BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Review the Board Committees and Approve the 2026 Board Committee Appointments.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
A. Review and, if necessary, revise the purpose statements for each individual Board Committee;
B. Establish or dissolve Board Committees as appropriate to meet current organizational and community needs;
C. Review and approve the proposed 2026 Board Committee appointments submitted by the 2026 Board Chair; and
D. Appoint new Board Committee representatives, as needed.
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SUMMARY:
This item allows the 2026 Board Chair to nominate members of the Board to serve on various committees for Board consideration and approval, in accordance with Board Governance Policy GP-9: Board Committee Structure.
Board Governance Policies
The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) Board of Directors operates under a series of Board Governance Policies designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective leadership.
Under Governance Process Policy GP-8: Board Committee Principles, the Board may establish committees to assist with policy development, support District mission implementation, contribute subject-matter expertise, and strengthen the connection between Valley Water and the community it serves.
1. Board Standing Committees:
Standing Committees are established by ordinance, resolution, or other formal Board action and are composed of fewer than a quorum of the Board and/or external members. These committees have ongoing subject-matter jurisdiction or a regular meeting schedule. Each year, the Board reviews the purpose of every Standing Committee to confirm its continued relevance.
2. Board Ad Hoc Committees:
Ad Hoc Committees are also composed of fewer than a quorum of the Board and/or external members but are created for a limited time to accomplish a specific purpose. They are formed in accordance with the Board Ad Hoc Committee Procedure and are used selectively. Like Standing Committees, Ad Hoc Committees are reviewed annually to ensure they remain necessary and relevant.
In keeping with the Board’s policy-level focus, Board Committees do not direct the implementation of District programs or projects. Their role is to receive information, provide advice, and offer recommendations that inform the Board’s decision-making and strengthen community engagement.
Accordingly:
8.1. When used, Board Standing Committees and Board Ad Hoc Committees will be established to reinforce the wholeness of the Board’s job and to never interfere with delegation from the Board to the BAOs.
8.1.1. Board Standing Committees and Board Ad Hoc Committees are established for a specific purpose as defined by the Board. The committees’ purpose may also include a definition in authority and limitation in duration. Expectations and authority will be carefully stated in order not to conflict with authority delegated to the BAOs.
8.1.2. Board Standing Committees and Board Ad Hoc Committees will communicate directly with the Board and will not exercise authority over employees. Therefore, because the BAOs work for the full Board, they will not be required to obtain approval of a Board Standing Committees or Board Ad Hoc Committee before an executive action.
The 2026 Board Chair’s proposed committee appointments will be provided in a supplemental memorandum to be released on Friday, January 9, 2026. This supplemental document outlines the Chair’s recommended assignments for the Board and Board Advisory Committees, consistent with Board Governance Policy GP-9: Board Committee Structure.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There is no environmental justice impacts associated with the 2025 Board Committee Appointments.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
*Supplemental Board Agenda Memorandum
*Supplemental Attachment 1: 2026 Board Committee Appointments
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Candice Kwok-Smith, 408-630-3193