CITY COUNCIL: MOU for the Monterey Regional Water Planning Projects

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of a Resolution to approve support for the Memorandum of Understanding for the Monterey Regional Water Planning Projects.

Description: In January 2007, the Division of Ratepayers Advocates for the California
Public Utilities Commission established the Regional Plenary Oversight Group (REPOG).
This collaboration of public agencies, stakeholders, and citizens was charged with
developing a regional water supply planning strategy. Among the project components are use of recycled water, diverted water from the Salinas River, a regional desalination facility, use of the publicly-owned Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control outfall, and ongoing water conservation, among other projects. In the 15 months since inception, these regional projects and water management programs have demonstrated to be beneficial to local governments and other local entities.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: n/a
Grant Funds: n/a
Staff time: n/a

Staff Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution.

Important Considerations: None

Decision Record: None

Reviewed by:

______________________________ _________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date


CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: HEIDI BURCH, CITY CLERK
DATE: MARCH 25, 2008
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING SUPPORT FOR THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE REGIONAL WATER PLANNING PROJECTS

RECOMMENDED MOTION
Adopt the Resolution in support of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Monterey
Regional Water Planning Projects.

BACKGROUND
In January 2007, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates of the California Public Utilities Commission established the Regional Plenary Oversight Group (REPOG). REPOG is a collaboration of public agencies, stakeholders, and citizens charged with developing a regional water supply planning strategy. REPOG met 11 times in 2007 and identified water supply needs and a list of potential project components to fulfill regional water needs – the Monterey Regional Water Projects. Project components include, but are not limited to: aquifer storage and recovery in the Seaside Basin, the City of Sand City desalination facility, use of recycled water, reprogrammed use of Salinas Basin ground water, water from the Salinas River diversion program, a regional desalination facility, as well as ongoing conservation.

The attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is between the Monterey County Water
Resource Agency, the Marina Coast Water District and California American Water. The MOU requires the signatories to collectively focus their efforts in an expeditious manner. The City’s support of a regional water supply planning solution is important and symbolic.

The City collaborates and remains involved in this and other regional water supply opportunities.

The attached MOU clearly outlines a planning strategy of the signatories. Staff will remain active in REPOG until it is disbanded, and lend ongoing support to implement a regional water supply solution.

FISCAL IMPACT

None.


CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 2008 -
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE MONTEREY REGIONAL WATER PLANNING PROJECTS

WHEREAS, in January 2007, the Division of Ratepayers Advocates for the California Public Utilities Commission established the Regional Plenary Oversight Group (REPOG); and

WHEREAS, REPOG is a collaboration of public agencies, stakeholders, and citizens charged with developing a regional water supply planning strategy; and

WHEREAS, project components include, but are not limited to: use of recycled water, reprogrammed use of Salinas Basin ground water, water from the Salinas River diversion program, a regional desalination facility, use of the publicly owned MRWPCA outfall and existing water distribution systems, collection of stormwater for community use as well as on-going water conservation; and

WHEREAS, the regional projects and water management programs from the REPOG regional dialogue process appear to be cost effective for ratepayers, have great regional benefit and result in an acceptable implementation strategy; and

WHEREAS, the regional plan has demonstrated viability, acceptability, and is worthy to be evaluated technically.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, CALIFORNIA, AS FOLLOWS:

1. The City finds that the Monterey Regional Water Project Plan has a regional benefit resulting in an acceptable implementation strategy.

2. The City finds that supporting the Monterey Regional Water Project Plan shows the City is interested in regional water planning.

3. The City finds that supporting the Monterey Regional Water Project Plan will benefit the City of Carmel and the Peninsula.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA THIS 1st day of April, 2008, by the following roll call vote:

AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Signed:

_____________________________
Heidi Burch, City Clerk

ATTEST:

_____________________________
SUE McCLOUD, MAYOR