Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority

MINUTES MONTEREY PENINSULA REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY Saturday, February 25, 2012 _________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority was held at Carpenter Hall in the Sunset Cultural Center, in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, on the above stated date at the stated hour of 1:00 p.m. President Della Sala called the meeting to order. 2. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS Present: Directors Bachofner; Della Sala; Edelen; McCloud and Pendergrass. Director Garcia arrived at 1:20 p.m. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice President McCloud led the Directors and public in the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS NOT ON THE AGENDA George Riley urged the Authority to move quickly and to give formal support for water projects already under way. Roger Dolan and George Schroeder spoke about the need for a mission statement for the Authority. Ron Weitzman addressed the need for an independent evaluation. Tom Rowley discussed the cost and affordability of the project. Janet Shriner addressed a mission statement for the Authority, having the Water Management District being the lead agency, and representation for the unincorporated areas of the County. Harvey Billig urged consideration of all water options. Dale Ellis clarified that the Coalition of Peninsula Businesses has not taken a position on the Monterey Water Management District’s proposed fee increase. Dave Berger read a letter into the record offering the Authority the assistance of technical support from himself and a team of three other local retired engineers. Dale Hekhuis spoke about the “value added” of JPA leadership in moving water projects forward. 5. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY BOARD AND STAFF Carmel City Administrator Jason Stilwell reported that the documentation to establish the Authority had been submitted to the Secretary of State and that development of a Website to post documents and reports related to the Authority was under way. Vice President McCloud reported that she had been a guest speaker at the Coalition of Peninsula Businesses annual retreat meeting on February 16. Director Edelen thanked the City of Carmel for serving as the initial staff for the Authority. President Della Sala outlined some key dates: March 1 (when Cal-Am Water must file answers with the California Public Utilities Commission on the obstacles to meet the CDO); March 14 (the Water Forum hosted by the County and others) and April 23 (when Cal-Am must present to the California Public Utilities Commission the water project it could provide). Because of the April 23 date, it is important that the Authority have its technical advisory committee in place by April 1. 6. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Vice President McCloud moved to approve the Minutes of the February 9, 2012 meeting, with amendments, seconded by Director Garcia, and approved unanimously. 7. CONSIDERATION OF BYLAWS Carmel City Administrator Stilwell presented the report. President Della Sala opened the meeting to public comment at 1:59 p.m. Jean Grace asked about successor members in the instance of an election. Jan Shriner asked about the implications of the Brown Act. President Della Sala closed the meeting to public comment at 2:05 p.m. Director Pendergrass moved to approve a Resolution adopting the Bylaws of the Authority, with amendments, seconded by Director Edelen, and approved unanimously. The amendments pertain to Sections 4.1 and 4.3 (ad hoc committees not being subject to the Brown Act) and 2.2.1 (reversing the order of public comments and staff reports). 8. CONSIDERATION OF DIRECTION TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY LIABILITY INSURANCE City Administrator Stilwell presented the staff report. President Della Sala opened and closed the meeting to public comment at 2:15 p.m. Director Edelen moved to approve the staff recommendation to secure quotes and return with recommendations and appropriate action, seconded by Vice President McCloud, and approved unanimously. 9. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL Director Edelen said his Council wants to get representation from the unincorporated sections of the County and a technical advisory board soon as possible. President Della Sala reported that he had received a letter from Supervisor Dave Potter indicating that the Monterey Board of Supervisors must approve him to become the representative for the unincorporated area. He agreed that getting a working technical advisory committee is important. Director Bachofner said the Seaside Council would like to see the meetings televised and are interested in having the Authority consider of having a weighted vote based on a population formula. One member of the Council would like a weighted vote on all issues before the Authority. President Della Sala opened and closed the meeting to public comment at 2:24 p.m. 9a. CONSIDERATION OF REQUESTED RESPONSES FROM OTHER AGENCIES President Della Sala reported that letters had been sent to five agencies, requesting information on what role those agencies may like to play with the Authority and the timing of any projects they may have in progress. Responses were received from all five agencies. President Della Sala opened the meeting to public comment at 2:29 p.m. Ron Weitzman and Keith Israel spoke to the issue. President Della Sala closed the meeting to public comment at 2:32 p.m. 10. CONSIDERATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 BUDGET Carmel City Administrator Stilwell presented the staff report. The budget for FY 2011-12 will be $30,000 with a commitment from each city of $5,000. He confirmed that any unspent money could be rolled over to the next year. President Della Sala opened and closed the meeting to public comment at 2:34 p.m. Vice President McCloud moved to adopt a Resolution to approve the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget, seconded by Director Pendergrass, and approved unanimously. 11. DESIGNATION OF SIGNATORS Carmel City Administrator Stilwell presented the report. President Della Sala opened and closed the meeting to public comment at 2:36 p.m. Vice President McCloud moved to adopt a Resolution to approve the designation of the President and Treasurer to be the signators (with the Vice President in the absence of the President), seconded by Director Edelen and approved unanimously. 12. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS President Della Sala said discussion of the need for legal representation should be placed on a future agenda. Director Bachofner recommended the Authority discuss setting regular meeting dates to make it easier to plan ahead. Further, he suggested the Authority look into low-cost or possibly free Website services to post material related to Authority business. President Della Sala opened the meeting to public comment at 2:50 p.m. Speaking to the issue were: George Riley, Ron Weitzman, Roger Dolan, Dale Hekhuis, Dan Presser, Harvey Billig, Tom Rowley, Libby Downey and Jason Burnett and Jean Grace. President Della Sala closed the meeting to public comment at 3:23 p.m. 13. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE MEETINGS The next scheduled regular meetings of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Seaside City Hall Council Chambers on Thursday, March 8 and again at 6:00 p.m. on March 22 in Pacific Grove at a location to be determined. On a vote of 5-1 (Vice President McCloud dissenting) the Authority voted to hold a special meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2, 2012 at Sand City Council Chambers to review the qualifications of parties interested in serving in a technical advisory capacity. 14. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m. _____________________________________ Carmelita Garcia, Secretary