HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 11-27-12 Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 27, 2012
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:32 p.m., November 27, 2012,
in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor
Pro Tem Gafin presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Roger C. Brossmer Mayor
David R. Gafin Mayor Pro Tem
Mario A. Guerra
Luis H. Marquez
Fernando Vasquez
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager /City Treasurer
Yvette M. Abich- Garcia, City Attorney
Adria M. Jimenez, City Clerk
Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager
Lonnie Croom, Fire Chief
Carl Charles, Police Captain
Brian Saeki, Community Development Director
Arlene Salazar, Interim Parks & Recreation Director
Maurina Lee, Finance Manager
Gladys Chavez, Secretary
The Invocation was delivered by Dn. Mario A. Guerra, Council Member. The Flag Salute was
led by John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Marquez welcomed everyone in attendance and hoped everyone enjoyed the
Thanksgiving holiday.
Council Member Vasquez reported attending the Downey Hospital Board Meeting; and, attended
the Annual New Year Annakut Mahotsav Celebration at Temple Shree Swaminarayan Mandir and
stated that despite cultural differences, the community was able to come together in celebration.
Council Member Guerra mentioned the upcoming Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony that will be held
December 5, and the upcoming 61st Annual Downey Christmas Parade that will be held December 2;
he reported that he will be attending the roast of outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Gafin held at the Rio Hondo
Event Center and thanked him for his many years of dedicated service to the City.
Mayor Brossmer mentioned the upcoming Downey High School football CIF championship game at
Cal State Fullerton and encouraged the community to come out and support the team.
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Minutes of November 27, 2012 1
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin wished Council Member Marquez a Happy Birthday and recognized
President -Elect of the Downey Chamber of Commerce and newly elected Council Member, Alex Saab,
who was in the audience. ••--
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin and Mayor Brossmer recognized local Downey service man David Aparicio,
as part of the Military Banner Program.
The Central Basin Water District presented the Stewardship Award to the Downey City Council.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. 2014 -2021 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP: Community
Development.
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin opened the Public Hearing at 7:44 p.m. City Clerk Jimenez affirmed receipt
of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member
Vasquez and so ordered to receive and file. City Clerk Jimenez noted there was no correspondence
received.
Community Development Director Saeki stated that the housing element is one of seven mandated
elements of the City's General Plan. The plan details how the City will provide housing opportunities for
2014 -2021 and must be certified by the State Department of Housing Community Development (HCD)
by October 2013. In the summer of 2013 when the final housing element plan is finalized, staff will
return to Council for a formal public hearing. The City has contracted ESA to assist the City with the
General Plan Housing Element.
ESA Principal Alexa Washburn reported on the Housing Element stating that it sets City policies
and goals related to housing, identifies housing needs in the City for all income groups and people with
special needs. It also defines initiatives and programs that the City will pursue to achieve their housing
goal of facilitating and creating opportunities for housing. She reported on the consequences of not
having a certified housing element in place: loss of current funding or future funding, could open up the
City to lawsuits, would require the City to revert to a 4 year versus an 8 year General Plan cycle, and
ultimately would deem the entire General Plan Housing Element invalid. She stated the Regional
Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) starts at the State with HCD. They distribute the State's housing
needs to all the regional councils of government. For southern California the Southern California
Association of Governments (SCAG) takes the regional total and distributes it to the local jurisdictions.
HCD and SCAG have determined that the City of Downey's housing need is 814 units for 2014 — 2021.
The amount of units required is then broken down into four income categories: very low (210 units), low
(123 units), moderate (135 units), and above moderate (346 units). Ms. Washburn stated that
Downey's Housing Element for 2008 — 20014 was certified by HCD; however, the City was not able to
follow through with implementation of Program No. 5 that committed the City to amending the Downey
Landing specific plans to allow multi - family residential by- rights. The primary reason for not
implementing Program No. 5 was that with the adoption of the Downtown Downey specific plan the
City's priority shifted from Downey Landing to the Downtown. Implementation of Program No. 5 was
critical to demonstrate adequate sites to accommodate the City's 2008 — 2014 housing element
particularly for lower income household. With passage of Assembly Bill 1233, communities that failed to
comply with the requirement having sufficient sites available during the current planning period must
then carry forward those units that were not accommodated into the next planning period. This short fall
was carried over and the City must accommodate for those units bringing the grand total RHNA the City
must accommodate to 1201 units for 2014 — 2021. Lastly, Ms. Washburn outlined the benefits of
having a certified housing element: timely access to State infrastructure bonds for capital improvement
projects, access to various funding (CDBG and HOME funds), allows the City to direct future growth in
the community; achieves a jobs- housing balance; reduces traffic impacts; and, allows the City to retain
a local employment base.
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Minutes of November 27, 2012 2
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin invited the public to speak on this item. There being no speakers, it was
moved by Mayor Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Marquez, and so ordered by Mayor Pro Tem
Gafin to close the Public Hearing at 7:56 p.m.
Council Member Guerra asked how the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
went about determining the number of housing units the City was responsible for.
Ms. Washburn stated that SCAG reviews a combination of factors: population, employment and
housing trends and projections, and vacant land. She stated that the regional need for the SCAG
region was 409,000 units and that number is distributed to each local jurisdiction within the SCAG
region.
Council Member Vasquez asked if The View Project was taken into consideration when looking at
the remaining RHNA numbers the City has to account for.
Senior Planner Dave Blumenthal stated yes, The View Project and the project on Gallatin Road
were used towards the RHNA numbers.
It was moved by Mayor Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Marquez, and unanimously carried
to receive and file.
NON - AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
The following people spoke regarding the officer - involved shooting:
_. Jean Thaxton
Damien Ramirez
Terry Ramirez
Terry Tamara
Laura Cozentino
Lauren Bastidas
Jerry (no last name provided)
Cory Klein
Theresa (no last name provided)
Theresa Smith
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED
4. CASH CONTRACT NO. 595 - PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD PAVEMENT REHABILITATION
PROJECT: Public Works. This item was removed at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Gafin and is
listed under Other Business.
A. APPROVE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZE SOLICITATION FOR BIDS;
AND,
B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 12- , A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT NO. 032-N TO THE CITY
OF DOWNEY -STATE MASTER AGREEMENT NO. 07- 5334R.
--- 5. APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGS WITH FIRST 5 L.A. FOR TOT PARKS
AND TRAILS PROJECT: Administration. This item was removed at the request of Mayor Pro Tem
Gafin and is listed under Other Business.
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Minutes of November 27, 2012 3
9. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 12- , A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF MATIAS FLORES TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 4: Council Member Vasquez. This item was removed at
the request of Mayor Brossmer and is listed under Other Business.
CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Mayor Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Marquez, with Mayor Brossmer
abstaining from Item No. 11, and unanimously carried to approve the remainder of the Consent
Calendar.
2. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings of November 13, 2012:
City Clerk.
3. APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 272460 — 272768; Wire Nos. 30002793 —
30002801 and 985 — 994, in the total amount of $3,431,848.83: Finance.
6. APPROVED AN AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ANIL
GANDHY FOR FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES: Administration.
7. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT
FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES AT THE DOWNEY AVENUE AND
GARDENDALE STREET INTERSECTION: Public Works.
8. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF SOUTH GATE
FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES AT THE PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD AND
GARDENDALE STREET INTERSECTION: Public Works.
10. APPROVED PROPOSED SEQUENCE OF ROTATION OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM: City
Clerk.
11. APPROVED RENEWAL OF AFTER SCHOOL EDUCATION AND SAFETY PROGRAM GRANT
FUNDS: Parks and Recreation.
OTHER BUSINESS
4. CASH CONTRACT NO. 595 - PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD PAVEMENT REHABILITATION
PROJECT: Public Works.
A. APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZE SOLICITATION FOR BIDS;
AND,
B. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 12 -7383, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT NO. 032 -N TO THE CITY OF
DOWNEY -STATE MASTER AGREEMENT NO. 07- 5334R.
Resident (no name provided) stated that he does not agree with allocating funds to improve
Paramount Boulevard and requested the City look into improving other City streets that are in
greater need.
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Minutes of November 27, 2012 4
Director of Public Works Oskoui stated that although there is great need of rehabilitation on
other residential streets the City must take advantage of the grant and improve a segment of
--- Paramount Boulevard that was outlined in the Pavement Management System as a street in need
of repairs therefore, the City will move forward with the project and can further discuss this matter in
detail after the meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin stated that the segment of Paramount Boulevard outlined for repairs has not
been rehabilitated as part of other street improvement projects. It is located between Florence Avenue
and Lubec Street on the north side.
The resident was satisfied with the answers and thanked staff for confirming the repairs would be on
the north side of Paramount Boulevard and not a recent rehabilitated south side.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Mayor Brossmer and unanimously carried to
approve staff's recommendation and adopt the Resolution.
5. APPROVED THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGS WITH FIRST 5 L.A. FOR TOT PARKS
AND TRAILS PROJECT: Administration.
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin stated that he pulled this item to bring to the forefront that the improvement
projects scheduled for Treasure Island Park and Brookshire Park would not cost the City any money
thanks to the grants received from First 5 L.A and volunteer labor service from L.A. Conservatory
group. He thanked Dory Aburry of the L.A. Conservatory for their partnership with the City and Mayor
Brossmer for his efforts on these projects.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Mayor Brossmer, and unanimously carried to
approve staff's recommendation.
9. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 12 -7384, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF MATIAS FLORES TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 4: Council Member Vasquez.
Council Member Vasquez called upon Matias Flores and appointed Mr. Flores to the Planning
Commission for Council District 4.
Matias Flores thanked Council Member Vasquez, his family, and friends for their support and stated
he looks forward to serving on the Planning Commission.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Vasquez, and unanimously
carried to adopt the Resolution.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Livas reminded staff of the upcoming Goal setting workshop tentatively set for January
2013 and a mid -year budget review.
Council Member Guerra reported attending a budget sub - committee meeting and stated the City was
moving forward in the right direction on an expense and revenue stand point.
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Minutes of November 27, 2012 5
RECESS
The meeting recessed to Closed Session at 8:48 p.m. and reconvened at 9:10 p.m. with all Council '"-
Members present.
ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on December 11, 2012
ADRIA M. JIMEN - Z, CMC MARIO A. GUERRA, Mayor
City Clerk
•
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Minutes of November 27, 2012 6