Marked Agenda
Commissioners' Work Session (Open Meeting)
Friday, May 19, 2000
9:30 a.m.
Room 201S, Building E, Park 35, Austin

New Business

  1. Discussion of the Monthly Enforcement Report for March, 2000. This issue was presented by Anne Dobbs, OCE/Enforcement. No action taken on this issue.

  2. Consideration of the legal and policy issues related to municipal solid waste permits for facilities which have not received waste for a period of time or have not been constructed; and related to future requests to classify a permit, facility, or landfill as inactive, including Class I permit modifications, major permit amendments, permit revocation, procedures to resume operations, and permit reformatting. The commission may consider expanding the scope of ongoing rulemaking projects to establish procedures to classify a permit, facility, or landfill as inactive, procedures to resume operations which make provision for public participation opportunities, and requirements that permit changes commonly referred to as "Subtitle D upgrades" will be considered in the major permit amendment process rather than through a Class I permit modification. The Commission may also address existing policy on permit changes not eligible for Class I modifications, and consider pursuing a statutory change to authorize the assessment of a fee to cover costs related to oversight of facilities or landfills in inactive status. Irene Montelongo, OLS, Dale Burnett, John Forehand and Dorca Zaragoza-Stone, Waste Permits presented this issue. Updating issues directed from the February work session, staff addressed the process of re-opening an inactive site and any necessary changes to the permit. Resource impacts necessary to conduct inspections of the facilities identified as needing a field inspection have been resolved. Staff presented a number of recommendations:

  3. Discussion of the FY 2001 Operating Budget. Machelle Pharr, CFO, and Mike Roberson, Budget and Planning presented this issue. No action was taken. Staff intends to return to the June Work Session with a final version of FY 2001 Operating Budget.

  4. Update and discussion of issues regarding agency's response to the drought. This issue was presented by Charles Maddox, and Mike Lannen, Public Drinking Water Section, and Herman Settlemeyer, Water Permits. There was no action taken on this item.

  5. Consideration of activities and comments associated with State Implementation Plans and update on the 8-hour ozone designation. This issue was presented by Randy Wood, OEPAA. There was no action taken on this issue.

  6. Consideration of legislative implementation affecting the TNRCC and other issues related to actions taken by the 76th Texas Legislature. The commission may also meet in closed meeting to receive legal advice regarding these matters, or any of the above matters, as authorized by Section 551.071 of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Government Code. Any commission action, decision, or vote on these matters will be made in open meeting in accordance with

    Section 551.102 of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Government Code. This issue was not discussed.
  7. Planning for the next Commissioners' Work Session. The June 16 work session has to be rescheduled due to conflicts. Issues planned for presentation at this work session are Enforcement Reports, Legislative Appropriations Request, portable air permits, TMDL/303d, 8 hour update and standing issues. Sunset Report will be presented during a special work session scheduled for June 8.