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Home My WebLink About12-21-2005 Steering Committee MinutesDRAFT . MINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Orange County Sanitation District Wednesday, December 21, 2005, at 5 p .m. A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, December 21, 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 Carolyn Cavecche , Chair, OMTS Committee Tod Ridgeway, Chairman, PDC Committee Jim Silva, County Supervisor Directors Absent: Darryl Miller, Chairman, FAHR Committee (2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PROTEM No appointment was necessary. ·~, .· (3) PUBLIC COMMENTS OTHERS PRESENT: Bradley R. Hogin, General Counsel Don Hughes STAFF PRESENT: J im Ruth, Interim General Manager Nick Arhontes , Director of Regional Assets and Services Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services , Acting Director of Public Affairs Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance/Treasurer Lisa Tomko, Director of Human Resources Daisy Covarubbias, Public Information Specialist Juanita Skillman , Records Management Specialist Ryal Wheeler, Maintenance Supervisor Gail Garrett, Committee Secretary ., ·, ' FIL ED IN TH E OF FICE OF ,THE SECRETARY ORAN GE r "11 ~'~" "· ... ;:.~'r '"t-..1 DISTR ICT BY -· . -i g_ 2 00 6 ~'~ . There were no comments by any member of the public. (4) RECEIVE, FILE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the November 16, 2005 Steering Committee meeting were approved as drafted . Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 2 December 21, 2005 (5) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR Committee Chair Steve Anderson reported that the Sanitation District has asked all cities and agencies to participate in the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program, requesting a response by January 13. A copy of the letter was provided to all Board members. The CASA Mid-Year conference will be held in Indian Wells, CA on January 18-21. Directors Anderson, Ferryman , Miller and Silva plan to attend, as will Interim General Manger Jim Ruth and Bob Ghirelli. Information packets for the 2006 CASA Annual Workshop in Washington DC March 6-8, 2006 were provided. Directors who plan to attend should contact Gail Garrett. The three standing Committees will be dark in January, however Steering and Board will meet on January 25. The Orange County Leadership Symposium will be held January 13 -15 in Lake Arrowhead. Congressman John Campbell was unable to attend the Steering Committee meeting. Scott Baugh will arrange for a visit and a plant tour with the Senator in January. Director Cavecche requested that Interim General Manager Ruth schedule two meetings with Steering Committee members prior to the January Board. (6) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER Interim General Manager Ruth reported that in response to the Kimberly Clark settlement agreement, he and Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance, have negotiated an agreement with Bartle Wells to conduct a study on rate structure and analysis. The firm has performed extensive work in Orange County and throughout the state. Their recommendations will be provided to the February Board . Mr. Ruth submitted a written status report to the Board and informed that he will continue to provide a monthly status report to the Steering Committee. He informed that he has received excellent cooperation from management and staff, has met with and will be working with the management consultants, and will provide recommendations to the Board in February. An informational survey has been included in the Directors folders to be completed and returned to Board Secretary, Penny Kyle. (7) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel Brad Hogin said the State Water Resources Control Board issued draft statewide wastewater discharge requirements which do not contain affirmative defense language, therefore this will be the focus for legal comments during the upcoming public comment period. California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) will also participate in the public comments phase. The State Board may adopt the new requirements at the February 8th hearing. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page 3 December 21 , 2005 (8) DISCUSSION ITEMS (Items A-D) A. Legislative Agenda -2006 Legislative Session Approve the 2006 Legislative Agenda and authorize staff to take action on legislation consistent with the policy statements contained in the agenda. MOTION: It was moved, seconded and duly carried to recommend approval to the Board of Directors. Dr. Ghirelli and Chair Anderson complimented Karen Baroldi on her efforts. B. State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Consultant Services Contract Renewal Authorize renewal of contracts with ENS Resources (Eric Sapirstein) and Freshman Kast (John Freshman) at $1 0,000/month; Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw (Scott Baugh) at $5,000/month; and Townsend Public Affairs (Chris Townsend) at $5,000/month for a one-year period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006, and the option to renew for an additional one-year period at the discretion of the Steering Committee. MOTION: It was moved, seconded and duly carried to recommend approval to the Board of Directors. Steering Committee requested that (1) Staff document and monitor lobbyists goals/efforts; and (2) obtain monthly reports from the lobbyists on their legislative advocacy and grant efforts and report to the Board. Dr. Ghirelli handed out and reviewed the legislative calendar through March 2006 . MOTION: It was further moved, seconded and duly carried that the Board Chair appoint a Legislative Committee to advise the Board on legislative matters. C. The three Standing Committees will be dark in January. 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 Director Cavecche requested that Jim Herberg, Director of Operations & Maintenance, provide at the February or March Board meeting an informational report on the level of treatment and the operational costs associated with the treatment level. Director Cavecche asked whether it would be appropriate to allow a vendor to present a proposal at the OMTS regarding the biosolids project. General Counsel advised that it was not proper. .. Minutes of the Steering Committee Page4 December 21, 2005 Dr. Ghirelli provided an update on the Inland Empire Utility Agency (IEUA) regional biosolids land procurement. The coalition has ascertained the Chino property is unsu itable for biosolids disposal and has halted their due diligence on the Chino property. They are researching a new 30 acre parcel adjacent to Western Municipal Water District. General Manager Ruth concurs with District and IEUA staff to go ahead with due diligence on the new site. (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, January 25, 2006 at 5 p .m. The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 25 , 2006 at 7 p.m. (13) CLOSED SESSION There was no closed session. (14) ADJOURNMENT The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m . Submitted by: ~~VJuff: Gail Garrett Steering Committee Secretary H :\dept\agenda\Steering Committee\04\SC Minutes Form.S.doc