Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Avenal approves grant applications and funding steps for road, bike and water projects
Summary
Council approved pursuing ATP funding for Skyline Boulevard safety improvements (~$3.5M), finalized SP1 funds for a Cutoff Road overlay, and authorized staff to seek up to $10M in financing to cover a shortfall for a $60M water treatment plant expansion.
The Avenal City Council authorized staff to pursue several infrastructure funding steps: final SP1 funding for a Cutoff Road overlay, application for Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 8 funding for Skyline Boulevard safety improvements, and a financial-assistance application to address a roughly $10 million shortfall on a planned water treatment plant expansion.
Why it matters: The ATP application is intended to add bike and pedestrian infrastructure, narrow travel lanes, and fund a three-year education and outreach campaign; the water-treatment authorization aims to close an estimated funding gap between a $50 million grant award and a current 30% design cost estimate of about $60 million.
Details presented: The contract engineer said SP1 funds will complete the Cutoff Road overlay in the current funding cycle. The ATP project for Skyline Boulevard was estimated at about $3.5 million and would include bike lanes, improved crossings and safety measures. For the water treatment plant expansion, staff said the city has an awarded $50 million grant but that current 30% design estimates put the project at roughly $60 million; council authorized staff to pursue additional financing (a loan) to cover the estimated shortfall and to proceed with a financial assistance application.
Council action: The council moved to approve the related resolutions and to authorize applications for grants and financing. Roll-call votes were recorded as passed by three present and two absent for the set of resolutions covering SP1, ATP, and water financing authorizations.
Next steps: Staff will finalize and submit ATP and financial assistance applications by stated deadlines, and will prioritize projects in future SD1 funding cycles. Design development is expected to refine cost estimates for the water treatment plant and determine the final financing need.
Vote summary: Resolutions and authorizations for SP1 funding, ATP application, and water financing: passed, recorded as 3 yes, 0 no, 2 absent.
Sources: Contract engineer presentation and council roll call during Avenal City Council meeting, June 11, 2026.
