HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 11-14-95 - Adjourned w CDC MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL /CCMMUN ITY DEVELOPMENT CC IM ISS ION
OF TI-E CITY OF DOW Y
ADJOURWD REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 14, 1995
The City Council /Community Development Commission of the City of Downey
held an Adjourned Reg ul ar Meeting at 4:35 p.m., Nov Ember 14, 1995, in the
Council Chamber o f t he Downey city Hail, Mayor /Chairman Gary P. McCaughan
presiding .
PRESENT: Council Members /Commissioners:
Gary •P. McCaughan , M.D. Mayo r /Chairman
Joyce L. Lawrence Mayor Pro Tem /Vic e- Chairman
Robert S. Brazel ton
Diane P. Boggs
Barbara J. Riley
ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager /Executive Director
Cheryl J. Kane, City Attorney
Judith McDonnell, City Clerk /Secretary
Lee Powell , Assistant City Manager
Art Rangel , Director of Community /Economic Development
Robert Gallagher , Building Official
Robert Rowe, Deputy Fire Marshal
STUDY SESSION TO DISCUSS ADOPTION OF 1994 EDITION OF MODEL BUILDING CODES
Mr. Rangel explained the Building Codes are State regul ations enforced by
cities and that the three major code writing agencies have consol idated and
rewritten the codes, causing cities to review and revise their own codes for
the purpose of deleting regulations that are adequately covered by model codes ,
obsol ete, unenforceable, or in confl ict with State 1 aw. He al so referenced the
City of Downey Building Division's intent to enforce building regulations
vigorously but in a business friendly nature, to el iminate as much red tape as
possible, and to streaml ine the permit process.
Mr . Gal 1 ag her c omm en ted on the common code format d ev el o ped by the thr ee
code writing bodies in the United States , which included reformatting the code
to a new numbering system and rearranging information into several different
areas. He mentioned the information itself has not changed, just the location
in the code. He has reviewed the Ci ty' s Code in detail and examined it for
• areas he considered to be obsolete, not enforceable by State law for
geol ogical , topographical or cl imatic conditions, or are covered by other codes
and ordinances already on the books. Mr. Gallagher then proceeded to highlight
various sections of the code that he recommends be amended or del eted and
responded to questions of the Council.
One area of concern was raised by Mayor /Chairman McCaughan, wherein he
questioned deleting the Health Code even though the City i s not the enforcing
agency.
Mr . Caton suggested conferring with the City Attorney to see if Downey
should adopt the Los Angeles County Health Code by reference.
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1Q E �
Mr. Gallagher spoke regarding height requirements for fencing and pointed
out that the Planning Department requireF seven feet, whereas the Building Code
requires six. He will propose a procedure of not requiring permits for fencing
under seven feet to coincide with the Planning Department's requirements.
However, in the case of block or masonry walls, he will be proposing a
requirement of permits for walls more than 48 inches high.
During discussion regarding fencing, Council Member /Commissioner Lawrence
referenced the proposed amenchient requiring a permit for any fence more than
42" in height in the front yard setback of a "view obstructing material" and
expressed concern that a seven foot wrought iron fence, which is not view
obstructing, would not be permitted in the front setback area.
Staff will review the 1 anguage to make sure there is no ambiguity on the
fencing issue.
Discussion was also held regarding chainl ink fence requirements.
At the conclusion of his presentation, Council Member /Commissioner Boggs
complimented Mr. Gallagher regarding his attitude in looking out for public
safety and also regarding streamlining the permit process.
The meeting recessed at 5:30 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES - OCTOBER 24, 1995
It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Boggs, seconded by Council
Member /Commissioner Lawrence, and unanimously carried to approve the Closed
Session Minutes of October 24, 1995.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor /Chairman McCaughan announced the Council /Commission is recessing to
Closed Session (6:32 p.m.) to discuss the following Sections of the Government
Code:
A. SECTION 54956.9, Subdivision (a) - Conference with Legal Counsel -
Existing Litigation: Garcia vs. City of Downey (Claim #93051).
B. SECTION 54957.6 - Conference with Labor Negotiator Lee Powell re
direction for labor negotiations with Downey City Employees Association -
Maintenance.
B. SECTION 54957.6 - Conference with Labor Negotiator Lee Powell re
• direction for labor negotiations with Downey City Employees Association -
Mi sc el l an eo us .
The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:29 p.m. with all Council
Members /Commissioners present.
Mayor /Chairman McCaughan announced that in closed session, the City
Council by unanimous vote authorized settlement of Garcia vs. City of Downey
(Claim #93051) for $35,000, which case involved physical injury to Garcia.
The meeting recessed at 7:30 p.m.
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ORAL CCMMUN ICATIONS : None
The meeting reconvened for Oral Communications at 8:25 p .m . with al
Council Members /Commissioners present ( see Oral Communications under Regul ar
City Council Meeting) , and immediately recessed.
The meeting reconvened at 8:30 p .m. with all Council Members /Commissioner s
present .
ADJOURNMENT: 8: 30 p .m .
t 4 t'i.!� , - , , l
Judith E. McDonnell City ,l er Gar P. Mc h Mayo r /Chai.. an an
Y Y Y 9 ,
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