Title
Confirm the appointments of Steve McIntyre to Primary and Jerry Lohr to the Alternate Agriculture Director positions for the Forebay, and Ryan Kelly to the Primary and Robert Rodoni to the Alternate Director positions for the 180/400 Basin, on the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”) Board of Directors (“BOD”); select and appoint Robin Lee to Primary and Janet Brennan to Alternate Environment Director positions, all for terms commencing July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029; and direct the Clerk of the Board to notify the Members and BOD of the SVBGSA of updates to the list of entities that constitute the nominating group for the Environment Director Position.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors (“BOS”):
1. Confirm the appointments of Steve McIntyre to Primary and Jerry Lohr to the Alternate Agriculture Director positions for the Forebay, and Ryan Kelly to the Primary and Robert Rodoni to the Alternate Director positions for the 180/400 Basin, on the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”) Board of Directors (“BOD”), for terms commencing July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029;
2. Select and appoint Robin Lee to Primary and Janet Brennan to Alternate Environment Director positions, for terms commencing July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to notify the Members and BOD of the SVBGSA of updates to the list of entities that constitute the nominating group for the Environment Director Position.
SUMMARY:
In a preliminary procedural step, the County Board of Supervisors (“BOS”) is required by the SVBGSA’s Joint Powers Authority Agreement (“JPA”) to confirm the appointments of certain Director positions (both the Primary and Alternate seats) on the SVBGSA’s BOD – specifically, two of the Agriculture Director positions who have terms expiring on June 30, 2026.
In addition to this, the BOS has discretion to select and appoint a Primary and Alternate Environment Director Position, choosing from nominees presented by the Nominating Group set forth in the JPA (which for the Environment Director Position, is made up of those entities listed on Exhibit F to the JPA).
Finally, the BOS is requested to direct the Clerk of the Board to notify the Members of the GSA, and the BOD, of updates to the Nominating Group for the Environment Director Position.
Last year, the Board confirmed appointments to the other two Agricultural Director seats, and further selected and appointed a Public Director (and alternate) - and it is now recommended that the BOS take similar action with respect to the Agricultural Director and Environment Director Positions.
DISCUSSION:
The SVBGSA – A Brief Background
The SVBGSA is a Joint Powers Authority 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.
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. Agricultural Director
Each of the Director positions also has specific qualifications; an “Agriculture Director” must be an individual that is either:
• engaged in, and derives the majority of his or her gross income or revenue from, commercial agricultural production or operations; or
• 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 nominated the following individuals for the following positions:
Steve McIntyre – Primary Director for Forebay Subbasin
Jerry Lohr – Alternate Director for Forebay Subbasin
Ryan Kelly – Primary Director for 180/400 Subbasin
Robert Rodoni – Alternate Director for 180/400 Subbasin
The BOS is the “Appointing Authority” per the JPA, and, according to its terms, the BOS is required to confirm these specific positions as proposed by the Agricultural Association.
2. Environment Director
An “Environment Director” must be an individual that is:
• A representative of an established environmental organization that has a presence or is otherwise active in the Basin.
The Environment Director Nominating Group, consisting of the organizations listed on Exhibit F of the JPA, proposes nominees for this seat. The group includes: Sustainable Monterey County, League of Women Voters of Monterey County, Landwatch Monterey County, Friends and Neighbors of Elkhorn Slough, California Native Plant Society (Monterey Chapter) Trout Unlimited, Surfriders, The Nature Conservancy, and the Carmel River Steelhead Association.
Concurrently with its submission of the Environment Director nominees, the Nominating Group has updated its membership list, and is requesting the BOS provide notice to the GSA Members and BOD, as required under the JPA. (See Attachments, letters from the Environmental Director Nominating Group.) The requested changes result in the addition of Central Coast Wetlands and Elkhorn Slough Foundation, and the removal of the Nature Conservancy and Friends and Neighbors of Elkhorn Slough.
The Environmental Director Nominating Group has nominated the following individuals:
Robin Lee – Primary Director
Janet Brennan – Alternate Director
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 Environment Director, but only from the list of nominees provided.
Each of the nominees will be invited to the Board meeting to address the Board if the Board has questions.
Notification of Updates to Environment Director Position Nominating Group
Under the JPA, the entities which constitute the Environment Director Nominating Group are permitted to, and have revised, their membership. The new Environment Director Position Nominating Group has added Central Coast Wetlands and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation to its roster, while removing the Nature Conservancy and Friends and Neighbors of Elkhorn Slough. The JPA requires the BOD, as Appointing Authority, to notify the Members of the GSA and its BOD of these revisions – accordingly, it is requested that the BOS direct the Clerk of the Board to send appropriate notices.
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, Deputy County Counsel
General Counsel – Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Ext. 5322.
Approved by: Kelly Donlon, Chief Assistant County Counsel
Attachments:
Draft Resolution
Letter from Environmental Director Nominating Group 2026-04-20
Letter from Environmental Director Nominating Group 2026-06-10