Commerce council approves upgraded EV chargers, releases bridge-art RFP and forms refuse-hauler ad hoc committee

The City of Commerce council on May 26 approved three staff recommendations intended to modernize municipal facilities and oversee upcoming contract decisions.

Council voted to authorize procurement and installation of new ChargePoint electric-vehicle chargers at City Hall to replace aging stations. Public Works Director Shahid Abbas said the new stations will deliver roughly 14 kilowatts per hour—compared with the existing 2–5 kW—allowing faster charging, enforcing the existing two-hour free limit and operating 24 hours a day. Abbas said the equipment selection was tied to a Community Charging grant and a cooperative contract; the existing two-hour free charging policy will remain in place. The council approved the staff recommendation; the motion to adopt the consent-item recommendation was made and seconded and the motion passed.

Council also authorized staff to release a request for proposals to solicit artists and design firms for a two‑bridge beautification project. Public Works Director Shahid Abbas described two bridges: a BNSF bridge on Atlantic Boulevard (the 'bridge of the future') and a Union Pacific bridge on Garfield Avenue. Staff said the project will proceed in three phases—structure painting, art-concept development and artwork installation—so phases may be delivered separately. Abbas said conditional approvals from both railroad agencies were in place for light-color schemes and city logos, and funding for the work is included in the proposed FY 2026–28 capital improvement program. Council authorized release of the RFP; staff will return with concept proposals and any contract or budget recommendations.

On waste hauling, City Manager Ernie Hernandez told the council that the city’s semi-exclusive commercial refuse and recycling agreements had been extended previously through Oct. 31, 2027. Staff recommended the council appoint two members to an ad hoc committee to review the history and performance of those agreements, evaluate operational efficiencies and franchise fees, assess compliance and reporting, and make recommendations for the period after the current extension. Two councilmembers volunteered and the ad hoc committee was formed by motion.

All three actions were approved by motion during the meeting; the transcript records the motions passing without a roll-call tally printed in the record.