- Denise Rockenstein
- Posted On
Clearlake Public Works director gives update on year's projects, activities
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Public Works Director Doug Herren recently provided the city council with a quarterly report of activities of the Public Works Department.
The report reviews activities from January through June of this year.
Staff is currently working six days a week to keep up with the demand for services, Herren said. “Our goal is to provide safety to all who use city parks and public right-of-ways.”
Herren said department services include grading, pothole patching, tree trimming, sign maintenance and park maintenance.
Additionally, the status report accounts staff hours for drainage repairs, street sweeping, frost control and vehicle and equipment maintenance.
Parks Department
Herren said the hiring of two seasonal temporary employees has been beneficial to the Parks Department.
“The demand for service is high and challenging,” he stated. “With the extra help we are starting to catch up on some deferred maintenance.”
Extensive damage, caused by rocks being drawn into the system, was sustained by the pump that provides water to Austin Park, impacting its lawn, he explained.
Herren said crewman Chuck Davis worked with longtime resident Bill Wilder, ultimately resulting in Wilder's donation of a working pump for the system.
“I have to say 'thank you very much' to the Wilder family for their generous donation,” Herren stated. “The is a perfect fit and works like a champ. Special thanks to Highlands Water Co. for helping with the electrical and testing of the pump before it went online.”
According to the status report, a total of 1,241 hours of general maintenance was exhausted in the city's four parks, including the skate park.
Another 335 hours were spent on irrigation repairs and 126 hours were spent on boat ramp maintenance and cleaning.
Additional park activities concern a collaborative project involving the city and Konocti Unified School District.
Herren said the city began discussion with Konocti Unified in June regarding options for drilling a well in Austin Park that would serve both the park and Haverty Field, which is located just east of the park.
A joint use agreement between the city and Konocti Unified currently is in place for the district's use of Haverty Field and its maintenance.
“After a few meetings and site visits, it was decided to put the well in the northeast corner of Austin Park, close to the power supply and the timer system,” Herren stated. “(Konocti Unified) Maintenance Supervisor Dana Moore is currently in the process of hiring a contractor with the scheduling to drill the well set for this September or early October.”
Herren said if the well produces as well as anticipated, the city will be able to connect it to its controller and water both areas from the well water source rather than from the lake source it currently uses.
Windstorms update
Herren said the community was impacted substantially by windstorms in late November 2013.
He said the greenwaste amnesty program that was offered in response went well with no hazardous materials or garbage dropped-off at the designated site.
All greenwaste materials were run through chippers provided by Lake County Fire Protection District, the county of Lake Parks Department and the Clearlake Public Works.
Spring Clean Up 2014
The city hosted its annual Spring Clean Up in April of this year with what Herren said was a tremendous turnout.
The 2014 effort was expanded to include Cache Creek, he said.
“Cathy Wilson, with the help of some eager kayakers, along with Jeff Smith and Chuck Leonard on the county's air boat, were able to collect four full truck loads of debris from the water's edge that would have never been seen from the road,” he stated.
Herren also recognized with gratitude Bruce McCracken, Julie Price and Andrea Rios of Clearlake Waste Solutions, along with city staff and local volunteers who contributed to the success of the event.
Cal Recycling programs
Cal Recycling distributes $5,000 annually to each eligible city and county specifically for beverage container recycling and litter clean up activities. Herren said the city was again successful in receiving those funds.
The program funds, Herren explained, are to assist in providing opportunities to support new or existing curbside recycling programs, public education, litter prevention and clean up activities such as the city's annual event.
Herren said some of the past funds were used to purchase recycling bins placed in city hall, the police department, the parks and the senior/community center.
The annual Cal Recycling report for 2013 was submitted in July of this year. “I'm pleased to say that with all the hard work from staff and the city's contract waste hauler, we once again have seen huge gains and improvements in diversion rates,” Herren stated.
According to the status report, the city saw a diversion rate of 37 percent in 2007, increasing to 57 percent by 2009.
In 2010, the diversion rate dropped 2 percent but returned to 57 percent in 2011, the report showed.
In 2012, the diversion rate reached 65 percent and in 2013 the report said diversion was at its highest at 71 percent.
Herren said the steady increase in the city's diversion rate clearly illustrates that the community is doing its part.
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