HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 03-28-95 - Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
MARCH 28, 1995
T A B L E O F MINUTE ACTIONS
SUBJECT ACTION PAGE NO.
Proclamation re Public Health Week 1
Proclamation re "Take our Daughters to Work Day" 1
Central Basin Municipal Water District Presentation 1
Items Removed from Consent Calendar 2
Council Minutes: Adj. & Regular Meetings, 3/14/95 Approved 2
Warrants Issued: #108843 - 109292 Approved 2
High Accident Location Study: Approve Consultant
Agreement with Albert Grover & Associates to study
high accident rate locations within City Approved 2
Zone Change #94 -64, 8600 -8650 Firestone Blvd.
(Applicants, Sisters of the Company of Mary, Our
Lady and Richard M. Lehn) - Request to change zone
from M -1 (Light Manufacturing) and C -3 (Central
Business District) to C -2 (General Commercial) Set hrg. 4/11/95 2
Zone Change #95 -08, 9610 Washburn Rd. (Applicant,
Adnoff Family Trust) - Request to change zone from
M -1 (Light Manufacturing) and PB (Parking Buffer)
to C -1 (Neighborhood Commercial) Set hrg. 4/11/95 2
Authority to carry over funds from Fiscal Year 1992 -93
for the Library Automation Project Approved 2
Res. #5868, authorizing submittal of an Application
under the State of California 1994/95 Local Government
Used Oil Opportunity Grant Program Adopted 2
Ord. #997 allowing the keeping of Racing /Homing Sport
Pigeons on Single - Family Residentially Zoned Property Adopted 3
Proposed Downey Municipal Code Amendment re Parking
of Commercial Vehicles and Equipment Cont. to 4/11/95 3
Street Closure for Chamber of Commerce Faire (June 3,
1995) : Approve closure of Downey Ave. from Firestone
Blvd. to La V i l l a St. from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.;
deny use of City -owned property on Third St. due to
concerns; & staff to return with options to fund
City service fees for event Approved 4
Page 1 of 2
COUNCIL MINUTES, MARCH 28, 1995
TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS (CONTINUED)
SUBJECT ACTION PAGE NO.
Res. #5869, establishing "Drug and Weapon Free Zones"
adjacent to Public and Private Elementary, Middle &
High School Campuses and Public Parks Adopted 4
Cn. Lawrence commented on City's purchase of property
at 12830 Woodruff Avenue for relocation of City
Transit Yard 4
Cn. Lawrence re consideration of City subsidizing MTA
bus passes for certain members of community, i.e., To be placed on
senior citizens, handicapped and school age individuals future agenda 5
Mr. Caton re Council & Staff Member currently in
Washington, D.C. to persuade Federal Govt. to
keep $11 billion in budget for LACDA project which
would take Downey out of flood zone area 5
Mr. Caton noted important vote at meeting of L.A.
County Board of Supervisors on April 6th re fl oodpl ain
& encouraged public to contact Supervisor Deane Dana,
expressing support of LACDA project 5
Mr. Caton re Presidential plan to reduce NASA budget
by $8 million over the next five years; discussed
devastating economic impact of potential closure of
Rockwell plant in Downey, in view of upcoming closures
of Long Beach Naval Shipyard and Northrop plant in
Pico Rivera 5
Mr. Caton urged participation in "Take our Daughters
to Work Day" 5
Adjourned to 6:30 p.m., April 11, 1995 5
Page 2 of 2
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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWN Y
MARCH 28, 1995
The City Council of the City of Downey held a regular meeting at 7:40 p.m.,
March 28, 1995, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall , Mayor Barbara J.
Riley presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Barbara J. Riley, Mayor
..-.. Gary P. McCaughan, M.D., Mayor Pro Tem
Joyce L. Lawrence
Robert S. Brazelton
ABSENT: Diane P. Boggs (Excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager
Cheryl J. Kane, City Attorney
Judith McDonnell, City Clerk
Lee Powell , Assistant City Manager
Greg C a l d w e l l , Police Chief
Ron Irwin, Fire Chief
Jim Jarrett, Director of Community Services
Art Rangel, Di r. of Economic & Community Development
Richard Redmayne, Director of Public Works
Lowell Williams, Director of Finance
Ron Yoshi ki , Asst. Community Dev. Director /City Planner
Robert Brace, City Engineer
Bob Gallagher, Building Official
Greg Mayfield, Water /Sanitation Superintendent
Ed Velasco, Housing Manager
Cindi Lee, Executive Secretary
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Riley proclaimed the week of April 3 -7, 1995 as "Public Health Week ".
Mayor Riley proclaimed April 27, 1995 as "Take Our Daughters to Work Day".
CENTRAL BASIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT PRESENTATION
Mr. B i l l Ralph, representing the Central Basin Municipal Water District,
distributed material containing information regarding the history, representation,
and budget of the District. He discussed costs related to water purchased from
the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and future trends involving increasing
rates.
Council Member Brazelton requested the District's formal audit reports be
sent to the City in the future.
Council Member McCaughan mentioned that any cost savings that could be
realized at the District level and passed on to the City would be appreciated.
Council Minutes 3/28/95 -1-
A
Council Member Lawrence questioned the Central Basin's source for the water
sold to Downey, and the price paid by the District for this water.
Mr. Ralph explained the water is purchased from the Metropolitan Water
District which provides water from the Colorado River and the California State
Water Project originating in Northern California. He indicated he would obtain
information regarding the exact cost of the water for Council's review.
Mayor Riley asked if there was anyone present in the audience wishing to
speak on this matter, and no one approached the podium.
HEARINGS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEMS FOR REMOVAL
Council Member McCaughan requested removal from the Consent Calendar of
Agenda Item VI-F-2, RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING DRUG AND WEAPON FREE ZONES IN THE
CITY.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Council Member Lawrence, seconded by Council Member
Brazel ton , and unanimously carried (4 -0) to waive further reading of the
Resolutions and approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as recommended:
COUNCIL MINUTES: ADJOURNED AND REGULAR MEETINGS, MARCH 14, 1995: Approve.
WARRANTS ISSUED: NO. 108843 - 109292, $1,261,617.17: Approve.
HIGH ACCIDENT LOCATION STUDY: Approve Consultant Agreement with Albert
Grover and Associates to complete a study of high accident rate locations within
the City, funded entirely by the State Office of Traffic Safety.
ZONE CHANGE NO. 94 -64, 8600 -8650 FIRESTONE BOULEVARD (Applicants, Sisters of
the Company of Mary, Our Lady and Richard M. Lehn) - Request to Change Zone from
M -1 (Light Manufacturing) and C -3 (Central Business District) to C -2 (General
Commercial): Set hearing for 7:30 p.m., April 11, 1995 in the Downey City Council -
Chamber .
ZONE CHANGE NO. 95-08, 9610 WASHBURN ROAD (Applicant, Adno f f Family Trust) -
Request to change zone from M -1 (Light Manufacturing) and PB (Parking Buffer) to
C -1 (Neighborhood Commercial) : Set hearing for 7:30 p.m., April 11, 1995 in the
Downey City Council Chamber.
AUTHORITY TO CARRY OVER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,481 FROM FISCAL YEAR 1992 -
93 FOR THE LIBRARY AUTOMATION PROJECT: Approve.
RESOLUTION NO. 5868 (ADOPT)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION UNDER
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 1994/95 LOCAL GOVERNMENT
USED OIL OPPORTUNITY GRANT PROGRAM
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/• t S
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ORDINANCES NOT SET FORTH ABOVE
ORDINANCE NO. 997
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING
THE CITY'S ZONING CODE, SECTION 9136.18(b) ALLOWING THE KEEPING
OF RACING /HOMING SPORT PIGEONS ON SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIALLY
ZONED PROPERTY
The Ordinance was read by title only. It was moved by Council Member
Brazelton, seconded by Council Member Lawrence, and unanimously carried (4 -0) to
waive further reading and adopt.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING PARKING OF
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
Mr. Caton advised this item is being continued to the next meeting to allow
staff additional time to study the matter.
RESOLUTIONS NOT SET FORTH ABOVE: None,
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
STREET CLOSURE FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STREET FAIRE (JUNE 3, 1995)
Mr. Caton summarized the staff report, outlining the requests of the Chamber
for the annual Street Faire, which include closing Downey Avenue from Firestone
Boulevard to La Villa Street, use of City -owned property at 8206 Third Street for
a carnival , and waiver of City fees involving manpower expenses and use of City
stage for this event. Staff is recommending approval of the street closure,
denial of the request to use City -owned property due to liability concerns
expressed by the Police Chief, and waiver of fees on the contingency that if any
profits are made from the Street Faire, the City will be reimbursed for service
costs before any profit to the Chamber is realized.
Mayor Riley asked if there was anyone present in the audience wishing to
speak regarding this matter.
Mr. Randy Basurto, 8533 Shadyside, Whittier, and Mr. Keith McCarthy,
President, Downey Chamber of Commerce, expressed appreciation for consideration of
the street closure and waiver of fees, and mentioned the great amount of volunteer
effort required to have a successful Street Faire. The Faire provides mutual
benefits for the City and Chamber, and any profit realized is reinvested into the
Chamber, promoting business activity in the City.
Council Member Lawrence concurred with staff's recommendations regarding the
street closure and use of City property. However, she preferred that all fees be
waived without reimbursement due to the promotional nature of the Street Faire
serving the City's interests and the small businessmen, and suggested funding City
services with redevelopment funds.
Council Member McCaughan mentioned that other organizations have been
required to pay for related City expenses, i .e . , park concerts, and expressed
uncertainty that all fees should be waived.
Council Minutes 3/28/95 -3-
Council Member Brazelton concurred with Council Member McCaughan's comments.
Mr. Caton explained the City provides an annual subsidy of $15,000 to the
Chamber, and absorbed the costs for the Christmas Parade this past year. However,
if the Council wishes to waive the fees entirely, staff will review optional
funding sources and return with a recommendation.
It was moved by Council Member Brazelton, seconded by Council Member
McCaughan, and unanimously carried (4 -0) to approve a request to close Downey
Avenue from Firestone Boulevard to La Villa Street during the hours from 6 :00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. for a one -day Downey Chamber of Commerce Street Faire on Saturday,
June 3, 1995, deny the use of City -owned property at 8206 Third Street due to
potential liability, and defer voting on the waiver of City fees until staff
returns with additional information.
Prior to the foregoing vote, Council Member Lawrence remarked that the City
pays for services rendered by the Chamber as opposed to subsidizing their
organization.
OTHER BUSINESS - CONSENT CALENDAR: Items Removed by Council Approval
RESOLUTION NO. 5869
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOW NE Y
ESTABLISHING "DRUG AND WEAPON FREE ZONES" ADJACENT
TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL
CAMPUSES AND PUBLIC PARKS
Council Member McCaughan inquired if it is necessary to post signs for
enforcement as outlined in the proposed Resolution, and was informed the signs are
not a requirement.
After further discussion, it was moved by Council Member McCaughan, seconded
by Council Member Brazelton, and unanimously carried (4 -0) to change the wording
of the first sentence in Section 2 of the Resolution from "shall" to "may."
Prior to the foregoing vote, Council Member Brazelton suggested that if signs ----
are used, it may be helpful to highlight that portion of the sign indicating
"increases penalties."
The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Council Member
McCaughan, seconded by Council Member Brazelton, and unanimously carried (4 -0) to
waive further reading and adopt.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None.
OTHER BUSINESS - COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Lawrence explained the City's purchase of property at 12830
Wloodruff Avenue is for the purpose of relocating the City Transit Yard from Apollo
Park which will allow the property on Smallwood Avenue to be used for additional
recreational use when the gymnasium and community center are completed.
Council Minutes 3/28/95 -4-
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i
Council Member Lawrence requested information be returned on a future agenda
regarding the possibility of the City subsidizing MTA bus fares for certain
g 9
members of the community, such as senior citizens, handicapped and school age
individuals, including the financial implications of such funding.
OTHER BUSINESS - Staff Members
Mr. Caton noted that a Downey Council Member and staff member are currently
in Washington, D.C. to persuade the Federal Government to keep $11 million in its
budget for this coming year to fund the LACDA project, which would take the City
out of the flood zone area. He noted the strong opposition led by the Los Angeles
Environmental Lobby and Senator Tom Hayden against the project.
Mr. Caton discussed an important vote at an upcoming meeting of the Los
Angeles County Board of Supervisors on April 6, 1995 regarding the fl oodpl ain and
encouraged the public to contact Supervisor Deane Dana expressing support of the
LACDA project.
Mr. Caton referenced a plan by President Clinton to reduce the NASA budget by
$8 billion over the next five years, which would greatly affect the Rockwell plant
in Downey, since 85% of the business for Rockwell is generated from NASA. Members
of Council and staff will be going to Washington, D.C. tomorrow to discourage this
plan. He outlined the adverse economic impact of closing the Rockwell plant based
on a study by California State Fullerton, especially in view of the closures of
the Long Beach Naval Shipyard and the Northrop plant in Pico Rivera.
Mr. Caton encouraged participation in "Take our Daughters to Work Day".
ADJOURNMENT: 8:15 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned to 6:30 p.m., April 11, 1995, in the Council
Chamber of Downey City Hall.
. j
Judi t E. McDonne , ity C1 erk Barbara J. r6y, May
rt
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