CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council on Thursday approved a list of road projects to submit to the state for funding and got an update from Public Works staff on the plans for road maintenance projects in the coming months.
The discussion on roads begins in the video above at the 3:23:20 mark.
Public Works Superintendent Michael Baker presented to the council the list of road projects staff proposed submitting to the California Transportation Commission for funding under Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
The list, in no particular order, includes:
– Meadowbrook area pavement rehabilitation project: $1.1 million.
– Pearl Avenue/Emory Avenue pavement rehabilitation project: $1.3 million.
– Highlands Park frontage improvement project: $516,000.
– Airport Road regional connector improvements: $1.2 million.
– Modoc/Second Street pavement rehabilitation project: $550,000.
– San Joaquin drainage improvements and pavement rehabilitation: $1.4 million.
– Dam Road roundabout: $4.6 million.
He said adopting the resolution containing the list of projects didn’t obligate the city to spend funds on the project.
City Manager Alan Flora said the list is supposed to include projects that would be completed in the next year. Work on Lakeshore Drive isn’t on the list because that project isn’t far enough along.
“This is an extremely optimistic project list,” said Flora, noting there is no penalty for adding extra projects. He said they were erring on the side of adding extra projects in, in hopes of getting the money.
Flora also noted during the discussion that the city is only eligible for funding for projects included on the list, which has to be submitted by May 1.
Councilman Russell Cremer asked if the projects were designed already. Flora said they were in various stages, with the city’s consulting engineer, Dave Swartz, adding that Meadowbrook is the farthest along.
Councilman Phil Harris was concerned about the city not being able to complete all of the projects within the coming year.
Later in the discussion, Harris said, “These proposed completion dates make me giddy,” and that he didn’t want to get let down.
Harris added that the city has a history of not doing things by certain dates, and he preferred to under promise and over deliver.
Swartz said that, realistically, they will see work on Emory, Pearl, Highlands Harbor and Highlands Park in the coming year.
“In the next 12 months, we’re going to tear up some ground,” Swartz said.
The council approved the resolution unanimously.
Baker also presented to the council the city’s road maintenance plan for this year.
The city’s road work is largely funded by its Measure V road tax.
He said his staff will start grading in the Avenues on May 6. They’re starting in that area due to the number of complaints and service requests as a result of heavy rains and lack of drainage.
“Some of those spots are pretty bad,” he said, and they need to be addressed quickly as they are creating issues for elderly residents with medical conditions.
He said his department is now working to hire more workers, with Public Works staff to be split into two crews: One crew of four to six people will do pothole repair, crack sealing and miscellaneous work, while the grading crew will include six to nine personnel.
Baker said the crews will work 10-hour days, Monday through Friday, and alternating Saturdays.
He said they are required by law to call DigAlert before starting grading work so that the utilities are marked. It usually takes about 48 hours for that process. In the meantime, crews will go out and trim trees and clean the right-of-way so equipment won’t be damaged.
Baker said they will build up the road base as part of the grading.
Pothole patching will start on Lakeshore Drive, move up Olympic Drive and come down Old Highway 53, Baker said.
In addition to their work plan, Baker said crews will respond to service requests.
Flora showed a map – which he said the city plans to post a map on its Web site – illustrating where the crews will be working.
He said grading work is expected to take place from 18th to 30th avenues.
Baker also let the council know that, in case of emergencies, the grading crew could be called off its work to assist elsewhere.
Cremer asked if the first phase of work will take the entire summer. Baker said no. Cremer followed up by asking about phase two.
Flora said the plan is to give the council and public a monthly update on progress and next phases. He said the city is changing its technique a little this year as it tries to accomplish more road work than it did last year.
He said they want to see how much ground they can cover. “Having the two crews is really going to help.”
Cremer asked how long Baker expected it to take to complete pothole repair. Baker said the city is still waiting for delivery of its new asphalt hot box, which is being built. He reported that the manufacturer said they should hear something by next week.
As soon as the city gets that piece of equipment, Baker said the city repair crew will get to work.
“They’re going to be working hard, they’re going to be working 10-hour days, five to six days a week,” Baker said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
042519 Clearlake City Counc... by on Scribd