CCMIN 06152021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Yamello advised the PFAS levels in Well 5 and 6 have been steady. They have seen a decrease in values in Well 8 but cautioned that it is offline and could increase with regular use. PFAS contamination levels are a very sources-specific item. Residents can navigate to the City's PFAS website for additional filtration information and education. City Attorney Sodergren advised it was 11:00 p.m. and the Council decided to proceed with the item. Mr. Yamello explained both Granular Activated Carbon and Ion Exchange remove the PFAS from water as it travels through the vessel and the difference is in the removal technology. Both media require removal and either disposal or incineration. The space for treatment expansion identified at the Centralized Treatment Facility is sufficient for other types of treatment systems and there is some flexibility within the City's site. Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. Olivia Sanwong encouraged Pleasanton to continue exploring at least one of the regional alternatives if not both. She noted a full report was published in 2013 that the utility operators of the Tri-Valley consider forming a consolidated Municipal Utility District to provide all of the water and sewer utilities for the Tri- Valley and it may be something to consider. Jill Buck expressed support for maintaining some local control of Pleasanton's water and thinks it is time for residents to understand the real business costs and encouraged City Council to move forward to ensure Pleasanton residents have equitable access to clean drinking water. Councilmember Balch noted he supports clean, reliable, safe drinking water for residents and would like to find that for the best price. He noted that if Pleasanton continues to use the wells they will need to be rehabilitated for infrastructure improvement. He also expressed concern regarding the impact at Alisal Elementary School. He would like conversations with the community regarding the costs. He moved to support staff's recommendation for completing the project design at $2.8 million. Councilmember Narum seconded the motion. She noted the cost and believes it is cheaper for residents to pay for the debt service versus paying Zone 7 even at the current rates and has concern about giving up some local control of water. She expressed the need to examine financing and noted there is likely going to be other contaminants that has not been identified yet and the City may be able to leverage this system to clean those contaminants as well. Councilmember Testa noted the money may sound overwhelming but thinks everyone recognizes the importance of having control over Pleasanton's water and is interested in seeing the other sources for financing beyond Pleasanton's ratepayers. Councilmember Arkin acknowledged the cost but what the debt service would cost Pleasanton versus buying from Zone 7 is hard to overlook as it does not include infrastructure costs and would like a full plan for financing. She agrees with the need to repair the wells and believes it is essential for safe drinking water and agrees there will be more contaminants in the future. She also expressed concern regarding the impacts to Alisal Elementary School. Mayor Brown confirmed supplementing with Zone 7 will also be investigated when comparing data to understand all the options and costs. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 10 June 15, 2021