Minutes - Board - 2023-05-09COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
MAY 9, 2023
Members present
Art Perry, Arlene Schafer, Bob Ooten, Brett Eckles, Mike Scheafer
Members absent
None
Staffpresent
Scott Carroll (General Manager), Noelani Middenway (District Clerk and Public
Information Officer), Gina Terraneo (Management Analyst II), Kaitlin Tran
(Finance Manager), Dyana Bojarski (Administrative Services Manager), Mark
Esquer (District Engineer), Lieu Tran (Accountant), Tanisha Tingling
(Administrative Assistant II), Evan Schneider (Solid Waste Intern)
Others present
Michael Balliet, Michael Balliet Consulting
Mike Carey, CR&R
Meeting called to order at 8:01 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.)
President Scheafer called the meeting to order at 8:01 A.M.
District Clerk & Public Information Officer, Noelani Middenway, noted that
President Scheafer, Vice President Schafer, Secretary Perry, and Director
Eckles were present while Vice Secretary Ooten was not present at this
time.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MAY 9, 2023
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Procedural: 1. Public Comments
President Scheafer opened public comments. Hearing none, he closed
public comments.
C. ITEMS OF STUDY
Action: 1. Consider appointing one member to the Citizens Advisory
Committee to serve a two-year term ending in March 2025
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors appoint one member to the
Citizens Advisory Committee to serve a two-year term ending in March 2025.
Ms. Middenway presented the item.
Motion: To appoint Sue Lester to the Citizens Advisory Committee to fill
one vacancy for the term ending in March 2025.
Motion by Brett Eckles, second by Art Perry.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 4-0-1
Aye: Arlene Schafer, Art Perry, Brett Eckles, Mike Scheafer
No: None
Not Present: Bob Ooten
Vice Secretary Ooten joined the meeting remotely at 8:02 a.m. but did not
have an audio connection until 8:08 a.m.
There was no further discussion.
Action, Receive and File: 2. Receive and File Waste Composition Studies #5
from Michael Balliet Consulting
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors provide comments regarding the
results of the Solid Waste Characterization Studies conducted on April 3, 2023.
General Manager, Scott Carroll, introduced the item and Michael Balliet of
Michael Balliet Consulting.
Mr. Balliet presented Waste Composition Study #1.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MAY 9, 2023
Discussion followed regarding the trash routes included in each sort and
contamination levels.
Mr. Balliet presented Waste Composition Study #2.
President Scheafer stated that study #1 contained more multifamily
properties than study #2.
Mr. Balliet added that study #1 had twice as much green waste
contamination than study #2. He stated that both studies had about 14-16%
contaminated cardboard. He noted that study #2 may have been impacted
by random sampling.
Discussion followed regarding enforcement issues and procedures.
Vice Secretary Ooten asked how the District's results compare to other
agencies.
Mr. Balliet stated that the District's Organics Recycling Program has been in
effect longer than other agencies. He noted that the majority of the
District's trash sorts reported a contamination level below 20%, which
other agencies have yet to achieve.
Discussion followed regarding reporting measures and education efforts.
Secretary Perry asked how many trash routes are serviced on Mondays.
CR&R representative, Mike Carey, stated that about 7 to 8 routes are
serviced on Mondays.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Action, Receive and File: 3. Battery Recycling Contest — Final Report
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
Mr. Carroll presented report details and announced Davis Magnet School
as the winner of the 2022-23 Battery Recycling Contest.
Vice President Schafer inquired about College Park Elementary.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MAY 9, 2023
Mr. Carroll stated that they did not participate in the contest this year.
President Scheafer asked why 9-volt batteries are required to be taped. He
asked if the Board will be presenting the award checks.
Vice Secretary Ooten stated that the 9-volt batteries require tape because
they are a fire hazard.
Ms. Middenway stated that the District has mailed the checks to the schools
and taken photos of the top three winners.
Discussion followed regarding past participants.
Director Eckles asked when the contest will begin again.
Ms. Middenway stated that it starts again in September 2023.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Action, Discussion: 4. Preliminary Biennial Budget 2nd Review for Fiscal Years
2023-24 and 2024-25
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors provide feedback to staff regarding
the proposed preliminary Biennial Budget for the Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-
25.
Finance Manager, Kaitlin Tran, presented report details.
Discussion followed regarding class and compensation studies and the
reorganization of the Solid Waste Department.
Secretary Perry inquired about the increased rates for engineering and
inspection services from Robin B. Hamers & Associations (RBH).
District Engineer, Mark Esquer, stated that the District is currently in
negotiations with RBH for their service rates.
Discussion followed regarding the former Hitch Crafters building and
storage space at the District Yard.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MAY 9, 2023
Vice Secretary Ooten inquired about the District's crane.
Mr. Carroll stated that he will have the Wastewater Maintenance
Superintendent, Steve Cano, attend the next Study Session to explain the
usage of the District's crane truck.
Discussion followed regarding the preliminary biennial budget timeline
and scheduling a special meeting to further discuss this item prior to
adoption.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Action, Discussion: 5. Project #335 Sewer Siphon Rehabilitation Phase II
Emergency Update - Oral Report
Mr. Esquer presented an oral report regarding Project #335 Sewer Siphon
Rehabilitation Phase II. He discussed groundwater levels, dewatering wells,
and potential impacts to the District's sewer pipe trench. He discussed the
various methods that have been employed to remove groundwater. He
provided an update on the project's budget. He noted that he will provide
another update on this project to the Board by next week.
Discussion followed regarding weather impacts, implementing concrete
collars, and overhead costs related to the project's contract.
There was no further discussion.
D. CLOSING ITEMS
Procedural: 1. Oral Communications and Director Comments
None.
Procedural: 2. Adjournment
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MAY 9, 2023
President Scheafer adjourned the meeting at 9:08 A.M.
Art Perry Mike Scheafer
Secretary President