Public works reports year of maintenance, upgrades and pilot programs; council asks about EV fleet conversion

Chris Arcey, the citys Public Works Director, presented an informational fiscal-year update summarizing work across six divisions: parks, facilities, utilities, streets/stormwater, wastewater and fleet. No council action was required.

Arcey said Public Works currently operates with 60 staff and highlighted division accomplishments and service volumes: the parks maintenance team responded to 204 service requests, converted two tennis courts into eight pickleball courts, improved irrigation systems, extended fencing at Luz Duran Park and resurfaced courts and lots. Facilities handled more than 1,600 work orders and completed projects including roof replacements and fire-alarm upgrades at the Jim Porter Recreation Center as part of a facilities master plan. Utility crews completed 3,622 dig-alert markouts and 151,000 square feet of right-of-way weed abatement. Streets crews completed 1,011 service requests and 1,015 traffic engineering work orders; crews removed graffiti within 24-48 hours and responded to after-hour merchant calls and emergency callouts.

The wastewater division reported cleaning about 1,320,000 linear feet (about 250 miles) of sewer pipe and CCTV inspection of roughly 240,000 feet (about 45 miles) of pipeline as part of proactive asset management. Fleet maintenance completed 634 fleet work orders and processed fuel dispensing of 92,024 gallons of unleaded and 75,559 gallons of diesel; staff replaced 210 tires and purchased 14 new vehicles/trailers/equipment units.

Administration noted community engagement and sustainability efforts: a monthly mulch and compost giveaway distributed 178.9 tons from September 2024 to June 2025; Public Works hosted an open house attended by more than 150 residents; the Public Works Building A received Green Business certification from the U.S. Green Building Council of California. Grant funding included a CalRecycle-assisted purchase (Cal Cycle payment: $14,172; container recycling program payment: $25,138) and use of CalRecycle local assistance funds to purchase a Kubota tractor. Arcey said public works had purchased seven EVs and was planning additional chargers at City Hall and Public Works facilities; conversion of larger vehicles will proceed on a multi-year model-year schedule and staff expects to return to council with more detailed fleet-conversion plans.

Councilmembers thanked the division employees and asked follow-up questions about fleet electrification timelines and EV charger accommodations for e-bikes, after-hours emergency-call composition, cost recovery for accident-related streetlight and infrastructure damages, and oversight of street-light repairs conducted by utility partners. Arcey and staff provided clarifications on how fuel is allocated between the city and the school district fuel agreement, explained that after-hours callouts include street, wastewater and fleet emergencies (tree falls, spills, traffic incidents) and noted statewide recognition for individual employees.

The presentation concluded with council appreciation for Public Workss responsiveness and a staff offer to return with more detailed cost comparisons when fleet-conversion models are completed.