GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WRAP-UP
SPEED HUMPS
The City Council on Tuesday approved the installation of nine speed humps in various parts of the city to slow down traffic.
Three speed humps are to be installed on Harvard Street between Pacific and Kenilworth avenues; three others on Alameda Avenue between Kenneth and Glenwood roads; and the final three on Patterson Avenue between Kenilworth Avenue and Concord Street.
They were approved by the Transportation and Parking Commission in August.
WHAT IT MEANS
Each trio of speed humps is estimated to cost $12,000.
VACANT HOMES
City officials were authorized to seek private bids on demolition plans for two vacant single-family homes on the 600 block of Geneva Street.
The lots, which are next to each other, are planned for an affordable housing project, possibly through Habitat for Humanity.
The Housing Authority acquired the two properties in 2006, which provide a combined total of 16,128 square feet of space. Community development officials are also exploring designating a portion of the combined property for a community-run public garden.
WHAT IT MEANS
The council must still approve the demolition contract once the bidding process is closed.
SEISMIC UPGRADES
The City Council on Tuesday authorized parks officials to submit a $425,000 grant application for seismic upgrades to the historic Le Mesnager Barn, at Deukmejian Wilderness Park.
The grant application to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is considered a formality since the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors allocated the funds to the nonprofit for the retrofit project Sept. 16.
The conservancy has agreed to administer the grant to the city.
Plans for a seismic retrofit to the historic barn have been in place for several years, but increased construction costs and loss of previously designated funds created a $420,600 gap.
The total cost of the project is an estimated $1.44 million.
Parks officials plan to embark on a complete rehabilitation of the barn, which was once used as part of a winery in the 1920s, to serve as a multi-purpose facility for community meetings, lectures, classroom sessions and interpretive exhibits for visitors.
WHAT IT MEANS
Once the application is accepted by the conservancy, work on the seismic project can begin.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
The City Council appropriated $4.96 million for a traffic light synchronization project for Glendale Avenue, Verdugo Road, Colorado Street, San Fernando Road and Brand Boulevard.
Traffic signals along those corridors will be upgraded with fiber-optic cable, closed-circuit television surveillance cameras, changeable message signs and light-timing technology to improve traffic flow and efficiency.
Of the total project amount, $3.34 million will be reimbursed by Caltrans; the rest will be covered with city funds.
Safety improvements to the at-grade railroad crossing at Broadway and Brazil Street were also authorized.
WHAT IT MEANS
Public Works officials can now move forward with drawing up project proposals for the bidding process.