Resident questions escalating wastewater treatment project costs; council hears but takes no action

A member of the public used the consent‑calendar comment period to express concern over rising costs for Arcata’s wastewater treatment plant upgrades. The commenter said costs have steadily increased and cited an earlier estimate that placed combined phase costs near $67 million with additional phases possibly bringing totals close to $100 million.

The resident asked whether the city had a full budget and whether phase‑by‑phase plans (phase 1, phase 2) were available. They compared Arcata’s program to other high‑tech plants, noting that some jurisdictions have advanced systems that reduce or eliminate ocean discharge.

Council members acknowledged the comment and staff reiterated that contracts and project reports are included in meeting packets; no additional appropriation or policy action was taken on the consent calendar. One councilmember clarified that a separate contract in the consent calendar (a Cal Poly Humboldt agreement to provide academic/engineering support) was an educational/research partnership and not the same as the construction contract for the wastewater plant.

Nut graf: Residents remain concerned about escalating wastewater project costs and want clearer, public phase budgets and long‑term planning. The council did not add a specific staff direction tonight but noted the issue and the separate Cal Poly research contract.

Background: The wastewater upgrade has proceeded in phases and has been the subject of prior meetings; at least one resident asked staff to provide a clearer consolidated budget and status report in a future meeting.

Ending: Staff did not announce new numbers at the meeting; the resident and council indicated support for more transparency on project phases and cost tracking in future materials.