Council to meet Wednesday

MARTINEZ, Calif. The Martinez City Council will meet Wednesday, Nov 3.

According to the agenda, Alan Shear, assistant city manager, will present the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the 2014 fiscal year that ended June 30. The General Fund ended at June 30, 2014, with an unassigned fund balance of $5,720,878.

Also, the council will vote on a motion to appoint Shear as acting city manager until a permanent city manager has been hired.

Since July 28, Jim Jakel has been serving as interim city manager. On Nov. 15, Jakels service in that role will end and Jakel will remain available to the city on an hourly basis to assist on complex and time-sensitive projects.

Shear has served as assistant city manager since 2010 and has acted as city manager a number of times in the past. A new city manager is expected to be hired in the first quarter of 2015.

Among the presentations on the agenda are a proclamation that Nov. 25 will be Joe DiMaggios 100th Year Birthday Celebration, a presentation by Central Contra Costa Sanitary District and Rising Sun Energy Center recap of the 2014 California Youth Energy Services Program.

Also on the agenda is hiring a contractor for two sidewalk projects in the city.

The Alhambra Valley Road Sidewalk Project will install 400 feet of 5-foot wide sidewalk behind an existing curb along John Swett Elementary School frontage from the school driveway north to Gilbert Court and curb ramps at Gilbert Court. Currently there exists a non ADA compliant gravel path. The path is difficult to maneuver strollers and wheel chairs during dry weather. The path is nearly impossible to navigate after rain events. Completing this segment will provide continuous ADA compliant access between John Swett Elementary School and Alhambra Avenue. Current funding includes a Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) grant and CCTA Measure J monies.

The Shell Avenue Pedestrian Improvement Project will reduce the potential for conflicts between motor vehicles and children walking to school. The project is along the southern side of Shell Avenue and would consist of demolition of existing improvements and the installation of curb gutter and sidewalk. The sidewalk will extend from Pine Street westerly approximately 700 feet. There is currently no sidewalk on the proposed section of Shell Avenue and there are no suitable alternative routes for children to avoid walking along this busy street. Most of the project area has no road shoulder and has obstacles such as steep slopes, landscape rocks, mailboxes, trash cans, and parked cars that force children to walk in the street where they are exposed to fast moving traffic. Existing sidewalk joins both ends of the proposed project area.

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Council to meet Wednesday