Clearlake council rescinds contract authorization for Eighteenth Avenue project after state funding timing issue

Clearlake — The City Council unanimously voted April 20 to rescind its April 6 authorization for the city manager to execute a construction contract for the Eighteenth Avenue extension project, a move city staff said was necessary after recent guidance from the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

City Manager Mr. Flora told the council that the CTC’s funding process is two-step and that the commission will not finalize the allocation until its May meeting. Flora said the city is eligible for a competitive pot of about $500,000 that must be allocated to a project by July 4 or the jurisdiction risks losing the funds. “We’re recommending that the council take action to rescind the action of April 6 authorizing me to approve the contract,” he said, adding that staff has communicated the timing issue to the contractor and does not expect a significant schedule impact.

The council considered public comment by Holly Roberson, counsel for the Koi Nation of Northern California (joining by Zoom), who asked the council to specify which Eighteenth Avenue project staff referred to and whether contracting would proceed amid active litigation; Flora said the project connects Highway 53 to Old Highway 53 through the old airport site and acknowledged there is active litigation.

Council member Slotin made the motion to rescind the authorization; Council member Kramer seconded. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote and all members present voted yes; the motion met the four-fifths requirement to add the emergency item and passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Rescinding the authorization preserves the city’s eligibility for state transportation funds that staff said are contingent on a final CTC allocation. Flora said staff expects to return quickly to the council after the CTC’s May action to reauthorize contracting.

Next steps: Flora said the CTC will hear the allocation in May and staff will bring the contract authorization back to the council promptly after the commission’s final allocation.