Board Approves $637K Contract to Double Water Storage With New Tank

The Coastside County Water District Board moved unanimously to replace its oldest piece of infrastructure — a 1963-era steel water tank — with a modern concrete tank twice the size, the centerpiece of a meeting that also advanced the district's hydrant modernization program and kicked off the search for a new general manager.

• $636,800 engineering contract approved to design a 3-million-gallon replacement for the district's oldest 1.5-million-gallon water tank

• Hydrant replacement program nears finish line with 219 swapped since 2020 and just 56 left to go

• GM succession begins as board taps two directors to negotiate hiring terms ahead of March 2027 retirement

• New SFPUC Ridge Trail sparks traffic headaches, with one director reporting a 100-minute crawl down Highway 92

Doubling Down on Storage: The Tank No. 2 Project

Why it matters: The steel tank atop Carter Hill has been in service since 1963 — making it the oldest piece of infrastructure in the Coastside County Water District's system. Replacing it with a prestressed concrete tank double the capacity addresses both aging-asset risk and future demand in a single project.

Where things stand: The board authorized General Manager Mary Rogren to enter a professional service agreement with EKI Environment and Water Inc. for engineering, design and bid support for the Half Moon Bay Tank No. 2 project at a not-to-exceed cost of $636,800. The contract covers $429,000 for EKI's work and $208,000 for five sub-consultants handling geotechnical work, site surveys, structural design, and environmental permitting.

A key strategic decision embedded in the contract: rather than relying on the tank manufacturer DN for structural engineering — as is industry convention — the district hired Peterson Structural Engineers independently at $84,000. GM Rogren explained the move would give the district more negotiating leverage during construction and open up design options, including a bridge connecting tanks one and two.

"So what we're proposing here is instead of using DM to do the structural engineering, we'll use Peterson engineers. They work on the west coast. They have designed 75 prescribed concrete tanks," said GM Rogren.

Jonathan P. N. Sutter, a representative from EKI Environment and Water, confirmed the team's track record and noted Peterson is also designing North Coast County Water District's next prestressed concrete tank. On cost, he told the board: "We put together estimates as part of the master plan and we were estimating around $10 million. So actually slightly, because there's less site work related to this project, a little bit cheaper, even though it's more."

Board President Bob Feldman noted the prior site work keeps the sticker shock manageable: "It massages the cost factor a bit because people see that it's bigger, but it's really not going to break the bank because they've done a lot of stuff previously that prepared for this."

Vice President John Miller praised the planning: "I really appreciate print here for our customer base that this tank that we're replacing was built in 1963 and it's the oldest one in the district. So that's great foresight."

Decisions: Director Ken Coverdell, drawing on his experience as a contractor, successfully added "not to exceed" language to the motion before the vote. "What it means to me is that they've always worked on a budget up to a fixed amount of money and they have done a really great job year after year of not exceeding that. So not to exceed puts an upper limit on their expenses," Director Coverdell said. The motion passed 5-0 (For: Coverdell, Reynolds, Mickelsen, Miller, Feldman; Against: none).

What's next: EKI will advance engineering design and bid support. Based on the master plan estimates, the full construction project is expected to cost approximately $10 million.

219 Down, 56 to Go: Hydrant Program Nears the Finish Line

Why it matters: Since 2020, the district has replaced 219 fire hydrants using in-house labor — swapping outdated dry barrel models for modern wet barrel hydrants across its 680-hydrant system. Completing the remaining 56 eliminates an entire class of aging fire safety infrastructure.

Where things stand: Staff member Darin Sturdivan presented the procurement request, reporting that a comprehensive inventory this year identified 56 dry barrel hydrants still in need of replacement. Four vendors were solicited competitively, with Underground Republic Water Works winning the bid at $4,670 per hydrant for 27 Cloud 2065 Bronze Light Barrel Hydrants totaling $138,541. Director Coverdell confirmed the hydrants are American-made.

Board President Feldman called the program a milestone: "We're reaching a milestone. I think it's worthy of making that clear. It's been a while and it's taken a while, but we're closing on the end of this thing. And that's amazing."

GM Rogren praised staff for building a comprehensive asset database: "Staff has really done a great job in inventorying these hydrants and getting them all in CityWorks. So we know where all the hydrants are, we know their conditions, we know when they were put in."

Decisions: The motion passed 5-0 (For: Coverdell, Reynolds, Mickelsen, Miller, Feldman; Against: none).

GM Succession: Board Launches Search for Rogren's Replacement

Why it matters: General Manager Mary Rogren plans to retire in March 2027. The board's appointment of labor negotiators is the first formal step in a leadership transition that will shape district operations for years.

Where things stand: GM Rogren told the board: "The district is currently recruiting for a new general manager in anticipation of my retirement in March 2027." The board needed to formally designate two directors as agency representatives for labor negotiations under Government Code Section 54957.6.

Directors Dixon and Coverdell, who have been involved in the advisory committee communications, were nominated. Director Coverdell expressed enthusiasm: "We've been involved. We've had quite a few communications and I think we're familiar. I think it's wonderful to have a past general manager as part of that negotiating team."

Board Member Chris Mickelsen, serving as legal counsel, clarified the wording: "It's not the advisory committee, but it's designating two specific directors — Directors Dixon and Directors Coverdell — to be the agency designated representatives for labor negotiations, the district and the prospective general manager."

Decisions: The motion passed 5-0 (For: Coverdell, Reynolds, Mickelsen, Miller, Feldman; Against: none). The board then entered closed session for labor negotiations with the prospective general manager and a real property easement negotiation with Dover Crest LLC.

Trail Opens, Traffic Jams Follow

The board discussed the recent opening of the SFPUC Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail — a $24 million, six-mile stretch that has been in the works since at least 2015. Visitors need a permit, and the trail is open approximately 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Multiple directors reported the trail has been overwhelmed with visitors, with cars parked along Highway 92. Vice President Miller reported it took an hour and 40 minutes to get down Highway 92 from the Skyline intersection. Director Glenn Reynolds noted accessibility challenges, comparing the trail to a "train to nowhere" given its limited access points. Board President Feldman framed the discussion as highlighting the district's close working relationship with SFPUC.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved 5-0 with amendments: Director Coverdell reviewed financial statements twice after the assistant general manager caught an omitted sum of money. Two special meeting minutes were also corrected — one fixing a name title and another adding detail about SB 707.

• Vice President Miller asked about a $428,000 payment to Flow US Bank Trust NA; GM Rogren clarified it was the loan payment on the district's certificates of participation.

• Balance Hydrologics contract renewed 5-0 at $109,364 for water year 2027 stream gauging and groundwater monitoring on Denniston and Sanchez creeks — a 4% increase over last year. The data supports the district's water rights and compliance with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

• Director Miller reported visiting FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., and Quantico, where he raised water security and vandalism concerns. An FBI special agent advised: "If there's an incident at your treatment plant, call the EPA first and then call us."

• Operations report: Both treatment and distribution facilities passed state inspection. The Santa Rosa and Alcatraz pipeline replacement project has been mobilized. The Wave Crest mainline extension for the City of Half Moon Bay is nearing completion. Maintenance worker Ivan Aguilar passed his Treatment 2 certification exam.

• Vice President Miller raised concerns about future water hookup capacity given planned housing expansion, which Board President Feldman said would need to be addressed at a future strategic planning session.