Minutes - Board - 2025-09-09 ,th��>'SANITlkJ'
o Y
is
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
SEPTEMBER 9, 2112$
Members present
Bob Ooten, Mike Scheafer, Nicole Wiltshire, Shayanne Wright
Members absent
Art Perry
Staff present
Scott Carroll (General Manager), Noelani Middenway (District Clerk/Public
Information Officer), Gina Terraneo (Senior Management Analyst), Marissa
Pereyda (Solid Waste Manager), Kaitlin Tran (Finance Manager), Mark Eqsuer
(District Engineer), Yesenia Rosas (Administrative Assistant I), John Gonzalez
(Wastewater Maintenance Manager), Christian Cantero (Electrical
Instrumentation Technician)
Others present
Mike Carey, CR&R
Sue Lester, Citizens Advisory Committee Chair & resident
Lori Robinette, resident
Adam Tallabas, County Supervisor Foley's Office
Meeting called to order at 9:12 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 9:12 A.M.
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT PAGE 2
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
District Clerk and Public Information Officer, Noelani Middenway, noted
that President Scheafer, Vice President Ooten, and Director Wiltshire were
present, while Secretary Perry was absent and excused.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Procedural: 1. Public Comments
President Scheafer opened public comments.
District 5 resident, Lori Robinette, commented regarding the September 2,
2025 Board of Directors Special Meeting, which she attempted to attend. She
reported that the front doors were locked, which prohibited her from
making public comment. She expressed concern about the resulting lack of
public access and participation, and requested clarification and assurance
that measures are taken to prevent recurrence.
President Scheafer commented that he shares this concern and referred the
matter to the General Manager.
General Manager, Scott Carroll, responded that it was staff's mistake. He
noted that it has never happened before and that staff unlocked the doors as
soon as it was brought to their attention.
District 5 resident, Sue Lester, commented regarding several concerns
related to the September 2, 2025 Board of Directors Special Meeting,
including assertions that the proceedings for appointing a new board
member were potentially unfairly influenced by a biased board member or
members. Additionally, she expressed concern regarding aspects of the
proceedings, including a supplemental petition submitted by Shayanne
Wright, an interview question asked of Ms. Wright, and the lack of Board
discussion prior to the carrying motion. Ms. Lester noted that she will be
providing this information to the appropriate investigative authorities and
reiterated her commitment to the success of the District and its services.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley's District Director, Adam Tallabas,
congratulated Shayanne Wright on her appointment to the Board and
presented her with a Certificate of Recognition.
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT PAGE 3
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
President Scheafer closed public comments.
C. PROCEDURAL MATTERS
Procedural: 1. Swearing In of Newly Appointed Board Member Shayanne
Wright
Newly appointed Board Member, Shayanne Wright, took the oath of office
administered by Ms. Middenway.
The Board congratulated Director Wright and welcomed her to take her seat
at the dais.
D. ITEMS OF STUDY
Presentation: 1. Introduction of New Employee - Christian Cantero, Electrical
Instrumentation Technician
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receives and files this report.
Wastewater Maintenance Manager, John Gonzalez, introduced Christian
Cantero, the District's new Electrical Instrumentation Technician.
The Board welcomed Mr. Cantero.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
Presentation: 2. Introduction of New Employee -Yesenia Rosas, Administrative
Assistant I
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receives and files this report.
Solid Waste Manager, Marissa Pereyda, introduced Yesenia Rosas, the
District's new Administrative Assistant I.
The Board welcomed Ms. Rosas.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT PAGE 4
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD SEPTEMBER 9,2025
Receive and File: 3. Receive and File August 2025 Code Enforcement Officer
Report
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
Mr. Carroll, noted that David Griffin, Code Enforcement Officer, was not
present to give the report and requested that the item be moved to next
month's Study Session.
There was no further discussion.
Discussion, Receive and File: 4. Recycle Coach Recycling Education Update
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors direct staff to move forward with
Recycle Coach under a two-year agreement.
Ms. Pereyda addressed questions that the Board posed during the initial
Recycling Coach presentation during the August 12 Study Session regarding
the contract costs, usage rates in the City of Glendale, potential duplication
of efforts by CR&R, and eligibility for funding by the Cal Recycle grant. She
noted that written public comments were received from resident, Jim
Mosher, regarding other cities who implemented Recycling Coach and
discontinued its use. Ms. Pereyda added that staff is recommending that the
Board direct staff to proceed with a 2-year contract with Recycle Coach,
followed by an evaluation and comparison with CR&R's tool, if it is
developed at that time.
Director Wiltshire asked if staff can obtain a competitive bid from Recyclist.
Ms. Pereyda noted that staff sought 2 other quotes for similar services,
including the company who purchased Recyclist, and one quote was
significantly more expensive than Recycle Coach and the other vendor did
not provide a quote after meeting with staff. She added that staff elected to
move forward with Recycle Coach because of its impressive interface and
relatively low cost.
Director Wright indicated support for implementing Recycling Coach and
commented that she would like to see goals and metrics incorporated into
the implementation.
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT PAGE S
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
HELD SEPTEMBER 9,2025
President Scheafer noted that the Board will vote on this matter at their next
meeting.
Mike Carey of CR&R commented that CR&R is in the process of developing
their own similar tool, but that they are supportive of any educational
measures that the District pursues.
Vice President Ooten commented that he supports moving forward with
Recycle Coach.
Director Wiltshire indicated support for Recycle Coach as an option, but
commented that it may be confusing if both Recycle Coach and CR&R's tool
are implemented, and suggested that the District select one tool.
Mr. Carroll noted that the District would only feature Recycle Coach on their
website to avoid confusion.
There was no further discussion, and the report was received.
D. CLOSING ITEMS
Procedural: 1. Oral Communications and Director Comments
None
Procedural: 2. Adjournment
President Scheafer adjourned the meeting at 9:46 A.M.
I
Art Perry Mike Scheafer
Secretary President