EXHIBIT 23_B

 

FINAL MINUTES

Water Demand Committee of the

Monterey Peninsula Water Management District

September 11, 2007

 

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 11:10 AM. in the library of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District office.  

 

Committee members present:       Larry Foy, Chair

                                                   Kristi Markey           

                                                   David Pendergrass

                                                  

Staff members present:                 David A. Berger, General Manager

                                                   Stephanie Pintar, Water Demand Manager

                                                  

District Counsel present:              David Laredo, General Counsel

 

Comments from Public

No comments.

 

Action Items

1.                  Receive Minutes of August 14, 2007 Committee Meeting

On a motion by Director Markey and second by Director Pendergrass, the minutes were received on a unanimous vote of 3 – 0. 

 

2.         Review Draft Contingency Plan to Implement Stages 4 through 7 of the Expanded Conservation and Standby Rationing Plan in Case of Drought

            The committee began a review of the Draft Contingency Plan.  The discussion was focused on Board Policy Decisions outlined in the Plan, and agreement was reached on some of the policy questions.  A meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 18, 2007 to continue the discussion.  District staff will prepare a timeline that lists actions/decisions that the staff and Board should accomplish prior to initiation of a rationing program, and actions/decisions that must be taken after initiation of the program.

 

Conclusions reached by the committee are listed here. Staffing/Resources Impact.  (1) Agree with the organizational structure proposed.  (2) Prefer that rationing staff not be considered contract employees.  They should be considered temporary employees that receive fringe benefits.  Their job classifications would be outlined in an MOU with the employees union.  (3) Prefer that rationing and Water Demand Division staff work together in the same office.  Suggest that field staff with desks at the MPWMD office move to another location such as the field office, to make room for additional rationing personnel.  The conference room might also be used as office space and Board/committee meetings could be conducted at the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency.  Regulation/Policy Amendments.  (1) If the Board were to implement a moratorium on issuance of water permits, a four-month period should elapse before the moratorium would be in effect.  (2)  The CAW unaccounted for water use goal of seven percent should not be modified at this time.  When the results of CAW’s study on its unaccounted for water use are available, the Board could consider modifying the goal.  (3) Outdoor water use should not be eliminated under Stage 5.  Each water customer can prioritize water use in order to keep within rationed amounts. (4 and 5) Production limits should be adjusted to reflect the current limits, including SWRCB Order No. 95-10 and the Seaside Ground Water Adjudication decision. (8) The Board should consider making application to the Public Utilities Commission for an increase in water rates that is required under Stage 4. 

 

There were suggestions from committee members regarding Stage 6:  prohibit the installation of construction meters; clarify how municipalities will reduce street cleaning and hydrant flushing; and apply to the State of California for assistance in obtaining water from sources outside the District.

 

Other Items 

No other items were discussed.

 

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10 AM.

 

 

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