Amador County – Jackson City Council last week approved an application to the state for $8.3 million in wastewater plant grants, with three different sources available to the city, if it qualifies.
City Manager Mike Daly said the master application to the Regional Water Quality Control Board would put the city in contention for financing from three different programs, and as the city gets closer to project funding, the state can determine if the city qualifies. The grants are based on community demographics and the type of project. It would look at USDA funding for the city and funding through the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan.
Daly told the Council that the Environmental Impact Report for the city’s preferred wastewater project is nearing the point for him to review it, and it ought to be on the street by the end of the month. He said the pre-design is still ongoing, and is an important part for the financing. Some of the funding can go 40 years, which will help costs.
Councilman Keith Sweet asked about the specific number of $8.3 million, and if that was picked up from the projects the city looked at. He also wondered about reducing costs.
Daly said the monetary amount came from the preferred project for which the EIR is being prepared, and came from estimates prepared by consultant ECO:Logic, now doing business with the city as Stantec.
In public comment, Judy Jebian asked if the city does not have a project, you don’t know what the costs are, but she understood “getting in a cue and using a placeholder” for the funding. She asked if there was a “possibility a big the project like this is not necessary.”
Daly said they clearly want to try to reduce and minimize costs. He said Friday the EIR likely would be out in the first or second week in May to start a 45-day open comment period which would be reviewed and responded to. The EIR study covers primarily the preferred wastewater project, as selected last year by the Council. That plan is to spray-irrigate agricultural property just south of the wastewater treatment plant.
It is up to 300 acres, which would be irrigated during summer months, while in winter, treated effluent would still be discharged into Jackson Creek. The EIR looks at impact potential for sensitive plants and animals with the spraying, and also looks at the affect of not releasing treated effluent into Jackson Creek during the summer.
The property is owned by the Busi family and the city has been working with them with draft language on an agreement. A long-term lease is required by the Regional Board.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
