Amador County – The Ione City Council last week approved an emergency repair of a leak on Pond 6 caused by rodents.

The leak was found in October and temporarily fixed until a clay reinforcement layer was placed in the levee last week.

The contract was approved after the fact, for emergency work, after seepage was noticed pooling below the pond’s levee in mid-October. City Engineer John Wanger said the work was not done until last week, due to rains. He estimated the cost at $6,500, and contractor, Lewis C. Yager was finishing up Tuesday by putting a layer of gravel over a 100-foot length of the top of the levee.

Wanger said burrowing rodents caused the leak, and the city also took steps to remove the rodents. The holes were patched immediately, and Yager, who was familiar with the system, and installed the levee on Pond 7, was brought in and quickly produced a cost estimate based on information staff provided.

Wanger said the council needed to approve a resolution that must pass by at lease a four-fifths vote to satisfy the emergency exemption form competitive bidding in the Public Contract Code.”

Wanger said “staff felt that this was an emergency situation” and followed the law, and then brought it back for the council’s “ratification.” Wanger said if it was not approved by the council, he would have to discuss the matter with the city attorney. It passed on a 5-0 vote.

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