M I N U TE S

MONTEREY PENINSULA REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY (MPRWA)

Director's Meeting
7:00 PM, Thursday, September 8, 2016
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
580 PACIFIC STREET
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Directors Present:

Director Dallas, Director Edelen, Director Pendergrass, Director Roberson,

Director Rubio, President Kampe

Directors Absent:

None

Staff Present:

Executive Director Cullem, Legal Counsel Freeman, Clerk Romero

CALL TO ORDER
President Kampe called the meeting to order at 7:02pm.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORTS FROM BOARD DIRECTORS AND STAFF
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS

Tom Rowley, Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association, commented that Jim Cullem
has done a fantastic job as Executive Director and should have his contract with the
Authority extended.

Receiving no other requests to speak, the Authority adjourned to Closed Session at 7:04pm.
The regular meeting of the Authority reconvened at 8:00 pm.
REPORTS FROM CLOSED SESSION
President Kampe stated that a report from closed session will be addressed during item #7 on
the agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA
President Kampe requested that item #5 be removed from consent and discussed.
On a motion by Director Pendergrass, seconded by Director Edelen, and carried by the
following vote, the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Approved the Consent
Agenda, with the exception of item 5 which was removed:

MPRWA Minutes

Thursday, September 8, 2016

AYES:

DIRECTORS:

NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:

0
0
0
0

DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:

Dallas, Edelen, Pendergrass, Roberson, Rubio,

Kampe
None
None
None
None

2.

Approve Minutes of Director's Meeting of August 11, 2016

Action: Approved

3.

Approve and File Authority Checks Through August 31, 2016

Action: Approved

4.

Receive Report on FY 2015-2016 Year-End Financial Status and Approve an Amendment to

the FY 2016-2017 Budget
Action: Approved

5.

Authorize Authority President to Prepare and/or Approve Press Releases or Opinion Editorials
Consistent with the Policies and Positions Previously Adopted by the Water Authority
Action: Removed from Consent; discussed
President Kampe said he would like the Authority to have a voice in the media, and requested
the Authority discuss how to respond to press items that could affect the water supply project.
He suggested having answers to frequently asked questions on current water supply issues on
the Authority website, or writing an editorial piece.
PUBLIC COMMENT

Tom Rowley, Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association (MPTA), said a letter about
the role of the Water Authority was put out by Sue McCloud recently, and added he
thinks there is a need to get accurate info out to the public.

Director Roberson said responding to the media should be done carefully so it doesnt cause
unnecessary problems. Director Edelen requested that the Authority be proactive not reactive in
responding to water supply issues in the media. He added that responses should be supportive,
strategic, and lead the discussion.
Director Rubio voiced his concerns, and said there should be a consensus among the Authority
before responding to the media. He also stated that many of the comments in the media about
the water supply project are not truthful or from credible sources. Director Pendergrass
suggested that the Authority state the facts instead of reacting. President Kampe
communicated agreement with having a proactive approach and having a consensus and
planned response.
No action was taken on this item.
6.

Receive Report on the CPUC Hearing on GWR, the Transfer Pipeline, and Related Facilities
Action: Received report
***End of Consent Agenda***
Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority
Director's Meeting Minutes - Thursday, September 8, 2016
2

MPRWA Minutes

Thursday, September 8, 2016

AGENDA ITEMS
7.

Receive Report, Approve Resolution 16-04, and Authorize Contract for the Executive Director
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 16-04
Legal Counsel Don Freeman reported that during closed session, the Authority discussed the
proposed contract for Executive Director Services with Cullem, LLC, and agreed to change the
dates of the contract for services to correspond with the fiscal year dates, amending the end
date to June 30, 2017. He added that the Resolution should say that the salary be corrected to
reflect it is a 6% increase, not a 20% increase, from $85,000 to $90,000 annually.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
On a motion by Director Rubio, seconded by Director Dallas, and carried by the following vote,
the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority Approved 16-04 as Amended, Authorizing a
Contract for Executive Director Services with Cullem Executive Director Services, LLC:

8.

AYES:

DIRECTORS:

NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:

0
0
0
0

DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:
DIRECTORS:

Dallas, Edelen, Pendergrass, Rubio, Roberson,

Kampe
None
None
None
None

Receive an Update on the Summary Project Schedule for the Monterey Peninsula Water
Supply Project (MPWSP)
Action: Received update; discussed
Ian Crooks, California American Water (Cal Am) Engineering Manager, reported that there is
nothing new on the water supply project schedule since last month. He informed the Authority
of the following:
o

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will be making a decision next week
the water purchase agreement (WPA) and the Monterey pipeline project.

Pending an outcome of the CPUC decision, the pipeline project will begin construction
in October or November, and will be completed in 1 year.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Tom Rowley, MPTA, questioned when the CPUC makes a decision on the WPA or the
pipeline, if there will be a 30 day waiting period. He said he has heard there will be
potential lawsuits and the Authority should be prepared.

Legal Counsel Don Freeman responded to public comment saying he assumes the CPUC
would have to file a notice of determination and give time for an appeal, such as 10 day
window.

Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority

Director's Meeting Minutes - Thursday, September 8, 2016
3

MPRWA Minutes

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Executive Director Cullem called Legal Counsel Russ McGlothlin on speakerphone to clarify if
anyone from the Authority should attend the CPUC meeting next week, and if the item
regarding the Cal Am WPA and pipeline can be removed from the CPUC Consent agenda. Mr.
McGlothlin answered that he cannot personally attend the meeting, public cannot pull an item
off of consent, however the Commissioners can. He said that a member or representative of the
Authority could attend the CPUC meeting if they wish.
No action was taken on this item.
9.

Discuss Policy for Developing Water Authority Agendas and the Timeline for Publishing of
Information and Reports Prior to the Meeting, and Provide Staff Direction
Action: Discussed; provided direction to Staff
Executive Director Cullem explained that it was recommended by one of the Directors to have
a discussion about adopting a policy for publishing the Authority agendas and reports. He said
the options are having the agenda and packet ready on Friday the week before the meetings, or
have it on Monday the week of the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
The Directors agreed that they would prefer the agenda and packet be available consistently, at
one time and not provided piecemeal over several days. President Kampe asked if the
Directors prefer a Friday or Monday packet date.
Director Roberson commented that he wants to see the invoices for contractual services before
they are in the packet for approval. Executive Director Cullem said that he cannot hold the
invoices for approval each month otherwise the invoices would be paid too late.
President Kampe suggested that a Monday packet day be approved. Director Rubio said that
after each meeting ends, the next set of agenda items should be already in progress.
The Authority directed staff that going forward they would like to have the agenda and packet
ready on Monday the week of the meeting, instead of on Friday the week before.
ADJOURNMENT
President Kampe adjourned the meeting at 8:43pm.

ATTEST:

Nova Romero, Clerk of the Authority

MPRWA President

Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority

Director's Meeting Minutes - Thursday, September 8, 2016
4