Joint Study to Consolidate City of Sausalito Sewer Operations with the District

Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District (SMCSD) currently operates and maintains the City of Sausalito’s four sewer pump stations on a contract basis. The City has been evaluating the possibility of expanding maintenance and operations services by the District or fully consolidating sewer operations with the District. One motivation is the City’s challenges hiring and maintaining sewer operations staff. The City and District completed an initial joint study, and a second study is underway. We will keep you informed as we learn more.

Consolidation Timeline:

• January 28, 2020, the Sausalito City Council approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Causey Consulting to perform this Sewer Consolidation Feasibility Study – Phase I. This phase of the feasibility study included researching options, costs, feasibility, recommendations and timelines for the future approach.   The $48,726 cost of this study was shared equally between the City and SMCSD.
• June 2020 the Sewer Committee, Sausalito City Council and the SMCSD Board reviewed and accepted the Sewer Collections Consolidation Feasibility Study Phase I. Both government agencies directed staff to proceed with Phase II which will include an operational plan.  The SMCSD Board stated a complete conditional assessment of the City’s system must be included in Phase II.
• July 2020 SMCSD contacted Causey Consulting and Humphrey Consulting, who completed Phase I, to submit a proposal for Phase II.
• September 2020, the SMCSD and City of Sausalito Sewer Committee reviewed the Causey/Humphrey proposal and recommended the team proceed with Phase II – Operational Plan. SMCSD General Manager Jeffrey Kingston will lead this phase along with Humphrey Consulting. The $44,080 cost of Phase II wil be shared equally between the City and SMCSD.
• October 2020 to March 2021, Phase II of the Operational Plan will be developed with information provided by both entities. Three key areas to be covered include operations, administration and capital. Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is another factor that needs to be considered during this phase as well. LAFCO is the state organization that oversees which public agencies provide which services to whom

For More Information

Sewer Collection Consolidation Feasibility Study Phase I