STAFF REPORT
TO: TOM DUBOIS, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: MAY 19, 2025
FROM: DAN LAFONTAINE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR APRIL 2025
Objective: The objective of this staff report is to provide a monthly status update regarding activities within the Public Works Department.
Executive Summary: April was a very busy month of construction for the new park entrance and lots of WWTP planning. We also made significant headway on the Henderson Underdrain project and the I/I reduction projects. We received bids for both projects and they both should be completed by the end of the year.
Now that the rains have stopped, we have got to work repairing all the potholes that formed form the rain and winter season. We have patched about 20-30 holes around town, but they keep popping up all over. If you see one, please contact us so that we can fix them as soon as possible.
We received some disturbing news at the end of April concerning the disposal of the ARSA wastewater effluent to the Ione Golf course. The water board has decided that without a complete Title 22 report, no treated wastewater can be discharged to the golf course. Ione is working with the waterboard to finish up the Title 22 report but at the present time no report has been submitted.
Without being able to dispose of ARSA water on the golf course we will be unable to empty our reservoirs this year (which currently hold around 260-acre feet) thus jeopardizing the Henderson underdrain project. Without empty reservoirs (Henderson) the upcoming underdrain project will be forced to postpone. The City has engaged the Division of Dam Safety to discuss this issue with the waterboard, and we are currently waiting for a response.
We searched high and low and found a new(ish) truck to add to the fleet. The truck is a 2022 Dodge Ram Diesel 4x4 3500 with less than 17,000 miles for $53,250 (similar trucks were well over 70K). We believe this is a great addition to our fleet. 181
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Upcoming: Public works will be working with Sorraco to implement our I/I reduction projects throughout the summer. We will work on getting plans and specifications together for the Bryson bathroom and hope to have that installed by the end of Summer if not sooner. The new bathroom will be handicap accessible and include the installation of a drinking fountain. We hope to have our RFQ published next month (after council approval).
Detailed Summary: Below is a detailed summary and/or status of the main PW responsibilities; Collection System, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Effluent Disposal, Streets and City Right of Way, Parks and Buildings, and Service Callouts.
Collection System Status:
CIP work
RH Borden presented the results of the collection system flow meters from the sewer manholes in March. Generally, the results show that infiltration is occurring in four of the basins located downtown in varying degrees. The assessment also found some manholes that have signs of degradation (not properly sealed from groundwater). Staff is putting together a targeted list of items to investigate/repair further.
The bid opening for the “Miscellaneous Sewer main Replacement Projects” occurred on April 22, 2025 and five bids were received. The lowest qualified bid was submitted by Sorraco Inc. with a bid of $658,918. The resolution to accept the lowest qualified bid is on the council packet for May 19, 2025. The total cost of the project with engineering support and construction oversight and a contingency of 8% is estimated at $746,631. Once a contract has been signed work will begin on the collection system work.
On April 11, 2025 the City received notice that a sewer pipe was filling up at the cleanout. Public works went to investigate and determined that the combined lateral was combined. Crews worked late into the night to clear the blockage. No sewer spill occurred and Public works has identified that the line was blocked approximately 250 feet from the cleanout. The main is too long of a run without a manhole or cleanout. The installation of a manhole or cleanout (pending on the location of the sewer main) will be added to the CIP once the pipe condition can be assessed.
SSMP Activity
Calls for service.
4/4/2025; 45 Opal Ct. plugged City Main.
4/11/2025; Eureka St. plugged combined lateral (City Main). 4/18/2025; Eureka St. plugged combined lateral (City Main).
Sewer System Cleaning and Maintenance.
For April 2025, there was 600 feet of sewer line cleaned. The total amount cleaned for the calendar year 2025 is 1,796 ft. The total cleaned for the calendar year 2024 is 19,207 feet.
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Wastewater Treatment Plant Status:
The WWTP met all the effluent quality discharge requirements for the month of April 2025.
Table 1. Monthly Status of required reporting constituents.
Constituent Monthly Results Monthly Limits
Monthly Influent Flow 11.653 MG 0.388 MGD daily avg 0.48 mgd1 Effluent BOD, mg/L 18 mg/L 30 mg/l
Effluent Settleable Matter, mL/L < 0.1 ml/L 0.5 ml/l
Effluent TSS, mg/L 17 mg/L 30 mg/l
Total Coliform, MPN < 1.8 MPN 23 MPN
Sludge Wasted 19,002 gallons
Rain 0.00 in. 24.15 in. YTD –27.52” Last YTD
1 The 0.48 MGD is daily dry weather flow (May through October).
Plant Compliance Issues: The monthly March 2025 report was electronically submitted to the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Operational Strategy Modifications:
The rag bin was hauled on April 28, 2025.
We continued normal sludge wasting in January with 19K gallons dewatered. Roto strainer #3 is currently being installed. New couplers had to be ordered and were received in February. Operators are currently piecing all parts of the roto strainers back into service.
The Aerator has broken and was pulled this month to investigate. Field fixes have turned out to be unsuccessful and the unit will be returned to the manufacturer to determine the root cause of the issue.
The second Chlorine tank has been installed in the chlorine building. Piping will be completed in the next month. The new chlorine pump was installed but upon beginning operation the new pump got very hot. The City has reached out to the manufacturer’s representative to determine what the issue is. We continue to meet with firms to discuss the new WWTP. On April 22, 2025, the City met with the Region 5 Water board to discuss the upcoming WWTP replacement project. Disposal options were discussed creek discharge, land application and a combination of each at different seasons. The water board suggested that the first step to determine if temperature and dilution credits would be stipulated by the Board for the City monitor Sutter Creek (temperature and flow present or dry) to determine background levels. The City is currently evaluating location and method to collect temperature data from Sutter Creek. The City is obtaining bids to perform a preliminary geotechnical investigation to determine what land around the treatment plant is viable for construction. Looking at FEMA maps, portions of the existing WWTP may be in the flood plain and the maps are currently being investigated. HydroSciences is looking into setting up a meeting to discuss.
On the last week of April three of the wastewater operators went to the CRWA conference to listen to educational sessions and receive refresher training. 183
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Effluent Disposal
Bowers and Hoskins irrigation were discontinued for the season on October 31, 2024. Ione has received approximately 250 acre-ft from the ARSA pipeline for the 2024 disposal season.
All parties associated with ARSA are still waiting for comments from the water board on the revisions to the individual water balances before commencing with the joint water balance.
On April 22, 2025, the City met with the Regional water board to discuss planning of the new WWTP. This meeting was to begin to inform the water board of our intent to dissolve ARSA and discontinue use of the pipeline once proper permitting was established.
The RFP was sent out in March, and five (5) qualified bids were received and opened on April 11, 2025. Bid results were presented to the ARSA board on April 17, 2025.
Campbell construction was the low bidder with a cost of $491,000. ARSA engineers are currently working with Campbell construction to get a contract in place. The replacement flow meter gaskets for the Bowers irrigation have arrived and the team is ready to install the meter in May 2025.
Ongoing maintenance of the cattle water troughs along the pipeline. Irrigation sprinklers and valves are being repaired constantly.
Weed and rodent abatement at the three reservoirs.
Send weekly updates to the Regional Board on reservoir levels and volumes. Daily flow checks and level readings.
Streets and City Right of Way.
On April 30, 2025, Public works received a call to fix potholes on Church Street between Main St. and the county line. See pictures of some of the filled potholes on Church street below:
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Section 13, Item G.
The sidewalk on main street had a large patch of concrete come out that needed to be replaced. See pictures below:
Parks and Buildings
The Minnie Provis park entrance upgrade was completed one week prior to the Duck Race. We hope that everyone was able to enjoy the new park entrance with improved access for all users of the park. The improvements also included a new drinking fountain (with bottle filling station and dog bowl) and two new benches to add to the seating availability around the park. The public works team is very proud of all the work that has been accomplished to bring this project together in a short amount of time. Special thanks to Campbell construction for their crew and manpower along with and all the public works employees for coming together to get this project completed.
See pictures of the completed entrance below:
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Section 13, Item G.
On April 23, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved the transfer of $112,500 funds from the Old Nexus fund to the City for a Bathroom expansion (ADA compliant) at Bryson park. WGA is working on putting together plans for the new bathroom. In our effort to continue to make Sutter Creek Fire resistant, public works employees sprayed the Cemetery, various roadsides and continue to clear the Eureka Mine head site.
Service Requests
Responded to two service requests in April.
Two were for street issues.
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Section 13, Item G.
TO: TOM DUBOIS, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: May 19, 2025
FROM: ERIN VENTURA, CONTRACT PLANNER
SUBJECT PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR APRIL 2025
Executive Summary
The Following items were reviewed at the April 14, 2025 Planning Commission meeting:
90 Boston Alley- Short Term Rental – Approved STR #19 110 Gopher Flat Road- Short Term Rental- Continued
551 Hwy 49- Site Plan for a shed – Approved
The Following items were reviewed at the April 14, 2025 Design Review Committee meeting:
250 Hanford – Shed
40 Gold Dust Trail – Extensive remodel- Continued to allow the applicant time to do research on the historical significance of the structure.
Detailed Summary
Applicant Projects:
Gold Rush Ranch Phase 1A – 150-Lot Subdivision: Staff sent an incomplete letter to the applicant. Also the City has been working with ACTC on proposed conditions of approval from the Specific Plan.
Staff is still working with them to deem their application complete. Panner Creek Estates: Incomplete letter sent to applicant. Badger- Tentative Map application for a lot split, creating two lots.
Commission and Committee Work:
Additional Projects:
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Section 13, Item H.
Impact Fee Study: The City is revising its LEAP Grant application to secure additional funding. A consultant is updating the Nexus Study.
Zoning Code Cleanup: The City is utilizing remaining LEAP funds to clarify and update the zoning code. This project is currently in progress. Staff is working on revising the ADU ordinance incompliance with State Law. 188
Section 13, Item H.
18 Main St., Sutter Creek, CA 95685 • Telephone: (209)267-5647 • Fax: (209)267-1655 • TTY: 711 The City of Sutter Creek is an equal opportunity service provider and employer ______________________________________________________________________________
STAFF REPORT
TO: TOM DUBOIS, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: MAY 19, 2025
FROM: AARON WOLCOTT, CITY CLERK
SUBJECT: CITY CLERK REPORT – APRIL 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
Information only.
BACKGROUND:
April was the first full month of employment as City Clerk. The below items represent the key functions of the role and activities completed in the month of April.
DISCUSSION:
City Clerk:
o Agendas and minutes created for 2 City Council Meetings, 1 Planning Commission, and 1 Design Review Committee. ARSA meeting was cancelled in April o 4 Public Record Requests
o 4 City Council Resolutions, 2 Planning Commission Resolutions o Permits: 1 CUP, 1 Site Plan, 2 Design Clearance, 8 Event Permits, 2 Encroachment Permits o Review of record retention system and process.
Risk Management
o Working with the City Attorney on one historical liability claim. Human Resources
o Salary Comparison Study
o Preparation for AB 2561 Public Hearing
o Onboarding for benefits management.
Marketing
o Began work with new marketing company
o 26 Social Media Posts on Facebook and Instagram
Highest engagement on Duck Race posts, Days of 49 Wagon Train video, and post about new Weed Abatement Ordinance.
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Section 13, Item I.
1 Staff Report
To: Tom DuBois, City Manager
Meeting Date: May 19, 2025
From: Matt Ospital, PE City Engineer
Subject: Project Status Update
Type: Project Status Memo
Tom, the following is a status update of all projects WGA is currently working on:
1. Building Inspections/Plan Check – Continuing building inspections on Tuesdays and Thursdays or as needed. Building plan check is being performed on a continual basis as plans are submitted. For April 2025:
4 Plan checks were completed
29 Inspections were completed
2. Encroachment Permit Review – Encroachment permits are reviewed as needed when requested by the City’s Account Clerk, Holly Boehme. For April 2025:
4 Permit reviews were completed
0 Inspections were completed
3. Code Enforcement
A. 30 Ridge Road – Owner has retained an attorney that filed a 30 day eviction notice to tenant that is responsible for all of the personnel belongings in the public view. 30 days were up on 5/8/2025. 3-day notice will be issued on tenant 5/12/2025.
B. 300 Hanford Street –Mr. Navarro stopped by WGA office and dropped off Site Plan Application. This was sent to the planner and planner requested additional information. Mr.
Navarro will be working on providing additional information. 190
Section 13, Item J.
2 C. Eureka Mine Site – Planner and/or city manager would need to provide update on this. No action by code enforcement at this time.
D. Vehicles – No current vehicles in code enforcement. Previous vehicles have been forward to Police Department from City Manager.
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Section 13, Item J.