LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - The February 21 Live Oak City Council focused on approving a temporary fix for a broken water pipe in an irrigation ditch near Archer Avenue and Live Oak Blvd. City Engineer Scott Rolls asked to use All American Contractors, currently under contract on the Pennington East project, to stabilize the collapsing walls of the 1940s era pipe rather than go to bids for permanent repair. Rolls advised waiting for a larger, upcoming federally funded project under which this one could be included, and all together being put out for bid.

Rolls said he was not able to see through the old pipe to take a clear picture of the condition along the inside walls, but it was clear sections of it had fallen in. A city crew had filled the pipe with rock to stabilize it.

No water is passing through and customers do not have water at this irrigation site outside the city limits.  It is not part of its billing system, only a District facility, but the California Code of Regulations says it is Live Oak’s responsibility to fix it,” as it was there when the City incorporated, reported Rolls. “We will have to excavate to see damage.” 

Rolls explained that the site on Archer and Live Oak is eligible for federal funding. The permanent fix would involve digging up the whole road from L St. to the city limits for complete reconstruction. Mayor Ashley Hernandez asked if there were any similar projects like this, and Rolls replied there were three, but they are just outside the city limits.

Council unanimously approved a resolution to authorize the procurement of necessary equipment, services, and supplies, without giving notice for bids on this work.

Councilmember Bob Woten reported attending a Regional Waste Disposal Agency meeting in which it was emphasized that State Bill 1383 be enforced requiring that commercial food waste must be turned into compost and other things. Compliance for commercial customers in Live Oak is currently at 61%.

Councilmember Jeramy Chapdelaine reported he attended a Regional Housing Authority meeting, which is in the process of approving an annual budget.

Councilmember Lakhvir Ghag reported the Sacramento Area Council on Government (SACOG) was dealing with the issue of race equity. It found that in the past some minority applicants were allowed to buy housing together without qualifying, then created HOAs and passed regulations biasing against other ethnicities buying in.

The Flood Control Committee is planning for repair of a two-mile-long local area, Ghag said, and a local wildlife area is acquiring improvements permits to seek a $7.7 million improvement grant. Sediment removal from Yuba Water Agency may cost $10 million, he said. The State Capital was voting on obtaining software called SERVE for mosquito vectoring so all agencies can feed data into it and access the same information to control mosquitoes as cheaply as possible, as some of the chemicals used against them have been banned.  There are a lot of restrictions on spraying mainly at night, but mosquitoes hide at night and in the cold, Ghag said. “Artificially created” mosquitoes designed to block reproduction have been released to breed, Ghag informed, saying a breeding ground for mosquitoes are transformers underground at the side of houses.

A review of Sewer costs was requested by Vice Mayor Nancy Santana, who also expressed concern over animal control, citing a lot of animals running the streets, with cats and dogs being hit. Santana asked if perhaps Gridley’s animal control officer might look at our current cost to see if an officer from there could provide assistance to Live Oak. Santana also requested a spay/neuter clinic be held locally every couple of months at the community building. The Vice Mayor also inquired if Live Oak ever received the requested sheriff’s call logs. 

Mayor Hernandez reminded that PG&E offers help on heating for families that need it, and that the Penny Candy is close to finishing its remodeling.