DATE: JUNE 20, 2023
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, DIRECTOR
BY: BRIAN FRUS, SENIOR ENGINEER
TITLE: APPOINTMENTS TO THE SALINAS VALLEY GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution for the reappointment of Councilmember Anthony Rocha to serve as the City’s primary representative, and Councilmember Carla González as alternate and the appointment of Tom Adcock as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulated water company representative, and Brenda Granillo as alternate, to serve on the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) Board of Directors JPA.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In 2014, the California legislature adopted, and then-Governor Brown signed into law, three bills (SB 1168, AB 1739, and SB 1319) collectively referred to as the “Sustainable Groundwater Management Act” (SGMA). The stated purpose of SGMA is to provide for the sustainable management of groundwater basins at a local level by providing local groundwater agencies with the authority, and technical and financial assistance, necessary to sustainably manage groundwater. SGMA also required the designation of a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the purpose of achieving groundwater sustainability through the adoption and the implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans for all medium and high priority basins as designated by the California Department of Water Resources.
In accordance with the JPA Agreement and the governance model that was approved by the City Council on December 13, 2016, the City of Salinas has the responsibility for appointing a representative seat and an alternate to represent the City on the JPA Board. Councilmember Rocha was appointed to this seat with Councilmember Gonzalez as an alternate on January 10, 2023 though the term will expire June 30, 2023. The JPA Agreement also designates the City as the appointing authority for a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulated water company representative and alternate serving on the JPA Board. In August 2021, the City Council appointed Brenda Granillo from California Water Services Company (Cal Water) to serve as the primary and Tom Adcock from the Alisal Water Corporation (ALCO) to serve as the alternate representative on the Board. The term for the CPUC regulated representative also expires June 30, 2023.
DISCUSSION:
Representatives from Cal Water and ALCO have alternated serving the primary and alternate roles on the Board since the Board was formed in 2016. The only two CPUC-regulated water companies providing service in Salinas, only Cal Water and ALCO are eligible to serve on the Board. With the term expiring, Ms. Granillo and Mr. Adcock have agreed that Mr. Adcock would succeed to the representative position on the Board and Ms. Granillo would succeed to the position of alternate. This succession, however, requires City Council approval through formal appointment of the representative and the alternate.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The proposed action is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) [CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and Section 15060(c)(2), (3)].
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This topic aligns with the City Council’s goal of Effective and Culturally Responsive Government (City of Salinas Strategic Plan 2022-2025) by ensuring the city is represented in and working collaboratively on City/County-wide regional boards.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The City Council’s approval of the proposed Resolution would not have an impact on the City’s General Fund, Measure E, or Measure G.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION
Staff from the Water, Waste and Energy Division in Public Works serve on advisory and technical committees and are the primary liaison to the GSA. In addition, from time-to-time issues come up which require the attention and the coordination with the Administration Department and City Attorney’s Office.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
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