Michele Roush Rowe

The Board discussed several operational and strategic matters, including the authorization of the General Manager to execute a new Long Term Warren Act Contract and a potential one-year extension, along with associated CEQA compliance actions. The Board voted on candidates for the Sacramento LAFCo Special District Representative seats. Discussions also covered the 2026 committee assignments, a review of the Public Information Committee Charter, the FY 2025-26 Operations Plan Report Card, and updates on conjunctive use and groundwater banking activities. The Board reviewed various reports from staff regarding hydrology, water treatment operations, legal matters including ethics training requirements, and committee updates. A proposal to issue an RFP for General Counsel was discussed but did not move forward. The meeting concluded with a closed session regarding labor negotiations and existing litigation.

The Engineering Committee discussed several agenda items. For the Vacuum Trailer Replacement, the Committee agreed with staff recommendations to authorize the purchase of a replacement unit. Regarding the WTP Filter Backwash Hood Facilities Rehabilitation Project, the Committee recommended authorizing a Contract Amendment with Alpha CM, Inc. for an additional $20,000 for enhanced construction management oversight. For the Air/Vacuum Relief Valve Replacement Program, the Committee recommended authorizing the Director of Engineering Services to execute a Professional Services Contract for design services related to replacing old Air Release Valves with new above-ground units. In Other Engineering Matters, an update on the Kokila Reservoir Replacement Project was noted for the next week's Board meeting, and updates were provided on the removal of bypass piping and temporary tanks associated with an Ashland Zone project.

The Board meeting included presentations on the ACWA Captive Insurance Program, RWA's Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, and the Bay-Delta Plan update. The Board discussed and acted upon the conversion of the Legal Affairs Committee to an ad hoc committee, amendments to ordinances regarding compensation of Board members and purchasing/payments, and amendments to the General Manager's employment agreement. Updates were provided on conjunctive use and groundwater banking activities, and reports were received from the General Manager, Director of Water Resources & Strategic Affairs, and other department directors.

Key discussion topics included the update to the Records Management Policy (ADM-3.6), proposing revisions to records retention periods, such as moving personnel file documents from a 30-year to a 7-year retention period. The committee also reviewed Board compensation, recommending that the Board raise the paid meeting day cap from 8 to 10 to simplify administration, which requires an ordinance change. Furthermore, the Committee discussed the upcoming evaluation of the General Counsel, agreeing to conduct a simple, informal evaluation in Closed Session at the subsequent March Board meeting, focusing on responsiveness, quality of work, and overall cost. Finally, a proposal was made to reclassify the Legal Affairs Committee as an "ad hoc" committee to allow for more flexible, impromptu meetings.

The Personnel Committee meeting focused on the 2026 Compensation Study. Staff provided a report explaining the need for direction on the market position to use, recommending the continuation of the market position from the 2022 study. The rationale provided was that maintaining total cash compensation at 5% above the market median has successfully reduced voluntary turnover. It was noted that Bryce Consulting will conduct the study, which includes reviewing shift operator compensation, potentially requiring a three-year data analysis. The Committee recommended proceeding with the existing strategy. Additionally, the Committee welcomed the new Human Resources Specialist and noted that three recruitments are currently active.