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Committee delays $119.8 million wastewater appropriation amid workforce and environmental questions
Summary
The committee heard a large PUC request for $119.8 million in interim wastewater capital funding for tunnels, treatment plant upgrades and biosolids planning; supervisors sought concrete local‑hiring metrics and NEPA/CEQA status and continued the item for two weeks.
The Committee reviewed a $119.8 million PUC supplemental appropriation request to fund an interim wastewater capital improvement program and planning for biosolids digesters and a Channel Street tunnel. PUC staff said funds would support collection system projects (including a Sunnydale Tunnel estimated at ~$68.5M and a Cesar Chavez replacement ~$14.3M), treatment plant upgrades, odor control projects and planning for a biosolids digester.
PUC presenters described recent emergencies and aging infrastructure failures, and they emphasized workforce development steps already in place: a pre‑apprenticeship and CityBuild outreach program, a small apprenticeship pipeline, and an intent to prioritize local hiring (including recruitment in ZIP code 94124). The PUC also outlined financing steps (commercial paper and eventual bond issuance) and the need to move quickly to capture favorable contractor bids.
Supervisors pressed for more concrete local‑hiring metrics and environmental review status. Supervisor Campos said a one‑page presentation was insufficient for a $120M appropriation and called for detailed, quantified local hiring targets and a clearer description of NEPA/CEQA progress; Supervisor McRamey asked for comparisons of workforce strategies and whether permits/environmental clearances were in place. PUC staff agreed to provide quarterly capital program reporting similar to the water system program and to return with a fuller workforce report.
After extended discussion and public comment, supervisors moved and passed a motion to continue the item to July 29 to give the PUC time to provide the requested workforce and environmental details. Supervisor Campos announced he would withhold support for appropriations to the PUC until meaningful local hiring commitments and reporting were in hand.
