County of Monterey  
Cayenne Room  
1441 Schilling Place  
Salinas Ca. 93901  
Meeting Agenda - Final  
Tuesday, February 20, 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  
Jon Conatser  
Participation in meetings:  
You may attend the Board of Directors meeting through the following methods:  
1. You may attend in person  
2. Attend via Zoom (info below) or observe the live stream of the Board of Directors meetings at  
http://monterey.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=19 or http://www.mgtvonline.com/  
3. For ZOOM participation please join by computer audio at:  
https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/99769079850  
OR to participate by phone call any of these numbers below:  
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)  
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)  
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)  
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)  
+1 253 215 8782 US  
+1 301 715 8592 US  
Enter this Meeting ID number: 997 6907 9850 when prompted. Please note there is no Participant  
Code, you will just press # again after the recording prompts you.  
You will be placed in the meeting as an attendee; when you are ready to make a public comment if  
joined by computer audio please Raise your Hand; and by phone please push *9 on your keypad.  
PLEASE NOTE: IF ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT IN PERSON, PUBLIC  
PARTICIPATION BY ZOOM IS FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY AND IS NOT REQUIRED BY  
LAW. IF THE ZOOM FEED IS LOST FOR ANY REASON, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  
MEETING MAY BE PAUSED WHILE A FIX IS ATTEMPTED BUT THE MEETING MAY  
CONTINUE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRPERSON.  
4. If you choose not to attend the Board of Directors meeting but wish to make a comment on a  
specific agenda item, please submit your comment via email by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the  
meeting.. Please submit your comment to the Secretary of the Board at  
WRApubliccomment@co.monterey.ca.us mailto:WRApubliccomment@co.monterey.ca.us In an  
effort to assist the Secretary in identifying the agenda item relating to your public comment please  
indicate in the Subject Line, the meeting body (i.e. Board of Directors Agenda) and item number (i.e.  
Item No. 10). Your comment will be placed into the record at the Board meeting.  
Participacion en Reuniones:  
Puede asistir a la reunion de la Junta Directiva a traves de los siguientes metodos:  
1. Podar asistir personalmente a la reunion; o,  
2. Asistir por Zoom (informacion a continuacion), que observe la transmisión de la reunión de la  
Junta Directiva en vivo por http://monterey.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=19 o  
http://www.mgtvonline.com/  
3. Para participar for ZOOM, por favor únase for audio de computadora por:  
https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/997 6907 9850  
O para participar for teléfono, llame a culquiera de los números a continuación:  
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)  
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)  
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)  
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)  
+1 253 215 8782 US  
+1 301 715 8592 US  
Cuando se le solicite, ingrese este número de reunión: 997 6907 9850. Por favor tenga en cuenta que  
no hay código de participante, simplemente presione # nuevamente después de que la grabación se lo  
indique.  
Se le colocará en la reunion como asistente; cuando deseé hacer un comentario público si esta unido  
por la computadora utilize la opción de levantar la mano en el chat de la pantalla; o por teléfono  
presione *9 en su teclado.  
TENGA EN CUENTA: SI TODOS LOS MIEMBROS DE LA JUNTA ESTÁN PRESENTES EN  
PERSONA, LA PARTICIPACIÓN PÚBLICA DE ZOOM ES SOLO POR CONVENIENCIA Y NO  
ES REQUERIDA POR LA LEY. SI EL FEED DE ZOOM SE PIERDE POR CUALQUIER  
MOTIVO, LA REUNIÓN DE LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA PUEDE PAUSARSE MIENTRAS SE  
INTENTA UNA SOLUCIÓN, PERO LA REUNIÓN PUEDE CONTINUAR A DISCRECIÓN DEL  
PRESIDENTE.  
4. Si prefiere no asistir a la reunión de la Junta Directiva pero desea hacer un comentario sobre  
algún tema específico de la agenda, por favor envie su comentario por correo electrónico antes de las  
5:00 p.m. el Viernes antes de la reunion.. Envie su comentario al Secretario de la junta al correo  
electronico WRApubliccomment@co.monterey.ca.us  
mailto:WRApubliccomment@co.monterey.ca.us Para ayudar al Secretario a idenficar el artículo de  
la agenda relacionado con su comentario, por favor indique en la linea de asunto del correo  
electronico el cuerpo de la reunion (es decir, la Agenda de la Junta Directiva) y el número de artículo  
(es decir, el Artículo No. 10). Su comentario se colocará en el registro de la reunion de esta Junta.  
NOTE: All agenda titles related to numbered agenda items are live web links. Click on the title to be  
directed to corresponding Board Report.  
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.  
Call to Order at 12:00 P.M.  
Roll Call  
Public Comments on Closed Session Items  
Closed Session under Government Code section 54950, relating to the following  
items:  
1.  
WRAG  
24-019  
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 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)  
c. Pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1), the Board will provide a  
performance evaluation for the General Manager.  
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.  
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  
Presentations  
Summary of the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project’s 2023 Operational Season.  
(Staff Presenting: Peter Vannerus)  
2.  
WRAG  
24-020  
Attachments:  
CSIP Season Summary 2023  
Consent Calendar  
Approve the Action Minutes of January 16, 2024, and Special Board of Directors  
Meeting Action Minutes of January 24, 2024.  
3.  
WRAG  
24-021  
Attachments:  
Draft BOD Minutes January 16, 2024  
Draft SPECIAL BOD Minutes January 24, 2024  
Receive the Monterey County Water Resources Agency FY 2023-24 Financial  
Status Report through December 31, 2023. (Staff: Nan Kyung Kim)  
4.  
WRAG  
24-022  
Attachments:  
Board Report  
FY24 Financial Status Report thru Dec. 31, 2023  
Executed BO# 24-002 FY24 WRA Financial  
Action Items  
Consider receiving the 2023 Annual Groundwater Level Contours and Cumulative  
Change Chart. (Staff Presenting: Guillermo Diaz Moreno)  
5.  
WRAG  
24-023  
Attachments:  
Board Report  
Attachment A: Annual 2023 Shallow  
Attachment B: Annual 2023 Deep  
Attachment C: Cumulative Changes 1944 - 2023  
Attachment D: Summary of Changes 2022 - 2023  
Board Order  
Executed BO# 24-003 Annual GWL Contours & Cumulative  
Change Chart  
Consider adoption of a resolution amending the Bylaws of the Monterey County  
Water Resources Agency Board of Directors concerning Board member participation  
on standing and advisory committees. (Staff Presenting: Ara Azhderian)  
6.  
WRAG  
24-024  
Attachments:  
Board Report  
MCWRA Bylaws proposed amendments (clean) REVISED  
MCWRA Bylaws proposed amendments (redline) REVISED  
Resolution  
Executed RESO #24-001 MCWRA Bylaws  
Executed MCWRA Bylaws 2.20.24  
Consider recommending the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of  
Directors to include funding for Interlake Tunnel Project development, in the  
recommended budget for fiscal-year 2024-2025. (Staff Presenting: Ara Azhderian)  
7.  
WRAG  
24-032  
Attachments:  
Board Report  
Board Order  
Executed BO#24-004 Interlake Tunnel Project  
Key Information and Calendar of Events  
February, March and April 2024 Calendars.  
8.  
WRAG  
24-025  
Attachments:  
February 2024  
March 2024  
April 2024  
General Manager's Report  
9.  
·
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·
·
·
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Fiscal-Year Ending 2025 Budget Preparation Update  
GEMS Expansion  
WRAG  
24-026  
Personnel Update  
Monterey One Reconciliation  
Dam Safety Project Funding  
Carmel River Flood Model Update Funding  
Association of California Water Agencies Update  
Other  
Attachments:  
General Manager Memo  
Board of Director - Special Meeting GEMS Expansion Presentation  
WRA Planning Committee Presentation RE Financial Forecasting  
Model  
BOS Legislative Workshop WRA Priorities Fact Sheets  
DRAFT ACWA 2024 FAC Priorities  
Committee Reports  
Committee Agenda’s and Cancellation Notices for January and February 2024:  
10.  
WRAG  
24-027  
·
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·
·
·
·
·
Special Water Resources Agency Board of Directors  
Water Resources Agency Reservoir Operations Advisory Committee  
Water Resources Agency Basin Management Advisory Committee  
Water Resources Agency Personnel and Administration Committee  
Water Resources Finance Committee  
Water Resources Planning Committee  
Joint Water Resources/Board of Supervisors Leadership Committee  
Attachments:  
Final SPECIAL BOD MEETING Agenda January 24, 2024  
Final ResOps Agenda January 25, 2024  
Final BMAC Agenda February 7, 2024  
P&A Cancellation Notice February 2024  
Final Finance Agenda February 2, 2024  
FInal Planning Agenda February 7, 2024  
Final SPECIAL BOD Agenda February 7, 2024  
JBL Cancellation Notice February 2024  
Information Items  
Reservoir Storage Release Update. (Staff: Peter Kwiek)  
11.  
12.  
13.  
WRAG  
24-028  
Attachments:  
Reservoir Storage Release Update  
Salinas Valley Water Conditions: Quarterly Update for the First Quarter of Water  
Year 2023-2024. (Staff: Rene Nunez, Guillermo Diaz Moreno, and Tamara Voss)  
WRAG  
24-030  
Attachments:  
Salinas Valley Water Conditions for the First Qtr. Water Yr 23-24  
Well Permit Application Summary. (Staff: Guillermo Diaz Moreno)  
WRAG  
24-031  
Attachments:  
Well Permit Application Summary  
Correspondence  
1. Letter dated January 23, 2024 to Governor Gavin Newson, Ben Allen (Bond  
Authors), Susan Eggman (Bond Authors), Eduardo Garcia (Bond Authors), Carlos  
Villapudua (Bond Authors), Josh Becker (Budget Subcommittee Chair), Steve  
Bennett (Budget Subcommittee Chair) from ACWA, CMUA, California Alliance for  
Jobs, Irvine Ranch Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, Sweetwater  
Authority, Yuba Water Agency, EVMWD, El Dorado Irrigation District, United  
Water Conservation District, Sonoma Water, NCWA, Serrano Water District,  
Monterey County, Monterey County Water Resources Agency, The City of San  
Diego, Turlock Irrigation District, Northern California Power Agency, Valley Water,  
SAFCA  
14.  
WRAG  
24-029  
RE: Dam Safety and Resilience Program/Legislative Bond Proposals  
2. Letter dated February 2, 2024 to Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Republican  
Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Democratic Leader  
Hakeem Jefferies from Agribusiness and Water Council Arizona, Animas - La Plata  
Water Conservancy District (Colorado), Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage  
District, Colorado Ag Water Alliance Colorado River District, Columbia Basin  
Development League (WASHINGTON), Deschutes Basin Board of Control  
(OREGON) - Arnold Irrigation District - Central Oregon Irrigation District -North  
Unit Irrigation District -Ochoco Irrigation District -Swalley Irrigation District -Three  
Sisters Irrigation District -Tumalo Irrigation District -Lone Pine Irrigation District, East  
Columbia Basin Irrigation District (WASHINGTON), Elephant Butte Irrigation  
District (NEW MEXICO), Farmers Conservation Alliance, Family Farm Alliance,  
Family Water Alliance (CALIFORNIA), Farwell Irrigation District (NEBRASKA),  
Greenfields Irrigation District (MONTANA), Idaho Water Users Association,  
Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District (KANSAS), Kittitas Reclamation District  
(WASHINGTON), Klamath Water Users Association (OREGON), Iliff Irrigation  
District (COLORADO), Logan Irrigation District; Loup Basin Reclamation District  
(NEBRASKA), Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation and Drainage District (ARIZONA),  
Milk River Joint Board of Control (MONTANA), Monterey County Farm Bureau  
(CALIFORNIA), Monterey County Water Resources Agency (CALIFORNIA),  
National Water Resources Association, New Magma Irrigation and Drainage District  
(ARIZONA), North Sterling Irrigation District (COLORADO), Orange Cove  
Irrigation District (CALIFORNIA), Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Water Resources  
Congress, Roza Irrigation District (WASHINGTON), Salt River Project  
(ARIZONA), San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District (ARIZONA), San Luis &  
Delta-Mendota Water Authority (CALIFORNIA), Sargent Irrigation District  
(NEBRASKA), Solana Irrigation District (CALIFORNIA), South Columbia Basin  
Irrigation District (WASHINGTON), Truckee-Carson Irrigation District (NEVADA),  
Turlock Irrigation District (CALIFORNIA), Washington State Potato Commission,  
Washington State Water Resources Association.  
RE: 70 million for Watershed and Flood Prevention Operation Program  
3. Letter dated February 1, 2024 to Honorable Alex Padilla, United States Senate  
from Sonia M. De La Rosa, County Administrative Officer RE: Support for the  
Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act  
Attachments:  
1.23.24 LTR Coalition to Governor Newsom RE Dam Safety  
Funding  
2.2.24 LTR Re WFPO Funding FY24 Appropriations  
2.1.24 CAO LTR of Support for Padilla RE: LIHWAP  
Establishment Act  
Board of Directors Comments  
Adjournment