Rio Vista Braces for Super El Niño as Aging Drains Draw Scrutiny

Rio Vista's City Council spent the largest share of its Oct. 20 meeting on a forecast Super El Niño, as staff warned that the city's storm drains could trap floodwater instead of moving it out. With Vice Mayor Rick Dolk presiding and Mayor Edwin Okamura absent, the council voted 4-0 to start inspecting those drains and to seek state financing for three water projects. A county water agency also warned that a pending state Bay Delta Plan could squeeze the groundwater Rio Vista depends on.

---

• Super El Niño preparations: Staff cite a 98% chance of a very strong event; sandbags are staged at two sites.
• $87,700 storm drain inspection contract awarded 4-0 to Coastline Water Resources.
• Three state water financing applications approved 4-0 for wells, a booster station and pipelines.
• Bay Delta Plan warning: The Solano County Water Agency says state flow rules could stress Rio Vista's groundwater.
• Council eyes lift-assist calls and the 4th and Main intersection for future study.

---

Super El Niño: Sandbags Ready, Drains a Liability

Why it matters: Rio Vista has flooded before, and staff pointed to 1986 and 1997. A very strong El Niño winter would test the city's flood walls, its aging storm system and its wastewater operations all at once.

Where things stand: Staff cited a 98% chance of a very strong El Niño. The briefing covered vulnerable areas, public works checklists, evacuation routes, the Emergency Operations Center and wastewater protocols from Inframark. Residents were advised to keep 72 hours of supplies, possibly two weeks' worth. Sandbags are available at the Airport Road Business Park and Promenade Park.

The drain problem: Staff said the flood walls stand at maximum flood elevation, but the storm drains work against the city. "Our storm drain infrastructure does not help us at all. It hurts us because the water can't get out," said a city staff member. That admission set up the inspection contract the council approved earlier in the night.

The other side: Councilmember Sarah Donnelly questioned where the sandbags are placed and raised concerns about infiltration at the Beach wastewater plant. Staff responded that Inframark has improved operations. The city attorney noted that states are often more accommodating on penalties after acts of God. Councilmember Walt Stanish asked staff to push outreach through social media. Vice Mayor Dolk urged coordination with neighbors such as Sherman Island and Isleton, calling for "just constant communication with the area around us."

Residents weigh in: Two public commenters focused on communication when systems fail. One asked when the most dangerous period would arrive and how residents would be directed to sandbags, food, shelter and electricity. Another recommended adding Radio Rio, a generator-powered station used in past emergencies, as well as the Red Cross and the Rio Vista High School gymnasium to the plan.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council took no action on this informational item. Households in flood-prone areas carry the most direct risk. Inframark's performance at the Beach plant and public works' readiness are now under council scrutiny. The communication gaps residents flagged, especially during power and cell outages, remain open questions.

What's next: Council members' requests for outreach and regional coordination now rest with staff as winter approaches.

---

Bay Delta Plan Could Squeeze Rio Vista's Groundwater

The basics: "Unimpaired flow" is the water a river would carry without dams and diversions. The State Water Resources Control Board is updating a Bay Delta plan that is about 15 years out of date, with a science-based goal of 55% unimpaired flow.

Why it matters: Rio Vista and Dixon rely entirely on groundwater. The Solano County Water Agency's presenter said that if surface supplies elsewhere shrink, other agencies will turn to the same Solano subbasin.

Where things stand: Most Solano surface water sources are on the negotiated Healthy Rivers and Landscapes path, which carries an eight-year time limit. The alternative is stark. "The regulatory pathway is the pathway where, again, the state would take 55% of your water," said the agency's presenter.

The state answered the agency's comments after 10 years. The agency disliked the answers, which grouped regions together, assumed no change in groundwater and made claims about population and housing. Adoption was anticipated Oct. 28-29, and agencies are weighing legal options.

Council questions: "Is that code word for the tunnel project?" asked Councilmember Stanish about the state taking surface water. The presenter said the Delta Conveyance Project is now down to a single tunnel. "What would be the role of SGWA in reviewing the EIR?" asked Councilmember Lisa Duke, referring to the California Forever/Suisun expansion review. The presenter cited groundwater and stormwater concerns and disclosed a stake: "The agency actually owns Peterson Ranch. So we own 1,600 acres that are actually immediately adjacent to California Forever." The presenter said Sites Reservoir is not expected to benefit Solano. Councilmember Donnelly raised concerns about billionaire-owned water interests.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No action was taken. The risk lands hardest on groundwater-only cities like Rio Vista and Dixon, while surface water holders face an eight-year clock.

What's next: Watch for the State Water Board's anticipated Oct. 28-29 adoption. Separately, staff reported no California Forever update because the city manager had not met with the company.

---

Council Takes a Camera Look at Aging Drains

Why it matters: The city cannot fix what it hasn't documented. Officials framed the inspection as groundwork for a future funding case for drains that are more than 75 years old.

Where things stand: The council awarded Coastline Water Resources a contract of up to $87,700, plus a 10% contingency of $8,770. Six bids ranged from $87,000 to nearly half a million dollars, and staff said the low bidder had satisfactory references. Crews will inspect about 40,000 linear feet of pipe, 70 manholes and 250 catch basins, starting with the oldest infrastructure. The data will go into the city's GIS mapping system, with work expected from December through January. The Municipal Rates & Utilities Committee first requested the inspection in February.

The money problem: Council members asked about the wide bid spread and the risk of add-on costs. Staff said closed-circuit TV inspection carries few unknowns. "The storm drain enterprise fund only collects roughly $30,000 a year," a city staff member said, so the general fund covers the rest of the roughly $180,470 total. Staff said an interfund loan repayment schedule will come later.

The backstory: "Over a year ago we put the storm drain upgrades up to a vote and it lost," said Vice Mayor Dolk, who added that storm drain rates have not risen in about 40 years.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Resolution 2026-067 passed (For: 4, Donnelly, Duke, Dolk, Stanish; Against: 0; Absent: 1, Okamura). General fund services absorb the cost for now. Ratepayers may eventually see the resulting data used to make the case for a new fee.

---

Three Loan Applications, One Edited Word

The basics: The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, administered by the same State Water Resources Control Board writing the Bay Delta Plan, offers low-cost financing for water systems.

Where things stand: Staff called the three resolutions procedural. They designate the city manager as the authorized representative and do not approve design, construction or financing amounts. Vice Mayor Dolk established that repayment would begin in five to 10 years and that the projects follow the recent rate study. "These projects we wouldn't be discussing right now if it weren't for the rate study and rate adjustments that we just did," he said.

At the city attorney's recommendation, the council voted on each resolution separately. Staff noted that the booster station application covers design only, so Councilmember Donnelly amended her motion to remove "construction." The pipeline resolution kept it.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: All three passed 4-0, with Okamura absent:

• Resolution 2026-068 covers Groundwater Wells 16 and 17.
• Resolution 2026-069 covers the Booster Pump Station and Storage Project, as amended.
• Resolution 2026-070 covers Water Pipeline Improvements.

Ratepayers are not committed to loan terms yet, though debt service is built into the rate study.

---

Lift Assists and a Blind Downtown Corner

Councilmember Donnelly cited Woodland, which she said "was considering a lift fee that you would pay if fire personnel came out and it was simply to get someone off the floor." Staff said such calls are frequent but have not had a major impact so far, and offered to explore remedies. Councilmember Duke noted repeated lift assists on one Trilogy street.

Duke called 4th and Main a blind intersection: "It's time to look at that again as a 4-way stop." Stanish reported "a Montezuma Fire vehicle parked in the red zone by the fire hydrant right at that corner." Staff will speak with Montezuma Fire. The council reached consensus to review options, and staff will also look into county park wayfinding signs after a public commenter raised the issue.

---

Minor Items

• Consent calendar (4-0): The council approved minutes, September financial reports, a Willdan Engineering code enforcement amendment of up to $29,000 and cancellation of the Nov. 3 meeting.
• Code enforcement report (4-0): Staff said an agreement on 30 North 2nd Street is about 50% complete, and 1025 Church Road is under appeal.
• Monthly report (4-0): Stanish flagged a missing fire-call breakdown: "There's usually a breakdown on what the fires are. It's missing."
• Postponed: The Flock camera presentation was delayed after the vendor could not attend, and the Airport Advisory Commission appointment awaits the mayor's return.
• Planning Commission: Commissioners recommended a downtown traffic study to protect Main Street access and visibility.

---

Looking ahead: The State Water Board's Bay Delta Plan adoption is anticipated Oct. 28-29. Storm drain inspections are slated for December through January. The council's next regular meeting is Nov. 17.