Title
Make appointments to two of the Primary and Alternate Agricultural Director positions on the Board of Directors of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”) for terms commencing July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors make appointments to two of the Primary and Alternate Agricultural Director positions on the Board of Directors of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”) for terms commencing July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.
SUMMARY:
The County makes appointments to certain Director positions (Primary and Alternate) on the Board of Directors of the SVBGSA. Three of those positions have terms expiring on June 30, 2022; two Agricultural Directors positions and the Public Member position. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors make appointments at this time to the Agricultural Director positions, with consideration of the Public Member position at a later time.
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. Currently three Director positions have terms expiring June 30, 2022; two Agriculture positions and the Public Member position.
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; an Agricultural Director must be an individual that i) is engaged in, and derives a majority of gross income or revenue from, commercial agricultural production or operations; or ii) is designated by an entity that is engaged in commercial agricultural production or operations, and the individual derives a majority of gross income or revenue from agricultural production or operations, including as an owner, lessor, lessee, manager, officer, or substantial shareholder of a corporate entity. The Public Member Director must be: i) a rural residential well owner; ii) an industrial processor; iii) a Local Small or State Small Water System (public water systems with more than 1 but less than 15 connections); or iv) a mutual water company serving residential or agricultural connections, or both.
The Salinas Basin Agricultural Water Association nominates for the two Agricultural Director positions, and have forwarded the following as its nominees:
EASTSIDE
• Primary: Colby Pereira
• Alternate: Kevin Tottino
Upper Valley
• Primary: Grant Cremers
• Alternate: Brad Rice
Each of these individuals meets the criteria for an Agricultural Director. Ms. Pereira currently serves as a Director on the SVBGSA Board and is employed by Braga Fresh Family Farms. Mr. Cremers is currently an alternate, and is employed by Delicato Vineyards, LLC. Mr. Tottino and Mr. Rice will be new additions as alternates; Mr. Tottino is employed by Ocean Mist Farms, and Mr. Rice is employed by Salinas Land Company.
The Public Member Director position is an application process, with the application made to the SVBGSA, whose Board of Directors considers the applicants and forwards qualified applicants to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. The SVBGSA Board may include recommendations in its transmission. The application process is still on-going, and the SVBGSA Board will be considering the applications at a future meeting. Any applications and recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors when the process is complete. If necessary, the current appointees, Caroline Chapin-Hodges (Primary) and John Bramers (Alternate) will serve until their successors are chosen.
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 Ext. 5365
Attachments:
Board Report
Resolution