ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
20.	CONSIDER RENEWAL OF CONTRACT WITH JEA & ASSOCIATES FOR LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Meeting Date:			June 20, 2023	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	Consultants
			General Manager	Line Item No.:	XX-01-774000
Prepared By:			David J. Stoldt	Cost Estimate:	$3,400 a month
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Finance and Administration Committee reviewed this item on June 12, 2023, and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines section 15378.

SUMMARY: JEA and Associates (JEA) has worked with Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) since 2009 to advance the District’s interests in Sacramento on a wide variety of projects and issues.

DISCUSSION: Areas of experience provided by JEA in the past include:

· We have worked closely and developed strong relationships with our delegation, including expected incoming Speaker, Assemblymember Rivas, and Senators Laird and Caballero. Not only does JEA have good personal relationships with these legislators, but also with their Capitol and District staff. JEA has consistently utilized these relationships, and previously Mark Stone and Bill Monning, on behalf of MPWMD over the many years.

· JEA has represented MPWMD in every weekly ACWA advocacy meeting, got appointed to ACWA’s Bond Working Group, which resulted in shaping some of ACWA’s requests for the recent water bond proposals, including increased funding for water recycling (big increase in last year’s SB 129 $2 billion water package), multi-benefit projects and groundwater storage.

· JEA maintains a productive and supportive relationship with ACWA and works closely on coalition efforts on various pieces of legislation and budget items. This helps raise the District’s and the General Manager’s stature with ACWA.

· JEA has been instrumental in facilitating discussions in regards to MPWMD’s Cease and Desist Order Condition 2 issue, including but not limited to meetings with SWRCB staff, SB 330’s staff consultant, Senate Housing Committee, Senator Laird, and the Department of Housing and Community Development deputies. This also includes numerous meetings with our delegation and SWRCB over the last 3-4 years.

· JEA helped with the Pure Water Monterey state loan funding issue in March 2019 attending meetings with SWRCB member Sean Maguire and Asm Robert Rivas staff to allow physical checks to be issued during the State’s conversion to an automated process.

· JEA has been working closely with MPWMD on possible special legislation elated to its LAFCO situation. This includes numerous meetings and conversations with Senator Laird’s senior consultants, internal strategy discussions, and coordinating with Legislative Counsel on legislative language. We are still currently working on possibilities to execute a legislative effort this year.

· JEA has communicated regularly with MPWMD’s legislative delegation on MPWMD issues and bill positions – coordinating calls with Laird and Rivas, in addition to communicating with their senior staff. Also, monitor and report out regional water legislation.

· Regularly forwards and discusses potential funding opportunities, including drafting extensive memos on available grants/funding.

· Monitors and tracks over 60 bills a year and draft appropriate correspondence/letters and provide testimony on behalf of MPWMD.

· Coordinate regularly in scheduling meetings in Sacramento with the General Manager and Board Members with state agencies (Chair Esquivel and other SWRCB members, Wade Crowfoot, etc.) and MPWMD’s legislation on various issues, including Cal-Am, local measures (Measure J), etc.

· Monitor and advise on new programmatic state guideline, i.e., Prop 68, Park Bonds and CDF&W grants like their fisheries restoration grants and work with department staff on clarification.

· Introduced and passed SB 936 (Monning) which allowed Cal-Am and MPWMD to use water rate relief bonds to finance the acquisition and construction of infrastructure, including desal facilities, to develop new water sources. Large effort required many meetings with committee consultants and testimony at several committee hearings.

· Advocated with other stakeholders on the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Prop 1) to include the Central Coastal region; This has resulted in millions of dollars going to MPWMD and the region through the IRWM process as well as successful grants for Pure Water Monterey funding.

· Over the years JEA has arranged numerous educational forums and tours focused on various water projects in the Monterey region. These forum/tours have included regional state legislators, Congressional Members, representatives from the PUC, DWR, SWRCB and their regional representatives, the Governor’s Office, and members of statewide water associations like the Latino Water Coalition and ACWA.

COST: JEA has proposed a retainer from $3,400 a month for the upcoming fiscal year 2023-24. A copy of the proposed agreement is included as Exhibit 20-A.

RECOMMENDATION: The Finance and Administration Committee recommends that the Board approve the proposed agreement with JEA & Associates for FY 2023-24.

EXHIBIT

20-A Proposed Agreement for FY 2023-2024

U:\staff\Boardpacket\2023\20230620\Consent Calendar\20\Item-20.docx