Minutes - Board - 2022-09-13COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
NOTE: THIS HYBRID IN -PERSON AND TELECONFERENCED MEETING WAS CONDUCTED
UTILIZING ELECTRONIC MEANS CONSISTENT WITH STATE OF CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL
361(Gov. CODE 54953(B)(3)).
Members present
Art Perry, Bob Ooten, Brett Eckles, Mike Scheafer
Members absent
Arlene Schafer
Staff present
Scott Carroll (General Manager), Noelani Middenway (District Clerk and Public
Information Officer), Alan Burns (District Counsel), Dyana Bojarski
(Administrative Services Manager), Nabila Guzman (Management Analyst I),
David Griffin (Interim Code Enforcement Officer)
Others present
Mike Carey, CR&R
Mike Balliet, Michael Balliet Consulting
Mickey McGuire, Acorn Technology Services
David McKissic, Acorn Technology Services
Meeting called to order at 8:04 A.M.
A. OPENING ITEMS
Procedural: 1. Roll Call - (If absences occur, consider whether to deem those
absences excused based on facts presented for the absence — such determination
shall be the permission required bylaw.)
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
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President Ooten called the meeting to order at 8:04 A.M.
District Clerk and Public Information Officer, Noelani Middenway, noted
that President Ooten, Vice President Scheafer, Director Perry, and Director
Eckles were present while Secretary Schafer was not present.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Procedural: 1. Public Comments
President Ooten opened public comments. Hearing none, he closed public
comments.
C. ITEMS OF STUDY
Action, Receive and File: 1. Receive and File Oral Report Regarding CMSD
Cybersecurity Program
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
President Ooten introduced the report.
General Manager, Scott Carroll, introduced the District's consultants from
Acorn Technology Services, Mickey McGuire and David McKissic.
Mr. McGuire provided an update on the District's cybersecurity program. He
discussed virtual private networks (VPN) for remote working, additional off -
site storage for data backups, vulnerability network scans, and a managed
detection and response system for malicious activity.
President Ooten asked if the managed detection and response system
provides coverage to the District's remote computers.
Mr. McGuire stated that all computers under Acorn's purview of
management and support are included in the system. He discussed Acorn's
cybersecurity awareness training and upcoming security projects regarding
email.
Discussion followed regarding redundancy issues related to network
failures at District headquarters.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DDIECTORS STUDY SESSION
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Director Eckles inquired about Acorn's service -level agreements (SLAs) in
relation to downtime or a denial -of -service (DOS) attack.
Mr. McGuire stated that Acorn has SLAs in terms of internet connection
during a DOS attack.
Vice President Scheafer discussed providing a cybersecurity update to the
District's insurance provider, Special District Risk Management Authority
(SDRMA).
Mr. McGuire shared that most cybersecurity insurance providers will issue
a questionnaire to determine insurance coverage and risk premiums.
Discussion followed regarding SDRMA's cybersecurity coverage and the Los
Angeles Unified School District cyber-attack.
President Ooten asked if the District has budgeted for the necessary
cybersecurity improvements.
Mr. Carroll confirmed that the District's budget has sufficient funding for the
additional cybersecurity measures.
District Counsel, Alan Burns, inquired about insurance carriers providing
coverage for cyber-related extortion demands.
Mr. McGuire discussed insurance coverage and data loss prevention
measures regarding cyber-related extortion.
Director Eckles asked if the District has a policy regarding remote work.
Mr. Carroll stated that District requires all employees to sign an agreement
regarding remote work practices.
Mr. McGuire shared that cybersecurity insurance questionnaires typically
require an organization to have a formal policy regarding remote work.
President Ooten requested to review the District's employee agreement for
remote work practices.
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There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Action, Receive and File: 2. Receive and File August 2022 Code Enforcement
Officer Report.
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
President Ooten introduced the item.
Interim Code Enforcement Officer, David Griffin, presented report details.
Discussion followed regarding scavenging activity in August 2022.
Mr. Griffin continued his presentation and discussed trash cart in public
view violations.
President Ooten asked if trash carts in public view is a common violation
and asked if each violation is tracked according to the location of the trash
cart.
Mr. Griffin stated that repeat offenders are tracked within the District's
GoGov system.
President Ooten requested more information regarding the average
percentage of trash carts in public view violations.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Action, Receive and File: 3. Receive and File Quarterly Legislative Report —
Quarter 3
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
President Ooten introduced the item. He requested more information
regarding the legislative items related to Senate Bill (SB) 1383.
Director Eckles suggested discussing this item at the September Board
meeting.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DHIECTORs STUDY SESSION
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Action, Receive and File: 4.2022 Missed Trash Pick -Up (January — August)
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
President Ooten introduced the item.
Mr. Carroll presented report details. He noted that the amount of missed
trash pickups increased from July 2022 to August 2022 due to staffing
shortages and trash truck breakdowns. He shared that CR&R has improved
their efforts to notify the District of upcoming service delays.
Director Eckles commented that, since 2020, this issue has continued. He
stated that customers have complained about being notified about service
delays a day or two after their designated collection day.
Mr. Carroll stated that multiple waste haulers are experiencing similar
issues across the entire state.
Director Eckles stressed the importance of creating an action plan to remedy
this issue.
Mr. Carroll stated that CR&R's action plan consists of hiring more drivers and
buying new trash trucks, however, they have continued to experience
hinderances to achieving both goals.
Discussion followed regarding how the District intends to hold CR&R
accountable for such issues.
President Ooten inquired about CR&R's efforts to hire more employees.
Mr. Carroll shared that CR&R has been attending job fairs and increasing
their recruitment efforts but all companies within the industry are
struggling to retain drivers and customer service representatives.
Director Eckles suggested offering rebates to customers that have
experienced multiple missed trash pickups.
Mr. Carroll stated that District staff can discuss that suggestion with CR&R.
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MINuTEs OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
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President Ooten asked if there is an industry standard for missed trash
pickups and how CR&R's performance compares to other local waste
haulers.
District solid waste consultant, Mike Balliet, stated that he is not aware of
any such available data. He noted that it is typical for a waste hauler to
experience 20 to 30 missed trash pickups per month. He added that data
regarding missed trash pickups is not always reliable. He shared that most
of his customers are experiencing similar issues to CR&R.
President Ooten stated that most service providers experience dislocation in
their service. He added that, according to the reported data, CR&R misses
about less than 0.5% of all trash carts each month.
Discussion followed regarding trash carts per customer and route efficiency.
Mr. Burns discussed the District's leverage power in negotiating a new
contract with CR&R.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Action: 5. Consider Delaying Roll -Out of 3-Cart Solid Waste Collection System
to Begin in January 2025
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors provide direction to staff.
President Ooten introduced the item.
Mr. Carroll provided report details and discussed postponing the transition
to a three -cart system until January 2025.
Director Perry expressed support for delaying the transition to a three -cart
system.
Discussion followed regarding how delaying the transition would affect the
District's contract negotiations with CR&R.
Mr. Balliet discussed how state regulations may affect the usage of high -
diversion facilities. He confirmed that the District is currently in compliance
with SB 1383.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
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President Ooten expressed concerns for delaying the transition to a three -
cart system until 2025.
Director Perry stated that the District will have established its plan for a
three -cart system by 2024.
Director Eckles suggested annually reviewing the District's cart system to
determine the best timeframe for the transition.
Discussion followed regarding how a three -cart system may increase the
rate of missed trash pickups.
Mr. Balliet stated that the state regulations promote source separation and
discourage mixed waste processing. He recommended discussing the
transition to a three -cart system after CR&R completes a cart audit and is
better equipped with staff and resources.
Vice President Scheafer expressed support for continuing the District's
education efforts for SB 1383 and postponing the transition until the District
is fully prepared.
Director Eckles expressed support for delaying the three -cart system and
biannually reviewing the District's compliance efforts with SB 1383.
Mr. Carroll stated that District staff will bring this item back to the Board in
December 2022 for more discussion.
There was no further discussion.
D. CLOSING ITEMS
Procedural: 1. Oral Communications and Director Comments
Vice President Scheafer requested cybersecurity training and education
regarding external devices.
There were no additional comments.
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
Procedural: 2. Adjournment
President Ooten adjourned the meeting at 9:22 A.M.
WWI
Arlene Schafer
Secretary
BobOoten
President
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