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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMins-PWC-04-21-22MINUTES CITY OF DOWNEY - PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Regular Meeting April 21, 2022 MEMBERS PRESENT CITY STAFF PRESENT Timothy J. Horn, Dist. 1 Delfino R. Consunji, Director of PW/City Engineer Beth Gendreau, Dist. 2 Edwin J. Norris, Deputy Director of PW Kevin Ezeh, Dist. 3 Gigi Rodriguez, Engineering Div. Secretary, PW Adam Christin, Dist. 4 Sgt. Tim McCarthy, PD Dan Fox, Dist. 4 Dorothy Pemberton, Dist. 5 MEMBERS ABSENT Denny Chavez, Dist. 1 – absent Efferem Sanchez, Dist. 5 - absent Anthony Jones, Dist. 2 - absent Art Montoya, Dist. 3 I. CALL TO ORDER Public Works Committee Chair Gendreau called the meeting to order at 4:03 P.M. II. FLAG SALUTE – Committee Member Christin III. CONSENT CALENDAR Committee Member Pemberton made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2022 meeting. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Fox. The Minutes were approved as written. IV. OLD BUSINESS - None. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Proposed Parking Prohibition within the Alley Located West of Columbia Way North of Adoree Street Mr. Norris reported that the City received a request on October 28, 2021 to install “No Parking in Alley” signs for the alley located west of Columbia Way north of Adoree Street to address vehicles that were parked in the alley which were hindering access to residents’ ability to park in their garages as well as prohibiting access through the alley for emergency response utility and refuse vehicles. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Downey Municipal Code (DMC) Section 3195 (a) (b), prohibiting parking within alleys, provided signs are posted at the alley entrances giving notice thereof, will give the Police Department the authority to issue citations to vehicles parked within the alley. In order to effectuate the proposed parking prohibition, signage displaying the words “No Parking in Alley” will be posted at the alley entrances in order to authorize the Police Department to properly enforce the proposed parking prohibition within the alley. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE April 21, 2022 Page 2 Staff recommends approval of this proposal. With the concurrence of the committee, staff will proceed with the issuance of a work order to the Public Works Maintenance Division to install the signs at the entrances to the alley. All residents located within an approximate 300-ft radius of the subject alley were notified of this proposal and invited to attend today’s meeting to voice their opinion. Three residents submitted letters of support for the proposal via email which were read into the record. Discussion followed. Committee Member Fox made a motion per staff’s recommendation to approve a request to prohibit parking within the alley located west of Columbia Way north of Adoree Street. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Pemberton. The motion was approved unanimously. VI. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS 1. CM Pemberton – requested an update on the Florence Ave. project – Mr. Consunji responded that the water system improvement has been completed, pavement rehabilitation is underway and should be completed sometime in August. 2. Chair Gendreau – inquired if median islands are being constructed on Florence Avenue – Mr. Consunji replied that median islands are not being installed on Florence Avenue. 3. CM Christin - Florence Ave. at the I-5 Fwy. and the right turn only lane onto the southbound I-5 Fwy - requests staff to investigate synchronization of traffic signals at the I-5 Fwy southbound entrance opposite Fairford Ave. and Studebaker Rd., as traffic is always backed up. Mr. Norris responded that the City took a traffic count and the right turn volume onto the southbound I-5 Fwy. is very low compared to the through volume in each lane going westbound on Florence Avenue. Caltrans was asked to re-stripe the westbound lanes on Florence Ave. so that there will be three westbound through lanes with the right turn onto the southbound I-5 on-ramp shared with the no. 3 westbound through lane. West of Fairford Ave., the three westbound travel lanes will merge into two between Fairford Ave. and Studebaker Rd. 4. CM Christin – inquired about an article regarding a bill that stops any construction, widening of freeways, etc. in any economically recessed areas. Is there any effect on the proposed I-5 Fwy widening (north of the I-605) or is everything stopped at this point? Mr. Norris responded that the I-5 Widening Project north of I-605 is not moving forward at the moment. Metro will not move forward with the distribution of the environmental document for this project until that issue is sorted out. 5. CM Fox – remarked “job well done” on the water system project from Brookshire Ave. to Lakewood Blvd. on 5th St. 6. CM Ezeh – inquired regarding the fencing around the solar panel installation in the Civic Center parking lots, is it permanent? Mr. Consunji responded that it (the fencing) is not permanent but only for the duration of construction. Contractor still have about two months’ worth of work before it is completed and the fencing is removed. 7. CM Gendreau – thank the staff for resurfacing her street. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE April 21, 2022 Page 3 8. CM Fox – made a comment regarding traffic circles/islands in other cities (i.e. Long Beach, Bell). Suggested maybe constructing traffic calming islands in the neighborhood south of Golden Park. 9. CM Pemberton – Thanked the staff for doing a great job. VII. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Updates were given on the following: 1. CIP 20-05 - Pavement Rehab Project on Florence Avenue (Tweedy Ln. to Brookshire Ave.) – – construction is ongoing. 2. CIP 22-19 - Stoakes Ave., Meldar Ave., Manzanar Ave. and Vista del Rosa Street Improvements Project – currently under construction. 3. CIP 22-02 - Residential Pavement Rehabilitation Projects (Areas 1 & 10) – currently under construction. 4. CIP 21-15 - 5th Street Water System Improvements (Lakewood Blvd. and Brookshire Ave.) – currently under construction. 5. Solar Energy Project – The Library, Theater, BJR, City Hall, Police Dept. – currently under construction. 6. Agreements with consultants for design services for Residential Street Areas 3, 5, 6 & 7 were approved at the City Council meeting on April 12th, with construction to begin shortly. 7. CIP 21-15 (5th Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project between Lakewood Blvd. and Brookshire Ave.) - construction contract will be awarded at the on April 26th City Council meeting as well as Residential Street Areas 2 & 8. 8. Ratification of the Public Works Committee Bylaws will be going to the City Council on April 26th. 9. Arbor Day Celebration to be held on April 23rd featuring a drive through tree give-away event at the Civic Center from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Also, a tree planting event will take place at 10:00 am. 10. Touch a Truck Event, a joint open house with the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments will take place on May 7th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at Independence Park. 11. National Public Works Week, May 15-21, 2022 – public works breakfast will be on May 19th at 7:30 am. Invitations to follow. IX. NEXT MEETING: May 19, 2022 The Public Works Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:41 P.M.