Minutes - Board - 2025-03-11COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
MARCH 11, 2025
Members present
Arlene Schafer, Art Perry, Bob Ooten, Mike Scheafer, Nicole Wiltshire
Members absent
None
Staff present
Scott Carroll (General Manager), Noelani Middenway (District Clerk/Public
Information Officer), David Griffin (Code Enforcement Officer), Alan Burns
(District Attorney), Mark Esquer (District Engineer)
Others present
Julie Barreda, CR&R
Meeting called to order at 9:00 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 9:00 A.M.
District Clerk and Public Information Officer, Noelani Middenway, noted
that President Scheafer, Secretary Perry, Vice Secretary Schafer, and
Director Wiltshire were present while Vice President Ooten was not present
at this moment.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MARCH 11, 2025
Procedural: 1. Public Comments
President Scheafer opened public comments. Hearing none, he closed public
comments.
C. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Action: 1. Performance Evaluation (Gov. Code §54957) Title: General Manager
President Scheafer discussed Items E1 and E2 prior to Item C1.
President Scheafer adjourned the meeting to closed session at 9:09 a.m.
Action: 2. Conference with labor negotiator (Gov. Code §54957.6) Agency
Designated Representative: President Scheafer Unrepresented Party: General
Manager
President Scheafer adjourned the meeting to closed session at 9:09 a.m.
D. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Action: 1. Reconvene to Open Session and Report Out
President Scheafer reconvened to open session at 9:30 a.m. and stated that
no reportable action was taken. He proceeded to Item C3.
E. ITEMS OF STUDY
Action, Discussion: 1. Receive Summary of Staffs Attendance to the Water &
Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show in Indianapolis, Indiana
from February 16-19, 2025
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receives and files this report.
General Manager, Scott Carroll, requested to pull this item from the agenda
and postpone its discussion to the April Study Session.
There was no further discussion, and President Scheafer proceeded to Item
E2.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MARCH 11, 2025
Action, Receive and File: 1. Receive and File February 2025 Code Enforcement
Officer Report
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receives and files this report.
Code Enforcement Officer, David Griffin, presented report details.
Discussion followed regarding scavenging, repeat violations of trash carts in
public view, and writing addresses on trash carts.
Mr. Griffin stated that District received several complaints regarding trash
carts in public view on Santa Ana Ave, which resulted in increased patrol to
ensure compliance.
Vice President Ooten entered the meeting at 9:08 a.m.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
President Scheafer proceeded to Item E1.
Action, Discussion: 3. Discussion of Orange County Waste and Recycling Proposed
Waste Infrastructure System Enhancement (WISE) Agreement
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors provide direction to staff.
General Manager, Scott Carroll presented the item. He explained the purpose
of a waste disposal agreement (WDA) with Orange County Waste and
Recycling (OCWR). He stated that the current WDA is expiring at the end of
Fiscal Year 2024-2025. He shared that OCWR has drafted a new agreement
called the Waste Infrastructure System Enhancement (WISE) Agreement,
which addresses the life expectancy of the local landfills and includes the
construction of an anaerobic digestor (AD) facility. He stated that the tipping
fee for trash and organic waste is expected to double. He noted that District
staff has been meeting with OCWR to discuss tipping fees and to advocate
for separate rates for trash and organic waste. He shared that the District
does not plan to use OCWWs AD facility for its organic waste since they
already use CR&Ws AD facility. He stated that District staff will continue to
update the Board as they learn more about the WISE agreement. He added
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MARCH 11, 2025
that the District is also considering an option from CR&R to transport District
waste outside of Orange County to avoid OCWR's increased fees.
CR&R representative, Julie Barreda, stated that OCWR has not provided any
information regarding tipping fees and the WISE agreement to private waste
haulers operating within its jurisdiction. She discussed the impact on rates
and the District's agreement with CR&R.
Discussion followed regarding Senate Bill (SB) 1383 requirements and fines
and the disposal rates of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
President Scheafer requested more information on transporting waste to
Riverside or San Bernardino counties.
Mr. Carroll suggested having the Solid Waste Ad Hoc Committee discuss this
issue.
Vice President Ooten inquired about how Orange County Sanitation District
(OC San) and OCWR are processing liquid waste.
Discussion followed regarding representation on the Orange County Waste
Management Commission.
Secretary Perry recommended for District staff to inform the City of Costa
Mesa about the WISE agreement.
There was no further discussion.
Action, Receive and File: 4. Receive and File (6) Citizens Advisory Committee
Applications
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file six (6) Citizens
Advisory Committee (CAC) applications for appointment consideration at the
March 24, 2025 Board of Directors meeting.
Ms. Middenway provided report details.
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD MARCH 11, 2025
President Scheafer verified that three applicants, Jeff Arbour, Cindy
Brenneman, and Sue Lester, are incumbents. He requested the attendance
records of the incumbents.
Director Wilson sought clarification about the CAC application process.
Vice President Ooten confirmed that there are no term limits for the CAC.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
F. CLOSING ITEMS
Procedural: 1.Oral Communications and Director Comments
President Scheafer inquired about infiltration and inflow due the upcoming
rain events.
Discussion followed regarding manhole plugging and areas prone to
flooding.
There was no further discussion.
Procedural: 2. Adjournment
President Scheafer adjourned the meeting at 10:12 A.M.
Art Perry
Secretary
Mike Scheafer
President