Amador County – Ione City Council Tuesday heard its median income likely is too high for federal grants, but the city may qualify for a low-interest federal loan for its sewer project.
Proposed consultant, Winzler & Kelly’s Mary Grace Pawson said Ione could qualify for a low-interest USDA Rural Utility Service, given to cities with populations under 10,000, but the median income was likely too high for a USDA grant.
City Manager Jeff Butzlaff said median household income in Ione was about $67,000, and to qualify as disadvantaged, they need a median income of $46,000, so the “gap is pretty wide.”
Pawson said the city’s extensive Wastewater Master Plan could earn the city credit in its State Revolving Fund application work, and preparing dual documents for USDA and State grants would improve efficiency. The city also must “demonstrate that you have a rate structure that allows you to pay them back,” and both require a credit check.
Councilman Lloyd Oneto said “the most complex thing is trying to make something happen with no money.” He said: “You don’t need a consultant to tell you you’re broke.”
Councilman Daniel Epperson said: “To say that we are out of money is factually in error,” and the “wastewater fund shows money.” Butzlaff said the “balance in your operations fund” is $1.54 million.
Robertson-Bryant Incorporated’s Art O’Brien said his Seepage Plan for the city wastewater plant includes a tertiary plant, with a total cost of $5.7 million. He said a new income survey might show the city eligible for a USDA grant. The Plan has treatment capacity to meet current city needs and known development, to total 530,000 gallons a day capacity, smaller size than PERC’s plans.
Plank said “we have $1.5 million in the bank, and this is a $50,000 expenditure that keeps the state off our backs, and allows us to look at other, greener projects.”
Epperson asked if they deviate from the plan that has been submitted, will it be accepted by the Regional Board. O’Brien said the concept design gives the fist look at the design, for addressing the iron and manganese and groundwater degradation, and engineering will progress as the project size was determined.
Oneto said the Regional Board wants to know that you are doing something, and the “preliminary plan shows that we’re on track to do something.” O’Brien said the Regional Board needs to see the results of the field investigation, and plans based on those results.
Bonham asked when they would analyze different technologies. O’Brien said the Seepage Plan report lays out all of the elements with estimates, and what it takes to get through the project.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
