– The Council approved a long-awaited program to ease traffic
problems in Hollister. The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program
was commissioned 18 months ago because residential streets have
become increasingly dangerous in recent years, according to
officials.
– The Council approved a long-awaited program to ease traffic problems in Hollister. The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program was commissioned 18 months ago because residential streets have become increasingly dangerous in recent years, according to officials.
The policy document will address residential streets with traffic of more than 1,200 vehicles a day, and strategies will be developed for each of the five Council districts. City officials also plan to hold neighborhood meetings to get feedback from residents.
Potential strategies include speed limit signs, speed monitoring trailers, stop signs, pavement treatments, medians, traffic circles and raised intersections.
– The Council delayed approving additional spending from the Redevelopment Agency Fund for work at the city-owned Veterans Memorial Building for $131,000. The contractor, David A. Bush, signed a contract with the city in August 2002 worth $3.8 million for renovation of the building.
The Council has subsequently approved several changes with Bush and other hired parties, some of which worked beyond contracted amounts on a “good faith” basis with the city. The total cost for the project during the past two years has been $5.625 million.
Councilman Tony LoBue questioned the city staff’s report because it lacked details regarding the change orders. The Council voted to move the item to the Sept. 15 meeting.
– The San Benito County Tourism Committee made a presentation to the Council on the group’s activities. Board Chairman Scott Fuller was in attendance and gave an informational outline on the committee’s activities and intentions.
The tourism committee, which is a subcommittee of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, was formed to boost the local tourism industry – “while sustaining the unique character” of the county, according to Fuller.
“The San Benito County Tourism Committee has been working on a plan to increase tourism in the county,” Fuller told the Council.
At the centerpiece of the plan, he said, was a magazine and accompanying Web site called San Benito County Destinations. It will be published by the Free Lance and will be released twice yearly at key locations throughout the state.
Councilman Tony Bruscia said he appreciates the Committee’s efforts.
“It’s a great way to bring more jobs to our community,” he said.
– The Council adopted job specifications and a salary range for the new information systems manager position.
The yet-to-be-hired employee will work in the Finance Department and will receive an $81,000 salary. He or she will be responsible for planning, design, installation and maintenance of the city’s departmental computer network.
– The Council presented departing interim Police Chief Larry Todd with a certificate of appreciation. He took over for retired Chief Bill Pierpoint in early April, and his last day will be Sept. 10. Todd retired as chief of the Los Gatos Police Department in June 2002.
The new leader of the Hollister Police Department, Jeff Miller, will be sworn in Friday at 9 a.m. He will start the following Monday.
