The Yuba County Water Agency Board of Directors unanimously voted on Sept. 1 to extend emergency contracting for the ongoing work related to the Colgate Penstock incident. This critical decision, made with a 7-0 vote, invokes Public Contract Code section 22050, allowing the agency to maintain the necessary pace for stabilization efforts. The extension ensures continuity in addressing the issues at the Colgate Penstock as the project progresses towards its final stages of temporary stabilization.
Staff updates provided during the Sept. 1 meeting highlighted the advanced state of the physical work at the incident site. According to the agency’s meeting summary, debris removal and excavation operations were reported to be nearing completion. Further, the remaining rock buttress work, specifically situated at the powerhouse tailrace, was anticipated to conclude within the week following the board meeting. These activities are part of a broader effort for which a $13.9 million contract was previously awarded. Hat Creek Construction secured this contract for the Colgate Penstock hillslope erosion and temporary stabilization work, following the submission of five competitive bids. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) had granted conditional approval, allowing the commencement of these essential stabilization activities.
The decision to continue emergency contracting was not made without specific attention from the board. Board Chair Wayne Bishop specifically requested that the item be pulled from the consent agenda for direct discussion. Following this, General Manager Willie Whittlesy provided responses to questions posed by the directors, facilitating the board's understanding before their unanimous vote to approve the extension. The meeting also included public participation, with residents Doyle Radford and Shawn Radford both addressing the board to raise concerns regarding the Colgate Penstock incident, as noted in the draft minutes.
While the Colgate Penstock incident was a central topic, the Sept. 1 meeting encompassed other business, according to the meeting summary. Presentations were given on a completed grant specifically for Reclamation District 784. Additionally, board members received information concerning a contract amendment related to the Daguerre Point Nature-like Fishway. However, the summary indicates that neither of these items prompted any specific action or vote from the Yuba County Water Agency Board of Directors during the session.
