By Brian Smith
One Los Alamitos neighborhood is expected to have work on its streets begin early next year after the Los City Council approved both plans and specifications and authorized a professional services agreement during a Monday, Dec. 7 meeting.
The Highlands street-resurfacing project is expected to begin Monday, Feb. 15 and take about 45 days to complete. Streets such as La Colmena Way, Vista De Ora, Rossmoor Way, Bradbury Road, Kempton Drive, Paseo Bonita, Pine Street, Cherry Street and Reagan Street are on the list to be repaved.
Work will not be done all at once, according to City Engineer Bill Huber. Residents will be notified 72 hours before work on their street will begin.
Funding for the project will come from the city’s gas tax, Measure M funds and traffic improvement and is expected to be about $900,000. The project’s estimated budget is $874,611.
The city also obtained a $141,500 grant last year for the use of rubberized asphalt, but only used $78,625 on the Carrier Row project, allowing the city to be eligible for up to $62,825. The grant pays the difference between conventional and rubberized asphalt, which is about $15 a ton.
One requirement is the work be completed and a report submitted by April 2, according to a staff report.
Bids will be opened Jan. 4 with the council expected to award the contract during the Jan. 18 meeting. The project also includes curb and gutter repair needed to address drainage issues as well as the restriping and installation of wheelchair ramps at all intersections.
The city will enter into an agreement with CBM Consulting Services of Pasadena for the necessary management services for the project at a cost of $49,750. The company provided a similar service on the Carrier Row project last year. Due to the size of the project, construction management services are needed to assist staff in managing the contract and inspection services, according to a staff report.
Mayor Marilynn Poe says the project is something that has been needed for a long time.
The council also approved a permit parking policy for those areas that want permit parking. The Traffic Commission recommended city staff develop a residential permit parking program to address requests to establish or remove permit parking in an area.
Poe had asked staff to review parking regulations in the Old Town West area due to the lack of use of the former Cottonwood Christian Church site. The issue was referred to the Traffic Commission. Staff put together a policy which the commission has addressed at its last three meetings.
Huber said residents would have to come by City Hall where staff would help them identify an area for permit parking. A petition would then be provided that residents of the area would have to sign. The request would then be taken to the Traffic Commission to get the process started before final approval was given by the council.
Council member Gerri Mejia questioned who would be allowed to sign the petition for those that rent. She asked Huber who would be allowed to sign the petition in an apartment and was told the owner of the apartment.
“I think this policy discriminates against renters,” Mejia said. “Many apartment complex owners live out of state. This could really become an arduous process.”
Poe had a problem with the owner signing the petition because many of them don’t know the problems residents are having. She also had problems with the policy not stating how many permits each residence could have.
After a discussion, the policy was approved with each resident 18 and older in a residence being allowed to sign the petition.
The council also approved moving some of their 2010 regular meetings to facilities outside City Hall in honor of the city’s 50th Anniversary. While no dates have been set yet, areas such as the Los Alamitos Museum, St. Isidore’s and the JFTB are being considered.
Council member Troy Edgar said moving the meetings would draw attention to the heritage to the city.
“It’s an exciting idea,” Poe said. “The public would then have a better idea on what some of these facilities are like on the inside and look at some of the more cherished parts of our community.”
