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Public commenters urge pool plastering and better pedestrian crossings; council notes Caltrans role on Highway 32
Summary
A recreation commissioner asked the council to fund plastering of the municipal pool (contractor bids ~ $280,000) to avoid annual repainting; other commenters requested crossing improvements on Highway 32 and crosswalk/traffic signal work; council cautioned Caltrans controls state highway changes.
Public comment at the Jan. 21 meeting raised two operational safety items for council attention.
A member of the recreation commission asked the council to consider replacing the pool’s painted finish with plaster, citing contractor bids near $280,000 and arguing that plastering would last decades and reduce annual maintenance costs. The commissioner said the current yearly repaint and sand work costs about $30,000 and that a long‑term plaster solution would pay for itself over time and reduce the water wasted when the pool is drained for repainting.
Other speakers requested pedestrian safety improvements at multiple crossings on Highway 32 (including near Farwood/Dr. Zinn’s office and Commerce/Pilot). Commenters described close calls with vehicles passing at speed and asked for flashing beacons or other traffic calming. City staff and council noted that Highway 32 is within Caltrans jurisdiction and that Caltrans controls traffic signal timing and certain crossing improvements; staff said the city can request safety changes and that a coordinated circulation plan and design standards would strengthen the city’s case with Caltrans.
Ending: Council acknowledged the pool plastering request and pedestrian safety concerns, and directed staff to include these topics in budget and circulation planning work and to pursue Caltrans coordination for Highway 32 crossings.
