Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMins-PWC-01-15-15 MINUTES CITY OF DOWNEY - PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE January 15, 2015 I. CALL TO ORDER: In the absence of the Committee Chairperson, Patricia Kotze, Vice-Chair, Joan Frey called the meeting to order at 4:05 P.M. II. CONSENT CALENDAR: Committee Member Cotaya made a motion to approve the Minutes of the November 20, 2014 meeting. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Owens. The vote was unanimously in favor thereof. III. OLD BUSINESS: None. IV. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Bicycle Master Plan Presentation Mr. Norris gave a brief report regarding the status of the city’s Bicycle Master Plan. He discussed the city’s future bicycle system which will be constructed over time as opportunities and resources allow. He also added that bike facilities such as bike routes, bike lanes, markings/signage, bike racks, bike parking facilities, etc. are included in the MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Owens, Dist. 1 Marybeth Vergara, Dist. 1 Mohammad Mostahkami, Director of PW Ed Norris, Deputy Director of PW Dan Mueller, Principal Civil Engineer Kent Halbmaier, Dist. 2 Grissel Chavez, Superintendent of Maintenance & Facilities Joan Frey, Dist. 3 Judith Silva, Management Analyst Hector Beltran, Dist. 3 Gigi Rodriguez, Engineering Div. Secretary Blanca Pacheco, Dist. 4 Dave Blumenthal, Sr. Planner, Community Development Dept. Maria Lourdes Cotaya, Dist. 5 Eric Rosales, Parks and Recreation Dept. Don Lamkin, Dist. 5 OTHERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Miguel Nunez, Fehr & Peers Patricia Kotze, Dist. 2 – absent Matt Benjamin, Fehr & Peers Donald Cuevas, Dist. 4 - absent MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE January 15, 2015 Page 2 plan. Mr. Norris mentioned that the plan is about 90% complete. Fehr and Peers, the city’s transportation consultant, represented by Mr. Miguel Nunez and Mr. Matt Benjamin, gave a presentation regarding the Bicycle Master Plan. The presentation highlighted views on cycling, needs assessment & public outreach, data collection, potential options, stakeholder preferred alternatives and implementation. Comments regarding connections to the L.A. River and San Gabriel River would be a great opportunity to get people off these trails and into the community. Concerns with areas such as Gallatin Road, Lakewood Blvd., Brookshire Ave., and Fifth St. are not ideal for bike rides due to the amount of traffic and side parking that are already congested as they are. Also, concerns were raised on how the bicycle lanes would impact the schools on Old River School Road and Gallatin Road. The possibility of bicycle routes on railroad tracks was also brought up. Discussion followed. Staff concluded the presentation by informing the committee that the next step was to present the plan to the Planning Commission followed by taking the plan to the City Council for adoption. V. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS None. VI. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Updates were given on the following: 1) Traffic signal issue on Paramount Blvd. and Somerset Ranch Road was reported to Caltrans and currently being investigated. 2) The traffic signal pedestrian timing on Downey Avenue at Fifth St. has been evaluated and was found to be timed appropriately. 3) Firestone Blvd. has been paved. Final touches such as lighting, bus benches, trash receptacles, etc. are being installed. 4) The Firestone Boulevard Pavement Rehabilitation Project between Lakewood Boulevard and the East City Limit will begin following the completion of the Potable Water System Improvement Project currently under construction along this portion of Firestone Blvd. The city received a grant through the Bureau of Reclamation to construct a bioswale along the Stonewood Mall frontage on Firestone Blvd. in the greenscape area. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE January 15, 2015 Page 3 5) Construction on Paramount Blvd. at Firestone Blvd. Intersection Improvement Project is expected to begin in March. The former La Chiva Loca Restaurant building and the wooden structure next to it have been demolished. 6) The Furman Park Walking Trails Project is complete. 7) The Apollo Park Walking Trails Project is currently under construction. 8) The Gardendale Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project between Lakewood Blvd. and Garfield Avenue, which involves the cities of Downey, South Gate and Paramount, is expected to begin March. 9) Audio visual system upgrade in the Council Chambers is complete. 10) Roof replacements involving the PD, Library, City Hall and Water Yard buildings are in the works. 11) The Energy Action Plan will be presented at the next City Council meeting. 12) Park Master Plan – 2nd workshop will be held on January 21, 2015 at 6:30 PM at the Barbara Riley Community Center. An on-line questionnaire is available on the city’s website. VII. NEXT MEETING: February 19, 2015 The Public Works Committee meeting was adjourned at 5:50 P.M.