Minutes - Board - 2023-12-12COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
DECEMBER 12, 2023
Members present
Arlene Schafer, Art Perry, Bob Ooten, Brett Eckles, Mike Scheafer
Members absent
None
Staff present
Scott Carroll (General Manager), Noelani Middenway (District Clerk and Public
Information Officer), David Griffin (Code Enforcement Officer), Kaitlin Tran
(Finance Manager), Dyana Bojarski (Administrative Services Manager), Lieu Tran
(Senior Accountant), Gina Terraneo (Management Analyst II
Others present
Adam Probolsky, Probolsky Research
Jim Mosher, District resident
Michael Tou, Citizens Advisory Committee Member
Mike Carey, CR&R
Meeting called to order at 8:00 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 by law.)
President Scheafer called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M.
District Clerk & Public Information Officer, Noelani Middenway, noted that
President Scheafer, Vice President Schafer, Secretary Perry, Vice Secretary
Ooten, and Director Eckles were present.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD DECEMBER 12, 2023
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Procedural: 1. Public Comments
President Scheafer opened public comments.
District resident, Jim Mosher, commended the District for livestreaming
their meeting videos and allowing members of the public to participate
remotely. He suggested correcting the video image of the Board to avoid it
appearing mirrored.
Hearing no additional comments, President Scheafer closed public
comments.
C. ITEMS OF STUDY
Action, Receive and File: 1.2023 Community Survey Results
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
General Manager, Scott Carroll, introduced the item and Adam Probolsky of
Probolsky Research.
Mr. Probolsky presented report details and discussed survey results, key
findings, and opportunities for improvement. He provided the responses for
each survey question and presented the demographics of survey
respondents.
President Scheafer asked how customers were contacted in order to reach
1,000 respondents.
Mr. Probolsky stated that about 27% of the customers who were contacted
completed the survey via phone or online. He noted that the District's
customer group does not exactly fit common data sets like voter registries.
President Scheafer inquired about issuing a follow-up survey to those who
were unsatisfied with District services.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD DECEMBER 12, 2023
Mr. Probolsky stated that his firm has conducted transaction surveys within
a week of the initial survey to identify customer concerns. He noted that
transaction surveys can also be conducted by the District.
Director Eckles stated that respondents over 50 years old provided more
positive responses than those under 40 years old.
Mr. Probolsky stated that those findings are not unusual since older
residents are more likely to be engaged with local governance.
Discussion followed regarding outreach methods targeting a younger
demographic.
Director Eckles requested to review a comparison of the current and
previous years' survey results.
Discussion followed regarding the transition from a two -cart system to a
three -cart system and attitudes toward behavior change.
Vice Secretary Ooten inquired about the survey's sampling procedures and
techniques for determining District customers and non -District customers.
Mr. Carroll confirmed that District staff can obtain that data.
Mr. Mosher commented on the survey's response rate. He commended
Probolsky Research for providing the full survey report. He noted that the
staff report seemed to highlight only favorable results but was glad to hear
that the oral report included items requiring improvement. He commented
that the survey result of 92% satisfaction with staff helpfulness is deceptive
since it includes neutral responses. He recommended that the Board and
District staff review the full responses included in the final report. He stated
that there were no questions regarding Board governance in the survey.
Mr. Probolsky commented on the accuracy of the survey's data and neutral
responses. He noted that the survey included a brief introduction of the
District.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD DECEMBER 12, 2023
Mr. Carroll stated that this report will be shared with the Citizens Advisory
Committee. He shared that he will meet with the District's outreach team to
discuss suggestions for improvement.
President Scheafer suggested sharing the survey results on the District's
website.
Secretary Perry recommended involving CR&R in District staff s outreach
discussion.
Director Eckles stated that CR&R should provide their input on how to
improve services.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Action, Receive and File: 2. Receive and File Code Enforcement Office Report —
November 2023
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
Code Enforcement Officer, David Griffin, presented report details. He shared
that he encountered four scavengers in the month of November.
Vice Secretary Ooten stated that scavenging activity may increase since the
Orange Coast College (OCC) Recycling Center is closed.
Mr. Griffin stated that he issued 221 warning notices for trash carts in public
view in the month of November.
Vice President Schafer asked if Southern California Edison coordinated with
CR&R regarding their temporary street closures.
Mr. Griffin stated that Southern California Edison did not coordinate directly
with the District, but they may have been in contact with CR&R.
Discussion followed regarding the City of Costa Mesa's ordinance about
trash carts in public view.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD DECEMBER 12, 2023
Action, Receive and File: 3. Receive and File End of Year Legislative Report
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file the End of Year
Legislative Report.
Management Analyst II, Gina Terraneo, presented details regarding the
congressional legislative report.
Vice Secretary Ooten stated that the State of California is proposing a subsidy
for homeowners with accessary dwelling units (ADUs). He noted that he may
be referring to Assembly Bill (AB) 1033.
Ms. Terraneo stated that she is tracking AB 1033 and provided details
regarding the state legislative report.
Mr. Carroll stated that District Counsel will be providing a report on the
implications of AB 1033.
President Scheafer commented on Senate Bill (SB) 728.
Mr. Mosher commented on a few of the proposed bills and how they could
affect the District.
Discussion followed regarding the District's procedures for financial
warrants.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
D. CLOSING ITEMS
Procedural: 1. Oral Communications and Director Comments
Vice President Schafer wished everyone happy holidays.
There were no additional comments.
Procedural: 2. Adjournment
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD DECEMBER 12, 2023
President Scheafer adjourned the meeting at 9:03 A.M.
Art Perry
Secretary
Mike Schea r
President
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