During the Signal Hill City Council meeting on June 14, the council allowed the Signal Hill Department of Public Works to issue a design-build request for the department’s Los Cerritos Channel Sub-Basin 4 Storm Water Capture Facility project. The council also adopted a mitigated negative declaration for the storm water capture facility project.
Public works is carrying out the storm water project to satisfy a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit that was administered by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
According to a PDF file posted on waterboards.ca.gov, a Los Angeles municipal separate storm sewer system order (MS4) regulates the total maximum daily load (TMDL) of metals found in storm water.
Metals, such as zinc and copper, are washed into the Los Angeles River and the Los Cerritos Channel.
“When it rains, there is no way to avoid it,” Vice Mayor Tina Hansen said.
The capture facility will be put in place to stop the metal fragments from entering the bodies of water.
A mitigated negative declaration identifies any environmental changes that may occur as a project is being worked on.
According to Councilmember Larry Forester, there could be negative side effects as a result of the project, but the report claims that public works has taken steps to reduce them.
Health services
The city council approved two contract services agreements. The first contract was between the City and Miller Children’s Hospital, and the second was between the City and The Children’s Clinic.
The contracts will help the health services provide funding for low-income families in Signal Hill to access health and hospitalization care.
Both contracts were set not to exceed $5,000.
According to the report, the City’s General Fund account has supported both medical centers since 2004.
Engineering services
Council members voted unanimously to enter a contract services agreement with an engineering company called Civil Source.
The Signal Hill Department of Public Works is requesting assistance from Civil Source to help plan and design the City’s storm water projects.
Bike lane
The city council voted to apply for an Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 3 Call for Projects grant to fund a bicycle lane gap closure project located on Spring Street.
According to dot.ca.gov, the California Transportation Commission authorized the ATP Cycle 3 Call for Projects on March 16.
With the council voting to apply for ATP Cycle 3, the city manager is going to begin the submission of all necessary documents to receive grant funds.
Finance director
In a 4-to-1 vote, the city council created the new position of a deputy administrative services officer/finance director. Councilmember Edward Wilson voted against the resolution.
The staff report stated that the position would assist in the development and management of the Signal Hill Finance Department.
Stipends
City staff presented a city council and commission stipend survey during the meeting. According to the staff report, a stipend review for city officials had not been conducted since 2009.
According to a slide presentation, the monthly stipend for the Signal Hill City Council is $494.40.
The council did not take action on this agenda item but suggested to have the commissions’ stipend change from a per month rate to a per meeting rate.
The next Signal Hill City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, June 28 at 7pm in council chambers, 2175 Cherry Ave.
