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Compton council approves $220,000 NV5 contract amendment and $350,000 DOJ tobacco-enforcement grant
Summary
On Jan. 13 the Compton City Council approved a $220,000 amendment to the Wilmington Avenue Safe Streets project contract with NV5 Inc. and accepted a five-year $350,000 DOJ grant to support inspections, retailer training and enforcement against illegal sale and marketing of tobacco to minors (4-1 vote).
The Compton City Council on Jan. 13 approved two budget- and procurement-related items: a $220,000 amendment to a construction-management agreement for the Wilmington Avenue Safe Streets pedestrian and bicycle improvement project, and a separate five-year $350,000 grant from the California Department of Justice to strengthen enforcement against the illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products to minors.
City staff described the NV5 Inc. amendment as necessary to address construction issues encountered on the Wilmington Street project and to provide additional inspection and construction-management services. Staff said the amendment also covers pavement improvements at the 91 Freeway overpass and Artesia Boulevard that arose during construction. The council voted to authorize the city manager to amend the professional-services agreement and establish a purchase order for $220,000.
On the tobacco enforcement item, staff said the DOJ grant would fund personnel for inspections, overtime and retailer education over a five-year period. "This grant program is a kind of diversion program where code enforcement goes out and sites retailers that are selling to minors and...do educational as well," staff said. Staff also told the council that recent state law changes limit code enforcements ability to seize products, so the city is exploring a partnership with the sheriffs department to enable seizure where necessary.
Council discussion focused on how the grant funding would be allocated and limitations on enforcement authority without a sheriff partnership. Councilmember Bowers recorded the lone 'no' vote on the DOJ grant; the item passed 4—2. The NV5 contract amendment passed unanimously.
What happens next: Staff will pursue any required grant modifications with the California DOJ, continue project management for Wilmington Avenue under the amended NV5 scope and explore interagency arrangements for enforcement and seizure if permitted under grant conditions.
