Public works reports progress: Highway 162 delays, vacant‑building review and April tire‑amnesty event

City department heads provided multiple operational updates at the April 1 meeting, including potential Caltrans delays on the Highway 162 project, code‑enforcement statistics, a vacant‑buildings review and an upcoming tire‑amnesty event.

A department head said the Highway 162 project the city has been involved with is close to conclusion but that Caltrans has indicated the larger road project may be delayed until next spring. The mayor and Councilman Sean Weber said they had requested a meeting with Caltrans to explore options for repairs or interim actions. Council members and staff discussed potential interim city repairs where the jurisdiction is uncertain along corridor segments and agreed to provide Caltrans photos and specific locations for discussion.

Code enforcement staff reported opening 49 new cases in March and closing 43, including nine tows for abandoned hazardous vehicles, one building code violation, nine graffiti cases and various public‑nuisance and multifamily cases. Staff also reported a review of 38 downtown businesses and buildings and said letters and owner contact information were compiled to help the Downtown Business Association encourage occupancy.

Public Works announced a tire‑amnesty event scheduled for April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Public Works yard, 655 Cal Oak, limited to residents within city limits and subject to volume rules; the event is part of a CalRecycle tire‑amnesty grant and is the second portion of that grant program.

Staff also reported pavement and culvert repair work, a recent quick repair of a 12‑inch culvert on Long Bar, progress on Tree City USA application involvement and a March paving placement of 72 tons for a city pavement test program.