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Dec 16, 2009 11:58 AM

Questioning Caltrans

11:55am -  We are finishing preparations for the big budget hearing on Caltrans spending!  Executive Producer Dave Manoucheri and photographer Peter Roney are getting all the videotape together that we need.  We have our full team for "On the Money" and also have Koula Gianulias, who does a lot of our political coverage covering the story with us.
You might have seen our report last night showing that the conference that Caltrans attended in Palm Desert's latest numbers showed more than $40,000 in tax dollars spent.  This while the state's projected budget deficit is supposed to be close to 14 billion in the next year or so.  In today's hearing, we should get the salary figures, which will bump the cost up even higher!  Watch for that tonight at 6.
We have a full day planned!  Keep your eyes here around 1pm, we'll be blogging from inside the hearing room live!  Dave Manoucheri, On the Money's Executive Producer will also be giving live Twitter updates (tweets!) from inside as well.  He is @13producer.  Mike Luery will be live inside handling the blog, and of course, Sam Shane live at 6 and 10 with the full report!


1:05 pm hearing has started

Caltrans Director Randell Iwasaki on the hot seat now at the Capitol, answering tough questions from Assembly Subcommittee, starting first with problems over repairs to Bay Bridge. Initial repair $1.5 million, $6 million for second repair, and $14 million for permanent repairs. What went wrong?

Director says first repairs occurred Sept. 3rd, his birthday.

After first Bay Bridge repair, Caltrans opened the bridge and there was a wind event, causing the bars to vibrate, says Director. Caltrans shut the bridge down following the incident.

Why did the first fix fail, lawmakers want to know? Director says Caltrans did not anticipate rod would vibrate as much as it did.

"They noticed that the rods were moving" prior to Bay Bridge shut down, Iwasaki says, referring to Caltrans engineers.

Should we be considered about other 54 bridges that have similar Eye bar, Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield wants to know.

Director says Caltrans inspects bridges every two years. How do we know this wouldn't happen to another bridge, Assemblyman Anthony Adams wants to know.

Assemlyman Anthony Adams demanded to know why Caltrans had to hire a consultant when the department has 12,000 engineers.

Have we sped up inspections on other bridges, or still on a 2 year cycle? Blumenfield wants to know. Director says it's still a 2 year cycle.

Is furlough schedule impacting ability to inspect bridges? Caltrans applied for exemption on bridge inspections. Inspectors do not take Fridays off, they are self-directed days off, taking time when the workload permits, according to Caltrans Director Randell Iwasaki.

Why are we paying for people to take time off when federal government, not state govt is paying for it, Assemblyman Anthony Adams wants to know.

Caltrans says furloughs are not impacting safety. Inspections are continuing, they say, despite furloughs.

On Labor Day, Caltrans installed an S Curve on Bay Bridge. There were accidents, including a fatality. Was it handled properly, Blumenfield demands to know. Caltrans Director Iwasaki responds that S Curve acts as a detour. It's designed for 45mph, tops. Speed limit is 35 mph. But Caltrans noted a large number of accidents, most of them speed related. Caltrans worked with CHP to slow traffic down. Now there are radar feedback signs.

Over 50 accidents prior to aggressive actions, including CHP lane on Bridge, now there have been just 7 accidents.

Now it's open to public comment on Bay Bridge. SEIU rep testifies that even if state workers get federal funds, they are still getting a 15% paycut.

End of public commentson repair..now onto Palm Desert conference, which CBS 13 first reported on in October 2009. How does staying at a 4 star resort jibe with state's poor fiscal climate, Blumenfield wants to know? Live Life Large at Desert Springs, says the Web ad. It really rubs taxpayers the wrong way, Blumenfield says.

Timing was bad too, because Eye beam problems had surfaced, Blumenfield says. Caltrans Director responds saying, department applied three years ago to go to the conference, with California as host. Says he was concerned about large number of people needed to staff the conference.

Says 52 people went to the event. 11 were delegates including the director. Plus a mobility showcase to show some of California's technology. 17 people did that. 24 staffed the conference. State employees got an $84 room rate. Says it generated $1.1 million for state economy. Blumenfield interrupts him and says let's focus on Caltrans role.

Our employees were there to experience new technology...good training opp says Iwasaki.

Victor Mendez, federal highway transportation administrator was there too, says Iwasaki. Caltrans hoped to get more federal funds for next transportation surface bill in Congress. Blumenfield wants to know why high paid Caltrans people were shuttling delegates around?

Would we do it again? Maybe not, Iwasaki says. Definitely we'd have less people there.

Blumenfield says it's the perception issue. $82,000 in Caltrans may not be that much, but could provide a lot of support for Californians in need, he says. Glad to hear Caltrans wouldn't do it again, Blumenfield says.

How will you revise procedures in the future? Blumenfield says, then asks about Caltrans policy banning non-essential travel. What about the Go Kart issue? The public sees that they are livid. How do you assure the public that sensitivity will be greater in future.  Iwasaki says we're looking at future commitments with more scrutiny. "Doing every we can, to apply a different look to conferences we've attended in the past, you have my word on that."

Bruce Blanning, of Professional Engineers in California Govt testifies in support of the Caltrans Director, saying Palm Desert conference was worthwhile. Wants to make sure California is a player in future funding opps from feds.

Done with Palm Desert conference, now moving on to fleet management. 2600 new vehicles purchased over last 2 years. "It sometimes seem like we're in auto consumption mode", Blumenfield says. Majority of existing fleet used for maintenance purposes, Iwasaki says.

Caltrans says it is leasing more, buying fewer new vehicles. Blumenfield wonders about some vehicles sitting around for months before use. Iwasaki says Caltrans trying to meet clean air requirements, building up run of trucks.

No public input on issue...now moving on to fourth and final issue, dealing with federal funds.

$3.7 billion coming in federal stimulus funds. $270 million needs to be committed by February or else money may go elsewhere, Blumenfield says. Iwasaki lists a number of projects around the state that qualify. Says local agencies got $1.6 billion, so we don't lose a dime of federal dollars, the Director says.

Due date is March 2, 2010 to move all the money, Iwasaki says.

Call for public input on federal transportation funding. Environmental Defense Fund testifies California has a lot of clout in Congress, wit House Speaker Pelosi coming from California. State taking the lead on reducing carbon emissions. Says transportation funding will be critical to California.

Closing comments now.

Hearing now adjourned. CBS 13 reports at six p.m.

 

Comments (1)

  • Dec-16 - Chuck Higgs An inept agency answering questions to an ineffetive leadership.  Yep, I can see the changes happ...  Show Full Comment
Sep 22, 2009 4:08 PM

The War On Water

Water deliveries for the Central Valley are down dramatically from 85% of normal four years ago to 10% of normal today. The Feds say 3/4 of the missing water is due to the drought while 1/4 is from pumping restrictions to protect endangered species like salmon and the delta smelt.

Should pumping remain at current levels to protect the fish or should it be increased to benefit farmers? Click on the "Add a Comment" link below to have your say.
 

Comments (14)

  • Sep-23 - Jihn The EPA is, in effect, killing the farming economy and communities in California.  It is absolute...  Show Full Comment
  • Sep-23 - Thai California's delta is a huge and irreplacible natural habitat for hundreds of species.  We have a...  Show Full Comment
  • Sep-23 - anthony that land has been ran by generations of farmers being handed down to there kids and so on.....th...  Show Full Comment
Sep 9, 2009 5:50 PM

Obama's Health Care Speech To Congress

President Barack Obama told a joint session of Congress that the "season of action" has come for his health care reform plan.

Read more about the speech.
See the Associated Press' "Fact Check" analysis of speech.

What did you think of his speech? Do you think this will sway the critics who have been vociferously opposed to his plans thus far?
 
Sep 8, 2009 9:29 PM

Open Mic: Assemblyman Bragging About Sex

Mike Duvall
KCAL reporter Dave Lopez aired a report on CBS13 Tuesday night showing Assemblyman Mike Duvall from Orange County bragging about sexual affairs with female lobbyists in the State Capitol on a "hot" microphone -- meaning that the comments were recorded.

We want to hear your comments about this story, but the usual rules apply: No cursing, no threats or personal attacks.
 
Aug 30, 2009 6:12 PM

Auburn Wildfire

Many homes and businesses have been destroyed by the Auburn wildfire after flames spread extremely fast in a populated area.

If you have photos or videos to submit, we would love to see them.
 

Comments (1)

  • Aug-30 - Brad Ganoung

    Has Colonial Health Care Facility been evacuated ?  It is located on Shale Ridge Rd. How c...  Show Full Comment
Aug 27, 2009 6:53 PM

Jaycee Dugard Found

Jaycee Dugard
After 18 years, kidnapping victim Jaycee Lee Dugard has been found alive. She was discovered after the man accused of abducting and raping her, confessed to police.

What are your thoughts on Jaycee's discovery? Click on the comment link below to have your say. We might use your comments during our newscasts.

 

Comments (35)

  • Aug-30 - Chris Cage Your coverage of the Dugard story has been excellent. But I would really like to see the news med...  Show Full Comment
  • Aug-30 - Robert What went wrong in 2006? It was stated that a neighbor called 911 to report that he/she saw child...  Show Full Comment
  • Aug-29 - kanya

    According to the neighbors, there some more men seems to be involved in this.
    It soun...  Show Full Comment
Jul 23, 2009 10:14 AM

Walter Cronkite Funeral

Walter Cronkite
Loved ones, friends and colleagues gathered Thursday for Walter Cronkite's funeral as flowers arrived at the church and tourists lingered outside to pay their respects.

The private family service was being held at St. Bartholomew's Church in midtown Manhattan, where the CBS newsman's family worshiped for decades.

What are your memories of Walter Cronkite? Please click on the comment link below to share.
 
Jul 8, 2009 1:58 PM

Legalize Marijuana To Solve Budget

A pro-marijuana group launched a television advertisement Wednesday in California advocating legalization and taxation of the drug to help solve the state's budget woes.

What do you think:  Should marijuana be legalized and taxed as a means to help solve the state's budget woes?

 

 

Comments (9)

  • 7/8/09 - AAAAYES

    How about legalizing it to help people of this State reduce the frustration towards the fo...  Show Full Comment
  • 7/8/09 - Jonny In my opinion, they should absolutely legalize pot, and here's why: Money is a big one, and it ma...  Show Full Comment
  • 7/8/09 - jack Yes legalizing marijuana will bring revenue to our state. Instead of giving money to illegal drug...  Show Full Comment
Jun 25, 2009 3:00 PM

Your Thoughts On Michael Jackson

large image

King of Pop Michael Jackson died Thursday at a Los Angeles hospital where he was rushed around 1 pm PT by paramedics, according to L.A. Times. Jackson, 50, had reportedly suffered cardiac arrest.

Click on the comment link below to share your thoughts, feelings and memories on the King of Pop.

Archive: Latest News On Jackson's Death
Photos:
King of Pop Remembered

 

Comments (104)

  • 6/27/09 - sarah Udell

    I really hope Mike maintained his personal relationship with God.  If he did and there is ...  Show Full Comment
  • 6/27/09 - Guest For those of you who keep playing that old "child molester" card, allow me to remind you that Mic...  Show Full Comment
  • 6/26/09 - Tarah

    It SO sadden's me that there are people out there still worshiping this man and that media...  Show Full Comment
Jun 16, 2009 11:03 AM

Donte' Stallworth's Sentence

 

Grant High Alum and NFL standout Donte' Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter. 

He also reached a confidential financial settlement to avoid a potential lawsuit from the family of 59-year-old Mario Reyes who Donte' struck and killed while driving his after a night of drinking.  Stallworth could have been sentenced to 15 years in prison. 

What do you think of his sentence?

 

Comments (9)

  • 7/7/09 - WILLIAM THOMAS

    I WILL MISS MICHA EL I LIKE IS  MUSIC WE ARE GOING TO USE ONE OF IS  (BEN) IN ARE WEDDING ...  Show Full Comment
  • 6/16/09 - Allan This is a joke, if you play professional ball you somehow can do the crime but not pay the time. ...  Show Full Comment
  • 6/16/09 - Paddy

    It's funny how the rest would be sent to prison and the favored ones get a simple slap on ...  Show Full Comment
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