CLEARLAKE – Work on a major street rehabilitation project could begin as early as next month, officials reported Thursday night.

The Clearlake City Council voted unanimously to award a $1.3 million bid to Central Valley Engineering and Asphalt to rehabilitate and reconstruct portions of Lakeshore Drive, Olympic Drive and Old Highway 53.

The City of Clearlake was the first agency in the state to receive funds from Proposition 1B, said City Administrator Dale Neiman, a fact he credited to City Engineer Bob Galusha.

For his part, Galusha said Neiman's willingness to let staff move ahead with engineering on the project put them in a position to be ready for the funds.

In addition, “We're probably the first agency that's awarding a project,” said Neiman.

The city got an “excellent” bid from Central Valley Engineering, said Neiman. The $1.3 million price tag is less than half of what the project originally was anticipated to cost.

January and February are good times to seek bids, because contractors are looking to get work lined up for the summer, said Neiman.

With the economic downturn, a lot of people also are looking for work. “We actually had nine bidders, which was a lot,” said Neiman.

But even better news is that the city will have $1.5 million in bond funding left over after the project, which they can use elsewhere, said Neiman.

Outlining the main project, Galusha said it will involving rehabilitating pavement and, in some cases, digging it out and replacing it.

After the bid with Central Valley Engineering is confirmed, Galusha said the city will negotiate a change order to expand the project to include Old Highway 53 from Lakeshore Drive to Highway 53, which is the city's next-highest priority.

“While we don't have plans ready for that, it's fairly simple to develop,” said Galusha.

They also are looking at Park Street from Arrowhead Road to Lakeshore Drive, and Arrowhead Raod from Park Street to Modoc Street, said Galusha.

Part of the Burns Valley project will be added to the work, with an asphalt overlay and extra width for the bike lane planned, Galusha noted.

City Council member Judy Thein asked when the project actually would start. Galusha said the city will send the contract to Central Valley Engineering on Friday, and the contractor then has 15 days to return the documents.

If all goes well and the weather stays clear, Galusha said the work could start between April 1 and April 15.

Council member Joyce Overton thanked both Galusha and Neiman for their work. “I'm sure our community is going to appreciate this.”

Community resident Ken Savin asked if the project would include new curb, gutter and sidewalk. Galusha said no, it was strictly rehabilitation, which would include asphalt overlay and replacement in some areas.

Savin suggested that 40^th Avenue going toward the avenues is a health and safety hazard, with many people walking in the streets due to the lack of sidewalks. He suggested it should be an area considered for repair in the future, and questioned why the new homes in the area didn't add curbs, gutters and sidewalks.

Neiman said the city's rules, as they now stand, don't require those improvements for single-family homes and duplexes.

“I think development standards need to be changed,” said Neiman.

He suggested that the community should identify streets where sidewalks and other street improvements should be installed, and then require it during new construction.

Thein moved to award the bid to Central Valley Engineering and Asphalt, which Overton seconded. The bid was unanimously approved.

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