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Votes at a glance: minutes, expenditures, pump‑fee enforcement, outreach and consultant direction
Summary
The Authority approved consent items (minutes and expenditures), authorized staff to pursue enforcement against non‑compliant pumpers, agreed to pursue a consulting agreement to evaluate imported‑water options, and approved an outreach mailer concept and follow‑up.
The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority took several formal actions during the meeting, including approving minutes and expenditures, authorizing legal follow‑up on pump‑fee noncompliance, and asking staff to work toward a consultant agreement to evaluate imported water options.
What the board approved - Approval of minutes and consent agenda: The board approved the January 17 minutes and the consent agenda, including the expenditures on the packet. The roll‑call vote was unanimous: Director Vallejo — Aye; Director Hayman — Aye; Chairman Kosinski — Aye; Director Snoke — Aye; Vice Chair Gleeson — Aye.
- Direction on pump‑fee noncompliance and outreach: The board authorized staff to send final notices to non‑compliant pumpers and directed staff to begin the process that could lead to legal remedies for persistent noncompliance with well registration and the pumping‑fee ordinance. Staff reported there are 46 registered accounts and 24 known unregistered non‑de minimis pumpers under investigation. The board authorized the enforcement path and also asked staff to review the Authority’s outreach for domestic/de minimis pumpers. Roll‑call vote on the authorization to pursue enforcement was recorded as: Director Vallejo — Aye; Director Hayman — Aye; Chairman Kosinski — Aye; Director Snoke — Aye; Vice Chair Gleeson — Aye.
- Consultant engagement (imported water evaluation): The board voted to direct staff to advance a proposed consulting agreement with the top‑ranked firm recommended by an ad‑hoc evaluation committee (Capital Core Group) and to return a draft consulting agreement to the board for approval at a future meeting. The recorded vote on that direction was: Director Vallejo — No; Director Hayman — Yes; Chairman Kosinski — Yes; Director Snoke — Yes; Vice Chair Gleeson — Yes (motion passed).
- Outreach mailer concept: The board agreed conceptually to proceed with an outreach/postcard mailing to all parcel owners and water users to explain SGMA, the Authority’s role, and how affected residents can get information. Several board members and many public commenters asked for stronger language about potential impacts and clear steps for domestic well owners. The board asked staff and the Indian Wells Valley Water District to coordinate the final text and cost and to return with budget details; the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters These votes move the Authority from planning to active administration: they maintain the Authority’s revenue collection process (pump fees), advance work to determine whether imported water is a feasible augmentation option, and prioritize outreach to small and disadvantaged water users. Several speakers urged the board to pair enforcement with improved outreach so that residents understand obligations and options.
Meeting evidence Staff and counsel said final notices will be sent to identified noncompliant pumpers and that the board’s vote authorizes starting legal remedies if registration and payment do not follow. Staff reported that 909 wells are in the basin database, with about 46 registered accounts and roughly 24 non‑registered non‑de minimis entities being investigated for compliance.
Ending note Board members asked staff to return proposed consultant agreement language and a clearer outreach budget estimate at the next meeting before executing either a consultant contract or major mailings.
