HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-03-28-61-Regular Meeting1075
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
HELD ON MARCH 28, 1961
The City Council of the City of Downey held a regular meeting in the Council
Chambers of the Downey City Hall at 8:00 a.m., March 28, 1961, Mayor Carroll M.
Dunnum presiding.
PRESENT: 4 Councilmen: Temple, Corbin, Peavey, Dunnum
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager
Royal M. Sorensen, City Attorney
Glenn Kendall, Director of Finance, Assistant City Manager
Richard Barhite, Director of Public Works
Sherman Griselle, Director of Planning
Robert W. Gain, Fire Chief
Lee Leavitt, City Engineer
Ray Lake, Director of Building and Safety
Loren Morgan, Deputy Chief of Police
Della Doyle, City Clerk
Virginia Miller, Deputy City Clerk
Itv3as moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and so
ordered that Councilman Giddings be excused from appearing at the Council
Meeting of this date.
The Mayor announced that this was the time and place for the Hearing on the
Master Plan of Streets and Highways.
The Master Map was presented. The Mayor asked if there were any written or
oral communications relative to the hearing. There were none.
It was recommended that the City Manager contact theinterested cities and
arrange a meeting of the City Engineers relative to the proposed route of the
freeway to the South of Downey to see if an agreement of the cities could
facilitate the construction, and that a report be made of the recommendations.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and so
ordered that the hearing on the Master Plan of Streets and Highways be closed.
RESOLUTION NO. 781
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADOPTING A MASTER PLAN OF STREETS AND HIGHWAYS
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Peavey and so
ordered that further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Corbin and
passed by the following vote that Resolution No. 781 be adopted.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Temple, Corbin, Peavey, Dunnum
Giddings
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and so
ordered that the Minutes of the meeting of March 13 be approved as corrected.
The City Clerk presented the following written correspondence:
1) A letter of the Division of Highways, relative to abandoning Brookshire
Street Pedestrian Undercrossing in the City of Downey at the intersection of
Brookshire Street and Firestone Boulevard, and stating bids are being opened
April 3.
Council flinutes 3/28/61
10'76
2) A letter from George Boshae, Attorney at Law, relative to the alley
lying north of 4th Place and extending easterly of Smallwood Avenue - Tract
No. 8960. The Mayor referred this to the City Attorney for report at the next
meeting.
3) A letter from Milo Dellmann, Mayor of the City of South Gate, relative
to the City annexing the American Legion Hall property to the northwest corner
of Gardendale and Garfield Avenues.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and so
ordered that the City 1�hnager be instructed to proceed on negotiations of
straightening out the westerly boundary of Downey and South Gate relative to
this American Legion Hall.
4) A letter from Atlas Carpet Company appealing Zone Exception Case #219.
A report was given to the Council by Sherman Griselle, Director of Planning
relative to the zoning in this area.
It was requested by City Attorney Sorensen that this matter be placed at the
end of the correspondence at this time in order to check the Code relative to
this zoning matter.
5) A letter from Mrs. Celene Gamble expressing appreciation on the improve-
ment of the property located at Telegraph and Tweedy Lane vacated by the B & G
Trucking Company.
6) A letter from James F. Terry, 10256 Belcher Street, Downey, California
thanking the City Manager for cooperation relative to improving Foster Road
between Woodruff and Faust.
Mr. King stated that a meeting had been held with the City Manager of Bell-
flower relative to a joint venture on this project between the cities of Bell-
flower and Downey.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Peavey and so
ordered that Mr. Barhite proceed with this project on Foster Road, as a joint
project, as soon as possible.
7) Letters from the following:
Andrew V. Hohn, 5466 Southern Avenue, South Gate, California
Lemons Disposal Company, 12130 Woodruff Avenue, Downey
Rio Hondo Disposal Service, 9829 Downey - Norwalk Road, Downey
relative to contracts on the present garbage and rubbish pickup.
A report was submitted from the Sanitation Committee of a meeting held on
March 14 relative to this matter.
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and so
ordered that this matter be taken under submission for further study and re-
placed on the agenda for a future- meeting.
The Council Meeting was adjourned at 8 :35 a.m, for the Councilmen to inspect
a new type automatic packing type truck.
The Meeting reconvened at 8:45 a.m.
8) A letter from the City of Torrance relative to their Resolution No.
61 -48 opposing Assembly Bill 441 which would require a majority vote of the
Electorate to effect community redevelopment.
Council (Minutes 3/28/61 -2-
1077
Mayor Dunnum suggested that this matter be referred to the City
Attorney for report back to the next council meeting.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and so
ordered that the City Attorney study Assembly Bill 441 and report back to the
next council meeting.
9) An invitation from the League of California Cities with notification
of the meeting of Board of Directors on Thursday, April 6, at the Rodger Young
Auditorium.
Councilman Peavey submitted his resignation at this time as delegate from
the City of Downey to the League of California Cities.
It was moved by Councilman Dunnum, seconded by Councilman Temple and so
ordered that the resignation of Councilman Peavey as delegate to the League of
California Cities be accepted, and that Councilman Corbin be appointed as dele-
gate from the City of Downey to the League.
10) A claim from Mrs. Minnie Canton, 7848 Burns Avenue, for damage under
Zone Exception #164, January 6, 1960, and Lot Split #136 of January 12, 1960
in the amount of $410.00.
After discussion by the Council, it was agreed that the claim of Mrs. Canton
be approved.
Mayor Dunnum stated that this proposed settlement is by way of a compromise
settlement of a disputed claim, and that it is not in any manner an admission of
liability, but merely a desire on the part of the City to accomplish what they
think is the right thing to do.
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed
by the following vote that the claim of Mrs. Canton be approved and an appropria-
tion of $410.00 be made from Operating Reserve Fund to Account 9- 2000 -399 to cover
this claim; provided the necessary Waiver of Release is signed by Mrs. Canton to the
City of Downey.
AYES: 4 Councitnen: Peavey, Dunnum, Corbin, Temple
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
11) The matter of Atlas Carpet Company was again placed on the agenda.
City Attorney Sorensen stated that Section 662 of the present Ordinance covers
this type of condition. The Council can do one of the following:
1) It can affirm the action;
2) It can require a transcript of record of the testimony or other evi-
dence upon which the Commission made its decision;
3) After reviewing that evidence can make such decision, or it may refer
the matter back, with or without instructions, or set the matter for
hearing.
Mayor Dunnum announced it is the unanimous desire of the Council to aid
Mr. Mardigan and that it is in order for the Council at this time to:
1) That the exception is necessary for the preservation of the sustained
property owner
2) That such exception will not materially be detrimental to the public
welfare, nor the persons located in the vicinity thereof.
Council Minutes 3/28/61 -3-
l_ N i
After discussion by the Council, it was the unanimous decision that the
request of Mr. Mardigan be allowed, and approving a vertical wall of the building
7 -1/2' from the property line; the canopy to the property line, and the sign to
the property line; provided the sign does not nextend over the sidewalk.
Mr. Girselle stated that in Zone Exception Case #219 the Plot Plan was
approved by the Planning Commission on March 1, 1961. Zone Exception No. 219
is approved with the vertical wall 7 -1/21; the canopy permitted to the sidewalk;
and the sign to the sidewalk but not over the sidewalk as shown on the Plot Plans
and elevation submitted with Zone Exception #219.
City Attorney Sorensen stated that reference should be made to the Plot Plan
and elevation of the sign declared, and drawings presented to the Planning
Commission.
It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed
by the following vote that Mr. Mardigan be allowed the 7 -1/2' setback; that he
be allowed to build the canopy to the property line, and that he may place a
sign on any part of the canopy, provided the sign does not extend over the side-
walk.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Corbin, Temple, Peavey, Dunnum
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
ORDINANCE NO. 163
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION 3142 OF THE DOWNEY
MUNICIPAL CODE, OF WHICH SECTION RELATES TO THE
RIDING OF BICYCLES.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and so
ordered that further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and
passed by the following vote that Ordinance No. 163 be adopted.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Corbin, Temple, Peavey, Dunnum
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
ORDINANCE NO. 164
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY AMENDING THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE BY
ADDING PART 5 TO CHAPTER 4 OF ARTICLE II OF SAID
CODE, WHCIH SAID PART RELATES TO PARKING PLACE
COMMISSIONERS
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and so
ordered that further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed
by the following vote that Ordinance No. 164 be adopted.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Corbin, Temple, Peavey, Dunnum
Giddings
Council Minutes 3/28/61 -4-
1.0'79
ORDINANCE NO. 165
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
DECLARING THE INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SAID CITY
TO FORM VEHICLE PARKING DISTRICT NO. 1 OF SAID CITY AND
TO ACQUIRE LANDS FOR PARKING PLACES AND TO CONSTRUCT
IMPROVEMENTS ON SAID PARKING PLACES AS PROPOSED IN THE
PETITION THEREFOR AND FIX THE TIME AND PLACE FOR HEARING
AND GIVING NOTICE THEREOF.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Peavey, and so
ordered that further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Peavey and passed
by the following vote that Ordinance No. 165 be adopted, and that the hearing be
set for May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Temple, Corbin, Peavey, Dunnum
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
RESOLUTION NO. 782
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE CONTROLLER OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA FOR THE PURCHASE OF CERTAIN STREET RIGHTS -OF-
WAY WITHIN ROSE AVENUE NORTH OF IMPERIAL HIGHWAY
It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Temple and so
ordered that further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed
by the following vote that Resolution No. 782 be adopted.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Peavey, Dunnum, Corbin, Temple
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
RESOLUTION NO. 783
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REQUESTING AN ALLOCATION FROM THE PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION CROSSING RPOTECTION FUND
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and so
ordered that further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed
by the following vote that Resolution No. 783 be adopted.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Peavey, Dunnum, Corbin, Temple
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
RESOLUTION NO. WS 239
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYfNG THE
FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID ( #6009 - 6378 -
$83,802.81 - PAYROLL)
Council Minutes 3/28/61 -5-
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded byCouncilman Corbin and so
ordered that further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed
by the following vote that Resolution NO. WS239 be adopted.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Corbin, Temple, Peavey, Dunnum
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
RESOLUTION NO. WS 240
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 ( #2094 - 2196 -
$155,389.08 - B WARRANTS)
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and so
ordered that further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Peavey, and
passed by the following vote that Resolution No. WS240 be adopted.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Temple, Corbip, Peavey, Dunnum
Giddings
City Manager Oren L. King requested that action on Contract No. 53 on the
Public Works Yard be withheld untilnext meeting.
Myyor Dunnum stated that the matter on Contract No. 53 be ordered off
calendar at this time.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed
by the following vote that the City Countil approve and accept the improvements
completed on Cash Contract No. 55, and grant authority to file Notice of Comple-
tion - Public Works Yard Sewer.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilmen:
Temple, Corbin, Peavey, Dunnum
Giddings
It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed
by the following vote that the City Council accept the improvements constructed
under Cash Contract No. 51 - Traffic Signals at Stewart and Gray and Bellflower
Boulevard, and grant authority to file Notice of Completion.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Peavey, Dunnum, Temple, Corbin
Giddings
�— It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed
by the following vote that the City Council authorize retaining of an engineering
firm to perform the necessary work of preparing Plans and Specifications on Assess-
ment District No. 67 - Regentview Avenue between Firestone Bouleaard and Downey -
Norwalk Road; to retain the firm of Burke, Williams & Sorensen to perform the
necessary legal work; and appropriate $6,000 to cover the necessary expenditures
until such time that bonds may be sold.
Council Minutes 3/23/61 -6-
AYES:
3 Councilmen:
NOES:
0
ABSTAIN:
1 Councilman:
ABSENT:
1 Councilman:
Temple, Corbin, Dunnum
Peavey
Giddings
r is
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and
passed by the following vote that the City Council grant authority to engage
Wm. H. Krelle to prepare plans, specifications,.and other assessment documents
on the Downtown Parking District No. 1; grant authoruty to employ Burke,
Williams, & Sorensen; and to advance $20,000 to cover engineering, legal and
incidental expenses until such time bonds are sold.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Temple, Dunnum, Corbin, Peavey
Giddings
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and
passed by the following vote that the City Council approve and accept the
parkway improvements within the Stonewood Shopping Center - Tract 20115,
and authorize release of the faithful performance bonds guaranteeing the
construction.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Corbin, Temple, Dunnum, Peavey
Giddings
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin, and
passed by the following vote that the City Council appropriate $10,000 of
Gas Tax Funds for the widening of the west side of Paramout Boulevard on the
west side, between Burns Avenue to Quoit Street.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Corbin, Temple, Dunnum, Peavey
Giddings
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Peavey and passed
by the following vote that the City Council accept street improvements on Tract
No. 24103 - Benedict Avenue and Everest Street, but does not release the bond at
this time.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Corbin, Temple, Dunnum, Peavey
Giddings
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed
by the following vote that the City Manager be authorized to abandon the bus route
in the northerly section of Downey, and improve the routes in the southerly section
of the City by placing the buses on a 30- minute schedule.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Corbin, Temple, Dunnuip, Peavey
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Temple and
passed by the following vote that schedules be printed and distributed on the
revised bus schedules in the southern part of the City and that necessary funds
be appropriated to accomplish this.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Corbin, Temple, Dunnum, Peavey
Giddings
Council Minutes 3/28/61 -7-
1082
Mr. King gave a report to the Council relative to the Agreement between
the City of Downey and Los Angeles Airways, Inc., on the Heliport site in Downey.
He stated that Council action was not necessary at this time, as he would like to
submit the Agreement with proposed changes to Los Angeles Airways, Inc. for their
approval and if they are in agreement with the proposed changes it will be sub-
mitted to the Council when the contract has been returned.
It was moved by Councilman Temple and so ordered that Mayor Dunnum
declare the week of April 3 through April 7 as `Scholarship Week."'
It was moved by Councilman Temple and so ordered that the City Manager be
authorized to get in touch with Mr. Vincent Young, Director of Civil Defense
in Area "Err and investigate the cost of a bomb shelter for City Hall.
It was moved by Councilman Tem21e and so orered that the week of May 28
through June 4 be proclaimed as 'Art Unlimited Week.`
Councioman Peavey asked the Public Works Department to give the Council an
estimate of installing sidewalks from the Maude Price School north to extend
about two blocks, and an estimate of what it will take to fill in the vacant
sidewalk from Foster Road to the west and south about 2 blocks from the North
Junior High.
Councilman Corbin reported that he had the names of 10 citizens who were
protesting the widening of 5th street from Downey to Parmmount. He asked that
the only consideration to be given 5th Street at this time by the Council has
been the area between Paramount and Downey Avenue. He also questioned the
removal of the barricade on 6th street, and suggested 5th and 6th streets be made
one -way. He asked for a report on this.
Mayor Dunnum requested that the matter of making 5th and 6th one -way streets
from Downey Avenue to Lakewood be referred to the Traffic Study Committee for a
report back to the Council.
It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed
by the following vote that authority be granted to employ 4 Engineering Aides -
Schedule 19 - Salary Range $518 -629; authority to advance one of the present
Senior Engineering Aides to Chief of Party (Schedule 21 - $571 -694); authority to
advance one Junior Civil Engineer to Assistant Engineer (Schedule 23 - Salary
Range $629 -766), for the Department of Public Works, effective May 1, 1961.
Funds are available in the Engineering and Public Works budget to cover these
changes.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Temple, Corbin, Peavey, Dunnum
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Peavey and
passed by the following vote that an additional bookkeeper be employed
beginning May 1, 1961 in the Finance Department - Schedule 16 - Salary Range
$448 - 544) .
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Corbin, Temple, Peavey, Dunnum
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
City Manager Oren King advised the Council that all property owners included
in the three proposed parking lots under the 1943 Parking District had been notified
of the proceedings to date.
Council Minutes 3/28/61 -8-
FUSTINP
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Peavey and passed
by the following vote that approval be granted for the PUrchasing Agent to enter
into an agreement with the County of Los Angeles for the purchase of gasoline for
the fiscal year July 1, 1961 through June 30, 1962.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Temple, Corbin, Peavey, Dunnum
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Giddings
Mr. King reported that there are a number of delinquent tax properties within
the City, and asked that the Council authorize acquisition of five of these.
1) Everest between Downey and Brookshire
2) Lot on Everest of approximately 7,000 feet
3) Klondyke Street between Klondyke and Grant - 4 lots
57' x 87'
25' x 87'
100' x 87'
It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Peavey and passed
by the following vote that the City go ahead and acquire these lots as recommended
by the City Manager.
AYES: 4 Councilmen:
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 1 Councilman:
Corbin, Temple, Peavey, Dunnum
Giddings
Councilman Peavey asked the City .Engineer to prepare a list and present it to
the Council of all the tax lots in Downey that might be acquired by the City.
Councilman Peavey o reported that the Council had previously authorized the
widening of 3rd and Paramount and also Cherokee and Downey, and the acquisition
of the property if necessary. Mr. King stated that he had called the two property
owners involved and is endeavoring to work with them on this, and stated he would
report back to the City Council on this situation at the next meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting
adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
City C1 rk M
Council Minutes 3/28/61 -9-