Water-board chairman says city tanks rehabbed; council approves bidding for maintenance and sediment-pond dredging

Gaines Smith, water-board chairman, told the board that all municipal water tanks have been rehabilitated with fresh paint and repairs and that the project has closed out. He requested council permission to solicit proposals for a long-term tank maintenance program and asked to advertise for bids to lock a maintenance contract by Oct. 1.

"All of our tanks have now been rehabbed," Gaines Smith said, urging the council to take advantage of the current condition of the tanks to secure long-term maintenance proposals. Smith also summarized recent system repairs including replacement of a rusted galvanized service line at 1501 Curry Street, repair of a leak in an industrial tank, installation of new service connections at 1504 Old Highway 5 South, and replacement of about 40 feet of exposed sewer main on Ohlone with ductile pipe and rip-rap protection.

The mayor told council staff also proposed dredging the sediment ponds at the water-treatment facility and are expediting specification development because leftover grant money may be available. Cost estimates communicated at the meeting put the dredging in the $250,000–$400,000 range; staff said specs should be ready within about two weeks and requested authorization to advertise the bid.

Council moved and approved motions to authorize staff to advertise for bids for the tank maintenance program and the sediment-pond dredging; staff will return with proposal evaluations and a recommendation.