Plymouth – Plymouth last week heard that it was getting a $2.25 million boost in is city wastewater system, which will nearly cover the update of the city’s ailing sewer system. Plymouth City Council heard a report from consultant Richard Prima that the city will have to pay for nearly $200,000 of the work that would not be covered by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funding. That unfunded work included sludge removal maintenance, and would not be covered by the federal stimulus funding because the work is considered ongoing and necessary maintenance. The California Revolving Loan Fund program will disperse the funds, and Prima said in September that the state found that Plymouth is eligible for a “principal forgiveness” loan – a grant – due to low household income. On Thursday, the council also tentatively hired a community development director, and agreed to a short-term contract with Berry Siebe, on the recommendation of City Manager Dixon Flynn. They signed a $5,000 contract with Siebe to start work immediately (October 13, that is tomorrow), and the short contract would get them through the end of the month. At the next meeting, October 22nd, Flynn will bring back an employment contract, with a job description and a salary range. Finance Manager Jeff Gardner, a member of one of the 3 city teams that interviewed applicants for the community development director job, said Siebe was former military and “task oriented.” Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin liked his grant writing skills. Siebe told the council Thursday that he had won more than $1 million in grants, during his planning work for the city of Hughson. He said he learned to be a planning manager with “on the job training,” while building the Hughson planning department. He offered to be a staff member at the city administration for $50 an hour, and work 3 days a week. Gardner said he would work for half of what they paid the past community development director, and 3 times more days. Councilwoman Pat Shackleton said she remembered former City Manager Hilary Straus always saying that Plymouth would save money by having a staff development director. Before hiring Siebe, the council finalized termination of services with Development Impact Incorporated,” and planner Paula Daneluk. The company had completed the city’s General Plan Update, which was approved in August. The termination included a $31,000 payment to the Development Impact, which would give the city original documents from its work for Plymouth. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.