What you need to know
City officials originally approved a lease agreement with the SMCMUD in 2009 during the construction of the plant, granting the district 1.5 acres of land for construction. In the new request, the district is seeking an additional 0.6 acres of land to construct two new water tanks as well as additional equipment to support the new tanks.
“The area that we're requesting the lease expanded to would be our ultimate wish list for the project site for this plant,” said Amber Hurd, vice president and municipal department manager for engineering firm Cobb, Fendley & Associates.
The details
Hurd said the expansion of the water plant was part of the SMCMUD’s capital improvement plan, and the proposal will include the construction of:
- Two new ground storage tanks
- One new groundwater water well
- Two new hydraulic profiling tools
Hurd said the district would like to begin construction on the project in 18 to 24 months, pending approval of a new lease agreement.
Quotes of note
- “The district has grown a lot more than what they anticipated,” council member Rick Moffatt said. “My only concern ... was just the residents that back up to this [water plant].”
- “The community outreach and the communication that is high on our radar, ... so that will be a consideration as we move forward in planning,” said Kim Wright, general manager for the SMCMUD.
The city’s legal counsel will begin drafting an update to the city’s lease agreement with the SMCMUD to bring back before City Council at a future meeting.
The project is being funded by the SMCMUD, and final project plans will be established once the lease agreement is approved.
