The Weekly Newspaper of Torrance Herald Publications - Torrance, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 6, No. 16 - April 14, 2016 Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.......................9 Classifieds............................4 Crossword/Sudoku.............4 Film Review..........................4 Legals.................................7,8 Real Estate...................10-12 Sports....................................5 TerriAnn in Torrance..........7 Weekend Forecast YPPA Enjoys Suds and Sharing PPA (Young Physicians and Professionals Alliance) gathered for its third annual Beer Tasting event at Torrance craft beer maker The Strand Brewing Company. Featured at the event was an authentic King Cake from New Orleans. The individual who found the toy baby inside the cake won $50 in playing chips for the group’s April 30 Casino Night Fundraiser. Photo provided by Torrance Memorial. See more in Community Briefs on page 2. • Council Approves Change Order for Traffic Control Equipment By Cristian Vasquez The mayor and council approved a recommendation by the Public Works Director to change Order No. 2 to purchase order 2015-181 with Econolite Control Products for traffic control equipment, as well as signal control hardware, software and support on an as-needed basis. Due to the change the purchase order increased from $500,000 to an amount not to surpass $915,000. In addition, the term was extended an additional year, to June 30, 2017. Funds will be made available [$60,000 and $125,000 respectively] through the 2015- 2016 and 2016-2017 Public Works Operating Budget, while $230,000 is available in the IAP T-1467 Intelligent Transportation System [ITS] Traffic Improvements project. “Equipment replacement needs have increased in the current fiscal year due to several controller cabinets being destroyed by vehicle collisions and high voltage spikes caused from the power company’s supply side,” states the staff report signed by Public Works Director Robert J. Beste. “These incidents completely disable an intersection’s traffic signal controller cabinet, including internal electronics, fail-safe’s, load switches, and software.” Technology used in ITS projects allows local agencies to better monitor and control traffic signal operations from a remote location in real time. Through ITS technology, staff can obtain instant notifications of any signal malfunctions, which in turn allow in more efficient maintenance responses. ITS technologies can also be used to disseminate up-to-date traffic information and provide commuters with pre-trip as well as en route information through mobile devices such as cell phones, tablets or via the Internet. The City of Torrance has been using Econolite brand traffic signal controllers, cabinets, software and support for more than 30 years. Standard practice is for the city to submit an annual purchase order to obtain electronic traffic signal components that include intelligent controllers, wired interface signal controller cabinets, vehicle detectors, fail safes, load switches, operational software and support that is used consistently for Torrance’s traffic signal systems’ operations and maintenance requirements. The staff report identifies the total cost to replace each fully-furnished traffic signal controller cabinet at $20,000. However, due to the number of equipment replacements required during the current fiscal year, there is a funding shortage to cover any unexpected costs that may occur for equipment replacement during the next two-and-a-half months. Hence, to cover the shortfall, $60,000 from the 2015-2016 Public Works Operating Budget has been added to the current budget, and $125,000 will be added from the 2016-2017 Public Works Operating Budget. “In order to avoid significant traffic impacts, it is critical that we replace the traffic signal controller equipment as quickly as possible,” states the staff report. On Jan. 27 the council approved a funding agreement call for projects with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for ITS and Traffic Improvement Project. LACMTA, which is one of the country’s largest transportation agencies, serves as a transportation planning and coordinating agency. Responsible for designing, building and operating for one of the country’s most populated counties, LACMTA serves an estimated 9.6 million people within its 1,433-square-mile service area. In an effort to provide efficient and effective transportation system and services for Los Angeles County, LACMTA works closely with local cities within the county. “A total of $230,000 ($163,000 of grant funds; $66,930 of local match) is available now to purchase video detection equipment for eligible signalized intersections,” states the staff report. The funding agreement allocates grant funds [in conjunction with local matching funds] for a wide range of traffic signal equipment, including video detection cameras, pedestrian countdown displays, signal controllers/cabinets, among other equipment. The grant covers 70.9 percent of associated costs, leaving the city to pay for the remaining balance. “Adding the purchase of video detection equipment in this charge will allow the City to purchase specific equipment directly from Econolite at a savings of 15 percent over third party contract suppliers,” indicates the staff report. “Public Works has identified eligible intersections within the project area where installation of additional video detection equipment necessary.” In the staff report, Public Works identified intersections that qualify with IAP T-146 compliance based on Metro’s Funding Agreement. Since the project will extend into the next fiscal year, the purchase order has also been extended in order to allow for uninterrupted work and to maintain on-going operational services. • Friday Sunny 75˚/59˚ Saturday Sunny 75˚/57˚ Sunday Sunny 76˚/58˚
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