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:

1. Norm Groot, MCFB spoke on the MCFB and Salinas Valley Water Coalition issues and concerns with the CAW proposal. Key points:

• 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.
  • 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.
• 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.
• CAW is exhausting its alternatives.
• Mike Zimmerman will be testifying at the PUC April 11.
• The JPA TAC is studying the GWR and ASR alternatives.
• 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 16^th.

Herald Articles:

• 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.
• New strategies re marketing are being developed.
• 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.
• 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 Hospitality Association