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