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Minutes:
April 4, 2013 Meeting
Call to Order:
Hunter Harvath called the meeting to order at 8:36 at Hyatt.
Present: Tom Rowley, Sam
Teel, Bonnie Adams, Gary Cursio, Hunter Harvath, Deirdre Whalen,
Henry Ruhnke, Chris Chidlaw, Janine Chicourrat, Lawson Little,
Barbara Meister, Michael Bekker, Noelle White, Rene Boskoff
Norm Groot, MCFB and Gill
Campbell Mazda/Laguna Seca Raceway were present to present items
to the GAC.
Minutes of MARCH 7, 2013:
Approved as submitted.
Executive Committee Referral:
None
Member Issues:
None
Special Presentations/Roundtable/Action Items:
-
Norm Groot, MCFB spoke on the MCFB and Salinas Valley Water
Coalition issues and concerns with the CAW proposal. Key
points:
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CAW:
-
The MCFB and SVWC want the Peninsula to have a long term
water supply. It is essential for the Peninsula and to the
ag community as well.
-
They are concerned with any project that will use water
from the Salinas Valley aquifers.
-
CAW does not have water rights in the SV.
-
Under the Water Resources Agency Act ground water cannot
be exported from the Salinas Valley Basin.
-
They do support the proposed test wells and are working
with CAW on a testing program to assess the potential
impact of the CAW project on the SV groundwater.
-
They support, in concept, a water supply project that will
provide for buildout of vacant lots and general plans, but
that is not their issue.
-
The test wells must be installed and fully tested to
determine if there would be any harm to the SV basin.
Without a “no harm” finding CAW cannot not get a water
right from the SWRCB.
-
GWR:
-
They support the concept of GWR but believe there are
significant questions re water rights.
-
The ag industry paid for the current GWR system (CSIP
project) and have rights to the first 19,500 AFY of
treated waste water for the CSIP area. MCWD has rights to
1,500 AFY of the reclaimed water. Based on CSIP project
design only 21,000 AFY can be produced from 30,000 AFY of
waste water.
-
Without new sources of waste water there is no reclaimed
waste water available for GWR.
-
The additional sources that have been tentatively
identified are from ag reclamation ditches and ag
processing in Salinas. There are unanswered questions re
who has rights to that water and if it can be taken for
GWR and exported to the out of the Salinas Basin.
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Bekker asked if stormwater could be used for source water.
Groot said it was being looked at. Bekker asked if the
rubber dam was working at 100%. Groot said yes.
-
Teel asked how much water ag used. Groot said there was
not a clear simple answer to that question. Teel asked for
the MCFB/SVWC is talking with CAW. Groot said they are.
-
Narigi asked if there was any discussion re selling water
to CAW. Groot said there was but there are significant
issues with repayment of bonds, state legislation with
doing that.
-
Adams explained different discussions that have occurred re
Immigration Reform. The MPBPAC is hosting a panel discussion
in May.
-
Groot indicated the MCFB was part of a national coalition on
immigration reform and supports some form of a “path” to
documentation and legalization for those persons are here
and support for a guest worker program.
-
Boskoff said that was the same position, generally as AHLA.
-
Groot indicated the County had recently adopted a policy
statement supporting immigration reform.
-
A subcommittee of Boskoff, Narigi and Adams was appointed to
develop a proposed MCHA policy statement.
-
Gill Campbell presented the proposed sign concept for a new
Mazda/Laguna Seca (MLS) sign on Highway 68.
o
MLS is one of the top 10 road courses in the world.
o
The naming agreement with Mazda requires 70% of the naming fee
to be spent on facilities.
o
Issues with the current sign:
§
Unattractive
§
Size
§
Difficulty in timely changes of copy
§
Location along a scenic highway
o
MLS has been working with the County on a new sign. The latest
design concept was presented to the Planning Commission at a
workshop. Primary issue identified by PC was the use of LED
displays.
o
MLS is looking for support from MCHA.
o
It was decided that MCHA would be generally supportive of the
need for a new sign. A final decision on support for a specific
design will be considered at a later date.
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Chicourrat spoke on recurring and growing issues with homeless
in the downtown area.
-
Drugs, public urination/defacation, pan handling are primary
issues.
-
City staff will be making a presentation to the City Council
in May.
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Narigi spoke about the positive outcomes of using private
security on Cannery Row.
-
Rowley said there is to be a symposium on homeless issues in
May.
-
Boskoff said there is legislation in Sacramento that would
“protect homeless rights.” White said she would check on its
status.
Additions to the Agenda:
None.
Task Force Updates:
Coalition of Peninsula
Businesses/Regional Water Project:
-
Narigi indicated that the issues and current status had been
addressed in Groot’s discussion.
-
The Coalition supports CAW’s proposal.
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CAW is exhausting its alternatives.
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Mike Zimmerman will be testifying at the PUC April 11.
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The JPA TAC is studying the GWR and ASR alternatives.
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Teel asked about MPWMD activities. Narigi said he believes
that MPWMD is working with Depp Water Desal on alternatives.
DWD is a good project with a lot of hurdles. He is concerned
with resurrecting a competing project to the CAW project.
Highway 156/TAMC:
-
Teel said there is nothing new to report from the last
meeting.
Tourism Study:
-
Boskoff said that he believed the information provided by the
Aquarium met the need and additional studies are not needed at
this time.
-
This item will be removed from future agendas.
Downtown/Conference Center:
-
Chicourrat reported the City Council is tentatively scheduled
to consider the ordinance establishing the methodology for
fees to pay for the improvements will be in front of the City
Council April 16th.
Herald Articles:
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Adams reported the second column on water conservation will be
in the weekend Herald.
-
Additional articles on TOT and employees will be scheduled in
the next couple of months.
MCCVB:
-
The MCCVB board had a two day strategic planning meeting
3/7-8.
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New strategies re marketing are being developed.
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The Board is being reduced to 15 members, 8 of which will be
hoteliers. A nominating committee is currently developing a
list of candidates.
MPWMD Parcel Fee:
-
Rowley reported work on this issue is currently on hold by the
MCTPA.
Stormwater: No new
information.
FORA:
-
Ellis reported that petitions are to be circulated by a group
proposing to designate more open space at Fort Ord.
Monterey County General
Plan Implementation:
-
Ellis reported that work on the water supply/well ordinance
has restarted with increased emphasis on stakeholder
involvement.
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Rowley reported that the plan amendments to implement the
settlement on water supply determinations had been adopted.
Landwatch and the Open Monterey Project had filed suit against
that action.
Added Item:
-
Boskoff reported there is legislation being considered to
amend CEQA to establish exemptions for special events.
-
Cursio indicated the Special Events Task Force is looking at
the issue.
-
Moved by Cursio, seconded by Teel and passed unanimously
(Meister abstained) to recommend to the Board that MCHA
support the legislation.
ADJOURNED at 10:25 am to
May 2, 2013.
Prepared by Dale Ellis,
Government Affairs Director
Monterey County
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