our needs for the next 3-5 years.
Engineering is moving forward with design of a permanent disinfection system.
D. Consider the future of the Communications Division
Mr. Anderson reported that we are actively recruiting for a Communications Manager to
replace Lisa Murphy. The position is a member of the Executive Management Team to
ensure staff and the public understand what we are doing. He outlined some of the
expectations and qualifications that are needed at this time. There has been considerable
interest in the position.
Sonja Wassgren made a presentation on the responsibilities of the division. One of the
major tasks is to provide customer service to our construction management staff. She
described the steps they have to take for larger construction projects to provide the
necessary communications tools for the public. It is anticipated that there will be five
large, six medium sized and eight smaller construction projects in the next year that they
will be supporting. She also described some of the issues that have impacted the staff,
including the problems with the SARI project.
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November 20, 2002
Ms . Wassgren announced that the District's website has been improved and gave a brief
demonstration of some of the changes. This should be available the first part of
December.
(7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL
General Counsel Tom Woodruff reported on a meeting held yesterday between EPA and the local
environmental groups. The District was invited to the meeting. The environmental group had
requested that they be allowed to sit on the expert panel to make sure they were kept informed
throughout the schedule review process. Mr. Woodruff reported that EPA has a national policy that
negotiations have to be confidential. After terms of the permit have been negotiated, there are
opportunities for public comment before the permit is issued.
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 on issues related to the SARI Relocation invoices to SAWPA.
It was moved, seconded and approved to move Item 8.D. to closed session
(8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A-G)
A. A Look Ahead-2003 Committee Meeting Schedule
In order to provide early notification to the directors and staff, a preliminary meeting
schedule has been created. January and August will be dark for the OMTS and PDC
Committees. Because of labor negotiations, the FAHR Committee will meet in January
and be dark in August. Other meeting dates may need to change to accommodate
holidays. The Committee agreed with staff recommended changes.
B. Workshop for New Directors
Wednesday, February 19, has been established as the date for a workshop for new and
returning directors to discuss. It coincides with the FAHR Committee that was also moved
to that night to avoid conflict with Lincoln's Birthday, which is a District holiday. It was
decided that the FAHR Committee would begin at 5 p.m. and the workshop at 7 p.m.
Three areas will be covered: operations of the District, basic ocean science and ocean
monitoring and a review of the CIP.
C. Low Interest Loans for Converting Residences from Septic Tanks to Sewer Connections
It was agreed to move discussion of this item to the December 18, 2002 meeting.
D. Status of SAWPA Invoicing Problems
This item was moved to closed session/
E. Washington, DC Funding Strategy
This item was discussed under Report of General Manager.
F. The Agenda Items scheduled to be reviewed by the Board's working committees in
December were reviewed.
G. The agenda items scheduled to be presented to the Board at tonight's meeting were
reviewed.
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November 20, 2002
(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 Norm Eckenrode asked that the Scott Baugh contract be brought to the full Board for
consideration.
(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, December 18, 2002 at 5 p.m.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at 7 p.m.
(13) CLOSED SESSION
The Committee convened at 6:32 p.m. in Closed Session, pursuant to Section 54956.9, to
discuss possible litigation re SARI Relocation project. Consideration of the General Manager's
Annual Performance Evaluation and Compensation and conference with District's Labor
Negotiations (Human Resources Representative and General Manager) re salaries, benefits,
terms and conditions of employment for At-will Contracts with Executive Management Team was
moved to the December 18 Steering Committee meeting. 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 6:55p.m., the Committee reconvened in regular session.
(14) ADJOURNMENT
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
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Je n appan
S ing Committee Secretary
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