ITEM:		DISCUSSION ITEM
15.	DISCUSS RESPONSE TO RECEIPT OF INITIATIVE PETITION SUBMITTED BY PUBLIC WATER NOW
Meeting Date:			October 21, 2013	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item:
Prepared By:			David J. Stoldt	Cost Estimate:	None
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: On September 6, 2013 the community group Public Water Now filed with the District a notice of intention to circulate an initiative petition, a statement in support of the petition, and the petition language (all included in the September 16 Board packet under item 17. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9301, any proposed ordinance may be submitted to the governing board of the district by an initiative petition filed with the district elections official.

The Public Outreach Committee determined that the District should make a public statement regarding the petition process. The following draft language was developed by the Public Outreach Committee for discussion by the full Board.

“The MPWMD is focused on providing the Monterey Peninsula with a long term sustainable water supply for our families and future generations. Our staff as well as our Board of Directors take any and all issues regarding this precious resource seriously and give each one our utmost attention. Recently, the citizen’s group, Public Water Now, delivered a Notice of Intention to Circulate Initiative Petition to our offices. This petition asks for signatures and support of an effort to “establish a policy to acquire, if economically feasible, the water system assets of the California American Water Company within the District’s Territory”. As a board we can take no definitive action until the results of the petition drive have been officially submitted and received by the County’s Election office. However, in light of the Cease and Desist order from the State, we are wholly committed to working with all public and private entities on a timely and cost effective solution to the water supply issues facing the Monterey Peninsula.”

RECOMMENDATION: The General Manager recommends that the Board of Directors discuss this draft language and determine if it wishes to bring it back for action by the Board, make modifications, take no action, or provide some other direction to staff.

EXHIBIT

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