[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6472967,"mediaKeyId","5766245-078fde0355fd8723d981e3b703848b7a","parentId",5766245,"title","Water resources manager reports on grants, AVEC design milestones, Blue Mountain kickoff and Rademacher connections","audioSeconds",173,"startMs",4628000,"endMs",4801000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766245-078fde0355fd8723d981e3b703848b7a&start=4628&end=4801","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766245-078fde0355fd8723d981e3b703848b7a/thumbnail_4628000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472967/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Water-resources-manager-reports-on-grants-AVEC-design-milestones-Blue-Mountain-kickoff-and-Rademacher-connections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472967-4e0af9d2519ecdad852bd02e4afd46a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114950&Signature=cvRF0aB5FbQatREAGi7U2gl4V~HsVOlizPpyDLwWqWhXY0aQ7jyiGFilOiWM0b-UTm4STPozgojc0HgyoxKYymUejNpxuDdjAak2SZDTLjY51ZXJCzuYHDYYtkxwC3yvYcr2D7XyEoUK7u-I-O2~a9KUjQip7NjsA-ZCo6exMa8VMCkboFNpfYLCj1ULWBdwKY4f~Az1mBxrDaRQnxc2IvGcPE-yVdlFXSyTcD-Ygfsjy~0Yb-zBQ-gZInAdg~XpQQAIcbRf7YNTaF7bJQDW2RYNIY-w6DI2pOjmV7oCY-0pctBWELOtB4x7Z9JuIyUh0u5jCDxeUYHj6qR0PWELEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Ridgecrest","date","2025-09-11T22:17:10Z","article","Water Resources Manager Steve Johnson presented the water resources report, outlining grant invoicing, project design milestones and near-term schedules for permitting and right-of-way work.

Johnson said the authority had submitted reimbursements to the Department of Water Resources under the Sigma grant—invoice numbers 11 and 12—and to the Urban Community Drought Relief program (consolidation grant), with approximately $1 million in pending reimbursements across those grants. He said Invoice 13 covers work through June and noted the authority expects payments but is awaiting reimbursement from DWR.

On the Rademacher consolidation, Johnson reported Phase 1 construction had been completed, pressure-tested and disinfected; two properties (Sanchez and Bassett) have been connected and have running water to their houses. He said Phase 2 design by the water district has been submitted to the Division of Drinking Water for approval.

Johnson summarized progress on the AVEC/ Kennedy Jakes design: Kennedy Jakes hydraulic modeling results are available and provost & pritchard (PNP) is preparing 30% design deliverables that include tank mechanical and electrical technical memoranda, transient hydraulic analysis, and preliminary pump selection. He said the project team expects 90% and then 100% design submittals according to the schedule and that Provost & Pritchard is preparing a draft environmental assessment for the 48-day public review period.

Johnson confirmed Blue Mountain Development and consultant Omar have been engaged and that a kickoff meeting for their review was scheduled for the coming Monday. He said Blue Mountain’s role is to provide outside review on environmental and permitting interactions, assist with Corps of Engineers coordination on pipeline issues, and advise on cost/schedule concerns.

Right-of-way services remain on the schedule: Johnson said staff expects a right-of-way acquisition plan late this year, followed by legal descriptions needed for acquisitions. He also noted the authority is assembling a grant completion report for the Prop 1 grant and expects to submit a draft by the end of the year and the final report by March of next year. Johnson also referenced the EPA resilience/sustainability grant of about $2.8 million to help close the design funding gap.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GSA Meeting 09/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Water Resources Manager Steve Johnson updated the board on grant invoicing to DWR, EPA grant work, AVEC project design milestones, Blue Mountain consultant kickoff, right-of-way planning and completion of phase 1 consolidation hookups at two properties.","taxTitle","Ridgecrest, Kern County, California","taxId",52022,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6472971,"Board receives 2023 audit showing unqualified opinion and recognizes Mojave settlement receivable",97,889000,986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766245-078fde0355fd8723d981e3b703848b7a&start=889&end=986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766245-078fde0355fd8723d981e3b703848b7a/thumbnail_889000.jpg","/articles/6472971/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Board-receives-2023-audit-showing-unqualified-opinion-and-recognizes-Mojave-settlement-receivable","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472971-bb454f1bde9d1ad2d810ae7924e04a1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114950&Signature=MNNuEcNLwJcdat7sDmqpPOthSzIIo5oamVg26rcZNxHZ6i8ofE0ByhOR~WboWS4YxP8bFGazS2I639vqLPjo-FuoCrhlxVu7OalvebPgo9aTcCHVJ6IcvqwwoaPj-O6ejvMS1rYuTQUN06M6-QRAVhEEVu~ipjbCBcO6d5qUTu8XZvL3IdT37UdZsfCvgV5T9glouWAioVyV2O4BiLtl8Eak-aLpEBobpaaE4m1noAtqVnV4lwWsYf~PYwTwR02Y49mmyAgAzRDPx4hHb~XnuyhM8vXxvpnf~kqoQxkYT5kE9sujm7MODJUDbUFk9mbkit8BFGJCA-SnG6NQQ~yp7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board received the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority’s independent auditors’ draft report for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2023, which contained an unqualified (clean) opinion. Roberto Moreno of RGS joined by phone to summarize highlights.

Moreno told the board the audit “is a clean opinion, unqualified,” and said the authority’s extraction fund ended the year with a net position surplus of $194,009.91. He said basin replenishment reported a net position of about $8.1 million. Moreno explained the operating surpluses recognized for the year were driven in part by a legal settlement with Mojave: the authority recorded $1.2 million covering settlement amounts allocated to 2021–2023. The $1.2 million is on the agency’s books as a receivable though cash had not yet been received at the time of the report.

Director Saint Amond asked whether the 2024 audit was underway; staff said they expect to bring the 2024 audit to the board before the end of 2025. Director Saint Amond also suggested establishing a financial committee to review documents before they are released to the full board.

Staff clarified this agenda item was to receive and file the audit, and legal counsel and the authority’s auditor were available by phone during the meeting for questions. No board action beyond receipt was recorded on the closed-session report; the audit was acknowledged and will be brought forward for finalization when the legal representation letter and packet are complete.","The authority's auditors issued a clean (unqualified) opinion for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2023; staff noted a recognized receivable from a Mojave settlement drove a reported operating surplus.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6472976,"Public raises questions about Stantec subcontracts and authority brings Blue Mountain on to advise on design and environmental issues",537,256000,793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766245-078fde0355fd8723d981e3b703848b7a&start=256&end=793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766245-078fde0355fd8723d981e3b703848b7a/thumbnail_256000.jpg","/articles/6472976/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Public-raises-questions-about-Stantec-subcontracts-and-authority-brings-Blue-Mountain-on-to-advise-on-design-and-environmental-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472976-b8bc32aa1bc355ce0c2d6548a79b7a00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114950&Signature=MBie4Aha-Ql6hV4AshtJV7759tbehECE3qsHsf46a5yPNc5iXJwpmjQTxlHnKJTZi7QP8CboHdQz1vFB2JN0qUClri85ojUi-CJAp3q8QUS1LtYz9F7llw6DsS2vFrug9n1zIiYd-CfhLUVlO290dBqbqm7TvynOpP8jkVHr3CXO34mOV3Ri7LchffwAW8d6XBmX5JVYKNGD9encBhr7-G5qlABZYtJKYx04dgd71DqpvpgrKttZzkPTqjZJvTCGGx9cbCQ2qTgRUS1pSZqPMEzqUHmItAFq9PQ8PlZWyFdQSpCGacDV7EiVGkcrNZe-7Xf~nNFr48a-zLrcLShfxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public raised questions about subcontracting and project costs on the AVEC design and environmental work, asking why Stantec was brought into Provost & Pritchard’s team and why Blue Mountain Development was recently engaged.

Caller Mike Fennott asked whether Provost & Pritchard had subcontracted to Stantec without the board’s knowledge and said cost overruns appeared to have reached 50% on parts of the contract. He also asked why Stantec—known to be involved in statewide work—had been engaged and whether the arrangement complied with contract terms. Fennott told the board he had contacted the authority’s office and had been told staff were not aware that Stantec was involved.

General Manager Carol and staff responded. Steve (Water Resources Manager Steve Johnson and Jeff Helsley from staff) explained Stantec was included in Provost & Pritchard’s original proposal and contract as part of a large multi-firm team and that Stantec “is primarily on the design project handling the pump stations” and had a smaller role on environmental scoping and outreach. The board’s legal or staff representatives said it is common for prime consultants to include subconsultants where specialized expertise is required.

Staff said Blue Mountain Development and consultant Omar were brought in to provide outside review and expertise—particularly on environmental interactions with agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, Southern California Edison and the Corps of Engineers—and to provide an independent look at cost, schedule and permitting. Staff emphasized Blue Mountain is not a replacement for Provost & Pritchard but an additional review resource in a two-phased approach: near-term review of environmental and permitting issues and future coordination (not yet under scope) with the Corps on pipeline matters.

Public speakers also provided cost detail. PAC member Judy Decker told the board that, based on an estimate she obtained from Stetson engineers via staff contact Bianca, Provost & Pritchard through BLM-related work and Stetson had invoiced “over $700,000” to satisfy BLM requirements to date. Decker said that sum was charged before any construction activity had occurred.

Callers urged transparency on outlays and insisted on a full accounting of subcontractor roles, invoicing, and whether prime consultants had the necessary in-house expertise to deliver the contracted scope.

Staff said they would continue to assemble financial details and schedule updates; the board acknowledged public concern about cost overruns and asked staff and the consultant team to provide further detail in future reports.","Callers and PAC members urged clarity about Stantec’s role as a Provost & Pritchard subcontractor and asked why Blue Mountain Development was engaged; staff explained Stantec was part of PNP’s proposal and that Blue Mountain will provide independent review and coordination with outside agencies.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6472981,"Groundwater Authority approves Facebook page with comments off if possible",2787,1210000,3997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766245-078fde0355fd8723d981e3b703848b7a&start=1210&end=3997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766245-078fde0355fd8723d981e3b703848b7a/thumbnail_1210000.jpg","/articles/6472981/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Groundwater-Authority-approves-Facebook-page-with-comments-off-if-possible","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472981-e7308ac0d02d533d76726694e552e3f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114950&Signature=Hi2ptMkIYYX0VVRgwfHImAxe3SrDnqjnrT5TaT4s5e~HCXf69jHGilwGUuwp3p4EpBxiosRwXVHN4Ulp9GxqFD-Yhy9B-erIi0NKuppvIi2iqoGupEDdhZwOM~kObAWz96p88nNAu1zBjuJ7o~D4t-eluPHK4AObnIVglNUziBvl-Os90BssLtwgkSolYYLfogI3p2WlkeDk6RATkJvq0Ft4iqc3DN5Wfyfu8E0vYe~I2NLt2TWYBxrvWoWN-jQejGTl2-SGieemjp24Ni9mSr1AKXto1SJ0eCJH5EUSNFIpcnweVRkmSN-p75XpoBaCoArl54OGb7K8y421NtzlXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority voted to allow the authority to establish a Facebook account that would not permit public comments on posts if that configuration is available; if the platform does not permit comments to be disabled globally, the board authorized posting with comments turned off on individual posts when possible and to proceed in the interim. Director John Vallejo made the motion and it was seconded; the motion carried on a unanimous recorded vote.

Board members debated the merits and risks of social media for several hours. Director Vallejo said the authority should avoid “the potential for misinformation, and disinformation” and proposed a one-way information page that directs readers to a specific point of contact for technical follow-up. Vice Chair Peters said social media is “unfortunate reality” but useful for reaching residents who rely on Facebook, calling Westbound Communications’ experience “helpful.” General Manager Carol explained legal counsel recommended not adopting a distinct authority social-media policy and that Westbound would incorporate moderation and monitoring into its scope of work without increasing the existing contract’s not-to-exceed amount.

Public commenters and Policy Advisory Committee members urged caution. PAC member Renee Westelusk said the committee had previously opposed a standalone authority Facebook page when Westbound was not yet on board and asked who would act as page administrator and how frequently the page would be monitored. Judy Decker and others warned of harassment and privacy concerns; caller Mike Fennott said Facebook’s public visibility rules have changed and criticized social platforms as unsuitable for public agencies.

Chris Perez of Westbound Communications told the board a practical approach is to maintain a statement bank and a standard set of responses that refer technical questions to staff or agency resources and to moderate obvious obscenity or illegal content in line with Meta’s terms of service. Chris Perez said “once a week is…usual for an active page” as a minimum posting frequency and that Westbound would coordinate with staff on moderation and response language.

Chairman Heyman called the vote after board members debated an amendment on whether the authority should proceed only if it could entirely disable comments. The board recorded Aye votes from Chairman Heyman, Vice Chair Peters, Director Saint Amond, Director Ettinger and Director John Vallejo. The motion carried.

The board directed staff and Westbound Communications to: attempt to configure posts so comments are disabled where possible; create a standard response bank and clear point-of-contact for technical follow-up; and return to the board with any recommended changes to how comments are handled at a future meeting.

The board also discussed the authority’s larger communications plan and a redesigned website that will host FAQs, a newsroom, and an interested-parties distribution list, with staff saying the site will support newsletter distribution and better document access than the current Squarespace site.","The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority voted to permit a Facebook account that would limit or disable comments on posts and direct users to official contact points; board members debated moderation, liability and outreach before approving the motion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Water resources manager reports on grants, AVEC design milestones, Blue Mountain kickoff and Rademacher connections

Board receives 2023 audit showing unqualified opinion and recognizes Mojave settlement receivable

Public raises questions about Stantec subcontracts and authority brings Blue Mountain on to advise on design and environmental issues

Groundwater Authority approves Facebook page with comments off if possible