Peter Thompson

The Board of Directors meeting addressed several operational and administrative items, including the status of the Water Supply Situation, water transfers update, and San Luis Reservoir storage forecasts. Key actions included the adoption of a Board of Directors Handbook, the approval of budget authorization for the development of a 5-year Strategic Plan, the appointment of a Class 5 representative to the State Water Contractors Board of Directors, and the termination of the Water Infrastructure Financing Authority. Financial discussions involved a review of the preliminary Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget, approval of the 2026 Surplus Water Transfer Program Participation Agreement, and a review of various reports including legislative and State Water Contractors updates.

The Board of Directors meeting agenda included several items for consent: approval of the January 23, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes, approval of bills, the Controller's Report, and the Operations Report. Key discussion points in the Executive Director's Report covered the CCWA Water Supply Situation, the DWR Response to CCWA Request for Increased Cost Oversight, a Legislative Report, and a Request for Change to Timing and Format for Board Meeting Materials. The agenda also provided for a Closed Session to confer with legal counsel regarding three potential anticipated litigation cases. For information only, the City of Santa Barbara's appointment of Eric Friedman as Board Member and Kristen Sneddon as Board Alternate was noted. The preliminary budget for CCWA FY 20/21 was scheduled for the next regular meeting agenda.

The agenda for the operating committee meeting includes a public comment period, followed by the consent calendar, which requires approval of the Minutes of the January 8, 2026 Operating Committee Meeting. Key discussion items in the Executive Director's Report include updates on operations, the water supply situation, the San Luis Reservoir Storage Forecast and Article 21 Procedures, a discussion regarding the Strategic Plan for CCWA, the CCWA FY 2026/27 Preliminary Budget, and an update from State Water Contractors. The meeting also allocates time for reports from committee members and discussion of items for the next regular meeting.

The agenda for the meeting included a Call to Order and Roll Call, followed by a Public Comment period. The Board planned to enter a Closed Session to confer with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation involving two cases. In Open Session, actions from the Closed Session were to be reported. The Consent Calendar items included approval of the Minutes of the January 22, 2026 Regular Meeting, Bills for Ratification, the Controller's Report, and the Operations Report. Executive Director reports covered the Water Supply Situation, Water Transfers Update, discussion on the CCWA Board of Directors Handbook and Strategic Plan, and proposed resolutions to approve a Travel and Reimbursable Expenses Policy (Resolution No. 26-02) and to approve the Buellton Administrative Office Mold Remediation and Repair Project (Resolution 26-03). Other agenda items involved authorizing an agreement for PlanetBids Online Support Services and receiving informational reports on State Water Contractors and Legislative matters.

This document outlines a strategic approach to address the severe subsidence damage to California's critical water delivery infrastructure, including the California Aqueduct, San Luis Canal, Friant-Kern Canal, and Delta-Mendota Canal. It emphasizes the urgent need for action to restore conveyance capacity, reliability, and affordability, which are vital for the state's economy, quality of life, and climate resilience. The plan proposes a long-term funding commitment of $150 million annually for 20 years from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to repair and improve these systems, ensuring clean and affordable water for 31 million people, supporting agriculture, creating jobs, and bolstering climate resilience.