Calistoga council splits on seeking control of Lincoln Avenue sidewalks; staff to provide more details

Assistant City Manager Celaya presented four paths for addressing sidewalks on Lincoln Avenue (Highway 29): (1) legislative change, (2) full ownership transfer from Caltrans, (3) maintain status quo, or (4) a lease/agreement that allows the city to apply municipal codes and conditional‑use permits. Celaya said Caltrans indicated an agreement/lease could be feasible and recommended pursuing that option as the most practical pathway short of a multi‑year legislative change.

Council members and the public focused on liability, maintenance costs and practical impacts for downtown businesses. Director Rainer summarized the maintenance agreement: the city performs some minimal maintenance (concrete grinding for trip hazards), while Caltrans retains major replacement responsibility. Staff reported 18 trip‑and‑fall cases from 2021–2024, nine on Lincoln Avenue. Several business owners and residents urged caution about taking on slip‑and‑fall liability; others, including the Chamber of Commerce, supported transferring control (with costs shared by businesses that could pay for dedicated sidewalk areas).

A motion to request staff provide detailed comparisons of the ownership option versus a lease/agreement (including assumptions about liability and costs) did not pass: roll call showed 1 in favor, 2 nays and 2 abstentions. Council directed staff to gather additional information that can be obtained without hiring outside consultants and to report back on what information is not available without further expense or negotiation with Caltrans.