HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmailed Comment from Karen Nolta1
Brandon DeCriscio
From:Karen Nolta <knolta@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, July 27, 2026 1:50 PM
To:City Clerk
Cc:Gloria Harper; Brandon DeCriscio
Subject:Public Comment for City Council Meeting 7/27/26
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Dear Seal Beach City Council Members:
My apologies as I am unable to attend tonight’s meeting to share these thoughts in person during public comment. My
comments and suggestions below relate to the Staff Report regarding the upcoming Franchise Agreement for the Haynes
Pipeline Project and its potential impacts on the College Park West(CPW) neighborhood and the surrounding community.
I am not opposed to the Haynes Project coming through CPW. However, I do not believe the project should move forward
without the City of Seal Beach first addressing the issues that will directly affect the CPW neighborhood, the City of Seal
Beach, and the larger community.
I was encouraged to see that many of the concerns raised by our neighborhood are included in the Staff Report.
I would like to offer comments on proposed Franchise Terms 1, 3 and 5, as well as suggest additional terms I believe
warrant further study and consideration.
1. Bridge Infrastructure
The most significant concern of our neighborhood is the condition of the existing bridge, which serves as the sole
entrance and exit for CPW. As you are also aware, the bridge has been identified as structurally deficient and rated as
having a Poor substructure.“ It does not seem reasonable to increase demands on infrastructure that has already been
determined to require significant attention. For public safety, emergency access and lone term infrastructure integrity, the
bridge should be repaired before the Haynes Project places substantial and additional demands on it.
3. Traffic Management and Emergency Response
Should the project proceed along College Park Drive through both Seal Beach and Long Beach, a comprehensive, state-
of-the-art traffic management and emergency-response plan should be developed in close coordination with the City of
Seal Beach, the City of Long Beach, law enforcement, fire and emergency services, Caltrans, and other appropriate
agencies. This plan should address not only routine construction traffic but also emergency evacuation procedures and
reliable access for first responders. At a minimum, it should encompass the entire College Park Drive corridor in both
cities, as well as incorporate Studebaker Road interchange with CA-22.
5. CPW Preserve and Neighborhood Improvements
The Haynes Project presents a unique opportunity to make meaningful improvements not only to the Preserve but also
the entire CPW neighborhood and its infrastructure. Investing in these improvements would benefit residents while
reducing future maintenance costs for the City.
In November 2025, several residents involved with the CPW Preserve, Council Member Ben Wong, and I met with Ian
Guthrie, LADWP Haynes Plant Manager. During that meeting, We discussed numerous improvements to the Preserve
area, but encompassed the entire neighborhood and park, including but not limited to repaving the streets in CPW and
new park playground equipment.
Mr. Guthrie indicated he didn’t think any of our proposed improvements would be a problem for LADWP.
Additional Franchise Conditions for Consideration:
I respectfully ask that the Council ask staff to evaluate and consider the following:
--The status, age, ownership, function, inspection history and maintenance records of the two existing pipelines attached
to the bridge, including the condition of their support systems and attachments.
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--The environmental and public safety considerations associated with placing a sewer force main line across the San
Gabriel River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean and provides habitat for the protected green sea turtles.
--Meaningful infrastructure, landscaping, and aesthetic improvements throughout CPW and along the College Park Drive
Corridor.
--A requirement that LADWP bear the full cost of repairing or replacing any public infrastructure, landscaping, streets,
sidewalks, utilities, or other facilities damaged or removed as a result of project construction, ensuring that neither the C ity
nor residents are left responsible for those costs. CPW has previously experienced situations in which outside agencies
accessed projects via College Park Drive but did not fully restore the areas affected.
The Haynes Project should proceed in CPW only with responsible planning that protects the safety of CPW residents and
the surrounding community while also providing meaningful improvements that leave our neighborhood in better condition
than it is today. As the Staff Report recognizes the need to protect the City’s interests, I respectfully request that the City
Council ask Staff to expand those conditions to include the improvements outlined above.
Thank you for your time, your consideration and your service to our community.
Sincerely,
Karen Nolta
College Park West Resident (55 years)
Planning Commissioner
Seal Beach, California