HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-25-2004 Steering Committee MinutesMINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
VVednesday,August25,2004
A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was
held on Wednesday, August 25 , 2004 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:
Steve Anderson, Chair
Jim Ferryman , Vice Chair
Carolyn Cavecche, Chair, OMTS Committee
Brian Donahue, Chairman, PDC Committee
Roy Moore , Chairman, FAHR Committee
Jim Silva, County Supervisor
Shirley McCracken, Past Board Chair
Norm Eckenrode
Directors Absent:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Thomas L. Woodruff, General Counsel
Dave Kendig, General Counsel
Don Hughes
STAFF PRESENT:
Blake Anderson, General Manager
Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services
David Ludwin, Director of Engineering
Bob Ooten, Director of Operations and
Maintenance
Carol Beekman, Director of Communications and
Administrative Services
Gail Garrett, Committee Secretary
Jim Colston, Legal & Regulat ory Affairs Liaison
Layne Baroldi, Legal & Regulatory Affairs Liaison
Jim Herberg, Engineering Manager
Jeff Reed, Human Resources Manager
General Manager Blake Anderson spoke to the Steering about his upcoming surgery. He announced
that Acting General Manager Bob Ghirelli is in charge of the operation of the agency effective
August 24, 2004, until General Manager Anderson 's return in late October. Mr. Anderson departed
the meeting.
General Counsel Tom Woodruff introduced Dave Kendig, who has just joined the firm of Woodruff,
Spradlin and Smart and will be working closely with OCSD staff.
(2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PROTEM
No appointment was necessary.
(3) PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no comments by any member of the public.
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Minutes of the Steering Committee
Page 2
August25,2004
(4) RECEIVE, FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the July 21, 2004 Steering Committee meeting were approved as drafted. Directors
Carolyn Cavecche and Roy Moore abstained.
(5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
A. Committee Chair Steve Anderson reported that he attended the CASA Conference in
Monterey on August 4-6. Carol Beekman and Layne Baroldi also attended and noted
that it was very informative.
B+C. There was a general discussion of Management Staffing Levels. No action was
taken.
Announcements by Chair Anderson.
The CSDA Conference will be held in Palm Springs in September.
Board member Tod Ridgeway, Supervisor Silva, and his assistant Don Hughes, will be
traveling to Washington DC September 7 to meet with legislators on secondary
treatment funding. Director of Communications & Administrative Services, Carol
Beekman will also be accompanying them. Mr. Ghirelli noted that the District is in the
EPA Spending Bill this year.
OCSD Lobbyists will be attending the September 22 Steering Committee and Board
meeting to provide an update on legislative funding issues.
Chair Anderson announced the new Committee appointments.
(6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER
Acting General Manager Bob Ghirelli stated that he is confident that, with the support of the
Executive Management team, his 6-7 week tenure as Acting General Manager will proceed smoothly.
The day-to-day operations of the agency will continue to move forward and decisions made and
carried through without delay.
Recommendation was made that Agenda Item 14 be continued to the October 27 Steering and
Board meeting. The permit user rates are being adjusted to correct an error. Staff is preparing a
revised staff report and recommendation for consideration by the FAHR committee. Staff will provide
all business permittees a copy of the staff report and revised ordinance with an opportunity to
comment before the matter is brought back in October.
GWRS was named "2004 Public Education Program of the Year" by the National WateReuse
Association which encompasses 300 member agencies across the country. The award will be
presented at the Association's annual conference in Phoenix in late September. Mr. Ghirelli
complimented Carol Beekman, her staff, and the OCWD public relations team for their work .
Minutes of the Steering Committee
Page 3
August 25, 2004
Dave Ludwin will give an update on the Bushard Sewer Project at the Board meeting tonight and
Carol Beekman is going to present the Fate, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Toolkit.
Mr. Ghirelli announced Service Awards were being presented at the Board meeting to Chuck Forman
and Bob Chenowith for 25 and 30 years service, respectively.
(7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL
A. General Harassment Policy Training issues
General Counsel Tom Woodruff reported on General Harassment Policy Training
issues. Directors McCracken and Cavecche suggested a short orientation would be
appropriate in January or February for new Directors, open to all Directors. Supervisor
Silva noted that the County has this as a policy.
B. El Paso Natural Gas Antitrust Case
Mr. Woodruff reported briefly on this class action suit which was settled for $1.4 billion
over a period of years. District participation in the settlement would incur minimal
costs.
(8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A -C)
A. Chair recommended that Item 8(A) Grant Funding Policy be sent to the FAHR
Committee. Adopt Resolution No. OCSD 04 22, establishing Grant Funding
Program Policy and Code of Ethics (Colston)
B. The Agenda Items scheduled to be reviewed by the Board's working committees in
September 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
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
Page4
August 25, 2004
(12) CONSIDERATION OF UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 5 p.m.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 7 p.m.
(13) CLOSED SESSION
The Committee convened at 6:05p.m. in Closed Session, pursuant to Section 54956.9, to
discuss five items. 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 6:40p.m., the Committee reconvened in regular session.
(14) ADJOURNMENT
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6 :40 p.m.
Submitted by:
G~~
Gail Garrett
Steering Committee Secretary
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