Board of Directors Agenda
1. Call to Order of the Annual Meeting of the Corporation
The Board Chair will call the meeting to order if a quorum is present. Announcements by the Board Chair or Executive Director may be made at this time. Board members may make announcements at this time as well.
2. Approval of the Minutes
The Board Chair will request approval of the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Corporation on March 4, 2015.
Download March 4, 2015 Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Corporation (PDF, 197 KB)
3. Election of Officers
Election of officers of the corporation.
The elected Board Chair will discuss with Board members their thoughts regarding the election of officers and committee assignments for the year. The election of officers will be held. Committee assignments may be made.
4. Establish time, date and location of regular Board meeting
The time, date and location of regular meetings of the Conservancy’s Board of Directors will be the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the offices of the Conservancy, 2150 River Plaza Dr., Suite 460, Sacramento, California.
5. Public Comments
Opportunity for members of the public to address the Conservancy’s Board of Directors.
6. Adjournment of the Annual Meeting of the Corporation
Official adjournment of the Annual Meeting of the Corporation.
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
7. Call to Order of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
The Board Chair will call the meeting to order if a quorum is present. Announcements by the Board Chair or Executive Director may be made at this time. Board members may make announcements at this time as well.
8. Public Comments
Opportunity for members of the public to address the Conservancy’s Board of Directors.
9. Approval of the minutes
The Board Chair will request approval of the minutes and consent items of the Board of Directors meeting of February 3, 2016.
10. Financial statement review
A financial statement will be provided for the period ended January 31, 2016 (unaudited). Additional financial information will be provided.
Download January 31, 2016 Financial Statements (PDF, 738 KB)
11. Farm leases
Board members have inquired about the Conservancy’s rice lease strategies and pricing, and staff believes it would be good to share this information with the entire Board.
12. Funding for the Natomas Levee Improvement Program
The Board will be advised of the President’s budget proposal and funding to continue the Natomas Levee Improvement Project.
13. Revised Draft Recovery Plan for Giant Garter Snake
Conservancy staff will brief the Board on responses to the call for comments on the Revised Draft Recovery Plan for Giant Garter Snake. Guidance will be sought on what further staff effort should be made in this regard.
Download Revised Draft Recovery Plan for Giant Garter Snake information (PDF, 3.7 MB)
14. Conservancy biological monitoring criteria
The Conservancy’s annual biological monitoring report will be presented next month by the Conservancy’s biological monitoring contractor, ICF International. At this meeting, a related issue is discussed. The issue pertains to how criteria are applied to the biological monitoring effort.
At the June 3, 2015 Board meeting, the Board authorized staff (Resolution #15.06.04) to engage ICF International to re-examine the biological monitoring criteria in preparation for the Conservancy’s release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a biological monitoring contractor for a five-year period.
A critical look at ways to improve the program and reduce costs is prudent because we now have over 15 years of monitoring data to inform the revision process. Because this critical evaluation and revision was deemed necessary, it was prudent to complete this process before issuing an RFP and soliciting bids to implement the biological effectiveness monitoring program for the next five-year term.
The Board expressed a goal of developing the RFP in such a manner as to encourage proposals that substantially reduce the cost of monitoring, but which continue to comply with the biological monitoring requirements in the CDFW- and USFWS-approved Biological Monitoring Program Plan, the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (NBHCP) and the Implementation Agreement associated with the NBHCP.
Doug Leslie with ICF International will update the Board on progress in reporting back on this project, and also discuss some of the key elements and decisions necessary in making a final recommendation and report.
15. Update on 2015 Groundwater Exchange Program groundwater recovery metrics
Board members requested that the Board be kept apprised of groundwater recovery metrics with respect to Conservancy groundwater wells that participated in the 2015 Groundwater Exchange Program. Staff will provide updates on groundwater recovery in the Natomas Basin with specific reference to the 2015 Groundwater Exchange Program and the Conservancy’s participating groundwater wells.
Download 2015 Groundwater Exchange Program information (PDF, 73 KB)
16. Briefing on proposed 2016 Groundwater Exchange Program
The Natomas Central Mutual Water Company (NCMWC) has advised that a potential buyer has surfaced this year for participation in a program consistent with 2015’s Groundwater Exchange Program. The initial offer is $550 per acre foot. This compares with $665 per acre foot that was in the 2015 program.
These are gross numbers, and reductions and deductions bring the net to the Conservancy down. For example, in 2015, the net to the Conservancy was $432.25 an acre foot.
Staff seeks guidance from the Board as to general intent with respect to participation in a 2016 groundwater exchange program so that if and when the NCMWC extends an offer of participation, staff will be prepared to propose the most favorable conditions and terms to the Board for its consideration.
Additionally, the NCMWC Board of Directors will be considering the split between the NCMWC and the groundwater producers. Staff will seek guidance from the Board as to whether to hold to the established Conservancy position or amend it in this regard as well.
17. Panhandle development proposal
Staff will brief the Board on a substantial proposed development that could be significant in the overall operations of the Conservancy. The project, variously called the Krumenacher or Panhandle project, is proposed at 589.4 acres.
18. Update on State of California Board of Equalization letter regarding assessment methodology and County of Sutter’s property tax assessments; County of Sutter Assessor
Conservancy staff will update the Board on progress in the matter of the County of Sutter Assessor’s compliance with instructions from the State of California Board of Equalization in its letter and action pursuant to that letter and property tax relief for the Conservancy.
19. Corporate structure and strategic issues
The Board’s Compensation and Governance Committee has discussed a number of issues having to do with looking forward as regards the Conservancy’s business model, the corporate structure of the Conservancy, the range of business initiatives that could be engaged in given the Conservancy’s declared and approved “exempt purpose,” and related issues. Staff will share with the Board thoughts on these matters so that Board and staff can familiarize themselves with various views and strategies, as well as better prepare for the future.
20.Public Comments
Opportunity for members of the public to address the Conservancy’s Board of Directors.
21. Executive Director’s Report
Various matters for Board members’ general information will be presented by the Conservancy’s Executive Director.
22. Executive Session
Executive Session is scheduled to initiate discussion on performance review and evaluation of the Executive Director. Executive Session for the performance review is pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, Employee performance evaluation.
23. Adjournment of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Official adjournment of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors.