San Juan Bautista
– The Mission City’s long-delayed water project is moving
forward, according to city councilmembers and staff.
San Juan Bautista – The Mission City’s long-delayed water project is moving forward, according to city councilmembers and staff.
City Councilman George Dias said the project, which will upgrade San Juan Bautista’s aging water infrastructure, is in its final design phase. He predicted that the project will go out to bid sometime during the first three months of 2007, with a deal signed between the city and a contractor in late spring or early summer.
“Everything’s going fine,” Dias said.
City Manager Jan McClintock estimated that if the construction was able to proceed “full-tilt boogie,” the project would be done in 12 to 14 months. However, since a major part of the project requires construction along Fourth Street, which is a site of festival and tourist activity, McClintock said the project will likely take closer to 18 to 20 months.
One of the more contentious issues in the project has been the $3.8 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration. EDA spokesman John Atwood said the grant remains under review; he declined to elaborate on its status. However, McClintock told the Free Lance that she’s received verbal confirmation from the EDA that the grant is approved, and that the EDA just needs to resolve some internal issues before sending the final grant cover sheet.
San Juan Bautista resident Jim Pereyra and former Councilman Chuck Geiger both said they’re concerned the grant may still be in question.
“To the best of my knowledge, the city is proceeding under the premise that the grant has been approved, and this is not the case,” Pereyra said.
Edward Laverone, who was appointed to the City Council in December, said he still needs to learn more about the project. However, he said what he does know matches his own experience dealing with federal grants in the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department. In particular, he noted that it’s standard procedure for local agencies to start spending money first, then get reimbursed 30 to 90 days later.
“That’s the normal process,” Laverone said.
The grant was originally awarded in February 2005 to both San Juan Bautista and the San Benito County Water District; however, negotiations between the two agencies broke down, leading to the grant’s suspension in Aug. 2005, and a grand jury report that found fault with both the city and the water district. Since then, the water district has written to the EDA saying it is withdrawing from the grant.
Geiger said it’s crucial for the city to resume discussion with the water district.
“I’m hoping … that the three new members (of the council) look at going back to the table with the water district,” Geiger said.
Dias, meanwhile, said he’s happy with the way the project is rolling along.
“We have to do this project,” he said. “We do not have a choice. When all is said and done, I hope we’ll be able to drink our water.”
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or ah*@fr***********.com.
