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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMins-PWC-10-17-19MINUTES CITY OF DOWNEY - PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE October 17, 2019 MEMBERS PRESENT CITY STAFF PRESENT Carrie Uva, Dist. 1 Delfino R. Consunji, Director of PW/City Engineer Beth Gendreau, Dist. 2 Edwin J. Norris, Deputy Director of PW Joan Frey, Dist. 3 Gigi Rodriguez, Engineering Div. Secretary, PW Adam Christin, Dist. 4 Maria Lourdes Cotaya, Dist. 5 Don Lamkin, Dist. 5 OTHERS PRESENT 7900 Block of Comollette Street Residents MEMBERS ABSENT Mariana Pacheco, Dist. 1 – absent Margarita Rogers, Dist. 3 - excused Kent Halbmaier – Dist. 2 - absent Dan Fox – Dist. 4 - excused I. CALL TO ORDER: Public Works Committee Chair Cotaya called the meeting to order at 4:04 P.M. II. CONSENT CALENDAR: Committee Member Christin made a motion to approve the Minutes of the June 20, 2019 meeting. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Frey. The Minutes were approved as written. III. OLD BUSINESS: None. IV. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Petition for the Closure of the Pedestrian Access between Paramount Boulevard and the 7900 Block of Comolette Street Mr. Norris reported that on June 24, 2019 the City received a letter from Mr. Jose Mejias, a resident of the 7900 block of Comolette Street requesting closure of a pedestrian access that exists between the 7900 block Comolette Street and Paramount Boulevard for security reasons. A petition circulated to the residents of 7900 block of Comolette was received by the City through Mr. Mejias on August 29, 2019 showing 100% support of the pedestrian closure. In addition to the petition received, notices were mailed out to all residential properties located within a 300 ft. radius of the 7900 block of Comolette Street on September 6th and October 4th, informing them of the proposed closure and inviting them to today’s meeting to voice their support or opposition for the proposal. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE October 17, 2019 Page 2 If approved, the residents of the 7900 block of Comolette Street will be required to retain the services of a contractor to install the gated closure under a permit that would have to be issued by the Public Works Department. In addition, an agreement would have to be executed between the City and the residents of the 7900 block of Comolette Street obligating them to maintain the gate in its perpetuity. Also, other City departments were given the opportunity to comment on this proposal as well. The Fire Department and Police Department will require a copy of the key to the gate in order to unlock should they ever need access in an event of an emergency. Staff recommends the approval of the pedestrian access closure. Discussion followed. Committee Member Lamkin made a motion that the Public Works Committee approve a request for the closure of the pedestrian access between Paramount Boulevard and the 7900 block of Comolette Street. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Gendreau. The vote was unanimously in favor thereof. V. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS Committee Member Uva – 1) Thanked the Utilities Division staff for a job well done at her home, in particular, Joel and Sebastian. 2) Resident of 9008 Brock Ave. about not having a tree planted. Mr. Consunji responded that the City handed out notices to homeowners advising them to submit their request in writing if they don’t want a tree planted adjacent to their residence. There is an e-mail address provided on the notice to which residents can send their request to opt out which will be forwarded to the Tree People. 3) Resident of 7618 Finevale Dr. –“No Parking” signs were posted on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 but the resident didn’t see any workers on those days. Mr. Consunji responded that the contractor was only sealing the cracks on the street, so they may have not seen that portion of the work. Once they are ready to do the actual slurry seal project, a notice will be posted specifically on what day the contractor will be working on the street, as residents will have limited street access. Committee Member Beth Gendreau – 1) Thanked the staff for constructing the left turn lane into Warren High School off of Paramount Boulevard. 2) Gallatin Rd. at Brock Avenue - request for “Keep Clear” markings. Staff will investigate. VI. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Updates were given on the following: 1. Firestone Boulevard Median Island and Street Improvement Project 2. CIP 14-19 – Paramount Boulevard Median Island Project will go before the City Council meeting on 11/12 to award the construction contract for the project, and a community meeting will be held on Thursday,10/24 at 6 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber 3. Slurry Seal Project, Dist. 3 – almost complete MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE October 17, 2019 Page 3 4. Water Improvements on Telegraph Road – currently under construction 5. Fiber-optic communications are currently being installed on Woodruff Avenue between the south city limit at Foster Road and Firestone Boulevard. This project will also include a traffic signal upgrade at the Stewart & Gray Road intersection. 6. Residential Street Repair, Dist. 3 & 4 7. Measure S Projects 8. Pavement Rehabilitation Projects: Old River School Road (Imperial Hwy and Arnett St.) - awaiting authorization to proceed from Caltrans Tweedy Lane (Florence Avenue and Suva St.) – awaiting authorization to proceed from Caltrans 9. Citywide Pedestrian Plan – Survey complete and pop-up events are currently being held at the Stay Gallery, with the next events to be held on Oct 19, from 11AM to 6PM and Nov. 1, from 6PM to 9PM 10. South Downey Safe Routes to School Project 11. Tree Planting Project – City will give away 200 trees on 11/16/19 VII. NEXT MEETING: November 21, 2019 The Public Works Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:50 P.M.