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MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL /COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 22, 1994
The City Council /Community Development Commission of the City of Downey
held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 4:30 p.m., November 22, 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
Cheryl J. Kane, City Attorney
Judith McDonnell, City Clerk /Secretary
Art Rangel, Director of Economic & Community Development/
Asst. Executive Director
Greg Caldwell, Police Chief
Jim Jarrett, Director of Community Services
Ron Yoshiki, Asst. Community Dev. Director /City Planner
John Finch, Police Captain
Mark Dryer, Police Lieutenant
Mel Parks, Police Sergeant
Sid Lee, Senior Code Enforcement Officer
Laura Wilson, Code Enforcement Officer
Cindi Lee, Executive Secretary
The Community Development Commission recessed at 4:35 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION TO DISCUSS CODE ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES
Captain John Finch presented a summary of the accomplishments achieved by
the Code Enforcement Division since its transfer to the Police Department,
including the assignment of 380 new cases to be handled by the Code Enforcement
officers. He commended the quality of the existing Code Enforcement personnel,
citing their helpfulness and support during the past weeks. Each officer has
been assigned as a liaison with specific Police Department and City Hall
offices, including Narcotics, Crime Impact Team, Special Enforcement Team, and
the Fire Department. He discussed the personnel complement of the Division,
which w i l l include four fu l l ti me officers in January, 1995, when retired Police
Sergeant Joe Eggert will assume a Code Enforcement Officer position. In
addition, a new Administrative Clerk has been hired to provide support for the
office operation. Work schedules have been arranged to currently provide
City Council/Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 11/22/94 -1-
office coverage and field service Monday through Friday. Beginning in January,
1995, service will be expanded from Monday through Saturday. Code Enforcement
officers are currently undergoing various types of training, including police
radio procedure, civilian pepper spray, and citation powers. To promote officer
visibility, Code Enforcement personnel are attired in authoritative, yet subtle
uniforms, and City vehicles have been painted and marked as enforcement
vehicles. Future plans include installation of computers connected with the
City Hall mainframe in Data Processing to facilitate Code Enforcement case
tracking, monitoring, and Block Grant reporting by January, 1995.
An outline of Areas of Concentration was distributed by Sergeant Parks,
indicating the issues of focus for Code Enforcement based on input received __
from Council Members' tours with Code Enforcement personnel. Captain Finch
referenced current and modified technicial forms used in Code Enforcement,
including warnings, request for service, notice of violation and thank you
notes to be sent to violators upon prompt compliance.
Council Member McCaughan commented on the Areas of Concentration, noting
his emphasis on property maintenance. He suggested future discussion of a
consistent inspection process, such as annual inspections to insure property
maintenance and compliance, and mentioned his concern with a potential safety
hazard created by window signs that hinder visibility at convenience stores.
He agreed with the importance of computerized tracking, monitoring, and
statistics.
Council Member Lawrence stressed her first priority of Code Enforcement
matters involving life safety issues, i.e. unsecured swimming pools, followed
by property maintenance problems, such as weeds and inoperable vehicles, and
finally aesthetic issues including yard sales, vehicle sales on parking lots,
and outside display of merchandise.
Council Member Boggs recommended that service request forms be given to
the Council office, so the Council Secretary can complete the forms as she
receives complaints. She indicated her priorities involved life safety issues,
property values and aesthetics. She suggested adding sign maintenance to
signing enforcement, and recommended residents with Code Enforcement
difficulties be directed toward appropriate assistance if needed. Referencing
the property on the northwest corner of Patton Road and Cleta Avenue, she
commented on the need to address abandoned structures throughout the City.
Responding to a question from Council Member Brazelton, Chief Caldwell
clarified that Code Enforcement is reactive to complaints at this time;
however, a proactive approach is planned for January, 1995, with a full staff
of four officers.
Council Member Brazelton suggested the City review the possibilty of
placing property liens on abandoned sites as a means to address the problem of
structures vacant for some time. He concurred with Council Member Boggs'
comments regarding City assistance, noting that handouts detailing the programs
available through the City could be distributed by the officers when
appropriate. He urged Code Enforcement personnel to make any recommendations
as they see needed in their line of work for new or revised ordinances.
City Council /Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 11/22/94 -2-
Mayor Riley suggested the service forms also be given to Police Officers
for completion if they become aware of a Code Enforcement matter, and stressed
priorities of safety and property values.
All Council Members expressed their satisfaction with the accomplishments
of Code Enforcement as presented by staff.
As there were no comments from the audience, the Council concluded the
Study Session regarding Code Enforcement priorities.
The Community Development Commission reconvened in joint session with the
City Council at 5:20 p.m.
APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 8, 1994
It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Boggs, seconded by Council
Member /Commissioner Brazelton, and unanimously carried to approve the Closed
Session Minutes of November 8, 1994.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor /Chairman Riley announced the Council/Commission is recessing to
Closed Session to discuss the following Sections of the Government Code:
A. SECTION 54956.9, Subdivision (a) - Conference with Legal Counsel -
Existing litigation: Castro vs. City of Downey (Claim #1109).
B. 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 7:28 p.m. with all Council
Members /Commissioners present. There were no Closed Session actions to report.
The meeting recessed at 7:28 p.m.
ORAL COIIIUN I CAT IONS
The meeting reconvened for Oral Communications at 8:20 p.m. with all
Council Members /Commissioners present (see Oral Communications under Regular
City Council Meeting), and recessed at 8:30 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:35 p.m. with all Council Members /Commissioners
present.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:35 p.m.
f I
Judith E. McDonnel Imo , , City Clerk/ arbara J , key, or /Chairman
y
.Secretary
City Council /Comm. Dev. Minutes (Adj.) 11/22/94 -3-