Sedona construction

Dear Sedona Eye editor,

Some recent incidents would seem to me to call into serious question the competence of the city’s Public Works department, in particular Charles Mosley, director, and his engineers. As a citizen and Sedona resident, I think questions need to be asked and clear answers obtained.

Mostly completed in 2011, a major construction project was undertaken to improve the three largest sewage pumping stations. The principle intent of the project was to provide alternate pumping capacity at each station as a backup in case of pump failure.

Plans were designed and revised, an engineering firm, Stanley Engineering, was retained to represent the city and oversee the contractor’s work. Somehow, Stanley was paid off and removed from the project, costing the city about $150,000.That left the Public Works dept. as the only oversight on a highly technical construction project and the contractor was allowed to modify the city’s plans without competent engineering review. The result was the city paid some eight million dollars for a flawed, inadequate and untested system.

On November 17, 2011 a telecom company working to lay some new cable in the Rolling Hills subdivision was drilling under Alexandria Rd. and drilled into the city’s high pressure sewer main. Before any digging or underground construction is done, existing underground utilities in the area must be marked on the surface by the owner of each utility. For the city’s sewer main, the locating responsibility falls to Mr. Mosley’s department.

As I heard it, a minor sewer line in the area was located, but not the high pressure main. Thousands of gallons of raw sewage were spilled into the nearby wash and an all night emergency repair had to be effected. The cost of the repair, the cleanup, fines and law suits will be borne by the city.

Concerning the recent storm drainage project in west Sedona at 89A and Deer Trail, I’ve heard that, again, utility lines were not properly located. Several other problems developed that were not planned for and should have been anticipated by the city’s engineers. The contractor involved, CPC, is suing the city for some three quarters of a million dollars.

John MacHines

For the best in Sedona news and views, read SedonaEye.com daily! Reach 4000+ subscribers with your ads and articles! We are growing daily!