Vice President McKenna relayed a 70–80% chance of an exceptionally wet winter. Staff reported no agency facility damage from Tropical Storm Rachel’s creek flows and is investigating sewer inflow at Cathedral Canyon Lift Station. Mission Creek and Indio Subbasin groundwater workshops are upcoming. The board approved a salary chart adding an Environmental Compliance Coordinator and authorized an easement-rights transaction for $5,000 plus a $700 fee.
The Executive Committee opposed adding DWR and Riverside County LAFCO meetings as standing compensable events and did not support adding a ticketed Desert Hot Springs wellness retreat. The October 20 board agenda includes an already-budgeted Environmental Compliance Coordinator position that must be added to the salary chart before it is filled, plus a proposed sale of part of a Whitewater Mutual easement.
The board adopted an AI policy requiring human review and agency-procured tools for staff and directors. It extended Palm Springs International Airport’s non-functional-turf irrigation deadline to January 1, 2030; the airport plans to remove roughly 330,000 square feet. Staff outlined limits on the agency’s authority over AI data centers and new requirements for water supply assessments and certain facility-related infrastructure costs.
The conservation baseline covers fiscal years 2023–24 through 2025–26; the report for its final baseline year is due January 1, 2027. Staff are processing 201 Ordinance 80 turf self-certifications ahead of January 2027 enforcement for applicable properties; qualifying school district properties have an extension. Preliminary two-week readings at the new CIMIS station were about 6–7% above Indio 2, potentially raising the agency’s urban water use objective.
Board adopted Resolution No. 1377 authorizing the General Manager to submit a state financial assistance application for the Cathedral City Lakeview Villas septic-to-sewer project (just over 100 connections), with costs reimbursed by the state. Staff updated the Board on Pinyon Pines dissolution interest, and the GM plans to return with a future agenda item. Board also adopted the 2027-2028 legislative and policy platform.
