PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 4, 2000

 

City Manager Steve Burrell called the meeting to order at 7:05.

Director of Public Works/City Engineer Harold Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Roll Call

Present: Commissioners Cheatham, Lombardo, Koch and Winnek
Absent: Commissioner Keegan

Also Present: Stephen R. Burrell, City Manager
Harold C. Williams, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Richard Garland, Contract City Traffic Engineer
Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant Public Works Department

 

All were welcomed to the new commission by City Manager Burrell who briefly spoke about the positive addition the Commission would be to both Council and Staff and then proceeded to introduce the staff members present.

 

Selection of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to rotate the Chairman and Vice Chairman positions in a manner similar to the City Council, seconded by Commissioner Cheatham.
AYES: Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
NOES: None
ABSENT: Keegan
ABSTAIN: None

MOTION by Commissioner Cheatham to nominate Commissioner Koch as Chairman, seconded by Commissioner Lombardo.
AYES: Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
NOES: None
ABSENT: Keegan
ABSTAIN: None

MOTION by Commissioner Cheatham to nominate Commissioner Lombardo as Vice Chairman, seconded by Commissioner Koch.
AYES: Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
NOES: None
ABSENT: Keegan
ABSTAIN: None

 

Commissioner Introductions

Introductory comments were then made by each of the Commissioners present.

 

Brown Act

City Manager Burrell then discussed the Brown Act – its meaning and ramifications. Suggested they review the material in their packet that had been prepared by City Attorney Jenkins and advised that another version – "an easier read" – had been ordered from the League of Cities and would be made available to them.

In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Cheatham, City Manager Burrell confirmed that the Commission generally operates under Robert’s Rules of Order.

Strictly adhere to one-time only speaking to a question.

Advised that Director Williams would be the point of contact, liaison with the Public Works Department.

 

Staff Reports

Director Williams conveyed his excitement about working with the Commission and the learning experience it will entail. He then proceeded to give a brief overview of the Hermosa Beach Public Works Department and the Capital Improvement Program.

Questions and answers resulted in the following information:

• Council prioritized projects in the current fiscal year. Future projects are prioritized by the way they came to the Department’s attention – some from requests from residents, some from the Pavement Management Study.
• Pier and undergrounding projects were the major parts of the $9.1 million budget – future budgets will be much lower.
• Everything done by Public Works that requires Council approval will come to the Commission first.
• Next budget cycle will begin in March 2001, into which the Commission will have major input.
• Role of Planning Commission is to find it consistent or non-consistent with the General Plan – required by State Law regarding General Plan Rules.
• Public Works interacts with every City department.
• Sewer improvements happen prior to Street Improvements whenever possible.
• Estimates done without detailed plans and specs – educated guesses, closer get to actual; estimating gets tighter, true engineer’s estimate not until after plans and specifications/scope of work have been developed.
• City receives some state and federal funding, local county funds from various propositions. (Very likely that if hadn’t had Prop A funding, wouldn’t have had funds for parking structure or pier projects.) No large extra source of money within the City to do capital projects. If didn’t have outside sources wouldn’t have most of the projects.
• There is no grantsman for the City.
• Utility companies, Caltrans notify City ahead of time in an attempt to coordinate projects.
• Most funding for projects in the 5-year plan after 2000-01 will be funded with City money.
• Five or six years ago City finally able to start setting aside funds for capital improvements, allowing City to fund these projects entirely (Loma Drive resurfacing and example - $1 million budgeted solely with 301 funds.
• Utility Undergrounding Districts will be complete within the next 6 to 12 months.
• Agenda prepared by Staff – believed to be worthy of Commission action. Under Commissioners’ Comments, commissioners to let staff know of items wanted to see on subsequent agenda
• Any item that must go to City Council and goes to the Commission will have a 6-week turnaround.
• City indemnifies commissioners in lawsuit.
• Generally not necessary to recuse oneself on an issue but if think have a conflict, do it.

Each month the Commission will receive the Department Activity Report and Project Progress Reports. In addition, Staff will make presentations, there will be guest speakers and new reports will be provided, as they are available.

 

Public Comment

None at this time.

 

Commissioners’ Comments

Commissioner Cheatham the following as future agenda items:

• Infrastructure Reports
• Pavement Management Reports
• Funding Sources
• Regular Report on Pier Status
• North Strand Project Report
• Traffic Flow Study

City Manager Burrell noted that in two or three months a joint session will be set up with City Council.

 

Adjournment

Chairman Koch adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.