Amador County – The Plymouth City Council last Thursday amended a contract with Amador County that could allow potential income from selling Arroyo Ditch water. City Manager Dixon Flynn in a report said the city negotiated a “water transfer agreement” for several weeks with Amador County, to amendment a 1987 contract. The city this year with Shenandoah Water Company successfully got water flowing down the Arroyo Ditch. With completion of the Amador Water Agency pipeline to Plymouth, Flynn said the city is “exploring other ways to continue the beneficial use of the Arroyo Ditch and its water rights.” He said one option “is limited-term transfers of the water.” He said “if this turns out to be a viable option, it could potentially generate a revenue stream” for city’s water infrastructure and reduce debt service on the new pipeline. Amador County Supervisors approved the amendment last Tuesday. The pipeline’s construction is complete and functional but is not yet activated. Flynn said “full service from the pipeline cannot start until the city’s state drinking water permit is amended.” City staff plans to start full pipeline service January 1st, subject to issuance of the amended permit. One hurdle will be replacing a faulty water main valve near the city water storage tank, in a project set for overnight, November 23rd. Also last week, the City Council awarded a $253,000 remodel of Lodge Hill’s lower floor to create a public meeting space. Low bidder was Rancho Cordova-based Kaler-Dobler Construction, which underbid City Engineer Roark Weber’s estimate of $41,000. The council also authorized 2 extra jobs – foundation & plumbing, and a new roof – to be done if costs come in below the estimate. The project includes foundation; leveling; renovation of ceilings, floors, and walls; a new kitchen and restroom; and a 786-square-foot deck. Earlier Thursday, the Lodge hill project received funding in the amount of $95,000 from the Amador County Recreation Agency board of directors. The board allocated Proposition 40 recreation grants, which Councilwoman Patricia Fordyce said were coming to an end and needed to be committed. The Lodge Hill project received a $250,000 historic preservation grant, and Fordyce said about $20,000 of that had gone toward engineering and planning. She said excess funds could be put toward remodeling the upper floor of Lodge Hill. Fordyce said it will “be nice to have a place where people could meet.” The building will be used by ACRA for recreation programs in Plymouth. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.