By Tamara Rowles
Contributing Writer
Staff members of the Santa Ynez Community Services District will research a proposal to operate Solvang’s sewer system and wastewater treatment plant, the CSD board decided on Aug. 30.
Board members Karen Jones and Bob D’Ambra had met with wastewater staff prior to the meeting to discuss options for the SYCSD to run the plant.
“We would like to make a proposal. We don’t know where it’s going to go. … We want what’s best for our district. As a board here, we are responsible to the people in our district,” said Jones, the board president.
Solvang Councilmember Chris Djernaes, City Manager David Gassaway, and Special Auditor Thomas Widroe attended the meeting on behalf of Solvang’s City Council to offer their support for the SYCSD Board to direct staff to prepare the requested proposal.
“What we are trying to do is explore regionalization with respect to wastewater treatment. … The idea is that CSD and Solvang wastewater treatment can come together. … There is a lot more to discuss, but this is a very good first step and I applaud you guys for taking it,” Djernaes said.
SYCSD General Manager Jeff Hodge noted that the district is under contract with the Chumash tribe and the city of Buellton to run their operations. He said after an initial transition period, these operations are mostly running smoothly.
While the board was unanimous in its interest in presenting a proposal to Solvang and to continue exploring options to run its wastewater treatment plant, more information is needed from Solvang to prepare a detailed proposal. It therefore directed staff to seek clarification as to the requirements of the proposal and will consider voting to prepare the proposal at the next meeting.
In Buellton, Public Works Director and City Engineer Rose Hess noted that Hodge serves as the city’s chief plant operator, but Buellton’s own operators oversee day-to-day operations at its wastewater treatment plant. Buellton intends for Hodge to continue in that role until the City Council decides whether to hire its own chief plant operator. The Chumash tribe did not return requests for comment regarding its contract with SYCSD.
The board also considered hiring a special auditor to audit the financial records of the SYCSD. It heard comments from Thomas Widroe, who was hired as Solvang City Council’s Special Auditor in a closed session on June 17. After Widroe indicated he was not a CPA or a financial auditor and was accountable to Solvang City Council, the SYCSD Board took no action.
At its Aug. 12 meeting, Solvang City Council reviewed options presented by consultants for upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant as well as financing strategies to pay for the necessary upgrades. Mayor Ryan Toussaint expressed interest in regionalization of the plant and directed staff to request a proposal from the SYCSD to run the plant in order to take advantage of “economies of scale.”
The SYCSD is already under contract for 20 percent of the capacity of the plant and therefore 20 percent of the cost for upgrades.
The next meeting on Sept. 18 will first hold a joint wastewater committee at 3 p.m. to explore financing options and then the regular SY CSD meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. which will update on construction on Horizon Drive, public outreach programs and communications as well as further discussion on the wastewater proposal to Solvang.
For more information, call the SYCSD at 805-688-3008 or Solvang at 805-688-5575.
