Central San Backs Vape Ban, Renews Federal Lobbying Deal, Braces for Developer Fight

The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District board moved unanimously through a packed June 18 agenda, renewing a federal advocacy contract staff says has returned 10 times its cost in grants, taking support positions on three environmental bills, and locking in a $5.48 million sewer renovation contract. Woven through the policy work was a sustained warning from staff: developer-backed permit-streamlining bills are coming year after year, and the district needs to be ready.

• Board renews $120,000 federal advocacy contract, citing millions in returned grant funding and a 10x investment return
• Developer-backed permit bills flagged as a multi-year threat to special districts, with industry groups openly confirming a "shotgun approach"
• Support adopted for bills banning disposable vapes, nitrous oxide containers, and expanding e-bike battery recycling (5-0)
• $5.48M Lafayette sewer renovation and 2028 natural gas supply deal approved on consent
• MABR DASS project ranked No. 1 on Sen. Padilla's funding list at $3.15 million
• 80th anniversary community event draws widespread praise, with residents still talking about it at local grocery stores

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Federal Advocacy: $120K Contract Renewed on Promise of 10x Returns

The board unanimously authorized General Manager Roger to execute a $120,000 agreement with Marcus G. Faust, P.C. for federal legislative advocacy in fiscal year 2026-27.

Why it matters: Staff told the board that the contract — which connects the district to key congressional offices year-round — has delivered far more in federal grants than it costs, directly reducing what ratepayers pay.

Where things stand: Staff explained that the firm was originally brought on when congressional earmarks became available again, and that Marcus G. Faust also works with Contra Costa Water District, creating synergy on Bureau of Reclamation policy. Staff framed the spending as a 10-to-1 investment, noting the district recently secured several million dollars in grants.

"Where we stand right now with our investment has been 10x in returns with the funding that we've received so far, and we're not done yet," said Emily, a staff member who presented the item.

General Manager Roger reinforced the point: "We recently received several million dollars in grant, and if it wasn't for their help, there's just no way we could do that."

Board Member Tad Pilecki praised the firm's on-the-ground intelligence in Washington. "He brings a very unique perspective that we don't have. And he has it because he's always out there talking to people," Board Member Pilecki said.

Board Member Michael McGill noted the difficulty of replicating that kind of relationship-building from California: "The funding isn't just because one congressional person or senator — you've got to package it up to build some enthusiasm. It takes a certain amount of legwork throughout the year to know who's interested in what."

Emily drew a distinction between the firm's work and traditional lobbying: "You can use the L word, that is lobbyist, but when you're coming from a government agency, you really need an advocate. And that's what we're hiring — our advocates for us, because everything we do is a pass-through cost to our customers."

President Florence Wedington added that the advocate has deep familiarity with Central San's specific issues: "My interactions with Marcus have been just top notch. He has a pulse on everything going on in D.C. and he's aware of the issues that we have specifically here at Central San."

Decisions: Approved 5-0 (For: Kuznik, Hockett, McGill, Pilecki, Wedington; Against: none).

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Developer Bills, PFAS, and a Vape Ban: Inside the Legislative Update

Emily delivered a sweeping state and federal legislative update that consumed the longest discussion of the meeting and ended with the board adopting support positions on three new bills.

Federal: MABR DASS Project Tops Padilla's List

On the federal front, staff reported that Sen. Alex Padilla's office sent Bay Area Field Representative Theresa Nivens to tour Central San's MABR DASS project, which is now ranked No. 1 on Padilla's list of roughly 40 funding requests at $3.15 million.

"Senator Padilla has put us at the top of his list, and that roughly is about 40-ish requests for $3.15 million for that project. It's wonderful to be number one," Emily told the board.

State: A "Shotgun Approach" From Developers

The most pointed warning came on a cluster of developer-backed bills aimed at streamlining permits and reducing special district oversight — some with penalty provisions for missed timelines.

Emily said the developer community has been transparent about its strategy: "The developer community has told members of our coalition — CASA, CSDA — that is in fact correct, and they are going to be doing that for year after year after year."

Local government coalitions including CASA, CSDA, AQUA, League of Cities, and CSAC are coordinating to seek workable amendments as the bills move to the second house.

Board Member Pilecki asked whether any single bill posed the greatest danger. "Is there one that's better than the others for us? Because when I look at the one with the penalties and everything else, that one looks really bad for us," he said.

Emily cautioned against treating any one bill as low priority, since penalty provisions could be amended into any of them.

PFAS Pesticide Ban Advances

AB 1603, which would partially ban PFAS-containing pesticides, unexpectedly passed the Assembly and is heading to Senate committees. Emily said she had not expected it to advance given agricultural industry opposition: "I actually didn't think that this would move forward because I thought the ag community would be very much in arms about it, and I think they are. But surprisingly it passed the Assembly."

Three New Support Positions

The board voted 5-0 to support:
- SB 501 — expanding e-bike battery recycling under the Responsible Battery Recycling Act
- SB 936 — banning nitrous oxide containers over 8 grams used as recreational inhalants
- AB 762 — banning single-use disposable vapes

Emily offered a vivid illustration for the vape ban: "Every once in a while I watch YouTube and I see those people that go underwater in scuba gear and pick things up from under lakes. And do you know what the number one item is? You'd think it's a phone or something. It's vapes."

Other state bills discussed included a CASA-sponsored water reuse SRF flexibility bill progressing well, a PFAS remediation funding bill stalled by budget constraints, a producer responsibility bill also stalled, and an ADU bill being monitored for language changes.

Decisions: Support positions on SB 501, SB 936, and AB 762 approved 5-0 (For: Kuznik, Hockett, McGill, Pilecki, Wedington; Against: none).

What's next: Staff will continue tracking the developer permit bills as they move through the second house. The PFAS pesticide ban heads to Senate committees. The MABR DASS federal funding request advances through Padilla's office.

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80th Anniversary Event Draws Community Buzz

Staff and board members devoted extensive time to celebrating the district's 80th anniversary open house, held the previous Saturday, calling it a breakout moment for community engagement.

General Manager Roger credited the communications team, singling out Emily: "I especially want to embarrass Emily and tell her thank you, because Emily really outdone herself and she is really magnificent. She's the best of the best in this business and she did a fantastic job." He noted that over 100 employees participated voluntarily.

President Wedington described arriving at 9 a.m. to find staff beaming: "I can't tell you how many people said they loved the tour, and everybody mentioned on the shuttles the tour guide on the shuttle's name. Everybody knew who their tour guide was and they mentioned it."

Board Member Barbara Hockett said the event's impact has lingered: "Even when you go to Safeway, you hear from people about how joyful it was — from older people to little babies, it was just a family thing."

Emily said attendees were spontaneously taking selfies with employees and posting them online for days afterward. The team is reviewing 3,000 photos. She noted that EBMUD General Manager Clifford Chan told her his biggest disappointment was not getting to race General Manager Roger on the toilet or bathtub activities.

Multiple board members said residents are already asking about next year's event.

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Board Honors Retiring Concord City Manager

The board unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2026-008 commending Valerie Barone, who served the City of Concord for nearly two decades as city and general manager and has been a public servant for over 30 years.

Board Member Pilecki spoke to the depth of the working relationship: "I've worked with Valerie for about 24 years, and I think it's really important to stress how much she actually helped the district in representing ourselves to Concord and working with us on the rates and on various programs and the nutrient studies."

Emily noted that at Barone's retirement event, Concord council members praised the partnership between Central San and the city.

Decisions: Adopted 5-0 (For: Kuznik, Hockett, McGill, Pilecki, Wedington; Against: none).

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Minor Items

• $5.48M Lafayette sewer renovation awarded to K.J. Woods Construction, Inc., with a $625,000 budget transfer and CEQA exemption, approved on consent (5-0).
• 2028 natural gas supply agreement with Constellation Energy Corporation authorized at up to 1,200 DTH per day, capped at $6.00 per DTH, approved on consent (5-0).
• Meeting minutes from May 28 (special) and June 4 approved on consent.
• Ordinance Nos. 345 and 346 summary publication confirmed on consent.
• CSDA Bay Area Network Seat C: Board directed support for incumbent Antonio Martinez of Contra Costa Water District over candidate Philip Pierpoint (5-0). Board Member McGill described Contra Costa Water as a "sister agency" and noted Martinez's background at East Bay MUD.
• New employee Mai Miyamoto introduced as Engineering Assistant III in the Capital Projects Division, bringing AutoCAD experience from Chevron's Richmond refinery.
• May 2026 investment portfolio received without discussion.
• Board reports: Board Member Kuznik reported graduating 48 young women from a week-long scout leadership program. Members also referenced attending the Contra Costa mayors conference, a DURWA anniversary celebration, a Construction Trades Council luncheon, and SB 827 ethics training.

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Looking ahead: The district secretary announced that November 2026 elections will include Divisions 2 and 3, with the nomination period opening July 13.