ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
4.	AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT COMPONENT OF THE SEASIDE BASIN GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
Meeting Date:			December 13, 2004	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			David A. Berger,	Program/	2.6 Hydrologic Monitoring
			General Manager	Line Item No.: 2-6-2 E. 1.
Prepared By:			Darby Fuerst Joe Oliver	Cost Estimate:	$18,700
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item at its December 6, 2004 meeting and recommended ________.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The Board will consider approval of a proposal by Rauch Communication Consultants (Rauch) to provide technical assistance in developing the public involvement component of the Seaside Basin Groundwater Management Plan (GMP) in Fiscal Year 2005. As proposed, Rauch would develop a draft public involvement plan for inclusion into the District’s Seaside Basin GMP, which is scheduled for completion in March 2006 (Exhibit 4-A). In developing the plan, Rauch will conduct a series of one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders and facilitate Advisory Committee meetings. The proposed cost to prepare the draft Public Involvement Plan and facilitate Advisory Committee meetings in FY 2005 is $18,700. Rauch is familiar with the District and its operations through previous work on the District’s public outreach program and strategic planning, and was recommended for this work by the Association of California Water Agencies’ (ACWA) Groundwater Subcommittee chair. Exhibit 4-A includes additional information regarding Rauch and the firm’s experience in working with water districts.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board authorize the General Manager to approve the Rauch proposal for assistance in developing the public involvement component of the Seaside Basin GMP in FY 2005 for an amount not-to-exceed $18,700.

BACKGROUND: At its March 15, 2004 meeting, the Board adopted Resolution 2004-04 declaring the District’s intent to prepare a GMP for the Seaside Groundwater Basin and invited public participation. On October 7, 2004, the initial meeting of the GMP Advisory Committee was held and the required and recommended components of a GMP were reviewed. As noted at the meeting, the District’s intent is to prepare a GMP that includes all of the required components that are specified in the California Groundwater Management Act (AB 3030) and subsequent amendments (SB 1938). Accordingly, to comply with AB 3030 guidelines, the District is required to prepare a plan to involve other agencies that enables the District to work cooperatively with other public entities whose service area or boundary overlies the Seaside Basin. Examples of public entities include Seaside, Del Rey Oaks, Sand City, Monterey, Monterey County, Fort Ord Reuse Authority, Marina Coast Water District, California American Water, and the United States Bureau of Land Management.

IMPACT ON STAFF/RESOURCES: The proposed cost for developing the public involvement component of the Seaside Basin GMP in FY 2005 is $18,700. This cost is within the amount ($50,000) budgeted for technical assistance for the Seaside Basin Groundwater Management Plan in the District’s FY 2005 budget, Program Number 2-6-2 E. 1 (page 46).

EXHIBITS

4-A November 22, 2004 Proposal for Seaside Basin Public Involvement Plan Proposal

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