Bishop Moves Forward on Infrastructure Improvements
Fine wine improves with age. Water and sewer lines, unfortunately, do not, as Bishop’s City Council learned at last week’s meeting. Following a report outlining the condition of the city’s plumbing, the Council unanimously approved measures to evaluate its 80-year old system and begin the process of upgrades.
Bishop’s Public Works staff and the meeting agenda package outlined the process of funding infrastructure projects, a labyrinth more complex than the City’s water/sewer system.
Task one is assessing the condition of Bishop’s underground plumbing, allowing the City to accurately identify existing issues and get an assessment of problems going forward. The current camera system has outlived its 10-year life expectancy by six years. Hector Martinez, Public Works’ crew leader, explained the advantages of a new Envirosight’s Rovver X. The system also got a thumbs-up from Councilmember Jim Ellis who has first-hand experience working for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
The cost of the Rovver, $125,257, will come out of the City’s sewer fund.
The next item, an amendment to the West Line Water Main Replacement project, was moved up on Bishop’s to-do list by Caltrans’ repavement plans on a stretch of Line Street. The City intends to apply for a federal Rural Development loan to pay for a preliminary engineering report as well as a required National Environmental Protection Act report. The question before the Council was the addition of $47,000 to the cost of construction documents.
The final funding request covered the $65,275 cost of a contract with consultants Wood Rodgers, Inc. to update and fill-in gaps in Bishop’s Standards and Details, a document that dates back to 1991. The plan includes a series of kick-off meetings to give the public the opportunity to weight in. Based on that input, Wood Rodgers will come up with an update document focused on sewer and water guidelines, roadway design, structural pavement sections, storm drainage, landscaping and lighting.
A possible analogy to this element: think of a long-term plan to modernize and upgrade an older home. Best to have a firm plan at the outset rather than coming up with a design or needs assessment in the middle of the rehab.
The $65,275 contract will be split evening between Bishop’s streets, water and sewer funds.
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