Minutes - Board - 2019-07-09COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS STUDY SESSION
JULY9, 2019
Members present
Art Perry, Jim Ferryman, Mike Scheafer
Members absent
Arlene Schafer, Bob Ooten
Staff present
Scott Carroll (General Manager), Robin Hamers (District Engineer), Noelani
Middenway (District Clerk and Public Information Officer), Kaitlin Tran (Finance
Manager), Nabila Guzman (Management Analyst 1), Gina Terraneo (Management
Analyst II), Ed Roberts (Code Enforcement Officer), Steve Cano (Wastewater
Maintenance Superintendent), John Merlo (Wastewater Maintenance Worker 1), Miguel
Gomez (Wastewater Maintenance Worker 1)
Others present
Saundra Jacobs (Santa Margarita Water District), Doug Davert (OC LAFCO, East
Orange County Water District), Jim Fisler (OC LAFCO, Mesa Water District), Stacy
Taylor (Mesa Water District), Jim Mosher (District resident), Pars Parikh (CR&R)
Meeting called to order at 9:28 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.)
District Clerk and Public Information Officer, Noelani Middenway, conducted roll
call and noted that President Ferryman, Director Scheafer, and Director Perry
were present. She added that Vice President Ooten and Secretary Schafer were
absent and excused from the meeting.
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Procedural: 1. Public Comments
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President Ferryman opened public comments.
Saundra Jacobs, Board President of Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD),
provided comments regarding her candidacy for the Regular Special District
Member Seat on the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (OC
LAFCO). She commented that she would bring a fresh perspective and new
ideas to OC LAFCO, and she noted that she believes the role of OC LAFCO is to
encourage efficiencies without impairing an agency's independence. President
Jacobs discussed the importance of regional cooperation, and she noted that she
would not support forced consolidations, annexations, hostile takeovers, or
reductions in spheres of influence as an OC LAFCO Commissioner. Lastly, she
shared her qualifications and endorsements, and then requested the Board's
support in voting for her.
Jim Fisler, OC LAFCO Alternate Commissioner and Mesa Water District Director,
requested the Board's support in his candidacy for the Regular Special District
Member Seat. He shared that he has served as an Alternate for the last 8 years,
and he commented that he believes he has the most knowledge and experience
for the position. Additionally, Commissioner Fisler listed his prior positions
throughout his 20 years in public service, his endorsements, and examples of
his financial prudence.
Doug Davert, Board President of the East Orange County Water District and OC
LAFCO Commissioner, provided an endorsement of Jim Fisler for the OC
LAFCO Regular Special District Member Seat. He shared that he has worked
with Commissioner Fisler on OC LAFCO, and he complimented his advocacy for
special districts. Lastly, Commissioner Davert noted that Commissioner Fisler is
a Costa Mesa resident, which means that OC LAFCO would have representation
from Costa Mesa if he wins the seat.
President Ferryman closed public comments.
D. ACTION ITEMS
Action: 1. Direct President Ferryman, and Vice President Ooten as the alternate
voting member, to vote for one candidate running for the Orange County Local
Agency Formation Commission (OC LAFCO) Regular Special District Member
Seat and one candidate for the Alternate Special District Member Seat
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors Direct President Ferryman, and Vice
President Ooten as the alternate voting member, to vote for one candidate running for
the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (OC LAFCO) Regular Special
District Member Seat and one candidate for the Alternate Special District Member Seat
President Ferryman verified that the ballots are due on July 19. He commented
that he would like to hold off on making a recommendation on the votes because
Vice President Ooten and Secretary Schafer are not present.
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Director Scheafer noted that the recommendation is to direct President Ferryman
to vote on the District's behalf.
Director Perry commented that he would like to hear Vice President Ooten's and
Secretary Schafer's thoughts on the matter, but he noted that the deadline is
approaching.
Motion: To direct President Ferryman to cast the votes on behalf of the District.
Motion by Art Perry, second by Mike Scheafer.
Director Perry confirmed that President Ferryman will complete the ballot prior to
July 19 in order to meet OC LAFCO's deadline.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 3-0-2
Aye: Art Perry, Jim Ferryman, Mike Scheafer
Not Present: Arlene Schafer, Bob Ooten
There was no further discussion.
C. ITEMS OF STUDY
Presentation: 1. Introduction of New CMSD Wastewater Maintenance Staff
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive the oral report.
Wastewater Maintenance Superintendent, Steve Cano, introduced the District's
newly hired Wastewater Maintenance Workers, John Merlo and Miguel "Mike"
Gomez.
The Board of Directors welcomed Mr. Merlo and Mr. Gomez.
There was no further discussion.
Action, Receive and File. 2. June 2019 Code Enforcement Officer report
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receive and file this report.
Code Enforcement Officer, Ed Roberts, noted that he conducted 4 proactive
scavenging investigations during the month of June. He added that the
investigations were concentrated on the West End/South Side area, and that
none of the contacts were notable.
Director Perry asked if Mr. Roberts has conducted investigations on Thurin Street
before.
Mr. Roberts noted that he has not, but he explained that this area has a
concentration of scavenging activity.
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Director Scheafer inquired about scavenging activity in the alleyways behind
Baker Street.
Mr. Roberts noted that he has encountered regulars in this area, but he
explained that many scavengers identify his District vehicle and run in order to
evade contact. Additionally, he reported that he issued 89 notices for trash carts
in public view.
Director Perry asked if there are any residences that receive recurring notices.
Mr. Roberts noted that he has seen some recurring residences. He explained
that he issues secondary violation notices for recurring residences. Lastly, he
noted that there were no reported cases of graffiti.
Director Scheafer asked if CR&R's drivers take notice of graffiti on trash carts.
Pars Parikh of CR&R shared that CR&R drivers only report damaged trash carts.
Director Scheafer commented that some residents mark their trash carts with
their address or unit number.
Mr. Parikh responded that CR&R's drivers would not report this.
Director Perry asked if Mr. Roberts has noticed an increase in illegally dumped
items in the public -right-of-way.
Mr. Roberts responded that he has not noticed an increase, but when this does
occur, he works with City of Costa Mesa Code Enforcement to have these items
picked up. He noted that items are often dumped illegally at the beginning of
each month, since residents may be evicted or are relocating at this time.
Director Scheafer asked if CR&R addresses debris that is left over from holidays
like the Fourth of July. He suggested that District staff reach out to the City of
Costa Mesa to find out if holiday debris is an issue.
There were no further questions or comments and the report was received.
Action, Receive and File: 3. June 2019 Organics Tonnage Report
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receives and file this report.
General Manager, Scott Carroll, presented report details and welcomed
questions.
There were no questions or discussion and the report was received.
Action, Receive and File: 4. June 2019 Solid Waste Diversion Report
Recommendation: That the Board of Directors receives and file this report.
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Mr. Carroll presented report details and welcomed questions.
Director Perry asked what the District's diversion rate was for June.
Management Analyst I, Nabila Guzman, shared that the diversion rate was
61.58%, which does not include the tonnage data from the Orange Coast College
Recycling Center.
Jim Mosher, a District wastewater customer, provided comments. With regard to
Item D1, he expressed concern that discussion about the votes outside of a public
meeting would constitute a Brown Act violation. Pertaining to Item C4, he
cautioned the Board about putting too much credence in the data within the Solid
Waste Diversion Report. He noted that the tonnages corresponding with the
items labeled "Organics," "Christmas Trees," "Large Item Pickups," "Textile
Donation Event," and "Total CR&R Tonnage" seem to be actual data, whereas the
remaining items list tonnages that do not change from month to month. Mr.
Mosher explained that this is because they are calculated using the fixed
percentages derived from the waste characterization report, and he asked the
Board to obtain further detail about where this report came from.
Mr. Carroll noted that District staff is preparing information to address Mr.
Mosher's concerns, and this will be presented in August when the full Board is
present.
There was no further discussion and the report was received.
E. CLOSING ITEMS
Procedural: 1. Oral Communications and Director Comments
Director Scheafer inquired about a trash -related issue on Monrovia Avenue.
President Ferryman thanked Saundra Jacobs and Jim Fisler for attending the
meeting and wished them luck on their candidacies.
Procedural: 2. Adjournment
President Ferryman adjourned the meeting at 10:04 a.m.
Arlene Schafer
Secretary