HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.a.2) General Manager Written AnnouncementsBoard Meeting of August 2, 2012 Written Announcements: Out -of -State Conference Attendance a) Purchasing and Materials Manager Stephanie King to Attend 2012 NIGP Forum in Seattle, Washington, August 18 -22, 2012 Purchasing & Materials Manager Stephanie King will be attending the 2012 NIGP (National Institute of Governmental Purchasing) Forum in Seattle, Washington from August 18 -22, 2012. This is the 67th Annual Forum and Products Exposition hosted by NIGP. The 2012 conference sessions will provide intensive professional training by subject matter experts, knowledge sharing and networking activities specific to public procurement professionals. Attendance at the conference was included in the 2012 -13 O &M budget. General Updates b) Nutrient Removal Facilities Plan and Process Optimization Studies In order to meet the tight deadlines for the nutrient removal facilities planning imposed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) in our 2012 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, staff will execute agreements within staff authority in August 2012 with HDR Engineering and Carollo Engineers to start the first tasks of the required work. These tasks, including sampling and laboratory analysis for configuration and calibration of the computer model being developed for simulation of Treatment Plant processes (BioWin), are on the critical path for overall completion of the Facility Plan. HDR and Carollo were selected for this work based on each firm's excellent work on the Treatment Plant of the Future exercise. HDR will be engaged for the long- term Nutrient Removal Facility Plan and Carollo Engineers for the near -term Existing Plant Optimization elements of the facilities planning work. Staff will request Board approval in September of agreements for the remainder of the work. c) Imminent Release of Final EIR for District Annexation 168C — Alhambra Valley District Annexation (DA) 168C proposes the annexation of eight parcels that are outside the County's Urban Limit Line. The Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for DA 168C will be ready for public review in early August. The document will be distributed to the Board, those who commented on the Draft EIR, and other interested parties. The public will be given an opportunity to submit additional comments prior to staff scheduling a public hearing on the Final EIR and project, which likely will be held in October. Written Announcements August 2, 2012 Page 2 of 3 d) Community Group (Coco San Sustainable Farm) Proposes Sustainable Farm Operation on District Property The community group that is proposing to start a farm operation on the District's Kiewit property using recycled water, now has its own Facebook page (CoCo San Sustainable Farm). The Recycled Water Committee reviewed the initial proposal from the group on June 14, 2012 and directed staff to schedule Farm representatives to present a pilot program proposal to the Committee at some future date. The Farm representatives have been working on preparing a more comprehensive proposal that is expected to be available by early August. When this document is received, Staff will schedule a meeting with the Recycled Water Committee to discuss the proposal with the Farm representatives and determine if this something the District would like to consider further. The group plans to operate as a non - profit organization and is awaiting a non - profit sponsorship decision by the Earth Island Institute sometime in August. Excerpts from Facebook Webpage of Project Proponents Proposed Contra Costa San Sustainable Farm "We are working with the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (CCCSD) to create an urban sustainable farm to provide fresh produce to schools and the CoCo Food Bank on up to 33 acres of land they own along Hwy 4 near 680, which is currently a buffer. We would be using about a million gallons of recycled water per acre, which is currently discharged into Suisun Bay. Recycled water is very high in nitrogen, so fertilizer costs are also greatly reduced. We may be able to receive carbon offsets for CCCSD. This proposed project will be educational. The public will have many opportunities to participate and learn: to decrease the discharge of toxic chemicals; organic and quasi - organic backyard gardening practices; bio- intensive gardening methods; the science of recycled water, etc. We propose to have 1 -2 acres of a public garden section of this farm, where various groups such as Boy Scouts of America, the Martinez Grange, Veterans groups, and so on, can have their own plot of land to grow and learn from our experts. We hope to put a free salad bar in every school in the CCCSD district within 2 to 3 years. We also will provide produce to the CoCo Food Bank, who has a massive distribution system already in place for those in need. Hence, utilizing another existing entity will all but eliminate our food distribution costs. We plan to have a farm stand on the property. Written Announcements August 2, 2012 Page 3 of 3 Every sanitary district maintains a land buffer. Every sanitary district produces agricultural grade recycled water which is wasted when there is a water shortage world -wide. This proposed project will be a model for sanitary districts all over the world for working in partnerships with local citizens to increase local food security, while decreasing the carbon footprint of this food because distribution is local, not trucked hundreds or thousands of miles. Most sanitary districts have a food bank or equivalent local distribution source, as well. Hence, some of the major costs of production of food -- LAND, WATER, FERTILIZER, FOOD DISTRIBUTION, ENVIRONMENTAL are all but eliminated and this is REPLICABLE to INCREASE FOOD SECURITY."