HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-24-2006 Steering Committee MinutesMINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Orange County Sanitation District
Wednesday, May 24, 2006, at 5 p.m.
A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was
held on Wednesday, April26, 2006 at 5 p.m., in the District's Admin istrative Office.
(1) The roll was called and a quorum declared present, as follows:
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Directors Present:
Jim Ferryman, Vice Chair
Carolyn Cavecche , Chair, OMTS Committee
Darryl Miller, Chairman, FAHR Committee
Tod Ridgeway, Chairman, PDC Committee
Directors Absent:
Steve Anderson, Chair
Jim Silva, County Supervisor
(2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PRO TEM
No appointment was necessary.
(3) PUBLIC COMMENTS
OTHERS PRESENT:
Kennard R. Smart, Jr., Counsel
STAFF PRESENT:
Jim Ruth, Interim General Manager
Nick Arhontes, Director of Regional Assets and
Services
Gail Garrett, Committee Secretary
Juanita Skillman
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(4) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
In the absence of Chair Steve Anderson, Vice Chair Ferryman introduced Kennard R. Smart, Jr. who
is attending in Brad Hagin 's absence. Mr. Ferryman reminded that nominations for Board Chair for
2006 -2007 will be opened at tonight's meeting . A 2/3 vote of the full Board is needed to adopt the
rate increase.
Bob Ghirelli, Director of Technical Services, and Supervisor Silva attended the CASA Spring
Conference in Lake Tahoe last month. Mr. Anderson and Dr. Ghirelli are currently in Washington DC
to meet with legislative and congressional staff to promote support for District's legislative and grant
programs .
Mr. Ferryman announced the standing committee meeting dates for June. Director Carolyn
Cavecche informed that the OMTS Committee meeting may be cancelled in June. The only planned
· Minutes of the Steering Committee
Page 2
May 24 ,2006
OMTS action item for June regarding the approval of the Fleet Management Software for Regional
Assets and Services could be moved to the full Board for consideration if the meeting is cancelled .
Board members are invited to attend the PDC Committee meeting on June 1st at 5 :00p.m., or the
FAHR Committee meeting on June 14th at 5:00p.m., to hear the detailed briefing on the proposed
budget.
A Benefits workshop follow-up meeting for the FAHR Committee will be scheduled in mid-June.
(5) REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER
Interim General Manager Jim Ruth reviewed activities included in his May Status Report which was
placed in the Directors ' meeting folders that evening . The two-year budget which is based on a
proposed 9.8% rate increase for 2006-07 will be presented to the Board in June. He informed the
two proposed rate increase options will be considered by the Board tonight. Counsel Ken Smart
clarified the 2/3 adoption process .
Mr. Ruth explained that the Succession Plan process has been delayed due to key staff going on
two-week reserve duty. A report will be provided at the next meeting.
Nick Arhontes informed that the District has issued a letter of intent to purchase a 2.5 acre industrial
site in Garden Grove for $6.2 million for the proposed North County Yard. A Purchase and Sale
Agreement will now be negotiated for the Board's consideration in June .
Mr. Ruth, Directors Anderson and Miller, and Dave Ludwin will discuss SARI line funding with the
Orange County CEO on June 8.
The new Performance Evaluation program is a simpler and more effective system. Barry Newton,
Creative Management Solutions, Inc. will brief the Board on the performance evaluation prototype in
June.
Dr. Don Grayson , Management Consultant, has performed a comprehensive assessment of the IT
department.
Mr. Ruth has met with mid-management several times to discuss management leadership training
needs .
(6) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL
Mr. Smart informed the District was served with a lawsuit by Travelers Insurance re a contract issued
in 2000.
(7) CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
a. The minutes of the April 26, 2006 Steering Committee meeting were approved as
drafted.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
· Minutes of the Steering Committee
Page 3
May 24,2006
(8) ACTION ITEMS
There were none.
(9) INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
a . Strategic Initiatives
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance, gave a brief report on the ten new strategic
initiatives identified by Executive Management as highly strategic. Staff will not
increase resources to implement these initiatives. Any costs associated with the
initiatives are contained within the budget.
In response to Directors ' questions, Nick Arhontes, Director of Regional Assets and
Services , briefed the Committee members on Initiative 1, Local Sewer Services as an
example of one of the initiatives. Mr. Ruth assured the Committee that staff will
provide the Board with a time frame and costs for those initiatives that do not overlap
ongoing initiatives.
b. The Agenda Items scheduled to be reviewed by the Board's working committees in
March were reviewed .
c . The agenda items scheduled to be presented to the Board at tonight's meeting were
reviewed.
(10) OTHER BUSINESS, COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY
There were none.
(11) MATTERS WHICH A DIRECTOR WOULD LIKE STAFF TO REPORT ON AT A
SUBSEQUENT MEETING
There were none.
(12) MATTERS WHICH A DIRECTOR MAY WISH TO PLACE ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR
ACTION AND/OR STAFF REPORT
There were none.
(13) CONSIDERATION OF UPCOMING MEETINGS
The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 5 p.m.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 7 p.m.
• Minutes of the Steering Committee
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May 24,2006
(14) CLOSED SESSION
The Committee convened at 6:24p.m. in Closed Session, pursuant to Sections 54956.9(b) and
54957(b )(1 ), to discuss three matters. 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.
(15) ADJOURNMENT
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p .m .
Submitted by:
I
Gail Garrett
Steering Committee Secretary
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