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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.a. Committee Minutes - Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee (Special) 10-15-2024Page 1 of 8 Item 10.a. LICENTRAL SAN November 7, 2024 FROM: KATIE YOUNG, SECRETARYOF THE DISTRICT SUBJECT: OCTOBER 15, 2024 - REAL ESTATE, ENVIRONMENTAL & PLANNING COMMITTEE (SPECIAL) -CHAIR WEDINGTONAND MEMBER HOCKETT Attached are minutes of the above Committee meeting. ATTACHMENTS: 1. REEP (Special) Committee minutes 10-15-24 November 7, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 25 of 40 Page 2 of 8 110ENTRAL SAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MARIAHN. LAURITZEN President SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MICHAEL R. MCGILL CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA President Pro Tem SANITARY DISTRICT BARBARA D. HOCKETT TAD J PILECKI REAL ESTATE, ENVIRONMENTAL ELORENCET WEDINGTON & PLANNING COMMITTEE PHONE: (925)228-9500 FAX.- (925) 372-0192 MINUTES www.central.van.org Tuesday, October 15, 2024 8:30 a.m. Committee: Chair Florence Wedington Member Barbara Hockett C"i iactc- Dr. Paul Pitt, Hazen Sawyer Dr. Mike Falk, HDR, Inc. Staff. Roger S. Bailey, General Manager Katie Young, Secretary of the District Greg Norby, Deputy GM — Engineering & Operations Philip Leiber, Deputy GM — Administration Melody LaBella, Resource Recovery Program Manager Lori Schectel, Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Division Manager Nitin Goel, Operations Optimization Division Manager Blake Brown, Laboratory Program Administrator Dan Frost, Senior Engineer Dana Lawson, Senior Engineer (left during Item 4.b.) Nathan Hodges, Senior Engineer Rita Cheng, Senior Engineer Michael Cunningham, Associate Engineer Jimmie Smith, Assistant Engineer Eileen Hansen, Deputy Secretary of the District (left during Item 4.a.) Karen DeLong, Administrative Services Assistant 1. Call Meeting to Order Chair Wedington called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. November 7, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 26 of 40 Page 3 of 8 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes (Special) October 15, 2024 Page 2 2. Public Comments None. 3. Items for Committee Recommendation to Board a. Review draft Position Paper to adopt Resolution 2024 - xxx accepting a Grant of Deed from Contra Costa County for Old Imhoff Drive, Martinez; and Resolution 2024 - xxx authorizing execution of a Grant Deed to Contra Costa Flood Control and Water Conservation District for property rights related to the Walnut Creek/Grayson Creek Levee Rehabilitation Project, District Project 7341 Ms. Lawson provided an overview of the draft Position Paper included in the agenda materials. There were no public comments. COMMITTEE ACTION: Recommended Board approval. b. Review draft Position Paper to consider setting a public hearing for December 5, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. to receive comments and adopt Resolution 2024 - xxx declaring portions of 4737 Imhoff Place (APN 159-150-057) as currently unneeded, authorize the General Manager or Designee to execute lease agreements for a period not to exceed ten years Ms. Lawson provided an overview of the draft Position Paper included in the agenda materials. There were no public comments. COMMITTEE ACTION: Recommended Board approval. 4. Other Items a. Receive update on the Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor Pilot, District Project 100055 Mr. Bailey welcomed Dr. Paul Pitt and Dr. Mike Falk, members of the Consultant and Vendor Project Team, for the Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) Pilot. Mr. Goel reviewed the presentation included in the agenda materials. The MABR Pilot project was approved in July of 2023, Board members toured the project in June of 2024, and it will conclude in November of 2024. The results will inform the Nutrient Management Project. November 7, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 27 of 40 Page 4 of 8 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes (Special) October 15, 2024 Page 3 Dr. Falk stated that the fundamental challenge with nitrogen removal is that a longer sludge age is needed because the denitrifying bacteria (bugs) grow slowly, so there is more biomass and more tankage is needed. The challenge can be approached by either adding tanks or exploring what could be done with existing structures. He presented an example of an MABR cassette, which operates in a modular fashion, takes advantage of existing tankage, and has proven to be highly efficient. In response to Chair Wedington's questions regarding lower air pressure and sloughing off the bugs, Dr. Falk confirmed that the air pressure for diffusing is lower than what is used currently for the aeration diffusers, and that the bugs that slough off stay in the system and continue augmenting the current biology. Dr. Pitt gave credit to Central San for one of the best pilots and the most complete data set that he has seen. Member Hockett asked whether the MABR receives oxygen created by the diffusers or from a direct supply. Dr. Pitt explained that current diffusers are still required for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal, while a separate compressor would be used for the MABR. In response to Chair Wedington's inquiry regarding where the cassettes would be placed in the tanks, Dr. Pitt explained that the cassettes drop into the tanks. Mr. Goel added that the basins are approximately 15 feet deep, the existing diffusers are on the bottom of the basin, and the cassettes would be located in the upper eight feet of the basin. Dr. Pitt stated that the pilot was successful for all goals, making it possible to perform "what if" scenarios with actual data which can be used to determine implementation and maintenance requirements and costs. Chair Wedington inquired if the District were to move forward with MABR, would the permit requirements be met. Mr. Goe/ answered that the information and modeling from the pilot will show Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN) reduction and expected cost, and this important information will guide recommendations from the Nutrient Management Project. Mr. Bailey shared that in November the Executive Team from John Muir will tour Central San and will have an opportunity to learn the science and technology in use at the District. Member Hockett thanked the team for the incredible technology and the clarity of the presentation. November 7, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 28 of 40 Page 5 of 8 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes (Special) October 15, 2024 Page 4 Ms. Schectel added that after the Bay Area Clean Water Agency (BACWA) Board meeting on October 18, there will be an MABR tour led by Mr. Goel. This tour will include three Water Board staff. Mr. Goel stated that the tour will demonstrate that Central San is invested in foundational projects for the secondary process. Chair Wedington stated that it is good to know that Central San is on the forefront of the process and is committed to sharing information with the public. There were no public comments. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the update and recommended Board receipt. b. Receive an overview of the third Nutrient Watershed Permit requirements Ms. Schectel briefly introduced the permitting requirements that went into effect on October 1, 2024 and highlighted that the Regulatory Compliance group routinely manages complex regulatory requirements under major permits for the plant. Ms. Cheng reviewed the presentation included in the agenda material and introduced the applicable limits and major categories of the nutrient permit requirements. In response to Mr. Bailey's inquiry regarding timing for compliance determination with the applicable limits, Ms. Cheng responded that determination of compliance would occur at the end of the dry season as the total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) limits are based on dry season average from May to September. Ms. Schectel added that the first dry season subject to the new permit limit is the 2025 dry season. Mr. Norby asked what the District load rate is currently. Ms. Schectel responded that Central San's baseline used in calculating limits is 3,700 kg/day (dry season average) while the interim permit limit is 4,300 kg/day. Mr. Bailey asked about the impact of the discharge on the Bay during the winter period when the nutrient loading could be much higher. Dr. Falk responded that during the largest loading periods the Bay is the murkiest and the load is flushed through the Golden Gate. He explained that algae blooms are generally during a defined period, but it is not a switch that is turned on and off. Dr. Pitt emphasized that two design points which need to be addressed are meeting the required standards and keeping the population of bacteria in the system through colder months. These are two separate and necessary engineering challenges. November 7, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 29 of 40 Page 6 of 8 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes (Special) October 15, 2024 Page 5 Ms. Cheng continued reviewing the presentation, highlighting the required annual compliance milestones through 2029, regional planning requirements, science plan support, and data monitoring and reporting requirements. Ms. Cheng noted that BACWA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consulting services to prepare the required regional reports, and she will serve on the selection committee and contract management group. Mr. Norby shared that an RFP for the Nutrients Management Project is the next big technical move for the District. In the first quarter of calendar year 2025 there will be a contract for the Board to approve. This timeline aligns with the April 2027 milestone for submitting a Compliance Plan. Ms. Cheng introduced the Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed (RACI) chart which will guide the management of roles and responsibilities across divisions and departments to implement technologies and ensure compliance and requirements have already been captured in Klir. Mr. Norby opined that Central San's work on Nutrients is one of the most cross- divisional efforts in the District, emphasizing collaboration and coordination. He noted the emphasis on improving the use of analytics and dashboard data summaries, which increase user friendliness. He added that it is important not to overlook any changes that might be made to the compliance timeline and the state of the science regarding nutrients. Ms. Schectel shared that at the October 11, 2024 Regional Nutrient Management Steering Committee meeting, framework and priorities for the science program were discussed. There will be another apportionment study in the next few years. Ms. Schectel has requested additional studies in Suisun and other parts of the North Bay. In response to Chair Wedington's inquiry regarding the members of the Regional Nutrient Management Steering Committee, Ms. Schectel stated that the committee is comprised of a broad array of stakeholders. There were no public comments. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the overview and recommended Board receipt. C. Receive update on the Nutrient Watershed Permit Compliance Schedule Policy Ms. Schectel gave a verbal update stating that BACWA is working with the Regional Water Board to move forward an amendment to the ten-year state compliance schedule. She stated that the Regional Board staff and Board November 7, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 30 of 40 Page 7 of 8 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes (Special) October 15, 2024 Page 6 Chair are committed to changing the policy and the process so far has been collaborative and positive. An update to the meeting schedule and progress will be presented when available. There were no public comments. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the update. d. Receive update on the most recent meeting of the Bay Area Clean Water Agency (BACWA) Ms. Schectel stated that the last meeting of the Executive Board was in August and the next meeting will be this Friday, October 18 at Central San. The annual strategic planning sessions were held on September 5 and 6. Takeaways include the following: • Reviewing updates to the strategic plan, which includes advocating for science -based regulation, fostering collaboration between agencies, and financial responsibility for the regional monitoring program. • BACWA dues will increase three percent annually for the next five years. • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has committed $6 million annually to the regional monitoring program. There is potential that in the future the nutrient science program may move under the regional monitoring program. Chair Wedington asked if the potential changes could affect District payment amounts, to which Ms. Schectel answered that it could. Ms. Schectel continued that the viability of a trading program was discussed including a potential for BACWA to receive funding through the EPA for a consultant to look at trading options. EPA funding would likely be for BACWA agency planning and permitting efforts for nutrient reduction and EPA would fund 75% and the agency 25%. Ms. Schectel announced that Laboratory Program Administrator Blake Brown is now on the technical review committee for the Regional Monitoring Plan. The Water Board has sought comments on priority items for its triennial review of the SF Bay Basin plan and issued recommendations for a water quality attainment strategy for which the District and BACWA have advocated. BACWA submitted written comments on the triennial review item. A Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) hearing on the triennial review will be held in December. Member Hockett asked if per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and plastics have taken a back seat to the nutrient issue. Ms. Schectel replied that work on PFAS is being done on the legislative front and that the Bay Area November 7, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 31 of 40 Page 8 of 8 Real Estate, Environmental & Planning Committee Minutes (Special) October 15, 2024 Page 7 Pollution Prevention group is planning a campaign in the spring on PFAS. There have been two phases of studies at the plant and in the sewershed, and the EPA is planning a meaningful study to investigate PFAS, for which Central San will likely be sampling, but for now there are no regulations in wastewater NPDES permits. Ms. Schectel shared that internal testing has been done on the treatment plant, including the furnaces, and the regulatory team will bring a mass - balance update to the Committee when it is complete. PFAS is still at the forefront. Chair Wedington expressed appreciation for the thoroughness of Ms. Schectel's updates. There were no public comments. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the update. 5. Announcements None. 6. Suggestions for future agenda items a. Receive list of upcoming agenda items and provide suggestions for any other future agenda items COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the list and provided input to staff. 7. Future scheduled meetings Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. 2025 Meetings - TBD 8. Adjournment — at 10:17 a.m. November 7, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet - Page 32 of 40