Title
Ratify the Agreement for Services with Sonoma County Water Agency in the amount of $173,185 for work to be performed related to the Enhancing Predictive Tools and Operational Strategies for the Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams and Reservoirs Project (Project). (Staff: Peter Kwiek)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors:
Ratify the Agreement for Services with Sonoma County Water Agency in the amount of $173,185 for work to be performed related to the Enhancing Predictive Tools and Operations Strategies for the Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams and Reservoirs Project and authorize the General Manager to execute the agreement.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In October 2023, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) submitted a grant application with the U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Reclamation (“USBR”) to receive $400,000 in funding (funds) for the Enhancing Predictive Tools and Operational Strategies for the Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams and Reservoirs project (Project). USBR issued a Notice of Award to the Agency on September 10, 2024. In October, 2024, the Agency Board of Directors adopted a resolution authorizing the Agency to enter into an agreement with USBR to receive the funds to proceed with the Project.
Subsequently, in the Spring of 2025, the Agency developed and issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking a consultant to perform specific tasks related to the Project. After reviewing submittals from six firms, an Agency ad hoc Selection Committee selected a Statement of Qualification (SOQ) from GEI Consultants, Inc (GEI) with Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) as a project participant on specific tasks. The attached Agreement is for Services with Sonoma Water, whose staff will perform project technical and analytical supportive tasks under the direction of GEI. A separate agreement with GEI was finalized and approved by the Board at its September meeting.
The Project aims to leverage recent improvements in reservoir modeling and forecasting technology to develop tools to aid in forecast informed operations of the Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs with a long-term goal of maximizing storage of winter inflow while minimizing downstream flood risk.
The grant scope includes an evaluation of existing reservoir operational methods and tools; documentation of Agency decision-making processes to develop operational guidelines; development of updated tools to evaluate operational factors including reservoir inflow, elevation-dependent outlet capacity, joint operation of both reservoirs and the timing and coordination of releases with forecasted flows in the Salinas River.
This action is consistent with the Agency’s Strategic Plan for 2020-2025, specifically Goal B, Strategy 7 - Use data and analysis to make informed decisions based on science; and, Goal C, Strategy 6 - Pursue grant funding and cost saving opportunities from all available sources, including collaborating with the GSA.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
At its September 6, 2025 meeting, the Agency Finance Committee recommended that the Board of Directors consider approving the subject agreement; Funding for the Project is provided in part by USBR.
FINANCING:
The total cost of the agreement will be funded by the Enhancing Predictive Tools and Operational Strategies for the Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams and Reservoirs Project grant.
The total Project cost is $545,605, spanning FY26-FY27 and requires at least 25% be funded with local match funds. The grant provides reimbursable funding of $400,000 or approximately 73% with the remaining 27% or $145,605 to be funded by the Agency. $226,815 of the awarded $400,000 has been allocated for GEI under the previously approved agreement while the remaining $173,185 will be used for work performed by Sonoma Water, under the attached agreement. The Agency plans to use in-kind staff effort on eligible activities for cost share. Funding for consultant work (reimbursable by the grant) and Agency staff time have been included in the Adopted FY26 budget. Any remaining reimbursable funding and staff labor will be incorporated into future budgets through the end of the grant term.
In kind staff effort to meet cost share requirement will be billed to Agency Fund 111.
Prepared by: Peter Kwiek, Associate Water Resources Hydrologist, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: _________________________________________________
Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-4860