Staff and Wire Reports
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department unveiled a new inmate transport bus Dec. 19, addressing safety concerns and operational challenges in its aging Court Services Transportation fleet.
Sheriff Robert G. Luna emphasized the importance of the upgrade, noting its role in ensuring safe and efficient transportation for inmates to courts, jails, prisons and hospitals.
The Court Services Transportation Bureau has struggled over the past two years to transport inmates consistently due to maintenance issues and parts shortages, which have affected court proceedings, sheriff’s officials said.
Department officials unveiled the new 2024 Motor Coach Industries D4040 ISTV, designed to navigate compact spaces like correctional facilities and courthouses with a tighter turning radius. It also includes a wider entryway to streamline the loading and unloading of inmates.
“Currently, 39 of the 82 buses used by the department exceed the Federal Transportation Administration recommended asset life of 12 years or 500,000 miles,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
Downey executive
gets pay increase
DOWNEY — City Manager Roger Bradley will receive a pay increase of $3,235.12 annually following evaluation by the City Council Dec. 10.
Hired by the city in February 2023, Bradley has not received a pay increase as other administrators have, said James McQueen, director of human resources.
The City Council approved an increase from Bradley’s current salary of $287,456 annually to $319,807.20. McQueen said that since Bradley was hired other executive staff had received an 8% cost of living salary increase with another 4% increase scheduled for March.
The hike is part of a new contract with Bradley. Also in the revised contract are the elimination of the current auto allowance contribution of $300 per month, replaced with a provision allowing personal use of a city-provided vehicle; and an increase in the current severance amount of six months to nine months with a provision increasing it by one additional month per year of service up to a maximum of 12 months.
“All other terms and conditions of employment are to remain the same as adopted in the original agreement,” McQueen said.
The new contract will cost the city an increase of $31,845 for fiscal year 2024-25, he added.
Recording studio
planned at high school
BELLFLOWER — Plans are underway for a new recording studio and tech control room at St. John Bosco High School.
The facilities will be in an existing classroom and storage space, said Elizabeth C. Oba, director of planning and building services for the city of Bellflower.
She said the project is headed by John Mielke, currently a Boy Scout and a student at St. John Bosco, as his Eagle Scout project. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 371 and is in the music program at the school.
The Bellflower City Council approved a request from Mielke Dec. 12 to waive building plan check and permit fees, totaling $836, for the project.
Because the City Council approved the waiver, the city (not the applicant) will pay approximately $615 in fees to Willdan Engineering for its plan check and inspection services, Oba said.
The city also will subsidize approximately $221 in other staff costs, she said.
A licensed architect has prepared plans for the proposed scope of work. Mielke has obtained approval from the Scouting Board and from St. John Bosco High School, Oba added.
Person found dead
in Eagle Rock fire
EAGLE ROCK — Firefighters discovered a dead body while battling a fire Dec. 22 at a single-story home, authorities said.
Firefighters dispatched at 11:27 a.m. to 5282 N. Townsend Ave. had the fire out within 31 minutes of their arrival, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported.
“Preliminary reports stated a possible trapped person inside the structure,” the LAFD’s Jennifer Middleton said. “Unfortunately, firefighters did find an occupant who had perished and was unable to be revived.”
“Firefighters were met with excessive storage in the dwelling, which hampered entry to the dwelling as well as reaching the room of origin,” Middleton added.
No other injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Pedestrians injured in
suspected DUI crash
CULVER CITY — A motorist was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after allegedly hitting two pedestrians as they crossed an intersection, Dec. 20.
The crash occurred at about 9:30 p.m. at Culver Boulevard and Irving Place, according to a Culver City Police Department statement.
Arriving officers detained the driver, police said.
The two pedestrians suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening and were taken by ambulance to a hospital, police said.
Officers took the suspect to Culver City Jail to be booked for suspicion of felony DUI causing great bodily injury, police said. The suspect’s vehicle was impounded.
Townhome project
approved in Downey
DOWNEY— Plans are underway to construct 33 townhomes at 7360 Foster Bridge Boulevard as part of a general upgrade of that area.
The City Council Dec. 10 approved a tentative tract map for the future subdivision in that area. The vote was 4-0 with Councilwoman Claudia Formeta absent, a city clerk spokesperson said.
“As part of the conditions of approval for this development, the applicant is responsible for upgrading the public right-of-way to current city standards and Americans with Disabilities Act standards,” said Matthew Baumbardner, director of public works and city engineer.
“The required public improvements associated with the proposed subdivision include but are not limited to the removal and reconstruction of substandard sidewalks and curbs and gutters, removal of two existing driveway approaches, and construction of a new concrete driveway approach, new sewer lateral, new water meter services and grind and overlay of existing pavement,” he added.
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