HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-02-22; Encina Joint Advisory Committee Ad Hoc; MinutesCITY CLERK
ENCINA JOINT POWERS
MINUTES OF THE JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1978
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 9:02 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
League of Women Voters
Absent:
Encina Joint Powers
County of San Diego
Guests:
Brown and Caldwell
Blade-Tribune
BPZA
CM Engineering Associates
Leucadia County Water District
Chuck Oldsen
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.
Ruth Honnold, Jane Skotnicki
Les Evans
Jim Frandsen
Graham Eraser, Garr Jones
Jim Esterbrooks
Fred Wilson
John Murk, Jerry Frieling
Eric Elliott
JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - FEBRUAR^^2, 1978
\q^L
2. MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 1978
Chairman Stiles asked for the approval of the January 25, 1978
minutes as submitted. On motion by Mr. Zapotocky, seconded by
Mr. Mahr, the motion carried.
INFORMATION
3. CLEAN WATER ACT OF 1977
Chairman Stiles introduced Garr Jones of Brown and Caldwell who
spoke oh the Clean Water Act of 1977.
Mr. Jones addressed the JAC regarding the Clean Water Act Amend-
ments of 1977. He explained that the new legislation was an op-
portunity for each ocean discharger to apply for modification of
the requirement for secondary treatment. In order to receive a
secondary modification, an oceari discharger must demonstrate that
the discharge will not adversely affect the marine environment.
Mr. Jones believes that the EPA will require a substantial amount
of data to support a modification of the secondary treatment re-
quirement. He recommended that the Joint Powers proceed with de-
sign of a secondary facility while, at the same time, pursue an
application for modification of secondary treatment requirements.
He added that, if we are successful in obtaining a secondary modi-
fication, we would need to build only one portion of the secondary
facility, thereby cutting both capital investment and operating
costs.
Mr. Jones feels that the technical documentation supporting an
application for secondary modification must be extensive. He rec-
ommended that work associated with developing such an application
be divided into two phases consisting of the first phase which
would be a detailed review and analysis of existing data. On com-
pletion of the first phase, the Joint Powers could decide whether
to go forward with the program.
The second phase of the effort would include development of addi-
tionally received water surveys and development of legal arguments.
He indicated that Brown and Caldwell would be willing to undertake
such a two phase program at an approximate cost of $15,0000 to
$20,000 for Phase 1 and $100,000 to $125,000 for Phase 2.
He stated that the EPA would be hard-nosed about granting modifi-
cations principally because they did not want to open the door for
east coast dischargers where their concerns are a little more well
founded.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - FEBRUAE%2, 1978 ,
He believes that there would be a more significant amount of
gathering data around our particular outfall. Mr. Oldsen de-
cribed the work being done at the outfall included coliform,
clarity and observation for floatables which is a quarterly
program now where it used to be a semi-annual program. Mr.
Oldsen said that it would all help but mentioned that Mr. Evans
would have more direction as a result of the meeting with other
west coast dischargers.
Mr. Zapotocky stated that it was premature to make any decision
at this meeting until Mr. Evans had brought back information
from the EPA meeting he was attending. He suggested that a
special staff meeting be scheduled.
Mr. Hanson suggested that the staff of each agency meet and
discuss this matter prior to any committment to Brown and Cald-
well.
Mr. Zapotocky moved that action be deferred on this until inform-
ation was received from Mr. Evans and that a special JAC meeting
be convened for the purpose of discussing the future of the plant.
Seconded by Ms. Casler, the motion carried.
The special JAC meeting will be held on Marh 8, 1978 at 9:00 A.M.
at the Encina Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room.
The agenda would be Phase III modification and how to proceed.
4. COASTAL PERMIT STATUS
Chairman Stiles called upon Mr. Gann to report on the Coastal
Permit Status.
Mr. Gann reported that the presentation had been made at the Febru-
ary 15, 1978 Coastal Commission hearing and that Encinitas has been
excluded from the permit conditions. He stated that there has been
some problem clarifying the steep slope areas and agricultural areas
on the maps.
It was Mr. Beckman's position that the steep slope areas were de-
fined arbitrarilly and the definition of the agricultural areas,
as expressed in the form of the exhibits to the permit, were not
in accordance with the Williamson Act. Mr. Gann stated that he
believed those two problems had been resolved by the staff of the
Commissions's position.
Mr. Gann stated that the Commission felt they had followed the
Williamson Act but, in any event, the staff has indicated that
they are willing to work with the agencies in that regard. A
transcript of the Commission's hearing will be ordered by the Gen-
eral Manager for reference and and/or possible clarification.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - FEBRUAlC^2, 1978
Mr. Oldsen questioned if there was not to be another meeting
regarding the maps, which were not present at the hearing, and
Mr. Gann responded that it would not be a public hearing. How-
ever, he added, the maps would have to be formally adopted as
a part of the conditions. Also, the report by the Coastal Com-
mission had to be rewritten for the exclusion of Encinitas.
Mr. Gann stated that the Coastal Commission took a very adamant
position on the "assess for benefit" condition and that the sewer
should not be singled out any differently than the rest of the
assessments. However, the Coastal Commission did not accept
that argument.
PHASE III PROJECT PROPOSAL
Chairman Stiles called on Mr. Oldsen for his comments.
Mr. Oldsen responded that a reply had not been received to Mr.
Evans1 letter of January 25, 1978 to Ray Walsh of RWQCB. The
subject is to be held in abeyance until receipt of such response.
REPORTS - ROUTINE
6. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE REPORT
a. Miniature Digesters
Chairman Stiles called on Mr. Murk of CM Engineering Associates
for a report on the miniature digesters.
Mr. Murk stated that the "A" pilot digester is working quite
satisfactorily. Since the last JAC meeting, a method was in-
stitued whereby sampling could be done and samples analyzed
should a problem occur. What is being done is that everyday"s _
feed sludge to the digesters is being saved for at least a
24 hour period so if anything were to go wrong the following
day, the sample could be analyzed. Arrangement have been made
with an outside laboratory to handle the samples as needed.
The digesters, especially "A", have been working extremely
well and the foaming, when it has occurred, has been sporatic.
It comes in a period of about a day and subsides in about 2
days which tends to indicate that something is coming into the
plant to stimulate foaming. The digesters are being operated
at approximately 95 F. and are being well mixed.
The indications at this point are that the digesting system
put together properly will handle this but an outside agent
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - FEBRUAR^52, 1978
is coming in to stimulate it. He believes that the foam-
ing shows up within a matter of hours after the feeding of
the sludge and slowly subsides to barely nothing within 2
days.
Chairman Stiles asked whether this outside agent could be
attributed to the septage tank dischargers or to the normal
flow into the plant. Mr. Murk answered that, at this point,
it was unknown but that he was very well satisfied with the
ability of the small digesters to handle the situation.
Mr. Murk stated that the key thing would be to continue try-
ing to isolate what is coming into the plant. Digester "A"
was the only digester which was completely re-seeded in De-
cember, 1977. Digesters "B" and "C" are being brought along
with minimum operator attention. They are also being watched
but are not being used as absolute control because we don't
know what we actually started with. Attendants to the di-
gesers take notes when foaming is observed in the digesters.
Mr. Murk stated that digester "A" is the digester on which
they can "hang their hat" as purposeful continuity. Alka-
linity and pH are very satisfactory and very consistent and,
hopefully, they will be able to grab the right sample and
find the problem. The parameters are good and the foaming
upsets are likely caused by some agent coming into the plant.
Mr. Schneider mentioned that the Industrial Waste Report
showed some zinc coming in from Burroughs and asked if that
was being looked at for analyzation. Mr. Murk responded that,
basically, they were looking at all the heavy classic metals;
i.e., zinc, chrome, lead, nickel and some other compounds
which have caused digester problems. He is trying to find a
reference on complex organics formed by chlorine, phenol and
cyanide which is known to cause immediate digester problems
within hours of minute concentrations.
Mr. Beckman noted that,outside of the benefits of the program
outlined to date, the one important benefit is that the min-
iature digesters are acting as a predictive tool; i.e., if
they foam, they will foam one or two days before the big di-
gesters and the operators will not be caught by surprise.
Mr. Schneider asked Mr. Skotnicki whether the City of Carlsbad
penalized someone like Burroughs who had been in violation.
Mr. Skotnicki referred the question to Mr. Beckman who stated
that there was no fine established at this time. Mr. Beckman
further added that the zinc problem had cropped up this past
month and that Burroughs has instituted a much more aggressive
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
m^^^^MIMTUES - FEBRUAF22 . 1978 _,
program to isolate the cause and are working with the Indus-
trial Waste people.
b. Sludge Pumps
Chairman Stiles called upon Mr. Waters regarding the sludge
pump problem.
Mr. Waters stated that the Moyno sludge pumps had been wear-
ing due to excessive grit coming from the headworks. He had
ordered extra parts, which will amount to $1,000, since the
parts cannot be replaced as rapidly as they are wearing.
Mr. Van Sickle moved that we expend the $1,000 for the pump
parts. Seconded by Mr. Skotnicki, the motion carried.
c. Clyde's Septage Service
f Chairman Stiles noted that we had a problem with Clyde's
Septage Service going out of business with an overdue account
of $361. He asked Ms. Taylor if there was any way that Clyde
could be located. Ms. Taylor replied that a letter had been
written and that calls had been made by both she and Mr. Evans
with no response whatsoever.
Chairman Stiles requested authority from the Board to write
this bad debt off of the books. Mr. Skoknicki questioned if
it would be feasible to take Clyde to Small Claims Court IF
he could be found. Mr. Gann stated that the small claims
maximum was $750.
Mr. Kubota made a suggestion for Management; i.e., if this
were a new service which could not demonstrate physical in-
tegrity, a $500 deposit would not be out of line. The JAC
agreed whole-heartedly with Mr. Kubota.
Collection of the $361 from Clyde's Septic Service was de-
ferred until the next JAC meeting.
7. FLOW REPORT
Chairman Stiles asked if there were any questions on the Flow
Report.
Mr. Zapotocky questioned whether or not the report included the
heavy storm. Mr. Oldsen answered that they were average daily
flows and not dry weather flows.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - FEBRUAT^^2, 1978
8. SULFIDE CONDITION REPORT
Chairman Stiles asked if there were any questions on the Sul-
fide Report.
Since there were no- questions, the report was passed over.
9. EXPENDITURE REPORTS
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Oldsen for his remarks on the Expen-
diture Report.
Mr. Oldsen pointed out that the report showed 1 inches of rain
for 7 days of January which was not correct because the meter
was flooded out. It rained a lot more than 7 inches in 7 days
and there was a lot of infiltration into the plant which was
in the 20 mgd range. However, it caused no major problems.
Mr. Oldsen also pointed out that the operating costs were below
budget.
10. 5EPTAGE HAULERS' POLICY
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Dominguez for a report on his find-
ings on the septage haulers.
Mr. Dominguez referred to the memorandum in the agenda packet
and stated that it was correct but that he would like to add
the suggestion, which has been brought up earlier in the meet-
ing, to consider a deposit of some kind to cover ourselves
against instances such as Clyde's Septic Service.
Mr. Dominguez stated that the recommendations made would be low
cost for the protection of the Encina plant and would not require
high staff time involvement. He suggested that this kind of pol-
icy should be formulated, adopted by the JAC and implemented as
quickly as possible. He felt that we had been receiving some
illegal dumps at the plant for some length of time and that some
of the reduced problems of the foaming digesters have resulted
from fewer septage hauler dumps. He noted that in January, 1977,
219,800 gallons were dumped and in January, 1978, only 61,450
gallons were dumped.
Mr. Dominguez felt that our fees were substantially lower than
those of-the Escondido plant and that we should be at least equal.
Mr. Oldsen commented that apparently there is a tremendous amount
of the haulage now not coming into Encina but going down to San
Diego Metro for free. He felt that if our prices went up, there
would be little or no discharge. Mr. Dominguez stated that a
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - FEBRUAFf^2. 1978
policy should be devised that would not only protect the plant
but would also provide some better monitoring of the situation
with which we are currently being faced.
Mr. Zapotocky asked what would be done with the sample taken from
the septage hauler. Mr. Dominguez explained that the sample would
be taken here at the plant to prevent the haulers from taking a
sample from somewhere else. It would be checked with litmus pa-
per and, if the pH were high, would be tested immediately in the
lab. He further suggested some type of alarm mechanism be in-
stalled so any of the plant personnel could do a litmus test
when a hauler came to dump.
Mr. Skotnicki didn't want to put the nickname of "septage crusader"
on Mr. Domiguez. He did, however, point out that a lot of extra
hours had been put in on this report. Mr. Dominguez received a
hand from the JAC. Mr. Kubota stated that he had heard of ambu-
lance chasers but had never head of a "septage tank chaser". Mr.
Dominguez agreed that it was kind of a "dub'ious" title but was
"knighted" nonetheless.
OTHER BUSINESS
a. Plant Rerating Study
Mr. Zapotocky asked where we stood on the Plant Rerating
Study. Mr. Oldsen answered that it was primarily subject to
the conclusion of the digester study which was several months
along at present.
Mr. Mahr stated that John Murk should be complimented on the
wonderful job he has been doing in this rerating study and
that it was one of the best jobs we have had done since the
plant began operation. The JAC unanimously agreed.
b. Encina Brochures
Mr. Schneider asked the status of the Encina brochures. Mr.
Skotnicki stated that he had spoken with Mr. Evans about the
brochure and was told that the delay was caused by the unavail-
ability of an aerial photo.
c. Tri-City Boxing Club
Chairman Stiles stated that the Tri-City Boxing Club Awards
Dinner was to be held on February 23, 1978 at the Oceanside
Elks' Club. He added that some of the JAC had committed them-
selves to buy some tickets to help the club.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - FEBRUAR^1? 2, 1978
Ms. Taylor stated that she would appreciate the support of
the JAC and she had tickets for sale. Sixteen tickets were
sold, some of which were returned to Ms. Taylor to be used
by the boys who could otherwise not afford to attend.
d. Next Meeting
Chairman Stiles announced that the next JAC meeting would be
held on Wednesday, March 22, 1978 at 9:00 A.M. at the Encina
Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room.
There being no further business, Chairman Stiles adjourned the meeting
at 10:25 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
MaryJUj Taylor
Recprcfing Secretary