Pleasanton council authorizes $11,048,500 TWDB application to upgrade wastewater plant

Pleasanton City Council voted to authorize the city manager to apply for $11,048,500 in financial assistance from the Texas Water Development Board to plan, design and construct improvements at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The decision followed a presentation by a project representative (Mr. Garcia) who described degraded clarifiers, a 41‑year‑old backup generator and a plant struggling to meet state permit limits. “There is potential for untreated wastewater to be discharged, and it will impact local water quality,” the presenter said, urging the council to pursue the TWDB funding opportunity and to move forward with design and financing work.

Why it matters: Council members were told the plant’s current condition risks permit excursions and potential fines, and that improvements would restore operational redundancy and help the city meet total suspended solids and other permit requirements. The TWDB program offers loans with below-market interest rates and possible subsidies; the presenter estimated sizable interest savings if the city uses TWDB financing for an approximately $11 million project.

What was proposed: The project outline included new headworks and grit removal, a splitter box, a replacement oxidation ditch/clarifier configuration, effluent (disc) filters as a final polishing step, updated pumping and variable‑frequency drives, mechanical dewatering (addressed in an earlier Phase 1 item) and replacement of the aged generator. The presenter said the current plant is operating at roughly 50–60% of its capacity, leaving room for growth if upgrades proceed.

Council questions focused on technical redundancy for variable‑frequency drives and filters, whether not applying would jeopardize future ranking for state funds, potential resident rate impacts and the TWDB application schedule. Staff said the city has not been cited but was on probation with the state; staff also said a citation had been averted while improvements were underway and that, according to the presentation, a citation could have carried a daily fine on the order of $50,000 per day if enforcement had proceeded as initially framed.

Formal action: Councilor Leonhart moved to authorize the city manager to submit the application for $11,048,500; the motion was seconded, and the council approved it by voice vote. The council then read and adopted Resolution No. 315‑24, which formally authorizes the city manager to submit the TWDB application.

Next steps and timeline: Staff said they are finishing the financial package and aim to complete application materials by the November deadline cited during the meeting; design work and additional financial analyses (including a rate study) were described as forthcoming. The council also authorized staff to issue related RFQs and RFPs (financial advisor, bond counsel, energy savings company) to support financing and project delivery.

The council discussion closed with the motion carried; the resolution and related procurement steps were approved.