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Home My WebLink About01. Minutes - 10-11-11 Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING October 11, 2011 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:34 p.m., October 11, 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: Gilbert Livas, Assistant City Manager Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney Joyce E. Doyle, Interim City Clerk 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 Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager Adria Jimenez, Consultant, City Clerk’s Office Other City Staff COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Council Member Vasquez reported on his attendance at the Downey Kiwanis Board installation on Friday; announced Jason Cierpiszewskiis the new Kiwanis Club President and Alex Gaytan is the Kiwani of the Year; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church is having their annual carnival this weekend and encouraged residents to attend. Council Member Gafin thanked staff for coordinating the Taste of Downey; thanked Mayor Marquez for hosting the resident BBQ at Golden Park on Saturday; thanked the Police and Fire Foundation for hosting the golf tournament last Monday; announced Council Member Guerra is th hosting a Town Hall meeting on October 19, 6:30 p.m., at the Barbara J. Riley Center and encouraged residents who would like more information about the City to attend. Council Member Gafin provided information on Mayor Marquez’ upcoming BBQ scheduled for Saturday, October 22, 2011, at Unsworth Elementary School; asked staff to research and agendize ways the City can be proactive regarding the dumping of large items, trash, etc., around the community, especially multi- tenant housing; recognized Dee Bacus, Downey Chamber of Commerce and Emergency Preparedness Committee Member, Mike Murrary, Downey Planning Commissioner, and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mark Vasquez, whom were in the audience. Council Member Guerra advised he and Council Member Gafin attended a Southern California Association of Governments meeting last week to work on the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) th for Southern California; and said he attended his 94 neighborhood watch meeting. Mr. Guerra advised this Saturday is the YMCA pancake breakfast; stated the Rotary Golf Tournament is coming -1- City Council Minutes 10/11/11 up; advised this week is Downey-Warren week and the Rotary hosts both teams’ coaches, players, and cheerleaders. Council Member Guerra asked staff to look at the possibility of establishing a film commission under the Business Task Force; asked staff and employees to carry service request forms with them to report graffiti, potholes, etc. when they are out and about the City; requested the chain link fence project at Fire Station #1 be completed. Council Member Brossmer positively commented on the Taste of Downey; stated the BBQ at Golden Park had a good turnout and the Mayor did a great job; extended his appreciation to the Fire Department for the control burn at the old Gallatin Medical Center; advised he attended the moon observation evening at Columbia Learning Center and thanked the Columbia Learning Center staff for their work on the event; advised that he and the Director of Public Works attended the SouthEast Water Coalition Meeting and they are requesting cities encourage their local assemblymen to request audits of the Central Basin Municipal Water District; and asked staff to draft a letter in support of auditing the Central Basin Municipal Water District and the Water Replenishment District. Mayor Marquez welcomed everyone in the audience to tonight’s meeting; commended City staff for their work on the Taste of Downey; thanked the Golden Park community and residents for attending the “Bringing City Hall to You” BBQ; thanked the Police Chief and the Police Department for preparing the food, and thanked the Fire Explorers for being in attendance; thanked Fire Chief Croom for attending and providing information to the residents. He stated October 22, 2011 is the final “Bringing City Hall to You” BBQ at Unsworth Elementary, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. PRESENTATIONS: Mayor Marquez presented a Proclamation to Soroptimist Club President Sue Potter in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Mayor Marquez presented a Proclamation to Soroptimist Club President Sue Potter in recognition of November as End Domestic Violence Month. Mayor Marquez presented Certificates of Recognition to the coaches of the California Quake Women’s Professional Tackle Football Team, for winning the 2011 Independent Women’s Football League West Conference Championship. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: Jean Salyer and Naomi Elwell, Horley Avenue Neighborhood Watch, thanked Council Member Guerra for his assistance in organizing their neighborhood watch group; requested assistance from the City on: 1) preventing trash pickers from rummaging through their garbage and that of their neighbors, 2) discouraging solicitors from leaving junk mail on their properties, and 3) eliminating unwelcomed visitors such as realtors or contractors from disturbing the residents. Ms. Salyer and Ms. Elwell provided the City Clerk with a copy of the correspondence they read into the record. Bob Griffin, resident, also spoke about the unwanted junk mail, solicitors, and trash pickers in his neighborhood; and requested the City consider addressing this issue through legislation. Gilbert Livas, Assistant City Manager, advised this is a concern for many cities in Southern California and stated the City will review its current Ordinances and those of other cities to see what it can do to address this issue. Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager, obtained residents contact information. -2- City Council Minutes 10/11/11 CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Council Member Gafin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer and approve the Consent Calendar Items unanimously carried to as presented, noting Council Member Guerra voted no on Item #6. 1. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings September 27, 2011: City Clerk. 2. APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 262275 - 262653; Wire Nos. 30002494 - : 30002503 and 794- 799; in the total amount of $4,388,136.53 Finance. 3. APPROPRIATED $23,380 FROM ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDS TO PURCHASE 20 BODY-WORN CAMERAS: Police Department. 4. APPROVED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR PAYMENT FOR REPORTING FISCAL YEAR 2009 NATIONAL TRANSIT DATABASE INFORMATION: Community Services. 5. INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING ARTICLE VI “BUSINESS, TRADES, AND PROFESSIONS” OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 12, ESTABLISHING A TOWING SERVICE FRANCHISE PROGRAM: Police Department. 6. ADOPTION OF DOCUMENTS TO PROCESS AN AMENDMENT TO THE CALPERS CONTRACT TO PROVIDE 3% AT 55 SECOND TIER RETIREMENT FORMULA FOR LOCAL FIRE SAFETY MEMBER NEW HIRES: Administration. A. INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM; and B. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 11-7300, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING A RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO AMEND THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None. OTHER BUSINESS: 7. APPROVED DISPLAY OF CHARACTER COUNTS PILLAR “RESPECT” AT ENTRANCE TO DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT’S ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IN THE FORM OF A “RESPECT ROAD” SIGN: Council Member Guerra. Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer noted he would be abstaining due to working for the Downey Unified School District and left the dais, the time being 8:13 p.m. Council Member Guerra stated the City has done a great job in working with Downey Unified School District in promoting the principals of Character Counts. He has spoken with the School Board Members and the Superintendent and both have approved, and would like -3- City Council Minutes 10/11/11 the City Council to approve, naming the parking lot that goes into Downey Unified School District as “Respect Road” to continue with the naming of Character Counts. It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member Gafin and approve the display of character counts pillar “respect” at entrance to carried 4-0, to Downey Unified School District’s Administration building in the form of a “respect road” sign , noting the abstention of Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer. Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer returned to the dias at 8:15 p.m. 8. APPROVE NAMING OF INDEPENDENCE SKATE PARK IN HONOR OF FORMER MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER MEREDITH H. PERKINS: Council Member Guerra. Council Member Guerra stated several years ago former Council Member Meredith Perkins was instrumental in coming up with the idea and working with staff for creating the skate park at Independence Park. Former Council Member Perkins wanted to help promote the youth of the community and help promote something young adults and children can enjoy in a safe environment. The City Council in May 2004 adopted criteria for naming community facilities. The criteria included significant length of service, love of community, impeccable character, positive impact on the community, and politically retired. Mr. Guerra stated he is proposing that because of the significant contributions Meredith Perkins has made to the community and the challenges of creating the skate park at Independence Park, the skate park be named in his honor. Mayor Marquez echoed Council Member Guerra’s comments, and stated it is a fitting recognition of Meredith Perkins and he is supportive of the request. It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member Gafin and carried approve naming of Independence Skate Park in honor of former Mayor and unanimously to Council Member Meredith H. Perkins. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: memory of Warren The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., October 25, 2011; in Latimer, husband of Cleo Latimer (Friends of the Downey City Library) and longtime Downey resident; Mary V. Fallon ____________________________ ___________________________ JOYCE E. DOYLE, Interim City Clerk LUIS H. MARQUEZ, Mayor -4- City Council Minutes 10/11/11