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Ridgecrest council approves $64,000 from surplus-equipment sale to prepare HSIP road-safety bid; council also approves consent items
Summary
The Ridgecrest City Council voted 5-0 on Oct. 15 to place approximately $64,000 in proceeds from a surplus-equipment auction into the fiscal year 2025–26 expense budget to pay for bid preparation on an HSIP road-safety project including a HAWK signal near Los Flora School.
The Ridgecrest City Council voted 5-0 on Oct. 15 to place approximately $64,000 in proceeds from the sale of surplus equipment into the fiscal year 2025–26 expense budget so the city can complete bid documents for planned road-safety work under a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) project.
Acting City Manager Travis Reid told the council that city staff found a government-auction vendor and received about $64,000 from auctioning unused equipment. The council approved a resolution to record that revenue and allocate it to an expense account to complete bid specifications and bidding documents for the HSIP project, which staff said includes a HAWK pedestrian signal in front of Los Flora School. Reid said the timing is critical because the city wants to schedule construction during summer break when school is not in session. If the city awards a contract, Reid said staff will return to council to award the construction contract.
The council unanimously approved the motion after a brief discussion. A council member called the change “a logical move” and said the money would help finalize the bid package; council members noted the funds will not cover the full construction cost and that further action would be required if a contract is awarded.
The council also approved its consent calendar by a 5-0 vote. Earlier in the meeting the council approved another item listed as "Digita" (transcript reference) by unanimous voice vote; the agenda and minutes did not provide additional details about that item in the council report.
Other business and announcements
- Senior center hours: Parks, Recreation and Quality of Life committee members reported a trial change to senior-center hours. The senior center will test 9 a.m.–1 p.m. hours for one month and then reevaluate attendance. Staff reported a new part-time employee had been hired to support programming.
- Farmers market: The city reported that, effective Nov. 1, a private organizer called KTS Market will take over the farmers market and move it to the Tractor Supply location on Saturdays.
- Pool procurement: City staff said pool construction bids will be opened publicly at 11 a.m. the following day in the city clerk’s office; staff expect multiple bidders and will review and return to council for contract award.
- Community events: Council members highlighted upcoming events including a trunk-or-treat at the Carnegie Center west lot on Oct. 24, a regional hoop-dance championship at the Desert Empire Fairgrounds in November, and other seasonal community activities.
Why this matters: The newly appropriated auction revenue allows the city to prepare a time-sensitive HSIP bid package to pursue a pedestrian-safety improvement timed around the school calendar. The unanimous council vote indicates near-term support to move the project to the bidding phase.
