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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.a. General Manager Written AnnouncementsPage 1 of 5 Item 15.a. LICENTRAL SAN September 7, 2023 FROM: ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER SUBJECT: ANNOUNCEMENTS - SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 Attached are the announcements for the above meeting. ATTACHMENTS: 1. General Manager Written Announcements September 7, 2023 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 118 of 160 Page 2 of 5 Board Meeting of September 7, 2023 General Manager Written Announcements OUT-OF-STATE CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE 1) General Manager Roger S. Bailey to Attend Water and Wastewater Utility Chief Executive Officers Forum in Washington, D.C. —September 18-20 Water and Wastewater Utility Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Forum is an invitation -only membership with its inaugural gathering to take place in Washington, D.C. from September 18 — 20, 2023. General Manager Roger S. Bailey has received an invitation to this event. This event will focus on strengthening connections and learning from shared experiences. This Forum will build off principals of peer advisory groups, whereby CEOs can leverage their peer network to process key challenges and happenings in a closed session environment with a trusted network. The form will include roundtable discussions focuses on relevant issues impacting utilities, presentations from utility and industry leaders, group panel discussions, and case study analysis from utility members. The agenda and focus are being driving by the invited CEOs. The conference cost will be covered from funds in the Training/Conferences FY 2023-24 budget. 2) Staff to Attend Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference in Chicago, Illinois — September 30—October 4 The 96th Annual Water Environmental Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) will take place in Chicago, Illinois from Saturday, September 30, 2023 through Wednesday, October 4, 2022. The following seven (7) Central San employees will be attending: Greg Norby, Deputy General Manager (Attendee) Jon Nicolaus (Attendee) Michael Cunningham (Attendee) Rob Linne (Attendee) Clint Shima (Attendee) Leo Gonzalez (Operations Challenge — Judge & overseeing Safety Platform) Adam Zaro, Assistant Engineer (Attendee) WEFTEC is the premier water quality conference which provides state-of-the-art information. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, technical sessions, facility tours, and will be able to view exhibits. They will also gain knowledge in leading trends in recent scientific and technology updates on treatment of pathogens, September 7, 2023 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 119 of 160 Page 3 of 5 Written Announcements September 7, 2023 Page 2 of 4 reinventions in the pandemic workforce, Asset Management and technology for current Central San projects that are on the horizon. The conference venue and planning team has assured that they will strive to meet standards to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Staff attendance at this conference is included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Technical Training, Conference and Meetings Budget. 3) Staff to Attend Adobe Coldfusion Summit and ColdBox Workshop in Las Vedas, Nevada — October 2-5 Carl Von Stetten, GIS Analyst, will be attending and presenting at the Adobe ColdFusion Summit October 2 and 3. This Summit provides insights into the features of the latest release of Adobe ColdFusion, as well as a look ahead at features that will be in the next release. Sessions will cover topics such as application development best practices, security, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, and data and analytics. As the developer for many Asset Management reports, Carl will benefit from the opportunity to speak directly with the ColdFusion software engineering team and product leads, as well as other advanced users. Carl will also be attending a ColdBox workshop October 4 and 5, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada, after the ColdFusion Summit. This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn about, and work with, the latest version of the ColdBox application development framework for ColdFusion. The ColdFusion Asset Management reports mentioned above are built using the ColdBox framework. Staff attendance at both events is included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Training, Travel, and Conference Budget. AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS 4) District Counsel Kent Alm recipient of the Michael F. Dillon Public Service Award at 68th Annual CASA Conference District Counsel Kent Alm was recently awarded the inaugural Michael F. Dillon Public Service Award during the CASA Annual Conference in San Diego. This new award was established by the CASA Board of Directors this year in honor of Michael Dillon, CASA's long time Executive Director and Lobbyist who retired at the end of 2022. The award is given to a member of the CASA community who has demonstrated exemplary public service to the wastewater sector. The award recognizes Kent's lengthy membership in CASA serving on the State Legislative and Attorneys Committees, his steadfast and wise assistance aiding CASA's advocacy efforts over many years, and his tireless dedication to sound public policy. September 7, 2023 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 120 of 160 Page 4 of 5 Written Announcements September 7, 2023 Page 3 of 4 5) Communications and Government Relations Manager Emily Barnett the recipient of the Ralph Heim Exceptional Outreach and Advocacy Award at CSDA Annual Conference and Exhibitor Showcase The California Special Districts Association (CSDA) has awarded the Ralph Heim Exceptional Outreach & Advocacy Award for 2023 to Emily Barnett, Communications & Government Relations Manager. This prestigious statewide award recognizes an individual who demonstrates exceptional engagement with the public, State Legislature, U.S. Congress, and other key stakeholders for the benefit of their district and the entire special district community. Ms. Barnett is a long-standing member of the CSDA's Legislative Committee who consistently contributes her experience, political acumen, and thoughtful collaboration to the association and its efforts. She has developed meaningful relationships with her special district's legislative delegation and effectively engages those relationships for positive action in Sacramento. She is also actively engaged throughout the special district, local government, and sanitation sectors and legislative committees where she is a well-respected voice for her district and community. Ms. Barnett has been a noteworthy partner on CSDA's efforts related to development impact fees, as the association has successfully fought to ensure growing communities have the flexibility to secure the revenues needed to support infrastructure for new homes and businesses without placing undue burden on ratepayers and taxpayers. Her long record of successful leadership on policy, advocacy, and communications includes the following initiatives: • Led the collaborative effort of seven local wastewater agencies to support, shape, and help pass the Contra Costa County Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance, paving the way for statewide legislation. 2016 • Through both advocacy and communications efforts, helped support the passage of SB 212, which established a comprehensive statewide takeback collection system for unwanted medications and sharps, requiring the manufacturers of those products to own the disposal process and costs. 2018 • Led the initial statewide communication outreach plan to support legislation on proper wipes labeling and disposal. Central San's Communications Division produced an unbranded education video on proper wipes disposal that was used by wastewater agencies throughout the state and has received over 300,000 views. 2019-2020 • Helped lead the communications and advocacy effort in support of California Association of Sanitation Agencies' (CASA's) successfully chaptered AB 818, the third legislative attempt to pass a proper wipes disposal labeling bill. 2021 September 7, 2023 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 121 of 160 Page 5 of 5 Written Announcements September 7, 2023 Page 4 of 4 • Led the successful passage through the legislature and Governor's signature on SB 594, authored by Senator Glazer. Ms. Barnett and Central San's District Council partnered with CSDA staff to go beyond providing relief for Central San to negotiate language benefitting special districts throughout the state that faced unfeasible redistricting deadlines due to the delayed release of census data. 2021 • Successfully worked with CASA on passage of the PFAS disclosure bill AB 2247, including two key local legislative votes. While the Governor did veto the bill, the legislative passage set the stage for future PFAS legislation this year. Additionally, Central San has been one of the leading agencies to address communications related to PFAS. 2022 • Acted as key lead to ensure the successful passage of AB 759, which updated the sanitary districts act to better reflect current financial processing for districts. This included securing CASA as a sponsor, acquiring a bill author, coordinating CSDA's association support, and providing amendments with key Central San finance and legal staff. This bill was so successful it passed on consent and was signed by the Governor - an extremely rare occurrence. 2023 • Leads a team of water and wastewater agencies' PFAS outreach and customer analysis efforts in the state. Ms. Barnett leads a team of agencies on this effort, and her team are developing tools that will be used statewide to support both policy and customer -education efforts related to PFAS. 2023 r One of Ms. Barnett's greatest skills is her eye for messaging and communications and ability to engage regional and statewide partners on collaborative work. She often elevates legislative efforts well beyond the borders of Central San's service area and ensures a dynamic approach to public policy through her work on the communications and public affairs angles of issues. She is also an energetic collaborator and consummate supporter/partner with CSDA staff to get the job done. September 7, 2023 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 122 of 160