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refusal and said it makes sense not to have something like that on there. He indicated the
SGPWA is in agreement with the other three. Mr. Duncan said he supports the statements
by Director Ball. He noted that it feels good to make progress and work together. He said
the SGPWA is working hard to bring new water deals and he hopes to continue to work
together.

Mr. Lenny Stephenson: Mr. Stephenson stated that he is a Director at SGPWA but is not
representing SGPWA. He stated the mission of the SGPWA and noted that his agency is not
in competition with the retailers, but strongly desires to partner to assure water needs are
met. He advised that it is paramount that the SGPWA have a storage account in the
Beaumont Basin to accomplish its mission; an account no different and with no more
restrictions than any other account. He noted that the agency was established by the San
Gorgonio Pass Water Agency Act and as elected officials, their duty is to uphold that Act.
There is no desire to prolong the disagreement between the agencies, the cost of which is
borne by the taxpayers. He said he asks only that the Board respect SGPWA’s position. He
advised that SGPWA will defend the rights of its constituents and suggested trying harder
to work together on the same goal: water. Mr. Stephenson explained the SGPWA could not
carry out its mission if it were to accept a conditional storage account limiting its rights and
responsibilities. SGPWA is here to help meet water needs, he said, and implored the
Committee members to vote to remove the conditions on its storage account and begin
working as partners for the greater good.

V. Announcements

A. The next regular meeting of the Beaumont Basin Watermaster is scheduled for
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

VI. Closed Session: 11:40 a.m.

Watermaster Committee members and alternates Arturo Vela, Kyle Warsinski, Tony
Lara, George Jorritsma, and Joseph Zoba were present in closed session with Legal
Counsel Thierry Montoya to discuss the following item:

A. Closed Session-Conference with Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation, Government
Code section 54956.9:
i. Case: San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency v. Beaumont Basin Watermaster, et
al., Riverside Superior Court Case No. RIC 1716346.

Reconvene to Open Session: 12:30 p.m.
There was no reportable action taken.

VII. Adjournment

Chairman Vela adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.

Attest:

_____________________________
Tony Lara, Secretary
Beaumont Basin Watermaster

Minutes of the Beaumont Basin Watermaster – January 10, 2018 Special Meeting Page 2 of 2
Beaumont Basin Watermaster - February 7, 2018 - Page 21 of 48