6/26/2025 CC Meeting | Water and Wastewater Master Plan Technical Review Referral

[Paul Roberts]

Dear Colleagues,

I’ve submitted an item for the June 26 agenda to formally refer a set of technical concerns raised by former Public Works Director David Stewart to our engineering consultants and staff.

These concerns challenge several assumptions and project justifications in the City’s 2024 Wastewater Master Plan and 2025 Water Master Plan. Examples include infrastructure ownership, omitted or mischaracterized force mains, duplicative rehabilitation projects, routing errors, and feasibility issues due to FAA restrictions.

Given the potential implications for the City’s planning, budgeting, and infrastructure decisions, I believe these claims warrant technical review and verification. The referral would ask staff to evaluate the concerns, determine which are valid, and advise whether any corrective action or amendments are appropriate.

I’m attaching a copy of excerpts from Mr. Stewart’s email and the formal agenda item coversheet for those interested in reviewing the details.

 

[Norma Owen]

Thank you, Council Member Roberts, for bringing forward this item.

I support the referral for technical review. As we prepare next year’s budget and evaluate which capital projects to prioritize, we face serious challenges in making sound financial decisions—particularly regarding bonding and long-term cash flow—without a clear, verified understanding of our actual infrastructure needs.

This review is an essential step toward establishing a “current reality” of our systems, especially the projects likely to impact the FY25-26 budget. I would also encourage us to take this opportunity to build a foundation for a more strategic 20-year outlook. To do so effectively, we should incorporate the historical insight of former staff with deep institutional knowledge. Their firsthand experience is invaluable in verifying assumptions and ensuring we do not waste taxpayer dollars repeating work or planning unnecessary upgrades.

Ultimately, this process is about putting better tools in place for the future—tools that integrate accurate data with strategic foresight and financial discipline while ensuring concerns about our current plans are addressed.

 

[Paul Roberts]

Adding/attaching exhibits received from Mr. Stewart this morning.

 

[Shane Saum]

Thank you Councilman Roberts from putting this on the agenda. I was happy to second it. The expansion of these plants is the most important undertaking for the City in the coming years and I look forward to getting further into the details on our master plans. I will be interested to hear staff feedback and I recall during the presentations the consultant stated they do provide higher estimates so as not to underestimate. I hope this technical review brings the estimated total down.