Title
Confirm the appointments to the Primary and Alternate Agriculture Director positions for the Eastside and Upper Valley Basins on the Board of Directors, and appoint the Primary and Alternate Public Director positions, of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”) for terms commencing July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors confirm the appointments to the Primary and Alternate Agriculture Director positions for the Eastside and Upper Valley Basins on the Board of Directors, and appoint the Primary and Alternate Public Director positions, of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”) for terms commencing July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
SUMMARY:
In a procedural step, the County Board of Supervisors confirms the appointments of certain Director positions (both the Primary and Alternate seat) on the Board of Directors of the SVBGSA - specifically, Two of the Agriculture Director positions who have terms expiring on June 30, 2025. Substantively, the County Board of Supervisors further selects and appoints a Public Director position, choosing from qualified applicants, as vetted by the SVBGSA Board of Directors. In addition, the SVBGSA Board of Directors may indicate a preferred nominee from those qualified applicants.
The Board has previously confirmed appointments of the Agricultural Directors, and selected a and appointed a Public Director (and their alternates) - and it is now recommended that the Board of Supervisors do so again.
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, which are the 3 positions currently being reappointed.
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 Agriculture Director must be an individual that is:
1. engaged in, and derives the majority of his or her gross income or revenue from, commercial agricultural production or operations; or
2. designated by an entity this is engaged in commercial agricultural production or operations, and the individual derives the majority of his or her 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 Agricultural Association nominates for these Director positions. The Association has made the nominations referenced herein.
A Public Director must be an individual that is:
1. A rural residential well owner; an industrial processor; a local small or state small water system; or other mutual water company
The SVBGSA Board of Directors reviews applications for the Public Director position, and forwards qualified applicants to the County Board of Supervisors for selection. The SVBGSA may indicate a preferred nominee. The SVBGSA Board of Directors has determined there are three qualified applicants (materials included herewith), and the SVBGSA has a preference for Caroline Chapin to be appointed as the Primary Public Director.
Each of the nominees will be invited to the Board meeting to address the Board if the Board has questions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
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 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 by: Reed Gallogly, General Counsel - Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, x5322
Approved by: Kelly L. Donlon, Chief Assistant County Counsel, x5313
Attachments:
Draft Resolution
3 Applications for Public Director