The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05-20-2009 Steering Committee MinutesMINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Orange County Sanitation District Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, May 20, 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 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 Bret Colson, Public Information Office Manager Jeff Reed, Human Resources Manager Penny Kyle, Clerk of the Board Jim Burror Ryal Wheeler Juanita Skillman DIRECTORS ABSENT: N/A OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel Christopher Townsend * * * * * * PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORT Vice Chair Larry Crandall presided over the meeting due to the expected late arrival of Chair Doug Davert. Vice Chair Crandall reminded the Steering Committee members to RSVP for the EnerTech Open House that was being held on June 11th. Minutes of the Steering Committee May 20, 2009 Page 2 GENERAL MANAGER REPORT Jim Ruth, General Manager, reported on a recent meeting held with the Orange County Water regarding security issues and reported that the Water District immediately implemented some safety measures that were requested. OCSD security staff is participating with the US Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Buffer Zone Protection Program to protect both plants from terrorist attacks, as well as in the DHS Protected Critical Infrastructure Initiative which includes a security survey of OCSD facilities and indicates how OCSD compares in several categories to facilities in the water sector throughout the nation. The DHS has earmarked $194,000 for OCSD. Mr. Ruth advised the Committee on steps taken to absorb the expected impacts to the budget as a result of the state budget crisis, and was confident that additional reductions in the budget would result in not touching reserves, as well as maintain levels of service. GENERAL COUNSEL REPORT There was no report. ACTION ITEMS 1. MOVED, SECONDED AND DULY CARRIED: Approve minutes of the April 22, 2009 Steering Committee meeting. 2. MOVED, SECONDED AND DULY CARRIED: Authorize one year renewals to the following agreements for state and federal advocacy: a) Approve Amendment No. 1 to P.O. 103000 issued to Townsend Public Affairs for State Lobbying Services, Specification No. CS-2007-351BD, in an amount not to exceed $7,500 per month, from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, and three one-year renewal options remaining; and, b) Approve Amendment No. 1 to P.O. 103001 issued to ENS Resources for Federal Lobbying Services, Specification No. CS-2007-352BD, in an amount not to exceed $7,000 per month and $6,000 per year in reimbursable travel expenses, from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, and three one-year renewal options remaining. 3. MOVED, SECONDED AND DULY CARRIED: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: a) Authorize staff to annex 1716 acres to Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) in the vicinity of Rancho Santiago Boulevard, within the City of Orange and unincorporated areas of Orange County; b) Adopt Resolution No. OCSD 09-05, authorizing initiation of proceedings to annex said territory to OCSD (Proposed Annexation No. OCSD-63 – Rancho Santiago Annexation); and, , Minutes of the Steering Committee May 20, 2009 Page 3 c) Defer collection of associated fees for proposed Annexation No . OCSD-63- Rancho Santiago Annexation until a sewer connection is permitted. INFORMATION ITEMS 4. Legislative Affairs Report -Gold Christopher Townsend and Heather Dion updated the Committee on the May 191h election and its implications to the state budget. Michael Gold reported that Senator Boxer is carrying a $5 million request for secondary treatment upgrades. CLOSED SESSION There was no closed session . ADJOURNMENT The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday , June 24, 2009, at 5:30p.m . The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:18p.m . Submitted by :