Multi-State Salinity Coalition

Member Charter

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

December 9, 2005

Whereas the Multi-State Salinity Coalition (MSSC) was established in 2001by local and regional water agencies to advance the common interests of the member agencies in the development of local and regional projects and programs associated with desalination and salinity management technologies, practices, funding, and implementation. And,

Whereas the members of the MSSC have effectively fostered communication and dialogue on related desalination and salinity management-related policy matters through quarterly meetings, correspondence, and the development, sponsorship and presentation of an annual national desalination and salinity management summit for local, regional, and national leaders. And,

Whereas the MSSC believes that collaborative efforts among water providers, state agencies, federal agencies, research organizations, congressional leaders and private industry are essential in pursuit of common interests; And,

Whereas the MSSC developed the following mission statement in 2003:

“To meet our Nation’s growing need for safe, sustainable, adequate and affordable water supplies, the Multi-State Salinity Coalition (MSSC) promotes advancements in desalination-related technologies, salinity control strategies and associated policies.”

And, whereas the MSSC has determined that it is in its best interest to formalize a set of guidelines regarding MSSC governance so that the MSSC may maintain and enhance its effectiveness regarding the implementation of its Mission Statement and related projects, programs, and activities. And,

Whereas the MSSC has agreed that these guidelines are hereby memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding that would be executed by the MSSC members,

Now therefore, the MSSC agrees that the following governance findings and guidelines shall be used in the development and implementation and/or execution of MSSC projects, programs, and activities:

1. MSSC Membership. MSSC members shall be from or represent local and regional public water districts, agencies, and entities that distribute or treat water, reclaimed water or wastewater.
2. MSSC Member Responsibilities. To the extent possible, MSSC members shall participate actively in MSSC meetings, projects, programs, and activities, and they shall support or facilitate MSSC meetings when possible.
3. MSSC Chairperson. MSSC members shall elect a chairperson for the MSSC on an annual basis. MSSC Chairpersons shall be responsible for leading, facilitating, and organizing MSSC meetings, discussions, recommendations and/or actions.
4. Voting. Each MSSC member organization shall only be allowed one vote per recommendation, endorsement, and or action regardless of the number of organization representatives attending the meeting. Additionally, MSSC members may vote in person, by phone, or proxy so long as the vote is made known to the MSSC Chairperson or their designee.
5. Approval, Authorization, Recommendations, and Endorsement. All MSSC actions, recommendations, approvals, authorizations, and endorsements shall require a unanimous vote by the MSSC members present for a duly advertised meeting for which an agenda has been distributed.
6. Current MSSC Members. The current MSSC members include the following agencies and organizations:

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
Central Basin Municipal Water District
City of Phoenix
City of Scottsdale
Coachella Valley Water District
El Paso Water Utilities
Inland Empire Utility Agency
Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Northern California Salinity Coalition
Salt River Project
San Antonio Water Syste
Southern California Salinity Coalition
Southern Nevada Water Authority
Tucson Water
West Basin Municipal Water District

7. New MSSC Members. The MSSC members agree that only public local and regional water districts, water utilities, agencies, and organizations (described in Article 1) shall be eligible for MSSC membership, and be allowed to vote on MSSC projects, programs, and activities. Agencies that wish to join the MSSC shall only be approved by the unanimous vote of the current MSSC members.
8. Meetings. The MSSC shall meet on a quarterly basis, or when deemed necessary by the MSSC members.
9. Member Fees. The MSSC shall not require any fee of its members.
10. MSSC Guideline Changes. Any changes to MSSC Guidelines shall be unanimous in accordance with Article 5 above.