Zone 7 Meeting - July 15, 2026

The Board entered Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. Director Palmer arrived and 6:01 p.m. and Director Figuers arrived at 6:04 p.m. The Board adjourned at 6:18 p.m.

Item 3 -

3. Open Session and Report Out of Closed Session

President Narum reported that the Board met in Closed Session and authorized the execution of a settlement agreement with Mountain Cascade, Inc., related to the Chain of Lakes PFAS Treatment Plant.

Item 4 -

4. Pledge of Allegiance

Director Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Item 5 -

5. Roll Call of Directors

All Directors were present.

Item 6 -

6. Reorganization of the Board

Director Palmer nominated Director Green to serve as President of the Board. There being no further nominations, Director Green was elected President of the Board by a 7-0 vote.

Director Narum nominated Director Palmer to serve as Vice President of the Board. President Green seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations, Director Palmer was elected Vice President of the Board by a 7-0 vote.

President Green thanked outgoing President Narum for her leadership during the past year.

Item 7 -

7. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items

Public comment was received by Olivia Sanwong, a resident of Pleasanton.

Item 8 -

8. Minutes

Director Narum moved to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on June 17, 2026. The motion was seconded by Director Palmer and approved by a voice vote of 7-0.

Item 9 -

9. Board Workshop - Board Policy on Conducting Business >

Rebecca Smith, General Counsel, conducted an orientation workshop regarding the Agency's Board Policy on Conducting Business. The presentation provided an overview of the Board's role as the governing body of the Agency, including its responsibility for establishing Agency policy, priorities, and strategic direction while staff carries out the Board's direction.

Ms. Smith reviewed Board meeting procedures, including agenda requirements, public participation, meeting protocols, and the Board's established order of business. She also discussed the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, including open meeting laws, restrictions on serial communications, committee meetings, social media interactions, and other communications involving a quorum of Directors.

The workshop also covered Board member roles and expectations, fiduciary responsibilities, ethical standards, conflicts of interest, and standards of professional conduct for Directors. Information was also provided regarding required training and additional resources available to Directors.

Item 10 -

10. Board Workshop - Introduction to Zone 7 Water Agency >

Valerie Pryor, General Manager, opened the workshop by providing an overview of the Agency's mission, organizational structure, governance, and core services. She introduced the members of the executive management team participating in the presentation and explained that the workshop was intended to provide new Directors with a foundational understanding of the Agency.

Ms. Pryor reviewed the Agency's history and governance as the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Zone 7, including its status as a dependent special district and the Board's authority over matters affecting the Agency. She also highlighted the Agency's service area, wholesale water customers, Strategic Plan, organizational structure, staffing, and labor relations.

Ken Minn, Water Resources Manager, provided an overview of the Agency's water supply system, groundwater management responsibilities, and long-term water supply reliability planning. He explained that the majority of the Agency's water supply is provided through the State Water Project and reviewed the major components of the Agency's water supply, treatment, storage, transmission, and groundwater systems, as well as the Agency's wholesale and direct retail water service responsibilities.

Mr. Minn discussed the Board's Water Supply Reliability Policy and highlighted several key initiatives intended to strengthen long-term water supply reliability, including the Sites Reservoir Project, the Chain of Lakes Conveyance System Project, and the Delta Conveyance Project. He explained how these projects are intended to improve system resiliency, enhance water storage capabilities, and help address future water supply challenges.

Mr. Minn also reviewed the Agency's role as the designated Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the Livermore Valley Groundwater Basin. He discussed the Agency's groundwater management responsibilities under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, including groundwater monitoring, basin sustainability, water quality protection, well permitting, septic system oversight, toxic site surveillance, land subsidence monitoring, and ongoing planning efforts to address emerging water quality issues and support long-term groundwater management.

Director Burnham asked for clarification regarding references to 70%, 80%, and 90% State Water Project water. Ms. Pryor explained the difference between Zone 7's water supply portfolio and the Tri-Valley region's overall water supply, including contributions from local groundwater and recycled water.

Director Lehrman asked several questions regarding future water supply planning, Lake Del Valle operations, and Zone 7's role in monitoring contaminated sites. Staff explained that future water supply needs will be addressed through the Agency's long-range water supply planning efforts and provided additional information regarding Lake Del Valle operations, water rights, and the Agency's advisory role in groundwater contamination cleanup efforts.

Director Palmer commented on the value of touring the South Bay Aqueduct and related facilities to better understand the Agency's water system and commended staff for their long-standing groundwater monitoring efforts, noting that the Agency's extensive data collection has supported its groundwater management program.

President Green asked about groundwater-dependent ecosystems and land subsidence. Staff explained the relationship between groundwater and surface water ecosystems and noted that the Tri-Valley has not experienced significant permanent land subsidence.

Chris Hentz, Assistant General Manager - Engineering, provided an overview of the Agency's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), explaining that it serves as a long-term roadmap for investments in water system infrastructure. He reviewed the purpose of the CIP, including renewal and replacement of existing facilities, system improvements, expansion projects to meet future water demands, PFAS treatment projects, and long-term planning through the Agency's Asset Management Plan. He also highlighted several major capital projects, including improvements to the Agency's water treatment facilities, the Mocho PFAS Treatment Plant, transmission system improvements, and long-term water supply reliability projects.

Mr. Hentz reviewed the Agency's water quality program, including compliance with state and federal drinking water standards, routine water quality monitoring, PFAS treatment efforts, and ongoing planning to address hexavalent chromium. He noted the Agency's commitment to maintaining water quality standards that exceed regulatory requirements and discussed ongoing projects to ensure continued delivery of safe, reliable drinking water.

Mr. Hentz also provided an overview of the Agency's flood protection program, including maintenance of regional flood control channels, storm response activities, stream monitoring, storm damage repairs, flood management planning, asset management, and recreational trail partnerships with local agencies. He discussed ongoing efforts to repair storm damage from the 2023 winter storms and long-term planning to improve flood protection infrastructure throughout the Tri-Valley.

Director Lehrman asked about the Agency's approach to addressing hexavalent chromium and flood damage resulting from the 2023 storms. Staff discussed ongoing chromium studies and explained the Agency's responsibility for repairing storm damage while describing the coordination between the Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding Lake Del Valle operations.

Director Roberts asked about maintenance responsibilities for debris within flood control channels. Staff explained that Zone 7 maintains the flood control channels under its jurisdiction through routine inspections, vegetation management, and ongoing maintenance activities.

Osborn Solitei, Treasurer/Assistant General Manager - Finance, provided an overview of the Agency's financial management program, including its primary revenue sources, funding strategies, outstanding bond financing, bond ratings, and financial reporting awards. He also reviewed the Agency's major operating and capital funds and explained how each supports the Agency's water supply and flood protection programs.

Mr. Solitei discussed the Agency's two-year budget process, quarterly financial reporting, annual independent audit, water rate setting process for treated and untreated water, and key financial policies that guide the Agency's fiscal management.

Director Narum asked about the status of the Agency's reserve funds. Mr. Solitei reported that all Board-established reserve targets have been met and noted that a Water Reliability Reserve had been established to support future water supply reliability initiatives.

Director Burnham asked how untreated water rates are affected by wet and dry years. Mr. Solitei explained that untreated water rates are established annually and are based on a multi-year averaging methodology to reduce year-to-year rate volatility associated with changing water supply conditions.

Ms. Pryor concluded the workshop with a brief overview of the Agency's government relations and communications and outreach programs. She explained that the Agency monitors state and federal legislative issues, works with partner organizations to advocate on water-related matters, and provides legislative updates to the Board. She also highlighted the Agency's communications efforts, including public outreach, community education, branding, and stakeholder engagement, noting that more detailed presentations on these topics would be provided to the Board in the future.

Director Lehrman asked about the Agency's communications and outreach goals. Ms. Pryor explained that while the Agency does not have a specific public awareness target, it tracks outreach metrics and periodically provides the Board with reports and presentations regarding its communications and outreach activities.

Item 11 -

11. Reports - Directors

Director Palmer reported that the Delta Conveyance Authority is in the process of revising its Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with the Department of Water Resources and noted that additional information would be available in the coming months.

President Green reported that she and Director Palmer attended an ACWA PFAS Working Group meeting, where members discussed potential changes to federal PFAS regulations, possible state regulatory actions, and related advocacy efforts. She also advised that Directors would be asked to submit their committee preferences to assist with upcoming committee assignments.

Item 12 -

12. Items for Future Agenda

There were no items for a future agenda.

Item 13 -

13. Staff Reports

Ms. Pryor highlighted the Agency's ongoing storm damage repair efforts and noted that the Agency's website includes an interactive map with information on trail closures, detours, and reopening schedules.

Item 14 -

14. Adjournment

President Green adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.

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Zone 7 Meeting - July 15, 2026

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