Canyon Lake has a new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem! During the final City Council Meeting of the year on December 7, Council members voted for Jordan Ehrenkranz as Mayor and Mary Craton as Mayor Pro Tem.
Jordan and Mary are not new to leadership positions in the community. Mary previously has served terms as Mayor, and Jordan previously has served terms as POA President. Both bring with them a deep knowledge of the community and a reputation for dignity and diplomacy in their political dealings.
In other business having to do with City Council members, it was decided that committee assignments would be presented to the Council in January. According to City Manager Lori Moss, "A continuance on committee assignments was recommended because we continue to gather information about each committee, which includes but is not limited to scheduling and stipends. Additionally, some committees may be added – or some deleted if they no longer meet. Most committees are dark in December, so the continuance does not impact attendance."
The Council voted to award the Railroad Canyon Road Improvement project to Mamco, Inc. of Riverside. Records show Mamco submitted the lowest responsible and responsive bid. The bid came in at $5,899,999 – $100,000 lower than the initial bid received by the City Clerk on August 24, 2011.
All previous bids made in August were rejected by City Council and the project went up for re-bid in November. The City Engineer and other consultants involved made some adjustments to the original bid documents. The original City Engineer's estimate for this work, including construction contingency, was $6.9 million. The updated estimate, including contingency, is $6.5 million. The revisions included:
Elimination of bus shelters similarly to entry signage. This work will be completed under separate bid, and in coordination with RTA, after the widening project is complete. Funding is from Air Quality Management District (AQMD).
Adding a bid schedule to separate the exact cost of signal upgrades at various locations.
Design modifications to minimize K-rail and possible decrease of project completion time.
Confirmation on SCE connection points.
The Railroad Canyon Road (RRC) project includes widening RRC from its westerly terminus with the City of Lake Elsinore to and matching the recent improvements installed by Riverside County/City of Menifee to the east. The project also provides for two additional signals, and enhanced intersection design between the Main Gate and entrance to Canyon Lake Towne Center.
Five intersections will be built to accommodate U-turns. U-turns will be legal eastbound at the Country Club entrance and at Sorrel Lane. They will be legal westbound at Sorrel Lane, Towne Center East and Skylink Dr. U-turns at CLDS and RRCR, or at Skylink eastbound, will no longer be permitted due to the short distance between the driveway and the intersection in these areas. Plans of the project are available for viewing at City Hall.
Lori says the project is scheduled to begin in the middle of January, with an expected completion time of nine months. Residents are reminded that no general funds will be used for this project.
In other business, the Council advised residents that Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF) allocated $100,000 for the City of Canyon Lake. SLESF provides money to support front line law enforcement services.
The recommendations by Canyon Lake Police Department for funds in the 2011-2012 budget include reinstating the extra duty DUI patrol on Friday and Saturday evenings during the spring and summer, a DUI checkpoint in the late spring and extra duty enforcement in the BLM area and as needed for special projects. The allocation this year is guaranteed at $100,000 and the Sheriff's Department acts only as a pass-through agency from the state to cities.
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for January 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Canyon Lake Municipal Services Building Boardroom.