416 N Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Phone: (707) 961-2823
Fax: (707) 961-2802
City of Fort Bragg
Meeting Minutes
Public Works and Facilities Committee
Thursday, October 13, 2022 3:00 PM Via Video Conference
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 3:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Both committee members Lindy Peters and Tess Albin-Smith present as well as Director John Smith, Chantell O'Neal and acting committee clerk Diana Sanchez present.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
Acting committee clerk Diana Sanchez read the "Please Take Notice".
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1A. 22-416 Approve Minutes of August 11, 2022
This item approved by committee as presented.
1B. 22-523 Approve Minutes of September 8, 2022
This item approved by committee as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
3. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
22-524 Public Works Director Oral Report on Departmental Activities and Item of Interest
Public Works Director John Smith provided updates on the following items:
- Current water situation; river flows, desalination plant operating, and water systems distribution assessment.
- Raw Water Line Project; funding, permitting status and potential for project construction in December.
- New Water Reservoir; purchase of property on the next city council agenda. Property assessment to take place soon after, solar installation, and talks with CalFire in the works. - Oneka Pilot Project; desalination of ocean water, monitoring, working with Oneka regarding set up and impacts.
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Public Works and Facilities October 13, 2022
Committee
Meeting Minutes
- Water Treatment Plant Rehab Project; Funding application was completed and submitted.
Costs of project has significantly increased as expected. - Water Meter Replacement Project; timeline is undetermined, contractor has been extending dates due to meter order delivery delays.
- Pudding Creek Water Main Relocation; will be built resilient to withstand earthquakes and also have proper pressure for fire fighting measures.
- Wiggly Giggly Park; funding for playground equipment purchase secured, Chantell O'Neal looking into playground equipment and install options.
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at PD; Chantell O'Neal overseeing research for equipment and software prices.
- Fire Station Rehab Project; Council approved design contract recently. Focusing on seismic retrofitting. Element resilient solar panels on roof are being strongly considered. - Bainbridge Soccer Fields Project; two separate attempts for bids failed. Looking into alternative creative request for bids.
- 2023 Streets Rehab Project; currently in design. Spreading out projects; Speed Radar Signs within school zones contract recently awarded and to commence soon. - CV Starr Center Projects; several active small projects taking place and larger projects are in discussion.
-Pickle Ball Courts; discussion to take place during October 24, 2022 city council meeting.
Looking into options, School District to weigh in.
Committee member Albin-Smith asked if the water meter replacement project will reduce water bill. Director Smith responded the opposite is expected as the existing 15 year old meters have lost their accuracy reading potential. Once replaced, the new modern technology will read properly and accurately. Increase in water usage should be expected due to accurate reads and charging. The City has been losing a lot of water and revenue due to inaccurate meter reads.
Committee member Albin-Smith requested an explanation on where is the water bill revenue being used towards. Director Smith responded; internal water revenue is used to fund our water projects beginning with professional services/design costs for water projects and Capital Improvement Projects which are over 100 million dollars. Also to cover partially grant funded project costs and engineering reports and administrative grant writing costs for projects.
Committee Chair Lindy Peters added; Water Enterprise Fund revenues are specifically allocated and can only be used to cover water expenses and water projects; water service fees are subject to legal pricing that is subject to auditing. Director Smith added, water revenue is also used for staff, treatment and maintenance costs.
No public comments regarding items of discussion were made.
4. MATTERS FROM COMMITTEE / STAFF
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Public Works and Facilities October 13, 2022
Committee
Meeting Minutes
Chair Peters shared a few public comments regarding; 1383 Compliance, S. Franklin Street conditions and considering a secondary access street to the north side of the Harbor.
Director Smith provided updates on the referenced questions; we are in compliance, S. Franklin Street is on the next Streets Rehab Project list. Regarding Harbor additional access and exit; Caltrans is working on this as this is also considered a hazard zone due to its low level location, sea level rising and tsunami danger zone. MCOG also is aware and has commented on this location and locations safety.
Chair Peters commented new city council should prioritize these important projects sooner rather than after any disaster should occur. Director Smith agreed.
Committee Albin-Smith also agreed and shared what was discussed is on MCOG's priority list and would like to see Cypress Street accessible to the Harbor as well as an alternative access point. Would support funding for this project. Other agencies should participate.
Chair Peters asked Director Smith to continue to seek help for Soccer Fields Project and offered his support.
Committee members will be meeting regarding the Tree Advisory Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 3:28 pm.
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