Votes at a glance: Artesia council approves traffic synchronization, pavement design contract, facility-fee update and public-service center design

The Artesia City Council took several formal votes at its Sept. 8 meeting. Below is a compact summary of each formal council action taken that had outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes.

1) Consent calendar (without items 9I and 9J) Motion: Approve the consent calendar with the exception of items 9I and 9J (items pulled for separate consideration). Outcome: Approved by roll call, 5–0 (motion passed; items 9I and 9J were heard separately). (Mover and seconder not specified on the audio record.)

2) Item 9I — Agreement with Los Angeles County for countywide traffic-signal synchronization project What council approved: An agreement with Los Angeles County to participate in a joint, countywide traffic synchronization project along Norwalk Boulevard, San Antonio Drive, and Pioneer Boulevard; Artesia’s estimated share after Metro and county grant funding: $147,000 for design and coordination (city share). Staff also recommended a 15% contingency for the project. Vote: 5–0 to approve the agreement and associated contingency (mover/second not specified in public audio). The project covers 55 signals countywide; Artesia work covers 13 intersections and includes ADA pedestrian signals and video detection upgrades.

3) Item 9J — Professional services agreement for FY25–26 roadway pavement rehabilitation design (RK Consulting) What council approved: A professional-service agreement with RK Consulting (RTA Consulting Group) for plans, specifications and estimates for the FY25–26 roadway pavement rehabilitation project; agreement value $178,555 plus a 15% contingency. The project area includes 26 residential streets and two arterials within a defined project zone. Vote: 5–0 (mover and second provided in council discussion; motion carried). Staff indicated construction would be scheduled after plan completion and that funding comes from SP-1 and other grant/congressional directed funds.

4) Resolution on facility use fee schedule (staff overtime fee increase) What council approved: Resolution No. 25-3064 to replace the 2018 facility-fee resolution and raise the staff overtime fee for facility rentals occurring outside normal hours to $58 per hour per employee (staff cost-based adjustment). Staff explained the change follows MOU increases and higher payroll/benefit costs. Vote: Motion carried 5–0 (no public opposition recorded). The rate will adjust as MOUs change per the adopted resolution language.

5) Public Service Center schematic design (former library conversion) What council approved: Approve the schematic design (90% design) for the Public Service Center project and direct staff to proceed to final design and permitting. The project repurposes the former library building to include a public counter, staff offices, a multipurpose room that can be an emergency operations center (EOC), and secure deputy workspace. Vote: 5–0 (motion by Councilmember Manalo; second by Councilmember Ramoso).

6) EIFD direction (informational item with council direction) What council approved: After a presentation on Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs), the council directed staff to continue outreach with Los Angeles County about potential partnership and to return with a recommendation (resolution of intent and pro forma) in October or November 2025. That direction was adopted 5–0 (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Trevino; second by Councilmember Ramoso).

Notes: Several items (9I and 9J) were discussed before final roll-call votes. The meeting minutes and the staff reports contain the full text of agreements, contingency authorizations and the draft contracts. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about project costs and funding sources during discussion of items 9I and 9J.