Planning commission recommends CIP update consistent with general plan; water department to pilot closed‑loop hydrant flushing

The Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council find the proposed five‑year Capital Improvement Program (FY 2026–30) consistent with the general plan. Staff explained the revised approach to the CIP: projects listed are limited to those with identified funding or active phases to avoid showing a speculative wish list.

Jordan Santos, junior engineer, highlighted one specific water‑department project under consideration: a closed‑loop hydrant‑flushing program that uses tanker trucks to capture flow from a hydrant and return it to the system rather than discharging it, reducing wasted potable water during line flushing. Santos noted the city has roughly 800 hydrants and estimated that conventional flushing can waste tens of millions of gallons across the system; the pilot aims to reduce waste and meter previously lost volume back into the system. The commission moved, seconded and approved a recommendation to council that the CIP be found consistent with the general plan.