To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Jay Jasperse, 547-1959
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Sponsorship - U.C. San Diego, Scripps Center for Western Weather & Water Extremes Water Affiliates Group
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Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to approve an annual $25,000 sponsorship for five years (to June 2025) as a Platinum Level member of the Center for Western Weather & Water Extremes Water Affiliates Group.
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Executive Summary:
The proposed sponsorship and membership in the Water Affiliates Group will provide the Sonoma County Water Agency insights into the most recent research related to Western U.S. weather, especially extreme precipitation events known as atmospheric rivers that directly influence the occurrence of floods and droughts in Sonoma County. In addition, membership in the Water Affiliates Group represents an opportunity to guide research strategies on improved operational tools to support core water management service.
Discussion:
The primary functions of the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) are water supply, flood risk management, and sanitation. These services are significantly affected by the frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme storm events known as atmospheric rivers. When Sonoma County and the North Bay experience a high number of storms, the region often incurs flooding and associated damages. A recent published study indicates that Sonoma County exhibits the highest flood damages for any county in the eleven western states. Approximately 98% of these flood damages are attributable to atmospheric rivers. Conversely, when there is a lack of atmospheric rivers, drought often results. For these reasons, Sonoma Water over the past several years has formed a partnership with the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, U.C. San Diego. Recently, CW3E has instituted a new program known as the Water Affiliates Group (WAG) that is comprised of selected water utilities that are leading water management agencies in California. The WAG provides the opportunity for engagement with CW3E to help guide research strategies to develop operational tools that will help Sonoma Water respond and adapt to weather and climate extremes. The sponsorship will provide opportunities for Sonoma Water staff to participate in roundtable meetings, workshops, conferences, and other trainings in addition to having access to top scientists and tools developed through their research programs.
This item requests that the Board authorize Sonoma Water’s General Manager to approve an annual sponsorship of the WAG for $25,000 per year for a period of 5 years (July 2020 to June 2025).
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 20-21 Adopted |
FY21-22 Projected |
FY 22-23 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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|
|
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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|
|
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Total Sources |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $25,000 is available from FY 2020/2021 appropriations for the Sonoma Water General Fund. Future appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A - I Step) |
Additions (number) |
Deletions (number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Membership Letter
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Overview with Tier