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Budget, downtown architect approved, victims mourned
by Brian Simon
An $86.3 million budget, reflecting a slight decrease in revenue, was unanimously adopted by the El Segundo City Council Tuesday night. Revenues for 2001/01 fiscal year are expected to decline due to a decrease utility user tax revenue from heavy industrial natural gas users because gas prices have declined. The city also anticipates a decrease in hotel occupancy taxes. Area hotels are reporting sharp drops in business because of last week’s terrorist attacks
Mayor Mike Gordon described the $7.5 million for capital improvements are an investment in El Segundo’s core and quality of life. He noted that the capital improvements funds for park upgrades, sewer pumps, traffic signal work on Sepulveda Boulevard, sidewalk improvements and the Community Center design were all culled from business development revenues.
Tuesday night, the council also approved the architectural firm of Lawrence R. Moss and Associates for the Downtown Specific Plan improvements. Its bid price was $370,880, or roughly 10 percent of the Downtown Plan’s estimated $3.7 million cost.
In other action:
- Mayor Gordon asked the city attorney to review the legality of a "total disclosure" policy for campaign contributions. The policy would include people responsible for political direct mail pieces and flyers.
- Two residents voiced concerns about downtown crosswalks that they deemed "dangerous." The city recently placed pedestrian signs at four crosswalks to "provide an extra layer of caution to drivers". A fifth sign is slated for the pedestrian-heavy crosswalk at the El Segundo Post Office on Main and Franklin.
- Mayor Gordon commended the El Segundo High School Spirit Club, who organized a car wash last Sunday at Mariposa and Main and raised $2,100 for victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.
- Council members said goodbye to long-time city manager’s office executive assistant Marlene Baker, who is retiring and moving to Nevada.
- Council member reflected on the events of last week. Each of the council members knew people who lost their lives in New York. Gaines was in New York that Tuesday and had drive back to El Segundo. He asked council to expedite the building of a water well in El Segundo, a project that has been under discussion for four years. He also requested that a subcommitee be formed to examine ways to minimize risk in the event of future disasters.
- Mayor Gordon concluded the session with a recitation of the "Fireman’s Prayer", in honor of the more than 250 fire and police personnel who perished in New York last week.