Sacramento Area Sewer District Board Meeting – March 16, 2026 (Note: Transcript indicates the meeting occurred on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, conflicting with the provided date of March 16, 2026; this summary follows the transcript date.)

The Sacramento Area Sewer District Board of Directors met on March 11, 2026, to approve consent items, recognize a retiring director, adopt the 2026 legislative and regulatory affairs platform, and receive a quarterly report on the Harvest Water project. All votes were taken electronically, with 10 directors present and one abstention.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–4 approved unanimously (10-0-1), with Director Kaplan abstaining on Item 4 due to a campaign contribution.
• Item 1 (Contract No. 177) : Award to Transit Technologies LLC for fleet management information system implementation. Director Dickinson questioned the scoring, noting the proposed awardee led only in the product demonstration category. Staff responded that the product demonstration was the decisive factor in the selection committee’s recommendation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on any agenda item.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of Rosemary Clark: Director of Collection System Operations, retiring after 35+ years of service. Board members praised her leadership, passion for the mission (protecting public health and the environment), and role as a trailblazer for women in a male-dominated field. Director Hume noted her appointment as a “perfect 10 against a perfect 10” for the district engineer role. Director Rodriguez highlighted her contributions during Women’s History Month. Rosemary Clark expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community and work alongside dedicated staff.
• Item 7 – 2026 Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Platform: Presented by Joe Phil Borha, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Manager. The platform updates the 2018 policy, providing a framework for advocacy on priority areas including the Delta, contaminants of concern (e.g., PFAS), water quality, climate adaptation, and infrastructure funding. Director Cerna requested inclusion of CARB and air quality regulation; staff confirmed regular engagement with CARB and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. Director Karpinski Costa asked for periodic updates on pending bills; staff agreed to provide timely tracking. Director Dickinson requested clarification on the definition of “frivolous lawsuits” in the context of third-party citizen suits; staff committed to follow up with legal counsel.
• Item 8 – Harvest Water Quarterly Report (Oct–Dec 2025) : Presented by Mike Crooks (Capital Program Manager) and Joe Phil Borha. Key updates:
  • Construction: Seven active contracts, five pipeline projects substantially complete. Final paving on Twin Cities Road underway; microsurfacing in Elk Grove scheduled for May. Pumping station completion advanced from September 2027 to April 2027 (five-month schedule recovery).
  • Budget: Construction budget of $323 million; $234 million spent; $90 million remaining. Total change order rate projected at 6.8%.
  • Outreach and agreements: 81 Agricultural Framework Conservation Easements (AFCEs) secured, representing 29,500 acre-feet per year (AFY) demand – 91% of the delivery goal (32,500 AFY) and 76% of the demand goal (39,000 AFY). Nine additional agreements anticipated, potentially reaching 102% of the delivery goal.
  • Eco plan: Installed raptor perches and owl boxes to control rodents at tree-planting sites; executed a new crane forage trial. Groundwater monitoring wells being installed in partnership with CDFW and SCGA.
  • Funding: Requested inflationary adjustment of $25–50 million from the California Water Commission for Prop 1 and Prop 4 funds. Additional grants in progress, including $30 million federal WIFIA grant, $15 million State Water Board WRFP Phase 1, and up to $1.7 million for riparian enhancements along the Cosumnes River. Total program budget: $597.2 million; expenditures: $316.3 million; funding gap: $180.9 million.
  • Director Dickinson asked about water banking and groundwater storage; staff noted no direct link but future evaluation of groundwater banking in SAC Sewer’s water portfolio.

Key Outcomes

• Consent items approved (10-0-1, with Director Kaplan abstaining on Item 4).
• 2026 Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Platform adopted by consensus (no formal vote recorded).
• Harvest Water quarterly report received and filed; no formal action required.
• Next board meeting scheduled for April 8, 2026.
• Meeting adjourned without further business.