Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council- Agenda

Chair & Rio Nido Representative: Pip Marquez de la Plata • Vice Chair & Hacienda Representative: Vicki Clewes • Cazadero / Duncan Mills Representative: Tony Goodwin • Guerneville Representative: Joe Rogoff • Guerneville Representative: Spencer R. Scott • Guerneville South / Pocket Canyon Representative: Betsy Van Dyke • Monte Rio / Villa Grande Representative: Patty Thayer • Forestville Representative: Lonnie Lazar • Forestville Representative: Thai Hilton • Non-Voting Student Representative: Faye Zamora

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council will make reasonable accommodations for persons having special needs due to disabilities. Please contact the Fifth District Field Representative at 707-565-1219 during regular business hours at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to ensure necessary accommodations are made.

If you would like Spanish interpretation for a meeting, please contact District5@SonomaCounty.gov or call (707) 565-4683 before 5 p.m. on the Monday before the meeting.

Si desea interpretación al español para una reunión, póngase en contacto con District5@SonomaCounty.gov o llame al (707)565-4683 antes de las 5 p. m. del lunes anterior a la reunión.

Call to Order
- Roll Call
Approval of the Agenda
Discussion Possible Action
This approval process ensures that the agenda accurately reflects the items to be discussed and decided upon. Members may request adjustments to the agenda, including reordering or deletion of items at this time. Any changes must comply with the Brown Act requirements for public notice and agenda setting. The agenda must be finalized before the Council proceeds with other meeting items.
Statement of Conflict of Interest
Discussion
This is the time for the Chair, Vice Chair and Council Members to indicate any statements of conflict of interest for any item listed on this agenda. The River MAC bylaws state that members will not involve themselves in official River MAC activities that could materially benefit them personally, their business interests, or the interests of organizations that they represent. In a conflict of interest, the member will abstain from voting, and the abstention will be recorded in the minutes.
Consent Agenda
Discussion Possible Action
These items are expected to be routine and non-controversial. The Lower Russian River MAC will act upon them at one time without discussion. Any Representatives, staff member or interested party may request that an item be removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
- Approval of August 14, 2025 Minutes
Councilmember Comment
Discussion
This is an opportunity for Councilmembers to provide a brief comments, restricted to matters within the Board’s jurisdiction. Due to Brown Act regulations, this is not a time for discussion of any item, however a brief dialogue about considering an item for a future agenda is permitted during this time.
Public Comment on Matters not listed on the Agenda
Discussion
Comments are restricted to matters within the Lower Russian River MAC’s jurisdiction. Please be brief and limit spoken comments to two minutes. While Councilmembers may not respond to or discuss comments except to express interest in agendizing the topic for a future meeting, staff can briefly address or follow up after the meeting.
County Update
Discussion
Updates and Remarks from Supervisor Hopkins and / or Staff Report(s)
Presentation from Sonoma Water on the New 2025 Russian River Biological Opinion:Protecting endangered fish and ensuring reliable water supply for the region
Discussion
On April 29, 2025, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a second Russian River Biological Opinion to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Sonoma Water, and the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District. The Biological Opinion is a critical component of Sonoma Water’s compliance with the Federal Endangered Species Act and supports the agency’s mission to protect listed fish species while ensuring reliable water supply for the region.

The new 2025 Russian River Biological Opinion has a 10-year term and covers the USACE and Sonoma Water’s operations and maintenance activities, including water supply, flood control, channel maintenance and habitat restoration in the Russian River watershed. Key elements of the 2025 Russian River Biological Opinion include: continued habitat enhancement efforts in Dry Creek; revised Russian River Estuary adaptive management; studies to learn more about migration and survival of hatchery and wild salmonids; reservoir flood control and water supply operations at Coyote Valley Dam (Lake Mendocino) and Warm Springs Dam (Lake Sonoma); and continued improvements to reservoir management.

Sonoma Water staff will describe the purpose, objectives, and timeline to implement actions described in the new opinion.
Learn more and download the full document here: https://www.sonomawater.org/biological-opinion
Ad Hoc Committee Dissolution | Community Engagement for District Formation Consultants
Discussion Possible Action
At its May meeting, the MAC formed an ad hoc committee to support early community engagement in the district formation process. The committee met with staff from the County Administrator’s Office, the Fifth District Supervisor’s Office, and consultants from RSG to develop outreach strategies that reflect local priorities.
The ad hoc committee held a meeting on July 7. Notes from RSG consultants were distributed at the July and August MAC meetings.
At the August meeting, the ad hoc committee—composed of Cari, Betsy, Patty, and Vicki—recommended that the district formation process should reflect the unique needs and cultural identity of each Lower Russian River community, emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all approach would not be appropriate.
The committee suggested that consultants prioritize smaller, targeted outreach meetings with specific interested groups, rather than large general community meetings. As an example, engaging directly with communities or districts that are ready and willing to participate, such as the Monte Rio Park & Recreation District, is recommended.
The committee also recommended the development of clear and accessible printed materials to help the public understand the opportunities and determine their interest in participating.
The full MAC supported these recommendations and they were shared with RSG consultants.As the committee has fulfilled its purpose, staff recommends that the Chair formally dissolve the ad hoc committee. No vote is required.
Adjournment