City manager briefs council on reduced IIG grant award, Hope Center transition and CalRecycle redemption changes

Clearlake — City Manager Mr. Flora used council reports April 20 to update members on three items: a narrowed state infrastructure grant application, an operational transition at the Hope Center, and upcoming changes to beverage-container redemption rules.

Flora said the city initially planned to seek just over $14 million through the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Infill Infrastructure Grant (IIG) for housing and infrastructure work tied to Kanaktite Gardens and mobile-home-park renovations, but HCD changed eligibility requirements mid-process. "We reduced the scope of the project because of some of the eligibility requirements. So it's just slightly over 5 and a half million now," he said, and noted the funds would support off-site traffic and waterline improvements on Old Highway 53 between Olympic Drive and Lakeshore Drive. Flora said Clearlake appears to be the only rural community in the application pool for the program and that HCD aims to allocate funds by July 1.

On the Hope Center, Flora said Adventist Health will assume oversight and management. He said the city previously provided funding and holds an MOU intended to prevent the facility from being converted to unrelated clinical space; Adventist Health requested language changes to clarify intent and Flora said he would review the requested edits with the city attorney before determining whether to return the matter to council.

Flora also briefed the council on a CalRecycle move to revoke certain exemptions that let grocery stores avoid accepting empty beverage containers in unserved areas. Without an exemption or a nearby redemption center, grocery stores would be expected to accept empties at their locations or face daily fines; Flora said the state-notified change goes into effect July 1 and the city is exploring temporary and longer-term solutions with its waste hauler.