By:Chris Munzing
The influx of money would be used immediately should the measure be approved at the meeting, according to City Manager Glen Spiritis, who said he hoped to have a number of the projects under way within a year.
Despite the cityÕs financial troubles, Spiritis said that bonding for this money all at once would be a smart move, because the city would get a better rate than if the projects were bonded separately. He added that the urgency of many of the projects demanded that they be taken care of immediately.
ÒThese things have to be done,Ó Spiritis said. ÒYou canÕt put them off for a year and hope you get lucky. WeÕd rather be proactive. Like with the sewage pumping stations, people need to be able to flush their toilets.Ó
The three pumping stations in the city, at New York Avenue, the West End Firehouse and Roosevelt Boulevard, were installed when Senator William H. Reynolds first began developing the barrier island nearly a century ago, and are in danger of collapsing at any moment, Spiritis said.
He explained that the money being allocated to street rebuilding totaled $2 million, and would provide for the reconstruction and resurfacing of four roads. The Department of Public Works is in the process of determining which roads are most in need of work, and will make that decision within a few weeks, Spiritis said.
The road reconstruction involves new sewer lines, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, drainage, landscaping and grading. ÒWeÕre talking a total renovation of these streets,Ó Spiritis said. ÒWe have to look at everything Ñ the sewer lines, sidewalks, the whole road.Ó
He added that streets throughout the city would be selected for reconstruction so that no single area would benefit exclusively, at the expense of others.
Funds would also be allocated to the Recreation Center for the re-lining of the pool and pool deck as well as the possible renovation of the front of the building, where leaks have developed in the ceiling.
Settlement reached with Circulo
The City of Long Beach reached a settlement with Circulo de la Hispanidad in a court case brought about by the cancellation of CirculoÕs festival in May 1998. The city agreed to pay the community organization $500,000 in installments over the next three years.
The original court decision assessed the city $425,000 in compensatory damages and $250,000 in attorneyÕs fees. Punitive damages of $50,000 against then-City Manager Edwin Eaton were also awarded.
In addition to the settlement with the city, Circulo dropped the punitive damages after Eaton offered to pay the organization $500, Corporation Counsel Charles Theofan said. Theofan added that the cityÕs settlement had nothing to do with CirculoÕs dropping its claim against Eaton.
The city will pay Circulo $200,000 within 15 days of the passage of the resolution, $125,000 on July 15, 2005 and 2006, and $50,000 on July 15, 2007.
Novorro confirmed to ZBA
Jane NovorroÕs confirmation to the Zoning Board of Appeals was passed at TuesdayÕs meeting by a vote of 3-2, with Councilmen Leonard Remo and Denis Kelly voting against the measure because of NovorroÕs absence from the meeting.
After a failed attempt to table the confirmation until the Sept. 7 meeting, Kelly and Remo both argued that since NovorroÕs appointment to the zoning board required the approval of the council, her presence at the confirmation was necessary. But Council Vice President Tom Sofield said that NovorroÕs appointment to the board was too important to put off for another two weeks and needed to be confirmed now.
Novorro will complete the term of Michael Fina, who resigned from the commission in June. The term ends Dec. 21.
Novorro is currently a member of the Ethics Commission, but will have to leave that position. Spiritis said that he is receiving and reviewing resumes for the Ethics Commission spot.
