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Holtville Council Authorizes Transfer of Federal Earmark to Complete Bare Canal Undergrounding
Summary
Holtville City Council voted unanimously to authorize execution of documents enabling transfer and local administration of a congressional earmark for the final segment of the Bare Canal undergrounding project; Caltrans administration and an 11.47% local match were central to the decision.
Holtville City Council on Oct. 28 approved a measure to authorize execution of documents that will allow the city to receive and administer a congressional earmark for the final phase of the Bare Canal undergrounding project.
The council voted 5–0 on the measure after a presentation from city staff. The presenter said the earmark must be administered through Caltrans and that Caltrans projects carry a required local match of 11.47 percent. The presenter also discussed using six county-resident water-connection fees as part of the match calculation.
"I have received a congressional earmark for the project," the presenter said, adding that Caltrans administration and the 11.47% match create a timing constraint to finalize and sign paperwork ahead of a planned December construction start.
The council opened the matter for public comment before the vote; no substantive opposition was recorded. A roll call recorded Mike Pacheco, John Munger, Mike Goodsell, Richard Layton and Marie Anderson voting "Yes." The mayor moved the meeting on to the next agenda item after the roll call.
Why it matters: The authorization lets Holtville accept federal funding that will finish a multi-decade effort to place a remaining section of the Bare Canal underground. City officials described the step as necessary to meet Caltrans administration requirements and the construction timetable.
What’s next: Staff will finalize execution of the documents and coordinate with Caltrans and the administering entities to remain on schedule for December construction. The record includes a note that the presenter’s name is recorded inconsistently in the meeting transcript (appearing as both "Nick Lowe" in the agenda introduction and later as 'Nick'), a discrepancy the city’s minutes should clarify in follow-up documents.
Sources and context: The council’s action referenced a congressional earmark and Caltrans administrative requirements; the agenda also listed a revised Resolution 2426 delegating the mayor to execute documents for an Infill Infrastructure Grant of 2019 (consent item noted separately).
