AGENDA
WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING
WATERFORD CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL
CHAMBERS 101 “E” STREET, WATERFORD, CA
CALL TO ORDER &
FLAG SALUTE:
INVOCATION:
ROLL CALL:
Mayor Goeken
Pastor Pete Mar, Community Bible Church
Mayor: Charlie Goeken
Vice Mayor: Jamie Hilton
Council Members: Guadalupe Gutierrez, Christine Harris, Elizabeth Talbott ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
A member of the City Council motions to accept the items on the agenda for consideration as presented, or motions for any additions, including emergency items, or items pulled from consideration.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION:
Declaration by City Council members who may have a direct Conflict of Interest on any scheduled agenda item to be considered.
1. 2.
This is the portion of the meeting specifically set aside to invite public comments regarding any matters not appearing on the agenda and within the jurisdiction of the City Council or the Successor Agency. Individual audience participation is limited to a maximum of 5 minutes. We encourage you to share your name and address or submit a speaker card to the City Clerk.
3. All Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine by the Council and will be adopted by one action of the Council unless any Council Member desires to discuss any item or items separately. In that event, the Mayor will remove that item from the Consent Calendar and action will be considered separately.
3a: MOTION: Waiving all Readings of Ordinances and Resolutions, except by title. 3b: RESOLUTION: Adopting Resolution 2026-01, Approving the Warrant Register in the Amount of $947,572.07 for the Period of December 12, 2025 to January 5, 2026. 3c: MOTION: Approving Minutes of the Public Forum and Regular City Council Meeting held December 15, 2025.
WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING – January 15, 2026 - 6:30 PM
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
PRESENTATIONS
ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
4. 4.
4a: ORDINANCE: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-06 Authorizing the Levy of Special Taxes in Certain Annexation Territory Identified as Annexation No. 2 to Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance Services). (Envia)
5. 5a: MOTION: Conduct Public Hearing and Receive a Report on the City’s Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts, to Assembly Bill (AB) 2561.(Krause)
5b: MOTION: Conduct a Public Hearing Regarding Creation of an Election by District Map. (Browning)
6. 6a: RESOLUTION: Resolution 2026-02, Adopting a Groundwater use Management Program in the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin. (Pitcock)
6b: RESOLUTION: Resolution 2026-03, Adopting a Well Mitigation Plan in the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin (Pitcock)
7. 8.
8a: City Project List
8b: My Waterford Request Report
9. 9a: City Staff
9b: City Council
10. 11. CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT / RECESS
STAFF/COUNCIL COMMENTS AND MEETING REPORTS
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER WATERFORD REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
GENERAL BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING - FINAL READINGS
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ELECTION:
12. NOTICE
REPORTS: Copies of the staff reports or other written documentation relating to each item of business referred to on the agenda are on file in the office of the City Clerk. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda (other than writings legally exempt from public disclosure) will be made available for public inspection at the front counter at City Hall during normal business hours.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE: If you wish to address the City Council or the Successor Agency on any item not on the printed agenda, prior to the start of the meeting, or prior to addressing the City Council or the Successor Agency, complete and submit a speaker card and deliver it to the City Clerk. (Please note, speaker cards are not required, however completing a speaker card enables staff to better follow up with you later, if necessary and attribute your comments to you in the minutes of the meeting). When the Mayor calls for “Communications from the Audience,” stand or raise your hand and the Mayor will ask you to approach the podium and state your name and city of residence. It is the policy of the City Council that they will not act on any matter not appearing on the posted agenda. The purpose of the discussion is to permit a member of the public to raise an issue or problem and to permit the City Council to ask questions for clarification of the issue or problem, provide information to the public, provide direction of the City Staff, or schedule the matter for a future meeting. Please hold all comments to five (5) minutes.
PUBLIC COMMENTS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THE PRINTED AGENDA: Members of the public are entitled to directly address the City Council or the Successor Agency concerning any item that is described on the agenda during consideration of that item. If during a public hearing, the Mayor will direct when the hearing has opened for public comment. If you wish to address the City Council or the Successor Agency on any item listed on this agenda, please complete a speaker card and deliver it to the City Clerk prior to discussion of that item. (Please note, speaker cards are not required, however completing a speaker card enables staff to better follow up with you later, if necessary and attribute your comments to you in the minutes of the meeting.) When your name is called proceed to the podium and state your name and city of residence.
WRITTEN MATERIAL INTRODUCED INTO THE RECORD: Citizens wishing to introduce written material into the record at the public hearing on any item are requested to provide a copy of the written material to the City Clerk prior to the public hearing date and/or prior to the opening of the public hearing so that the material may be distributed to the City Council prior to the public hearing.
NOTICE REGARDING CHALLENGES TO DECISIONS: Pursuant to all applicable laws and regulations, including without limitation, California Government Code Section 65009 and or California Public Resources Code Section 21177, if you wish to challenge in court any decisions (regarding planning, zoning and/or environmental decisions), you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing(s) described in this notice/agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or prior to, the public hearing.
LIVE AND ON-DEMAND VIDEO RECORDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY: The meeting of the Waterford City Council/Successor Agency can be watched live and on-demand from the City’s website at www.cityofwaterford.org.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA): In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disabilityrelated modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (209) 874-2328 ext. 101 or email:
[email protected]. Requests must be made as early as possible and at least two-full business days before the start of the meeting General Information: The Waterford City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 6:30PM., unless otherwise noticed.
Council Agenda’s: Copies of City Council Agenda and agenda related writings or documents will be made available for public inspection at the front counter at City Hall located at 101 “E” Street, Waterford, CA 72 hours prior to the meeting, or at the time of the scheduled meeting. 1/8/2026
Patricia Krause, CMC, City Clerk Date
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Consent Calendar 3a
January 15, 2026
Patricia Krause, City Clerk / Administrative Services Director City Council Staff Report
Motion: Waive Readings of Ordinances and Resolutions, Except by Title.
SUMMARY:
It is recommended that the City Council approve the waiver of readings of Ordinances and Resolutions, except by title.
ANALYSIS:
Pursuant to California Government Code §36934, approval of the waiver of readings will allow Ordinances and Resolutions to be introduced by title only and acted upon without the need to read the entire text of the item into the public record. The documents related to proposed Ordinances and Resolutions are available for review by the public on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s office at City Hall.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Direct the City Clerk to read the entire text of resolutions and ordinances prior to approval and adoption.
2. Take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
Consent Calendar 3b
January 15, 2026
Patricia Krause, City Clerk / Administrative Services Director City Council Staff Report
Resolution: Adopting Resolution 2026-01, Approving the Warrant Register in the Amount of $947,572.07 for the Period of December 12, 2025 to January 5, 2026.
SUMMARY:
Consider approving the Warrant Register for the period of December 12, 2025 to January 5, 2026.
ANALYSIS:
As per Government Code Section §41004, a listing of all payments the City has made for goods and services need to be approved by City Council on a regular basis. This Warrant Register includes payments and payroll made for the period of December 12, 2025 to January 5, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Payments for this period total $947,572.07.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Take no action.
2. Provide staff with further direction.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Resolution #2026-01
• Check Register Report
User:
Printed: 12/22/2025 - 9:46AM
'trish'
Payroll
Include Partial: FALSE
ACH Check Register
Batch: 00022.12.2025
Check Date Check Number Employee No Employee Name Amount 12/22/2025 0 1002 4,930.48
12/22/2025 0 1006 3,518.42
12/22/2025 0 1008 2,312.77
12/22/2025 0 1017 2,077.41
12/22/2025 0 1018 1,580.60
12/22/2025 0 1020 894.35
12/22/2025 0 2005 2,743.56
12/22/2025 0 2006 3,407.15
12/22/2025 0 2010 1,005.97
12/22/2025 0 2012 2,319.77
12/22/2025 0 2020 4,656.15
12/22/2025 0 2028 2,228.42
12/22/2025 0 2030 2,490.49
12/22/2025 0 2031 2,942.86
12/22/2025 0 2033 1,953.51
12/22/2025 0 2034 1,722.23
12/22/2025 0 2035 2,254.80
12/22/2025 0 2037 2,590.27
12/22/2025 0 2040 1,381.29
12/22/2025 0 2041 1,034.90
12/22/2025 0 3002 134.79
12/22/2025 0 3010 124.06
12/22/2025 0 3013 126.21
12/22/2025 0 3014 126.21
12/22/2025 0 3015 126.21
Total Employees: 25 Total: 48,682.88
PR- ACH Check Register (12/22/2025 - 9:46 AM) Page 1
User:
Printed: 01/05/2026 - 10:24AM
'trish'
Payroll
Include Partial: FALSE
ACH Check Register
Batch: 00005.01.2026
Check Date Check Number Employee No Employee Name Amount 01/05/2026 0 1002 4,439.08
01/05/2026 0 1006 3,588.90
01/05/2026 0 1008 2,218.42
01/05/2026 0 1017 2,087.56
01/05/2026 0 1018 1,580.30
01/05/2026 0 1020 738.44
01/05/2026 0 2005 2,902.77
01/05/2026 0 2006 3,416.02
01/05/2026 0 2010 1,010.09
01/05/2026 0 2012 2,416.90
01/05/2026 0 2020 4,318.07
01/05/2026 0 2028 2,616.22
01/05/2026 0 2030 4,007.14
01/05/2026 0 2031 4,359.37
01/05/2026 0 2033 2,197.70
01/05/2026 0 2034 3,193.87
01/05/2026 0 2035 1,950.12
01/05/2026 0 2037 2,591.83
01/05/2026 0 2040 820.74
01/05/2026 0 2041 794.43
01/05/2026 0 3002 134.65
01/05/2026 0 3010 123.92
01/05/2026 0 3013 126.07
01/05/2026 0 3014 126.07
01/05/2026 0 3015 126.07
Total Employees: 25 Total: 51,884.75
PR- ACH Check Register (01/05/2026 - 10:24 AM) Page 1
User:
Printed: 12/12/2025 - 11:08AM
tina
Computer Check Proof List by Vendor
Accounts Payable
Batch: 00012.12.2025
Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Vendor: 1001047 TAQUERIA CASTILLO Check Sequence: 1 ACH Enabled: False 31014 CITY WIDE CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON 440.00 12/12/2025 1010-110-7732 Check Total: 440.00
Total for Check Run:
Total of Number of Checks:
440.00
1 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/12/2025 - 11:08 AM) Page 1 User:
Printed: 12/18/2025 - 12:52PM
tina
Computer Check Proof List by Vendor
Accounts Payable
Batch: 00018.12.2025
Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Vendor: 103400 ANSWERNET Check Sequence: 1 ACH Enabled: False 112-94311 ANSWERING SERVICES: 12/16/25 THROUGH 01/12/2026 28.90 12/18/2025 5071-800-7810 112-94311 ANSWERING SERVICES: 12/16/25 THROUGH 01/12/2026 28.90 12/18/2025 5050-700-7810 112-94311 ANSWERING SERVICES: 12/16/25 THROUGH 01/12/2026 14.46 12/18/2025 1010-110-7810 Check Total: 72.26
Vendor: 104730 AUTOZONE, INC. Check Sequence: 2 ACH Enabled: False 03683493358 WELL #302 - ANTIFREEEZE FOR GENERATOR 21.56 12/18/2025 5071-800-7420 Check Total: 21.56
Vendor: 104896 BADGER METER Check Sequence: 3 ACH Enabled: False 80211401 INTERNET BEACON SERVICE: SEPTEMBER 2025 213.45 12/18/2025 5071-800-7620 80211401 INTERNET BEACON SERVICE: SEPTEMBER 2025 30.49 12/18/2025 5072-800-7620 80211401 INTERNET BEACON SERVICE: SEPTEMBER 2025 60.98 12/18/2025 5070-800-7620 Check Total: 304.92
Vendor: 105600 BAY ALARM COMPANY Check Sequence: 4 ACH Enabled: False 22629124 PEST CONTROL SERVICE PW BUILDING: 12/01/25 251.73 12/18/2025 5071-800-7730 22629124 PEST CONTROL SERVICE PW BUILDING: 12/01/25 251.73 12/18/2025 5070-800-7730 22629124 PEST CONTROL SERVICE PW BUILDING: 12/01/25 251.73 12/18/2025 5072-800-7730 22629124 PEST CONTROL SERVICE PW BUILDING: 12/01/25 251.73 12/18/2025 5050-700-7730 Check Total: 1,006.92
Vendor: UB*01997 ODALIS CASTILLO Check Sequence: 5 ACH Enabled: False Refund Check 012684-000, 509 E STREET 7.26 12/16/2025 5071-000-2010 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 1 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Check Total: 7.26
Vendor: UB*01998 CAVANAUGH REAL ESTATE INC Check Sequence: 6 ACH Enabled: False Refund Check 013117-000, 13119 6TH ST 6.01 12/16/2025 5072-000-2010 Check Total: 6.01
Vendor: 144410 CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS (7173) Check Sequence: 7 ACH Enabled: False 170080301120125 INTERNET: COMMUNITY CENTER 12/04/25 THROUGH 01/03/2026 3.00 12/18/2025 1010-560-7811 Check Total: 320.00
Vendor: 110800 CHUCK'S AUTO PARTS Check Sequence: 8 ACH Enabled: False 940866 OIL FOR BOOM TRUCK 22.85 12/18/2025 1010-310-7510 941512 DUMP TRUCK BATTERY 81.48 12/18/2025 5070-800-7430 941512 DUMP TRUCK BATTERY 285.22 12/18/2025 5071-800-7430 941512 DUMP TRUCK BATTERY 40.74 12/18/2025 5072-800-7430 941599 F250 SHAUN'S TRUCK - BATTERY 217.74 12/18/2025 1010-580-7430 941803 CLEANING SUPPLIES FOR VEHICLES 64.66 12/18/2025 1010-310-7510 942124 BACKHOE - HYDRAULIC FLUID 5.39 12/18/2025 5072-800-7430 942124 BACKHOE - HYDRAULIC FLUID 37.75 12/18/2025 5071-800-7430 942124 BACKHOE - HYDRAULIC FLUID 10.78 12/18/2025 5070-800-7430 942191 DUMP TRUCK - RELAY 23.71 12/18/2025 1010-310-7430 Check Total: 790.32
Vendor: 112500 CLARK PEST CONTROL Check Sequence: 9 ACH Enabled: False 38755031 PEST CONTROL: DECEMBER SERVICE 75.00 12/18/2025 1010-110-7730 38755031 PEST CONTROL: DECEMBER SERVICE 75.00 12/18/2025 1010-210-7730 38755031 PEST CONTROL: DECEMBER SERVICE 75.00 12/18/2025 1010-310-7730 Check Total: 225.00
Vendor: 152772 COLUMBIA BANK Check Sequence: 10 ACH Enabled: False 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 101.98 12/18/2025 1010-110-7540 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 206.45 12/18/2025 1010-110-7730 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 5,000.00 12/18/2025 1010-110-7731 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 770.00 12/18/2025 5071-800-7740 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 2 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 94.92 12/18/2025 2290-600-7510 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 2,374.31 12/18/2025 1010-110-7515 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 155.00 12/18/2025 1010-110-7720 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 733.57 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 110.00 12/18/2025 5072-800-7740 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 4,130.00 12/18/2025 1010-110-7620 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 70.93 12/18/2025 5050-700-7510 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 104.79 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 170.14 12/18/2025 1010-110-7510 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 209.58 12/18/2025 5070-800-7510 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 58.49 12/18/2025 1010-110-7732 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 119.72 12/18/2025 1010-550-7510 11302025 SEE AP FILE FOR INVOICE BACK UP 220.00 12/18/2025 5070-800-7740 Check Total: 14,629.88
Vendor: 200760 CSG CONSULTANTS, INC. Check Sequence: 11 ACH Enabled: False 63866 BUILDING INSPECTIONS: 11/01 THROUGH 11/28/2025 3,380.00 12/18/2025 1010-410-7190 Check Total: 3,380.00
Vendor: 117630 EYEMED Check Sequence: 12 ACH Enabled: False 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 2.87 12/18/2025 5090-110-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 1.20 12/18/2025 1010-430-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 1.68 12/18/2025 2010-210-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 0.58 12/18/2025 1010-550-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 2.88 12/18/2025 1010-210-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 6.01 12/18/2025 2210-260-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 73.58 12/18/2025 5071-800-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 7.74 12/18/2025 5072-800-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 12.94 12/18/2025 1010-410-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 6.01 12/18/2025 1010-560-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 18.08 12/18/2025 5070-800-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 16.28 12/18/2025 1010-580-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 17.85 12/18/2025 1010-110-7120 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 29.92 12/18/2025 1010-310-7120 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 3 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference 167088692 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 90.64 12/18/2025 5050-700-7120 Check Total: 288.26
Vendor: 118400 FERGUSON WATERWORKS #1423 Check Sequence: 13 ACH Enabled: False 0034462-1 WATER DEPARTMENT: OPERATING SUPPLIES 45.81 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 0034462-1 WATER DEPARTMENT: OPERATING SUPPLIES 320.63 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 0034462-1 WATER DEPARTMENT: OPERATING SUPPLIES 91.62 12/18/2025 5070-800-7510 0049881 WATER DEPARTMENT: BLUE PVC PIPE 55.00 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 0049881 WATER DEPARTMENT: BLUE PVC PIPE 110.00 12/18/2025 5070-800-7510 0049881 WATER DEPARTMENT: BLUE PVC PIPE 384.97 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 0050094 WATER DEPARTMENT: BLUE PVC PIPE 165.00 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 0050094 WATER DEPARTMENT: BLUE PVC PIPE 23.57 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 0050094 WATER DEPARTMENT: BLUE PVC PIPE 47.14 12/18/2025 5070-800-7510 Check Total: 1,243.74
Vendor: 118800 FINANCIAL CREDIT NETWORK, INC Check Sequence: 14 ACH Enabled: False 12162025 COLLECTION FEES - NOVEMBER 2025 65.17 12/18/2025 5071-800-7190 12162025 COLLECTION FEES - NOVEMBER 2025 32.59 12/18/2025 5072-800-7190 12162025 COLLECTION FEES - NOVEMBER 2025 65.17 12/18/2025 5070-800-7190 12162025 COLLECTION FEES - NOVEMBER 2025 162.93 12/18/2025 5050-700-7190 Check Total: 325.86
Vendor: 118849 FIRST SERVE PRODUCTIONS INC Check Sequence: 15 ACH Enabled: False 001 TENNIS COURT - PICKLE BALL REMODEL 91,466.00 12/18/2025 1010-580-8010 Check Total: 91,466.00
Vendor: 121000 GILTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC. Check Sequence: 16 ACH Enabled: False WATESS-00091 STREET SWEEPING FOR NOVEMBER 2025 1,429.12 12/18/2025 1010-310-7190 Check Total: 1,429.12
Vendor: 122560 GUARDIAN Check Sequence: 17 ACH Enabled: False 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 1.22 12/18/2025 5090-110-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 18.88 12/18/2025 5070-800-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 104.68 12/18/2025 5071-800-7120 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 4 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 51.34 12/18/2025 1010-110-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 36.52 12/18/2025 1010-560-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 10.09 12/18/2025 1010-580-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 34.09 12/18/2025 1010-210-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 7.04 12/18/2025 5072-800-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 3.65 12/18/2025 2210-260-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 14.64 12/18/2025 1010-410-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 1.82 12/18/2025 2010-210-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 121.17 12/18/2025 5050-700-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 17.39 12/18/2025 1010-310-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 16.68 12/18/2025 1010-550-7120 12162025 DECEMBER PREMIUMS 1.81 12/18/2025 1010-430-7120 Check Total: 441.02
Vendor: 123381 HEALTH NET - C/O CASH UNIT Check Sequence: 18 ACH Enabled: False 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 514.26 12/18/2025 1010-560-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 931.07 12/18/2025 5072-800-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 329.08 12/18/2025 5090-110-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 55.04 12/18/2025 1010-550-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 2,766.41 12/18/2025 1010-310-7120 12182025 JANUARY PREMIUM - POLICY ID#180768 PARENT ID# M8931A2,319.06 12/18/2025 1010-110-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 226.95 12/18/2025 2010-210-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 529.60 12/18/2025 2210-260-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 2,110.00 12/18/2025 5070-800-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 1,751.75 12/18/2025 1010-410-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 7,929.91 12/18/2025 5050-700-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 352.29 12/18/2025 1010-210-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 139.81 12/18/2025 1010-430-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 7,938.78 12/18/2025 5071-800-7120 12182025 NEW PROVIDER - JANUARY 2026 PREMIUMS 1,381.29 12/18/2025 1010-580-7120 Check Total: 29,275.30
Vendor: 123956 HICKMAN TIRE & WHEEL Check Sequence: 19 ACH Enabled: False 00259 JOHN DEERE TRACTOR: NEW TIRE & TUBE 1,953.00 12/18/2025 5050-700-7430 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 5 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Check Total: 1,953.00
Vendor: 124500 HOWK SYSTEMS Check Sequence: 20 ACH Enabled: False 0326237-IN FORESTAL LANE: STORM PUMP REPAIR 2,037.56 12/18/2025 1010-310-7420 0326238-IN BAKER STREET: PUMP#2 REPAIR ELECTRICAL RELAY 5,142.95 12/18/2025 5050-700-7420 Check Total: 7,180.51
Vendor: 200769 HUNTINGTON PUBLIC CAPITAL CORP Check Sequence: 21 ACH Enabled: False 1097242 PNC LOAN - SOLAR PROJECT 2,146.68 12/18/2025 2210-260-9110 1097242 PNC LOAN - SOLAR PROJECT 4,666.70 12/18/2025 4350-700-9110 1097242 PNC LOAN - SOLAR PROJECT 373.34 12/18/2025 1010-560-9110 1097242 PNC LOAN - SOLAR PROJECT 2,094.10 12/18/2025 1010-560-9010 1097242 PNC LOAN - SOLAR PROJECT 2,146.68 12/18/2025 2230-260-9110 1097242 PNC LOAN - SOLAR PROJECT 12,041.10 12/18/2025 2210-260-9010 1097242 PNC LOAN - SOLAR PROJECT 26,176.30 12/18/2025 4350-700-9010 1097242 PNC LOAN - SOLAR PROJECT 12,041.10 12/18/2025 2230-260-9010 Check Total: 61,686.00
Vendor: 126568 J L ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC. Check Sequence: 22 ACH Enabled: False 666566 WATER TESTING - 206.506.514.538 N REINWAY 166.00 12/18/2025 5071-800-7190 Check Total: 166.00
Vendor: 126570 J.B. ANDERSON LAND USE PLANNING Check Sequence: 23 ACH Enabled: False 597 FAHMY SUBDIVISION 5,971.50 12/18/2025 1010-430-7195 597* GENERAL PLANNING - NOVEMBER 8,462.80 12/18/2025 1010-430-7195 Check Total: 14,434.30
Vendor: UB*01996 HUMBERTO MENDOZA ORTEGA Check Sequence: 24 ACH Enabled: False Refund Check 013193-000, 524 N WESTERN AVE #A 65.65 12/16/2025 5071-000-2010 Check Total: 65.65
Vendor: 131936 MICROBAC LABORATORIES INC C/O DOLLAR BANK Check Sequence: 25 ACH Enabled: False 725001048 WWTP - TESTING SAMPLES 210.00 12/18/2025 5050-700-7190 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 6 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Check Total: 210.00
Vendor: 131898 MID VALLEY IT Check Sequence: 26 ACH Enabled: False 202146025 IT SERVICES - AZURE GATEWAYS & DOMAINS 2,494.37 12/18/2025 1010-110-7195 771 IT SERVICES - DECEMBER 2025 3,944.38 12/18/2025 1010-110-7195 846 MONTLY IT SERVICES - JANUARY 2026 4,047.67 12/18/2025 1010-110-7195 Check Total: 10,486.42
Vendor: 131900 MID-VALLEY PUBLICATIONS Check Sequence: 27 ACH Enabled: False 357378 PUBLIC NOTICE DATED 12/09/2025 103.60 12/18/2025 1010-110-7710 357379 PUBLIC NOTICE - CFD 2019-01 906.50 12/18/2025 1010-110-7710 Check Total: 1,010.10
Vendor: 134500 NBS GOVERNMENT FINANCE GROUP Check Sequence: 28 ACH Enabled: False 202512-3773 2012 PFA - DISCLOSURE REPORT 3,635.76 12/18/2025 5090-110-7190 202512-3815 CFD 2019-1: ANNEXATION #2 - WATERSTONE D,E, PECAN 2,091.66 12/18/2025 1010-430-7190 Check Total: 5,727.42
Vendor: 209807 PACE SUPPLY CORP Check Sequence: 29 ACH Enabled: False 1910973138 WATER DEPARTMENT: METERS & EQUIPMENT 153,008.43 12/18/2025 5075-800-7420 1910973177 WATER DEPARTMENT: METERS & EQUIPMENT 1,562.38 12/18/2025 5075-800-7420 Check Total: 154,570.81
Vendor: 137888 PLATINUM GENERAL ENGINEERING LLC Check Sequence: 30 ACH Enabled: False 004 YOSEMITE BLVD: FRONTAGE IMPROVEMENTS 129,641.55 12/18/2025 6310-310-8292 Check Total: 129,641.55
Vendor: 139055 PROCLEAN SUPPLY Check Sequence: 31 ACH Enabled: False 610471-CM PRODUCT RETURN: ORIGINALL CHARGED TO SHOP -16.45 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 610471-CM PRODUCT RETURN: ORIGINALL CHARGED TO SHOP -23.51 12/18/2025 1010-580-7510 610471-CM PRODUCT RETURN: ORIGINALL CHARGED TO SHOP -2.35 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 610471-CM PRODUCT RETURN: ORIGINALL CHARGED TO SHOP -23.51 12/18/2025 1010-310-7510 610471-CM PRODUCT RETURN: ORIGINALL CHARGED TO SHOP -4.70 12/18/2025 5070-800-7510 610786 SHOP SUPPLIES: BOBRICK SOAP 47.75 12/18/2025 1010-580-7510 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 7 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference 610786 SHOP SUPPLIES: BOBRICK SOAP 9.54 12/18/2025 5070-800-7510 610786 SHOP SUPPLIES: BOBRICK SOAP 47.75 12/18/2025 1010-310-7510 610786 SHOP SUPPLIES: BOBRICK SOAP 33.43 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 610786 SHOP SUPPLIES: BOBRICK SOAP 4.77 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 610794 CLEANING & BATHROOM SUPPLIES - CITY WIDE 44.91 12/18/2025 1010-560-7510 610794 CLEANING & BATHROOM SUPPLIES - CITY WIDE 46.66 12/18/2025 1010-110-7510 610794 CLEANING & BATHROOM SUPPLIES - CITY WIDE 27.02 12/18/2025 1010-310-7510 610794 CLEANING & BATHROOM SUPPLIES - CITY WIDE 2.70 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 610794 CLEANING & BATHROOM SUPPLIES - CITY WIDE 27.02 12/18/2025 1010-580-7510 610794 CLEANING & BATHROOM SUPPLIES - CITY WIDE 18.90 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 610794 CLEANING & BATHROOM SUPPLIES - CITY WIDE 5.40 12/18/2025 5070-800-7510 Check Total: 245.33
Vendor: 141900 SAFE T LITE OF MODESTO INC Check Sequence: 32 ACH Enabled: False 407784 WATER DEPARTMENT - PARKAS 7.76 12/18/2025 5072-800-7580 407784 WATER DEPARTMENT - PARKAS 15.52 12/18/2025 5070-800-7580 407784 WATER DEPARTMENT - PARKAS 54.27 12/18/2025 5071-800-7580 407843 WATER DEPARTMENT - SUPPLIES 22" SCRAPER 25.45 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 407843 WATER DEPARTMENT - SUPPLIES 22" SCRAPER 7.26 12/18/2025 5070-800-7510 407843 WATER DEPARTMENT - SUPPLIES 22" SCRAPER 3.63 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 Check Total: 113.89
Vendor: 141800 SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT Check Sequence: 33 ACH Enabled: False N172538 AIR POLLUTION ANNUAL PERMIT: BONNIE BRAE - FY 26/27 155.00 12/18/2025 5071-800-7920 N172581 AIR POLLUTION ANNUAL PERMIT: FOUNTAIN DRIVE FY - 26/27 64.00 12/18/2025 5070-800-7920 Check Total: 779.00
Vendor: 209939 DYLAN SNAPP Check Sequence: 34 ACH Enabled: False 433 SECURITY PATROL: DECEMBER 2025 175.00 12/18/2025 5071-800-7300 433 SECURITY PATROL: DECEMBER 2025 50.00 12/18/2025 5072-800-7300 433 SECURITY PATROL: DECEMBER 2025 100.00 12/18/2025 5070-800-7300 433 SECURITY PATROL: DECEMBER 2025 175.00 12/18/2025 5050-700-7300 Check Total: 500.00
AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 8 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Vendor: 146100 STANISLAUS COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER Check Sequence: 35 ACH Enabled: False 070125-093025.B COUNTY IMPAC FEE CORRECTION FOR PERIOD ENDING 09/30/2025 -94.47 12/18/2025 1010-410-6560 070125-093025.B COUNTY IMPAC FEE CORRECTION FOR PERIOD ENDING 09/30/2025 9,446.07 12/18/2025 2100-000-2100 Check Total: 9,351.60
Vendor: 146900 STANISLAUS COUNTY SHERIFF Check Sequence: 36 ACH Enabled: False 2526-18 SHERIFF CONTRACT FOR OCTOBER 2025 230,323.71 12/18/2025 1010-210-7170 Check Total: 230,323.71
Vendor: 48700 SWRCB Check Sequence: 37 ACH Enabled: False WS-1055999 WATERFORD WATER SYSTEM ANNUAL PERMIT: 07/01/25 TO 06/30/26 8,137.24 12/18/2025 5071-800-7920 WS-1056011 HICKMAN WATER SYSTEM ANNUAL PERMIT: 07/01/25 TO 06/30/26 651.08 12/18/2025 5072-800-7920 WS-1056021 RIVERPOINTE WATER SYSTEM ANNUAL PERMIT: 07/01/25 TO 06/30/26 1,237.64 12/18/2025 5070-800-7920 Check Total: 10,025.96
Vendor: 143300 THATCHER COMPANY, INC. Check Sequence: 38 ACH Enabled: False 2025250106428 CHLORINE: WELL #303 - 12425 BONNIE BRAE AVE 2,322.88 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 2025250106429 CHLORINE: WELL #1 & #2 - 13203 FOUNTAIN DRIVE 1,474.16 12/18/2025 5070-800-7510 2025250106430 CHLORINE: WELL #302 - 200 S REINWAY 964.94 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 2025250106431 CHLORINE: WELL #286 - 546 N REINWAY 1,191.27 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 2025250106432 CHLORINE: WELL #242 - 12391 DORSEY STREET 885.73 12/18/2025 5071-800-7510 2025250106433 CHLORINE: WELL #272 - 13101 LAKE ROAD, HICKMAN 840.47 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 2025250106434 CHLORINE: WELL #309 - 13199 6TH STREET, HICKMAN 1,191.27 12/18/2025 5072-800-7510 Check Total: 8,870.72
Vendor: 150563 TRANS-ROCK Check Sequence: 39 ACH Enabled: False 3512 ROAD BASE FOR PATCH REPAIR - WATER DEPARTMENT 77.50 12/18/2025 5072-800-7530 3512 ROAD BASE FOR PATCH REPAIR - WATER DEPARTMENT 542.50 12/18/2025 5071-800-7530 3512 ROAD BASE FOR PATCH REPAIR - WATER DEPARTMENT 155.00 12/18/2025 5070-800-7530 Check Total: 775.00
Vendor: 101225 UNITED SITE SERVICES COMPANY (A & A PORTABLES) Check Sequence: 40 ACH Enabled: False 114-14169679 CHRISTMAS PARADE BATHROOM FACILITY RENTAL 506.05 12/18/2025 1010-110-7731 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 9 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Check Total: 506.05
Vendor: 154141 VERIZON Check Sequence: 41 ACH Enabled: False 6130520281 SERVICE PERIOD: 11/09 THROUGH 12/08/2025 62.61 12/18/2025 5071-800-7810 6130520281 SERVICE PERIOD: 11/09 THROUGH 12/08/2025 89.46 12/18/2025 5050-700-7810 6130520281 SERVICE PERIOD: 11/09 THROUGH 12/08/2025 56.14 12/18/2025 1010-110-7810 6130520281 SERVICE PERIOD: 11/09 THROUGH 12/08/2025 17.90 12/18/2025 5070-800-7810 6130520281 SERVICE PERIOD: 11/09 THROUGH 12/08/2025 8.95 12/18/2025 5072-800-7810 Check Total: 235.06
Total for Check Run:
Total of Number of Checks:
794,091.51
41 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/18/2025 - 12:52 PM) Page 10 User:
Printed: 12/22/2025 - 11:11AM
trish
Computer Check Proof List by Vendor
Accounts Payable
Batch: 00022.12.2025
Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Vendor: 105201 BANK OF THE WEST (IRS TAXES) Check Sequence: 1 ACH Enabled: True PR Batch 00022.12.2025 Federal Income Tax 6,629.58 12/22/2025 1010-000-2220 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 Federal Income Tax PR Batch 00022.12.2025 Medicare Employer Portion 990.56 12/22/2025 1010-000-2240 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 Medicare Employer Portion PR Batch 00022.12.2025 FICA Employer Portion 280.73 12/22/2025 1010-000-2240 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 FICA Employer Portion PR Batch 00022.12.2025 Medicare Employee Portion 1,063.81 12/22/2025 1010-000-2240 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 Medicare Employee Portion PR Batch 00022.12.2025 FICA Employee Portion 280.73 12/22/2025 1010-000-2240 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 FICA Employee Portion Check Total: 9,245.41
Vendor: 108350 CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Check Sequence: 2 ACH Enabled: True PR Batch 00022.12.2025 EDD TRAINING TAX 0.70 12/22/2025 1010-000-2260 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 EDD TRAINING TAX PR Batch 00022.12.2025 State Income Tax 2,301.78 12/22/2025 1010-000-2230 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 State Income Tax PR Batch 00022.12.2025 STATE UNEMPLOYMENT 10.92 12/22/2025 1010-000-2260 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 STATE UNEMPLOYMENT PR Batch 00022.12.2025 CALIFORNIA SDI 819.73 12/22/2025 1010-000-2260 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 CALIFORNIA SDI Check Total: 3,133.13
Vendor: 154101 MISSION SQUARE - 303352 Check Sequence: 3 ACH Enabled: False PR Batch 00022.12.2025 DEFERRED COMP-457 1,426.34 12/22/2025 1010-000-2280 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 DEFERRED COMP-457 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 457 LOAN REPAY 385.27 12/22/2025 1010-000-2280 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 457 LOAN REPAY PR Batch 00022.12.2025 DEFERRED COM-457 - EMPLOYER PD 238.18 12/22/2025 1010-000-2285 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 DEFERRED COM-457 - EM Check Total: 2,049.79
Vendor: 139400 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM Check Sequence: 4 ACH Enabled: True PR Batch 00022.12.2025 EMPLOYEE PERS CONTRIBUTION 4,623.37 12/22/2025 1010-000-2270 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 EMPLOYEE PERS CONTR PR Batch 00022.12.2025 EMPLOYER PAID PERS 6,218.21 12/22/2025 1010-000-2270 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 EMPLOYER PAID PERS Check Total: 10,841.58
AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/22/2025 - 11:11 AM) Page 1 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Vendor: 148050 STATIONARY ENGINEERS LOCAL 39 Check Sequence: 5 ACH Enabled: False PR Batch 00022.12.2025 UNION DUES 274.20 12/22/2025 1010-000-2290 PR Batch 00022.12.2025 UNION DUES Check Total: 274.20
Total for Check Run:
Total of Number of Checks:
25,544.11
5 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (12/22/2025 - 11:11 AM) Page 2 User:
Printed: 01/06/2026 - 12:09PM
trish
Computer Check Proof List by Vendor
Accounts Payable
Batch: 00005.01.2026
Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Vendor: 105201 BANK OF THE WEST (IRS TAXES) Check Sequence: 1 ACH Enabled: True PR Batch 00005.01.2026 FICA Employer Portion 201.38 01/05/2026 1010-000-2240 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 FICA Employer Portion PR Batch 00005.01.2026 Federal Income Tax 6,415.01 01/05/2026 1010-000-2220 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 Federal Income Tax PR Batch 00005.01.2026 Medicare Employee Portion 1,045.24 01/05/2026 1010-000-2240 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 Medicare Employee Portion PR Batch 00005.01.2026 FICA Employee Portion 201.38 01/05/2026 1010-000-2240 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 FICA Employee Portion PR Batch 00005.01.2026 Medicare Employer Portion 1,045.24 01/05/2026 1010-000-2240 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 Medicare Employer Portion Check Total: 8,908.25
Vendor: 108350 CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Check Sequence: 2 ACH Enabled: True PR Batch 00005.01.2026 State Income Tax 2,415.27 01/05/2026 1010-000-2230 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 State Income Tax PR Batch 00005.01.2026 CALIFORNIA SDI 937.10 01/05/2026 1010-000-2260 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 CALIFORNIA SDI PR Batch 00005.01.2026 STATE UNEMPLOYMENT 1,114.13 01/05/2026 1010-000-2260 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 STATE UNEMPLOYMENT PR Batch 00005.01.2026 EDD TRAINING TAX 70.88 01/05/2026 1010-000-2260 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 EDD TRAINING TAX Check Total: 4,537.38
Vendor: 154101 MISSION SQUARE - 303352 Check Sequence: 3 ACH Enabled: False PR Batch 00005.01.2026 DEFERRED COMP-457 2,102.10 01/05/2026 1010-000-2280 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 DEFERRED COMP-457 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 DEFERRED COM-457 - EMPLOYER PD 239.61 01/05/2026 1010-000-2285 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 DEFERRED COM-457 - EM PR Batch 00005.01.2026 457 LOAN REPAY 385.27 01/05/2026 1010-000-2280 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 457 LOAN REPAY Check Total: 2,726.98
Vendor: 139400 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM Check Sequence: 4 ACH Enabled: True PR Batch 00005.01.2026 EMPLOYER PAID PERS 6,037.23 01/05/2026 1010-000-2270 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 EMPLOYER PAID PERS PR Batch 00005.01.2026 EMPLOYEE PERS CONTRIBUTION 4,444.71 01/05/2026 1010-000-2270 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 EMPLOYEE PERS CONTR Check Total: 10,481.94
AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (01/06/2026 - 12:09 PM) Page 1 Invoice No Description Amount Pmt Date Acct Number Reference Vendor: 148050 STATIONARY ENGINEERS LOCAL 39 Check Sequence: 5 ACH Enabled: False PR Batch 00005.01.2026 UNION DUES 274.27 01/05/2026 1010-000-2290 PR Batch 00005.01.2026 UNION DUES Check Total: 274.27
Total for Check Run:
Total of Number of Checks:
26,928.82
5 AP-Computer Check Proof List by Vendor (01/06/2026 - 12:09 PM) Page 2 Consent Calendar 3c
January 15, 2026
Patricia Krause, City Clerk / Administrative Services Director City Council Staff Report
Motion: Approving Minutes of the Public Forum and Regular City Council Meeting held December 18, 2025.
SUMMARY:
Consider approving minutes from the December 18, 2025 Public Forum and Regular City Council meeting.
ANALYSIS:
Approve Minutes of the Public Forum and Regular City Council Meeting held on December 18, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Direct the City Clerk to make amendments to the minutes and bring them back for approval at a future City Council meeting.
2. Take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
• City Council Public Forum Meeting of December 18, 2025. • City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2025.
MINUTES
WATERFORD PUBLIC FORUM
WATERFORD CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL
CHAMBERS 101 “E” STREET, WATERFORD, CA
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY MAYOR GOEKEN AT: 5:00 pm
ROLL CALL PRESENT:
Mayor Goeken
Vice Mayor Hilton
Councilmember Harris
Councilmember Gutierrez
Councilmember Talbott
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT:
Michael Pitcock, City Manager
Patricia Krause, City Clerk / Administrative Services Director Corbett Browning, City Attorney
1. 1a: PRESENTATION: City Attorney Presentation on Election Systems City Attorney Browning gave a presentation on Election Systems: At-Large and District Elections.
2. 2a: DISCUSSION: Communications from the Audience regarding Election Systems.
City Attorney Browning and the Council answered questions from the Public regarding elections systems and the California Voters Right Act.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
PRESENTATION
WATERFORD PUBLIC FORUM – December 18, 2025 – 5:00 PM
3. 3a: DISCUSSION: Council Discussion and Direction regarding Election Systems.
City Attorney Browing answered question from the City Council on the different election systems and what the process would be in changing to district elections. City Council gave Mr. Browning direction to move forward with the required public hearings.
4. Mayor Goeken adjourned the Public Forum meeting at 5:57 PM.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Waterford City Council at a regular meeting held on January 15, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CITY OF WATERFORD:
________________________
Charlie Goeken, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Patricia Krause, CMC, City Clerk
ADJOURNMENT / RECESS
COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION
MINUTES
WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR
MEETING WATERFORD CITY HALL, CITY
COUNCIL CHAMBERS 101 “E” STREET,
WATERFORD, CA
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY MAYOR GOEKEN AT: 6:30 pm
FLAG SALUTE: Mayor Goeken
INVOCATION: Elder Max Viss, The Well church
ROLL CALL PRESENT:
Mayor Goeken
Vice Mayor Hilton
Councilmember Harris
Councilmember Gutierrez
Councilmember Talbott
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT:
Michael Pitcock, City Manager
Patricia Krause, City Clerk / Administrative Services Director Lonnie Statzer, Public Works Director
Corbett Browning, City Attorney
Chief David Mullins
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
ACTION: Moving and seconded by motion (CM Talbott / VM Hilton / 5-0) to remove items 6a and 6b for a future meeting and adopt the Agenda.
AYES: Goeken, Gutierrez, Harris, Hilton, Talbott
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING – December 18, 2025 - 6:30 PM Motion passed 5-0.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION:
None.
1. 2.
None.
3. 3a: MOTION: Waiving all Readings of Ordinances and Resolutions, except by title. 3b: RESOLUTION: Adopting Resolution 2025-68, Approving the Warrant Register in the Amount of $792,911.24 for the Period of December 8, 2025.
3c: MOTION: Approving Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held December 4, 2025. 3d: MOTION: Reappointing Jose Aldaco to the Stanislaus Council of Governments (StanCOG) Measure L Oversight Committee.
3e: MOTION: Accepting the City of Waterford Water Rate and Fee Study prepared by LT Municipal Consultants and issued on December 5, 2025.
ACTION: Moving and seconded by motion (VM Hilton/ CM Harris/ 5-0) to adopt the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Goeken, Gutierrez, Harris, Hilton, Talbott
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed 5-0.
4. 5.
Public Hearing Opened 6:36 pm
Public Hearing Closed 6:37 pm
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
PRESENTATION
FINAL READINGS
ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5a: RESOLUTION: Resolution 2025-69, Declaring Results of Special Landowner Election and Directing the Recording of an Amendment to Notice of Special Tax Lien.
ACTION: Moving and seconded by motion (CM Talbott/ CM Hilton/ 5-0) to Approve Resolution 2025-69, Declaring Results of Special Landowner Election and Directing the Recording of an Amendment to Notice of Special Tax Lien.
AYES: Goeken, Gutierrez, Harris, Hilton, Talbott
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed 5-0.
RESOLUTION: Resolution 2025-70, Authorizing Annexation No. 2 into Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance Services), Authorizing the Levy of a Special Tax, and Submitting the Levy of Special Tax to Qualified Electors.
ACTION: Moving and seconded by motion (VM Hilton/ CM Harris/ 5-0) to Approve Resolution 2025-70, Authorizing Annexation No. 2 into Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance Services), Authorizing the Levy of a Special Tax, and Submitting the Levy of Special Tax to Qualified Electors.
AYES: Goeken, Gutierrez, Harris, Hilton, Talbott
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed 5-0.
ORDINANCE: First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 2025-06 Authorizing the Levy of Special Taxes in Certain Annexation Territory Identified as Annexation No. 2 to Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance Services) (Envia) ACTION: Moving and seconded by motion (CM Talbott/ VM Hilton/ 5-0) to Approve the First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 2025-06 Authorizing the Levy of Special Taxes in Certain Annexation Territory Identified as Annexation No. 2 to Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance
Services).
AYES: Goeken, Gutierrez, Harris, Hilton, Talbott
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed 5-0.
6. 6a: RESOLUTION: Resolution 2025-71, Adopting a Groundwater use Management Program in the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin. (Pitcock)
**Item tabled until a future meeting.
GENERAL BUSINESS
6b: RESOLUTION: Resolution 2025-72, Adopting a Well Mitigation Plan in the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin (Pitcock)
**Item tabled until a future meeting.
6c: RESOLUTION: Approving Resolution 2025-73, Accepting Improvements for Project No. 2025-07,” G Street Improvement Project” and Authorizing the City Engineer to File a Notice of Completion with the Stanislaus County Recorder’s Office. (Statzer) ACTION: Moving and seconded by motion (CM Talbott/ VM Hilton/ 5-0) to Approve Resolution 2025-73, Accepting Improvements for Project No. 2025-07,” G Street Improvement Project” and Authorizing the City Engineer to File a Notice of Completion with the Stanislaus County Recorder’s Office.
AYES: Goeken, Gutierrez, Harris, Hilton, Talbott
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed 5-0.
7. 8.
8a: City Project List
8b: My Waterford Request Report
9. 9a: City Staff
Public Works Director Statzer thanked Love Waterford and Staff for another successful Christmas Parade Event.
Chief Mullins gave the Council a report of the Schedule One Crimes for 2025, and shared information about the new CSO Officer and the Coffee with a Deputy event. Chief Mullins reminded the Council of the Mounted Patrol for the river trail as well as traffic enforcement events that will be happening in January
City Clerk Krause had no comments.
City Attorney Browning stated that there will be no closed session for the evening.
City Manager Pitcock reminded the Council that City Hall would be closed between December 24th and January 5th.
9b: City Council
Councilmember Harris thanked Love Waterford and City staff for a successful Christmas Parade Event.
CM Harris wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
STAFF/COUNCIL COMMENTS AND MEETING REPORTS
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER WATERFORD REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Councilmember Gutierrez thanked Love Waterford and City staff for a successful Christmas Parade Event, and the Chamber of Commerce for a festive window display contest. CM Gutierrez wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
Councilmember Talbott wished everyone a Happy Holiday Season and encouraged all to shop local. CM Talbott reminded all to be safe in the upcoming rainstorms.
Vice Mayor Hilton thanked Love Waterford and City staff for a successful Christmas Parade Event. VM Hilton wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
Mayor Goeken thanked Love Waterford, Lions Club and City Staff for a great Christmas Parade. Mayor Goeken wished all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and wished his son a Happy Birthday.
10. ACTION: By motion moved and seconded (VM Hilton / CM Harris / 5-0) to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 pm.
AYES: Goeken, Gutierrez, Harris, Hilton, Talbott
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed 5-0.
11. 11a: “CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- ANTICIPATED LITIGATION” (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9)
Burciago V. City of Waterford
12. 12.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Waterford City Council at a regular meeting held on January 15, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CITY OF WATERFORD:
________________________
Charlie Goeken, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Patricia Krause, CMC, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT / RECESS
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Final Reading & Public Hearing 4a
January 15, 2026
Patricia Krause, Administrative Services Director
Tina Envia, Finance Manager
City Council Staff Report
Ordinance: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-06 Authorizing the Levy of Special Taxes in Certain Annexation Territory Identified as Annexation No. 2 to Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance Services) SUMMARY:
The City has received a request to annex APN 080-023-031-000 (5.16 acres), 080-031-031-000 (3.6 acres), 080-049-002-000 (.41 acres), and 134-017-032-000 (.34 acres) into Community Facilities District (CFD) 2019-1. This CFD was established in 2019 to fund the ongoing cost of public services such as streets and street tress; street lighting; landscaping in public areas and medians including turf, trees, shrubs and associated irrigation systems. Pursuant to the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982, this process includes a public hearing, a special landowner election, and adoption of an ordinance to authorize the levy of special taxes on the annexed properties.
ANALYSIS:
CFD 2019-1 was established to ensure that new developments pay their fair share for the public services they require. Annexation No. 2 includes APN 080-023-031-000 (5.16 acres), 080-031-031-000 (3.6 acres), 080-049-002-000 (.41 acres), and 134-017-032-000 (.34 acres) and is being proposed by the property owner/developer in conjunction with their development application. Resolution 2025-59 Intention of the City Council of the City of Waterford to Establish Community Facilities District Annexation 2 was passed on November 6, 2025.
In accordance with the California Government Code, a public hearing is required to receive public input, followed by a special election for the landowner(s). A public hearing and special landowners election was held on December 18, 2025, approving the annexation and levy of special taxes on the new properties within Annexation No. 2.
The following item has been brought before you to be acted upon:
• Ordinance Authorizing Special Tax Levy:
Ordinance 2025-06, introduced on December 18, 2025, authorizes the levy of the special tax on the newly annexed territory. This ordinance is being brought back to City Council for a second reading and adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The District’s intention is to pay in whole or in part for all direct and incidental costs related to providing for the maintenance of public infrastructure within the area of the CFD and the areas adjacent to or in the vicinity of such areas. The services shall include: the maintenance of: (i) streets and street tress; (ii) street lighting; (iii) landscaping in public areas and medians including turf, trees, shrubs and associated irrigation systems; as well as the provision of other public services authorized to be funded under Section 53313(d) or (e) of the California Government Code. The base rate per parcel on creation of the original District was $210.12 per single family detached property. That rate has an annual escalation factor of 3%.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
If the City does not wish to authorize the intention to establish the district, then the full maintenance and infrastructure costs of the area involved would be the responsibility of the City’s General Fund rather than the individual property owners.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. 2025-06 – Authorizing Levy of Special Tax
2. Notice of Public Hearing
ORDINANCE 2025-06
WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-06
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF WATERFORD, AUTHORIZING THE
LEVY OF SPECIAL TAXES IN CERTAIN ANNEXATION TERRITORY IDENTIFIED AS ANNEXATION NO. 2 TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2019-1 (MAINTENANCE
SERVICES)
CITY OF WATERFORD
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2019-1 (MAINTENANCE
SERVICES)
ANNEXATION NO. 2
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Waterford (the “City Council”) has conducted proceedings pursuant to the “Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982”, being Chapter 2.5, Part 1. Division 2, Title 5 of the Government Code of the State of California (the “Act”) to establish the City of Waterford Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance Services) (the “District”); and WHEREAS, the rate and method of apportionment of special tax for the District showing the special tax rate for Annexation No. 2 is set forth in Exhibit B to the City Council Resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of City of Waterford, Declaring its Intention to Annex Territory to Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance Services) Adopting a Map of the Area Proposed to be Annexed Thereto (Annexation No. 2)” (the “Resolution of Intention to Annex Territory”), which was adopted on November 6th, 2025; and WHEREAS, the City Council has conducted proceedings to annex territory into the District and, with respect to the proceedings, following an election of the qualified electors in the territory proposed for annexation (the “Annexation Territory”), the City Council, on December 18, 2025, adopted a Resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Waterford Declaring Results of a Special Annexation Landowner Election and Directing the Recording of an Amendment to Notice of Special Tax Lien” for Annexation No. 2 into the District.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct.
2. By the passage of this Ordinance, the City Council hereby authorizes and levies the special tax within the District, including the Annexation Territory, pursuant to the Act, at the rate and in accordance with the rate and method of apportionment of special tax set forth in the Resolution of Intention to Annex Territory, which rate and method is by this reference incorporated herein. The special tax has previously been levied in the original territory of the District beginning in fiscal year 2019/20 pursuant to Ordinance No. 2019-04 passed and adopted by the City Council on July 18, 2019, and the special tax is hereby levied commencing in Fiscal Year 2025/26 in the District, including the Annexation Territory identified as Annexation No. 2 and in each fiscal year thereafter to pay for the authorized services of the District and the costs of administering the District.
3. The City Council or designee or employee or consultant of the City of Waterford is hereby authorized and directed each fiscal year to determine the specific special tax to be levied for the next ensuing fiscal year for each parcel of real property within the District, including the ORDINANCE 2025-06
Annexation Territory, in the manner and as provided in the rate and method of apportionment of special tax.
4. Exemptions from the levy of the special tax shall be as provided in the rate and method of apportionment of special tax showing the special tax rate for Annexation No. 2 and the applicable provisions of the Act. In no event shall the special tax be levied on any parcel within the District more than the maximum special tax specified in the rate and method of apportionment of special tax.
5. All the collections of the special tax shall be used as provided in the Act, including, but not limited to, the payment of the costs of the Services, the payment of the costs of the City of Waterford in administering the District, and the costs of collecting and administering the special tax.
6. The special tax shall be collected in the same manner as ordinary ad valorem taxes are collected and shall have the same lien priority and be subject to the same penalties and the same procedure and sale in cases of delinquency as provided for ad valorem taxes; provided, however, that the City Council may provide for other appropriate methods of collection by resolution(s) of the City Council. The City Manager of the City of Waterford is hereby authorized and directed to provide all necessary information to the auditor/tax collector of the County of Stanislaus in order to effect proper billing and collection of the special tax, so that the special tax shall be included on the secured property tax roll of the County of Stanislaus for Fiscal Year 2025/26 and for each fiscal year thereafter until no longer required to pay for the Services or until otherwise terminated voters or by the City of Waterford.
7. If for any reason any portion of this Ordinance is found to be invalid, or if the special tax is found inapplicable to any particular parcel within the District, including the Annexation Territory, by a court of competent jurisdiction, the balance of this Ordinance and the application of the special tax to the remaining parcels within the District, including the Annexation Territory, shall not be affected.
8. The Mayor of the City Council shall sign this Ordinance and the Clerk shall cause the same to be published immediately after its passage at least once in a newspaper of general circulation for the City of Waterford.
9. This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days from the date of final passage.
INTRODUCED and first read on the 18th day of December, 2025; and PASSED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of January 15th, 2026.
CITY OF WATERFORD
CHARLIE GOEKEN
Mayor
ORDINANCE 2025-06
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICIA KRAUSE CORBETT J. BROWNING
City Clerk City Attorney
NOTICE OF HEARING ON RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WATERFORD DECLARING INTENTION TO ANNEX TERRITORY TO CITY OF WATERFORD COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 2019-1 (MAINTENANCE SERVICES) (ANNEXATION NO. 2 TO CFD 2019-1)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 6, 2025, the City Council of the City of Waterford (“City Council) adopted Resolution No. 2025-59, declaring the intention of the City Council to annex territory to the City of Waterford Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance Services), County of Stanislaus, State of California (the “District”), and fixing the time and place of a public hearing thereon for 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on December 18, 2025. The public hearing will be conducted at the Council Chambers, 101 E. Street, Waterford, California. The virtual location will be identified on the agenda. During the public hearing, the City Council will hear the testimony of all interested persons for or against the annexation of said territory to the District or the levying of special taxes within such territory to pay the costs of providing certain services which are necessary to meet increased demands placed upon the City as a result of the development of said real property.
Resolution No. 2025-59 provides in summary as follows:
1. The City Council declared its intention to conduct proceedings for the annexation to the District of the territory described in Exhibit “A” to Resolution No. 2025-59. The City Council determined that the public convenience and necessity require that such territory be annexed to the District.
2. The territory which is included in the District is described on the map of the District recorded on April 29, 2019, at 8:33 a.m. as Document No. 2019-0025772-00 in Book 5 of Assessment and Community Facilities Districts at Page 84 in the official records of the Office of the County Recorder of the County of Stanislaus, State of California. The territory proposed to be annexed to the District is described on the map thereof entitled “Annexation Map No. 2 of City of Waterford Community Facilities District No. 2019-1 (Maintenance Services), City of Waterford, County of Stanislaus, State of California,” which is on file with the City Clerk of the City of Waterford.
3. The types of public services to be provided within the District are as follows:
The services to be provided and financed by the District include all direct and incidental costs related to providing for the maintenance of public infrastructure within the area of the CFD and areas adjacent to or in the vicinity of such areas. More specifically, the services shall include, but not be limited to, the maintenance of: (i) streets and street tress; (ii) street lighting; (iii) landscaping in public areas and medians including turf, trees, shrubs and associated irrigation systems; as well as the provision of other public services authorized to be funded under Section 53313(d) or (e) of the California Government Code. The CFD may fund any of the following related to the services described in the preceding sentence: obtaining, constructing, furnishing, operating and maintaining equipment, apparatus or facilities related to providing the services and/ or equipment, apparatus, facilities or fixtures in areas to be maintained, paying the salaries and benefits of personnel necessary or convenient to provide the services, payment of insurance costs and other related expenses and the provision of reserves for repairs and replacements and for the future provision of services. It is expected that the services will be provided by the City, either with its own employees or by contract with third parties, or any combination thereof. The District -2-
shall also finance costs associated with the determination of the amount of and the levy and collection of special taxes which are levied to provide such services and costs otherwise incurred in order to carry out its authorized purposes. The services described above shall be provided, as needed, throughout the District and the territory proposed to be annexed thereto for the benefit of all owners of property and residents of the District and the territory proposed to be annexed thereto. All owners of taxable parcels of property within the District and the territory proposed to be annexed thereto shall pay special taxes to finance the annual cost of providing such services.
The services to be provided and financed by the District, are necessary to meet increased demands placed upon the City as a result of development occurring within the District and the territory to be annexed thereto.
4. Special taxes sufficient to pay the costs of the services described in Section 3 above and the annual administrative expenses of the City and the District in determining, apportioning, levying and collecting such special taxes, shall be annually levied within the territory proposed to be annexed to the District. The special taxes shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as ordinary ad valorem property taxes; provided however, that the District may collect Special Taxes at a different time or in a different manner if necessary to meet its financial obligations. The rates and method of apportionment of said special taxes shall be as set forth in Exhibit “C” to Resolution No. 2025-59.
The maximum amounts of special taxes which may be annually levied are as follows:
DETERMINATION OF TAXABLE PARCELS
On or about July 1 of each Fiscal Year, the District Administrator shall determine the valid Assessor’s Parcel Numbers for all Taxable Property within the District. If any Assessor’s Parcel Numbers are no longer valid from the previous Fiscal Year, the District Administrator shall determine the new Assessor’s Parcel Number or Numbers that are in effect for the current Fiscal Year. To the extent a Parcel or Parcels of Taxable Property are subdivided, consolidated or otherwise reconfigured, the Special Tax rates shall be assigned to the new Assessor’s Parcels pursuant to Section III. The District Administrator shall also determine: (i) the Tax Zone within which each Parcel is located; (ii) which Parcels are Developed Property; (iii) the number of Units each Parcel contains; and (iv) the Annual Special Tax Requirement for the Fiscal Year.
SPECIAL TAX - METHOD OF APPORTIONMENT
All Taxable Property shall be subject to a Special Tax defined as follows.
The Special Tax shall be levied each Fiscal Year by the District Administrator. The Annual Special Tax Requirement shall be apportioned to each Parcel of Developed Property within the District by the method shown below.
First: Determine the Annual Special Tax Requirement.
Second: Levy the Special Tax on each Parcel of Developed Property, Proportionately, up to the Maximum Special Tax Rate described in the tables below to satisfy the Annual Special Tax Requirement.
-3-
TABLE 1
SPECIAL TAX RATES – TAX ZONE NO. 1
FISCAL YEAR 2019/20*
Property Type Special Tax
Rate
Per
Single Family Detached Property $210.12 Unit
*On each July 1, commencing on July 1, 2019, the Maximum Special Tax Rate for each Tax Zone shall be increased by 3%, the Tax Escalation Factor.
FORMULA FOR PREPAYMENT OF SPECIAL TAX OBLIGATIONS
The Special Tax may not be prepaid.
EXEMPTIONS
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Rate and Method of Apportionment of Special Tax, no Special Taxes shall be levied on Public Property, except as otherwise provided.
Additionally, Welfare Exempt Property, shall be reimbursed for Special Tax levied and paid. A property owner must provide documentation of the exemption within one calendar year after having paid the Special Taxes for which an exemption has been granted. A refund of the amount of Special Taxes paid for the Fiscal Year the exemption has been granted will be provided to the owner of Welfare Exempt Property who was granted the exemption.
INTERPRETATION OF RATE AND METHOD OF APPORTIONMENT
The City reserves the right to make minor administrative and technical changes to this document that do not materially affect the rate and method of apportioning the Special Tax. In addition, the interpretation and application of any section of this document shall be at the City’s discretion.
Interpretations may be made by the City by ordinance or resolution for purposes of clarifying any vagueness or ambiguity in this Rate and Method of Apportionment of Special Tax.
MANNER AND DURATION OF SPECIAL TAX
The Special Tax shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as ordinary ad valorem property taxes, provided that the City may directly bill the Special Tax, may collect the Special Tax at a different time or in a different manner if needed to meet the financial obligations of the District, and may collect delinquent Special Taxes through foreclosure or other available methods.
A Special Tax shall continue to be levied and collected within the District, as needed to fund the Annual Special Tax Requirement, in perpetuity.
APPEAL OF SPECIAL TAX LEVY
Any property owner may file a written appeal of the Special Tax with the District Administrator claiming that the amount or application of the Special Tax is not correct. The appeal must be filed not later than one calendar year after having paid the Special Taxes that are disputed, and the appellant must be current in all payments of Special Taxes. In addition, during the term of the appeal process, all Special Taxes levied must be paid on or before the payment date established when the levy was made.
-4-
The appeal must specify the reasons why the appellant claims the Special Taxes are in error. The District Administrator shall review the appeal, meet with the appellant if the District Administrator deems necessary, and advise the appellant of its determination.
If the property owner disagrees with the District Administrator’s decision relative to the appeal, the owner may then file a written appeal with the City Council whose subsequent decision shall be final and binding on all interested parties. If the decision of the District Administrator or subsequent decision by the City Council requires the Special Taxes to be modified or changed in favor of the property owner, no cash refund shall be made for prior years’ Special Taxes, but an adjustment shall be made to credit future Special Taxes.
This procedure shall be exclusive and its exhaustion by any property owner shall be a condition precedent to filing any legal action by such owner.
5. A public hearing on the proposed annexation of said territory to the District shall be held at 6:30 p.m. on December 18, 2025, in the City of Waterford, City Council, 101 E.
Street, Waterford, California.
6. The City Clerk shall publish a notice of the time and place of said hearing and shall also give notice of the time and place of said hearing by first-class mail to each registered voter and landowner within the territory proposed to be annexed to the District. Said notice shall be published at least seven (7) days and mailed at least 15 days before the date of the hearing.
7. The voting procedures to be followed in conducting the election on the proposition with respect to the levy of special taxes within the territory proposed to be annexed to the District to pay the costs of services to be financed by the District shall be as follows:
(a) If at the time of the close of the public or protest hearing at least 12 persons are registered to vote within the territory proposed to be annexed to the District, the election shall be conducted by the City Clerk, and shall be held on a date selected by the City Council, and the ballots for the election shall be distributed to the qualified electors of the territory proposed to be annexed to the District by mail with return postage prepaid and the election shall be conducted as a mail ballot election. (b) If at the time of the close of the protest hearing, and for at least the preceding 90 days, less than 12 persons have been registered to vote within the territory proposed to be annexed to the District the vote is therefore to be by the landowners of that territory, with each landowner of record at the close of the protest hearing having one vote for each acre or portion of an acre of land that he or she owns, and the election shall be conducted by the City Clerk as follows:
(1) The election shall be held on the earliest date following the conclusion of the protest hearing upon which it can be held which may be selected by the City Council, or such earlier date as the owners of land within the territory proposed to be annexed to the District and the City Clerk agree and concur is acceptable.
(2) The election may be held earlier than 90 days following the close of the protest hearing if the qualified electors of the territory proposed to be annexed to the District waive the time limits for conducting the election by unanimous written -5-
consent and the City Clerk concurs in such earlier election date as shall be consented to by the qualified electors.
(3) Ballots for the election shall be distributed to the qualified electors by the City Clerk by mail with return postage prepaid, or by personal service. (4) The City Clerk shall mail to each qualified elector an official ballot, and shall also mail to all such qualified electors other required election documents, including a return identification envelope with prepaid postage thereon addressed to the City Clerk for the return of voted official ballots. (5) The information-to-voter form to be mailed or delivered by the City Clerk to the landowner-voters shall inform them that the official ballots shall be returned to the City Clerk properly voted as provided thereon and with the certification appended thereto properly completed and signed in the sealed return identification envelope with the certification thereon completed and signed and all other information to be inserted thereon properly inserted by 5:00 o’clock p.m. on the date of the election.
(6) Upon receipt of the return identification envelopes which are returned prior to the voting deadline on the date of the election, the City Clerk shall canvass the votes cast in the election, and shall file a statement with the City Council at its next regular meeting regarding the results of such canvass and the election.
Resolution No. 2025-59 contains other provisions which are not summarized above. A copy of Resolution No. 2025-59 may be reviewed or obtained at the office of the City Clerk of the City of Waterford located at 101 E. Street, Waterford, California or by emailing the City Clerk at [email protected]
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that at the time and place of said hearing, all persons interested for or against the annexation of said territory to the District or the levying of special taxes within such territory to pay the costs of providing certain services within the territory proposed to be annexed to the District will be heard. At the hearing, protests against the proposals described in Resolution No. 2025-59 may be made by any interested person. Any protests pertaining to the regularity or sufficiency of the proceedings shall be in writing and shall clearly set forth the irregularities or defects to which objection is made. All written protests shall be filed with the City Clerk prior to the time fixed for the hearing. The City Council may waive any irregularities in the form or content of any written protests and at the hearing may correct minor defects in the proceedings. Written protests may be withdrawn in writing at any time before the conclusion of the hearing.
If the owners of one-half or more of the area of land in the territory included in the existing district, or if the owners of one-half or more of the area of land in the territory proposed to be annexed to the District file written protests against the proposed annexation of such territory to the District, and protests are not withdrawn so as to reduce the protest to less than a majority, no further proceedings shall be undertaken for a period of one year from the date of decision of the City Council on the issues discussed at the hearing. -6-
The hearing may be continued from time to time, but shall be completed within 30 days. At the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council may abandon the proceedings or may, after passing upon all protests, submit the question of levying the special tax within the area proposed to be annexed to the District to the qualified electors of the area proposed to be annexed.
DATED: ______________________
___
City Clerk
Public Hearing 5a
January 15, 2026
Patricia Krause, City Clerk / Administrative Services Director City Council Staff Report
Motion: Conduct Public Hearing and Receive a Report on the City’s Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts, to Assembly Bill (AB) 2561.
SUMMARY:
Conduct a public hearing and receive a report on the City’s vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts, including any presentations from the City’s represented bargaining unit, pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 2561.
ANALYSIS:
AB 2561 was enacted in 2024 and requires public agencies to report on staffing vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts, including any challenges and potential policy obstacles to recruitment.
AB 2561 also provides that if vacancy rates in any recognized employee bargaining unit exceed 20% of positions, agencies must provide further specified information if requested by the bargaining unit.
Further, AB 2561 requires agencies to provide an opportunity to bargaining units to present their perspectives at the hearing.
Recruitment and retention of staff is important to the City consistent with our organization’s Purpose and Principles. The City prioritizes a positive workplace culture along with competitive compensation packages commensurate with other local agencies. The City has one represented bargaining group, the International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Engineers, Local 39, AFL-CIO,representing
12.63 full time equivalent positions (FTEs). Additionally, the City has 4 unrepresented management positions. This report provides data on City employment vacancies as of December 31, 2025.
Vacancies
Position vacancies may occur for various reasons throughout any given year, including internal promotion or transfer of a staff member, retirements, resignations, terminations, or due to approval of a new position. When vacancies occur, the City’s Administrative Services Director works with the affected department to fill the position(s) to maintain operations; ensure continued quality, efficient services to the community; and to reduce the need for overtime. Total vacancies by bargaining group as of December 31, 2025, are listed in the chart below.
Employee Bargaining Group Total Number of Vacancies Vacancy Rate IUOE, Local 39 1 7%
Unrepresented 0 0%
Recruitment and Retention of Staff
The City employs various recruitment strategies, including posting vacancies on the City’s website, reaching out to known potential candidates in the area; and advertising open positions on the City’s social media platform. In 2025, the City recruited for 1 position.
The City also employs various strategies for retaining existing staff, including maintaining competitive compensation and regular engagement with and recognition of staff. The City prioritizes making staff feel appreciated, supported and valued in the organization. The City’s retention rate for 2025 was approximately 100%.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
• City Organization Chart
City of Waterford
Organizational Chart
Public Works Director
Lonnie Statzer
Waterford
Citizens
Boards, Commissions & Committees
Planning Commission
Parks & Recreation Commission
Community Development Committee
City Attorney (contracted)
Corbett J. Browning
Public Works Supervisor
Shaun King
Wastewater Supervisor
Stephanie Mendes
City Clerk / Administrative Services
Director
Patricia Krause
Administrative Analyst/
Deputy City Clerk
Marissa Martinez
Code Enforcement
Officer
Patrick Cervantes
Accounting Technician II
Jane Mooneyham
Accounting Technician I
(Part Time)
Sam Lee
Waterford City Council
Mayor Charlie Goeken
Vice Mayor Jamie Hilton
Council Members
Guadalupe Gutierrez
Chrisine Harris
Elizabeth Talbott
City Manager
Michael G. Pitcock
Maintenance Worker I
Vacant
Maintenance Worker III
Greg Donges
Maintenance Worker II
Ricardo Ramirez
Wastewater Operator II
Caleb Hilton
Water Supervisor
Josh Green
Water Operator I
Daniel Snedegar
Water Operator I
Hector Estrada
Police Chief (contracted)
David Mullins
Planning Manager (contracted)
David Niskanen
Building Inspector (contracted)
CSG
Fire Services
Provided by Stanislaus
Consolidated Fire District
Finance Manager
Tina Envia
Engineer (contracted)
Rob Marler
Custodian (part-time)
Tammie Jones
Water Operator I
Liam Siegert
Public Hearing 5b
January 15, 2026
Corbett Browning, City Attorney
City Council Staff Report
Motion: Conduct Public Hearing Regarding Creation of an Election by District Map SUMMARY:
Conduct the first of two required public hearings before a proposed district map is drawn. The primary purpose of tonight’s hearing is to initiate and receive input regarding the composition of districts.
ANALYSIS:
The City of Waterford was incorporated in 1969. Since its incorporation, the City of Waterford has used the at-large method of election which affords voters the opportunity to vote for any candidate on the ballot. The City received a letter objecting to the City's at-large election system of voting at local elections for the positions of city council members. The letter suggested that the City's at-large system of voting violated the California Voting Rights Acts (“CVRA”).
On December 18, 2025, City Council requested noticed and schedule a Public Forum to provide information to the public related to election methodology and the CVRA, as well as to elicit concerns, if any, regarding election methodology.
The purpose of that meeting was expressly to:
1. To receive general information from the City Attorney regarding the legal applicability and effect of the Federal and California Voting Rights Acts to the City's existing at-large system of conducting local elections.
2. To conduct an open public discussion by all interested persons regarding the relative merits of atlarge elections and district elections.
At that Public Forum, data from both the 2010 and 2020 Census was shared. The shared Census data reflected that the City had not experienced a significant change in either population or demographics.
The City of Waterford recognized that there are other systems of electing the Mayor and City Council Members which include by-district, and gave direction to staff to proceed with a tentative schedule of public hearings to move to district-based elections.
Prior to the Public Forum of December 18, 2025 and upon receiving the above refenced letter, staff had scheduled a closed session item on November 6, 2025 to discuss CVRA’s threated litigation.
In 2016, the Governor signed AB 350 amending the CVRA (California Election Code Section 10010) to provide a “Safe Harbor” provision to local government agencies with at-large election systems, like ours. Under AB 350, a local agency has 45 days from the date of receipt of the letter to adopt a Resolution of Intent to transition from at-large to by-district elections.
The City Attorney procured an agreement with the author of the letter objecting to the City’s at-large election system to extend the statutory period to adopt a Resolution of Intent to November 26, 2025. At the City’s November 20, 2025 meeting, the City did adopt a Resolution of Intention to transition from atlarge election to by-district elections for the November 2026 election. As part of that adoption, the City set forth a process it would undertake, consistent with the California Elections Code, which includes two (2) public hearings before a proposed map of districts is drawn, and then two (2) public hearing after a proposed map is drawn. The City Council also directed that the process begin with a Public Forum dedicated solely to this subject matter. At the Public Forum, the City Council directed staff to put together the City’s tentative schedule to transition from at-large elections to by-district elections.
To date, the City has complied with the “Safe Harbor” provisions, thus, significantly reducing its exposure to attorney’s fees.
Tonight the City is conducting the first of two required public hearings before a proposed district map is drawn. The primary purpose of tonight’s hearing is to initiate and receive input regarding the composition of districts. In addition, it is being held in a continuing outreach effort.
The City Attorney has engaged an experienced demographer to assist the City with data review in considering (1) whether data suggested the existence of racially polarized voting under the current at large system and (2) the process to transition from at-large to by-district elections. The Consultant will have a presentation about the process and data specific to the City of Waterford. When the City looked at possible transition to districts in 2013, given the small size of the City, it was not historically possible to run the usual voting statistical analysis used in assessing racial polarization. Since that time, the City has had another Census conducted in 2020. The City’s population moved from 8,456 in 2010 to 9,149 in 2020. Hispanic percentage moved from 42.3% to 48%. The citizen voting age population for Hispanics moved from 37.3% to 39%.
The City of Waterford wishes to continue its engagement process and public outreach and education regarding the CVRA and the various election systems currently available to the citizens of Waterford.
The Mayor and City Council encourage all citizens and interested members of the public to actively participate in this hearing, and provide input related to the composition of districts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Evaluate public input for creation of a District Map
2. Take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
Audiencia Pública 5b
15 de enero de 2026
Corbett Browning, abogado municipal
Informe del personal del Ayuntamiento
Moción: Celebrar audiencia pública sobre la creación de un mapa electoral por distrito RESUMEN:
Celebrar la primera de las dos audiencias públicas obligatorias antes de que se elabore un mapa propuesto del distrito. El objetivo principal de la audiencia de esta noche es iniciar y recibir opiniones sobre la composición de los distritos.
ANÁLISIS:
La ciudad de Waterford fue incorporada en 1969. Desde su incorporación, la ciudad de Waterford ha utilizado el método de elección en general, que ofrece a los votantes la oportunidad de votar por cualquier candidato de la papeleta. La ciudad recibió una carta objetando el sistema de votación general en las elecciones locales para los cargos de los concejales municipales. La carta sugería que el sistema de votación general de la ciudad violaba las Leyes de Derechos Electorales de California ("CVRA").
El 18 de diciembre de 2025, el Ayuntamiento solicitó notificar y programar un Foro Público para proporcionar información al público relacionada con la metodología electoral y la CVRA, así como para suscitar preocupaciones, si las hubiera, sobre la metodología electoral.
El propósito de esa reunión era expresamente:
1. Recibir información general del Fiscal de la Ciudad sobre la aplicabilidad legal y el efecto de las Leyes de Derecho al Voto Federal y de California en el sistema actual de la ciudad para la celebración de elecciones locales.
2. Llevar a cabo una discusión pública abierta con todas las personas interesadas sobre los méritos relativos de las elecciones generales y de distrito.
En ese Foro Público se compartieron datos tanto del censo de 2010 como del de 2020. Los datos compartidos del censo reflejaban que la ciudad no había experimentado un cambio significativo ni en la población ni en la demografía. La ciudad de Waterford reconoció que existen otros sistemas para elegir al alcalde y a los miembros del Ayuntamiento, que incluyen por distritos, y dio instrucciones al personal para proceder con un calendario tentativo de audiencias públicas para pasar a elecciones por distritos.
Antes del Foro Público del 18 de diciembre de 2025 y tras recibir la carta de defensa mencionada, el personal había programado una sesión a puerta cerrada para el 6 de noviembre de 2025 para tratar la amenaza de litigio de CVRA.
En 2016, el gobernador firmó la AB 350 modificando la CVRA (Sección 10010 del Código Electoral de California) para proporcionar una disposición de "Puerto Seguro" a las agencias gubernamentales locales con sistemas electorales generales, como el nuestro. Según la AB 350, una agencia local dispone de 45 días desde la fecha de recepción de la carta para adoptar una Resolución de Intención y así pasar de elecciones generales a elecciones por distritos parciales.
El Abogado de la Ciudad obtuvo un acuerdo con el autor de la carta objetando el sistema de elecciones en general de la ciudad para extender el periodo legal para adoptar una Resolución de Intención hasta el 26 de noviembre de 2025. En la reunión del 20 de noviembre de 2025, la ciudad adoptó una Resolución de Intención para pasar de las elecciones generales a las elecciones por distrito parcial para las elecciones de noviembre de 2026. Como parte de esa adopción, la ciudad estableció un proceso que llevaría a cabo, conforme al Código Electoral de California, que incluye dos (2) audiencias públicas antes de que se elabore un mapa propuesto de distritos, y luego dos (2) audiencias públicas tras el dibujo del mapa propuesto. El Ayuntamiento también ordenó que el proceso comenzara con un Foro Público dedicado exclusivamente a este tema. En el Foro Público, el Ayuntamiento ordenó al personal que elaborara el calendario provisional de la ciudad para la transición de elecciones generales a elecciones por distritos parciales.
Hasta la fecha, la ciudad ha cumplido con las disposiciones de "Puerto Seguro", reduciendo así significativamente su exposición a los honorarios de los abogados.
Esta noche, la ciudad celebra la primera de dos audiencias públicas obligatorias antes de que se elabore un mapa propuesto de distritos. El objetivo principal de la audiencia de esta noche es iniciar y recibir opiniones sobre la composición de los distritos. Además, se está llevando a cabo en un esfuerzo continuo de divulgación.
El Abogado de la Ciudad ha contratado a un demógrafo experimentado para ayudar a la Ciudad en la revisión de datos en la consideración de (1) si los datos sugerían la existencia de votos racialmente polarizados bajo el sistema actual y (2) el proceso de transición de elecciones generales a elecciones por distritos parciales. El consultor hará una presentación sobre el proceso y los datos específicos de la ciudad de Waterford. Cuando la ciudad consideró una posible transición a distritos en 2013, dado el pequeño tamaño de la ciudad, históricamente no fue posible realizar el análisis estadístico de votación habitual utilizado para evaluar la polarización racial. Desde entonces, la ciudad ha realizado otro censo en 2020. La población de la ciudad pasó de 8.456 en 2010 a 9.149 en 2020. El porcentaje hispano pasó del 42,3% al 48%. La población en edad de votar para los hispanos pasó del 37,3% al 39%.
La ciudad de Waterford desea continuar con su proceso de participación y su labor de divulgación y educación pública sobre la CVRA y los distintos sistemas electorales actualmente disponibles para los ciudadanos de Waterford. El alcalde y el ayuntamiento animan a todos los ciudadanos y miembros interesados del público a participar activamente en esta audiencia y a aportar opiniones relacionadas con la composición de los distritos.
IMPACTO FISCAL:
N/A
REVISIÓN MEDIOAMBIENTAL:
N/A
ALTERNATIVAS:
1. Evaluar la participación pública para la creación de un mapa de distritos
2. No tomes ninguna medida.
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
General Business 6a
January 15, 2026
Michael Pitcock, City Manager
City Council Staff Report
Resolution: Resolution 2026-02, Adopting a Groundwater Use Management Program in the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin
SUMMARY:
The Council is being asked to adopt the attached resolution authorizing collaboration with the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association (STRGBA) Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), its member agencies, consultants, stakeholders and the County of Tuolumne GSA to take such actions as may be reasonably necessary to (1) approve and implement the Groundwater Use Management Program (GWUMP or Program) for the Modesto Subbasin to ensure long-term groundwater sustainability, and (2) develop action plans which ensure the demand management actions identified in the GWUMP are under implementation beginning January 31, 2027.
Adoption of the GWUMP fulfills commitments made in prior Council actions and advances compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
ANALYSIS:
On February 16, 2017, the STRGBA GSA was formed. Member agencies include the City of Modesto, Modesto Irrigation District, City of Oakdale, Oakdale Irrigation District, City of Riverbank, City of Waterford, and Stanislaus County. The GSA collaboratively manages groundwater in the Modesto Subbasin pursuant to SGMA requirements.
The STRGBA GSA partnered with the County of Tuolumne GSA to develop a single, coordinated Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Modesto Subbasin. The final GSP was submitted to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) on January 31, 2022. On January 18, 2024, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued an Incomplete Determination letter to the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin (Subbasin) for their 2022 Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP or Plan). In that letter, DWR stated that the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) “…should revise the GSP to include a reasonable means to arrest groundwater level declines and stop the overdraft that is continuing to occur in the Subbasin. Specifically, the GSAs should describe feasible, effective proposed projects and management actions that are commensurate with the level of understanding of groundwater conditions in the Subbasin and provide sufficient details for DWR staff to be able to clearly evaluate how the Plan’s projects and management actions will ensure achieving the sustainability goal in the Subbasin. In responding to this Corrective Action, in the Revised July 2024 GSP which was approved by DWR on February 27, 2025, the Stanislaus & Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association (STRGBA) GSA and the County of Tuolumne GSA (Tuolumne GSA) committed to preparing management actions consisting of a Pumping Management Framework (including a groundwater allocation and pumping management program) and a Dry Well Mitigation Program. This GWUMP has now been prepared, incorporating a pumping management framework and demand reduction strategies.
The City previously recognized the need for both projects and demand management actions to achieve groundwater sustainability by 2042. On June 20, 2024, the City adopted a resolution committing to develop and implement demand management actions by 2026–2027. As previously noted, this commitment was ultimately also made by the STRGBA GSA and Tuolumne GSA through resolution and incorporated into the 2024 Amended GSP that was approved by DWR. While it is still the goal of the STRGBA GSA to first implement supply projects to reach basin sustainability, this GWUMP is a management action intended to respond to direction provided by DWR and outlines the demand management actions that will be taken as long as supply actions are not effective in meeting overall basin sustainability goals.
The STRGBA GSA has developed the GWUMP through collaboration among member agencies and stakeholder input received during three public workshops. The GWUMP establishes a framework to allocate the sustainable yield of the Modesto Subbasin among management areas. The GWUMP also allows each management area steward to take actions to allocate the management area’s portion of the sustainable yield and to take actions to meet the allocation. Tools, adaptive measures, and an implementation schedule are outlined in the GWUMP that management area stewards may refine as conditions evolve.
The GWUMP acknowledges potential uncertainties—such as hydrologic variability, precipitation, snowpack, and water supply—and identifies demand-management actions to ensure the subbasin remains on track to achieve SGMA sustainability goals. The plan is intended to adapt to improving or worsening groundwater conditions.
Each GSA partner is being asked to adopt the attached resolution. Through the resolution, City of Waterford:
• Recognizes the need to implement demand management actions to maintain sustainable groundwater conditions by 2042.
• Acknowledges that groundwater conditions beyond the City's control may result from actions by other entities within the GSA.
• Commits to collaborating with STRGBA member agencies and the County of Tuolumne GSA to carry out the GWUMP.
• Supports the development of action plans, in the applicable management area(s), ensuring implementation of demand management by January 31, 2027.
Staff has reviewed the GWUMP and recommends Council adoption of the attached resolution. The draft GWUMP is anticipated to be approved by the STRGBA GSA in January 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Implementation of the GWUMP may require various funding mechanisms in the future, which could include:
• Proposition 218–compliant processes
• GSA fees and assessments
• Landowner groundwater pumping fees and penalties
• Agency funds
• State/Federal grant funding
Costs associated with GWUMP implementation may vary depending on required actions, future demand-management programs, and funding availability. Some costs may require approval through Proposition 218 proceedings.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Council could choose not to adopt the GWUMP. This is not recommended as the city is a partner of the GSA and the GWUMP is a requirement of DWR.
2. The Council could direct Staff to return with further options for consideration. This option would further delay the implementation of the action plan(s) in applicable management areas as outlined in the existing options.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Resolution 2026-02
• Final Draft GWUMP
RESOLUTION 2026-02
WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 2026-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATERFORD
ADOPTING A GROUNDWATER USE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN THE MODESTO
GROUNDWATER SUBBASIN
A. WHEREAS, the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association (STRGBA) Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), consisting of the City of Modesto, Modesto Irrigation District, City of Oakdale, Oakdale Irrigation District, City of Riverbank, City of Waterford and County of Stanislaus was formed on February 16, 2017, for the purpose of sustainably managing groundwater in the Modesto Subbasin, within its jurisdictional boundaries, pursuant to the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA); B. WHEREAS, the STRGBA GSA coordinated with the County of Tuolumne GSA to develop a single, coordinated groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) for the Modesto Subbasin which was approved by both the STRGBA GSA and County of Tuolumne GSA; C. WHEREAS, the final Modesto Subbasin GSP was submitted to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) on January 31, 2022;
D. WHEREAS, a revised 2024 GSP Amendment for the Modesto Subbasin was developed by the STRGBA GSA and County of Tuolumne GSA in response to an Incomplete Determination by DWR;
E. WHEREAS, the 2024 Amended GSP for the Modesto Subbasin was approved by DWR on February 27, 2025;
F. WHEREAS, the City of Waterford acknowledges that during the 20-year GSP implementation period it will be necessary to implement projects and management actions to achieve and maintain sustainable groundwater conditions in the Modesto Subbasin on or before 2042;
G. WHEREAS, the City of Waterford acknowledges that successful implementation of planned GSP projects to achieve their intended recharge benefits during the 20-year GSP implementation period (prior to 2042) is dependent in part on uncertainties related to hydrologic conditions, including precipitation and snowpack, and available water supply during that time period;
H. WHEREAS, the City of Waterford acknowledges that implementation of demand management actions will be necessary to offset these uncertainties related to project implementation and project benefits to ensure that sustainable groundwater conditions are achieved in the subbasin by or before 2042;
I. WHEREAS, on June 20, 2024, the City of Waterford adopted a resolution committing to the development of demand management actions by January 31, 2026, with implementation of those demand management actions by January 31, 2027; J. WHEREAS, the June 20, 2024, resolution was incorporated into the 2024 Amended GSP for the Modesto Subbasin, which was submitted and approved by DWR; RESOLUTION 2026-02
K. WHEREAS, the STRGBA GSA has developed a Groundwater Use Management Program (GWUMP), as set forth in Exhibit “A” to this resolution, through collaboration of the STRGBA GSA and its member agencies with input from stakeholders through 3 public workshops;
L. WHEREAS, the GWUMP provides the framework to allocate the sustainable yield of the Modesto Subbasin by management area. The GWUMP also allows each management area steward to take actions to allocate the management area’s portion of the sustainable yield and to take actions to meet the allocation. The GWUMP is an adaptive plan that provides tools for the management area steward(s) to respond and take various actions and an implementation schedule that may be further refined in the future; M. WHEREAS, the City of Waterford acknowledges that the GWUMP is a framework to implement necessary demand management actions, and groundwater supply and allocations, which may be revisited as groundwater conditions improve or decline within the Modesto Subbasin;
N. WHEREAS, the City of Waterford acknowledges that it cannot control groundwater conditions caused by actions not taken by the GSA; O. WHEREAS, the City of Waterford commits to the implementation of this GWUMP in collaboration with the STRGBA GSA, its member agencies and the County of Tuolumne GSA; and
P. WHEREAS, funding sources for implementation of the GWUMP and any associated action plans may be subject to the Proposition 218 process and may include GSA fees and assessments, landowner groundwater pumping fees and penalties, agency funds, and grant funding.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Waterford finds as follows:
1. The City of Waterford authorizes collaboration with the STRGBA GSA, its member agencies, consultants, stakeholders and the County of Tuolumne GSA to take such actions as may be reasonably necessary to:
a. Approve and implement the GWUMP for the Modesto Subbasin to ensure longterm groundwater sustainability. b. Develop action plans which ensure the demand management actions identified in the GWUMP are under implementation beginning January 31, 2027.
The foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Waterford, County of Stanislaus, State of California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 15th day of January, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RESOLUTION 2026-02
City of Waterford,
Charlie Goeken, Mayor
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Patricia Krause, CMC, City Clerk Corbett J. Browning
City Attorney
Modesto
Subbasin
Groundwater Use
Management
Program
FINAL DRAFT
0012848.00
STRGBA GSA
January 6, 2026
woodardcurran.com
801 T Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
800.426.4262
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) i Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE NO.
1. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND......................................................................................................1-1
1.1 Purpose ...............................................................................................................................................................1-1
1.2 Background .......................................................................................................................................................1-1
1.2.1 Modesto Subbasin .............................................................................................................................1-1
1.2.2 Determination Letter and Commitments ..................................................................................1-3
2. GROUNDWATER ALLOCATION FRAMEWORK .............................................................................2-1
2.1 Groundwater Allocation Framework .......................................................................................................2-1
2.1.1 Sustainable Yield.................................................................................................................................2-2
2.1.2 Special Considerations......................................................................................................................2-2
2.1.2.1 Developed Water Supply Users.....................................................................................2-3
2.1.2.2 De Minimis Water Users ...................................................................................................2-4
2.1.2.3 Municipal Water Users......................................................................................................2-4
2.1.3 Allocation Framework Methodology ..........................................................................................2-5
3. IMPLEMENTATION .........................................................................................................................3-9
3.1 Adaptive Management Strategies.........................................................................................................3-12
4. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE ......................................................................................................4-1 TABLES
Table 1: Modesto Subbasin Stewards
Table 2: Developed Supply in the Modesto Subbasin
Table 3: Baseline Modesto Subbasin Groundwater Allocations Table 4: Collaborative Management of Groundwater Allocations Table 5: NDE Management Area Reduction Schedule
FIGURES
Figure 1: Modesto Subbasin Management Areas
Figure 2: GWUMP Response Levels
Figure 3: Management Area Action Plan Development Process Figure 4: Action Plan Content
Figure 5: GWUMP Implementation Schedule
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 1-1 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program December 16, 2025
1. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
1.1 Purpose
On January 18, 2024, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued an Incomplete Determination letter to the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin (Subbasin) for their 2022 Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP or Plan). In that letter, DWR stated that the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) “…should revise the GSP to include a reasonable means to arrest groundwater level declines and stop the overdraft that is continuing to occur in the Subbasin. Specifically, the GSAs should describe feasible, effective proposed projects and management actions that are commensurate with the level of understanding of groundwater conditions in the Subbasin and provide sufficient details for DWR staff to be able to clearly evaluate how the Plan’s projects and management actions will ensure achieving the sustainability goal in the Subbasin.” In responding to this Corrective Action, in the Revised July 2024 GSP, the Stanislaus & Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association (STRGBA) GSA and the County of Tuolumne GSA (Tuolumne GSA) committed to preparing management actions consisting of a Pumping Management Framework (including a groundwater allocation and pumping management program, groundwater extraction and surface water reporting program, groundwater extraction fee and groundwater pumping credit market and trading program), Demand Reduction Strategies (consisting of voluntary conservation and/or land use fallowing and conservation practices), and a Dry Well Mitigation Program. In response, this Groundwater Use Management Program (GWUMP or Program) was prepared, incorporating a pumping management framework and demand reduction strategies. A Dry Well Mitigation Program was prepared as a separate, stand-alone program.
While it is still the goal of the Subbasin GSAs to first implement supply projects to reach basin sustainability, this GWUMP is a management action intended to respond to direction provided by DWR and outlines the demand management actions that will be taken as long as supply actions are not effective in meeting overall basin sustainability goals. Nothing in this framework is intended to be a determination of water rights and is not evidence for or against any claim of a water right that can be used in any adjudication of water rights1.
1.2 Background
1.2.1 Modesto Subbasin
The Modesto Groundwater Subbasin (5-22.02) is a high-priority basin covering approximately 245,253 acres in the northern San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Basin. The Subbasin is bounded by the Stanislaus River on the north, the Tuolumne River on the south, the San Joaquin River on the west, and the crystalline basement rocks of the Sierra Nevada Foothills on the east. The Modesto Subbasin relies on two primary sources of water supply – surface water from the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers and groundwater pumped from the principal aquifers described in the GSP. About 64 percent of the Modesto Subbasin is agricultural, with major crop types including almonds and other deciduous trees, corn, grains, pasture, vines, citrus and truck crops. Urban areas cover about 13 percent of the Subbasin. Remaining lands consist of non-agriculture, non-irrigated agriculture, undeveloped areas, and surface water (23 percent). Most of the undeveloped land 1 Consistent with California Water Code Section 10720.5 the Sustainable Groundwater Management act may not determine or alter surface water rights or groundwater rights under the common law. This GWUMP is meant to provide an equitable allocation of yield to each management area.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 1-2 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program December 16, 2025 is in the eastern portion of the Subbasin. A significant expansion of irrigated agriculture occurred in the Subbasin during the GSP study period. In 1996, irrigated agriculture covered approximately 46 percent of the Subbasin (approximately 111,946 acres). Over the next 20 years, irrigated agriculture expanded by about 40 percent, and by 2017 had added another 45,965 acres (totaling 157,911 acres, approximately 64 percent of the Subbasin). The increase in irrigated agriculture primarily resulted from a conversion of pasture and previously non-irrigated and undeveloped areas to deciduous/almond orchards. Much of this expansion occurred in the eastern portion of the Subbasin – outside of Modesto Irrigation District (MID) and Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) service areas – where groundwater is the primary source of water supply.
The GSP delineates four separate Management Areas (MAs) to reflect areas of similar water supplies, streamlining coordination of water management and prioritizing areas for GSP project implementation.
These management areas include the Modesto Management Area, Oakdale Management Area, NonDistrict East (NDE) Management Area, and Non-District West (NDW) Management Area as shown on Figure
1. FIGURE 1: MODESTO SUBBASIN MANAGEMENT AREAS
The Non-District West Management Area contains lands along the western rim of the Subbasin, where both groundwater and surface water are available for beneficial uses. The Non-District East Management Area includes lands outside of MID and OID service areas in the eastern portion of the Subbasin where groundwater is the primary water supply. The Modesto and Oakdale Management Areas coincide with the service area boundaries of their respective irrigation districts. MID manages Tuolumne River water and groundwater conjunctively, and OID manages Stanislaus River water and groundwater conjunctively. The STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 1-3 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program December 16, 2025 Non-District East and Non-District West Management Areas cover remaining lands outside of MID and OID jurisdiction, where Stanislaus County is the lead member agency.
1.2.2 Determination Letter and Commitments
The Revised 2024 Modesto Subbasin GSP was approved by DWR in 2025 and is currently being implemented by the STRGBA GSA and the Tuolumne GSA. The goal of the GSP is to achieve sustainability by 2042 in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
As described in the Revised 2024 GSP, long-term declines in groundwater levels have occurred in the NDE Management Area and currently are impacting groundwater levels in the Oakdale Management Area. As a result, 2027 Interim Milestones (IMs) below the Minimum Threshold (MT) have been developed for representative monitoring wells in those management areas. The anticipated decline between adoption of the initial GSP in 2022 and 2027 (the first interim milestone) depends on future unknown hydrologic conditions. Since drought conditions began in Water Year (WY) 2013, dry hydrologic conditions have persisted in the Subbasin with five out of seven water years between WY 2014 and WY 2020 having been categorized as below normal, dry, or critically dry. Water level declines associated with the last seven years may continue if hydrologic conditions do not improve, and/or if the aquifer response to GSP project implementation is delayed or overestimated. To evaluate and prevent undesirable results, 2027 IMs have been developed for monitoring sites based on groundwater level declines observed over the last seven years. Based on modeling completed in support of the GSP, by 2032, projects and management actions are expected to support water level recovery; therefore, the 2032 IMs were set as the MT. If needed, the IMs for 2037 have been defined as the halfway point between the MT and the Measurable Objective (MO).
In general, there are two principal ways to reach the Subbasin IMs and ultimately achieve basin wide sustainability as the GSP is implemented:
1. Increase supply; or
2. Decrease demand; or
Reducing groundwater demand can be done through a variety of strategies, including changes to cropping patterns, land fallowing, land repurposing, and conservation in response to numeric groundwater allocations, which would be less than those currently extracted. Strategies to increase supply have been identified by the GSA and are included as projects in Chapter 8 of the Revised 2024 Subbasin GSP. These projects are proposed to either recharge groundwater with surface water or provide surface water to meet groundwater demand so that groundwater pumping is reduced without changing the land use or total water demand (in-lieu recharge). To date, the GSP has focused on implementing projects to address overdraft. However, the schedule of implementation, source, and timing of the funding, design, and construction of the supply projects poses uncertainties in terms of realizing the benefits in the expected timeline. Recognizing these uncertainties, the GSAs acknowledge that more timely reductions in groundwater use will be required to meet the planned IMs. For this reason, this GWUMP has been developed as a backstop to prevent significant and unreasonable impacts related to groundwater level decline.
The GWUMP, as outlined herein, is the first step in demand management. The GSAs may adjust the GWUMP as projects are implemented and further develop additional aspects of the overall Program as it is implemented and evolves.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 2-1 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026
2. GROUNDWATER ALLOCATION FRAMEWORK
GSAs have the authority to develop and implement management actions within their GSPs that are based on local conditions, priorities, and management objectives. Under the California Water Code, a GSA has the authority to regulate, limit, or suspend groundwater extractions from individual wells or other facilities within a groundwater basin.
1 As a result, this Groundwater Allocation Framework has been developed to equitably distribute the sustainable yield amongst the Management Areas (Allocation Framework) to achieve groundwater sustainability consistent with SGMA. Any demand reductions actions must be approved by the applicable GSA(s) and would be implemented by Management Area Stewards if authorized and directed by the GSA(s).
This Allocation Framework is intended to be an adaptive program, modified over time to reflect changing hydrologic conditions and implementation of water supply projects. Nothing in this framework is intended to be a determination of water rights, and is not evidence for or against a water right that can be used in any adjudication of water rights2.
2.1 Groundwater Allocation Framework
The STRGBA GSA developed a groundwater allocation framework based on the estimated sustainable yield of the Subbasin as documented in the GSP and considering developed supply and local groundwater use.
The goal of the framework is to equitably distribute the sustainable yield to each Management Area throughout the Subbasin and allow the Management Area Stewards to decide how to implement components of the framework in their respective management areas as needed to operate within those allocations. Only de minimis extractions occur in the Tuolumne GSA which are exempt from receiving allocations (see Section 2.1.2.2).
As used herein, the Management Area Steward is defined as the STRGBA GSA member agency/agencies from each Subbasin management area. The Modesto Subbasin Stewards in the STRGBA GSA area are shown below in Table 1.
Overall, the process of developing the Allocation Framework included establishing the sustainable yield, accounting for special considerations of allocatable groundwater, determining the volume of developed water, allocating the sustainable yield of native groundwater, and establishing measures for management area stewardship by the STRGBA GSA member agencies.
1 CWC § 10726.4(a)(2)
2 Consistent with California Water Code Section 10720.5 the Sustainable Groundwater Management act may not determine or alter surface water rights or groundwater rights under the common law. This GWUMP is meant to provide an equitable allocation of yield to each management area.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 2-2 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 TABLE 1: MODESTO SUBBASIN STEWARDS
Management Area Stewards
Modesto Management Area
Modesto Irrigation District
City of Modesto
City of Waterford
Oakdale Management Area
Oakdale Irrigation District
City of Oakdale
Non-District West Management Area
Stanislaus County
City of Riverbank
Non-District East Management Area Stanislaus County
Tuolumne County GSA
2.1.1 Sustainable Yield
Sustainable yield is defined under SGMA as “the maximum quantity of water, calculated over a base period representative of long-term conditions in the basin and including any temporary surplus, that can be withdrawn annually from a groundwater supply without causing an undesirable result.”1 The sustainable yield for the Modesto Subbasin was calculated to be 267,000 acre-feet per year (AFY). Sustainable yield for the Subbasin was calculated using a C2VSimTM numerical modeling scenario in which the long-term (50- year) sustainable management criteria are maintained. The development of sustainable yield incorporates the reduction of groundwater demand from net groundwater extractors, which forms the basis for the Allocation Framework. Additional information on the methodology utilized to determine the sustainable yield is presented in Section 5.3 of the Revised 2024 GSP.2 While the sustainable yield provides the basis for the volume of allocatable water within the Subbasin, special considerations for certain entities were considered and incorporated into the Allocation Framework (see Section 2.1.2). The amount of water allocatable to applicable entities is termed “native sustainable yield”, which is discussed further in Section 2.1.3.
2.1.2 Special Considerations
Special considerations for the Allocation Framework were evaluated by the STRGBA GSA and included legal considerations and local management objectives. The following entities were determined to have limited requirements under the Allocation Framework:
1 CWC §10721(w))
2 Modesto Subbasin GSP, Revised July 2024, Section 5.3, pp. 303-310 STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 2-3 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 • Federal & Tribal Lands (not present)
• Adjudicated Areas (not present)
• Developed Water Supplies
• De Minimis Water Users
• Municipal Water Use
Federal lands, tribal lands, and adjudicated areas are not present within the Subbasin. As a result, developed water, supplies for de minimis water users, and municipal water use were the only entities with special considerations or limitations under the Allocation Framework. Additional information on developed water supplies, de minimis water users, and municipal water users are discussed further herein.
2.1.2.1 Developed Water Supply Users
Developed supplies are water that is intentionally sourced, imported and made available for use through human-made systems. California law recognizes imported water that is added to and withdrawn from an underground basin and credits this ‘developed water’ to the importer bringing the water into the basin.
California law also recognizes that a party who imports water into a basin or develops new supplies may retain rights to that water, including the right to recapture that water. As such, Developed Supply is controlled by the entity that developed the imported water supply.
Developed supply systems in the Modesto Subbasin include:
• Imported Water: Surface water brought into the basin from external sources, such as through canals, pipelines, or water transfers.
• Recycled Water: Wastewater or other non-traditional water sources that are treated to meet specific quality standards for reuse.
• Artificial Recharge Projects: Groundwater replenishment efforts using intentionally captured and injected water.
Recovery of imported and recycled water includes seepage resulting from storage, conveyance and/or land application. Recovery of water from artificial recharge projects correlates to the volume of water recharged by the project.
During the development of the Allocation Framework, estimates of developed supplies were refined into seepage from canals, reservoirs, drainage, and deep percolation of applied surface waters. Quantified values of developed water were sourced from MID’s and OID’s 2020 Agricultural Water Management Plans, the City of Modesto’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, and are summarized below in Table 2.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 2-4 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 TABLE 2: DEVELOPED SUPPLY IN THE MODESTO SUBBASIN
Developed Supply (AF) MID1 OID2
Deep Perc of Applied Surface Water 51,5003 14,8003
Canal and Reservoir Seepage 39,400 13,100
Drainage Seepage -- 3,700
M&I Seepage 4,700 --
Total 95,600 31,600
Notes:
1 Includes 2018 as a representative water year
2 Average value covering water years 2006-2019
3 estimated based on the fraction of applied surface water MID generates approximately 95,600 AFY of recharge from their developed supply, and OID generates approximately 31,600 AFY of recharge from their developed supply. These estimations were incorporated into the Allocation Framework and the Management Areas’ demand reduction targets, which are discussed further in Section 2.2.2 and Section 2.2.3. These values were estimated using the most recent data available and will be refined as the GWUMP is periodically re-evaluated.
2.1.2.2 De Minimis Water Users
De minimis extractors are classified as water users that extract two (2) acre-feet (AF) or less of groundwater per year.
1 De minimis water use totals approximately 13,800 AFY within the Subbasin. During the development of the Allocation Framework, it was determined that de minimis extractors should be exempt from receiving allocations and reducing their groundwater use. Of note, with only de minimis extractions in the Tuolumne GSA area, implementation of the GWUMP will not restrict or alter existing groundwater pumping activities there unless and until that were to change in the future.
2.1.2.3 Municipal Water Users
Municipal water use refers to the provision of water for residential, commercial, and public services within a city. Municipal water users within the Subbasin include the City of Modesto, City of Oakdale, City of Riverbank, and the City of Waterford. These entities account for approximately 35,000 AFY of groundwater use. During development of the Allocation Framework, the STRGBA GSA designated municipal water users as a special case and limited their future groundwater use to their historical groundwater use. This decision was supported by several local and state requirements for implementing water use efficiency programs.
These requirements include:
1 CWC § 10721(e)
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 2-5 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 • Making Conservation as a California Way of Life – a State regulation that establishes efficiency goals and Urban Water Use Objectives (UWUOs) for urban water suppliers to reduce municipal demands. The regulation requires urban water suppliers to determine their water use objectives and demonstrate compliance annually.1
• Growth Obligations – Municipalities have State mandated housing and population growth targets that drive water demand.
• Public Service Constraints – Cities are non-profit entities that typically operate with limited flexibility in pricing for the purchase of water supplies. • Supply Limitations – Groundwater supplies are limited and meeting future demand will require surface water development, recharge projects, additional conservation, or purchased allocation credits.
Under this Allocation Framework, groundwater allocations are set at current groundwater use quantities per annum for municipalities, and the municipalities will be required to conserve water or provide other water supplies to supply future growth. If additional lands are annexed into municipal water provider’s service areas, those lands will be removed from the overlying allocation of the sustainable yield in future updates of the GWUMP, and the special case allocation to municipal water users will remain unchanged.
2.1.3 Allocation Framework Methodology
Multiple approaches to Subbasin groundwater allocation were considered by the STRGBA GSA to determine the best method for reducing groundwater demand to achieve the Subbasin’s sustainability goals. The approaches included allocations based on consumptive use (amount of water used and not returned to the Subbasin), pumping (total volume extracted), and other metrics such as crop type, economic value, or negotiated agreements. Ultimately, pumping, or the total volume of groundwater extracted by user, was selected as the basis for the Allocation Framework as it was both directly measurable and could easily be estimated by other means in cases where metering data were not available.
A proportional allocation by the overlying area, excluding those urban and domestic areas where the service area was provided a special consideration, was selected as the approach for distributing allocatable yield by management area within the Subbasin. This method was selected as it facilitates resource pooling in management areas that are more reliant on groundwater, eliminates the ‘double allocation’ of water to municipal and de minimis areas, and promotes equity across all overlying users, despite their intended use.
Following the selection of the Allocation Framework’s basis and distribution method, estimations of allocations for the Subbasin and each Management Area (as defined in the Revised 2024 GSP) were made.
As previously discussed, allocations are calculated by distributing the allocatable yield (i.e., non-special considerations) across the Subbasin’s overlying area, where:
1 23 CCR, § 966
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 2-6 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 𝑆𝑆 − 𝐷𝐷 − 𝑀𝑀 − 𝐷𝐷
AY = Allocatable Yield
SY = Sustainable Yield
D = De minimis Users
M = Municipal Users
DS = Developed Supply
The allocatable yield calculated for the Modesto Subbasin was determined to be 95,700 AFY.
Overlying Allocation: The Subbasin-wide overlying allocation of 95,700 AFY was subsequently distributed amongst the Management Areas using a proportional allocation methodology based on each zone’s overlying land area minus the area covered by urban and domestic land uses (referred to herein as Overlying, Non-Urban Area). This equitable distribution approach ensures that water allocations correspond directly to the spatial extent of overlying land use within each Management Area without ‘double allocating’ water to urban and domestic land areas. The proportional distribution method calculates each Management Area's share by dividing its overlying non-urban acreage by the total subbasin overlying acreage, then multiplying this percentage by the total overlying allocation. An illustrative calculation demonstrating how individual Management Area overlying allocations are determined is presented below.
𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = (𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑆𝑆)(
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝑆𝑆
)
OVRMA = Overlying Allocation of the Management Area
OVRS = Overlying Allocation of the Subbasin
AreaMA = Overlying Non-Urban Area of the Management Area Areas = Total Area of the Subbasin
Table 3, below, summarizes the ‘baseline’ allocations for the individual management areas as calculated using the above methodology.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 2-7 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 TABLE 3: BASELINE MODESTO SUBBASIN GROUNDWATER ALLOCATIONS Subbasin
TOTAL Modesto MA Oakdale MA
NDW
MA
NDE
MA
Developed Supply1 127,200 95,600 31,600 0 0
Special Cases1 48,800 33,700 8,900 6,200 0
Overlying Use1 91,000 33,600 22,000 5,300 30,100
Total Allocation1 267,000 162,900 62,500 11,500 30,100
Total Historical
Pumping1 317,600 173,000 39,800 15,100 89,700
Reduction Required1 50,600 10,100 -22,700 3,600 59,600
Total Allocation
(Percent of Historical) 84% 94% 157% 76% 34%
1 Volumes are presented in acre-feet.
NDW – Non-District West
NDE – Non-District East
The initial allocation estimations (“Baseline Allocations”) indicate an average annual reduction of Total Historical Pumping by approximately 16% is needed. However, allocations applied to certain management areas, such as the Oakdale Management Area, were greater because of OID’s development and use of surface water and thus appear in Table 3 as negative required reductions. To collaborate and assist in easing reductions in other Management Areas, and to allow supply projects to be constructed, OID has agreed to redistribute the portion of its developed supply that is not anticipated to be used by OID in the near term to other Management Areas on a temporary basis, not to exceed five years (2027-2031), at no cost to the beneficiaries. The reallocation option, referred to herein as ‘Collaborative Management, is presented below in Table 4. It is important to note that any potential ‘reallocation’ of the native sustainable yield would have to be agreed upon by the STRGBA GSA. However, reallocation of developed supply is controlled by the entity that developed the imported water supply. Any such redistribution of OID’s developed water is not a forfeiture of the right or claim of right in the future. Furthermore, by reallocating developed supply to another party under this Framework, the potential pumping reduction in other management areas is reduced from what it may have to be in the future. OID specifically hereby disclaims that by approving this Plan it waives any of its water rights and/or the rights of its landowners; but rather, affirms that it puts all water to which it or its landowners have a right to full beneficial use.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 2-8 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 TABLE 4: COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT OF GROUNDWATER ALLOCATIONS Subbasin
TOTAL
Modesto
Management
Area
Oakdale
Management
Area
NDW
Management
Area
NDE
Management
Area
Base Allocation1 267,000 162,900 62,500 11,500 30,100
Historical Pumping1 317,600 173,000 39,800 15,100 89,700 Developed Water1 - 0 -22,700 0 0
Redistribution of
Developed Water1 0 10,100 -22,700 1,900 10,700
Allocation with
Redistribution of
Developed Water1
267,000 173,000 39,800 13,400 40,800
Reduction Required1,2 50,600 0 0 1,700 48,900
Allocation with
Redistribution2
(Percent of Historical)
84% 100% 100% 89% 45%
1 Volumes are presented in acre-feet.
2Assumes long-term use of Redistributed Developed Water.
NDW – Non-District West
NDE – Non-District East
Long-term redistribution of developed water would result in smaller reduction targets for the Modesto, Non-District West, and Non-District East Management Areas - 6%, 13%, and 12%, respectively. However, OID has only agreed to allow temporary utilization of their developed water for the first five years of implementation (2027-2031).
The STRGBA GSA prepared an implementation schedule for meeting the allocation targets while allowing groundwater users the opportunity to adapt to reductions in groundwater use. The implementation schedules for the Management Areas are presented in Section 4. Distribution of these allocations to groundwater users will be completed by Management Area “Stewards”, as discussed in Section 2.1.4.
However, it is important to keep in mind that this framework is one of the Subbasin’s first steps towards achieving groundwater sustainability, and this Program will continue to be reviewed and adjusted as needed in future updates.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 3-9 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026
3. IMPLEMENTATION
Member agencies of the STRGBA GSA determined that the GWUMP would be best implemented locally in the individual Management Areas within the Subbasin. As previously noted, with only having de minimis extractors, groundwater pumping activities in the Tuolumne GSA area will not change with implementation of the GWUMP. The Management Areas are defined in the Revised 2024 GSP as areas of similar water supplies and similar ongoing water management activities.1 As discussed in Section 2 and shown in Figure 1, four management areas are present within the Modesto Subbasin: Modesto Management Area, Oakdale Management Area, Non-District West Management Area, and Non-District East Management Area. These management areas and their Stewards (agencies with jurisdiction) are shown in Table 1.
Following the adoption of this GWUMP, the Management Area Stewards will distribute allocations as credits to groundwater users no later than January 31, 2027, per the Revised 2024 Modesto Subbasin GSP. The total allocations, per Management Area, in the first five years of implementation will be consistent with the “Collaborative Management” allocation volumes presented in Table 4. Management Area Stewards will monitor and evaluate groundwater use and the assigned allocations on a regular basis to ensure groundwater users are operating within their assigned allocations. The STRGBA GSA will also continue to independently assess groundwater use in each management area as part of its annual reporting process and procedures.
The intent of localized management by the Management Area Steward is to achieve sustainable management criteria, such as interim milestones and measurable objectives, as established in the GSP and prevent the occurrence of undesirable results, but to do so in a fashion that is achievable within the characteristics of each individual area. Should groundwater data and parameters, such as groundwater levels, indicate that a particular management area is not achieving their sustainable management objectives, Management Area Stewards will develop a Management Area Action Plan for STRGBA GSA approval as a corrective course of action and may, at their discretion, escalate the allocation implementation schedule to comply with these sustainable management criteria if needed. Non-compliance with these criteria may trigger other additional management strategies. Figure 2 outlines the methodology the Management Area Stewards will follow in implementing the GWUMP. For the purposes of this GWUMP, non-compliance is defined as two (2) consecutive years of not meeting the GWUMP-mandated allocations and/or not having a GSA-approved Action Plan implemented within two (2) years. 1 Modesto Subbasin GSP, Revised July 2024, Section 6.2.3, p. 317 STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 3-10 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 FIGURE 2: GWUMP RESPONSE LEVELS
If, based on the Subbasin’s monitoring program and annual analysis, it is determined that a Management Area Action Plan is required, the following steps will be implemented in developing that plan (Figure 3).
Should a Management Area move into Response Level 3 as a result of non-compliance, the STRGBA GSA would follow the State’s probationary emergency protocols/measures to meter groundwater extractions and assess fees while the STRGBA GSA drafts and executes a GSA Action Plan for the Management Area(s) and returns the Management Area(s) to the planned path towards sustainability.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 3-11 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 FIGURE 3: MANAGEMENT AREA ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS The content of the Action Plan will vary depending on the Management Area, hydrologic condition, situation and other parameters, but in general, Actions Plans will include the following content (Figure 4).
FIGURE 4: ACTION PLAN CONTENT
Section 3.1 provides a list of potential adaptive management strategies that the Management Area Stewards may choose to implement to ensure the Subbasin progresses towards sustainability. In the event the Management Area Stewards are unable to progress towards sustainability (i.e., failure to achieve interim milestones or continuously exceeding minimum thresholds), the STRGBA GSA will implement additional measures to prevent the occurrence of undesirable results.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 3-12 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 While the GWUMP will be reassessed no less than once every five years (see Section 4 for further discussion), the condition of the Subbasin will be evaluated annually as part of the SGMA-mandated annual report process. If identified as part of that reporting process and as needed, the Management Area Stewards may opt to modify their Action Plan with STRGBA GSA approval between GWUMP assessments to proactively address any negative trends identified at that time. However, any planned regulation, limitation or suspensions of groundwater extractions from individual wells or other facilities by Management Area Stewards will require prior approval by the STRGBA GSA.
3.1 Adaptive Management Strategies
While the groundwater allocation framework discussed above in Section 2 is intended to move the Subbasin towards sustainability, it is recognized that Subbasin hydrogeology and future hydrologic conditions will impact the success of the program. As the GWUMP is envisioned, the Management Area Stewards will be responsible for monitoring progress towards achieving the Interim Milestones set forth in the Revised 2024 GSP, and for implementing adaptive management strategies and responses as needed to achieve the desired results.
Adaptive management is a key component of the GWUMP. A program that is flexible and developed to adapt to changing conditions will be the most effective. The unknown factors in meeting the demand management goals may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Hydrology of the next five years: The benefits (recharge) accrued from planned projects vary based on the availability of surface and storm water over the next few years. Projects that rely on excess surface water to be implemented may not produce the same level of benefits in drought years. • Implementation schedule of planned projects: It is unknown what legal, financial, or environmental hurdles could delay the implementation of the identified projects. These delays could be specific to a GSA, management area, or the Subbasin as a whole.
• Estimation of Project Contributions: Not all projects may be able, once implemented, to produce the anticipated benefits estimated during the planning process, even without project delays. • Model Uncertainty: Through future monitoring, the GSAs will be able to assess model uncertainty and improve model estimations as new data becomes available.
To aid the Management Area Stewards with adaptively managing their areas, the following is a list of some potential strategies that may be employed to help reduce groundwater use and support achieving the Subbasin Interim Milestones and ultimately groundwater basin sustainability. This list is not intended to be all inclusive.
• Implementation of voluntary or mandatory conservation measures including, but not limited to:
o Land repurposing to enhance groundwater recharge
o Land repurposing for habitat restoration (recreational use, GDE benefit, etc.) o Land repurposing for clean energy incentives (i.e., solar power fields) o Replacing higher value/water using crops with lower value/water using crops or replanting or repurposing with crops/agriculture requiring lower water demands o Fallowing – total or partial crop removal, rotational fallowing, dry farming STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 3-13 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 • Acceleration of the allocation reduction schedule
• Implementation of groundwater extraction fees
• Increased groundwater use reporting requirements to quarterly or monthly • Prioritization of implementation of Supplemental Projects (Group 3) • Incentivization of surface water deliveries/in-lieu recharge • Implementation of targeted pumping reductions or restrictions • Reduction of allocations beyond base allocation limits • Restriction of pumping in areas where MTs have been exceeded • Required flowmeter installation on extraction wells
• Invasive species removal
• Urban retrofitting and/or irrigation improvements to reduce water loss and use It will be at the Management Area Stewards discretion and responsibility to effectively use some or all of these and potentially other measures to achieve the targeted groundwater use extractions and reach Interim Milestones, and it will be the responsibility of the STRGBA GSA to ensure there is consistency amongst the Management Areas with respect to implementation and application of adaptive management measures.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 4-1 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026
4. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
As previously described, in response to Recommended Corrective Action #2 of DWR’s 2025 Determination letter, the STRGBA GSA and Tuolumne GSA committed to developing this GWUMP by no later than January 31, 2026, and will implement the program beginning no later than January 31, 2027. To meet this schedule and achieve the Interim Milestones established in the Revised 2024 GSP, the GWUMP will be the primary tool to guide the Subbasin towards sustainability as additional projects and management actions are implemented to offset continued groundwater use.
This Program is the first step towards achieving long-term sustainability. It is designed to effectively manage groundwater use while allowing growers the flexibility to adapt to new policies and frameworks within the Subbasin. Ultimately, however, groundwater management will be driven by observed groundwater level data relative to the Minimum Thresholds and Interim Milestones established in the Revised 2024 GSP and will be supported through adaptive management. The timeline for achieving Interim Milestones, as set forth in the Revised 2024 GSP, is as follows:
2027 - Arrest overdraft and groundwater level decline
2032 - Raise groundwater levels to Minimum Thresholds
2037 - Raise groundwater levels to halfway between Minimum Thresholds and Measurable Objectives
2042 - Raise groundwater level to Measurable Objectives It is important to recognize that the allocations presented in this GWUMP are based on the best available data at this time. The STRGBA GSA will continue to gather data and refine the allocations presented herein in future updates to the GWUMP. However, even with the temporary redistribution of the OID developed water supply in the first five years of program implementation and considering historical groundwater level trends, the NDE Management Area will begin the GWUMP Phase 1 implementation period in the Phase 2 Response Level and therefore will require preparation of a Management Area Action Plan by November 1, 2026 for STRGBA GSA approval to initiate reductions in groundwater use. Only having de minimis extractors, the Tuolumne GSA area will be exempt from any reductions in groundwater use.
Following implementation of this GWUMP and the NDE Action Plan on January 31, 2027, reductions in groundwater extractions will ‘ramp up’ in five-year increments as necessary to arrest overdraft and raise groundwater levels to the Measurable Objectives identified in the GSP. Table 5, below, is the implementation schedule for the NDE Management Area.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 4-2 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program January 6, 2026 TABLE 5: NDE MANAGEMENT AREA REDUCTION SCHEDULE
Year Percent Reduction of
Target Allocation
Required Reduction (AcreFeet)
2027-2030
34% of 47,600 (Total
Reduction Required less
10,400 AF of Redistributed
Developed Water
16,000
2030-2035 67% 39,000
2035-2040 100% 58,000
The Modesto Management Area currently exceeds its base allocation. However, after accounting for the redistribution of developed water, the management area is in balance. Additionally, groundwater levels remain relatively stable in most monitoring wells within the MID and City of Modesto service areas. The management area requires continued assessment of data and groundwater/surface water operations to prevent future overdraft, but no Action Plan is necessary at this time.
Although some reduction in groundwater pumping is indicated for the Non-District West Management Area in the first five-year implementation period, observed groundwater levels in most of the monitoring wells in the western upper and lower principal aquifers in the Management Area are currently at or above the measurable objective. Additionally, there are no indications of any long-term water level declines in the Non-District West Management Area, therefore, no Action Plan is required in the Non-District West Management Area at this time.
Even though OID’s development and use of surface water results in a surplus of developed supply, groundwater levels in the eastern portion of the Oakdale Management Area continue to decline due to the influence of overdraft in the Non-District East Management Area. No reductions or Action Plan are required for the eastern portion of the Oakdale Management Area at this time.
Per SGMA, every five years, the Subbasin GSP is re-evaluated and a Periodic Evaluation is prepared for submission to DWR. Evaluation of, and any necessary revisions to, the GWUMP will occur prior to and in parallel with each GSP review and Periodic Evaluation. Additionally, other related management actions and tools, such as the development of a groundwater banking and trading program, may be developed by the STRGBA GSA in the future to further support sustainable management of the Subbasin. Figure 5, below, is the planned implementation and review schedule for the GWUMP.
STRGBA GSA (0012848.00) 4-3 Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Final Draft Groundwater Use Management Program December 16, 2025 FIGURE 5: GWUMP IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
woodardcurran.com
General Business 6b
January 15, 2026
Michael Pitcock, City Manager
City Council Staff Report
Resolution: Resolution 2026-03, Adopting a Well Mitigation Plan in the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin
SUMMARY:
The Council is being asked to adopt the attached resolution authorizing collaboration with the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association (STRGBA) Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), its member agencies, stakeholders and the County of Tuolumne GSA to take such actions as may be necessary to approve and implement the Well Mitigation Plan developed for the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin. Adoption of the Well Mitigation Plan by the STRGBA GSA fulfills commitments made in prior Council actions and advances compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
ANALYSIS:
On February 16, 2017, the STRGBA GSA was formed. Member agencies include the City of Modesto, Modesto Irrigation District, City of Oakdale, Oakdale Irrigation District, City of Riverbank, City of Waterford, and Stanislaus County. The GSA collaboratively manages groundwater in the Modesto Subbasin along with County of Tuolumne GSA pursuant to SGMA requirements.
The STRGBA GSA partnered with the County of Tuolumne GSA to develop a single, coordinated Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Modesto Subbasin. The final GSP was submitted to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) on January 31, 2022. Following DWR’s Incomplete Determination, the GSAs prepared a 2024 GSP Amendment, which DWR approved on February 27, 2025 but added the need to revise the GSP to include a Program to provide mitigation for drinking water wells that have experienced adverse impacts due to declining regional groundwater levels associated with groundwater pumping.
The focus of this Program is on mitigation for drinking water wells that have experienced adverse impacts due to declining groundwater levels resulting from basin management actions. All applications brought under this Program must have had well impacts that occurred after January 31, 2022, and were caused by STRGBA GSA basin management activities. Applications for impacts that occurred between January 31, 2022, and the adoption of this Program by the STRGBA GSA must be submitted within six months. The limitations period for applications submitted after the adoption of this Program will be the limitations process and period provided by the California Government Tort Claims Act (Government Code Section 810 and following). Drinking water wells are defined here as any well used to supply potable water to a household, including domestic wells that supply water for potable, minor irrigation, and other domestic purposes. It may also include state small water systems with between 5 and 14 connections.
The Revised GSP analysis also considered potential impacts to water quality and land subsidence. The analysis indicated that groundwater levels declining below the MTs during the implementation period would not likely have an impact on groundwater quality or on land subsidence. Consequently, this Program focuses on the direct impacts of drinking water wells going dry.
Staff has reviewed the draft Well Mitigation Plan and recommends Council adoption of the attached resolution. The draft Well Mitigation Plan is anticipated to be approved by the STRGBA GSA in January 2026 and implemented immediately thereafter.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Program is initially being funded by the STRGBA GSA as part of their respective annual budgets and apportioned between the STRGBA GSA using the existing annual budget allocation methodology (equally amongst each of the 7 member agencies). To initiate implementation of the Program, the STRGBA GSA has established a baseline Well Mitigation Fund amounting to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000). The STRGBA GSA has agreed to fund the Program on an annual basis as may be required to address the needs of the Program until groundwater sustainability is achieved. The STRGBA GSA member agencies will meet and confer in good faith to determine the appropriate funding mechanism, replenishment amount, and STRGBA GSA member allocation methodology prior to Fund replenishment.
Actual cost to the City of Waterford is unknown as it depends on how many wells need mitigation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Council could choose not to adopt the Well Mitigation Plan. This is not recommended as the city is a partner of the GSA and the Well Mitigation Plan is a requirement of DWR.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Resolution 2026-03
• Final Draft Well Mitigation Plan
RESOLUTION 2026-03
WATERFORD CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 2026-03
RESOLUTION ADOPTING A WELL MITIGATION PLAN IN THE MODESTO
GROUNDWATER SUBBASIN
A. WHEREAS, the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association (STRGBA) Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), consisting of the City of Modesto, Modesto Irrigation District, City of Oakdale, Oakdale Irrigation District, City of Riverbank, City of Waterford and County of Stanislaus was formed on February 16, 2017, for the purpose of sustainably managing groundwater in the Modesto Subbasin, within its jurisdictional boundaries, pursuant to the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA); B. WHEREAS, the STRGBA GSA coordinated with the County of Tuolumne GSA to develop a single, coordinated groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) for the Modesto Subbasin which was approved by both the STRGBA GSA and County of Tuolumne GSA; C. WHEREAS, the final Modesto Subbasin GSP was submitted to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) on January 31, 2022;
D. WHEREAS, a revised 2024 GSP Amendment for the Modesto Subbasin was developed by the STRGBA GSA and County of Tuolumne GSA in response to an Incomplete Determination by DWR;
E. WHEREAS, the 2024 Amended GSP for the Modesto Subbasin was ultimately approved by DWR on February 27, 2025;
F. WHEREAS, 2027 Interim Milestones (IMs) were established in the Modesto Subbasin GSP to acknowledge the continued groundwater level decline anticipated to occur temporarily during the initial years of GSP implementation; G. WHEREAS, the City of Waterford acknowledges that during the 20-year GSP implementation period, in particular within the initial IM timeline, it is possible for wells to be negatively impacted by continued groundwater level decline; H. WHEREAS, on June 20, 2024, the City of Waterford adopted a resolution committing to the development and implementation of a Well Mitigation Plan by January 31, 2026;
I. WHEREAS, the June 20, 2024, resolution was incorporated into the 2024 Amended GSP for the Modesto Subbasin, which was submitted and approved by DWR; J. WHEREAS, the STRGBA GSA has developed a Well Mitigation Plan, as set forth in Exhibit “A,” through the collaboration of the STRGBA GSA and its member agencies with input from stakeholders through 3 public workshops; K. WHEREAS, the STRGBA GSA has established a baseline funding source of $300,000 from the member agencies to begin implementing the Well Mitigation Plan; RESOLUTION 2026-03
L. WHEREAS, the Well Mitigation Plan provides the framework for the following elements:
(a) an application process and well mitigation program parameters for landowners of impacted wells;
(b) establishment of a Well Mitigation Program Committee and Technical Review Committee to oversee the claim process; and
(c) STRGBA GSA will contract with Self-Help Enterprises for coordination of emergency water supplies, well assessment, and well replacement; M. WHEREAS, the City of Waterford acknowledges that it cannot control groundwater conditions or well failures caused by actions not taken by the GSA; N. WHEREAS, the City of Waterford commits to implementing this Well Mitigation Plan in collaboration with the STRGBA GSA, its member agencies and the County of Tuolumne GSA; and
O. WHEREAS, the STRGBA GSA will provide annual funding for implementation of the Well Mitigation Plan, and the member agencies will meet and confer in good faith, as needed, to determine the appropriate funding mechanisms.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Waterford finds as follows:
1. The City of Waterford authorizes collaboration with the STRGBA GSA, its member agencies, consultants, stakeholders and the County of Tuolumne GSA to take such actions as may be reasonably necessary to:
a. Approve and implement the Well Mitigation Plan for the Modesto Subbasin GSP.
The foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Waterford, County of Stanislaus, State of California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 15th day of January, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RESOLUTION 2026-03
City of Waterford,
Charlie Goeken, Mayor
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Patricia Krause, CMC, City Clerk Corbett J. Browning
City Attorney
Stanislaus & Tuolumne Rivers
Groundwater Basin Association
Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Draft
Modesto Subbasin
Well Mitigation Plan
November 5, 2025 Draft
GSA Adoption Anticipated January 28, 2026
ii
Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.................................................................................................................................1 Background..............................................................................................................................1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................................2 Program Management..................................................................................................................3 Partnerships with Existing Programs..........................................................................................3 Program Development Committee ............................................................................................4 Technical Review Committee ....................................................................................................4 Program Process..........................................................................................................................5 Eligibility ..................................................................................................................................5 Application Process..................................................................................................................6 Process for Establishing STRGBA GSA-Related Well Impacts......................................................9 Process for Implementing Mitigation Measures..........................................................................9 Emergency Water Supply.......................................................................................................9 Interim Solution ..................................................................................................................10 Long-term Solutions............................................................................................................10 Plan Outreach............................................................................................................................10 Funding and Anticipated Costs...................................................................................................11 iii
Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
ACRONYMS
CV-SALTS Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability DWR California Department of Water Resources
GSA Groundwater Sustainability Agency
GSP Groundwater Sustainability Plan
NGOs non-governmental organizations
PMAs Projects and Management Actions
SAFER Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience SHE Self-Help Enterprises
SGMA Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
STRGBA GSA Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association Groundwater Sustainability Agency
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board
TAC Technical Advisory Committee
WY Water Year (October 1 through September 30)
VWC Valley Water Collaborative
1 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
Introduction
Background
In September 2014, the Governor of California signed legislation creating the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) “to provide local groundwater sustainability agencies with the authority and technical and financial assistance necessary to sustainably manage groundwater” (Water Code, § 10720.1(d)). Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) were provided the authority to adopt rules, regulations, ordinances, and resolutions for the sustainable management of a groundwater basin and to conduct and carry out activities necessary to achieve and maintain sustainable conditions.
The Modesto Subbasin (5-22.02) (Subbasin), a high-priority basin as defined by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), is subject to SGMA and is being managed in compliance with SGMA.
Groundwater management within the Stanislaus County footprint of the Modesto Subbasin is being coordinated and overseen by the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association Groundwater Sustainability Agency (STRGBA GSA), consisting of the following member agencies: the City of Modesto, Modesto Irrigation District, City of Oakdale, Oakdale Irrigation District, City of Riverbank, City of Waterford and County of Stanislaus. The STRGBA GSA is governed by a Committee (GSA Committee) made up of one designated staff member from each of the seven member agencies. The STRGBA GSA was formed on February 16, 2017, for the purpose of sustainably managing groundwater in the Modesto Subbasin, within its jurisdictional boundaries and pursuant to the requirements of SGMA. The STRGBA GSA coordinated with the County of Tuolumne GSA to develop a single, coordinated groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) for the Modesto Subbasin, which was submitted to DWR on January 31, 2022.
In January 2024, DWR determined the GSP to be incomplete and identified two deficiencies.
The County of Tuolumne and STRGBA GSAs submitted a revised GSP to DWR on July 12, 2024 (Revised GSP). The Revised GSP, which was approved by DWR on February 27, 2025, is responsive to DWR-defined Corrective Actions and incorporates additional details, analyses, projects, and management actions. The STRGBA GSA also committed to development and implementation of a Well Mitigation Program (Program) no later than January 31, 2026. This Well Mitigation Plan (Plan) provides the framework for the Program to address Management Action 7 described in the Revised GSP.
Initial conception of the Program is described in the Revised GSP. This description addresses domestic wells drilled in the Subbasin and the Sustainable Management Criteria (SMC), including Minimum Thresholds, which define undesirable results based on those wells affected by groundwater level declines. An analysis of the number of wells that could potentially go dry with additional groundwater level declines is described in Revised GSP Section 6.3.3.1. A 2 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
description of the conceptual Program is provided in Revised GSP Section 8.1.3. In addition, Appendix C of the Revised GSP presents the Resolution Adopting a Revised Groundwater Sustainability Plan and Documenting the Commitment to Develop and Implement a Well Mitigation Program and Demand Management Actions in the Modesto Groundwater Subbasin.
The projects and management actions in the Revised GSP are intended to achieve sustainability and to reduce the potential for more wells to go dry. Modeling of the Projects and Management Actions (PMAs) in the Revised GSP demonstrates the feasibility of achieving sustainability by 2042. However, the STRGBA GSA recognizes that the GSP objectives in arresting groundwater level declines quickly could be hindered by significant drought cycles or other factors.
Purpose
The purpose of the Program is to provide mitigation for drinking water wells that have experienced adverse impacts due to declining regional groundwater levels associated with groundwater pumping during the GSP implementation period, since January 31, 2022. As described in the Modesto Subbasin Revised GSP (Section 6.3.3.1), an analysis was conducted that included all 4,563 water supply wells (municipal, industrial, domestic and agricultural) with available construction information in the Modesto Subbasin. This analysis showed potential impacts to water supply wells due to groundwater levels declining below established Minimum Thresholds (MTs). Potential impacts are expected to be limited to an interim period before planned Projects and Management Actions are fully implemented.
The focus of this Program is on mitigation for drinking water wells that have experienced adverse impacts due to declining groundwater levels resulting from basin management actions during the GSP implementation period (defined as ending in 2042 by SGMA legislation).
Drinking water wells are defined here as any well used to supply potable water to a household, including domestic wells that supply water for potable, minor irrigation, and other domestic purposes. It may also include state small water systems with between 5 and 14 connections.
The Revised GSP analysis also considered potential impacts to water quality and land subsidence. The analysis indicated that groundwater levels declining below the MTs during the implementation period would not likely have an impact on groundwater quality or on land subsidence. Consequently, this Program focuses on the direct impacts of drinking water wells going dry. In general, a well is considered to be going dry when water can no longer be pumped in sufficient quantity to meet domestic water demands because groundwater levels have fallen too low for the well to produce the required groundwater quantities. While the well is going dry, this typically results in diminished well yield or unreliable productivity. Once groundwater levels have fallen below the pump intake, the well is considered dry and does not produce any water.
In some cases, it may be possible to lower the pump to restore sufficient yield, but in other cases, the well must be deepened or a new, deeper well must be constructed. 3 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
The purpose of this document is to describe a detailed process for mitigating impacts on drinking water wells adversely affected by declining groundwater levels during the GSP implementation period.
Program Management
This document establishes a framework for the mitigation of drinking water wells demonstrated to have been adversely affected by declining groundwater levels resulting from basin management activities during the SGMA implementation period. It has been developed in consideration of recommendations found in the following two public documents: Framework for a Drinking Water Well Impact Mitigation Program (Self-Help Enterprises, et al.) and Considerations for Identifying and Addressing Drinking Water Well Impacts (CA Department of Water Resources).
Partnerships with Existing Programs
There are local non-governmental programs that offer support for those affected by impaired access to drinking water within the Modesto Subbasin and across the San Joaquin Valley. During implementation of the Program, additional agencies or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may be identified for potential collaboration that have interest in or authority over drinking water. The Valley Water Collaborative (VWC), for example, was formed to address nitrate groundwater contamination in private domestic wells used for drinking water in the Modesto and Turlock Subbasins. VWC provides well testing and replacement water or water treatment systems for nitrate contamination to all qualifying applicants, regardless of income level.
Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) is another NGO that offers emergency drinking water supplies, longterm mitigation support, and well stewardship educational resources for those who qualify under their program in Stanislaus County. SHE is a non-profit in the San Joaquin Valley that can provide water quality testing and emergency water service (including bottled water, outdoor tank and hauled water support) for eligible landowners (see https://www.selfhelpenterprises.org). When first contacted for assistance with a dry well, SHE establishes basic eligibility (e.g., well / land ownership); the eligible applicants must then submit an application to SHE with information on the well, property, and household, including income.
SHE provides emergency response (e.g., bottled water) within 24 hours and conducts an onsite well assessment. If a well replacement is warranted, the process includes completion of a grant agreement between SHE and the well owner. SHE provides a well modification/replacement grant for qualifying landowners who make 80% or less of the mean household income and are willing to not sell their property for a 5-year period after well replacement. Currently, the SHE grants (funded by the SWRCB) can amount to nearly $60,000.
The STRGBA GSA has coordinated this Program with SHE to minimize overlapping efforts. The STRGBA GSA will enter into an agreement to reimburse SHE for costs associated with program 4 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
administration (including bilingual communications and well stewardship educational services), emergency and interim drinking water supplies, and long-term mitigation measures for all drinking water well applications that qualify for Modesto Subbasin mitigation. SHE serves as the contract mediator and lender for the applicants to make arrangements with contractors such as well drillers, pump companies, and plumbers to perform the long-term mitigation.
Program Development Committee
The STRGBA GSA has established a Well Mitigation Program Committee (WMP Committee) and will continue to appoint Committee members at its discretion. This WMP Committee will include representatives from STRGBA GSA member agencies. This WMP Committee will further develop and refine this Plan and recommend approval by the STRGBA GSA when modifications are needed. Upon approval of this Program by the STRGBA GSA, the WMP Committee will implement the Program as defined in the Plan.
Consistent with the stated purpose of this Program, the WMP Committee will have the responsibility for development and implementation of the Program, including but not limited to the following:
• Recommendations to the STRGBA GSA to engage in public outreach. • Recommendations to the STRGBA GSA to collaborate and contract with nongovernmental organizations to assist with outreach and/or well mitigation services. • Coordination with County Office of Emergency Services to provide well mitigation services.
• Development and oversight of the process for affected well owners to apply for mitigation.
• Development and oversight of the procedures for application review, decision, and appeal including decisions to provide complete or partial mitigation or to reject an application.
• Establishment of a Well Mitigation Technical Review Committee (TR Committee) to review each application for eligibility and potential mitigation. • Development and oversight of the process for well owner agreements for mitigation. • Keeping the STRGBA GSA informed of Program implementation and any claims that are received.
Technical Review Committee
The WMP Committee will establish a Technical Review Committee for each claim under this Program. The TR Committee will consist of the following members:
• A STRGBA GSA member agency representative where the well is located or a County representative if the well is within a non-district area or outside City limits. • A registered Environmental Health Specialist from the Stanislaus County Environmental Health Department or Environmental Resources Department. 5 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
• At the WMP Committee and/or STRGBA GSA’s discretion and designation, a qualified technical representative (e.g., Professional Geologist or Engineer) that is not part of the STRGBA GSA member agency where the well is located.
The TR Committee will document the eligibility and submit a recommendation regarding STRGBA GSA mitigation to the WMP Committee.
Program Process
Eligibility
The Program is intended to address impacts to drinking water wells from declining groundwater levels associated with groundwater pumping during the GSP implementation period. Drinking water wells are defined as any well used to supply potable water to a household, including domestic wells that supply water for potable, landscape irrigation and other domestic purposes to several homes or parcels. It may also include state small water systems with between 5 and 14 connections. Mitigation for other types of supply wells (e.g., agricultural irrigation, industrial or stock wells) or for non-domestic uses may be considered under this Program by the STRGBA GSA on a case-by-case basis.
At this time, emergency drinking water supplies can be requested in Stanislaus County (and elsewhere in the San Joaquin Valley) via online request or telephone call to an NGO, such as VWC or SHE, which establishes basic information (e.g., well location) and eligibility to receive emergency bottled water under those programs and then requires additional information in an application.
This Program is being coordinated with non-governmental programs, such as SHE, in order to avoid duplication of efforts. As noted above, this Program has been developed to address well impacts due to declining groundwater levels associated with groundwater pumping during the GSP implementation period. To be eligible for mitigation assistance from the STRGBA GSA’s Program, the WMP Committee will require that an application from the well owner be submitted to SHE. SHE will then review the application to determine whether the well impacts (including failure or diminished well yields such that reasonable demands can no longer be met) occurred on or after January 31, 2022, and are attributable to sustainable groundwater management under the Subbasin GSP. January 31, 2022, is the date that the GSP was adopted by the STRGBA GSA and submitted to DWR.
The County of Tuolumne and STRGBA GSAs manage groundwater levels in the Modesto Subbasin in accordance with the GSP, including as it may be amended or revised in the future.
Wells eligible for the Program are those that have experienced adverse impacts due to declining groundwater levels as a result of basin management under the Subbasin GSP. 6 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
At its discretion, the WMP Committee may also review an application and recommend that the Well Mitigation Technical Advisory Committee address other aquifer problems affecting a well, such as water quality problems caused by STRGBA GSA basin management actions that occurred after January 31, 2022. Water quality problems that are not the result of STRGBA GSA basin management actions will not be eligible for mitigation under this Program.
Application Process
The Program application will be available on the SHE website. A link to the application will also be posted on the STRGBA GSA website (STRGBA.org). If requested, designated STRGBA GSA and/or SHE staff will assist applicants with filing the application.
The Program Application Process involves the following steps that begin with completion and submittal of an application by the well owner.
Completion and Submittal of Application. The well owner will fill out an application form and submit it to SHE. The application will request available information from the well owner that includes, but may not be limited to, the following:
• Well owner and contact information
• Well location and age
• Well construction information such as location and access, total well depth, screen interval depths, annular seal depth, and pump type and depth • Inspection reports from a licensed well driller or pump and well contractor identifying the cause of the well failure
• Any other evidence in applicant’s possession that the well failure was caused by STRGBA GSA basin management actions occurring after January 31, 2022 (e.g., depth to water measurements from nearby wells, etc.)
Applicants are encouraged to provide evidence, such as a well assessment report from a licensed well driller identifying the cause of the well failure, other certification from a qualified professional, and all other evidence in applicant’s possession to demonstrate that the failure was caused by STRGBA GSA basin management actions. Applicants must allow onsite inspection of their well facilities as necessary by staff of SHE, the TR Committee and the WMP Committee to be eligible for assistance. A right-of-entry agreement granting SHE access to the property is required to be completed.
The WMP Committee is authorized to summarily reject any application if the well failure can be remedied by implementing mechanical or construction solutions that are not related to Subbasin management (such as replacing failed electrical or mechanical pump components with no need to re-drill the well). This Program does not apply to a well installed after January 31, 2022, if the well was installed with a screened interval depth shallower than minimum threshold levels as designated in the Modesto Subbasin GSP. 7 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
Limitations Period. All applications brought under this Program must have had well impacts that occurred after January 31, 2022, and were caused by STRGBA GSA basin management activities.
Applications for impacts that occurred between January 31, 2022, and the adoption of this Program must be submitted within six months of the date of adoption of this Program. The limitations period for applications submitted after the adoption of this policy will be the limitations process and period provided by the California Government Tort Claims Act (Government Code Section 810 and following).
Assessment of Eligibility. SHE will initially review the applications and if an application is potentially eligible for the STRGBA GSA’s Program, SHE will forward the application to the WMP Committee. The TR Committee, assigned by the WMP Committee, will then be responsible for reviewing applications (including attachments) to assess the applicant’s eligibility to receive mitigation under the Program. Participation in the STRGBA GSA’s Program will not be limited or otherwise dictated by the well owner’s income. The TR Committee will have the authority to conduct an independent investigation of the evidence (at their discretion and at the STRGBA GSA’s expense), including, but not limited to, engaging hydrogeologists and well drillers, well inspection and testing, research of county well records, and requesting records from the applicant.
The TR Committee will provide written documentation to the WMP Committee of its determination regarding the applicant’s eligibility for mitigation and a recommendation of whether to mitigate and how to mitigate. Upon concurrence with the TR Committee’s recommendation, the WMP Committee will forward this decision to SHE. Otherwise, should the WMP Committee decide that further review and discussion is warranted, the TR Committee’s determination and recommendation will be forwarded to the STRGBA GSA for final direction to SHE. In either case, SHE will communicate the final decision to the well owner.
The WMP Committee may decide to provide complete or partial mitigation for a particular application based on the TR Committee’s determination of whether the well failure was related to the STRGBA GSA’s groundwater management as opposed to other contributing factors, such as the construction of the well.
An applicant may appeal a decision of the WMP Committee by submitting a written appeal by email to the STRGBA GSA at [email protected] within 30 days of the decision. The appeal shall contain a copy of the original application, the decision, and a statement of the basis for the appeal. The STRGBA GSA Chair will include the appeal on the agenda for the next STRGBA GSA meeting and provide written notice and the agenda to the appellant. The STRGBA GSA will act on the appeal and issue a written decision. The decision of the STRGBA GSA will be final.
Well Owner Agreement. After application, eligibility, and mitigation development (coordinated with SHE), any mitigation must be accompanied by an agreement between the well owner and SHE. The agreement will include but is not limited to the following:
8 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
• Priority. The Program will be operated on a first-come, first-serve basis as of the date a completed and submitted application is received by SHE. • Well access agreement (consistent with SHE agreement). • Mitigation Award. To the extent sufficient funding exists, the maximum mitigation award provided under the Program will be $40,000. In no case, is the maximum mitigation award guaranteed and the STRGBA GSA retains exclusive control over the determination of the maximum mitigation award. The STRGBA GSA will be responsible for the maximum mitigation award or the actual cost of the mitigation, whichever is less. The well owner may seek additional and/or alternate funding beyond the mitigation provided by the Program. Eligible mitigation in excess of $40,000 will be reviewed by the TR Committee on a case-by-case basis with review of the following criteria:
a. Receipt and review of multiple bids with comparable construction means and methods yielding an estimated mitigation cost exceeding $40,000. b. System consolidation yielding new domestic water service to two or more domestic water users.
c. Construction means and methods review, including, but not limited to required depth and required casing diameter.
d. Occurrence of additional associated costs (e.g., pump replacement). • Grant term. SHE requires a 5-year grant term during which the well owner must (1) maintain continuous residence on the well site property (if owner occupied), and (2) not transfer the title of the property within 5 years, otherwise the grant would need to be repaid.
• Preferred Contractors. The STRGBA GSA intends that all analysis, inspection, and eligible mitigation be completed by competent and qualified contractors. SHE maintains a list of approved contractors for program participants to select from and requires the following from each contractor: a contractor application, W-9 Form, C57 contractor license for drillers, proof of workers compensation insurance, proof of general liability insurance, and Federal contractor suspension and debarment check.
• Recordation of Mitigation Award. Eligible mitigation provided under the Program for diminished yield (dry well) issues will only occur once per drinking water well and will run with the land. This Agreement will be recorded with the applicable county and will bind the well owner and/or their heirs and assigns. Recordation will not occur until mitigation is complete.
• Post-mitigation Responsibility. Once the mitigation work is completed, the well owner will be responsible for operation, maintenance, and repair of the water well. • Continuing Education. Through execution of the agreement with SHE, the well owner will acknowledge and confirm having successfully completed education on well maintenance (e.g., SHE’s education program).
• Monitoring. The well owner will agree to allow the STRGBA GSA, at the STRGBA GSA’s sole discretion, to access and monitor groundwater levels in the new or modified well. 9 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
The well owner will agree to the public use of groundwater level data that may be collected for the purposes of complying with SGMA or as deemed appropriate by the STRGBA GSA.
• Indemnification of the STRGBA GSA consistent with then applicable agreement. • Easement or land use permissions consistent with then applicable agreement. No mitigation, except for interim and emergency solutions, will commence until the well owner has executed an agreement with SHE.
Process for Establishing STRGBA GSA-Related Well Impacts The TR Committee will review the application provided by SHE via the WMP Committee and, with the authority to conduct an independent investigation, will provide a recommendation about the condition of the well and the cause(s) of the well failure. The TR Committee will consider other contributing factors, such as the condition and use of the well, or the condition of pumping equipment, in determining the degree to which an applicant is eligible for mitigation. The TR Committee will make a recommended determination of the cause of well failure and whether or not an application is eligible for mitigation, which the WMP Committee may adopt in its decision. The WMP Committee will consider the recommendation of the TR Committee and may also consider other contributing factors. Upon concurrence with the TR Committee’s recommendation, the WMP Committee will forward this decision to SHE.
Otherwise, should the WMP Committee decide that further review and discussion is warranted, the TR Committee’s determination and recommendation will be forwarded to the STRGBA GSA for final direction to SHE. In either case, SHE will communicate the final decision to the well owner. If appealed to the STRGBA GSA, the STRGBA GSA will take all relevant factors into consideration in making a final decision.
Process for Implementing Mitigation Measures
Mitigation measures may include emergency water supply, interim solutions, and long-term solutions. Emergency water supplies will be provided by SHE after receiving an eligible request and application. To continue emergency water supply or to access interim or long-term solutions funded by the STRGBA GSA, the landowner must provide authorization to allow for well access.
Emergency Water Supply
SHE will ensure that an emergency water supply is provided to all applicants who have submitted a complete application with a reasonable complaint for damages. An emergency water supply consists of bottled water intended to meet drinking water and cooking needs while the application is reviewed and processed. If the application is approved, SHE will ensure that an interim emergency water supply will continue at the STRGBA GSA’s expense until the mitigation is complete.
10 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
Interim Solution
Interim solutions may include ongoing deliveries of bottled drinking water and/or temporary provision and filling of a water tank (hauled water) to meet drinking water, hygiene, and cooking needs while the application is reviewed and processed. Every effort will be made to process applications in a timely manner and to provide adequate domestic water supply to applicants while applications are verified, site-specific mitigation eligibility and requirements are determined, and mitigation is implemented and completed. If the application is found to be ineligible under this plan, the WMP Committee and/or SHE may refer the application to another agency or program for additional assistance, if possible.
Long-term Solutions
Following review and initial approval of the application, the most appropriate long-term mitigation measure will be selected. Long-term mitigation measures may include setting the well pump at a deeper depth, replacing the well pump, deepening the well, or replacing the well (including destruction of the existing well). As an alternative to well replacement, a mitigation measure could involve connection to a nearby municipal or public water system. The TR Committee will make a recommendation for long-term mitigation. Upon concurrence with the TR Committee’s recommendation, the WMP Committee will forward this decision to SHE.
Otherwise, should the WMP Committee decide that further review and discussion is warranted, the TR Committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the STRGBA GSA for final direction to SHE. In either case, SHE will communicate the final decision to the well owner. If appealed to the STRGBA GSA, the STRGBA GSA will take all relevant factors into consideration in making a final decision.
Plan Outreach
Plan Outreach will be coordinated with SHE or other consultant and the STRGBA GSA. The WMP Committee will recommend staff or representatives for the STRGBA GSA’s approval to engage in public outreach that will inform well owners and residents of their opportunity to request assistance under this Program, and how to apply for assistance.
Outreach during Program development may include, but is not limited to:
• Discussion of the Plan at public STRGBA GSA meetings and at workshops. • Establishment of Program-specific information on the STRGBA GSA website (English and Spanish) https://www.strgba.org/. This will include a link to the SHE website.
Outreach during Program implementation will be coordinated with SHE and include information about when and how to submit an application, and the subsequent assessment process. It will include the following:
11 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
• Maintenance of the Program-specific information on the STRGBA GSA website. • Regular update and discussion at public STRGBA GSA meetings. • Regular reporting in Annual Reports of mitigation efforts and accomplishments.
Funding and Anticipated Costs
A Well Mitigation Fund (Fund) has been established to finance program implementation. The purpose of the Fund is twofold: to support implementation of the Program as described above, and to provide funding for well mitigation in response to eligible applications at the discretion of the STRGBA GSA as described below.
Initial Funding. The Program is initially being funded by the STRGBA GSA as part of their respective annual budgets and apportioned between the STRGBA GSA using the existing annual budget allocation methodology.
Baseline Fund. To initiate implementation of the Program, the STRGBA GSA has established a baseline Well Mitigation Fund amounting to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000).
Annual Funding. The STRGBA GSA has agreed to fund the Program on an annual basis as may be required to address the needs of the Program until groundwater sustainability is achieved. The STRGBA GSA member agencies will meet and confer in good faith to determine the appropriate funding mechanism, replenishment amount, and STRGBA GSA member allocation methodology prior to Fund replenishment. Funding for the Program will be recommended by the WMP Committee and approved by the STRGBA GSA.
According to DWR’s Dry Well Reporting System, 15 domestic wells were reported dry or failed since the GSP was adopted (13 in 2022, 2 in 2023, and 0 in 2024). However, it is unclear whether these dry or failed wells were due to GSA management of groundwater levels. As such, it is not possible to estimate the number of future eligible claims and annual costs.
It is anticipated that the Program funding will come from one, or a combination, of the following sources established by the Parties:
• STRGBA GSA funds
• One or more STRGBA GSA member agencies
• Funds generated through implementation of projects and management actions (e.g., fines and/or penalties)
• County/state/federal funding, as available
• Other sources, as identified.
Accounting. Annual funding will be placed in STRGBA GSA’s account. 12 Draft Well Mitigation Plan
Modesto Subbasin Todd Groundwater
Funding Cycle. The budget cycle of the Program will be on a calendar year basis.
Funding and Implementation Review. Not less than once per year, the STRGBA GSA will convene a joint meeting of WMP Committee to review Program implementation progress in that year and plan for Program implementation in the subsequent year.
In-Kind Services. Each STRGBA GSA member agency is likely to provide in-kind services and subsequently incur in-kind costs as part of continued Program development and management.
These costs will be the responsibility of each STRGBA GSA member agency unless otherwise agreed to in writing.
Supplemental Funding.
SHE provides a well modification/replacement grant for qualifying landowners who make 80% or less of the mean household income and are willing to not sell their property for a 5-year period after well replacement. Currently, the SHE grants (funded by the SWRCB) can amount to nearly $60,000. If an applicant does not qualify for mitigation through STRGBA GSA’s Program, then the applicant may be eligible for mitigation by SHE.
Informational Items 8
January 15, 2026
Patricia Krause, City Clerk / Administrative Services Director City Council Staff Report
Informational Items.
SUMMARY:
Items included in this section provide City Council with updates on business not requiring a full report.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ANALYSIS:
All items under this category are considered for informational purpose only.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
8a: City Project List
8b: MyWaterford Report
Streets
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Yosemite Ave. Pedestrian Project (Caltrans) Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $6,000,000 (SHOPP) Complete
F Street Overlay Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $1,500,000 (Measure L) Complete
F Street Improvements at Western Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $300,000 (STBG and CMAQ) Complete
Dorsey, Pecan and Western Pedestrian and Roadway Improvements Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $300,000 (CDBG) Complete
Yosemite Pedestrian Improvements Reinway to Eucalyptus Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $946,000 (ATP) Complete
Yosemite at Pasadena Signal Improvements Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $600,000 (CMAQ) Complete
Skyline Road Improvements Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $450,000 (STBG) Complete
E Street Improvements Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $600,000 (SB1) In Construction. Waiting on Streetlights G Street Improvements Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $600,000 (CDBG) Complete
Measure L Cape Seal Project Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $960,000 (Measure L Complete
Tim Bell Pedestrian Improvements Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $1,993,000 (ATP) Grant was approved/awarded to Waterford Housing Development
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Bentley Estates Michael Pitcock High NA Property was listed for sale.
Reinway North of Moon School Annexation Michael Pitcock High NA Application received. The developer is looking at a potential 98 homes
Waterstone A Michael Pitcock High NA Final Map for 27 Single Family Homes Approved. Homes in Construction
City Projects
Waterstone C Michael Pitcock High NA
Tentative Map Approve for 52 Single Family
Homes. Public Improvements are in
Construction
Waterstone D Michael Pitcock High NA Tentative Map Application received for 37 Single Family Homes
Waterstone E Michael Pitcock High NA Tentative Map Application received for 19 Single Family Homes
Moe Jawad Michael Pitcock High NA Tentative Map for 53 Single Family Homes Approved
Lake Pointe Michael Pitcock High NA Application for Phase 1 received. The developer is looking at a potential 217 homes
Economic Development
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
F St and Yosemite Fuel Station Michael Pitcock High N/A Complete E Street Public Storage Michael Pitcock High N/A In Construction Facilities / Property
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
ADA Transition Plan Implementation Lonnie Statzer Low Varies Ongoing Local Hazardous Mitigation Plan Update Lonnie Statzer Low N/A Complete Council Chambers Equipment Upgrade Patricia Krause High $52,000 Complete Public Safety
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
License Plate Reader Program Michael Pitcock High
$10,000 up front and $3,300
monthly for maintenance and
monitoring.
Complete
Utilities
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Water Rate Study Lonnie Statzer
Tina Envia High $40,000 Study approved. Prop 218 process in progress WWTP Biosolids Screening Upgrade - Self Help Enterprises Grant
Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $500,000 Unfunded On Hold
Water System Consolidation - Hickman Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $3,000,000 Unfunded City approved a $1.2 million loan with Ibank and awarded a construction contract.
Biosolids Removal 2024 Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $250,000 Complete
Drying Bed Monitoring Well Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $50,000 Complete
Tim Bell Water and Sewer Extension to Vineyard Michael Pitcock Lonnie Statzer High $2,500,000 (ARPA) Complete
WWTP Road Repair Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $1,100,000 (FEMA) Complete
Parks and Trails
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Triangle Parcel - Neighborhood Park Lonnie Statzer Low Unknown Application Submitted S. Reinway Sports Complex Lonnie Statzer Low Unfunded On hold (No Funding) Dog Park (Prop 68 Per Capita Grant) Lonnie Statzer High $250,000 Grant and Park Impact Fees Complete
Beard Park Improvements (Prop 68 Competitive Grant) Lonnie Statzer Low $1,000,000 Million Unfunded Grant Denied. Waiting to see if another cycle to apply is available.
Tennis (Pickle Ball) Court Remodel Lonnie Statzer High $200,000 Budgeted In Construction Community Center Remodel Michael Pitcock
Lonnie Statzer High $800,000 (General Fund) Complete
Other Projects
Name Owner Priority Estimated Cost Update
Adding Cameras at Community Center Lonnie Statzer High Undetermined at this time Complete Request # Topic Status Date Entered Description
479 Abandoned vehicle Closed 12/11/2025 resident called and says there is a large truck parked blocking the alley. 480 Water - Other Issue Closed 12/11/2025
Patched area in the roadway is sinking creating hazard. Customer called in to report.
George Baker (209)997-0248
481 Water leaks Closed 12/12/2025
customer noticed water leaking up from the ground on his property, can you check to see if the meter is spinning. he asked for a call when you guys are there at the meter, (209) 900-7385
482 Water leaks Closed 12/15/2025
RESIDENT STATED THAT THEIR METER IS LEAKING - CHRISTOPHER HUMPHRES 209- 345-5444 METER 3 241622473
483 Street repair Closed 12/15/2025
Please paint curb grey (concrete color) where bus stop was removed. It is currently white which is, per California regulations, for passenger drop off and pick up. It needs to be grey for continuous use.
484 Abandoned vehicle Closed 12/16/2025
this U-Haul has been abandoned here for five days now . it is definitely a hazard with it sticking as far out as it is, and there are no reflector lights at night time 485 Water - Other Issue Closed 12/16/2025
Hi! Can someone please check meter for possible leak or hose on. She is out of town and usage increased from 32 units to 174 units. Thank you! Eduvijes Gallo 209-648- 6958 (English)
486 Water leaks Closed 12/16/2025 water leaking from meter box has increased and is running into street 487 Potholes Closed 12/17/2025
customer called and stated that the pothole in the alley she was referring to in the previous report has not been filled. she was going to put down a cone to mark the exact spot.
488 Water leaks Closed 12/17/2025 Water in your meter box. 209-303-1709 Neal Meter#232375521 489 Potholes Closed 12/19/2025
Resident came in to report a pot hole directly in front of his driveway. He said it has been repaired in the past but looks like it is sinking in again. Thank you! 490 Water leaks Closed 12/22/2025
water leak on baker and Yosemite. resident reported the leak has been going on since Saturday, 12/20
491 Facility / Park Maintenance Closed 12/22/2025
multiple issues with the play structures causing unsafe conditions for children of all ages
492 Water - Other Issue Closed 12/22/2025
customers concrete meter cover was destroyed, he is asking for a replacement if possible.
493 Other Closed 12/22/2025 Hole in Trail Head near WWTP by picnic table. Man has fallen please fill. Thank You... 494 Street lighting (Metal Poles) Closed 12/22/2025
light on east side of walking path is not on, either needs to be turned on or fixed. request made at 5:34pm
495 Street lighting (Metal Poles) Closed 12/22/2025 same for light on west side 496 Storm drains Closed 12/24/2025
I ensured the drain was clear from debris yesterday but it is clogged and out court is flooded.
497 Storm drains Closed 12/24/2025
Bacause of the rain both streets Bentley and E st are flooding and water is entering the buildings.
498 Graffiti Closed 1/3/2026 please clean up ASAP
499 Street lighting (Metal Poles) Closed 1/4/2026 Photo submitted 500 Street repair Open 1/6/2026
My mom lives on el.pomar and right where timbell is it is flooded and there are 2 or 3 really big potholes that you can't see cause the road is flooded. My mom is 83 years old and she has her medicine brought to her but they are afraid to go threw the big flood. Somebody has to do something about this.