HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-2011 Steering Committee Agenda Packet Orange County Sanitation District JNtV SANITgTo Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Regular Meeting of the - _r��s Special Meeting 4:30 P.M.
Steering Committee Regular Meeting 5:30 P.M.
Administration Building
Conference Rooms A &B
THE 7 10844 Ellis Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA
(714) 593-7130
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING:
4:30 P.M. — Legislative Goal Setting Workshop
PUBLIC COMMENTS: If you wish to speak, please complete a Speaker's Form and give it to the
Clerk of the Board. Speakers are requested to limit comments to three minutes.
Goal Setting Workshop:
1. (a) Annual Legislative Planning Session
(b) Proposed Goals for 2011
(c) Discussion
REGULAR MEETING:
5:30 P.M. - Steering Committee
DECLARATION OF QUORUM:
PUBLIC COMMENTS: If you wish to speak, please complete a Speaker's Form and give it to the
Clerk of the Board. Speakers are requested to limit comments to three minutes.
REPORTS: The Committee Chair and the General Manager may present verbal reports on
miscellaneous matters of general interest to the Directors. These reports are for information only and
require no action by the Directors.
1/26/11 Steering Committee Agenda Page 1 of 3
ACTION ITEMS:
2. Approve the Minutes of the December 15, 2010, Steering Committee meeting.
3. Restructuring of General Manger's Office (designate second AGM and establish
HR Department).
INFORMATION ITEMS:
4. Public Affairs Report (Gold)
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
ADJOURNMENT:
The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 23, 2011,
at 5:00 p.m.
Accommodations for the Disabled: Meeting Rooms are 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.
Agenda Posting: In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 54954.2, this agenda
has been posted outside the main gate of the Sanitation District's Administration Building located at 10844 Ellis
Avenue, Fountain Valley, California, 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 the Board of Directors, are available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board.
NOTICE TO DIRECTORS: To place items on the agenda for the Committee Meeting, items must be submitted to
the Clerk of the Board 14 days before the meeting.
Clerk of the Board, Donna Terrones
(714)593-7130
dterrones@ocsd.com
1/26/11 Steering Committee Agenda Page 2 of 3
STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Date To Bd. of Dir.
01/26/2010
AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number
1
Orange County Sanitation District
FROM: James D. Ruth, General Manager
Originator: Michael Gold, Public Affairs Manager
SUBJECT: Annual Legislative Planning Session
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Information Only
SUMMARY
At the January 26 meeting, we will focus on setting the legislative agenda for 2011 and
discuss goals for the year. The goals are developed to help the Steering Committee
track the activities of the legislative staff and measure progress towards our objectives.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Each year, the Steering Committee meets with the department heads and lobbyists to
discuss goals for the new year. These goals provide staff with direction for the
legislative program at the State and Federal levels in both policy and funding areas.
Last year, the Board adopted the following goals:
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.
For your reference, last year's Legislative Platform is included with this report.
Page 1 of 2
Given the challenges at the State and Federal levels, economic issues will dominate the
legislative agenda, including the possibility of OCSD's property taxes being shifted to
the state.
At the meeting, we will hear presenations by our Federal and State Lobbyists and
discuss possible goals for the year. Staff will present suggestions for discussion at the
meeting.
Thank you for participating and we look forward to a productive session on
January 26 at 4pm.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
February 2010 — Legislative Platform adopted by the Board of Directors
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
N/A
CEQA
N/A
BUDGET / DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY COMPLIANCE
N/A
ATTACHMENT
2010 — Legislative Platform and Goals
Page 2 of 2
Orange County Sanitation District
2010 Legislative
Platform and Goals
Legislative Updates
Please clickthe link below forthe latest Legislative Tracldrlg M
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Legislative Bill Tracking(42.9KB)
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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.
01/26/2011
AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number
4
Orange County Sanitation District
FROM: James D. Ruth, General Manager
Originator: Michael Gold, Public Affairs Manager
SUBJECT: Public Affairs update
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Federal Legislative Update
Legislative Advocate: Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources
Overview
The new Republican majority in the House of Representatives was sworn in the first
week of January and set to get about the business of legislation until the tragedy in
Tucson. The House Speaker suspended business for one week with Members
returning on January 17 to debate repeal of President Obama's Health Care legislation.
At the end of January, the President will submit his budget to Congress beginning the
process of debating spending and various programs. While the House has categorically
ruled out earmarks as part of their budget process, the Senate has remained largely
silent.
OCSD's $300,000 Request
Last month staff reported that the prospects were looking good that Congress would
approve an omnibus spending bill that included earmarks and thanks to the work of
Representative Loretta Sanchez, OCSD was set to receive $300,000 for secondary
treatment upgrades. Unfortunately, the Senate backtracked and decided to adopt a
continuing resolution when Republican Senators decided against earmarks. The
resolution keeps spending levels constant through March 2011 and had no earmarks.
Since we are nearing completion of our secondary treatment upgrades, there will be no
more opportunities to seek federal funding for the project. In total, OCSD received
about $2 million for secondary treatment from EPA.
Page 1 of 4
CASA's Federal Priorities
At the January CASA meeting, the Federal Legislative Committee met to discuss
priorities for 2011. The committee adopted three top priorities for the year:
• Monitoring the renewal of the Clean Water Act
• Funding for renewable energy and alternative fuel sources
• Monitoring regulatory hearings for funding or regulatory relief.
State Legislative Report
Legislative Advocates:
Christopher Townsend, Heather Dion and Casey Elliott, Townsend Public Affairs
State Political Highlights
On January 10 the Governor unveiled his proposed budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year
and was blunt in his assessment that it would be a painful budget recognizing the reality
of California's nearly $30 billion deficit. Overall, the proposed budget offers difficult cuts
and requires an extension of various taxes set to expire this year. In exchange for this
sacrifice, the Governor's budget will set California on a solid fiscal footing for years to
come and, according to Brown, will provide stability while protecting education and
public safety as well as return more decision-making authority to local government.
While special districts appear to have been spared from drastic cuts, cities are hit hard
with the proposed elimination of redevelopment agencies.
Overview of the Governor's Budget
The budget proposed by the Governor offers to close the projected 18-month budget
shortfall of $25.4 billion through a combination of spending reductions, revenue
extensions, and realignment of governmental services. Specifically, the Governor's
budget calls for $12.5 billion in spending reductions, $12 billion in revenue extensions
and modifications, and $1.9 billion in additional solutions.
Spending Reductions
The Governor has proposed $12.5 billion in spending reductions affecting most of the
core services provided by the State. The Governor indicated that his main priority was
to spare K-12 education from significant cuts since they have taken major cuts in
funding each of the last several years. Since K-12 education funding comprises such a
significant portion of the budget, many other services will be forced to take major
cuts. Specifically, the Governor has proposed:
• $1.7 billion in reductions to the Medi-Cal program;
• $1.5 billion in reductions to the CalWorks program;
• $750 million in reductions to the Department of Development Services;
• $500 million in reductions to the University of California system;
• $500 million in reductions to the California State University system;
Page 2 of 4
Spending Reductions (cont'd)
• $400 million in reductions to the California Community College system
(additionally the Governor has proposed raising community college per unit fee to
$36 from the current $26);
• $300 million in salary reductions to state employees whose bargaining unions do
not currently have an MOU with the State; and,
• $200 million in reductions to state government operations through
reorganizations, consolidations, and increasing efficiencies.
Revenue Increases
In addition to the above spending reductions, the Governor has proposed increasing
revenue to the State by $12 billion by asking the voters to extend current increases in
the sales and income taxes and the vehicle license fees. These increases were
adopted in 2009 but expire this year. Governor Brown is asking for a five-year
extension. If voters do not approve these increases, education will take the hit.
Realignment of Services
The most complicated portion of the Governor's proposed budget is a realignment of
several services from the State to local government, including fire protection, court
security, low-level offenders and health and welfare services. Brown proposes using
the tax increases to fund these programs.
Redevelopment
Probably the most controversial budget proposal is the elimination of local
redevelopment agencies. The Governor would eliminate these agencies and replace
their statutory authority with the ability to bond or raise local taxes with 55% of the vote.
The increment that is currently being diverted to redevelopment would go back to cities,
counties and non-enterprise special districts. OCSD would not see an increase in our
property tax increment from this provision.
The Legislation Begins
The new Legislature convened in January and began introducing bills. The deadline for
introduction is February 18. This year we can expect a series of bills related to local
government transparency and accountability as well as local government compensation.
Townsend Public Affairs will provide monthly bill summaries as part of this report.
Public Affairs Update
Grants Update
At the beginning of this month, staff submitted the final grant application to SAWPA for
the integrated regional water management funding (through Proposition 84) and we
expect to hear about final funding decisions in April or May.
Page 3 of 4
Honor Walk Applications
This year, staff received four applications for the Honor Walk — three staff nominations
and one Board Member nomination. The General Manager will recommend staff
honorees to the Steering Committee while the Steering Committee will discuss the
Board Member nominee.
The Steering Committee has final say over which person or persons will receive an
Honor Walk Brick.
The Power of Facebook
OCSD launched its Facebook page in December to communicate with residents and
others about our projects and programs. After a recent tour by high schools students of
plant one, 18 students signed up to receive messages via Facebook when they
indicated they "like" OCSD. The big jump in traffic demonstrates how students are
communicating and the power of Facebook to get out message out to the public about
how we are protecting the environment.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
N/A
CEQA
N/A
BUDGET / DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY COMPLIANCE
N/A
Page 4 of 4