Santa Rosa BPU rejects Pump Station 9 bids, recommends sewer code edits and a multi‑year rate increase package

The Board of Public Utilities for the City of Santa Rosa took three formal actions on capital procurement, sewer code compliance and rates during its meeting.

Reject bids for Pump Station 9: The board, by motion, rejected all bids received for contract C‑02438 (Water Pump Station 9 electrical upgrades) after staff reported the only bid — about $2,900,000 — was roughly 78% above the engineer’s estimate of $1,600,000. Rachelle Maeda, an associate civil engineer with the city’s capital projects team, said staff interviewed expected prime contractors and electrical subcontractors and that reasons for nonbidding included project labor agreement (PLA) requirements, limited time to prepare bids, sole‑source equipment constraints and an unexpectedly high temporary bypass pumping cost. A motion by Board Member Wright, seconded by Vice Chair Arnoni, passed unanimously on roll call (yes: 5; no: 0; abstain: 0; absent: 1). Maeda recommended redesigns to reduce cost and re‑solicit the project.

Ordinance recommendation to update sewer code for EPA pretreatment changes: The board voted unanimously to recommend that City Council adopt an ordinance amending portions of Santa Rosa City Code Title 15 (Sewers) to remain in compliance with EPA Industrial Pretreatment Program revisions. Martin St. George, environmental compliance supervisor, said the proposed edits correct…