CLEARLAKE — Clearlake City Administrator Dale Neiman recently announced that there is approximately $1.2 million available to the city from money set aside by PG&E. The funds are to be used to complete underground utility projects.
Funds are put aside by PG&E each year as required by the California Public Utilities Commission.
The council has directed staff to prepare an ordinance to proceed with a project.
According to Neiman, the city had planned to underground the utilities on Olympic Drive but was unable obtain all the easements. He recommended that Olympic Drive be a lower priority because the project would necessitate digging up the new pavement that was recently completed. “If we do that the new paving will deteriorate at a faster pace,” he said.
Neiman did say however, that the city may wish to consider moving utilities underground on small portion of Olympic from Lakeshore Drive to Pine Street in order to improve views from Austin Park.
The second possible project site Neiman recommended was the redevelopment project area known as the Airport Property. “As you know, one of the goals of the city is to create a regional shopping complex on and around the old airport,” Neiman said. “The reason for considering this area is that it would improve the attractiveness of the area, particularly the entrance to the city.”
The item is expected to come back before the council within the first few meetings of the new year.
The Clearlake City Council will hold its one and only meeting for the month of December, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. The agenda is expected to include certification of election results and oath of office for the next term.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
