Hansen Bros. wins $1.6M NID contract

Directors of the Nevada Irrigation District on Wednesday awarded a $1.6 million construction contract for water system improvements to Hansen Bros. Enterprises of Grass Valley. Hansen Bros. came in lowest among seven firms that submitted quotes for the project. Quotes ranged as high as $2.06 million for the job, which NID engineers estimated at $2.5 million. The contract is for the Alta Sierra/Dog Bar Pipeline Project, which includes nearly 9,000 feet of 16-inch pipeline along Dog Bar Road, Alta Sierra Drive, Francis Drive and Gary Way. The project is designed to improve reliability and water pressure in a portion of Alta Sierra. Work is expected this spring and summer. Division IV interviews Two candidates for appointment to a vacant seat on the board will have to wait at least two weeks to find out who will be the new Placer County Division IV representative. Rancher Jim Bachman and organic farmer Will Morebeck, both of whom reside off Garden Bar Road in the Lincoln area, each received two votes for the appointment. Directors Nancy Weber and Nick Wilcox supported Morebeck, while board President John Drew and Director Scott Miller favored Bachman. Bachman and Morebeck were among five candidates interviewed Wednesday. Candidates gave presentations and responded to questions from the four sitting board members. One will succeed longtime director R. Paul Williams, who resigned April 23 after seven elected terms and 27 years as the Division IV representative. His successor will hold office until December 2010 and would have to seek election earlier that year. Tsi-Akim recognition In other business, directors: • Recognized the local Tsi-Akim Maidu tribe. Tribal chairman Don Ryberg said his tribe has inhabited this area for thousands of years and is working to preserve its heritage, culture, language and religion. He said the NID recognition will help the tribe in its efforts to pursue official federal recognition. • Approved a new power purchase agreement for the Combie North Powerhouse, which is under reconstruction below the dam at Combie Reservoir. Water Operations Manager Don Wight said the standard contract with PG&E will allow the district to recoup its investment in plant improvements over a period of nine to 10 years. • Authorized staff to approve a road easement to Nevada County, which is planning improvements along Pasquale Road east of Nevada City. NID owns two parcels of land in the project area. • Tabled for further study a cost-sharing agreement for the Cosumnes, American, Bear and Yuba rivers regional water planning group, of which NID is a member. Directors asked for more information on CABY’s proposed $353,400 annual budget. The next regular meeting of the NID Board of Directors will be held at 9 a.m. on June 10 at the NID office, 1036 W. Main St., Grass Valley.