Groundwater Sustainability Agency

CITY OF GREENFIELD ARROYO SECO GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING JUNE 10, 2020 @ 1:00 P.M. Attendance and Public Comment Changes Due to COVID-19 The Arroyo Seco Groundwater Sustainability Agency (ASGSA) Advisory Committee will be conducting a special meeting on June 10, 2020. Given the current Shelter-in-Place Order covering Monterey County and the Social Distance Guidelines issued by Federal, State, and Local Authorities, the Agency is implementing the following changes for attendance and public comment. The Agency meeting to be held on June 10, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom: • https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81281329273?pwd=WnVRQmZ4M0JXMlo3UFdxUGo2eGVFZz09 Meeting ID: 812 8132 9273 Password: 988670 One tap mobile +16699006833,,81281329273#,,1#,988670# US (San Jose) +13462487799,,81281329273#,,1#,988670# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 812 8132 9273 Password: 988670 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdoyttjOHM Unfortunately, physical attendance by the public cannot be accommodated given the current circumstances and the need to ensure the health and safety of the Agency Board, staff, and the public as a whole. If you wish to make a general public comment or public comment on a particular item on the agenda, you must submit your public comments by e-mail to: cityclerk@ci.greenfield.ca.us. In the subject line of the e-mail, please state your name and the item you are commenting on. If you wish to submit a public comment on more than one agenda item, please send a separate e-email for each item you are commenting on. Please be aware that written public comments, including your name, may become public information. Additional requirements for submitting public comments by e-mail are provided below. General Public Comments & Comments on Agency Business Items Gus Yates will be providing a summary of the recently completed draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan. A pdf file of his presentation will be e-mailed out to regular attendees—and anyone else who requests it—in advance of the meeting. There will be time for questions, answers and discussion following the presentation. If there are a large number of participants, we might need to mute everyone globally and un-mute individuals when it is their turn to talk. You can unmute yourself by clicking (on/off) the microphone icon in the frame that shows your picture. To indicate that you would like to speak, you can literally raise your hand so that your camera sees it, click on the “raise hand” tool, or send the host a message in the “chat” window (another tool on the Zoom toolbar). For general public comments regarding specific Agency Business Items, all public comments must be received by e-mail no later than 12:30 p.m. on June 10, 2020. Comments received by this time will be read aloud by a staff member during the applicable agenda item, provided that such comments may be read within the normal three (3) minutes allotted to each speaker. Any portion of your comment extending past three (3) minutes may not be read aloud due to time restrictions. If a general public comment or comment on a business item is received after 12:30 p.m., efforts will be made to read your comment into the record. However, staff cannot guarantee that written comments received after 12:30 will be read. All written comments that are not read into the record will be made part of the meeting minutes, provided that such comments are received prior to the end of the Agency meeting. Public Hearings For public comment on a public hearing, all public comments must be received by the close of the public hearing period. All comments received by the close of the public hearing period will be read aloud by a staff member during the applicable agenda item, provided that such comments may be read within the normal three (3) minutes allotted to each speaker. Any portion of your comment extending past three (3) minutes may not be read aloud due to time restrictions. If a comment on a public hearing item is received after the close of the public hearing, such comment will be made part of the meeting minutes, provided that such comment is received prior to the end of the meeting. *PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED THAT DO NOT SPECIFY A PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM WILL BE READ ALOUD DURING THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE AGENDA.* The Agency thanks you for your cooperation in advance. Our community’s health and safety is our highest priority.  ASGSA Advisory Committee Meeting Greenfield Civic Center 599 El Camino Real Greenfield, CA 93927 Meeting Agenda June 10, 2020 1:00 P.M. Your courtesy is requested to help our meeting run smoothly. Please follow the following rules of conduct for public participation in the meetings: · Refraining from public displays or outbursts such as unsolicited applause, comments or cheering. · Any disruptive activities that substantially interfere with the ability of the Agency to carry out its meeting will not be permitted, and offenders will be requested to leave the meeting. PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES AND PAGERS The Arroyo Seco Groundwater Sustainability Agency Advisory Committee Meeting will be conducting its regular meeting on June 10, 2020. Given the current Shelter-in- Place Order covering Monterey County and the Social Distance Guidelines issued by Federal, State, and Local Authorities, the Agency is implementing changes for attendance and public comment. The Groundwater Sustainability Agency meeting to be held on June 10, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. will only be accessible online. Please review the Agency’s Attendance and Public Comments Changes Due to COVID-19 for further information. 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA – A three-minute time limit may be imposed on all speakers. PLEASE NOTE: Given the current Shelter-in- Place Order covering Monterey County and the Social Distance Guidelines issued by Federal, State, and Local Authorities, the Agency is implementing changes for attendance and public comment. Please review the Agency’s Attendance and Public Comments Changes Due to COVID-19 for additional information. Please be further aware that all public comments must be submitted via email to the following email address: cityclerk@ci.greenfield.ca.us. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MAY 20, 2020 SPECIAL MEETING 3. REVIEW THE ARROYO SECO GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLAN AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS a. Report (Presentation will be email to Committee by COB Monday) b. Public Comments c. Committee – Review / Comments / Action ASGSA Advisory Meeting Agenda Page 2 4. CONSIDERATION OF SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT WITH THE SALINAS VALLEY WATER COALITION FOR RESERVOIR OPERATIONS MODEL PEER REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS a. Staff Report b. Public Comments c. Committee – Review / Comments / Action 5. CONSIDERATION OF TODD GROUNDWATER SCOPE OF WORK FOR FY 2020-2021 AND FY 2020-2021 BUDGET AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS a. Staff Report b. Public Comments c. Committee – Review / Comments / Action 6. RECEIVE ARROYO SECO GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY/SALINAS VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY COORDINATION SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE a. Oral Report b. Public Comments c. Committee – Review / Comments / Action 7. RECEIVE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT a. Oral Report b. Public Comments c. Committee – Review / Comments / Action 8. ADJOURNMENT In compliance with the American With Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (831) 674-5591. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II). ********************************************************************************* This agenda is duly posted outside City Hall and on the City of Greenfield web site  ASGSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, May 20, 2020 Those in attendance: Committee members Allan Panziera, Michael Griva, Jim Thorp, Nancy Isakson, Jerry Lohr, Tim Frahm, Mary Lerner and General Manager Curtis Weeks. 1. Public Comments: none 2. Approval of Minutes of the March 11, 2020 meeting: Action: Nancy Isakson made a motion to approve minutes, Jerry Lohr seconded it; and motion passed. 3. Review of the Arroyo Seco Groundwater Sustainability Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP): Curtis Weeks and Gus Yates gave an update and summary on the Draft GSP. Curtis informed everyone that the Draft GSP would be posted to the Agency’s website that afternoon and available to the public for review and comments. Curtis suggested that Gus provide an overview of the Draft GSP and to give the Advisory Committee more time to review it and bring their comments to the next meeting in June. It would be the June meeting that the Advisory Committee would make recommendations to the BOD for their consideration and approval to, begin a 45 day public review period before final adoption. Gus Yates presented an overview. The Committee discussed the overview and raised a few questions/comments – in particular surround how the differentiation between the eastern and western area of the arroyo seco GSA area. Public comment was received from Tom Virsik regarding the public release of the Draft GSP. Action: The Committee agreed with the process suggested by Curtis Weeks, with no recommendation to the BOD at this time. 1 4. Update on the Coordination Agreement with SVBGSA: Curtis Weeks gave an update to the Committee. He said that the subcommittee had a very good meeting and he continues to work with the SVBGSA’s General Manager and anticipates having the framework for an agreement to bring to the Advisory Committee and Board in June. 5.General Manager’s Report: Curtis Weeks said that the Agency’s draft budget would be going to the BOD in June. Meeting adjourned Respectfully Submitted, Nancy Isakson 2  Second Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding and Confidentiality Agreement This Second Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding and Confidentiality Agreement (“Second Amendment”) is made and effective as of the date appearing above the signatures by and between Arroyo Seco Groundwater Substantiality Agency (“ASGSA”) and Salinas Valley Water Coalition (“Coalition”) (collectively, the “Parties”, individually, the “Party”). RECITALS A. The Parties entered into that certain Memorandum of Understanding and Confidentiality Agreement (“MOU”) on September 26, 2018, to provide the ASGSA a user license to a model developed by Tim Durbin (“Durbin Model”), the Coalition’s consultant, for use in developing its Groundwater Sustainability Plan (“GSP”), at its sole discretion. B. Gus Yates, the ASGSA’s consultant, reviewed and further refined the Durbin Model (“Updated Durbin Model”) for use in the GSP. C. On January 20, 2020, the Parties entered into that certain Amendment to the MOU to allow the Coalition to use the Updated Durbin Model to perform model runs on a winter release scenario pursuant to a settlement agreement reached between the Coalition and Monterey County Water Resources Agency and Monterey County and for other purposes. D. The Coalition had expended over $250,000 for the Durbin Model. E. Under the MOU, the Coalition charged the ASGSA with $5,000 as user license fee. F. Under the Groundwater Sustainability Management Act, Water Code §10726.5, private parties may provide funding to assist a groundwater sustainability agency in GSP development. G. The Coalition is currently using the Updated Durbin Model to run the winter release scenario. H. A winter release scenario is a component of the management action proposed in the ASGSA’s GSP and could be reviewed and analyzed by the ASGSA for its consideration in the preparation and implementation of the GSP, at its sole discretion. I. The Coalition and the ASGSA wish to have a third party consultant perform a peer review (“Peer Review”) of Gus Yates’ mathematical reservoir operations model (“Yates’ Model”), which is being used in the Updated Durbin Model for the GSP and will be used by the Coalition to run the winter release scenario. J. Each Party believes that it will benefit from the Peer Review. K. A fundamental premise of the MOU and its amendments thereto is that nothing herein is to be construed as a representation, promise, or commitment on the part of the ASGSA to give special treatment to, or exercise its discretion favorably to the Coalition, its members, agents, employees, consultants, representatives or partners. 1  AGREEMENT NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the Recitals and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree to the following: 1. The Coalition shall engage a third-party consultant to perform a Peer Review of Yates’ Model. 2. The ASGSA shall partially reimburse the Coalition for the Peer Review in the amount shown in Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. 3. The Coalition shall share the Peer Review with the ASGSA for its review and consideration and possible use, at its sole discretion, in the preparation and implementation of the GSP. 4. The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree the MOU and its subsequent amendments thereto shall not be construed as delegating to a private party to make, control, supervise, or interfere with the ASGSA or to perform any of the ASGSA functions. The ASGSA has sole discretion to use the Peer Review partially paid for by the Coalition in any manner at the agency’s election. The ASGSA shall act independently and direct and control the GSP preparation and implementation at its sole discretion. The Coalition shall not have any authority to direct or control the activities of the ASGSA staff or consultants or have any role in the GSP preparation and implementation, other than as a stakeholder and a member of the public. 5. The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that nothing in the MOU or its subsequent amendments thereto are to be construed as a representation, promise, or commitment on the part of the ASGSA to give special treatment to, or exercise its discretion favorably of the Coalition, its members, agents, employees, consultants, representatives or partners. 6. Nothing herein contained shall constitute a partnership between or joint venture by the Parties hereto or constitute an agent of the other. No party shall hold itself out contrary to the terms of the MOU and its subsequent amendments thereto and no Party shall become liable by any representation, act or omission of the other contrary to the provisions thereof. Neither Party shall be authorized to act as an agent of or otherwise to represent the other Party. Except as provided in the MOU and its subsequent amendments thereto, neither Party has the right or authority to assume or create any obligations of any kind or to make any representation or warranty on behalf of any other Party, whether express or implied, or to bind any other Party in any respect whatsoever. The MOU and subsequent amendments thereto are not for the benefit of any third party and shall not be deemed to give any right or remedy to any such party whether referred to herein or not. 2  7. Except as specifically amended herein, the Parties hereby reaffirm each and every term and provision of the MOU, and its amendments thereto, and such terms and provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Should there be any conflict between this Second Amendment and the MOU and First Amendment to the MOU, the provisions in this Second Amendment shall control. 8. This Second Amendment may be executed in counterparts, with each signature page deemed effective as of the “Effective Date,” noted below, and which all constituting one and the same document. Copies of signatures, including signatures transmitted via facsimile or as PDFs attached to e-mails, shall be treated the same as originals. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned execute this Second Amendment as noted below. DATED: Arroyo Seco Groundwater Sustainability Salinas Valley Water Coalition Agency By:_________________________________ Jim Thorp, Chair of the Board of Directors By:__________________________________ Nancy Isakson, President Approved as to form: By:_________________________________ Mary F. Lerner, Legal Counsel 3  1 June 2020 MEMORANDUM To: Curtis Weeks, Arroyo Seco GSA From: Gus Yates, Senior Hydrologist Re: Arroyo Seco and Forebay Groundwater Sustainability Plans: Scope and Budget for Todd Groundwater for July 2020-June 2021 Todd Groundwater finished a complete draft of the Arroyo Seco Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) in May 2020. The remaining budget (about $26,000) is probably sufficient to cover the tasks that must be completed prior to submitting the GSP to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). These include presenting the draft to the ASGSA Board, responding to comments received during the public comment period, and completing appendices documenting public meetings, contents checklists, coordination agreements, etc. Substantive comments on the draft GSP are expected from several agencies and groups. If the comments are more demanding than expected in terms of effort for additional analysis and document revisions, the remaining budget might fall short of the needed funding. This scope and budget are for a one-year period, from July 2020 through June 2021. Additional work will likely be needed up through submittal to DWR in January 2022. A scope and budget for that period will be submitted at a later date when the needs are clearer. For this next year, most of the tasks involve coordinating with other agencies, primarily the Salinas Valley Basin GSA (SVBGSA) but possibly also Monterey County Water Resources Agency, National Marine Fisheries Service, environmental groups, and others. Task 1: Continue Interaction with ASGSA Advisory Committee and Board. Input from the Advisory Committee and occasionally the ASGSA Board will be needed to respond to specific issues that arise in comments on the draft GSP and in technical coordination meetings with SVBGSA. The budget for this task assumes that I attend ten monthly Advisory Committee meetings and two Board meetings over the next year. Two of those meetings are assumed to be in-person; the remainder by teleconference. The deliverables for this task would be any Powerpoint presentations created for the meetings, which may or may not be needed depending on each meeting’s agenda. Task 2. Coordinate Technically with SVBGSA on Forebay GSP. Based on my review of the draft GSP for the 180/400 Foot Aquifer Subbasin, we can anticipate that SVBGSA might prefer assumptions, analysis methods, modeling tools and sustainable criteria definitions that differ from the ones used in the Arroyo Seco GSP. To the extent that SVBGSA opts not 2490 Mariner Square Loop, Suite 215 | Alameda, CA 94501 | 510 747 6920 | toddgroundwater.com to use ASGSA’s methods, both agencies will need to demonstrate that the methods are compatible. Major topics needing technical coordination include methods for calculating water budget items, method for estimating safe yield, selection and application of modeling tools, definitions of sustainability criteria, and design of monitoring programs. This coordination is anticipated to require eight 2-hour conference calls with SVBGSA consultants and staff plus 60 hours of work between meetings for technical analysis to demonstrate consistency/inconsistency or demonstrate the superiority of one approach over another. Most of this work would be completed early in the budget period to ensure compatibility before SVBGSA commences much of its Forebay GSP preparation effort. An additional 10 hours is allocated for participating (remotely) in SVBGSA Forebay Subbasin Committee meetings. Task 3. Review Draft Forebay GSP Sections. Todd will review administrative draft sections of the Forebay GSP as they are released by SVBGSA, evaluating adherence to agreed-upon technical methods as well as the reasonableness of sustainability criteria, management actions, and funding mechanisms. The deliverables for this task will be informal (phone and e-mail) communications to SVBGSA of ASGSA comments and concerns on draft sections. Task 4. Demonstrate the Reservoir Operations Model. The reservoir operations model Todd developed last year was expected to be potentially useful to various parties involved in Salinas Valley water management because it is immediately available and easier to apply and interpret than the reservoir operations module of the USGS groundwater model, which is not yet available and is the only alternative analysis tool on the horizon. Two groups have already expressed interest in the Todd reservoir operations model. The envisioned process for this task is to distribute the written model description (GSP Appendix H) to interested parties, hold a webinar in which I would show the details of the Excel workbook that contains the model, provide a download link to interested users, then follow up with a second group videoconference to answer questions, discuss strengths and weaknesses of the model, and consider improvements to it. We would also discuss procedures for tracking versions of the model and for technical review of each other’s simulations. The model is designed to operate in conjunction with a groundwater model. This task would not include discussion of the FFM18 model Todd has been using for that purposes. Users are free to use any Salinas Valley groundwater model provided they can implement the transfer of the data files to and from the operations model. Task 5. Apply the Reservoir Operations Model. This task consists of applying the reservoir operations model (in conjunction with FFM18) to scenarios of interest to ASGSA and possibly other agencies and groups. Three reoperation scenarios useful for ASGSA would be: 1) pass-through of non-surplus reservoir inflows, 2) increased carry-over storage to increase drought-period yield, and 3) the winter release scenario. The budget for this task assumes that those three scenarios would be simulated. For the sake of efficiency, other parties might want Todd to simulate other scenarios or implement revisions to the model rather than doing it themselves. The cost estimate for this task does not include modeling work Scope and Budget for 2020-2021 GSP Support / ASGSA 2 TODD GROUNDWATER requested by others. It is assumed that the requesting party would fund the work. The deliverable for this task will be a technical memorandum documenting the assumptions, procedures and results of the scenarios simulated for ASGSA. Please do not hesitate to email or call me if you have questions or comments. Scope and Budget for 2020-2021 GSP Support / ASGSA 3 TODD GROUNDWATER