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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-10-06-59-Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY OCTOBER 6TH, 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, October 6th, 1959, Mayor James L. Stamps presiding. PRESENT: Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings, Temple, Stamps ABSENT: Councilman: Peavey ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager Royal M. Sorensen, City Attorney Richard Barhite, Director of Public Works Donald Simpson, City Engineer Ivan A. Robinson, Chief of Police Robert Gain, Fire Chief Loren Morgan, Deputy Chief of Police Don Warren, Assistant Fire Chief Don Robison, Administrative Assistant A. C. Gabriel, Purchasing Agent Dan McNutt, City Planner Della Doyle, City Clerk Alberta Pfeiffer, Deputy City Clerk Father Ward DeBeck delivered the invocation. After a summation of bids, it was recommended that the bid for Firestone Lighting District No. 20 be awarded to the lowest and best bidder, Fischbach and Moore, Inc., in the amount of $72,667.00. RESOLUTION NO. 496 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AWARDING CONTRACT TO IMPROVE FIRESTONE BOULEVARD, IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 20 IN ACCORDANCE WITH RESOLU- TION OF INTENTION NO. 472 (Lighting) The resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Giddings and so ordered that further reading be waived. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Giddings and passed by the following vote that Resolution No. 496 be adopted award- ing the contract for Firestone Boulevard Improvement District No. 20 (lighting) to the lowest and best bidder, Fischbach and Moore, Inc., in the amount of $72,667.00. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings, Temple, Stamps NOES: 0 Councilman: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey The City Manager reported that in accordance with recommendations from the National Board of Fire Underwriters and through a reorganization as proposed by Fire Chief Robert W. Gain, it is recommended that authority be granted to activate manning a fifth fire truck upon the opening of Fire Station No. 4. This fifth truck will be the tanker pumper purchased from Lockheed in 1957 and will be housed in the Central. Station to provide a second pumper at this location. In addition, there will be one pumper at each of the other three stations. To do this it is necessary to request Council authority to readjust the present personnel to provide for two additional captains and two additional engineers. Upgrading four existing firemen to provide adequate leadership and pay in accordance with the W. responsibilities and duties will accomplish this, such readjustment amounting to a cost of $1,182, which will be covered under the cur- rent salary budget through the saving realized because of the delay in opening of Station No. 4. It was recommended that Council authorize these personnel adjustments so that this program may proceed. It was moved by Councilman Giddings, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the folloornghe be granted for by the personnel adjustments f Fire Chief and the City Manager. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings, Temple, Stamps NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey The City Manager stated the Planning Commission at their meeting on Wednesday night, September 30, recommended employing Mr. Charles B. Bennett, Planning Consultant, to assist Mr. McNutt and the Commission in preparing the zoning ordinance for final Council consideration and public hearings at an amount not to exceed $2,000, which is included in the cur- rent budget. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Giddings and passed by the following vote to authorize employment of Mr. Charles B. Bennett, Planning Consultant, at an amount not to exceed $2,000. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings, Temple, Stamps NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey The City Manager reported that the Transportation Committee recommends that "Stop and Shop" transfers be issued, and that scrip be issued for merchants to purchase from the Finance Department for benefit of their customers. The Transportation Company advised against decreasing the bus fare to 15� from the present 20o, fare. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Dunnum and passed by the following vote to adopt the Transportation Committee's recommendation to issue "Stop and Shop" transfers and issue scrip for merchants to purchase for benefit of their customers. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings, Temple, Stamps NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey The City Manager was instructed by Council to contact the Transportation Company in Lynwood who had indicated interest in operating a transportation system, and to call another meeting of the Transportation Committee and members of the Council to discuss smaller transportation vehicles, more personalized service, cheaper rates, and other possibilities for a more satisfactory and profitable municipal transportation system. The City Manager reported that plans and specifications have been ap- proved by the Director of Public Worksfnr construction of the storm drain in Gardendale Street (in cooperation with the City of Bellflower) and are now ready for Council approval. It was moved by Councilman Dunnum, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote that plans and specifications submitted by the Director of Public Works for the Gardendale Storm Drain be approved. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Dunnum, Giddings, Temple, Stamps NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey s The City Manager reported that a request has been made to extend the sick leave of absence without pay of Mrs. Beverly Herrara from September 22 to October 22. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Giddings and so ordered to grant an extension of the sick leave of absence without pay of Beverly Herrara in the Police Department from September 22 to October 22. The City Manager reported that a recommendation has been submitted from Fire Chief Robert Gain requesting a 27 -day extension to November 1, 1959, on completion of Fire Station No. 4. It was moved by Councilman Giddings, seconded by Councilman Temple and so ordered that Council authorize granting a 27 -day extension on Fire Station No. 4 on Florence Avenue to be completed on or before November 1. Mr. King read a letter from Anthony and Langford, Architects, reporting that the work on the library should be completed the first week in December, as scheduled. The City Clerk stated she has received an application from Earl Warren High School Student Council for a permit for a parade on October 23, 1959, between the hours of 2:30 and 3:30 and that the application has been re- viewed and approved by the City Manager and the Chief of Police. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Giddings and so ordered that the parade permit be granted to the Earl Warren High School Student Council for a parade on October 23, 1959, between the hours of 2 :30 and 3:30 P.M. The City Clerk read the following correspondence: A letter from Edna W. Thayer addressed to Mr. Richard Barhite thank- ing him for his conscientious attention in the matter of the "U" turn created at Firestone and Woodruff and for keeping her so nicely posted. A letter from L. R. Gillis, District Engineer of Division of Highways acknowledging receipt of the City Council's Resolution No. 492 requesting the necessary work to acquire and develop the right of way for the San Gabriel River Freeway, State Route 170, and acknowledging appreciation of Council's interest in the development of the freeways. The letter stated the importance of the San Gabriel River Freeway is recognized as attested by the fact that they have already spent in excess of $11,000,000 for right of way acquisition. The letter added that the rate of progress in right of way acquisition and later in scheduling of construction is dependent upon the availability of Federal funds. A petition containing some 200 signatures from the Ed C. Lewis PTA protesting removal of the crossing guard at Bellflower Boulevard and Foster Street, and requesting that a crossing guard be placed there at all times that children will be going to or from school. Mrs. Joseph Rogers, President of the Ed C. Lewis PTA, spoke in support of the petition. Councilman Dunnum requested that a copy of the report on the study which is now under way to determine the crossing most in need of the crossing guards furnished under the current budget be forwarded to both the President of the C. C. Carpenter PTA and the President of the Ed C. Lewis PTA, in response to their appeal for crossing guards. Councilman Giddings advised Mrs. Rogers that the matter should also be taken up with the Board of Education who, he feels, share in the responsibility of adequate traffic control and safety at school crossings. 700 The Mayor stated that now is the time and place for the hearing on the appeal of Mr. R. C. Walter's revocation of a solicitor's permit to sell fire alarms. The City Attorney stated that under Chapter 4, Article 6 of the Downey Municipal Code, Mr. Walter was given a permit as a solicitor for the purpose of soliciting and selling fire protection or alarm devices. On the basis of a number of complaints made to the Fire Department, the matter was referred to the Police Department. After investigation, a letter of revocation was sent by the Police Department to Mr. Walter whereby his solicitor's permit was revoked. Pursuant to Section 6408 of the Municipal Code, which also provided that an appeal of such revocation of the Chief of Police Department may be made, Mr. Walter did file his letter of appeal and a hearing was set by the Council for 8:30 A.M., October 6, 1959, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, The City Attorney stated that the order of procedures, since Mr. Walter was the one filing the appeal, would be for him to present his side of the case, the Chief of Police to present his side of the case, with such witnesses as he desires, with a period of rebuttal, if this is agreeable with the Council. Mr. Walter was asked to come forward, but he was not present at the Council Meeting. Since it could not be established that Mr. Walter was in the Council Chambers at the last Council Meeting when the hearing was set, it was moved by Councilman Dunnum, seconded by Councilman Temple and so ordered that the appeal of Mr. R. C. Walter relative to revocation of his solicitor's permit be continued to 9:00 A.M., October 13, 1959, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, and that the City Clerk be directed to forward to Mr. Walter by registered letter, return receipt requested, a notice of the continuance of this hearing. Mr. King read a letter addressed to Mr. Telford, Assistant State Highway Engineer of the Division of Highways, suggesting that since the problem of all -day parking on adjoining city streets has greatly increased recently at freeway ramps, certain areas which have been noted on sketches enclosed with the letter be developed to provide for this increasing influx of all -day parkers. The City Manager requested authority from Council to have plans and cost estimates prepared for remodeling of the old library building for Council Chambers and a press room. It was moved by Councilman Dunnum, seconded by Councilman Temple and so ordered that authority be granted for preparation of plans and cost estimates for remodeling the old library building to provide better facilities for Council Chambers and a press room. Councilman Temple reported that the following persons have volunteered to serve on the Sister -City Committee: Bishop R. Don Smith - Latter Day Sairts Church Robert Peters, Principal - East Jr. High Jim Bannister - Herald American Herb Lawrence - The Daily Signal It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Dunnum and so ordered that the persons volunteering to serve on the Sister -City Committee, as well as one representative for each of the newspapers be accepted. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Dunnum and so ordered that the resolution designating that each Councilman designate three members to serve on the Sister -City Committee be amended to include one representative from each of the newspapers. There being no further business adjourned at 9:20 A.M. i 1 i I City Cle to come before Council, the meeting Mayor