MP Regional Water Authority TAC Meeting

MINUTES MONTEREY PENINSULA WATER AUTHORITY (MPRWA) TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) Regular Meeting 10:30 AM, Monday, April 3, 2017 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 580 PACIFIC STREET, MONTEREY MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Members Present: Member Huss, Member Narigi, Member Peake, Member Riley, Member Sciuto, Member Stoldt, Chair Cullem Members Absent: Member Riedl, Member Van Der Maaten Staff Present: Legal Counsel Freeman, Clerk Romero CALL TO ORDER Chair Cullem called the meeting to order at 10:34am. ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE REPORTS FROM TAC MEMBERS Member Riley commented that he'd like to discuss at a future meeting the possibility of putting the TAC meetings on hold for the summer, or only meeting when the MPRWA Director's request a TAC meeting. He said he also wants to agendize discussing what the Authority’s contingency plan will be if California American Water’s (Cal Am) project falls through. Member Narigi asked Don if members of the public can make requests for the TAC and the Authority to discuss certain items, and Don replied that members of the public can do this but there is no guarantee their item requests will be agendized. Member Narigi encouraged any member of the public who wishes to see something agendized for the TAC should send a formal letter to the MPRWA Director's requesting an item be agendized. PUBLIC COMMENTS  Tom Rowley, Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association (MPTA), says he disagrees that there is not enough going on for the TAC to have meetings. He said there are several issues for the TAC and the Director's to meet on, such as comments from other entities on the draft environmental impact report (DEIR) that the TAC should discuss, and people giving misinformation to the public during City Council meetings that should be addressed. He also said he would like to hear more discussion on the Cal Am water rate increases.  MPRWA TAC Minutes Monday, April 3, 2017 CONSENT AGENDA On a motion by Member Narigi, seconded by Member Peake, and carried by the following vote, the MPRWA Technical Advisory Committee Approved the Consent Agenda: AYES: 6 DIRECTORS: Huss, Narigi, Peake, Riley, Stoldt, Cullem NOES: 0 DIRECTORS: None ABSENT: 3 DIRECTORS: Riedl, Sciuto, Van Der Maaten ABSTAIN: 0 DIRECTORS: None RECUSED: 0 DIRECTORS: None 1. Approve Minutes from February 6, 2017 - Romero Action: Approved Member Sciuto arrived at 10:40am. ***End of Consent Agenda*** AGENDA ITEMS 2. Receive Report and Discuss the Detailed MPWSP Schedule Including Upcoming Permit Requirements and the Status of the Test Slant Well and Installation of the Transfer Pipeline - Cook/Crooks Action: Received Report; discussed Chair Cullem reported that each TAC member has a copy of the previous Cal Am permit schedule, and announced Ian Crooks, Vice President of Engineering for Cal Am, will give a presentation on the current permit schedule. Mr. Crooks gave a presentation on the MPWSP anticipated schedule. He said that now that the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project (MPWSP) EIR is out, Cal Am can begin pre-permit applications in advance of the EIR being approved. He reported that the current schedule estimates that the EIR will be certified by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Marine Sanctuary by September, 2017. He added that following the EIR certification Cal Am would begin the permit process with Marina Coast. Chair Cullem asked if the permit process with Marina could be started in advance of September. Mr. Crooks responded that Marina will wait until the EIR is finalized before beginning the permit process. He added that Cal Am will be submitting the Coastal Commission permits after the EIR is finalized as well. Member Sciuto asked if Cal Am thinks that they will have all of their permits approved within 6 months in order to begin construction of the desalination (desal) plant in Q1 or Q2 of 2018. Mr. Crooks responded that Cal Am believes that by starting with permit pre-approval process now that they should be able to get all permits approved within 6 months of the EIR certification. 2 MPRWA TAC Minutes Monday, April 3, 2017 Member Sciuto commented that 6 months for numerous permits to be approved sounds ambitious. Chair Cullem suggested that perhaps the MPRWA Directors can use political influence to help get the permits expedited. Member Stoldt said that with every step of the certification and approval process there are potential for delays and to anticipate them. Mr. Crooks continued his presentation and gave an overview of the major permits which need to be approved for the MPWSP, including the agency names, permit type, dates of internal review, agency review, and approval agency. Member Narigi asked about the pipeline permit status and specifically the Hwy 68 pipeline bridge. Mr. Crooks responded that the pipeline bridge is in the approval stage with California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) and is on schedule for the estimated November 2017 completion date. Member Narigi asked if there are any critical permits that will affect the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) timeline. Mr. Crooks replied that the first two milestones for the CDO have been met and in 2019 and 2020 there will be more milestones that need to be reached. Member Narigi suggested that someone keep an eye on these CDO milestones. Mr. Crooks reported that the test slant wells are continuing to pump with only minor stoppage due to electrical issues and salinity remains in the low 90% range. REPORTS FROM TAC MEMBERS (continued) Member Sciuto gave an update on the Pure Water Monterey, reporting that based on the construction and permits they are shooting for the end of 2018 to start supplying water to the community. Member Sciuto said that construction will start soon and will be able to give an update on the cost per acre foot. PUBLIC COMMENT  Tom Rowley, MPTA, questioned if Cal Am can make their permit schedule available to the public. He said that there will be additional fees for ratepayers to pay from the Sanctuary on top of the ever increasing water bill costs. He suggested getting waivers on fees to help the ratepayers. ADJOURNMENT Chair Cullem adjourned the meeting at 11:43am. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Nova Romero, Committee Clerk President MPRWA 3