RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - A proposal assigning responsibility for Rancho Murieta Community Services District’s major water-supply projects moved closer to the Board of Directors on Aug. 4. Still, the discussion exposed growing frustration over why many of the district’s highest-priority water initiatives remain stalled.

The discussion before the Improvements Committee centered on a revised “matrix” that tracks major water projects, identifies obstacles to progress and assigns responsibility for moving each task forward. The document grew out of two unanimous board actions approved May 27: one by Director Tim Maybee to document the Water Vision Working Group’s assignments and accomplishments, and another by Board President John Merchant directing the development of a broader matrix to track the district’s major water projects.

Tom Shewchuk, a member of the Water Vision Working Group who condensed the original staff-prepared document, which incorporated both directives, into a shorter working version, repeatedly emphasized that the presentation reflected the group’s work rather than his own.

“This is our Water Vision Working Group’s proposal of ownership,” Shewchuk said as he concluded the presentation, adding that he would be willing to present it to the full board if requested.

Shewchuk said the original matrix, prepared by Interim Board Secretary Dyanne Fleet using artificial intelligence, board transcripts, staff reports and historical records, had grown to 18 pages before being condensed. After confusion over who was responsible for further refining it, he volunteered to prepare the latest version and circulate it to the Water Vision Working Group.

The matrix is organized into three categories: wells, Lake Clementia and other issues. Shewchuk said many of the group’s assignments have stalled because they are awaiting board direction, responses from the district’s water attorney or staff action.

For example, Shewchuk said the group completed its review of Water System Consultants’ groundwater report, evaluated past proposals and developed questions for the district’s newly retained water attorney. Those questions were forwarded through Interim General Manager Amelia Wilder several months ago, but the group has yet to receive any answers.

“We get a black hole of what’s happening with the water attorney,” Shewchuk said. “We’re stuck. We can’t make any more progress until we talk to the water attorney.”

Director Randy Jenco responded that the latest delay resulted from the board’s June 27 decision to create a matrix, following a discussion about whether the Water Vision group should even exist.

“The whole process has been on hold waiting on this matrix to be completed with names next to each task of who’s going to do what,” Jenco said. Once the board approves the matrix, he said, the designated individuals can resume work and follow up with the water attorney where needed.

Shewchuk also said the group has been unable to move forward on Lake Clementia because the board has not yet decided whether the reservoir should be pursued as an emergency drinking-water source or primarily for irrigation. Until that policy decision is made, he said, further technical work remains on hold.

Committee Chairman Bill Gere praised the work that went into condensing the matrix but argued the district first needs to establish priorities while coping with limited staffing.

“We’re hiring a new general manager and director of operations, Gere said, adding that the district also needs to determine project costs, funding sources, grant opportunities and land acquisition before advancing multiple engineering projects simultaneously.

Gere said existing staff members are already working long hours to keep the district operating and acknowledged widespread frustration over the slow pace of progress.

“I sense the frustration from everyone in the room,” Gere said. “Things are moving way too slowly.”

Shewchuk agreed additional staff would help but argued the district already has experienced volunteers who are ready to assist at no cost. 

“We have people on the Vision Group that are free, and we’re sitting idle,” he said. “If you want free labor, we’re here.”

Another example of stalled work involved the Water Vision Working Group’s water audit. Shewchuk said he identified about 100 homes earlier this year that appeared not to be paying incremental water charges. Still, follow-up work has not occurred because staff has not yet completed its review of the residential data.

“For six months I’ve done nothing on the water audit,” he said, explaining that he is waiting for staff to finish resolving residential issues before beginning a commercial water-use review, which he expects will be even more complicated.

Throughout the discussion, Shewchuk stressed that the matrix is intended to assign responsibility for projects rather than determine district policy.

He also noted one notable omission: the proposed third water tank.

“The Vision Group has never talked about tanks,” Shewchuk said. “We’ve never been chartered with tanks. If you want us to work on tanks, we’ll work on tanks. But that would be a new charter for the working group.”

Committee members seemed to agree that the revised matrix should be forwarded to the Board of Directors for consideration, although no formal vote was taken during the discussion.