American Water bails on Santa Paula
Today's Ventura County Star reported that American Water has officially dropped out of the bidding for Santa Paula's sewer plant.
"We just didn't have enough time to do it (the proposal)"
I find that hard to believe since American Water probably had more time than any other bidder. Why?
1. Their engineering partners, Kennedy Jenks, had previously completed 60% of the design work before Santa Paula decided to switch to a DBOF procurement process.
2. Since they spent months preparing the Fillmore sewer plant's smaller but similar technology and requirements(with the same partners), they already had a complete proposal that could perhaps have been revised.
So, in reality, American Water could have responded a lot easier and faster than any of the other bidders who were starting from scratch.
What's your theory on why they have dropped out?
posted by Gayle Washburn @ 4:08 PM
15 Comments
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15 Comments:
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This is a easy one.When you tell a company the State requires such-n-such as the end result,thats it! It's the results that matter. When you rent a car to drive cross country,the end result will be the same if you drive a Rolls Royce or a Oldsmobile.The Rolls Royce without a doubt will cost more for the same result.Some people shop at Mervyns,others shop at Nordstrom's.This is whats happening in this case.It all depends on who you want to impress. A better question would be who is this town trying to impress and why?
I find this interesting.
I hope you follow Santa Paula and keep us informed on who they decide to give the Contract to and how much their Plant will cost.
Obviously it will be significantly lower than the 84 million we here in Fillmore are paying.
Also Santa Paula's population is about twice the size of Fillmore.
Let see if our City Council gets pie in their faces for not reconsider PERC or a lower cost Plant.
This certainly will be a Great Platform for who ever runs against Conaway and Cuevas. Not good for the re-election campaign. And just think great timing for the 2008 Election.
Gayle question for you,
Would the PERC plant/contract, blah blah blah in Fillmore, hypothetically speaking, allow for growth? To be more specific, growth as in jobs, economy, shopping venues?
andy: Not sure I follow your line of questioning...who would be impressed by our sewer plant? Developers?
thelmalu: Yes, it will be interesting to see how the bids come in. I'll keep you posted.
anonymous: If I understand you correctly you're asking whether a PERC plant would allow for economic growth...umm...other than cost it would be no different than the American Water plant. Now that cost has a big caveat because it would allow for more economic growth because we would be able to keep more of OUR money in OUR city to spend on OUR local businesses.
Can you elaborate on your question?
Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember that Council approved an unheard of extensive lengthy Contract with American Waters. I believe it is for 20 years. In other words no new jobs here in Fillmore. American Waters is known to bring in their own employees to run their Plants.
Anon 7:51 All that American Waters brought to Fillmore is outrageous Sewer Bills.
Roy L Payne gets $20k for 20 years,thats a job isn't it?
anonymous: Sadly, you are correct. American Water will be operating our plant for 20 years. Not only the plant but the effluent disposal SDI systems and landscaping.
I remember Mr. Ray Dressler addressing this issue last year. He was unaware that our City employees wouldn't be trained to operate the SDI systems.
Were all of the Council members unaware? If they were, that's the way a lot of things happen. If they weren't then it's too bad that they didn't make an effort to provide jobs for local workers.
Mr. Whipple: hmmm...I suppose it is. However, the $20k escalates each year by 3%-4%.
re: 7:51 Can you elaborate on your question?
Gayle, please help me understand how the new American Water plant conveniently caters to developers yet would be no different than settling with a PERC plant other than lower costs? So if what I'm hearing is correct, the PERC plant; 1) would have been designed to initially treat 1.8 million gallons of wastewater per day with the capability for future expansion? 2) cost less money? 3) provided our town an opportunity to prosper and allow the city to safely comply with mandated state housing requirements for the next 50 years? I hope that clarifies my earlier question and concern. As for economic recovery, I can tell you that I rarely shop in Fillmore other than for minor necessities and maybe a burrito. More money in my pocket would not mean more money for OUR local businesses. It would mean more retail tax revenues for Moorpark, Ventura, Valencia... Sad, I know, but honestly I don't have a choice.
anonymous: As far as the "conveniently caters to developers"-remark, I'm not sure how to respond. My reply to andy...
"andy: Not sure I follow your line of questioning...who would be impressed by our sewer plant? Developers?" ... was that I didn't get his point so I was just asking the question trying to guess what he was talking about.
1. yes
2. yes
3. "allow the city to safely comply with mandated state housing requirements for the next 50 years?" Well...the state hasn't mandated our next 50 years of requirements yet. SCAG gives us forecasts of which we exceeded by at least 37%.
Too bad I can't cut and paste in comment mode. I have a document that says SCAG reduced our projections of 2025 to 18,265.
I'm able to find most of what I really need here in town. I do go farther out sometimes but I'm more likely to order something online and have it delivered to my door too.
Since we've downsized so much I'm trying to bring less "stuff" into the house.
I'll get back to on my comment when I have more time either later today or evening.
I'm not in the board room,But I never completely believed Bert or any other salesman that has spoke in favor this sewer system.All the mis truths that have been told,all the fake workshops that have taken place,then they assemble a panel at the Memorial Building for $10,000(they said no one was paid?)all of it was nothing more than act of SALESMANSHIP.Just smoke & mirrors.All the principals involved were hell bent on ignoring our concerns.They worked harder to discredit any other company that came forth.This contract was to be awarded to American Waters at any cost WHY?. What hand did Roy play?Why is the Mayor being comped by THIS company in DC?(and his ethics are not questioned) It seems like all the principals involved are padding their resumes for their futures and having fun acting like big wheels at our expense in the mean time.
It comes down to this!!!
The majority of the Citizens in Fillmore "Don't Care!".
Example:
Did you see crowds at the Council Meetings, when Gayle spoke?
Did you see crowds at the work shops?
Yes you saw people but not enough.
As time has gone on, Gayle's support dwindled.
I am not talking negative about Gayle what so ever. I support all she has done.
I am only commenting on the facts that the people here complain but do not take action. If they do take action, they don't continue. In time they stop being active and give up.
That is precisely what has happened.
What result is the Mayor is hoping to achieve on Tuesday? Isn't complaining about elected and appointed officials as our Mayor a ethics violation when he has his opinion of them published in the papers?
Where's the Snowbird Tom? Can we just ask you computer questions?
HELLO?
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