Dan Lloyd is no stranger to wastewater issues or the regulatory policy arena. Dan started his long career in public policy and infrastructure design in 1973 at the City of Santa Ana. For five years he designed roadways, sewer mains, water lines, and storm drains for the city. In 1978 Dan moved to Baywood Park and went to work for the City of San Luis Obispo reviewing all new development projects for consistency with the City's planning and public works policies. Shortly thereafter Dan started his own local civil engineering firm with a partner where he was the president and CEO for 16 years before selling the firm to employees. In 2000 Dan started developing properties in and around the county, while also handling project representation and design duties consistent with his training and experience. Today, Dan is president of his own land planning firm, LandSite, Inc., in Cayucos where he provides project design and processing services throughout the county and local cities to a diverse client base.
On a broader scale, Dan has been actively involved in local, state, and national legislation for over 20 years representing the interests of home builders. He chaired the Land Use and Economic Development Committee for the California Building Industry Association (CBIA) for nine years. He currently serves as a National Area Chair for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is a member of the Executive Board of NAHB, and is a board member of Woods Humane Society. Dan also served as a member of the Los Osos Advisory Council during the early 90's at the request of then Supervisor Bill Coy.
Dan's experience in the private and public sectors over the last forty years has made him an expert in regulatory policies and practices. Regulations such as the Clean Water Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, the California Coastal Act, just to name a few, are the everyday policies that he navigates for his clients. "All of this knowledge and experience," says Dan "provides a great foundation for tackling the difficult issues facing Cayucos as it embarks on a major financial commitment to upgrading the jointly owned and operated wastewater treatment plant in Morro Bay. There are a host of other issues that fall under the purview of the District, such as refuse (garbage) collection and capital projects planning, that will benefit from my insight and perspective. I've also had budgetary experience with CBIA, NAHB, Woods, and my own businesses that have prepared me to address the fiscal issues that are so important to responsible stewardship of a public entity."
According to Dan, "the district has had some very qualified directors in the past, and has had some periodic management issues to overcome. But the current directors are asking the right questions, are looking out for the interests of the residents on Cayucos, and are highly motivated to engage the public in discussing the issues that affect the community and their financial obligations. Our district staff are doing an admirable job and are very hands-on. Having skilled personnel allows the district to address service issues quickly and to reduce costs."
As for the future, Dan believes that the community is at a tipping point with regard to aging infrastructure, the sewer plant upgrade, and how to best plan for the future. "Now is the time to focus on how to accomplish the most for the community with admittedly limited resources. If I am lucky enough to win the confidence of our residents, I am ready and able to help direct the future of our special coastal town."
Lloyd was a former business partner of Karen Guth, a Paso Robles mortgage lender, who went to prison for defrauding investors. Lloyd was not been charged with any wrongdoing. "The article is basically true and I did not have any dealings with her business practices." Lloyd told the Journal. "Her problems led to my having to file (for bankruptcy) because she was unable to meet her obligations, and I was the only one the creditors could attack." (See: San Luis Obispo.com/ Biz Buzz Another Victim of Estate)
Lloyd was asked about his relationship with Robert Enns, president of the CSD board who is running for reelection on November 6. "As for Robert Enns, I have known him and his brother Phil for a couple of decades. Because of my work in the construction field, I met them in the course of doing work in the Central Coast. I have also appeared before the CSD to request will-serve letters for several clients over the years, including myself.
"With respect to the postcard (sent last week to Morro Bay residents advocating support for an upgrade of the existing sewer plant where it is now located), I am always concerned about stated facts and figures, because the source of the information is not readily available, and therefore potentially suspect.
"As for the sewer plant upgrade, my biggest concern is that the plant is not treating the effluent in conformance with legal standards. Being familiar with the legal authority of the RWQCB, Morro Bay and Cayucos are, in my opinion, at risk of being fined, and that is not something I would be happy with for the residents of either jurisdiction. Timing is another concern, because if the plant were to be relocated, I would like to know what our financial and legal exposure is if the process was to start over. Admittedly, I have not drilled down any further into the answers to these questions, but that is where I would start.
"Personally, I don't come to the table with an agenda. Rather, my interest is in being open to the points of view on the WWTP (wastewater treatment plant)."
Lloyd was asked if he would address these questions by the Journal in his article: "To be clear, do I understand correctly that if elected to the CSD board, you would have no preconceived commitments regarding the competing plans for the new plant. That is, you would not support either locating the new plant where the existing one is or where the Coastal Commission staff is seeking to place it, until you have a full opportunity to evaluate all aspects of the issue, including some you have raised in your article for the Journal, and determined independently what the best course is for the JPA board members, the Morro Bay City Council and the two communities. In other words, you have not taken a position and have not made known to Enns and other CSD board members whether you would actively support the MB/CSD or the Coastal Commission staff positions."
"Also, I would like to know if you have ever done business with either Robert or Phil Enns, such as contracting to do work for them."
Lloyd did not reply.
