Council directs staff to seek federal community‑project funding for algae‑harvesting pilot, sports complex and park improvements

The City Council on March 7 reviewed options for Congressman Thompson’s community project funding cycle and directed staff to submit up to three proposals: a proposed permanent algae‑harvesting demonstration at or near Redbud Park (a $5 million federal ask), an additional funding request for the Burns Valley Sports Complex, and a smaller Austin Park package (bathrooms and a skate park). The council approved a resolution authorizing submittal by unanimous vote.

Dan Levy, a company representative presenting the algae‑harvesting approach, described a process that harvests living algal cells, returns clarified, oxygenated water to the lake, and concentrates algal biomass for use in agricultural products or conversion via hydrothermal processes. He said the company has used pilot systems in other states, has worked with the Department of Energy and Army Corps of Engineers on demonstrations, and requested federal support to construct a larger, visible demonstration site at Clear Lake.

Levy acknowledged that revenue from harvested biomass is not guaranteed at scale today and said early plans assume on‑site reuse or energy recovery; he said the pilot would be paired with a local match and Blue Ribbon Committee support. Council members asked about siting, noise, odor controls, coordination with downstream water managers (Yolo County agencies) and timeline; Levy said permitting and equipment manufacture would likely take up to a year once funding is available.

After discussion that also covered alternative county projects (sonic buoys and oxygenation pilots), councilmembers expressed support for submitting multiple priorities to the congressman rather than locking to a single project. The council passed a motion directing staff to prepare and submit the community project funding applications for the three priorities and authorized staff to finalize amounts and materials for the submittal.

Voting: the council adopted the submittal resolution unanimously.