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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-06-07-61-Regular Meeting11.3. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY JUNE 7TH, 1961 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned meeting in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall at 8:00 P.M., June 7th, '-' 1961, Mayor Carroll M. Dunnum presiding. PRESENT: COUNCILMEN: Giddings, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum ABSENT: COUNCILMAN: Peavey ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager Lee Leavitt, City Engineer Della Doyle, City Clerk Alberta Pfeiffer, Deputy City Clerk Mayor Carroll M. Dunnum announced that this is the time and place fixed for the public hearing for the matter of whether or not the City Council should sign a lease with the Los Angeles Airways relative to the use of the property as a Heliport located on Bellflower immediately north of Imperial Highway. To preface the meeting, the Mayor reviewed the chronological sequence of events which have occurred relative to the problem concerning the Heliport, and a review of what has basically passed before Council. 4 -23 -59 - City Council was advised that selection of Downey was approved and certified by the Civil Aeronautics Board for a helicopter site. 8 -29 -59 - Live Wire article informed people of the use of a proposed site in Downey for a heliport authorizing approximately $2,000,00 to $4,000.00 for paving and improving the proposed site. 9 -29 -59 - Live Wire article and drawing showing much importance of this matter, the location thereof and future plans for the development of the Heliport. 9 -12 -60 - City Council approved contract for purchase of the land involved and referred in the resolution to a public document and held a public meeting as the particular site contemplated for heliport purposes. 10 -25 -60 - Resolution 695 passed unanimously by entire City Council declaring and designating this particular property as a site for a heliport. 9 -29 -60 - Live Wire again carried an article that the forward look in keeping with the heliport was being strived for and Downey City Council voted to hire an engineer to design a maintenance yard and keep it in mind for use as a heliport site. 10 -1 -60 - Signal article - using of particular area, fencing thereof, housing passengers while waiting for helicopter service, and generally dis- closing the continued action of the City Council. 11 -1 -60 - Price was established for the heliport site. 10 -3 -60 - The Edison Company stepped forward to help the heliport program wherein they took it upon themselves to relocate their high tension or high voltage poles in the immediate area at no expense to the City. 10 -17 -60 - Herald American article and letter from L. A. Airways wherein the entire program was reviewed and Downey selection for a heliport site on Bellflower Boulevard, 1000 feet north of Imperial Highway was officially approved. 1132 1 -1 -61 - Site and development included in 1961 Public Works program was discussed. February 1961 - Public Works Maintenance Yard Building, etc. were developed. A review of the premises was had again indicating that it was intended to be used for a heliport site. 3 -6 -61 - Downey Leader carried an article that a final Heliport report was due the City and that the location may be brought before City Council at its March 13th meeting. These actions prefaced a filing of notice before the City Council that there was some opposition to this matter. As a result, Councilman Dunnum, as Councilman in the district involved, requested a public hearing before the City Council relative to this matter. The issue, stated Mayor Dunnum, is whether or not the City should sign a lease with the L. A. Airways for the use of the site invoked as indicated for use of L. A. Airways' helicopters. In accordance with accepted principles of public dispute, the Mayor stated that there shall be a normal procedure where affirmative for the issue shall speak first, the negative rebuttal, secondly; then the affirmative rebuttal followed by the negative rebuttal to close. Each side will be given the opportunity to explain their thinking. Mayor Dunnum asked if there is any written communication relative to this public hearing. The City Clerk submitted the following: Exhibit No. Dr., Los Angeles interference. Exhibit No. Dobber, Mrs. Phi Mrs. Robert Kemp Gauldin School. 1 - A letter from Mrs. K. 0. Thompson, 12301 Stanwood 66, protesting on the grounds of noise and television 2 - A letter signed by Kenneth R. Lopour, Mrs. Charles 11ip Carlson, Mrs. Robert McNeill, Mrs. Donald R. Olson and relative to the safety of the flight pattern near A. L. Exhibit No. 3 - A letter from Alameda School District Board of Trustees opposing on the grounds of safety for the school children. Exhibit No. 4 - A petition with 84 signatures protesting on the ground of endangering the school children. Exhibit No. 1 (Affirmative) - A letter from Mrs. Noel M. Boogaard stating that for 2 years helicopters flew overhead day and night while her husband worked at Sikorsky Aircraft, Bridgeport, Connecticut and they were not even aware of them. She also stated that helicopters had a much safer history than aeroplanes. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Giddings and so ordered that these documents be received and filed. The Mayor asked that, in the interest of time, all speakers avoid —� repetitious testimony and that each side lead off with a spokesman. As spokesman for the affirmative, Mr. Harold Tredway, 9315 S. Guata- mala, Downey, Vice - President and member of the Board of Trustees for the Downey Chamber of Commerce, stated there are primarily three factors of concern in the matter of the heliport. 1.33 1. Possible danger 2. Noise 3. Lowering of property values Mr. Tredway enlarged on each of these points stating that in some 14 years of service there had not been a single accident in the L. A. Airways System: so far as the noise element goes, there would be little additional noise over that of the now existing Jet Aircraft and traffic noise of trucks; and thirdly there is no history to substantiate the lowering of property values. Mr. Tredway stated that while he did not feel that any issue should be evaluated by the number of people for or against but purely on the issues involved, he was presenting a petition (Exhibit #2 -- affirmative) with 277 signatures obtained merely by an announcement in the newspaper that such a petition was available at a said place. He also offered letters from the Chambers of Commerce of the City of Bellflower (Exhibit #3), City of Paramount (Exhibit #4), endorsing the heliport in the interest of industrial and commercial developments and a letter from the Tahitian Village, a new million dollar enterprise in the City of Downey, stating that it would be of great value to the community in general. Mr. Tredway closed by stating that he feels that probably the persons opposing the heliport may not be in full cognizance of what a heliport in the City would mean to industry and commerce in the facilities of mail and express, as well as passenger services. The Mayor directed that the exhibits presented be accepted and filed. Mayor Dunnum then called for comments from the opposition requesting that they limit their comments to 15 minutes, as there were no additional comments on the affirmative. Mrs. Robert McNeill, 10246 Belcher Street, stated her concern was for the safety of the school children and asked if all possible sites had been explored. Mr. King, City Manager, outlined the various studies that had been made over the last year and one -half and reported that this one was the most acceptable in all aspects. Mrs. Neville Kilpatrick, 11726 S. Corrigan Avenue, objected on the grounds of security in schools and in her home. Mr. Kenneth Lopour, Principal of the A. L. Gauldin School, 9724 Spry, again stated that the schools were concerned about a low level flight pattern near the school and inquired if it could be written into a contract a determination as to just where the helicopters would fly so that they would not endanger the school children on the school grounds. Mr. James Russell, 12108 Gurley Avenue, presented a news article in the Santa Monica paper reporting a forced landing stressing the dangers of such a program. The following persons protested on the grounds of hazards to school children, noise and property devaluations - and requested that a flight pattern be written into the contract or that the heliport be located else- where. 1134 34 Mr. Robert Powell, 12208 Morning Avenue Kathleen Reeves, 12258 Izetta Avenue Mrs. Pauline Olson, 10225 Cornuta Mrs. Barbara Blank, 12339 Izetta Mr. Jack Carlson, Principal of Imperial Alameda School District Patty Carlson, 12218 Izetta Archie Chisham, 12219 Izetta Leonard Brown, 12229 Izetta School in the Mayor Dunnum then called for rebuttals, first from the affirmative. Mr. Gerald Altman, 9436 9toakes Avenue, stated that he feels the oppositions` reasons are due to fear, the idea that it is something new, and that they are going to object; secondly, they bought their homes in the "good old days" and want them brought back. He stated that the noise was not comparable with that of the jets, but that all were willing to accept that. He feels that the heliport is in the good interest of all concerned. Mr. Fred Milam, 5901 W. Imperial Highway, representative of the L. A. Airways, was called on for some clarifications. He stated that there had been some forced landings during the year of operation but no fatalities or accidents, and in case of a dire emergency, could land on a spot about the size of the copter but need never to crash. The flight pattern the helicopters would follow would be determined and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the entire operation would be under their jurisdiction as a scheduled carrier. He also refuted the statement that it was imperative for a copter to land into the wind - -it simply is more desirable but would not neces- sarily control the landing pattern. He stated that the noise level of the new helicopter at 400 ft. is approximately the same as an average truck on the highway. Mr. Milam stated that there can be a clause in the contract that they will not fly over the school, but the L. A. Airways must comply with all F.A.A. regulations. When the Mayor asked if a cancellation clause could be inserted if they did not comply with the outlined pattern, Mr. Milam stated that that was a legal matter and he could not speak on that phase of it. Councilman Giddings remarked that he got the reaction that the people feel the only reason for a heliport is to take people to the airport and asked Mr. Milam to explain the services further. Mr. Milam again stated that they would carry, not only passengers, but mail and cargo. It will shorten the time of mail delivery and expedite the delivery of merchandise to the business people, enabling them to render better service to the citizens. Mr. Dick Raabe, 8319 Sixth Street, stated that it would be of great value as a businessman to get the parts ordered in a shorter time so that the equipment he is servicing can be back in action much quicker. Mayor Dunnum called on the opposition for their rebuttal. 1135 Mrs. Robert McNeill asked that the Council consider another site. Mrs. Robert Kemp stated that she was not opposed to the heliport but to the particular site. Leonard Brown inquired into the number of flights a day contemplated, if North American had anything to do with the location. Mr. Milam answered that North American had no bearing on the problem. The number of flights would be governed by the demand but initially there would be four mail flights a day, governed by the Post Office authorities, but would be approximately 8:00 A.M., 1:00 P M., sometime after 5:00 P.M., and one prior to 8:00 P.M. Councilman Corbin inquired if there would be more than one helicopter at a time on the field and if any repair work would be done there. Mr. Milam replied that there would not be more than one copter at a time and no repair work. Councilman Temple inquired if at a later time the contract could be renegotiated for a change in location. Mr. Milam replied in the affirma- tive. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Dunnum and so ordered that the hearing on the heliport matter be closed. It was moved by Councilman Giddings, seconded by Councilman Corbin that the site of the heliport be taken under submission, not to determine if there shall be a helicopter service but rather to determine whether or not there is a better location. Mayor Dunnum stated that this is a difficult question - -it is a situa- tion where progress is confronting the City. If there is a heliport, it is going to cause some inconvenience, some noise, and some possible hazard to some of the people - -that is the price of progress. The question is where will these be minimized. He concurred with Councilman Giddings that another search be completely and thoroughly made before a decision is made and also pointed out that even a decision nead not be permanent as changes could be made as it is contemplated that the facility for the City Hall would provide for landing of copters, but this would be in the future. Mayor Dunnum called for a vote on the motion as previously made to take the matter of the site for the heliport under submission. Motion passed by the following vote: AYES: 4 Councilmen: Giddings, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey Mayor Dunnum called for a recess of ten minutes at 9:50 P.M. City Attorney Royal M. Sorensen arrived at the Council Meeting at 10:00 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 10:00 P.M. RESOLUTION NO. 807 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY COMMEMORATING THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 14, 1777, WHICH ADOPTED THE SYMBOL AND DESIGN WHICH BECAME THE FIRST FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NATIONAL FLAG WEEK- -JUNE 11 -17, 1961 The resolution was read by title only. 1.35 Mrs. Robert McNeill asked that the Council consider another site. Mrs. Robert Kemp stated that she was not opposed to the heliport but to the particular site. Leonard Brown inquired into the number of flights a day contemplated, if North American had anything to do with the location. Mr. Milam answered that North American had no bearing on the problem. The number of flights would be governed by the demand but initially there would be four mail flights a day, governed by the Post Office authorities, but would be approximately 8:00 A.M., 1:00 P M., sometime after 5:00 P.M., and one prior to 8:00 P.M. Councilman Corbin inquired if there would be more than one helicopter at a time on the field and if any repair work would be done there. Mr. Milam replied that there would not be more than one copter at a time and no repair work. Councilman Temple inquired if at a later time the contract could be renegotiated for a change in location. Mr. Milam replied in the affirma- tive. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Dunnum and so ordered that the hearing on the heliport matter be closed. It was moved by Councilman Giddings, seconded by Councilman Corbin that the site of the heliport be taken under submission, not to determine if there shall be a helicopter service but rather to determine whether or not there is a better location. Mayor Dunnum stated that this is a difficult question - -it is a situa- tion where progress is confronting the City. If there is a heliport, it is going to cause some inconvenience, some noise, and some possible hazard to some of the people - -that is the price of progress. The question is where will these be minimized. He concurred with Councilman Giddings that another search be completely and thoroughly made before a decision is made and also pointed out that even a decision need not be permanent as changes could be made as it is contemplated that the facility for the City Hall would provide for landing of copters, but this would be in the future. Mayor Dunnum called for a vote on the motion as previously made to take the matter of the site for the heliport under submission. Motion passed by the following vote. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Giddings, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey Mayor Dunnum called for a recess of ten minutes at 9:50 P.M. City Attorney Royal M. Sorensen arrived at the Council Meeting at 10:00 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 10:00 P.M. RESOLUTION NO. 807 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY COMMEMORATING THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 14, 1777, WHICH ADOPTED THE SYMBOL AND DESIGN WHICH BECAME THE FIRST FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NATIONAL FLAG WEEK- -JUNE 11 -17, 1961 The resolution was read by title only. 1136 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. 807 be adopted. ^ AYES: 4 Councilmen: Giddings, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey The Mayor asked if there were any other matters to come before the City Council. The City Manager reported petitions have been filed with the City Clerk requesting Council to rescind its decision of May 23, 1961, instructing the City Planning Department to make a special study of land use and zoning on Florence Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard. Councilman Giddings stated he would like to have a clarification of several items in connection with Council's action, upon recommendation of'the City Planning Director and the City Manager, to institute this study. He read copies of memoranda from Planning Director Sherman Griselle informing Council such study would constitute poor planning and should not be done; but also a recommendation from the City Manager in his report of May 23, 1961 that such be done. He stated these recommendAtions were the only basis for the approval of hiring Planning Consultant Gordon Whitnall. Therefore, it was moved by Councilman Giddings, seconded by Councilman Dunnum that the action be rescinded which was taken at the meeting of May 23, 1961 relative to authorizing employing Mr. Gordon Whitnall and directing the Planning Director forthwith to start a study of a master plan for the City of Downey, and if necessary, to come before Council with the understanding of hiring this man or type of personnel, to assist in the master plan study. Councilman Dunnum stated he feels the Planning Director needs this planning consultant in the worse way and would leave the motion stand. Councilman Temple remarked that it has been three years since the Planning Commission had been requested to come up with an answer to this problem and that he feels the request is proper; that the man he wishes to hire is a good man. He read a resume of Mr. Whitnall's background, qualifications and various positions held and awards received for his service as a planning consultant and other related fields, as well as teach- ing awards. Councilman Dunnum remarked that the issue is, ig it good planning to take one small segment of the City to study. It is his thinking that it would be a real erroneous procedure to lift out one corner of the City without studying the entire city at one time because of the obvious results, and he feels that to hire this planning consultant for this study on Florence and Lakewood would be throwing away $3,000.00. Everyone is undoubtedly in favor of a master use plan. The Mayor stated he was under the impression this would be forthcoming some time ago. Mr. Griselle has finished the zoning ordinance and the reason for not getting the land use plan has been because he has been tied up with incidentals. He feels a study should be done for the entire city, hire a clerk, and turn the Planning Director loose on this type study. Councilman Giddings stated that he was for this former motion to begin with as he had had calls from four property owners on Lakewood asking for this study. Tonight it seems Council has decided they should forego some- thing they had pretty much decided should be done because people came 1137 forward and gave rise for questions as to the proper approach. He feels that first, the former action should be rescinded, secondly, whatever action necessary should be taken to get the master plan under way and get it completed. The great majority of the people in the area want the study to be for the city as a whole. Mr. Bob Brazleton, 10029 Birchdale, member of the Downey Home Owners Association, stated petitions had been signed by over 300 persons residing in the Florence Avenue area opposing "piece meal" type of study and requesting that the entire City be studied. Mr. Henry Gotsenber, 10238 Clancey offered his services to help in this matter. Mr. Leonard Reseck, 10002 Downey Avenue, stated that he felt the Planning Director 's time was being misused in daily routine tasks and should be given outside consultant help. Mr. Joe Street, 8336 E. Dinsdale, also voiced his opposition to a partial study. Mayor Dunnum reminded Council there was a motion before them to rescind the former action of the Council meeting of May 23, 1961, and called for the vote: AYES: 2 Councilmen: Giddings, Dunnum NOES: 2 Councilmen: Temple, Corbin ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey The Mayor announced that the motion failed and the previous action of the Council remains in force and effect. After some discussion, the Mayor called a five - minute recess at 10:35 P.M. in order to call Mr. Griselle from the Planning Commission meeting to the Council meeting to clear up some points. Council reconvened at 10:40 P.M. The Mayor asked Mr. King to read a letter from the Downtown Business Association requesting that Downey Avenue be closed for a special civic event on Saturday, June 24th, 1961, from 12:00 noon to 2 :00 P.M. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and so ordered that Downey Avenue be closed for civic purposes on Saturday, June 24, 1961, for the hours from 12 :00 P.M. to 2 :00 P.M The Mayor asked Mr. Griselle to establish his position in the master plan problem. Mr. Griselle stated that the ideal situation is to complete the Master Plan before the Zoning Ordinance but in the light of the problems here it seemed advisable to adopt the ordinance first. He feels he cannot solve the problems of zoning studies for Lakewood - Florence, or other locations alone, but must have and needs professional help and wishes the best help available. The urgency of spot study is for the Council to decide. Thera is no question but that the ideal approach would be for the entire study to be made at one ti e to avoid possible errors by spot planning. Councilman Giddings asked how best to proceed with the Master land use program. 1138 After some discussion Mr. King recommended that the entire plan be turned over to the Planning Director to bring to the Planning Commission and the Council, a recommended soyution. He feels it is important to bring Gordon Whitnall into the picture and feels that Mr. Griselle knows pretty much what the City would like, but feels that anything that Mr. Whitnall would do on Florence Avenue at this time would fit into the master plan. It was moved by Councilman Giddings, seconded by Councilman Dunnum and passed by the following vote that further action with reference to the employment of an expert be deferred until the Planning Director presents to the City Council, at its July 10th meeting, a comprehensive plan as to the overall Master Plan of the City including time, cost, personnel, everything that, in his estimation, would expedite a master plan for the entire city. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Temple, Giddings, Corbin, Dunnum NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Peavey Mr. Griselle pointed out that the Planning Commission would check the report he compiled, following the same procedure as was used for the zoning ordinance. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 11:15 P.M. City Clerk \ M1�yor