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Politics & Government

Ramona Water Board Adds $41,000 to Project at San Vicente Plant

A project approved in 2009 receives additional funding to meet the district's requirements. Directors approved hiring a consultant to work on another project mandated by the state.

Ramona water board approved spending an additional $41,000 on the Headworks Project for the San Vicente Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant at its March 22 meeting.

In another order of business the board approved a contract for professional services for the preparation of the 2010 Urban Water Management Plan.

The Headworks Project was started in 2009 and has to do with making “improvements to the screenings washer/compactor to effectively remove organic matter and allow for proper washing of rags to prepare them for disposal,” according to the report from civil engineer Phillip Dauben.

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The initial project had a price tag of $139,065. Change orders since it was approved on April 14, 2009, increased the costs for maintaining the compactor to the standards required by Ramona Municipal Water District. The amount also includes $10,000 for anticipated staff time on the project.

The $41,000 approved by the board will be added to $40,000 that was allocated in the 2010-2011 budget for an unrelated project at the San Vicente Plant. General Manager Ralph McIntosh said that project, currently appropriated in the capital improvement fund, will not be started this year.

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“Staff doesn’t feel it will get to this project within the next year,” McIntosh said. “We’ll be bringing it back in the next budget.”

The total additional amount now earmarked for the San Vicente Headworks Project is $80,843.30.

Directors also approved a contract with Nolte Associates, Inc., for an anticipated cost not to exceed $30,800. The consultants will work with district staff to prepare the 2010 Urban Water Management Plan, a state-mandated project that is updated every five years. It deals with long-range forecasts through 2035 and takes into consideration projections for adequate water supplies. The plan will have input from County Water Authority, SANDAG and the county’s General Plan.

“They’re looking out into the future,” McIntosh told the directors. “They project growth for Ramona. They project (development) projects coming into Ramona.”

Director Joe Zenovic requested a report be made on the county’s possible interest in taking over the operations of Ramona Fire Department.

The next meeting of the RMWD governing board is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. April 12 at Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane.

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