01 - Minutes Special Meeting 2013-01-10 C OSTA M ESA S ANITARY D ISTRICT M INUTES OF B OARD OF D IRECTORS S PECIAL M EETING J ANUARY 10, 2013 ______________________________________________________________________ C ALL TO O RDER The Board of Directors of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District met in spe cial session on January 10, 2013 at 9 :30 a.m . at 628 W. 19 th Street, Costa Mesa. R OLL C ALL D IRECTORS P RESENT : James Ferryman, Art Perry, Mike Scheafer, Robert Ooten, Jim Fitzpatrick S TAFF P RESENT : Scott Carroll, General Manager ; Noelani Middenway, Deputy District Clerk; Rob Hamers, District Engineer; Javier Ochiqui, Management Analyst ; Elizabeth Pham, Management Intern O THERS P RESENT : Dean Ruffridge, CR&R ; Mike Silva, CR&R; Paul Relis, CR&R; David Ronnenberg, CR&R; Jim Mosher, Newport Bea ch Resident P UBLIC C OMMENT Director Fitzpatrick commented that he would like to have a more robust agenda providing a detailed explanation of the agenda items to be discussed during the meeting. Mr. Dean Ruff ridge , CR&R, introduced the presentation o n waste conversion technologies. He noted that CR&R has been cognoscente of the District’s Strategic Planning process . He introduced Mr. Mike Silva who would provide the presentation and noted that CR&R’s objective was to describe the technologies availabl e to the District on waste conversion technologies that would achieve the District’s goal of zero solid waste.
C OSTA M ESA S ANITARY D ISTRICT P AGE 2 M INUTES OF THE B OARD OF D IRECTORS S PECIAL M EETING H ELD J ANUARY 10, 2013 ________________________________________________________________ Mr. Silva discussed the challenges and reasons that are driving conversion technologies, which include the increase of landfill tipping fees, s uccessful organic separations, landfill bans of food waste and alternative daily cover, increase in energy costs, product demand, public and political support. He went on to discuss and provide detail on the process es of pyrolysis, gasification, thermal d e -polymerization, acidic hydrolysis/fermentation, aerobic and anaerobic digestion. Mr. Silva provided extensive detail on the anaerobic digestion process and noted that this technology is very popular in Germany and Switzerland for its ability to create natural gas and energy. He discussed the benefits of anaerobic digestion and felt that this process would ultimately lead the country towards energy independence. Discussion followed regarding the permitting and engineering process of the anaerobic diges tion technology in the United States. Mr. Silva commented that this technology currently exists in Europe and indicated that CR&R will be the first to build a plant of its size in the U nited States. Mr. Paul Relis provided history on how CR&R chose anaer obic digestion technology and further discussed the plant permitting process in the City of Perris. Discussion followed regarding the timeline of availability of this technology . Mr. Silva indicated that CR&R projected that it will become available durin g the first quarter of 2014. Further discussion ensued regarding the byproducts of anaerobic digestion, the amount that is used and the projected value. Director Fitzpatrick requested confirmation that there is an ongoing discussion between the Distric t and CR&R regarding the nickel value of the recyclables. General Manager Carroll confirmed that the discussion is occurring. Director Fitzpatrick complimented CR&R on utilizing industry leading technology. He questioned where the District would take p art in the anaerobic digestion process. Mr. Ruffridge noted that CR&R has determined to move forward with the anaerobic digestion process without any formal commitment from the District. He further added that CR&R is presenting this technology to other o rganizations and indicated that there is high interest from other large cities in signing on to the project. Discussion followed regarding the cost per ton rate savings for the first cities that sign on to the project.
C OSTA M ESA S ANITARY D ISTRICT P AGE 3 M INUTES OF THE B OARD OF D IRECTORS S PECIAL M EETING H ELD J ANUARY 10, 2013 ________________________________________________________________ General Manager Carroll question ed what other technologies are being utilized by other haulers. Mr. Silva responded to Mr. Carroll’s question and indicated that the two processes are either aerobic or anaerobic digestion. Mr. Jim Mosher provided public comment regarding grease dispos al , energy production , and the end result of the carbonated water that is produced. Discussion followed regarding carbon dioxide (CO2) being released into the atmosphere and whether or not the anae robic digestion process produces less CO2 than other tech nologies. Mr. Silva noted that the anaerobic digestion process captures Methane gas and allows the CO2 to be released into the atmosph ere to be recycled by nature. Director Scheafer questioned the California laws to be passed banning organics in the la ndfill and landfill capacity in Southern California. Discussion followed regarding the tonnages received by various landfills in Southern California, the import rate, and the daily percentage of tonnage expected to be anaerobically digested. Director P erry questioned if the District had enough green waste to achieve the 75 percent diversion by year 2020. Mr. Ruffridge confirmed that there is enough to achieve an 83 percent diversion by 2020. Mr. Carroll suggested that another special meeting be held to discuss the zero waste plan, identify goals , and determine the desired outcome to be achieved. Discussion followed regarding the timeframe to determine the District’s involvement in the anaerobic digestion process, and creating a partnership with the City of Costa Mesa to achieve the diversion rate. There were no additional questions or comments and the report was accepted. A DJOURNMENT President Ferryman adjourned the meeting at 11 :0 8 a .m. _________________________ _________________________ A rt Perry James Ferryman Secretary President