Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-28-2005 Steering Committee MinutesJi I DRAFT MINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, September 28, 2005 A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 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 Roy Moore, Chairman, FAHR Committee Tad Ridgeway, Chairman, PDC Committee Jim Silva, County Supervisor Directors Absent: Carolyn Cavecche, Chair, OMTS Committee OTHERS PRESENT: Bradley R. Hagin, General Counsel Joe Forbath, Counsel Don Hughes Randy Fuhrman STAFF PRESENT: Blake Anderson, General Manager Nick Arhontes, Director of Regional Services and Assets Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance Jeff Reed, Human Resources Manager Sonja Morgan, Principal Public Information Specialist Jennifer Cabral, Senior Public Information Specialist Layne Baroldi, Legal & Regulatory Affairs Liaison Gail Garrett, Committee Secretary General Manager Anderson introduced the new Director of Finance, Lorenzo Tyner. IN T FILED 0 HE OFFICE OF THE SECREt'ARY RA NGE ""' '~'"''-' " " . .. . ~"''TAT f ()N DISTR ICT (2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PROTEM No appointment was necessary. OCT 2 6 200 5 (3) PUBLIC COMMENTS BY fl, Randy Fuhrman spoke in support of the Steering Committee and the Board and its oversight over Sanitation District matters . (4) RECEIVE. FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the August 24, 2005 Steering Committee meeting were approved as drafted. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 2 September 28, 2005 (5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR Chair Anderson informed that Richard Parker, Director Ken Parker's brother, had passed away and services would be held at Forest Lawn on September 30 at 2:30 p.m. The October dates for the standing committees were reviewed. Due to the League of Cities meeting during the first week of October, OMTS has been canceled for October and the PDC will meet on Thursday, October 13, one week later than usual. The FAHR Committee meeting date remains on Wednesday, October 12. The CIP Oversight Ad Hoc Committee has been cancelled and will be rescheduled in early November. The Cooperative Projects Grants Ad Hoc Committee will meet on October 4. (6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER a. General Manager Blake Anderson introduced Jeff Reed, Human Resources Manager, who will be acting for Lisa Tomko who is on vacation. b. Mike Moore, Environmental Assessment Manager, has been diagnosed with melanoma and will be out for several weeks for treatment. Chair Anderson requested Gail Garrett to forward Mr. Moore's email address to the Steering Committee members. c. Mr. Anderson reported that the County of Orange will be unable to fully fund the SARI line relocation. Staff continues to meet with County and Corps of Engineers representatives, SAWPA, RWQCB and others to discuss funding options. The Sanitation District may provide funding with the expectation of future repayment from SAWPA and through grant funds. The SAWPA Board has requested its member agencies general managers to work directly with the Sanitation District. d. Mr. Anderson gave an overview of the Executive Management's strategic planning and project management efforts. Larry Gibson has been assigned as Program Manager for the newly formed Strategic Planning Office (SPO). Larry worked previously in the Program Management Office in Engineering getting the Capital Improvement Program off the ground. Under the General Manager's direction, Larry and an advisory committee are developing an implementation plan that will be the basis for decision-making by the EMT, will ensure thorough and consistent communication, and bring alignment throughout the agency. Directors recommended the CIP Oversight Committee review the SARI line relocation project. It was noted that there is a need to create a more business-oriented approach, to supplement the engineering models now used to develop the CIP. e. General Manager introduced the idea that the Sanitation District appoint a Rate Advisory Committee (RAC) similar to one formed in the late 90's. ·It would provide full understanding to the Board of the technical, financial, and public opinion aspects throughout the rate setting process. It would include workshops, hearings and a draft report that the public and industry would be invited to participate in. The committee would comprise a Board member either as committee chair or liaison, representatives Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 3 September 28, 2005 from OCBC, OCT A, environmental groups, local companies , or a Grand Jury member. Further updates will be presented to the FAHR committee. f. Dr. Ghirelli provided an update on the Inland Empire Utility Agency regional biosolids project. The consortium of five agencies proposes to purchase a 63 acre parcel, with a suggested allocation for the $20 million purchase price of 35% each OCSD and LACSD, and others at 10% each. Representatives from each agency have been meeting weekly. lEU A has asked each agency to send a letter of intent to participate and OCSD staff is preparing a letter for the General Manager's signature . Each partner is being asked to raise their commitment to $50,000 to cover the feas ibility study cost, which include site assessment, project development plan, marketing study, and a preliminary financial plan. Board committees will be kept informed and, once the study is completed , staff will bring a recommendation to the Board through the PDC . Chair Anderson thanked Di rectors Ridgeway and Ferryman for taking the time to visit the site . In response to Chair Anderson's question, Layne Baroldi said the Yakima hearings have been postponed indefinitely. g. Dr. Ghirelli informed that the Southern California Coastal Water Research Projects (SCCWRP) plans to move to a larger office and lab space in Costa Mesa . They have requested a co-signer on the lease agreement and each of the JPA member agencies is evaluating the extent of their commitment. Dr. Ghirelli explained that, based on preliminary results by staff, there does not appear to be a financial liability. Having a world-class ocean research facility in close proximity is of considerable benefit to the Sanitation District. General Counsel clarified that the Sanitation District benefits from SCCRWP research, therefore the lease payments would not be deemed a gift of public funds. Direction was given to staff to explore OCSD becoming a cosigner with SCCWRP subject to review by legal counsel. h. Sonja Morgan gave an end-of-year Sanitation District progress report and provided handouts that will be published by the end of October. Directors directed staff to include information on the status of the CIP over 20 years, new technology the Sanitation District has embraced, and replacing the Sanitation District's aging infrastructure. (7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel gave an update on the biosolids litigation issues. The Kern County Board approved the attorney fees waiver. Attorney fees were also waived for the Kings County litigation . (8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A-D) A. Acquisition of Property for North County Yard This item was discussed in closed session. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page4 September 28, 2005 B. Establishing Support for Gulf Coast Disaster Recovery Efforts Jeff Reed presented the General Manager's recommendation to (a) Approve Resolution No. OCSD 05-24, Establishing Support for Gulf Coast Disaster Recovery Efforts (b) Authorize the General Manager to enter into individual "Release Time Agreements" with volunteer employees; (c) Authorize the General Manager to deploy physical assets into the Gulf Coast area to assist with Disaster Recovery efforts; and, (d) Permit employees to engage in recovery efforts that are limited to the rendering of specialized assistance in the areas of engineering, operations and maintenance, and/or technical services in support of infrastructure recovery efforts pertaining to the collection, treatment and/or disposal of wastewater and associated byproducts. Mr. Reed outlined the labor and transportation costs, reviewed the Release Time Agreements and explained the advantages to the Sanitation District to participate in this effort. The General Manager's recommendation provides the Board a measured level of response should the Sanitation District be called upon to provide assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Emergency Management Information System (EM IS), or other recognized official National Coordination effort. C. The Agenda Items scheduled to be reviewed by the Board's working committees in October 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 Director Ferryman provided an update on the Legal Service Ad Hoc Committee. Requests for proposal were sent to Aleshire & Wynder; Best, Best & Krieger; and Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart. Proposals are due by October 17 after which the committee will meet and interview the finalists . (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, October 26, 2005 at 5 p .m. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 7 p.m. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 5 September 28, 2005 (13) CLOSED SESSION The Committee convened at 6:25p.m. in Closed Session, pursuant to Sections 54956.9(b), 54956(c), 54957(b), 54956.9(a) and 54956.8, to discuss 5 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 7:00p.m., the Committee reconvened in regular session. (14) ADJOURNMENT The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m . Submitted by: ~~~G~ Steering Committee Secretary H:\dept\agenda\Steering Committee\2005\09\092805 SC Minutes FINAL. 5.doc