HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2014-09-23_Special Meeting MinutesMINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 23, 2014
MORRO BAY COMMUNITY CENTER
MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM – 5:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Jamie Irons Mayor
Christine Johnson Councilmember
Nancy Johnson Councilmember
George Leage Councilmember
Noah Smukler Councilmember
STAFF: Edward Kreins Interim City Manager
Joe Pannone City Attorney
Jamie Boucher City Clerk
Rob Livick Public Services Director
ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEM:
I PRESENTATION AND REVIEW OF REPORT REGARDING REGULATORY
IMPLICATIONS OF DISCHARGE OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE CITY OF MORRO
BAY WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY BY LARRY WALKER & ASSOCIATES
Public Service Director Rob Livick introduced Betsy Elzufon with Larry Walker & Associates
who gave a presentation focusing on Morro Bay’s regulatory options. She presented the analysis
of the regulatory implications of the various site options the City is looking at for the WRF. She
presented the study objectives: phased reclamation program; discharge options will be needed for
interim disposal and wet weather disposal; and, water reserve opportunities will be explored as
part of the master plan. She stated that regardless of the site, water recycling requirements will
be the same. They evaluated the following scenarios – Rancho Colina’s options are the ocean
outfall, Morro Creek or percolation ponds; and, CMC, as a regional facility, with discharge into
Chorro Creek. This matters because based on where you discharge, there will be different
governing regulations. They looked at the types of permits, permit cycles, regulatory authorities,
dilution (quality of effluent discharge), TMDL’s, and environmental sensitivity. If the City were
to choose to go with percolation ponds, we would only have to deal with State Board and
Regional Board, not the Federal Clean Water Act. With discharge to either creek, you are
discharging to a critical habitat which would be more difficult. The biggest requirement of a
permit are the effluent limits, it’s a lot simpler to meet numbers if discharging to the ocean, you
have to watch much closer if we discharge to the creeks. Future considerations with creek
discharge include streamflow augmentation/minimum flow requirements; if we start discharging,
we are creating and enhancing a habitat; and in order to maintain that habitat, the Department of
Fish and Game may say that we may not be able to take the water back out of the creek because
we’ve created a habitat. This won’t come into play with the ocean or percolation ponds. In
summary, the ocean gives us fewer effluent limits, dilution means compliance is more likely, and
AGENDA NO: A-2
MEETING DATE: October 14, 2014
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 23, 2014
there are fewer environmental impacts, concerns. With percolation ponds, there is State
oversight only, there are simpler permit requirements but salts and nitrogen are potential
concerns. Using creeks, there are more effluent limits, there is no dilution, nitrogen and
phosphorus are potential concerns, it is environmentally sensitive and there are water rights
issues. With Chorro Creek, there are huge hurdles, as there are different recycled water
customers, there is an estuary of significance, TMDL’s, and regionalization. Permits to inland
surface waters can potentially take up a lot of staff time and are continual complexities that
require flexibility.
Public Services Director Rob Livick stated that the main purpose in bringing this forward is to
get the information to the public, have time to think about it, and formulate questions that can be
answered by the November decision point.
The public comment period for the Special Meeting item was opened; seeing none, the public
comment period was closed.
Councilmember Smukler stated that both the Chorro Creek or Morro Valley option have regional
potential which we need to keep in mind. In terms of percolation ponds in the Morro Valley, that
could be an option to help get us there as far as land space and beneficial reuse. As we go
forward, looking at nutrient and salt management plans will be important to address. The sea
water intrusion component will also be an interesting point to be aware of, especially in the
Morro Valley.
This was a receive and file presentation.
II. CONSIDERATION OF HOLDING JOINT WRFCAC / CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
ON OCTOBER 8th, OCTOBER 22nd AND NOVEMBER 5th
Public Services Director Rob Livick stated that the WRFCAC was interested in the potential of
joint meetings with the City Council. He was looking for Council input.
Councilmember Leage felt it better that the WRFCAC operate on their own, he doesn’t want
them influenced by Council.
Councilmember Nancy Johnson doesn’t like the idea of joint meetings; Council took the time to
select a good committee and she wants to step back and let them work. She would like to see
reports from them.
Councilmember Smukler agrees, the intent is that the committee is a strong working committee
and he doesn’t feel we should be involved; he encourages them to bring forward their ideas and
recommendations as they see fit.
Councilmember Christine Johnson is excited for the committee to get going, the meetings are
broadcast live on AGP and can be replayed. She is looking forward to them fulfilling their role.
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 23, 2014
Mayor Irons stated there was consensus to allow the board to do what there are tasked to do; he
agrees this will allow them more freedom.
There was Council consensus not to hold joint meetings with the WRFCAC.
III. UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE CALIFORNIA MEN’S COLONY OPTION
EVALUATION
Public Services Director Rob Livick presented the staff report.
The County is not currently able to manage this project; the City will be taking the lead as we
need to move forward to make a decision by our November 12th deadline. The County has stated
they will be available to assist.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:45p.m.
Recorded by:
Jamie Boucher
City Clerk