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
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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
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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."