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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-25-2011 Steering Committee Agenda Packet of"tV SANIT °" Wednesday, May 25, 2011 Orange County Sanitation District �` 5:00 P.M. Regular Meeting of the Q P Administration Building Steering Committee Conference Rooms A & B 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 "G THE E"v (714) 593-7124 AGENDA 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. Property Tax Revenue (Teeter Plan) CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Approve minutes of the April 20, 2011 Steering Committee meeting. INFORMATION ITEMS: 2. Public Affairs Report (Gold) CLOSED SESSION: During the course of conducting the business set forth on this agenda as a regular meeting of the Board, the Chair may convene the Board 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 54957.61 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 Board during a permitted closed session and are not available for public inspection. At such time as the Board takes final action on any of these subjects, the minutes will reflect all required disclosures of information. Convene in closed session. (1) CONFER WITH DISTRICT NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54954.5(f)) 05/25/11 Steering Committee Agenda Page 1 of 2 • Agency Designated Representatives: James D. Ruth, General Manager; Robert Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager; Jim Herberg, Assistant General Manager, Jeff Reed, Director of Human Resources; and, Richard Spencer, Human Resources Supervisor. • Employee Organizations: International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 501 and Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) 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 Wednesday, June 22, 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- 7124 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. Lilia Kovac Associate Clerk of the Board (714)593-7124 Ikovac(a)ocsd.com 05/25/11 Steering Committee Agenda Page 2 of 2 STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Date To Bd. of Dir. 05/25/2011 AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number 2 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 Public Affairs Update We are a-Twitter OCSD's Facebook presence continues to grow, as the statistics below demonstrate. In the past few months, we have had nearly 12,300 visits to our site view articles and stories. In addition, the table shows the stories we have posted and the number of people that clicked on the story to read, share or comment. There were over 1140 hits on the ten articles posted in May (through May 15) alone. The Public Affairs team sends out about one tweet per week that links people to a story on Facebook talking about the good things OCSD is doing to save money and protect the environment. Staff has noted the increase in traffic since we launched Facebook and Twitter a few months ago. Soon, these feeds will be integrated into our external website (www.ocsd.com) so the stories appear in both places. Page 1 of 10 Post Views' Post Feedback' 12,299'&31 70 V I Ii Daily Story Feedback' Q Likes Q Comments Q Unsubscribes 5 A A A A lolcn Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Mcn Mar 14 Mar 21 Mar 28 Apr 4 Apr 11 Apr 18 AP, 3_ Page Posts' Message Posted Impressions Feedback LVhat are you s%aiting for?Close to 2,000 people have... May 12 at 3:57pm 78 2.6% Our amazing employees are always there to lend a hand.Read... May 11 at 10:26am 113 0.88 It s%as early Thursday morning around 6 a.m.and still dark... May 11 at 10:17am 122 0.82% Congratulations on your biosolids program! May 10 at 10:07am 67 0% A balanced report on the issues surrounding biosolids. May 10 at 9:57am 96 1% Employee Paul Ward captured this beautiful view at plant 1... May 10 at 9:39am 130 0.77 Employee Paul Ward captured this beautiful vie,n-at plant 1.... May 10 at 9:30am 119 0% Still celebrating...we are just so proud! May 10 at 9:22am 105 0.95 Meet the team behind our quality biosolids program... May 9 at 2:05pm 152 0 Meet the People Behind the biosolids!Our Quality Team has... May 9 at 2:0Ipm 162 0% Grants Update Last month, staff sent out an RFP for grant assistance services. For the past several years, we have had a consultant available to help with grant applications and technical assistance. These services are only provided on an as-needed basis and the contracts have been set up so we only pay for the services when we use them. This year, we sent out an RFP for grant assistance to ensure fair costs. The only change to the request was that we asked for additional research into possible grant opportunities to provide another set of eyes looking for funds (in addition to what we currently do), particularly by someone with experience in the grants arena. The contract for these services is slated to begin on July 1 and is for an annual amount not to exceed $20,000. The final decisions will be made in late May. Page 2 of 10 Federal Legislative Update Legislative Advocate: Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources The past month saw Congress continuing to wrestle over federal spending and ways to move forward on the fiscal year 2012 budget. The House approved, along a party line vote, a nonbinding resolution that would impose significant reductions in domestic spending and transfer Medicare to a voucher program rather than an entitlement. The nonbinding resolution is pending before the Senate where its prospects for passage are slim. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) had threatened to bring the measure up for a floor vote, but the lack of enthusiasm for the measure may work to delay debate. Congress continues to struggle with a framework for the 2012 budget and the harsh partisan rhetoric has cast a cloud over negotiations. Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) stated that he continues to seek additional cuts in discretionary spending, while Senate Democrats are seeking some tax increases, such as a removing tax credits for oil companies. All of these talks are contingent on increasing the debt limit that expires in August. All of these factors suggest that the budget debate may again become gridlocked as the September 30 deadline approaches. Should this occur, the prospect for another Continuing Resolution debate and the prospect of government shutdowns looms large. Page 3 of 10 Chemical Security and Vulnerability Assessments On substantive matters outside the budget debate, congressional efforts to renew the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program began to gain momentum in the House. The House Energy and Commerce Committee was slated to markup an extension of the program (H.R. 908), but it was delayed. A number of Democratic members of the committee, led by Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA), have indicated that they would like to amend the measure to capture POTWs within the program. An effort to impose Inherently Safer Technologies (IST) mandates is expected to be offered during markup of H.R. 908. Despite this desire to impose IST and require POTWs to follow Department of Homeland Security CFATS, it appears that most committee members will not support such an effort. According to the committee, markup is expected after the Memorial Day recess when Congress returns to work in June. In the Senate, it remains uncertain when corresponding legislation (S. 473), will be acted upon by the Committee on Homeland Security. However, it appears that Senate efforts to capture POTWs remains a possibility as Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), has introduced a bill to renew CFATS that would place POTWs under the Department of Homeland Security. However, key homeland security policy leaders including, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), have legislation pending that would not result in capturing POTWs as part of the CFATS program. CASA and OCSD do not support being regulated by Homeland Security and prefer that EPA retain oversight responsibilities. Conflict of Interest and Appointments to Water Boards OCSD continues to lead the charge in changing State and Federal guidelines for appointees to Regional Water Quality Control Boards and we have gained momentum after our meeting with Congressman Rohrabacher. Since that meeting, CASA has drafted a letter urging support for an amendment to the Clean Water Act asking Congress to update the conflict of interest definition and its application. As part of this effort, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, American Water Works Association and the Association of California Water Agencies have been asked to sign on to the letter in support of this amendment. Infrastructure Funding Policy Funding of wastewater and water facilities remains a highly visible issue. Support continues for the State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) program, but the Committee on Appropriations staff has signaled that the desire to cut spending that will impact the SRF program. As a result, interest in designing a new approach to fund infrastructure is growing. One approach that is gaining support is the creation of an infrastructure financing agency. This approach is similar to transportation loan guarantee programs that have been used to support financing of toll roads and would allow for reduced borrowing costs to agencies to build treatment facilities through federal backing. The question, however, is whether any approach like this would be justification to eliminate existing infrastructure programs like the SRF. Any effort to substitute such a guarantee program for the SRF program could unleash a backlash of opposition from the states that rely heavily on the SRF for funding assistance. Page 4 of 10 In addition to the guarantee approach, proposals to spur investments in infrastructure through private capital have been introduced. These bipartisan and bicameral proposals (H.R. 1801 and S. XXX) would eliminate the state volume cap on private activity bonds when used to support construction of wastewater and water related infrastructure. The legislation, if enacted, would allow agencies to engage in public private partnerships and secure financing through bonds that are repaid by the private entity. According to economic analyses, the change in policy could unleash more than $50 billion in additional infrastructure financing and generate billions of dollars in local, state and federal tax revenues associated with the increased construction activity. Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) According to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure staff and members of the committee, prospects for WRDA continue to be good, but actual action to review program needs will not begin until late summer. The ongoing challenges created by the flooding in the South may create an impetus to review this law and address new needs created by the flooding. In the Senate, the Committee on Environment and Public Works continues to consider a rewrite of WRDA. While actual language has not been made available, staff maintains that the rewrite is a priority. They hope to move into formal public review of needs upon completion of the reauthorization of the highway bill later this summer. Waters of the U.S. Definition USEPA finally issued its revised guidance to define which waters are subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act. This controversial effort responds to the Supreme Court rulings that invalidated the way the agency requires dredge and fill permits (section 404 permits). Under the proposed guidance that is subject to public comment, the agency would subject waters that have any connection to surface waters as covered under the Clean Water Act rather than the more flexible case-by-case approach currently in place. The proposed guidance would have limited impact on POTWs because it leaves in place the waste treatment exemption. This exemption provides that a facility like a pond would not be subject to an NPDES permit if it currently does not require one. State Legislative Report Legislative Advocates: Christopher Townsend, Heather Dion and Casey Elliott, Townsend Public Affairs State Political Highlights The Legislature returned from their Spring Recess the first week of May to push through a number of bills before the May 6 deadline for to pass policy committees. Any bill not clearing the first policy committee by May 6 becomes a two-year bill and cannot be taken up until next year. The next hurdle in the legislative process is that bills tagged fiscal must clear the Appropriations Committees by May 27. While that week focused on moving bills, the State budget continues to loom like a dark cloud over the Capitol. The Legislative budget committees have been conducting Page 5 of 10 informational hearings throughout the State to hear from residents and discuss the impacts of an "all-cuts" budget. For the most part, these hearings are being viewed as a way for Democrats to drum up support for the tax extensions. However, recent polling by the PPIC shows that the public, while opposed to an all-cuts budget, is not in favor of extending taxes on income or sales tax or keeping the higher vehicle license fee. The same poll seems to indicate that Californians want to continue to receive the same level of services from the State, but want someone else to pay the costs. May Budget Revision On May 16 the Governor released his May Revise, which serves as an update to the Governor's original budget released in January. While the State continues to face a large deficit in the upcoming fiscal year, the May Revise comes with good news that the State collected $2.5 billion in unanticipated revenue in the first six months of 2011. This unexpected revenue will help mitigate some of the budget impact; however, the Governor is still proposing significant cuts to programs, as well as increased revenues, in order to close the budget gap. Summary When the Governor released his budget in January, the State budget deficit was $26.8 billion. Through the combination of actions taken by the Legislature earlier in the year and the receipt of unanticipated revenue, the projected budget deficit for FY 2011-12 is now $10.8 billion. While the State is still facing a large deficit, the primary message of the Governor is that the State needs to put its fiscal house in order and promote economic growth and job creation. As mentioned above, the State saw an unexpected increase in revenue in the first six months of 2011 and projections indicate that the State will generate an additional $6.6 billion in revenue beyond what was estimated in January. The May Revise proposes to use this unexpected revenue for three primary items: provide a one-year reduction in the State income tax; increase tax incentives to promote job growth; and to pay down existing State debt. State Revenues A key pledge of Jerry Brown's gubernatorial campaign was that he would not raise taxes without voter approval. In an attempt to uphold his pledge, in January the Governor proposed to hold a special election in June so that voters could weigh-in on the extension of current sales tax, income tax, and vehicle license fee. The Legislature was unable to secure the 2/3 vote needed to place these measures on the ballot; thus if no action is taken, the State revenues in FY 2011-12 will drop by approximately $9.5 billion. The May Revise continues to rely on revenue from the temporary extension of these taxes. The May Revise calls on the Legislature to approve the extension of the current levels of the sales tax, income tax, and vehicle license fee, but to keep his campaign pledge, the Governor is proposing to place the tax measures on the ballot in November, so voters can decide if they want to keep them. It should be noted, that the Governor is proposing a five-year extension of the current tax levels, with the exception of the Page 6 of 10 income tax, which would become operative in calendar year 2012 and be in place for four years. As part of the January budget, the Governor proposed to eliminate the Enterprise Zone program in order to increase the revenues to the State. As part of his May Revise, the Governor is no longer proposing to eliminate the Enterprise Zone program; however, he is proposing some modification of the program that would result in $130 million in annual savings to the State. The key modification that the Governor is proposing to the Enterprise Zone program is that the State would only provide vouchers for new hires, not retroactive vouchers for previous hires. The May Revise still calls for the elimination of Local Redevelopment agencies; however the Governor did acknowledge that there are additional proposals, that would modify, rather than eliminate RDAs, and these will continue to be discussed. Addressing the Budget Deficit The State still faces a $10.8 billion deficit for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The May Revise proposes to close this gap primarily through increased revenues, with some additional cuts, including $9.3 billion in revenues and $2.3 billion in spending cuts. If the May Revise is adopted, then the State would have adopted $11.2 billion in total cuts and $9.8 billion in new revenues since January to address the State's budget deficit. In addition to addressing the current budget deficit, the Governor proposes to address the State's outstanding debt obligations. The State currently has approximately $35 billion in outstanding debt, including: Prop 98 deferrals, Prop 1A borrowing, Prop 42 borrowing, and other borrowing from special funds. The May Revise sets forth a plan that would reduce the State's outstanding debt to $6 billion by FY 2014-15. Specifically, the Governor is proposing to increase Prop 98 spending by $3 billion, reducing future deferrals, and reducing internal special fund borrowing by $744 million. The Governor also has indicated that paying off debt should be the highest priority for any unexpected revenue that comes into the State. Timeline Now that the Governor has released the May Revise, the Legislature will begin to hold budget hearings to discuss the proposal. The Legislature will likely oppose some of the items contained in the May Revise and will need to come up with additional cuts and/or revenue enhancements to address the budget deficit. The Legislature will begin conducting these hearings later this week but they will last several weeks. The State Constitution requires the Legislature to pass a budget by June 15 and legislators will stop being paid if a budget is not adopted by July 1 . In addition to legislative hearings, the Governor will focus on getting Republican votes for the tax extensions. Brown needs two Republican votes in each house to get a 2/3 majority. While the Governor remains optimistic that he can obtain these votes, he will need to make concessions on other items, including pension reform, regulatory reform, redevelopment reform, and State tax modifications. Page 7 of 10 The May Revision can be found at http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/ TPA's activities for the month • TPA continues to monitor, report, and promote the following state legislative and advocacy goals: o Proactive protection of OCSD property tax funding o Outreach and education, particularly to new members of the legislature, at both the staff-staff and elected-board member levels. o Ongoing analysis of legislative measures including but not limited to environmental mandates that could affect the District's operations, local government transparency measures, and budget measures redirecting fees to local wastewater agencies. o The potential for regulatory streamlining o Round II of IRWM funding • TPA is monitoring, analyzing and tracking legislation as it is introduced on behalf of the OCSD — the 2011 bill introduction deadline was February 18. TPA also drafts letters, when appropriate, for OCSD consideration on particular budget or legislative matters of interest. • TPA monitors and reports on key committee hearings on the budget and special districts. • TPA provides up-to-date briefings on the State budget. Legislative Outreach On May 13, Assembly Don Wagner toured plant 1 with Chair Larry Crandall and OCSD staff. Staff continues to meet with Orange County's legislative delegation with TPA to discuss property taxes and key bills. In addition, staff attended the CASA Conference in Sacramento the last week in April and spent a day with TPA staff at the Capitol meeting with legislators and their staff. Of particular note, one bill, AB 457 (Wagner) is now a two-year bill thanks in part to the efforts of TPA and OCSD staff. This measure changed existing law to allow contractors challenging public bids to recover all legal fees if they can demonstrate errors or omissions in the bid process, regardless of whether those errors would have impacted the bid outcome. Page 8 of 10 Outreach meetings to date include: • Assembly Member Mansoor • Assembly Member Miller • Assembly Member Norby • Assembly Member Silva • Senator Harman • Senator Huff The only remaining meeting is Senator Correa's District staff but we did meet with his Capitol staff. The current legislative matrix and recent letters are attached. Public Affairs Update Grants Update Staff researched two grants during the past month — climate change grants through the Bureau of Reclamation (WaterSmart program) and another round of OCTA grants for storm water capture. After discussing with staff, we determined that these grants do not apply to wastewater agencies. Also, we closed out the EPA grants for secondary treatment and received just over $2 million to reimburse OCSD for the cost of final design for project P1-101. The funds were deposited into our bank account at the beginning of this month and we submitted all the final paperwork to close the grant. Media, Outreach and Education OCSD volunteers participated in the OC Science and Engineering Fair, an event to encourage high school students to consider careers in science and engineering. OCSD judges student entries and we offer two $200 prizes for the junior and senior class winners. We also sent volunteers to the Children's Water Festival, as described in the General Manager's monthly update. We submitted two press releases this past month: one describing Fountain Valley's use of our biosolids for recreation area compost to draw attention to our biosolids recycling and other publicizing our Plant of the Year award from the regional SARBS chapter (as reported last month). Also, there was story in a northern California paper advocating that the state take special district reserve funds to balance the state budget and they cited OCSD's reserve. The article and our response are attached to this report. Page 9 of 10 PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS N/A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Attachments: OCSD Bill Matrix Plant of the Year Newsletter SB 482 and SB 900 Legislative Letters WERF Support Letter CEQA N/A BUDGET / DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY COMPLIANCE N/A Page 10 of 10 OCSD Legislative Bill Tracking- 2011 Bill Number Author Summary MD Position Notes Status AB 213 Silva Requires State Agencies to notice"interested Support Suspense file parties"of proposed actions on rules and regulations. AB 262 Harkey Revises the boundaries of the Santa Ana Watch Two-year bill Regional Water Quality Control Board to include south Orange County. AB 457 Wagner Allows bidders of public contract work to Oppose Offering amendments for Two-year bill recover full attorney's costs for challenging reciprocity an award if their bid is determined to be invalid due to errors or omissions of the agency. AB 512 Gordon This bill would expand the definition of an Support Assembly Floor eligible renewable generating facility to include facilities that have a generating capacity of no more than 5 megawatts to allow bill credits for generating renewable energy. AB 646 Atkins Changes exsiting law so that during labor Oppose In Appropriations Committee negotations,agencies are no longer allowed to declare an impasse and impose a contract. Instead,the agency must appoint a mediator to recommend a settlement. AB 741 Huffman Allows the creation of voluntary assessment Support This bill is sponsored by IRWD In Sentate Rules(passed districts to finance the cost of converting Assembly) septic to sewer,connecting to a community system and replacing damaged sewer laterals. AB 1178 Ma This bill seeks to clarify existing law to Support In Appropriations Committee prohibit discriminatory restrictions on the disposal of solid waste based on its place of origin. AB 1354 Huber Eliminates the 5%retention requirements for Oppose Two-year bill public work contracts and prohibits any contract retention amount. OCSD Legislative Bill Tracking- 2011 Bill Number Author Summary MD Position Notes Status SB 482 Kehoe Shifts the responsbility of beach testing from Oppose In Appropriations Committee th Department of Public Health to the State Water Resources Control Board and allows the Board to levy fees on wastewater treatment agencies to pay for administration of the program. SB 771 Kehoe This bill expands the energy sources that are Support In Appropriations Committee eligible to receive funds through the Renewable Resources Trust Fund to include digester gas and waste gas to fuel cell power generation.This bill changes the current definition of eligible renewable energy to include digester or other gasses from wastewater treatment. SB 900 Steinberg Support Consistent with our efforts at the In Appropriations Committee Provides that a person would not be federal level to change the 10 disqualified from being a member of a percent income rule. RWQCB if they receive,or a significant portiontheir income from a person subject to waste discharge requirements,or an applicant for waste discharge requirements, that govern discharges not within the jurisdiction of that RWQCB. OCSD Legislative Bill Tracking- 2011 Bill Number Author Summary OCSD Position Notes Status Bell-related Bills AB 162 Smyth Requires that if an independent audit reveals irregularities,the findings are sent to the State Controller. AB 187 Lara Authorizes the Controller to establish a high- risk audit program to identify agencies the State Auditor views as being at risk of waste, fraud or abuse. AB 229 Lara Requires the Controller to receive all audits within 9 months of preparation and directs the Controller to develop a plan to review all local agency audits. AB 253 Smyth Requires the Controller to develop guidelines for local government audits based on input from a specified group of city officials AB 1287 Buchanan Requires all agencies to comply with GAO standards for audits and requires auditors to complete a GAO quality control review. AB 1344 Feuer Prohbits employment contracts from having automatic renewal clauses or automatic Watch increases in excess of cost-of-living adjustments.Also,this bill requires all meetings be noticed on an agency's website (if they have one). SB 46 Correa Requires all public officials to file statements of economic interest and these statements to be filed on the public agency's website. SB 186 Kehoe Give the State Controller discretion to audit or investigate any local agency to ensure compliance with laws,ordinances and grant agreements and allows the Controller to charge the agency for the cost of the investigation. OCSD Legislative Bill Tracking- 2011 Bill Number Author Summary OCSD Position Notes Status SB 449 Pavley Authorizes the Controller to conduct reviews of local agencies finances to determine if there may be problems and develop a committee of officials to assist agencies with finanical problems(upon request). Orange County Sanitation District Wins Prestigious State Award Page 1 of 3 Having trouble viewing this email? Click here Orange County Sanitation Proudly g public health and the environment through Orange County Sanitation District Wins In This Issue Prestigious State Award Our pride is contagious! If pride is contagious -get up close to our amazing employees! We've Our employees always had great pride in the job we do to protect the public's health Peter picks a problem and environment. And now, we are being honored as the California Water Environment Association Plant of the Year. We've gotten even Levla lays down the more excited to come to work each day. law Ernie's winning smile Fountain Valley Plant named best wastewater Quick Links treatment plant in the State MUM Y The Orange County Sanitation District's Fountain Valley water reclamation plant received the prestigious statewide California A I , Water Environment Association "Plant of the Year" award for 2010 in the large plant category. The award, conferred April 15 at the CWEA 90 �F y. Annual Conference in Ontario, recognizes the l/h� THE EN\P District's facility for permit compliance, innovative practices, cost effectiveness, and Protecting the Public superior plant operations. The District prevailed Health and the over other regional award winning facilities from Environment throughout California that treat more than Employee Ray twenty millions gallons of wastewater per day. Navarro Read more. �►" `T Our winning employees California Film Each day our 600 men and women employees Festival Winner- pour their heart into their work with little Wastewater 101 attention and even fewer accolades. From plant operators, to accountants, to engineers and mechanics, source control ; inspectors to administration staff-we work hard to ensure you don't have to think about us! Most people in the world don't have that i► luxury. 2010 Sanitation District Awards The sad fact is that more people in the world I ; have cell hones than access to a toilet. Distinguished Budget p Presentation Award by the https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual editor preview.jsp?agent.uid=11055735... 5/17/2011 Orange County Sanitation District Wins Prestigious State Award Page 2 of 3 Emilio Arlston Governmental Finance Please take a minute to read about just a few Mechanical Officers Association of our fabulous employees. Their hard work, Technician of the Plant of the Year California professionalism, creativity and talent are Year Water Environment responsible for us being named CWEA 2010 Association Reclamation Plant of the Year. Plant No. 1 Plant of the Year Santa Ana River Basin Section Peter picks a problem Reclamation Plant No. 1 SARBS Mechanic of the "There is an old saying, "Necessity is the mother of invention." Year(local level)-Emilio That's exactly what happened in my case." Ariston Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award by Peter Cheffs saw a problem. The the California Association of Collection Facilities O&M staff performs Public Procurement line cleaning and other maintenance Officials work in the sewer lines of OCSD's Excellence in Information service area. Trucks, equipped with an Technology Practices by arrow board and illuminated with the Municipal Information i incandescent light bulbs, warn Systems Association of oncoming traffic that employees are California performing work in the street. Safety Achievement Award by the American Water Works Association The power to light the arrow board p 9 Gold Peak Performance Peter Cheffs Collections bulbs is supplied by the alternator of a Award by the National running engine. In a normal day, the Association of Clean Water truck engine runs for eight hours to Agencies-for both OCSD Reclamation Plant No. 1 supply power to the arrow board. The arrow board can only be moved and Treatment Plant No.2 90 degrees; so, at times, a second truck is necessary to provide protective services when the working truck is turned so the arrow board faces oncoming traffic. Peter thought of a way to cut costs and Join Cur Mailing List! protect the environment. Read more. Leyla lays down the law "We insist that our contractors strive to be good neighbors, and build relationships with the local community." Senior Environmental Specialist Leyla Perez is our biosolids inspector. She inspects and trains the truck drivers on our requirements and serves as the liaison between the operators and contractors. She audits the preventive maintenance programs required for all contractors and ensures they meet those standards. Leyla conducts periodic safety checks and one-on- one training of drivers in both English and Spanish to help ensure our biosolids safely reach their final destination. �+ Leyla Perez Biosolids We insist that our contractors minimize the Inspector odor and reduce the impacts on neighbors near our sites. It is critical that our contractors https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual editor preview.jsp?agent.uid=11055735... 5/17/2011 Orange County Sanitation District Wins Prestigious State Award Page 3 of 3 hold our same values. Leyla is our eyes, ears, and nose on the ground to help prevent and resolve problems. Read more about our biosolids program. Ernie's winning smile "I feel proud to be a plant operator...it makes me so proud when children thank me for protecting the environment." When you look at Ernie Castro's picture, you can see clearly the kind of person he is -eager, encouraging, positive - a motivator. When you talk to him, his positive attitude and enthusiasm ooze out. His pride in what he does and how he does it, flashes enthusiastically across his face. Ernie is the type of person you are always happy to see, he makes your day, and makes you just a little bit prouder to do your job. - We need more Ernies. He received the Ernesto Castro Plant California Water Environment Santa Ana River Operator Basin Operator of the Year Award at their annual awards ceremony in February 2010. He was nominated by supervisor Ken Wong for his "eagerness to help and a can do attitude." Read more. Administrative Offices 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708-7018 (714) 962-2411 Forward email � I11fYCd lmif!IDT ✓�,�feUnsNl�saia: Co►sfaItConW* irf ror yaurv`!t This email was sent to smorgan@ocsd.com by smorgan(a)ocsd.com Update Profile/Email Address I Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribeTI I Privacy Policy. Orange County Sanitation District 1 10844 Ellis Avenue I Fountain Valley I CA 192708 https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual editor preview.jsp?agent.uid=11055735... 5/17/2011 "s� SAN�TgT/°" ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT s We protect public health and the environment by providing effective wastewater collection,treatment,and recycling. ti h 9or �2 F a May 10, 2011 The Honorable Christine Kehoe California State Senate State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: SB 482(Kehoe): Notice of Opposition Serving Anaheim Dear Senator Kehoe: Brea On behalf of the Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD), I regret to inform you that we Buena Park oppose SB 482. We understand the goal of SB 482 is the creation of a sustainable funding mechanism for the beach water quality control program but has serious concerns with Cypress transferring the program to the State Water Resources Control Board. Fountain Valley OCSD discharges into coastal waters and we already contribute to local monitoring efforts. Fullerton In addition we work collaboratively with the County Health Department and SB 482 could Garden Grove impede our local efforts. Huntington Beach SB 482 not only transfers authority for administration of this program to the State Water Board, but also puts the State Water Board in charge of making public health decisions Irvine regarding posting, closing and reopening of public beaches, a function that traditionally has La Habra been carried out by local health officers or environmental health directors. We believe that La Palma these local health officials are the best qualified individuals to make such decisions, and that these decisions must be made by officials at the local level, since these local officials already Los Alamitos have the procedures in place to notify the public about closures and reopening of beaches. Newport Beach Also SB 482 directs the State Water Board to look at"options for modifying wastewater and Orange stormwater discharge monitoring requirements of local agencies as a method of meeting the requirements set forth in Section 115880."We believe this bill would simply have the effect Placentia of transferring the cost of a program of general interest onto water quality permit holders, Santa Ana going beyond a reasonable nexus to the potential impacts of their discharges on water quality. Local wastewater and stormwater resources are already contribute to these Seal Beach monitoring efforts. Stanton Finally, SB 482 proposes a major expansion of the beach water quality monitoring program Tustin from a seasonal program that runs from April to October to a year-round weekly monitoring Villa Park requirement. Because of natural conditions that occur during the winter months, far more exceedances can be expected to occur and simply would not provide useful information. Yorba Linda Thank you for your consideration. Costa Mesa Sanitary District Sincerely Midway City Sanitary District Irvine Ranch 4µ� Water District County of Orange Larry Crandall Chairman of the Board recycled paper 10844 Ellis Avenue • Fountain Valley,CA 92708-7018 • (714)962-2411 • www.ocsd.com ON14 SANITgT/o ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT v_ We protect public health and the environment by providing effective wastewater collection,treatment,and recycling. n o � Por/NG THE EN�P� May 10, 2011 The Honorable Darrell Steinberg State Senator, 6th District State Capitol, Room 205 Sacramento, CA 95814 Serving Re: SB 900 (Steinberal: Notice of Support Anaheim Dear Senator Steinberg, Brea Buena Park On behalf of the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), I would like to express our strong support for SB 900 (Steinberg). This legislation will restore the credibility Cypress of regulatory programs and encourage stronger cooperation in their implementation. Fountain Valley Fullerton The Orange County Sanitation District operates the third largest wastewater agency west of the Mississippi River. For over 50 years, we have safely collected, treated Garden Grove and disposed of and/or reclaimed the wastewater generated by 2.5 million people Huntington Beach living and working in central and northwestern Orange County. The proposed changes to the conflict of interest requirements for the State Water Resources Irvine Control Board and the 9 California regional water quality control boards are crucial La Habra in order to restore the full participation at the regional board level. La Palma Removing the 10 percent rule provision, in addition to the altering the conflict of interest policy, will increase the number of qualified people eligible to serve on these Los Alamitos boards. Having qualified board members is crucial for increasing cooperation in the Newport Beach state water boards' regulatory programs. Orange Once again, the Orange County Sanitation District strongly supports this legislation Placentia and appreciates your efforts. This legislation will greatly improve both the Santa Ana performance and the outcomes of the regional boards. Seal Beach Sincerely, Stanton Tustin Villa Park Yorba Linda Larry Crandall Costa Mesa Chairman of the Board Sanitary District Midway City Sanitary District Irvine Ranch Water District County of Orange 4 10844 Ellis Avenue • Fountain Valley,CA 9270E-7018 17141 962-2411 www.ocsd.com recycled paper JN11 SANITgT/� ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT � O C^ � e We protect public health and the environment by providing effective wastewater collection,treatment,and recycling. 0 4 THE ENv\PO� May 11,2011 The Honorable Diane Feinstein 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington,D.C.20510 Fax: 202-228-3954 Dear Senator Feinstein: Serving Anaheim As Congress begins work on the FY 2012 Budget, I want to urge you to support the continued funding for drinking water and wastewater-related research at EPA in partnership with local Brea wastewater and drinking water utilities. For over twenty years, Congress has supported this Buena Park research at nonprofit water industry foundations who sponsor competitive research into source water protection, water quality and water infrastructure. Water and wastewater-related Cypress research should remain a high priority as the nation looks at the staggering cost estimates for Fountain Valley replacing aging water infrastructure and contaminant-removal compliance costs. Fullerton The Orange County Sanitation District supports and benefits from the respective research Garden Grove conducted through the Water Research Foundation (WaterRF) and the Water Environment Huntington Beach Research Foundation (WERF). This research helps ensure that sound science governs compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act mandates, regulations and Irvine policies. La Habra With the demise of earmarks,we have worked with our supporters on Capitol Hill to develop a La Palma carefully defined competitive program for nonprofit organizations who conduct water and Los Alamitos wastewater research of national significance.This research program will ensure that during FY 2012,critical water and wastewater-related research will continue to meet the needs identified Newport Beach by the local agencies charged with meeting federal mandates. Specifically, the language would Orange prioritize funding for a cost-shared, competitive grant program within monies already being provided to the U.S. EPA Office of Research & Development budget. This language would be Placentia included in the Interior,Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee bill and would read: Santa Ana 16,000,000 shall be used for extramural research grants,independent of the Star Seal Beach Grant program, to fund high-priority water quality and availability research by Stanton not-for-profit research organizations whose members are regulated under the Clean Water Act or Safe Drinking Water Act Within 180 days after the date of Tustin enactment, funds shall be awarded competitively with priority given to those Villa Park organizations who often partner with the agency, who propose research of national scope and who provide25%cost sharing." Yorba Linda Costa Mesa We thank you for your attention to this matter of important national, state and local Sanitary District significance. If you have any questions or comments,please contact me. Midway City Sanitary District Sincerely, Irvine Ranch C?a Water District County of Orange Larry all Chairman of the Board �9 10844 Ellis Avenue • Fountain Valley,CA 92708-7018 • (714)962-2411 • www.ocsd.com reo/cw paper. °y ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT _ g We protect public health and the environment by providing effective wastewater collection,treatment,and recycling. Q o \ 4 THE ENV\P°� May 11,2011 The Honorable Ken Calvert 2269 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C.20515 Fax: 202-225-2004 Serving Anaheim As Congress begins work on the FY 2012 Budget, I want to urge you to support the continued funding for drinking water and wastewater-related research at EPA in partnership with local Brea wastewater and drinking water utilities. For over twenty years, Congress has supported this Buena Park research at nonprofit water industry foundations who sponsor competitive research into source water protection, water quality and water infrastructure. Water and wastewater-related Cypress research should remain a high priority as the nation looks at the staggering cost estimates for Fountain Valley replacing aging water infrastructure and contaminant-removal compliance costs. Fullerton The Orange County Sanitation District supports and benefits from the respective research Garden Grove conducted through the Water Research Foundation (WaterRF) and the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF). This research helps ensure that sound science governs Huntington Beach compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act mandates, regulations and Irvine policies. La Habra With the demise of earmarks,we have worked with our supporters on Capitol Hill to develop a La Palma carefully defined competitive program for nonprofit organizations who conduct water and Los Alamitos wastewater research of national significance.This research program will ensure that during FY 2012,critical water and wastewater-related research will continue to meet the needs identified Newport Beach by the local agencies charged with meeting federal mandates. Specifically, the language would Orange prioritize funding for a cost-shared, competitive grant program within monies already being provided to the U.S. EPA Office of Research & Development budget. This language would be Placentia included in the Interior,Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee bill and would read: Santa Ana "$6,000,000 shall be used for extramural research grants, independent of the Star Seal Beach Grant program, to fund high-priority water quality and availability research by Stanton not-for-profit research organizations whose members are regulated under the Clean Water Act or Safe Drinking Water Act Within 180 days after the date of Tustin enactment, funds shall be awarded competitively with priority given to those Villa Park organizations who often partner with the agency, who propose research of national scope and who provide 25%costsharing." Yorba Linda Costa Mesa We thank you for your attention to this matter of important national, state and local Sanitary District significance.If you have any questions or comments,please contact me. Midway City Sanitary District Sincerel , Irvine Ranch Water District County of Orange Larry Cran all Chairman of the Board 10844 Ellis Avenue • Fountain Valley,CA 92708 7018 (714)962-2411 www.ocsd.com recycled paper