M I N U TE S

MONTEREY PENINSULA REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY (MPRWA)

Director's Meeting
7:00 PM, Thursday, July 14, 2016
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
580 PACIFIC STREET
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA

Directors Absent:

Director Dallas, Director Edelen, Director Pendergrass, Director Roberson,

Director Rubio, President Kampe
None

Staff Present:

Legal Counsel Freeman, Executive Director Cullem, Clerk Romero

Directors Present:

ROLL CALL
President Kampe called the meeting 7:00pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORTS FROM BOARD DIRECTORS AND STAFF
President Kampe introduced Pacific Grove Councilmember Bill Peake, who will be an Alternate
Representative on the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority (MPRWA). He welcomed
Director Roberson back to the Board, and the Board thanked Director Downey for her service.
Don Freeman reported on an article in the paper regarding a lawsuit by the Water Ratepayers
Association of the Monterey Peninsula against the County Board of Supervisors, California
American Water (Cal Am), Monterey Water Resources Agency, and the California Coastal
Commission. He gave a brief summary of the lawsuit, explaining that it wants to ensure that
surcharges are being spent appropriately, that Cal Am ceases illegal pumping of water, states
that the test well pumping violates the Local Coastal Plan, and that Monterey County and
Coastal Commission are required to enforce the Local Coastal Plan. He clarified that the
Authority is not involved in this lawsuit. Mr. Freeman also announced that the County sent a
check to the Authority $88,160 for last years fiscal year payment.
The Board voiced appreciation for the County's support. Executive Director Cullem announced
that the County Board of Supervisors also wrote a letter in support of the request for the
extension of the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) to the State Water Resources Control Board
(SWRCB). He announced that the Authoritys end of the year financial report will be available at
the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
CONSENT ITEMS
1.

Approve and File Authority Checks Through June 30, 2016

Action: Approved Checks
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None

MPRWA Minutes

Thursday, July 14, 2016

On a motion by Director Pendergrass, seconded by Director Rubio, and carried by the following
vote, the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Approved the Authority Checks
Through June 30, 2016:
AYES:

DIRECTORS:

NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:

0
0
0
0

DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:

Dallas, Edelen, Pendergrass, Roberson, Rubio,

Kampe
None
None
None
None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.

Approval of Minutes from June 9, 2016

Action: Approved
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
On a motion by Director Rubio, seconded by Director Edelen, and carried by the following vote,
the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Approved the Authority Checks Through
June 30, 2016:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:

5
0
0
1
0

DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:

Dallas, Edelen, Pendergrass, Rubio, Kampe

None
None
Roberson
None

AGENDA ITEMS
3.

Receive Copy and Discuss Water Authority Response to the Preliminary SWRCB Staff
Proposal on the Amended Application for Modification of CDO 2009-0060
Action: Received Report; Discussed
Executive Director Cullem stated the Authority sent a letter with additional comments to the
SWRCB in support of an amendment to the application for modification of the CDO. The letter
emphasized the negative effects enforcing the current CDO would have on the economy,
Military, and on the Peninsula.
PUBLIC COMMENTS

4.

Tom Rowley, representing Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association (MPTA), stated

that MPTA also sent a letter to SWRCB in support of modifying the CDO, and in support
of the comments submitted by the Authority.

John Narigi, representing the Coalition of Monterey Peninsula Businesses, said the
Coalition has sent several letters to the SWRCB, and has hired lawyers to support the
revision of the CDO.

Elect Water Authority Board Officers for FY 2016-2017

Action: Elected Officers for FY 2016-17
Executive Director Cullem stated that Article 3 of the adopted Bylaws requires an election be
held for Board officers at the first meeting of each fiscal year.
Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority
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MPRWA Minutes

Thursday, July 14, 2016

PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
On a motion by Director Rubio, seconded by Director Edelen, and carried by the following vote,
the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Elected Bill Kampe, Water Authority Board
President for FY 2016-2017:
AYES:

DIRECTORS:

NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:

0
0
0
0

DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:

Dallas, Edelen, Pendergrass, Roberson, Rubio,

Kampe
None
None
None
None

PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
On a motion by Director Edelen, seconded by Director Dallas, and carried by the following vote,
the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Elected Ralph Rubio, Water Authority Vice
President for FY 2016-2017:
AYES:

DIRECTORS:

NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:

0
0
0
0

DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:

Dallas, Edelen, Pendergrass, Roberson, Rubio,

Kampe
None
None
None
None

PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
On a motion by Director Kampe, seconded by Director Rubio, and carried by the following vote,
the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Elected David Pendergrass, Water Authority
Secretary, and Jerry Edelen, Water Authority Treasurer, for FY 2016-2017:

5.

AYES:

DIRECTORS:

NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:

0
0
0
0

DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:

Dallas, Edelen, Pendergrass, Roberson, Rubio,

Kampe
None
None
None
None

Review and Discuss Burnett's List of Remaining Issues and Provide Staff Direction
Action: Reviewed and Discussed To-do List
Executive Director Cullem introduced the list To-do items, and suggested that the Board go
through the list and discuss the priorities and status of each item. The Board reviewed and
received updates on the following items:
1. Extending the CDO (Cease and Desist Order on the Carmel River) Amendment filed,
hearing set for July 19th and a decision will be made
Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority
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MPRWA Minutes

Thursday, July 14, 2016

2. Finalize Water Purchase Agreement with Castroville Currently being reviewed by the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and may finalize by end of August
3. Extend National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) mitigation agreement
for Carmel River Discussions in progress; NOAA delay
4. Complete Environment Impact Report/Study (EIR/EIS) for desal Under CPUC review;
estimated a 1 year delay (2018)
5. Advance Ground Water Replenishment/Pure Water Monterey GWR is ready to
proceed as soon as the CPUC makes a decision; Fall 2016
6. Legal Challenges from Marina Coast Water District/Ag Trust Cal Am primarily involved
in legal challenges with Marina Coast Water District
7. Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) Will be considered after
EIR/EIS (sometime in early 2018)
8. Obtain Various City/County permits after CPCN Will be required for pipelines after
CPCN; The permits will be focused on by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
9. Post Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project (MPWSP) water allocation plan Likely
to require an EIR
10. Ongoing public agency collaboration Contain costs; monitor water usage; focus on
water supply; adapt to events
Completed Tasks:
1. Finalize brine discharge agreement Imminent completion
2. Finalize Return Water agreement Imminent completion
3. Restart Test Well - Restarted
PUBLIC COMMENTS

Libby Downey, MPRWA Alternate Director, said she spoke to Paul Scuito from
Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (MRWPCA), and gave the following
comments on the To-Do list regarding to Pure Water Monterey (PWM):
CEQA Plus is needed, not NEPA
The Cal Am pipeline is necessary for maximizing PWM
The signatures for the water rights are being obtained

George Riley, TAC Member, said he hopes the Authority will pay attention to potential
litigation and implications. He said that the two major issues the Authority should focus
on are the CDO and water rights. He opined that there should be plans for future
transition.

Tom Rowley, MPTA, said that long term land use issues need to be addressed, as well
as reorganization of the Water Management District. He added that the EIR has been
delayed, and the Authority needs to be ready to go when it is.

Director Edelen commented that Jason Burnett created this To-do list and had many political
connections. He suggested that Supervisor Dave Potter be explored as a liaison for the
Authority due to his connections in Sacramento.
Director Pendergrass responded to Mr. Rowley has looked into the possibility of members of
the Authority join the Water Management District in the past, and suggested it be revisited.
Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority
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MPRWA Minutes

Thursday, July 14, 2016

President Kampe responded to Mr. Riley, saying that any discussion on potential litigation must
be done in public, and the Authority does not want to get involved if not necessary. He
responded to Mr. Rowley saying that the role of the Authority is to remain until a water supply is
available, and continue to be flexible in terms of future involvement with the Water Management
District. He added that when the EIR/EIS is ready the Authority will review it.
Executive Director Cullem announced that the next meeting of the Authority will be a joint
meeting with the TAC, including presentations from Deep Water Desal and other agencies to
provide information and address questions.
ADJOURNMENT
President Kampe adjourned the meeting at 7:58 pm.

ATTEST:

Nova Romero, Clerk of the Authority

MPRWA President

Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority

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