Corey Washington
Staff Writer
An ordinance that would revise Signal Hill’s existing regulations on building and construction found unanimous support from the City Council on Tuesday following a presentation outlining the need for amending the existing city codes. The amendment is intended to adopt the 2013 editions of the State’s building codes.
Signal Hill Vice Mayor Lori Woods (far left) recognizes sponsors who contributed to the City’s 90th anniversary celebration last year, including Signal Hill Petroleum, EDCO, L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe’s office, Efrain Ramirez, the Signal Tribune and Rossmoor Pastries.
“Our codes here in California are based on the international code— international building and international fire codes,” Armstrong said. “Those codes are updated every three years.”
According to the presentation, the codes have been administered by the State but not formally adopted by the City. Although the State’s building codes are based on international standards, the State modifies the codes for its “unique characteristics,” such as drought, fire and earthquakes.
Armstrong said the new codes discussed will be a part of the 2018 building codes, which is early for implementing the future codes.
State building codes incorporate “CALGreen Measures,” for both residential and commercial regulations. These measures include planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, material conservation and resource efficiency, and environmental quality, according to the presentation.
Following approval from the Council to amend the ordinance, the City will submit the building code ordinance to the California Building Standards Commission.
The City Council also weighed in on Senate Bill 16 (SB16), the “Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program,” which would steer funds from gas taxes, license fees and commercial weight fees to local road and highway maintenance. The bill would allocate funds to cities for maintenance based on a “per-capita, population calculation.” The bill is currently in committee hearings.
Councilmember Edward Wilson expressed concerns about SB16 and its potential effectiveness.
“Every city has street and repair issues, and almost everyone would tell you whatever amount they’re getting isn’t going to be sufficient to their needs,” Wilson said at the council meeting. “I’m sure no one, even Long Beach, would say that’s enough to cover all our needs given their current street conditions. So, I don’t think a bill could be created that would cover those needs because the cost would be too high. These numbers that they are proposing are going to be controversial as it is, but to try to meet the needs of every city, that’s not going to happen.”
Notwithstanding some concerns about SB16, the council unanimously agreed to draft a caveated letter with Mayor Larry Forester’s signature to add the City’s support of the bill.
Other Council highlights
Sustainability award Resident Manuel Tollini was presented with the 2015 Sustainability Award, by the mayor in recognition of Tollini’s home on Dawson Avenue, which implemented water-efficient landscaping and modeling.
Building Safety Month Forester also presented a proclamation to Armstrong, in recognition of this year’s Building Safety Month, which is designated every year in May.
90th anniversary A host of sponsors who contributed to the City’s 90th anniversary celebration last year were recognized for their donations. Sponsors of the anniversary included Signal Hill Petroleum, EDCO, L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, Efrain Ramirez, the Signal Tribune and Rossmoor Pastries. Neena and Steve Strichart, publishers of the Signal Tribune, received a special honor from Vice Mayor Lori Woods for contributing photos and documents that are now a part of the City’s archives.
Stadium The Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting the construction of a football stadium in the city of Carson.
The next Signal Hill City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, May 19 in the council chamber of City Hall, 2175 Cherry Ave.
