HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 04-24-12 Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
April 24, 2012
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m., April 24, 2012, in the
Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Roger
C. Brossmer presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Roger C. Brossmer Mayor
David R. Gafin Mayor Pro Tem
Mario A. Guerra
Luis H. Marquez
Fernando Vasquez
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager /City Treasurer
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Adria M. Jimenez, City Clerk
Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager
Lonnie Croom, Fire Chief
Stephen Garza, Police Captain
Brian Saeki, Community Development Director
Arlene Salazar, Interim Community Services Director
Gladys Chavez, Secretary
Other City Staff
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Nancy Hamm, Christ Lutheran Church. The Flag Salute
was led by Nicole Nelson and Jazer Torres, Recreation Leaders, Recreation and Community Services
Department.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS:
Council Member Marquez reported on an increase in graffiti and requested staff provide an
update on our graffiti program; requested staff and the Police Department look into how the State
Parole Release Program will effect the community; and, reported attending the Gangs Out of Downey
(G.O.O.D) luncheon.
Council Member Guerra reported attending the Keep Downey Beautiful clean -up day; attended
the Downey City Library Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon; attended the Assistance League Ball;
attended the 2 Annual Youth in Government Day; testified before the Water Replenishing District
(WRD) and attended their 9 budget workshop; requested each Council Member be provided a letter
authorizing them to speak on behalf of the City when requested; and, recognized Art Morris, who has
passed away.
Council Member Vasquez recognized the Downey Sister Cities Association Members who were in
attendance; attended the 2 Annual Youth in Government Day and thanked Interim Community
Services Director Salazar and Fire Chief Croom for their participation; advised that the 19 Annual
Downey Street Faire will be held Saturday April 28 reported attending the Kiwanis One Day Event;
and, announced that Saturday May 12 is the 25 Annual Kids Day Event at Furman Park.
City Council Minutes — April 24, 2012 1
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin advised that Thursday April 26 is the Annual Kids Day Hall of Fame event
at the Downey Civic Theater; recognized Downey Chamber of Commerce Board of Director Madriaga
and Planning Commissioner Murray, who were in attendance.
Mayor Brossmer recognized Downey Unified Downey School District Board Member Martha
Sodetani who was in attendance; reported participating in Meet the Mayor story time at local schools;
attended the Gangs Out of Downey (G.O.O.D) luncheon; attended the Downey City Library Volunteer
Appreciation Luncheon; attended the 2012 Vex Robotics High School World Championship; attended
the Downey Senior Recreation 56 Anniversary Banquet, and announced that the Women of
Distinction Annual Breakfast exclusive event for the Soroptimist Club will be held this week.
PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Brossmer presented a Proclamation to Nicole Nelson and Jazer Torres in Recognition of
Kids Day, May 12, 2012, at Furman Park.
Mayor Brossmer presented a Certificate of Recognition to Ricky Juarez, US /Mexico National
Sister Cities Board Scholarship Recipient.
Mayor Brossmer and Mayor Pro Tem Gafin presented a Certificate of Appointment to Steven
Perez for his appointment to the Green Task Force for Council District No. 1.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
NON - AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Corey Allen, Field Representative for Assembly Member Lara, introduced himself and advised
there will be a joint gubernatorial appointment workshop on April 26 and invited those who were
interested to attend.
William Barnes, resident, expressed concern about a non - profit residential project at 9294 Lubec
Street. He requested the City look into what can be done in the future to regulate these types of
projects.
Greta Campbell, resident, thanked Mayor Brossmer for meeting with her to discuss homelessness
in the City of Downey.
The following people spoke regarding the recent officer involved shooting:
Terry Ramirez
Tim (no last name provided)
Jean Thaxton
Laura Consentino
Norma Martinez
Terry (no last name provided)
Michael Nida, Sr.
Chanta Thaxton
Mayor Brossmer recessed the City Council Meeting at 8:31 p.m., and reconvened at 8:36 p.m.
with all Council Members present.
City Council Minutes — April 24, 2012 2
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED: None.
CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Vasquez, and
unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar.
1. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of April 10, 2012: City Clerk.
2. APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 267064 — 267423; Wire Nos. 30002633 —
30002642, and 873 — 879, in the total amount of $ 3,920,912.57: Finance.
3. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 12 -1302, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION 3186 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO SPEED LIMITS ON COLUMBIA WAY: Public Works.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
4. APPROVED SIGNS PROHIBITING SMOKING IN CITY PARKS, APPROVED MAPS OF
DESIGNATED SMOKING AREAS AND APPROPRIATED $8,250 FROM THE GENERAL
FUND: Community Services.
Interim Parks and Recreation Director Salazar reported that on November 22 the City Council
adopted an Ordinance prohibiting smoking in City Parks and City sponsored events except in
designated areas. As part of the Ordinance, waste receptacles and No Smoking signs except in
designated smoking areas were required. In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of
Public Health Project Trust Tobacco Control and Prevention Program they have sponsored thirty (30)
No Smoking signs at a cost of $7,000. The City will designate a 50' radius smoking area within City
parks. No smoking except in designated area signs will be installed at Apollo Park, Dennis the Menace
Park, Furman Park, Golden Park, Independence Park, Rio San Gabriel Park, and Wilderness Park. In
addition, a total of seven No Smoking signs will be installed at Brookshire Park, Crawford Park,
Treasure Island Park and Temple Park. The cost of the signs, cigarette receptacles and Public Works
staff time to install signs and receptacles is estimated to be approximately $8,250.
Council Member Guerra asked how someone would know if they are in violation of the No
Smoking Ordinance and asked if the City had received complaints about smoking in City Parks.
Interim Parks and Recreation Director Salazar stated the City had not received any complaints
and also mentioned there was no way of knowing whether someone was standing within 49' or 52' of a
designated no smoking area.
Council Member Guerra asked what training staff will receive on handling a violation of the No
Smoking Ordinance.
Interim Parks and Recreation Director Salazar stated that training would be the same as for any
other Ordinance. The City does not anticipate issues with enforcement.
Council Member Guerra asked if our Police Department had received any complaints regarding
smoking in parks.
City Council Minutes — April 24, 2012 3
Police Captain Garza replied that the Police Department had not received any complaints.
Council Member Vasquez mentioned that the No Smoking Ordinance will go hand -in -hand with
Character Counts and the message the City is sending is that it wants clean parks for the community
to enjoy.
Council Member Marquez advised that a smoke free environment has a cost associated to it and
this Ordinance was a move in a positive direction. He stated some of the no smoking signs were
sponsored to help minimize the cost to the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin expressed concern about the location of a No Smoking sign on the north
end of Golden Park because the location is already designated no smoking.
Mayor Brossmer asked Community Services Interim Director Salazar if the No Smoking sign
could be moved to another location within the park.
Community Services Interim Director Salazar stated that there was no alternate location for a sign
at Golden Park; the only option was to eliminate that location.
Mayor Brossmer asked Council if they were in agreement to eliminate the designated no smoking
area on the north end of Golden Park. A majority of Council Members were in agreement. Council
Member Guerra stated he is opposed to the project.
Council Member Guerra stated that No Smoking signs were a waste of government funds
especially during a budget deficit and State Law already prohibits smoking within 100' of playgrounds.
Council Member Vasquez stated that the City spent close to $9,000 in Character Count Signs
therefore; spending $8,000 on No Smoking signs to reinforce that smoking is hazardous is well worth
it.
It was moved by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Marquez, and carried
4 -1, with Council Member Guerra voting no, to approve the location of the No Smoking signs,
eliminating the north location at Golden Park.
5. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: Community Development.
Community Development Director Saeki reported on economic development projects at the
request of City Council and the public. The projects were: Wal -Mart Neighborhood Market, The View,
Lock & Key, Hall of Fame Market and Deli, Downey Gateway, Hometown Hardware and Garden
Center, proposed Chik- Fil -A, Champion Fiat, redevelopment at Lakewood Boulevard and Gallatin
Road, Harbor Freight, former All American site and redevelopment at Paramount Boulevard and 7th
Street.
Mayor Brossmer thanked staff for their hard work and mentioned the way to get out of tough times
is to continue emphasizing on economic development.
It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, and unanimously
carried to receive and file.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None.
City Council Minutes — April 24, 2012 4
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. in memory of Rose Carpenter, cousin of City Attorney
Yvette Abich Garcia and long -time Downey resident and business owner; Bill Michicoff, father of
John Michicoff, Director of Finance; and, Art Morris, long -time Downey resident.
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ADRIA M. JIMENEZ, C C ROG C. BROSSMER, Mayor
City Clerk
City Council Minutes — April 24, 2012 5