By Don A. Wright
The Westlands Water District held its board of directors meeting on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at its Fresno headquarters and on Zoom. I had time for lunch today and by the time I got settled into the boardroom I was sleepy. The problem with that besides missing important developments that one would expect a reporter to report on is the small size of the room causing condensed seating space. I’ve been told I snore. That would be a bit embarrassing to saw logs loudly during a passionate debate on water supply.
General Manager Tom Birmingham was not present and attorney Jon Ruben was sitting in his seat. Let’s see if anyone mentions it. Also something was weird about the internet connection. I noticed someone taping a cellphone to a tripod. Why? Because they farm and farmers know how to improvise. Good for them. However, there were audio problems. Bottom line – the board could look up and see themselves on the big screen hanging on the back wall.
The Meeting
The open session was scheduled to begin at 1:00pm. Due to the diligence mentioned above Chairman Ryan Ferguson didn’t open things up until 1:11pm. Eleven minutes, if that’s the worst thing to happen today, it’ll be a good day.
There were no additions to the agenda but Ferguson moved the order around for some reason or other. The consent calendar was passed without a director pulling anything from the calendar – thus turning that item into a separate action item. That didn’t happen so the calendar passed.
The GM Report
Ruben said Birmingham is on the phone but currently traveling, so that’s why the new seating chart. Russ Freeman gave the water supply update and said 189,000 a/f is what the district had to work with this year. So far 101,000 a/f has been used. He said most of the supplemental water will be available until the end of September but there are plans to bring more north of Delta supplies into the district and that could stretch things out into October.
Tom Boardman reported a tremendous increase in carryover at Shasta Reservoir. He said there is actually 300,000 a/f more storage this year than this time last. That comes will a big decrease in supplies for not just the San Joaquin but also the Sacramento Valley. As usual no one really knows what the weather will bring, with or without climate change. Boardman said the federal Jones Pumping Plant has been running three units since last month and that has been helpful. I believe the state owes the feds almost 100,000 a/f in COA, cooperative operating agreement, how much each gets from the Delta. San Luis Reservoir is benefiting from the increased Delta pumping and it sounds like there is decent chance it can fill in the coming year.
Gov’t Stuff
Shelly Cartwright said there have been five new signatures to the Voluntary Agreements. That makes 16-water entities and the Bureau for 17 signatures to the MOU that lays out the term sheet. The environmental review is already before the State Board. So far the only entity operating with supplies from tributaries to the San Joaquin River to sign on the VA is East Bay MUD.
Cartwright said the Colorado Basin and other western basins are in line to receive $4 billion over the next four years to help with drought. The federal Senate passed a water bill and the House has to vote on it. Congressmen David Valadao, Keven McCarthy and others sent a letter to the administration stating the reopening the biological opinion for the Delta is a ploy by special interests. As it so happens Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland will soon be in the Valley. Congressman Jim Costa will host a water meeting for her. But it will be interesting to see if the biops come up at that meeting.
Governor Gavin Newsom released a report on water strategy. It includes the raising of the dam at San Luis Reservoir and improvements to canals. It’s considered by some an inadequate response to current conditions and Valadao and McCarthy and others sent to him a letter as well.
Elizabeth Jonasson reported there will be a PBS television show about water in the Valley coming up. She hosted tours for the press and the WWD scholarships were awarded. Ruben reported although Director Kevin Assemi wasn’t present due to feeling under the weather (I checked it’s not the Kong Flu) he did want to announce an upcoming meeting of the legal affairs committee. There was also a report about installing meters on wells. That should be completed by the end of next year. Grower Justin Diener reported there are problems
when the gasses present in pumped water are being squeezed out from pressure causing voids in the water flow. It looks like you’re sucking air but it’s really bubbles. He cautioned the preferred meters may be compromised with inaccuracy.
Director William Boudreau reported the period to turn in applications to run for the Westlands Board has closed. He said there will be a slate of candidates released next week.
Other Committees
The board voted to authorize an execution of a professional services agreement with ERA Economics LLC to perform an economic analysis of the district’s long-run strategic plan. That could be an interesting study.
Freeman reported landowners in the North Yuba Water Agency sent a letter of protest over the water sales agreement with Yuba. The board considered this and has determined the up to 15,000 a/f of water if purchased will not violate the California Environmental Quality Act. This sale is still subject to the State Board’s getting its nose into it. But it sounded like all the I’s have been dotted and the T’s crossed so the State Board should be OK with the transaction. The Westlands board approved.
SGMA
Engineer Kiti Campbell reported the district will be reading groundwater levels in November for this fall’s portion. There have been 31 applications over 9,000 acres of land in the district seeking recharge credits. Boudreau commented he strongly supports the recharge program but wants to be sure landowners are
incentivized to participate by allowing allocations to include carryover during the transitional pumping phase. That was noted by staff.
Finance
Bobbie Ormonde gave the board a reason to revise the designated reserve funds policy to establish a wet year stabilization reserve of $2million and refund any excess revenues. The board agreed. There was also some talk about lost opportunity costs and reducing them in wet years. It ended up being a long discussion. There was no motion and the board directed staff to return this item to committee next month.
Next the board considered authorizing the GM to execute a first amendment to the Chief Operating Officer’s employment agreement. This will include extending its term and conform the salary amount. Ruben said Jose Gutierrez’s employment agreement lapsed in April last and this amendment would extend the contract three years. Ormonde said the wage is $240,000 annual. Wow, good for him. That reminds me I’ve been meaning to have a talk with Jose about some investment opportunities I’m currently dabbling in. Ruben said it protects both the employee and the district to have a mutually agreeable contract in place. Birmingham said this contract remains the same as the previously enacted contract. The board happily voted, yeah I’d say they weren’t upset at all, to extend the COO contract three more years. Good for him.
Public Comment & Closed Session
Under public comment grower Will Coit from Mendota thanked Campbell for her help with SGMA. He also thanked Gutierrez and praised both staff members for their access and help. He also said the lack of pumping as a district will negatively impact his property values. He rhetorically asked when has a river restoration project has been turned down in California. His point was to spill more Kings River water in the district for recharge, I think. He can write me if I got this wrong.
There were 18 items in closed session. I’ll bet you a dollar they don’t have a long discussion and update on each item but they need to be listed just in case. That was that. The open session portion of the meeting ended earlier than usual. I failed to make note of the exact time but as I recall it as before three o’clock.
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Westlands Water District
3130 N. Fresno Street, Fresno CA 93703 Phone:559/224-1523
Board: Ryan Ferguson -President, Frank Coelho Jr. – Vice President, Jim Anderson, William Bourdeau, Kevin Assemi, Ceil Howe III, Daniel Errotabere, Stan Nunn & Jeff Fortune.
Staff: Tom Birmingham-General Manager, Jon Rubin-Attorney, Jose Gutierrez-COO, Russ Freeman-Deputy GM Resources, Elizabeth Jonasson-Public Information Officer, Shelly Cartwright-Associate GM Water Policy/ Public Affairs Representative, Kitty Campbell-Supervisor of Resources, Bobbie Ormonde-VP of Finance & Administrative Affairs and Jim Price Director of O&M
About: Without irrigation, farming in the Westlands area of California would be limited and ineffectual. The history of Westlands is one of continual adaptation, careful water stewardship and advanced technology. By maintaining a fierce commitment to sustainability, the Westlands’ comprehensive water supply system continues to adapt, educate, and surpass conservation goals. Throughout its history, Westlands Water District has demonstrated a lasting dedication to water conservation and recognized that the long-term survival of its farms depends on the effective management of California’s precious water resources. From www.wwd.ca.gov
