CLEARLAKE ? The City of Clearlake is seeking to recoup costs associated with the Burns Valley Walkway project. The city is pursuing reimbursement in the amount of $10,000 from Autumn Village.
According to City Administrator Dale Neiman”s staff report, information has recently been found regarding the original approval of the Autumn Village project in the late 1980s, which required the installation of the walkway. A use permit for expansion was issued in the early 1990s; however, the walkway requirement was overlooked and not built.
“This was never done and it should have been picked up when the expansion was approved in the early 1990s,” Neiman reported. “We could potentially recoup a maximum of $10,000 that we spent on installing the walkway. The administrative penalty would amount to $2,500 and we could potentially receive a judgment in Small Claims Court of $7,500.”
The entire walkway project cost the city approximately $35,000.
Staff was authorized May 14 to send the owner of Autumn Village a letter requesting $10,000 in payment. If the owner fails to pay Neiman reported that the city would then proceed with an administrative penalty and filing in Small Claims Court.
The Burns Valley Walkway project was originally intended to include curb, gutter and sidewalk. However, due to financial constraints the city opted to install a six-foot wide pedestrian walkway and bike lane rather than an actual sidewalk. The purpose of the walkway is to provide seniors and disabled individuals safe access to the Burns Valley Shopping Center. It is located along the west side of Burns Valley Road between Safeway and the Clearlake Senior/Community Center.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
