Hawaiian Gardens Library to Reopen in Mid-September

The new Hawaiian Gardens library and public safety [sheriff] center is scheduled to open in mid-September, stated City Administrator Ernesto Marquez at the regular meeting of the city council on Aug. 26. “It depends on how long it will take the library to move in.”
The building is located at 11940 Carson Street.
Mayor Michiko Oyama-Canada said the library will have more computers and study areas that will benefit the city’s children.
Hawaiian Gardens resident Reynaldo Rodriguez questioned the council why it was taking so long in the remodeling of the building. He also wanted to know the cost of the project.
Councilman John Heckerman, responding, explained once the city gained title to the building. the contractor found many things that had to be repaired resulting in the timeline being extended.
At the time the contract was awarded, Community Development Director Joseph Colombo said the scope of the project had increased due to finding the roof had asbestos material that required abatement and total reconstruction as well as necessary structural reconstruction on portions of the building due to leakage and improper previous repairs. “The building and site needed a complete rehabilitation,” he stated.
The library will be located on the first floor of the building with the public safety office on the second floor. There will be a computer room with approximately 45 computers.
The city awarded a construction contract in January of this year to PCN3 Inc. of Long Beach in the amount of $21,325,613.40. At the same time the council amended the city budget for fiscal year 2007-08 for an additional $778,175. The additional sum covered the increase in the low bid amount for the computers, furniture and for inspection and contract administration
for the project. The computers, security system and furniture were purchased under separate contracts and were not part of the PCN3 contract.
On June 5, 2005 the Moskowitz Foundation donated $500,000 for the new library.
Rodriguez went on to question why residents are fined without a warning given first that their yards need to be cleaned up. He questioned the procedure used in fining and said some of the code enforcement people are abusive to the residents and threaten them. Marquez said in the three years he has been City Administrator the city has received a minimal number of complaints and they have been addressed. He said anytime someone has a complaint they should file it with his office.
In other business the council extended the opening of the city pool through September. Parents and coaches of the Hawaiian Gardens swim team requested the extension, saying they had no other pool to practice in.
Team parents said the youngsters are between the ages of five and seven years old. When they place first and second in competition and climb out of the pool they are very excited saying, “We won, we won.” Members of the swim team must have grades in school of A and B’s to qualify for the team.
Marquez told the council it was a little late in the budget year but the city could do it.
City Councilman Michael Gomez commented on the commitment of the parents to the program and thanked them for coming to the council meeting. “It means a lot when parents become involved,” he said.