HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 02-27-96 - Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
FEBRUARY 27, 1996
TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS
SUBJECT ACTION PAGE NO.
Proclamation re American Red Cross Month 1
Proclamation re Kiwin Week 1
Cerritos College 40th Anniversary presentation - 1
by Board Members
Ord. #1016 Amending DMC relating to adoption of Adopted 2
L.A. County Health Regulations
Removal of Items from Consent Calendar 2
Council Minutes: Adj. & Regular Meetings, 2/13/96 Approved 3
Warrants Issued: #118505-118976 Approved 3
Earthquake storage containers - Request for Approved 3
appropriation
Authorize Downey Girl's Ponytail Softball Assoc. Approved 3
to build snack stand at Independence Park
Temporary street closure of cul -de -sac at Via Amorital Approved 3
p ry
Chaney Av.
Request from Calsan, Inc., for residential waste rate Set Study Session 4
adjustment 3/12/96
Refinancing Civic Center debt - selection of underwriter Approved 4
and bond counsel
Res. approving request for transfer of commercial trash Continued 4
permit from USA Waste Services, Inc.
Cn. Riley re City's 40th Anniversary Celebration 4
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COUNCIL MINUTES, FEBRUARY 27, 1996
TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS (CONTINUED)
SUBJECT ACTION PAGE NO.
Cn. Riley re neighborhood preservation program 5
Cn. Riley re police band, Mutual Aid 5
Cn. Brazelton re vacation in Colorado 5 --
Cn. Boggs re bus benches throughout the city 5
Cn. Boggs re improving Firestone Blvd. 5
Cn. Boggs re policital mailing reg. reclaimed water 5
Cn. Lawrence re info. and ideas for low and moderate 5
income housing
Cn. Lawrence re adventure on Green Line, Blue Line, 5
Red Line, and Angels Flight
Mayor McCaughan re interesting and fulfilling time for 5
the Cit y and plans for the future
Mayor McCaughan re local city eliminating billboards 5
Mayor McCaughan re attending ICA Conference in Santa 5
Barbara & topic of Child Abuse
Mayor McCaughan re abandoned couches in alleyway area 5
of 7th St. between Western Av. and La Reina Av.
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Mr. Caton re public safety and flood protection along Rio 6
Hondo River
Mr. Caton re Rockwell site 6
Mr. Caton re Economic Dev. event at Energy Resource Center 6
3/14/96 for Southeast L.A. County cities
Mayor McCaughan re flood control situation below the Whittier 6
Narrows Dam
Page 2 of 3
COUNCIL MINUTES, FEBRUARY 27, 1996
TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS (CONTINUED)
SUBJECT
ACTION PAGE NO.
Cn. Lawrence re changing duties of Council Members 6
Meeting adjourned to 4:30 p . m. , March 12, 1996 6
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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
FEBRUARY 27, 1996
The City Council of the City of Downey held a regular meeting at 7:47 p.m., February 27,
1996, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Gary P. McCaughan presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Gary P. McCaughan Mayor
Joyce L. Lawrence Mayor Pro -Tem
Diane P. Boggs
Barbara J. Riley
Robert S. Brazelton
ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager
Cheryl Kane, City Attorney
Judith McDonnell, City Clerk - Treasurer
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Greg Caldwell, Police Chief
James Jarrett, Director of Community Services
Art Rangel, Director of Economic & Community Development
Richard Redmayne, Director of Public Works
Lowell Williams, Director of Finance
Bob Brace, City Engineer
Robert Gallagher, Building Official
Bob Rowe, Deputy Fire Marshall
Mark Sauter, Battalion Chief
Ron Yoshiki, Asst. Director of Community Dev. /City Planner
June Yotsuya, Assistant to the City Manager
Jason Mikaelian, Consultant, Economic & Community Dev.
Shirley Conte, Executive Secretary '^
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor McCaughan presented to Paula Peterson, Director of Development of the Rio Hondo
Chapter of the Red Cross, a Proclamation declaring March 1996 as American Red Cross
Month.
Mayor McCaughan presented to Joyce Lee of Kiwin (formerly known as Downey
Keywanettes), a high school service oriented organization open to all high school students, and
sponsored by Kiwanis International, a Proclamation declaring the week of February 23 through
March 1, 1996 as Leap Into Service Week.
Mr. Bob Verderber, Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Cerritos College, along with
Board Members Dorothy Carfrae and Mary Loya gave a presentation on Cerritos College's 40th
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Anniversary Celebration titled "Windows to the World" to be held on April 27 and 28, 1996.
They commented on the variety of events planned for all age groups and packets were given to
Council detailing this celebration.
HEARINGS
Mayor McCaughan opened the public hearing on Amendment to the Downey Municipal
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Code relating to adoption of Los Angeles County Health Regulations.
Ms. McDonnell affirmed the Proof of Publication. It was so ordered by Mayor McCaughan
to receive and file.
Mr. Gallagher summarized the staff report explaining this action is the culmination of the
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adoption of the Building Ordinances. At the time these were adopted, it was decided to delete the
Health Regulations from the Building Ordinance as an inappropriate location and to readopt them into
a more appropriate section of the Downey Municipal Code. This will facilitate enforcement of health
regulations within the City by the Los Angeles County health officers and allow them to use the City
Prosecutor instead of County Counsel which will expedite the prosecution of cases.
Mayor McCaughan inquired if the City Clerk had received any correspondence, and the
response was no.
There being no one present to speak in favor or opposition, it was moved by Council Member
Boggs, seconded by Council Member Lawrence, and so ordered to close the hearing.
ORDINANCE NO. 1016
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 11 OF ARTICLE IV (PUBLIC WELFARE,
MORALS AND POLICY) OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE,
ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE
TITLE 11 (HEALTH AND SAFETY), 1988 EDITION, AS THE
HEALTH CODE OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
The Ordinance was read by title only. It was moved by Council Member Riley, seconded
by Council Member Lawrence and unanimously carried to waive further reading and adopt.
CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEMS FOR REMOVAL
Agenda Item VI -E -1, REFINANCING CIVIC CENTER DEBT - SELECTION OF
UNDERWRITER AND BOND COUNSEL was removed from the Consent Calendar at the
request of Council Member Boggs.
Agenda Item VI -F -1, RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF A
COMMERCIAL TRASH PERMIT FROM WESTERN WASTE INDUSTRIES TO USA
WASTE SERVICES, INC. was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of City
Manager Caton on the advice of City Attorney Kane.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Brazelton announced he will abstain from voting on the minutes since he
was absent from the last meeting.
It was moved by Council Member Lawrence, seconded by Council Member Brazelton,
and unanimously carried (with Council Member Brazelton abstaining on the Minutes) to waive
further reading of the Resolution and approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as
recommended:
COUNCIL MINUTES: ADJOURNED AND REGULAR MEETINGS OF
FEBRUARY 13, 1996: Approve.
WARRANTS ISSUED: NO. 118505 - 118976, $971,897.96: Approve.
EARTHQUAKE STORAGE CONTAINERS - REQUEST FOR APPROPRIATION:
Appropriate $23,900 for earthquake storage containers at Griffith and South Middle
Schools: Approve.
AUTHORIZE DOWNEY GIRL'S PONYTAIL SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
TO BUILD SNACK STAND AT INDEPENDENCE PARK; subject to the following
conditions: (1) Receiving final design approval from the City; (2) The building will be
built and paid for by the Downey Girl's Ponytail Association and deeded to the City
upon completion; (3) Structure is to be of similar design and materials as existing
restroom/office building located near the play area; and (4) Structure is to be
constructed so as to meet all applicable health and building codes: Approve.
TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE OF CUL -DE -SAC AT VIA AMORITA /-
CHANEY AVENUE: Approve a request contingent upon applicant, Catherine Bauer,
meeting the following requirements as listed: (1) Applicant shall submit proof of
liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000.00 naming the City as additionally
insured; (2) Applicant shall submit letters of consent from the adjacent property owner
at 10330 Chaney Avenue as well as the Downey Unified School District; (3) Applicant
shall provide sufficient Type II (sawhorse) barricades and a "ROAD CLOSED" sign to
close the end of the street; and (4) Applicant shall obtain an encroachment permit from
City Engineering Division for the closure: Approve.
ORDINANCES: None
RESOLUTIONS (not set forth above): None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
REQUEST FROM CALSAN, INC., FOR RESIDENTIAL WASTE RATE
ADJUSTMENT
Mr. Caton explained the residential franchise agreement between the City and Calsan Inc.
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requires that each year there be a monthly service fee adjustment by percentage factor which is
determined by a formula within the contract. Calsan has submitted what they believe should be
the new rate. Mr. Caton noted a letter has been received from Calsan outlining a series of
alternative p roposals to the rate increase, but was not received in enough time for staff to review
it. Therefore, he recommended setting a study session and then Council could give direction at
that time. It was noted Calsan is in the process of submitting an application to the State for
fundin g help to hel build their materials recovery facility and Calsan has requested conducting the
study session as soon as possible.
Council set the stud y session for 4:30 p.m., March 12, 1996, in the Council Chamber of
Downey City Hall.
OTHER BUSINESS - Consent Calendar - Items removed by Council Approval
REFINANCING CIVIC CENTER DEBT - SELECTION OF UNDERWRITER
AND BOND COUNSEL.
Mr. Powell noted it is staff's recommendation that City Council give its initial approval to
start the process of refinancing the existing Civic Center debt by appointing an underwriter and
bond counsel. Staff believes with the current interest rate situation and the current age of the
Civic Center Bonds, the City can save approximately $80- 100,000 per fiscal year through a
refinancing program under current market conditions. He then went on to explain the procedures
that must be followed in order to secure the refinancing of the bonds and responded to questions
of the Council.
It was moved by Council Member Boggs, seconded by Council Member Brazelton, and
unanimously carried to approve the selection of Stone & Youngberg as underwriter and
Jones, Hall, Hill & White as bond counsel.
RESOLUTION APPROVING REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF COMMERCIAL
TRASH PERMIT
City Attorney Kane stated a question arose today regarding the interpretation of the
transfer provisions of the commercial trash agreement in conjunction with the transfer provisions
of the City's solid waste franchise ordinance. She requested additional time to review this and
that it be continued to a later date.
Mayor McCaughan so ordered that this matter be returned at the soonest date possible.
OTHER BUSINESS - Council Members:
Council Member Riley referred to the status report distributed to Council regarding the
City's 40th Anniversary Celebration and noted it lists recommended events and activities to
kick off this event. She requested the Mayor's and Council's concurrence for her and Council
Member Lawrence to proceed with this project and to work with Staff and the Second Century
Foundation regarding direction and budgeting. Council Member Boggs suggested the possibility
of recognizing citizens with 40 years of residency in the City at the concerts in the park.
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The Mayor and Council concurred with Council Member Riley's request.
Council Member Riley advised the Emergency Preparedness Committee is working on a
project with the Police Department involving the neighborhood preservation program and will
be coming back with recommendations.
Council Member Riley mentioned traveling to Santa Barbara and hearing the Police Band
called Mutual Aid, which is the band that performed at the City's recent DARE Celebration.
Council Member Brazelton mentioned he was vacationing in Colorado during the last
two weeks and was glad to be back in warmer climate.
Council Member Boggs reiterated her prior request regarding bus benches throughout
the city, noting in particular one stop with seven benches displaying ads. She asked to have this
checked into right away.
Council Member Boggs noted the aesthetic improvements South Gate has made on
Firestone Boulevard and hopes Downey uses funds received from the State to improve the
portion of Firestone Boulevard running through Downey.
Council Member Boggs discussed the recent political mailing funded by the City of
Vernon regarding reclaimed water and noted Downey is a large user of reclaimed water. She
requested further information on this mailing.
Council Member Lawrence mentioned she has requested information on success stories
and ideas for low and moderate income housing from the City's Set Aside Funds. She
requested ideas on what other cities are doing that have been successful and suggested possibly
conducting a computerized poll.
Council Member Lawrence discussed the adventure she and her husband recently took
on the Green Line, Blue Line and Red Line and Angels Flight and noted the shuttle service
available to the airport from the Green Line stop.
Mayor McCaughan stated this is an interesting and fulfilling time for the City, noting
specific plans for future development.
Mayor McCaughan mentioned a local city (Paramount) had eliminated billboards and
asked the City Attorney to review and report back on this.
Mayor McCaughan commented on the ICA Conference in Santa Barbara held in
conjunction with the Police Chiefs' Association, where the topic of discussion was Child Abuse.
Mayor McCaughan advised there have been several couches abandoned in the alleyway
in the area of 7th Street between Western Avenue and La Reina Avenue. He also noted
there are charred palms in this same area and suggested placing notices in mail boxes informing
the residents this is not allowed and is unsafe.
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None
OTHER BUSINESS - Staff Members
Mr. Caton noted everything the City Manager's office does is for the City of Downey and
planning lannin for the future, with public safety as the number one priority. He then went on to
explain the Federal Government has now decided there is no longer adequate flood protection for
the area and has come u p with a $324 million project to restore flood protection along the Rio
Hondo River, but they are doling out the funds for this project in increments of 10 to 12 million
dollars Y
er year which at this rate it will take many years before public safety is restored. Mr.
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Caton mentioned he Council Member Boggs, and representatives from the City of Pico Rivera
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alon g with the County of Los Angeles will be in Washington next week attempting to extract
$50,000,000 from the Federal Government for next year for this project, with the hope that the
project can be completed in six or seven years.
Mr. Caton noted that in two weeks another delegation from the City will be in Washington
looking long kin into lon term needs at the Rockwell site with NASA representatives and how to get
more of the land back into productive industrial use and create jobs for residents.
Mr. Caton indicated the City of Downey will be hosting an Economic Development
Event at the Energy Resource Center on March 14th for 26 cities in Southeast L.A. County and have invited the business community to attend. The focus will be on bringing businesses
together in an effort to obtain their input on what the City can do to help them with regard to
regulations etc. This is viewed as a catalyst to help not only the City but the region.
Mayor McCaughan mentioned the flood control situation below the Whittier Narrows
Dam and witnessin g the large volumes of runoff water behind the Sante Fe Dam and the Whittier
Narrows Dam. He stressed the importance that the upcoming discussions with the Federal
Government take place.
Council Member Lawrence noted the job of being a Council Member has changed
over the y ears, which has involved looking beyond the City's boundaries and getting acquainted
with and working with neighboring communities. She applauded the fact that Council Member
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Boggs re s will be representing half a million people (Downey and several other cities) when she
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travels to Washington, D.C. next week.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:45 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned in memory of Dan Wetzstein, Downey High School
student and City lifeguard, and Dr. Jean Crum, local physician and community leader, to
4:30 p . m., March 12, 1996, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall.
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Judith E. McDonnell, City Clerk Gary P. Caughan, M.. or
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