Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority

MINUTES MONTEREY PENINSULA REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY (MPRWA) Director's Meeting 7:00 PM, Thursday, March 9, 2017 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 580 PACIFIC STREET, MONTEREY MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Directors Present: Director Dallas, Alternate Director Peake, Director Pendergrass, Vice President Rubio Directors Absent: Director Edelen, Director Roberson, President Kampe Staff Present: Executive Director Cullem, Legal Counsel Freeman, Clerk Romero CALL TO ORDER Vice President Rubio called the meeting to order at 7:01pm ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE REPORTS FROM BOARD DIRECTORS AND STAFF Executive Director Cullem reported that Rich Svindland is the new California American Water (Cal Am) President. He also announced that the Authority sent a comment letter on the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Supply Project (MPWSP) draft Environment Impact Report (DEIR) to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Marine Sanctuary. He added that Ground Water Replenishment (GWR) is facing challenges from the Central Coast Water Resources Control Board. He stated that a preliminary invoice for Authority contributions has been sent to the City Managers in time for budget approval. Don Freeman reported that last week the California Supreme Court gave a ruling that all public official records whether on personal email or phone are subject to the Public Records Act (PRA) for 2 years. He recommended any personal emails or texts re: MPRWA should be sent to the Authority Clerk so that the records are retrievable for possible PRA requests. PUBLIC COMMENTS  George Riley said that the Supreme Court ruling about records is going to be very complicated. He said that he believes that the California American Water (Cal Am) Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Supply Project (MPWSP) is going to be litigated. He suggested future discussion with the water management district to initiate an inter- agency group to come up with an alternate project other than Cal Am's in case their project gets caught up in litigation and falls through. Vice President Rubio responded to public comment saying that Water Management District’s alternate to Cal Am's project is the Deep Water Desal project. Director Pendergrass said that Cal Am has a 3 prong approach to the water supply project, which includes Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR), Ground Water Replenishment (GWR), and the MPWSP desalination plant.  MPRWA Minutes Thursday, March 9, 2017 CONSENT AGENDA On a motion by Director Pendergrass, seconded by Director Dallas, and carried by the following vote, the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Approved the Consent Agenda: AYES: 4 DIRECTORS: Dallas, Peake, Pendergrass, Rubio NOES: 0 DIRECTORS: None ABSENT: 2 DIRECTORS: Edelen, Roberson ABSTAIN: 0 DIRECTORS: None RECUSED: 0 DIRECTORS: None 1. Approve Minutes of Director's Meeting of February 9, 2017 - Romero Action: Approved 2. Approve and File Authority Checks Through February 28, 2017 - Romero Action: Approved 3. Approve Contract Change Order #5 with Separation Processes, Inc. to Provide Additional Technical Input for the Water Authority Comments on the Re-circulated DEIR/DEIS at a Price Not-to-Exceed $3,000 - Cullem Action: Approved 4. Approve Amended Water Authority Financial Policies and Procedures - Cullem Action: Approved ***End of Consent Agenda*** AGENDA ITEMS 5. Receive an Update on the Summary Project Schedule for the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project (MPWSP) and Status of Test Well Operation and Pipeline Construction – Crooks Action: Received Report Chris Cook, Engineering Manager at California American Water, gave a presentation on the MPWSP (“project”) anticipated schedule, Monterey Pipeline (“pipeline”), Pipe Bridge Permitting, and the Test Well. He reported the following: o The project is currently in the public comment period for the DEIR, which has been extended to March 29, 2017. o Project construction will begin Q1 or Q2 of 2018, and is on target to have the pipeline completed by the end of 2017. o The pipeline bridge permits were included in the DEIR, and the initial CalTrans application indicated a need for an aesthetically sensitive bridge with concrete structure. Cal Am resubmitted an application to Caltrans with a concrete bridge that is more appropriate. o The test well has operated over 457 days with an average of 92-93% salinity. Alternate Director Peake asked if any cultural artifacts have been found underground during Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Director's Meeting Minutes - Thursday, March 9, 2017 2 MPRWA Minutes Thursday, March 9, 2017 construction. Mr. Cook responded that some old railroad tracks and pottery were found but archaeologists deemed them not cultural artifacts. He added that if an artifact was found they would wait to find out if it has cultural significance. He reported that rain has delayed work on the pipeline bridge, and Cal Am is sending out letters to residents and businesses in advance of road work from the pipeline. He said that changeable message signs are also being used to alert the public, however there will still be delays despite their best efforts. Executive Director Cullem reported that Cemex may be asked to stop mining sand. Don Freeman said that the Water Management District and the City of Seaside are monitoring Cemex as well. Director Pendergrass said that traffic was horrendous on Freemont due to pipeline construction. Mr. Cook responded that there has been a learning curve to figure out which intersections to close or not close and what times to help avoid traffic congestion. PUBLIC COMMENT  George Riley said that visual exposure of the pipe bridge is much worse on the east side than the west side and asked if there are any plans to change this. Mr. Cook responded to the comment and said that the slope of the bridge makes it more costly and complex to change the design to the west side. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:29pm. ATTEST: Nova Romero, Clerk of the Authority MPRWA President Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Director's Meeting Minutes - Thursday, March 9, 2017 3