Staff Writer
At its meeting on April 25, the Signal Hill City Council approved the purchase of a water treatment system and awarded contracts for street improvement, street sweeping and citywide custodial maintenance. The council also discussed graffiti and neighborhood watch concerns and the possibility of bins for green waste.
Water treatment
The council approved the purchase of a granular activated carbon system from Signal Hill-based Evoqua Water Technologies to supplement the City’s existing water treatment system.
City Manager Charlie Honeycutt explained that due to the recent drought, central groundwater basin water levels have dropped 60 feet, creating a higher concentration of benzene and 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) in the water serving well number nine.
“Currently, there’s no drinking water standard for this constituent,” Honeycutt said, referring to 1,2,3-TCP. “The State has determined that a granular activated carbon system is the best available technology for treatment of 1,2,3-TCP and also [!] benzene,” he added.
The purchase will cost $318,930 and will be funded through the Water Replenishment District Basin Improvement Project, Honeycutt said.
Street improvement
The council awarded lowest bidder Hardy & Harper, Inc. a contract to complete the Willow Street Improvements Project for a cost of $898,000 plus a 10-percent contingency. The project will begin by June and be completed by the end of July or early August.
Deputy Director of Public Works Grissel Chavez-Arredondo explained that the project covers: Willow Street from Atlantic to Cherry avenues; 28th and 29th streets between Walnut and Cherry avenues; Gardena Avenue from 28th to 29th streets; and Gaviota Avenue north of Hill Street.
“The work generally includes cold milling, paving, curb and gutter [work], signing and striping, as well as pavement markings and traffic loops,” Chavez-Arredondo explained.
In answer to a question from Councilmember Larry Forester, she affirmed that the street corners would be designed to facilitate handicapped mobility. Honeycutt added that accessible corners are standard.
“Generally, when we do a street re-pavement project like this, if there are corners that do not have wheelchair ramps, we will put those in,” he said.
In answer to council member concerns about traffic interruption and impact to businesses in the areas under repair— Kaiser’s medical offices in particular— Chavez-Arredondo responded reassuringly.
“We will coordinate with the contractor to minimize interruptions to traffic flow,” she said.
Corey Kirschner, a representative from the contracted firm, further assured the council that the company would maintain communication with city staff and be efficient.
“We come in and get the job done,” Kirschner said. “We will be in and out of [there] as fast as possible.”
Street sweeping
The council awarded a three-year contract to lowest bidder CR&R, Inc. for street sweeping at an annual cost of $139,918. Chavez-Arredondo explained that the community would be notified before the June 1 changeover.
City Attorney Dave Aleshire added that the contract includes a new liquidated damages clause to cover failure to perform or breach of contract, including street sweepers exceeding the speed limit.
Custodial services
Finally, the council awarded Golden Touch Cleaning a three-year contract for citywide custodial maintenance services beginning at the end of May for $61,000 annually, including about $4,000 for non-routine additional services.
Chavez-Arredondo explained that the previous custodial maintenance firm had terminated their contract but the new company will be competent.
“Staff believes that Golden Touch can continue providing a high level of service and responsiveness,” she said.
In answer to a question by Forester about the contracted company’s use of environmentally sensitive cleaning products, Chavez-Arredondo answered affirmatively.
“That is one of the items we will be inspecting for compliance,” she said.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”300px” img=”https://signal-tribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Screen-Shot-2017-04-27-at-4.40.51-PM.png” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”At the Signal Hill City Council meeting on April 25, Mayor Edward Wilson (left) with Acting Finance Director Scott Williams (right) introduces Catherine Sanchez (center), a new account specialist with the finance department. ” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off”] Councilmember Lori Woods inquired as to whether the contract includes services for the new Signal Hill Library, once it is completed. Chavez-Arredondo answered that this would be an additional cost that the contracted company would assess at that time and an amendment would be put before the council for approval, as would an amendment if the minimum wage were to increase.
Crime concerns
Forester raised concerns with Police Chief Christopher Nunley about graffiti in the area of Coronado Avenue and PCH. Nunley assured him that the police would look into it.
Councilmember Robert Copeland then encouraged the public to contact the Signal Hill Police Department to institute a neighborhood watch program, as he had done.
Nunley confirmed that the public should contact police regarding all such issues.
“We depend on our residents to be our eyes and ears for detecting crime or things that are suspicious,” Nunley said. “So, it’s important that people call when they see things that are out of place.”
Mayor Edward Wilson reaffirmed that calling the police is important. “There’s no way for the police to know if someone doesn’t tell them,” he said. “The police are very responsive, and they actually do want that phone call so they can at least respond and find out what’s going on.”
Forester noted that he had advised those affected by the graffiti to call the police and that they would take care of it within 24 hours.
Nunley affirmed this advice.
“There’s no call for service that’s too small,” he said. “People think they might be bothering the police department by calling us, but they’re certainly not, because you never know what [other] crime might be connected to [it].”
Green waste
Vice Mayor Tina Hansen asked Honeycutt whether the City would consider contracting with EDCO for green-waste bins (for material such as grass and leaves) in addition to those for recycling and trash.
Honeycutt explained that the City has considered it in the past but there hasn’t been enough green waste generated and there are logistical issues with managing three different bins for waste. He did, however, affirm the importance of recycling such waste and that EDCO does some separation of green waste now.
“Obviously, it’s something we can talk about as we’re looking to be more sustainable,” he said.
Woods added that the next Sustainable City Committee meeting in June would be held at EDCO and they would be able to ask those questions then.
In answer to an inquiry by Forester about green waste credit from the State, Honeycutt answered that it no longer receives that.
“[We] used to get some credit because they would use the green waste as landfill cover,” he said. “California now does not recognize using green waste for that purpose as diversion [credit].”
[aesop_image imgwidth=”300px” img=”https://signal-tribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Screen-Shot-2017-04-27-at-4.40.45-PM.png” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”New Signal Hill police records supervisor Samantha Torres (left) speaks during the April 25 Signal Hill City Council meeting. Also pictured (from left) are Mayor Edward Wilson and Chief of Police Christopher Nunley.” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off”] Project updates
Answering council member inquiries, Honeycutt stated that bidding for construction of the new library and dog park is imminent, and analysis of new LED street lighting is progressing.
Honeycutt said he hoped to be opening bids in mid-May from pre-qualified companies for building the new library, including a solar-energy component, and awarding the contract at the first council meeting in June.
About the dog park, Honeycutt stated that its design was about two months away from completion. Once bids are taken and a contract awarded, he estimated that the project would take two to three months to complete.
Honeycutt further stated that an analysis of streetlights would be completed within a couple of weeks.
“Public Works is doing an evaluation on whether or not it makes sense to purchase streetlights,” he said. “There’s a new program now [!] where [Southern California] Edison retains ownership of the streetlights but is able then to change out all the heads to [brighter and more focused] LED lighting.”
Presentations
Wilson introduced and welcomed Catherine Sanchez, a new account specialist with the finance department. He also introduced Samantha Torres, new police records supervisor with the police department.
Wilson further presented a proclamation to three recreation specialists and their leader in recognition of April 24-28, 2017 as Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week in Signal Hill.
“The City of Signal Hill firmly believes that afterschool professionals who work with children and youth [!] to provide extended learning opportunities during after-school hours have a positive effect on our children, families, communities and businesses,” Wilson read from the proclamation. “Afterschool professionals deserve appreciation for all that they do.”
The next meeting of the Signal Hill City Council will take place Tuesday, May 9, at 7pm in council chamber at 2175 Cherry Ave.
