Selection of Chairman and
Vice-Chairman
(PDF file)
A review of the various methods of selecting the
chairman and vice-chairman were reviewed in order to
determine the best for the Public Works Commission.
MOTION by Commissioner Koch to select the Chairman
by rotating the chairmanship among the commissioners,
initially based on the shortest terms first, if all
have the same terms, they would then rotate in
alphabetical order. Seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.
Motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo, WinnekM
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
The next person in line would be Victor Winnek.
MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to select
Commissioner Winnek as chairman.
Commissioner Cheatham seconded the motion.
Motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to select Charlie
Cheatham Vice Chairman; seconded by Commissioner
Winnek.
Motion was carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
Noes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CIP 01-159 Street Improvements – Hillcrest
& Rhodes from 21st St. to 18th St., 18th St. from
PCH to Prospect Ave. and 19th St. from PCH to Rhodes
St. – Review of Preliminary Plans
It was noted that supplemental letters were received
from Mr. Doke and Mr. Ratliffe for this item.
Mr. Kenneth Kim made presentation. Mr. Kim reviewed
the scope of the project highlighting the areas to be
included noting that these streets had been selected
for improvement in the Pavement Management Study. The
southwest corner of Hillcrest and 18th and the
southwest corner of Rhodes and 18th were mentioned as
areas with major drainage problems.
George Hash, 1843 Rhodes Street
Mr. Hash thanked the Commission for the opportunity
to speak about the project. He noted that ponding
begins at 1835 Rhodes and proceeds south. He added that
the water doesn't really go to the corner but it is a
serious problem. He noted that the drawings indicate
the problem pretty well. He then thanked the Commission
for getting the problem taken care of.
George Brown, 206 Hillcrest
Mr. Brown stated that he is encouraged to see that
this is going to be done. He noted he'd like to see the
cabling and poles put underground and this would be the
perfect time to add this to the scope of work. However,
he would not want to see the project delayed in that it
might have to go back to the City Council for approval.
He knows that he and his neighbors would have to chip
in to get the project done.
Scott Sargent, 2008 Rhodes
Mr. Sargent voiced some questions and concerns,
which included the following: He asked why 20th Street
wasn't included in the project; asked about tree
trimming on 20th Street; 18th had some major sewer work
done at one time and he was told that sewer
improvements were coming to Rhodes - if the City
planned on doing the streets now, wouldn't it be
financially better to do the sewers first and then the
streets?
Mr. Williams responded that 20th Street was deleted
from the project at the budget hearings by the City
Council. He noted that he is not aware of any sewer
work proposed for that area, nor is he aware of any
undergrounding project for this area. Mr. Williams
advised that if there were missing improvements, such
as curb and gutter, it would be the responsibility of
the property owner to provide them. The City would be
repairing curb and gutter only when it is a drainage
issue concerning existing pavement.
Nigel Miller, 842 19th Street
Mr. Miller asked if the new construction would mean
a sidewalk would be built on his property and was
advised it would not be unless he wanted to pay for it.
He further stated that he believes that, from
discussion with his neighbors, they would all like to
keep 19th Street just the way it is.
Clarence Bromberek, 902 18th Street
Mr. Bromberek expressed his concerns about the
amount of traffic on his street between PCH and
Prospect especially during rush hour. Also, many people
are making a lot of U-turns at 18th and Rhodes. He
feels that improvements to the street will increase the
amount of traffic and he asked about the possibility of
putting up speed limit signs. He also noted there is a
house at 913 or 915 18th Street that gets a lot of
flooding when there is a heavy rain.
Blake Mitchell, 1910 Hillcrest Drive
Mr. Mitchell agrees that the area should look at
developing an undergrounding district. Also, he is very
concerned with traffic on Hillcrest. When people pick
up children before and after school they travel at
40-50 miles per hour on these streets. Would like to
see speed humps, not bumps, brought into the area to
help reduce speed.
Tim Norian, 835 19th Street
Agrees with Mr. Miller that most of the neighbors
enjoy the way the street looks. Doesn't want sidewalk
or the improvements. Mr. Williams advised that they
would be resurfacing - asphalt paving, not concrete
work.
Rosina Nilsson, 1820 Hillcrest
Represented herself and Mr. Ratliff, the neighbor
who wrote the letter included as supplemental
information. She presented questions regarding the
stability of the ground since Hillcrest had previously
been a ravine that had been filled in 1920. She is very
concerned about the vibrations whenever a car goes
by.
Mr. Williams noted that since they will not be doing
any major reconstruction, they would not be disturbing
the sub-base. He also noted that this is the first he's
heard about vibrations. He suggested that they take
their letter to the City Council, as this could be a
major issue and a major undertaking. Ms. Nilsson also
voiced her desire for undergrounding the area. Mr.
Williams suggested that she and her neighbors bring the
subject to the attention of the City Council as soon as
possible so that they could stop the street improvement
project and proceed with undergrounding project. He
noted that they should start the process with a letter
to the City Manager.
Scott Tollefsen, 1810 Rhodes Street
Mr. Tollefsen asked if the only items being included
in this project were the resurfacing and re-paving of
the streets. Mr. Williams responded affirmatively and
that that would be all that was done in addition to
correcting drainage problems.
Mr. Tollefsen also asked why this area of the City
was selected. Mr. Williams explained that the Pavement
Management Study was used by the City to determine the
conditions of the streets and was necessary in order
for the City to receive outside funding. In the most
recent study, these streets were rated as being in need
of resurfacing due to both the riding quality of the
street as well as the aesthetics. The information
gathered tonight will be brought back to the
Commissioners for review, then brought forward to the
City Council. He estimated that the presentation to
Council would be in a couple of months.
Ray Riddle, 830 19th Street
Mr. Riddle stated that he'd prefer concrete to
asphalt. He'd like to restrict the eastbound lane from
PCH. He stated he is in favor of the
undergrounding.
Mary Hanson, 841 19th Street
Ms. Hanson advised that she is not if favor of the
addition of sidewalks or resurfacing of the street. She
asked about ADA Compliance and Mr. Williams advised
that unless curbs are disturbed, the City is not
required to put in wheelchair ramps. Ms. Hanson
expressed her view that the area should be considered
over a longer period of time rather than being done in
the short one-year period described.
Blake Mitchell, 1910 Hillcrest Drive
Mr. Mitchell commented that what he was hearing was
that residents did not want to have 19th Street
repaved. He suggested that the City survey the
residents asking whether or not the majority of the
residents want the work done - on a street-by-street
basis.
Steven Beck, former resident of Hillcrest, current
resident of Rhodes
Stated he is in support of resurfacing the streets.
Also agrees that if the streets are improved, traffic
mitigation plans should be put in place, similar to
those in Santa Monica where street humps are used. He
added that perhaps they need clarification of the work
planned for 18th and 19th Streets
Mr. Williams responded that ideally they would be
widening the street to its ultimate width. However,
what will actually be done is paving the street to the
edge of pavement, the way it is now. Anything else
would have to be paid for by the property owners. Only
major drainage issues would be addressed by the
improvement.
Karen Maresic, 1815 Rhodes
Ms. Maresic noted that they have severe water
problems - the street fills with water, several inches
higher that the curb. She stated that there might be
people on 18th Street who need curbs. Mr. Williams
advised that curbs might be added for drainage
correction.
Roger Lloyd, 925 18th Street
He stated that his yard is completely flooded every
time it rains, noting that the street slopes towards
his yard. The existing asphalt burm doesn't prevent
flooding.
Margie Leong, 1809 Rhodes Street
Ms. Leong noted that she has been able to sandbag
the entire front of her yard, sending the water into
18th Street. People can't see the existing curb because
it is under water.
Chris Westerberg, 2009 Hillcrest
Mr. Westerberg expressed his appreciation and
support for re-paving the street. He also expressed his
concerns for the speed of traffic down these
streets.
Rosina Nilsson
Ms. Nilsson came back to ask if the undergrounding
is approved, what would happen to the funds allocated
to the street improvement project. Mr. Williams advised
that the allocation would be returned to the Capital
Improvement Fund. Mr. Williams advised that they would
probably include the street improvements in the plans
for the undergrounding project.
Dave Dreyer, 1802 Rhodes
Mr. Dreyer voiced his support for undergrounding. He
also noted that he'd like to see a type of speed
control once the street improvements are completed. He
also asked about the drainage problems and where the
curbs would be put in, if they'd be where the existing
asphalt ends.
Mr. Williams responded in the affirmative and noted
that he was hearing of some problem areas for the first
time n- the traffic issues and the heavy drainage. This
may grow in scope beyond just resurfacing. He also
noted another meeting would be held before going
further with the project.
Jeff Santiago, 849 19th Street
Mr. Santiago agreed with most of his neighbors that
he'd like to see 19th Street remain as is. He also
noted that the City might want to survey the area for
the residents' desires. He doesn't want sidewalks, as
they would take away from the property around the
house.
Matt Revenkoff, 1911 Hillcrest
Mr. Revenkoff noted that he is in favor of the
undergrounding. He also noted that he is in favor of
speed mitigation.
Joe Diaz, 2040 Hillcrest
Mr. Diaz stated that the street is sinking in front
of his house and that is a real sinkhole there. He
stated that the street is sinking, that his driveway is
cracked all the way from the building to the street and
beyond. He'd like an appointment to show someone the
problem.
Further discussion resulted in the following
items:
- Commissioner Cheatham asked how the concrete
streets would be stabilized? Mr. Williams noted that
he was not aware of the instability of the sub-grade
until this evening - in general, pothole repairs are
done as minor work to discourage the growth of
vegetation. The repairs would have a ten-year design
life but would probably last longer.
- Commissioner Cheatham asked if the contractors
would pave around the existing properties. The
response was that there may be some disturbance to
the existing pavement but the contractors are
required to put property back in-kind or better.
- Geotechnical investigation of the streets with
structural and flooding problems will be done prior
to the improvements proceeding. If construction of 6"
to 8" curbs doesn't resolve the flooding problem,
then installation of a catch basin would be the next
step.
- Staff would then ask the commission how to
proceed since the majority of the residents do not
want the street improvements but do want the traffic
and drainage issues addressed.
- It was noted that the undergrounding issue is
totally separate from this project and could take a
great deal of time. And, if the undergrounding
project is approved, it may delay the start of the
street improvements.
- Commissioner Koch pointed out that asphaltic
concrete is not desired; that the majority of the
residents do not want the streets paved at all.
- There is not an overall safety concern if the
project doesn't go forward.
- Commissioner Lombardo suggested that signs
similar to those used in Manhattan Beach should be
looked into as a means of traffic mitigation.
MOTION
by Commissioner Koch that, in light of the public's
concerns that have been brought up, both aesthetically
and design issues, from grading to water flow, we
remove the project from the immediate plan and have it
re-addressed by the Public Works Department.
Additional discussion highlighted the following:
- It might be premature to determine that the
majority of the residents do not want the street
improvements.
- A survey of all the residents may bring another
position - a survey of all the residents is
needed.
- A structural review will be necessary.
There was no second to the motion.
A ten-minute recess was called.
Per Mr. Williams, Staff has enough information to
formulate a revised project so that the Commission will
be able to make a recommendation to the City
Council.
