RESOLUTION NO. _____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE SOUTH EASTERN AVENUE AT SOUTHBOUND I-5 FREEWAY RAISED ISLAND BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT CONCEPT PLAN WHEREAS, the City is considering the beautification of the raised island at South Eastern Avenue and Southbound I-5 Freeway that will welcome visitors to the City of Commerce within a Caltrans right-of-way with proposed designs that will align with Caltrans requirements as well as meet the City’s vision and goals; and WHEREAS, given the proximity to major City landmarks, this beautification project will present an opportunity to improve highway visibility and help community livability by transforming this major transportation entryway; and WHEREAS, the raised island has been significantly under maintained and requires immediate improvements to improve the overall aesthetic value of the City and introduce a landscape that will have a positive influence on the environmental ecology within City boundaries; and WHEREAS, on August 2, 2022, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for engineering services for the S. Eastern Ave. at SB I-5 Freeway Raised Island Beautification Project and on October 11, 2022, City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Hirsh & Associates, Inc.; and WHEREAS, Hirsch & Associates, Inc., in consultation with staff, prepared three concept plans which include monuments and related landscaping; and WHEREAS, since the project area is state-owned property, any improvement within their property requires Caltrans approval and as such, the concept plans were submitted to Caltrans for review and following several reviews and plan modifications, Caltrans approved only one concept plan (copy attached) which meets their guidelines; and WHEREAS, before proceeding any further with Caltrans for official approval and preparation of the required maintenance agreement, it was presented to the City Council for approval; and WHEREAS, staff recommends that City Council receive and file a presentation by Hirsch & Associates, Inc., approve the Proposed Concept Plan and authorize staff to proceed with the project design phase and Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE AND DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Commerce hereby finds and declares that the foregoing recitals are true and correct, and incorporates them herein as findings and as a substantive part of this Resolution.
Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Commerce approves the S. Eastern Ave. at SB I-5 Freeway Raised Island Beautification Project Concept Plan.
Section 3. The Mayor is authorized to execute this Resolution for and on behalf of the City of Commerce.
Section 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 26th day of September, 2023. _______________________________
Hugo A. Argumedo Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Lena Shumway
City Clerk
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