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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-05-19-59-Regular Meeting5�75 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY MAY 19TH, 1959 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned meeting in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall at 8:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 19, 1959. Mayor Pro Tempore James L. Stamps presiding. PRESENT: Councilmen: Dunnum, Peavey, Temple, Stamps ^ ABSENT: Councilman: Giddings ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager Glenn Kendall, Assistant City Manager Roy Starkey, Director of Finance Ray Lake, Director of Building & Safety Richard Barhite, Director of Public Works Dan McNutt, City Planner A. C. Gabriel, Purchasing Agent Alberta Pfeiffer, Deputy City Clerk After a summation of bids for electrical wiring of the City Hall building, it was recommended that Contract #28 be awarded to the lowest and best bidder, C. R. Anderson Electric, in the amount of $6490. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Peavey and passed by the following vote that the Contract #28 for electrical wiring for the City Hall building be awarded to the lowest and best bidder, C. R. Anderson Electric, in the amount of $6490. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Peavey, Dunnum, Temple, Stamps NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings Mr. King reported that the Edison Company Grant of Easement on the Leach property had been revised eliminating the guy wire and anchors that are presently there and providing for one electric pole. Mr. King recommended approval by the Council for the Mayor to sign the agreement. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Peavey and so ordered that the Mayor be authorized to sign the Grant of Easement to the Southern California Edison Company which provides for one pole for utility purposes. Councilman Temple reported he had received several complaints against the power companies for their exhorbitant charges for the removal of utility poles. It was recommended that the City Manager take this matter up with the power companies in an endeavor to adjust the charges for removal of utility poles. Mr. King reported that the C. Larry Hoag Realty Company has been unable to sell the lot on Clark Street which has been listed at $7900. Appraisals have run from $5,000 to $6,000. Mr. King recommended renewing the listing for another 60 days at the price of $6450. Councilman Peavey suggested giving the listing of the property on Clark Street to another realtor, Mr. King reported that the property back of the Florence Avenue Fire Station which has been listed for sale for $10,500 also has had no results. Council recommended that action on further listing of the property back of the Florence Avenue Fire Station and the lot on Clark Street be tabled and instructed the City Manager to submit another report at the next Council Meeting. Mr. King announced that Roy Starkey, Director of Finance, has accepted a position as Administrative Officer of Montclair and that he sincerely regretted losing Mr. Starkey from the City, but wished him the best of success as a City Administrator. Councilman Dunnum expressed that he felt the Council joined with him in the expression of the City Manager that Mr. Starkey's resignation is our loss and their gain and that he has a brilliant future ahead of him. It was moved by Councilman Dunnum, seconded by Councilman Temple and so ordered that the City Council, if called upon to do so, shall stand ready to give the best recommendation that can be written in response to any inquiry in regard to Roy Starkey. Roy Starkey reported that his resignation will be effective June 15 but that he will be working several nights and week ends to help in the orienta- tion of a new finance director. Councilman Peavey inquired when the Council might expect a report from the auditors. Mr. Starkey reported the auditors have just finished for the period of January through March 1959. The City Manager advised the Council they should have a complete audit report as of June 1959. Councilman Peavey asked about the outcome of the bus transportation study. The City Manager reported the Crosstown Bus Service wishes to meet and discuss the possibility of renting their buses to the City. Mr. King also reported he is having a cost analysis made and hopes to have a report in the very near future. Councilman Temple inquired as to the possible use of school buses. The City Manager stated the lease of school buses for public transportation does not fit into the School District's type of financing, but that this possibility will be given further study. Councilman Peavey asked how much progress is being made in regard to the new plumbing ordinance. Ray Lake reported there have been some minor changes and that the City Attorney wishes to have a study session on each code before it is presented for final study. Mr. Lake felt the code should be ready two weeks from the regular Council Meeting, at least for study. Mr. Anderson of C. R. Anderson Electric inquired of the Council if fur- ther consideration has been made toward eliminating the electrical panel in the hallway at the west entrance to the City Hall building and relocating it within the storeroom off the main hallway. Council approved this change with the understanding no additional expense will be incurred. Councilman Peavey inquired as to the possibility of widening 5th Street and suggested that a part -time man might be hired to pick up frontage for rights of way. It was his understanding that money for this purpose could be used from the Public Works budget. The City Manager stated that money for the acquisition of these rights of way might possibly come from the gas tax funds. Richard Barhite, Director of Public Works, was asked to report on the possibility of using Public Works funds for acquisition of rights of way, as well as the present needs of the Public Works Department for additional employ- ees for the purpose of acquiring certain rights of way. Mr. Barhite reported their need is more for additional help in drawing up plans and specifications rather than for securing rights of way. He also reported that arterial street money includes acquisition of rights of way and that the salary of a part -time person for the purpose of acquiring rights of way could come from 5/8 money. Mr. Barhite was asked to bring a report to the Council on the possibility of widening 5th Street. Mr. Stephen Skinner of the Planning Commission suggested that "No Parking" signs along 5th Street might eliminate part of the problem and might speed the progress of widening the street. Councilman Peavey suggested that a real estate man might be hired for the part -time job for acquisitions of rights of way. 577 It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Temple and defeated by the following vote that a part -time man be hired for the purpose of acquiring rights of way and that the expenses of this work be charged to each project as outlined in the budget. AYES: 2 Councilmen: Peavey, Temple NOES: 2 Councilmen: Dunnum, Stamps ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings Mr. King asked the Council to consider meeting with the Finance Committee to see if they are ready to set up a hearing on the proposed budget for the fiscal year. It was moved by Councilman Dunnum, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote to have a copy of the budget at each and every Council Meeting subsequent to the approval of the budget and that when the Council is asked to vote on any appropriation over and above the approved budget, the City Manager give a report or show in the budget where such appropriation may be made. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Dunnum, Temple, Stamps NOES: 1 Councilman: Peavey ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings Councilman Dunnum reviewed the appeal of Mr. S. E. Wicker in Zone Excep- tion Case No. 103 for a variance in order to operate a beauty parlor in his garage which had been taken under submission by the Council. It was moved by Councilman Dunnum, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote that the Council affirm the action of the Planning Commission and deny the appeal of Mr. S. E. Wicker in Zone Exception Case No. 103. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Peavey, Dunnum, Temple, Stamps NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings Councilman Dunnum inquired as to what action has been taken with regard to the offer of the Downey Women's Club to dedicate the land in front of their property for curb, gutters and street. Mr. Glenn Kendall reported that the land has been dedicated and $4,000 is in the budget for next year for the im- provement of this property. Councilman Dunnum inquired as to the progress of the rehabilitation of the Welcome to Downey signs. Mr. Barhite reported thdy are being worked on and would be ready for inspection today. Councilman Dunnum asked about the progress made on street improvements at Third and Paramount, Cherokee and Downey, Brookshire and Imperial, and Stewart and Gray Road. Mr. Barhite reported that a report will be submitted on the progress at Third and Paramount and Cherokee and Downey at the next Council Meeting; that plans and specifications have been started for an improvement district in the area at Brookshire and Imperial; and that inasmuch as Rheem Company has dedicated a right of way for extension of Stewart and Gray Road through to Woodruff, deeds have been drawn up for submittal to the Rheem Company when he and Mr. King meet with the officials there on Wednesday of this week. Councilman Temple reported that he had accompanied members of the Old River School Board of Education and interested citizens to Santa Ana to observe the School Boy Patrol program in action and that it is beyond all expectations. The patrolling was handled in a very orderly manner by the school boy patrols and the street observed was well travelled. Councilman Temple stated he had taken some colorej slides which had been shown to the school board and will be presented to the Parents Club of Old River School District. There being no further business to take before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 A.M. Deputy City Clerk Mayor ro- Tempore