 |
| News | | | Sports | | | Classifieds | | | Calendar | | | Special Sections | | | Opinion | | | Contact Us | | | Local Links | | | Real Estate | | | Autos and RVs | | | Groceries |
| Advanced Search • Archives |  |
News
Angels council divided on federal wastewater loan
By Krissi Krob
Email this story | 
Print this story
Posted: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 10:17 AM CST
Although the decision split the Angels Camp City Council 3-2, the city will apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan to make improvements to one of its reservoirs.
The money, which comes with a $1 million grant, will be used to upgrade Holman Reservoir by giving water processing ultraviolet capabilities. If the reservoir becomes more than 65 percent full, the excess wastewater will be treated and discharged into Angels Creek.
The council held off on the item at its Oct. 21 meeting in order to give council members and the public time to review the engineer's report for the project.
The money, which comes with a $1 million grant, will be used to upgrade Holman Reservoir by giving water processing ultraviolet capabilities. If the reservoir becomes more than 65 percent full, the excess wastewater will be treated and discharged into Angels Creek.
The council held off on the item at its Oct. 21 meeting in order to give council members and the public time to review the engineer's report for the project.
The state had mandated that the reservoir be able to handle a 100-year storm (weather that, historically, only occurs once every century) by 2001. City Engineer Gary Ghio advised the council that delaying a decision anymore would kill the city's chances of getting funding.
Councilman Jack Lynch raised several objections to applying for the money, including questioning the projected population increases in a study performed in 2002. Based on those numbers, the city should expect 1,500 new homes by 2022, which the city is not on track for as the economy has slowed down. By building according to those numbers, he said, the plant would be oversized and more expensive than is needed.
Lynch was also concerned that tests had not been performed on aquatic life in Angels Creek. Ghio told the council that those tests cannot be performed until the reservoir is actually discharging into Angels Creek, which won't happen until the improvements are made.
Councilman Jack Lynch raised several objections to applying for the money, including questioning the projected population increases in a study performed in 2002. Based on those numbers, the city should expect 1,500 new homes by 2022, which the city is not on track for as the economy has slowed down. By building according to those numbers, he said, the plant would be oversized and more expensive than is needed.
Lynch was also concerned that tests had not been performed on aquatic life in Angels Creek. Ghio told the council that those tests cannot be performed until the reservoir is actually discharging into Angels Creek, which won't happen until the improvements are made.
Lynch made a motion that the council continue the loan request until new data has been compiled, a motion that died for lack of a second.
Ghio said he disagreed with some of what Lynch said, including his objections to the $1.2 million engineer's fee and overall cost of the improvements. The loan and grant money, Ghio said, would in part be used to recoup the estimated $300,000 that has already been spent on the project. And Councilman Lee Seaton added that the city should be prepared for new growth when it does come to the city and should be in compliance with state regulations.
“Ultimately, this really is about the quality of life for people in the city,” Seaton said.
Lynch and Councilman Jack Boeding, who both voted no on the application, said they were concerned that no plan was in place to pay back the loan.
“Are we doing this to pass on the rate increase vote to other people … to the new council?” Lynch asked, referring to the fact that three seats on the council were up for grabs in the Nov. 4 election. “I would hope not.”
“We have sat here and talked about and talked about it and talked about how we are going to pay this back,” Ghio said. “We are now out of time.”
Ghio said he disagreed with some of what Lynch said, including his objections to the $1.2 million engineer's fee and overall cost of the improvements. The loan and grant money, Ghio said, would in part be used to recoup the estimated $300,000 that has already been spent on the project. And Councilman Lee Seaton added that the city should be prepared for new growth when it does come to the city and should be in compliance with state regulations.
“Ultimately, this really is about the quality of life for people in the city,” Seaton said.
Lynch and Councilman Jack Boeding, who both voted no on the application, said they were concerned that no plan was in place to pay back the loan.
“Are we doing this to pass on the rate increase vote to other people … to the new council?” Lynch asked, referring to the fact that three seats on the council were up for grabs in the Nov. 4 election. “I would hope not.”
“We have sat here and talked about and talked about it and talked about how we are going to pay this back,” Ghio said. “We are now out of time.”
The city is supposed to go out for bid on the project in March 2009, Ghio said, and financing to pay back the loan must be locked in by then. Construction is supposed to start in June.
The council voted 3-2 to approve the loan application, meaning it has committed itself to selling $3 million in bonds, accepting the $1 million grant and then paying back the $3 million. Boeding and Lynch voted no; Seaton and Councilman Paul Raggio voted yes. Mayor Bill Hutchinson cast the tie-breaking yes vote.
In other business:
S.E.I. transfer: Rick Downey, the owner of S.E.I. Solid Waste, appeared before the council as it approved the transfer of S.E.I.'s contract with the city for solid waste collection to Waste Connections Inc. Downey and his wife, Kelly, have sold the business, which they have owned for 15 years. Waste Connections is headquartered in Folsom and has operations in Amador County.
The council voted 3-2 to approve the loan application, meaning it has committed itself to selling $3 million in bonds, accepting the $1 million grant and then paying back the $3 million. Boeding and Lynch voted no; Seaton and Councilman Paul Raggio voted yes. Mayor Bill Hutchinson cast the tie-breaking yes vote.
In other business:
The transfer will not affect the ratepayers, Downey said, and Alpine County has approved its transfer and the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors will vote on the transfer at its Nov. 18 meeting.
Weed abatement: The council voted to add language to the city's municipal code that states the city may immediately abate weeds that pose a clear and imminent danger to “life, health, property or essential public services.” The summary abatement may only be acted upon with authorization by the city administrator or city attorney.
The summary abatement may also occur if the fire marshal, after issuing a 15-day notice to abate, finds that the weeds have not been cleared and are a danger. Fire Marshal Nathan Pry told the council that the standard practice will be to wait the 15 days as opposed to immediately clearing dangerous lots.
“The key is that there has to be clear and imminent danger for the summary abatement to take place,” said Richard Matranga, city attorney, adding, “There is some discretion, but it's better than burning down a neighborhood.”
“The key is that there has to be clear and imminent danger for the summary abatement to take place,” said Richard Matranga, city attorney, adding, “There is some discretion, but it's better than burning down a neighborhood.”
Contact Krissi Krob at kkrob@calaverasenterprise.com.
Comment (No comments posted.)
Comments are posted after review by the Web master. They represent the opinion of the commenting party. While we encourage them as a way to further community discussion of important public topics, we reserve the right to reject or edit them.
How do I find my comments later? Articles change daily on our Web site. Please make a note of the title of the article you have commented on. If you wish to read other people comments, once the article is taken down, do an archive search by title to locate the comments that apply to that story. We appreciate your comments and participation on our Web site.
Please refrain from attaching links that go to unrelated sites as these will not be posted.
In order to post comments you will also need to provide your full name and the city or town of your mailing address (such as "Murphys, CA.")in the boxes below.
We are requiring the same information for internet postings as letters to the editor in the Enterprise to ensure that each writer takes personal responsibility for what they say in this public forum.
The Calaveras Enterprise is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Calaveras Enterprise spokespersons.
| Comments are limited to 200 words or less. |
Click Here
15 N. Main Street, P.O. Box 1197, San Andreas, CA 95249