Agenda Item No: K.2
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: March 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2026-27 PW Nomination of City Staff as Region Board Member
Authorizing the Assistant Public Works Director-Utilities to be Placed in Nomination as a Member of the Association of California Water Agencies Region 4 Board Member
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Michael Hether, (707) 428-7493
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) serves the water industry and the public by providing leadership and a unified voice for California's public water agencies. Representing more than 470 public agency members, the City of Fairfield has bee n an ACWA member for over two decades. During this time, Fairfield Municipal Utility (FMU) staff have been actively involved with ACWA by serving on various committees, working groups and boards. A new vacancy has recently become available for ACWA for th e region including Solano County . This resolution would authorize the nomination of Michael Hether, the Assistant Public Works Director – Utilities, for consideration as a candidate for board membership.
DISCUSSION
On March 5, 1996, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 96 -33, authorizing participation in the ACWA to promote collaborative efforts between the City and ACWA. ACWA is the largest statewide coalition of public water agencies in the United States. As a respected leader on water issues, ACWA plays a significant role in shaping California water policy both in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., representing the interests of its member agencies. The organization actively monitors and influences state and federa l water policies by advocating for effective legislation and regulation, while also facilitating cooperation and consensus among all interest groups.
As part of ACWA’s governance structure, the state is divided up into ten regions that consists of a 37-member Board of Directors that includes representation from all ten regions. The Board is comprised of the association’s president and vice president, the chair and vice chair of each of ACWA’s ten regions, the chair of each ACWA standing committee, the immediate past president, and the vice president of the ACWA Joint Powers Insurance Authority.
The City of Fairfield is located within ACWA Region Four. On January 17, 2026, the Region Four Board solicited candidates to fill a board member vacancy. Michael Hether, the Assistant Public Works Director for Utilities, has expressed interest in serving as a Board Member. To be considered, ACWA requires board candidate applications to be submitted along with a resolution of support from the member agency’s governi ng body. Region Board members are expected to participate in at least two region membership meetings which are held at each of the semi-annual conferences.
ACWA also maintains various committees, sub -committees and working groups to help shape water policy and legislation. Member agencies can engage through these committees which meet to discuss issues, share best practices, and influence policy. Committee, sub -committee and working group members generally consist of liaisons from ACWA’s team, along with staff from member agencies. Over the past two decades, FMU staff have been actively involved with the State Legislative Committee, Local Government Committee, various sub -committees and working groups, as well as attend semi-annual conferences in the spring and fall of each year.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Water Enterprise Fund covers the annual membership fee . There is no financial impact on the City for the nomination process itself. However, expenses incurred for conferences or board meetings will be funded by the Water Enterprise Fund.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may choose not to adopt the resolution, but in doing so would forgo the opportunity to influence the policy and legislation that informs the City’s legislative platform.
COORDINATED WITH
N/A
STAFF CONTACT
Michael Hether, Assistant Public Works Director-Utilities (707) 428-7493
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Association of California Water Agencies Application Attachment 4: Michael Hether Candidate Letter
Attachment 4: ACWA Role of Regions