Marked Agenda
Commissioners' Work Session
April 3, 1997
1:30 p.m.
Room 201S, Building E, Park 35, Austin

New Business

  1. Consideration of the Commissioners' priorities on rule and policy development. This item was discussed in conjunction with item #6.

  2. Consideration of a staff briefing on rulemaking issues related to 30 TAC Chapter 317 (Design Criteria for Sewerage Systems) and 30 TAC Chapter 309 (Effluent Limitations). Sally Gutierrez (Water Quality), Tom Weber (Wastewater Permits), Louis Herrin (Wastewater Permits), and Santos Olivarez (Water Policy and Regulations) presented this item. The Commission took public comment from the following individuals: Dwayne Hargesheimer (City of Abilene and Texas Municipal League), David Luedecke (representing himself as a wastewater equipment supplier), Gerry Pate (Consulting Engineers Council of Texas), and Bill Manning, Jr., on behalf of Bill Manning, Sr. (Manning Engineering Corp.). The Commission instructed staff to:

  3. Docket No. 96-1512-RUL. Consideration for adoption of proposed amendments to 30 TAC Chapters 1, 50, 55, 80, 116, 312, 321, 330, 332, and 337. The proposed amendments are made as part of the Commission's efforts to revise and clarify its rules on procedural requirements. The amendments concern public participation in the permitting process, the Commission's evaluation of hearing requests, the Executive Director's approval of uncontested applications, withdrawing an application, and other procedural issues. The Commission will also consider the adoption of an amendment to the State Implementation Plan concerning these issues. The proposed changes were published in the Texas Register on October 25, 1996 (21 TexReg 10477). The Commission continued this item as old business to the April 16th regular Agenda.

  4. The Commission will consider in open meeting legislative matters related to its jurisdiction, including proposed legislation and related position papers, briefing materials, and status reports. The Commission may also meet in closed meeting to receive legal advice regarding these 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. The Commission met in closed session from 3:46 until 5:33 to discuss this item. No action was taken.

  5. The Commission will meet in closed session to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of the Commission's General Counsel as permitted by Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Government Code. The Commission may also meet in open session to take action on this matter as required by Section 551.102 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Government Code. The Commission met in closed session from 3:46 until 5:33 to discuss this item. No action was taken.

  6. Planning for the next Commissioners' Work Session. The next Commissioners' Work Session is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 17th. There may be a discussion of legislative issues and any old business continued from the April 16th Agenda if necessary. The Commission will probably cancel the sessions tentatively scheduled for April 17th, May 15th, and May 29th and resume the regular schedule after the conclusion of the legislative session. Staff will be notified by E-mail of any cancellations. The public will be notified via the web page and a printed notice at E-201S.