Ironhouse Plans $50M in Sewer Upgrades as Data Center Opposition Mounts

Oakley's City Council heard a sweeping infrastructure blueprint from the sanitary district that serves nearly 48,000 residents, took a firm public pulse against a proposed data center, and got a sobering update on BART's deepening fiscal hole — all in a quick Feb. 24 session.

• Ironhouse Sanitary District outlines $50 million, five-year capital plan for sewer and treatment upgrades, with a Prop 218 rate hearing set for May 19

• Resident urges council to block data center rezoning, citing water strain, no named tenants, and community opposition; a 4/5 council vote is required

• Councilmember Williams warns BART cuts could add four hours of commute time for East County riders as the agency faces a $70 million deficit

• Council proclaims March as Prescription Drug Awareness Month; DEA Take Back Day at Oakley Police Department is April 26

• Fuller pushes again for more detailed meeting minutes, casting the lone dissenting vote in a 3-1 approval

$50 Million Sewer Overhaul on the Horizon for Oakley and Bethel Island

Why it matters: Ironhouse Sanitary District's capital plan would touch every ratepayer in Oakley and Bethel Island — roughly 47,000 to 48,000 people today, with the system built out for 75,000 — and the bill comes due at a Prop 218 rate hearing on May 19.

Where things stand: District Engineer Dana Gemmell presented a comprehensive look at an agency that has been busy. Over the past year, Ironhouse completed master plans and studies covering wastewater treatment, biosolids management, collection systems, technology, solar energy, cost of service, staffing, and a Jersey Island appraisal.

The $50 million breaks down roughly evenly: about $24 million for collection system upgrades — a 14-inch parallel force main, pump station improvements, SCADA and radio upgrades, and pipe renovation — and $24.5 million for treatment facility work, including biosolids management and SCADA/PLC modernization.

The district is also investing in energy independence, adding 1.5 megawatts of solar capacity with battery storage to complement an existing 1.1-megawatt system.

"We are in contract to add one and a half megawatts of additional storage as well as batteries to help us shave the energy costs during the five to nine peak hours," Gemmel said.

Meanwhile, Jersey Island — a district-owned property — is under contract for potential sale to Diablo Water District, with a target close by the end of 2026. And on the recognition front, Ironhouse's collection system team won the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Bay Area Collection System of the Year award for a small agency and is now eligible for the state title.

What's next: The Prop 218 notice will go out shortly, and the public hearing on rate adjustments is scheduled for May 19. Residents who want to weigh in on what they'll pay for these upgrades should watch for that notice.

Data Center Proposal Draws Sharp Opposition

Why it matters: A proposed 3-million-square-foot data center development would require rezoning — and that takes a 4/5 council supermajority, a high bar that community opposition could make even harder to clear.

Where things stand: Public commenter Greg Garcia used his time at the podium to urge the council to reject the rezoning, arguing that the developer's pitch lacked credibility.

"I don't think you build a 3 million square foot facility without having some clients ahead of time. That's just too much output to not have something for that," Garcia said.

He cited research showing data centers create water, pollution, and air quality problems for host communities, and questioned whether Ironhouse Sanitary District's recycled water capacity and the area's electrical infrastructure could absorb the project's demands.

What's next: The rezoning question will eventually come before the full council. With four votes needed out of five members and visible community opposition, project proponents face a steep climb.

BART's $70 Million Deficit Looms Over East County Commuters

Why it matters: BART service cuts to East Contra Costa County could mean dramatically longer commutes for residents who depend on the system — and the agency's finances suggest cuts may come regardless of new revenue.

Councilmember Anissa Williams reported on a BART workshop where she advocated against reducing service to the Far East County. She laid out the stakes in stark terms:

"BART riders had more than 55 million trips in 2025. If BART were to not be here, it is expected to add an additional four hours of commute time."

But the fiscal picture is grim. Williams reported that BART's finance director acknowledged that revenues will keep declining even with service reductions — and even if a proposed revenue measure passes, a $70 million deficit would remain.

Fuller's Lone Vote Keeps Minutes Transparency Debate Alive

Councilmember George Fuller pulled the meeting minutes from the consent calendar — again — to register his ongoing objection that the city's official record doesn't capture what residents actually say during public comment.

He pointed to specific examples where speakers were listed by name without any summary of their remarks.

"If people are coming to our city hall and talking during the council meeting, yes, we acknowledge their names but it seems like we ought to take the time to acknowledge what they put forward," Fuller said.

Decisions: The minutes were approved 3-1 (For: Councilmember Shannon Shaw, Councilmember Anissa Williams, Mayor Hugh Henderson; Against: Councilmember George Fuller; Absent: Vice Mayor Aaron Meadows). The consent calendar, minus the minutes, passed 4-0.

Minor Items

• Prescription Drug Awareness Month: Council proclaimed March 2026 as Prescription Drug Awareness Month. A Contra Costa County Meds Coalition representative noted that East Contra Costa County has seen rising overdose rates, with youth increasingly impacted by counterfeit fentanyl pills. The DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Oakley Police Department. Contra Costa County recorded 183 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023 and 332 opioid-related emergency department visits in 2024.

• E-bike safety: Councilmember Fuller described witnessing e-bike riders traveling over 50 mph on the wrong side of the street and going 35–40 mph on Main Street without helmets. He urged continued proactive enforcement, noting e-bike fatalities have already occurred in California.

• Williams reported on Oakley's participation in the Green Empowerment Zone, where the city is competing for one of three executive committee seats against six other cities. UC Berkeley's Labor Center presented strategies for attracting green manufacturing jobs to the region — particularly relevant to Oakley's Bridgehead Industrial project.

• Library and community center: A well-attended community workshop on Feb. 17 featured design renderings. Councilmember Shaw said the project pace was "just right — we're making sure we're getting everything done, but we're also not stalling it." The third and final public engagement session is Feb. 28, 9–11 a.m., at the Recreation Center on O'Hara Avenue.