Los Angeles area self storage units are available with numerous options. If you have personal items requiring steady temperatures, a climate controlled storage unit is available. A unit also comes in varying sizes for belongings both small and large. Some facilities offer the choice of storage units with outdoor, indoor, and/or drive-up access. You also have options in the security of your items, as well as whether or not you wish to insure your belongings.

Before storing any items, be sure to review the facility’s policies on allowable goods as well as items that are prohibited on their premises.

Below are some helpful tips for you to get the most out of your self storage unit.

Household items:

• Items including bed frames and tables should be taken apart, thus requiring less room for storage.
• Larger items can be used to hold smaller goods. For example, the empty drawers of a piece of furniture are a worthy source of storage for toys and linens. Further, there is valuable space within a stored refrigerator or other large appliance.
• Spend the appropriate amount of time and money to seal all boxes with packaging tape. This simple step will keep items safe from dust and humidity.
• Label each box on all sides for simple identification.
• Do not overpack boxes even when trying to save space. A heavy box can encounter damage and also be dangerous if placed on top of lighter boxes.
• Use bubble wrap or white tissue paper to wrap items. The common technique of packing items in newspaper is not ideal for preservation, as the print of the paper can transfer to your belongings.

Business items:

• Store containers at a facility that offers convenient hours to meet your business’ needs.
• Select a self storage unit with climate control to protect documents and electronics.
• Stack containers in order with older information on the bottom.
• Fill boxes, if even with just packing material, to prevent shift during transport.
• Back up any data on a stored computer.
• Wrap computers and other electronics in bubble wrap (NOT plastic) or foam.

Transportation:

• Consider the amount of space required to maneuver the mode of transportation in and out of the unit.
• Be sure to occasionally check fuel lines, gaskets, and tires for damage.
• Keep all documentation, including insurance, registration, and license plate up to date.
• Empty as much fuel as possible to prevent leaks and fire hazards, especially when storing for an extended amount of time.

Ada Airport Runway to be replaced?

The city of Ada is suing two contractors for using the wrong asphalt while replacing the Ada Municipal Airport runways. The contractors had been given a $1 million contract to redo the runways in 2005. The city now states in court papers that the contractors used a type of asphalt that was not approved by FAA.

The papers state that when FAA and Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission learned that the wrong type of asphalt was used, they asked for the $1 million in grant money to be paid back. The City Council had to consider a plan for paying back the money.

George Braly of General Aviation Modifications based at the airport is not concerned about the safety of the runways. However, he thinks they will not be as durable in the long term

Braly said: “The runway is functional the way it is. From everything I have seen, there was a breach of the contract and the FAA is properly concerned about it.”

According to the court papers filed by the city, the runways need to be removed as the companies did not perform required testing.

The company involved, Cummins and Horizon Engineering, says that the city was partly at fault. They say that the notes to the plans had mentioned using ODOT specifications for the asphalt, and the plans were approved by the city, FAA and Aeronautics Commission.

What does a rural Ardmore Offer to Technology Companies?

Four technology companies, Lightwave Photonics, Cerium Labs, Garnet Technologies and Topaz Thermoelectrics are planning a move to Ardmore in Oklahoma. They have announced a partnership with Ardmore based Amethyst Research Incorporated that created the night vision goggles used by the Army.

What does a rural Ardmore offer to these tech companies?

According to Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce Dave Lopez:  ”At a place like Ardmore, between a metropolitan area like Oklahoma City and Dallas, gives the access they need, the entertainment they want, the travel they may need to do and yet gives them a setting where they can do the thinking that really propels the technology.”

Lopez added that the collaboration could bring high-paying jobs to Ardmore. According to him, the average Oklahoma salary is $39,000 per year, and jobs that are related to manufacturing, energy, aerospace or research bring about 50 per cent more.

The companies have not yet started hiring according to local Chamber of Commerce.

The partnership is planning to move into the new Ardmore Technology Incubator when construction of that facility is complete, which is expected by late 2012.

I believe that relationships spur personal growth, and that personal growth sponsors relationships.

How so?

When we are in relationship we have another person to take into consideration—not only our own ways, needs and wants. That is true on two sides. We learn the art of compromise. When we do, we learn to maintain our personal dignity and needs while at the same time modifying them so that they fit the situation and satisfy the other person.

The secret is balance. Not too much sacrifice, not too much self-seeking.

If we practice that in life, we grow in strength, friendships, and deep relations.

Funding the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum

Construction of the $170 million project for building the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum at the intersection of Interstates 35 and 40 in downtown Oklahoma had started back in 2006. Construction has been halted owing to lack of funds when the state Legislature rejected a bond issue to fund it.

The Oklahoma City Council is now considering whether to make a commitment and pledge of $9 million to fund a portion of the remaining $80 million needed to complete the project. The commitment and pledge will be contingent on the state providing $40 million. The remaining $31 million will then be raised from private sources.

Mayor Mick Cornett said: “This project obviously costs a lot more than we were told it would 10 and 15 years ago, but I also think it’s going to be more impactful than we knew 10 or 15 years ago.”

The group that helped secure funds for the renovation of Capitol dome for the centennial celebrations in 2007 is now engaged in organizing funds needed for this project. They hope to raise public and private funding to complete the construction.

The consultancy firm Applied Economics had estimated that the museum will raise $6.5 million a year for Oklahoma city in sales tax, hotel tax and ad valorem tax revenues.

The pledge and commitment will involve only a decision on whether to fund the project or not. It will not consider the issue of how to raise the $9 million, which will be considered later. One suggestion is to borrow the money and repay it with the additional sales tax of $ 2 million the city will collect.

Bennett Steel Attributes Oklahoma Construction Boom to the Energy Sector

Bennett Steel of Sapulpa that is engaged in steel processing, construction and equipment rental attributes the current boom in Oklahoma construction activity to the energy sector.  Bennett Steel Inc. that helped build the ONEOK FIELD a few years ago believes that the sector is driving everything.

The company had been able to double its workforce from the lows of the economic downturn, and is now hunting for skilled workers to execute orders in hand.

Orders had come in plenty. The steel beams and girders built at the company’ steel fabrication facility were used in the new indoor athletic practice field at the Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, the Downstream Casino outside Joplin, Mo., and several  other projects. The staircases inside the Matthews Warehouse arts center were also supplied by Bennett Steel.

Bennett Steel has been working as a contractor for major construction outfits such as Manhattan Construction and Flintco. With its own steel fabrication facility, it is able to ensure reliable supplies in time for its construction projects.

By taking up crane rental and operations, the company was able to expand its offers to clients in such industries as refinery construction projects. Demand for rentals of equipment such as cranes and tractors go up with increase in construction activity.

According to Tulsa Metro Chamber, projects worth nearly $386 million have been either completed or are under way in downtown Tulsa. And Bennett Steel is seeing the volume of its business growing fast, even though the margins are not all that high with lower prices for jobs and higher costs of inputs.

Issues of Extending the Widening of I-215 to Perris

The Interstate 215 is currently being widened from four-lane to six-lane between Murrieta Hot Springs and Scott roads in Murrieta. Extending the widening to Nuevo Road in Perris would mean a seamless six-lane freeway between Murrieta and Riverside for commuters.  The Riverside County Transportation Commission is pitching for such an extension, calling it the “central” I-215 project.

The estimated cost of $145 million for the extension to Nuevo can be part financed with the surplus Proposition 1-B bond proceeds. Proposition 1-B is a $20 billion transportation bond that voters had approved in 2006. State funds of $57 million will allow the county to use Measure –A revenues committed to I-215 widening for other transportation projects.

Measure-A funds meant for improvement of freeways, interchanges and regional roads is accumulated through a half-cent-a-dollar countywide sales tax. If the bond money does not come, the Commission is planning to tap Measure-A revenues for the central project.

Applying for state funds requires that the Commission arrive at an agreement with the owner of a Perris apartment complex property. The owner has such concerns as the noise resulting from the freeway expansion driving away tenants of the 110-unit Laurel Palm Apartments located at I-215 and D Street.

Executive Director of the Commission Anne Mayer said that if talks with the owner break down, they would have to invoke the commission’s eminent domain powers to obtain a portion of the complex by paying market rate to the owner. Eminent domain powers enable agencies to seize property required for public works projects by paying market rates.

Meyer said that the Riverside commission can make a pitch to the California Transportation Commission for the bond money only after buying the property.

Redevelopment Advisory Committee of Oceanside is replaced by Downtown Advisory Committee

Cities in California were for years creating redevelopment agencies as separate legal entities that advised the city council on developing underdeveloped areas of the city, and also borrowed money to execute approved works. The borrowings were repaid from the higher tax revenues when property prices increased as the areas developed.

The agencies were dissolved under a state Legislation upheld by the state Supreme Court. The state legislature would have allowed the redevelopment committees to continue if they paid a larger chunk of the incremental revenue to the state; but the state high court decided such a measure was illegal.

Oceanside redevelopment advisory committee also ceased to exist under the legislation.

However, the city was still faced with the problem of developing the downtown areas that the earlier committee had overseen. The new Downtown Advisory Committee is tasked with providing input to the city on matters concerning downtown. The committee will have nine members for representing different interests or providing relevant expertise.

While the majority of city council approved the creation of the new committee, Councilwoman Esther Sanchez opposed it saying that she wanted the committee to include a representative from the Oceanside Coastal Neighborhood Association.

The Oceanside City Council also set priorities for spending the $11 million left over for redevelopment, and also passed a resolution opposing the planned high-speed rail approved by California voters in 2008.

Cheyenne Contractors get several  State Contracts

Cheyenne contractors Simon Contractors, Knife River and American Contracting received local construction contracts worth $9 million when Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded highway contracts valued at $32 million for 11 highway projects.

Simon Contractors will add a turning lane to Cheyenne’s Pershing Boulevard between Interstate 25 and Pioneer Avenue. The contract of $3.4 million includes works such as sidewalks and water/sewer systems to address drainage issues. The project is expected to be completed by end of August 2013, and will be suspended during Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Simon Contractors has also been awarded work worth $1.2 million for patching to preserve pavement on Albany County highways.

Knife River will add passing lanes between Cheyenne and the Goshen County line under a $2.5 million contract. The contract includes work on five passing lane sections, lengthening two existing sections and adding three new ones, and has to be completed by Halloween.

American Contracting was awarded a $1.9 million contract to construct new snow fence sections along I-80 between Walcott Junction and Cooper Cove. Completion date is September 30 current year.

The Wyoming projects of $32 million include:

• A new seven-mile road,  West Loop Belt Road west of Casper, to be constructed by Kelley Trucking of Golden, Colo. under a $19.2 million contract. The road expected to be completed by November 30, 2013 will start where WYO 220 transitions from two lanes to four and end at US 20-26 at the intersection with I-25′s Shoshoni Bypass, and includes a bridge over the North Platte River
• A $1 million work for improving West Yellowstone Highway between Spruce Street and Walnut Street in Casper to be executed by Hedquist Construction of Mills
• A contract of $347,000 to King Enterprises of Casper to replace the  right-of-way fence along 18 miles of US 20-26 northwest of Casper
•  Dietzler Construction of Torrington will repair damages on US 14 in Shell Creek area and on US 16 near Ten Sleep under a $219,000 contract
• Lindstadt Construction of Pavillion will execute culvert replacement and other work Washakie County Road 10 and Lane 6 for $109,000
• S&S Builders of Gillette will carry out repairs to the I-80 bridge over Two Rivers Road west of Laramie for $55,000