Title
Authorize advertising the positions of Primary and Alternate Public Member Directors on the Board of Directors of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”), and set June 25, 2019, as the date for selection of SVBGSA Directors appointed by the Board of Supervisors for terms commencing July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors authorize advertising the positions of Primary and Alternate Public Member directors on the Board of Directors of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“SVBGSA”), and set June 25, 2019, as the date for selection of SVBGSA Directors appointed by the Board of Supervisors for terms commencing July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022.
SUMMARY:
The County makes appointments to certain Director position (Primary and Alternate) on the Board of Directors of the SVBGSA. Three of those positions have terms expiring on June 30, 2019, and it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors authorize advertising for the Public Member Director positions, and set June 25, 2019, as the hearing date to make the appointments.
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 Agencies; 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. The permanent Board was appointed effective July 1, 2017, and three of the Board appointments were given two-year terms, expiring on June 30, 2019. These Directors positions are two Agricultural Directors and the Public Member Director.
The Salinas Basin Agricultural Association nominates for the two Agricultural Director positions, and it is in the process of voting to forward nominations to the Board of Supervisors. The Public Member position is selected based upon applications to the Board of Supervisors; the current occupant of the Primary Director position is former Supervisor Lou Calcagno, and the Alternate Director is Glenn Church.
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 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 16 connections); or iv) a mutual water company serving residential or agricultural connections, or both.
In order to make appointments in a timely manner, it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors authorize the advertisement of the Public Member positions, with applications to be received by the Clerk of the Board no later than close of business, June 14, 2019, and further that the Board set June 25, 2019, as the date on which the appointments of the two Agricultural Directors positions, and the Public Member Director position (Primary and Alternate) will be made. A proposed notice to be published in the media, a press release, and application for the Public Member Director position are enclosed for the Board’s consideration.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund with the advertising for the Public Member Director position, and setting the appointment hearing, other than staff time involved in reviewing and processing the applications and recommendations, and the cost of notice publication.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The updated policy should make travel claims more efficient. Currently, departments and the Auditor-Controller spend substantial time debating compliance.
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, Chief Assistant County Counsel, x. 5365
Attachments:
Advertisement
Press Release
Application