After Mayor Larry Forester recognized Manuel Gonzalez with a Sustainability Award in the category of Water Efficient Landscapes during the Feb. 23 Signal Hill City Council meeting, Manuel’s daughter, Daritza Gonzalez, accepted the award on behalf of her father, who could not attend the meeting. ” captionposition=”left”] El Niño plans
The Signal Hill City Council had a fairly swift meeting on Feb. 23. The council voted to allow the City to send a draft in response to the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury requirements on emergency planning for the homeless in wake of more expected El Niño storms.
The requirements set forth by the grand jury asked all 88 cities in the County of Los Angeles to respond to demands on shelter and supply needs for the homeless.
Signal Hill City Manager Charlie Honeycutt said that “things are being done to address the homeless.”
Signal Hill Councilmember Edward Wilson asked the staff in charge of writing the response to make sure to include details on the City’s plans that are tailored for a “natural disaster.”
Since the grand jury requirements specifically mentioned preparations for the El Niño storms, Wilson felt the response would be clearer if it included details on the exclusive planning prepared for the El Niño storms.
“We have 28 cities that have a plan together,” Mayor Larry Forester said. “I like that we have a uniform response.”
Institutional permits
The city council unanimously approved annual institutional permit reviews for Courtyard Care Center, Las Brisas Child Care Center and Cole Vocational Services.
Chapter 8.16 of the Signal Hill Municipal Code requires the City to review businesses that apply for institutional permits; three businesses applied for 2016.
Courtyard Care Center, Las Brisas Child Care Center and Cole Vocational Services are compliant with licensing requirements with the City’s Building Department, SHPD, Los Angeles County Fire Department and other licensing agencies.
Institutional permit reviews by the City allow the public to be aware of the state in which organizations that apply for a review find themselves.
“It’s similar to restaurant grades,” said Signal Hill Director of Community Development Scott Charney. “It allows the public to see how well these institutions are being run.”
Conditional-use permit
The city council approved to receive and file a report that stated 49 companies inspected for a conditional-use permit compliance all passed the inspection.
One of the 49 company locations included the Costco gas station located on 2200 East Willow St. The permit asked Costco to try to prevent vehicles from cutting through the parking lot. Costco solved the problem by installing wheel stops along a parking aisle to prevent vehicles from driving through the parking lot to cut off traffic.
Presentations
Forester introduced Joe Mendoza, the new senior human resources analyst with the City’s Administration Department, to the council and the public during the meeting.
Manuel Gonzalez received a Sustainability Award in the category of Water Efficient Landscapes.
Forester read the proclamation that accompanied the award and presented the award to Manuel’s daughter, Daritza Gonzalez. The Gonzalez residence was recognized for changing the front lawn’s landscape to support desert-friendly plants in an effort to save water.
The next Signal Hill City Council meeting will take place in council chamber, 2175 Cherry Ave. on Tuesday, March 8.
