BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Management Response to Independent Monitoring Committee Report on Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program Year 6 Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2018-2019.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Accept Management Response to Independent Monitoring Committee Report on Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program Year 6 Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2018-2019; and
B. Provide additional direction as necessary.
Body
SUMMARY:
On February 25, 2020, the Independent Monitoring Committee (IMC) issued their report on the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program (Safe, Clean Water Program) Year 6 Annual Report, which provides information on Fiscal Year 2018-2019 (FY19).
Over the past months, Safe, Clean Water Program Project Managers and Deputies met with the IMC and sub-committees for each of the Program’s priorities to review the report, answer questions, and provide follow-up information as necessary. The IMC members have shown their passion and dedication for the Program throughout this review process. Their questions continue to dive deeper into project complexities and their focus is always to find better ways to communicate the information to the general public.
The IMC’s task of assessing and reporting on the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s (Valley Water’s) performance in delivering our promises to the voters was completed in an effective and timely manner. Overall, the IMC expressed satisfaction with the high quality of the report and expressed their appreciation to Valley Water for incorporating their recommendations from prior years. As a result of staff’s continued responsiveness to the IMC’s Board approved recommendations, development of new appendices, updated flood protection project maps and other ongoing refinement of the report, the IMC had minimal recommendations this year. The IMC did provide notes for consideration in development of future year’s annual reports, which staff will consider and work to implement and incorporate.
In its review of the FY19 Safe, Clean Water Program Year 6 Annual Report, the IMC agreed with the status of each of the projects and had recommendations about the overall grants administration and the low spending on Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space. Additionally, the IMC suggested that the “Completed” status of Berryessa Flood Protection include the explanation that there may be outstanding financial obligations for mitigation. Additionally, the IMC recommended that Valley Water reach out to medical and health service providers in South County regarding the Nitrate Treatment System Rebate program.
The IMC also encouraged the Board to actively recruit new committee members to fill vacancies and have a robust committee to review and monitor the program.
To address each of the recommendations made by the IMC, a staff response column has been added to the IMC’s report table (Attachment 1). Upon the Board’s approval, staff is prepared to implement the IMC’s recommendations.
Valley Water staff is committed to the success of the Safe, Clean Water Program and to achieving the Key Performance Indicators in a cost-efficient and transparent manner. In turn, we appreciate the role that the IMC plays in ensuring that Valley Water delivers the outcomes that were promised to the voters and look forward to continuing to engage in an open and responsive review process.
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 a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Staff Response Table
Attachment 2: PowerPoint
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Melanie Richardson, 408-630-2035