Amador County – The Ione City Council last week heard an update on pursuit of a new wastewater plant, and learned that its one bidder offered to build the project to fit the city’s needs.

City Manager Kim Kerr said the remaining bidder, PERC Water Corporation said it can refine the project size and build it in segments, so it does “not sit there for who knows how long.” She said segmenting would not impact customers.

Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said building for current capacity would allow development impact fees to go toward future expansion.

In public comment, Lloyd Oneto asked the “rate for the new system.” He also asked if council members had toured a new pond plant at Hilmar using some “pretty green” methods developed by Berkeley professors.

Bonham said they would need the project first before rates were known. She said a majority of the council voted three years ago to move away from pond treatment systems.

Oneto asked if that was “because of the look of the ponds or because of leaks,” and he suggested lining the ponds to stop leaks. Bonham said it was “lots of reasons,” including “proximity to the creek;” growth and expansion necessitating buying more property for ponds; and a lawsuit.

Vice Mayor David Plank agreed, saying for a pond, a new location would be needed, and future growth would call for a bigger pond and buying land. He noted that experts say lined ponds must be redone every 15 years.

Councilman Jim Ulm said: “I feel like we’re getting railroaded into a certain type of system,” and “it takes a lot of horsepower to run.” He liked a “simpler system.”

Councilman Lee Ard said “pond farms don’t allow you any flexibility.” He said the city is looking at a grant for solar power, which “could very well have power left to sell to PG&E.”

Ard said options will be presented at a public hearing, rates will be discussed, and it is his “goal to keep rates as they are.”

Ard said they were doing this because in 2003, Ione City Council and administration allowed developer agreements in which “people paid money in good faith for sewer hookups that were not there.” He said they need to build to meet those commitments.

Plank said bottom line, the city needs to get out from under a cease & desist order, and avoid potential fines in the millions of dollars that it cannot afford to pay.

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