Amador County – The Amador Regional Sanitation Authority board of directors this week will consider hiring a long-term wastewater planning engineer, from a firm that currently works for the city of Sutter Creek.

ARSA’s board meets 10 a.m. Wednesday in Sutter Creek, and the agenda includes a status update on Henderson Dam, and issues related to the Division of Safety of Dams. The board will also discuss authorization for “wastewater facility planning services” under a current city contract with Weber, Ghio & Associates (WGA).

City Manager and ARSA Manager Sean Rabe in a report for this week’s meeting recommended the ARSA board authorize him to hire Gary Ghio of WGA for “wastewater disposal planning services.” Rabe said “issues that are critical to the long-term survival of ARSA” have arisen with the Division of Safety of Dams, and the city of Ione. He said the “issues include long-term planning for the system that current staff cannot perform, having another voice to represent ARSA before DSOD, and seeking out potential funding sources for capital improvements.”

Rabe said “Gary Ghio serves as district engineer for a number of utility districts and has significant experience in obtaining funding sources.” He said “because the city is contracted for management services with ARSA, Ghio can be retained under the current city contract with WGA.”

He recommended “an initial not-to-exceed authorization of $5,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year, with evaluation at the beginning of next fiscal year of the engineering budget.” He recommended the contingency fund pay for the contract.

The ARSA board at its March 23rd meeting selected Sutter Creek Councilman Jim Swift as its chairman, and Supervisor Richard Forster as vice chairman. Other board members are Councilman John Swift of Amador City, Supervisor Louis Boitano and Sutter Creek City Mayor Tim Murphy.

A “water balance” report for the ARSA wastewater storage ending in March listed monthly rainfall since October of 2010 totaled 30.8 inches, including 8 inches of rain in March, 5.2 inches in February, and 6 inches last December.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.