Major Water Infrastructure Contract Awarded Despite Bidding Accident: The board approved a $21.9 million contract to Specialty Construction Inc. for the Accelerated Drought Response Project (ADRoP) pipeline and well construction after a contentious bidding process. Sanko Pipelines had submitted the lowest bid at $20.8 million but made a clerical error on one bid item that resulted in their bid being recalculated upward by $68,373, making them no longer the low bidder despite community support for the local contractor.
District Has Surplus Water Available for Transfer: The district expects to have 12,000-13,000 acre-feet of surplus water this year due to lower than anticipated demands and good water allocations (55% ag water, 80% M&I from CVP). The board approved transferring up to 7,000 acre-feet to Kern-Tulare Water District at $180 per acre-foot, netting the district approximately $987,000 in revenue after paying Bureau of Reclamation fees.
Major Setback for Regional Water Storage Project: Valley Water announced yesterday that the Pacheco Reservoir expansion project has been suspended due to cost increases to $3.2 billion and the Bureau of Reclamation's decision to no longer allow CVP water storage in the facility, potentially impacting long-term regional water supply planning.
• Board authorized establishment of new investment accounts with California Asset Management Program (CAMP) and Multi-Bank Securities to diversify the district's $99 million investment portfolio and potentially earn higher returns.
• Engineering services contract with HDR Consultants was approved for an additional $1.69 million to provide construction oversight services during the ADRoP pipeline and well installation project.
• SCADA system installation at Reach 1 facilities continues to experience delays but is expected to be completed by end of year, which will provide remote operational capabilities during emergency shutdowns.
• San Luis Delta-Mendota Canal subsidence correction project may proceed with $30 million in state grants requiring a $60 million local match, though federal funding may cover the match costs.
• District selected a new Water Conservation Program Manager who is expected to start September 8th.
• Operations report noted ongoing maintenance work at various facilities including Hernandez well repairs and valve replacements at multiple substations.
• County Clerk-Recorder presented on AB 1466 program to identify and redact discriminatory language from historical property deeds using AI technology and $2 per recorded document fees.
• Approved: $21.9M contract to Specialty Construction Inc. for ADRoP construction
• Approved: $1.69M amendment to HDR Consultants engineering services contract
• Approved: Water transfer agreement with Kern-Tulare Water District (up to 7,000 acre-feet)
• Approved: Authorization for public notice regarding water transfers exceeding 20% of annual entitlement
• Approved: Establishment of investment accounts with CAMP and Multi-Bank Securities
• Approved: Director attendance at ACWA conferences
For questions about water operations, allocations, or to provide input on district matters, contact the San Benito County Water District at (831) 637-8218. Public comment periods are available at all board meetings held monthly at 30 Mansfield Road, Hollister. The next regular board meeting date was not specified in this meeting.
