Big street rehabilitation project, skate park concerns go to council Thursday

CLEARLAKE – At its Thursday night meeting the Clearlake City Council will consider awarding a $1.3 million bid as part of the largest street rehabilitation project in the city's history, and look at safety issues at the skate park.


The public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. A closed session will begin at 5 p.m. to discuss property and labor negotiations.


The council is set to consider awarding the bid for the street project to Central Valley Engineering and Asphalt.


Clearlake was the first agency in the state to receive bond money for street repair from Proposition 1B, according to a report by City Administrator Dale Neiman. The money will be used to rehabilitate portions of Olympic Drive, Lakeshore Drive and Old Highway 53.


In all, the city has been allocated $3,036,000 by the state, said Neiman. The Redevelopment Agency provided another $80,000 for engineering, and construction management and inspection is estimated at $144,000, putting total construction costs at $2,892,000, said Neiman.


Neiman said this is believed to be the largest construction project in the city's history.


Central Valley Engineering and Asphalt's bid on the project was $1,332,185, less than half the engineer's estimate for the project, which totaled just over $2.9 million, Neiman reported.


With the seasonal slowdown in construction, coupled with a downturn in the construction industry, “We bid the project at the perfect time,” Neiman's report states.


The current bid prices asphalt at $78 per ton, down significantly from the $135 per ton paid for the mid-town overlay project, according to Neiman.


More good news, said Neiman, is that the $1.5 million the city will save has been OK'd by Caltrans for use on projects in other city locations.


The next highest priority, said Neiman, is Old Highway 53 from Lakeshore Drive to Highway 53; followed by Burns Valley Road from Olympic Drive to the senior center; Park Street from Arrowhead Road to Lakeshore Drive; and Arrowhead Road from Park Street to Modoc Street.


Skate park: Rule breaking may lead to temporary closures


Following the street rehabilitation project, Neiman will present to the council his concerns about skate park operations.


According to his report, children using the park are neglecting to use helmets, knee and elbow pads, and other safety equipment mandated by state law.


Skateboarders and BMX riders also are using the park at the same time, according to Neiman. That violates an agreement that calls for the groups to alternate days because of safety concerns and requirements of the Public Agency Risk Sharing Authority of California, the risk sharing pool that provides insurance for the city.


“... If someone is seriously injured the City will end up paying the bills because we allowed a dangerous condition to exist at the facility,” Neiman's report states.


In order to reduce liability with respect to the park, Neiman says the city has two choices: cite children who don't adhere to the rules, take them to court and request that they pay a fine; or close the facility for a time in response to children continuing to ignore the rules. The second choice, said Neiman, would result in better compliance with the rules and reduce the city's liability.


Other items on the Thursday agenda:


– Consideration of assisting in the sponsorship of a cleanup day for Olympic and Lakeshore Drives, proposed by Cathy Wilson;


– A memorandum of understanding to pool resources to comply with Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board regulations in order to reduce mercury and nutrient levels in Clearlake.


– Consider moving equipment and furnishings from the Austin Resort buildings to the Hot Spot Youth Center.


Clearlake City Hall is located at 14050 Olympic Drive.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


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