Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of DELTA DIABLO SANITATION DISTRICT October 14, 2009 The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Davis on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. in the Board Room at the District offices located at 2500 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, Antioch. Present were Directors James Davis and Nancy Parent. Chair Glover was absent. Also present were Mary Ann Mason, District Counsel; Gary Darling, General Manager; Kerry Yoshitomi, Deputy General Manager; Dennis Laniohan, Operational Services Director; Caroline Quinn, Engineering Services Director/District Engineer; Steve Dominguez, Plant Manager; Denise Jones, Office Manager/Secretary to the Board; Darrell Cain, Laboratory Manager; Cheryl Rhodes Alexander, Human Resources Manager; Angela Lowrey, Public Information Manager; Amanda Roa, Environmental Compliance Engineer; Mike Dixon, Maintenance Manager; Matt Gotshall, Computer Analyst; Jerry Eastland, Operator II; and Walter Pease, Assistant Public Works Director, City of Pittsburg. PUBLIC COMMENTS None RECOGNITION Recognize and Congratulate Jerry Eastland on Promotion to Operator II Mr. Dominguez reported that Mr. Eastland has been at the District since 2006 and obtained his Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification in late 2007. He was recently tested by the Operations Supervisor on all aspects of District Operations and has met all requirements for promotion to Operator II. On behalf of the Board, Vice Chair Davis thanked and congratulated Mr. Eastland on earning his promotion to Operator II. CONSENT CALENDAR Director Parent moved approval, seconded by Vice Chair Davis and, by unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the following Consent Calendar items according to staff recommendations: Approve Minutes of September 9, 2009; Approve District Monthly Check Register, August 2009; Approve and Adopt Revised Administrative Handbook Policy No. 2272, Mobile Communications Device Use; Authorize Appropriation of $43,600 from Capital Asset Replacement and $43,600 from Expansion Reserve Funds and Authorize General Manager to Execute Amendment No. 1 to Consulting Services Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $22,171, RMC Water and Environment, Engineering Services, Conveyance System Master Plan Update, Project No. 10078; and Authorize General Manager to Execute Amendment No. 5 to Consulting Services Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $10,725, Design Services During Construction, RMC Water and Environment, Bridgehead Pump Station Expansion, Project No. 4240. DELIBERATION None PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Receive Strategy Report on Year One of Public Information Program Ms. Lowrey provided a Power Point presentation. Ms. Lowrey outlined the District’s public information objectives, listed the District’s core services, and commented on recent and future outreach related to each of the services. Ms. Lowrey noted some of her recent contacts with the cities of Antioch and Pittsburg, and spotlighted plans for an advertisement in the local COSTCO magazine mailer, which could lead to other potential projects with COSTCO, including the addition of labels on peanut oil packaging and an in-house pharmacy syringe disposal program. Other areas Ms. Lowrey briefly touched on were education, regional coalitions, legislative endeavors, internal communications, and the District’s community footprint. Director Parent stressed the importance of environmental stewardship outreach to children, noting that recycling programs are successful because of children learning about it at a young age. Vice Chair Davis expressed his appreciation of Ms. Lowrey’s enthusiasm and excitement for the program, noting that she has a lot on her plate. Ms. Lowery responded that she has a great team to help her achieve the goals. The Board received and filed the report. Receive Presentation on Dental Amalgam Program Ms. Roa provided a Power Point presentation. She reported that in 2006, the Regional Water Board adopted new Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). As a result, the Mercury Watershed Permit went into effect March 2008 and applies to all municipal and industrial discharges. Ms. Roa pointed out the different sources of Mercury and how it ends up in the Bay. Wastewater contributes 1% of the total Mercury loading to the Bay. Ms. Roa showed a table of Mercury for the current, as well as required reductions for ‘After 10 Years’ and ‘After 20 Years’. The required reductions are based on aggregate mass limits and are enforceable only if the aggregate, not individual, limit is exceeded. She stated that of the 1% contributed by Wastewater, approximately 52% of that comes from dental offices, therefore, the Watershed Permit requires implementation of a Dental Amalgam Program to begin by March 2010, with 85% of dentists to be participating by 2013. Ms. Roa reported that the first step for implementation will be to distribute a survey to all dentists in the District’s service area, which is estimated to be approximately 100. Results of the survey will be brought back to the Board with a program recommendation. Ms. Roa noted that, because there are no program details outlined in the Permit, staff conducted an evaluation of other agencies’ programs. All of the other agencies have mandatory programs, and the Regional Board staff has recommended the District implement a mandatory program as well, noting that voluntary programs have not been successful. Director Parent asked what is done with the captured amalgam, and Ms. Roa answered that it is treated as hazardous waste and that rules for proper and documented disposal must be followed. Vice Chair Davis asked if there is anything that would compel the dentists to comply, and Ms. Roa answered that there is not at this time, but when the District begins issuing permits, compelling language will be included. The Board received and filed the report. Receive Report on Wastewater Treatment Plant Process Operation Mr. Dominguez provided a Power Point presentation on recent upgrades to the plant and effects on plant processes. He began with the Digester upgrades, which have reduced cogeneration combined gas usage. He reported that replacing the Biotower media and arms have lowered the biochemical oxygen removal (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). In addition, the Secondary Clarifier modifications have resulted in significant chemical savings since their activation in 2008. Mr. Dominguez reported that, as of this time, two out of the three Digesters have been retrofitted; two of the four Biotowers have been retrofitted; and three of the five Secondary Clarifiers have been retrofitted. All have contributed to the plant’s recent improved operations. Mr. Dominguez reported on the storm that had occurred the previous day resulting in the plant experienced peak flow of 33 million gallons per day (MGD). He noted that the storm caused PG&E outages and flooding on local streets, while District staff contended with pump station diversions and a ruptured Grit Effluent Line. Due to staff’s efficient handling of the situation, there were no permit violations. Mr. Dominguez commended staff on their efficient actions and response. Vice Chair Davis commended staff for their excellent work in preventing a violation from occurring, and thanked Mr. Dominguez for his report. The Board received and filed the report. GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS Mr. Darling provided status on two recycled water bills in congress that are currently stalled in the House. The bills are being delayed by lawmakers attempting to amend them to include language to suspend the Endangered Species Act for the Delta pumps. Mr. Darling reported that the Bay Area Recycled Water Coalition (BARWC) has received $4.2 million in appropriations for projects in fiscal year 2010. Mr. Darling reminded the Board that the District is participating as a sponsor at the $500 level of the Contra Costa Council Event to be held on October 21, 2009. The sponsorship includes seats for four people to attend the event. He asked that they contact Denise Jones if they would like to attend. Mr. Darling reported that the East County Water Management Association has resumed meeting. The Association was formed in the 1990s in order to develop an East County Water Management Plan. A meeting was held on September 29, 2009, and Director Parent was nominated as Vice Chair of the Association’s Governing Board. Mr. Darling reminded the Board that the November Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors will be on November 4, 2009 due to the Veteran’s Day holiday. DIRECTORS’ COMMENTS Vice Chair Davis reported that the Finance Committee will meet on October 29, 2009. CORRESPONDENCE Receive Monthly Report dated September 30, 2009, Federal Advocates, Inc., Bay Area Recycled Water Coalition, Project No. 6100 The Board received and filed the correspondence. Receive Monthly Federal Lobbying Report dated September 2009, ENS Resources, Inc., Bay Area Biosolids-to-Energy Coalition, Project No. 10089 The Board received and filed the correspondence. Receive Monthly State Lobbying Report dated September 30, 2009, Edelstein, Gilbert, Robson and Smith, Bay Area Regional Biosolids-to-Energy Coalition, Project No. 10015 The Board received and filed the correspondence. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:23 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors will be Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. Nancy L. Parent Board Secretary (Recording Secretary: Denise Jones) Board of Directors Meeting Page 4 October 14, 2009 Z:\Board\Minutes\2009\Minutes-October 14, 2009.doc Z:\Board\Minutes\2009\Minutes-October 14, 2009.doc