For information on The Ralph M. Brown Act: Open Meetings please click on the link below:

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtmldivision=2.&chapter=9.&part=1.&lawCode=GOV&title=5

Participation in meetings:

You may attend the Board of Directors meeting through the following methods:

1. You may attend in person

2. For ZOOM participation please join by computer audio at:

https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/91450374062, password 669097

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

PLEASE NOTE: IF ALL 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

MEETING MAY BE PAUSED WHILE A FIX IS ATTEMPTED BUT THE MEETING MAY CONTINUE AT THE DISCRETION

OF THE CHAIRPERSON.

Enter this Meeting ID number: 914 5037 4062, PASSWORD: 669097. 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.

3. 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@countyofmonterey.gov. 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 date

(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.

4. ALTERNATE AGENDA FORMATS: If requested, the agenda shall be made available in appropriate alternative formats to

persons with a disability, as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC Sec. 12132),

and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof. Individuals with a disability requiring a

modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, in order to participate in the public meeting may make

these requests to the Water Resources Agency Office the Thursday prior to the Board of Directors 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. Para participar por ZOOM, por favor únase for audio de computadora por:

https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/91450374062, Codigo: 669097

O para participar for teléfono, llame a cualquiera 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

POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA: SI TODOS LOS MIEMBROS DEL COMITÉ ESTÁN

PRESENTES EN PERSONA, EL ACCESO POR ZOOM ES SOLO POR CONVENIENCIA Y NO

ES LEGALMENTE REQUERIDO. SI SE PIERDE LA SEÑAL DE ZOOM, LA REUNIÓN

PUEDE PAUSARSE BREVE PERO PUEDE CONTINUAR A DISCRECIÓN DEL PRESIDENTE.

Cuando se le solicite, ingrese este número de reunión: 914 5037 4062, Codigo: 669097. Por favor tenga en cuenta 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 de telefono.

3. 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 a la Secretaria de la Junta al correo

electronico WRApubliccomment@countyofmonterey.gov. Para ayudar a la Secretaria a idenficar el artículo

de la agenda relacionado con su comentario, por favor indique en la linea de asunto del correo

electronico la fecha de la reunion (ejemplo, la Agenda de la Junta Directiva) y el número de

artículo (ejemplo, el Artículo No. 10). Su comentario se colocará en el registro de la reunion de esta

Junta.

4. Formatos Alternativos de Agenda: si se solicita, la agenda estar disponsible en formatos alternativos apropiados para

personas con discapacidad, segun lo requerido por la Seccion 202 de la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades de 1990

(42 USC Sec. 12132) y las normas y regulaciones federales adoptadas para su implementacion. Las personas con

discapacidad que reuieran una modificacion o adaptacion, includios ayudas o servicios auxiliares, para poder participar en la

reunion publica pueden hacer estas solicitiudes a la Agencia de Recursos Hidricos el Lunes antes de la reunion.

Note: All numbered agenda titles related to agenda are live web links. Click on the link to be

directed to corresponding item.

Call to Order at 12:00 P.M.

The Meeting was called to order at 12:00pm.

Roll Call

Present: Matt Simis, Jason Smith, Mark Gonzalez, Jon Conatser, John Baillie, Deidre

Sullivan, Mike Scattini (arrived 12:15pm) Mike LeBarre, Ken Ekelund

Absent: None

Public Comments on Closed Session Items

None

Closed Session

Closed Session under Government Code section 54950, relating to the following items:

a. Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1), the Board will confer with legal counsel

regarding existing litigation:

i. Mario Gonzalez, et al. v. State of California, et al., Monterey County Superior Court Case

No. 23CV004194 (as lead coordinated case, including subordinate Monterey County cases:

24CV000215; 24CV000421; 24CVOOO428; 24CV000904; 24CV001269; 25CV004183; and

Santa Cruz case: 23CV03022)

ii. City of Marina vs. RMC Lonestar, et al., Monterey County Superior case No.

20CV001387.

iii. Nacimiento Regional Water Management Advisory Committee v. Monterey County

Water Resources Agency, et al. (San Luis Obispo Superior Court Case No. 19CVP-0010)

b. Pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1), the Board will consider the performance of

the General Manager of the Water Resources Agency.

Recess to Closed Session

The Board of Directors recessed to Closed Session at 12:02pm.

Reconvene Meeting at 1:00 P.M.

The Meeting reconvened at 1:03pm. Due to technical issues meeting resumed at

1:25pm.

Pledge of Allegiance

Additions and Corrections by the Clerk

Action Item #13 will be pulled and heard as first order of business.

Public Comment

None

Presentations

Update on the San Antonio Dam Spillway Project. (Staff: Elise Harden)

Director Comments: Mark Gonzalez

Public Comments: Bill Lipe

Review of the 2025 August Trough Groundwater Elevation Contour Maps. (Staff: Guillermo

Diaz-Moreno)

Director Comments: Matt Simis

Public Comments: Bill Lipe, Dennis LeBow

Review of the 2025 Seawater Intrusion Contour Maps. (Staff: Amy Woodrow)

Director Comments: Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, John Baillie

Public Comments: Nancy Isakson, Chris Bunn

Review of the 2025 Annual Groundwater Level Contours and Cumulative Change Chart. (Staff:

Guillermo Diaz-Moreno)

Director Comments: Deidre Sullivan, John Baillie

Public Comments: Chris Bunn, Bill Lipe

Consent Calendar

Upon Motion by Director Ken Ekelund and Second by Director Deidre Sullivan

approved the Consent Calendar.

Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Matt Simis, Ken Ekelund, Deidre Sullivan, John Baillie, Jon

Conatser, Mark Gonzalez

Noes: None

Absent: Jason Smith, Mike Scattini

Abstained: None

Recused: None

Director Comments: None

Public Comments: None

Approve the Action Minutes of the Board of Directors meeting held on March 16, 2026.

Authorize the General Manager to execute an Agreement for Services with One Water Econ, LLP to

complete the Dam Materiality General Benefits Study; and authorize the General Manager to execute

up to three amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% of the

contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed a maximum

aggregate amount of $209,673. (Staff: Amy Woodrow)

Recommend that the Board of Supervisors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency:

a. Approve and authorize the General Manager of the Water Resources Agency to accept

donation of monitoring wells ES-1A valued at $350,806; ES-1B valued at $152,388; ES-1C

valued at $92,109; ES-ISW-1 valued at $38,110; F-DA-1 valued at $350,806; F-ISW-1

valued at $74,528; F-ISW-2 valued at $43,133; F-ISW-3 valued at $43,133; L-GWL-1

valued at $67,244; L-GWL-4 valued at $127,272; UV-GWL-2 valued at $200,109;

UV-GWL-3 valued at $149,877; and UV-ISW-2 valued at $43,133 from the Salinas Valley

Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency;

b. Authorize the General Manager of the Water Resources Agency to enter into Agreements to

Convey Ownership in Monitoring Wells ES-1A, ES-1B, ES-1C, ES-ISW-1, F-DA-1,

F-ISW-1, F-ISW-2, F-ISW-3, L-GWL-1, L-GWL4, UV-GWL-2, UV-GWL-3, and

UV-ISW-2; and

c. Authorize the Water Resources Agency to use monitoring wells ES-1A, ES-1B, ES-1C,

ES-ISW-1, F-DA-1, F-ISW-1, F-ISW-2, F-ISW-3, L-GWL-1, L-GWL-4, UV-GWL-2,

UV-GWL-3, and UV-ISW-2 for implementation of its Groundwater Monitoring Program.

Approve an Agreement for Services with FlowWest in the amount not to exceed $60,000 to perform

a study of flood reduction benefits related to the presence of Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams; and

authorize the General Manager to execute the amendment. (Staff: Jason Demers)

Action Items

Consider adopting a release schedule for Nacimiento and San Antonio reservoirs for 2026. (Staff:

10.

Joseph Klein)

Upon Motion by Director Mike LeBarre Second by John Baillie the Board

approved the release schedule for Nacimiento and San Antonio reservoirs

2026.

Ayes: Mike LeBarre, John Baillie, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken

Ekelund, Matt Simis, Jon Conatser

Noes: None

Absent: Jason Smith, Mike Scattini

Abstained: None

Recused: None

Director Comments: John Baillie, Mike LeBarre

Public Comments: Chris Bunn

Public hearing to consider recommending the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of

Supervisors:

11.

a. Adopt a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) Zone 2B Water Delivery charge of

$100.24 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. Adopt a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) Zone 2B Water Service charge of

$113.57 per acre-foot (AF) of water delivered for Zone 2B for the Salinas River Diversion Facility

(SRDF); and

c. Notice and hold a public hearing on May 19, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. to consider approving and

adopting the rate change; 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 public hearing by Board of Supervisors.

Upon Motion by Director Mike LeBarre Second by Ken Ekelund the Board

approved the Public hearing to consider recommending the Monterey County

Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution approving

the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Water Delivery charges for Zone 2B CSIP and Zone

SRDF.

Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Matt

Simis, Jon Conatser

Noes: John Baillie

Absent: Jason Smith, Mike Scattini

Abstained: None

Recused: None

Director Comments: John Baillie, Mike LeBarre, Ken Ekelund

Public Comments: Chris Bunn, Bill Lipe

Consider recommending the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors that the

Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:

12.

a. Approve and adopt the Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27) cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase

of 2.5% to the assessment charges of Zones 1, 1A, 2B, 2C,2Y, 2Z, 8, 9, 12, and 17;

and

b. Set and hold a public hearing at 10:30 AM on May 19, 2026, to consider approving and adopting

the assessment rate and 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.

Upon Motion by Director Ken Ekelund Second by Mark Gonzalez the Board

approved recommending the Monterey County Water Resources Agency

Board of Supervisors approve and adopt the Fiscal Year 2026-27 cost of living

adjustment (COLA) increase of 2.5% to the assessment charges of Zones 1,

1A, 2B, 2C, 2Y, 2Z, 8, 9, 12, and 17. Set and hold a public hearing at 10:30am

on May 19, 2026 to consider approving and adopting assessment charges.

Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Matt

Simis, Jon Conatser

Noes: None

Absent: Jason Smith, Mike Scattini, John Baillie

Abstained: None

Recused: None

Director Comments: None

Public Comments: Chris Bunn

The Board of Directors to consider recommendation from the Finance & Administration Committee

to transfer $200,000 of hydroelectric revenue from Fund 1508 to Fund 1509, the Castroville

Seawater Intrusion Project. (Staff: Ara Azhderian)

13.

Upon Motion by Director John Baillie Second by Mike Scattini the Board

approved recommendation from the Finance & Administration Committee to

transfer $200,000 of hydroelectric revenue from Fund 1508 to Fund 1509, the

Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project.

Ayes: Mike LeBarre, John Baillie, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken

Ekelund, Matt Simis, Jon Conatser, Jason Smith, Mike Scattini

Noes: None

Absent: None

Abstained: None

Recused: None

Director Comments: John Baillie, Mike LeBarre, Mike Scattini, Mark

Gonzalez, Matt Simis, Jason Smith, Ken Ekelund

Public Comments: Chris Bunn, Nancy Isakson

Consider recommending the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors adopt

a resolution approving the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27)

Recommended Budget. (Staff: Nan Kim)

14.

Upon Motion by Director Marl Gonzalez Second by Deidre Sullivan the Board

approved recommending the Monterey County Water Resources Agency

Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution approving the Monterey County

Water Resources Agency Fiscal Year 2026-27 Recommended Budget.

Ayes: Mike LeBarre, Mark Gonzalez, Deidre Sullivan, Ken Ekelund, Matt

Simis, Jon Conatser

Noes: None

Absent: Jason Smith, Mike Scattini, John Baillie

Abstained: None

Recused: None

Director Comments: Mark Gonzalez, Mike LeBarre, Deidre Sullivan, Ken

Ekelund

Public Comments: None

Key Information and Calendar of Events

May 2026 Calendar

15.

Director Comments: None

Public Comments: None

General Manager's Report

Director Comments: None

Public Comments: None

1. Personnel

16.

2. Groundwater Monitoring Program

3. SVBGSA Advisory Committee Update

4. Strategic Plan Update

Committee Reports

Director Comments: None

Public Comments: None

Committee Agenda's for March and April 2026.

17.

Informational Items

Director Comments: None

Public Comments: None

Reservoir Storage and Release Update. (Staff: Joseph Klein)

18.

Correspondence

Director Comments: None

Public Comments: None

Correspondence dated March 19, 2026, to Ara Azhderian, General Manager, Monterey County

19.

Water Resources Agency.

From Soren Nelson, Senior Policy Advocate, Association of CA Water Agencies.

Re: AB 2180 Support

Board of Directors Comments

Mark Gonzalez, Ken Ekelund, Matt Simis

Adjournment

The Meeting adjourned at 4:15pm.

Addenda/Supplemental

Language added to Item No.1 Closed Session

Added Item iii under Item No. 1 Closed Session a. ii