Title
Consider recommendation from the Planning Committee to amend the Agency’s Bylaws. (Staff: Ara Azhderian)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency’s Board of Directors:
Amend the Agency’s Bylaws.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On October 1, 2025, the Planning Committee considered proposed changes to the Agency’s Bylaws and the potential development of a governance guidance policies manual. The Planning Committee requested staff prioritize proposed changes to the Bylaws that could affect the term of service of the Agency’s Board of Directors Chair and Vice-Chair and the potential combining of Agency Committees to improve administrative efficiency and awareness of the Agency’s actions, then follow with the development of the governance manual. Staff presented the proposed Bylaws changes in red-line to the Board of Directors on October 20, 2025.
The two primary areas of interest were the proposed change in term for the Chair and Vice-Chair from two-years to one and the combining of committees: the Finance and Personnel & Administrations Committees into a Finance & Administration Committee and the combining of the Basin Management Advisory Committee with the Reservoir Operations Advisory Committee into a Water Resources Advisory Committee. With respect to terms, the majority opinion of the Directors was to maintain the two-year term. With respect to combining, the Directors were in majority favor of creating the Finance & Administration Committee and the Water Resources Advisory Committee, though with the latter the Board questioned the composition, i.e. how many members should the new committee maintain and who should they represent. The Directors reviewed a table comparing composition of the committees and questioned whether 15 should be seated at the new, combined committee rather than the proposed 13. The Directors requested staff take the matter and other proposed changes back to the Planning Committee for further consideration.
On November 5, 2025, the Planning Committee considered the Directors comments and other questions raised by staff. The Committee addressed the comments and questions, which resulted in the recommendations presented in the proposed amendments - attached. In summary, the Planning Committee recommends maintaining the two-year term for the Board Chair and Vice-Chair, creating the Finance & Administration Committee and the Water Resources Advisory Committee, with the latter composed of 15 members, 3 from the public. The Planning Committee also recommends the Board Chair appoint members to all Board established committees and that the process for selecting the Board Chair be given more time than afforded in the current Bylaws.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The proposed Bylaws revisions align with the adopted Strategic Plan Goal B, Strategy 7; Goal D,
Strategies 3 & 5; and Goal E, Strategies 1 & 4.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Planning Committee
Board of Directors
FINANCING:
Revising the Bylaws has no fiscal impact on the 2025-26 fiscal-year adopted budget.
Prepared and Approved by: Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Proposed Amendments to WRA Bylaws - November 17 2025 BOD FINAL DRAFT
2. PC Recommendation to BOD RE WRAC Membership - November 5, 2025