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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-2009 Steering Committee MinutesMINUTES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Orange County Sanitation District Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District was held on Wednesday, September 23, 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 Phil Luebben David Shawver DIRECTORS ABSENT: Jim Ferryman Mark Waldman, Administration Committee Chair STAFF PRESENT: Jim Ruth, 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, Public Affairs Manager Lilia Kovac, Associate Clerk of the Board OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel Heather Dion Christopher Townsend Casey Elliott - via phone * * * * * * PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORT Chair Doug Davert announced the strategic planning workshop on October 21, 2009 for active and alternate directors. Chair Davert congratulated Jim Herberg and Denis Bilodeau for receiving the Said Khoury award from the World Federation of Engineering Organizations f or Engineering Construction Excellence on the Groundwater Replenishment System. Chair Davert also announced that Vice Chair Crandall, Jim Herberg, Michael Gold, and he would be traveling to Washington, D.C. the following week to meet with various legislators on wastewater funds. Mr. Davert announced that Item No. 4 on the Board agenda would be pulled. Minutes of the Steering Committee September 23, 2009 Page 2 GENERAL MANAGER REPORT Director of Finance and Administrative Services, Lorenzo Tyner, provided a brief overview of the Sanitation District’s prior use of a type of strategic investment in response to a recently published local news article. General Manager, Jim Ruth, reported briefly on the progress of discussions with the County of Orange on the SARI Line joint project with SAWPA and Water District. Mr. Ruth referred to the year-end review brochure that would be distributed to the member cities . Director of Technical Services, Ed Torres, reported that EnerTech has encountered operational difficulties and staff has been working with them to overcome the problems. GENERAL COUNSEL REPORT General Counsel, Brad Hogin, reported that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the Kern County Measure-E Litigation Commerce Clause claim with no impact to the Sanitation District. Litigation proved helpful in delaying the ruling by allowing continued biosolids transfers, saving the Sanitation District approximately $2M. ACTION ITEMS 1. MOVED, SECONDED AND DULY CARRIED: Approve minutes of the August 26, 2009 Steering Committee meeting. INFORMATION ITEMS 2. Public Affairs Monthly Update Michael Gold, Public Affairs Manager, and Heather Dion and Christopher Townsend of Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. briefly reviewed the state last quarter’s legislative activities and possible water bonds available to the Sanitation District. Mr. Gold also reviewed the federal funding strategic plans, as well as a review of Public Affairs activities. CLOSED SESSION There was no closed session. Minutes of the Steering Committee September 23 , 2009 Page 3 ADJOURNMENT The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday , October 28 , 2009, at 5:30p.m . The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m . Submitted by : L1ila Kovac Associate Clerk of the Board Book Page 6