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APPROVE AN AGREEMENT TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE EASTERN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY GROUNDWATER BASIN AUTHORITY JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement to extend the term of the Eastern San Joaquin County Groundwater Basin Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and authorize payment of the annual membership of $20,000.
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Summary
This action allows the City of Stockton to maintain its standing as a signatory to the Eastern San Joaquin County Groundwater Basin Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement as it pertains to regional groundwater planning and management (Attachment A - GBA Agreement).
DISCUSSION
Background
On July 29, 1996, by Resolution 96-0396, the City Council authorized the execution of an agreement between the San Joaquin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (County District), the cities of Stockton and Lodi, Stockton East Water District, Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District, Woodbridge Irrigation District, and North San Joaquin Water Conservation District. This agreement created a public entity known as the East San Joaquin Parties Water Authority, whose purpose was to plan, alone or in conjunction with East Bay Municipal Utility District, and/or Sacramento County public entities, and/or other public entities, projects to meet the water deficiencies of Eastern San Joaquin County.
On February 13, 2001, by Resolution 01-0075, the City of Stockton, along with the former members of the East San Joaquin Parties Water Authority, formed a new joint powers entity to meet and confer with East Bay Municipal Utility District and the Sacramento parties to determine if a joint project could be developed that would benefit local interests. The new entity was called the Eastern San Joaquin County Groundwater Banking Authority. The agreement was amended in May 2001 to include Central and South Delta Water Agencies.
On August 28, 2012 by Motion 2013-08-13-1203, the City of Stockton along with members of the Groundwater Banking Authority formed a new JPA entity called the Groundwater Basin Authority. This JPA had term limit to June 30, 2015. The Groundwater Basin Authority (GBA) approved a new Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) on June 10, 2015. It has since been brought to the Water Advisory Group, Council Water Committee, and, now, the City Council. Each entity must take the JPA back to their respective elected bodies for approval. The body must then appoint a representative and an alternate to the JPA.
Present Situation
The Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin Authority Board of Directors, which includes one member from the City of Stockton City Council, has been meeting regularly to give direction to water agency staff to facilitate the development of locally supported projects that can improve water supply reliability in San Joaquin County and to provide benefits to project participants and San Joaquin County as a whole.
The GBA has recently worked to form a Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Workgroup, which was necessary based on new requirements outlined under State groundwater management legislation that was passed in 2014. The workgroup consists of 21 local member agencies who will work cooperatively over the next year to develop the basis of a new Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin.
Other planning and development activities for the near future will include:
• Further discussion on implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (AB1739, SB1168 and SB1319)
• Support of local efforts to develop projects identified in the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
• Continued pursuit of State grant funding for local projects
It is important for the City of Stockton to remain active in the area of groundwater resource planning and management for our community. The Eastern San Joaquin County Groundwater Basin Authority provides a venue for participation, planning, and cooperation among the area’s participants.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The City’s annual membership in the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin Authority is $20,000. Sufficient funds are budgeted in Fiscal Year 2015-16 for this expenditure in the following account:
Water Fund account number: 421-4210-572.
There is no impact to the General Fund, or any other restricted fund from this action.
Attachment A - Agreement to Extend the Term of the Eastern San Joaquin County Groundwater Basin Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement