Memorandum
Date: May 5, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Lars Ewing, Public Works Director
Subject: Adopt a Resolution Declaring a Local Emergency Due to Geotechnical Instability Causing Roadway Failure and Embankment Erosion on Socrates Mine Road and Authorizing Emergency Contracting Pursuant to Public Contract Code Sections 22050 and 20395(d)
Executive Summary:
Socrates Mine Road is a county-maintained road that provides essential access to residents, businesses, and properties near Middletown. Recent field observations and staff evaluations have identified significant geotechnical instability at multiple locations on the road. These locations are experiencing significant slope movement including embankment erosion, subsurface instability, and loss of soil strength. These conditions have resulted in undermining of the roadway structural section, creating a substantial risk of continued degradation and potential sudden or catastrophic roadway failure if not promptly addressed.
The conditions pose an immediate threat to public health, safety, and welfare, including loss of safe vehicular access, impaired emergency response access, and risk of injury, property damage, or isolation of residents. Furthermore, the nature of the failure is geotechnical and highly variable, requiring specialized investigation, design, and construction approaches. Work will involve adaptive methods responsive to evolving subsurface conditions, including but not limited to geotechnical analysis, slope stabilization systems, drainage improvements, and reconstruction of the roadway structural section.
Due to the urgency and uncertainty associated with these conditions, standard competitive bidding procedures, which would require preparation of plans and specifications followed by a formal bid, would be too lengthy and would delay response and increase risk to the public. Public Contract Code Sections 22050 and 20395(d) authorize the Board of Supervisors to declare an emergency and allow the Road Commissioner to procure necessary services, equipment, and construction without advertising for bids when immediate action is required to safeguard life, health, and property.
To that end, staff prepared the attached resolution which, if approved, will authorize Public Works to immediately procure the services necessary to stabilize the roadway and restore safe access.
The total cost of emergency repairs is currently unknown. Funding strategies are under evaluation and may include a combination of road maintenance funds, geothermal mitigation funds specific to Socrates Mine Road, other geothermal funding, and potential partner contributions. However, Calpine and Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) have both communicated their inability to provide financial contributions for the work. Staff will return to the Board with updates on costs and funding as additional information becomes available.
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Recommended Action:
Adopt a Resolution declaring a local emergency due to geotechnical instability causing roadway failure and embankment erosion at three locations on Socrates Mine Road (Milepost 1.0, 2.07, and 2.4), and authorize emergency contracting pursuant to Public Contract Code Sections 22050 and 20395(d).