Santa Paula going solar for three newest crosswalks

July 02, 2008
Santa Paula City Council

Santa Paula is going high tech after the Council finalized the plan for the city’s new lighted crosswalks that utilize solar power, but not without comment from a Councilman that pedestrians must also be responsible for their own safety.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paula is going high tech after the Council finalized the plan for the city’s new lighted crosswalks that utilize solar power, but not without comment from a Councilman that pedestrians must also be responsible for their own safety. The Council approved the item at the June 16 meeting after Councilman Ray Luna asked that it be pulled from the consent calendar to better inform the public of the project.Interim Public Works Director Jon Turner told the Council that the project - part of the Safe Routes to School program - was funded by an $117,000 grant for lighted crosswalks at Ventura and Oak Streets, Ventura Street and Palm Avenue, and Fifth and Santa Paula Streets. “Once we received notification” that the city was successful in securing the grant funding, part of the program’s fifth year cycle, the project was put out to bid and a contractor selected.Councilman John Procter asked if the new crosswalks will be similar to those already scattered throughout the city. “We decided to go with a different manufacturer,” said Turner, who noted that the manufacturer of the city’s initial nine lighted crosswalks has “gone out of business,” complicating the procurement of replacement parts.
Turner said staff’s decision to switch to solar powered lighted crosswalks was also prompted by need: “One problem with the old system is if one goes out, the rest go out,” a problem avoided with solar technology. Technical advances have improved the models, and “there’s all sorts of crazy things” that can be used, but staff decided that solar was the most reliable and cost-effective.“We should emphasize to the public that, like all crosswalks, although the pedestrian has the right-of-way they should wait on the curb before they step out,” said Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre. “There’s a perception that once those lights go out all cars will stop,” such as at a red traffic light. “Not true,” noted Aguirre. “My point to the public is they should be careful and make sure ongoing traffic” comes to a stop “before stepping out.”“I thank Councilman Luna,” said Mayor Bob Gonzales. “I think he brought this to the council some years ago, and I want to thank you” for being safety conscious.“As a police officer I really enjoy hearing what you say,” especially regarding safety issues, said Luna, as Gonzales is the city’s former police chief.



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