HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-12-21; Encina Joint Advisory Committee Ad Hoc; MinutesCITY CLERK
ENCINA JOINT POWERS
MINUTES OF THE JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1977
AT THE
ENCINA WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY CONFERENCE ROOM
Ed Stiles, Chairman Stanley Mahr, Vice Chairman
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ed Stiles called the meeting to order at 9:05 A.M.
ROLL CALL
Present:< — •
County of San Diego
Buena Sanitation District
San Marcos County Water District
Vista Sanitation District
Leucadia County Water District
'Encinitas Sanitary District
City of Carlsbad
JAC Counsel
Encina Joint Powers
League of Women Voters
Guests:
CM Engineering Associates
Brown and Caldwell
City of Vista
City of San Marcos
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
Leucadia County Water District
Lake Calavera Hills
Chuck Oldsen, Jim Frandsen
Ed Stiles, Bill Dominguez
Jim McKay, Stanley Mahr
Joe Zapotocky, Bob Foo
Richard Hanson, Stan Van Sickle
Mark Schneider, Jack Kubota
Mary Casler, A. J. Skotnicki
Ron Beckman
Roy H. Gann, Esq.
Les Evans
Ruth Honnold, Jane Skotnicki
Jerry Frieling
Garr Jones
Mayor Lloyd D.
W. R. Bradley,
Don J. Brown
Eric Elliott
Diane Haworth
Tracy
Manager
2. MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 22, 1977 MEETING
Chairman Stiles asked for the approval of the November 22, 1977
JOINT ADVISORY 0/"*SMITTEE MEETING ,.*"<%,
MINUTES - DECEKHWrf21, 1977
as corrected and submitted. On motion by Mr. Zapotocky, sec-
onded by Mr. Foo, the motion carried.
INFORMATION
3. RWQCB STAFF REPORT NO. 2
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans to report on the RWQCB Staff Re-
port No. 2 dated December 6, 1977.
Mr. Evans reported that, at the RWQCB meeting two months ago, the
Board agreed to accept our proposal to reduce the temperature on
the digesters, decrease the mixing and attempt to control the foam-
ing as a solution to the odor problem. For the first 45 days after
this proposal, the digester decreased in foaming although some foam
was still evident. For the last two weeks, however, there hasn't been
foam on the digester. Mr. Evans also reported that the Board Staff
had not cited Encina for an odor violation since December 1.
Based on the significant improvement in controlling the digester
foaming over the past two weeks, the Regional Board's staff recom-
mended to their Board that a public hearing be set for March, 1978.
Assuming that the odor problem continued to be contained, the hear-
ing would be cancelled prior to the March date.
Mr. Zapotocky asked the status of the purchase of a cover for Di-
gester No. 1. Mr. Evans explained that he had requested the Carls-
bad Purchasing Department to hold off on the purchase of same since
the cover had been intended to contain the odor from a small amount
of foam and the digester was not foaming at all.
Mr. Kubota asked if it wouldn't be prudent to have the cover aboard
since it involved such a small expenditure of funds. Messrs. Foo
and Van Sickle agreed with Mr. Kubota's recommendation. It was de-
cided by the Joint Advisory Committee that staff should proceed with
the purchase of the digester cover.
In response to a question from Mr. Van Sickle regarding the construc-
tion of an additional digester, the cost of such a digester and the
time frame in which it could be constructed, Mr. Garr Jones of Brown
and Caldwell replied that the cost would be approximately $750,000
and the time to construct would be 18 to 24 months.
Messrs. Skotnicki and Zapotocky reminded the Joint Advisory Committee
that Phase III called for an additional digester and suggested that
continuing to pursue the Phase III project might be the easiest way
to obtain more digester capacity. Mr. McKay expressed his opinion
— 2 —
JOINT ADVISORY /T^IITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - DECEMBER 21, 1977
that pursuing the re-rating would be far more productive than
pursuing Phase III since the Phase III project did not actually
allow more capacity.
4. COASTAL PERMIT STATUS
Mr. Evans reported that, at the November 22, 1977 meeting of the
Encina Coastal Agencies and Mr. McGrath of the Coastal Commission
staff, several changes to the proposed Coastal conditions had been
made. Specifically, conditions requiring de-annexation, formation
of assessment districts and creation of zones of benefit were de-
leted and the entire condition revised to a more general statement.
The new condition requires that the member agencies within the
coastal zone provide written notice to affected property owners
that sewer services to coastal areas may not be forthcoming.
Mr. Evans also mentioned that the Coastal Commission staff had
prepared maps which had been distributed to, the staffs of the three
affected agencies. However, there are still some problems with
both the condition and the maps. Mr. McGrath suggested that meet-
ings between himself and the affected agencies be arranged for Jan-
uary to try to work out the differences.
Ms. easier and Mr. Skotnicki said that they felt the new conditions
were much better than the previous conditions. Mr. Kubota reported
that, due to legal commitments, the Encinitas Sanitary District
board had rejected the new condition at its last meeting. Mr. Van
Sickle also expressed strong disapproval of the Coastal condition.
Mr. Dominguez pointed out that, at the last Joint Advisory Committee
meeting, he had made a motion to pursue the Coastal Commission con-
dition with the Coastal Commission attorney and high level staff.
Mr. Evans expressed his opinion that negotiations at the staff level
should continue until the Coastal Commission staff would no longer
negotiate at which time the political alternative should be pursued.
Mr. Gann expressed his opinion that the Coastal Commission staff
would move no further in compromising the "vested right argument"
which is the condition, he feels, to which most agencies object.
Mr. Zapotocky moved that the matter be placed in the hands of the
General Manager and General Counsel in the interest of once again
meeting with Mr. McGrath to ease these conditions further and to
once again seek the intervention of Mayor Frazee to use whatever
influence he can at the local level to relax the conditions.
Staff will report back to the Joint Advisory Committee at the next
meeting. Seconded by Mr. Foo, the motion carried unanimously.
5. EPA NEGATIVE DECLARATION (PRELIMINARY DECISION)
Mr. Evans reported on the letter from the Environmental Protection
- 3 -
JOINT ADVISORY /""V-ilTTEE MEETING
MINUTES - DECExNsiS 21, 1977
Agency contained in the Agenda Packet. He explained that the no-
tice was essentially an acceptance by the EPA of the Environmen-
tal Impact Report and the air mitigation measures provided in
support of the Encina Phase III project. The letter recommends
that the project receive a negative declaration unless arguments
to the contrary are made by other agencies or public groups. At
the time of the meeting, Mr. Evans stated that he was not aware
of any adverse comments received by the EPA regarding their letter.
He also called attention to the third page, second paragraph, of
the letter where it states that....
"no additional facilities will be constructed at the waste-
water treatment plant (the biofilters and secondary sedimen-
tation tanks will be limited in constructed capacity to 13.75
MGD ADWF) until after June 30, 1980, unless (1) approved in
writing by the EPA and SWRCB, or (2) an AQMP covering the
project service area is developed and approved by the Air Re-
sources Board and the EPA, or (3) it can be demonstrated to
the satisfaction of the Air Resources Board and the EPA that
compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards has
been attained."
Mr. Zapotocky asked whether there had been any change in current
eligibility for Phase III due to population increases since the
Step 1 studies has been filed. Messrs. Evans and Oldsen responded
that the eligibility has surely increased although, to what ex-
tent, no one could be sure.
REPORTS - ROUTINE
6. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE REPORT
Mr. Evans called the Joint Advisory Committee's attention to the
Septage Hauler's Report. He noted that, during November, 1977,
only 51,000 gallons were discharged while in November, 1976, over
141,000 gallons were discharged. The explanation for the decrease
is that Lil Stinker has studied the fee structure and found it
cheaper to drive to San Diego and dump at no cost than to pay the
fee and dump at Encina.
Mr. Skotnicki asked what Anthony Pools is doing and how it might
affect us. Mr. Frandsen explained that Anthony had pH balance
problems and that pre-treatment systems were being installed to
correct them.
7. FLOW REPORT
Mr. Evans pointed out that the flow at Encina was an estimate based
- 4 -
JOINT ADVISORY <j£%lITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - DECEMBER 21, 1977
on the actual meter reading plus 7%. He also stated that the
meter had been tested and the straightening vanes and propeller
cleaned on December 9. The following day, the meter began re-
cording higher flows. For the first eight days of December, the
meter reading averaged 8.72 mgd. For the eleven days following
the meter testing and cleaning, the flow averaged 9.58 mgd or
about a 9% increase.
Mr. Evans further stated that, at the January Joint Advisory
Committee meeting, staff would have a recommendation on the
plant meter.
8. SULFIDE REPORT
Mr. Evans stated that there was no significant change in any of
the sulfide readings.
9. EXPENDITURE REPORT
Mr. Evans indicated that the monthly financial reports are taking
on more meaning as the year progresses. He pointed out that the
total accummulated expenditure for the treatment plant has been
approximately $122,000 which is $10,000 under the budget pro-rate
and approximately $12,000 over last year's total expenditure at
this time. The total Encina facility expenditures are about 12%
over last year and 16% under the pro-rated budget.
ACTION
10. RE-RATING STUDY
Mr. Evans reported that on December 13, 1977, the Joint Advisory
Committee staff, with the exception of Mr. McKay of the San Marcos
County Water District, met to discuss the technical reports pre-
pared by the County and by Brown and Caldwell. Based on the prob-
lem with the foaming digesters and the lack of resolution of
Coastal permit conditions, staff decided to recommend to the Joint
Adviory Committee that the Encina agencies not pursue application
for re-rating at this time.
Mr. Evans also reported that the miniature digester study was on
schedule and CM Engineering expects to show some results in about
three months. He also mentioned that he expects the Coastal per-
mit conditions to be worked out within that time frame also. With
this in mind, Mr. Evans felt that the successful resolution of
these two problems could be made within six to nine months and an
application for re-rating submitted to the Regional Water Quality
Control Board with a firm position that we have our house in order.
- 5 -
JOINT ADVISORY J"**MITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - DECEMS»R 21, 1977
Mr. Van Sickle stated that it seemed that the limiting factor
was our ability to handle solids. Mr. Evans added that the en-
tire headworks area could also present a limiting problem. For
instance, the grit chamber is part of the plant's original de-
sign of 6.75 mgd. The hydraulic design of the channels is a
make shift arrangement which was constructed as part of Phase
II and IIA and was scheduled to be replaced in the late 1970's
with the construction of Phase III. He further explained that
the upgrading of the headworks area could no longer wait for
Phase III and that improved grit removal and screenings hand-
ling, as well as the elimination of a 90 bend in the influent
channel, would have to be addressed in the next year or two.
Mr. Zapotocky moved that the recommendation of the subcommittee
be approved. The motion was seconded by Mr. Skotnicki and passed
with Mr. McKay of San Marcos County Water District opposed. Mr.
McKay recommended that we make an application (to the RWQCB),
have them tell us what we need to do, and get on with it.
Mr. Schneider asked the status of the amendments to Public Law
92-500. Mr. Frandsen responded that the legislation had passed
both houses of Congress and is awaiting the signature of the
President. Mr. Beckman pointed out that, should the legislation
be signed and should Encina receive a waiver of secondary require-
ments, the California Ocean Plan would prevail.
Discussions ensued on the difficulty of a primary plant meeting
the discharge requirements of the Ocean Plan. Garr Jones recom-
mended that we attempt to convey to State officials the need for
reasonable numbers in the Ocean Plan.
11. AUDIT REPORT
Mr. Zapotocky moved that we approve the Audit Report as sub-
mitted. Mr. Dominguez seconded and the motion was carried unan-
imously.
OTHER BUSINESS
12. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mr. Zapotocky moved that the same slate of officers be returned
to office. Seconded by Ms. Casler, the motion carried unani-
mously.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned to the Wayside Inn at 11:30 A.M.
- 6 -
JOINT ADVISORY ^^MITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - DECEMBER 21, 1977
Meeting was reconvened at the Wayside Inn. Several meaning-
less speeches were delivered and Holiday Greetings were ex-
changed.
There being no further business, the meeting at the Wayside
Inn was adjourned.
The next regularly scheduled Joint Advisory Committee meeting
is to be held on January 25, 1978 at 9:00 A.M. at the Encina
Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E\_. Talor
Recording Secretary
v — *-
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
- 7 -