Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure And Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Compton council approves $220,000 amendment for Wilmington Avenue project; accepts $350,000 DOJ tobacco-enforcement grant
Summary
Council authorized a $220,000 amendment for NV5 Inc. to provide additional construction management on the Wilmington Avenue Safe Streets project and approved a $350,000 budget appropriation from the California DOJ to support enforcement and retailer training on illegal tobacco sales to minors (4–1 vote).
The Compton City Council on Jan. 13 approved two budget and contract actions intended to support public works and public-health enforcement.
Wilmington Avenue Safe Streets construction management: The council authorized the city manager to amend the professional-services agreement and establish a $220,000 purchase order for NV5 Inc. to provide additional construction management and inspection services for the Wilmington Avenue Safe Streets Pedestrian & Bicycle Improvement Project (CIP 18-02). Staff said the funds cover changes encountered during construction and pavement improvements at the 91 Freeway overpass. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.
DOJ tobacco-enforcement grant: The council also voted to amend the 2025–26 budget to appropriate $350,000 awarded by the California Department of Justice for enforcement related to illegal sales and marketing of tobacco products to minors, including retailer training and overtime inspections. The staff report described the program as a multi-year enforcement and education effort and noted constraints on seizure authority, which staff said would require a partnership with the sheriff's office to execute any seizures. On the roll call, the grant appropriation passed 4–1 with Council member Bowers voting no.
Why it matters: The NV5 amendment continues a street-safety infrastructure project the council is pursuing to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. The DOJ grant aims to reduce youth access to flavored tobacco and vaping products but relies on enforcement partners for seizure authority and requires local planning for overtime and task-force work.
Votes at a glance: NV5 contract amendment — unanimous approval. DOJ tobacco grant — approved 4 yes, 1 no (Council member Bowers opposed).
What councilmembers said: Council members asked staff for details about which retailers were suspected of illegal sales and about how the city would coordinate seizures and enforcement with the sheriff. Staff said they would follow up on specific store addresses mentioned by council members and pursue a grant modification with DOJ if a sheriff task force partnership is added.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the NV5 purchase order and pursue the DOJ grant implementation plan, including potential grant modification to add law-enforcement seizure capability if DOJ approves.
