Elections 2022: Seven candidates vie for three Desert Water Agency board seats

Three seats on Desert Water Agency’s five-person board of directors are on the ballot this November, with the potential to majorly shake-up the board by electing representatives from Desert Hot Springs and the surrounding area for the first time.

Desert Water Agency was founded as a groundwater management agency in the western Coachella Valley in 1961, and later began providing water service to customers in Palm Springs and Cathedral City in 1968. Desert Water Agency is also one of 29 state water contractors, giving the agency the ability to import water to recharge the groundwater basin.

While Mission Springs Water District, formed in 1953, provides water service to Desert Hot Springs and the surrounding area, Desert Water Agency’s status as a state water contractor means it also serves Desert Hot Springs by replenishing the local aquifer, which has led to years of contention and litigation between the two water agencies.

DWA transitioned from at-large to division elections in November 2020, and the results of the 2020 census meant DWA had to again redraw district lines this year. The three seats up for grabs this year are all currently represented by at-large board members, so voters in the three open districts will be choosing a geographic representative for the first time.

The Desert Sun surveyed the seven candidates about their priorities. Some answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Division 1

Division 1 includes unincorporated Mission Lakes Country Club, and stretches down both sides of Highway 62 to include the communities of Bonnie Bell, Whitewater, and North Palm Springs. The division also includes Palm Springs neighborhoods north of Vista Chino, including Desert Highland Gateway Estates, Racquet Club West, and Racquet Club Estates.

Steve Bronack, Steve Grasha, and Marcus Miceli are competing for the Division 1 seat.

Bronack is a professor of technology and design at California State University, San Bernardino who also coordinates analytics for Palm Springs Power Baseball. Grasha currently serves as a director at the Mission Springs Water District, where his term ends in December, and also is the owner of TrueFog USA, which sells misting systems. Miceli is a local real estate broker.

Why are you running for the Desert Water Agency board?

Bronack: Securing, maintaining, and protecting our water is the most important issue facing us all over the next four years. I love this Valley and I love our community. The people in this division with whom I live and have interacted are some of the kindest and most welcoming people I have met. I’m proud to live here. This is an important job that requires reasonable, responsible, and sound-minded thinking. I’m running for this position because I believe I have the unique skills, experience, expertise, and temperament it will take to get this job done right. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent everyone in this division.

Grasha: I'm running to make sure the water delivered to our homes is safe. I understand water. Knowing what is in it and its quality was key in my career. What scares me in this election is one candidate who stated publicly that he has never once tested the water and another opponent that quite gleefully said Chromium 6 is of “zero concern to him and nothing to even consider”.

More than half the families in Division 1 are drinking water that is considered unsafe for human consumption as determined by the California State Department of Health and the California State Department of Water Resources due to extreme levels of the cancer-causing Chromium 6. Giving people a false message that because something is the “best tasting in water in the world” does not mean it is safe to drink every day.”

I have made it my life’s work to fix the water and have been fighting for our customers for decades and I will not stop until I succeed.

Let’s never forget, the out-of-town special interests that fund my opponents campaigns do not support making our water safe. They just want everyone to look the other way so they can continue unbridled development of questionable housing stock for no other reason than corporate profits without regard to providing safe water as a condition of approval.

Miceli: I got involved in the race for a number of reasons, first and foremost out of a commitment to our community to give back wherever I can. As I continued to read endless stories regarding diminishing water availability, I felt it was my duty to get involved and see how I could contribute.

I want to keep water rates down as affordability is crucial. I want to promote and advance the core principles of the Agency, water conservation efforts, reclamation and recycling, maintaining our current water system and actively participate in policy initiatives that will address any future hindrance that could occur from a diminished supply of water from the CO River.

I got involved in the race as a concerned citizen, property owner, and business owner. I come from a political family, so, giving back to my community through civic duty has always been a part of my DNA. I believe it is the responsibility of members of the community to get involved and assist in whatever way you can to ensure the community continues long after our stewardship has ended. The right to our own water is of paramount concern in this ever changing climate.

What are your priorities, if elected?

Bronack: It is essential that each of us has access to clean and safe water in the most cost-effective ways. Over the next four years, we will face unprecedented challenges and opportunities when it comes to our water. It is paramount that we work together to protect the water we have, secure the water we need, and keep our costs down. To do this, we must focus on continuing our work in conservation, reclamation, infrastructure, innovation, and efficiency.

We also must ensure that every dollar provided to DWA is directed toward achieving these priorities. Currently, DWA is engaged in multiple lawsuits – several with our closest neighbors. Lawsuits require lawyers. Lawyers require money. And who pays them? We do. Every dollar spent on a lawsuit is a dollar not spent on innovating our systems or finding ways to reduce the cost to customers. Every dollar spent disputing with our neighbors is a dollar not spent on technicians and engineers who can help us find new sources and solutions, and to update our infrastructure. As Director, my priority will be to ensure that everyone in the division is represented, and that the resources provided to DWA are used wisely and transparently.

Grasha: Connect to the Delta Water Project East Branch Aqueduct and build a desalination plant as other cities with high salt loads have done so we can deliver safe, clean, affordable water to every single ratepayer, not just those in South Palm Springs.

Miceli: If elected my main objective is to keep our water rates down and affordable for the entire community. I believe that affordable water is a crucial concern of our voters. I want to promote and advance the core principles of the Agency, which are our water conservation efforts, reclamation and recycling, maintaining our current water system and actively participating in policy initiatives that will address any future hindrance that could occur from a diminished supply of water from the Colorado River.

I want to work together with my fellow board members in a constructive and respectful manner to address any concerns from our community and to continue to address policy decisions that will impact not only our water supply, but the water supply for our residents for generations to come. I believe we are in a critical time of planning for the future. I believe we need to begin to address what we used to consider to be a drought and understand that we are living in the effects of climate change and what that means for the Desert Water Agency in terms of long term planning and capital investment projects.

How do you think Desert Water Agency is handling the state’s historic drought conditions, and how should conservation fit into DWA’s mission? What additional actions, if any, would you like DWA to take on conservation?

Bronack: Conservation is a cornerstone when it comes to managing and maintaining our water supply. Although we are fortunate not to face some of the most pressing challenges others across our state are facing, it is important we continue to work hard to conserve. The more we conserve, the less we have to replenish. Reclamation and reuse of water is a key component of this effort. It is essential that DWA continues to push forward in this area in efficient ways. As we move forward, we must recognize that the challenges ahead are different in many ways than the challenges we are leaving behind. Incentivizing our neighbors and the businesses with whom we work to explore innovative technologies, methods, and approaches to use wisely every drop of the award-winning water we have beneath our feet will directly impact our ability to maintain and manage our water supply in ways that will continue to support the quality of life and lifestyles we all have worked so hard to secure. It is clear to me that we all are taking this seriously and that DWA is doing a good job providing incentives and support for these efforts. It is essential we remain vigilant.

Grasha: As District Director, I have focused on sustainable water management practices during this critical time of drought. Recently we celebrated the historic groundbreaking of the most important advancement in local water management history, beginning construction of the new Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility under my leadership securing the largest grant of its kind in California history paying 100% of construction costs ensuring no expense to ratepayers providing safe, clean, affordable drinking water for generations to come.

Miceli: The Desert Water Agency has for decades been working to establish a solid water conservation policy and I believe it has been very successful. The Agency has a number of programs in place to encourage our community to conserve water. We offer the lawn replacement incentive program, recently funded with an additional $2M, low flow appliances, water efficient irrigation systems, EnergyStar washing machines, smart controllers, and many more offer options for the community to do their part, and conserve water.

The state recently released a new water policy agenda to begin to address our climate reality. We can no longer consider this to be a drought, but rather our new weather reality. Our efforts to design and create new water reclamation projects and the understanding how we formerly captured water from the runoff of snow-capped mountains, may not be our reality in the future. We have begun to understand that we live in a time of less snowpack in the winter and more severe down pouring rain storms and how not only our Agency, but Agencies across the State have to adjust our practices to capture that type of storm runoff.

The recent redistricting process means that Desert Water Agency will have Desert Hot Springs residents on its board this fall, likely for the first time. Where do you stand on Desert Water Agency’s role for Desert Hot Springs residents, and what are your thoughts on the relationship between Mission Springs Water District and Desert Water Agency?

Bronack: This division is a microcosm of the Valley, itself. There are disparate groups with different needs and expectations, when it comes to DWA. The reason this division exists, essentially, is to ensure that we in Desert Hot Springs and North Palm Springs have the opportunity to represent ourselves for the first time in the history of the Desert Water Agency. It is essential that our representative understands the different - and, perhaps, sometimes competing — needs and expectations across the division in ways that help us find common ground and consensus.

As for MSWD, I need to know more information before I can have a definitive opinion. Again, my bias is toward ensure that we account for every drop and every dollar in the most cost-effective and efficient ways. If joining forces makes sense, then that is worth exploring. That being said, DWA and MSWD are two separate agencies serving two separate purposes. The most important issue here is that, before we discuss combining, we must first stop fighting. First step is to end the costly lawsuits, and then we can explore the more reasonable ways to relate moving forward.

Grasha: The Mission Springs Water District is not something that Desert Water Agency should be considering for acquisition without full disclosure and thorough study of deficiencies within the system. It has a great work force but the system is old and with many shortcomings in its antiquated design. It's wastewater treatment plants are nowhere near the operational standards they should be. MSWD would be a literal money pit on the shoulders of Desert Water Agency customers but with state funding available for such consolidations, it’s something our ratepayers and users believe deserves our attention and I agree.

Miceli: As I am not a member of the board yet, my knowledge of the litigation is limited. However, I got into this race with a sense of community in mind. MSWD isn’t our adversary, they are our neighbors and I intend to use my tenure on the board to diminish any friction and disagreements and try to find common ground. Again, it is our water, our future and ours to protect. Additionally, with the change of the divisions, we will now have three board members who represent portions of DHS. I believe it is the responsibility of whomever wins the election to be a representative of all of his or her constituents, not just those in either Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs or Cathedral City for that matter.

I believe the future of water policy is our valley is collaborative, not exclusionary. In order to address and resolve the ever growing issues of climate change and the potential for drastically diminished access to our supply of water, we will need to act collectively and responsibly, as members of the same community, which is my every intention if elected!

Division 2

Gerald McKenna and Alfred Valrie are facing off for the Division 2 seat, which includes the eastern and southern portions of Desert Hot Springs.

McKenna is a retired civil engineer who also served as Vice President and a representative of overseas construction companies working in California and Hawaii. Valrie formerly worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District, where he was a program manager of the Prop 39 Student Energy Audit Training Program and also worked to secure water fixture rebates and retrofits for the district.

Why you're running:

McKenna: My primary motivation was the DWA's long history of neglect of the interests of DHS water customers in particular and its insensitivity to its ratepayers in general. I have long felt that all of the desert water districts are too sanguine about the health of the aquifer and they seem willing to overdraft it year after year in a very short-sighted way. That can't continue.

I also have had concerns about the performance of some of the Board Members that have served on DWA and MSWD. I understand the democratic imperative for citizens to control these public bodies, but the people who come forward to serve are frequently not equipped with the required skills. I am, and even as a member of the public I have observed life-threatening management failings in one of our Districts. I want to contribute, with my 50 years of experience and expertise, to the management of these vital public bodies.

Valrie: I am running for Division 2 to bring direct representation back to central Desert Hot Springs and to be the watchdog on DWA for central DHS.

Water is the lifeblood of the Coachella Valley. Sustainability and sustainable-use goals are our future. Division 2 comprises the very heart of DHS and is perhaps the most racially and economically diverse district anywhere in the Valley. We require representation which will balance the fiscal realities of central DHS families with the need for continued access to DWA’s water supplies. As our water wholesaler, DWA needs to pay more attention to how/when it spends our money and allocates water to our city.

For example, at its meeting on 10/4, the DWA board approved an additional $2M for drought-tolerant landscaping rebates for its Palm Springs retail customers. Portions of that money come from DHS indirectly through our MSWD billing statements and directly through our property taxes. As director, I would not have voted for that. DHS is ground-zero in the Valley for what I call “brown landscaping.” We are water savings champions here in DHS, and the constituents I visited with are very concerned about water parks and other grand water-use features throughout the Valley.

Priorities if elected:

McKenna: First Priority: Protect the aquifer from environmental contamination from any source including our own waste water. Set a “net zero” goal for our aquifer use. Second Priority: Kick the water conservation programs into a higher gear. Double the turf removal rebate and set a maximum grass area for any new single family water service. REQUIRE ultra low flow toilets before establishing new or transferred water service.

Third Priority: Establish tiered pricing. Lower the cost of water with an inexpensive basic needs tier. Establish a “Lifeline” service for water for low income customers, as we have for all other utilities. (We give low income persons free cellphones but we give them nothing to help pay for their far more important need for clean water.) Raise the tiered price sharply for excessive users.

And let's establish a state-wide fund with every water customer paying $1/month so that we can care for the 1 million Californians who do not have a drinkable water supply in their homes. We should be ashamed of that situation!

Valrie: My first priority is to protect the economic and water interests of central DHS. My second priority is “No More Taxation Without Representation.” To that end, a constituent called me and asked my political party. I explained that this race is non-partisan, but when he pressed me more, I replied that I was a Democrat. The voter was a Republican, but he wanted my assurance that if he voted for me, that I wouldn’t go to DWA and “stab him in the back.” That conversation matters a lot to me, and I promise if I’m elected, I will not stab central Desert Hot Springs in the back.

My third priority is to maintain fair water conservation rules for central DHS. I want to do all I can to ensure that DHS families, who already do a pitch-perfect job of saving water, be affected in the least-possible way by government restrictions. That being said, Coachella Valley is at the forefront of the worst drought perhaps ever, and while the Bureau of Reclamation spared California from additional 2023 cuts in its August 16, 2022 announcement, that doesn’t mean our portion of Colorado River water is safe from cuts in 2024 and beyond.

Drought and conservation:

McKenna: Let's stop using the word drought. We are experiencing a long term climate change which is “aridifying” our region. We all, and Palm Springs especially, need to say goodbye to grass lawns. It may have been OK in the past to try and make the valley look like Maui. It no longer is. ALL our golf courses need to switch to recycled water. I apologize in advance for the Road Work Ahead signs but we need to build out a pipeline network for recycled water to get it to them.

Let's look inside our homes too. Get those low flow shower heads and dual flush ultra low flow toilets into every home. The water districts can afford to share the costs. We will save water, we will save on waste water treatment and we will all save money. Is anyone opposed to that? Let's copy Los Angeles – you can't sell a home there until you replace all the toilets with ultra low flow models. DWA can't rewrite City codes but it should deny transfer of service to a new homeowner until the toilets meet current codes. The impact would be large and it would be immediate.

Valrie: The Coachella Valley is increasingly becoming a premiere international travel destination with our golf courses, music festivals, and world-class hotels. DWA, like MWSD, and even CVWD, must walk a tightrope of saving water and promoting the saving of water but also fully making water available for not only residents, but also guests. DWA, however, has its share of issues with carrying out that mission.

For example, DWA claims that the water allocation and projected use for Wet'n'Wild is built into the total calculations of usage in Palm Springs. I don’t buy that. When Wet'n'Wild reopens, it’s only common sense to conclude that water usage in Palm Springs is going to go way, way up. In times of inflation, drought, and climate change, that use is going to redound negatively on central DHS in the way of our property tax bills and the timing of our state water allocation. That’s not cool with me.

DWA incentivizes drought-tolerant landscaping in a way that rewards rich people. Looking at DHS and Palm Springs on a satellite map is a study in brown and green contrasts. If anything, DWA needs to send money back to Desert Hot Springs for our years of excellent water stewardship.

Relationship with Desert Hot Springs and MSWD:

McKenna: Well, it's time for DWA to look across the freeway. The general public in DHS does not understand why they have, and pay for, two water districts. The current situation where DHS customers pay user fees to both agencies, as well as taxes to DWA is bizarre. And MSWD has sued DWA (more then once) meaning that DHS customers pay out huge legal expenses to sue DWA and also pay out huge legal expenses to defend DWA... We have two headquarters buildings and two General Managers and so on. How can that be allowed to continue? Not to mention that MSWD is working on wasting $20million on a new headquarters building that would not be needed (and really it isn't needed anyway). I have publicly criticized MSWD in the past and I remain skeptical that they deliver safe affordable water. Change is coming to both Boards of Directors in November. I believe there will be an opportunity to end this litigation nonsense and agree on a better water district structure. Obviously, we have to try.

Valrie: DWA services the 1%. MSWD services the 99%. That’s an important distinction. The richest property owners in Southern California dot the skyline surrounding just one of DWA’s sleek, state-of-the art hillside water replenishment facilities. MSWD is embarking on the vital mission of finally connecting Desert Hot Springs’ outlying residents to sewer. We need someone on the board who’s going to remember that.

We also need someone to remember that future agreements between DWA and MSWD affect DHS principally, water-wise and money-wise. I will bridge the freeway gap between the two agencies by reviewing any agreements with my law-school trained eyes. I will also seek to do occasional tours of DWA to select groups of DHS High School students to introduce young people to water and Sustainability careers as I did at LAUSD. When I visited my Division 2 constituents, few knew of Desert Water Agency’s role in Desert Hot Springs. To be frank, when I began this campaign, I knew nothing of DWA’s role in DHS. This election changed all of that. With me, DHS gets a guy who loves DHS, and who views his constituents’ views as having the force of law.

Division 3

Division 3 includes the north and east portions of the city, the Skyborne development on the city’s western edge, and a small unincorporated area to the east of the city. Jeff Bowman, President of Cabot's Museum board, a former Mission Springs Water District boardmember, and former Desert Hot Springs spa owner, is running against D.G. Cook, a Desert Hot Springs Planning Commissioner with a background in corporate management, for Division 3.

Why you're running:

Bowman: Simply put, I care! I care about our water and I care about our community. So, I want to represent the population of DWA customers north of the I-10!

For years we who live north of the I-10 could technically run for the DWA board and over the years we’ve had a few that have tried. However because the voting population of Palm Springs is greater than that of us north of the I-10 we’ve never had enough votes to seat anyone on the DWA board. This all changed in 2020 when DWA changed to election by Divisions and I learned that for the first time in the history of DWA there will be at least two Directors on the board who live north of the I-10. It was my experience as a Director for MSWD for 9 years, my passion for our water and my years of service in Desert Hot Springs that compelled me to run.

Cook: My decision to run is out of concern over my opponent's experience. He has a history of voting to raise water and sewer rates. He doubled rates when he served on the MSWD board. People struggling with this inflation and troubled economic times don't need more rate increases. I don't want Desert Water Agency to lose sight of the customers as has happened at Mission Springs Water District.

Also concerning is talk by those associated with Mission Springs Water District, including my opponent, that think the upcoming election is about MSWD taking over Desert Water Agency. That thinking has already cost ratepayers millions in legal fees. This election is not a grudge match. That is not the proper motivation to seek a seat on the Desert Water Agency Board.

Priorities if elected:

Bowman: First and most important will be to demonstrate to my fellow board members that I am a thoughtful and caring Director as I bring the voice of the people north of the I-10 to the formerly all Palm Springs board. One of my strengths is my ability to listen to all sides of an issue and I will always seek the best results for our customers to keep the cost of water affordable and safe. We are all participating in and must “play well together” in this sand box of the Coachella Valley.

Second, I will seek ways to end the lawsuits that DWA has been battling. We ratepayers have been funding these lawsuits for years and it is time to bring all parties to the table and seek resolutions.

Cook: I am hearing candidates is this election that are dismissing the seriousness of Chromium 6 in our drinking water. Some have publicly stated it is of zero concern to them. That goes against all science. Even a moderate position on Chromium 6 is that it must be taken seriously. Water quality will be a priority goal with me. A goal will also be to make sure the best interests of the customers are represented. We all know there are special interests that will try to pull the Board in directions that are not in best interests of our customers. My priority is to protect against that. And, I will remain professional in my relations with fellow Board members, even if we disagree on an issue. Decorum must be maintained.

Drought and conservation:

Bowman: DWA and all water agencies are facing an enormous challenge with the drought conditions. I believe we need to continue to encourage and incentivize residents, businesses, and public facilities to use native desert plants and replace water hungry greenery. DWA has some good programs running but as I understand they are being hindered by a customer backlog. I’d want to help the district discover ways to more quickly implement the conservation programs. In addition I think we need to look at all options to assist people in conserving. We have a HUGE number of tourists who visit our valley and we need to market our water conservation to them as they vacation here.

Cook: We have no choice but to conserve. We are in a severe drought. But we have choices on how to go about it. Desert Water Agency programs I have reviewed are effective but we need to make sure we help our water customers ease into conservation targets – without fines. On the other hand, as other communities have found out, wealthy customers ignore conservation thinking that if they just pay the fine it is okay. It is not okay. Desert Water Agency must have the ability to cut back or turn off water of such gross water wasters.

Relationship with Desert Hot Springs and MSWD:

Bowman: Finally we who live north of the I-10 will have at least 2 people on what has always been a Palm Springs board! This will bring input and representation of DHS to the board that has been lacking since the beginning. With my experience on the MSWD board, my experience running a hotel and leadership in the tourist industry I will bring fresh positive input to the DWA board.

There are some who are running for a seat on the board who feel that DWA should take over MSWD. I’m NOT in favor of this. Both water districts have different aquifers that they manage. MSWD deserves to continue to manage its award-winning water as it has done since the beginning. Both water districts have logistical and unique needs that are best served by their own agencies. Those who are voicing the merge idea are the same ones who wanted DHS to abandon its own police force and go with the Sheriff several years back. As it turned out their claim of “cost savings” was disproven and we would have paid more for less service. I’m ready to serve ALL the rate payers.

Cook: First, the costly legal battle between these two agencies - that I see as mostly the doing of Mission Springs Water District — must come to an end. This will not happen by electing someone to the Desert Water Agency Board who pushed for the lawsuits as my opponent did while at MSWD. Frankly, I don't see how relationships are repaired by having someone on the board that spoke so terribly of an agency where he is now seeking appointment. Hard feelings between the two agencies need to be resolved by those who have not been in the thick of that battle. The same as candidates in the other DWA division races have been saying, we need to mend. This seat I seek is not about conquering Desert Water Agency. The role of a Desert Water Agency board member is to ensure Desert Hot Springs and all of the Desert Water Agency service area is provided a clean and sufficient supply of water, that the health of our aquifers is maintained and that we operate efficiently to keep rates as low as possible.

Erin Rode covers the environment for the Desert Sun. Reach her at erin.rode@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @RodeErin.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of candidate Alfred Valrie.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Elections 2022: Desert Water Agency candidates face off for three seats