City of Gonzales
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: June 2, 2025
FROM: Carmen Gil, City Manager
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2025-31 Appointing Patrick Dobbins to the SVBGSA Board
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-31, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Appointing Patrick Dobbins to the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board.
BACKGROUND
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was signed into law in 2014 in response to scientific understanding that groundwater in California is being used faster than its being replenished. The act required designated groundwater basins to form a public agency to develop a groundwater management plan and implement actions to help local subbasins reach or maintain groundwater sustainability.
In 2017, local GSA-eligible entities jointly formed the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) to develop Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) and manage groundwater in the Salinas Valley according to SGMA. The SVBGSA represents a range of interests including agriculture, cities, public utility, disadvantaged communities, County, and environmental stakeholders.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
Every three years a new representative is appointed to ensure that the South County’s interests are heard and at the table when the SVBGSA makes decisions. It is now Gonzales’ turn to have a representative on the board, making Director Dobbins the ideal candidate due to his expertise and daily interactions with water issues impacting our basins and the Salinas Valley.
AGENDA
ITEM
10 Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Mission Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: Ensuring that our interests are represented at the table when agencies like SVBGSA are making decisions is critical as it has the potential to impact our future.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Vision The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes _____No _____ NA
Explain: See above for explanation.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes No X N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
ALTERNATIVES
The alternative would be not to have a representative of Gonzales on the board, which is not ideal. Mr.
Dobbins will be a great representative for us and for South County on due to his experience and dealings with local water issues. Representation is important for us so that we can ensure that we have a sustainable source of water well into the future.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no impact to the budget.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-31, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Appointing Patrick Dobbins to the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2025-31