Placerville council adopts mitigated negative declaration, approves design amendment for Clay–Locust sewer relocation

The Placerville City Council on Feb. 11, 2025, adopted a final initial study–mitigated negative declaration and approved amendments to an engineering agreement to advance the Clay Street–to–Locust Avenue sewer relocation into final design and right-of-way work. Council also authorized a $250,000 appropriation from the Measure L fund and an amendment (No. 4) to the city’s agreement with Dewberry Engineers Inc. in the amount of $188,240.

Why it matters: The project removes deteriorating sewer mains located in Hangtown Creek that have a history of inflow and infiltration, reduces the volume sent to the city’s water-reclamation facility, and relocates a primary sewer main into the El Dorado Trail alignment to avoid costly right-of-way impacts on Main Street.

Staff presentation and findings

Miss McConnell, presenting for city engineering staff, said the project dates to earlier work begun in 2012 and resumed in 2019 with Dewberry. Two pipes in the creek — a 6-inch and a 16-inch main that converge to a 24-inch line — were identified as in poor condition and subject to inflow and infiltration. McConnell described the evaluation of alternatives and why a Main Street realignment was not chosen: right-of-way acquisitions, private-property impacts and major traffic disruption made that option impractical. The chosen alignment places a new 24-inch main in the El Dorado Trail, with short, concrete-encased segments near the creek wall and selected “fly-line” supports where services must be collected and lowered under the creek.

McConnell told the council that a previously undocumented cultural resource — a bedrock mortar found in the creek bed during a biological survey — will be protected by establishing an environmentally sensitive area and avoiding construction in that immediate location. Based on the final initial study–mitigated negative declaration (IS/MND) and the mitigation monitoring and reporting plan, staff concluded the project would not have significant environmental impacts after mitigation.

Schedule and funding

Staff indicated the project is in the city’s five-year capital-improvement plan, expects to be fully funded for construction in fiscal year 2026–27, and anticipates a spring 2027 construction start. The approved amendment to Dewberry’s agreement will enable completion of final design and preparation of bid documents.

Public comment and council questions

Placerville resident Sue Rodman, who identified herself as a member of the Measure H and L Committee, gave historical context on the city’s sewer system and urged timely removal of the old pipes from Hangtown Creek, noting construction plans for a 6-inch main dated to 1933. “Let’s get her done,” Rodman said.

Council members asked whether a building on Locust (the ToyTech building) would retain a private service and whether the city had informed the property owner that responsibilities might change if the city caps an existing line and the building relies on a private service from the street. McConnell said ownership and responsibility for private connections would be addressed during final design discussions with affected property owners.

Vote and action

The council moved and seconded the item and approved the IS/MND, the Dewberry amendment No. 4 for $188,240, and the $250,000 appropriation from the Measure L fund by roll call vote (Carter, Noe, Yarbrough, Vice Mayor Gabbard, Mayor Clerici — Aye). The motion passed.

Ending note: Staff said the final design work will address property-owner interfaces, utility tie-ins and mitigation measures required by the IS/MND; construction is programmed in the 2026–27 fiscal year.