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.