Caltrans Will Have Full Oversight of Potrero Interchange

By: Libi Uremovic | Original Article at patch.com

Sent: Thu, Jan 19, 2012 5:29 pm
Subject: Staff report/ City of Beaumont

Ms. Bingham,

It was nice talking to you yesterday on the form regarding the Potrero Interchange project in Beaumont. I hope I was able to satisfactorily answer your questions.

I also received your email this morning and I understand your concerns. As I mentioned to you during our phone conversation, Caltrans will have one or possibly two representatives on the selection panel to choose the right consultant management firm for each of the phases of this project.

A consultant management firm would not be selected without the approval by these representatives.

Furthermore, Caltrans will have full oversight responsibilities during the construction phase of this project.

Our jurisdiction is limited to activities related to the State Highway System. We do not have jurisdiction over activities and projects that are not related to this system.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me.
Thanks,

Jamal Elsaleh, PE, PMP
Regional ProjectManager
Department of Transportation
464 W. Fourth Street, MS 1229
San
Bernardino, CA 92401-1400
(909) 383-6710

Relevant Issues

A Clear Conflict of Interest
The City of Beaumont's contract with Urban Logic presents a significant conflict of interest and therefore must be terminated.
Favoritism and Cronyism
The City of Beaumont, under Urban Logic and City Manager Alan Kapanicas, has consistently demonstrated favoritism and cronyism in the awarding of pubic contracts.
Cost to Taxpayers
Urban Logic's contract with The City of Beaumont which allows it to profit from each approved development, along with their on-going practice of awarding high-dollar public contracts to a small group of friends and associates instead of to the lowest bidder, have cost Beaumont taxpayers millions.
Impact on Existing Businesses
The policies of Urban Logic and City Manager Alan Kapanicas ignore the needs of existing businesses in favor of new development and big box stores.
Quality of Life
Urban Logic and City Manager Alan Kapanicas have damaged our quality of life by failing to uphold high development standards, depleting local resources, making local government less accessible to residents, and by destroying the small town feel of the City of Beaumont.
Tactics
Urban Logic protects its ability to extract money from the City of Beaumont at all costs, resorting to intimidation and threats when necessary.