Mayor Lori Woods started Signal Hill’s April 12 city council meeting by presenting two new members in the City’s Public Works Department. Erik Buchanan and Van Mesa will be working as water maintenance workers. The two men joined the mayor at the podium to receive their official City pins.
Members of the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, an organization that tracks and studies mosquitoes and the viruses they spread, gave an educational presentation on the topic of the Zika virus. Levy Sun, a public information officer with vector control, led the presentation.
According to Sun, the Zika virus does not pose a threat to California. A bigger threat, like the West Nile virus, can harm residents of Signal Hill. Sun said that locations with stagnant water offer ideal nesting areas for mosquitoes to thrive.
“I’ve seen eggs grow in something as big as a water cap,” he said. The Vecmobile, a van equipped with laboratory technology, drives around communities to teach children the harm mosquitoes can cause.
Councilmember Larry Forester asked to have the Vecmobile present during outdoor community gatherings to teach the public about mosquitoes and the viruses they carry. Sun ended the presentation by reminding citizens to drain stagnant water and to wear bug repellent.
In an effort to educate the community of Signal Hill on emergency preparedness, the City has started a series that focuses on the Red Cross program called 21 Weeks to Prepare. For a total of 21 weeks, council meetings will allocate time to talk about ways to set up an emergency kit. In the first talks of the series, the City asked residents to find a backpack or duffle bag they may already have at home and to fill it with a set of clothes, jackets and rugged shoes. Other important items to keep in case of an emergency include copies of important documents, a three-day supply of medications and a family member contact sheet. More information on the 21 Weeks to Prepare program is available on the City’s website.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Screen-Shot-2016-04-14-at-3.24.46-PM.png” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”Sebastian Echeverry | Signal Tribune
Signal Hill Mayor Lori Woods (left) recognizes Eric Buchanan as a new water maintenance worker with the City’s Public Works Department on April 12 during the city council meeting.” captionposition=”right”] New library software
City staff recommend to the council that the City should create a contract with Biblionix LLC to use its integrated library software system. The new system, called Apollo, will save the Library Bond fund $29,300, according to staff.
Apollo can keep accurate records of City business. The contract includes yearly maintenance and support for Apollo. All council members approved, and City Manager Charlie Honeycutt will soon enter contract negotiations with Biblionix LLC.
Auto Center sign
The City unanimously voted to approve a lease agreement with the Signal Hill Auto Center over the center’s sign located at 3100 California Ave. The agreement calls for a modernization of the sign.
Representatives of the Signal Hill Auto Center told the council that the sign is vital for business. Renovations include LED lighting and repainting of the support beam.
Green City report
The city council received and filed a report by the Signal Hill Green City Committee that highlighted the City’s achievements on environmental projects and water-conservation efforts. The report also provided status reports of current projects.
The next Signal Hill City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, April 26 at 7pm in council chambers, 2175 Cherry Ave.
