Title
Appoint the Primary and Alternate positions for the “Other Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Eligible Entity Director” on the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) Board of Directors (BOD) from the following nominees:
Monterey One Water (M1W) - on May 21 nominated Paul Sciuto
Monterey County Water Resources Agency (WRA) - on May 18, nominated Glenn Church as Primary and John Baillie as Alternate
County of Monterey (County) - on June 23, nominated Glenn Church as Primary and John Baillie as Alternate
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Appoint the Primary and Alternate positions for the “Other Groundwater Sustainability Agency ("GSA") Eligible Entity Director” on the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”) Board of Directors (“BOD”) from the following nominees:
Monterey One Water ("M1W") - on May 21 nominated Paul Sciuto
Monterey County Water Resources Agency ("WRA") - on May 18, nominated Glenn Church as Primary and John Baillie as Alternate
County of Monterey ("County") - on June 23, nominated Glenn Church as Primary and John Baillie as Alternate
SUMMARY:
The County Board of Supervisors (“BOS”) is the “Appointing Authority” for the “Other GSA Eligible Entity Director” position. Pursuant to the SVBGSA’s Joint Powers Authority Agreement (“JPA”), the BOS may choose from among the nominees presented by the “Nominating Group,” which, for the “Other GSA Eligible Entity Director Position,” is made up of the County of Monterey, M1W (formerly known as the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency), and the Water Resources Agency (“WRA”). The nominees which were forwarded are:
M1W - on May 21 nominated Paul Sciuto
WRA - on May 18, nominated Glenn Church as Primary and John Baillie as Alternate
County - on June 23, nominated Glenn Church as Primary and John Baillie as Alternate
DISCUSSION:
The SVBGSA - A Brief Background
The SVBGSA is a Joint Powers Authority (“JPA”) created by the County, the Water Resources Agency, various cities, and other public entities in the Salinas Valley, and 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 nominations and appointments to the Director positions.
Under the JPA, the County is responsible in some capacity 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. Currently, the “Other GSA Eligible Entity” Director Position is set to conclude its current 3 year term on June 31, 2026, and so action by the BOS to select the successor is required.
General Qualifications for Directors
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.
Specific Qualifications and Process for Nominating and Appointing Directors
1. Other GSA Eligible Entity Director
An “Other GSA Eligible Entity Director” must be an individual that is:
• A representative of a GSA Eligible Entity but not including the cities of Salinas, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, or King City
The County of Monterey (i.e. the Board of Supervisors), Monterey County Water Resources Agency (WRA), and Monterey One Water (M1W) constitute the Nominating Group for this position, and they have submitted their nominations.
The BOS is the “Appointing Authority” per the JPA, and, according to its terms, the BOS has discretion to select and appoint the Primary and Alternate Director from the list of nominees, and may reject a nominee only for cause (as defined in the JPA).
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
This report was prepared by the SVBGSA for the County of Monterey Board of Supervisor’s consideration.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund with the appointments.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals [Include one or two sentences referencing the Ordinance, Code, Board Order/Resolution, etc. in relation to this selection]:
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
_X Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared and Approved by: Reed Gallogly, General Counsel - Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency x5322