Agenda-Item-Number-9-GSA-Rate-Study-Presentation — Sebastopol City Council, May 3, 2022

Page 1 of 2 ends

CITY OF SEBASTOPOL

CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA ITEM
Meeting Date: May 3, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Honorable City Council Members
From: Toni Bertolero, Engineering Consultant, GHD
Subject: Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SRGSA) Rate Study Update Recommendation: Receive the Presentation on the SRGSA Rate Study Update Funding: Currently Budgeted: ______ Yes ______ No __X___ N/A Account Code/Costs authorized in City Approved Budget (if applicable) ___AK______ (verified by Administrative Services Department) INTRODUCTION:

This item is to request the City Council to receive a presentation on the update of the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SRGSA) rate study for groundwater users in the Santa Rosa Plain groundwater basin. Andy Rodgers, Administrator for the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Agency, will be making the presentation.

BACKGROUND:

There are three basins in Sonoma County that need to comply with the State’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA): Santa Rosa Plain, Petaluma Valley and Sonoma Valley, all of which must be managed locally. The Groundwater Sustainability Agencies were created in 2017. The county, cities, towns, and special districts have supported the SRGSA for the first five years. In total, local agencies have paid more than $2 million to support the GSA, and this has been matched by state grants and technical assistance of about $2.4 million.

When the GSA formed, the City of Sebastopol (City), an eligible member of the Santa Rosa Plain GSA according to SGMA, elected to participate in the formation of the SRGSA and serve on an advisory committee. At the time the JPA was being developed, only a small portion of the city was located within the Bulletin 118 boundaries of the Santa Rosa Plain groundwater subbasin, and a majority of the City (including all of its municipal wells) was located in the Bulletin 118 boundaries of the Wilson Grove Formation Highlands groundwater basin. In collaboration with the SRGSA, the City applied to the California Department of Water Resources(DWR) for a jurisdictional modification to the Bulletin 118 boundary to incorporate the entirety of the city within the Santa Rosa Plain groundwater basin.

DWR approved the jurisdictional boundary modification in February 2019.

At the August 2019 meeting, the Board admitted the City to the SRGSA as a new member. Execution of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and satisfaction of financial obligation for membership have been completed by the City.

DISCUSSION:

The GSA is currently holding public workshops to discuss the existing fee structure and options for modifying the fee structure. The current fee, which the City currently pays, is $19.90 per acre-foot of groundwater pumped annually. This is equivalent to $9.95 per parcel annually for rural homeowners located within the GSA boundary.

Since 2019, only municipal pumpers have paid the groundwater sustainability fee, and the County and Sonoma Agenda Item Number 9 Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 1 of 39 ends

Page 2 of 2 ends

Water have provided contributions to the GSA to cover all other groundwater pumper fees while a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) was developed. The GSP, funded by a Prop 1 grant, was completed and submitted to DWR in January 2022.

The new fee level under consideration is $35-50 acre-feet per year, which for rural homeowners would be $18-$25 per parcel annually.

GOALS:

This action supports the following City Council Goals and General Plan Actions:
• Goal CSF 3: Provide an Adequate, Clean, Safe, and Environmentally Sound Water Supply to All Existing and Future Water Users in Sebastopol
PUBLIC COMMENT:

As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment. However, public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, a consent calendar item may be requested to be removed from the consent calendar if a member of the Council or public requests to provide public comment on this item.

PUBLIC NOTICE:

This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to schedule meeting date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact from this action.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends the Sebastopol City Council receive the presentation from the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency Administrator and provide feedback, if any.

Attachments:

GSA Community Meeting Flyer
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 2 of 39 ends

SRP GSA Community Meeting – Summary 1
.

Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Community Meeting Notes
March 22, 2022

1. Meeting Agenda and Purpose
Sam Magill, Facilitator, opened the meeting announcing the purpose of the gathering was two-fold:
1) introduce the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Plan, and 2) receive feedback on the rate and fee study options. Magill gave a brief overview of the agenda and introduced Tom Schwedhelm, Santa Rosa Plain GSA Chair, who provided opening remarks.

2. Welcome and Background
Tom Schwedhelm welcomed the group and said that the purpose of today’s meeting is to discuss the protection of our groundwater basin as we face ongoing climate change. In 2014, the state of California passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), a statewide framework to help protect groundwater resources over the long-term. Groundwater is the only drinking water source for thousands in Santa Rosa Plain. There are three basins in Sonoma County that need to comply with SGMA: Santa Rosa Plain, Petaluma Valley and Sonoma Valley, all of which must be managed locally. The Groundwater Sustainability Agencies were created in 2017. The county, cities, towns, and special districts have supported the GSA for the first five years. In total, local agencies have paid more than $2 million to support the GSA, and this has been matched by state grants and technical assistance of about $2.4 million.

Today, we will discuss the existing fee structure and options for modifying it. The current fee is $19.90 per acre-foot of groundwater pumped annually, equivalent to $9.95 per parcel annually for rural homeowners.

The new fee level under consideration is $35-50 acre-feet per year, which for rural residents would be $18- $25 per parcel annually for homeowners.

3. Groundwater Basin Conditions, Projects, and Budget
Marcus Trotta, Sonoma Water Principal Hydrogeologist, shared information regarding the GSP, which is available online. The GSP was adopted in December 2021, following more than 50 public meetings and input from the GSA Board and a diverse, stakeholder-based Advisory Committee.

Section 3 of the Plan describes the status of five key sustainability indicators:

1. Groundwater Quality – Generally acceptable in the basin for most beneficial uses. Measured by looking at three different constituents of concern that are either naturally occurring or the result of human activities: arsenic, nitrates, and salts.

2. Land Surface Subsidence – No evidence of inelastic land subsidence due to groundwater pumping.

3. Interconnected Surface Water – Data is limited on the effect of groundwater pumping on stream flows, it will be important to gain more information as we move forward.

4. Groundwater Storage – Modeling indicates that groundwater in storage continues to decline from annual losses of 600 acre-feet to 2,100 acre-feet in the most recent water budget period.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 3 of 39 ends

SRP GSA Community Meeting – Summary 2

5. Groundwater Levels – Generally stable. In the future, groundwater levels will decline in the deeper aquifer. Without projects to replenish groundwater or actions to reduce pumping, deeper wells could potentially be impacted by these declines.

Section 4 of the Plan sets thresholds and objectives for each of the five key sustainability indicators.

Section 6 includes projects and actions needed to address current and future problems such as water use efficiency and alternative water source projects for rural resident, commercial and industrial users, and agriculture. Other projects and actions include aquifer storage and recovery (ASR), storm water capture and on-farm capture and low-impact development, and policy options including discretionary review of well permits, Farm Plan Coordination, and well metering for non-residential pumpers.

The average annual budget is approximately $1,074,600 and will be described in the following presentation.

4. Fee and Rate Study Update and Next Steps
Jerry Bradshaw, SCI Consulting Group, gave an update on funding sources, groundwater pumping data, costs, and preliminary options and rates associated with the options.

Funding sources are broken down into three groups: 1) grants from the state, 2) GSA members (water agencies, cities, and towns), and 3) groundwater users (directly benefiting from pumping and/or spreading costs across all properties).

Rate classes include:

Municipal and other public service providers
Agriculture and other irrigation
Rural residential
Commercial
Urban wells
Rate category breakdown:

Municipal and other public systems (approximately 25% of water pumped) Ag, turf (approximately 40% of water pumped)
Rural residential (approximately 25% of water pumped)
Commercial and Urban irrigation (approximately 8% of water pumped) The fee based on groundwater pumped is calculated by dividing the average annual cost of implementing the GSP by the average annual amount of groundwater pumped in the basin. If the budget assumes that the GSA will receive grant funding, the fee would be $35 per acre foot of groundwater pumped. If it’s assumed that no grant funding is received, the fee would be $50 per acre foot. The fee study assumes that rural residents (with no commercial water use) use 0.5 acre-feet of water annually. So, rural residents would pay $17.50-$25 annually.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 4 of 39 ends

SRP GSA Community Meeting – Summary 3
Alternative funding options include:

A wellhead fee, which would be between $70 to $115 per parcel annually, and which has the disadvantage of not distinguishing between commercial wells and residential wells; A parcel tax, which would be levied on all parcels in the basin (not just groundwater users). The parcel tax would be $8-$14 per parcel, but requires to be placed on the ballot and 2/3 voter approval; A benefit assessment approach, which would be a $15 to $25 fee on all property owners in the basin, based on the benefit received from groundwater as a resource.

Next steps include discussing community feedback with the GSA Board in April and asking the Board to narrow the available options; three additional community meetings; a meeting with the Advisory Committee; and potentially approval rates and fee in May or June.

5. Closing Remarks
Tom Schwedhelm thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He noted that there were over 200 questions received. With seven subject matter experts at this meeting, staff are able to respond and explain the direction we are going in lay persons terms. Please continue to remain involved. Again, SGMA was not the idea of Sonoma County, it was a law that was passed by state legislature to help protect groundwater resources over the long-term. We are learning as we go. Your feedback on the fee study is much appreciated, we will be discussing it at our next Board meeting on April 14 and you are invited to attend.

Again, if you are interested in reading the GSP which has been submitted to the state, it is on our website.

We look forward to seeing you later in April. Thank you again for attending, this is not your last opportunity to stay informed.

For more information on the GSA and its Groundwater Sustainability Plan required by the Sustainable Management Groundwater Act, please visit https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/.

For more information on the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Plan, please visit https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/gsp/.

To find out if your property is within the basin, please visit https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/user/.

Attachments:

1. Questions and Answers / Comments

2. List of Attendees
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 5 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 1
Questions/Answers/Comments
Santa Rosa Plain 03.22.22 Community Meeting
Questions and Answers

1. Joe Gaffney
I live in Rohnert Park, and my municipal water is a combination of City wells and Aqueduct water. How can the fee be structured so that I'm not unduly penalized? Management decisions regarding use of aqueduct and groundwater supplies will continue to be made by your water utility, City of Rohnert Park. The GSA considers total annual average volume of groundwater pumped by the city.

2. Michael Ritter
RE water rights, what is your legal right to charge us for water? The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act does not change existing groundwater rights.

Groundwater rights will continue to be subject to regulation under the California Constitution (per Water Code Section 10720.5). But SGMA does require that groundwater, which is a common resource, be locally managed and does provide local groundwater sustainability agencies the authority to charge for sustainable management.

3. Jim Burke
Does any of this apply to the Graton Casino, or is the Casino free to use as much water as they want while we all conserve?
As lands of a sovereign government, the Graton Casino is not subject to SGMA. However, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria are voluntarily and actively participating on the Santa Rosa Plain Advisory Committee.

4. Madelon Greenspan
How can you charge for well water when they keep building in the county? That reduces the available water far more than using my well and having the water go back to the basin via the septic.

The GSA doesn’t have the authority to limit land use, like new development. Land use is decided by the county and the cities, who have representatives on the GSA Board and Advisory Committee. These representatives can help carry information about groundwater concerns back to their boards and councils. In addition, SGMA requires land-use agencies to consider groundwater resources and the new groundwater plans when they make development decisions.

5. Michael Ritter
On a water well now, we’re 1 of 6 neighbors living nearly across the street from the Cherry Ranch subdivision; why can’t we be connected to its water lines? Residents in the City of Santa Rosa can connect to the public water system if interested. Please contact [email protected] for more information on how to apply for a connection to the City's water system, including determining the applicable demand fees.

6. Jim Burke
How will acre-feet be measured?
For groundwater, only public water supply systems are currently metered. For ag and rural domestic users, we have estimated groundwater uses based on crop types, and made estimates Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 6 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 2
Questions/Answers/Comments
for typical rural property use. Going forward, the GSA could consider requiring meters for certain groundwater users that don’t fall into the de-minimis user category.

7. Madelon Greenspan
What are you charging the vineyards that water overhead during the day, the local companies like Kaiser that water their green grass in the daytime and it floods the streets (RPK Kaiser for instance).

The fee consultant will address how water use is calculated in his presentation. Marcus Trotta is currently speaking about projects to encourage water conservation for well owners, including agriculture and businesses. Water waste in the cities can be reported to the water utility.

8. Kevin Christensen
Can you please explain why Cannabis is required to be charged by actual usage and vineyards are not? The County requires permitted cannabis grows to report their water usage. The data received from the County is being used to inform the per acre-foot charge to cannabis. Vineyards are not required to report their water usage, therefore their usage is estimated using estimated per acre irrigation rates for the crop.

9. Michael Ritter
Have you applied for grants? Are you working with state and federal politicians regarding funding for GSA? Some homeowners can’t afford ANOTHER tax/fee, especially as we pay for the costs and risks of having only a well.

The GSA has successfully applied for over $2M in funding from the state to develop the plan and begin filling data gaps. The GSA will continue to look for grant opportunities to fund implementation of the plan. The State has $200M statewide set aside for GSP implementation funding for medium and high priority basins like the Santa Rosa Plain. This will be a competitive application available to all ~90 statewide basins.

10. Bonny Lystra
It sounds like I’m not going to be charged by how much water I use, but by how much I’m estimated to use.

If you are a rural resident, that is correct.

11. K & S Pavelka
We have lived in Santa Rosa for over forty years and have a combination of city and well water. Rather than charging residents for their well water usage, perhaps we could request assistance from the state’s January 2022 surplus of 31 million dollars. With rates for a well at a residence at $9.95, it seems unreasonable to raise it to over $18 annually. As we reach out to assist our homeless with housing, we really should be responsible to protect our senior/retired residents with a fee freeze.

To date, the GSA has received $2 million in state grants plus additional technical assistance to help prepare the groundwater sustainability plan and to install monitoring wells. The state will be releasing another round of grant funding in the fall, but the GSA cannot count on receiving this competitive funding.

12. Randy Larsen
I live in Petaluma so if you are going to charge me for my water out of my own well that means you will maintain well/ pump, tank and supporting systems?
The GSA is responsible for managing groundwater in the basin to protect the common resource, including groundwater levels, the connection between groundwater and surface water (like Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 7 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 3
Questions/Answers/Comments
streams), and to prevent land subsidence, water quality problems and seawater intrusion due to over pumping. The GSA doesn't maintain private or public wells.

13. Torrey Penney
The underground aqueduct has plenty of water for everyone. I have had to pay to have a well installed, the equipment to soften it, and for the electricity to pump my water. the water table under my house is 17' and has not changed in the 25 years I have lived here, why should we have to pay to pump our own water now? In the valley there's a lot of ranchers and most of their is continually being shipped down south so any discussion concerning them has nothing to do with us. This is simply just another chance to tax us to fund another Government department.

For information on basin conditions and groundwater lost annually, go to https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/gsp/.

14. Steven Finnegan
How many employees in the agency, what will be their salaries? The agency has no employees, but contracts with other agencies and organizations for services.

The GSA doesn't plan to hire employees but to continue contracting for services to reduce labor costs.

15. Carla and Robert Ambrosini
Why have they been releasing water from reservoirs in our state when we are in a drought? This is a complicated question. Locally, water has been released from Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino to meet the minimal streamflow requirements established by the state. Sonoma Water hasn't had to release much water, thanks to early storms, but as it has become warmer and drier, people have been using more water. So, Sonoma Water has had to release more to meet that demand.

16. Charlene Stone
Does the rate schedule apply to just homeowners? If so what do commercial users pay? The intent is to apply the rate to all groundwater users located within the groundwater basin.

17. Charlene Stone
Do the rates charged by GSAs vary by GSA in other parts of the state? Every basin has its own unique basin, challenges, and projects, etc. and budgets vary. Our budget falls somewhat “middle of the road”. There is great variety in how the GSAs are being financed.

18. Valerie White
We should not be allowing more agricultural development. Is it being stopped or slowed down? The GSA doesn’t have the authority to limit land use, like new development. Land use is decided by the county and the cities, who have representatives on the GSA Board and Advisory Committee. These representatives can help carry information about groundwater concerns back to their boards and councils. In addition, SGMA requires land-use agencies to consider groundwater resources and the new groundwater plans when they make development decisions.

19. Gordon Magee
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 8 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 4
Questions/Answers/Comments
As a residential well owner on septic all my water use returns directly to the Aquifer via septic or when I water my plants, the water evaporated is offset by the amount of water my property acts as a catch basin for during rainfall, so it is basically, and obviously, zero impact to groundwater levels. If I buy beer and drink it at my home, I am adding to the groundwater via my septic. Why then do residential well users get taxed when they do not impact groundwater levels? We see basically zero impact at the USGS monitoring stations for Laguna de Santa Rosa since 2008, I could go back further but even the Indian casino made zero impact on levels.

Cumulatively, rural residents pump a little less than 1/4 of the groundwater pumped in the basin. While septic helps recharge the basin, wells are generally much deeper than leech fields and not all septic returns benefit the deeper aquifer. For a detailed analysis of groundwater levels, both deep and shallow, go to Section 3 of the groundwater sustainability plan:
https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/gsp/

20. Jim Burke
If we don't have enough water for existing residents, why are we building so many new homes? The GSA doesn’t have the authority to limit land use, like new development. Land use is decided by the county and the cities, who have representatives on the GSA Board and Advisory Committee. These representatives can help carry information about groundwater concerns back to their boards and councils. In addition, SGMA requires land-use agencies to consider groundwater resources and the new groundwater plans when they make development decisions.

21. J Jacoby
Per LA Times, California will soon have $26 billion in unspent reserves. Why can't this be paid out of this excess cash?
To date, the GSA has received $2 million in state grants plus additional technical assistance to help prepare the groundwater sustainability plan and to install monitoring wells. The state will be releasing another round of grant funding in the fall, but the GSA cannot count on receiving this competitive funding.

22. Ryan Klein
From my understanding, the county pumps water out of my area to supplement RP water supply. This will affect my ground water far more than anything I can do. How will you account for this, so I am not paying for the county to take my water and transfer it away? The Sonoma County Water Agency has wells in the Santa Rosa Plain. The wells weren't used since the last drought. They are being upgraded to meet new water quality standards to supplement Russian River water during droughts and emergencies. Sonoma Water will pay a fee for its pumping, and that fee will be paid by the cities that purchase its water. The project also includes an Aquifer Storage and Recovery project that will recharge the aquifer during the winter, when there is more Russian River water available. Go to https://www.sonomawater.org/DroughtResiliency for more information.

23. Doug Jones 05:47 PM
Why is there not more irrigated wastewater to help with recharge? The Santa Rosa Regional System serves homes and businesses in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, and unincorporated portions of Sonoma County. In most years, the regional system reuses 100% of our recycled water, providing 2/3rds of our recycled water to the Geysers steamfields to produce renewable energy for 100,000 homes and the rest providing Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 9 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 5
Questions/Answers/Comments
water to irrigate 6,400 acres of farmlands and irrigation of urban parcels in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park, offsetting surface water and groundwater use.

24. Charlene Stone 05:50 PM
How can the county continue to approve cannabis grows which use about five gallons per plant per day which translates to multimillion gallons? How will they be charged for their usage? The GSA doesn’t have the authority to limit land use, like new cannabis development. Land use is decided by the county and the cities, who have representatives on the GSA Board and Advisory Committee. These representatives can help carry information about groundwater concerns back to their boards and councils. In addition, SGMA requires land-use agencies to consider groundwater resources and the new groundwater plans when they make development decisions. Cannabis growers will be charged based on groundwater use.

25. Jennifer LaPorta
Can dry farming be used/incentivized to make it a realistic practice for vineyard owners? The GSP, adopted in December 2021, laid out various projects and actions that are intended to make sure that there is enough groundwater available to meet foreseeable needs for the next 50 years. One of these options is education and voluntary reductions in groundwater use through water conservation tools (for farmers, rural residents and commercial/industrial groundwater users). Management actions include coordination of Farm Plans with the GSP; the Farm Plans include best management practices for agriculture, which could include dry farming.

26. Linda Sullivan
New homes are going up everywhere around me. What is happening to mitigate water usage for all of this development?
Land use planning is provided by each city and the county depending on where the development is occurring. For City of Santa Rosa, we develop long-term planning to ensure water supply is available for the needs of our General Plan. During times of drought, Santa Rosa has a robust plan in place to address short-term effects of drought, which is incorporated into our long-term water supply planning efforts. In addition, new development is required to be extremely water efficient, complying with the city’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and the CAL Green building code which requires new development to be 20 percent more water efficient than existing development. During higher stages of drought, Santa Rosa requires development to be demand neutral.

27. Charlene Stone
What happened to my question about how much and what charges will be made for cannabis growers? Since the county continues to approve those grows and they use multi-million gallons of water.

There are two rates for cannabis, one for indoor grows and one for outdoor grows. The rates are the highest rates for uses that we have. Most of the permitted cannabis growers are required to measure and report water usage, they will be charged on actual usage.

28. Linda Sullivan
As a long-range plan, SR needs to work on infrastructure to utilize the wastewater. Grey water can be used for landscaping, rules can and should be set for an allotment of water per ppl/per home.

The Santa Rosa Regional System serves homes and businesses in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, and unincorporated portions of Sonoma County. In most years, the regional system reuses 100% of our recycled water, providing 2/3rds of our recycled water to the Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 10 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 6
Questions/Answers/Comments
Geysers steamfields to produce renewable energy for 100,000 homes and the rest providing water to irrigate 6,400 acres of farmlands and irrigation of urban parcels in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park, offsetting surface water and groundwater use. The City also incentivizes grey water use - information on our rebates is available at srcity.org/watersmart.

29. David Meads
Do heavy rain years affect the fees?
I hope we have that situation! Rain and any associated recharge that adds water to our groundwater basin will help all of us. Fees can be revisited at any time if conditions change, and it is shown over time that our basin is meeting/exceeding sustainability criteria.

30. Fred Park
If we are charged to use our well, will we be compensated for repairs and maintenance? The GSA is responsible for maintaining sustainability of groundwater basin itself but will not maintain wells.

31. David Meads
How many private groundwater wells are in Santa Rosa Plain basin? The exact number of private domestic wells is unknown but is estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,500.

32. David Meads
Have you considered a lower rate/fee for non-business well owners? The current presentation will cover all the categories of users. The goal is to keep all rates/fees as low as possible.

33. Steven Finnegan
How is the GSA planning on maintaining the water table as you just alluded to? Section 6 of the GSP describes the projects and actions planned for implementation - http://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/wp-content/uploads/Section-06_Projects-andManagement-Actions_SRP_GSP_Final_508.pdf.

34. Lisa Harder
Does GSA have authority to put meters on our wells and come on our property? The GSA does not have the authority to require meters on private wells.

35. Richard Chatigny
Is this webinar recorded and available for us to view at a later time? Like the weekend? Will we still be able to submit a question or two next week?
The webinar presentation will be available online and the meeting summary and q&a will be available (but probably not this weekend). You can go to santarosaplaingroundwater.org and email us questions. Thank you!

36. Charlene Stone
I see no response regarding use of ground water by cannabis growers, which is enormous and certainly not necessary in the scope of life.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 11 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 7
Questions/Answers/Comments
Cannabis growers would be charged based on the amount of groundwater used. The GSA doesn't have authority over land use decisions, but communicates and shares information with land use agencies.

37. Deborah Curtis
So, the fee/tax is to cover the 'cost' of the agency and that cost is to be spread over the beneficiaries. So, aren't all households & businesses in the basin the 'beneficiaries? Then all the households & businesses, not just rural should share in the cost.

Exactly. The approach being described includes sharing the cost among all categories of groundwater users.

38. Valerie White
Is the state going to financially help cities to attain drought resiliency? It is very difficult for them to complete these projects without help.

39. K & S Pavelka
As Randy Larsen asked “If you are going to charge us for our water out of my own well does that mean you will maintain well/ pump,tank and supporting systems?” - we ask the same. Many of us are going above and beyond to reduce our City water usage - less showers, use during brushing teeth etc., so it really seems that we might consider offering price breaks to well users and perhaps even paying well owners should their water be needed in drought emergencies.

Appreciate your efforts to conserve, and hope everyone in the basin is or will be doing the same.

We have planned and now will start managing the groundwater basin and not the individual wells.

40. ALicia Adams
If I get charged for my well water, I would request whoever is getting the money pay when my well or pump fail, This is so sad. Yet another reason people are leaving Sonoma County! The GSA is responsible for managing groundwater in the basin to protect the common resource, including groundwater levels, the connection between groundwater and surface water (like streams), and to prevent land subsidence, water quality problems and seawater intrusion due to over pumping. The GSA doesn't maintain private or public wells.

By the way, this program is happening throughout the state and so people throughout California will be paying similar fees."

41. Lisa Harder
What do we get for the fee we will be mandated to pay?
The GSP, adopted in December 2021, laid out various projects and actions that are intended to make sure that there is enough groundwater available to meet foreseeable needs for the next 50 years. These include:
o Education and voluntary reductions in groundwater use through water conservation tools.
o Plan for stormwater capture and recharge along and near streams. o Plan for aquifer storage and recovery though new deep water supply wells.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 12 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 8
Questions/Answers/Comments
o Management Actions such as development of policy options and coordination of Farm Plans with the GSP
Other projects include filling gaps in the groundwater data, groundwater model updates, GSP 5-year update in addition to the day-to-day operations of the GSA. The remainder of the GSA budget is spent on day-to-day operations including applying for and complying with grants; legal services; reaching out to the community to inform people about the GSA and what it is doing; working with the Board and Advisory Committee on developing agendas, staffing meetings and coordinating contracts.

42. Steven Finnegan
What will our fees be paying for besides salaries, talking points, graphs and another bureaucracy? The GSP, adopted in December 2021, laid out various projects and actions that are intended to make sure that there is enough groundwater available to meet foreseeable needs for the next 50 years. These include:
o Education and voluntary reductions in groundwater use through water conservation tools.
o Plan for stormwater capture and recharge along and near streams. o Plan for aquifer storage and recovery though new deep water supply wells. o Management Actions such as development of policy options and coordination of Farm Plans with the GSP
Other cost factors in upcoming years include additional research to fill gaps in the groundwater data, groundwater model updates, GSP 5-year update in addition to the day-to-day operations of the GSA. The remainder of the GSA budget is spent on day-to-day operations including applying for and complying with grants; legal services; reaching out to the community to inform people about the GSA and what it is doing.

43. Jennifer LaPorta
Can dry farming be used/incentivized to make it a realistic practice for vineyard owners? The GSP, adopted in December 2021, laid out various projects and actions that are intended to make sure that there is enough groundwater available to meet foreseeable needs for the next 50 years. One of these options is education and voluntary reductions in groundwater use through water conservation tools (for farmers, rural residents and commercial/industrial groundwater users). Management actions include coordination of Farm Plans with the GSP; the Farm Plans include best management practices for agriculture, which could include dry farming.

44. ALicia Adams
New homes and vineyards!!!! Yet we have to pay. NO WAY.

45. Steven Finnegan
Who will be providing oversite of this new agency? Hopefully not the Board of Supervisors! The GSA has a Board of Directors comprised of elected or appointed officials from the 10 member agencies: County of Sonoma, Sonoma Water, Cities of Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 13 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 9
Questions/Answers/Comments
Sebastopol, Town of Windsor, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District and a coalition of Independent Water Suppliers. The GSA developed a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) in compliance with SGMA which is overseen by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).

46. Charlene Stone
What happened to my question about how much and what charges will be made for cannabis growers? Since the county continues to approve those grows and they use multi-million gallons of water.

47. David Meads
If I fill in my well, do I get credit?
If you abandon your well under permit so the records reflect this and you have a nongroundwater supply for your parcel, then yes, the information for your parcel can be updated.

48. Rose Morgan
Does any of this apply to wineries, cannabis businesses, or other ag/commercial users? Who monitors the practices of these users and how?
Yes, all groundwater users are included. Permit Sonoma monitors some of these users (depending on permitting).

49. Kevin Christensen
How will renters and low-income members of our community be protected against landlords passing these costs on to their already strained family budgets? The GSA has no control over the economics of the housing and rental market, nor does it have the ability to mandate whether landlords pass on the fee to tenants or renters.

50. Guillermo
English is not my first language, are you having translation in Spanish? No, Spanish translation is not available for this meeting.

51. David Meads
Shouldn't all water users contribute to the GSA fee? Don't they benefit from ground water? Yes, all groundwater pumpers that extract from within the basin boundaries are subject to the proposed rate/fee.

52. Gregory Pearl
Should those of us on wells expect a refund for the Warm Springs Dam/Russian River Project tax that we don't use?
Fortunately for everyone in Sonoma County, Warm Springs Dam provides flood protection and water to cities, which help support our economy. But, no, a credit is not being considered for this.

53. Nancy Horton
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 14 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 10
Questions/Answers/Comments
We are concerned that this will all turn into an opportunity to increase rates every year and meter our well. Whose water, is it? We are buying filters and replacing them on a regular basis to make it good enough to use for showers, dishes, wash hands, water plants, etc. We cannot drink our filtered water.

Appreciate your concern. The GSA board has directed staff to minimize costs and we don't anticipate that direction to change over time.

54. Linda Sullivan
To clarify my last question... allotment of water for ppl in the CITY should be monitored and controlled! They don't realize that you can't just turn on the tap or outside faucet and water comes out. Folks with wells think about it all the time because, when the pump fails it is a consequence to our pocketbook.

Municipal water users (who receive water from a city or privately owned water company) pay for water based on how much they use. In Santa Rosa, we have tiered rates that charge more for water that is over a base amount for indoor use. Also, we have a water waste ordinance that is enforced very assertively. We monitor for water waste in terms of runoff from yards (not allowed) and in terms of automated meter data that indicates when someone has a plumbing leak. We also send letters to customers when their water use is unusually high. We also have very robust water use efficiency programs (since 1991). Over the past 30 years, Santa Rosa's population increased 53% but water use declined. We used 14% less water in 2020 (before drought restrictions) then we did in 1990. The use per person decreased 44%.

55. K & S Pavelka
Many of us have gardens with vegetables as well as landscape that require well water and each residence is not like the other necessarily. Will GSA look for other options for financing rather than charging homeowners, especially seniors on fixed incomes? Good question. Without meters on wells, the GSA must use estimates for groundwater use. Five different studies/sources found that rural residents use about 0.5 acre-feet of water annually.

So, this is the best estimate we have. As Jerry Bradshaw explained, the GSA is looking at state grants, too. There are not a lot of other sources of funding.

56. Gregory Pearl
Will limits be placed on municipalities on how much water they pump from wells versus. purchases through SCWA? i.e.: Rohnert Park pumps 510,000,000 gallons from wells (30% of their demand).

Management actions, including possible pumping restrictions, are a policy decision that would be made by the GSA Board. Currently, there are no plans to restrict pumping, but that could change if undesirable results are reached (as described in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan).

Currently, the municipalities that purchase water from Sonoma Water (known as the water contractors) operate their groundwater wells as part of a conjunctive use strategy. The water contractors reduce groundwater pumping during normal or wet years to let the aquifer replenish and use more Russian River water. The contractors use more groundwater during droughts, to preserve water in the Russian River and reservoirs. A discussion of groundwater levels and municipal pumping can be found on pages 3-31 through 3-58 of Section 3 of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan.

57. Property Owner
Why isn’t there a moratorium on new wineries, and other high-water users? The GSA doesn’t have the authority to limit land use, like new development. Land use is decided by the county and the cities, who have representatives on the GSA Board and Advisory Committee. These representatives can help carry information about groundwater concerns back Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 15 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 11
Questions/Answers/Comments
to their boards and councils. In addition, SGMA requires land-use agencies to consider groundwater resources and the new groundwater plans when they make development decisions.

58. Torrey Penney
I have several Disabled people in my house. With some of the other medical issues a hot tub is not an option, but they need to be able to soak in Hot water for up to a few hours a day. will there be a discount for the disabled like other utilities?
All residential groundwater users are assumed to use the same amount of water, and at this point, there are no special considerations for the type of user (like seniors or disabled people).

59. Nancy Chien-Eriksen
Do grape growers' water needs have precedence over the status of creeks for salmon and other wildlife? Am I wrong that wine industry and wild salmon are antithetical? The Groundwater Sustainability Plan includes criteria for managing surface and groundwater interaction.

60. Charlene Stone
How exactly will the average groundwater user benefit from these charges? The intent is to manage and sustain groundwater levels in our basin so that individual users continue to have water available to pump.

61. Scott Macdonald
What assurance do we have that, when the state implements their program, we won’t have to pay for it (i.e., funded through general fund)?
I'm not sure I understand the question. The state has/is implementing SGMA (in terms of reviewing and monitoring plans and distributing grant funding). So, all Californians are paying for that.

62. Charlene Stone
Will Cannabis water users pay the same as individual homeowners? Cannabis users will be charged on the amount of groundwater pumped.

Charlene Stone
That answer regarding cannabis water use is totally worthless!

63. Mary Keitel
Is it legal to charge homeowners fees on their well water when we as homeowners pay all fees to maintain our wells?
Yes, the SGMA provides that authority.

64. Monty Mola
If we are concerned about sustainability of water in Sonoma County, why do we continue to allow permits for vineyards and marijuana farms which use large amounts of water? What controls will be placed on these businesses who suck up great amounts of water? The GSA doesn’t have the authority to limit land use, like new development. Land use is decided by the county and the cities, who have representatives on the GSA Board and Advisory Committee. These representatives can help carry information about groundwater concerns back to their boards and councils. In addition, SGMA requires land-use agencies to consider Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 16 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 12
Questions/Answers/Comments
groundwater resources and the new groundwater plans when they make development decisions.

65. Shelley Redding
I would hope that the idea to use “estimates” for agricultural use would be reconsidered and instead applying a metered value instead. Cannabis cultivation uses lots of water. If residents are being metered and there are pass through charges by their public supplier, then the agricultural use, that uses typically more water should not be estimated. There are usually residential uses within an agricultural location.

While metered data is the best, it would be massive project to have upwards of 9,000 meters installed. For sites that have residential alongside agricultural uses, both are factored in.

66. Charlene Stone
Are you lumping cannabis in with actual food and animal usage? Agriculture is categorized based on crop types, as different crops rely on different irrigation rates.

67. Ani Fowler
Why can’t we stop the watering of neighborhood lawns that waste water often running into the streets? In addition, why allow another gambling casino that is being built in Windsor that would use more critical water resources?
Most water retailers have a water waste ordinance that prevents over watering and runoff from irrigation. Specifically for City of Santa Rosa, we run water waste patrols and require customers to eliminate water waste. If you see water waste in Santa Rosa, you can report it directly to us through our website: srcity.org/SaveWater

68. Julie Alberigi
A. How feasible is it to capture water from the Russian River before it flows into the ocean? And why haven’t we diverted water before it reaches the ocean since some research indicates we are 8-10 years in a potential 50-year drought?
In 2013, Sonoma Water, and local partners conducted a feasibility study for a regional groundwater banking program that would store surplus Russian River water produced at existing drinking water facilities in aquifers beneath the Santa Rosa Plain or in Sonoma Valley. Sonoma Water and the City of Sonoma piloted a successful, small-scale ASR project in 2018-2019. The feasibility study and the pilot project found that ASR is possible, but before the Santa Rosa Plain ASR project is operational, Sonoma Water must:
• Conduct tests to monitor any potential water quality changes and the local aquifer’s hydraulic response to recharge;
• Receive a permit from the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board; and • Make changes to at least one of the existing production wells (or drill a new ASR well) to allow water to be sent into the ground (rather than being pumped out).

The state of California recently awarded Sonoma Water a grant that will help further the ASR project in the Santa Rosa Plain. More information can be found at https://www.sonomawater.org/DroughtResiliency.

B. Do you know how the state is regulating large water bottling companies? Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 17 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 13
Questions/Answers/Comments
For information on state regulation of bottled water and water bottling companies, go to https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/Wat er.aspx

69. Wendy Krupnick
Does state data on vineyards include frost protection? If so, by what method? This month some local vineyards have used thousands of gallons for frost protection via large sprinklers. Some vineyards use micro sprinklers or wind machines. Type of irrigation and use must be considered along with type of crop.

The irrigation rate for vineyards of 0.6 acre-feet per year doesn’t directly include frost protection, it is considered an average rate across the three basins. Some vineyards use less, some more.

70. Charlene Stone
Let's hear the numbers for cannabis growth.

There is currently limited data on the amount of groundwater used for cannabis production. The GSA is working with Permit Sonoma to collect and update data. It is anticipated that cannabis groundwater usage will be included in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan 5-year update. In the meantime, individual cannabis growers will pay fees based on estimated or metered groundwater use.

71. Elizabeth Lotz
If your rural residential water use is far below average, is there any way to demonstrate that and have the fee adjusted accordingly? 446 gallons per day is a lot of water, especially if you don't use water for landscape irrigation.

Through the GUIDE program, rural residents with a meter on their well can provide actual pumping numbers to the GSA.

72. Frederick Krueger
What is a sustainable rate of groundwater use and how does that compare with the present actual rate of groundwater use? To meet the probable deficiency, in the future will you prioritize one form of usage over other uses?
The GSP includes an initial estimate of the sustainable yield for the basin of 20,300 acre-feet per year. Our current best estimate of total groundwater pumping in the basin is approximately 20,000 acre-feet per year. Prioritizing of types of use is not something that is included in the GSP.

73. Karen Krimont
How will vineyards with residential be categorized?
Parcels with multiple types of use would be charged based on the estimate for each use.

74. Deborah Curtis
When estimating usage, will you take into consideration how many people live at the rural residence being charged? For example, A 2 bed 2 bath 2-person rural household uses much less that a 4 bed 2 bath 5-person household.

All rural residents are estimated to use 0.5 acre feet of groundwater annually, regardless of home size. This usage estimate reflects an average. Through the GUIDE program, rural residents with a meter on their well can provide actual pumping numbers to the GSA.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 18 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 14
Questions/Answers/Comments

75. Property Owner
Your agency can’t make it rain. Can’t add any water to the aquifer. All you can do is tax the citizens to pay for your bureaucracy :- ( Looks like mob rule to me.

The intent is to protect what we all have and manage the conditions that maximize recharge to the basin benefiting all groundwater users.

76. David Meads
Will the slide package be posted online?
Yes, following the meeting.

77. Charlene Stone
What are the actual benefits? Will it produce more groundwater? Benefits include sustaining and managing what we have in groundwater storage and doing what we can to increase recharge. also complying with state law.

78. From Victoria Peter
What is the rate for those users?
From Andy Rodgers, Administrator to Everyone 05:45 PM
Proposed rate ranges for various categories of groundwater users will be covered in this presentation.

79. From Shelley Redding
Is there a plan to also consider metered reporting for rural residential wells? Single well users in particular?
The GSA is prohibited from requiring rural residents to meter their wells. However, through the GUIDE program, rural residents with a meter on their well can voluntarily provide actual pumping numbers to the GSA.

80. From Robyn Scoma
My question is: if worries about sustaining groundwater levels, why hasn’t the building stopped as well? We can’t sustain what we have let alone anymore.

81. From Pete Daigle
Is there a large surcharge for water that is pumped and transported elsewhere? No, there is currently no additional charges contemplated on individual pumpers who pump water and transport it elsewhere.

82. Rose Morgan
Please be transparent and respond to the following question: Are we being asked to subsidize the ag/commercial users?
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 19 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 15
Questions/Answers/Comments
No, rural residents are not being asked to subsidize other users. All groundwater users including ag/commercial in the basin are part of this consideration.

83. David Meads
How does the GSA determine credits?
Should the GSA Board select a regulatory fee that is based on estimated or metered extraction, the GSA could also consider crediting users for implementing recharge projects that benefit the basin. While there are many options for this, an example pilot program for “Recharge-net metering” has been underway on the Central Coast in the Pajaro Valley for several years where farmers have built and maintained recharge facilities on their properties and receive a credit for the recharge they contribute annually, as measured by a 3rd party certifier to document benefits to the basin. This is a basin where metering of agricultural wells and fees were charged prior to SGMA going into effect. Information on the program can be found here - https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/clee/research/wheeler/renem/.

84. Valerie White
You have estimated that rural residential properties use 446 gals of water a day and that is WAY more than we use. Where did you come up with that number?
It’s assumed that people with rural residential properties who use groundwater for their home, landscaping and garden use – on average – about ½ an acre foot of water per parcel annually (about 466 gallons per day). While it is recognized that there is a very wide variety of development, water use practices and conservation on rural residential properties, the estimate of an average of 0.5 acre-feet per year is consistent with metered data reported from mutual water systems within Sonoma County which are in more rural and unincorporated settings more similar to rural residential properties. Without metering of wells, this is our best available information. – You can view, correct, or confirm the data we have assumed for your property by reviewing the steps below and completing the Groundwater Users Information Data Exchange (GUIDE) survey - https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/user/.

85. David Meads
I don't see an urban well fee. Is that lower than the Rural Residential? Yes, the Urban well fee assumes the well is only used as a supplemental supply for irrigation and an annual usage of 0.1 acre-feet per year, so the fee would be 1/5 of the rural residential fee. In addition, public water supply wells serving urban residents would be charged based on metered use. Water suppliers would pass along those costs to their water customers. So even urban residents without a well would be (indirectly) charged because their water supplier uses groundwater.

86. Jean Tillinghast
So, one would only be charged if they are located in the Santa Rosa Basin?? That is correct. or the Petaluma Valley or Sonoma Valley basins.

87. Cynthia Riggs
What is the per acre-foot measurement? It appears that the pricing is generic and not based on literal size of the parcels.

Size of parcels in agriculture is included in calculations. For users such as rural residential, the estimate is based on average use based on a number of studies and accounts for various sized parcels.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 20 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 16
Questions/Answers/Comments

88. Rose Morgan
How is aligning this with the Sonoma County permit process going to take place? The GSA is coordinating closely with Permit Sonoma on plan implementation.

89. Carla and Robert Ambrosini
Thank you. From what I understand, the minimal streamflow requirements have not worked, though they have been in place for 30 years. Much water has been lost, statewide, and the practice has not proved to be effective, yet it remains unchanged and inflexible to adjust for urban water usage which is only about 10% of all water usage. Will it be evaluated and adjusted? No, the GSA does not have the authority to manage water rights. As the GSA manages surface water depletion from groundwater pumping, it will work closely with the State Water Resources Control Board which does have the authority to manage water rights. Data and information collected by the GSA would be shared with resource agencies that do set minimum streamflow requirements that could inform future instream requirements. As those other resource agencies develop and set instream flows within the basin, the GSA will need to incorporate that information into how it sets minimum thresholds and measurable objectives for the depletion of interconnected surface water.

90. Robert Weiss
As many of us have asked who have invested in our private wells:

Our investment and ongoing expenses don't stop. If we now have the bureaucracy charging us for what we have a right to use, will we be reimbursed for our expenses for repairs and maintaining our private wells? We recently invested $14,000 in a filtering system so we can take the water we own under our land. Would you give us a full tax break for our expenses? The GSA is responsible for managing groundwater in the basin to protect the common resource, including groundwater levels, the connection between groundwater and surface water (like streams), and to prevent land subsidence, water quality problems and seawater intrusion due to over pumping. The GSA doesn't maintain private or public wells.

91. This seems like a "taking" of our "rights" that we bought when we purchased our land.

Charging us for just having a well is just plain unfair and for those with private wells I think you may be asking for a serious fight in the courts.

Water rights are treated differently than other property rights. There is no right of absolute ownership to water; the state of California holds all the state’s water in trust for the people of the state. Water rights will continue to be managed by the state, not the GSA.

92. Kevin Christensen
Will there be community meetings conducted in Spanish and indigenous languages spoken by farm workers who live and work in rural areas?
There will be three additional meetings. Spanish translation will be provided at one or more of these meetings.

93. Allen Sudduth
When we moved west of SR a few years ago we chose to invest in building two rain gardens that result in 100% of runoff being returned to the aquifer. Our small RR neighborhood mostly build pipe that sends it all to SR Creek rather than aquifer. I’d like to know if there could be credits for sustainability actions.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 21 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 17
Questions/Answers/Comments
Credits or rebates for active recharge projects may be considered by the GSA in the future but are not part of the rate and fee study.

94. K & S Pavelka
Can there be a way to grandfather in residents with well water and suspend their fees? Perhaps limit fees to new building etc.

Current rural residents pump nearly ¼ of the groundwater used in the basin, and so will likely need to share in the costs of managing the basin.

95. Joe Gaffney
Remember, folks, this is not something that was dreamed up by Sonoma Water to make your life less comfortable. There is a state mandate to do this, and Sonoma Water is doing its best to comply with the state mandate. Not doing it would mean that the state would step in and take over, with fees that are three to five times the estimates here tonight. if you want to be angry at someone, call your state representative.

Thank you for the comment.

96. Elizabeth Lotz
For any of the funding mechanisms, who would decide when and how much the rates could be raised over time?
The GSA Board would make the decision on rates and any future rate changes - https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/board/.

97. Paul Becker
Will the upcoming physical meeting be available on Zoom? Due to the logistical challenges, is unlikely that ‘hybrid’ meetings will be held. Staff is looking into recording and posting meetings.

98. Ken Becker
How do you expect the rates to increase over time?
The fees discussed tonight would not be increased for the first five years. however, at the end of that time the budget and implementation plan will need to be reconsidered.

99. Valerie White
This has been such a good presentation. very organized and clear.

Thank you!
100. Kevin Christensen
Thanks for the response to the Spanish language question. Please also include what the resources and plans are for active outreach and engagement with Spanish and Indigenous languages farm workers speak.

The groundwater sustainability plan includes information about outreach and engagement (see Sections 1 and 6).
101. Jim Burke
Will these upcoming meetings cover the same content or new? The new meetings will have similar background information and will include new content, as the Board makes additional policy decisions.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 22 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 18
Questions/Answers/Comments
102. Toni Esposti
Not all property owners live in Santa Rosa so a hybrid meeting would be more inclusive.

Meetings will be held in Windsor and Rohnert Park, too. 103. Shelley Redding
If we want to ask more questions, can we email them into staff? (Verbal reply) Yes, go to the GSA website. There is a ‘contact us’ button. 104. Valerie White
Please, try to do hybrid meetings. I think more people would attend. If not hybrid, will they be recorded and available to see via Facebook?
(Verbal reply) Upcoming meetings will be live and probably not hybrid. There is a technology limitation.
105. Paul Becker
Please don't make the recorded meetings just available on Facebook. I do not use Facebook. Can you make a link on your website for the recorded meetings?
106. Gordon Magee
All residential properties with well and septic return high 90% of the water to the aquifer, why don't we get a credit like those who use recycled water since we recycle almost all our water? You are obviously charging for the water we are pumping, since we recycle most of it and our properties as rainwater catch basins make up the rest.

Credits or rebates for active recharge projects may be considered later but are not part of the current rate and fee study.
108. Bob Likins
Will credit be given to rural residential landowners for recharge ... that is will more credit be given to someone who has 100 acres than to someone who has 5 acres? Assume no agricultural or livestock use of the acres and in both cases just one average size home on the 5 or 100 acres. Seems the person with 100 acres is contributing to recharge water supply about 20 times as much as person with 5 acres and therefore should get more credit. I understand that recharge credit would be an approximation but this whole deal is based on lots of approximations so the approximations can be made.

Credits or rebates for active recharge projects may be considered later, but are not part of the current rate and fee study.
109. Nancy Chien-Eriksen
What if I have only 4 residents on my property? Is that part of the estimate? Will couples be charged less?
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 23 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 19
Questions/Answers/Comments
It’s assumed that people with rural residential properties who use groundwater for their home, landscaping and garden use – on average – about ½ an acre foot of water per parcel annually (about 466 gallons per day). While it is recognized that there is a very wide variety of development, water use practices and conservation on rural residential properties, the estimate of an average of 0.5 acre-feet per year is consistent with metered data reported from mutual water systems within Sonoma County which are in more rural and unincorporated settings more similar to rural residential properties. Without metering of wells, this is our best available information. – You can view, correct, or confirm the data we have assumed for your property by reviewing the steps below and completing the Groundwater Users Information Data Exchange (GUIDE) survey - https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/user/. 110. Craig Hardisty
You mentioned ground water quality has been tested. Where may I view or obtain the results.

Concerned about the old air station contamination.

Water quality information and references are available in Section 3 of the groundwater sustainability plan (pages 3-64 through 3-78). The focus of the GSP is on arsenic, salts and nitrates. For information on specific sites, the state Geotracker site is an excellent resource. 111. Rue Furch
Is it possible for a groundwater user to contest the amount of water that is estimated they use to reduce the fee?
Groundwater users can view, correct or confirm data that has been assumed for their property by going reviewing and completing the Groundwater Users Information Data Exchange (GUIDE) survey - https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/user/.
112. Steven Finnegan
The answer to my question regarding oversite is not acceptable. I am asking for an oversite committee made up of rural residential water users to oversee the 10-member Board of Directors. Who do you think the BoD's allegiance will be to?
Comment noted.
113. K & S Pavelka
Will all questions submitted tonight be answered?
Yes, we will answer questions, and will acknowledge comments. Thanks for attending and providing questions.
114. Lisa Harder
Are you state, local, fed, county?
The GSAs in our region are local independent agencies, established in response to State requirement (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act).
115. Neil D.

I joined the meeting late. Are the residents with wells in the Mcfarlane/Hessel Sebastopol area gong to monitored?
The GSA is prohibited from METERING rural residents. Resources permitting, groups of wells could be voluntarily monitored to help provide information about changes in groundwater levels. Thank you!
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 24 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 20
Questions/Answers/Comments
116. Lisa Harder
Do you participate in Calpers?
The GSA doesn't have any employees, so pays no benefits or retirement. It contracts with other agencies for services.
117. Charlene Stone
What do you mean by managed?
It is a broad term and is described in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Section 4 describes the thresholds and objectives that were set. The GSA is required to not exceed the Minimum Thresholds. The Plan includes projects and actions to reduce demand or increase supply and monitor the different indicators and thresholds. The GSA website includes lots of information.

The implementation plan (Section 7) is a good place to look for the next five years. 118. Kevin Christensen
Will there be whistle blower protections for farm workers and others who may witness and report water waste by agriculture users?
Anyone can report water waste to the State. All reporting is anonymous. https://savewater.ca.gov/.
119. Deborah Curtis
It's not equitable to charge/tax a 2-person rural household the same as a 5-person rural household.

Could some consideration be given to household count?
This, is why, the rate fee for rural households is an average. 120. Catherine Woody
Why should a one or two occupant private residence pay the same as a household that is larger. Our household conserves water in numerous ways.

It’s assumed that people with rural residential properties who use groundwater for their home, landscaping and garden use – on average – about ½ an acre foot of water per parcel annually (about 466 gallons per day). While it is recognized that there is a very wide variety of development, water use practices and conservation on rural residential properties, the estimate of an average of 0.5 acre-feet per year is consistent with metered data reported from mutual water systems within Sonoma County which are in more rural and unincorporated settings more similar to rural residential properties. Without metering of wells, this is our best available information. – You can view, correct, or confirm the data we have assumed for your property by reviewing the steps below and completing the Groundwater Users Information Data Exchange (GUIDE) survey - https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/user/. 121. David Meads
I currently pay an annual fee to the City of Santa Rosa Water Agency for having a residential well. Is there any interaction between GSA and SRCWA? If so, how do they work together? This was answered live, but just to add to the written answers - Santa Rosa doesn't charge for wells. The charge is for the backflow device testing. Backflow devices are required to protect the public water system.
122. Toni Espoti
Perhaps I need to say some owners don’t live in the county. Again, it would allow property owners to have a say in how they are being assessed.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 25 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 21
Questions/Answers/Comments
That's a good point. Thank you.
123. Elizabeth Lotz
Would there be possible incentives from the GSA for installing water conservation measures on rural residential parcels such as rainwater capture and storage systems? Yes, I believe this question was answered verbally, but the GSA is looking at a program to provide assistance/incentives for water conservation, possibly including rainwater capture. 124. Ann Conger
How many attendees at this presentation?
I currently see 119 participants total, including the speakers. 125. Kevin Christensen
Thank you for your response to the question about the Cannabis v. Vineyard requirements. Can Sonoma County require vineyards, like Cannabis grows, to report their water usage so the data can help GSA close data gaps identified by the plan so the GSA can have precise data to inform the per acre-foot charge to vineyards?
SGMA gives GSAs the authority to meter larger groundwater users (that pump over two acre feet of groundwater annually), however, this is a policy decision that will need to be considered by the GSA Board.
126. Steven Finnegan
Who will protect us, the rural residential user from this tax increasing? It is a fee, not a tax. For the fee, the GSA Board will be reviewing it and determining when or if the fee needs to be changed. The Board has the authority to change the fee depending on the basin conditions and types of projects or programs that might need to be implemented. 127. Monty Mola
We know just how many acre-feet of water we have in lakes Sonoma and Mendocino. Do we know how many acre feet of water is present in the Santa Rosa plain aquifer? An old adage is, "We can't manage what we can't measure."
The GSP includes an initial estimate of the sustainable yield for the basin of 20,300 acre-feet per year. Our current best estimate of total groundwater pumping in the basin is approximately 20,000 acre-feet per year. Prioritizing of types of use is not something that is included in the GSP.
128. Carla and Robert Ambrosini
Unfortunately, what limit will be placed on the fee/tax? You share a calculation, but it is still arbitrary, and very likely variable and increasing. What about our voices once this is in place? Will this agency and action silence us on this subject? How about in the future? We haven't ever witnessed lowering of taxes...ever! What other restrictions will be imposed, using our water usage as an excuse? For the fee, the GSA Board will be reviewing it and determining when or if the fee needs to be changed. The Board has the authority to change the fee depending on the basin conditions and types of projects or programs that might need to be implemented. 129. Maria Olivera
When will this rate fee be implemented?
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 26 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 22
Questions/Answers/Comments
It is our goal to implement it as of July 1, 2022. Most of the fees will be put on the annual property tax bills, so people wouldn’t see the fee until they get their tax bill in October or November. It is an annual fee.
130. Karen MC
Who or what kind of oversight is watching the GSA spending? The GSA Board reviews the budget at every Board meeting and a budget update is provided in the Board packet (which is posted online). The GSA is audited annually by an independent auditor.
131. Wendy Krupnick
Still curious to learn if frost protection was included in state estimate for vineyard water and if so, by what method?
(Answered verbally) The irrigation rate for vineyards of 0.6 acre-feet per year doesn’t directly include frost protection, it is considered an average rate across the three basins. Some vineyards use less, some more.
132. Mark Campbell
How is your agency working with other county agencies to shut down illegal marijuana grows within the boundaries?
The GSA is not involved in law-enforcement activities.
133. Linda Sullivan
I may have missed something. Is the "fee" monthly, quarterly, annual? Are you going to monitor my personal use?
The fee is charged annually. So, a rural residential landowner would pay $18-$25 once a year.

No, your personal use won't be monitored. The GSA is prohibited from metering rural residential wells.
134. Deborah Curtis
Andy Rodgers answered my question about everyone, rural & non rural, being charged, and implied it was being looked at. I did not get that impression from the presentation, although it was mentioned as a possibility. If he meant because we may be able to vote on it, it will not pass because what non-rural person would vote yes to share groundwater fees. And I question whether non-rural water users realize they use groundwater. I think non-rural water users think rural water is free and we well owners know that is not correct. There are way more non-rural voters than rural, so we rural voters would be outnumbered and it would not pass to charge all entities in the basin.

Thank you for the comment.
135. Tom Yarish
Taxes???? My cold desiccated body!!
Thank you for the comment.
136. Linda Boline
Will we be getting a statement to let us know what we will be paying before our property tax bill comes out so we can appeal the fee?
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 27 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 23
Questions/Answers/Comments
Yes, the GUIDE program allows people to furnish additional or corrected data to the GSA. The information should be provided before fees are levied. There was an appeals process included in the 2019 fee that was passed.
137. Melissa Benjamin
Are granny units considered separate dwellings?
Yes, but it is assumed that granny units and any additional dwellings use less water (.25 acrefeet annually), so the charge would be $9-$12.50 annually for each additional dwelling. 138. Madelon Greenspan
Will there be discounts considered for seniors on fixed incomes and other low income people? And who will be fixing the wells, filters, etc.?
The fee is based on estimated or assumed water use, not based on the user (seniors, disabled or low-income people). Well owners will be responsible for their wells and water systems. The GSA is responsible for managing the groundwater resource as it relates to groundwater pumping (for example, reduction in groundwater levels, water quality, land subsidence, etc) 139. L Bishop
Once a fee has been assessed, will there be an appropriate time for discussion or an opportunity to dispute the fee?
Yes, the GUIDE program allows people to furnish additional or corrected data to the GSA. The information should be provided before fees are levied.
140. Madelon Greenspan
If it starts to rain again like it did in Nov and continues, will the fees be stopped? No, the GSA is responsible for managing the long-term groundwater resources for 50 years into the future. Unlike creeks, streams, and lakes, groundwater takes years (sometimes decades to recharge).
141.

Can you give directions to the map of well users or provide a link to get us there to view it? https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/user/
142. Steven Finnegan
The rural residential user must be represented within the Board of Directors, that has to happen. With all due respect, having paid, elected officials on the BOD is a form of the "Fox guarding the Henhouse".

The Board of Directors includes a representative from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, who represents all people in her district, including rural residents. The Board also includes two representatives from Resource Conservation Districts, who represent rural landowners. 143. L Bishop
Give you provide an example(s) of "projects and actions" and how will this/these benefit homeowners? What exactly is a project? What is an Action?
A detailed discussion of projects and actions can be found in Section 6 of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Examples include:
• Education and voluntary reductions in groundwater use through water conservation tools.
• Plan for stormwater capture and recharge along and near streams.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 28 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 24
Questions/Answers/Comments
• Plan for aquifer storage and recovery though new deep water supply wells. • Management Actions such as development of policy options and coordination of Farm Plans with the GSP
144. Rue Furch
How is land use regulation contemplated to coordinate with groundwater sustainability? While the GSA doesn’t have the authority to limit land use, like new development, land use agencies (the county and the cities) have representatives on the GSA Board and Advisory Committee. These representatives can help carry information about groundwater concerns back to their boards and councils. In addition, SGMA requires land-use agencies to consider groundwater resources and the new groundwater plans when they make development decisions.
145.

What portion of the fee/budget goes to groundwater shortfall? All the costs go towards this, some more administrative, some more for management actions and projects. There are some basins that are charging up to $1000 acre-foot. There are not as many projects here; we are on par with costs in many other basins in the state. If you are looking for what specific component of the budget is projected to projects/actions, please refer to the budget slides. Also, there is funding coming from other sources such as the grant Sonoma Water received for ASR. There are also projects/actions that other agencies are doing that will be contributing to projects in the GSP and benefit the basin, but not paid for by the GSA. 146.

What are the boundaries of the GSA?
If you go to santarosaplaingroundwater.org and then GUIDE, there is an interactive map. You can type in your address and will know immediately if you are in the basin or not. 147.

I currently pay a fee to City of Santa Rosa for an urban well.

The City of Santa Rosa doesn’t charge users for having a groundwater well, but we charge for a backflow device. If you have an alternative water supply on your property such as a well, by State law, we are required to ensure that there is a backflow device to protect the public water system. It must be installed downflow of the meter, the fee is for administration and testing the device.
148.

How do the GSA and the City of Santa Rosa interact?
Santa Rosa is a member city of the GSA. We participate on the Advisory Committee, share information and resources with the GSA, and provide any information on water and water supply. We are constantly coordinating with the GSA, and Sonoma Water as the biggest water purchaser. We are the biggest water retailed for Sonoma Water. 149. Catherine Woody
Do we get a discount if we have a greywater system?
Rebates or discounts for active recharge may be considered by the GSA but is not part of the fee study.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 29 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 25
Questions/Answers/Comments
150. Claudia Abend
Will the GSA have some power over the Koi Nation that is trying to pursue a casino project in our area and will really affect the water use as a new development? No, tribal governments are outside the jurisdiction of the GSA and the GSA does not have the authority to limit land use, like new development. However, the GSA has the ability to reach out to the tribe for a government-to-government communication (in coordination with the county). 151. Nancy Horton
Our pumps terrible water. We just replaced our old broken filtration system which cost us at least $5,000, still in progress. 10 years ago our pump died and we spent thousands of dollars replacing our old well pipes, pump…everything except for the hole. On top of that our electric bill is our water bill.

Clearly our water is not free, and nobody takes care of the treatment or delivery of this water for us.

We are very conservative with our water and now we will get fees for this? The GSA is responsible for managing groundwater in the basin to protect the common resource, including groundwater levels, the connection between groundwater and surface water (like streams), and to prevent land subsidence, water quality problems and seawater intrusion due to over pumping. The GSA doesn't maintain private or public wells. 152. Ryan Klein
So, we need to own the property, pay to drill our wells. Pay to maintain our wells, pay for the electricity to pump the water, and we pay you for all of that, why? What am I missing here? The GSA is responsible for managing groundwater in the basin to protect the common resource, including groundwater levels, the connection between groundwater and surface water (like streams), and to prevent land subsidence, water quality problems and seawater intrusion due to over pumping. The GSA doesn't maintain private or public wells. 153. Kevin Christensen
Is this information being translated into Spanish, and other languages for communities who have primary languages other than English? Noting that this meeting is not providing translation which is a major barrier to participation from all members of the community.

One of the upcoming in-person community meetings will be translated into Spanish. 154. K & S Pavelka
There are well water quality issues like replacing drip lines, filters, and pipes due to rust which costs the homeowner. What will be done to take care of those costs and others? The GSA is responsible for managing groundwater in the basin to protect the common resource, including groundwater levels, the connection between groundwater and surface water (like streams), and to prevent land subsidence, water quality problems and seawater intrusion due to over pumping. The GSA doesn't maintain private or public wells. 155. Steven Finnegan
Let this be a proposed plan: Rural residential users will not be charged the first year of this concept. This will give us the opportunity to monitor the Agencies operation making sure they aggressively charge major water users; vineyards, cannabis, breweries, golf courses, new sub-divisions etc. We, the rural residential users need to feel that our interests are considered, respected, and protected.

Thank you for your comment.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 30 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 26
Questions/Answers/Comments
156. Jim Burke
As a rural residential well and septic owner, we pay for installing, operating, and maintaining our well, our water storage, our water sanitizing, and pumping the water into our home. These are significant costs. Our drains flow to our septic system, which perks back into the aquafer. We're already incented to conserve and do, including capturing shower water in a bucket as it's heated. This is not going to change our conservation behavior at all but will cost us additional fees.

Thank you for your comment.
157. Rose Morgan
Are we being asked to subsidize the ag/commercial users? No, rural residents are not being asked to subsidize other users. All groundwater users including ag/commercial in the basin are part of this consideration. 158. Ryan Klein
Just charge the wineries. They use all the water and have all the money. Why are you charging us to benefit the wineries? That’s reverse robin hood.

Rural residents are not being asked to subsidize other users. All groundwater users including ag/commercial in the basin are part of this consideration. 159. Charlene Stone
What do you think you will accomplish for over $1 million per year? A detailed discussion of projects and actions can be found in Section 6 of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Examples include:
• Education and voluntary reductions in groundwater use through water conservation tools. • Plan for stormwater capture and recharge along and near streams. • Plan for aquifer storage and recovery though new deep water supply wells. • Management Actions such as development of policy options and coordination of Farm Plans with the GSP
160. Charlene Stone
How much additional water will all these fees produce?
A detailed discussion of projects and actions can be found in Section 6 of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Examples include:
• Education and voluntary reductions in groundwater use through water conservation tools. • Plan for stormwater capture and recharge along and near streams. • Plan for aquifer storage and recovery though new deep water supply wells. • Management Actions such as development of policy options and coordination of Farm Plans with the GSP
161. Vivian Brockway
Living on westside Windsor. Are you going to address how much money it takes for us to filter our water to make it safe from Arsenic, Iron, Manganese and Sulfur? Do the new development of Indians in Windsor have to pay their share?
The GSA is responsible for managing groundwater in the basin to protect the common resource, including groundwater levels, the connection between groundwater and surface water (like streams), and to prevent land subsidence, water quality problems and seawater intrusion due to over pumping. The GSA doesn't maintain private or public wells. As sovereign governments, tribal lands are not regulated by SGMA.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 31 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 27
Questions/Answers/Comments
162. Monty Mola
We are essentially returning all our household water used through our septic system. Will we be given credit for reuse of that water?
Cumulatively, rural residents pump a little less than 1/4 of the groundwater pumped in the basin. While septic helps recharge the basin, wells are generally much deeper than leech fields and not all septic returns benefit the deeper aquifer. For a detailed analysis of groundwater levels, both deep and shallow, go to Section 3 of the groundwater sustainability plan:
https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/gsp/.
163. Lisa Harder
Again, who is getting the fee? Looks like it is the consulting company A detailed discussion of projects and actions can be found in Section 6 of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Examples include:
• Education and voluntary reductions in groundwater use through water conservation tools. • Plan for stormwater capture and recharge along and near streams. • Plan for aquifer storage and recovery though new deep water supply wells. • Management Actions such as development of policy options and coordination of Farm Plans with the GSP
164. Joe
Do you get a discount for being a veteran?
The fee is based on estimated or assumed water use, not based on the user (seniors, veterans, disabled or low-income people). Well owners will be responsible for their wells and water systems. The GSA is responsible for managing the groundwater resource as it relates to groundwater pumping (for example, reduction in groundwater levels, water quality, land subsidence, etc.).
165. Don McEnhill
Your vineyard estimate is way off, most vineyards meter their water so that data is available.

Vineyard estimates were developed in consultation with UC Cooperative Extension, the Resource Conservation Districts and with input from local growers. 166. Robyn Scoma
Because of the cost of drilling and maintaining a well, will there be help when redrilling is needed? The GSA is responsible for managing groundwater in the basin to protect the common resource, including groundwater levels, the connection between groundwater and surface water (like streams), and to prevent land subsidence, water quality problems and seawater intrusion due to over pumping. The GSA doesn't maintain private or public wells. 167. Raymond Muelrath
You said the city of Santa Rosa gets drinking water from local ground water. Why are city water users of city water not paying for this ground water studies as well? The number of households using water within the city limits are using a lot more water as a total than households in the county that have wells.

Before you even get started with the fee amount you have already decided that you are going to be doubling the fee! I see this as being the case each time you decide you need more money for more studies. You keep asking us to conserve water! How about stopping building new homes and apartments in the city. Are you going to help pay for having to drill a new well when my well goes dry!!! Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 32 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 28
Questions/Answers/Comments
As a groundwater pumper, the city of Santa Rosa pays a groundwater fee. This fee is spread to all city water users. The GSA is responsible for managing groundwater in the basin to protect the common resource, including groundwater levels, the connection between groundwater and surface water (like streams), and to prevent land subsidence, water quality problems and seawater intrusion due to over pumping. The GSA doesn't maintain private or public wells. 168. J Jacoby
Residents should not be taxed for water they need for basic needs or even survival. Should the fees only be for companies, vineyards, etc. that profit from the water? Thank you for your comment.
169. K & S Pavelka
When we have a chance to be heard and responded to live? Additional in-person community meetings will be held in April.

Additional Comments
170. Lisa Harder
As you see from the questions, we all thought water was included with our private property rights.

Would you please once and for all please let us know the truth. 171. Linda Sullivan
As a long-range plan, SR needs to work on infrastructure to utilize the wastewater. Grey water can be used for landscaping, rules can and should be set for an allotment of water per ppl/per home. 172. Carla and Robert Ambrosini
Why are you calling this a fee? It is a tax.
173. K & S Pavelka
Residential users should not be charged. Period.
174. Lisa Harder
Better to close the agency.
175. Michael Ritter
Since it’s all about supply/demand, short supply means all demand can’t be met. Someone loses. New home projects must be stopped or stalled. High-profit wineries must cut back production or pay more.

Fees won’t make up for shortage.
176. Tom Yarish
In summer I pump 1000 to 1500 gpd for 3 ac parcel. Quality is so bad that I lose 60% or more as bypass from Reverse Osmosic treatment. Lots of wineries have same problem with arsenic or boron (or it is in your wine.) Wells are failing as I watch new vineyards flourish on all sides. Let’s not talk about fair or equitable. Time for the water vigilantes to ride.
177. K & S Pavelka
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 33 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 29
Questions/Answers/Comments
Fees should not be imposed until we apply for all grants. This is backwards, really. Cart before the horse.

Hurting longtime residents is not the way to go.
178. Dan Tennyson
No way Rural Residential Parcels are using 450 gallons of water a day! Most parcels are 1 acre or less. No mention of the water going to be sent to Marin County in your ground water estimate. 179. Karen Krimont
Any consideration charging big water users…vineyards before charging the homeowner with no ag and zero landscaping.
180. Lisa Harder
This could all be done by college interns and save a bunch of time and money. 181. Lisa Harder
At least we get a say in the parcel tax, we can pay the current fees out of the budget surplus. 182. Gregory Pearl
We have subsidized non well owners via the WS Dam/RR project on our tax bills. Maybe it's time they returned the favor and helped the well owners. Sharing the cost will all users seems more fair. 183. Tom Yarish
This whole process rests on the absurd notion that our population based can be sustained under existing and emerging conditions (shortages due to all sources.) Looks to me like these models are based on a high intake of cool-aid mixed with our two leading intoxicants, cannabis, and wine. 184. David Meads
Thank you for providing this Zoom meeting. This is much easier for residents to attend. 185. Charlene Stone
Sounds like double talk...I see no decrease in usage of h20. 186. Charlene Stone
In simple language, how will we conserve our groundwater? 187. Tom Yarish
I’ve just joined Toad Hall Resource Consultants, LLC.
188. Wendy Krupnick
Thanks, but clearly water use other than for irrigation should be included. This amount can dwarf the amount used for irrigation.
189. Kim Gartmann
What portion of the fee that you are implementing goes toward the mitigation of our groundwater short fall?
190. Carla and Robert Ambrosini
Taxation without representation. It began with an unfair state mandate. Another one.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 34 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 30
Questions/Answers/Comments
191. Lisa Harder
Us paying a fee will not stabilize the groundwater.
192. Nancy Horton
Does everyone here understand that Lake Pillsbury is the reason, for the most part, that water flows into Lake Mendocino and therefore into the Russian River? Do people in Sonoma County know that ‘the powers that be’ are planning to remove Scott Dam and drain Lake Pillsbury, leaving no reserved water for domestic use, agriculture, fires, and fish in both the Eel and Russian Rivers? www.savelakepillsbury.org.
193. Lisa Harder
Another way developers offset the cost of continuing development because our elected officials don't have the guts to tell them no development.
194. Tom Yarish
I can hardly wait for the indigenous Casino Indian Nation to sue to protect their native water rights heritages in each basin. No aware those rights were ever sold. Might form their own water districts. 195. Les Klein
Tested a few years back the rotten egg smell was created by water injection. You can't fool mother nature.
196. Lisa Harder
We don't tax food because it is essential, doesn't water, fall into this category? 197. Les Klein
Recycled water carries heavy metals and industrial poisons. 198. Lisa Harder
What about the nitrates flowing into the River from the city that will cost us tens of thousands in Federal fines, that we choose to ignore?
199. Charlene Stone
This is a perfect example of bureaucracy at its worst.
200. Michael ritter
Your posted charge rate for a 50-acre vineyard at $1,050/year is way too low. High-profit water users must pay much more than rural residential or urban well people! 201. Tom Yarish
Sonoma wines should only be sold and consumed in the basins of origin, so at least the expensive pee would be recycled back to the source.
202. Lisa Harder
Not even buying us a drink first.
203. Karen Krimont
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 35 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 31
Questions/Answers/Comments
Will there be consideration for the electricity used to pump our wells? We already pay to get the water.

Now we need to pay for the water.
204. Dan Tennyson
Note: when I was on city water, I used 100 gal. a day with 6 people in my house. Now just 2 people in my house.
205. Tom Yarish
Honestly now, consider how wine and cannabis have been conflated with food production. Answer:
money and power write the laws and definitions. Fundamental of water engineers, rule one: water flows uphill toward money.
206. K & S Pavelka
Need to answer the question asked, not talk about salaries. 207. Lisa Harder
Sounds like paying salaries for services that we don't want, California bureaucracies. 208. Ryan Klein
I don’t see thousands of acres of cannabis everywhere I go, wineries are the entire reason for our water shortages. They should be charged the most.
209. K & S Pavelka
Many questions are being ignored or skipped.
210. K Demarte
I am the only person who lives in my residence. Will my fees be the same as a family of 4 next door? property taxes show how much I pay to schools (I have no kids) and tax deductions are rare if you're single. Now another fee.
211. Karen Krimont
Opinion. To be completely fair it should be based on usage not per parcel. 212. Jonathan McClelland
I look forward to having my well usage metered, and reaping credits for conservative water usage on my

1.5-acre parcel. Thank you, Santa Rosa Plain GMA, for doing a mostly thankless job and showing remarkable restraint in dealing with a reactionary, vocal public that has both little knowledge of the situation or sense of responsibility for their personal footprint. 213. Arthur Deicke
This is state mandated and in law. We are fortunate to have our GSA with its depth in local water knowledge and its open dialogue with us.

214. L Bishop
Thank you all for a good meeting..... lots of information.

For more information on the GSA and its Groundwater Sustainability Plan required by the Sustainable Management Groundwater Act, please visit https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/ Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 36 of 39 ends

03.22.22 SRP Community Meeting 32
Questions/Answers/Comments
For more information on the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Plan, please visit https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/gsp/.

To find out if your property is within the basin, please visit https://santarosaplaingroundwater.org/user/.

Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 37 of 39 ends

Santa Rosa Plain 03.22.22 Community Meeting
Attendee List
1 Panelists/Staff
Andrea Rodriguez
Andy Rodgers
Ann DuBay
Colin Close
Jennifer Burke
Jerry Bradshaw - SCI Consulting
Group
Marcus Trotta
Sam Magill
Simone Peters
Tom Schwedhelm
Attendees
Alicia Adams
Allen Sudduth
Andrew Sierocinski
Andy
Ani Fowler
Ann Conger
Anne Trujillo
Art Trinei
Arthur Deicke
Audrey Bush
Barbara Fabrizio
Barbara Polster
Beth Lamb
Bill Schalich
Bob Anderson
Bob Hight
Bob Likins
Bonny Lystra
Carla and Robert Ambrosini
Catherine Woody
Charlene Stone
Cheryl White
Christine Dafforn
Christine Ricks
Christine Teaford
Christy Siojo
Claudia Abend
Clm Muelrath
Craig Hanson
Craig Hardisty
cynthia deleon
Cynthia Riggs
Dan Tennyson
Daniel Muelrath
David McQuate
David Meads
David Noren
Deborah Curtis
Debra Avanche
Dennis Flynn
Dennis Kurlander
Diane Sturm
Don McEnhill
Doug Jones
Ed Greening
Elizabeth Cargay
Elizabeth Lotz
Felipe Lara
Fred Park
Frederick Krueger
Gayle Lash
Gisela Torok
Gordon Magee
Greg Sitter
Gregory Gordon
Gregory Pearl
Guillermo
Howard Aunapu
Indigo Bannister
Ivan Juarez
J Jacoby
Jaime Neary
James Jasperse
Janet Tajii
Janet White
Jean
Jean Tillinghast
Jeanne Olson
Jennifer LaPorta
Jerry Phoenix
Jim Burke
Jim Horn
jim paschal

JOAN LATEER
Joe
Joe Gaffney
John Bazzano
john maiden
Jonathan McClelland
Judy Dick
Julie Alberigi
June Whitesides
K & S Pavelka
K Demarte
KACM
Karen Krimont
Kathleen Cipolla
Katie Tobias
Ken Becker
Kenneth Mason
Keoni Ball
Kevin Christensen
Kim Gartmann
Kimberly Bowman
Kunthea Cheykim
L Bishop
Laurie Smith
Leigh Meyer
Lenny Levis# PhD
Les Klein
Leslie Mikulich
Lewis Jester
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 38 of 39 ends

Santa Rosa Plain 03.22.22 Community Meeting
Attendee List
2 Linda Boline
Linda Sullivan
Lisa Harder
Louise Lieb
Luke Kampmann
lynn ashmore
Lynn Stewart
Lynnette Bower
M Doyel
Madelon Greenspan
Madolyn Bemis
Maria Olivera
Mark Campbell
Marlene Soiland
Mary Antolini
Mary Keitel
Mary Kowatch
Maryse Suppiger
Matt Mariani
Matthew McGarey
Meighan Shaughnessy
Mel Sanchietti
Melissa Benjamin
michael ritter
Michael Skurtun
Michelle Dumford
Mike Holberg
Monty Mola
Nancy Chien-Eriksen
Nancy Horton
Neil D.

Parastou Hooshialsadat
Pat Gentry
Pat Keaney
Patricia Slyker
Paul Becker
Paul Wells
pc
Pete Daigle
Peter Niewieroski
Rachel Rees
Randy Larsen
Raymond Muelrath
Rich Carnation
Richard Chatigny
Richard Glazier
richard kluck
Robert Gamble
Robert Weiss
Robyn Scoma
Roger Bradley
Rose Morgan
Roxanna Yappert
Rue Furch
Ruth Daniels
Rux Simkins
Ryan Aston
Ryan Klein
Sacha Lepley
Scott Macdonald
Shelley Redding
Sheryl Adams
Shirley Merrill
Stephen Porter
Steven Finnegan
Susan Tanner
Tameron Eaton
Thomas Insco
Tim Parker
Tom Aiello
Tom Bauer
Tom Yarish
Toni Esposti
Tony Gossner
Torrey Penney
Valerie Silva
Valerie White
Vickie Vogler
Victoria Petersent
Vikki Lenox
Vivian Brockway
Wayne Haydon
Wendy Krupnick
Agenda Item Number 9
Agenda Item Number 9
City Council Meeting Packet for May 3, 2022

Page 39 of 39 ends

Sebastopol City CouncilMay 3, 2022

Sebastopol City Council
May 3, 2022