EL SEGUNDO HERALD August 26, 2021 Page 9
Scott Houston from front page
by the Board of Directors in early August.
So, Houston, who graduated from the
Michigan Technological University with
a degree in Business Administration, and
studied broadcast journalism at UCLA, has a
personal stake in what those in the scientific
field refer to as H20.
The WBMWD is a wholesale water agency
that serves around one million people in
seventeen cities and several unincorporated
areas of Los Angeles County. The District
provides imported drinking water, recycled
water, and conservation and recycling programs
to residents in its service area.
In prior El Segundo service activities,
Houston had served a four-year stint on the
cities Public Works Committee, as well as
hosting and reporting on local events for El
Segundo TV. He has also penned published
articles about the historic drought conditions
that plague our state and has hop-scotched
around not only the United States, but the
world, speaking about the ramifications of
diminishing global water supplies and water
security during climate change. His luggage
bag tags have included water-related forays
for symposiums and the like in Stockholm,
Jerusalem, Austin, Texas, and Washington,
D.C.
Suzanne Fuentes, who served for years on
the El Segundo City Council and, at one point,
being the mayor, is considered by Houston
to be a friend. She shared her thoughts about
Houston. “Scott and I did not always see
eye to eye politically but working together
for our community, we developed a mutual
respect for one another,” she emailed.
“I met Scott in 2010 when we both ran for
El Segundo City Council,” Fuentes continued.
“Our first conversation was when I called
him because another candidate approached
me and requested I join him to ask Scott to
drop out so there would not be an election.
I immediately called Scott, introduced myself,
told him about the request, (and) said I
believed elections are important and did not
want anything to do with pressuring him not
to run for council.
“Local campaigns can be brutal,” Fuentes
said. “Scott received strong opposition while
campaigning. He persevered, prevailed, and
continues to grow in his role.
“Scott is committed to our community, putting
residents’ interests first, watching water
district finances to keep water rates affordable,
and give our city and commercial facilities
assured access to recycled water, so we do
not squander our precious potable water.
“When I was mayor, Scott arranged for the
City Manager and interested council members
to take an informative and interesting tour of
the Carlsbad desalination plant to experience
the processing sights, sounds, smells, and
end-product of a coastal desal plant.
‘On a more personal level, when I voiced
concern about the amount/expense of bottled
water the city used, Scott found funding to
install a reusable water bottle filling station
in city hall.”
One of Houston’s past co-workers is Gary
Cobb. Houston and Cobb worked together at
the Vision Envelope and Printing company,
located in Los Angeles, where Houston initially
toiled in the customer service division,
ascending to customer service manager.
Cobb said that Houston “did a fabulous
job…he is very smart and applies logic to
everything he does. (He is) meticulous, organized,
a good problem solver.” Concluded
Cobb: “We knew he would go on to much
better things. We haven’t seen the last of
him,” noting that Cobb expected Houston
to “go further” in fulfilling his civic service
aspirations.
Houston was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona.
His father was in the construction trade, so
the family bounced around during Houston’s
early years, with stops in North Carolina,
Michigan, and Texas, among other locales,
finally settling in the South Bay in 1993.
“Basically, a construction brat,” Houston said.
He graduated from West Torrance High
School, while his Dad, at that time, was working
at the Chevron refinery. Houston headed
to Michigan to go to college, returning each
summer to the South Bay, where he worked
one summer at the refinery.
Post-graduation, he decided to relocate
permanently, to California, in 2000. He initially
settled again in Torrance, later moving
to El Segundo, and has been here ever since.
Houston, like many residents of El Segundo,
enjoys the small-town atmosphere of
the city, especially the part of the city west
of Pacific Coast Highway. He said that El
Segundo reminds him of quaint small-town
Midwestern burghs, calling it “safe, and
welcoming,” with all of its own “resources.
You run into people you know all the time,”
he said while touting the convenient proximity
of the city to LAX and local freeways.
Houston’s career arc had him working
in public relations the first couple of years
after graduating from college, dealing with
Silicon Valley tech clients. “It was a very
exciting time,” he said. “There was so much
going on.” Later, he scratched the itch of
exploring journalism as a career, attended
classes at UCLA, then landed the job with
El Segundo TV.
He also began drawing a paycheck from
Vision Envelope, rising to the position of
customer service manager. He spent about a
dozen years with Vision Envelope. “A great
experience,” he said. During this timeframe,
Houston said he was also branching out and
looking at opportunities in local politics.
He relished his experiences with El Segundo
TV, calling them “so accommodating to work
for.” He interned there, producing stories
and doing voice-overs. “It was a lot of fun,”
he said, noting that because he was covering
local issues, “I really got to understand the
community.”
While nurturing a bent for community
service, Houston ran unsuccessfully for City
Council in 2010, which he said he lost “in
a tight race” to Fuentes. He ran again in
2012 but lost again in a more crowded field
of candidates. He said that while he did not
win the elections, he gained great insight
into the El Segundo voters while he was
walking the city streets to drum up support
for his candidacies.
Because of his post on the Water Board,
Houston does not foresee another City Council
run. He said that he was counseled by a
friend to seek a spot at the Water Basin.
“I didn’t know anything about the Water
Basin,” said Houston, who began his schooling
about the intricacies of the WBMWB by
attending a class he dubbed “Water District
101.” The class, Houston said, “was so cool.
I was hooked.” He thinks that his interest in
Water Basin duties and activities was piqued
because of his prior tenure in productiontype
jobs.
So, what does the WBMWD do? They
serve as the regional water district for the
South Bay and local entities. They provide
supplemental water to cities through importing
water; deal in refreshing recycled water,
and deal with the water treated from the
Hyperion plant.
Houston said he would be running for reelection
in 2022. “The water district is really
interesting,” he said, noting that most citizens
do not have a clue what the accomplishments
of the Water Basin are.
Houston said that when he took his position
at the Water Board, he was counseled
by some of the more scientific minds on the
team that the “Water community does such
a good job at its work, that the (residents)
do not understand all that goes into it,” citing
imported water from different sources
that magically, seamlessly, ends-up in our
dwellings, on our lawns, and in our pools.
When not directing the WBMWD or
participating in other work endeavors to
pay his bills, Houston said that “I really got
into hiking during the pandemic, and I have
always loved riding my bicycle,” and taking
advantage of the myriad outdoor opportunities
available to El Segundo residents.
In his role as WBMWD Director, Houston
said, “It is very enjoyable to be in a public
service role that can make a difference, advocate
for residents,” he said. “Any elected
official is a voice for the residents. It is a
great feeling of satisfaction when you can
have a place at the table and implement policies
that will affect people’s lives.”
He said that one of the current tasks that
the WBWMD is grappling with is updating
its long-term strategic initiatives. “I never
forget why I am there and who I represent.
I do everything I can to see the residents get
the representation that they deserve.”
So, the next time that you mindlessly turn
on the kitchen faucet, flush the commode,
or water the lawn, give a little thanks to the
seeming simplicity of the process and the
people that deliver the H20 to your home. •
Scott Houston.
PUBLIC NOTICES
Order to Show Cause
for Change of Name
Case No. 21TRCP00227
Superior Court of California, County of
LOS ANGELES
Petition of: NATALIE DAWN
STROMWALL for Change of Name
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:
Petitioner NATALIE DAWN STROMWALL
filed a petition with this court for a decree
changing names as follows:
NATALIE DAWN STROMWALL
to
NATALIE DAWN RANGEL
The Court orders that all persons
interested in this matter appear before
this court at the hearing indicated
below to show cause, if any, why the
petition for change of name should not
be granted. Any person objecting to the
name changes described above must
file a written objection that includes the
reasons for the objection at least two
court days before the matter is scheduled
to be heard and must appear at the
hearing to show cause why the petition
should not be granted. If no written
objection is timely filed, the court may
grant the petition without a hearing.
Notice of Hearing:
Date: 9-3-21, Time: 8:30 AM., Dept.: M
The address of the court is:
825 MAPLE AVE
TORRANCE, CA 90503
A copy of this Order to Show Cause
shall be published at least once each
week for four successive weeks prior to
the date set for hearing on the petition
in the following newspaper of general
circulation, printed in this county:
EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Date: JULY 7, 2021
DEIRDRE HILL
Judge of the Superior Court
El Segundo Herald Pub. 8/5, 8/12, 8/19,
8/26/21
H-27237
Order to Show Cause
for Change of Name
Case No. 21TRCP00235
Superior Court of California, County of
LOS ANGELES
Petition of: MARSHAE SHAQUIS
NORMAN YOUNG for Change of Name
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:
Petitioner MARSHAE SHAQUIS
NORMAN YOUNG filed a petition with
this court for a decree changing names
as follows:
MARSHAE SHAQUIS NORMAN
YOUNG
to
SHAE MICHELLE YOUNG
The Court orders that all persons
interested in this matter appear before
this court at the hearing indicated
below to show cause, if any, why the
petition for change of name should not
be granted. Any person objecting to the
name changes described above must
file a written objection that includes the
reasons for the objection at least two
court days before the matter is scheduled
to be heard and must appear at the
hearing to show cause why the petition
should not be granted. If no written
objection is timely filed, the court may
grant the petition without a hearing.
Notice of Hearing:
Date: 9-24-21, Time: 9:00 AM., Dept.: M,
Room: 350
The address of the court is:
825 MAPLE AVE
TORRANCE, CA 90503
A copy of this Order to Show Cause
shall be published at least once each
week for four successive weeks prior to
the date set for hearing on the petition
in the following newspaper of general
circulation, printed in this county:
EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Date: AUGUST 3, 2021
DEIRDRE HILL
Judge of the Superior Court
El Segundo Herald Pub. 8/5, 8/12,
8/19, 8/26/21
H-27245
NOTICE INVITING SEALED BIDS
FOR THE
CONCRETE IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT
IN THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO
PROJECT NO.: PW 21-10
The City of El Segundo is accepting
sealed bids in the City Clerk’s office,
350 Main Street, El Segundo, California
90245, until 11:00 a.m. on:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
at which time they will be publicly opened.
Bids will not be accepted after that time.
As described in the Bidding Documents,
the bids are for a public works project
(“Project”) which consists of demolition
and removals; recycling of removed
materials; complete tree, root, and stump
removal; grading as needed; concrete
repairs to sidewalk, curb and gutter,
and driveway approaches; asphalt
removal and replacement; and striping
replacement as necessary as described
in the specifications on file with the City’s
Public Works Department.
Work on the Project must be performed
in strict conformity with Specifications No.
PW 21-10 as adopted by the El Segundo
City Council on August 17, 2021 which is
filed with the Public Works Department.
Contractors bidding the project shall
provide a minimum of five government
agency, preferably municipal, references
for building similar projects (in terms
of scope, size, type, magnitude and
complexity), as the prime contractor in
the past five (5) years. Bidders shall
include references, etc. to demonstrate
qualification.
Copies of the Plans, Specifications,
Contract Documents and Engineer’s
estimate are available from the
Engineering Division of the Public Works
Department, City of El Segundo, 350
Main Street, El Segundo, California,
90245. Plans and Specifications are
alternately available electronically via
http://www.elsegundo.org/depts/works/
project_request_contact_form.asp
A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting is
scheduled for Tuesday, August 31, 2021,
at 10:00 AM at the Civic Center Plaza at
350 Main St., El Segundo, CA 90245.
Failure to attend the mandatory meeting
will disqualify your bid. All questions
regarding the project are due to http://
w w w. e l s e g u n d o . o r g / d e p t s / w o r k s /
project_request_contact_form.asp by
Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 4:00
pm.
The terms and conditions for bidding on
the Project are described in the attached
Bidding Instructions.
This project requires payment of State
prevailing rates of wages for Los Angeles
County. The contractor must post copies
of the prevailing schedule at each job
site. Copies of these rates of wages are
available from the State of California
Department of Industrial Relations
Prevailing Wage Unit, Telephone No.
(415) 703-4774. The website for this
agency is currently located at www.dir.
ca.gov.
Note that the Project is subject to
compliance monitoring and enforcement
by California Department of Industrial
Relations. Pursuant to California law, the
City must find bids failing to comply with
all applicable Labor Code requirements
including, without limitation, Labor
Code §§ 1725.5 and 1771.4 to be
nonresponsive.
The contractor to whom the contract
is awarded must assist in locating,
qualifying, hiring and increasing the
skills of minority group employees and
applicants for employment, as set forth in
Executive Order 11246 and 11375.
Any contract entered into pursuant to
this notice will incorporate the provisions
of the State Labor Code. Compliance
with the prevailing rates of wages and
apprenticeship employment standards
established by the State Director of
Industrial Relations will be required.
Affirmative action to ensure against
discrimination in employment practices
on the basis of race, color, national
origin, ancestry, sex, or religion will also
be required.
The City of El Segundo hereby
affirmatively ensures that minority
business enterprises will be afforded full
opportunity to submit bids in response to
this notice and will not be discriminated
against on the basis of race, color,
national origin, ancestry, sex, or religion
in any consideration leading to the award
of contract.
Five percent (5%) will be deducted from
each progress payment and retained by
the City. The remainder less the amount
of all previous payments will be paid
to the Contractor. Pursuant to Public
Contracts Code (“PCC”) § 22300, the
Contractor may substitute securities
for retention monies held by the City or
request that the City place such monies
into an escrow account. The Contractor
is notified, pursuant to PCC § 22300, any
such election will be at the Contractor
own expense and will include costs
incurred by the City to accommodate the
Contractor’s request.
In entering into a Public Works contract,
or a subcontract, to supply goods,
services, or materials pursuant to a public
works contract, the Contractor, or Sub-
Contractor, offers and agrees to assign
to the awarding body all rights, title and
interest in, and to, all causes of action it
may have under Section 4 of the Clayton
Act (15 U.S.C. Section 15) or under the
Cartwright Act (Chapter 2 [commencing
with Section 16700] of Part 2 of Division
7 of the Business and Professions
Code), arising from purchases of
goods, services, or materials pursuant
to the public works contract or the
subcontract. This assignment shall be
made and become effective at the time
the awarding body tenders final payment
to the Contractor, without further
acknowledgment by the parties.
Bids must be prepared on the approved
Proposal forms in conformance with the
Instructions to Bidders and submitted to
the City Clerk, 350 Main Street, City of
El Segundo, in a sealed envelope plainly
marked on the outside:
CONCRETE IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT
“SEALED BIDS FOR PROJECT NO.:
PW 21-10
IN THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO
DO NOT OPEN WITH REGULAR
MAIL”
The bid must be accompanied by a bid
bond, made payable to the City of El
Segundo for an amount no less than ten
percent (10%) of the amount bid for the
base contract.
No bid will be accepted from a
Contractor who has not been licensed
in accordance with the provisions of the
State Business and Professions Code.
For these projects, those acceptable
classes of license shall be “A”, or “C-8”.
The successful Contractor and his Sub-
Contractors will be required to possess
the correct license for their project
classifications, and valid City Business
Licenses from the City of El Segundo.
The City of El Segundo reserves the
right to reject any or all bids, to waive
any irregularity, and to take all bids under
advisement for a period of ninety (90)
calendar days.
Any contract entered into pursuant
to this notice shall become effective
or enforceable against the City of El
Segundo only when the formal written
contract has been duly executed by the
appropriate officer(s) of the City of El
Segundo.
DATED this 19th day of August, 2021 .
CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA
Tracy Weaver, City Clerk
El Segundo Herald Pub. 8/19, 8/26/21
H-27257