Crescent City renews Emergency status along Pebble Beach Drive

At the February 5 City Council meeting, Councilors declared an emergency per Public Contract Code 22050. The emergency declaration  allows the City to by pass the normal competitive bidding process in order to procure services and contractors to address the emergency: in this case the continual slide activity that has undermined a section of Pebble Beach Drive between 7th and 8th Street. 

The Council, with a 5-0 vote, renewed its February declaration, Tuesday evening.

City Staff continue to maintain communication with the Coastal Commission regarding permitting and Cal Trans regarding funding. 

The City has applied for Emergency Opening (EO) funding. If approved, EO funding is 100 percent reimbursable. Upon approval, funds must be spent within 270 days. The clock on the time frame has commenced. The hopeful expedient fix is temporary. The EO funds purpose is intended to cover only the immediate costs to stabilize the emergency,  reopen Pebble Beach Drive and provide for public safety. The estimated costs for the temporary fix is unknown for repair costs and scope of work.

The City is required to revisit whether an emergency allowing the City to contract without formal bids is still necessary at each regular meeting. Staff shared with councilors the narrow time frame window is not enough time to competitively let bids.