Attachment A
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
APPROVING THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE
SETTLEMENT OF THE MATTER OF CENTRAL COAST WATER AUTHORITY ET AL. VS. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ET AL. (CASE NO. 21CV02432) AND RATIFYING ALL PRIOR SIGNATURES
WHEREAS, The C entral Coast Water Authority (CCWA), its eight member agencies including the City of Santa Maria (Members), and the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) have reached a comprehensive settlement of the claims and issues raised in the pending lawsuit Central Coast Water Authority et al. vs. Santa Barbara County F lood Control District et al. (Case No. 21CV02432) initiated by CCWA and the Members against the District in June, 2021 regarding the parties’ respective rights and obligations to the State Water Project (SWP) under the State Water Supply Contract (SWP Contract); and
WHEREAS, The parties have agreed to execute two contracts to settle the dispute—a Settlement Agreement with the member agencies of CCWA and an Assignment, Assumption, and Release Agreement between District and CCWA (Assignment Agreement); and
WHEREAS, The Settlement Agreement requires the District to transfer the SWP Contract to CCWA. Contingent upon the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) approval of the transfer, the Settlement Agreement obligates CCWA and the Members to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice and make 10 annual payments of $580,000 to the District, (reimbursing the District for the investments made by County tax payors to retain the rights to SWP water during the period 1963-1985.) The Settlement Agreement also grants the District an option to purchase up to 1,700 acre -feet of SWP water from CCWA, if CCWA elects to purchase additional water supplies from DWR in the future ; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to the Assignment Agreement, (1) the District assigns all of its rights, interests, and obligations pursuant to the SWP Contract to CCWA; (2) CCWA assumes all of the District’s rights, interests, and obligations; and (3) DWR consents t o the transfer of the SWP Contract to CCWA and releases the District from its obligations pursuant to the SWP Contract; and
WHEREAS, Settlement of this lawsuit avoids continued litigation between public agencies and the associated costs for taxpayers and ratepayers, avoids future disputes between CCWA and the District regarding their respective rights, interests, and obligations with respect to the SWP Contract, and provides a mechanism for assignment of the SWP Contract.
Attachment A
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. The mayor, or designee, is authorized to enter into the Settlement Agreement for this case by fully executing the Settlement Agreement and all supporting documents necessary to effectuate settlement in the matter of Central Coast Water Authority et al. vs. Santa Barbara County Flood Control District et al. (Case No. 21CV02432). The Mayor’s October 6, 2025 signature on the Settlement Agreement is hereby ratified.
SECTION 3. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is directed to place this Resolution and any extension or renewal for reconsideration on the City Council agenda prior to the expiration of this Resolution or any extension or renewal.
SECTION 4 . The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance with the intent of this document is maintained. In doi ng so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, held this 21st day of October 2025.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
By:
Department Director
By:
City Manager