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Council approves purchase of property for Del Rio well treatment system
Summary
The council authorized buying 14,426 sq ft at 7111 McHenry Ave for $76,500 plus $15,000 closing costs to install wellhead treatment equipment for Del Rio Well 70 after utilities staff said the new well requires adjacent land for treatment equipment due to water-quality issues.
The Modesto City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a 14,426-square-foot parcel at 7111 McHenry Avenue to support the Del Rio Well 70 treatment system project.
Will Long, the city's Director of Utilities, told council members that the city drilled a new well for the Del Rio community but discovered water-quality issues that require additional space adjacent to the well to install treatment equipment. Long said the Del Rio area is served exclusively by groundwater wells and the acquired land will allow the city to install the necessary wellhead treatment.
A member of the public asked whether the well serves only the Del Rio community and whether Del Rio residents should pay for the work because Del Rio is an affluent neighborhood. Long explained that the city purchased the Del Rio water system in 1995 (previously part of Del Estee Water Company) and that the City of Modesto is the water purveyor for Del Rio customers; he said the city treats all customers the same and the well will be used exclusively by Del Rio because the area lacks a surface-water connection.
Council member questions addressed property location and appearance; Long said the city had committed to Del Rio to make the purchased site “look nice.” Vice Mayor Bavaro asked whether the acquisition used eminent domain; Long said the city negotiated the purchase and had an appraisal before presenting it in closed session.
The council approved two resolutions: one authorizing the purchase from identified trustees and owners for $76,500 plus $15,000 in closing costs and authorizing the city manager to execute documents; the other amending the FY24-25 capital improvement program budget to transfer $91,500 from water fund reserves to cover the project. Council member Wright moved the motion; Council member Williams seconded; the roll call vote was 5-0 in favor (Council members Rickey, Bavaro, Williams, Wright and Mayor Sue Zwolens Aye).
City staff said the parcel is a portion of the property on the corner of McHenry and Stewart and will be used for wellhead treatment equipment; the well itself is adjacent but not on the purchased parcel.
