Valley Center council approves water restrictions, wreath donation, long-term waste contract and bond sales

The Valley Center City Council on a single evening adopted a string of measures affecting utilities, public works and municipal finance.

The council approved ordinance 14-37-25 on its second reading, establishing permanent outdoor water restrictions for the city. The mayor presided while a councilmember moved approval and another seconded; members voted by voice/hand and the motion carried.

The council granted permission and a $500 donation to a local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter to host a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Valley Center Cemetery on Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. The chapter’s representative said the live balsam wreaths cost about $17 each and volunteers and scouts place and later collect them.

On municipal services, the council voted to renew a contract with Waste Connections for a proposed 10-year term. A representative for Waste Connections said the contract would guarantee an initial monthly rate of $17.56 for the first three years with annual increases thereafter; council members asked about bulk-waste coupons, an extra-container fee and whether the city had solicited competitive bids. The motion to approve the contract was made, seconded and carried.

The council also awarded the Amber Ridge Phase 1 construction bid to Pareto Construction LLC, acting on a staff recommendation after three bids were received. Project staff reported Pareto submitted the lowest alternate concrete bid. (Transcript contains inconsistent figures for the award amount: the project representative stated $1,819,969.75; the motion on the floor referenced $819,969.75. That discrepancy is noted in council records and is flagged for clerical confirmation.)

In financial business, the council accepted winning bids from underwriters for two general obligation bond series sold that morning. For tax-exempt Series 2025-1 the council accepted Janney Montgomery Scott LLC’s bid with a reported true interest cost of 3.39%; for taxable Series 2025-2 the winning bid was reported from Bernardi Securities with a true interest cost of 4.61%. Council members waived first readings and approved the ordinances and accompanying resolutions authorizing issuance and levy to pay principal and interest.

Council approved a change order for the Seneca/2nd Street project after staff reported a 12-inch water main was found three feet from its expected location; the change order increased the contract by $24,875 to a new total of $4,866,975.79. The council also adopted a confirmatory resolution to vacate a portion of Park Street as required before recordation.

In personnel action, the search committee reported it will name Christy Carithers and Clint Miller co‑interim city administrators. Council debated whether to require residency for the city administrator and ultimately voted that there will be no residency requirement mandated by ordinance; any living/relocation condition will be negotiated in the hire contract.

The council recessed briefly for an attorney consultation in executive session and returned with no official action taken. The consent agenda and staff reports — including updates on storm damage — were approved and the meeting adjourned.

Votes at a glance: ordinance 14-37-25 (approved); DAR Wreaths donation $500 (approved); Waste Connections 10-year contract (approved); Amber Ridge Phase 1 award to Pareto Construction (approved; award amount discrepancy noted); Janney Montgomery Scott LLC — award for Series 2025-1 bonds (accepted); Bernardi Securities — award for Series 2025-2 bonds (accepted); Change Order #2 for Seneca Street (approved); Resolution confirming Park Street vacation (approved); motion to remove residency requirement (approved); executive session held (no action).