Public works reports elevated pothole, graffiti abatement and progress on road projects; Palomar intersection work to finish next week

Public Works Director and City Engineer Jason Fragg and Public Works Manager Daniel Torres briefed the council on quarterly maintenance activity and capital projects.

Fragg said a departmental reorganization effective March 1 folded community services into Public Works; he also summarized active construction projects and design efforts. "The contractor is gonna start working at the Gruelle and Wildomar Gruelle And Palomar Intersection... the road will be narrowed to one lane with a flagging operation," Fragg said, describing a utility conflict with a water line that required design adjustments and about a week‑and‑a‑half delay.

Daniel Torres reviewed maintenance metrics and emphasized elevated pothole and tonnage repairs in January following heavy rains and a spike in graffiti abatement. "Staff actually really worked really hard within those hours," Torres said, noting crews worked nights to keep up with the workload and maintain service levels.

Fragg described traffic‑signal upgrades (Bundy Canyon/Harvest Way and protected lefts at Orange and Bundy) and a phased Bundy Canyon rehabilitation with work timed to high‑school spring break for some segments to reduce disruption. He also discussed longer lead times for signal hardware and expected completion timelines — traffic signals targeted for September and Palomar final paving after spring break.

Council asked staff about detours, watering dusty unaccepted private roads used as shortcuts, and potential policy responses for streets not accepted into the city system; staff agreed to study consistent approaches and provide future recommendations.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the scheduled off‑site and intersection work, coordinate permits for work under freeway with Caltrans and return updates on the Wildomar Trail widening as Caltrans reviews the proposed plan.