by Garth Meyer
Not yet officially certified, it appears that Measure F.P. will indeed pass, granting a new police station and two new fire stations to Redondo Beach.
The updated vote count as of Nov. 15 was 71.35% in support, with 35,000 ballots counted, according to L.A. County Elections.
“Obviously a very exciting outcome. A once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Mike Witzansky, city manager said. “I’m so happy for our community. We are so eager to get to work and deliver these wonderful public safety facilities. I’ve been hesitant to celebrate just yet because the results are not official, but statistically, it’s looking very, very strong.”
“We’re going to be pouring some concrete soon,” said Fire Chief Patrick Butler, also a little tentative.
Witzansky told the city council Tuesday night nonetheless that staff will prepare an action item for them on the Dec. 10 agenda for next steps.
A citizen’s oversight committee will be formed, a bond team, and perhaps a bond program manager to oversee all three projects would be hired, Witzansky said, and work would begin to decide “transitional selection” – finding locations to use as temporary facilities while new buildings are built.
As far as construction, “I think it’s possible we could manage two at once,” Witzansky said, with likely a fire station built first. ER
