DINUBA – Even more grant-funded infrastructure projects are headed to Dinuba as the city gets started on expanding some of its sewer lines.
The Dinuba City Council voted 5-0 on Sept. 23 to award a nearly $3.9 million contract to Bill Nelson General Engineering Construction for sewer infrastructure improvements. The improvements will include capacity upgrades to the sewer line along P Street and the sewer line along East El Monte Way in the area of Tulare Street, City Engineer Jason Watts said.
“(P Street) is probably one of the city’s oldest lines and it’s one of the major arteries of the sewer mains that go through the city,” Watts said.
Watts said the city needs to increase the capacity of the P Street sewer main line, as well as ensure it does not fail at any point in the future. The city will also increase the capacity of the El Monte Way line, mainly in preparation for development on the east side of Dinuba.
Most of the disruptions to city traffic will occur along P Street, though Watts said the work will be done in sections and the contractor is not allowed to close more than two intersections at one time.
The project also involves the installation of a secondary screw press at the wastewater treatment plant. A screw press filters out water from sewage sludge, and a secondary screw press will add redundancy to the treatment plant and maintain reliable operations as wastewater flows increase, according to a city staff report.
Dinuba will use money from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program award to fund the project, as well as a federal earmark originally designated for sewer main improvements along Sierra Way. No city funds will be used for the project.
The council also unanimously voted to award a second, though much smaller, contract to Durham Construction Company for the Dinuba Fire Station remodel project. At approximately $440,000, Durham submitted the lowest of three bids to the city.
According to a city staff report, the project will enhance the city’s fire station to improve “functionality, accessibility and working conditions for staff.” This includes updating light fixtures, building ADA-complaint restrooms and addressing deferred maintenance needs. The project is funded through the city’s ambulance fund.
In an action not related to contracts, the council decided to cancel three regularly scheduled meetings that fall on or around holidays in November and December. This includes the meetings for Nov. 11, Nov. 25 and Dec. 23. The city typically does not hold council meetings the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Additionally, because the Veteran’s Day holiday on Nov. 11 is on a Tuesday this year, the council decided to cancel its meeting for that day, as city offices will be closed. Council members agreed they would keep their calendars clear for a potential meeting on Nov. 18 if it is needed, but they otherwise will not convene in November.
The next meeting of the Dinuba City Council is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14.
