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Placerville council closes Bear Rock Road rehab project, reallocates $113,738 to Smith Flat Road work
Summary
City staff told the council that a review found Bear Rock Road is largely not a city street; the council voted unanimously to close the project, liquidate $113,738 and reappropriate the funds to Smith Flat Road storm drain and paving work, and directed staff to tighten right-of-way checks on future capital projects.
The Placerville City Council voted unanimously Feb. 25 to close the Bear Rock Road Rehabilitation Project, liquidate $113,738 in budgeted funds and reappropriate that money to the Smith Flat Road storm drain and paving project.
City engineering staff reported that a recent title and mapping review showed Bear Rock Road “meanders in and out of private property, as well as city and county boundary lines” and therefore is largely not a city-owned street. “Based on this information, the engineering department cannot recommend using public funds to maintain what is largely a private road,” staff member Ms. Savage told the council.
The recommendation followed an initial condition assessment and early pavement investigation performed in 2023; Youngdoll Consulting Group supplied the pavement recommendations cited by staff. After the mapping review in early 2024, staff concluded the city does not have the continuous right-of-way needed to use public funds for the full rehabilitation.
Resident Sue Rodman urged the council to verify ownership and right-of-way before design work begins. “My suggestion is that before we go doing any public roads, that we make sure that we actually own them and own the right way,” Rodman said during public comment.
Council members asked about preventing similar errors on future capital improvement projects. Ms. Savage said staff will implement new procedures to confirm right-of-way ownership before advancing work on CIP projects and prioritized a line-by-line review of the CIP list.
The council approved staff’s recommendation by roll call vote: Council member Carter, Council member Noe, Council member Yarbrough, Vice Mayor Gottberg and Mayor Clerici voted yes. No members voted no or abstained.
The reappropriated funds were designated for Smith Flat Road storm drain and paving work; the council did not direct a timeline for that work during the meeting.
Minutes and staff reports show the city will update internal procedures to require clearer right-of-way verification earlier in project development.
