Hats Off

Pleased partners

On Aug. 3, we had a fatal traffic collision on northbound Interstate 15, north of Cima Road involving two big rigs. Additionally, a subsequent hazmat occurred, which added another burden to the scene. I wanted to let you know that [Caltrans Barstow Maintenance Area Superintendent] Gary Cranford and his crew did an OUTSTANDING job assisting us with traffic management. They set the lane closures, posted message board signs, provided water, and everything else we asked. It was a long-term closure, which started in the morning and lasted well into the evening, and we had a heavy volume of traffic. Please extend my sincerest appreciation for the excellent work they do on a daily basis because we see it. 

John Tyler, Captain
California Highway Patrol – Barstow Area

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Excellent service

Editor’s note: The following is a letter from San Francisco developer S. Osborn Erickson, sent to Caltrans District 4 Director Bijan Sartipi, to express his appreciation for the exemplary performance of District 4 and Headquarters staff.

I would like to commend Caltrans District 4 Director Bijan Sartipi and his staff on a creative, diligent and committed effort to enable the issuance of a tie-back lease agreement and associated permit for construction work beneath the Van Ness Avenue right-of-way in San Francisco. This tie-back lease agreement represents the culmination of a cooperative effort by Caltrans and the city of San Francisco, under which the city will take on the responsibility for the sidewalks currently held by Caltrans.

In my experience, when an agency or institution takes on a task that is outside of its norm of operations, it requires staff perseverance and dedication. The people charged with executing the tasks often must go above and beyond to make change happen.

In the instance of the Van Ness right-of-way tie-back lease agreement and permit (which was of great importance for the safe construction of 150 Van Ness), Mark Shindler, Jim Bozinelos and Keanna Coolins from the Caltrans Division of Right of Way in District 4; John Kluge from Caltrans Headquarters Right of Way; and Amjad Naseer and Markus Lansdowne from the Division of Encroachment Permits in District 4, all provided invaluable assistance.

Mark Shindler is an extraordinarily dedicated public servant who diligently and carefully represents the best interests of California. At the same time, he is sensitive to the legitimate needs of surrounding property owners. Starting in 1996, I have worked with Mark on four properties in the Bay Area. In all cases, I have found him intelligent, responsive and solution-orientated. He thinks outside of the box and evaluates all viable alternatives carefully.

John Kluge did a superlative job drafting a lease template of this nature (the first ever, we understand!) in a concise, accurate, and expedient fashion. To execute a lease without a single revision was of extreme value to us, and a noteworthy feat in and of itself.

Jim Bozinelos and Keanna Coolins quarterbacked the tie-back leasing effort and were an essential part of the process. It was an absolute pleasure working with both Jim and
Keanna. They were able to quickly understand our challenges, and their responsiveness was invaluable and especially critical in their quarterbacking role. Knowing our urgent timing issues, Jim dropped everything to see that the lease was completed on time.

Finally, I have now had the pleasure of working with Amjad Naseer on three different permitting processes. Amjad's flexibility and engineering guidance throughout the permitting endeavor was much appreciated. We are well aware that this type of permit is almost never issued (although I gather that this lease will potentially now serve as a prototype for Caltrans' future work with neighbors), and we appreciate Amjad's creativity in working with us to find a solution that would allow our tie-backs under the Van Ness right-of-way, while at the same time totally protecting Caltrans.

Finally, Markus Lansdowne was incredibly communicative, thorough, and efficient in drafting the permit. He made the process very clear and his expediency was of critical importance. We got the permit on Aug. 19, and on that day - as scheduled - our contractor started work.

District 4 Director Sartipi, you have a first-rate staff of dedicated public servants. Please accept my thanks for their special efforts - all provided in expedited fashion. On account of the help offered from each Caltrans person, we were able to begin subgrade work at 150 Van Ness on schedule.

S. Osborn Erickson
San Francisco developer

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Stranded motorist grateful

On Sept. 8, I traveled from Reno to Ventura in a classic vehicle. The trip was uneventful until I passed Gaviota, where I experienced a catastrophic failure. Fortunately, I was able to make the Mariposa Reina exit. This is where your staff found me - at an exit where cell phone reception was questionable at best.

Caltrans could not ask for a better representative than [Maintenance Supervisor] Alfred Lang. His first concern was about my welfare. Once my well-being was established, he was upbeat and encouraging, and provided immeasurable assistance. He located the closest repair facility, provided a contact for a tow company, and returned to his duties.

Then he went beyond expectations. He returned a short while later to check on my progress. Unfortunately, the wait for a tow truck was going to exceed four hours, a time frame that would have been later than standard business hours, and would not have allowed me to continue my journey that day. So Alfred contacted Troy Jackson, a Caltrans mechanic, to secure more towing options. He then allowed me to use his phone to make the arrangements (I had no cell reception at the time). He also provided me with Troy's personal cell phone number - who had offered to provide assistance after work, if need be.

With the tow truck arranged, I was able to make it to facilities suitable to enact repairs.

Because of Alfred's assistance, I was able to make it to my destination and enjoy the rest of my vacation.

David Grey 
Sparks, NV

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Caltrans partnership makes CHP look good

I am writing to extend my thanks and appreciation to Caltrans Santa Maria Area Superintendent Ms. Cindy Knoeck for the exemplary assistance provided by members of your staff recently.

I am the new commander for the Santa Maria Area CHP office, having reported in March 2016. One of my first tasks was to assess the condition of the facility and grounds. There were several concerns identified that we sought to address. Having been briefed regarding the excellent working relationship that our teams have enjoyed for some time, I asked my senior supervisor to inquire with our local Caltrans contacts to see if any assistance could be provided by them.

In May, Mr. Stan Rodriguez coordinated a team of California Conservation Corps members who dutifully and diligently assisted with a general grounds clean up, including trimming overgrown grass and bushes, as well as leaf blowing and raking up debris. The crew’s hard work resulted in a much-improved presentation of our facility to the public and for our employees.

Similarly, starting in May, Mr. Jay Karl coordinated a crew of tree trimmers to trim the many trees on our state property over several weeks, as their other obligations allowed. Many of the trees on our property were overgrown and impinging on the facility structures, or over perimeter fences. Again, the crews were exceptionally skillful in their work and the result is absolutely astonishing! Our employees have commented to me on countless occasions how much better the grounds look.

Please extend my sincere thanks to all who worked so hard to help us! You have a great team, and I’m very happy that we enjoy such a strong working collaboration, and I look forward to a continued partnership. 

Lieutenant Aaron York
CHP Commander
Santa Maria

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Clean highways

I was driving Interstate 15 at 1:30 p.m. on a Wednesday and the Caltrans crew was sweeping the middle guard rail area near Bear Valley Road. Thank you so very much.

Joseph W. Brady 
Victorville