By Brett Callwood
At the City Council meeting on the evening of Tuesday, April 28, Public Works Item 17A called for the council to, “ Award Construction Contract for the Sidewalk Trip Hazard Removal Pedestrian Safety Project FY 2025-2026, JN 554, to Southern California Precision Concrete inc. in the amount of $677,320.88, Approve the Construction Contingency of $67,732.08 (10%), and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption.”
Staff recommended that the contract be award, and the item passed unanimously (5-0).
Item 17B called on the council to, “Reject All Bids for the Citywide Tree Trimming Maintenance Services and Rebid the Project with Modified Requirements and/or Scope.”
That too passed unanimously, as did Item 17C: “Approve Four-Year Contract for Citywide Landscape Maintenance Service Contract to Mariposa Landscapes, Inc. in the amount of $560,000.32 and Annual Inflation Up to 5% Based on the Consumer Price Index for $17,250.00.”
Item 17D requested that the Council, “Authorize the Director of Public Works to Enter into Fulfillment Agreement for Unprogrammed Surface Transportation Program-Local (STP-L).” That passed unanimously.
Moving on to Transportation, Item 19A called on the council to, “Approve Agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to Provide 2026 FIFA World Cup Games Enhance Transit Service.”
That passed unanimously, as did 19B: “Approve Award of Contract to Scaife Protection Services for Security Guard Services at a Cost of $400,739.40 and a Project Total of $440,813.40.”
Item 19C called on then Council to, “Approve Award of Contract for Audio-Visual Upgrade for GTrans Conference Space and Emergency Operations Center at a Cost of $154,198.11 and a Project Total of $169,617.92.” That too passed unanimously.
The final item of the evening, Council Item 20A, was the cause for a little more debate: “Discuss and Consider to Direct Staff in Preparing a Letter of Support for Mama Rosa’s Food Pantry.”
Council Member Rodney Tanaka recused himself from the vote, due to his residence’s proximity to the location in question. That would prove vital, as the remaining four members were split in half. Council Member Wanda Love wanted to fully support the needs of the food kitchen with a letter, as it pertained to a potential grant. Mayor Tasha Cerda and Mayor Pro Tem Mark Henderson wanted more information.
A request to table the vote as information was sought was motioned, and failed 2-2 (Love and Council Member Paulette Francis the two no votes). The original motion, to support Mama Rosa’s Food Pantry with a letter, also failed 2-2, with the vote going in the other direction.
For now, nothing happens and the item dies.
