HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 09-22-09 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m., September22, 2009, in the Council Chamber of the
Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor/Chairperson Mario A.
Guerra presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members/Commissioners:
Mario A. Guerra
Anne M. Bayer
Luis H. Marquez
Roger C. Brossmer
David R. Gafin
Mayor/Chairperson
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairperson
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
G. Ross Trindle, Acting City Attorney/Agency Counsel
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary
Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development
Mark Sauter, Deputy City Manager/Emergency Services
Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant Deputy City Manager
Other City Staff
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ADJOURNED MEETING AGENDA ITEMS: None.
APPROVED CLOSED SESSION MINUTES: September 8, 2009.
It was moved by Council Member/Commissioner Marquez, seconded by Mayor Pro
Tem/Vice-Chairperson Bayer and unanimously carried to approve.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor/Chairperson Guerra announced the Council/Commission is recessing to Closed
Session (6:31 p.m.) to discuss matters under the authority of the following sections of the
Government Code:
1. Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with labor negotiator Irma Youssefieh
re: direction for labor negotiations with Downey City Employees Association (DCEA)
Miscellaneous Unit; DCEA Maintenance Unit; and Downey Public Safety Auxiliary Assn.
2 Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Appointment – Chief of Police.
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 09/22/09 -1 -
RECONVENED:
The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:29 p.m. ath all Council
Members/Commissioners present.
Mayor Guerra announced that the Council has unanimously approved City Manager Caton's
appointment of Captain Rick Esteves to the position of Chief of Police upon the retirement of Chief
Campos
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk/Secretary MnRlo A. GUERRA, Mbyorr
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 09/22/09 -2-
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:40 p.m., September 22,
2009, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, Mayor Mario A. Guerra presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members:
Mario A. Guerra
Anne M. Bayer
Luis H. Marquez
Roger C. Brossmer
David R. Gafin
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager
G. Ross Trindle, Assistant City Attorney
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development
Mark Sauter, Deputy City Manager/Emergency Services
Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant Deputy City Manager
Roy Campos, Police Chief
John Michicoff, Finance Director
Thad Phillips, Community Services Director
Brian Ragland, Public Works Director
Susan Domen, Deputy City Clerk
Other Staff
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS:
Council Member Gafin announced that Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) will be hosting
their annual Blue Mass on Thursday morning; the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their
annual Golf Tournament on Friday, Saturday is the City’s annual Flu Clinic which will be held at the
Civic Theatre, and a week from Saturday the Downey City Library will be celebrating their 50th
Anniversary; he noted that several other cities have passed Ordinances restricting sex offenders
activities on Halloween night and requested staff prepare one for the next meeting; he requested
staff to bring back a report on creating a dog park within the City; and asked that the fees charged
for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training be eliminated being as these people
are volunteers and help out at many City functions throughout the year.
Mayor Pro Tem Bayer announced that the Soroptimist of Downey will be holding their annual
Chili Cook-off on October 4th at the Elks Lodge.
Mayor Guerra reported he attended several Neighborhood Watch group events and there are
now 45 groups in the City, Huntington Park High School 100th Anniversary last Saturday, and the
Chamber of Commerce Business Watch meeting; noted that along with the Blue Mass being held at
OLPH they are celebrating their 100th Anniversary; attended a Contract Cities Legislative Committee
City Council Minutes 09/22/09 -1-
meeting yesterday and will be attending a conference in San Diego this weekend hosted by them;
mentioned that Kaiser Hospital has been dedicated and opened; the City is hopeful about Tesla
Motors coming to Downey; and explained that when the entire Council is involved in ceremonial
activities, such as the trip to Tesla Motors, they are not a violation of the Brown Act as City business
is not being discussed or decided.
PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Guerra presented Certificates of Recognition to former Parking Place Commissioners.
Mayor Guerra presented the Mayor’s Diakonia (servant) Award to Katie Piazza.
Mayor Guerra presented a Proclamation re: One Book, One Community Program to Cleo
Latimer, Friends of the Library.
Mayor Guerra read a Proclamation re: Family Day – A day to eat dinner with your children.
Mayor Guerra read a Proclamation declaring October as Lupus Awareness Month.
Mayor Guerra presented a Certificate of Achievement for excellence in financial reporting
from Government Finance Officers Association to Finance Director Michicoff.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Rob Fuller, COO for Downey Regional Medical Center, informed the Council and audience
that the Chapter 1 1 filing the hospital recently did is to clear up past financial issues and reassured
everyone that the hospital is operating in it normal capacity. He also thanked Mayor Guerra for his
assistance
The following people spoke requesting lighting to be installed at Golden Park and presented
the Council with baseball caps and t-shirts representing their team:
Sergio Paulos
Louis Gallegos
Emil Jimenez
Scott Chandler
Caesar Martinez
Rose Alvarez
John Arozgoma (sp?)
John Lacey, resident of Downey, invited the Council to participate in the annual Downey
Rotary/ARC golf tournament on November 6th at Rio Hondo Golf Course.
Alfredo Gonzalez, resident of Downey, explained that small businesses throughout the City
recently received letters regarding the signage on windows, while it appears larger chain operations
did not receive them. He feels the restrictions are unfair to smaller businesses.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Gafin, and
unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar items as recommended:
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1.APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular and Adjourned Meetings September 8,
2009: City Clerk.
2.APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 243881 – 244150: Wire Nos. 500 – 503
and 30001988 – 30001996; in the total amount of $3,144,470.15: Finance.
3.APPROVED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (MTA) IN ORDER TO RECEIVE
REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CITY’S REPORTING OF FISCAL YEAR 2007 TRANSIT
DATA TO THE NATIONAL TRANSIT DATABASE THROUGH THE MTA’S
CONSOLIDATED REPORT: Community Services.
4.APPROVED SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH BEYOND SHELTER AND
APPROPRIATED $596,539 FROM THE FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND
RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM GRANT: Community Development.
5.LEASE/PURCHASE OF TWO REPLACEMENT FIRE PUMPER TRUCKS: Finance.
A
B.
APPROVED PIERCE FIRE APPARATUS AS A SOLE SOURCE VENDOR;
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 09-7154, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING THE MASTER LEASE – PURCHASE
AGREEMENT WITH OSHKOSH CAPITAL DATED SEPTEMBER 13, 2004, BY
INCLUDING LEASE SCHEDULE NO. 126999000 1N THE AMOUNT OF $1,048,174
FOR TWO FIRE PUMPER TRUCKS; AND
APPROPRIATED $102,197 FROM THE EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FUND FOR
THE SALES TAX.
C.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
6.APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH ACCELA INC. FOR A PERMIT TRACKING SOFTWARE
SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATED $647,467 FROM THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT
ACCOUNT: Community Development.
Deputy City Manager Livas explained that this item was being brought forth during this
economic time as the money has been collected through the fee process specifically for this use.
The department is now at a point where the program can be launched effectively.
Senior Planner Blumenthal presented a staff report explaining that the City currently tracks
permits through pen and paper methods. The new program will allow for a more effective and
efficient customer service, as well as improve communication between departments. He estimated it
should be ready to go live in May 2010.
Council Member Marquez asked for clarification that this will include staff training and was
told yes.
Mayor Guerra noted he was concerned about spending this amount of money at this time;
however, he understands that the fees for this were already collected and can only be used for this
item
It was moved by Mayor Guerra, seconded by Council Member Brossmer and unanimously
carried to approve the agreement.
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7.CASH CONTRACT NO. 668 – TREASURE ISLAND PARK LIGHTING – APPROVED THE
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND GRANTED AUTHORITY TO ADVERTISE FOR
BIDS: Public Works.
Pubic Works Director Ragland presented a Power Point presentation explaining that
there are 8 Edison standard street lights currently located in the park which provide limited
lighting. Each cul-de-sac has a light at the end of it that does not provide additional lighting
to the park. The proposed design would add lighting within the park at the end of each cul-
de-sac. There is currently $180,000 budgeted for this project. The options are to upgrade
the existing light poles, adding lighting in transition areas, or add full security lighting for the
entire park.
Mayor Guerra asked for clarification between local and security lighting and it was
explained that the localized lighting will provide lighting for a certain distance, while the
security lighting will light up the entire park.
Council Member Brossmer noted that this was the only project approved in the
General Fund this year and was shocked to learn there were existing lights there, but they
were just not functioning. He thanked staff for providing options.
Council Member Marquez requested an update on the status of the grant applications
for this project. City Manager Caton replied that the applications have been submitted and
staff is awaiting a reply.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Gafin and
unanimously carried to approve.
8.INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
AMENDING ARTICLE VI, CHAPTER 5, PART 1 1 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING PUBLICATION VENDING MACHINE STANDARDS: Public Works.
Public Works Director Ragland presented a Power Point presentation noting that the
proposed changes include: appearance standards, clarifying enforcement procedures, PVM's
grouping requirements, 270 foot separations, and email contact information being required. He
noted that additional impacts to consider are financial burdens to the newspaper industry, increased
personnel time for enforcement, and potential disproportionate effects on non-English language
publications. He concluded that existing racks would be grandfathered in as long as they keep up
appearances.
Mayor Guerra noted that this Ordinance was modeled after many other cities.
Council Member Gafin asked why green was chosen as the color for boxes to be and noted
that it could become a branding issue for the publications. Staff recognized the concern and noted
that they would only have to switch to green if they changed out the rack.
Council Member Brossmer asked if the City of Paramount allowed for grandfathering or if
they set a deadline in which all boxes had to be replaced and it is unknown at this time.
It was moved by Council Member Gafin, seconded by Council Member Marquez and
unanimously carried to introduce the Ordinance.
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9.RESCHEDULED THE SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM MASTER PLAN/GOALS WORKSHOP
TO TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6TH AT 5:00 P.M.: Administration.
City Manager Caton noted that staff would need more time to prepare for this meeting and
requested the date change.
Mayor Pro Tem Bayer noted her agreement as she is unavailable on September 29th.
Mayor Guerra polled the Council for approval and so ordered the meeting date to be
changed tO October 6th. He requested that the Council Goals be brought back at this meeting as
well
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., October 6, 2009, in memory of Rose
LaPlante, longtime Downey resident and mother of Downey Unified School District Board Member
Donald LaPlante.
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk MARIO A. GUERRA, Mayor
City Council Minutes 09/22/09