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Ridgecrest council approves Mahan Street contract, annual progress report and a 2.2% trash-rate increase
Summary
The Ridgecrest City Council awarded a $1,495,610 contract for Mahan Street pavement improvements (total authorization up to $1,645,171 with contingency), approved the 2025 Annual Progress Report for the general plan and housing element, and authorized a 2.2% solid-waste rate adjustment; each measure passed unanimously (5-0).
At its May 6 meeting the Ridgecrest City Council approved several action items after staff presentations and brief discussion.
Mahan Street pavement improvements: The council awarded the Mayhem (Mahan) Street pavement improvement contract to Baldwin Asphalt Inc., the lowest responsive bidder, with a base bid of $1,495,610 and a 10% construction contingency of $149,561, authorizing a total project amount not to exceed $1,645,171. Staff said the project is funded primarily with RSTP (federal regional surface transportation program) funds (approximately 88%) and a local Measure V match (about 11.5%). The contract includes 50 working days for completion and standard liquidated-damage provisions and a performance bond; council approved the award by voice/roll call (5 ayes).
2025 Annual Progress Report (General Plan and Housing Element): Planning staff presented the city's annual progress report, which tracks entitlements, permits and completed housing units, including recent housing activity and RHNA progress. Council voted to direct staff to submit the report to state agencies and accepted the staff recommendation (5 ayes).
Solid-waste rate adjustment (FY 2026'27): Under the existing contract methodology with Waste Management, staff proposed a 2.2% overall rate increase driven by labor and increased landfill/gate fees. Examples cited in the staff report: a 35-gallon cart would increase by $0.51 and a 64-gallon cart by $0.58 if council approved the change; a $20 inactivity roll-off fee and a $39.85 reactivation charge for disconnected accounts were also noted. Council approved the rate change (5 ayes).
No council member opposed any of these items at the time of the recorded votes. Public comment on the Mahan Street item included questions about sidewalk continuity and the project's phase schedule; staff said phase 1 would begin immediately if awarded and expect completion roughly 50 working days from start.
