HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-03-22; Encina Joint Advisory Committee Ad Hoc; Minuteso
ENCINA JOINT POWERS
MINUTES OF THE JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 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 9:05 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
Chuck Oldsen, Jim Frandsen . . .
Ed Stiles, Bill Dominguez
Jim McKay, Stanley Mahr
Joe Zapotocky, Don Todd
Mark Schneider, Jack Filanc
Richard Hanson, Stan Van Sickle
Mary easier, A. J. Skotnicki.,
Roy H. Gann, Esq.
Las Evans
Absent:
City of"Carlsbad
Guests;
Brown and Caldwell
BPZA
CM Engineering Associates
Blade Tribune
Encinitas Sanitary District
Leucadia County Water Distrit
Ron Beckman
Graham Fraser, Lynn Hartford
Fred Wilson
John Murk, Jerry Frieling
Jim Esterbrooks
Jack Kubota
Eric Elliott
JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MARCft»22, 1978 ,**.
2. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 22, 1978
Chairman Stiles asked for the approval of the February 22,
1978 minutes as submitted.
Mr. Hanson questioned Item c. Clyde's Septage Service, 4th
paragraph, second line on Page 6 of the minutes. He asked
Mr. Kubota whether "physical" or "financial" integrity was
the intent. Mr. Kubota said that it was meant to be "fiscal".
All minutes should be changed to reflect this correction.
Mr. Van Sickle noted that the League of Women Voters were
listed in the Roll Call along with the JAC members. Mr. Evans
said that they would be listed with the guests in the future.
Mr. Zapotocky moved that the minutes be approved as amended.
Seconded by Mr. Mahr, the motion carried.
Chairman Stiles welcomed Mr. Jack Filanc from the Encinitas
Sanitary District to the JAC Committee. Mr. Kubota will now
be the alternate for Encinitas Sanitary District and bring
donuts.
INFORMATION
3. PHASE III PROJECT - CONCEPT APPROVAL LETTER
Chairman Stiles called upon Mr. Evans to report.
Mr. Evans stated that since we have our Coastal Permit, the
State has given concept approval of our project.
4. PHASE III PROJECT - HEADWORKS CONSTRUCTION
Chairman Stiles asked for a report from Mr. Evans.
Mr. Evans stated that a response had been received to his
letter to the State asking whether or not our project could
be divided into a headworks portion and the remainder. The
response was positive. However, they would like us to at
least-proceed to the -16%- design stage -before we -*start> separating •
out the headworks project. That would mean that an additional
Step 3 grant would be awarded for the headworks project and a
Step 3 grant for the remainder. We don't have to make a de-
cision on that now. In fact, we can't do it until the 10%
design phase anyway.
Mr. Evans suggested that we keep in mind that the State has
responded affirmatively in dividing the project up but no
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEES MEETING
MINUTES - MARC/»e2, 1978
action is necessary.
Mr. Zapotocky asked whether the final adoption of the RAQS
plan satisfied the condition of air quality imposed by the
concept approval letter.
Mr. Evans said that it would not. There is a plan, to be
complete in October, 1978, called the Air Quality Maintenance
Plan which is a refinement of the RAQS plan and will be sub-
mitted to the EPA for approval. It will definitely be mean-
ingful to us as far as meeting that condition.
Mr. Zapotocky asked whether we could proceed with the Step 2
work with this plan pending. Mr. Evans answered to the af-
firmative and added that we could do the design but could not
proceed with construction until we satisfied the EPA that we
are doing something about air quality.
5. PHASE III - TIME SCHEDULE
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans to report on the Time Schedule
for Phase III.
Mr. Evans stated that as of March 22, 1978, the Time Schedule
was fairly realistic. Concept approval has been received but
we have not received a grant offer. We expect to receive a
Federal grant offer as soon as money is available and, accord-
ing to the State, money should be available next month or so.
We know there is no State money available and won't be unless
the bond issue on the June ballot passes. Mr. Zapotocky asked
if this could be retroactively applied to which Mr. Evans re-
plied affirmatively.
The Seventh Supplement states that Brown and Caldwell will per-
form the Phase III design services. The JAC staff has met with
Brown and Caldwell several times and have reached an understand-
ing of how this design is going to be conducted and how it will
be reviewed.
Additionally, the JAC staff has recommended that the Value En-
gineering process include the concepts presented in the project
report so our value engineering process will be-more-in-depth—
than most and will begin with an actual study of the February,
1975 project report to see if those design concepts are still
valid.
Before we can enter into a contract with Brown and Caldwell to
perform the design, each agency must adopt a resolution approv-
ing the project report, the Environmental Impact Report and the
Financial Report. The is some question as to whether this has
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: MEETING
MINUTES - MARCli»22, 1978
been done. Mr. Evans requested that each agency forward
him a copy of the resolution if they have adopted it and,
if not adopted, he would supply the necessary format.
Mr. Zapotocky stated that he believed everyone had adopted
the resolution. Mr. Oldsen mentioned that it was sent out
to everybody and was dated January 26, 1976 explaining the
funding, the responsibilities each agency had for Step II
and a projection of Step III.
Everybody agreed to check their files.
Mr. Evans stated that he had a copy of the January 26, 1976
packet and if anyone wanted the packet in an up-dated form,
he would be happy to provide same.
Mr. Evans asked whether or not some of the other JAC staff
members would like to comment on the meeting held regarding
Brown and Caldwell.
Chairman Stiles asked for comments. Mr. McKay felt that Mr.
Evans had covered the situation.
Mr. Zapotocky added that he felt that the entire JAC should
know that there were a lot of concerns expressed and the
previous week's meeting was one where everyone laid all their
cards on the table and that certain concerns regarding past
design work and past performance were criticized and, even
though there was a lot of rebuttal, he felt that the staff
came to a meeting of the minds. There were committments made
by Brown and Caldwell that would satisfy some of the concerns
expressed in the course of the future design work. He felt
that it was important that the JAC understand that it was a
"no holds barred" situation and out of it has evolved the
concept of a very intense program for value engineering that
will basically monitor the design work throughout the per-
formance of it.
Mr. Schneider added that all six entities have engineers and
they will also be involved.
6. AREAWIDE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN (208)
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans to report on the Areawide
Water Quality Management Plan.
Mr. Evans stated that the public hearings on the 208 Plan, in
its draft form, were set for Escondido on March 30 and San
Diego on April 3. The CPO board will take action on the Plan
on April 17.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MARCSa^.2, 1978
Mr. Zapotocky stated that the CPO was having a general assembly
on Monday, March 27, where this plan will be discussed at great
length.
Mr. Evans stated that the reclamation aspect in the plan iden-
tifies 4 projects in this Encina service area which the consul-
tant recommends should be implemented immediately:
a. Construction of a treatment plant in the Palomar Airport
area.
b. Construction of a treatment plant in the Callavera Hills
area.
c. Reactivation of the Leucadia plant.
d. Construction of a treatment plant in the Palomar Airport
area near the junction of the San Marcos and Buena inter-
ceptors .
A joint venture with the City of San Diego and County of San
Diego is studying the consultant's recommendations under a
Step 1 grant from the State and, within a year, we should have
a project report for the actual construction of one or several
of these projects. Agencies should take a good, hard look at
these projects before they are put into that report, especially
if there are some problems with them.
Mr. Hanson stated that Leucadia is in the process of pursuing
reclamation again very extensively and part and party to that
will be the requirement that they utilize the Encina Ocean Out-
fall as their fail safe system. He wanted to indicate to JAC
that Leucadia was looking forward to discussions with and posi-
tive attitudes emanating out of discussions with JAC and other
regulatory agencies. This will be coming up in the next couple
of months.
Mr. Van Sickle stated that they could regulate the Ocean Outfall
so that it would come in during periods such as between midnight
and 6 A.M. where it wouldn't be taxing the Ocean Outfall.
Mr. Evans said the information available on the Ocean Outfall
capacity speaks of peak wet weather capacity, not ADWF. Ex-
actly what the dry weather capacity at the outfall is diffi-
cult to decide. We know that at highest recorded tide, we can
get something like 39 mgd out that line but no more than that.
Mr. Oldsen indicated than an effluent pumping station would be
required to handle the fail safe systems planned as part of the
satellite plants.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MARGIN 2, 1978
Mr. Hanson proposed an elevated storage tank to equalize the
flow. The elevated storage tank would effectively increase
the capacity.
Mr. Oldsen said that the effluent pump station is most prob-
ably economical way to meet headon the hydraulic capacity
needs.
7. REPORT ON MINIATURE DIGESTER STUDY - CM ENGINEERING
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans to report on the CM Engineering
Project.
Mr. Evans stated that 4 months ago, John Murk and Jerry Frieling
of CM Engineering built some miniature digesters to study the
foaming problem. After the 4 months, they have drawn some ten-
tative conclusions including that they don't seem to be able to
induce foaming in the miniature digesters by abusing them through
over-loading or any other artificial means. What is causing the
foaming seems to be something that is introduced from the outside.
They have done some preliminary studies on what might be causing
the foaming and a lot more needs to be done to identify the foam-
ing agent.
CM is, however, suggesting that the real digesters can be opera-
ted with the foaming problem if we make some operational and de-
sign changes. They are recommending introduction of mixing sys-
tems of greater capacity into both the primary digesters which
is in the budget and with which we are proceeding. The new mix-
ing system, which will be in Digester No. 2, hopefully, will be in
place by the first of July.
CM is also suggesting that we lower the surface level in the
primary digesters to accommodate the foaming and that we modify
the floating cover on Digester No. 1 to a fixed cover. With
these adjustments and continuing to pursue exactly what is caus-
ing the foaming, CM feels that we can improve the performance of
those digesters.
Chairman Stiles asked what had happened to the proposal to hang
the cover which the JAC discussed several months ago. Mr. Evans
stated that the cover turned out to be too heavy to hang it the
way they wanted.
Mr. Evans said that in order to convert that digester to a fixed
cover, they would probably have to drain the tank and build some
kind of framework inside to support the cover. The cover is de-
signed to rest at a point of about 8 ft. down from the top.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MARCH-22, 1978
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Murk if he had any further comments.
Mr. Murk stated that foam did occur at times in the miniature
digesters but never to the point where it would rise up the
gas line. Basically, what he is really worried about is foam
rising up the gas line to contaminate the gas or seepage
through the floating covers. He felt that the digesters can
be operated so that they will not be a nuisance.
He further stated the other thing is to identify what is caus-
ing the foaming, which can be hopefully eliminated, and the
suggested course of action in that area would be just to use
the pilot digesters as a kind of control box. It's a lot
easier to get a good sample out of those than it is the big
digesters. If one of those would foam up, we could easily
draw a sample because we could visually see it happening very
early with the attention they have been getting and take the
sample and have it analyzed. Hopefully, in time correlate
the foaming with some compound in the sludge and go back and
trace it.
Chairman Stiles asked if it were possible, in CM's testing pro-
cedure, to find out what chemical it might be that is creating
the foam.
Mr. Murk answered that, hopefully everytime it foams, run a
certain series of analyses and then take a day when it does not
foam and compare them for differences. Depending upon other
constituents in the sludge, certain chemicals and certain agents
would not react on certain days and on other days would react.
The way to do it is by looking for the oddball situation and com-
paring that to the norm and, after enough comparisons, some
one or a combination of components will point to the culprit.
Mr. Hanson asked if possibly zinc or chrome was causing the
foaming. Mr. Murk answered that three analyses had come back
and only one of these seemed to be questionable but from one
sample, no conclusion can be made.
With the digesters well mixed and properly heated, we think
there is enough capacity in them even with the lower level.
By lowering the level, basically, we cut down on the hydraulic
detention time. In other words, sludge is not in as many days
as it could be.
Mr. Filanc asked whether the mixing and heating in the pilot
digesters was similar to what is in the actual. Mr. Murk
answered to the negative but added that the small digesters
are theoretically completely mixed and the existing digesters
are not in that state.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MARO>*%2, 1978 _O>*%
The purpose of setting up the miniature digesters is to develop
a theoretical perfect condition and determine the extent of
foaming.
Mr. Murk stated that CM Engineering has submitted a design on
a gas mixing system which would, hopefully, approach the ideal
condition. Mr. Filanc asked about the heating and Mr. Murk
said the present heating was very good but CM had also designed
a heating system that will replace the present Venturi injectors.
Chairman Stiles suggested that CM Engineering and Mr. Murk re-
port to Mr. Evans and that, from time to time, the JAC receive
progress reports.
Mr. Evans stated that CM Engineering had been working for 4
months and, essentially, had done what they said they would.
Because they are getting busy with other clients, the JAC is on
their own. CM Engineering performed the study for us at no cost.
Mr. Hanson wanted to know if CM didn't want to work for JAC any
longer.
Mr. Evans stated that if the JAC wanted him to work out some
kind of contract for CM to continue, he would be glad to do so.
Chairman Stiles and other members of the JAC agreed that more
was accomplished during the past four months towards coming to
some of the answers we've been looling for during the past
eight years than ever before.
Mr. Mahr moved that Mr. Evans work out some kind of contract
with CM Engineering to continue the study and resolution of
the digester foaming problems. Seconded by Mr. Zapotocky, the
motion carried.
Mr. Hanson asked if part of CM's work would be with regard to
the design of the fixed cover.
Mr. Hanson also referred to the last paragraph of CM Engineer-
ing Associate's letter of March 15 regarding several avenues
of approach which could be taken to strengthen our position in
rerating the plant.
Mr. Murk stated the goal would be not make the solids handling
facility a limitation on rerating. He suggested that Digester
No. 3 be converted to a primary digester to be used as sort of
a shock absorber and also a basis for re-cycling feed sludge.
The other thing, he would suggest, is the introduction of a
temporary dewatering device until the expansion of the plant
is complete.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MAROW2, 1978
Mr. Hanson asked about the time required to accomplish the
above. Mr. Murk stated it would be 3 - 6 months.
Mr. Hanson asked if Mr. Murk's suggestions were implemented
that we might put ourselves in a position to demonstrate to
Water Quality Control Board that we have the odor problem
solved and that it need not be considered in regard to re-
rating?
Mr. Murk answered to the affirmative and felt that the Regional
Board would probably look at it more deeply than the odor prob-
lem. The odor from the sludge is simply poorly digested sludge.
ROUTINE REPORTS
8. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE REPORT
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans for his comments on the Oper-
ations and Maintenance Report.
a. Mr. Evans stated that during the rainfalls there were some
problems with the grit removal structure and Digester No. 1
is dead.
He added that the odor we are getting from the centrifuge
is from centrifuging undigested sludge and until the digester
is well again, we will have the odor. The Regional Board is
aware of it and understands the problem.
b. Clyde's Septage Service
Mr. Evans reported that Clyde's Septage Service's debt to
Encina was $361 and asked for permisssion from the JAC to
ask the City of Carlsbad to either write it off as a bad
debt or uncollectible loss.
Mr. Schneider moved that the City of Carlsbad do what was
necessary to write off this bad debt. Seconded by Mr.
Hanson, the motion carried.
9. FLOW REPORT
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans for a report on the flows.
Mr. Evans reported that the flows still did not make too much
sense because of the heavy rainfall and, even this month, flows
of 12 mgd were being averaged. It will be a while before we
get back down to normal. The meter was tested last week and it
tested 7.3% high. A 7% factor is still being used on all of
the flows.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MARCH 22, 1978- - -- -^»- - * - —
10. SULFIDE REPORT
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans for a report on the sulfide
conditions.
Mr. Evans reported that, because of the heavy rains and the
high flows, the sulfides are negligible.
11. EXPENDITURE REPORTS
Chairman Stiles asked for a report on the expenditures.
Mr. Evans reported that the reports show that we are well within
our budget and because we do not have the personnel budgeted for
because of turnover, etc., we can expect to end the year con-
siderably under budget.
ACTION
12. CLEAN WATER ACT OF 1977
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans to report on the Clean Water
Act.
Mr. Evans reported that the preliminary guidelines to apply
for modification to secondary requirements have not been re-
ceived. He recommended until the guidelines were received,
no decision should be made on whether a modification should
be pursued or a consultant hired to do some testing.
He continued that we would have to apply by September 24.
Mr. Hartford of Brown and Caldwell stated that he had talked
with Liza Friedman of EPA in Washington and she stated that
the concept paper, which is the first draft of their regula-
tions, should be mailed out early this week.
13. BUDGET FOR EXTENDING THE CAPACITY AT THE EWPCF
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans to report.
Mr. Evans said his intention was to get input from the JAC
on what items to include in the budget. If we put in the
items recommended by CM Engineering, Brown and Caldwell and
the County, we get into some pretty high costs.
He stated that he had gone through all the various rerating
reports and included all the items that had been recommended
and the cost came up to about $500 thousand.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MARCH^ft?, 1978
Mr. Evans asked whether the JAC wanted to see these items in
a budget or whether they would prefer to take them up at a
later time and perhaps deal with them on an individual basis.
Mr. Hanson moved that it would not be out of order to put
these items in a preliminary budget and that the committee
would be meeting prior to completion of the final budget and
make its recommendations to the JAC with regard to items
which should be in the budget as a total, changed or as an
addition. Mr. Zapotocky seconded the motion and it was
carried.
14. REQUEST TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS
FOR CLEANING DIGESTER NO. 2
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans to comment on cleaning of Di-
gester No. 2.
Mr. Evans stated that it was not intended to clean Digester
No. 2. The mixing system was intended to be inserted without
the necessity of cleaning but because of recent heavy rain-
fall, the digester is clogged with grit. He felt that the
digesters will have to be cleaned every other year instead
of every five years until the grit chamber is enlarged.
Mr. Evans felt that this would be a good time to clean the
digester prior to installing the new mixing and heating sys-
tems.
Mr. Zapotocky asked about the money for this job. Mr. Evans
replied that it was not in the budget but suggested that it
be taken out of the Contingency Funds.
Mr. Hanson moved that JAC use the Contingency Reserve of
$25,000 for cleaning of Digester No. 2 and approve adver-
tising for bids for the accomplishment of the cleaning. Mr.
Zapotocky seconded the motion and it was carried.
15. PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SEPTAGE HAULERS
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans to report on the progress of
the proposed Rules and Regulations for Septage Haulers.
Mr. Evans explained that in the new DRAFT of Rules and Regula-
tions on Page 5, section 2, showed that a deposit of $500 would
be required for a year at which time it would be refundable if
the hauler had demonstrated financial integrity for that per-
iod of time. He had forwarded a copy of this DRAFT to Mr.
Gann and asked Mr. Gann to explain the problem with just having
JAC approve these rather than having one of our agencies adopt
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MARO*, 1978
it in the form of an ordinance.
Mr. Gann explained that inasmuch as the JAC is only an advisory
body to the agencies which own the plant, to have force of law,
the regulations should be incorporated in an ordinance. JAC
does not have the authority to create rules and regulations
that are enforceable as a law.
Mr. Gann suggested that each of the agencies approve the new
Rules and Regulations policy by resolution and then the City
of Carlsbad, in its capacity as administrator, be asked to in-
corporate the Rules and Regulations into an ordinance.
Mr. Zapotocky moved that the City of Carlsbad be asked to in-
corporate the Rules and Regulations into an ordinance in a
format acceptable to their attorney and council. Seconded by
Mr. Skotnicki, the motion carried.
Mr. Dominguez stated that we still have the problem with il-
legal dumps in the other service areas. He only brought this
up because such an ordinance adopted by Carlsbad would only
affect the jurisdictional boundaries of Carlsbad.
Mr. Gann then suggested that each agency needed some ordinance
or restriction or requirement for dumping into the system out-
side the jurisdiction of Carlsbad.
Mr. Oldsen asked whether Mr. Gann could prepare a resolution
that the other five agencies could use to transmit on to their
Boards of Directors for approval. Mr. Gann stated that he
would prepare a short resolution.
Chairman Stiles tabled the motion until Mr. Gann prepared a
resolution for each of the agencies which would be incorpor-
ated by Carlsbad's ordinance.
16. (SALVAGE) REQUEST TO SELL EXCESS EQUIPMENT
Chairman Stiles asked Mr. Evans for a report on his request to
sell excess equipment for salvage.
Mr. Evans stated that, as a result ~6f the" "constructiionnthat'
has been going on at some of the pump stations and the plant
over the past 3 or 4 years, we have excess equipment which he
felt should be sold or, if not saleable, scrapped in an effort
to collect whatever money could be made.
It was Mr. Evans1 understanding that the City of Carlsbad had
a process for handling this annually (in June) by auction.
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JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES - MARCH 22, 1978
Mr. Evans asked the JAC's permission to make arrangements
with the City of Carlsbad to sell the excess machinery and
metal items salvaged from recent upgrading projects through
appropriate open-bid procedures.
Mr. Schneider moved to sell the excess machinery as recommended
by Mr. Evans. Seconded by Mr. Zapotocky, the motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Next Meeting
Chairman Stiles announced that the next JAC meeting would be
held on Wednesday, April 26, 1978 at 9:00 A.M. at the Encina
Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room.
There being no further business, Chairman Stiles adjourned the meet-
ing at 10:20 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
M. Gunn Taylor
Recording Secretary
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