Minutes - Board - 2024-03-12COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
MARCH 12, 2024
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/Public
Information Officer), Gina Terraneo (Management Analyst II), Dyana Bojarski
(Administrative Services Manager), Mark Esquer (District Engineer), Marissa
Pereyda (Management Analyst II), Kaitlin Tran (Finance Manager)
Others present
Jeremy Tamargo, NBS Government Finance Group
Jim Mosher, District resident
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 and Public Information Officer, Noelani Middenway, noted
that President Scheafer, Vice President Schafer, Secretary Perry, Vice
Secretary Ooten, and Director Eckles were present.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MARCH 12, 2024
Procedural: 1. Public Comments
President Scheafer opened public comments. Hearing none, he closed public
comments.
C. ITEMS OF STUDY
Action, Receive and File: 1. Receive and File February 2024 Code Enforcement
Officer Report
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
General Manager, Scott Carroll, requested to move this item to the April
Study Session since the District's Code Enforcement Officer is not available
to present the report.
The Board agreed to move this item to the April Study Session.
There was no further discussion.
Action, Discussion: 2. Draft Solid Waste Rate Study
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors provide direction to staff.
Marissa Pereyda, Management Analyst II, introduced the item and Jeremy
Tamargo of NBS Government Finance Group (NBS).
Mr. Tamargo presented an overview of the preliminary draft solid waste
rate study. He discussed the survey's methodology, financial plan, cost -of -
service analysis, and design of rates. He noted that rates must be
proportional to the cost of service to comply with Proposition 218. He
displayed a comparison between the current and proposed rates and a
comparison between the District's recommended rates and current rates of
similar agencies in Orange County. He provided details regarding the rate
study's timeline.
President Scheafer asked if the District has tiered rate classes.
Mr. Tamargo stated that the District offers a flat rate for solid waste services.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MARCH 12, 2024
President Scheafer asked if the rate study accommodates changes to CR&R's
disposal costs.
Mr. Tamargo stated that the rate study includes CR&R's 5% Consumer Price
Index (CPI) increase. He added that the study incorporated reserve increases
as a buffer to cost increases.
Mr. Carroll stated that the rate study includes CR&R's financial input
regarding the three -cart system and Senate Bill (SB) 1383. He noted that the
Board is not required to approve a full 5% CPI adjustment for CR&R.
Secretary Perry inquired about the three -cart system.
Mr. Carroll confirmed that there will be three different types of trash trucks
in service.
Discussion followed regarding CR&R's 5% CPI adjustment and a variable rate
structure.
Director Eckles discussed a two-year rate increase rather than a five-year
rate increase.
Vice Secretary Ooten inquired about operations and maintenance costs.
Mr. Carroll shared that the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) will be
reviewing this item at their March meeting. He stated that it will be brought
back to the Board for further discussion at the April Study Session and final
adoption at the April Board meeting. He noted that the public hearing to
adopt the new solid waste rates is scheduled for June 24, 2024.
There was no further discussion.
Action, Receive and File: 3. Receive and File CR&R FY 2022-23 Annual
Performance Review
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file the CR&R FY 2022-
23 Annual Performance Review.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MARCH 12, 2024
Ms. Pereyda presented report details and provided a summary of CR&R's
performance evaluation. She noted that most items received a satisfactory
rating.
President Scheafer discussed insurance and indemnifications. He noted that
CR&R should have the District listed as additional insured with a waiver of
subrogation.
Discussion followed regarding the three -cart implementation plan and
outreach.
Director Eckles inquired about CR&R's unsatisfactory performance on
outreach and large item pickup requests.
Ms. Pereyda discussed CR&R's improvement regarding public outreach and
collection issues.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Action, Receive and File: 4. February 4, 5, & 6, 2024 Storm Inflow Calculation
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
District Engineer, Mark Esquer, provided report details. He displayed the
District's supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and
discussed pump station runtimes. He shared data regarding inflow at each
major pump station.
Discussion followed regarding the Orange County Sanitation District's
(OCSD) flow meters.
President Scheafer inquired about the potential benefits of increased flow
amounts.
Mr. Esquer stated that a higher volume of water will increase momentum
and help flush out heavier items from the sewer system. He noted that it also
temporarily increases OCSD's water supply but requires more electricity and
other resources.
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
MARCH 12, 2024
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/Public
Information Officer), Gina Terraneo (Management Analyst II), Dyana Bojarski
(Administrative Services Manager), Mark Esquer (District Engineer), Marissa
Pereyda (Management Analyst II), Kaitlin Tran (Finance Manager)
Others present
Jeremy Tamargo, NBS Government Finance Group
Jim Mosher, District resident
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 and Public Information Officer, Noelani Middenway, noted
that President Scheafer, Vice President Schafer, Secretary Perry, Vice
Secretary Ooten, and Director Eckles were present.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MARCH 12, 2024
Vice Secretary Ooten commented that the unpredictability of rainfall can
affect inflow and infiltration calculations.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Action, Receive and File: S. Receive and File Seven (7) Citizens Advisory
Committee Applications
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file seven (7) Citizens
Advisory Committee (CAC) applications for appointment consideration at the
March 25, 2024 Board of Directors meeting.
Management Analyst II, Gina Terraneo, presented report details. She
discussed the current vacancies on the CAC.
The Board requested a list of current and prospective CAC members based
on their District division.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
D. CLOSING ITEMS
Procedural: 1. Oral Communications and Director Comments
Procedural: 2. Adjournment
President Scheafer adjourned the meeting at 9:17 A.M.
Art Perry
Secretary
Mike Scheafer
President