Council extends local emergency for Lakeshore San Joaquin slide as city pursues $4 million repair

The Clear Lake City Council on May 2 voted unanimously to continue the local emergency declaration for winter-storm damage at the Lakeshore San Joaquin slide, directing staff to proceed with funding and repair work.

City staff said the city engineer and director met with Caltrans and the Office of Emergency Services and were told the project is eligible for state and federal funding. Director Labadeh said staff are preparing a damage-assessment packet, an engineer's estimate and a site plan for funding submission and are working with a geotechnical engineer and contractor to move the project forward. "We will be reimbursed at 100% if we complete the project by October 30," Labadeh said. Staff estimated the repair cost would be close to $4,000,000.

Council members asked whether the emergency would return to council and staff said the emergency would be eliminated once the repair is completed. After a period for public questions, including a resident asking for the precise site location, councilmember Slooten moved and Vice Mayor Overton seconded the motion to continue the proclamation; the clerk recorded a unanimous vote.

Staff emphasized that the 30-day continuation is a standard step while design and procurement proceed. Next steps include finalizing the damage assessment, completing design and securing the contractor and reimbursement paperwork with Caltrans and OES.