2019-04-24 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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Villegas, and himself to discuss the issue and various ways it could be resolved. They discussed improvement districts, public-private partnerships, and so forth. Mr. Takemoto left with a series of questions, including bond issues and how long repayment can be stretched. The bottom line is it looks like Councilmember Villegas will grab the issue and run with it, and Mr. Takemoto is fully engaged to make it happen. A task force does not yet exist, but an ultimate goal is to create one. The County Council is the likely source to get the community together on the subject. Chair Bennett asked for updates from time to time. c. Review the Commission’s table of Motions, Policy Recommendations, and Various Requests and discuss follow-up. Commissioner Gaffney thanked the secretary for keeping the table up to date, and he reminded commissioners that it was designed as a tool to keep track of the discussions had and decisions made, and to remind them if follow-through is needed on something. Chair Bennett said if an item on the table has not received sufficient attention, let him know. Commissioner Pequeño asked about the status of the letter from the EMC to the Department of Public Works on adopting the Uniform Plumbing Code. Chair Bennett said Corporation Counsel had sent him a letter informing him that the proposed letter was outside EMC’s scope of responsibility. This is an example of how the scope of the EMC is out of date and not keeping up with the issues of today. He felt the letter to DPW was an opportunity to adopt the newest UPCs and encourage passive devices that use less water. Later on the agenda will be a discussion on changing the EMC’s scope. Commissioner Gaffney said the letter could be revised and sent either to the director, urging him to meet with the DPW director and push the subject, or to Councilmember Richards, suggesting the County Council weigh in on the subject and explaining why. He believes reaching out to the Council would be quicker and carry more weight. The other commissioners agreed they would like to reach out to Councilmember Richards, as he heads the Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management. Motion, second, and vote: Commissioner Gaffney moved that the letter they voted on at the March 27, 2019, meeting be edited and re-directed to Councilmember Richards. Vice Chair Olson seconded the motion, and all commissioners voted aye. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discuss the Department of Environmental Management’s responsibilities for the use of R-1 reclaimed water by private entities.