2025_07_09_cacWednesday, July 9, 2025
Citizens Advisory Committee
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Costa Mesa Sanitary District - 290 Paularino Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
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The livestream of the meeting can be viewed by clicking the "Video" icon on this page (which will be
made available at the start of the meeting) or by visiting www.youtube.com/CostaMesaSanitary.
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Public Comments: Members of the public can submit any comments in real time during the meeting or
prior to the meeting in writing for the Board of Directors' consideration by sending them to the District
Clerk at publiccomment@cmsdca.gov. Those comments will be made part of the official public record of
the meeting.
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Obtaining Agenda Materials: The public is entitled to copies of all documents that are made part of the
agenda packet. If any document or other writing pertaining to an agenda item is distributed to all or a
majority of the Board after the packet is prepared, a copy of that writing may be obtained from the District
Clerk's Office.
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In Compliance with ADA: Contact District Clerk, Noelani Middenway, at (949) 645-8400, 48 hours prior to
meeting if assistance is needed (28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADA Title II).
A. OPENING ITEMS
Subject :1. Call to Order
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory
Committee
Access :Public
Type :
A. OPENING ITEMS
Subject :2. Roll Call
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory
Committee
Access :Public
Type :Procedural
Public Content
Member Position Voting Division Term
Sue Lester Chair 5 2025-2027
Michael Tou Vice Chair 3 2024-2026
Jeff Arbour Member 1 2025-2027
Cindy Brenneman Member 3 2025-2027
Xerxez Calilung Member 5 2024-2026
Rosemarie Chora Member 4 2024-2026
Craig J. Holmes Member 1 2024-2026
Birger "Dickie" Fernández Member 2 2024-2026
Paul R. Lancaster Member 4 2024-2026
Brooke Natzke Member 4 2025-2027
Shayanne Wright Member 5 2025-2027
A. OPENING ITEMS
Subject :3. Public Comments - Speakers will be limited to three
minutes. The three minutes per speaker time allotted may
be extended for good cause by a majority vote of the
committee).
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory Committee
Access :Public
Type :Procedural
Public Content
B. ITEM
Subject :1. Consider Appointing Chair and Vice Chair for FY
2025-26 and FY 2026-27
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory Committee
Access :Public
Type :Action
Recommended Action :That the Citizens Advisory Committee appoint two
members to serve as chair and vice chair for the 2025/26
and 2026/27 fiscal years
Public Content
To: Citizens Advisory Committee
From: Scott Carroll, General Manager
Date: July 9, 2025
Subject:Consider Appointing Chair and Vice Chair for FY 2025-26 & FY 2026-27
Summary
According to Section C.1. of CMSD's , Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), the CAC shall elect Administrative Policy No. 60.00
members to serve as Chair and Vice Chair, for a two year term. Election of officers will take place on the CAC's first meeting of
every year.
Recommendation
That the Citizens Advisory Committee appoint two members to serve as chair and vice chair for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 fiscal
years.
Analysis
The following past and current CAC members have served as chair and vice chair.
2018-19: Mike Carey, Chair and Albert Graham, Vice Chair
2020: Mike Cary, Chair and Elodie Katz, Vice Chair
2021-23: Elodie Katz, Chair and Sue Lester Vice Chair
2023-25: Sue Lester, Chair and Michael Tou, Vice Chair
Legal Review
Not applicable
Environmental Review
Appointing a chairperson and vice-chairperson to serve on an advisory body is an administrative matter and is exempt from the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et. seq.). Section
15300.4 of CEQA allows an agency while establishing its own procedures "to list those specific activities which fall within each of
the exempt classes," and the District has adopted "CEQA Guidelines and Implementing Procedures" that state on page 6
"Projects" does not include... C. Continuing administrative or maintenance activities.
Financial Review
There are no financial impacts to the district for appointing a chairperson and vice-chairperson on the CAC
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included in the complete agenda packet for the July 9, 2025, Citizens Advisory
Committee meeting at District Headquarters and posted on the District's website at www.cmsdca.gov.
Alternative Actions
1. Do not appoint a chairperson and direct staff to report back with more information.
2. Do not appoint a vice-chairperson and direct staff to report back with more information
B. ITEM
Subject :2. Approve the Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting
Minutes of May 21, 2025
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory Committee
Access :Public
Type :Action (Consent), Minutes
Recommended Action :That the Citizens Advisory Committee approve the
meeting minutes as presented.
Minutes :View Minutes for May 21, 2025 - Citizens Advisory
Committee
Public Content
To: Citizens Advisory Committee
Via: Scott Carroll, General Manager
From: Angela Colunga, Management Analyst I
Date: July 9, 2025
Subject: Approve the Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2025
Summary
The recorded minutes of the May 21, 2025Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes are hereby submitted to the Citizens
Advisory Committee for review and approval.
Staff Recommendation
That the Citizens Advisory Committee approve the meeting minutes as presented.
Analysis
Attached to the staff report are the minutes for the Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2025.
Legal Review
Not applicable.
Environmental Review
Consideration of public meeting minutesis an administrative matter and is exempt from the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et. seq.). Section 15300.4 of CEQA allows an agency
while establishing its own procedures to list those specific activities which fall within each of the exempt classes, and the District
has adopted CEQA Guidelines and Implementing Procedures that state on page 6 Projects does not include . C. Continuing
administrative or maintenance activities.
Financial Review
Not applicable.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included in the complete agenda packet for the July 9, 2025Citizens Advisory
Committee Meeting at District Headquarters and posted on the Districts website.
Alternative Actions
1. Do not approve the meeting minutes as presented.
2. Direct staff to report back with more information.
File Attachments
minutes_2025_05_21_cac.pdf (144 KB)
Consent
All matters listed on the consent calendar are considered to be routine and may be acted upon by one
motion after public comment has been received. Only Board of Directors may pull an item for discussion.
Reading of resolutions is waived and they will be adopted and numbered. Now is the time for those in the
audience who wish to speak to items listed on the consent calendar. Each speaker will be limited to four
(4) continuous minutes of comment on the consent calendar as a whole.
B. ITEM
Subject :3. Review of CMSD's Emergency
Preparedness
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory Committee
Access :Public
Type :Discussion
Goals :3.0 Emergency Preparedness
Public Content
To: Citizens Advisory Committee
From: Scott Carroll, General Manager
Date: July 9, 2025
Subject:Review of CMSD's Emergency Preparedness
Summary
For organizations like the Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD), preparedness ensures critical services like wastewater
collection and trash disposal continue operating during emergencies, preventing environmental hazards and public health risks.
Having clear emergency plans, communication systems, and trained personnel in place allows for faster, more organized
responses that reduce confusion and improve coordination among agencies and the public. The following is a summary of how
CMSD is being prepared for emergencies.
Recommendation
That the Citizens Advisory Committee receive and file this report.
Analysis
Communications
CMSDs Emergency Operations Center (EOC), located at District Headquarters, serves as the central hub for coordinating
resources, information, and decision-making during emergencies. The EOC is equipped with landline telephones, enabling staff
to communicate directly with other local and regional EOCs, including those of the City of Costa Mesa, City of Newport Beach,
Mesa Water District, and the Water/Wastewater Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC), among
others. Additionally, CMSD utilizes the Countys 800 MHz radio system, which facilitates direct agency-to-agency communication.
CMSD also participates in the Countys WebEOC program, a web-based emergency information management system used to
share real-time information and coordinate response and recovery efforts. Finally, CMSD participates in the federal Government
Emergency Telecommunications Services (GETS) and Wireless Priority Services (WPS), which are priority telecommunications
programs designed to ensure essential personnel can communicate during emergencies. GETS and WPS provide priority
access for landline and cellular calls.
Training Personnel
CMSD staff are trained to follow Californias Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the federal National
Incident Management System (NIMS), both of which are designed to effectively manage emergencies involving multiple
jurisdictions and agencies. Training is conducted both internally and externally in coordination with partner agencies, as outlined
below:
Internal Training
Held at one of the Districts pump station wet Confined Space Entry Training with the Costa Mesa Fire Department:
wells, this hands-on training allows personnel from both agencies to refine their skills and learn best practices for safely
entering and working in confined spaces.
CSTI offers emergency management training, including EOC section-California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI):
specific instruction delivered by CSTI instructors at the County of Orange EOC in Silverado.
Conducted monthly by the Orange County Sheriffs Department, these radio checks ensure 800 MHz Radio Checks:
communication system functionality and also serve as training for staff on proper radio operation.
Training opportunities are offered by federal and state organizations, including CalOES, the State and Federal Training:
Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA).
Gathering of 36 member agencies to exchange information, coordinate efforts and align WEROC Coordination Meeting:
strategies to ensure effective emergency response and recovery during large scale disasters. Typically, the coordination
meetings occur monthly.
Hazard Mitigation Strategies
Hazard mitigation strategies are proactive measures designed to reduce the long-term risk and impact of disasters on people,
property, and critical infrastructure. The following strategies have been implemented or are currently underway:
Reliable backup power is essential for wastewater pump stations during power Backup Power at Pump Stations:
outages. Eight of the Districts twenty pump stations are equipped with either a dedicated generator or bypass pump
installed on-site. The remaining twelve stations are supported by dedicated portable generators stored at the Rob
Hamers Yard. Staff have completed fuel consumption calculations to determine refueling intervals for both generators
and bypass pumps.
To prevent tipping during seismic events, all twenty pump station electrical enclosures Secured Electrical Enclosures:
have been bolted securely to their foundations.
CMSD has acquired three specialized trailers equipped with motorized reels for Portable Layflat Hose System:
deploying and retrieving nearly 8,000 feet of 12-inch layflat hose. This system is designated for emergency bypass
operations at the Elden Pump Station. Additionally, eleven camlock fittings and elbows have been procured to support
the setup.
CMSD is planning to install redundant forcemain pipelines at all pump stations. These Redundant Forcemain Pipelines:
secondary pipelines provide an alternative wastewater conveyance route in the event of a failure or disaster affecting the
primary forcemain, ensuring service continuity and maintaining operational capacity. Currently, the Iowa and 19th Street
Pump Stations have redundancy pipeline. A redundant forcemain for the Mendoza Pump Station will be completed by the
end of summer 2025 and designs for the Elden Pump Station Redundancy Project will be completed soon.
Legal Review
Not applicable
Environmental Review
Reviewing emergency preparedness protocols and procedures is an administrative matter and is exempt from the requirements
of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et. seq.). Section 15300.4 of CEQA
allows an agency while establishing its own procedures "to list those specific activities which fall within each of the exempt
classes," and the District has adopted "CEQA Guidelines and Implementing Procedures" that state on page 6 "Projects" does not
include... C. Continuing administrative or maintenance activities.
Financial Review
CMSD budgets $11,000 annually for emergency preparedness related expenses including radio operating fee, equipment and
supplies. Cost for external training from state and federal organizations are funded by the Urban Area Security Initiative (USASI),
which is a federally funded program under the Homeland Security Grant Program managed by FEMA.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included in the complete agenda packet for the July 9, 2025, Citizens Advisory
Committee meeting at District Headquarters and posted on the District's website at www.cmsdca.gov
Alternative Actions
1. Direct staff to report back with more information.
B. ITEM
Subject :4. 2025 Compost Giveaway and Shredding
Event
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory Committee
Access :Public
Type :Receive and File
Public Content
To: Citizens Advisory Committee
Via: Scott Carroll, General Manager
From: Marissa Pereyda, Senior Management Analyst
Date: July 9, 2025
Subject: 2025 Compost Giveaway and Shredding Event
Summary
The District's annual Compost Giveaway and Shredding Event was held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in partnership with CR&R
Environmental Services and Orange Coast College. This annual event gives District customers the opportunity to pick up two
free 30-pound bags of compost and an Organics Recycling kitchen pail, and drop off up to five standard file boxes of paper per
household for shredding.
Recommendation
That the Citizens Advisory Committee receive and file this report.
Analysis
The District's Compost Giveaway and Shredding Event was held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at
Orange Coast College's Parking Lot K. This is the second year the District held this event at Orange Coast College (OCC), and
the District continues to find that OCC Parking Lot K is a good location for the event. In addition to assisting District staff with
reserving the parking lot, OCC provided two electronic message boards to display event details.
This year, eleven (11) District staff members, two (2) Citizens Advisory Committee volunteers, and eight (8) CR&R staff
members worked the event, directing traffic, verifying identification, distributing kitchen pails and educational material, unloading
paper from vehicles, loading compost bags into vehicles, and assisting with event set-up and tear-down.
In addition to providing staff and assisting with OCC coordination,CR&R provided two shredding trucks, a forklift to move the
compost, and 1,680 bags of compost.
This year, the District distributed all 1,680 bags (50,400 pounds) of compost, handed out over 400 kitchen pails and "What Goes
Where" flyers, and collected 11,000 pounds of paper, serving over 750 drive-thru customers. The event flyer, bill insert
distributed in partnership with Mesa Water District, social media posts promoting the event, and event photos are attached to this
report.
Legal Review
Not applicable.
Environmental Review
Receiving an update on the Compost Giveaway and Shredding Event is an administrative matter and is exempt from the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et. seq.). Section
15300.4 of CEQA allows an agency while establishing its own procedures "to list those specific activities which fall within each of
the exempt classes," and the District has adopted "CEQA Guidelines and Implementing Procedures" that state on page 6
"Projects" does not include... C. Continuing administrative or maintenance activities.
Financial Review
Sufficient funds were available in the FY 2024-25 budget for event costs, including staffing costs, food and water, and
miscellaneous supplies like index cards. The cost for advertising, including a Mesa Water District bill insert and boosted social
media posts, was covered by the SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant. Per the District's 2018 Agreement with CR&R, CR&R
provided the compost and shredding trucks.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included in the complete agenda packet for the July 9, 2025, Citizens Advisory
Committee Meeting at District Headquarters and posted on the District's website at www.cmsdca.gov.
Alternative Actions
Refer item back to staff with further instructions.
File Attachments
Compost-Shredding Event Flyer 2025.pdf (3,910 KB)
Compost Giveaway Bill Insert 2025 (8.5 x 3.66 in).pdf (3,689 KB)
Compost Giveaway Social Media 2025.pdf (5,903 KB)
2025 Compost Event Photos.pdf (8,252 KB)
B. ITEM
Subject :5. Fifth Annual Eco Expo
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory
Committee
Access :Public
Type :Discussion
Public Content
To: Citizens Advisory Committee
From: Noelani Middenway, CMC, District Clerk/PIO
Date: July 9, 2025
Subject: Fifth Annual Eco Expo
Summary
The Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) will host its Fifth Annual Eco Expo on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 2:00 to 6:
Staff requests input from the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) on the types of programs, exhibits, and promotional 30 p.m.
items to feature at the event.
Recommendation
That the Citizens Advisory Committee provide staff with suggestionson the types of programs, exhibits and promotional items to
be featured at the Eco Expo.
Analysis
The Fifth Annual Eco Expo will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at CMSD headquarters. The event date was moved
from September to October to increase opportunities for student participation and to avoid conflicts with back-to-school activities.
The event time has also been adjusted, now running from , to encourage broader attendance earlier in the day.2:00 to 6:30 p.m.
In prior years, participants have included District staff, representatives from the Citizens Advisory Committee, the City of Costa
Mesa, CR&R, Inside the Outdoors, the Orange County Gardening Club, Eco Now, and OC Coastkeeper. These groups have
shared valuable information on SB 1383 requirements, proper organic waste disposal, wastewater best practices, and other
public sustainability initiatives.
CMSD is grateful for the generous raffle prizes received from our partners. The following are the 2024 Eco Expo raffle winners:
Picnic Basket #1 Linda Slater
Picnic Basket #2 Mabel Alazard
Glass Food Containers Amy Mason
$20EcoNow Gift Card Lynnsy Nguyen
$25EcoNow Gift Card Elvira Torres
Three-Compartment Trash Can Toshiko Valdes
Toy Trash Truck Cora Uradomo
Toy Trash Truck Kam Tang
Staff is now seeking input from the CAC on additional tabletop displays, interactive programs, or promotional items that may
enhance the Eco Expo experience.
Legal Review
Not applicable.
Environmental Review
Receiving an update on the Eco Expo is an administrative matter and is exempt from the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et. seq.). Section 15300.4 of CEQA allows an agency
while establishing its own procedures to list those specific activities which fall within each of the exempt classes, and the District
has adopted CEQA Guidelines and Implementing Procedures that state on page 6 Projects does not include . C. Continuing
administrative or maintenance activities.
Financial Review
A total amount of $10,000 is budgeted for the Eco Expo.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and included in the complete agenda packet for the July 9, 2025, Citizens Advisory Committee
meeting at District Headquarters. The packet will also be posted on the Districts website.
Alternative Actions
Refer the matter back to staff for further review or revision.
C. CLOSING ITEMS
Subject :1. Committee Member Comments
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory
Committee
Access :Public
Type :Presentation
Public Content
C. CLOSING ITEMS
Subject :2. Board/Staff Comments
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory
Committee
Access :Public
Type :Presentation
Public Content
C. CLOSING ITEMS
Subject :3. Adjournment
Meeting :Jul 9, 2025 - Citizens Advisory
Committee
Access :Public
Type :Procedural
Public Content
The next Citizens Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 in the District's
Boardroom, located at 290 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.