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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-10-14-61-Regular Meeting��+3 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY OCTOBER 14TH, 1961 The City Council of the City of Downey held a special meeting in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall at 9:00 A.M., October 14th, 1961, Mayor Carroll M. Dunnum presiding. COUNCILMEN PRESENT: Giddings, Temple, Corbin, Peavey, Dunnum ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager Della Doyle, City Clerk Alberta M. Pfeiffer, Deputy City Clerk Mayor Dunnum announced that Richard Roe, Attorney for Park Water District, came by his law office, leaving a report relative to the previous study made concerning the acquisition of the Park Water Company. Copies of the report were distributed to the other members of the Council. The Mayor then announced that this special meeting was called for the purpose of his tendering his resignation as Mayor and Councilman from District #1 and that at that moment he was signing his name to the resigna- tion, doing so with considerable misgiving and mixed emotions. Mr. Dunnum stated that he has deemed it to be a very great privilege to serve his City and the people of the City of Downey. He feels also that he will be continuing to serve, not only the people of Downey, but the people of a much larger area. He is very grateful for the many friendships he has created during his term in office, not only in his own district but through- out the City. He thanked all persons who assisted him in his endeavors in representing them and the entire City. He wished to particularly thank all r the people who gave unstintingly of their time to work with citizens advisory committees to aid the City in its efforts in dealing with various difficult problems. Mr. Dunnum stated that he will not act as chairman at the time any designation is made for his replacement, and tendered his resignation at this time, taking a seat in the audience. Mayor Pro - Tempore Scott Temple entertained a motion for acceptance of Carroll M. Dunnum's resignation. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Peavey and passed by the following vote to accept with regret the resignation of Mayor and Councilman Carroll M. Dunnum from Councilmanic District #1. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Giddings, Temple, Corbin, Peavey NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None Mayor Pro Tem stated, on behalf of the Council, they desire to give Mr. Dunnum their thanks for a job well done in his district. As a charter member of the group he has done a fine job, given much of his good guidance, and big things will be looked for in the future for the City. RESOLUTION NO. 884 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY r-- ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION OF CARROLL M. DUNNUM AS CITY COUNCILMAN AND MAYOR The resolution was read in full. It was moved by Councilman Giddings, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed by the following vote that Resolu- tion No. 884 be adopted. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Giddings, Temple, Corbin, Peavey NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None The City Clerk presented an inscribed copy of Resolution No. 884 to Carroll M. Dunnum. Mr. Dunnum expressed his heartfelt thanks for the resolution and stated it will be placed in an honored position on the wall where he has his other diplomas and items of this nature, adding that he is very, very proud to have been a part in the forming of the City of Downey which has become a part of his mode of living; it is going to be a difficult thing to make this adjustment from a job with an 18 -hour day to what he hopes will now be an 8 -hour day. He stated that he hopes the transition will not be too difficult. Councilman Giddings stated that he hated to see the transition as he feels the City would benefit if Mr. Dunnum were still serving in the capacity of Councilman and Mayor. It is indeed a loss to the City. Councilmen Peavey and Corbin stated they wished the newly appointed Judge Dunnum all the success possible in his new position. City Manager Oren L. King expressed, on behalf of the employees of the City, a sincere appreciation for the affiliations with Mi. Dunnum during the last 5 years. It has been a real incentive and inspiration to work with Mr. Dunnum. Mayor Pro Tem announced that the next item of business is the appointment of Councilman to fill the vacancy in District #1. Councilman Giddings stated that he feels quite strongly that the person named should be one who has been of active service to the City; it is an honorable position and one with a lot of responsibility. The decision which has to be made at this time is not a decision to be made by the voters as is the normal thing when a person does not either elect to run or runs and the people choose from several persons but, by the law, must be appointed by the Council to fill the unexpired term. Council, he feels should choose a person who has been very active in the City government since the City has been incorporated for the following reasons: Such a person would have earned the right and would have gained experience. If the voters would desire to pick someone completely new, that is their prerogative when they have that opportunity. The person selected should be judged from activity, service and experience. Councilman Giddings stated that Mr. Dunnum had been asked to name a few persons from whom a choice might be made; of the several people name, two of them were not available due to health or other reasons. He would like to nominate one person who he feels is qualified. It was moved by Councilman Giddings and seconded by Councilman Peavey that Stephen G. Skinner, Jr. be nominated to fill the vacancy of Councilman in District #1. Mayor Pro Tem asked if there were any persons in the audience desiring to speak before the vote is taken on the motion. Merritt Yancey, 8525 Luxor Street, Downey, stated that he is very proud of Mayor Dunnum and feels he has made tremendous contributions to this Council and that the City was much better for having had him on the Council. He stated further that he feels the citizens should be given an opportunity to express themselves. He stated he has a petition which was started after it was thought there was some urgency in filling the seat on Council to be vacated by Mr. Dunnum, on behalf of a person well known in this City and who, it was felt, would be a tremendous contribution to Council -- speaking of Councilman Dunnum's wife, Priscilla Dunnum. The petition was presented to Council. Mayor Pro Tem Scott Temple ordered the petition received and filed. r .r- JLA, J Harold Wilkins, 9850 Hasty, Downey, stated that he spoke for himself but represented several citizens who are interested only in good government for Downey, and they are concerned that the action in replacing a City Councilman not be done too hastily and asked Council to consider delaying this decision so that they may better feel the pulse of the community and possibly consider other applicants. Mr. E. W. Ward, 8204 Fontana Street, Downey, stated he would like to say a word in behalf of Mrs. Dunnum. He feels she would have the experience and benefit of Mr. Dunnum's experience and advise as he feels she would have been in pretty close touch with affairs and problems in District #1 and the City, and feels she would fill the position better than anyone he knows. He feels it would be better to postpone this for a time, if possible,, and would be best to give the citizens a chance. Mayor Pro Tempore called for the vote on the motion previously made to appoint Stephen G. Skinner, Jr. Councilman for District #1. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Giddings, Corbin, Peavey NOES: 1 Councilmen: Temple ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None Councilman Temple clarified his "no" vote by stating that it was not in opposition but in favor of delaying a decision. Motion carried. Judge Dunnum was called forward from the audience and presented a plaque. Mr. Dunnum stated that this was a marvelous memento and thanked Council in all sincerity, stating he is truly grateful. Mayor Pro Tempore stated that the next item of business is the appcintment of Mayor and Vice Mayor. It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Giddings and passed by the following vote that Scott E. Temple be appointed Mayor to serve one year from date, October 14, 1961. .OYES: 3 Councilmen: Giddings, Corbin, Peavey NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None Councilman Temple not voting. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Peavey and passed by the following vote that Councilman Edwin W. Giddings be appointed Vice Mayor to serve the term of one year. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Corbin, Peavey, Temple NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None Councilman Giddings not voting. Mayor Temple stated that he was relieved that his term will be for one year and not for the additional unexpired portion of former Mayor Dunnum's term as Mayor. ^ The City Manager reported that Alberto Esponda ( "Mr. Football of Guadala- jara") will be in Downey Monday and that he is looking forward to meeting him. His purpose in being here, reported Mr. King, is to arrange a game between the Guadalajara semi -pro football teams, Guadalajara and Oro, for October 29. He will be given a tour of the City with the Chairman of the Sister City Committee being invited, and he will be shown the continued interest of the City of Downey for its Sister City, Guadalajara. There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 A.M. Y ; i L; ? City glerk Mayor