File #: 2020-924    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Non-Consent Status: Passed
File created: 2/10/2020 In control: LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
On agenda: 2/26/2020 Final action: 2/26/2020
Title: LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2020
Sponsors: Jim Herberg
Attachments: 1. Agenda Report, 2. Federal Update - ENS Resources, 3. Federal Legislative Matrix - ENS Resources, 4. State Update - Townsend Public Affairs, 5. State Legislative Matrix - Townsend Public Affairs, 6. Coalition Letter for Bond Funding, 7. Grant Matrix, 8. PPP 02-10-2020 LaPA Committee - ENS Update, 9. PPP 02-10-2020 LaPA Committee - TPA Update
Related files: 2020-886
FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager

SUBJECT:

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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2020
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION

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RECOMMENDATION:

Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the month of January 2020.
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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 ...

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