HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda UVBGSA 10-14-21 Packet U KIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474
NOTICE OF MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability
Agency (“Agency”) Board of Directors (“Board”) will hold its regular Board Meeting at :
1:30 P.M. - Thursday, October 14, 2021
Zoom Link:
https://mendocinocounty.zoom.us/j/83736990632?pwd=ais5WUI5ZUpvb0ZoRjFwa00yZG9SUT09
Meeting ID: 837 3699 0632
Phone: +1 669 900 9128
Passcode: 559093
Due to COVID-19 the UVBGSA Board meetings will be conducted virtually and not available for in person
public participation (pursuant to State Executive Order N 29 20).
The public may participate digitally in m eetings by sending comments to uvbgsa@mendocinocounty.org
or by clicking the link above to join the Zoom meeting, in lieu of personal attendance.
All email comment must be received by 8:00 A.M. the morning of the meeting in order to be published
online prior to the meeting.
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Authorization to Staff to Draft Letters of Support on behalf of
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Basin Sustainability Agency
for Grant Proposals which Promote Drought Relief or Water
Resiliency in the Ukiah Valley Basin
4. Action Items
a. Authorize St aff to Prepare and Issue a Request for Proposals for
a Consultant to Perform Administrative Duties for the Ukiah
Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
The Board of Directors will discuss and vote on authorization of staff to
prepare and issue a Request for Proposals for a consultant to perform
UVBGSA administrative duties.
U KIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474
b. Receive Reports from Directors and have Further Discussion on
Member Agency Contribution Commitments and Funding
Mechanisms
The Board will receive reports from UVBGSA member Directors and have
further discussion on member agency contribution commitments and
funding mechanisms.
c. Direct Staff to Request a Proposal from Larry Walker and
Associates for Preparation of the First Annual Report and Return
to the Board at a Future Meetin g for the Board to Consider
Recommending to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors
an Amendment to the Existing Agreement with Larry Walker and
Associates to Prepare the Report
The Board of Directors will consider directing staff to request a proposal
from Larry Walker and Associates (LWA) for preparation of the first
annual Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) report. Once that proposal
is received, staff would return at a future meeting for the Board to consider
recommending to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors (BOS) an
amendment to the existing Agreement with LWA to include preparation of
the GSP first annual report due April 1, 2022.
d. Authorization of Budget Adjustment, in the amount of $13,000,
to Reimburse Mendocino County for Spring 2022 Groundwater
Monitoring and Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding
Contracting an Entity to Conduct Groundwater Monitoring
Beginning July 2022
The Board of Directors will vote on authorization of a budget adjustment,
in the amount of $13,000, to reimburse Mendocino County for Spring
2022 groundwater monitoring and discuss and provide direction to staff
regarding contracting an entity to conduct g roundwater monitoring
beginning July 2022.
e. Presentation from Larry Walker Associates on the Initial Review
of the Public Comments on the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater
Sustainability Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plan
The Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA)
Board of Directors will receive a presentation from Larry Walker
Associates (LWA) on the initial review of the public comments on the
UVBGSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).
5. DIRECTOR REPORTS
U KIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The Board will receive public comments on items not appearing on the agenda and
within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Agency. The Board will not enter into
a detailed discussion or take any action on any items presented during public
comments. Such items may only be referred to staff for administrative action or
scheduled on a subsequent agenda for discussion. Persons wishing to speak on
specific agenda items should do so at the time specified for those items. T he
presiding Chair shall limit public comments to three minutes.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency complies with ADA requirements and upon
request, will attempt to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities by m aking meeting material
available in appropriate alternative formats (pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.2). Anyone
requiring reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting should contact the Mendocino County
Department of Transportation by c alling (707) 463 -4363 at least 5 days prior to the meeting.
Please reference the Mendocino County website to obtain additional information for the Ukiah Valley Basin
Groundwater Sustainability Agency : http://www.mendocinocounty.org/uvbgsa
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 1 of 2
Item No.: 3.b
Date: 10/14/21
To: Board of Directors
Subject: Authorization to Staff to Draft Letters of Support on behalf of Ukiah Valley Basin
Groundwater Basin Sustainability Agency for Grant Proposals which Promote
Drought Relief or Water Resiliency in the Ukiah Valley Basin
Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing
Summary :
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Small C ommunity, Urban, and Multi-
benefit Drought Relief Grant Programs and other State and Federal grant programs provide
funding opportunities to many local governmental agencies, districts, tribes, and other
recipients for projects related to the goals of drought relief and water resiliency. The Ukiah
Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA) Board of Directors will consider
authorizing staff to draft letters of support for grant proposals which promote drought relief or
w ater resiliency in the Ukiah Valley Basin which, in turn, will help the UVBGSA achieve its long-
term groundwater sustainability goals.
Recommended Action:
Authorize staff to draft letters of support on behalf of UVBGSA for g rant proposals which
promote drought relief or w ater resiliency in the Ukiah Valley Basin; and authorize Chair to sign
same.
Background:
In response to current drought conditions, $500 million was authorized for DWR by the
California Legislature (pursuant to the Budget Act of 2021 and its Trailer Bill, Assembly Bill 148)
to provide funding for interim or immediate relief in response to conditions arising from a
drought scenario to do any of the following: 1) address immediate impacts on human healt h and
safety, including providing or improving availability of food, water, or shelter; 2) address
immediate impacts on fish and wildlife resources; 3) provide water to persons or communities
that lose or are threatened with the loss or contamination of water supplies. The $500 million
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 2 of 2
available is broken down by $200 million for Small Community Drought Relief, $100 million for
Urban Community Drought Relief, and $100 million for Multi-benefit projects.
Fiscal Summary:
None.
Action: ___________________________________________________
Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 1 of 2
Item No.: 4.a
Date: 10/14/21
To: Board of Directors
Subject: Authorize Staff to Prepare and Issue a Re quest for Proposals for a Consultant to
Perform Administrative Duties for the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater
Sustainability Agency
Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing
Summary :
Since the planning and formation phase of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability
Agency (UVBGSA), the County of Mendocino has taken on the administrative duties of the
Agency under the “Collaborative Management” model authorized by the Article 6.1 of the By -
Laws. This model of administration was intended to be a short-term arrangement during the
initial phase of the UVBGSA, with a long-term plan to develop a more formal administrative
model. With the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) in its final phase of development, it is
now necessary to determine a long -term plan for an appropriate administrator to oversee the
management of the Agency and begin the implementation of the GSP. The Board of Directors
will discuss and vote on authorization of staff to prepare and issue a Request for Proposals for a
consultant to perform UVBGSA administrative duties.
Recommended Action:
Authorize staff to prepare and issue a Request for Proposals for a consultant to perform
administrative duties for the UVBGSA.
Background:
Article 6.1 of the UVBGSA By -Laws titled “Collaborative Management”, allows for professional
and technical staff of the member agencies to work together to provide staff leadership,
management and administration of the agency. Article 6.1 also grants the UVBGSA Board the
authority to adopt staffing solutions as it determines appropriate to meet the Agency’s needs ,
provided they are consistent with the terms of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). Article 13.4
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 2 of 2
of the JPA allows the UVBGSA to contract with private entities for various services to
accomplish the purposes of the Agency, subject to approval of the Board of Directors.
Fiscal Summary:
The five-year budget projection developed to determine the funding needs of the UVBGSA,
assumed an annual average of approximately $50,000 for general administration of the Agency.
This estimate was used in calculating the member contribution requests of $68,750 annually.
Action: ___________________________________________________
Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 1 of 2
Item No.: 4.b
Date: 10/14/21
To: Board of Directors
Subject: Receive Reports from Directors and have Further Discussion on Member Agency
Contribution Commitments and Funding Mechanisms
Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing
Summary:
The Board will receive reports from Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
(UVBGSA) member Directors and have further discussion on member agency contribution
commitments and funding mechanisms.
Recommended Action:
None.
Background:
On August 13, 2021, the UVBGSA Board of Directors met to discuss, among other items, funding
for the implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) and ongoing
administrative costs of the UVBGSA. Following a presentation by the Financial Ad Hoc
Committee, the Board adopted the Committee’s recommendations including funding by
member contributions in the immediate future, subject to commitment of funds by the
respective Boards and Councils, until such a time that fees can be imposed, and conducting a fee
study in order to implement a regulatory fee for ongoing funding. The estimated average annual
costs for GSP implementation and UVBGSA administration, including funding for the fee study,
are $275,000, or $68,750 for each of the four Member Agencies. The UVBGSA sent out a
funding request letter, for each member Director to present to their respective governing boards,
requesting additional member contributions in the annual amount of $68,750, beginning in
Fiscal Year 2021/22, until such a time that a regulatory fee can be implemented for ongoing
funding of the UVBGSA. On September 28, 2021 the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors
approved the annual allocation of funds in the amount of $68,750 to the UVBGSA for agency
administration and implementation of the GSP.
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 2 of 2
Fiscal Summary:
None.
Action: ___________________________________________________
Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474
DATE: Tuesday, August 17, 2021
TO: Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA) Member
Agencies
SUBJECT: Additional Member Contributions from Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater
Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA) Member Agencies
Dear Member Agencies:
On August 13, 2021, the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA)
Board of Directors met to discuss funding for the implementation of the Groundwater
Sustainability Plan (GSP) and ongoing administrative costs of the UVBGSA. Following a
presentation by the Financial Ad Hoc Committee, the Board adopted the Committee’s
recommendations including funding by member contributions in the immediate future, subject
to commitment of funds by the respective Boards and Councils, until such a time that fees can
be imposed. We also discussed conducting a study in order to implement a regulatory fee for
ongoing funding. The estimated average annual costs for GSP implementation and UVBGSA
administration, including funding for the fee study, are $275,000, or $68,750 for each of the
four Member Agencies.
Additionally, the Board approved a budget augmentation for immediate additional groundwater
monitoring in Fall 2021, subject to funding from additional member contributions. The Board
discussed the lack of data currently being collected to analyze the impacts of the 2021 drought
on groundwater conditions and the need for additional monitoring to study these conditions.
Upon consideration, the Board authorized staff to expend funds up to but not exceeding
$16,000. This is $4,000 for each member agency if divided evenly.
Based on our projected budget, the Ukiah Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency respectfully
requests each Member Agency commit to additional contributions in the annual amount of
$68,750, beginning in Fiscal Year 2021/22, until such a time that a regulatory fee can be
implemented for ongoing funding of the UVBGSA. It is anticipated the fee study and
implementation of a regulatory fee will take 2-3 years, although no timeline is guaranteed.
Additionally, it is requested each Member Agency contribute $4,000 immediately to perform
additional groundwater monitoring to study the effects of the current drought emergency on the
groundwater levels in the Ukiah Valley Basin.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Glenn McGourty
Chair, UVBGSA
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 1 of 2
Item No.: 4.c
Date: 10/14/21
To: Board of Directors
Subject: Direct Staff to Request a Proposal from Larry Walker and Associates for Preparation of the
First Annual Report and Return to the Board at a Future Meeting for the Board to Consider
Recommending to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors an Amendment to the
Existing Agreement with Larry Walker and Associates to Prepare the Report
Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing
Summary :
The first annual report on implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) is due
the California Department of Water Resources on April 1, 2022. The Ukiah Valley Basin
Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA) Board of Directors will consider directing staff to
request a proposal from Larry Walker and Associates (LWA) for preparation of the first annual
report. Once that proposal is received, staff would return at a future meeting for the Board to
consider recommending to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors (BOS) an amendment
to the existing Agreement with LWA to include preparation of the GSP first annual report due
April 1, 2022.
Recommended Action:
Direct staff to request a proposal from LWA for preparation of the first annual repo rt and return
to the Board at a future meeting for the Board to consider recommending to BOS an amendment
to the existing Agreement with LWA to prepare the report.
Background:
On June 14, 2021, the UVBGSA Board of Directors recommended the approval of an agreement
with LWA for the development of the UVBGSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). On July
10, 2018, the BOS entered into BOS Agreement No. 18-104 with LWA, in the amount of
$736,420, for the term through December 31, 2021. On June 23, 2020 the BOS amended the
Agreement with LWA, extending the agreement term th rough June 30, 2022, and increasing the
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 2 of 2
amount of the Agreement from $736,420 to $1,773,560. Water Code Section 10728 requires the
UVBGSA to submit the first annual report to DWR on April 1, 2022, and annually thereafter.
Fiscal Summary:
Any future recommendation to the BOS of an Amendment to the existing Agreement with LWA
would also require a budget adjustment in order to reimburse the County of Mendocino for the
cost of the services.
Action: ___________________________________________________
Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 1 of 2
Item No.: 4.d
Date: 10/14/21
To: Board of Directors
Subject: Authorization of Budget Adjustment, in the amount of $13,000, to Reimburse
Mendocino County for Spring 2022 Groundwater Monitoring and Discussion and
Possible Direction Regarding Contracting an Entity to Conduct Groundwater
Monitoring Beginning July 2022
Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing
Summary :
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires the Ukiah Valley Basin
Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA) to begin implementation of the Groundwater
Sustainability Plan (GSP) immediately following its submittal to the California Department of
Water Resources in January 2022. The Board of Directors will vote on authorization of a budget
a djustment, in the amount of $13,000, to reimburse Mendocino County for Spring 2022
groundwater m onitoring and discuss and provide direction to staff regarding contracting an
entity to conduct groundwater m onitoring beginning July 2022.
Recommended Action:
Authorize budget a djustment, in the amount of $13,000, to Reimburse Mendocino County for
Spring 2022 Groundwater Monitoring and discuss and provide direction regarding contracting
an entity to conduct groundwater monitoring beginning July 2022.
Background:
The On June 7, 2021, the County of Mendocino entered into an agreement (DOT Agreement No.
210039) with the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD), which includes
approximately $13,000 for migration of the UVBGSA monitoring wells from the California
Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) portal to the SGMA portal’s
Monitoring Network Module, and for Spring 2022 groundwater monitoring required by the
UVBGSA’s GSP.
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 2 of 2
Fiscal Summary:
Approval of the recommended action will authorize an increase in budgeted expenses of
$13,000 for Fiscal Year 2021 -22.
Action: ___________________________________________________
Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 1 of 2
Item No.: 4.e
Date: 10/14/21
To: Board of Directors
Subject: Presentation from Larry Walker Associates on the Initial Review of the Public
Comments on the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing
Summary :
The Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA) Board of Directors will
receive a presentation from Larry Walker Associates (LWA) on the initial review of the public
comments on the UVBGSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).
Recommended Action:
None.
Background:
On August 16, 2021 the UVBGSA authorized the release of the draft GSP for public review and
invited the public to comment on the plan through a public review process which closed on
September 24, 2021. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is offering Facilitation
Support Services (FSS) to assist the UVBGSA. Under DWR Contract No. 4600013267, AM -01
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. (Stantec), is providing FSS professional services in support of,
among other tasks, G SP adoption support, which includes assisting the UVBGSA in preparation
of a Public Comment Summary as an appendix to the GSP. The Public Comment Summary
document will include an overview of the process the agency applied for distribution of the draft
GSP and process for review and response of submitted written comments. LWA, in collaboration
with the UVBGSA and Stantec, have put together a high level overview of all public comments to
present to the UVBGSA Board of Directors.
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Agenda Summary
Page 2 of 2
Fiscal Summary:
None.
Action: ___________________________________________________
Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________