By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
San Benito Commissioners unanimously acted on two city utility concerns involving funding, one of which garnered a warning from the State of Texas citing a local health hazard.
The decisions, which were independent of one another, were made during a regular city commissioners’ meeting on December 16.
One decision was to stock up on multi-sized repair clamps for $43,000, and the other was an “emergency” procurement for lift-station repairs that drew the attention of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The lift station repair cost totals $162,000.
San Benito City Manager Fred Sandoval and City of San Benito Utilities Manager Jose Lara told commissioners the three-month emergency was at the Virginia Street lift station. Lara said that now that he has the proper equipment, the City of San Benito can proceed with the project.
“We have some issues with the neighbors, and it’s getting to the point they’re calling the State of Texas on us,” Sandoval said during the commissioners meeting. “We want to make sure we get ahead of TCEQ.”
City commissioners were told that city staff received a verbal warning from the TCEQ after a neighboring resident complained of strong sewer odors emanating from the lift station due to a failed discharge line.
Lara told commissioners during the meeting that the lift station has been operating on a “bypass system.” Immediate repairs were required, according to an executive summary provided by staff in preparation for the meeting.
City staff admit this disrepair has created a public health hazard.
“I received a call from TCEQ inspector Jonathan Diaz; he advised me to address the odor issue at the lift station,” Lara wrote in a December 4 letter about the November 13 call from Diaz to his work phone. “I informed him that we currently had a bypass in place because the lift station discharge was broken.”
Lara said the San Benito homeowner initially didn’t formally file a complaint with the City of San Benito.
He has been in contact with the resident, informing her of the delay in the equipment. He said the city staff has placed, “deodorant blocks to mask the smell.”
“Mr. Diaz stated that he had advised the resident to file a complaint with the City of San Benito and that this phone call would serve as a verbal warning,” Lara said. “He also informed me that if the resident were to call back, he would be required to initiate a formal investigation.”
But instead of seeking bids for this lift station project, which exceeds the $50,000 expenditure threshold, Lara told commissioners the city is again opting to use OMT Utilities, based in Weslaco.
Lara told Commissioner Deborah A. Morales that this was why only one estimate was presented before voting on the item.
“They do good quality work,” Lara said. “OMT just finished doing a lift station repair work that went 60 feet deep along Camino Real. They have done several jobs for us.”
Regarding the Virginia Street lift station, the equipment is not for increased capacity, as requested by Mayor Ricardo Guerra, but only for repairs.
According to OMT Utilities, removal and installation of concrete to get to various six-inch cast iron pipes, gate valves, and iron pipes with yellow mine (25 feet deep) is required. The removal of existing old submersible pumps, including bases and guide rails, is also required.
The second action item was the purchase of clamps from Aquaworks Pipe and Supply for $43,471, the lowest of three accepted bids.
Lara’s department will have a large stockpile of repair clamps (260 units) measuring 4-10 inches, needed for future repairs to water lines. Sandoval said it’s for urgent situations that will occur, whether it’s day or night, holiday or not.
However, Mayor Guerra was adamant about the delays discussed during the meeting and how they affect residents, citing that city staff have to defer to the finance department.
“These are emergencies; if this is equipment that is needed, why do you have to come to us (San Benito Commission)?” Guerra asked. “You need it.”
Sandoval answered, “It’s standard procurement.”
Mayor Guerra countered: “I know … but in emergencies, I don’t need emergencies to be holding off.”