BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: ACR 24
SENATOR ALAN LOWENTHAL, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: CARTER
VERSION: 5/26/09
Analysis by: Mark Teemer FISCAL: YES
Hearing date: June 9, 2009
SUBJECT:
John Knabenbauer Fifth Street Bridge
DESCRIPTION:
This measure designates the Fifth Street Bridge, which crosses
Interstate 215 in San Bernardino, as the John Knabenbauer Fifth
Street Bridge.
ANALYSIS:
The committee has adopted a policy regarding the naming of state
highways or structures. Under the policy, the committee will
consider only those resolutions that meet the following
criteria:
The person being honored must have provided
extraordinary public service or some exemplary contribution
to the public good and have a connection to the community
where the highway is located;
The naming must be done without cost to the state.
Costs for signs and plaques must be paid by local or
private sources;
The author or co-author of the resolution must represent
the district in which the facility is located and the
resolution must identify the specific highway segment or
structure being named;
The proposed designation must reflect a community
consensus and be without local opposition; and
The proposed designation may not supersede an existing
designation unless the sponsor can document that a good
faith effort has uncovered no opposition to rescinding the
prior designation.
ACR 24 (CARTER) Page 2
This resolution names the Fifth Street Bridge, which crosses a
portion of Interstate 215 in San Bernardino, as the John
Knabenbauer Fifth Street Bridge. The resolution further requests
the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to erect appropriate
signs upon receiving donations from non-state sources to cover
the costs.
COMMENTS:
1. Purpose of the resolution . By naming The Fifth Street
Bridge, for John Knabenbauer, this resolution seeks to
memorialize his contribution of 17 years of state service
with Caltrans.
2. John Knabenbauer's contributions . A 17-year veteran of
Caltrans, John began his state service career in May of
1990 with the Landscape Division of Caltrans District 7
(Los Angeles) as a maintenance worker. He transitioned to
Highway Maintenance in July 1992, where he remained until
September 1995, when he transferred to District 8 (San
Bernardino/Riverside) in Riverside. John was promoted to
Caltrans Equipment Operator II in Riverside on November 1,
2000, and transferred to the Fontana Maintenance Yard on
July 16, 2005.
John received a commendation from President George W. Bush
for his work in 2003 during the "Old Fire" in San
Bernardino, where he helped control traffic and used a plow
truck to maintain an evacuation route.
Throughout his state service career, John was genuinely
respected, admired, and appreciated, by all who had the
opportunity to know and work with him and to reap the
benefits of his exceptional spirit.
On November 28, 2007, John Knabenbauer was struck and
killed by a passing vehicle while working on Interstate
215, near the Fifth Street off-ramp, in San Bernardino.
3. Consistent with committee's policy . This resolution is
consistent with all the provisions of the committee's
policy on highway designations.
Assembly Votes:
Floor: 79 - 0
Appr: 16 - 0
ACR 24 (CARTER) Page 3
Trans: 10 - 0
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the Committee before noon on
Wednesday,
June 3, 2009)
SUPPORT: None received.
OPPOSED: None received.