DATE: January 25, 2022
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Appointing the City’s Representative to the Boards of Directors of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency and the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System Financing Authority
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) appointing City’s representative to the Boards of Directors of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) and the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System Financing Authority (RFA).
SUMMARY
Hayward is a member of the BAWSCA and RFA, and is currently represented by former Council Member Al Mendall. Mr. Mendall’s term expires on June 30, 2025; however, he has resigned as Hayward’s representative effective January 31, 2022. Therefore, the Council must appoint a representative to complete Mr. Mendall’s term. This report has been prepared in order for the Council to take the necessary action to appoint a representative for Hayward on these two Boards of Directors, effective February 1, 2022 until June 30, 2025.
BACKGROUND
BAWSCA and the RFA are comprised of twenty-six member agencies that purchase wholesale water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). Both the agency and the authority were formed in 2002 by State legislation, with Hayward’s membership approved by Council in 2003. BAWSCA and the RFA are governed by a Board of Directors, with appointed representation from each member agency. BAWSCA and the RFA are not Joint Exercise of Powers Authorities (JPAs).
The Boards of Directors for both BAWSCA and the RFA meet bimonthly at 7 p.m. in San Mateo (currently meeting virtually due to the pandemic). Among other responsibilities, the Board provides policy direction to BAWSCA/RFA staff, reviews and approves agency budgets and consultant agreements, and receives updates from SFPUC regarding water supply and the status of Regional Water System improvement projects. Also, as the public agency with the highest water purchases from SFPUC, Hayward’s representative has always been a member of the BAWSCA Board Policy Committee, which also meets bimonthly, early in the afternoon in San Mateo.
Former Council Member Al Mendall has served as Hayward’s representative since July 2012, with reappointments effective July 1, 2013, July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2021. His most recent reappointment was confirmed by Council on November 17, 2020 due to his extensive experience, even though he did not seek re-election to the Council in 2020. Mr. Mendall has resigned from the BAWSCA and RFA Boards effective January 31, 2022. It is not required that the Board representative be an elected official; however, staff highly recommends that a Council Member be appointed.
DISCUSSION
BAWSCA’s primary function is to coordinate regional water supply issues and water conservation programs among wholesale purchasers of SFPUC water. BAWSCA has been active in areas such as implementation of regional water conservation program, negotiation of the water supply agreement, monitoring implementation of the regional Water System Improvement Program, and ongoing review of wholesale rate calculations and other financial information. The RFA was formed to secure financing for water system improvements in the event that SFPUC is unable to obtain the needed funding. The RFA is largely inactive at this time as SFPUC has been successful in raising the necessary funds.
With Mr. Mendall’s resignation, Council must appoint a representative to complete his term, which ends in June 2025. This report has been prepared in order to appoint a City representative to the BAWSCA and RFA Boards of Directors. Based on her experience in the water and wastewater industry and interest in serving, the Mayor has recommended that the Council appoint Councilmember Angela Andrews to the Boards of Directors.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
There are no economic impacts associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Board members receive a $100 stipend per attended Board meeting. The stipend is paid by BAWSCA, and there are no direct fiscal impacts associated with this action.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This item is a routine operational matter and does not relate directly to any of the priorities outlined in the Council’s Strategic Roadmap.
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
The City’s membership and active participation in BAWSCA and the RFA supports its local water supply and conservation efforts.
PUBLIC CONTACT
There is no additional public contact required for this action.
NEXT STEPS
If approved, staff will notify BAWSCA staff of Council’s action related to the appointment of the new City representative to the BAWSCA and RFA Boards. The appointment will be effective on February 1, 2022 and end on June 30, 2025.
Recommended by: Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works Approved by:
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Kelly McAdoo, City Manager