Crossing Guards to Return

The sight of crossing guards holding up bright-red stop signs will soon exist on city streets again.

City Council members authorized the finalization Thursday night of a four-year agreement that will bring crossing guard services back to seven busy intersections before and after school.

With "yes" votes from all three members present, Newark Police Chief James Leal was given authorization to enter an agreement with All City Management Services Inc. to restore crossing guard services for an annual budgeted amount of $64,000.

Mayor David Smith and Councilman Alberto Huezo were not present.

It will be the first time in a year since crossing guards will patrol the streets, providing services for three hours each day school is in session.

Crossing guards will be placed at the following intersections:

• at Jacaranda Drive and Smith Avenue
• at Cherry Street and Fountaine Avenue
• at Bettencourt Street and Indian Wells Drive
• at Birch Street and Central Avenue
• at one of three uncontrolled crossings on Musick Avenue
• at Spruce Street and Thornton Avenue
• at Cedar Boulevard and Mirabeau Drive

The services were suspended in the 2010-11 school year due to budget constraints but have become restorable due to the voter-approved 2010.

Also at Tuesday’s board meeting:

• A hearing was held on the revocation of a former conditional use permit and the consideration of a new one for a building at the NewPark Plaza Shopping Center. The applicant for the new permit is Safari Kid, a learning center that offers after-school learning programs for children from kindergarten through grade 8.
• A separate hearing was held for the city to consider abandoning the right-of-way of a portion of Mowry School Road, north of John Muir Drive. The land would become the responsibility of Balentine Drive Holdings, LLC, the adjacent property owner.
• The council awarded the contract for the 2011 Street Slurry Seal Program, Project 978, to Graham Contractors Inc. in the amount of $134,562.90.
• City staff were authorized to issue a no-fee encroachment permit to Newark Days Celebration, Inc. for for a parade and a 2.6-mile run during the Sept. 15-18 festival.