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Minutes - City/Districts Liaison Committee - 2023-01-27AW 1 MesaWater � 1 Newport -Mesa DISTRICT /1 Unified School District MINUTES OF THE CITY/DISTRICTS LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 27, 2023 8:00 A.M. NOTE: THIS HYBRID IN -PERSON AND TELECONFERENCED MEETING WAS CONDUCTED UTILIZING ELECTRONIC MEANS CONSISTENT WITH STATE OF CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 361(GOV. CODE 549S3(B)(3)). A. CITY/DISTRICTS LIAISON COMMITTEE MEMBERS Committee Members present City of Costa Mesa (City) John Stephens, Mayor Loren Gameros, Council Member Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, City Manager Raja Sethuraman, Public Services Director Jason Minter, Parks and Community Services Director Alma Reyes, Assistant to the City Manager Janet Hauser, Executive Assistant Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) Mike Scheafer, Board President Art Perry, Board Secretary Bob Ooten, Board Vice Secretary Brett Eckles, Board Director Scott Carroll, General Manager Mesa Water District (MWD) Fred Bockmilller, Board Director Jim Atkinson, Board Director Paul E. Shoenberger, General Manager Newport -Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) Ashley Anderson, Board President Krista Weigand, Board Trustee Michelle Murphy, Board Trustee Jeff Trader, Assistant Superintendent, Chief Business Official (CBO) CMSD Staff present Noelani Middenway (District Clerk & Public Information Officer) Gina Terraneo (Management Analyst II) Others present Michael Tou, City/District resident Andrew Barnes, City of Costa Mesa Active Transportation Committee Member Sergio Escobar Meeting called to order at 8:06 A.M. B. OPENING ITEMS 1. Call to Order (CMSD) CMSD Board President, Mike Scheafer, called the meeting to order at 8:06 A.M. 2. Roundtable Introductions CMSD Board President Scheafer opened roundtable introductions. CMSD's General Manager, Scott Carroll, Board President, Michael Scheafer, Board Secretary, Art Perry, Board Vice Secretary, Bob Ooten, and Board Director, Brett Eckles, were present at this time. NMUSD Board President, Ashley Anderson, Board Trustee, Krista Weigand, and Assistant Superintendent/CBO, Jeff Trader, were present at this time. The City of Costa Mesa's Councilmember, Loren Gameros, Public Service Director, Raja Sethuraman, Parks and Community Services Director, Jason Minter, Assistant to the City Manager, Alma Reyes, and Executive Assistant, Janet Hauser, were present at this time. MWD's Board Director, Fred Bockmiller, and Board Director, Jim Atkinson, were present at this time. 3. Public Comments CMSD Board President Scheafer opened public comments. City of Costa Mesa Active Transportation Committee Member, Andrew Barnes, shared information about a community e-bike safety and rodeo event in May 2023. He stated that the City is looking for partnerships and participation. He shared that the event was initiated by Councilmember Arlis Reynolds and the 'Walker and Rollers" community group. He stated that they are interested in hosting the event at a large facility like Estancia High School. CMSD Board President Scheafer welcomed MWD's General Manager, Paul Shoenberger, City of Costa Mesa's Mayor John Stephens, and NMUSD Board Trustee, Michelle Murphy to the meeting. Hearing no additional comments, he closed public comments. 4. Headquarters Landscaping Project (CMSD) Mr. Carroll shared CMSD's plans for landscape improvements. He noted that the eucalyptus trees will be removed and replaced with new trees. S. Trash and Recycling Update (CMSD) Mr. Carroll discussed Senate Bill (SB) 1383 and food waste recycling. He noted that CMSD will have to begin enforcing the regulations of SB 1383. He discussed providing educational outreach at school assemblies. NMUSD Board President Anderson stated that she will reach out to the designated staff member for assistance. NMUSD Board Trustee Weigand asked how CMSD will be enforcing food waste recycling. Mr. Carroll discussed CMSD's waste characterization studies that help assess trash cart contamination. He stated that letters will be sent to residences with high contamination levels. CMSD Board President Scheafer stated that CMSD will also be lifting cart lids to inspect trash carts. He added that contamination violations will result in warning notices and fines. Discussion followed regarding fining individual residences. Mr. Carroll shared that CMSD is providing free kitchen pails to its trash customers. He offered a kitchen pail to the committee members. He explained how to use the kitchen pail. MWD Board Director Bockmiller commented that residents have little control over what happens to their trash cart once it is placed outside for collection. He noted that other people may be disposing waste into a trash cart that is placed in the street. He stated that there will be push back from the public about trash fines. CMSD Board President Scheafer stated that CMSD is waiting for more instruction from the state regarding enforcement. Mr. Carroll shared that the waste characterization study for the west side neighborhood of Costa Mesa had a 14% contamination level. Mr. Sethuraman asked if CMSD is looking to participate in school assemblies at middle or high schools. Mr. Carroll stated that CMSD is interested in educating all grade levels. Discussion followed regarding separating food waste and green waste at schools. CMSD Board President Scheafer shared that CMSD is having issues with customers not condensing their cardboard waste to fit in their trash cart. He noted that the new trash carts will have a sticker that informs people to break down their cardboard waste. He welcomed the City of Costa Mesa's City Manager, Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, to the meeting. Mayor Stephens shared that the City of Costa Mesa's Earth Day event will be a good opportunity to educate the community about organics recycling. 6. Estancia High School Theater Update (NMUSD) Mr. Trader shared that the Estancia High School Theater is currently in the design phase. CMSD Secretary Perry asked where the theater will be located. Mr. Trader stated that it will be located near the parking lot closest to the tennis courts. 7. Field Use Update (NMUSD) Mr. Trader shared that NMUSD is performing a cost study regarding field costs. He stated that they have met with several community groups to determine the appropriate costs. He added that the NMUSD Board will discuss field usage and maintenance. CMSD Director Eckles expressed support for this item. 8. Project Labor Agreement Apprenticeship Program and Collaboration (City) Ms. Farrell Harrison shared that the City of Costa Mesa has entered into a project labor agreement. She added that the agreement includes a pre - apprenticeship program and grants priority to Costa Mesa residents to work on City projects. She stated that this program will increase local jobs and help disadvantaged residents. Councilmember Gameros shared his experience in trade work and discussed the importance of creating local jobs and opportunities with livable wages. Discussion followed regarding the programs offered by the agreement, which include building and construction trades, hospitality workers, and retail workers. NMUSD Board President Anderson shared that NMUSD has infrastructure that will help establish the program. 9. Update to Join Use Agreement (City) Mr. Minter provided an update on the City of Costa Mesa's Joint Use Agreement. 10. Joint Use Open Space (City) Mr. Minter provided an update on the City of Costa Mesa's Joint Use Open Space Agreement. He stated that the agreement helps provide local areas with access to open space. 11. Placentia Avenue Striping Project (City) Mr. Sethuraman presented an overview of the project and shared its benefits. He shared that the City of Costa Mesa has been coordinating with NMUSD on this project. NMUSD Board Trustee Weigand inquired about the effectiveness of the new bike lanes. Mr. Sethuraman stated that the new bike lanes will provide a visual marker for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. He added that the bike lane improvements will provide an extra buffer and increased level of safety for bicyclists. Mayor Stephens discussed the success of bike lanes during the City of Costa Mesa's Concerts in the Park. He shared that the bike lane improvements have encouraged more people to ride their bikes. Mr. Sethuraman stated that the visual improvements help drivers slow down when they are approaching a bicyclist. Mayor Stephens shared that the bike lanes on Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa are 12 feet wide compared to 10 feet wide in Santa Ana. He credited Councilmember Arlis Reynolds for leading the initiative to make streets safer. Discussion followed regarding the bike lanes on Adams Avenue, lane striping on 18a' Street, stop signs, and bump safety markings. MWD Board Director Bockmiller asked about traffic around a local diesel station. Mayor Stephens discussed stoplights and increasing bike safety. MWD Board Director Bockmiller asked about the timeline for the temporary street paving and construction. Mr. Sethuraman stated that construction will begin in February and should be completed in three to four months. NMUSD Board President Anderson stated that the intersection has become more dangerous. She suggested adding double -sided signage. Ms. Farrell Harrison stated that the City of Costa Mesa can provide more education and outreach. MWD Board Director Bockmiller continued discussing heavy truck traffic in the area. Councilmember Gameros suggested implementing blackout times during school sessions and developing enforcement with the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD). Discussion followed regarding e-bike safety education. 12. Student Education on Bicycle Riding and Bike Lane Safety (City) Mr. Sethuraman stated that e-bikes have created new issues for many cities. He shared that the City of Costa Mesa is working with CMPD to provide safety education to the local schools and to the public. He added that the City is encouraging users to ride their e-bikes on the streets and not on the sidewalks. MWD Board Director Atkinson stated that there are age restrictions for e- bikes. Mr. Sethuraman stated that there are three classes of e-bikes and that the highest class requires a driver's license. He shared that the City is working on educating more people on the different classes. Mr. Barnes stated that this issue requires a strategic combination of education, infrastructure, and enforcement. CMSD Director Eckles commented that people ride their e-bikes through school fields and boardwalks which leads to more damage and injuries. NMUSD Board Trustee Weigand stated that the State of California is encouraging more e-bikes. She suggested increasing the responsibility of e- bike retailers to promote safety and education. Discussion followed regarding police enforcement of e-bike safety. Mr. Barnes stated that e-bike retailers have the expertise and training to promote a -bike safety. He shared that the CMPD has developed a strategy for educating e-bike users. MWD Board Director Bockmiller discussed an incident near Kaiser Elementary that was filmed and uploaded to Facebook. He stated that it should be illegal for anyone under 18 years old to have an e-bike without pedals. Discussion followed regarding the types of e-bikes, owner and user responsibility, and enforcement options. 13. Waste / Trash Bins Blocking Bicycle Lanes (City) Mr. Sethuraman shared that there are many trash carts along Placentia Avenue that are blocking the bicycle lanes. Mr. Carroll stated that he will discuss this issue with the CMSD Board of Directors. He shared that the CMSD Operations Code requires trash carts to be placed curbside for service. MWD Board Director Bockmiller asked if more compacted residential areas can be serviced by a dumpster rather than individual trash carts. CMSD Board President Scheafer stated that property owners can elect to have dumpsters. Mr. Carroll added that a dumpster is required to have an enclosure which some properties may not be able to accommodate. Discussion followed regarding the area in question on Placentia Avenue. 14. Dump Day (City) Mr. Sethuraman provided event details for the City's upcoming Dump Day at Estancia High School on March 4, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CMSD Board President Scheafer stated that CMSD offers large item pickups for its trash customers. He shared that CMSD used to offer events similar to Dump Day, but they increased scavenging rates. Mr. Carroll stated that the Dump Day events are beneficial to multi -family properties. CMSD Board Secretary Perry shared that Estancia High School has marquees that can be used to display event information. 15. Homelessness Update (City) Ms. Farrell Harrison shared that the City of Costa Mesa has been spending about three million dollars a year on homelessness issues. She stated that the City's shelter has 72 beds and that it is frequently at capacity. She noted that the City is planning to add 10 to 15 more beds. She stated that the CMPD and outreach workers have been successful in assisting people who are living on the streets. She shared that 268 people have transitioned from being homeless and into housing. She added that the City's community impact team has been effective in providing services to the community. She stated that the City has rental assistance programs for families that are facing eviction. She also shared that eight affordable housing units have been added. Mayor Stephens discussed homelessness as an issue. He stated that rent prices are very high in Costa Mesa but there is only a 2% vacancy rate, which is one of the reasons for the City's Measure K. MWD Board Director Bockmiller expressed recognition for the City's efforts to address homelessness on the west side. Mayor Stephens discussed the impact of localized efforts such as increased street lighting and security. 16. Current Water Supply Conditions (Mesa Water) Mr. Shoenberger discussed MWD's current water supply conditions and presented graphs showing precipitation. MWD Board Director Atkinson shared that MWD is locally sourced and does not rely on the state's water project or the Colorado River for its water supply. MWD Board Director Bockmiller thanked CMSD and the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) for collecting and recycling water. Mayor Stephens inquired about the amount of rain captured after the recent rain events. Mr. Shoenberger stated that the Orange County Water District typically captures 90-95% of all water during a rain event. Discussion followed regarding state reservoirs and California's allocation of the Colorado River supply. 17. Yo Arno Mesa Water Community Event, 2/11(Mesa Water) Mr. Shoenberger shared Yo Amo Mesa Water event details. He stated that the event's focus is on clean tap water. He announced that the guest speaker is Adan Ortega from the Metropolitan Water District. Mr. Sethuraman shared that the City of Costa Mesa will be hosting an Earth Day event this year. D. ADJOURNMENT The next Liaison Committee meeting will be held on April 21, 2023 and hosted by NMUSD. CMSD Board President Scheafer adjourned the meeting at 9:43 A.M. Art Perry Secretary Mike Scheafer President