City staff briefed the Salinas Finance Committee on Nov. 4 about planned sanitary sewer upgrades, including a priority Lake Street lift station and pipeline work tied to development and roadway projects. Adriana Robles, assistant public works director and city engineer, said the system serves more than 12,000 acres, includes over 280 gravity mains and 11 lift stations, and currently handles roughly 10,500,000 gallons per day with an anticipated additional 2,300,000 gallons per day for future growth.

Robles outlined a phased approach drawn from the 2023 sanitary sewer master plan and subsequent updates. She said the city plans to solicit a design-build contractor for the Lake Street pump station, aiming to issue the solicitation by the end of the month, develop a short list by February, award by April and begin the contract in May; the city anticipates a two-year construction window and optimistically noted May 2028 for a new lift station in service. "Design-build typically compresses the time frame for getting a project done," Robles said, adding that early contractor involvement can reduce change orders and improve cost control.

Robles also described pipeline projects previously prioritized for development impact, including a Cesar Chavez pipeline linked to the 11 Hill Circle subdivision. She said council direction during the budget process shifted some focus to Abbot Street pavement and sewer work; staff plan to package sewer and roadway improvements to avoid duplicated effort, with design proposals requested to be complete by February–March and bidding targeted for May, and construction ideally starting so work could be finished by November (year not specified).

On financing, Robles said the new sewer rates approved by the city council in September and effective Oct. 1 do not fully cover the large-capital projects. "Bonding will be required in order to get these projects through the door," she said, showing revenue projections, operating expenses and the forecasted project costs. When Council member Margaret D'Arrigo asked about maintaining service during the Lake Street construction period, Robles said the project would include a bypass system so the city can keep the existing sewer operational, and staff are considering purchasing property to keep an existing pump station running during construction.

Robles gave an early construction estimate for the Lake Street lift station of between $20 million and $25 million and said that figure and temporary-operation costs are included in the rate study. Finance staff member Renee said the city plans to borrow to cover the gap, coordinate the market timing after observing rate performance, and align financing decisions with bid awards. Renee added that stabilizing the sewer fund and the recent rate increase are important to improve the city's credit profile and secure more favorable interest rates.

The committee did not take formal action on the presentation; members asked for follow-up details on specific cost components in the rate study. The committee approved the minutes from Oct. 14, 2025 at the start of the meeting. The finance committee is scheduled to meet again on Dec. 2 to continue planning and review financing options.