During the Clearlake City Council Regular Meeting on April 20, 2023, significant discussions centered around the Eighteenth Avenue project and funding challenges, as well as updates on various community initiatives.

The council addressed the Eighteenth Avenue project, which aims to connect Highway 53 to Old Highway 53 through the old airport site. City Manager Greg Flora reported that the council had previously authorized the execution of a construction contract on April 6. However, due to procedural requirements from the California Transportation Commission (CTC), the council was advised to rescind this authorization. The CTC requires that funding allocations be approved before any contracts can be executed. Flora explained that the city is eligible for $500,000 in funding for this project, but the allocation must be finalized by July 4 to avoid losing the funds. The council unanimously agreed to rescind the previous authorization, allowing for a new approval process to align with the CTC's timeline.

In addition to the Eighteenth Avenue project, Flora provided updates on other initiatives, including the Infill Infrastructure Grant (IIG) from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The city initially sought over $14 million for housing and infrastructure projects but had to scale back to just over $5.5 million due to changes in eligibility requirements. This funding will support infrastructure upgrades on Old Highway 53, which are critical for the Kanaktite Gardens project.

Flora also mentioned ongoing discussions with Blue Zones representatives, who are exploring potential projects in the Clear Lake area, particularly around Austin Park. Furthermore, he addressed the transition of oversight for the Hope Center, which will now be managed by Adventist Health. This change aims to ensure continuity of services without disrupting operations.

The meeting concluded with a brief mention of recycling and redemption of recyclables in the city, indicating that further discussions may be needed on this topic.

Overall, the council's actions reflect a proactive approach to securing funding and managing community projects, while also navigating the complexities of state requirements and local needs. The anticipated next steps include awaiting the CTC's final approval in May and continuing to refine project scopes to meet funding criteria.