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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-11-12-57-Regular Meeting-218 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY HELD NOVEMBER 12th, 1957 The City Council of the City of Downey met with the Board of Downey School District at 6 :00 p.m. at the Westwind Restaurant on November 12th, 1957; Mayor Peavey presiding. PRESENT: Councilmen: Dunnum, Temple, Stamps, Peavey ABSENT: Councilmen: Giddings ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager Glenn Kendall, Assistant City Manager Royal M. Sorensen, City Attorney Della Doyle, City Clerk Members of the Civic Center Committee This portion of the meeting was called to discuss the purchase of the School property now being used as the City Hall. Mayor Peavey opened the meeting and introduced the President of the School Board, Mr. J. P. Haldeman. Mr. Haldeman reported that the School Board had obtained two appraisals of the property, $265,000 and $256,OOO,and after consideration, they had decided that the average of $260,000 was the price that their Board felt was fair and adequate. Mayor Peavey reported that the appraisal the City had obtained was $260,000. Inasmuch as the price of the property was not a factor in the discussion, the meeting was opened for questions from the Civic Center Committee,and City Manager King explained the function of the committee,and a meeting will be called so that they can make a recommendation to the City Council in the very near future. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. to reconvene at the City Hall at 7:30 P.m. The City Council of the City of Downey reconvened in the Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that the meeting be adjourned to the Cafetorium of the Downey Elementary School. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey, Dunnum NOES: 0 ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings The City Council reconvened in the Cafetorium at 7:35 p.m. PRESENT: Councilmen: Dunnum, Temple, Stamps, Peavey ABSENT: Councilman: Giddings ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager Glenn Kendall, Assistant City Manager Richard Barhite, Director of Public Works Ray Lake, Chief Building Inspector Dan McNutt, City Planner Roy Starkey, Director of Finance Ivan Robinson, Chief of Police Loren Morgan, Assistant Chief of Police Royal M. Sorensen, City Attorney Della Doyle, City Clerk Mayor Peavey announced that this was the hour called for the Public Hearing Protest on Planning Commission Resolutions 8 and 14 concerning the zoning of the property at the corner of Imperial Boulevard and Downey Avenue -- known as Quill Property. Mr. Robert Drews, 8333 Lyndora Avenue and Emil Deily, 12614 South Gurley spoke against the rezoning of the said property on the grounds that the area was residential, and it would create a hazard for children on the street. They called on Bill Morgan, 12602 South Gurley, owner of a filling station on Downey Avenue to substantiate the fact that a filling station was undesirable in a residential area. William P. Wilson, attorney for the proponents brought out the point that the corner of Imperial and Downey was not desirable residential area, and such a busy intersection could not be real safe for children. There being no further discussion from the floor, Mayor Peavey declared the hearing closed and ordered that the Council take the matter under submission. Councilman Dunnum left at the close of the Public Hearing. Mayor Peavey brought up the subject of County Tax Rates and went on record that the City Council was greatly concerned about the advance in the tax bills and was planning to take some organized steps to protest. Assemblyman Frank Bonelli, -52nd District, voiced his concern about the continuing increase in the Los Angeles County Taxes and is investigating the possibility of introducing State Legislation to establish a maximum tax rate or tax increase for any one year that the County can levy. If this does not materialize, he suggested that the voters endeavor to get such a bill on the next ballot so that the increases can be controlled. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that a committee be appointed to study the Los Angeles County Tax increases. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings RESOLUTION NO. 169 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY OPPOSING CONTINUING INCREASE IN THE ASSESSED VALUATION OF THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX. The resolution was read in full. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that Resolu- tion No. 169 be adopted. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings Mr. Dan MacKenzie, President of the Chamber of Commerce, reported that the Chamber had named a committee to study this same situation and they would be glad to work with the committee appointed by the City to study the tax increases. It was moved by Councilman Stamps, seconded by Councilman Temple, and passed by the following vote that the minutes of the meetings held October 28th, October 29th (9 :00 a.m.) and November 4th, 1957 be approved as presented. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings The City Clerk read letters from the Downey Senior High School P.T.A. and the Downey Council of Parents and Teachers, Inc. requesting that an Ordinance be drawn to prohibit the sale of lewd books and magazines in the City of Downey. The Mayor requested that such an Ordinance be prepared. A letter from the DeMolay Boys Club requesting that ­the business license for a Christmas tree lot be waived. The City Attorney rLwoorted that there was no way that the Council could waive such a fee in special -` gases. 220 An announcement from the California State Chamber of Commerce for the 3rd Southern California Conference on elimination of air pollution was presented. A petition from the property owners on Myrtle Street north of 7th Street was presented to Council. The petition requested improvements of the width of the street, the drainage and the lighting of this section of Myrtle. This petition was referred to the City Manager for further consideration. Mr. King presented a report and recommendations of the Traffic Committee regarding the traffic hazards on Holedon. RESOLUTION NO. 170 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DESIGNATING LUBEC STREET AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH HALEDON AVENUE AS A THRU STREET AND REQUIRING_ BOULEVARD STOPS AT ALL ENTRANCES TO THE INTERSECTION OF GALLATIN SCHOOL HOUSE ROAD AND LEMORAN AVENUE. The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that further reading be waived. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings It was moved by Councilman Stamps, seconded by Councilman Temple, and passed by the following vote that Resolution No. 170 be adopted. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings Mr. Sorensen, City Attorney, reported that the Court had upheld the City's .-� position in the suit brought against the City in regard to the enforcement of City Ordinances. This suit was the result of the tent meeting held on property at the corner of Woodruff and Firestone Boulevard. RESOLUTION NO. 171 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY SIGNIFY INTENTION TO APPROVE 1/60 CONTRACT PROVIDING FOR PARTICIPATION IN STATE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. The resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that further reading be waived. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that Resolution No. 171 be adopted. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings The plans and specifications on the Lakewood Sanitary Sewers, Downey Improvement No. 6, was presented. It was requested that this matter be held for the consideration of the Council as a whole. 2.' RESOLUTION NO. 172 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REQUESTING THE REALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO THE SEVERAL STATES TO CONSTRUCT THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS. The resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Stamps, seconded by Councilman Temple, and passed by the following vote that further reading be waived. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES; 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings It was moved'by Councilman Stamps, seconded by Councilman Temple, and passed by the following vote that Resolution No. 172 be adopted. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings RESOLUTION WS 25 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID. (783 -940 -- $34,984.22) It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that further reading be waived. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that Resolution WS 25 be adopted. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings RESOLUTION WS 26 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID. (500 -543 -- $61,894.32). It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that further reading be waived. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that Resolution WS 26 be adopted. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings RESOLUTION NO. WS 27 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID (447 -449 -- $33,815.11). It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that further reading be waived. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings It was moved by Councilman Stamps, seconded by Councilman Temple, and passed by the following vote that Resolution WS 27 be adopted. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings The quarterly report of the Chamber of Commerce was presented. It was moved by Councilman Stamps, seconded by Councilman Temple, and passed by the following vote that authority be given to issue warrant in the amount of $2,500.00 on the contract with the Chamber. RESOLUTION NO X528 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID. (544 -545 -- $2,574.00) It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that further reading be waived. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings It was moved by Councilman Stamps, seconded by Councilman Temple, and passed by the following vote that Resolution No. 28 be adopted. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings A report on 5th Street between Lakewood Boulevard and Paramount Boulevard was given by the Director of Public Works. The CityManager gave a report on the grade crossing protection at Rives and Southern Pacific tracks. After he outlined that the County would not give financial help and that the Southern Pacific was being contacted to see what action they would take, it was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Council- man Stamps, and passed by the following vote that authority be given to proceed with these negotiations as outlined. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings The recommendations on the connection fees for sewers was introduced and action withheld until it could be presented to the Council as a whole. After some discussion as to the celebration for the 1st Anniveraary of the City, the Council agreed that December 4th, 1957 be designated as the day to observe the First Anniveraary of the City of Downey in recognition of the election for incorporation. It was also suggested that Open House be held December 17th, 1957 as the First Anniversary of the official opening of the City of Downey. Mr. King recommended that Council authorize the purchase of additional cars as outlined in the budget. 4 Fire Department 1 Police Department 1 Station Wagon for Police Department 1 1/2 Ton Pick -up for the Fire Department It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that authority be given to call for bids on the above mentioned cars. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: ' 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings Change orders on the remodeling of the building were presented to Council in the amount of $728.35. It was noted that these changes were covered by funds allocated in the budget. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that these changes be approved. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings It was presented that remodeling of the Clerk's Office, the Council Office, had not been included in the original bid,and it was requested that 'the expendi- ture of $581.65 be approved for this remodeling and that authority be given to transfer the necessary funds from the unappropriated budget surplus fund. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed by the following vote that the expenditure be approved for the Clerk and Council office and that the necessary funds be transferred. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings A recommendation for the remodeling of the ladies room to accomodate a lounge and recreation room was presented. The cost to be $229.43. It was moved by Councilman Stamps, seconded by Councilman Temple, and passed by the following vote that this expenditure be approved and that the necessary funds be transferred from the unappropriated budget surplus fund. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Temple, Stamps, Peavey NOES: 0 ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings The recommendation that the men's room be renovated at this time held until a later date. Any action on the Taxi permits was withheld until the Council could meet as a whole. a It was announced that each Councilman was to appoint two members to serve on the Committee to Study Taxes and that a forum meeting be held on November 26th, 1957 in the High School Auditorium. Mayor Peavey suggested that the parking meters be set to operate on Monday and Friday nights when the stores are open. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Stamps, and passed that Chief Robinson survey the merit of such change and report before action be taken. The City Manager was authorized to contact the owners of the property at the old bus terminal on 2nd and New as to the possibility of using the lot for City Parking meters. Mr. Chuck Foreman presented the Council with a picture of the proposed improvements and outlined the program that the Lucci's are hoping to develop. There being no further business, the meeting City lerk d at 10:35 p.m. Mayor