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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 08-28-01 - Regular Meeting013390 PRESENT: Council Members: MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AUGUST 28, 2001 The City Council of the City of Downey held a regular meeting at 7:41 p.m., August 28, 2001, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Robert C. Winningham presiding. Robert C. Winningham Mayor Meredith H. Perkins Mayor Pro Tem Rick Trejo Kirk O. Cartozian Keith McCarthy ALSO PRESENT: Lee Powell, Acting City Manager Charles Vose, City Attorney Kathleen Midstokke, City Clerk Desi Alvarez, Director of Public Works John Finch, Police Chief Darrell George, Director of Community/Economic Development James Jarrett, Director of Community Services John Michicoff, Director of Finance Mark Sauter, Fire Chief Ron Yoshiki, Asst. Director of Community Dev. /City Planner William Davis, Business Development Coordinator Carol Rowland, Admin. Asst., Keep Downey Beautiful Program Steven Yee, Economic Development Coordinator Christina Vogel, Assistant to the City Manager Shirley Conte, Executive Secretary PRESENTATIONS Mayor Winningham, representing State Senator Betty Karnette and the City of Downey, also called upon presenters Bill Orton, Field Representative for State Assemblywoman Sally Havice, Barbara Calderon, Deputy Director for Supervisor Don Knabe, and Connie Sziebl, representing U. S. Congressman Steven Horn, to present Proclamations and Certificates of Recognition to Pastors Frank Campos and Audie Derryberry, representing the Downey Christian Businessmen's Association, in observance of the Association's commitment and dedication to the establishment of Transformation Values Week, September 10 -16, 2001. Mr. Orton also presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Downey Christian Women's Club in honor of Transformation Values Week. Pastor Frank Campos, Vineyard Family Christian Fellowship of Downey, commented about Transformation Values Week and the ten values it promotes. He noted these values will be presented in signs throughout the City to enhance unity and a total community transformation and to send a positive message to other communities. Council Minutes 8/28/01 -1- Mayor Winningham presented to Lynne Appel, Executive Director of Southern California Alcohol and Drug Programs, Inc., a Proclamation declaring the month of September 2001 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Ms. Appel stated recovery does work and many people are thriving productive citizens. She noted Southern California Alcohol and Drug Programs, one of the largest programs in the State of California, was begun here in Downey. She thanked the City for its help and support over the past 20 years. Presentation to the Council by Keep Downey Beautiful Committee Members, Joan Frey and Carol Rowland, of the Governor's "Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award," associated with the Keep California Beautiful Recognition Awards, hosted by Sharon Davis, California's First Lady, in Sacramento. Council Member Cartozian mentioned he had the opportunity to travel to Sacramento with members of the Keep Downey Beautiful Organizing Committee where Downey received a third place Certificate of Recognition for achievements with the Keep Downey Beautiful Program. He recognized Joan Frey, Carol Rowland, and Barbara Sterling, noting the Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award will be displayed in the City Council offices. HEARINGS It was disclosed by each Council Member that they met individually with the developer of the proposed project. Council Minutes 8/28/01 -2- :01354 Mayor Winningham open the public hearing on ZONE CHANGE NO. 01-23 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 11221 PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD AND PROPOSED DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT RELATING TO C -3 (CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT) ZONE, ADDING SELF - STORAGE FACILITIES AS ALLOWED USES, SUBJECT TO A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, which was continued from the Meeting of August 14, 2001. Ron Yoshiki noted the subject property is currently zoned C -3 (Central Business District) and M -1 (Light Manufacturing), and the request is to rezone the entire site to C -3. He advised the requested code amendment adds a subsequent use to the C -3 zone, which would be allowed through a conditional use permit (CUP). He narrated slides of the proposal, including the City's Zoning Map, and noted the City's general plan designates this area as general commercial, which is consistent with the requested rezoning to C -3. He reviewed the size of the property, which is located 100 feet south of Firestone Boulevard. He noted staff recommends approval of the zone change request but has concern with the proposed code amendment, which involves consideration of a self - storage use, requiring a CUP and stated the City views self - storage as an industrial type land use, usually located in the M zones, and more recently allowed in the commercial manufacturing zones, subject to a CUP. He advised Firestone Boulevard has long been recognized as a significant commercial corridor and the concern of whether a potential industrial zone is in the best interest of the City. He noted eight percent of the City is currently zoned for this type of land use and staff is recommending denial of the proposed code amendment. He responded to comments from the Council. EU 8 9 There was no correspondence received regarding this matter. Mr. Vose explained the matters before the Council are a zone change and a code text amendment, advising a CUP sometimes trails these requests, but a CUP is more site specific and includes site plans, drawings, architectural renderings and so forth. He noted the Council is not reviewing a site plan, renderings, or a specific proposal tonight, but is looking at the impacts to the zoning code, the City, and to this specific property in terms of a text amendment that would allow a self - storage facility to be considered a commercial use in a C -3 zone. He advised if the zone change and text amendment are approved, there is no guarantee the project proposed under the CUP would be constructed or would fall within the guidelines at that point. Mayor Winningham asked if the applicant, or his representative, wished to come forward and make any comments at this time. Jeff Weber, Resco Self Storage LLC, 901 Dove Street, Newport Beach, thanked the Council, Planning Commission, and staff for their consideration and assistance with this matter. He mentioned it has been a 2 -1/2 year project and referred to a letter forwarded to the Council regarding challenges faced along the way. He felt this project was a unique opportunity for the Council to solve multiple problems at the subject property. He presented an enlargement of the first page of the staff report from the July 18th Planning Commission Meeting, stating staff recommended adoption of the zone change, code text amendment, CUP and zone variance, noting his disappointment that staff's recommendation tonight is for denial of the code amendment. He reviewed why he felt it was an erroneous recommendation and reviewed self - storage sites in other communities. He noted self - storage is viewed as a commercial use, typically subject to a conditional use permit. He mentioned staff s proliferation concern, which he felt was mitigated by the recent moratorium. He noted there has been no return on this property to the City for over 10 years and stated, due to the property's unique characteristics, self - storage was the highest and best use. He introduced Ted Lawson, Senior Vice - President with CB Richard Ellis, the broker who has represented the Ferber Estate on this property for over the past 10 years. Mr. Lawson noted he has been the agent on the property, which is one of the parcels of the former Paramount Chevrolet, since 1991. He advised this is the third parcel off Firestone Boulevard, with no Firestone Boulevard frontage. He noted seven offers were made to the owner of the property where the business One -Day Paint is located, and all were refused. He also advised that One -Day Paint recently entered into a new ten -year lease and that One -Day Paint has acquired the parcels to the north and northwest of that business, which front Firestone Boulevard. He submitted a list of tenants contacted in the quest to market this property. Mr. Weber noted the property is blighted, visually offensive, is a magnet to vandalism and squatting, is a gross underutilization of property, and is virtually unmarketable. He felt the City, by approving his project, would be seizing a unique opportunity to solve these problems and he reviewed benefits, such as significant compatibility with the site and surrounding neighborhood; severe blight replaced by an aesthetically sensitive project design, which he presented by superimposing a computer generated photograph of his project onto the subject site; and substantial project revenue for the City by virtue of property tax increments. He responded to comments from the Council. Council Minutes 8/28/01 -3- Council Member Perkins referred to the staff report of the June 6, 2000, Planning Commission Meeting, noting the recommendation was denial of Code Amendment No. 01 -64 and CUP 00 -32. He noted the Commission directed staff to analyze other alternates that would allow the proposed self - storage use on the subject property. He read from Page 2 of the staff report presented at the July 18, 2001, Planning Commission Meeting, stating the staff report was answering the desire of the Planning Commission and felt it cleared up the confusion referred to earlier by Mr. Weber. He also requested Mr. Weber read the paragraph on Page 2 under Background, as he felt this evidence showed staff always held the position of denial. Mr. Weber responded that on June 6th staff presented to the Planning Commission the option of a code amendment that would allow the self - storage use in a C -3 zone with a conditional use permit. Then staff gave their report and recommended denial. There was discussion and the matter was continued to July 18th to bring back a code amendment that was modified to further limit the areas in which self - storage would be allowed within the C -3 zone. On July 18th a revised code amendment was submitted with the recommendation that the Commission approve it. Mr. Yoshiki responded by clarifying that the December 6th issue referred to a memo regarding an issue with the general plan amendment (GPA). The GPA was a recommendation of denial by staff, with discussion on the consideration of what could be done to perhaps make this matter work. If a Code Amendment is done, it is a consideration and not an indication of whether the Commission and/or Council is supporting an initiation or not. He noted the balance of what Mr. Weber presented is accurate. was no. Council Member Perkins inquired if staff at any time recommended approval and the response Council Member Cartozian referred to limitations mentioned by Mr. Weber that could be directed through the code amendment to restrict self - storage facilities in other C -3 Zones and requested staff continent on any problems that could arise from such a code amendment. Mr. Yoshiki indicated the Commission directed staff not to have self - storage proliferate through the C -3 zone and the result was to create an area of limitation. He referred to the slide presentation, noting properties that would possibly be available for this usage. He noted staffs main concern is the fact this property is in a commercial corridor and could produce a significant opportunity for jobs, and revenue through improvement tax and property tax. It was not felt self - storage was the best location for this corridor. Council Member McCarthy felt the presentation by Mr. Weber was very good and factual, as he felt this is a difficult site. He noted the next Planning Commission Meeting is September 5th and requested staff be given the opportunity to conduct further research to determine whether the opportunity presented is the best decision for this area. He suggested continuing the hearing and asked that staff report back to the Council at its October meeting. Mr. Vose noted the applicant should be asked if he consents to a continuance until October, and after further discussion, Mr. Weber agreed. Council Minutes 8/28/01 -4- 013393 Mayor Winningham asked if anyone present wished to speak in favor of or in opposition to the Zone Change and Proposed Downey Municipal Code Amendment. o 1,33 94 Mayor Winningham suggested moving the issue to the first meeting in September, to which Council Member McCarthy agreed. After further discussion, it was moved by Council Member McCarthy, seconded by Mayor Winningham, and carried by the following vote to continue the public hearing on Zone Change 01 -23 and Proposed Downey Municipal Code Amendment, for property at 11221 Paramount Boulevard, to September 11, 2001. AYES 4 Council Members: Trejo, McCarthy, Cartozian, Winningham NOES 1 Council Members: Perkins ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None HEARINGS (Cont.) Mayor Winningham opened the public hearing to CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION SELF - CERTIFYING THE CITY'S CONFORMANCE WITH THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY'S 2001 CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. Ms. Midstokke affirmed receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member McCarthy, seconded by Council Member Trejo, and so ordered to receive and file. Mr. Yoshiki reviewed this annual report wherein the City reports to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on its congestion management program. He noted this report insures the City's continued receipt of gas tax dollars through Proposition 111, which will amount to $675,970 this year. The report depicts steps the City has taken to control congestion. He advised the City also maintains a debit and credit balance as part of the Local Implementation Report and last year had a total credit of 37,267 points. He explained how these credits diminish by new developments occurring in the City and how they increase by the removal of certain developments, which contribute to a reduction in congestion. He advised these adjustments resulted in the City having a credit of 34,764 for the coming year. He responded to comments from the Council. There was no correspondence received regarding this matter. Mayor Winningham asked if anyone present wished to speak regarding the 2001 Congestion Management Program. There being no one to speak, it was moved by Council Member Perkins, seconded by Council Member Trejo, and so ordered to close the public hearing. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY FINDING THE CITY TO BE IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CMP) AND ADOPTING 1HE CMP LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION REPORT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65089 Council Minutes 8/28/01 -5- RESOLUTION NO. 6507 The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Council Member Perkins, seconded by Council Member Trejo, and unanimously carried to waive further reading and adopt. Mayor Winningham opened the public hearing to CONSIDER THE APPLICATION OF GOLDEN YELLOW CAB INC. FOR A PERMIT TO CONDUCT TAXICAB SERVICE IN THE CITY OF DOWNEY, which was continued from the Council Meeting of June 26, 2001. Ms. Vogel advised staff is recommending denial of the application for permit to conduct a taxicab service by Golden Yellow Cab Inc. based on results of a Police investigation, which determined the company was conducting taxicab business in other cities without the proper licenses and permits and one of their taxicabs was also cited for conducting business illegally in the City of Downey. She noted the manager of Golden Yellow Cab, Inc. was present at the initial hearing on June 26, 2001, and requested additional time to submit the proper information to the City Council. The Council at that time continued the hearing, giving the company two months to gather this information. As of Tuesday last week, information had not been received. She advised that she and Assistant City Manager Lee Powell met with the owner and manager of Golden Yellow Cab, Inc. this morning. It was noted Golden Yellow Cab, Inc. has a license to operate in the City of Bellflower and stated they were sincerely trying to learn the permit process. It was pointed out to them, the recommendation will be to deny their application, since they did not produce the required information and on what the Police Department investigation turned up. She noted the owner of Golden Yellow Cab, Inc. was present earlier in the Council Meeting but has now left. In response to Council Member Trejo, Chief Finch explained the method by which a citation is issued for having no permit. There was no correspondence received on this matter. Mayor Winningham asked the representative of Golden Yellow Cab, Inc. to come forward and address the Council at this time. Mayor Winningham asked if anyone present wished to speak in favor of or in opposition to the application to operate a taxicab service in the City. There being no one to speak, it was moved by Council Member McCarthy, seconded by Council Member Cartozian, and so ordered to close the public hearing. Mayor Winningham noted the financial report received at the June 26th Council Meeting did not contain adequate information and it could not be substantiated whether Golden Yellow Cab, Inc. had permits to operate in other cities. It was moved by Council Member Perkins, seconded by Council Member McCarthy, and unanimously carried to deny the application for permit by Golden Yellow Cab, Inc. to conduct taxicab service in the City of Downey. Council Minutes 8/28/01 -6- `01339.3 013394 CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEMS FOR REMOVAL Agenda Item VI -E -3, ZONE CHANGE NO. 01- 64/DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT 01- 64/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, were removed at the request of Council Member McCarthy. Agenda Item VI -E -4, APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY DEVICES, was removed at the request of Mayor Winningham. CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Council Member McCarthy, seconded by Council Member Cartozian, and unanimously carried to waive further reading of the Resolution and approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as recommended: COUNCIL MINUTES: SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AUGUST 7, 2001, AND ADJOURNED AND REGULAR MEETINGS, AUGUST 14, 2001: Approve. WARRANTS ISSUED: NO. 168992 — 169417; WIRE NUMBERS 30000177 -184, $2,697,377.66: Approve. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES COUNTY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD, INC. (WIB): Approve the Agreement with WIB, which allocates $4,500 in CDBG funds for the Community Youth Corps Program: Approve. SIXTH CYCLE USED OIL BLOCK GRANT ANNUAL REPORT: Receive and file. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS: Appoint a committee composed of Lee Powell, Jay Jarrin, and Ahmed Husain per Section 1306 of the City Charter: Approve. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ESTABLISHING A NEW SALARY RANGE FOR FIRE MECHANIC AND ADOPTING A SPECIAL CERTIFICATION PAY ORDINANCES: None RESOLUTIONS: None Council Minutes 8/28/01 -7- RESOLUTION NO. 6508 (ADOPT) ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS REVIEW GENERAL PLAN SCHEDULE FOR UPDATING THE CITY'S EXISTING GENERAL PLAN; AND FORM A GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE TO ASSIST STAFF IN REVISING THE PLAN Mr. Yoshiki noted 2001 is the new millennium and with Census information now completed is a good time to commence a review and reexamination of the City's policies for future development, known as the General Plan. He narrated a visual presentation explaining the General Plan is the policy document set in place to reflect the goals to develop the community. He reviewed changes in the City, such as an increased population of over 100,000; one of the largest employers left the City; the City has begun movement on revitalizing downtown Downey; and completion of the I -105 Freeway. He stated all of these things have caused physical dynamic changes to the community. He also pointed out it is a State mandate to have a general plan. He reviewed the seven chapters mandated: Land uses; circulation; housing; conservation; safety; noise; open space elements; design; economic development; and hazardous waste. He noted a General Plan Committee was formed in 1990 to obtain citizen participation and this worked out very well by presenting an opportunity for staff to work with a cross - section of the community. He requested each Council Member appoint two representatives to a General Plan Committee, consisting of five active members and five alternates and referred to the list of volunteer committees noted in the staff report. He noted the time table for this effort is a little over a year and during this time consultants will be retained where necessary for special studies, such as traffic information, noise information, and air quality, which is why the appropriation of funds was requested. He responded to comments from the Council. Mayor Winningham noted the Council, is directed to bring the requested information back by September 18, 2001, with Committee Members to be confirmed at the September 25, 2001, Council Meeting. Council Member McCarthy noted he and Council Member Perkins served on the 1993 General Plan Review Committee. OTHER BUSINESS - Consent Calendar - Items removed by Council Annroval Council Minutes 8/28/01 -8- 013897 ZONE CHANGE NO. 01-64 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 12145 WOODRUFF AVENUE FROM M -1 (LIGHT MANUFACTURING) AND P -B (PARKING BUFFER) TO OS (OPEN SPACE) (OWNER: BOEING NORTH AMERICAN FITNESS INC.; APPLICANT: MINISTERIOS LLAMADA FINAL; REPRESENTATIVE: JOEL COLUMBO, ARCHITECT); PROPOSED DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT TO AMEND SECTION 9108 (OS — OPEN SPACE ZONE) RELATING TO THE DELETION OF CERTAIN SUB - ZONES; AND CERTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT Council Member McCarthy noted the applicant is present and has a request to continue the hearing, with additional items, to the September 25, 2001, Council Meeting. D398 Steve Sheldon, 695 Town Center, Suite 410, Costa Mesa, 92626, representing the applicant on this matter, noted there a few additional land use applications that will be presented September 5th at the Planning Commission Meeting. He requested consolidating all items for the September 25th Council Meeting, noting his request includes General Plan Amendment 00 -06 and Zone Change 00 -07 heard by the Planning Commission last week, along with Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to be heard by the Planning Commission on September 5th. Mr. Vose noted his concern with a hearing on a conditional use permit, which is site specific, tailing along with a zone change hearing, which is not necessarily site specific. He noted one is a legislative act and one is an administrative act, recommending splitting the items up. He explained if the first two items are acted upon and denied, there is no reason to go forward with the third item. He recommended going forward with the items before the Council tonight and, assuming they are favorable, conducting the CUP hearing at the next meeting. Mr. Sheldon concurred with the City Attorney's comment regarding no necessity to hear the CUP if the legislative items are not approved, but felt it was informative to the Council's deliberation process to know exactly what the project is about and felt the CUP would help the Council make their decision. He requested they all be heard together. agreed. Mr. Vose suggested if done on the same night, to separate the hearings, to which Mr. Sheldon It was moved by Council Member McCarthy, seconded by Council Member Cartozian, and unanimously carried to set the public hearing for Zone Change 01 -64, Downey Municipal Code Amendment, Environmental Impact Report, for 7:30 p.m., September 25, 2001, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall. APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY DEVICES Mayor Winningham noted he pulled this item for public information and requested Mr. Powell comment. Mr. Powell referred to the electrical energy problems in California and noted the City undertook an effort in May to reduce the amount of electrical consumption in various City facilities. The most visual situation concerned traffic lights where new LED lights replaced the old red and green lights, which reduced the electrical consumption of traffic signals by 50 percent citywide. In City buildings, electricity was conserved by reducing the number of lights and hours of operation of air conditioning units. The temperature was also set higher for the air conditioning. In City Hall consumption was reduced by 28 percent, the police station reduced by 15 percent, the Library by 13 percent and two of the Fire Stations were reduced by 9 percent, with a third station reduced by 7 percent. The City is making a greater effort by taking advantage of a Southern California Edison rebate program by installing special energy saving devices relating to lighting systems, exit signs, time clocks to some circuits, and occupancy sensors on other circuits. He responded to comments from the Council. Mayor Winningham commended staff and all employees for an excellent job in conserving electrical usage. Council Minutes 8/28/01 -9- It was moved by Council Member Perkins, seconded by Council Member McCarthy and unanimously carried to appropriate $48,300 for the installation of energy efficiency devices in City buildings. OTHER BUSINESS - Council Members Council Member Cartozian mentioned travelling to Sacramento with Keep Downey Beautiful Committee (KDB) members on behalf of the City, to accept the Governor's "Environmental Achievement Award." He noted he also toured the State Capital and thanked Carol Rowland and Public Works staff for their efforts in obtaining this award. Council Member Cartozian stated he looked forward to the beginning of the school year on September 6th. Council Member Cartozian referred to the status of the traffic signal on Old River School Road at Adwen Street and hoped it would be in operation by the time school commences. Mr. Alvarez gave him the thumbs up that it would be in operation. Council Member McCarthy complimented Planning staff on the selection of photographs in their General Plan update presentation. Council Member McCarthy announced the Community Forums on Fireworks are scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 26, and 6:30 p.m., Thursday, October 11, 2001. Council Member McCarthy announced an open session public discussion in the Council Chamber on the City's Web site on October llth at 5:00 p.m., and invited public participation. Council Member Trejo thanked Christina Vogel for her fine work with the advisory committee for the Space Museum. He noted there was a lot of good input. Council Member Trejo wished everyone a happy and safe Labor Day weekend. Council Member Perkins congratulated Warren Allen Huckabey(sp. ?), who became an Eagle Scout, the top award in the Boy Scouts organization, at a recent awards ceremony in Long Beach that he attended with Mayor Winningham. 013831 Council Member Perkins commended Commissioner Burt Barnett, one of the Judges in the Downey Court, for imposing fines of $541 for citations for illegal use of fireworks in the City. He felt there should be zero tolerance as far as illegal fireworks are concerned. Mayor Winningham noted he and Council Member Perkins participated in the "Shoes for Orphans" kickoff, which benefits orphans throughout the world to provide shoes and socks and necessities and commended the Stonewood Shopping Center for their participation and urged everyone to participate by dropping off a new pair of shoes or socks. Mayor Winningham commended the Auto Zone for their new development on Paramount Boulevard, including the undeveloped portion that they landscaped. He also thanked them for the dedication of land for ingress and egress at Fire Station No. 3. Council Minutes 8/28/01 -10- Mayor Winningham requested Jim Jarrett give a presentation on the GOOD (Gangs Out of Downey) grant application. Mr. Jarrett explained the GOOD Committee, a partnership between the Downey Unified School District and the City to keep gangs out of Downey, submitted an application for an award, the California Community Partnership Award Program, sponsored by the League of California Cities. Bonnie Kehoe and representatives of the DUSD put together an application and submitted the GOOD program to the State for consideration. The City was notified the GOOD program is a finalist for the award and staff will be travelling with the DUSD to Santa Barbara in September to present the GOOD program to communities throughout the State. He noted hats off to the DUSD and staff who have worked very hard on this project. Mayor Winningham congratulated the DUSD and Bonnie Kehoe for working together on this grant and being one of the five finalists. He noted the GOOD program is a well- respected program and hoped it would win the top award. Mayor Winningham announced the Downey Sister Cities Association's Mexican Fiesta event on Sunday, September 9th, at Los Amigos Country Club. He noted this organization was founded 41 years ago beginning with the City of Guadalajara, Mexico, with Downey being the first City in any country to adopt a foreign city in Mexico as a Sister City. He urged everyone to participate. OTHER BUSINESS - Staff Members: None The meting recessed at 9:55 p.m. and reconvened at 11:00 p.m., with all Council Members present. ADJOURNMENT: 11:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned to 6:30 p.m., September 11, 2001, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall. Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk H \CCLERKVSCONTE\M1NUTESkrnvt0828 Council Minutes 8/28/01 -11- Robert C. Winningham, Ma or