Ripley Steps Up to the Mic for STEP

    “I’m pleased to say that STEP collection was fundamental to the plan that we developed in 2006. It was reviewed by the National Water Research Institute (NWRI) in November 2006 and completely validated in their report of December 2006.
    “What I’d like to share with you today is agreement with four points that Joe Sparks, president of the LOCSD made, in that the design/build process, by carrying it forward and having alternative technologies, does three things: It provides for a practical design; it provides for cost containment; and it provides for a ‘best-value’ design. If you preclude a particular technology, those three points will be voided.
    “The fourth point that Mr. Sparks indicated was his concern over timing, and I’d like to say that having listened to the staff report I am at odds with the statements that the STEP collection system will take longer to design, to permit for CEQA clearance and for any type of approval via the stimulus funding relative to gravity. I believe that the report that we did in 2006 can be used as a facilities plan updated and be every bit as fast and responsive to the stimulus funding deadlines that your staff has given you."