Madeline Klein elected chair of Basin GSA; Doug Crane to serve as vice chair

Director Madeline Klein was elected chair of the Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency on a 3–2 vote, and Vice Chair Doug Crane will continue as vice chair.

The vote came after members accepted two competing slates for leadership: one nominating Director Klein as chair with Vice Chair Crane as vice chair, the other nominating Director Adam Daska as chair with Crane remaining vice chair. By a show of hands and subsequent roll call, Klein received three votes and Daska two, and the board turned the meeting over to Klein.

The election matters because the agency is transitioning administrative services to the City of Ukiah and preparing amendments to its joint powers agreement; Klein told the board she intends to work closely with other members during that shift. "Thank you. And I want to thank Director Watt and Director Gaska for their comments and their interest in the role, and we'll be working closely together," Director Madeline Klein said after the vote.

Board members who voted on the roll call were recorded as: Director Klein — Aye; Director Daska — Nay; Director McNerlin — Aye; Director Watt — Nay; Vice Chair Crane — Aye. The board did not record any other formal conditions or amendments to the leadership appointments during the vote.

The election followed nominations conducted under Robert's Rules of Order and will cover the two-year term described in the agency's procedures. No additional administrative action accompanied the leadership vote.

Looking ahead, Klein will preside over upcoming items that include amendments to the joint powers agreement and the City of Ukiah administrative-services transition.