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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-08-23-94-Adjourned w CDC MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL /COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 23, 1994 The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 4:33 p.m., August 23, 1994, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor /Chairman Barbara J. Riley presiding. PRESENT: Council Members/Commissioners: Barbara J. Riley Mayor /Chairman Gary P. McCaughan, M.D. Mayor Pro Tem /Vice - Chairman Joyce L. Lawrence Diane P. Boggs Robert S. Brazelton ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager /Executive Director Tim McOsker, City Attorney Judith McDonnell, City Clerk /Secretary Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Greg Caldwell, Police Chief Art Rangel, Asst. Exec. Dir. /Dir. of Econ. & Comm. Dev. John Finch, Police Captain Mike Miller, Police Captain Rick Nathan, Police Captain Roy Campos, Police Lieutenant Mark Dryer, Police Lieutenant Bob Gallagher, Building Official Ron Yoshiki, Assist. Comm. Dev. Dir. /City Planner Cindi Lee, Executive Secretary The Community Development Commission recessed at 4:34 p.m. STUDY SESSION PERTAINING TO NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION Mr. Caton expressed his appreciation to Mr. Rangel for his dedication to the current Code Enforcement Program. He discussed the various responsibilities of Code Enforcement, including an increased workload with reduced staffing. Mr. Rangel outlined the history of the Code Enforcement Program, including changes in personnel, days of operation, and a reactive approach to community problems. In an effort to assist businesses during difficult economic times, regulations pertaining to business signing were not strictly enforced. In February, 1994, Code Enforcement staff developed a Task Force Work Program after evaluating the current Program, and studying successful Code Enforcement Programs in other cities. The Work Program lists important current and proposed responsibilities of Code Enforcement, including a neighborhood improvement plan, garage sale regulations, home occupations, complaint procedures, nuisance abatement policy, and citation powers. Also discussed are expenditures to be appropriated, anticipated revenue from cost recovery, and additional revenue opportunities to maintain and improve the quality of life in Downey. City Council/Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 8/23/94 -1- t ti ` _ s Mr. Caton emphasized the importance of economic vitality to the strength of a community, noting his desire to have Mr. Rangel direct his efforts in this area. Chief Caldwell presented the proposed Code Enforcement Program as part of the Police Department. He noted that any new program would cause some trepidation to the public; however, he advocated the transfer as an asset to the Police Department. He discussed various proposed personnel changes that would occur as a result of the Police Department absorbing the Code Enforcement Program. He also commented on proposed expenditures that will be necessary to promote Code Enforcement officer visibility, including repainting and marking of existing vehicles, uniforms, and citation training. A proactive app roach will be followed, with compliance requested from violators, and then enforcing the law if compliance is not achieved. Captain Finch discussed the concept of change in the community, emphasizing the most effective way to meet the challenge of these changes is with a proactive Code Enforcement policy. He mentioned the proposed Program is a compilation of effective programs in other cities, and strategies in the Police Department that would coincide with Code Enforcement. He cited the quasi-military structure within the Police Department, and Public Safety issues dealt with by Code Enforcement as main reasons for transfering the Program to the Police Department. He narrated a brief slide presentation, depicting areas of residential blight, excessive commercial signing, and other Code violations, many of which have already been addressed by Code Enforcement. The Council is requested to set the priorities of Code Enforcement, and will be asked to tour the City with the Sergeant and Code Enforcement Officer to locate concerns to be addressed. Lieutenant Dryer commented on the strong community commitment from the Police Department and Code Enforcement, stressing the need to halt problems before they escalate. He mentioned the importance of visibility of Code Enforcement in the community, reiterating the need for high - profile vehicles and uniforms. A Sergeant will be assigned to lead the Program, and will work with the City Prosecutor in reviewing and revising City Codes as needed for effective enforcement. A civilian supervisor will be trained to replace the Sergeant within two years, whereupon a Sergeant position will be lost through attrition. He discussed the proposed staffing of Code Enforcement, days of coverage, and assignment of duties by subject area, i.e., si gnage, residential, etc. The transfer of Code Enforcement to the Police Department and the subsequent working relationship between all Departments is expected to greatly benefit the City. Council Member McCaughan concurred with the proposed transfer of Code Enforcement to the Police Department, and requested that concepts outlined in the Community Development staff report also be included in the new Program. He expressed excitement in revitalizing this area through the discussed changes, noting that Municipal Code enforcement is important to the character of the community. He questioned whether Ordinances currently exist regarding civil liens, and was informed the issue would have to be addressed and initiated by Ordinance, as it is not included in the Downey Municipal Code at this time. City Council/Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 8/23/94 -2- s Council Member Lawrence agreed with the transfer as discussed, with the incorporation of the ideas expressed in the Community Development staff report given by Mr. Rangel. She advocated community education, and communication among residents to avoid confrontational situations. Prior to imposing a civil l i e n , she recommended that hardship cases be referred to the appropriate City department for assistance. She preferred the title of "Neighborhood Improvement," but noted the need for a firm image. Council Member Boggs commented on the importance of maintaining the aesthetics of Downey. She concurred with Council Member Lawrence's remarks concerning the need to address cases of hardship or dysfunctional situations by referrals for assistance. She questioned whether the requested Code Enforcement staffing is adequate. Mr. Caton agreed that additional officers would be beneficial, but recommended transfer of the current Program to the Police Department, and then evaluation of the Program in approximately six months to assess effectiveness. Council Member Brazelton favored the term "Code Enforcement," to include firm enforcement with some compassion in deserved cases. Mayor Riley stressed the need to educate the public regarding money and manpower assistance available for fixing or cleaning up residential properties in need. Mayor Riley asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak regarding this matter. Ms. Jeannette Paumier, 9276 Downey Ave., member of Advocates for Multi- Cultural Harmony, stressed the ideal to get all people to communicate. She suggested a list of regulations be distributed throughout the City to inform all residents of the laws. Mr. Tom Burney, 10530 Dolan Ave., commented on the reasons people are moving to Downey, and expressed support of pursuing a proactice approach to Code Enforcement. Council Member McCaughan clarified that staff's recommendation includes the important concepts of the Community Development Work Program, with the Police Department as the lead agency. It was moved by Council Member Boggs, seconded by Council Member Brazelton, and unanimously carried to direct staff to implement the Code Enforcement Program proposed by Chief of Police Greg Caldwell and authorize the expenditure of $48,205 to implement said Program. The Community Development Commission reconvened at 5:35 p.m. APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES - AUGUST 9, 1994 It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Boggs, seconded by Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton and unanimously carried (Council Members/ Commissioners McCaughan and Lawrence abstaining) to approve the Closed Session Minutes of August 9, 1994. City Council/Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 8/23/94 -3- CLOSED SESSION Mayor /Chairman Riley announced the Council /Commission is recessing to Closed Session to discuss the following Sections of the Government Code: SECTION 54956.9, Subdivision (c) - Conference with Legal Counsel regarding initiation of litigation - one matter. SECTION 54957.6 - Conference with labor negotiator Lee Powell regarding direction for labor negotiations with Downey Firemen's Association and Downey Police Officers' Association. The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:45 p.m. with all Council Members /Commissioners present. There were no Closed Session actions to report. The meeting recessed at 7:45 p.m. ORAL CO*IUN I CAT I ONS The meeting reconvened for Oral Communications at 8:35 p.m. with all Council Members /Commissioners present, and immediately recessed. The meeting reconvened at 8:53 p.m. with all Council Members /Commissioners present. ADJOURNMENT: 8:35 p.m. • u• i t . McDonne_ , ity C er arbara J. ley, M.. , or /Chairman Secretary City Council/Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 8/23/94 -4-