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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01. Minutes - 01-25-11 Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 2011 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:31 p.m., January 25, 2011, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Luis H. Marquez presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Luis H. Marquez Mayor Roger C. Brossmer Mayor Pro Tem David R. Gafin Mario A. Guerra Fernando Vasquez ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney Gilbert Livas, Assistant City Manager Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager Lonnie Croom, Fire Chief Rick Esteves, Police Chief John Michicoff, Finance Director John Oskoui, Public Works Director Thad Phillips, Community Services Director Brian Saeki, Community Development Director Susan Domen, Deputy City Clerk Other City Staff COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Council Member Vasquez commended the Downey Kiwanis Foundation for donating $50,000 to West Middle School; congratulate the 2 latest recipients of the Downey Youth Services Award; and reported that he attended the League of California Cities conference in Sacramento last week. Council Member Gafin introduced Downey Chamber of Commerce representative, Robert Zavala, in the audience. Council Member Guerra mentioned that the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center(CMSSLC) hosted an event for the U.S. Army Advisory Board last Friday; reported that he attended a book signing at CMSSLC today by Carl McNair, brother of former astronaut Ron McNair along with Mayor Marquez and Council Member Brossmer; 3 Neighborhood Watch Group meetings last week; a Budget sub-committee meeting this morning with Council Member Gafin; a Keep Downey Beautiful clean-up last Saturday; a meeting with Michael Josephson and Supervisor Don Knabe last week regarding Character Counts program being brought into the County; and the Downey Chamber of Commerce Green Committee meeting where they voted to partner with the City for an Earth Day celebration; he noted that the City has been nominated for the most Business -1- City Council Minutes 01/25/11 Friendly City for the last two years and now are applying for All American City; and recognized his Emergency Preparedness Committee member, Ruben Salgado, in the audience. Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer recognized Downey Unified School District (DUSD) Board Member, Martha Sodetani in the audience; and noted there was a great turnout at the CMSSLC event today. Mayor Marquez reported he attended the League of California Cities conference in Sacramento last week and met with the Governor; requested that staff bring back a Resolution or Letter of Opposition in regards to the State taking local redevelopment funds; announced he will start presenting Mayor’s Service Awards next month and asked for nominations of citizens who th perform great service to the community; and his first Town Hall meeting will be on March 9 and they will be discussing Public Safety; requested that the park audit and public facility audit be brought to Council for review and strategic planning; that a report be given on the use of synthetic fields at the parks; and an update on the plans for an Earth Day celebration that should include the clean-up of the 3 surrounding rivers; and stated that more of the City’s contract should be put out to bid. PRESENTATIONS: Mayor Marquez presented a Proclamation to Meka Webb, Senior Community Liaison, National Children’s Study-LAVSC, UCLA School of Public Health, declaring National Children’s Study. Mayor Marquez and Council Member Vasquez presented Certificates of Appointment to: Diana Carbajal and Lee Ann Sears, Emergency Preparedness Committee; Jonathan Cousimano and Jose Magana, Green Task Force; Karol Morrison, Library Advisory Board; and Agustin Duran and Carmen Vasquez, Public Works Committee, Council District Four. Mayor Marquez recognized his Library Advisory Board member, Betty Monroe in the audience. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: Robert Zavala, Downey Chamber of Commerce representative, mentioned that concerns regarding the safety of cars in the Public Parking Structure were raised at the Business Watch meeting today as 6 cars have been broken into and 1 was stolen in the past couple of months and that there is trash throughout the structure. CONSENT ITEMS REMOVED: 5. INITIATE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CLOSE THE PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS AT THE 1-5 FREEWAY AND MANZANAR AVENUE: Public Works. This item was removed at the request of Council Member Vasquez and is listed under Other Business below. 6. RECEIVE AND FILE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER STATUS REPORT: Administration. This item was removed at the request of Council Member Guerra and is listed under Other Business below. -2- City Council Minutes 01/25/11 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF CONTRIBUTION CATEGORIES AND PARTICIPATION LEVELS FOR THE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER: Administration. This item was removed at the request of Council Member Guerra and is listed under Other Business below. 8. APPROPRIATE $500 FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FIELD TRIP TRANSPORTATION SERVICE TO COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER: Administration.This item was removed at the request of Council Member Guerra and is listed under Other Business below. CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Gafin, and approve the Consent Calendar unanimously carried to items as recommended: 1. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular and Adjourned Meetings January 11, : 2011 City Clerk. 2. APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 255760 – 256123; Wire Nos. 30002315 – : 30002324 and 682 – 688; in the total amount of $3,967,817.96 Finance. 3. CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 615 – ON CALL CONTRACT FOR STREET AND CONCRETE REPAIRS AND MINOR PUBLIC WORKS IMPROVEMENTS – ACCEPTED THE IMPROVEMENTS, APPROVED THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $444,768.33 AND APPROPRIATED $88,735.45 IN GAS TAX FUNDS: Public Works. 4. APPROVED AGREEMENTS FOR ON-CALL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SERVICES WITH LYNN CAPOUYA, CORNERSTONE STUDIOS, AND RICHARD FISHER ASSOCIATIONS FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS: Public Works. 9. 2011 LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO) CALL FOR PROJECTS: Public Works. A. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 11-7247, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2011 LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO) CALL FOR PROJECTS; B. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL AGREEMENTS AS NECESSARY TO RECEIVE AND EXPEND ANY AWARDED GRANT FUNDS. 10. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 11-7248, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADDING A MANDATORY STATE TRIAL COURT PENALTY FOR ALL PARKING OFFENSE FINES AND AMENDING THE FINE SCHEDULE: Police. 11.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 11-7249, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS TO CAL RECYCLE FOR ALL GRANTS IN THE 2011 FUNDING CYCLE FOR WHICH THE CITY OF DOWNEY IS ELIGIBLE, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE ALL GRANT DOCUMENTS: Administration. 12. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 11-7250, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING APPOINTMENTS OF ANNA VALCARCEL TO THE GREEN TASK FORCE AND HECTOR LUJAN TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE: Administration. -3- City Council Minutes 01/25/11 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None. OTHER BUSINESS: 13. APPROVED YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT DAY: Council Member Vasquez. Council Member Vasquez explained that this would be a good method of empowering the youth in the community and help to create future leaders. He concluded that the youth would visit the Police Station and City Hall where they would participate in running a mock Council meeting. Council Member Guerra noted his agreement on the item but would like staff to report on the costs and timing of having the event. Staff responded that a reasonably priced program could be done but would like Council direction on how they would like it handled. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Guerra and request staff to bring back a report on the specifics of a program along unanimously carried to with the formation of the Youth Commission. Prior to the vote, Council Member Vasquez noted that he intends for this to be a permanent program and is important for the youth. Council Member Guerra suggested it be tied into the formation of the Youth Commission and possibly use as the kick-off for them. Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer and Council Member Gafin agreed to amend the motion to include youth commission formation. John Lacey, resident of Downey, suggested that all schools in Downey be included in this program, not just the public schools. CONSENT ITEMS REMOVED: 5. INITIATED A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CLOSE THE PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS AT THE 1-5 FREEWAY AND MANZANAR AVENUE: Public Works. Council Member Vasquez stated that this is the result of a Neighborhood Watch meeting which emphasizes the importance of these meetings. Council Member Brossmer cautioned that this project will take approximately a year to complete. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Gafin and initiate the agreement. unanimously carried to 6. RECEIVED AND FILED COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER STATUS REPORT: Administration. For the sake of clarity, Item Nos. 6, 7 and 8 were discussed at the same time and the discussion is listed below. -4- City Council Minutes 01/25/11 It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer and receive and file the report. unanimously carried to 7. ESTABLISHED CONTRIBUTION CATEGORIES AND PARTICIPATION LEVELS FOR THE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER: Administration. For the sake of clarity, Item Nos. 6, 7 and 8 were discussed at the same time and the discussion is listed below. It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer and receive and file the report. unanimously carried to 8. APPROPRIATD $500 FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FIELD TRIP TRANSPORTATION SERVICE TO COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER: Administration. Council Member Guerra noted his concern that a precedence would be set by providing transportation. It was suggested that on Item No. 7 the transportation for trips would be added to line items 3 and 4, donations totaling $100,000 or more. Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer asked if the Kiwanis wanted to sponsor the trip and was told by Council Member Vasquez that they are. It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer and approve Item Nos. 6, 7, and 8, with the noted changes to levels 3 and 4 unanimously carried to and a not to exceed figure of $500 per group. Prior to the vote, Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer noted that the center is only averaging 2 field trips per month and is excited to see that increase to 2 – 3 times per day. He questioned if memberships were mentioned in the report and was told no. Council Member Gafin suggested that the field trip transportation be capped at $500, Council Member Guerra and Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer agreed to amend the motion. Mayor Marquez clarified that the $500 is per group and was told yes. He agreed that the center is under utilized and stated they would be focusing on getting corporate sponsors to make the center financially independent. STAFF COMMENTS: City Manager Caton noted that during the Budget subcommittee meeting he explained that while the City has made progress in reducing the deficit and keeping service levels to that of pre- recession times, there continues to be economic issues such as unemployment rates in surrounding cities. He noted that the upcoming budget will have tough choices and asked for Council to give staff direction as to their top priorities. Council Member Guerra requested Council planning sessions be held. City Manager Caton responded that staff is down 10% and several departments are looking at reorganization and needs the top priorities from Council. -5- City Council Minutes 01/25/11 ADJOURNMENT: Harald The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., February 8, 2011, in memory of Henriksenthe six people , retired City Engineer; and who were shot and killed in Tuscon, Arizona Crew Members on January 8, 2011; and the of the Challenger and Columbia Space Flights who perished. ___________________________________ ____________________________ KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk LUIS H. MARQUEZ, Mayor -6- City Council Minutes 01/25/11