Item #07
Date: January 20, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jason Zumalt, Public Works Manager
Jeramy Chapdelaine, Public Works Director
Prepared by Dan Bergmann, IGService
Subject: Purchase and installation of Channel Grinder for Wastewater Transfer Station Recommendation:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Franklin Miller Inc. for the purchase and installation of a wastewater bypass channel grinder, for an amount not-to-exceed $71,000.00 and authorizing related administrative actions.
Purchase to be funded by wastewater enterprise project funds.
Background:
All of the city’s wastewater is screened to remove foreign debris such as cloth diapers, towels, and wipes. This is done before the wastewater enters the city’s transfer pumps that move the wastewater to Linda County Water District for treatment. At the October 21, 2025, city council meeting, approval was given to purchase a new bar screen, solids press and control panel. The existing equipment has been operating for over 10 years and must be replaced. There has been no backup to the existing bar screen. Backup screening must be in place before the primary screen can be replaced.
Discussion & Analysis:
In order to remove and replace the existing bar screen, some form of backup screening must be in place to continue to protect the city’s transfer pumps. In providing a backup during the replacement operation, this is an opportunity also to install a permanent backup in the existing bypass channel at the transfer station. Three different screening solutions have been evaluated for the bypass channel by IGService, as follows.
1. A Second Huber Bar Screen. A second bar screen would both protect the pumps and remove large debris from the effluent stream. This would do the best job; however, this approach is the most expensive at an estimated cost approaching $500,000. The moving bar screen itself is over $400,000, plus the expense of an additional screw press, plus the uncertainty of fitting the additional bar screen into the narrower, 24-inch, bypass channel.
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2. Rotopump’s Channel Grinder. Rotopump manufactures a channel grinder available to the city that would be placed in the bypass channel permanently. (Grinders reduce but do remove larger debris.) The installed cost for the Rotopump is estimated as follows Grinder Purchase $40,500
Shipping $500
Frame design (by city) $3,000
Frame construction (by city) $15,000
Project management $2,500
Installation $5,000
Start-up Services $1,500
Total $68,000
Though Rotopump’s grinder appears less expensive than Franklin Miller’s (below), Rotopump is not able to provide the mounting frame, which the city must fabricate on its own. This burden on the city introduces additional costs, involvement, and uncertainty, to achieve proper installation.
3. Recommended: Franklin Miller’s Channel Grinder.
This is the recommended option because Franklin Miller’s grinder comes with a mounting frame, which greatly simplifies installation. The frame is designed as a cradle, such that the grinder can be easily lifted out for maintenance. The grinding teeth are replaceable for easier upkeep of the grinder. A similar Franklin Miller unit has been in operation for over 12 years at the City of Brisbane, California. Through a conversation by Dan Bergmann of IGService, the operator at Brisbane reports outstanding performance. Finally, representation of the Franklin equipment is directly from the manufacturer, rather than through a third-party, and the Franklin representatives are demonstrating an interest in the success of the installation. Technically, this option may not be the lowest cost, but it is the lowest risk, which is important because the staff of public works is already stretched. This approach is the easiest to pursue. The installed cost for the Franklin option is estimated as follows.
Grinder Purchase $65,000
Shipping Incl.
Frame design Incl.
Frame construction Incl.
Project management $1,000
Installation $5,000
Start-up service Incl.
Total $71,000
Environmental Impact:
Installation and operation of the proposed wastewater bypass channel grinder is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), as the project involves the replacement and minor alteration of existing public utility infrastructure with no expansion of capacity or change in use.
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The grinder will be installed within the existing wastewater transfer station bypass channel and will not result in ground disturbance outside previously developed areas. No new discharges, emissions, or wastewater flows will be created as a result of the project.
In fact, the project will provide a positive environmental benefit by improving removal and size reduction of debris in the wastewater stream, thereby reducing the risk of pump blockages, emergency bypass events, or unintended wastewater releases.
Accordingly, staff finds that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and qualifies for CEQA exemption.
Legal Review:
The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved as to form.
Alignment with City Council Goal(s):
Approval of this action aligns with City Council Goal #3: Improve Infrastructure.
Fiscal Analysis:
The cost of this project will be funded from the sewer project fund, which is from the Series 2021 Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds. There will be no impact of the operating budget for the Wastewater Fund.
Attachment(s):
1) Resolution 2026 -XX
2) January 8, 2026, quotation from Franklin Miller for Model DM-T15 Dimminutor Open Channel Comminutor in the amount of $64,775.00