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
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