Marshall Allen
LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Sewer district 2 planning is coming to a head
as ballots are mailed to residents today.
Also, the La Canada Flintridge City Council mulled over and approved
many sewer district 2 resolutions in its Monday meeting, including
awarding a contract for the project.
"I want the council to feel comfortable and the residents to feel
comfortable that we are doing our best to bring sewers to our city,"
Mayor Dave Spence said near the end of a detailed and lengthy sewer
discussion.
Sewer district 2 includes 1,352 parcels north of Foothill Boulevard,
between Gould Avenue and La Canada Boulevard. Residents will have 45 days
to vote for the project, which would be approved with a majority vote.
Residents will be assessed an estimated $12,000 per parcel, assuming
those who are asked for easements to work on private property grant them.
Residents who refuse to grant easements will pay a higher cost for
their sewers -- around $26,000. The city will request easements from 170
residents who live on private drives and most have already indicated they
will grant them.
In a 4-0 vote, with Councilwoman Deborah Orlik absent, Ken Thompson
Construction Co. was awarded the district 2 contract, provided the
project is approved. The Thompson bid of $10.5 million was almost $6
million lower than the next lowest bid, and about half as much as the
highest bid.
The councilmen expressed some concern about the seemingly
too-good-to-be-true bid, wondering if there might be unexpected costs
that would raise the price. They were assured by Public Works director
Steve Castellanos and Assistant City Atty. Mark Steres that the bid was a
firm price and had integrity.
Thompson Construction also did the work on sewer district 1 over 18
months between 1998 and 2000. Thompson's experience with district 1
allowed him to fine tune his bid, City Manager Jerry Fulwood said.
District 1 residents were assessed around $8,000, City Engineer Elroy
Kiepke said.
The total cost for the formation and construction of district 2 is
expected to be $19.5 million, which includes a contingency expense of 12%
of the bid for cost overruns. The total will be paid through a state loan
and the sale of bonds, which will be assessed to residents. Residents can
pay over many years or in a lump sum payment.
If approved, district 2 construction will likely begin in August and
last two years or more, Kiepke said.
The city is sponsoring a sewer district 2 information meeting at 7
p.m. Thursday, May 23, at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La
Canada Flintridge.
