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All council members were present for the Wednesday, June 8 City Council meeting. Open session started at 5:03 p.m. and ended at 9:34 p.m. Here's what you missed:
Captain Jones warn public not to use illegal fireworks. With Independence Day less than a month away, Police Captain of the Carson Sheriff's Station Damon Jones indicated that his staff has already begun confiscating illegal fireworks and reminded the public that illegal fireworks will not be tolerated in the City. City Manager David Roberts added that current fines begin with $1,000 for the first offense, $2,000 for the second offense, and $3,000 for all offenses thereafter. The council discussed possibly introducing a new ordinance at a future meeting, establishing more severe fines, with Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes referencing the $7,500 fines at the City of Rancho Palos Verdes .
DoubleTree provides Update on Key Strategic Initiatives. Ed Apodaca, General Manager at Double Tree Hotel shared several key initiatives he believes are vital in promoting Carson into a “Destination City”. Double Tree has been working with City staff and the City’s Economic Development Commission to make a tourism improvement district to create a marketing entity which focuses on promoting the City as a Tourism and Travel Destination. Apodaca pointed to the development of the Carson County Mart as well as the linked remediation of Cell 2 for the development of the Carson premium outlet mall as key components to making Carson a destination city. He called the small business façade grant program as a key initiative for the city and indicated at applying for grant funding to increase renovations to include outdoor façade, landscaping, signage, and really create a sense of arrival to the plaza. Additionally, Apodaca shared plans for a $7 million room and public space renovation including guest room, guest corridor, lobby, meeting rooms, restaurant, and public space renovations, as well as adding 11 supercharger stations in the parking lot.
New Conveyance System Pipeline to be built on Sepulveda Blvd as part of implementation of Regional Recycled Water Program. The Council approved a plan changing construction location of a new conveyance system pipeline from Lomita Blvd to Sepulveda Blvd. According to Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), this change should reduce the construction duration of the project from a maximum 31 months to 16 months. As part of the Regional Recycled Water Program, construction of the pipe is necessary to sell replenished water to surrounding communities. According to MWD, the $4 billion program will provide $9 billion of economic output to the city, out of which $3.5 billion would come from labor, and create 55,000 jobs.
$5,250 LA84 Foundation Grant contributed to Learn To Swim Program. The city was recently awarded a $5,250 grant from LA84 Foundation to support swim programs across the City's four pools for low income residents. As per the City's staff report, 'The goal for the 2022 LA84 Foundation Learn to Swim funding opportunity is to reach 175 youth, ages 7-17.' With summer season getting even hotter, Councilmember Cedric Hicks asked when swim lessons would begin. While staff could not give a determined date, they mentioned advertising and opening applications for the program soon.
City adopts Complete Streets and Green Streets Policy. The city's streets are well designed for those getting around with a car, however the council wishes to improve the roads for individuals not able to drive. As part of the consent calendar the council adopted the Complete Streets and Green Streets policy, which aims to address the needs of travelers outside of cars, including younger or older people, those with disabilities, and those who travel by transit, bicycle, or foot. Complete Streets and Green Streets combines two ideas from street accessibility to various amenities that provide better quality to City streets.
'The Complete Streets movement aims to develop integrated, connected networks of streets that are safe and accessible for all people, regardless of age, ability, income, ethnicity, or chosen mode of travel.' according to the staff report, 'Complete Streets makes active transportation such as walking and bicycling convenient; provides increased access to employment centers, commerce, and educational institutions; and allows for cost-efficient and potentially more time-efficient travel.' Green Streets add a component to the policy which establishes 'right-of-way areas that incorporate infiltration and/or biofiltration best management practices to collect, retain, or detain stormwater runoff as well as a design element that creates attractive streetscapes.' These could include trees, dry-wells, vegetated swales, bioretention areas, among other amenities.
Amendment to Master Plan seeks to reduce Sharrow bike lanes. The City will look at configurating 3.37 miles of bike lanes with the goal of improving bike safety by reducing sharrow bike lanes. Sharrow lanes allow other non-bike vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.) to share that roadway with bicycles. The council unanimously passed the Masterplan amendment through the consent calendar thus no open discussions were had among councilmembers but according to the staff report, the city will apply for grant applications to fund the bike paths modifications which are estimated to cost $3,500,000.
The council made the following Proclamations:
Recognizing June 19th as Juneteenth.
Recognizing June 4th as the 124th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day.
Recognizing the month of June as Pride Month.
Recognizing the month of June as National Men’s Health Month.
Events:
Juneteenth Rhythm and Blues Celebration - Saturday, 6/18, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., @ Mills Park
Samoan Heritage Day Celebration - Saturday, 6/25, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., @ Foisia Park
Heroes' Day - Saturday, 7/23, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. @ Carson Civic Center