[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6573397,"mediaKeyId","3049872-289d6153b958af1c9a6b5b886e23167c","parentId",3049872,"title","Residents raise drainage, hotel blight and chickens in Colfax public comment","audioSeconds",228,"startMs",1175000,"endMs",1403000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049872-289d6153b958af1c9a6b5b886e23167c&start=1175&end=1403","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049872-289d6153b958af1c9a6b5b886e23167c/thumbnail_1175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6573397/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Residents-raise-drainage-hotel-blight-and-chickens-in-Colfax-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573397-a1de859c0794f3cb902a9a76dbe30bce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207556&Signature=J4-~ZgCNBXaAbx4~7ZNQF7Bjo~IXu9x1IUR3IYV55pc31UUWTlgSMtqNjyoEC94ebKPvR7KRSw3G2M7KWzCjl5hNVEuADFq6fSzSzuQ81~5TrwXKNC2VUxpXxjtyxmsjkYV0X5ZCYglwqZo25g~aFqtpkgVuZ9t2kBd1KOYfDdWZzpcFqRYwCATLFoLKGrxWY2nIW14hwKn6setvorwOwtgOly17Z6TM~s4N~k0uQC~qKSq72OyQSjx9Z9M9AT~WJWvBEx22Swxnr7F~RDivTtgoYxUYXtxiN3Y0RvNG12fUFcAf2hC-4XJzRJqxttu6YS4l0kWKPzMTbhk6GVOBzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-18T10:01:13.183Z","article","Multiple residents used the public comment period at the Feb. 12 Colfax City Council meeting to raise neighborhood maintenance and quality-of-life issues including stormwater drainage, porta-potty placement when the freeway closes, deteriorating hotel property, loose chickens, and a tree limb over a recycling bin.

A resident who declined to give a full name reported persistent water crossing Culver Street after a resurfacing job and asked whether city engineers had a solution. \"They didn't put in drainage. They didn't put in ditches, and that is just gonna tear that road all to pieces in no time,\" the resident said. The speaker asked the council to investigate and fix the drainage.

The same speaker also urged the council to press Caltrans for porta-potties near Colfax when the freeway closes, saying Caltrans previously placed portable toilets along the corridor and should provide similar services for closures that funnel traffic into Colfax.

Another resident raised concerns about a long-neglected hotel property and asked whether the city could compel the owner to act or sell. The resident suggested unpaid sewer fees might be a lever to prompt action.

A separate commenter asked for enforcement of the city's chicken ordinance, saying current enforcement is weak.

A resident identified as Renee asked the council to remove a hazardous tree limb over the road near a recycling bin. City staff responded about a new compost area at the recycling site, clarifying it will house premade compost material for a free giveaway in spring, not a community composting pile that would attract rodents.

Staff response

City staff said they would inspect the Culver Street drainage issue and review options. On the compost site, a staff member explained the installation will support a planned compost giveaway and not be an open community pile. The council did not take formal action during the meeting on any of the public-comment items but acknowledged the topics for follow-up by staff.

Why this matters

The items raised affect neighborhood infrastructure, downtown appearance and code enforcement. Several speakers requested specific follow-up actions from staff and the council.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 12, 2025 Regular meeting of the Colfax City Council","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment, residents urged the council to address drainage on Culver Street, request Caltrans provide porta-potties when the highway closes, press hotel owners about property maintenance, and enforce the city's chicken ordinance; staff answered questions about a community compost site.","taxTitle","Colfax, Placer County, California","taxId",79889,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6573402,"Colfax council discusses Brown Act limits after downtown association meeting; staff to recommend public workshop option",324,775000,1099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049872-289d6153b958af1c9a6b5b886e23167c&start=775&end=1099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049872-289d6153b958af1c9a6b5b886e23167c/thumbnail_775000.jpg","/articles/6573402/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Colfax-council-discusses-Brown-Act-limits-after-downtown-association-meeting-staff-to-recommend-public-workshop-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573402-7b382e309fa3c35977206085cf14cc78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207556&Signature=h~sAq7cal2NLfDiEwfersGlOZ7q1~RLzGn-ZZdAhvZ1J6l1Hn9vg8geAFV1n4TaN1LVn6ijk2WqwjI2QjzbUFnVNuUITgO14kWAUPfUMbF8HX-dLwda7QjNyIomJBnx-ffEnSmB1vaVmOnOEQtat8JyP~FjRU16Fg0cC1M0qG-Yoho0NCJoQRZyA1ckN3ToFtFt6xlphzwG-7qjd4HGDbwUaW9WtbwOjHvZtvF4TgWFMpAv5i58jdSeFBm8N3wwQSeyrR0HNRMb-Ct0eWNWAgdYaPHwQ~jnsTl4s3E9Jms-k2B6P9W4oXavSOleSgAAcgmbBgt9HR2FMt~X-S0HVsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Erin Newington, representing the Historic Colfax Downtown Association, briefed the council on a January community meeting that drew nonprofit leaders, business owners, residents and building owners to discuss events and downtown improvements.

Newington said the group favored smaller \"micro events\" over large street closures and that organizers planned another meeting later in the month to continue planning. \"We had a pretty mixed room of nonprofit organizations, business owners, residents, and building owners,\" Newington said. \"There was definitely a positive spirit in the room.\"

Council members raised concerns about Brown Act limitations that can restrict council members' simultaneous participation in community group meetings. One council member asked whether the city could publicly notice such gatherings as a council workshop or otherwise allow more than two council members to attend while preserving Brown Act compliance.

City Manager Connor and the city attorney said they would research the options and provide a memo explaining procedures. Connor told council he could prepare recommended procedures for publicly noticing workshops that would permit more open discussion without formal action. \"I can provide you a memo and recommend some procedures for how you can participate,\" he said.

Why this matters

Council participation in downtown association planning can affect coordination on events, street use and business support. Brown Act rules limit serial communications among a majority of council members, and the city attorney's guidance will determine whether workshops or other noticed events can be used to facilitate broader participation.

Next steps

Staff will prepare a memo outlining Brown Act constraints and recommended procedures, including the possibility of publicly noticing a council workshop for brainstorming and non-decisional discussion. The downtown association plans at least one further meeting to continue event planning.

","Historic Colfax Downtown Association reported turnout for a January community meeting. Council members asked city staff to research Brown Act limits and whether council workshops or public noticing could allow broader council participation in future downtown association events.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6573407,"Colfax council approves committee assignments and discloses city manager compensation adjustment",2973,124000,3097000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049872-289d6153b958af1c9a6b5b886e23167c&start=124&end=3097","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049872-289d6153b958af1c9a6b5b886e23167c/thumbnail_124000.jpg","/articles/6573407/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Colfax-council-approves-committee-assignments-and-discloses-city-manager-compensation-adjustment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573407-4015ff0d88f0628d7de55e65cb954511/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207556&Signature=dpHjQ2gDKm97cAaAcCbCR97t7E86jFJq6Sf~zShAGUEemIQL95Y2a4hVawFs0bALgqBlJe0LOyN9fhCh1ntOBbpIpFoXCvUcnqO-PEuZ9enZIOUf6fIecViv4hkt1713m-yNOLD7jrHdiNczFJogECgZtoM2R5TMScjl9fxqoM4kf7yQjPrVB4UkmsYab8e-6vsHWAQVSEgxYliEHoUdPtRU8fjU7vFfO1vt9a~xvhCSye0uri7LBuAxrSwepagLcDtwNuuyQtB--VZfacnuvR~kIIPO-9Ucq43Fswmt-80-vV--Ntpvb18zjTMFyfPvo0aaa8gcZzqv64LMsgYOVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colfax City Council on Feb. 12 approved updates to council committee assignments and voted to publicly record a contract adjustment for the city manager.

Council pulled agenda item 2(d) to confirm the assignments before voting. Council members confirmed that the only substantive change from the previously approved list was assigning Council member McCauley (spelled McCully in some materials) to the Mountain County Air Basin control council and moving a LAFCO seat. After brief review and public comment, the council approved item 2(d) by voice vote.

Later in the meeting the council addressed the city manager's performance and compensation disclosure. City Manager Connor reported that the council concluded the manager's performance evaluation in January and that as previously agreed in closed session the council amended the manager's compensation. Connor said the council approved a one-time cost-of-living/merit increase of 3.67 percent and an increase in the city manager's vehicle allowance; staff presented the figures during the disclosure. The council then voted to \"receive a file\" documenting the contract amendment and conducted a roll-call vote for the public record. Recorded votes: Council member Burrows—Aye; Council member Douglas—Aye; Council member Hillberg—Aye; Mayor Pro Tem McCauley—Aye; Mayor Lohman—Aye. Outcome: roll call approved and the disclosure entered the public record.

Why this matters

Committee assignments determine which council members represent Colfax on regional boards and advisory groups. The council's public disclosure of a one-time cost-of-living/merit increase and vehicle allowance change documents personnel actions taken after a closed-session deliberation and provides transparency to the community.

What happened next

Staff will update committee rosters and public-facing materials to reflect the assignment changes and will file the contract amendment documentation in the public record as disclosed during the meeting.

","Council approved committee assignments, including a change to an air basin seat, and publicly disclosed and voted to receive a file on a one-time cost-of-living/merit adjustment and a vehicle allowance increase for the city manager.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6573411,"Colfax approves equipment purchases to reduce wastewater discharge violations",741,1850000,2591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049872-289d6153b958af1c9a6b5b886e23167c&start=1850&end=2591","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049872-289d6153b958af1c9a6b5b886e23167c/thumbnail_1850000.jpg","/articles/6573411/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Colfax-approves-equipment-purchases-to-reduce-wastewater-discharge-violations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573411-45f2b8836be8b0e23bb17c9849894ad8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207556&Signature=HJTO3Q-7VDgEgQMP1nmgeNXg2WUtwwD6Mvq~DDncLessGM1RupScH9ihRJMl6AUshRFJbYEzjQzMXktWVvf-7ecEraRmHu2idIqP78XUKXzPa7zosXoUbb53Snh82CrbUAdiB2YEoXcxysWekQ5WUBqowCtkyQkECDsNF-eqLlkKrqcpLy~AD~ViTLfeyRStEkj8Nf~m0CsdtAOlDHYa35Wz4EIzuZNeWlMvk7pm34FTrFpGCdAZQLWRrqpHCZpljjH1peKLPnSc6FEg56~GECVwX8vcUz0sIgLgA9KSxD-rG5tkooe~UZjQ9VM1mQrIf~caJPpY6koHvHIWdp3e2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Colfax City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 12 to accept staff recommendations to offset potential state monetary fines for wastewater discharge violations by investing in upgraded plant equipment, and separately approved purchase of replacement filter panels for the plant's Veolia disc filter unit.

The action on the settlement agreement and stipulation for entry of an administrative civil liability order directs the city to purchase equipment of equal or greater value to offset fines, and the council separately approved a $33,080 purchase for replacement filter panels when staff said the existing screens—last replaced 13 years ago—are failing.

City Manager Connor introduced the agenda item and invited Matt Anderson, chief plant operator at the wastewater treatment plant, to explain the technical plans. \"My name's Matt Anderson. I'm the CPO at the wastewater treatment plant,\" Anderson told the council, and described a package of instrumentation and controls the plant staff say will reduce the risk of future violations.

Anderson said staff plan to add multiple dissolved-oxygen (DO) meters and a nitrate meter and tie the new instruments into the plant's new supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. \"We have one DO meter out at the plant. My proposal is to get six,\" Anderson said, adding that additional DO and nitrate monitoring will allow operators to detect process upsets earlier and reduce discharge violations.

On the filter panels, Anderson said the plant currently uses two disc (membrane) filters that screen to about 10 microns. Manufacturer recommendations call for replacement every five years; the city has not replaced the screens in 13 years and staff reported 84 failed screens at the facility. Anderson said the disc filter system is proprietary to Veolia, so replacement parts must be purchased from the manufacturer. \"No one makes aftermarket parts for these. It is just Veolia because it's a patented product,\" Anderson said.

Former plant operator Tom, speaking during public comment, urged the council to support the purchases and to heed operators' recommendations. \"Trust your operator,\" Tom said, recounting operational problems he encountered in earlier decades and emphasizing the need for preventive investment.

Council members asked technical questions about whether the proposed work was deferred maintenance or a modernization step. Anderson and city staff said the purchases are intended to move the plant to more current technology and monitoring rather than simply address deferred maintenance. Staff also said the new equipment will be monitored 24/7 through SCADA and will notify operators if parameters stray outside setpoints.

Votes and next steps

- Settlement agreement and stipulation for entry of administrative civil liability order (item 8A): motion to accept staff recommendation approved on a roll call vote. Recorded votes: Council member Burrows—Aye; Council member Douglas—Aye; Council member Hillberg—Aye; Mayor Pro Tem McCauley—Aye; Mayor Lohman—Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Purchase of Veolia filter panels (item 8B): council approved sole-source purchase of replacement filter panels, $33,080, on a roll call vote. Recorded votes: Council member Burrows—Aye; Council member Douglas—Aye; Council member Hillberg—Aye; Mayor Pro Tem McCauley—Aye; Mayor Lohman—Aye. Outcome: approved.

Staff said the filter replacement must be performed as a single-unit purchase because piecemeal replacement would overload remaining screens and risk immediate failure. The council did not allocate a new funding source during the meeting; staff noted they have generated year-round cost savings and would use reserves if necessary, saying that reserve use would still be less costly than paying fines.

Why this matters

Council members and operators framed the purchases as investments to prevent further regulatory violations, protect water quality, and avoid recurring fines and reputational harm to the city. Council members also referenced the plant's long history of compliance challenges and the higher long-term cost of deferring necessary upgrades.

Staff will proceed with the purchases and integration into SCADA, and the council's approvals allow procurement to move forward under the sole-source justification for manufacturer-supplied parts.

","The Colfax City Council approved a settlement approach to offset state administrative fines by purchasing equipment for the city wastewater treatment plant and authorized replacement filter panels for a Veolia disc filter system.","actionData","errors"]

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