FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
SUBJECT:
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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST 2019
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the months of July and August 2019.
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District’s (Sanitation District) legislative affairs program includes advocating the Sanitation District’s legislative interests, sponsoring legislation (where appropriate), and seeking Local, State, and Federal funding for projects and programs.
Staff will provide an update on recent legislative and grant activities.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program
• Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities
PROBLEM
Without a strong advocacy program, elected officials may not be aware that the Sanitation District is more than a wastewater treatment plant - treating and sending water to the ocean.
The Sanitation District is an environmentally engaged organization which recycles more than 50 percent of its wastewater. Additionally, to help meet the goal of 100 percent recycling, the Sanitation District uses the byproducts from the wastewater treatment process to produce biosolids to fertilize crops and energy used to help power the two plants in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Continue to work with Local, State, and Federal officials to advocate the Sanitation District’s legislative interests. Help to create/monitor legislation and grants that would benefit the Sanitation District, the wastewater industry, and the community as a whole. To assist in our relationship building activities, we will continue to reach out to our elected officials providing facility tours, one-on-one meetings, and trips to D.C. and Sacramento.
TIMING CONCERNS
N/A
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If we do not work with Local, State, and Federal elected officials, legislation could be passed that negatively affects the Sanitation District and the wastewater industry as a whole. Additionally, this could affect our chances of receiving grant funding.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Save the Date: The Sanitation District's State of the District will be held on Friday, October 25 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Mile Square Golf Course in Fountain Valley. The event will host Local, State, and Federal dignitaries and provide an update on the Sanitation District, agency accomplishments, and the future direction of the agency. The Save the Date will be sent next month.
CEQA
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FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
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ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package:
• Federal Update - ENS Resources
• Federal Legislative Matrix - ENS Resources
• State Update - Townsend Public Affairs
• State Legislative Matrix - Townsend Public Affairs
• Grant Matrix
• September 9, 2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Presentations