County of Monterey  
Board of Supervisors Chambers  
168 W. Alisal St 1st Flr,  
Salinas, CA 93901  
Meeting Minutes  
Monday, April 15, 2024  
12:00 PM  
Water Resources Agency Board of Directors  
Mike LeBarre, Chair  
Matt Simis, Vice Chair  
Mark Gonzalez  
Deidre Sullivan  
Ken Ekelund  
Mike Scattini  
Jason Smith  
John Baillie  
Marvin Borzini  
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PUBLIC COMMENT: Members of the public may address comments to the Board  
concerning each agenda item. The timing of public comment shall be at the discretion of the  
Chair.  
THE BOARD RECESSES FOR CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS: Closed Session  
may be held at the conclusion of the Board's Agenda, or at any other time during the course  
of the meeting, before or after the scheduled time, announced by the Chairperson of the  
Board. The public may comment on Closed Session items prior to the Board's recess to  
Closed Session.  
Call to Order at 12:00 P.M.  
The meeting was called to order at 12:09 p.m.  
Roll Call  
Present: Mike LeBarre, Matt Simis, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Mike Scattini,  
John Baillie (left at 3:32p.m.) Marvin Borzini  
Absent: Jason Smith  
Public Comments on Closed Session Items  
None  
1.  
Closed Session under Government Code section 54950, relating to the following items:  
a. Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2), the Board will confer with legal counsel  
regarding one matter of significant exposure to litigation.  
b. Pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1), the Board will provide a performance  
evaluation for the General Manager.  
c. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), the Board will confer with legal counsel  
regarding existing litigation:  
1. Nacimiento Regional Water Management Advisory Committee v. Monterey County Water Resources  
Agency, et al. (San Luis Obispo Superior Case No. 19CVP-0010)  
2. California-American Water Company, et al. v. Marina Coast Water District, et al., San Francisco County  
Superior Court Case No. CGC-15-546632  
d. Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8, the Board will confer with real property  
negotiators:  
Property: Recycled Industrial Wastewater  
Agency Negotiator(s): Ara Azhderian, General Manager  
Negotiating Parties: City of Salinas and Monterey One Water  
Under Negotiation: Price and terms.  
Note: Continuance of Closed Session to be held at the conclusion of the Board's Regular  
Agenda, or at any other time during the course of the meeting announced by the Chairperson of  
the Board. The public may comment on Closed Session items prior to the Board's recess to  
Closed Session.  
Recess to Closed Session  
Reconvene Meeting at 1:00 P.M.  
The meeting reconvened at 1:05 p.m.  
Pledge of Allegiance  
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS BY CLERK: The Clerk of the Board will announce  
agenda corrections and proposed additions, which may acted on by the Board as provided in  
Sections 54954.2 of the California Government Code.  
Public Comment  
None  
Presentations  
2.  
Presentation on the Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) on agency lands around the Nacimiento  
Reservoir.  
(Presenter: Cal-Fire Fuels Battalion Chief Luke Bourgault)  
Attachments:  
Directors Comments: Marvin Borzini, Ken Ekelund, Mike LeBarre  
Public Comments: None  
Public Hearing  
Upon Motion by Director Mark Gonzalez and Second by Mike Scattini the Board recommended  
the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:  
To Approve and Adopt the Fiscal Year (FY)2024-25 Zone 2B water delivery fee Option X - $45.24  
per acre-foot of water delivered (AF) for Zone 2B for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project  
(CSIP) and the Salinas Valley Reclamation Plant (SVRP); and  
b. Notice and hold a public hearing on May 29, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. to consider approving and  
adopting the fee change; and  
c. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to publish a hearing notice once a week for two  
consecutive weeks prior to the date set for the public hearing by Board of Supervisors  
Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Matt Simis, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Mike Scattini,  
John Baillie, Marvin Borzini  
Noes: None  
Absent: Jason Smith  
Abstained: None  
Recused: None  
Directors Comments: Mike LeBarre, Ken Ekelund, Mark Gonzalez, John Baillie, Matt Simis  
Public Comments: Ryan Kelley, Bill Lipe, Steve Rodoni, Gary Beck  
3.  
Public hearing to consider recommending the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of  
Supervisors:  
a. Approve and adopt the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Zone 2B water delivery charge of up to $89.60  
per acre-foot (AF) of water delivered for Zone 2B for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project  
(CSIP) and the Salinas Valley Reclamation Project (SVRP); and  
b. Notice and hold a public hearing on May 29, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. to consider approving and  
adopting the rate change; and  
c. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to publish a hearing notice once a week for two  
consecutive weeks prior to the date set for the public hearing by Board of Supervisors.  
(Staff Presenting: Ara Azhderian)  
Attachments:  
Presentations  
4.  
Update on Analysis of the 2023 Seawater Intrusion Data.  
(Presenter: Tamara Voss)  
Attachments:  
Directors Comments: None  
Public Comments: None  
Consent Calendar  
Upon Motion by Director Mark Gonzalez and Second by Mike Scattini the Board approved the  
Consent Calendar.  
Ayes: Mike Lebarre, Matt Simis, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Mike Scattini, John Baille, Mark  
Gonzalez, Marvin Borzini  
Noes: None  
Absent: Jason Smith  
Abstained: None  
Recused: None  
5.  
6.  
Approve the Action Minutes of March 18, 2024.  
Attachments:  
Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with ICF Jones & Stokes, Inc. for the Salinas River  
Lagoon Community Engagement and Planning Project.  
(Staff: Jason Demers & Peter Kwiek)  
Attachments:  
7.  
Approve Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement for Services with Quinn Company to extend the  
contract term to June 30, 2028, and increase the dollar amount by $150,000 for a total contract  
amount not to exceed $400,000 for short term equipment rental and preventative maintenance and  
repair of Agency owned heavy equipment; and authorize the General Manager to execute the  
amendment.(Staff: Jason Demers)  
Attachments:  
8.  
Approve Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement for Services with Don Chapin Company to increase the  
dollar amount by $70,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,070,000 for work related to  
Pajaro Levee 2023 storm damage; and authorize the General Manager to execute the amendment.  
(Staff: Shaunna Murray)  
Attachments:  
9.  
Approve a Notice of Completion for the 180-Foot and 400-Foot Aquifers Dedicated Monitoring Well  
Installation Project, RFB No. 2022-0022; and authorize the General Manager to execute and record  
the Notice at the Monterey County Recorder’s Office. (Staff: Amy Woodrow)  
Attachments:  
10.  
Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Funding Agreement with the City of Salinas to increase the dollar  
amount by $80,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $202,833.75 for waterway cleanup,  
mitigation, and restoration with Encampment Resolution Funding offered through the California  
Interagency Council on Homelessness; and authorize the General Manager to execute the Agreement.  
(Staff: Jennifer Bodensteiner)  
Attachments:  
11.  
Approve Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement for Services with Don Chapin Company, Inc. to  
increase the dollar amount by $80,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $465,000 for  
maintenance and repairs to Agency owned facilities related to storm events and restoration; and  
authorize the General Manager to execute the agreement. (Staff: Jennifer Bodensteiner)  
Attachments:  
12.  
Adopt a Resolution to:  
a. Authorize the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) to submit an application  
to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Statewide Flood Emergency  
Response Grant Program (Flood ER Grant) to obtain financial assistance for a web-based tool  
for flood forecast mapping of the Salinas River for enhanced planning, coordination,  
preparedness, and response related to flood emergencies, pursuant and subject to all of the  
terms and provisions of California Proposition 84, The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality &  
Supply, Flood Control, River & Coastal Bond Act of 2006 (Section 75032 of Chapter 3 of  
Division 43 of the Public Resources Code); and,  
b. Designate, authorize, and direct the General Manager of the MCWRA, Operations Manager,  
and Finance Manager III to execute and manage applications, grant documents, and any  
amendments thereto with DWR, and take such other actions as necessary or appropriate to  
comply with grant funding requirements. (Staff: Jennifer Bodensteiner)  
Attachments:  
13.  
Adopt a release schedule for Nacimiento and San Antonio reservoirs for 2024.  
(Staff: Peter Kwiek & Joseph Klein)  
Attachments:  
Action Items  
14.  
Consider recommending that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:  
a. Approve and adopt the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 assessment charges with cost-of-living  
adjustment (COLA) increase of 2.4% for Flood Zones 1, 1A, 8, 9, 12, and 17; and  
b. Set and hold a public hearing on May 29, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. to consider approving and adopting  
assessment rate charges; and  
c. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to publish a hearing notice once a week for two  
consecutive weeks prior to the date set for the hearing.  
(Staff Presenting: Nan Kyung Kim)  
Attachments:  
Upon Motion by Director Mark Gonzalez and Second by Deidre Sullivan the Board recommended  
the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors to:  
a. Approve and adopt the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 assessment charges with cost-of-living  
adjustment (COLA) increase of 2.4% for Flood Zones 1, 1A, 8, 9, 12, and 17; and  
b. Set and hold a public hearing on May 29, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. to consider approving and  
adopting assessment rate charges; and  
c. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to publish a hearing notice once a week for two  
consecutive weeks prior to the date set for the hearing.  
Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Matt Simis, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Mike Scattini, John Baillie,  
Marvin Borzini  
Noes: None  
Absent: Jason Smith, Ken Ekelund  
Abstained: None  
Recused: None  
15.  
Consider recommending that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors to:  
a. Approve and adopt a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase of  
2.4% to assessments of Zones 2B, 2Y and 2Z for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP)  
and the Salinas Valley Reclamation Project (SVRP); and  
b. Approve and adopt a FY 2024-25 COLA increase of 2.4% to the Zone 2B water service charge  
for the Salinas River Diversion Facility Project (SRDF); and  
c. Notice and hold a public hearing at 10:30 a.m. on May 29, 2024, to consider approving and  
adopting assessment rate charges; and  
d. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to publish a hearing notice once a week for two  
consecutive weeks prior to the date set for the hearing.  
(Staff Presenting: Nan Kyung Kim)  
Attachments:  
Upon Motion by Director John Baillie and Second by Matt Simis the Board recommended the  
Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors to:  
a. Approve and adopt a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase of 2.4%  
to assessments of Zones 2B, 2Y and 2Z for the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) and  
the Salinas Valley Reclamation Project (SVRP); and  
b. Approve and adopt a FY 2024-25 COLA increase of 2.4% to the Zone 2B water service charge  
for the Salinas River Diversion Facility Project (SRDF); and  
c. Notice and hold a public hearing at 10:30 a.m. on May 29, 2024, to consider approving and  
adopting assessment rate charges; and  
d. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to publish a hearing notice once a week for two  
consecutive weeks prior to the date set for the hearing.  
Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Matt Simis, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Mike Scattini,  
John Baillie, Marvin Borzini  
Noes: None  
Absent: Jason Smith  
Abstained: none  
Recused: None  
16.  
Consider recommending that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors to:  
a. Approve and adopt a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 assessment charges with cost-of-living adjustment  
(COLA) increase of 2.4% for Zone 2C Administration and Operations & Maintenance of Nacimiento  
and San Antonio Dams; and  
b. Set and hold a public hearing at 10:30 AM on May 29, 2024, to consider approving and adopting  
assessment rate charges; and  
c. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to publish a hearing notice once a week for two  
consecutive weeks prior to the date set for the hearing.  
(Staff Presenting: Nan Kyung Kim)  
Attachments:  
Upon Motion by Director Mark Gonzalez and Second by Matt Simis the Board recommended the  
Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors to:  
a. Approve and adopt a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 assessment charges with cost-of-living  
adjustment (COLA) increase of 2.4% for Zone 2C Administration and Operations & Maintenance of  
Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams; and  
b. Set and hold a public hearing at 10:30 AM on May 29, 2024, to consider approving and  
adopting assessment rate charges; and  
c. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to publish a hearing notice once a week for two  
consecutive weeks prior to the date set for the hearing.  
Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Matt Simis, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Mike Scattini,  
John Baillie, Marvin Borzini  
Noes: None  
Absent: Jason Smith  
Abstained: None  
Recused: None  
17.  
Consider recommending that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors  
approve the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Fiscal Year 2024-25 Recommended Budget.  
(Staff Presenting: Nan Kyung Kim)  
Attachments:  
Upon Motion by Director John Baillie and Second by Ken Ekelund the Board recommended the  
Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors to:  
Approve the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Recommended  
Budget.  
Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Matt Simis, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Mike Scattini,  
John Baillie, Marvin Borzini  
Noes: None  
Absent: Jason Smith  
Restained: None  
Recused: None  
18.  
Consider authorizing the General Manager to engage with a collation of Western irrigated agriculture  
interests, including other water agencies, on the United States Army Corps of Engineers Proposed Rule  
for Agency Specific Procedures for implementation of its Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for  
water resources investments.(Staff Presenting: Ara Azhderian)  
Attachments:  
Upon Motion by Director Ken Ekelund and Second by Matt Simis the Board authorizes the  
General Manager to engage with a collation of Western irrigated agriculture interests, including  
other water agencies, on the United States Army Corps of Engineers Proposed Rule for Agency  
Specific Procedures for implementation of its Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for water  
resources investments.  
Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Matt Simis, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Mike Scattini,  
John Baillie, Marvin Borzini  
Noes: None  
Absent: Jason Smith  
Abstained: None  
Recused: None  
Key Information and Calendar of Events  
19.  
April, May, and June 2024 Calendars.  
Attachments:  
General Manager's Report  
Director's Comments: Mike LeBarre, Mark Gonzalez  
Public Comments: None  
20.  
·
·
·
·
·
·
GEMS Expansion  
Personnel Update  
Monterey One Reconciliation  
Dam Safety Project Funding  
Association of California Water Agencies Update  
Other  
Committee Reports  
21.  
Committee Agenda’s and Cancellation Notices for March and April 2024:  
·
·
·
·
·
·
Water Resources Agency Reservoir Operations Advisory Committee Cancellation  
Water Resources Agency Basin Management Advisory Agenda  
Water Resources Agency Planning Committee Agenda  
Special Water Resources Agency Reservoir Operations Advisory Committee Agenda  
Water Resources Personnel and Administration Committee Agenda  
Water Resources Agency Finance Committee Agenda  
Attachments:  
Information Items  
22.  
Reservoir Storage and Release Update. (Staff: Peter Kwiek)  
Attachments:  
Board of Directors Comments  
Mike Scattini, Ken Ekelund, Deidre Sullivan, Matt Simis, Mark Gonzalez, Mike LeBarre  
Adjournment  
The meeting adjourned at 3:56 p.m.