Memorandum – September 4, 2009

City of Willits

MEMORANDUM

Date:        September 4, 2009
To:        Honorable Mayor and City Council
From:        Paul Cayler, City Manager
Subject:    Administrative Progress Report

The following developments may be of interest to you and the community-at-large.    Please contact me at (707) 459-4601, if you have any questions.

KIDS CLUB GRANT

The City of Willits recently received a letter from Ms. Patti Keating of the California State Parks and Recreation Department Office of Grants and Local Services.  The letter stated that the “new liquidation date” for the Kids Club of Willits project is June 30, 2010.   This is very good news, because it means that the City will be completely reimbursed within the terms of State grant for the Kids Club construction.  The project was not completed by the grant’s original deadline date of June 30, 2009, due to the suspension of grant progress payments by the State of California.  The construction of Kids Club is now proceeding well.  It is anticipated that the building completion date will be October 1, 2009.

PERMITS FOR SEWER PLANT IMPROVEMENTS

The City received a letter from the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board that the Federal Clean Water Act Section 401 Permit application is complete.  On August 26, 2009, the required public notice for comment was posted.  The comment period is 21-days.   The 401 permit is for activities related to building the next two phases of the improved wastewater treatment plant.  Specifically, the 401 Permit addresses the construction of a series of enhanced wetlands, a new plant outfall structure, and pipeline and equipment creek crossings.

Last month, the City finalized the 1600 Permit with the California Department of Fish and Game.  The 1600 Permit is another water quality permit needed for the construction of the new wastewater treatment plant.  Specifically, the 1600 Permit addresses stream bed alterations needed in Outlet Creek.

Another water quality permit needed for the project is the 404 Permit issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.  As of the writing of this report, the 404 Permit application has been deemed complete.  The permit is undergoing what is known as Section 7 consultation with various resource agencies.  It is my hope that the final 404 Permit will be forthcoming soon.

WATER

As of September 1, 2009, the total water storage capacity in Morris and Centennial Reservoirs is 853 acre feet. Water storage is approximately 301 acre feet greater than last year at the same time.  The next important water capacity trigger point for declaring a potential Phase One Water Emergency is November 1st, wherein there must be greater than 500 acre feet in storage.

In regard to the water meter replacement project…   As of the writing of this report, approximately 150 water meters have been swapped out.

CITY MANAGER’S BROWN BAG LUNCH

The City Manager’s Brown Bag Lunch is on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at Noon in the City Council Chambers.  Just remember that the lunch is the same day as the regular City Council meeting.  Some times the lunch is moved into the City Hall Conference Room because the chambers is busy.  The twice per month Brown Bag Lunch was started six months ago.  It is a way for City employees to have an opportunity to communicate directly with the City Manager in an informal setting.  Employees bring their sack lunches from home and there is no set program or agenda at the lunch.  The next Brown Bag Lunches will be on September 9th, September 23rd and October 14th.