[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6522115,"mediaKeyId","5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b","parentId",5074536,"title","Riverbank council hears feasibility options for wastewater plant; study recommended","audioSeconds",498,"startMs",4633000,"endMs",5131000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b&start=4633&end=5131","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b/thumbnail_4633000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6522115/Riverbank/Los-Angeles-County/California/Riverbank-council-hears-feasibility-options-for-wastewater-plant-study-recommended","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522115-a675565e1536898b53ac6ae3b33e79c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584260&Signature=L1ehlotXIstD0p1KAwvswLMWl9ZvvWj8K-8~z-Z4V0kOClyxUR8yvkZGTzHUjBDHMr4wYf9ReBImnhrSQEtw9Rf0zGBkFggucMFQttsbUqMgmczAt~8dYa4QyoXY19IV4l2n3dKKjXcVQKK73qqVICuwUVNkdq2XBZW4wmjnNMWxZI1rDuS7xnBTP5ky-41KBcwoLngSiM4DjaiONmWYoRU7V9XjMD75rrjt2R97oYMJs4cDy5LuJWHKzi-HKBuKhdq-r-19GgvD6er~OGxM0E4289EF-CFkp9PHC63338Tck9pNSkI7uq4NURSU0QYZP1XjVfsjjJMIDkQvhveCZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-26T04:50:58.487Z","article","Riverbank Vice Mayor Cindy Fosse urged the City Council on June 24 to commission a feasibility study to evaluate how best to address capacity, permit and long-term costs for the Riverbank Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The study would compare three broad options: complete the city’s planned recycled-water upgrade at the existing plant; construct pump stations and a pipeline to send some or all wastewater to the City of Modesto’s treatment system (regionalization); or redesign the local plant and pursue a surface-water discharge permit to the Tuolumne River. Fosse told the council the feasibility work would likely cost about $50,000 to $75,000 and could include potential cost-sharing by Modesto.

Why it matters: the city has been working on a major upgrade after state regulators raised concerns about groundwater impacts and treatment capacity. Council members and residents said the projected price increases and loan package for the recycled-water project are creating significant rate pressure for households. A feasibility study, proponents said, would give the council better fiscal and technical comparisons before committing to a multi-decade capital plan.

Fosse summarized the three options. She said the recycled-water project — which staff and consultants have been designing and which has an approved state loan application — is now estimated in the meeting transcript at about $124 million and that the city has an approved state loan in the range discussed at the meeting (an $85 million SRF loan was referenced); grant funding for recycled water of roughly $15 million was also discussed as part of project financing. The recycled-water approach would provide additional seasonal capacity by supplying treated water for irrigation during summer months, the vice mayor said.

Public Works Director Cody Bridgewater responded to technical questions. He said discharge to the Stanislaus River would require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and a much broader constituent testing program (the council heard that roughly 160 constituents could be evaluated under that federal permitting process). Neil Colwell, the city’s consultant on regulatory matters, explained that the Central Valley Water Board requires a feasibility demonstration if a new discharge to surface water is proposed, and that many of the advanced treatment components (biological nutrient removal, filtration, disinfection, biosolids handling) would still be required for a surface-water permit — meaning that a surface-water discharge is not necessarily a lower-cost alternative.

Supporters of a study noted uncertainty in construction and financing: council members and speakers pointed out construction cost escalation over the past decade, the potential loss of previously identified grant funding if the project scope changes, and the city’s existing investment in design work (roughly $6 million of design expense was discussed in the public record). Several council members said they want precise cost estimates for pipeline routing, lift stations, easements and connection fees before deciding on a final path.

Residents and other speakers urged caution. Written and oral comments from multiple District 1 residents said a large rate increase (the city’s rate study projects monthly sewer bills that would rise substantially by 2027 under the current plan) would be difficult for many households. Speakers emphasized protecting farmland, local groundwater, and the city’s fiscal capacity.

Council direction and next steps: the council did not take a final vote on a capital project at the meeting. Several members signaled support for pursuing a formal feasibility study to quantify: pipeline and lift-station costs for regionalization; the cost to upgrade the city plant to meet current and future permit requirements if the recycled component were reduced or removed; and the implications for ratepayers. Staff said the study could be procured by competitive bid; Modesto might contribute toward study costs, staff added, if regionalization options were pursued. The council also emphasized continued pursuit of grants.

The meeting record shows robust public comment, multiple technical questions for staff and consultants, and no formal change to the city’s currently approved 60% design effort. The vice mayor and staff said value-engineering work between the 60% and 90% design milestone is the right time to seek cost reductions and to sharpen project scope.

Ending: The council left the item open for further analysis and directed staff to return with a scope and cost estimate for a feasibility study. A joint council/planning meeting about Riverwalk and other items was scheduled for July 9; the council also noted it will continue outreach and pursue available state grant opportunities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 24, 2025 Riverbank City Council Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","Riverbank Vice Mayor Cindy Fosse urged the City Council on June 24 to commission a feasibility study to compare options for the Riverbank Wastewater Treatment Plant after staff said the city faces capacity, permitting and financing uncertainty.","taxTitle","Riverbank, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",79254,"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},6522101,"Votes at a glance: Riverbank council approves budget, LRA budget and staffing study; consent calendar passes",1306,2274000,3580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b&start=2274&end=3580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b/thumbnail_2274000.jpg","/articles/6522101/Riverbank/Los-Angeles-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Riverbank-council-approves-budget-LRA-budget-and-staffing-study-consent-calendar-passes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522101-6a1338025241c7b90c65c7b44a9d03e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584260&Signature=Pe4arB-SOdULMNsEmPvnl4OilpZtBY3uhPhkZLa54i6jRRLXOt01qLWAYscfYodxNta67N4OA3W8wymPiHTuXK-Ae9dUfkhZIayIZvTpLoYNBZ52Wqd3DwPvYnMEczN6-cq~TmqXcD3uOhSknyQ6gLvlzMVDJrFp0LoswLVsIgVjEaH-gU1pKXWWz3FuD7PlsGfykvzlAsUP4RSmW0L-Hh0JqrcLzpHTkzWpvQ3KdQIMZXo7vbjj~bsxeSp5i~48lYS41ET-1PoX2EnwrdXecgEaeM4IwvkD1FtThXViw10Wb2XPQNAnGViqfzQiSRnHNF~2C0Krcuk7QU~YRm0SUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Key formal actions taken June 24 by the Riverbank City Council and Riverbank Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA):

• Consent calendar (items 9.1–9.6): Approved (roll call vote recorded as 5–0). Motion made and seconded; roll call vote recorded as: Council members Rive/Riva (yes), Pimentel (yes), Call (yes), Vice Mayor Fosse (yes), Mayor Hernandez (yes). The consent calendar included routine administrative items listed on the agenda.

• Item 10.1 — Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2025–26 annual operating budget: Adopted (roll call vote 5–0). Staff presented a citywide budget overview covering the general fund, special revenue funds, system development fees, housing funds and enterprise funds. The general fund estimate and structural deficit items were discussed at length in the staff presentation.

• Item 10.2 — Resolution adopting the Riverbank Local Redevelopment Authority proposed FY 2025–26 budget: Adopted by vote of the LRA (5–0). The LRA presentation noted continuing structural deficit issues and potential contingencies tied to federal/defense-conveyance matters.

• Item 11.1 — Resolution adopting the Riverbank Local Redevelopment Authority Cross Connection Control Program: Adopted (roll call vote 5–0). The resolution implements the State Water Resources Control Board’s cross-connection control policy handbook for the LRA’s public water system at the Riverbank Industrial Complex; staff recommended the LRA director serve as program coordinator; costs of testing and maintenance assigned to the water user.

• Item 11.2 — Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a consultant services agreement with Evergreen Solutions LLC for a classification and compensation study: Approved (roll call vote 5–0). Contract amount cited in the presentation: $40,500 (budgeted at $45,000 in the 2025–26 administrative services budget to cover additional classifications). The study is expected to include a market comparison, internal equity review, staff interviews and a final report to council in the fall of 2025.

No other final ordinance adoptions or appointments were recorded in the meeting minutes. Several agenda items were informational (not final actions) including the wastewater feasibility discussion; the council provided direction to staff to return with a feasibility-study scope and cost estimate.","At its June 24 meeting the Riverbank City Council and Riverbank Local Redevelopment Authority approved the FY 2025–26 operating budget, the LRA budget, a cross-connection control program for the LRA and a consultant agreement for a classification and compensation study. The consent calendar was approved earlier in the meeting.",{"_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},6522106,"Riverbank residents urge council to halt or rethink 'Riverwalk' development at public comment",326,1786000,2112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b&start=1786&end=2112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b/thumbnail_1786000.jpg","/articles/6522106/Riverbank/Los-Angeles-County/California/Riverbank-residents-urge-council-to-halt-or-rethink-Riverwalk-development-at-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522106-3ef9cb84855c3b2d0a2cb7243317c02d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584260&Signature=P4TXFBtEYjUACZTHWbJagAxLCa0Xlpy74YBTjuAE44qDQELZn2dVQnBQGhad8iJE594YGYJt0L6v~uljp2OPmdiCQGK7mpTaxRQju2IIa-RzKSsp0dbpVvZH6THdNFEvMEFTJX-Mly4Pnne7MMay0L43keH0AVuYzeimPdtAXAsQ~fkMCLoU6VK4YM58NuXT0QG~MEB35yAJCDEJ5Ib1gNx3tQvzk9Kt2IPhBDJh6k-GY4m8GE1gt9lRtjVsuBRzhXLpVHj9CvESxMoTiqNc1ssUg9RF4fHRTesfGO1oVEZsCnrsZdNNLZvJY1S8NayEEYW8s3wAckjqdX4K18aVWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple Riverbank residents used the council’s public-comment period on June 24 to urge the City Council to reconsider the Riverwalk development proposal and to delay formal approval until voters can weigh in on an urban-limit initiative.

Jamie Eggers, appearing online, thanked staff for an early review opportunity of a second draft of the city’s housing element (a separate but related planning matter). Several in-person speakers focused on the Riverwalk plan. Mitchel (first name in transcript) and residents Karen Conrado and Fred Walton — who all said they live on or near Hoag Road — told the council they oppose building housing on prime farmland and in the river bottom because of flood risk, habitat concerns and traffic impacts. Walton described the area as “soil 1” agricultural land with access to multiple water sources and said portions might be better preserved for farming, parks or open space.

Mitchell and others said the Riverwalk proposal does not adequately address affordable housing, and some speakers encouraged the council to delay action until the Urban Limit/Urban Limit Line ballot initiative gives voters an opportunity to decide. One commenter said door-to-door signature gathering on the initiative showed strong opposition in some neighborhoods.

A business speaker, Ashton Fortuna of Valley Tech Logic, used public comment to introduce his company’s recent local engagement and business recruitment activities and said the company appreciates Riverbank’s welcome for businesses.

City staff noted a community meeting on Riverwalk would be held July 9 at the community center; the council reminded the public that the July 9 meeting is a presentation and that no final council action would be taken that night.

Ending: Public opposition focused on farmland preservation, floodplain safety, traffic and affordable-housing questions; council members reassured speakers that the project will continue through public hearings and planning review and pointed to the July 9 community meeting as the next public presentation on the topic.","Several residents used the public-comment period to oppose the Riverwalk project, citing prime farmland, floodplain concerns, habitat impacts, traffic and lack of affordable housing; some urged waiting for a voter initiative. A community meeting on Riverwalk was scheduled for July 9.",{"_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},6522109,"Riverbank reports 2024 staffing, retention and vacancy metrics under AB 2561",384,1273000,1657000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b&start=1273&end=1657","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b/thumbnail_1273000.jpg","/articles/6522109/Riverbank/Los-Angeles-County/California/Riverbank-reports-2024-staffing-retention-and-vacancy-metrics-under-AB-2561","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522109-e11e6aabd34cdd259e29c0f995448e83/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584260&Signature=L9XUq4vSG9MALzdxNKjQ~zYvzB9Rkkx-JFbKe8HGVo3Vg0zyE0ZiXRA5kbahGUxqxw2e886OHY1T35MH~jxhwJqHMXzAfc7R0EnaoCEENE7zxO4TuTYAaLUsYew0tH4V5FqSRbLAERc1n1DHkMtlurD2du115C-LzmsqUzwsNKRK8bJj-anVo1yGGNzo2Nh5uDRnARQYeLNqaKnB1NmYg8boH8V8SDRswR2VT9brXiA0-L56dRIkHSudj9uCyTyxGeHw5cP2kRnlPMBMm0FQqEnPo5jOIX~DgD2flBJdEzTWQY8dVkuTDnIluiCZ~Qk9nGdcQ2IMv73fAGOh9vqhMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human Resources staff presented the City of Riverbank’s first annual report under AB 2561 on June 24, summarizing vacancies, recruitments and retention for calendar year 2024 and noting the city is in compliance with the new state law.

Under AB 2561, public agencies must provide an annual assessment of staffing vacancies, recruitment efforts and employee retention; the city must present the report publicly before adopting the next fiscal-year budget. The presentation covered all represented bargaining units and executive management.

Key figures reported by staff: the miscellaneous bargaining unit has 27 full-time employees, reported four recruitments in 2024 that were filled (senior facility maintenance worker, wastewater treatment plant operator in training, facilities maintenance worker I and maintenance worker I) and a 0% vacancy rate for that unit; average time-to-hire was reported as about 64.25 days. The mid-management unit has 19 full-time employees, reported two recruitments in 2024 (senior neighborhood improvement officer and senior planner) and a vacancy rate of about 5.26% at year-end. Staff reported the senior planner recruitment, opened in July 2024, faced a low number of applicants and skills mismatches; the city contracted Mosaic Public Partners to assist and the successful candidate completed background clearance and was scheduled to start July 14. Executive management was listed as five full-time employees.

Citywide retention for 2024 was reported at 98.31%. Reasons for separations were summarized as retirements and commute-related departures; staff attributed high retention to workplace culture, training and competitive benefits. Staff also explained that reporting thresholds in AB 2561 trigger additional public disclosures if any unit’s vacancy rate exceeds 20%; no unit reached that threshold in 2024, the presentation said.

Ending: Council members had no substantive questions and thanked staff for the report; staff said the AB 2561 presentation will be provided annually and that the data informed the city’s upcoming budget process.","City staff presented the first annual AB 2561 vacancy and recruitment report covering calendar year 2024. The report said overall retention was 98.31%, no represented unit exceeded the 20% vacancy trigger, and identified recruitment challenges for a senior planner post.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6522112,"Riverbank deputy urges zero tolerance for illegal fireworks, warns of fines and fire risk",166,912000,1078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b&start=912&end=1078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5074536-8ae5083d7e2f8d271b73a4b8b567aa0b/thumbnail_912000.jpg","/articles/6522112/Riverbank/Los-Angeles-County/California/Riverbank-deputy-urges-zero-tolerance-for-illegal-fireworks-warns-of-fines-and-fire-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6522112-f6a4870d11e9985af3ba5d0fc9fe2e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584260&Signature=UsiylHmJM34mxCo22Sf4VCphJOQ24xwzzIPzz03Ye4kyjIH2v0bN1UBQznB0igZyY9q-LySQ8SxV4jYII1xJBosluunPZDsBHWI1xwurIupXf4ssn0QAunYrTVJHJ1jItJ94aOGPm64lYpGs~LNIl75kAhwnBYeapgBsu9VVXRdolA8dDdEYW5j6Ilb3vpVMYN3Zun21aNQcSbc7c5ptXj7OjYYSUPszMwphOm-Hp9tvi2p2bZAz53i5ABl-5KChT2ZHk88pxCl83rbrH8XTXQQ0UlMYe5IrwSULoo56U5EtsHdOOyHjDE0yKBmD0saSd8CrFnqJ2JnMOCDDhBA68g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Alex Tovar, Riverbank’s community resource deputy, told the City Council on June 24 that illegal fireworks pose a significant safety and resource strain during the July 4 period and urged residents to observe local restrictions.

Tovar said the department’s top concern is public safety while recognizing that many residents want to celebrate. He described the types of fireworks that are illegal in California — aerial devices that leave the ground or any device that explodes — and showed photographs and video of aerial and ground explosions collected by officers.

Tovar said officers responded to 116 fires between roughly 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. during a recent Independence Day period and that four structure fires required mutual aid and multiple companies to respond. He said the city issued more than 18 citations on the previous July 4.

Tovar explained enforcement practice: if a device is traced to a home, the homeowner or renter may be cited even if someone else ignited the fireworks; first-offense fines are $1,000, second offense $2,000 and escalate thereafter, he said. The deputy said the department uses area-unit video and other tools to locate devices and owners, and that footage has aided enforcement and rebutted some denials. Tovar also said the department can deploy drones if needed and encouraged anyone witnessing injury to call 911 immediately.

Council members and staff praised the department’s outreach and noted the risk to homes, multi-family dwellings and nearby vegetation when wind carries embers. A city representative from parks and recreation also noted materials promoting pet safety distributed by a separate group (Love Riverbank).

Ending: The council thanked the deputy and urged public compliance with fireworks prohibitions ahead of July 4.","Community resource Deputy Alex Tovar presented a fireworks-safety briefing ahead of July 4, described recent response statistics, explained citation rules and fines, and urged residents to call 911 for injuries. He highlighted video evidence and technology used to identify owners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Riverbank council hears feasibility options for wastewater plant; study recommended

Votes at a glance: Riverbank council approves budget, LRA budget and staffing study; consent calendar passes

Riverbank residents urge council to halt or rethink 'Riverwalk' development at public comment

Riverbank reports 2024 staffing, retention and vacancy metrics under AB 2561

Riverbank deputy urges zero tolerance for illegal fireworks, warns of fines and fire risk