HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-21 Correspondence re Complaint - BOD RedactedBa
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Fountain Valley, CA 927°S
714.952.2411
ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT www.ocsan.gov
May 14, 2025
Mr. and Mrs. Spawn
serving.
3332 Alabama Circle
Anaheim
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Brea
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Spawn:
Buena Park
am writing in response to your letter expressing your concerns about odors near your
Cypress
home on Alabama Circle.
Fountain Valley
OC San takes odor -related complaints very seriously. While we recognize multiple sources
Fullerton
in the surrounding area may contribute to odors, we are fully committed to identifying and
Garden Grove
addressing any emissions that may originate from our facility in Fountain Valley. Our team
continues to work diligently to investigate and mitigate odors whenever and wherever
Huntington Beach
possible.
Irvine
Receiving feedback from the staff, some of the steps we've taken include:
La Habra
La Palma
Active Monitoring: Our team conducts regular inspections and deployed odor
detection technologies, including hydrogen sulfide monitor at a resident's home on
Los Alamitos
Alabama Street, to better identify and respond to problematic areas. While the
Newport Beach
monitor did not detect any hydrogen sulfide in or around the home, we continue to
monitor for other fugitive odors in the area.
Orange
Placentia
• Operational Adjustments: We have made operational adjustments to plant
processes to mitigate odors and remain vigilant to monitor process performance
Santa Ana
and take action as needed. For example, increasing chemical dosing at odor control
Seal Beach
scrubbers, particularly during warmer weather when odors are more likely.
Stanton
Facility Oversight: We are actively working with contractors performing work near
Tustin
odor -sensitive equipment to ensure their activities do not contribute to odors
emissions.
Villa Park
County of Orange
Future Projects: Long-term odor control improvements are underway, including
studies and capital projects focused on enhancing the performance of trickling
Costa Mesa
filters. In the meantime, we are also exploring interim measures to provide near -
Sanitary district
term relief.
Midway city
Sanitary District
As a regional wastewater treatment agency serving 2.6 million people, there are times when
Irvine Ranch
odors may occur despite our best efforts. That said, we remain fully committed to doing
Water District
everything within reason to minimize those impacts. We remain in compliance with all South
Yorba Linda
Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) requirements and maintain open
Water District
communication with our neighbors. We understand your concerns and want to provide the
SCAQMD phone number for your use (909) 396-2000.
Our Mission: To protect public health and the environment by
providing effective wastewater collection, treatment, and recycling.
OC6SAN
ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT
Mr. and Mrs. Spawn
May 14, 2025
Page Two
We are also in communications with the City of Costa Mesa and the Costa Mesa Sanitary District to
explore all possible contributors to the odors in your neighborhood. Odor sources can be difficult to
pinpoint, but your continued input helps guide our investigations and response efforts.
Should you wish to speak with someone directly, visit our facility, or meet with us, please contact
our Director of Communications, Jennifer Cabral, at (714) 593-7581 or via email at
icabral(@ocsan.aov.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your concerns
Sincerely,
Ryan P. Gallagher
Board Chairman
cc: Costa Mesa Sanitary District - Scott Carroll, General Manager
Costa Mesa Sanitary District & OC San Board Member — Director Robert Ooten
City of Costa Mesa — Mayor John Stephens
City of Costa Mesa - Cecilia Gallardo-Daly, Assistant City Manager
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May 2, 2025
Mark A. Spawn
3332 Alabama Circle
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Orange County Sanitation District
Chairperson Ryan Gallagher
18480 Bandilier Circle
Fountain Vallet, CA 92708
Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Persistent Odor Emissions
from Sanitation Plant
Chairperson Gallagher,
I am submitting a formal complaint regarding persistent and
intrusive odors originating from OCSAN located in Fountain
Valley. These emissions have materially impacted the livability
of my property at 3332 Alabama Circle and the surrounding
residential community.
Despite repeated complaints over the past several years, no
meaningful mitigation efforts have been made by the sanitation
facility. The odors continue to pose a serious nuisance,
affecting the health, comfort, and property values of nearby
residents. In my case, the issue recently caused a real estate
transaction to fall through during escrow due to buyer concerns
over odors emanating from the Fountain Valley facility.
Given the ongoing nature and severity of the problem, I
respectfully request that the Air Quality Management District:
• Investigate the source of the odors,
• Assess the facility's compliance with applicable air
quality and public nuisance regulations, and
• Take appropriate enforcement action to require corrective
measures.
My wife and I have made prior complaints in recent years to the
sanitation control center. While we have observed responses by
OCSAN crews in response to complaints, the odors continue with
frequency without resolution.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look
forward to your confirmation of receipt of this complaint and
information regarding the next steps.
Sincerely,
6
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v
Mar A. Spawn
May 2, 2025
Mark A. Spawn
3332 Alabama Circle
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Mayor John Stephens
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Subject: Request for City Intervention Regarding Sanitation
Plant Odor Issues Impacting Residential Property Values and
Livability
Dear Mayor Stephens,
I am writing to request the immediate attention of the City of
Costa Mesa regarding a longstanding and increasingly urgent
issue involving persistent odors from OCSAN that are negatively
impacting residents in the surrounding neighborhoods, including
my own property at 3332 Alabama Circle.
For several years, I and other residents have submitted
complaints regarding the odors emanating from the facility.
Unfortunately, despite these efforts, there has been no
meaningful improvement. Most recently, I had my home under
contract for sale; however, the buyers canceled escrow
specifically due to the odor issue. This not only highlights a
serious quality of life concern but now also represents
measurable financial harm to affected homeowners.
As a taxpayer and community member, I am respectfully requesting
that the City:
• Investigate the sanitation plant's current compliance with
local, state, and federal environmental standards,
• Advocate for immediate corrective action, and
• Hold the sanitation district accountable for the impacts to
property values, health, and the general welfare of nearby
residents.
I
The continuation of these conditions without intervention raises
significant concerns regarding environmental justice, public
health, and economic harm to homeowners who have invested in
this community.
I urge the City to take swift and decisive action to protect its
residents. I would appreciate a response within 14 days
detailing the steps the City intends to take to address this
matter.
Thank you for your leadership and attention to this serious
issue. I am available to discuss this further and can provide
additional documentation if needed.
Sincerely,
Ma k A. Spawn
cc:
OCSAN Chairperson Ryan Gallagher, 18480 Bandilier Circle,
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Costa Mesa Sanitary District Director Robert Ooten, 290
Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
May 2, 2025
Jeanna M. Spawn
3332 Alabama Circle
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Orange County Sanitation District
Chairperson Ryan Gallagher
18480 Bandilier Circle
Fountain Vallet, CA 92708
Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Persistent Odor Emissions
from Sanitation Plant
Chairperson Gallagher,
I am submitting a formal complaint regarding persistent and
intrusive odors originating from OCSAN located in Fountain
Valley. These emissions have materially impacted the livability
of my property at 3332 Alabama Circle and the surrounding
residential community.
Despite repeated complaints over the past several years, no
meaningful mitigation efforts have been made by the sanitation
facility. The odors continue to pose a serious nuisance,
affecting the health, comfort, and property values of nearby
residents. In my case, the issue recently caused a real estate
transaction to fall through during escrow due to buyer concerns
over odors emanating from the Fountain Valley facility.
Given the ongoing nature and severity of the problem, I
respectfully request that the Air Quality Management District:
• Investigate the source of the odors,
• Assess the facility's compliance with applicable air
quality and public nuisance regulations, and
• Take appropriate enforcement action to require corrective
measures.
My wife and I have made prior complaints in recent years to the
sanitation control center. While we have observed responses by
OCSAN crews in response to complaints, the odors continue with
frequency without resolution.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look
forward to your confirmation of receipt of this complaint and
information regarding the next steps.
Sincerely,
Deanna M. Spawn
01
May 2, 2025
Jeanna M. Spawn
3332 Alabama Circle
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Mayor John Stephens
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Subject: Request for City Intervention Regarding Sanitation
Plant Odor Issues Impacting Residential Property Values and
Livability
Dear Mayor Stephens,
I am writing to request the immediate attention of the City of
Costa Mesa regarding a longstanding and increasingly urgent
issue involving persistent odors from OCSAN that are negatively
impacting residents in the surrounding neighborhoods, including
my own property at 3332 Alabama Circle.
For several years, I and other residents have submitted
complaints regarding the odors emanating from the facility.
Unfortunately, despite these efforts, there has been no
meaningful improvement. Most recently, I had my home under
contract for sale; however, the buyers canceled escrow
specifically due to the odor issue. This not only highlights a
serious quality of life concern but now also represents
measurable financial harm to affected homeowners.
As a taxpayer and community member, I am respectfully requesting
that the City:
• Investigate the sanitation plant's current compliance with
local, state, and federal environmental standards,
• Advocate for immediate corrective action, and
• Hold the sanitation district accountable for the impacts to
Property values, health, and the general welfare of nearby
residents.
The continuation of these conditions without intervention raises
significant concerns regarding environmental justice, public
health, and economic harm to homeowners who have invested in
this community.
I urge the City to take swift and decisive action to protect its
residents. I would appreciate a response within 14 days
detailing the steps the City intends to take to address this
matter.
Thank you for your leadership and attention to this serious
issue. I am available to discuss this further and can provide
additional documentation if needed.
Sincerely,
Jeanna M. Spawn
cc:
2CSAN Chairperson Ryan Gallagher, 18480 Bandilier Circle,
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Costa Mesa Sanitary District Director Robert Ooten, 290
Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626