HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-14 UVBGSA Legal Services
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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE – UVB GSA LEGAL SERVICES
TO: Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
FROM: Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard
DATE: April 14, 2025
RE: Standard Operating Procedures for Coordination of GSA Legal Services
1. Purpose. The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (“SOP”) is to define the roles and
responsibilities of legal service providers for the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
(“GSA”) and establish guidelines for coordination between the Ukiah City Attorney (“City Attorney”) and
Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard (“Kronick”) in providing legal services. Pursuant to a meeting on
March 25, 2025, between Kronick attorneys, the GSA General Manager, and the Ukiah City Attorney,
this SOP is developed to streamline processes by using the City’s existing expertise in the
administration of the GSA and to save costs.
2. Roles and Responsibilities.
2.1 City Attorney
• The City Attorney provides legal counsel to the City, which is contractually obligated to provide
administrative services to the GSA.
• The City Attorney may advise the City regarding its obligations under the contract to provide
administrative services to the GSA.
• The City Attorney may address matters related to the City’s obligation to provide administrative
services, including but not limited to Brown Act compliance.
• The City Attorney will coordinate with the City Clerk regarding the administration of public
meetings and compliance with the Brown Act, as appropriate.
2.2 Kronick
• Kronick represents the GSA under the Legal Services Agreement.
• Kronick is responsible for all legal matters related to the GSA as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA),
including:
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o Compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
o Legal oversight of projects undertaken to sustainably manage groundwater.
o Matters related to the implementation and interpretation of the GSA’s Joint Powers
Agreement.
• Kronick may address matters related to the GSA’s obligation to provide administrative services
to the GSA at the request of the GSA General Manager.
3. Legal Oversight of Public Meetings.
• The administration of public meetings and Brown Act compliance will be overseen by the City
Clerk.
• Kronick will not attend the GSA’s public meetings unless specifically requested by the GSA
General Manager.
• Legal questions regarding the City's administrative obligations under the Brown Act may be
directed to either the City Attorney or Kronick, as determined by the GSA General Manager.
4. Coordination Between City Attorney and Kronick.
• The City Attorney and Kronick shall coordinate as needed to ensure legal clarity and compliance
for the GSA and the City’s administrative obligations.
• Any legal conflicts or ambiguities in responsibility shall be resolved through consultation
between the City, the GSA, and the respective legal service providers.
• The GSA retains the right to seek legal guidance from the Firm on any matter concerning its
governance, operations, and compliance with applicable laws.