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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-2010 Steering Committee Agenda Packet AGENDA REGULAR MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2010 AT 5:30 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, California 92708-7018 www.ocsd.com DECLARATION OF QUORUM PUBLIC COMMENTS REPORT OF COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER • Update on Anaheim Recycling Demonstration Project REPORT OF GENERAL COUNSEL ACTION ITEMS 1. Approve minutes of the January 27, 2010 Steering Committee meeting. 2. Recommend to the Board of Directors to adopt the 2010 Legislative Platform and Goals. INFORMATION ITEMS 3. Public Affairs Report (Gold) February 24, 2010 CLOSED SESSION During the course of conducting the business set forth on this agenda as a regular meeting of the Steering Committee, the Chair may convene the Committee in closed session to consider matters of pending real estate negotiations, pending or potential litigation, or personnel matters, pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.8, 54956.9, 54957 or 54957.6, as noted. Reports relating to (a) purchase and sale of real property; (b) matters of pending or potential litigation; (c) employment actions or negotiations with employee representatives; or which are exempt from public disclosure under the California Public Records Act, may be reviewed by the Directors during a permitted closed session and are not available for public inspection. At such time as final actions are taken by the Board on any of these subjects, the minutes will reflect all required disclosures of information. Convene in closed session, if necessary. 4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL RE. ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(b)) Number of Potential Cases: 2 Cases: Project P2-90 and Project P1-102 Reconvene in regular session Consideration of action, if any, on matters considered in closed session. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY ADJOURNMENT The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. February 24, 2010 Agenda Posting: In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 54954.2,this agenda has been posted in the main lobby of the District's Administrative offices not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date and time above. All public records relating to each agenda item, including any public records distributed less than 72 hours prior to the meeting to all, or a majority of all, of the members of District's Board,are available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board,located at 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, California. Items Not Posted: In the event any matter not listed on this agenda is proposed to be submitted to the Committee for discussion and/or action, it will be done in compliance with Section 54954.2(b) as an emergency item or because there is a need to take immediate action,which need came to the attention of the Committee subsequent to the posting of agenda, or as set forth on a supplemental agenda posted in the manner as above, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Public Comments: Any member of the public may address the Steering Committee on specific agenda items or matters of general interest. As determined by the Chair, speakers may be deferred until the specific item is taken for discussion and remarks may be limited to three minutes. Matters of interest addressed by a member of the public and not listed on this agenda cannot have action taken by the Committee except as authorized by Section 54954.2(b). Consent Calendar: All matters placed on the consent calendar are considered as not requiring discussion or further explanation, and unless a particular item is requested to be removed from the consent calendar by a Director of staff member, there will be no separate discussion of these items. All items on the consent calendar will be enacted by one action approving all motions, and casting a unanimous ballot for resolutions included on the consent calendar. All items removed from the consent calendar shall be considered in the regular order of business. The Committee Chair will determine if any items are to be deleted from the consent calendar. Items Continued: Items may be continued from this meeting without further notice to a Committee meeting held within five (5) days of this meeting per Government Code Section 54954.2(b)(3). Meeting Adjournment: This meeting may be adjourned to a later time and items of business from this agenda may be considered at the later meeting by Order of Adjournment and Notice in accordance with Government Code Section 54955 (posted within 24 hours). Accommodations for the Disabled: The Board of Directors Meeting Room is wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations, please contact the Orange County Sanitation District Clerk of the Board's office at(714)593-7130 at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Requests must specify the nature of the disability and the type of accommodation requested. Notice to Committee Members: For any questions on the agenda or to place any items on the agenda, Committee members should contact the Committee Chair or Clerk of the Board ten days in advance of the Committee meeting. Committee Chair: Doug Davert (714)318-9550 General Manager: James D. Ruth (714)593-7110 General Counsel: Brad Hogin (714)415-1006 Clerk of the Board: Penny Kyle (714)593-7130 E-mail: pkyle6d�ocsd.com STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Date To Bd. of Dir. 02/24/2010 02/24/2010 AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number 2 7 Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Ruth, General Manager Originator: Michael Gold, Government Affairs SUBJECT: 2010 Legislative Platform and Goals GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Adopt the 2010 Legislative Platform and Goals SUMMARY Last month, staff presented the draft 2010 Legislative Platform and proposed goals for the coming year. These goals provide staff and lobbyists with direction in both policy and funding areas and this report presents the proposed goals for 2010. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS Legislative Platform adopted by the Board of Directors, February 25, 2009. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Legislative Platform guides staff's day-to-day decisions on bills and policy issues and allows staff to act quickly on important matters. Each year, we develop goals and priorities for the program as well provide any updates (if needed) to the Legislative Platform. The Platform also provides a series of policy statements stating our position on key issues. For the coming year, staff proposes the following goal and there are no other changes to the Legislative Platform: Funding Priorities • Continue seeking an appropriation from Congress for Secondary Treatment upgrades in advance of the 2012 deadline. • Request a general authorization for funding priorities in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) or other related legislation. • Pursue funding for fuel cell power generation. • Seek funding for a new tour bus. Form No.DW-102-1 Agenda Report—SC Revised:01/08/07 Page 1 Policy Goals • Aggressively fight any property tax shift from Sacramento by working with the Orange County Water District, CASA and other partners. • Monitor any proposed changes to the Federal Clean Water Act. • Monitor climate change legislation at both the State and Federal levels. • Monitor State legislative efforts related to water recycling. Staff is requesting that the Steering Committee adopt the 2010 Legislative Platform. CEQA N/A BUDGET / DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY COMPLIANCE N/A ATTACHMENTS 2010 Legislative Platform and Goals Form No.DW-102-1 Agenda Report—SC Revised:01/08/07 Page 2 Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform and Goals Legislative Updates Please clickthe link below forthe latest Legislative Tracldrlg M nation q hael Gol Leg S a ive p a es Legislative Bill Tracking(42.9KB) "I■i MWN Collaborate U JNjv SANip (j N 2 ' ¢ 9 � n 0 -O h THE ENv\Poa Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform Legislative Affairs Team OCSD Staff Michael Gold Ph: (714) 593-7529 mgold@ocsd.com Government Affairs Manager Cell: (714) 263-5541 Robert Ghirelli (714) 593-7400 rghirelli@ocsd.com Assistant General Manager James D. Ruth (714) 593-7110 jruth@ocsd.som General Manager Federal Lobbying Team Eric Sapirstein (202)466-3755 esap@ ENS Resources ensresources.com Sacramento Lobbying Team Townsend Public Affairs Christopher Townsend (949) 399-9050 ctownsend@ TownsencIPA.com Heather Dion (949) 399-9050 hdion@ TownsencIPA.com 2 Originally Adopted December,2005 Revised February, 2010 Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform Introduction The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) recognizes the need for an active State and Federal legislative advocacy program to ensure the interests of the ratepayer and Board of Directors are protected. Towards that end,the legislative affairs team monitors activities in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. and takes appropriate action in support or opposition of legislative initiatives. Each year,the Board of Directors adopts a Legislative Platform, which is a summary of goals, key issues and OCSD's policy position. The following legislative policies have been developed by OCSD staff and legislative advocates in consideration of OCSD service area cities' and policy needs.These Board- approved policies serve as OCSD's official positions of support or opposition on issues of importance to the agency. The Legislative Platform is a dynamic document, adopted annually and changing to the needs of the Board. The legislative affairs team, in conjunction with the Board, may take appropriate action consistent with the Legislative Platform, including, but not limited to, drafting letters, lobbying legislators and staff and crafting bills. Procedure for Taking Positions on Bills 1. Staff will track bills of greatest interest to the District, particularly those that fall within the goals and objectives identified by the Board of Directors. Staff will monitor bills being watched by similar agencies in Orange County(OCWD, MWDOC, etc.) as well as State Agencies such as California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA),the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) and the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). 2. For those bills that are being tracked where there is clear policy direction stated in the Board- adopted Legislative Platform or adopted goals, staff can send letters and give direction to the lobbyists to advocate that position. 3. Where a particular issue is not urgent, all legislative letters will be hand-signed by the Chair or Vice-Chair. If a matter is urgent, staff may use the signature stamp, so long as a clear policy direction exists. 4. A summary of bills being tracked will be presented to the Steering Committee monthly. 5. When a bill does not fall within the scope of the Legislative Platform or is a politically controversial issue, staff will seek direction from the Steering Committee. 6. If a bill does not fall within the scope of the Legislative Platform, but the California Association of Sanitary Agencies (CASA),the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) or the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has an adopted position, staff may follow this position but must inform the Steering Committee of such action at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 3 Originally Adopted December,2005 Revised February, 2010 Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform State and Federal Legislative Goals for 2009 Funding Priorities • Continue seeking an appropriation from Congress for Secondary Treatment upgrades in advance of the 2012 deadline. • Request a general authorization for funding priorities in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) or other related legislation. • Pursue funding for fuel cell power generation. • Seek funding for a new tour bus. Policy Goals • Aggressively fight any property tax shift from Sacramento by working with the Orange County Water District, CASA and other partners. • Monitor any proposed changes to the Federal Clean Water Act. • Monitor climate change legislation at both the State and Federal levels. • Monitor State legislative efforts related to water recycling. 4 Originally Adopted December,2005 Revised February, 2010 Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform • Federal and State Legislative Policies 1. Air Quality: OCSD is committed to complying with federal, state, and local air quality laws and rules. OCSD is further committed to establishing an odor policy to assure that the district is a good neighbor to the surrounding communities.Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support air quality legislation that emphasizes the use of advance technologies and applicable market incentives, and incentives for the use of alternative fuels and the development of the infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles. b. Support measures that maintain and enhance local decision-making authority, where appropriate, in the development and implementation of air quality attainment strategies. c. Support legislation to ensure greater consistency between the California and Federal Clean Air Acts; including the need to demonstrate cost-effective public health or environmental benefit if California elects to exceed federal standards. d. Support strategies that clearly demonstrate and provide for the most cost-effective means for meeting air quality goals. e. Support, in concept, legislation that would utilize incentives and pricing strategies as a preferred alternative to traditional command and control regulations for meeting emission reduction objectives for all sources. f. Oppose actions that preclude implementation of the Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP)to the extent that such actions could subject the basin to sanction or conformity penalties. 2. Biosolids: OCSD strives to beneficially use biosolids through multiple management options performed at reasonable costs that are protective of public health and the environment. Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support legislation that supports the use of biosolids as on non-food production agricultural lands. b. Support policies that encourage biosolids product use by horticulture and retail consumers. c. Oppose legislation that bans the use of biosolids for land application in any region, county, or state. d. Support science-based legislation that establishes a state-wide regulatory system for biosolids management. 3. Grant Funding: OCSD is committed to offsetting its research, special projects and wastewater infrastructure project and construction costs by obtaining funding through grants and cooperative agreements.Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support appropriations legislation, bonds, programs, and projects that provide funding for infrastructure construction and rehabilitation, special studies and research or 5 Originally Adopted December,2005 Revised February, 2010 Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform projects relating to security, environmental education, water quality,wastewater processing, urban runoff,water conservation, and water recycling. b. Support projects that provide for public benefit, over projects that are primarily intended for private benefit or gain. c. Support continued federal funding for protecting and realigning the Santa Ana River Interceptor project and for secondary treatment upgrades. d. Oppose proposals placing further requirements on grant recipients that return low value for high administrative costs. 4. Labor Relations: OCSD is committed to the exercise of and provision of orderly procedures for the administration of employer-employee relations, including, but not limited to, meeting and conferring in good faith with recognized employee organizations regarding the wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment.Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support measures to reform current workers compensation formulas to rely on higher thresholds for compensation or a proportionate exposure formula. b. Support health insurance reform that does not create additional financial burdens on special districts. c. Support measures to ease applicability of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) on public agencies. d. Oppose any measure imposing compulsory and binding arbitration with respect to public employees. e. Oppose any measure that imposes upon local government mandated employee benefits that are more properly decided at the local bargaining table. f. Oppose efforts reducing local control over public employee disputes and imposing regulations on an outside agency. g. Oppose any measure granting public employees the right to strike. h. Oppose a new mandatory Social Security tax for public employers and public employees. 5. Planning: OCSD ensures the long-range planning of capital improvement programs in order to deliver the highest quality facilities.Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support reform of existing state, regional, and local planning processes only if directly linked to reforms in the current revenue and tax structure of state and local governments. b. Support measures that provide new revenues for growth management and the public facilities necessary to support expected growth. c. Support proposals encouraging regional, sub-regional or countywide cooperation in planning urban development strategies, especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed upon goals. 6 Originally Adopted December,2005 Revised February, 2010 Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform d. Oppose legislation consolidating special districts that fail to address the concerns of cities affected by the proposed consolidation. e. Oppose measures that prevent or restrict the ability of cities or special districts to participate in the Southern California Association of Governments' (SCAG) sub-regional process. 6. Public Health: Protection of public health is OCSD's core mission. OCSD will work cooperatively with county and state health officers to assure local health protection.Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support hazard mitigation, emergency response, planning and recovery through direct legislation, policy directives and funding toward floodplain security within the Santa Ana River watershed. b. Support (generally) measures that provide for improved public health through regulation. c. Support the protection of public health through the construction and implementation of advanced wastewater treatment technology. 7. Public Works: OCSD is committed to the achievement of effective and efficient projects that provide wastewater treatment services that benefit its ratepayers.Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support measures that provide funding and support to publicly owned treatment works and sewerage collection systems. b. Support legislation that allows public agencies to procure goods and services in manners similar to private industry,thereby reducing overall costs of delivery. c. Support legislation that improves the Utility Underground Service Alert Program in order to improve coordination, identification, minimize damage, minimize environmental risks and minimize cost exposure to publicly owned facilities when contractors are performing sub-surface work. d. Support a comprehensive response to the State's electricity and natural gas shortages that provide a stable energy supply, respects the ability of municipalities to provide power, recognizes that infrastructure (i.e. emergency and standby generators) exists that could be employed temporarily during weak periods with minimal air quality impact and protects ratepayers (including cities and special districts) against dramatic rate increases and statewide power outages. e. Support legislation that allows OCSD to utilize the Best Value Design/Build option for the construction of public works projects. 8. Revenue and Taxation:Track pending legislation to ensure OCSD remains in compliance with the government code as it pertains to wastewater system user fees and property tax revenues and the investment of public funds.Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support measures leading to a greater financial independence from the state and would result in greater stability and predictability in local government budgeting. 7 Originally Adopted December,2005 Revised February, 2010 Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform b. Oppose measures that impose mandated costs for which there is no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits. c. Oppose legislation that shifts tax revenues away from local governments without the adequate provision of a constitutionally guaranteed backfill to offset the lost revenues of those local governments. d. Oppose measures that allow state retention of existing local revenue sources, including the special district share of property tax, sales tax,vehicle license fees and rate payer fees. e. Oppose the use of revenues traditionally used to fund the delivery of municipal services to fund programs for which the state is responsible, particularly the courts, health, and welfare programs. 9. Special Districts:OCSD supports the maintenance of special districts to provide specific services, in response citizen's demands, in a cost effective manner.Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support outreach to local, regional, and state elected officials to foster a greater understanding regarding the critical relationship between adequate reserves and the successful short-and-long-term operation of water and wastewater agencies. b. Support the work of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), and California Special Districts Association (CSDA) in any future discussions or negotiations pertaining to the legislative and budget issues relative to preserving control of members' reserves. c. Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing and operations. d. Oppose measures that create or grant powers to sub-regional or regional bodies that would result in an infringement on clearly local concerns. e. Oppose any administrative or legislative efforts to access or transfer any reserve funds held by water and wastewater districts. f. Oppose the imposition of unfunded, mandated programs on local governments. 10. Water Quality and Supply: OCSD is committed to participating collaboratively in the protection of regional water resources for the benefit of the people we serve. Therefore, OCSD shall: a. Support continued federal and state funding for the Santa Ana River Interceptor Relocation project. b. Support (generally) measures to increase water supply and improve water quality in the region. c. Support measures that would increase funding for water reuse technologies, including support for the Groundwater Replenishment System project by the Orange County Water District and OCSD to create new water supplies through recycling. 8 Originally Adopted December,2005 Revised February, 2010 Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform d. Support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects for Orange County regarding watershed and water quality protection and sand replenishment. e. Support measures that promote and provide for the use of reclaimed water. f. Support "watershed-based" solutions, including cost-shared studies with the US Army Corps of Engineers of water quality impairments that reflect state-of-the-art science. g. Support policy development,funding, and research for addressing urban runoff and beach closures, including funding for studies that identify the sources of bacterial,viral and other contaminants and human pathogens. h. Support measures to evaluate water quality standards, as needed,to ensure the objectives are appropriately protecting the designated use. i. Support measures to develop a state-wide consistent policy for total maximum daily load (TMDL) listing and delisting. j. Support State General Fund subventions and Bond revenue to special districts for local and regional efforts that educate the public on urban runoff, which provide for long- term capital improvements (like storm drain diversions and filters), and encourage municipalities to implement Urban Runoff Best Management Practices at the local level. k. Support legislation that would retain any Regional Board fines levied against a permit violator within the Region of the fine. I. Support legislation that provides "amnesty"from administrative civil liability(ACL)fines from Regional Boards for agencies participating in comprehensive watershed studies that will,when complete, address the problem that resulted in the ACL fine. m. Support efforts, including legislation, clarifying that Regional Water Quality Control Board rules that require spending funds are unfunded mandates. n. Support measures addressing non-point source pollution in order to protect our ocean water quality and provide funding to mitigate its effects. o. Support measures for alternative energy sources. p. Support efforts to reduce the toxic and non-reusable waste load. q. Support legislation and regulations that promote improved water use efficiency in construction of water efficient buildings and communities. r. Support legislation that promotes improved water use efficiency through state and federal assistance in evaluating and implementing new programs and technologies and increasing public awareness of water use efficiency. s. Support legislation that provides for groundwater management on a local level, with respect to coordination of programs, extraction and production rights, long-term protection and groundwater quality protection. t. Support legislation that provides for the development of the watershed approach, including watershed management plans and watershed based permitting. u. Oppose proposed environmental constraints on government agencies that would result in economic damage to the region while providing only minimal protections. 9 Originally Adopted December,2005 Revised February, 2010 Orange County Sanitation District 2010 Legislative Platform v. Oppose efforts to make all NPDES permits the same. Requirements of other permits may be too onerous or not applicable. OCSD's permit should be tailored to the Orange County region and watershed. w. Oppose the imposition of statewide/nationwide fees for environmental cleanup that is privately caused or regional in nature (e.g., when the nexus between those responsible for environmental abuse and those required to pay for cleanup or mitigation is absent). x. Support measures supporting urban runoff studies and urban runoff reduction. y. Support Coastal Water Quality efforts to ensure that clean beach projects remain a top priority for the state, whether through negotiations on upcoming resources bonds, in setting of legislative priorities, implementation of funding programs, and in any other relevant process. 10 Originally Adopted December,2005 Revised February, 2010 STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Date To Bd. of Dir. 02/24/2010 AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number 3 Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Ruth, General Manager Originator: Michael Gold, Public Affairs GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information only SUMMARY This report is the monthly Public Affairs Division update that includes legislative and political information from Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, lobbyists' activities, and outreach education and communication programs to member cities, employees and the public. In addition, attached to this report is the 2010 Legislative Platform for the Committee's consideration. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Californians to Protect Local Taxpayers and Vital Services The League of California Cities, along with other partners, is working to place a measure on the November Ballot to tighten the local protection measures in Proposition 1A (2004). The League is currently gathering signatures for this measure and while most of the provisions do not apply to OCSD, there is one key element that does apply — a prohibition on any taking, borrowing or redirecting of local property taxes. These protection measures fall within the scope of the Legislative Platform and staff recommends we add our name to the list of coalition partners. Federal Legislative Report Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources Federal political update During the past month, ENS Resources and District staff focused on completing fiscal year 2011 appropriations requests, the jobs bill in Congress and the SARI Line. The Administration prepared its budget for the year beginning October 1, 2010 and the proposals contain no increases in overall spending and a few reductions. Those programs of interest to OCSD have funding levels proposed at last year's levels, including the SRF program and alternative energy programs. Form No.DW-102-1 Agenda Report—SC Revised:01/08/07 Page 1 As reported last month, OCSD staff and ENS Resources developed our list of funding priorities and requests and while we continue to pursue secondary treatment funding and support for hydrogen fuel cell power generation, we expect Congressionally directed funding to be much less this year than in previous cycles. We are pleased to report that we have been submitting our requests to various Members of Congress on time, including the letters of support from our member agencies. Staff thanks those cities that have submitted support letters and we greatly appreciate how quickly these were completed. The letters of support should enhance the projects in the eyes of the Congressional delegation as the Members decide which projects deserve selection as top priorities for their requests to the Committee on Appropriations. On economic matters, the Administration set out an agenda for Congress to pass a second stimulus assistance program, in three phases. Each phase is expected to mirror the mandates of the first stimulus package (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) requiring compliance with Davis-Bacon wage mandates and Buy America. Phase one is expected to be acted upon by the Senate within the next few weeks and will target tax measures to enhance jobs creation. The value to OCSD is that the package may include an expansion of the Build America Bonds program. Under this program, local agencies would be permitted to issue "tax credit" bonds to for infrastructure. Assuming these bonds would be available to support wastewater infrastructure, OCSD could issue a bond without the obligation of paying interest. Instead, the bondholder would receive a tax credit in lieu of interest payments, meaning OCSD would save substantial amounts in project financing costs. The second phase is expected to target roads and highways. Senate budget staff indicates that the third phase would be an infrastructure package of grants assistance addressing, among other activities, wastewater needs. We caution that the third phase may never happen because after the first two elements, Congress may not have the political will to continue spending more money in an era of high deficits. Finally, in discussions with Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, it is likely they will work on a new Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). OCSD will be making project requests in WRDA and working with Boxer's staff. We will be focusing on the clarifying language for the SARI relocation. State Legislative Report Christopher Townsend, Heather Dion and Casey Elliott, Townsend Public Affairs Political Highlights There has been a slow trickle of bill introductions over the last six weeks since the Legislature reconvened in early January and we expect a flood of bills as we get closer to the February 19 introduction deadline. Over the next several weeks, staff will be looking through the bills and identifying those of most concern to OCSD. With another huge budget deficit and the Governor's declaration last month, the Budget Committees in both houses have been meeting daily to tackle the problem. We expect a mid-year budget package in February or early Mach with cuts focused on health and human services, education, the gas tax and redevelopment agencies. Form No.DW-102-1 Agenda Report—SC Revised:01/08/07 Page 2 TPA will be working closely with OCSD staff and statewide organizations such as CASA to monitor any proposed "take-aways" from enterprise special districts; however since Proposition 1A (2004) was triggered last year with borrowing, the State cannot borrow again this year. As the State continues to face significant fiscal deficit challenges there is a significant concern that special districts could be further targeted (as they have in the past) with property taxes redirected to another agency to pay for new mandates. We continue to stress that any shifts would force special districts to raise rates and voters would not tolerate increases during this economic downturn. Activities for the Month • TPA participated in the North Orange County Integrated Regional Water Management Program (IRWMP) hosted by the County. This sub-regional group is working to prioritize projects that are eligible for Prop 84 IRWMP funding through the Department of Water Resources. OCSD has currently submitted 7 projects to the sub-regional project list for consideration. TPA is assisting OCSD staff to advocate for particular prioritization and subsequently, funding, for such projects. • TPA has provided OCSD staff information on the $30 million in funding for Water Education Centers through the legislatively approved water bond. TPA was instrumental in working with legislative leadership to appropriate funding to this newly created program. Conceptual project ideas to compete for funding include a joint education center with the Orange County Water District and the Discovery Science Center, focused on the wastewater science program, water recycling and groundwater management. Public Affairs Report Staff has been working to induct the first Honor Walk honoree prior to the March Board meeting. As reported last month, Dale Sparks has been selected to receive a laser- engraved brick and we are working with him to find a date when he can come to OCSD for the brief ceremony. Staff will continue to update the Steering Committee as we know more information. On February 11 , the Orange County Register ran an article in its "OC Watchdog" column about our Wastewater 101 video and the production costs. The article originated when a Huntington Beach resident saw the video at a City Council Meeting and asked the Mayor for cost information. This resident then forwarded the information to the Orange County Register. Staff sent a copy of the article to Board of Directors. The April issue of National Geographic will focus on the global water crisis, including California's water shortages. The Groundwater Replenishment System is mentioned prominently in the magazine. In March, OCSD and OCWD will be travelling to Washington, D.0 to participate in a luncheon on Capitol Hill with National Geographic and other agencies to discuss funding for water recycling projects. The Board Members and staff will also use this opportunity to meet with Members of Congress to discuss our funding requests. Form No.DW-102-1 Agenda Report—SC Revised:01/08/07 Page 3