Minutes of the ISD Board Special Workshop Meeting February 11, 2015

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE

IRONHOUSE SANITARY DISTRICT

 

February 11, 2015

 

The Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) Board of Directors met in Special Session to hold a Biosolids Pilot Project Workshop on Wednesday, February 11, 2015.

 

The place of the meeting was the Ironhouse Sanitary District Office at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive, Oakley, California.  President David Contreras called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

 

1. Call to Order  

President David Contreras called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

 

Roll Call

Members present:                    David Contreras, Chris Lauritzen, Susan Morgan, Michael Painter, and Doug Scheer

 

Members absent: None

 

Staff/Consultants present:      Tom Williams, General Manager

            Jenny Skrel, District Engineer

Susan Walde, District Secretary

Dave Dal Porto, Reclamation and Cattle Supervisor

Roni Gehlke, Consultant

Eric Roberts, Lead Vehicle/Equipment Mechanic

 

Interested parties present:       None

 

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dave Dal Porto.

 

1. Approval of the Agenda
   M/S D. Scheer, C. Lauritzen and the Board voted to approve the agenda. 
   In favor: D. Contreras, C. Lauritzen, S. Morgan, M. Painter and D. Scheer.  Opposed: None.  Absent: None.
    
   3.         Public Comment – There were no comments from the public in attendance.
    
   4.         Workshop on Biosolids Pilot Project
    
   Mr. Williams reported the Outreach Committee has discussed that they have been working with staff to prepare the presentation.  He stated that Ms. Skrel and Ms. Gehlke have been working to prepare the presentation for the workshop.  He then turned the meeting over to Ms. Skrel.
   Ms. Skrel gave a power point presentation reviewing the Biosolids Pilot Project with highlights as follows: 

• Solids Handling Process - The presentation included a brief video of the solids handling process at the Water Recycling Facility. 
• Current disposal Method – Ms. Skrel reviewed ISD’s current biosolids disposal method, which is transported to a landfill where it is used as an Alternate Daily Cover (ADC).
• Biosolids Pilot Program - The Pilot project is proposed to apply biosolids on up to 31 acres, on four fields, on ISD’s mainland property to help improve soil conditions and crop production.  ISD Water Recycling Facility meets Class B Criteria as defined in the Federal Regulations.
• Challenges – Ms. Skrel reviewed the challenges in the proposed project which are social acceptance and public perception.  She indicated that biosolids are non-hazardous and nontoxic and must meet special Federal and State standards, which includes meeting nine regulated metals concentrations and pathogen requirements.  She compared ISD’s biosolids pollutant concentrations with the regulations. 
• Odors: She addressed concerns of odors.  There is no anticipated odor concerns.  There currently is no odor issues at the WRF solids building and the biosolids will be disked into the soil within 6 hours of placement on the fields.
• Windblown pathogens or bio aerosols concerns: She stated the biosolids, which have a 86% moisture content, will be disked into the soil within 6 hours of placement.  Previous studies showed no concerns.
• How much biosolids will be applied: Ms. Skrel explained that the amount applied is based on the crop’s ability to uptake nitrogen.  The anticipated rate is four dry tons per acre per year.  Solids generated in 2014 at the WRF were 419 tons.  The program anticipates applying up to 124 dry tons during June through September for a three-year period on up to 31 acres of Ag land.  The allowable timeline for applying Biosolids is May 1 through October 31.
• Effect on Surface water or ground water – The land application of biosolids will promote vegetation growth that helps reduce soil erosion and stabilize contaminants that typically cause surface and ground water pollution.  
• Safety Measures – ISD will develop a Best Management Procedures handbook for employee handing of biosolids during the pilot project.
• Biosolids for reuse in service area resident homes and gardens – ISD produces biosolids that meet Class B regulations which allows for land application.  Class A regulations would have to be met to allow individuals to take the biosolids home.
• Cost of Pilot Project – Ms. Skrel reviewed the costs associated with the program.  $16,850 annual transportation and tipping fee savings and a $34,160 offset by a field application for a cost to the District of $17,500 to perform the pilot project per year. 
• Reasons to Pursue the Pilot Program – There is an increase in public opposition to use of biosolids as ADC at landfills due to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), in addition there is competition for limited landfill capacity.  It provides ISD with additional disposal alternatives of biosolids and it is the next lowest cost disposal option. 
• Project implementation: She explained that staff would need to obtain approval from Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, which involves; submitting a work plan describing the project; preparing a site plan, developing a monitoring program and describing practices and procedures.  She also stated the Outreach committee would help keep the district residents appraised of the project through articles in the “The Ironhouse Insider” newsletter.
   

Director Lauritzen asked if our process of solids handling is a good process Director Contreras stated that a digester was used at Mountain View and storage of biosolids and is a possible consideration for the future.  Discussion was held on the Biosolids to Energy Coalition comprised of 19 agencies and the group has been working together for 8-10 years.  It was asked if we are successful could we consider importing biosolids from another agency. 

Director Scheer asked staff there are any grant monies available for this project and staff responded not at this time.  It was noted that some grants are available for the Soil Conservation Service.

Ms. Skrel stated that staff will work with the Regional Board to obtain the proper permitting and staff will have a proposal for the Board to review at the March meeting.

Director Lauritzen asked if we have adequate staff do the spreading and discing for field application.  Staff indicated that staffing is covered in the startup cost estimates. 

The Board thanked staff for the well-presented and informative workshop.

 

5.         Adjournment

President Contreras adjourned the Workshop meeting at 7:05 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVED                                                                       ____________________________                                                    

                                   President                                                          District Secretary

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