PORTERVILLE, CA — The Porterville City Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday, Jan. 20, to discuss a $6 million grant for flood repairs, a new affordable housing agreement, and the completion of major road projects.
The public meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Porterville City Council Chambers.
Flood Recovery and Housing
City officials are preparing to seek federal disaster recovery grants to repair damage to the Tule River Channel caused by storms in March 2023. Porterville is applying alongside Tulare County and the City of Woodlake, but the city would use its $6 million share specifically for local repairs.
If the funding is approved, the money would be available through 2030 to stabilize eroded river areas, fix pedestrian trails, and improve flood management and fire crew access.
The council will also review an agreement regarding city-owned land on Springville Avenue. The proposed agreement would give the non-profit developer Self-Help Enterprises one year to decide whether to buy the land for affordable housing. This effort aims to jumpstart housing plans for the site after an earlier 133-unit project failed to get the money it needed.
Road Project Completions
The City Council is expected to officially approve two finished road projects during the meeting.
The Villa Street reconstruction cost $12.3 million. The work involved replacing asphalt, updating underground pipes, and improving access for people with disabilities. While the construction is finished, it went over budget by about $196,000 because of unexpected problems found underground. The city will use money set aside for storm drains—collected from local developers—to pay the extra cost.
Additionally, the latest phase of the Main Street Reconstruction Project cost $1.9 million, staying under its approved $1.99 million budget. Funded by the SB 1 road repair act, the project included new asphalt, lighting, and street trees. It also added underground pipes for high-speed internet cables.
Traffic Safety and Public Policy
The council is reviewing a new traffic law designed to improve safety near local schools. Following a traffic study and a change in state law, the city now has more flexibility to lower speed limits.
The new law proposes reducing the speed limit on Plano Street from 45 mph to 40 mph between Highway 190 and Worth Avenue. The plan also includes adding an all-way stop where College Avenue meets Plano Street. The city estimates these changes will cost $20,000 to implement.
Looking ahead, Mayor Greg Meister has proposed a virtual format for the upcoming State of the City address. The goal is to reach more people by combining recorded remarks from the mayor with presentations from various city departments. The council is scheduled to vote on that proposal at its Feb. 3 meeting.