The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 03-12-13 Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING MARCH 12, 2013 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:40 p.m., March 12, 2013, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Guerra presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Mario A. Guerra Mayor Fernando Vasquez Mayor Pro Tem Roger C. Brossmer Luis H. Marquez Alex Saab ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager /City Treasurer Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney Adria M. Jimenez, CMC, City Clerk Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager Lonnie Croom, Fire Chief Carl Charles, Police Chief Brian Saeki, Community Development Director Arlene Salazar, Parks & Recreation Director Anil Ghandy, Interim Finance Director Gladys Chavez, Secretary The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Richard Holt, of First Baptist Church. The Flag Salute was led by Janet Molinaro, Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairperson. COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS Council Member Brossmer welcomed everyone in attendance. Council Member Marquez welcomed everyone in attendance. Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez stated April 6 is the Kiwanis One Day event at Downey High School. Council Member Saab invited the community to participate in the upcoming Arc Walk for Independence event that will be held March 23 at the Stonewood Mall, and the Kiwanis One Day event on April 6 at Downey High School. Mayor Guerra reported participating in the Day of Reader at Gauldin and Unsworth Elementary. He reported attending the retirement party of Dr. Wendy Doty; attended a meeting with the Healthy Downey partners: Downey Unified School District, TLC Family Resource Center, Coca -Cola Company, Kaiser Hospital, Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, Apple Care Medical Management, and the US Army. He stated that Kaiser Permanente awarded the City a $10,000 grant in support of the Healthy Downey initiative. He invited the community to participate in the next Mayor's Walking Wednesdays at Downey High City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2013 1 School. He mentioned April 22 is Earth Day and would like the City to celebrate in partnership with the business community. He requested staff look into possibly hosting an open house at City Hall to allow the residents an opportunity to get to know the various departments and their functions; and, requested a review of Administrative Regulation 436. He mentioned the upcoming State of the City luncheon where he will be the guest speaker. PRESENTATIONS Mayor Guerra's Healthy Downey weight was 277 pounds. Mayor Guerra presented the Diakonia Award to Elizabeth Ruiz and Susan Herrera of the Human Services Association (HSA) Meals on Wheels Program for helping save the life of James Crook. Mayor Guerra presented a Certificate of Recognition to Alvin Lam, Computer System Manager, for his excellent management of the Downey Fire Department and Joint Powers Communication Center Agencies' computer networks and mobile data computers. Mayor Guerra and Council Member Saab presented a Certificate of Appointment to Maria Lourdes Cotaya for her appointment to the Public Works Committee for Council District 5. Mayor Guerra and Council Member Marquez presented a Certificate of Appointment to Marybeth Vergara for her appointment to the Public Works Committee for Council District 1. Kevin Mac Donald, Executive Director of the Arc Walk for Independence, presented information on the organization and their upcoming event. Mayor Guerra presented a Certificates of Recognition to Warren High School's Robotics Team for championship wins at the Nevada VEX Robotics Winter Competition, Las Vegas, Nevada and the Central Arizona VEX Competition, Fountain Hills, Arizona. Presentation by Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairperson Janet Molinaro. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED 3. CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 632 — IMPERIAL HIGHWAY AT COLUMBIA WAY TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADE PROJECT: Public Works. A. APPROVE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZE SOLICITATION FOR BIDS; and, B. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 13- , A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT NO. 034 -N TO THE CITY OF DOWNEY — STATE MASTER AGREEMENT NO. 07-5334R. 5. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT ( #2) TO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF PICO RIVERA FOR THE TELEGRAPH ROAD RAISED MEDIAN ISLAND PROJECT BETWEEN LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD /ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD AND PASSONS BOULEVARD: Public Works. 7. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 13- , A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CALTRANS COMMUNITY -BASED TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM FOR A CITY -WIDE BIKE MASTER PLAN: Administration. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2013 2 CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Marquez, and unanimously carried to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar. 1. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings of February 26, 2013: City Clerk. 2. APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 274617 — 274893; Wire Nos. 30002851 & 30002858 and 30002861 — 30002870, 1073 — 1076, Cashier Check Nos. 21 -23, in the total amount of $3,350,077.93: Finance. 4. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A RIGHT -OF -WAY PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH SALOMON INVESTMENT CO. TO OBTAIN THE FEE INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7966 FIRESTONE BOULEVARD, FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $690,000: Public Works. 6. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY INFORMATION AGREEMENT WITH LEXISNEXIS FOR THE ECRASH APPLICATION FOR TRAFFIC COLLISSION REPORTS: Police. 8. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 13 -1309, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION 2905 OF ARTICLE 11, CHAPTER 9 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCLUDE A BEST PRACTICE FOR CONSOLIDATION OF REQUISITIONS AND BULK PURCHASES: Administration. OTHER BUSINESS 3. CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 632 — IMPERIAL HIGHWAY AT COLUMBIA WAY TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADE PROJECT: Public Works. A. APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR BIDS; and, B. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 13-7402, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT NO. 034-N TO THE CITY OF DOWNEY — STATE MASTER AGREEMENT NO. 07- 5334R. Mayor Guerra asked if grant funding for this project could be used to fund other projects that may have a greater need and, how does the accident rate of 74% at this intersection fare in relation to other intersections. Assistant City Manager Oskoui stated that this grant fund had been secured and could only be used for this intersection and, a 74% accident rate was a high figure. It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Marquez, and unanimously carried to approve staff's recommendation and adopt the Resolution. 5. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT ( #2) TO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF PICO RIVERA FOR THE TELEGRAPH ROAD RAISED MEDIAN ISLAND PROJECT BETWEEN LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD /ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD AND PASSONS BOULEVARD: Public Works. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2013 3 Mayor Guerra asked if grant funding for this project could instead be used to rehab Lakewood Boulevard and, why the share cost with the City of Pico Rivera was being increased from 50% to 57 %. Assistant City Manager stated that part of this project included a rehab of about 240 ft. of Lakewood Boulevard; the City is working on securing funding for future rehab projects on Lakewood Boulevard; the funds secured for this project can only be used for Telegraph Road; and, he stated the City has a higher cost share because the cost of pavement repair is more expensive on Downey's side. Chuck Anna, resident, asked if the City Council was aware that the street improvement project had already begun. Mayor Guerra stated he was aware the project had commenced and clarified that tonight's discussion of this item was for the City Council to approve the higher fee. It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Saab, and unanimously carried to approve staff's recommendation. 7. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 13 -7403, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE CALTRANS COMMUNITY -BASED TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM FOR A CITY -WIDE BIKE MASTER PLAN: Administration. Mayor Guerra stated being in favor of this item and asked if part of the funding of this project would come from the General Fund. Council Member Brossmer asked if the funding was coming from a specific fund or the General Fund. Assistant City Manager Oskoui stated that the funds have already been approved under the Capital Improvement Project portion of the 2012/2013 budget and they are coming from a specific fund, mainly from other grants. It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Saab, and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 9. DIRECTION FROM CITY COUNCIL ON PROVIDING WIFI IN SOME CITY -OWNED PARKS AND BUILDINGS: Community Development. Community Development Directory Saeki stated staff seeks direction from Council in regards to installing WIFI in some City owned parks and public buildings. He stated that several years ago a study similar to this was performed but the project did not get off the ground due to budget constraints. Today additional funding sources have been identified and staff would like to pursue those opportunities with Council's approval. Council Member Saab asked for clarification on the parks and public buildings that are being considered for WIFI. --- Council Member Brossmer stated that it would not include all parks or public buildings and although there are costs associated, he is confident that the City can move forward with this project and keep the cost minimal. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2013 4 Mayor Guerra stated he was in favor of moving forward with this project. �� Council Member Marquez stated that other cities have been able to fund WIFI by utilizing corporate sponsors or grants. Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez requested consideration be made for downtown Downey to have free WIFI. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Brossmer, and unanimously carried to approve staff's recommendation. NON - AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT The following people spoke regarding the officer - involved shooting: Laura Consentino Jean Thaxton Ronald Bours Terry Ramirez Terry (no last name provided) Roy Beard, Emergency Preparedness Committee member, thanked the Fire Department for taking initiative in FEMA and CERT training and Chief Gillaspie for the GPS locator for CERT members. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNED The meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., March 12, 2013 in Memory of Maurice "Mac" McAlister, co- founder of Downey Savings & Loan. ' , 7 ter =-, =, ( I ! j '!4,.. ',..‘„ V,A, -' / ' r ADRIA M. JIMENEZ' CMC MARIO A. GUERRA, Mayor City Clerk City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2013 5