In an effort to avoid further traffic congestion in downtown
Hollister, the City Council on Tuesday approved a design for a
$1.75 million road connecting North Street to Buena Vista Road.
Conceived about two decades ago, the North Street Extension
Project joins other recent roadway constructions in attempting to
divert traffic from the increasingly congested downtown
district.
In an effort to avoid further traffic congestion in downtown Hollister, the City Council on Tuesday approved a design for a $1.75 million road connecting North Street to Buena Vista Road.
Conceived about two decades ago, the North Street Extension Project joins other recent roadway constructions in attempting to divert traffic from the increasingly congested downtown district.
After an initial engineering survey 13 years ago, there was difficulty obtaining necessary funding and the project “lost steam,” according to Hollister civil engineer Steve Wittry.
Officials made recent headway, though, shortly after City Manager Dale Shaddox arrived in mid-2003, according to Wittry.
Now, all of the $1.75 million is coming from developer impact fees obtained in recent years, according to officials. Those dollars are earmarked for such road improvements.
Because of previous planning, engineers have already completed about 80 percent of the design work, and the city has acquired most of the land needed for the construction, Wittry said.
The Council unanimously approved the alternative – among four on the table – which the city engineering staff had recommended.
Councilman Tony LoBue, a vocal supporter of local roadway safety, said he’s been advocating this project for several years.
LoBue believes the new road would create a more efficient drive for people traveling to the west side of town, he said. Currently, the only main road to that section of Hollister is Fourth Street.
“It will basically be Santa Ana Road all the way down to Buena Vista,” LoBue said.
The chosen alternative involves building a 3/4 mile, two-lane road with a curb, gutter and sidewalk on one side – and a bike lane on the other. Moreover, it would allow for further widening of the street if future development would occur.
The plan also includes refurbishing and widening of the already existing Buena Vista Road, which Wittry said has become “all chewed up.”
As a whole, the uninterrupted artery would bridge downtown with the Westside Boulevard. Officials expect the new connection would decrease downtown traffic flows in a city largely composed of commuters – and particularly for residents driving to the west side.
Before the project’s expected completion in September 2005, the city must commission an environmental study and obtain approval from Caltrans on the San Felipe Road intersection – that section of road is under state jurisdiction.
Some other “challenges” must be addressed, according to Wittry. They include an upgrade to a railroad crossing and an intersection that might create difficulties at Buena Vista Road and Locust Street, Wittry said.
For one, San Benito County owns parts of Buena Vista Road. Wittry stressed the city must get county cooperation to progress with that aspect of the project – while saying county officials have expressed interest in collaborating.
In other business:
– Management Services Director Clay Lee gave a report on contract negotiations with Rainbow Theatre, a private contractor hired by the city’s Recreation Division.
At a previous meeting, a director of the children’s theater group, Ron Miller, questioned why he received a notice Rainbow Theatre’s contract was being terminated. Miller and several of his family members are plaintiffs in an active sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Recreation Services Manager Robert Ornelas.
Lee started by taking responsibility and apologizing for miscommunication on the city’s part. He commended the program: “They meet the needs of a lot of young people in the community.”
Lee went on to say the city’s financial crisis was the “sole factor” in the division’s examination of its private contractors.
Lee reported he and Shaddox had met Tuesday with Miller and his wife Jeannette, along with another associate. The talks were positive, he said. And the city is striving to foster continuance of the program, Lee said.
One consideration is for a contract between Hollister and the organization per show – instead of annually.
Two parents spoke in favor of the theater program, and afterward Council members also expressed support.
– The Council approved a collaboration with Community Services Development Corp. (CSDC) in the issuance of $6.25 million in tax-exempt bonds. The money is planned to go toward financing of several existing CSDC projects.
Through the deal, the Hollister Redevelopment Agency is not taking on any financial liability, according to housing official Bryan Briggs. It is merely helping the organization obtain the funding.
– The city extended the deadline for employees eligible for early retirement to submit letters of resignation. It was changed to April 5.
Thirty-eight eligible employees were recently offered early retirement. It is part of the city’s “reduction in force” plan, which includes laying off workers to compensate for a projected deficit.
For now, 38 employees stand to lose jobs. But that number could change before the July 1 implementation depending on who accepts early retirement, along with other factors.
