Mendocino County Grand Jury • 2006-2007

Down the Drain a Report on the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District May 24, 2007

Published: May 24, 2007 3 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 18 findings

F1
UVSD is organized as a Special District.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The UVSD Board of Directors (BOD) are appointed annually by the presiding officers of the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and the Ukiah City Council (UCC). It consists of two members of the BOS and a UCC member who are appointed annually.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
the UVSD be reorganized to include elected board members. Terms of office should be staggered. (Findings 2, 4, 6, 7)
R2
the UVSD consider hiring a general manager to represent its interests. (Findings 2, 4, 6, 7)
F3
The UVSD is represented in legal affairs by the City of Ukiah Attorney and County Counsel.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Operation and management of all UVSD assets and operations are performed by the City of Ukiah, including the new Project.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
the UVSD Board adopts policies and procedures that ensure they receive information in a timely manner. (Findings 4, 6, 7)
R4
the UVSD ensure that external financial and performance audits are performed. (Findings 4, 5)
F5
There have been no UVSD external audits conducted.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The UVSD has no independent staff. City employees provide all staffing functions for the UVSD.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The Grand Jury heard testimony from several sources that city staff has not presented vital information in a timely manner to the UVSD.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The UVSD Waste Water Treatment Plant is faced with the necessity to process 21 million gallons of wastewater in the winter months as compared to 3 million gallons in the summer.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
the County, UVSD, and the City coordinate their efforts to address rainwater runoff. (Findings 8, 13)
F9
The 2005 Project includes $33 million for the upgrade (Upgrade Project), $24 million for new construction (Capacity Project), and $12 million for financing costs for a projected total cost of $69 million.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Sewer use is measured in ESSUs. These are based on the average discharge of a single-family residence.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The Upgrading Project costs are shared between the City and UVSD on the basis of the relative ESSUs. The contractor is paid on the basis of the percentage of completion of the upgrading work.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The costs for the Capacity Project are shared on the basis of a 65% UVSD/35% City ratio as established in the Project Agreement. The costs are paid out on the basis of percent completion.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The 2005 contract for a new Waste Water Treatment Plant was planned to increase capacity by 2400 ESSUs, and to accommodate winter rainwater flow.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Funds for construction come from two sources: sewer fees and new connections.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
The contract provides for mutual UVSD and City financial obligation for the next 30 years.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
The cost of the Project is financed by the City of Ukiah, which will be repaid by the City and UVSD ratepayers, and new connections; sewer rates are planned to continue to increase.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
The City Public Utilities Director supervises wastewater sewer operations. The City Public Works Director supervises streets, roads and is responsible for the storm runoff system.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
There is a Waste Water Treatment Plant on the old Masonite property.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
all participating parties in the UVSD investigate if the Masonite wastewater treatment plant is a viable resource. (Finding 18) Comments This report can only begin to address some of the wastewater issues that face the Ukiah Valley over the next 20 years. This year’s Grand Jury elected to begin addressing questions regarding sewer treatment issues and the organizational structure of the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District. Other questions regarding infiltration of storm waters into the treatment system, exfiltration of wastewater into the soil, release of effluent (treated water), and the impact of new State requirements will need to be addressed. The matter will be recommended to the 2007/2008 Grand Jury for investigation.

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