Valley Center council adopts permanent outdoor water restrictions, approves Waste Connections contract and several spending items

The Valley Center City Council adopted Ordinance No. 14‑37‑25 establishing permanent outdoor water restrictions and approved a package of contracts, bids and spending measures during its meeting.

The ordinance on permanent outdoor water restrictions passed on its second reading after a motion and second and a voice vote by the council. The measure, recorded in the meeting as ordinance 14‑37‑25, will set permanent outdoor watering limits for the city of Valley Center; the ordinance was approved by voice vote with “motion carried” recorded in the minutes.

Also approved were a $500 donation to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to support the local Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Valley Center Cemetery and a request to use the cemetery for the ceremony on Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. The DAR representative told the council the wreaths arrive in early December and cost $17 apiece. The council voted to provide the requested $500 donation by voice vote.

The council approved a proposed 10‑year contract with Waste Connections for residential trash and recycling service. Under the agreement as described in the packet and by the company’s representative, the proposed base rate is $17.56 per month, which is guaranteed for the first three years. The contract maintains an option for customers to receive one provided trash container and one recycling container plus up to five additional curbside bags per week; additional 95‑gallon containers are available for a monthly charge (listed in the packet as $9.76). The company said an administrative billing fee of $0.05 and an annual community donation of $5,000 are included in the pricing structure; staff said the company negotiated a per‑month reduction that represents roughly $106,000 in savings over a 10‑year period compared with current costs. Council members asked about the fuel surcharge (triggered when diesel exceeds $4.25, as described by the company) and whether the agreement had been solicited via competitive bids; the record shows no RFP was issued for this renewal. Council approved a motion to renew the contract by voice vote. The packet lists an effective date starting 01/01/2026, and during the discussion a speaker also referenced Feb. 1 as a start date; the record does not resolve that discrepancy.

For public works and development, the council awarded the Amber Ridge Phase 1 construction contract to the low concrete alternate bidder identified in the staff packet as Pareto Construction LLC for a concrete alternate totaling $1,819,969.75, after a public bid letting that returned three qualified bids. The award and authorization for the mayor to sign were approved by motion and voice vote.

The council approved Change Order No. 2 for the Seneca Street project after staff reported crews discovered a 12‑inch water main located about 3 feet east of where design documents placed it. The change order, submitted by Wildcat Construction, increases the contract by $24,875 and raises the contract total to $4,866,975.79; the council approved the change order by voice vote.

The council also moved to confirm a prior ordinance vacating a portion of Park Street (confirmatory resolution 801‑25 confirming ordinance 14‑31‑25) and approved the consent agenda and a set of staff reports.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 14‑37‑25 (permanent outdoor water restrictions): Motion made, seconded, approved by voice vote. - DAR Wreaths Across America donation (use of cemetery and $500 donation): Motion made, seconded, approved by voice vote. - Waste Connections 10‑year contract (proposed $17.56/month base, first three years guaranteed; 3% annual adjustments thereafter as specified): Motion made, seconded, approved by voice vote. Effective date listed in packet as 01/01/2026; Feb. 1 was also mentioned in discussion (not reconciled in the record). - Amber Ridge Phase 1 bid award: Motion to award to Pareto Construction LLC, concrete alternate $1,819,969.75; motion carried by voice vote. - Seneca Street Change Order No. 2 (Wildcat Construction): +$24,875; new contract $4,866,975.79; motion carried by voice vote. - Resolution 801‑25 (confirming ordinance vacating portion of Park Street, ordinance 14‑31‑25): Motion carried by voice vote.

The meeting record shows these votes were taken by voice; the council did not record a roll‑call vote with individual yes/no tallies in the minutes for these items.