City strengthens nuisance rules in upcoming sewer contracts

A few weeks have passed since city staff promised a swift and active response after a sewer contractor reportedly violated several contract provisions and residents say things have gotten better.

“They’ve made a good amount of progress so at this point I’m giving up,” resident Laurelea Kim said. “It’s getting to be Christmas time and I’m not looking for any fights. Honestly I feel bad for the workers because I know they’re doing everything they can.”

Interim City Manager Charlie Cassens, Interim Public Works Director Mark Clark and City Councilman Dean Barlow attended a neighborhood meeting Nov. 23 at Kim’s home after residents complained of dust and noise violations in their area at a City Council meeting. Cassens said he has followed up with AMEC subcontractor, SJ Louis Construction, which set up operations to continue work on the Neptune Sewer Staging Area.

“The contractor is now making every effort to make sure they are abiding by the contract terms,” Cassens said during a recent city council meeting. “They anticipate completion in that area in early February. … The residents are working with us, and the contractor is taking extra special care and we’re watching them like a hawk. So hopefully we can get through this thing without too much more delay.”

Cassens said city staff also has revised conditions for future sewer staging contracts.

“We are drafting conditions which include a minimum of 150 feet from residences for any yard or construction facilities and a minimum of 250 feet from residences for screening operations,” Cassens said. “It’s worth noting that we only have about five contracts left to do. … We’re going to try to get them as far away from where people live as possible to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Cassens said city staff will continue to monitor SJ Louis at the Neptune Sewer Staging Area but added the project would inconvenience more residents if staff attempted to move the current construction.

“I really do empathize with their situation but we have a job to finish out there,” he said. “Simply moving that operation would only prolong the agony and involve even more people to be inconvenienced. So right now we’re hoping to minimize the nuisance in that neighborhood and get the construction finished as fast as we can.”

Kim said she’s satisfied with the changes.

“They’re not supposed to be out there past 6 p.m. and we’ve seen them out there at 6:30 recently but at least they’re not going past 7 p.m. or working on weekends like they did before,” she said. “We got a really nice letter from Charlie Cassens and we think they’re doing everything they can.”

When Kim was told that future agreements would be adjusted to avoid a similar situation, she said she was pleased.

“Of course I wish they could’ve made those changes beforehand but I’m glad something is being done about it,” she said. “I know people that see those trucks pop up far away from their yard will be really happy they’re not right next door. I’m glad something was done and I know they need to finish but I still can’t wait for them to be gone.”

You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com