Highlights from "The Week in Review" (TWIR)
You can access the entire TWIR by clicking on the link on the right side of this page.
Police
Red Light Camera Update: Several months ago, the Police Department began working with Nestor Traffic Systems to plan for the installation of red light enforcement and collision-avoidance systems at several intersections within the City. On September 9, Nestor Traffic Systems was sold to American Traffic Solutions (ATS) of Scottsdale, Ariz. While the new company has been in existence for many years and has a strong history of providing enforcement camera systems, it has no experience in providing collision-avoidance technology. The City was given the option to discontinue our relationship with the new company once it acquired Nestor. After speaking with representatives of ATS and researching their business model, it appears that the focus of the company will continue to be in enforcement and not collision avoidance. Since the collision-avoidance technology was the focus of the department’s – and the Council’s – desire when this project was approved, we are no longer moving forward with the traffic camera project with this company. If similar technology becomes available through this company or another vendor, staff will bring it forward for Council’s consideration at that time.
Chop Shop Arrest: On September 25 at approximately 8:30 a.m., detectives of the Delta Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT), with assistance from the Manteca Street Crimes Unit, drove to 10237 E. Highway 120 and conducted a probation search. During the search, they located two stolen Ford Mustangs in the backyard, along with a boat with a stolen motor in it. The two Mustangs were being parted out. One of the Mustangs was an unreported stolen that was taken from a vacant lot in the Bay Area. The owner was unaware of the theft until we contacted him. The other Mustang was also stolen out of the Bay Area. During the search of the residence, detectives located five professional bowling balls and associated bowling equipment. Detectives also located documents that led to the identity of the owner. Detectives contacted the owner and found the property was inside another Ford Mustang that was stolen from San Leandro and recovered in Stockton. Over $3,000 in stolen property, along with the two stolen vehicles, were recovered from the residence. Chad Maria, a 28-year-old Manteca resident, was arrested for possession and operation of a chop shop, two counts of vehicle theft, and four counts of possession of stolen property. Maria’s probation officer also violated his probation.
Fire
Emergency Incidents: We had a total of 90 incidents this week, which included 6 that were fire related: 1-Structure Fire, 1-Cooking Fire, 1-Vehicle Fire, 2-Grass Fires and 1-Dumpster Fire. Dollar loss for the week was estimated at $1,500. The remaining calls this week were: EMS-49, Vehicle Accidents-5, Service Calls-12, and Other Emergencies-18.
Significant Incidents:
● Multi-Casualty Vehicle Accident – Eastbound Highway 120, September 23:
Engine Company 242, Truck 24, Battalion 24, and Rescue 24 were dispatched to a multi-vehicle accident on eastbound Highway 120, east of Main Street, to find three passenger vehicles in the roadway, one passenger vehicle over the embankment and one tractor trailer all involved in a collision. The accident resulted in several injuries with patients being transported to local hospitals.
● Grass Fire – Westbound Highway 120, September 28:
Firefighters arrived to find grass fires in the center divide and north side of the roadway. Engine Company 242 began fire attack on the center divide, as Engine Company 241 battled the fire on the north side of the roadway. Engine Company 32 was assigned structure protection for the Industrial Park area. Firefighters used aggressive fire tactics to contain the rapid fire spread, which was fueled by the high winds. In addition to containment of the grass fires, firefighters were able to prevent fire spread to a structure that had been threatened on Van Ryn Road, as well as the various businesses in the Industrial Park area that back up to Highway 120. Approximately five acres were burned with no loss of property or injuries. CHP provided traffic control measures, which affected the commute traffic for approximately one and a half hours.
● Grass Fire – Eastbound Hwy 120, September 29:
Firefighters were dispatched to a second grass fire on Tuesday afternoon, this time on eastbound Highway 120 near the Airport Way exit. Engine Company 242 arrived on scene to find fire on the side of the ramp near the eastbound exit. The fire was quickly brought under control and was contained to the immediate area.
Fire Prevention: This week’s Fire Prevention activities included: Business Inspections-54, New Construction Inspections-9, Plan Checks-13, and Fire System Checks-6.
Public Works
Recycling Revenues: Solid Waste management staff met with representatives of Allied Waste to review our recycling contract. Because of the collapse in prices of recycled materials, we have been giving our recyclables away for free for several months. Because of indications that the recycling market was starting to recover, staff requested that Allied begin paying for our material again, and Allied agreed to pay $15 per ton, starting immediately. This will result in approximately $60,000 in additional income this year. Staff will prepare a contract modification for the City Council’s approval, and will continue to monitor the recycling market to ensure that we receive a fair price for our recyclables.
Community Development
The following is a summary of some of the activities under way in the Community Development Department:
Union Crossing – The Planning Commission met last week and voted unanimously to approve the proposed Union Crossing Shopping Center project, located on the west side of Union Road, south of the Highway 120 bypass. The proposed project will encompass 450,000 square feet of new retail space on over 54 acres. The City Council will be asked to approve the project at its meeting on October 20.
B.R. Funsten – Major work continues on the B.R. Funsten Industrial Warehouse project, located on South Main Street at Industrial Park Drive. The construction schedule is two weeks ahead of the proposed completion date of December 1.
Promenade Shopping Center – Staff met this week with the development team (Poag and McEwen/Craig Realty Group) on the Promenade Shopping Center. The City has approved building plans for three new buildings that will house luxury outlets at the shopping center. The building permit will be issued on October 5, and construction will commence no later than October 15, with completion scheduled for March 2010. In addition, staff is anticipating several restaurant leases will close in the next 30-60 days, and that Red Robin will open in February 2010. Lastly, work is ongoing on the Hampton Inn Hotel project, which should be completed in February/March 2010.
Permit Center – The new one-stop permit center has been averaging more than 40 clients per day since opening a little over a month ago. Some days we have served more than 50 clients. Both Public Works/Fire Department staff have been at the new permit center from 8 a.m. to noon every day.
Parks and Recreation
Park Vandalism: Union West Park has been a frequent target of vandalism by apparent gang members. The majority of the vandalism has been in the form of an excessive amount of graffiti. Park staff has been working in cooperation with members of the Manteca Police Gang Unit. So far, there has been limited progress, due to the lack of a consistent pattern of visitation by the offenders. However, both Park and Police staff members are committed to eliminating the problem.
Panda Express Community Fund Raiser: Parks and Recreation is teamed up with Panda Express for a Community Fundraiser in support of Youth Recreation Programs. Support Parks and Recreation youth programs – eat healthy and support local businesses that support us. Go to Panda Express, 1467 Hulsey Way, with your family and friends on the first Friday of the month and Panda Express will donate 20% of the cost of your purchase to Parks and Recreation! The program runs through April 2010. For more information visit our website at http://www.ci.manteca.ca.us/parks/docs/PandaExpressFlyer-1.pdf
Police
Red Light Camera Update: Several months ago, the Police Department began working with Nestor Traffic Systems to plan for the installation of red light enforcement and collision-avoidance systems at several intersections within the City. On September 9, Nestor Traffic Systems was sold to American Traffic Solutions (ATS) of Scottsdale, Ariz. While the new company has been in existence for many years and has a strong history of providing enforcement camera systems, it has no experience in providing collision-avoidance technology. The City was given the option to discontinue our relationship with the new company once it acquired Nestor. After speaking with representatives of ATS and researching their business model, it appears that the focus of the company will continue to be in enforcement and not collision avoidance. Since the collision-avoidance technology was the focus of the department’s – and the Council’s – desire when this project was approved, we are no longer moving forward with the traffic camera project with this company. If similar technology becomes available through this company or another vendor, staff will bring it forward for Council’s consideration at that time.
Chop Shop Arrest: On September 25 at approximately 8:30 a.m., detectives of the Delta Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT), with assistance from the Manteca Street Crimes Unit, drove to 10237 E. Highway 120 and conducted a probation search. During the search, they located two stolen Ford Mustangs in the backyard, along with a boat with a stolen motor in it. The two Mustangs were being parted out. One of the Mustangs was an unreported stolen that was taken from a vacant lot in the Bay Area. The owner was unaware of the theft until we contacted him. The other Mustang was also stolen out of the Bay Area. During the search of the residence, detectives located five professional bowling balls and associated bowling equipment. Detectives also located documents that led to the identity of the owner. Detectives contacted the owner and found the property was inside another Ford Mustang that was stolen from San Leandro and recovered in Stockton. Over $3,000 in stolen property, along with the two stolen vehicles, were recovered from the residence. Chad Maria, a 28-year-old Manteca resident, was arrested for possession and operation of a chop shop, two counts of vehicle theft, and four counts of possession of stolen property. Maria’s probation officer also violated his probation.
Fire
Emergency Incidents: We had a total of 90 incidents this week, which included 6 that were fire related: 1-Structure Fire, 1-Cooking Fire, 1-Vehicle Fire, 2-Grass Fires and 1-Dumpster Fire. Dollar loss for the week was estimated at $1,500. The remaining calls this week were: EMS-49, Vehicle Accidents-5, Service Calls-12, and Other Emergencies-18.
Significant Incidents:
● Multi-Casualty Vehicle Accident – Eastbound Highway 120, September 23:
Engine Company 242, Truck 24, Battalion 24, and Rescue 24 were dispatched to a multi-vehicle accident on eastbound Highway 120, east of Main Street, to find three passenger vehicles in the roadway, one passenger vehicle over the embankment and one tractor trailer all involved in a collision. The accident resulted in several injuries with patients being transported to local hospitals.
● Grass Fire – Westbound Highway 120, September 28:
Firefighters arrived to find grass fires in the center divide and north side of the roadway. Engine Company 242 began fire attack on the center divide, as Engine Company 241 battled the fire on the north side of the roadway. Engine Company 32 was assigned structure protection for the Industrial Park area. Firefighters used aggressive fire tactics to contain the rapid fire spread, which was fueled by the high winds. In addition to containment of the grass fires, firefighters were able to prevent fire spread to a structure that had been threatened on Van Ryn Road, as well as the various businesses in the Industrial Park area that back up to Highway 120. Approximately five acres were burned with no loss of property or injuries. CHP provided traffic control measures, which affected the commute traffic for approximately one and a half hours.
● Grass Fire – Eastbound Hwy 120, September 29:
Firefighters were dispatched to a second grass fire on Tuesday afternoon, this time on eastbound Highway 120 near the Airport Way exit. Engine Company 242 arrived on scene to find fire on the side of the ramp near the eastbound exit. The fire was quickly brought under control and was contained to the immediate area.
Fire Prevention: This week’s Fire Prevention activities included: Business Inspections-54, New Construction Inspections-9, Plan Checks-13, and Fire System Checks-6.
Public Works
Recycling Revenues: Solid Waste management staff met with representatives of Allied Waste to review our recycling contract. Because of the collapse in prices of recycled materials, we have been giving our recyclables away for free for several months. Because of indications that the recycling market was starting to recover, staff requested that Allied begin paying for our material again, and Allied agreed to pay $15 per ton, starting immediately. This will result in approximately $60,000 in additional income this year. Staff will prepare a contract modification for the City Council’s approval, and will continue to monitor the recycling market to ensure that we receive a fair price for our recyclables.
Community Development
The following is a summary of some of the activities under way in the Community Development Department:
Union Crossing – The Planning Commission met last week and voted unanimously to approve the proposed Union Crossing Shopping Center project, located on the west side of Union Road, south of the Highway 120 bypass. The proposed project will encompass 450,000 square feet of new retail space on over 54 acres. The City Council will be asked to approve the project at its meeting on October 20.
B.R. Funsten – Major work continues on the B.R. Funsten Industrial Warehouse project, located on South Main Street at Industrial Park Drive. The construction schedule is two weeks ahead of the proposed completion date of December 1.
Promenade Shopping Center – Staff met this week with the development team (Poag and McEwen/Craig Realty Group) on the Promenade Shopping Center. The City has approved building plans for three new buildings that will house luxury outlets at the shopping center. The building permit will be issued on October 5, and construction will commence no later than October 15, with completion scheduled for March 2010. In addition, staff is anticipating several restaurant leases will close in the next 30-60 days, and that Red Robin will open in February 2010. Lastly, work is ongoing on the Hampton Inn Hotel project, which should be completed in February/March 2010.
Permit Center – The new one-stop permit center has been averaging more than 40 clients per day since opening a little over a month ago. Some days we have served more than 50 clients. Both Public Works/Fire Department staff have been at the new permit center from 8 a.m. to noon every day.
Parks and Recreation
Park Vandalism: Union West Park has been a frequent target of vandalism by apparent gang members. The majority of the vandalism has been in the form of an excessive amount of graffiti. Park staff has been working in cooperation with members of the Manteca Police Gang Unit. So far, there has been limited progress, due to the lack of a consistent pattern of visitation by the offenders. However, both Park and Police staff members are committed to eliminating the problem.
Panda Express Community Fund Raiser: Parks and Recreation is teamed up with Panda Express for a Community Fundraiser in support of Youth Recreation Programs. Support Parks and Recreation youth programs – eat healthy and support local businesses that support us. Go to Panda Express, 1467 Hulsey Way, with your family and friends on the first Friday of the month and Panda Express will donate 20% of the cost of your purchase to Parks and Recreation! The program runs through April 2010. For more information visit our website at http://www.ci.manteca.ca.us/parks/docs/PandaExpressFlyer-1.pdf
Labels: The Week in Review
posted by City Manager @ 6:55 AM
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