(May 10, 2005) -- A document provided by the LB City Clerk's office indicates that representatives of the PTA and City Council districts 3 and 8, who are entitled to be part of a mainly city management appointed "Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee" whose recommendations management cites in proposing that the City Council eliminate crossing guards at twelve LB intersections, may not have been part of the decisionmaking.

A roster of the group's members provided to LBReport.com indicates that positions reserved for the PTA, and representatives of Council districts 3 and 8, are vacant...and may not have been filled at the time the non-elected, City Hall chosen body made its April 2005 recommendations.

The vacant positions represent nearly a quarter of the group's membership, created by a voter ballot measure in the late 1970s to provide some oversight for unrestrained management cuts.

The proposed cuts are now part of a city management plan to address multiple years of Mayor-supported, Council-approved spending exceeding revenue and are scheduled to come to the Council later today (May 10). Management has invited the possibility of further cuts in the future.

Notwithstanding recommendations from the "Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee," the Council has its own independent discretion to accept or reject, in whole or in part, management's proposed cuts. Potentially affected by the agendized May 10 Council action are:

• Magnolia Ave. & Willow St.
• Nieto Avenue and Vista Street
• 7th Street and Cerritos
• Palo Verde Avenue and Willow Street
• 7th Street and Olive Avenue
• Bellflower Boulevard and Arbor Road
• Lakewood Boulevard and 23rd Street
• 6th Street and Daisy Avenue
• Orange Avenue and 60th Street
• Bellflower Boulevard and Spring Street
• Bellflower Boulevard and Wardlow Road
• Studebaker Road and Keynote Street

Details are provided on a link, below.

City Hall estimates savings from cutting the above locations in the first year would be $137,900. (When added to an earlier adjustment in hours, management says total annual savings would be $198,400.)

In proposing the cuts, city management cites recommendations of a "Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee." As previously reported by LBReport.com, the Committee consists of 13 members...none of whom are elected and nearly all of whom are appointed by the City Manager.

Nine members representing Council districts are appointed by the City Manager. One represents the PTA, chosen by the PTA. One represents LBUSD, chosen by LB's School Superintendent. One represents the City Traffic & Transportation Engineer (appointed by City Manager). And one represents non-public schools in the LB area, appointed by the City Manager.

The roster provided by the LB City Clerk's office indicates that positions for the PTA position and Council districts 3 and 8 are vacant.

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