HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-11-11 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 11, 2011
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m., October 1 1 , 201 1 , in the Council Chamber of the Downey
City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor/Chairperson Luis H. Marquez
presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members/Commissioners:
Luis H. Marquez
Roger C. Brossmer
David R. Gafin
Mario A. Guerra
Fernando Vasquez
Mayor/Chairperson
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairperson
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Gilbert Livas, Assistant City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney/Agency Counsel
Joyce E. Doyle, Interim City Clerk/Secretary
Other City Staff
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ADJOURNED MEETING AGENDA ITEMS: None
APPROVED CLOSED SESSION MINUTES: September 27, 2011.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairperson Brossmer, seconded by Council
Member/Commissioner Vasquez, and so ordered by Mayor/Chairperson Marquez to approve the
Closed Session Minutes from September 27, 2011.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor/Chairperson Marquez 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 54956.9(a) – Conference with legal counsel – pending
litigation: Water Replenishment District of Southern California v. Hillside Memorial Park
and Mortuary, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. C506806 (Appellate Case No.
B225058)
2. Government Code Section 54956.9(a) – Conference with legal counsel – pending
litigation: Water Replenishment District of Southern California v. City of Downey, et al.,
Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. C786656 (Appellate Case No. B226743).
RECONVENED:
The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:32 p.m. with all Council Members/
Commissioners present. City Attorney/Agency Counsel Abich Garcia announced there was no
reportable action
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ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
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City Council Minutes (Adj.) 10/1 1/1 1 -2-
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
October 11, 201 1
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:34 p.m., October 1 1,
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
Roger C. Brossmer
David R. Gafin
Mario A. Guerra
Fernando Vasquez
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
ALSO PRESENT:Gilbert Livas, Assistant City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Joyce E. Doyle, Interim City Clerk
Lonnie C;room, 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 Cierpiszewski is 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 i thanked the Police and Fire
Foundation for hosting the golf tournament last Monday; announced Council Member Guerra is
hosting a Town Hall meeting on October 19th, 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)
for Southern California; and said he attended his 94tF1 neighborhood watch meeting. Mr. Guerra
advised this Saturday is the YMCA pancake breakfast; stated the Rotary Golf Tournament is coming
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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
C:room 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 rurnmaging 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.
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CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Council Member Gafin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Brossmer and
unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar Items 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
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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
carried 4-0, to approve the display of character counts pillar “respect” at entrance 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
unanimously to approve naming of Independence Skate Park in honor of former Mayor andCouncil Member Meredith H. Perkins.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., October 25, 201 1 ; in memory of Warren
Latimer, husband of Cleo Latimer (Friends of the Downey City Library) and longtime Downey
resident.
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