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Pacific aldermen authorize limited sewer extension after resident’s request
Summary
After a public presentation by resident Doug Wurst about prior staff communications, the Board of Aldermen authorized the public-works commissioner to extend city sewer up the street toward Wurst’s property so long as the cost does not exceed $5,000. City attorney said a prior staff email did not bind the city and cited code assigning sewer-installation cost to property owners.
The Pacific Board of Aldermen on Nov. 19 authorized a limited sewer extension to the area near a resident’s lot after hearing a public request and receiving a cost estimate from public-works staff. The motion, made by Alderman Matthew Cleave and seconded by Alderman Rafael Madrigal, instructs Public Works Commissioner Bergerman to run sewer pipe “nearly to the dead end” of 5th Street provided the expense does not exceed $5,000.
The request came from resident Doug Wurst, who said earlier city staff — including a city employee named Harold Selby and Public Works staffer Robert Bergerman — had discussed extending sewer to the edge of his property. “When I read [the emails] Harold approves it, I’m asking for the city to follow through with it,” Wurst told the board.
City Attorney Jones told the board he had reviewed the materials and that a single staff member’s apparent promise did not bind the city. He pointed to the city code, citing section 705.150, which “indicates the cost and expenses of the installation in connection of the building's sewer shall be borne by the owner.” “That would be the owner’s responsibility to extend the sewer line,” Jones said, adding that the board could nevertheless authorize the expenditure if it chose.
Public Works Commissioner Bergerman gave a preliminary price: about $1,800 in materials plus roughly $2,000 for rock and asphalt for a 150-foot run of 8-inch pipe — “roughly $4,000” — and said he could obtain three quotes. Alderman Cleave said the board should approve getting a firm cost and then decide; Alderman Cleave’s motion authorized Bergerman to proceed with the work if quotes kept the cost under $5,000.
The aldermen approved the motion by voice vote. Mayor Feli noted the city had previously approved water-line work on the same street and distinguished that prior purchase order from the sewer work now under discussion. The board did not adopt a policy change; it authorized a site-specific expenditure and asked staff to bring costs and procurement details as needed.
What happens next: Public Works will obtain estimates and, if the projected cost is under $5,000, proceed with the installed extension to the location described in the motion. The board’s action does not change the city code language that generally assigns sewer-extension cost to property owners.
