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Mayor’s Message continued

have commenced work on replacing the fragile, 50-year-old I also have signed financial documents for the city establishing
sewer main that has proven so problematic in recent months. This a line of credit so we can start our work to upgrade the
7½-mile project will be completed on an aggressive, 18-month stormwater infrastructure and better prepare the community for
timetable. As sections are laid, we will switch the surrounding sea-level rise and climate change. We will begin this initiative
areas over to the new line as quickly as possible. Also, as the in the Edgewood and River Oaks neighborhoods and expand
project progresses through neighborhoods, contractors will work to other areas once new stormwater rates are set and bond
with residents to maintain access to individual properties. issued. The city will add stormwater pump stations, exfiltration
trenches, catch basins, stormwater pipes, permeable pavement,
We expect an assessment of the entire sewer force main
system to be completed by March so we will be aware of swales, force mains. We also will improve additional seawalls
where our problems are and the degree of their severity. A and dredge canals to address sedimentation and improve flow.
new pump station is being brought online downtown that Finally, the city manager has come up with a way to bring
adds one million gallons of additional daily sewage about the complete and immediate end to the annual
capacity to the area. practice of raiding the utility reserves to balance the general
operating budget. This commission had devised the first-ever
Upgrades to our deep-injection wells used by our sewer system
should also be completed in March. The replacement of the 16- plan to stop the raids. That was to be accomplished over a
inch sewer main that broke in Victoria Park is nearing four-year timespan, but now due to the number-crunching of
completion. Improvements to that neighborhood’s water mains our city manager, we should have the ability to complete it
will be completed this spring, as will the mapping of water within this current fiscal year.
distribution valves citywide. Combined, this all marks significant progress. RV
Work continues to replace the broken sewer main in Rio Sincerely,
Vista so we can eliminate the emergency bypass we are Dean Trantalis
now using. The replacement of 3,100 feet of sewer force
Mayor
main along East Las Olas Boulevard is beginning and be
completed by the end of August.

24 rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com