Title
Make appointments to the Primary and Alternate Other GSA Eligible Entity Director positions on the Board of Directors of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”) for terms commencing July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026. (REVISED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors make appointments to the Primary and Alternate Other GSA Eligible Director positions on the Board of Directors of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”) for terms commencing July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026.
SUMMARY:
The County makes appointments to certain Director positions (Primary and Alternate) on the Board of Directors of the SVBGSA. Four of those positions have terms expiring on June 30, 2023, two Agricultural Directors, the Environment Director, and the Other GSA Eligible Entity Director positions. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors make appointments at this time to the Other GSA Eligible Entity Director positions that are expiring.
DISCUSSION:
The SVBGSA, a Joint Powers Authority (“JPA”) created by the County, the Water Resources Agency, various cities and other public entities in the Salinas Valley, is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors. Each Director position has a Primary and an Alternate Director, and each represents a different interest or stakeholder group generally as required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. As set forth in the Joint Powers Authority agreement forming the SVBGSA, various members of JPA make appointments to the Director positions.
The County is responsible for the appointments of a Primary and Alternate for each of 7 Director positions: A) one representing Other GSA Eligible Entities; B) four representing agricultural interests; C) one representing environmental interests; and D) one Public Member representing interests not otherwise represented on the Board. Generally, the Director positions have three-year terms; however, so that not all Director positions would expire at the same time, a number of the positions were given two-year terms at the start. The positions that were given three-year terms are two Agricultural Directors, the Other GSA Eligible Entity Director, and the Environment Director, whose terms expired on June 30, 2020. Appointments were appropriately made for terms commencing July 1, 2020, and expiring on June 30, 2023. The Board previously made appointments to the two Agricultural Director positions whose terms expire on June 30, 2023; the Environment Director positions are still pending nominations from the Environmental Caucus, the nominating group.
The JPA agreement sets forth general qualifications for Directors:
1. General education and/or knowledge, interest in and experience relating to the control, storage, and beneficial use of groundwater;
2. General understanding and knowledge of the Basin and all its beneficial users;
3. Working knowledge and understanding of how to develop strategic plans, policies, programs, and financing/funding mechanisms;
4. Genuine commitment to collaboratively work together to (a) achieve groundwater sustainability through the adoption and implementation of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin, and all its beneficial users; and (b) provide for the ongoing sustainable management of the basin;
5. General knowledge and understanding of one or more of the different facets (administration, financial, legal, organizational, personnel, etc.) needed for a successful and productive organization;
6. Ability to commit the time necessary, estimated at a minimum 15 - 20 hours per month, to responsibly fulfill their commitment to the organization. This includes, but is not limited to: (a) Board meetings, (b) Board training, (c) analyzing financial statements and technical reports, (d) reviewing Board documents before Board meetings, (e) attending Board meetings, and (f) serving on committees to which they are assigned; and
7. A permanent resident within the Basin, or a representative of an agency with jurisdiction, or a business or organization with a presence, within the Basin.
Each of the Director positions has specific qualifications; the Other GSA Eligible Entity Director must be a representative of a GSA Eligible Entity but not including the cities of Salinas, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield or King City. The current eligible entities are the County of Monterey, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, and Monterey One Water (“M1W”). Supervisor Luis Alejo currently serves as the Primary Director for this position, but has indicated he no longer wishes to serve.
At the Board’s direction, a solicitation of interest was sent to each of the Directors and General Managers of the Water Resources Agency and M1W. As of Thursday, July 6, 2023, the following have indicated their interest:
1. Supervisor Glenn Church.
2. John Baillie, the current Chair of the Water Resources Agency Board of Directors, is currently the Alternate Director, and has indicated his interest in continuing in that position. Mr. Baillie is Vice-President of the Jack T. Baillie Co, Inc. which includes Baillie Family Farms and Tri-Counties Packing Company.
3. Ken Ekelund, a current Director of the Water Resources Agency.
4. Thomas Moore, a Director on the M1W Board, and member of the Marina Coast Water District Board of Directors.
5. Paul Sciuto, current General Manager for M1W. Mr. Sciuto previously served as the Alternate director from 2017 - 2020.
6. Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig, a Director on the M1W Board.
7. Kent Hibino, a current Director on the M1W Board and Board member of the Boronda County Sanitation District. (ADDED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
8. Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, a Director on the M1W Board and Councilmember for the City of Seaside. Mr. Garcia-Arrazola is only interested in the Alternate position. (ADDED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
9. Matt Simis, a current Director of the Water Resources Agency. Mr. Simis is only interested in the Alternate position, and only if Mr. Baillie is not reappointed to that position.
Background materials for Mr. Ekelund, Mr. Moore, and Mr. Sciuto are enclosed.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund with the appointments.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
X Economic Development
X Administration
__Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared and approved by:
___________________________________
Leslie J. Girard, County Counsel, x. 5365
Attachments (4)