COLUSA, CA (MPG) — The City of Colusa’s Measure B Citizen Oversight Committee met recently to review ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects funded by the voter-approved sales tax measure.
City Manager Jesse Cain reported that Phase 2 of the city’s street work is nearly complete, with only the striping of Fremont Street remaining. Downtown striping is scheduled for a Sunday to reduce traffic impacts. Phase 1 is fully complete, and Phase 3 will begin after the plan is reviewed.
Cain noted that concerns for 13th Street are being addressed as it is partially in the city and partially in the county, requiring coordination for repairs. Wilson Road is entirely within city limits and will also need work.
Cain also addressed challenges from California’s new daylighting law. Assembly Bill 413, signed in 2023 and enforceable since Jan. 1, 2025, requires a 20-foot no-parking zone on the approach to any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or 15 feet where a curb extension is present. The law aims to improve intersection visibility but has created issues for small corner lots in Colusa, where extending red curbs could remove all street parking. Cain said the city is exploring solutions to balance compliance with the law and resident parking needs.
Committee members raised concerns over the use of Measure B funds for PPE for the fire department without prior committee review. City Finance Director Ishrat Aziz-Khan said the expenditure had been approved by the City Council about two months ago. Chair Vicki Pulsifer requested that such items be presented to the committee before council consideration.
City Treasurer Devin Kelley questioned why work on the street leading to the high school was not being done. Cain explained the city is awaiting an amended agreement for the wastewater treatment plant project, expected in late September. That project includes installing a new 18-inch sewer line along Colus Avenue and Eighth Street, as well as addressing drainage issues near the fairgrounds and a bottleneck at Sixth Street. Cain said it would be inefficient to repave the road before the sewer work is complete. The city has applied for a grant to help cover curb, gutter and sidewalk costs in the area of the project.
The committee also agreed to ask the City Council to add more alternate members to ensure a quorum, citing several postponed meetings due to member absences.