[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6493747,"mediaKeyId","5471656-6f168a8385ba18e2c734cea6acc37f60","parentId",5471656,"title","Willows Council approves sewer rehabilitation, orders geotechnical study after state flagged nitrates","audioSeconds",230,"startMs",1572000,"endMs",1802000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5471656-6f168a8385ba18e2c734cea6acc37f60&start=1572&end=1802","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5471656-6f168a8385ba18e2c734cea6acc37f60/thumbnail_1572000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493747/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-Council-approves-sewer-rehabilitation-orders-geotechnical-study-after-state-flagged-nitrates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493747-632fc500343349f6e5401d45f3840d37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142545&Signature=nIUkJnmr-5d5eLGBGlQE6IIa78Pjlz6HC2pEOyjACbR1NQa3rhA5nBg49eCDaE0yevnQ79M3ohfsoF5FLoQu0Bl9vAWAGm07zysJH5ZaA8sMKhjy1UtLF~T01oaPHB-pqdWcQLzoPChIZZKGcmRR6yK5G6xt0URpEvpciRrdIAjyhSi9g5~k4M8Y1O3vBkVkalPAM7Yf-b7Q8Mv8dW4CNZoqs8NQ9W38SSlSSVRHQMQw-S2AtZIVARtiI2qZJNfhj9zG74i2URCV39qhYgm8so2oOq3D-JwEM7o~WZMp-ruAFf9MzFKXdY9Dnt~htMii5auGnSznIVCyAtD~nl~SYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-25T11:18:05.763Z","article","The Willows City Council on July 22 approved a resolution to proceed with a sewer rehabilitation project and separately authorized a geotechnical investigation of the city's wastewater treatment ponds after a state inspection found elevated nitrate readings beneath the ponds.

Council members and staff said the tests and the follow-up core samples are intended to determine whether the ponds are lined to current standards; if they are not, lining or other remediation could require a multi-million-dollar repair. The council approved the items as part of the consent calendar by a unanimous vote.

The sewer rehabilitation base bid shown in agenda materials was $1,000,164.80, with a 10% contingency listed at about $116,000. The construction management and inspection line item shown in the staff report was $150,000; staff discussed that figure in daily-rate terms (the agenda discussed a $2,500-a-day cap and an estimated 35 vs. 60 working days). Acting Mayor Richard Thomas said the cost to fix an uncovered lining problem could be \"a 7-figure fix.\" Marty Brown, the city manager, told the council the geotechnical investigation would be part of a broader Prop 218 study already underway and that the engineers will include any estimated remediation costs in that work.

Council members and staff said the state's inspection included water testing under the ponds and that nitrate detections prompted the question of whether the ponds are lined. Council members noted the city lacks documentation showing a concrete liner or other visible liner and that some older ponds were sometimes built using bentonite or similar materials that can be hard to identify without core sampling. Brown said the core sampling is intended to answer that question.

Council discussion included whether the wastewater fund could absorb a major remedial cost. Brown cautioned the operating budget could not cover a large remediation if one is required, and council members emphasized the importance of folding the estimate into the Prop 218 process and the city's bond-funded capital schedule. Council members also noted the sewer rehabilitation and related lift-station rehabilitation projects are being scheduled to use bond funds that must be expended on a specific timeline; one council member said the city is under a strict timeline to spend those bond dollars.

The staff report noted the city previously upgraded the wastewater treatment facility using a USDA loan roughly 25 years ago; council members said it is not yet clear whether pond lining work was included in that previous project. The city engineer and Coastland Engineering were cited in discussion; staff said Coastland has been transparent on billing and would only bill actual hours.

The council approved the consent calendar motion, which included: adoption of a job classification for a retired annuitant library clerk; approval of a Statewide Communities Development Authority open PACE program resolution; approval of the 2024'/2025 sewer rehabilitation project resolution; and authorization of the geotechnical investigation of the wastewater treatment ponds. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff said it will finalize an RFP and/or scope for the geotechnical core sampling and include any remediation cost estimates in the Prop 218 study so the council can consider funding options.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 22, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Willows City Council on July 22 approved a resolution to proceed with a sewer rehabilitation project and separately authorized a geotechnical investigation of the city's wastewater treatment ponds after a state inspection found elevated nitrate readings beneath the ponds.","taxTitle","Willows City, Glenn County, California","taxId",71416,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6493733,"Willows Council waives two weed-abatement charges after billing errors and confusion",511,2310000,2821000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5471656-6f168a8385ba18e2c734cea6acc37f60&start=2310&end=2821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5471656-6f168a8385ba18e2c734cea6acc37f60/thumbnail_2310000.jpg","/articles/6493733/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-Council-waives-two-weed-abatement-charges-after-billing-errors-and-confusion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493733-07347cb06a4f8ae4b8b8fba339f5518b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142545&Signature=ZapeQIb3WG~SKc1VXrPU75XxpSIre7EjtRgGeWgMDG~gs0MnMxtuI8ZBRQ7h6DrvoXhqtPYtTVyfXWZpSGen~0E7BQIlo0UpwyB1tPcUADu8~6-Dl5drJlMfkmy1en0-tz5nttzsEvhy3Wifi1d-ouSuD~3s8IVZ9gWHOYdZzC8eh5z0ePohYxwAkrltt3UdRYkli~aqBx6zHIhIj-iUbIeuUEVMC7Czuk56LFNRrhz7MIZS5-Yv9~eH~BoOxWs3n5BwZzUxaUO5-cd8JOhP6gCeu5hP4WrwNIpAHc7sPCdskV3AAJtnD9NrGuOSmHi~QvfCETvDZlZlcvy7H3UUKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willows City Council on July 22 heard public protests about recent weed abatements and voted 4'0to'0 to waive assessments on two properties after staff discovered billing errors and ambiguity in how notices were issued.

The public hearing was conducted by staff in the absence of the fire chief, who was unavailable. City staff presented two appeals: one alleging the city billed the wrong parcel after abating a neighboring lot, and one alleging the property owner had not understood that the alleyway segment counted under the abatement notice.

Staff showed photographs and records indicating that 132 South Lassen Street had been abated but the invoice was erroneously issued to 142 South Lassen Street. Staff said 132 appears to have been omitted from the billing and therefore had not had the full opportunity to protest the bill prior to invoicing. Council members and staff recommended accepting the protests and waiving the assessment to correct the administrative error.

On the alleyway case staff said the original notice and the property owner's understanding did not align; the owner said they had not known to trim the narrow alley strip and the city's original paperwork did not clearly show how the alley was documented. Council members characterized the circumstances as confusing to the resident and recommended waiving the charge in the interest of fairness.

A motion to adopt the resolution confirming costs of abatement with the discussed amendments (to waive the two disputed charges) was moved and seconded, and the council approved the resolution on a roll-call vote of 4 to 0 (Mayor Hudson absent).

Staff said the city will correct billing records, remove the incorrect charge for 142 South Lassen Street, and address notice procedures to reduce future confusion.

","During a July 22 public hearing the Willows City Council accepted protests and waived assessment costs for two parcels after staff confirmed billing discrepancies and confusion about whether alley areas were included in notices.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6493737,"Willows Council approves revised MOU returning structural maintenance of Carnegie-era museum to city",933,2853000,3786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5471656-6f168a8385ba18e2c734cea6acc37f60&start=2853&end=3786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5471656-6f168a8385ba18e2c734cea6acc37f60/thumbnail_2853000.jpg","/articles/6493737/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-Council-approves-revised-MOU-returning-structural-maintenance-of-Carnegie-era-museum-to-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493737-eb3f3383047eaaf459600fe671bf223d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142545&Signature=Y7Go4DD6ibqbMKLDGK9Dek9nyyRTYwiZyD0csSSRCc3vP6idpsYiMar0RrE88PNL9n9NmQ1yA2w-z1Pvn~rsC5kkqQ~I5vw3c0WMjPEvkrKs2r4yD8MCBSW2WAHP2YPLmcrVH7tjSHKZEb7NuSMzIY9nMPa~FygUId0ujzfIqwjwC6wTmqMrI6NjZOFo8Oh6Nd45fGdu1RuY5P485Z72rGqNwP~fHusbu1rFgXfw7ECkY16-Jlc6h4kDUPkOptJzDri9rDnZ5H~-Rbwq4mD1Ggqu7oRyAI9QvQ4S6E35BBU9MVOJYbjLVNVQKQPnVzQe3dc-SvxU6H~gui7JAjej7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willows City Council on July 22 voted to approve an amended memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Museum Society of Willows that returns responsibility for the museum building's structural maintenance to Willows City while leaving exhibit and daily operations with the nonprofit society.

The council and staff said the change is intended to reduce the risk that a small nonprofit with limited fundraising capacity would be left responsible for major and potentially expensive structural repairs on a 1910 Carnegie-era building. The MOU amendments require the museum society to make an annual presentation to the council about activities and to notify the city if the museum will be closed for 30 days or more.

Council member Hanson, who said he serves as vice president of the Museum Society, told the council the volunteer board performs much of the routine maintenance and that the society manages operations and fundraising. Hanson said the society's banked funds total roughly $80,000 in combined checking and savings (raised through donations) and that the society has historically done many repairs and projects with volunteer labor and modest outlays.

Council member Busby asked whether staff expected immediate large maintenance liabilities, such as roofing or foundational repairs; Brown and Hanson said the museum was generally in good condition for its age but acknowledged known issues (including bats in the belfry and other aging-building needs) and noted the society and city had discussed cost-sharing for a planned bat-exclusion contract. Brown said the museum's bat-exclusion work had been timed to follow a separate city repair in the Civic Center so exclusion work would be effective. Hanson said the museum's annual operating contribution from the city in recent years had been modest (the staff report referenced a museum maintenance line item that the council said had been $1,500 in recent years).

Several council members urged caution about the city accepting open-ended liability for a historic building and asked staff to identify thresholds for shared costs or dollar limits where council approval would be required. The council discussed insurance appraisal work done earlier in the year and staff said the city had recently updated appraisals for many city assets.

The council approved the MOU amendment by voice vote (ayes) and directed staff to continue working with the museum board on any imminent structural needs and cost estimates.

","The Willows City Council voted July 22 to amend the memorandum of understanding with the Museum Society of Willows, shifting responsibility for building structural maintenance back to the city while leaving day-to-day museum operations with the society.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6493742,"Willows Council hears SpyGlass audit pitch for no-cost technology-bill review; staff to follow up",503,622000,1125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5471656-6f168a8385ba18e2c734cea6acc37f60&start=622&end=1125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5471656-6f168a8385ba18e2c734cea6acc37f60/thumbnail_622000.jpg","/articles/6493742/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-Council-hears-SpyGlass-audit-pitch-for-no-cost-technology-bill-review-staff-to-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493742-a2e86fccea4a08db872b36f3b50eea80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142545&Signature=gmw3YQ94PqeOrI0rWDXJdFw7QynLz3hmds8P5vcodOd6H-rqYMAg36q7wVy7a6QiX3rFX0yATOORqwhMKyng0GJOR76f3Zc8vrDzvZ0AQh7IrJkQ-U~e2XD-iY7qfEJzCn34apz2KNucDawHc~5mn3zyddXZXHXMXW~FOo4VMsa9ZymPmn-NoEr03gDZa~uQMW5g4eL~tS8FHB53Stpdce2gytZQ9IPbaxDi~6eCc65udZchlnGo4UILyNU6uH--fFKMEdt7Xos2MsGWVjeRb6sV-qMFzTVeblYavXe4SDbvNS3lyBXgD2Z3Dfax8FaHUt6RIbRUwpfWiXvlHDvi6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SpyGlass Technology presented to the Willows City Council on July 22 a proposal to audit the city's technology-related bills — mobile, phone, internet and data — at no upfront cost to the city.

Noah Esposito, SpyGlass's presenter, said the firm can recover past overbilling and reduce ongoing monthly costs by identifying unused services, correcting billing errors and negotiating lower rates. Esposito told the council SpyGlass has served roughly 14,000'15,000 clients, completed nearly 3,000 audits in the last two years and claims to have identified more than $100 million in savings for clients nationwide. He said 99% of engagements find savings, 60% identify recoverable past charges, and the company typically reports an average 20% reduction in monthly spend where savings are implemented.

Esposito described a three-step process: upload two months of invoices, execute a letter of agency (LOA) so SpyGlass can work directly with providers, then a roughly four-week analysis followed by a findings presentation. He said SpyGlass charges no fee for the initial analysis; for recoveries the firm would split any returned funds 50/50, and for forward-looking monthly savings it applies a multiplier in year one to be budget neutral for the city, with the city keeping 100% of savings in subsequent years.

Council members asked which accounts would be analyzed; Esposito confirmed the scope was technology vendors (Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and similar providers) and not utilities such as electric or gas. Council members noted the city has multiple lines and accounts across those providers; one council member mentioned an AT&T bill of $1,175 the prior month as an example of monthly spend. Several council members expressed support for proceeding with additional information: Council member Bridal said the service sounded similar to other audit arrangements the city uses and moved to pursue more information; Council member Hans and others agreed.

Council discussion produced a consensus that staff should collect more detailed account information and follow up with SpyGlass for an analysis. Marty Brown, the city manager, and Esposito agreed staff would provide invoices and an LOA if the council wished to pursue the audit. There was no formal roll-call vote; the presentation was received and staff were directed to pursue additional information and report back.

","SpyGlass Technology presented a no-cost audit service for phone, internet and data accounts at the July 22 Willows City Council meeting. Council members expressed support and asked staff to collect account details for a follow-up analysis.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Willows Council approves sewer rehabilitation, orders geotechnical study after state flagged nitrates

Willows Council waives two weed-abatement charges after billing errors and confusion

Willows Council approves revised MOU returning structural maintenance of Carnegie-era museum to city

Willows Council hears SpyGlass audit pitch for no-cost technology-bill review; staff to follow up