Mayor, Staff to Meet With State Finance Department Over Funds

Mr. Smith once went to Washington.

On Monday, Mayor Glass will go to Sacramento to ask the state to distribute money for the East Washington and Old Redwood Highway intercharge improvements following the dissolution of redevelopment agencies.

The money is the city's-- collected through a tax increment by the now defunct redevelopment agency. But the state argues that Petaluma did not enter into contracts with vendors by the deadline and is therefore not entitled to the cash.

The city says that's baloney.

“I remain hopeful a successful solution can be achieved in a timely manner that will lead to keeping Old Redwood Highway and East Washington on track and workers on the job,” Mayor Dave Glass said in an emailed statement.

Joining Glass on Monday at the meeting before the California State Department of Finance will be Petaluma's Economic Development Director Ingrid Alverde, Councilman Mike Healy, Assemblymember Michael Allen and Sonoma County Transportation Authority Director Suzanne Smith.

The East Washington interchange project carries a $8.3 million price tag and is more than 30 percent complete. Old Redwood Highway, where improvements to highway onramps and widening the structure were expected to start this October, is counting on $15 million from the state.

Both projects were identified as top priority to help improve traffic following the construction of nearby shopping centers-- Kohl’s near Old Redwood Highway and Target on East Washington.