Agenda - 03-17-2015 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 1 Commissioner Pelissier asked for more information about the composting of bio-solids 2 John Young saidthe process introduces other biomaterials, along with the bio-solids, to 3 create compost for landscaping companies, golf courses, farmers and others. He said Orange 4 County’s waste is treated to the highest EPA standard. He said there have been concerns 5 expressed by citizens about pharmaceutical products that may enter the waste stream and be 6 in the compost. He said the farmers do not see any health or safety issues with the compost. 7 Commissioner Dorosin noted that the County has a living wage policy, and he asked if 8 OWASA has any employees that make less than the living wage. 9 Ed Kerwin saidhe assumes that everyone is above that, but OWASA is embarking on a 10 total compensation study this year that will look at this. 11 Commissioner Dorosinasked if the Care to Share program is completely funded by 12 private citizens. 13 John Young said OWASA is not authorized to support these programs. He said they 14 endeavor to support community giving to come to the aid of residents, but it is difficult to even 15 rationalize supporting the marketing of these programs. 16 Commissioner Dorosin asked about the possibility of requestingspecial legislationto 17 change these legal constraints. 18 John Young said OWASA seeks co-funding, and this is more consistent with the 19 mission of the County and other local partners. 20 Commissioner Dorosin saidhe would like to explore every path possible. 21 Commissioner Jacobs said one of the major constraints on theOWASA board members 22 is the limitation of the purchase and sale agreement. He wonders if OWASA should be 23 encouraged periodically to approach the University about renegotiating this purchase and sale 24 agreement,so that the cost of service can be discussed. He suggested reaching out to the 25 new leadership at the University. 26 Commissioner Jacobs commended OWASA on the energy savings and the wastewater 27 treatment plant. 28 He asked about the planned process for resolving the bio-solids management issues. 29 John Young said long term there is potential for collaboration with other water and 30 sewer utilities in the region. He said some solutions involve a larger scale than would be 31 inappropriate for OWASA’s operation. He said this would involve time to develop and work out 32 with other partners. 33 John Young said the short term decisions will be figuring out the balance between the 34 dewatered cakes, compost and liquid bio-solids application. He thinks that residents concerned 35 about risks do not seem to see a difference between these forms. He said these residents are 36 more concerned with the long term solutions. 37 He said there are meetings planned with local farmers and all concerned parties. 38 Commissioner Jacobs notedthe University seems intent on maintaining its own airport, 39 and the bio-solids land is a contiguous property. He hopes OWASA will continue to use this 40 land for some public purpose. 41 Commissioner Richasked if there are any plans to place solar panels on either plant to 42 help with electrical cost. 43 John Young said this has been evaluated, and it would only be cost effective if there 44 was a private partner to provide cost investment. 45 Commissioner Rich saidshe has seen this work at a plant outside of Phoenix. 46 John Young said OWASA will be looking seriously at energy management. 47 48 5.Public Hearings –NONE 49 50