HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-2007 Steering Committee MinutesMINUTES OF STEERING COMMITIEE MEETING
Orange County Sanitation District
Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at 5:30p.m.
A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was
held on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 5:30 p.m., in the District's Administrative Office.
(1) A quorum was declared present, as follows:
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Directors Present:
Doug Davert, Vice Chair
Mark Waldman, Administration Committee
Chair
Larry Crandall, Operations Committee Chair
Phil Luebben
Cathy Green
OTHERS PRESENT:
Bradley R. Hogin, General Counsel
Joe Forbath, Counsel
Scott Baugh, Platinum Advisors
(2) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR PRO TEM
No appointment was necessary.
(3) PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
(4) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
DIRECTORS ABSENT
Jim Ferryman, Chair
Steve Anderson
STAFF PRESENT:
Jim Ruth, General Manager
Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager
Nick Arhontes, Director of Operations and
Maintenance
Jim Herberg, Director of Engineering
Ed Torres, Director of Technical Services
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance and
Administrative Services
Michael Gold, Legislative Affairs Liaison
Jeff Reed, Human Resources Manager
Jim Burrer, Engineering Supervisor
Norbert Gaia, IT Analyst
Mark Mutz, O&M Technician/Local 501
Chief Steward
Gary Conklin, Planning
Ryal Wheeler, O&M Supervisor
Gail Garrett, Committee Secretary
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In the absence of Chair Jim Ferryman, Vice Chair Doug Davert reported that Mr. Ferryman,
Director Steve Anderson, and several staff members attended the CASA Spring conference in
Napa May 2. A report will be provided at the Board meeting tonight.
Minutes of the Steering Committee
Page 2
May 23,2007
Steering Committee members will travel to Sacramento on May 30. Townsend Public Affairs
staff will schedule meetings with state legislators throughout the day, culminating with a "Meet &
Greet" affair in the evening hosted by OCSD.
Vice Chair Davert announced the upcoming committee meetings for June.
(5) REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER
Jim Ruth briefly reported on the month's activities and achievements: Design-Build bill passed
out of the Senate on a 33-0 vote; SAWPA board approved its loan and repayment agreement
with the County; Chair Ferryman welcomed employees at our All Hands meeting in April;
recruitment for the IT Systems & Operations Manager position should be completed by early
July; Professional of Management training continues for supervisors; OC Grand Jury report to
be released in two weeks; and the Sanitation District will hold its Employee picnic June 16 at
Huntington Beach Central Park.
(6) REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL
General Counsel Brad Hog in clarified the Brown Act restrictions for the legislative trip to Sacramento.
(7) ACTION ITEMS
a. MOVED, SECONDED AND DULY CARRIED: Approve revised minutes of the April
25, 2007 Steering Committee meeting.
(8) INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
a. CIP Master Plan: Jim Herberg, Director of Engineering, informed that staff is
preparing an updated CIP Master Plan. He briefly outlined the proposed levels of
service to be considered by the Board. Sanitation District staff will hold three 2-day
workshops in July, August, and September to fully brief Board members. The new
CIP Master Plan will be rolled out in March 2008.
b. Legislative Affairs: Michael Gold introduced lobbyist Scott Baugh who provided a brief
update on Senate and Assembly bills Platinum Advisors staff has been tracking. Mr.
Baugh will work with Michael and Senator Rick Keane, Nevada County, to include an
amendment to our Design-Build bill which would lower the threshold to $6.5 million.
Mr. Gold distributed a handout outlining four key issues to be discussed with
legislators in Sacramento.
He also announced that the Board will be considering renewal of our lobbyists
contracts.
c. The Agenda Items scheduled to be reviewed by the Board's working committees in
June were reviewed.
d. The agenda items scheduled to be presented to the Board at the May 23, 2007
meeting were reviewed.
Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, responded to directors' questions
regarding bifurcation of fees under the same ordinance.
• Minutes of the Steering Committee
Page 3
May 23,2007
Nick Arhontes, Director of Operations and Maintenance, addressed directors' concern regarding Item
9(b) on the Board agenda. Staff will follow due process, as with all other contracts, in monitoring the
performance of the proposed new Grit and Screenings removal and disposal firm.
Directors requested that any impact on the Budget should be clearly stated in all staff reports to the
Board and Committees.
Finally, Director Luebben announced he will be traveling in June and cannot attend the Steering
Committee or Board meetings.
(9) OTHER BUSINESS, COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY
There were none.
(10) 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 27, 2007 at 5:30p.m.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 6:30p.m.
(14) CLOSED SESSION
The Committee convened at 6:10p.m. in Closed Session, pursuant to Sections 54956.8,
54956.9, 54957, or 54957.6 to discuss two matters. Minutes of the Closed Session are on file
with the Clerk of the Board. 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 Clerk of the Board 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 :30p.m., the Committee reconvened in regular session.
(15) ADJOURNMENT
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Submitted by:
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Steering Committee Secretary
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