Federal money in pipeline for city's sewer system

Federal money in pipeline for city's sewer system
By Jessica A. York/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 06/27/2009

Vallejo may receive a financial boost in its maintenance and modernization of a nearly two-century-old sewer and storm drainage system in need of nearly constant and expensive repairs.

The city is eligible for a $750,000 federal grant that would help make infrastructure repairs on the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, setting aside the money for Vallejo.

Vallejo City Engineer David Kleinschmidt said the new grant likely was awarded with help from a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm working for Lennar Mare Island, the island's master developer.

Lennar Mare Island is required to make improvements on island infrastructure as it develops properties, Kleinschmidt said. The federal grants allow the company to focus its development dollars on further projects.

"They're the advocates, they request the money ... once there's an indication that there's money, we fine-tune it," Kleinschmidt said. "There's a long list of project improvements. Every time we do one, it does become less."

The bill will need to receive approval by the U.S. Senate and the president's signature before it is finalized.

The legislation is expected to pass by September, according to a release from Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, who supported spending for Mare Island's sewer and storm drainage systems. Miller represents Vallejo.

The project was also approved for $500,000 in funding from the 2009 federal budget, passed on March 11.

Contact staff writer Jessica A. York at jyork@thnewsnet.com or (707) 553-6834.