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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01-18-91-Adjourned w CDC MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 18, 1991 The City Council /Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 4:35 p.m., January 18, 1991 in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor /Chairman Roy L. Paul presiding. PRESENT: Council Members /Commissioners: Roy L. Paul Mayor /Chairman Barbara J. Hayden Mayor Pro Tem /Vice - Chairman (arrived at 4:45 p.m.) Diane P. Boggs Robert S. Brazelton ABSENT: Robert G. Cormack (excused) ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager /Executive Director . Peter Thorson, City Attorney Ken Farfsing, Assistant City Manager Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Ron Irwin, Fire Chief Jim Jarrett, Director of Community Services Clayton Mayes, Police Chief William Ralph, Director of Public Works Art Rangel, Director of Community Development Lowell W i l l i a m s , Director of Finance Victoria Jenkins, City Librarian ' William Makshanoff, Building Official Ed Velasco, Housing Manager Ron Yoshi ki , City Planner Mary Martineau, Senior Planner Robert Messinger, Assistant to the City Manager June Yotsuya, Assistant to the City Manager Judith McDonnell, City Clerk /Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Council Member /Commissioner Boggs asked if the recently approved Ambulance Agreement between the City and Los Angeles County covered everything contained in a proposed agreement submitted by the Independent Cities Association (ICA), and she was assured by the City Attorney that Downey's Agreement is nearly identical to the one submitted by ICA. STUDY SESSION: GENERAL PLAN CHAPTERS The following members of the General Plan Committee were introduced: Willis Leach, Roger Lawrence, Ralph Jenny, and Meredith Perkins. Mr. Leach complimented staff for the excellent job of assisting the Committee on this project. City Council /Com. Dev. Minutes 1/18/91 (Adj.) -1- • 6 CONSERVATION ELEMENT Council Member /Commissioner Boggs referred to Page IV -7 of the Conservation servation Element, Issue Four regarding trees, and expressed concern about the proposed program of requiring permits to remove significant trees on public and private property which could be establishing a policy that limits the rights of property 9 p p y owners. She preferred reviewing this matter and returning with an ordinance relative to setting a policy at a later date. She also questioned use of the word "shall" and suggested replacing it with the word "may." Mr. Rangel replied the Committee feels the key word is "significant" and the inventory process would identify what is a "significant tree." Mr. Thorson explained the word "shall" as used states the City shall undertake those programs and return to Council with details to make the programs operational. Council Member /Commissioner Hayden arrived at 4:45 p.m. Mayor /Chairman Paul recommended replacing the word "shall" with "may" throughout the entire document. During discussion, Mr. Thorson advised that changing n the word "shall" to 9 9 "may" w i l l not have an effect on those programs required by statute. Mr. Leach questioned whether this word replacement would dilute the effectiveness of the General Plan. Mr. Roger Lawrence, 9267 Cheddar St., expressed concern that the document would lose strength if the language was changed, and future City Councils might interpret the General Plan in a different manner than originally intended. Council Member /Commissioner Hayden suggested leaving the language in the stricter form since the Appeal process is always available to the public. Mr. Rangel suggested language in Program 4.1 to read "the Cit shall adopt an ordinance City p ce which may require a permit to remove significant trees." Council Member /Commissioners Boggs and Brazelton concurred with this new language. Mayor /Chairman Paul referred to Page IV -6, Issue Three, and asked about the effect on Downey if the Metropolitan Water District were to deny use of its water to the City. Mr. Caton explained the Metropolitan Water system l i n e is used only during peak season i g p s son n order to keep pressure within the City's system. A water conservation ordinance will be presented to Council for consideration at its next meeting. Mayor /Chairman Paul suggested adding a policy requiring low flow and conservation devices in major rehabilitation projects. During discussion, Mr. Ralph explained the City's current ordinance requires installation nstallation of ultra low flow devices in residential remodeling of bathrooms. City Council /Com. Dev. Minutes 1/18/91 (Adj.) -2- r-, x,.. Referring to trash compactors on Page IV -9, Issue Six, Council Member/ Commissioner Boggs requested removal of paragraph 6.5 as it conflicts with recycling requirements. There were no objections. Mr. Rangel suggested adding "and major renovations" to Page IV -6, Program 3.1 at the end of the paragraph and the Council concurred. SAFETY ELEMENT Referencing Page V -6, Issue Three, Council Member /Commissioner Boggs suggested that sprinklers required in commercial buildings be relative to the size of the establishment. Chief Irwin discussed the current sprinkler ordinance that addresses the issue by area of occupancy and agreed that all commercial structures should be sprinklered. He commmented on the nationwide statistics for fire deaths and injuries, noting 80 percent occur in the home, and recommended sprinklers for all residential developments. He discussed the losses resulting from wood roofs and noted the trend is to use safer roofing materials. Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton recommended a wording change in paragraph 3.2 to "require fire sprinklers in all residential structures." Council Member /Commissioner Boggs noted that requiring sprinklers in residences would increase the cost of housing, but she recognized the risk of fire hazard. Council Member /Commissioner Hayden expressed concern with forbidding wood roofs throughout the City, and discussed the cost and maintenance of new roofing material. Mayor /Chairman Paul expressed support of the sprinkler requirement as a definite aid in combatting residential and commerical fires. It was the consensus of Council to defer any decision regarding sprinklers and wood roofs until Council Member /Commissioner Cormack is present to participate in discussion on these matters. Also, Chief Irwin will return to Council with a video presentation addressing this safety issue. Referring to Page V -9, Program 6.2 healing with helipads, Council Member /Commissioner Boggs commented on the landing method used by helicopters at Rockwell International, noting they come in at an angle rather than hovering and then landing. She requested review of the flight path. Mr. Caton advised he will discuss this matter with Rockwell International, noting, however, this landing angle has proven safer than the hovering method. He mentioned that Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center is contemplating moving their helipad to this area, so discussion on this :subject is relevant to upcoming issues. Mayor /Chairman Paul voiced concern with using the word "throughout" on Page V -10, Issue Seven, Policy 7.1 regarding sidewalk installation. Mr. Caton suggested the wording be changed to "The City shall master plan the installation of street lights and sidewalks throughout the City ". City Counci l /Com. Dev. Minutes 1/18/91 (Adj.) -3- F- Council Member /Commissioner Hayden requested u stronger language d g gage be use. regarding train tracks in the City referenced on Page V -11, Issue Eight. Council Member /Commissioner Boggs discussed the corridor option which would remove train tracks from cities. Mayor /Chairman Paul directed staff to review additional language to address the concerns expressed. Referencing Page V -4, Issue One, Programs, Mayor/Chairman Paul requested Y additional programs be listed, including the Emergency Preparedness Program and Emergency Operations Center. Mayor /Chairman Paul requested the listing of further programs such as the Gang Detail on Page V-7, Issue Four relating to crime activity. Council Member /Commissioner Hayden discussed the role of response time under "Disaster Response" referenced on Page V -29 and was informed this issue would be taken into consideration during implementation of the plan. NOISE ELEMENT The Council concurred with staff on the Noise Element. It was the consensus of Council that changes discussed tonight would be addressed and the revised chapters would be returned at the meeting of January 29, 1991. MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW 1990 -91 WORK PROGRAM Mr. Caton discussed the 1990 -91 Work Program which' outlines the objectives for each program activity of the City. Council Member /Commissioner Boggs requested the information be received and filed to allow additional time for analysis. She suggested the City Council l 99 y also establish goals in a similar manner as shown in the work program. It was the consensus of Council to reconsider this matter at its meeting of January 29, 1991. BUDGET ACTIONS Mr. Caton reported on the anticipated revenue shortfall which the City will experience in the amount of $500,000 to $900,000, noting that pursuant to recent law, Costs i 9 P w, the County has increased non- budgeted to the City in the amount of $224,000. He also commented on the anticipated toss in Sales Tax due to declining automobile sales and the remodeling at Stonewood Mall. Mr. Caton proposed keeping the City's reserve as high as possible, but mentioned that in coming months the City's state subventions could also be severely impacted. He requested Council authorization to modify or make exceptions to the situation as warranted, and then outlined his list of budget actions as follows: Imposing a hiring freeze on positions that are funded from the General Fund for the remainder of the fiscal year and re- evaluation of this action on July 1st; eliminate out -of -state travel; City Council /Com. Dev. Minutes 1/18/91 (Adj.) -4- P w eliminate non - safety related equipment urcha • purchases; freeze all position upgrades, promotions and assignment changes; forbid use of temporary secretaries; reduce street sweeping frequency to bi- weekly; forbid all overtime or compensatory i t for public safety emergencies; P y t me except p c sa e y gencies lease Florence -Fai rford property; change funding for certain positions; use narcotic seizure and P.O.S.T. revenue; n request all departments t cu � a d re q to cut their budgets by 2 %. Mr. Caton indicated he does not recommend cutting the budget by 2% across th 9 Y the board. The purpose of the i proposed changes is to keep the General Fund reserve as high as possible and not consider immediate lay -offs. Mayor /Chairman Paul expressed strong opposition to bi-weekly street sweeping n � y P 9 and said he has not seen statistics on revenue generated from parking tickets on sweeping days to indicate whether the program is funding itself. He favored leaving the program as is. Mr. Powell replied the increase in revenue for • o parking on street sweeping days is approximatley $66,000 for five months. The street sweeping contract is $340,000. Council Member/Commissioner Brazel ton voiced strong support of maintaining the aesthetics of the City and its streets. Y Speaking to the change in funding for certain osi tions Mr. Caton n P � o noted that before charging any positions to the Transit Fund, it would require re maki n application to the Los Angeles q making ap P g es County Transportation Commission for its approval. Council Member /Commissioner Boggs requested a Closed Session to discuss a personnel matter. She suggested discussing any changes in employee positions during next year's budget considerations. Following a brief discussion on bi-weekly street sweeping, n Mayor/Chairman P g� Paul requested this matter be considered when Council Member/Commissioner Cormack can be present. It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton, seconded by Council Member /Commissioner Boggs, and approved by unanimous tote of the members present to authorize the appropriate changes with the excepttoit of bi-weekly street sweeping and funding for certain positions and to allow the City Manager to modify if conditions warrant. Mr. Caton explained that in the event State subventions are severely impacted, he will return with a plan on exactly how the City can meet that challenge, noting the City is very "labor intensive." He questioned how depart- ments could greatly reduce their expenditures without having impacts on the number of personnel. APPROPRIATION CHANGES Mr. Powell summarized the staff report, recommending approval of approri ati on changes for the Redevelopment Fund and the Florence/Fairford Project. Council Member /Commissioner Boggs requested further information on positions that were established and eliminated during the last 30 months. She expressed concern with the decrease in property tax revenue and was informed that although the percentage is high, the actual dollar amounts involved are not excessive. City Counci l /Com. Dev. Minutes 1/18/91 (Adj.) -5 It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Hayden, seconded by Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton, and carried by unanimous vote of the Members present to approve the appropriation changes for the Redevelopment Fund and the Florence / Fa i rford project. Mayor /Chairman Paul announced the Council /Commission is recessing (6:33 p.m.) to closed session to discuss Government Code Sections: 54956.8 - proposed property acquisition: 8628 Firestone Boulevard Property Owner: Richard M. Lehn, Trust 54956.9 - one Subdivision (b) matter; 54957 - one personnel matter. The meeting reconvened in open session at 7 :40 p.m. with Council/ Commission Members Boggs, Hayden, Brazelton and Paul present (Council Member /Commisssioner Cormack absent). It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton, seconded by Council Member /Commissioner Hayden, and carried by unanimous vote of the Members present to approve the change in funding for certain positions. ADJOURNMENT: 7 :43 p.m. The meeting was adjourned in memory of Mary Morton, wife of former Mayor /Council Member Thomas H. Morton; Harold Whittier, member of Water Facilities Corporation; and 'Imes Howe, Los Angeles County Firefighter - Huntington Park to 6:00 p.m., January 29, 1991, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall. - - , , j ith E. McDonne --' , i tv C erk Roy L. Pa , Mayor /Cha n -cretary City Council /Com. Dev. Minutes 1/18/91 (Adj.) -6- •