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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10-09-01 - Regular MeetingPRESENT: Council Members: MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY OCTOBER 9, 2001 The City Council of the City of Downey held a regular meeting at 7:40 p.m., October 9, 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: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager Charles Vose, City Attorney Kathleen Midstokke, City Clerk Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager 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 Manager Bonnie Kehoe, Recreation Division Manager David Rodriguez, Project Manager (NASA Site) Christina Vogel, Assistant to the City Manager Shirley Conte, Executive Secretary PRESENTATIONS Ms. Kehoe presented the California Community Partnership Merit Award to the Mayor and City Council, explaining the award was received due to the successful collaborative efforts of the City, Downey Unified School District, and business community. She advised that out of 92 entries, GOOD was a top finalists. She narrated a video program depicting the program and the GOOD Committee's contributions to the community. Council Minutes 10/09/01 -1- ,013J29 Mayor Winningham presented a Proclamation to Fire Chief Sauter declaring the week of October 7 -13, 2001, National Fire Prevention Week. He advised that this year's slogan is "Cover the Bases and Strike Out Fire." Council Member Cartozian mentioned he had the opportunity to be present on behalf of the City Council when the Gangs Out Of Downey Program (GOOD) received the California Community Partnership Merit Award in Santa Barbara. He introduced Bonnie Kehoe, Recreation Division Manager and current President of Gangs Out Of Downey, Darryl Jackson and Stan Hanstad. 0.1393 Mr. Hanstad thanked the City Manager for suggesting that the GOOD Committee submit a nomination for the award and explained the two -day competition held in Santa Barbara. He commended Council Member Cartozian for his attendance and Bonnie Kehoe for working with the City and School District. He also commended Jim Jarrett for the support of the Community Services department. He advised the GOOD Committee has also applied for a National Award, and thanked the Council, Police and Fire Chiefs, School District personnel and City businesses for their efforts in this program. Darryl Jackson mentioned he is honored to be involved with the City in this program and to be given the opportunity to be a part of the Downey community. Mayor Winningham commended Darryl Jackson for the work he has done for the community of Downey over the years and noted Phil Presicci developed the GOOD program with interaction from the City, School District, and many volunteers. HEARINGS: None CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEMS FOR REMOVAL Agenda Items VI -C -1, CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 514 AND 515 — TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS AT THE INTERSECTION OF FLORENCE AVENUE/WOODRUFF AVENUE AND FLORENCE AVENUE /BROOKSHIRE AVENUE, and VI -C -3, CASH CONTRACT NO. 629 — BELLFLOWER BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, were withdrawn by Staff. Agenda Item VI -F -1, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT "BLOCK GRANT" PROGRAM, was removed at the request of Lennie Whittington, 8542 Manatee Street. Agenda Item VI -C -2, CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 519 — FIRESTONE BOULEVARD /OLD RIVER SCHOOL ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS ADD NORTH /SOUTH LEFT -TURN PHASING, was removed at the request of Council Member Cartozian. CONSENT CALENDAR It,was moved by Council Member McCarthy, seconded by Council Member Trejo, and unanimously carried to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as recommended: COUNCIL MINUTES: ADJOURNED AND REGULAR MEETINGS, SEPTEMBER 25, 2001: Approve. WARRANTS ISSUED: NO. 170109 — 170519; WIRE NUMBERS 30000201 -208; $2,046,381.08: Approve. CONSIDER APPLICATION FOR TAXICAB SERVICE IN THE CITY OF DOWNEY (Applicant: Southern Express Taxi): Set the public hearing for 7:30 p.m., October 23, 2001, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall: Approve. Council Minutes 10/09/01 -2- ORDINANCES: None RESOLUTIONS: None ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS CITY COUNCIL REDISTRICTING Council Minutes 10/09/01 -3- 013931 Mr. Powell narrated a Power Point program on the redistricting of the City's four Council Districts, explaining redistricting is done per City Charter Section 1306, which states the City will review the boundary areas of the four City Council Districts after every National Census. He referred to the map attached to the staff report, reviewing the 2000 Census population count for each District along with the ideal population figure for that District. He reviewed the steps involved in redistricting and noted an Ordinance will be provided to the County of Los Angeles in time to be in effect for the November 2002 election. He proposed four alternatives for consideration and noted staff's recommendation is that the Council selects a Council Subcommittee. He noted the meetings would be open for public participation, which would allow the Subcommittee to be comprised of more than two Council Members, as it would comply with the Brown Act (open meeting law). He referred to redistricting criterion, the rules the City proposes to follow in determining new boundaries for the Council Districts, noting Rule 1 is equalizing the population amongst the four districts, Rule 2 is districts would be based upon dividing the City into four quadrants located in the southeast, southwest, northwest and northeast parts of the City, Rule 3 would be that boundary lines should follow streets and railroad lines, Rule 4 is that neighborhoods and communities should be kept together, Rule 5 is that district boundary lines should be straight and include a minimum of turns and direction changes and Rule 6 is that existing boundary lines should be retained to the extent possible. He responded to comments from the Council. Council Member Perkins noted Districts 2 and 3 are within the 5 percent ideal population criteria, while Districts 1 and 4 are not, and suggested the Council Members from Districts 1 and 4 be included on the subcommittee. He also pointed out that one of these Council Members has just been reelected and will be onboard for the next three years, while the other districts will be up for re- election. Council Member Cartozian stated it is a major consideration to maintain the criteria of within 5 percent of the ideal population but felt other criterion need to be considered. He mentioned State criterion included numbers, communities of interest, and contiguous districts and noted he and Mayor Pro Tem Perkins attended the public hearing when the State set up its criterion. He volunteered to be a member of the subcommittee, pointing out, as the District 5 Council Member, he is not affected by redistricting. Council Member McCarthy suggested using the odd numbered districts to serve as the subcommittee, Districts 1, 3 and 5, noting these districts will not be facing the issue of an election. He also suggested contacting government classes at the local high schools to ask if they would like to have students sit in on this process, as it might be good experience. He complimented the staff report. `'013 It was moved by Council Member Perkins, seconded by Council Member Cartozian, and unanimously carried to approve the redistricting process described in the staff report, which includes the formation of a City Council sub - committee, which would consist of Council Members from Districts 1, 3 and 5, public participation, and redistricting criterion. Council Member Cartozian noted he would be willing to act as a liaison for the participation of high, school government class students. Council Member Trejo inquired as to how the subcommittee will be set up and was informed there will be a subcommittee meeting where staff will present information on the various ways of how to redraw the boundaries. The committee will provide feedback to staff on boundary line ideas and will ultimately develop one or more alternatives, which will be brought back to the Council for a decision to be adopted in the form of an Ordinance. The meetings will discuss ideas regarding boundary lines and the impact of changes, as well as information about how the changes can occur, along with input from the community. OTHER BUSINESS - Consent Calendar - Items removed by Council Approval CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 519 — FIRESTONE BOULEVARD /OLD RIVER SCHOOL ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS ADD NORTH /SOUTH LEFT -TURN PHASING (ACCOUNT NO. 36-16519) Council Member Cartozian commended the Public Works Department on this traffic signal modification project, noting he has received calls from three citizens commenting on the time it shaves off their commute. He referred to continued new developments on Firestone Boulevard, noting this area continues to have more traffic. He recommended staff review Firestone Boulevard as a whole and requested a new study on the synchronization of traffic lights, as he felt there is a lot of unnecessary stoppage. He inquired as to when the last traffic study was conducted. Mr. Alvarez stated they will begin within a month to study traffic signal timing along the entire stretch of Firestone Boulevard from city limit to city limit and noted there is funding in place to implement the recommendations of the study. Council Member Cartozian requested feedback once the study is done. Council Member McCarthy requested staff contact the City Manager or Public Works Director in the cities of Norwalk and South Gate to coordinate Downey's efforts with the traffic signals in those cities. He referred to the developer's deposit of 566,000 and inquired if they would be due a refund of any remaining funds and was informed the project has encumbered more money than the actual cost of the construction but in most cases, once a reconciliation is done, any difference between the amount deposited and the actual amount of expenses concurred, is returned to the developer. Mayor Winningham inquired about the corrective work mentioned in the staff report and was informed it was minor work that took a long time for the contractor to clean up on (pavement repairs and work of that nature). Council Minutes 10/09/01 -4- It was moved by Council Member McCarthy, seconded by Council Member Cartozian, and unanimously carried to approve the final contract cost of $46,310.43 and accept the improvements and the maintenance responsibility for the traffic signal modifications adding north /south left -turn phasing at the intersection of Firestone Boulevard at Old River School Road, under Cash Contract No. S.S. 519. RESOLUTION NO. 6513 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Mayor Winningham noted the Citizens Academy is a valuable class and any member of the community is welcome to participate and can contact their Council Member, if interested. ;,91 P 3 ,5 Lennie Whittington, 8542 Manatee Street, commended the Citizen's Academy as a very good program. He stated he was fortunate enough to attend on of the first sessions, which taught him how the Police Department operates and what is going on in the City, and hoped to see the program continued. He suggested video cameras be placed in all police vehicles and felt this would be a good backup for the officers. Chief Finch explained the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program is a Federal grant with certain steps to be taken in the effort to receiving funding again this year, such as bringing it before a public panel and contacting a number of agencies the City will be making recommendations to. The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Council Member McCarthy, seconded by Council Member Perkins, and unanimously carried to waive further reading and adopt and appropriate $112,359 in grant funds and $12,484 in asset forfeiture funds. OTHER BUSINESS - Council Members Council Member Trejo mentioned he attended the funeral service for Housing Manager Ed Velasco's mother, Socorro, on Saturday. Council Member Trejo commended the Police and Fire Chiefs, noting he was contacted by a well -known physician in the City, who was pleased with the cooperation the Police Department affords the Hospital. Council Member McCarthy commended the Public Works Department regarding the sidewalk project from Gardendale Street along Brookshire Avenue, which is part of the Safe Routes to School Program and is going well. Council Member McCarthy mentioned being contacted by a neighbor whose van had been taken as there was a concern it was involved in a hit and run. He advised he contacted Chief Finch and action was taken immediately, resulting in his neighbor's van being returned. Council Minutes 10 /09 /01 -5- 0i3 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS David Bowers, 10620 Dolan Avenue, referred to a comment he made at a previous Council Meeting regarding bumps in the new section of Downey Avenue, which had been made in error and was actually a problem with his tire. Ken Tonkovich, 12337 Brock Avenue, submitted pictures and requested a recommendation as to what could be done regarding a large motor home parked in his neighborhood that is never moved, even on street sweeping days. He advised his neighbors had submitted a petition in 1989 and received an encroachment permit to not have tickets issued to vehicles parked on the street during street sweeping day. Chief Finch suggested the Traffic Committee review the encroachment permit and requested Mr. Tonkovich contact his office tomorrow. Barbara Westray, 9209 Orizaba Avenue, expressed her displeasure at two directives involving the Police and Fire Departments, wherein she stated on -duty policemen were advised they could not attend the National Day of Prayer ceremony in remembrance of the victims of the recent terrorist attacks and that on -duty firemen could not attend the "Fill The Boot" fundraiser by the Fire Department at Stonewood Shopping Center for the families of the terrorist attacks. She stated the firemen were also advised they could not use City equipment or City uniforms. She urged the Council to investigate these directives and respond to the parties involved. Lee Smith, 7205 Coolgrove Drive, stated he is proud of the Downey Firemen for raising money for the families of victims of the New York terrorist attacks and advised he called the City to inquire why the firemen were not allowed to wear their uniforms or use their fire vehicles. He was informed it was City policy and voiced his disappointment in City management for not backing the firefighters in their endeavor. Mrs. Herndon, 9029 Brock Avenue, complained about street sweeping tickets given out on September 11th after the terrorist attacks when many people were evacuated from their job sites and sent home. She felt the City should have made an exception on this day and should have treated the people with compassion. Mary Lou Trevis (sp. ?), 9624 Richeon Avenue, thanked the City Council for being sensitive to and for listening to the concerns of citizens regarding the recent State redistricting issues that affected the City. OTHER BUSINESS - Council Members (Cont.) Council Member Cartozian thanked Mary Lou Trevis for her comments regarding redistricting and noted it was a pleasure talking to her. Council Member Cartozian mentioned the Council Meeting next Tuesday on the possible ban of the sale and use of fireworks. Council Minutes 10/09/01 -6- 01.3933 • t '�T l , i r : Council Member Cartozian announced the Planning Commission changed its Meeting time to Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. instead of Wednesdays for the next few months and noted its next meeting will coincide with the Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 16th, and there may be a need to relocate the Planning Commission Meeting on that date. Council Member Cartozian mentioned the success of the Downey High School car wash to raise funds for the families of the terrorist victims was unbelievable. He noted there was a non- stop line from start to finish and volunteers from Warren High School also participated. Council Member Cartozian mentioned two public meetings scheduled on Thursday, October 11 tb, advising at 5:00 p.m. the Council Web Site Subcommittee will meet followed by the 6:30 p.m. forum on fireworks. He encouraged everyone to attend. Council Member Cartozian recognized Miss Downey, Stephanie Tauson, in the audience. Council Member Cartozian mentioned being fortunate to represent the City, along with Mayor Winningham, Mayor Pro Tem Perkins and Miss Downey Stephanie Tauson, on a trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, one of Downey's Sister Cities, to view the municipal system in that city. Council Member Perkins complimented the Police Department, noting he attended the Red Ribbon Breakfast last Monday where Sergeant Ron Olsen gave an informative talk about drugs. Council Member Perkins mentioned the community forum on fireworks October 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Council Member Perkins noted the Fire and Police Departments will hold their Annual Golf Tournament October 15th at Rio Hondo Golf Course. ,Council Member Perkins advised the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast will be held on October 1 8th and encouraged everyone to attend. Mayor Winningham noted he and Mayor Pro Tem Perkins attended the Volunteer Recognition Dinner for the American Cancer Society on October 2nd and advised the Rio Hondo Chapter is now back in Downey. He stated they are an excellent group of volunteers with many of the people honored also serving as members of other volunteer organizations. Mayor Winningham noted the Red Cross is holding a Celebrity Chefs event at the Norwalk Marriott on October 12th, which should be a good fundraising event. Mayor Winningham announced the Public Safety Fair this Saturday at Furman Park where the Police, Fire and Public Works departments w ill participate softball games at 9:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend and there will be promotional booths with literature and goodies for the kids. Mayor Winningham announced the Daughter's of the American Revolution will celebrate their 50th Anniversary in Downey on Saturday, October 20th, at 1:30 p.m. Council Minutes 10/09/01 - 10,1 ” 3 Mayor Winningham commented on the recent visit by himself, Mayor Pro Tem Perkins, Council Member Cartozian and Miss Downey Stephanie Tauson, to Downey's Sister City Guadalajara, Mexico. He advised Downey was the first in the Sister Cities Program to select a Sister City in Mexico, Guadalajara, and noted Guadalajara's new administration Mayor Fernando Garza Martinez invited Downey to visit and was a gracious host. He mentioned the Fire Department was also represented by Raoul Ochoa, who has visited Guadalajara for three or four years and helped initiated the paramedic program in place in Puerto Vallarta. OTHER BUSINESS - Staff Members: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Socorro Velasco, mother of Housing Manager, Ed Velasco, to 5:30 p.m., October 16, 2001, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall, for an Adjourned Regular Meeting regarding the sale and use of Fireworks. Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Robert C. Winningham, Mayor H: \C CLERKSCONTE'MINUTES\CCMN 1009 Council Minutes 10/09/01 -8- 0_„D