Time Sensitive: Critical Water Meetings TODAY 4-26-21: LAFCO @ 4pm & Monterey One Water @ 6pm

[Catherine Crockett]

Hi, please note the following information and details for two critical meetings today, April 26, 2021.

 

From: mwchr...@redshift.com [mailto:mwchr...@redshift.com]
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 8:32 AM
To: Community Leaders <mwchr...@redshift.com>
Subject: Critical Water Meetings TODAY @ 4pm & 6pm
Importance: High

 

At 4pm LAFCO will be discussing MPWMD’s right to sell water retail. This is critical to moving forward on the Cal Am buyout. At 6pm the Monterey One board will vote on whether to certify the SEIR for the Pure Water Monterey Expansion.

Monterey One Water
Monday, April 26 at 6pm

Agenda: https://montereyonewater.civicclerk.com/Web/Player.aspx?id=294&key=-1&mod=-1&mk=-1&nov=0
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86812501808?pwd=SVJEMDQxS2ZQTXhBNDJzdHpTZnBYZz09

Hopefully Monterey One will certify the Pure Water Monterey Expansion SEIR. But of course it cannot move forward without a Water Purchase Agreement. We’ll see what Cal Am does. Will they buy the water the Peninsula so urgently needs?

LAFCO
Monday, April 26 at 4pm

Agenda: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/home/showpublisheddocument/101129
Zoom Link: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/home/showpublisheddocument/101129

LAFCO must activate MPWMD’s latent power to sell water retail before MPWMD can make Cal Am an offer. LAFCO is concerned with the financial feasibility of the buyout and its impact on the cost of water. Monday will be a discussion of the issues, not a vote. The MPWMD feels LAFCO is making this more complicated than necessary and duplicating what the court will ask for in the eminent domain hearing.

If you go to item 10 and 10.1 on the LAFCO agenda https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/home/showpublisheddocument/101129 you can see the letters from LAFCO to the Water Management District and the District’s response. There is also a 15-page letter from Cal Am pressuring LAFCO to ask MPWMD for even more information.

LAFCO could be a problem. As you can see in the list of members below, the Peninsula is not well represented on the LAFCO board. Chair Oglesby is our only ally in getting the needed approval.

This board of seven member could block the buyout of Cal Am and the will of the voters.

LAFCO Board

Ian Oglesby - Seaside Mayor (Chair)
Kimbley Craig - Salinas Mayor
Warren E. Poitras - Monterey County Regional Fire District
Matt Gourley - Public Member
Mary Ann Leffel - Monterey Regional Airport District 
Chris Lopez - District 3 Supervisor
Luis Alejo - District 1 Supervisor



Melodie Chrislock
Managing Director
PUBLIC WATER NOW
http://www.publicwaternow.org
mwchr...@redshift.com
831 624-2282