Planned Water Outage - North Dunsmuir
Water will be turned off in north Dunsmuir (Shasta Retreat north) from 9:00AM – 4:00PM on Thursday, September 8, 2016. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Snowcrest Outage
This morning Snowcrest our interest service provider suffered an outage that left our City Hall without internet and phone service. The internet and phone service has since been restored.
If you had a loss of service with Snowcrest, we encourage you to follow them on Facebook for updates regarding their service. They recommend that any equipment that is used to be reset to ensure internet connectivity.
Thank you for your patience, and apologize for any inconveniences.
Regular City Council Date Change
In the July 21st City Council Meeting, City council voted to move the next scheduled City Council meeting from the 4th of August to the 11th of August.
Please check back for the posting of the agenda by clicking the link below.
Notice of Election
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Municipal Election, consolidated with the Presidential General Election will be held in the City of Dunsmuir on November 8, 2016, for the purpose of electing two council members, each to a four-year term ending in 2020; one council member for a two year term ending 2018 and the city clerk and city treasurer, each to a four-year term ending in 2020.
Nomination papers will be available beginning Monday, July 18, 2016 through Friday, August 12, 2016 at Dunsmuir City Hall, 5915 Dunsmuir Ave., Dunsmuir, CA; during regular business hours. Completed papers must be filed in the office of the Siskiyou County Clerk, 510 N. Main Street, Yreka, CA; no later than 4:00p.m., on August 12, 2016. For further information, contact the Siskiyou County Clerk’s Office at 530-842-8084 or the Dunsmuir Deputy Clerk at 530-235-4822 ext. 100.
Planning Commissioner Vacancies
Request for Qualifications
The City of Dunsmuir is soliciting qualifications and experience information to be used for the selection of an Airport Engineer/Consultant for the Dunsmuir Muni-Mott Airport. See RFQs below and updated addendums below.
Temporary Water Outage
There will be a temporary water outage in the area of Mountain Ave and Bush St. for approximately one hour from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm today, April 28, 2016.
Water Main Replacement Schedule
The schedule this week is as follows (April 25 to April 29):
Pot-holing at the location of Sacramento & Scherrer Ave; location of Scherrer and Bridge Street.
Flush & Bac-t test on Bush Street.
Tie in Bush Street.
Install Main Line on Scherrer Ave.
Traffic may be interrupted at these location. Please be mindful of the works in these areas and slow down. The City and the contract workers appreciate your cooperation.
Weekly report April 22, 2016
City Manager
Having computer problems being looked at by ACME.
Attended Finance Committee meeting and made presentation of water/wastewater/solid waste review and expenses for 2010-2015 (where the money came from and where it went). Presentation will be repeated at the May 5 City Council meeting.
Met with various individual to discuss various issues.
Doctor appointment Tuesday afternoon.
Met with Mayor and Council members at various times but never with more than two at one time.
Met with Railroad Depot Museum members to discuss the lack of support from Amtrak and the need for a new roof.
Attended City Council meeting on Thursday evening.
Attended the Brewfest Committee meeting (first time).
Worked on making adjustment to the part-time Assistant Utility Billing Clerk/Receptionist employment request to the City Council.
Worked on 2015-2016 budget.
Worked on various issues concerning airport hangar damage; public records request; code enforcement and council agenda items.
Attended meeting on the safety element of the General Plan with Fire Chief, City Planner and CAL-Fire.
Public Works
Completed weed trimming Dunsmuir Ave Central on/off ramp; Florence loop and Dunsmuir Ave.
Pulled weeds out of planter boxes on Pine Street
Cleaned north City Hall parking lot.
Clean staircase Shasta Ave to Dunsmuir Ave.
Rebuilt bench at Tauhindauli Park
Spray Herbicide - Oak Street to High School hill; south Dunsmuir Ave hill to bus stop.
Read Meters
Removed graffiti, Butterfly Bridge, Sacrament Ave wall, Central I-5 crossings.
Mow lawns
Swept streets.
Big fish meeting 4/19
Marked out paint/strip Sacramento Ave. leased parking lot, strip ½ of Amtrak parking lot.
Removed plow framework from #400 and 401.
Remove Ivy/debris from sidewalk between Sacramento and Walnut.
Hansen Electric installed form for new concrete pedestal base at Florence Loop. Should be poured 4/22 or early next week.
Met with Melissa Cummings and Scott Billingsley (Siskiyou County Transportation) 4/20. Reviewed and are looking at improving existing stage bus stops and possibly moving a few existing sites to new locations. Ms. Cummings will be sending a complete report within the next two or three weeks.
Utilities
Contractor installing 5” water main on Bush Street and Mountain Ave.
Had 30 water disconnects for non-payment on Monday.
Had sewer lateral issue over the weekend (April 16/17) on a Pine Street house. Owner was called and waiting for a return call to discuss the problem and remedies.
Located sewer main on top of Bush Street and Mountain Avenue for contractor to install new 2” line.
Finished locating sewer main on south end of Schearer Ave where contractors will be digging next week (April 25-29).
Reading Water Meters on Thursday and Friday.
Pump station and lift stations were checked.
Plant operations, testing and maintenance done.
Community Services Officer
Worked on two abatements.
Removed and collected all citywide cleanup posters.
Investigated a complaint of a red car abandoned on Shasta Ave.
Trash picked up with road kill at various locations.
Began taking pictures with high grass and weeds with certified letters sent out. This is a lengthy process due to the number of code violations.
Fire Department
Responded to 10 dispatches:
(5) EMS calls.
(1) Structure fire
(1) Public assist.
(2) Other type fires.
(1) Haz-Mat.
Weekly training consisted of ground ladder and aerial ladder evolutions.
All equipment and apparatus are in good working order.
Reviewed and entered run reports into computer.
Attended meeting on the safety element of the General Plan with City Manager, City Planner and CAL-Fire.
Attended meeting with CAL-Trans to discuss potential impacts of traffic problems on I-5 in the Dunsmuir area due to the next phase of the Antler Bridge construction.
Job Announcements
We are announcing the opening of two new positions for the City of Dunsmuir.
Assistant Utility Billing Clerk
Utility Maintenance Operator-In-Training
Applicants that are interesting in applying for the positions must download and fill out the application and either hand deliver to Dunsmuir City Hall or mail to:
Dunsmuir City Hall
ATTN: City Manager
5915 Dunsmuir Avenue
Dunsmuir, CA 96025
Cleanup Day June 18, 2016 Cancelled
The Citywide cleanup scheduled for June 18, 2016 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled in the fall. This was due to a scheduling conflict. City staff apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone. The Cleanup will happen sometime in the fall, September or October timeframe.
Big Fish Opening Day
DUNSMUIR’S TRADITIONAL OPENER…
It originally was on the last Saturday of every April to start the Opening Day of World-Class Fly-Fishing on the upper Sacramento River. Now with fishing allowed all year, this day is celebrated with our annual Fisherman’s Breakfast Opener at the Dunsmuir Fire Station.
It’s time once again to wade the crystal clear and cool waters of the Sacramento River as the days lengthen and the weather turns warm. The City and Dunsmuir Chamber will put forth the Dunsmuir Big Fish Program to strengthen the lure for travelers to enjoy the planted trophy trout as they find pockets in the deep cuts to spend their days of summer.
April 30, 2016 is the day to enjoy the Fisherman’s Breakfast will be put on by the Dunsmuir/Castella Fire Department and there will also be a demonstration by Brian Wilson, on the technique of “catch and release” with trout from our local hatchery. A representative from Fish and Game may be present to answers any questions and explain any new regulations that are in effect.
Thanks to El Nino’, it has improved the water levels with a snowpack close to historical average and is at 106% of normal water content, (March 2016), reflecting plenty of cold water. Whereas the drought has impacted California, the area around Dunsmuir, California, is looking very good.
It also helps to know that the Upper Sac is spring fed from deep below Mt. Shasta with melted glacier water. It pools into Lake Siskiyou, behind the city of Mt. Shasta, where it is held by 209-feet deep Box Canyon Dam which produces 5.5 megawatts of electricity. The river emerges as a freestone stream with boulders which create pockets for the fish to thrive in highly oxygenated holding water.
There is easy river access and parking for the public at the Dunsmuir City Park and Tauhindauli Park. Other locations are near the numerous bridges at Scarlett Way, River, Butterfly, Scherrer and Financial Avenues and on down to Sweetbriar. Most businesses have free fishing maps for visitors. Visitors can rent or purchase gear and hire guides for instruction. Everything is here for a quality experience learning about fishing on the Upper Sac, including lots of fresh air.
Bob Grace, proprietor of the iconic Ted Fay Fly Shop says, “Dunsmuir is putting their hard earned dollars into your fun, stocking extra fish so you’ll have a great time visiting in Dunsmuir.”
Visit the Dunsmuir Trophy Trout Facebook page. You can see what others have caught and add your own trophy selfie to the timeline.
Accommodations and Amenities
Dunsmuir is famous for its restaurants from upscale Mediterranean to California cuisine and on to pizza, burgers, Asian, brew pub and more. Motels and vacation rentals abound. Find more information at the Dunsmuir.com website.
Castle Avenue
On Saturday, April 16th, 2016 a request was made to the Dunsmuir Fire Department to respond to a possible hazardous material scenario with the assistance of Mount Shasta Fire Department. Fire crews quickly determined that the incident scene would need to escalate the the local HAZMAT response team with SCHMRT, the Shasta Cascade Hazardous Materials Response Team from that level they contacted the Siskiyou County Environmental Health Officer, Rick Dean.
Rick Dean has been working at the property and has informed Chief Padilla that the case is now being handled by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Yesterday Rick Dean and the California Environmental Protection Agency representative Nancy McGee. Ms. McGee arrived with a private contractor to evaluate the building and the grounds, their findings were the upstairs unit had an high levels of Mercury in the unit from amalgamation of gold or other ores. The amalgamation processes is used frequently by gold recoverers and is not linked with operations of fabricating methamphetamines. Due to this process being done both inside and outside it has mandated a HAZ-MAT clean-up of the residence, and surrounding property.
In addition to the mercury in the upstairs unit of the home, there was a detectable amount of Mercury in the downstairs unit requiring clean-up as well. The unit and the building has been secured since Saturday April 16 at approximately 4:45pm when the Dunsmuir Fire Department was dispatched. Chief Padilla reviewed the actions of the fire department with regards to proper notifications and concluded that were made at the time of dispatch and can find no issues of neglect or incompetence from his fire personnel.
Today, Robert Wise, the Federal EPA officer landed in Redding and is currently surveying the residence of 5807 Castle Ave, awaiting the arrival of his clean-up crew, to begin steps to mitigate the situation. The two tenants of Apartment B were initially taken to a Motel in Dunsmuir, then to Mount Shasta and finally they are in a Motel in Weed. Robert expects to be at scene for approximately 4-5 days while cleanup efforts are underway. Robert has stated that charges are pending at a federal level for negligence. Neighbors in the immediate vicinity will be visited to inform of the status of the project and what to expect.
Side Pointers
- This poses no threat to Dunsmuir's water system.
- The house and surrounding area should not be visited by any unauthorized persons.
- The individuals mostly affected were the tenants of the building.
If you would like more information about this incident, please feel free to call City Hall.
Weekly Staff Report April 15, 2016
City Manager
Worked on staff reports and resolutions for City Council agenda for April 21st.
Worked on County road permit for adult soapbox race.
Worked on obtaining city credit card and other banking items.
Held meeting with entire staff on 4/13/16.
Worked on budget and a transparency project.
Preparing for presentation to the City Finance committee meeting on 4/18.
Met with Sam Lanier and Richard Dinges on various topics and how GIS can help city.
Met with Arthur Boyd on recycling in city office and attended County Solid Waste Management meeting 4/14/16.
Met with Castle Rock Water concerning several issues.
Met with other customers concerning utility billing.
Made several inquiries concerning annual CalRecycle grant ($5,000) annually.
Talked with another Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) organization Home Energy Renovation Opportunities (HERO) through Western Riverside Council of Governments. This will be on the 5/5 Council meeting.
Talked with Building Official concerning residents that turned single family homes into multi-family homes without a permit.
Public Works
Big Fish Meeting.
Normal Maintenance
Sweep town
Check, clean drain’s
Weed eat Sacto Ave. across from Dogwood Diner
Replace tie down chains at airport
Place parts order for paint sprayer, Service painter sprayer
Prep work on #402 for street painting
Cover graffiti, repaint guard rail on Sacramento Ave.
Talked with Terry Hansen (Hansen Electric), they should be starting on Florence Loop Street light base replacement next week.
Mow lawns
Received new garbage cans for downtown – install next week.
Replace ballast at City Hall (863)
Unplug sewer at Amtrak Depot (863)
Replaced 3 Dogwood trees (2 on Sacto Ave., 1 at Hedge Creek (863)
Staff Meeting 4/13
Utilities
Installed a 2” bypass waster line on Bush Street so R.A.Martin Construction can start digging to replace the 6” water main.
Had new front brakes installed on truck 303.
Replaced dash instrumentation panel in truck 300.
Staff meeting on Wednesday 8:00 am
Meeting with Keith from PACE Engineering and R.A. Martin Construction about digging trench on Bush St to replace water main and have run into some large roots from the trees and we are discussing possible solutions.
Repair water service leak 5900 block of Castle Ave.
Replace curb stop and meter box on Grover St and pour concrete sidewalk back around meter box.
Had fit test on Wednesday at fire station for plant employees breathing apparatus.
Checked main holes in sewer system in problem areas. All were fine.
All plant testing, operations and maintenance was completed
Ducks and Geese are starting to nest at plant, and all is well with them.
Getting job description prepared for future Operator In Training at treatment plant.
Community Services Officer
Picked up trash and dead animals.
City wide cleanup and rabies clinic were posted around the city.
Called dog owners with expired rabies vaccinations or due within a year.
Impounded a dog that was at-large at the Dunsmuir Brewery. Owner was found and paid impound fee.
Abatement on 4110 Branstetter Street.
Fire Department
Responded to 17 dispatches:
6 – EMS calls
2 – Structure fires
6 – Public Assists
3 – Other type fires.
Weekly training consisted of FIT testing of fire personnel and flow testing of all self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
All equipment and apparatus are in good working order
Reviewed and entered run reports into computer
Participated in the monthly fire drill at Dunsmuir Elementary
Attended CSA#3 meeting, report to follow.
Airport Committee Meeting
The Airport Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Noon in the City Council chambers. Agenda is forthcoming today.
Economic Development/Tourism Committee
The Economic Development/Tourism Committee meeting will be held on April 25, 2016 at 6:00 pm. Agenda is currently being worked on.
Finance Committee Meeting
A meeting of the Finance Committee will be held on Monday April 18, 2016 at 3:00 pm, in City Council Chambers. Agenda will be forthcoming.
New City Council Member
Congratulations to Dunsmuir's newest City Council Member Mari C. Shanta. She was appointed to the City Council on April 8, 2016 to fill the vacancy of Nick Syrrist who resigned in February. Her term will expire November 2016. We look forward to all that Ms. Shanta will bring to the table.
Weekly Report April 8, 2016
City Manager
-Met with PACE Engineering to strategize existing and future projects based on the Water and Sewer Master Plans.
-Attended Airport meeting, and County Transportation Commission meeting.
-Conference call on Housing Element with California Housing and Community Development. It was a good meeting and minimal changes but nothing with substantial changes.
-Worked on 2016-17 Budget.
-Prepared agenda items for City Council meeting April 21, 2016.
-Met with Mayor and Council Members but not at the same time.
-Met with several members of the public.
-Worked on Code Enforcement issues.
-Worked on website, facebook and twitter sites.
-Researched assistance with educational institutions to assist with developing a Park Master Plan.
-Conversation with City Attorney over non-litigation issues.
Public Works
-Turn on fountains – downtown, Hedge Cr., Belnam (adjust-repair).
-Turn on/check water systems at Hedge Cr., Children’s Park, Florence Loop, repair valves, water leakes (sacto Dogwoods, Caboose Park included)
-Complete mail work request for CDF crew (Frontage Rd. project)
-Re-set pavers across from Dogwood Diner.
-Repair 90 degree corrugated pipe on Elinore Ave.
-Swept city (4/4-4/8)
-Weed eat Dunsmuir Ave. Lower Cedar to Spring Street (both sides)
-Repair separator curtain on 411.
-Filed Notam for Airport beginning 8:00 am 4/8 and ending 5:00 pm 5/6 for segmented circle repairs.
-Order repair parts for valve 422.
-Contacted Cut Above 4/7, for tree work throughout city. Will be here 4/21, 4/22, 4/25 and week of May 2-6.
-Start work on segmented circle at airport.
-Mow lawns.
Utilities
-Unscheduled power outage on Sunday that caused issues with the transfer switch at the lift station.
-The generators and transfer switches at Shasta Retreat and S. Dunsmuir lift stations. This required assistance from Diversified Electric to resolve the issue.
-Met with PACE, City Manager and Finance Director to discuss construction items and funding from the Master Sewer Plan.
-Met with City Manager and Public Works Supervisor to discuss new employee concerns.
-Removed snow tires from truck 303.
-Found broken idler arm on aerator #1 during weekly plant maintenance, made repairs.
-Flushed all dead ends in water system and replaced screens on the air relief valves.
-Met with R.A. Martin Construction to discuss the water line replacement on Bush St. to start April 11.
-Dennis attended wastewater treatment test prep class M-W. Test is on Saturday 4/11
-All plant testing and maintenance was completed with the help of Jessica from PACE Engineering.
Community Services Officer
-Working on two properties that have various code violations.
-Posted fliers for the Rabies Clinic.
-Training with City Manager in regards to handling complaints.
-Picked up a TV that was abandon on city property.
-Provided informational flyer to tenants concerning burn rules.
-Patrolled city looking for code violation.
Fire Department
-For the period, the department responded to (20) dispatches: (10) EMS calls, (1) Structure fire,
(1) Traffic accident, (1) Haz Mat. (5) Other type fires.
-Weekly training consisted of station/equipment maintenance and ground ladder training
-All equipment and apparatus are in good working order.
-Reviewed and entered run reports into computer. All reports sent to the California State Fire Marshalls office for the 1st quarter of 2016
-Conducted (1) residential sprinkler inspection
-Chief Padilla was on vacation March 24 through April 1