Page 19 - Beaumont Basin Watermaster

Record of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the
Beaumont Basin Committee of the Beaumont Basin Watermaster
Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Meeting Location:

Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District
560 Magnolia Avenue
Beaumont, CA 92223

I. Call to Order

Chairman Arturo Vela called the meeting to order at 11:31 a.m.

II. Roll Call

City of Banning Arturo Vela Present
City of Beaumont Kyle Warsinski Present
Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District Tony Lara Present
South Mesa Water Company George Jorritsma Present
Yucaipa Valley Water District Joseph Zoba Present

Legal Counsel: Thierry Montoya

Staff Present: William Clayton

Members of the public who registered or attended were: David Fenn, Ron Duncan, Larry
Stephenson and Tom Shalhoub.

III. Pledge of Allegiance

Chairman Vela led the pledge of allegiance.

IV. Public Comments

Mr. David Fenn: Mr. Fenn stated he is the President of the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
(SGPWA) but is here as an individual, not representing the SGPWA. He requested the
Committee reconsider its storage account with no conditions. The SGPWA is a regional
agency and representing the needs of and providing water to the seven agencies within its
jurisdiction and any other agency which may purchase water in the future. He opined that
the conditions are unfair, and the SGPWA was not treated the same as other entities. He
believes it is not the best use of public funds to have things tied up with legal fees. He asked
the Committee to reconsider and re-vote on the storage account with no conditions.

Mr. Fenn read an email from Dr. Blair Ball who was unable to attend:
Dr. Ball wrote that he is a Director of SGPWA but is speaking only as a taxpayer. He favors
removal of the conditions placed on the SGPWA’s water account, as they are restrictive
when compared with other Watermaster accounts, which can create an unhealthy
atmosphere. Time, energy and money spent over the restrictions will be counterproductive.

Mr. Ron Duncan: Mr. Duncan said he echoes the points made by Mr. Fenn. He asked the
Committee to reconsider and remove the conditions on the storage account. As a Director
of the SGPWA, he feels they are restrictive. He expressed concern over the first right of

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