2023-01-17 CC Agenda - Public Communications related to the Hyperion2023-01.17 CO AOEN DA
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From: Weaver, Tracy (City Clerk) <tweaver@elsegundo.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 4, 2023 8:21 AM
To: *ALL CITY CLERKS <ALLCITYCLERKS@elsegundo.org>
Subject: Fwd: Christmas had H2S >70 ppb at Hyperion + headaches/metallic tastes
See emails below,.
Tracy Weaver
City Clerk
Begin forwarded message:
From: Corrie Chitlik <corriezu o mail.com>
Date: January 3, 2023 at 9:50:18 PM PST
To: Tonya Durrell <ton a,durrell laci or >
Cc: Kyle Wheeler <lc leburtonwheeler mail.com>, El Segundo Citizens demand clean air
<lse undo,cleanair mail.com>, Adena Hopenstand <adena.ho ensta,nd0lacityorp,
BFerrer h.lacount . ov, CA37.Casework mail.house. ov, "Chaaban, Diane"
<l I haaban elsegundn o.org>, "George, Darrell" <dgeor, elseeundo.o[ >, Hi Sang Kim <hi-
san „kim tacit .or >, boll JMitchell bos.lacount „ ov, Waldronftos.Lacountygov John Pickhaver
<'ohn ickhaver"r mail.com>, Lisa Jacobs <Ijacobs@scn com>, Michelle Keldorf
<mkeldorf else undoccb.or >, rad„nowroozi sen.ca. ov, Sarah Meyer <sarah mre er42+ maiP„com>,
Timeyin Dafeta <tirne in. dafeta laci .or >, Traci Minamide <traci„minamide lacit .or >, Tyler Evains
<tevains sc.co�n>, WNSTRI a md. ov, ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS
<ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS else and ,or >, barbara.romero acity.org, co, or.sheets latimes.com
cpc@lacity.orR, "Pimentel, Chris (Mayor Pro Tem)" <c imentel else u,nd .or >, "Pirsztuk, Carol
(Council Member)" <c irsztuk else undo.or >, crangan@oh.lacount ov, "Boyles,Drew (Mayor)"
<dbo les else undo.or >, "Sassoon, Elias" <esassoon +else undo.or >, Fernarrdo„Cam s lacit „or ,
harriet. an latimes.com, laura.nelson latimes.com, "Giroux, Lance (Council Member)"
<I iroux else undo.or >, matt.hamilton latimes.com, rna or.hel desk tacit ,or ,
rm�rhrmr ayn s a md.gov, "Nicol, Scot (Council Member)" <snicol elseRurtdo.org>,
Susana.Re es lacit „or , tmillerzarneke else undoccb,or
Subject: Re: Christmas had H2S >70 ppb at Hyperion + headaches/metallic tastes
Hi Tonya,
I've lived here since 2014 and the wind/weather has never caused odors. The odors all started on
7/11/2021. 1 didn't realize the covers were still an issue (as called out during the august order of
abatement...). It's been several months, so I assumed those were replaced. I hope we now have them in
the warehouse on minimum and maximum supply (same as the carbon absorber filters). This is really
exhausting and many of us are at our breaking point. We all work full time and have families, and this is
a daily issue that was never an issue in the past.
-Corrie
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 3, 2023, at 9:45 PM, Tonya Durrell <ton ajurrell Tacit .or > wrote:
Hi Corrie,
I provided an update last week. My apologies that it did not make its way to you.
As we have indicated on numerous occasions, emission spikes are mainly tied to wind
and weather patterns and the primary tanks that require new covers. We have replaced
all the Primary Battery A tank covers and are working diligently with our vendor to
complete the remaining covers as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Thank you,
Tonya Durrell
Public Information Director
LA Sanitation and Environment
Community Services Group
(Phone: 213-485-5303
Email: tonya.durrelt@tacity.or�
Web: www.lacitysan.org
24-hour Customer Care: 1-800-773-2489
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On Tue, Jan 3, 2023 at 7:51 PM Kyle Wheeler <k leburtonwheeler maH.com> wrote:
Good evening, Tonya.
We wanted to follow up on the below email thread as we have yet to get a response to our questions
and we are growing impatient. As residents who's daily lives are being dramatically impacted by the
disfunction at the Hyperion waste water treatment plant we demand answers.
I will ask my question again,
WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE CONTINUED H2S VIOLATIONS AND THE NOXIOUS ODORS COMING
FROM THE PLANT, WHAT IS THE PLAN TO SOLVE, AND WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?
I would also like to call out that we have been in communication with our Mayor and City Manager and
they have informed us that their calls and inquiries to plant management have gone unanswered. How
is that acceptable?
Please advise.
On Dec 27, 2022, at 7:18 AM, Corrie Chitlik <corrie,zu o mail,com> wrote:
Tonya,
I subscribe to the H2S alerts and I've never once gotten an alert. The system does not send out alerts.
This isn't just about H2S, we want to know what other air toxics we are being exposed to which cause a
metallic taste in peoples mouth.
When I talked to the AQMD (some young man, I forgot his name), he said Hyperion hasn't been
transparent or easy to work with. That's very concerning since our town has over 20% of the residents
under 18.
-Corrie
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 26, 2022, at 7:45 PM, El Segundo Citizens demand clean air <eise undo.cleaair mail.com>
wrote:
Tonya,
This is actually not a correct statement. The AQMD inspector (Inspector Hayes) was alerted about the
H2S by an El Segundo community member who happened to check the monitors because the stench
was so terrible.
Inspector Hayes then came to town, confirmed the odor, and proceeded to the plant to investigate.
When he met with the staff they were unaware that the H2S levels were drastically above your permit
guidelines.
It was because of our community members alerting the AQMD of the issue that your staff was alerted.
WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE CONTINUED H2S VIOLATIONS (2 this week!) AND THE NOXIOUS
ODORS COMING FROM THE PLANT AND WHAT IS THE PLAN TO REMEDY?
We are demanding an answer. The plant is poisoning the community, endangering human life, and the
continued negligence and inaction is criminal.
Please advise,
Kyle Wheeler
On Mon, Dec 26, 2022 at 7:16 PM Tonya Durrell <ton a,durrell tacit .or' > wrote:
Corrie,
As you know, Hyperion did experience a temporary elevation in H2S yesterday. The numbers
were back to normal within an hour and immediately reported to AQMD.
The monitoring system simultaneously relayed the information to El Segundo residents.
At the same time, our operations staff checked odor control equipment and found no
issues. Additionally, they conducted an odor survey in the El Segundo community, and
the readings were below five ppb.
Please be assured that these matters have our top priority.
Thank you,
Tonya
On Mon, Dec 26, 2022 at 1:32 PM Corrie Chitlik <corriezu�ipo@ mail.com> wrote:
Hello,
The press is copied on this email. It's been over a year of inaction and lack of data to what we are being
exposed too.
On Christmas Day, it was over 70 ppb H2S and today everyone has headaches and metallic taste in their
mouth. There has got to be other air toxics of concern in the air whenever Hyperion is having operator
negligence (see below). There's a wastewater plant and a biogas plant so you can't tell me I am only
being exposed to H2S whenever emission control equipment breaks down. H2S is not the only pollutant
of concern.
Here's an example of sewage causing metal tastes in the mouth and that is why other toxins need to be
monitored. My understanding is a TO-15 was done during an non -odor event for <24 hours, which is a
waste of tax payer money. We want VOCs samples during maintenance upsets so we know what we are
being exposed to during breakdowns. This is criminal to expose our children and seniors to such health
hazards for over a year and gaslight us into this just being an H2S issue:
-Corrie Zupo
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 23, 2022, at 2:59 PM, Corrie Chitlik <corriezupo@gmail.com> wrote:
Okay, thank you. Looks like we all might have a stinky Christmas. Is the pressure gauge also
going to also be fixed and will the water levels be inspected on a maintenance schedule of some sort?
That'll let the operators know ahead of time if the filter is spent. All compliance equipment in the air
permit should be stored in the warehouse at min and max levels. At this point, the system #1 isn't being
maintained per the air permit.
-Corrie
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 23, 2022, at 2:20 PM, Tonya Durrell <tor :a.durr'eIl Iacit .or > wrote:.
Corrie,
Thank you for your patience as we awaited information from our vendor and AQMD on
this issue. The change out of the saturated activated carbon is scheduled for December
26, 2022. After the change out, the activated carbon filter will be placed online.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Very best,
Tonya
Tanya Durrell
Public Information Director
LA Sanitation and Environment
Community Services Group
Phone: 213-485-5303
Ernarl. tonya.durrett@tacity.orp
Web: www.lracit an.or
24-Ihouir Customer Care: 1-800-773-2489
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On Thu, Dec 22, 2022 at 5:11 AM Tonya Durrell <ton a.durrell tacit .or > wrote:
Corrie,
I will provide details on any needed repairs and schedule later today..
Thank you!
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Corrie Chitlik <corriezuool gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 21, 2022 at 11:54 PM
Subject: Re: Hyperion Meeting November 10
To: Tonya Durrell <ton a.durrell lacit .or >
CC: Kyle Wheeler <k lburtonwheeler mail,com>, Citizens El Segundo
<else undo.cleanair mail.com>, George, Darrell <d eor a else undo,or >, John Pickhaver
<"ohn ickhaver'r mail.com>, Michelle Keldorf <mkeldorf else undoccb.or >, Sarah Meyer
<sairahme er42 mail.com>, <barbara.romero la .or >, <c imentel else undo.or >,
<c irsztuk else undo.or >, <dbo les else undo.or >, <e^sasoonels�do ors>,
<I iroux else undo,or >, <sn col else undo.or >, <tmilllerzarneke else undoccb.or >,
<mha es a md, ov>
Hi Tonya,
Thank you for the details but I am unclear on replacement timeline. Will this be fixed before Christmas?
My understanding is activated carbon is just coconut shell material (or filters) that are easily replaced
on the day -of (sort of like a water filter). Usually this item is in the stores inventory. I used to be a
contractor at Miller Lite Beer Company and this was a day -of swap out since it was an inventory item.
Any idea when it won't smell like sewage and the filters will be replaced?
-Corrie
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 21, 2022, at 10:39 PM, Tonya Durrell <ton a,durrell lacit .or > wrote:
Good evening all,
In response to the recent inquiries regarding odor complaints at Hyperion, please note
that on 12/20, Hyperion staff became immediately aware of the equipment malfunction
of an activated carbon filter installed near the south end of the Primary Battery D, near
the El Segundo side. The unit was installed to augment the Primary Centralized
Scrubber System. Even without the activated carbon filter, the main system-- Primary
Centralized Scrubber System, should work independently for most of the collection and
treatment of the foul air from the primary treatment area.
Typically when an activated carbon filter is used up or saturated, it will no longer work
properly. The saturated activated carbon will have to be replaced before the filter
resumes its operations. Yesterday, 12/20/2022, the operations staff, in response to the
high H2S reading measured at the Central Monitoring Station, determined that the
activated carbon filter was no longer working effectively. The unit was immediately
secured. Hyperion staff are working on replacing the activated carbon and placing the
filter back online. Meanwhile, the main, Primary Centralized Scrubber System, is or has
been online doing its function as usual.
As part of our communications protocols, this information was provided to the El
Segundo Public Works Director last night when the event occurred.
Thank you,
Tanya Durrell
Public Information Director
LA Sanitation and Environment
Community Services Group
(Phone. 213-485-5303
Ernai - tonya.durret[@Lacity.or
Web: Aww.lac tysan.o
24 (hour Customer Care: 1-800-223-2489
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On Tue, Dec 20, 2022 at 8:57 PM Tonya Durrell <ton a.durreil Tacit .or > wrote:
Thank you for your email. We will look into this right away and provide an update as soon as possible.
Tonya
On Tue, Dec 20, 2022 at 8:54 PM Kyle Wheeler <k leburtonwheeier rnaiLcom> wrote:
Hi all - adding Mayor Boyles, the El Segundo city council members, as well as the city attorney to this
thread because I want to ensure all are up to speed, as it seems Hyperion doesn't always keep our city in
the loop with issues at the plant.
Tonya,
It's been an awful week on the west side of El Segundo, but today was exceptionally bad. At 10am the
entire west side smelled like human waste. It was nauseating. I called the plant and was told everything
was good and they had no idea why it's been so smelly for the last week or so. Well, at 5pm another
wave of the most nauseating odor (human waste) rolled through town. My second call to the plant
today revealed that your NEW scrubber system is no longer operational and has been completely taken
off line. How is this possible? How much tax payer money was wasted on this new scrubbing system that
is no longer in service? And how long will it take to repair?
My question is why does this continue to happen? I run my own business and if I failed my clients as
much as Hyperion has failed El Segundo, and LA city for that matter, I would have been sued so many
times I would be out of business. Where is the accountability? Where is the transparency?
We are not going to just go away. Residents are just getting angrier by the day. As Mrs. Chitlik stated, we
are working closely with Ben Allen, Ted Lieu, and have a meeting with Karen Bass' office to bring them
up to speed on the turmoil the Hyperion plant has put El Segundo through for the last 20 months.
As Mrs. Chitlik previously stated, in short, we are angry and motivated and are in this for the long -haul. I
wish that Hyperion would do the right thing and work with the City of El Segundo.
Sincerely,
Kyle Wheeler
On Mon, Dec 19, 2022 at 9:14 PM Corrie Chitlik <corriezuPo mail com> wrote:
Hi Tonya,
Happy holidays and happy new year. I don't want to come off rude, because I know you're just doing
your job, and I have been in your shoes when I worked at AES Redondo Beach. It's not fun dealing with
angry residents. I don't really have any questions, but I am angry at the City of LA and LASANS. I think
there's a lot of wordsmithing and diluting going on with the executive teams. The District is
systematically complicated, and that is why it's top heavy with upper management. Usually, the system
is designed to wear out and confuse residents, and we eventually give up.
It's winter, so it's not stinky daily, but it was stinky this weekend. I am concerned that this summer time
when it heats up, it's going to be a repeat of 2021 and 2022. This is not going to be our new normal
because when I moved here in 2014, it never stunk and the facility was properly maintained (I think). We
purchased our home in 2018, and I would have never invested in a home less than a mile from Hyperion
if I new we lived next to a mis-managed facility. The fact it's the largest wastewater plant in the USA, I
just assumed it was properly maintained. Wouldn't you assume the same if your property tax bill was 5
digits and LASANS increased your sewer rates by 91% in August 2020?
I am angry that every AQMD Hearing Board is a waste of everyone's time. The 12/15 zoom call was
uneventful since no one was prepared and nothing was really resolved. The H2S monitoring system is
severely delayed (by hours and calibrations don't take hours) and unreliable (shows 0 ppm often when it
stinks). The H2S limit was last updated in 1969 and it doesn't take into account highly dense residential
cities. We don't have fenceline monitoring for other air toxics of concern (shockingly, I learned in 2019
that this town has a lot of cancer and auto -immune diseases. Two kids have died since we bought our
house).
At this point, this is all just making me more and more angry. We are in conversations with Senator Ben
Allen because I think we are at the point where the State of CA needs to step in. We are also working
with USC to study the long-term impacts of H2S (which isn't my top concern since H2S isn't cancerous,
but it's a piece of the puzzle). This is too time consuming at the local level and we really aren't getting
anywhere. I think the City of ES's letters over the past several months have been rational and fair, but
we aren't getting a resolve. The amount of taxpayer dollars that have been devoted to this on -going
issue is highway robbery to the working class and we are just borrowing against our childrens future.
In short, I am angry and I am motivated to follow this in the long -haul. I wish that Hyperion would do the
right thing and work with the City of El Segundo.
-Corrie
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 19, 2022, at 9:25 AM, Tonya Durrell <ton a.durrell Iadt .or > wrote:
Good morning all,
I hope you are enjoying this season and have a happy new year!
Thank you all again for meeting with us, and let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
ron a If u rre U
Public Information Director
LA Sanitation and Environment
Community Services Group
IPlhone: 213-485-5303
Eirnalll: tonya.durrell@lacity.org
elh: www.lacitysan.org
24 Ihouir Custoirneir Care: 1-800-773-2489
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On Thu, Nov 10, 2022 at 11:41 AM Tonya Durrell <ton a.durrell tacit .or '> wrote. -
Oh. no. I hope things are okay. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Tanya DurreH
Public Information Director
LA Sanitation and Environment
Community Services Group
Phone. 213-485-5303
Email. tonya.durret[@Lacity.or
Web. www.A cit s n.or
24-hour Customer Care: 1-800-773-2489
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On Thu, Nov 10, 2022 at 11:12 AM Corrie Chitlik <corriezu o maill.com> wrote
Hi Tonya,
I had two work emergencies pop up and I can't attend. I apologize for the last minute cancellation.
Sarah, John, and Michelle are still able to attend. We appreciate the meeting!
-Corrie
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 9, 2022, at 12:07 PM, Corrie Chitlik <corriezupo@gmall.com> wrote:
Hi Tonya,
Confirmed and thank you. I copied the other attendees as well.
Best regards,
Corrie Zupo
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 9, 2022, at 10:59 AM, Tonya Durrell <ton a.durrell lacit .or > wrote:
Hi Corrie,
This email is to confirm our meeting scheduled for tomorrow, November 10, from 1:30
p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Please see the meeting information below and share it with your guests:
Enter through Gate C located off the intersection of Vista del Mar and Hyperion
Way.
oSecurity will greet you at the entrance and will request to see
your government -issued ID.
oPlease notify security that you are part of the Hyperion meeting, and they
will direct you where to park.
Thank you so much, and we look forward to meeting with you!
Tanya Durrell
Public Information Director
LA Sanitation and Environment
Community Services Group
Phone: 213-485-5303
Email: tonya.durrellClacity.org
Web: www.lacitysan.or
24-hour Customer Care: 1-800-773-2489
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Tonya Durrell
Public Information Director
LA Sanitation and Environment
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