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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-2009 Steering Committee MinutesMINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Orange County Sanitation District Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at 5:30 p.m., in the District's Administrative Office. A quorum was declared present, as follows: STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: DIRECTORS PRESENT: Doug Davert, Chair Larry Crandall, Vice Chair Bill Dalton, Operations Committee Chair Mark Waldman, Administration Committee Chair Jim Ferryman Phil Luebben David Shawver DIRECTORS ABSENT: N/A OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel Drew Kolosky, Liberty Compost Alex Gima, DWP Charlie Dong, DWP Victor Ybarra, DWP STAFF PRESENT: Jim Ruth, General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager Nick Arhontes, Director of Oper. & 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 John Linder, Engineering Manager Jim Burror, Engineering Supervisor Lilia Kovac, Associate Clerk of the Board Ryal Wheeler PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Drew Kolosky from Liberty Compost, addressed the committee members with reference to an offer to purchase the Sanitation District’s Kings County property with the option to receive biosolids at a reduced rate as part of the property sale. Staff answered questions raised by Directors, and outlined the long-term sustainable biosolids program the Sanitation District has in place. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR Board Chair Davert and Vice Chair Crandall reported on the delegation trip to Washington, D.C. to address the FY 2010 appropriation bill. Chair Davert announced the Sanitation District will be receiving a $300,000 grant from the EPA for secondary treatment. The Steve Anderson Lift Station is scheduled to be dedicated Friday, April 17, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Minutes of the Steering Committee February 25, 2009 Page 2 REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER Jim Ruth, General Manager, reported the start of the budget preparation cycle and deferred an overview of proposed budget assumptions to Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance and Administrative Services. Mr. Ruth provided a brief monthly report. He also announced that the grand opening of the biosolids processing plant in Rialto is scheduled for early May. REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL Brad Hogin, General Counsel, reported there would be a hearing on Kern County’s Measure ‘E’, which bans the application of biosolids in the county, scheduled in the Los Angeles Supreme Court on Monday, March 2, 2009, with a decision expected within two months from the date of hearing. ACTION ITEMS (1 - 3) 1. MOVED, SECONDED AND DULY CARRIED: Approve minutes of the January 28, 2009 Steering Committee meeting. 2. MOVED, SECONDED AND DULY CARRIED: Recommend to the Board of Directors to adopt the 2009 Legislative Platform and Goals. 3. MOVED, SECONDED AND DULY CARRIED: Direct staff to proceed with recommendations of the Steering Committee in connection with a letter dated December 10, 2008, from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, requesting an Out-of-Area Sewer Service Agreement for the Haynes Power Generating Plant. Staff was directed to proceed with LADWP term negotiations for the Out-of-Area Sewer Service working agreements based on recommended business operating procedures, and to bring to the full board for final approval. INFORMATION ITEMS (4) 4. Legislative Affairs Report – Gold Michael Gold reviewed the basic contents of the proposed economic stimulus and recovery package with the water and wastewater related funds; however, details on how to access funds have not been identified. Mr. Gold also reported the contents of the State budget, and due to the alliance with other special districts, funds were not taken away at this time. Minutes of the Steering Committee February 25, 2009 Page 3 CLOSED SESSION (5) CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(c): The Steering Committee convened in closed session at 6 :22 p.m. to discuss one matter. 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 . The Steering Committee reconvened at 6:26 p.m. in regular session . ADJOURNMENT The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2009 , at 5 :30p.m. The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6 :27 p.m. Submitted by: Lilia Kovac Associate Clerk of the Board