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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 -