To: GENERAL GOVERNMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
From: Water Agency
Meeting Date: October 21, 2026
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Department Contact: |
Howard Dashiell |
Phone: |
707-463-4363 |
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Department Contact: |
Amber Fisette |
Phone: |
707-463-4363 |
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Time Allocated for Item: 45 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Acceptance of Presentations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Current El Niño Conditions and the Winter Weather Outlook for Mendocino County and from Department of Transportation Staff on Current Local Water Conditions; and Acceptance of Staff Recommendation to Continue Drought Task Force in Current Meeting Format (Countywide)
(Sponsor: Water Agency)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Accept presentations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on current El Niño conditions and the winter weather outlook for Mendocino County and from Department of Transportation staff on current local water conditions; accept staff recommendation to continue Drought Task Force in current meeting format; and provide any recommendations to staff as appropriate (Countywide).
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On April 20, 2021, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) created an Ad Hoc Committee comprised of Supervisors McGourty and Haschak to work on drought-related issues. The Mendocino Countywide Drought Task Force began as an Ad-Hoc Committee meeting with public stakeholders on July 8, 2021, and bimonthly or quarterly thereafter. On August 2, 2022, the Drought Task Force was transferred to the Public Health, Safety, and Resources (PHSR) Standing Committee. By Resolution No. 23-157 (September 12, 2023), the BOS authorized the Director of Transportation to submit a grant application to California Department of Water Resources to implement the Mendocino County Drought Resilience Plan Development (DRP) and Drought Task Force Participation Project. By Resolution Number (No.) 24-007 (January 9, 2024), the Drought Task Force was transferred to the General Government Committee (GGC). By Resolution Number (No.) 25-093 (May 20, 2025), the BOS adopted the Mendocino County Drought Resilience Plan and authorized the Director of Transportation to submit the plan to the California Department of Water Resources.
Summary of Request/Referral:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will provide an update on current El Niño conditions and the winter weather outlook for Mendocino County. Department of Transportation (DOT) staff will summarize ongoing County-level drought monitoring results based on the approach outlined in the Drought Resilience Plan (DRP or Plan). Since the Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved the Mendocino County DRP on May 20, 2025, DOT staff have been monitoring drought triggers identified in the Plan and coordinating the sharing of information and resources to support household and community-level resiliency to future droughts and water shortages. The GGC, acting as the County’s Drought Task Force (DTF), will offer a forum for County supervisors, stakeholders, and the public to collaborate on efforts that strengthen water reliability for Mendocino County residents.
At the Drought Task Force meeting on May 20, 2026, the Committee recommended that staff explore less formal methods of communicating with constituents. In response, County Counsel reviewed the legal requirements governing DTF meetings and examined how other counties conduct similar forums. Based on that analysis, Counsel advises that the current DTF meeting structure remains the most appropriate approach for meeting statutory obligations. To better reach constituents who prefer informal communication channels, the Water Agency will expand its social media and email outreach efforts-work that has already begun. Staff believe that maintaining the existing meeting format, paired with enhanced outreach, will support broader engagement across the County’s water stakeholder community.
Supplemental Information Available Online At: <https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/government/mendocino-county-water-agency/drought-water-conservation>
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: N/A |
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current f/y cost: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): N/A |
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revenue agreement: N/A |
CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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