Ross Valley Sanitary District secures $2.5M grant for CoDigester upgrade

The Ross Valley Sanitary District held a meeting on March 19, 2025, where several key topics were discussed, focusing on infrastructure improvements, financial management, and community engagement initiatives.

The meeting began with an update from the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manager regarding the purchase of three new pumps for Pump Station 14. Each pump costs approximately $33,000, with maintenance required every three years at a cost between $15,000 and $19,000. The O&M Manager emphasized the favorable pricing for these pumps, highlighting the importance of maintaining efficient operations.

Next, the Finance Director presented a proposal for a new accounting technician position, which is expected to save the district over $20,000 annually. This position will allow for the hiring of a more junior accountant, thereby enhancing the financial management capabilities of the district.

The meeting also featured representatives from Zune Engineering, who will serve as construction managers for the upcoming gravity sewer project scheduled for 2024-2025. The board discussed the closeout of the 2023-2024 project, detailing the extensive work required to finalize costs associated with the project.

In addition to infrastructure discussions, the board reviewed ideas from the Interpretive Sign Committee. Suggestions included the installation of interpretive signs to educate the public about the district's operations and the significance of Pump Station 14. The committee also explored the possibility of adding a bike workstation and a water station for cyclists and dog walkers, potentially in collaboration with county parks and recreation.

The meeting concluded with an update on a grant received from the state for the Co-Digester project, amounting to $2.5 million. The district successfully certified that the work was completed, which was part of a larger $3 million project.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving infrastructure, managing finances effectively, and engaging with the community through educational initiatives. The board plans to follow up on the discussed projects and collaborations in future meetings.