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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-04-17-62-Regular Meeting13'7'7 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APRIL 17TH, 1962 The City Council of the City of Downey held a regular adjourned meeting in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall at 8:00 A.M., April 17, 1962, Mayor Scott E. Temple presiding. PRESENT: Councilmen: Corbin, Giddings, Peavey, Skinner, Temple ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager A. C. Gabriel, Director of Finance Ervin Spindel, Director of Public Works Robert Gain, Fire Chief Ray Lake, Director of Building & Safety Ivan A. Robinson, Police Chief Della Doyle, City Clerk Alberta Pfeiffer, Deputy City Clerk Don Robison, Administrative Assistant Reverend Ernest Sillers of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church of Downey delivered the invocation. Mayor Temple welcomed several engineering students and their professors from the University of Guadalajara and stated it was an honor and a privilege to have them visit the City of Downey. A welcom# speech in Spanish was then delivered by the Mayor. One of the students acknowledged the Mayor's welcome and stated they are glad to visit the City of Downey. Mayor Temple relinquished the chair to Mayor Pro - Tempore Edwin Giddings. Mayor Pro -Tem also welcomed the students and professorsfrom Guadalajara, sister city of City of Downey. Mayor Pro -Tem Giddings announced that now is the time to canvass the ballots for the General Municipal Election held on April 10, 1962, for the election of two councilmen. The City Clerk, Deputy City Clerk and Councilmen canvassed the votes. Mayor Pro -Tem Giddings announced that the figures were correct as read and declared the results of the election with Scott E. Temple elected in District #2 and Thomas H. Morton elected in District #4. RESOLUTION NO. 955 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DECLARING, BY PRECINCTS IN THE WHOLE OF SAID CITY COUNCILMANIC DISTRICTS NO. 2 AND 4, THE RESULT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD THEREIN ON TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1962, AND DECLARING THE RESULT OF THE CANVASS OF THE VOTERS CAST AT SAID ELECTION The resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Skinner and so ordered that further reading be waived. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Skinner and passed by the following vote that Resolution No. 955 be adopted. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Corbin, Giddings, Peavey, Skinner, Temple NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None 13'78 The City Clerk presented Certificates of Election to the two Councilmen and administered the Oath of Office. The City Clerk assumed the chair and requested nomination for Mayor of the City Council, as seated. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Skinner and passed by the following vote that Scott E..Temple be elected Mayor. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Corbin, Morton, Skinner, Peavey NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None NOT VOTING: 1 Councilman: Temple Mayor Temple resumed the chair and asked for nominations for Mayor Pro Tempore. It was moved by Councilman Skinner, seconded by Councilman Peavey and passed by the following vote that Ben Corbin be elected Mayor Pro Tem. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Morton, Peavey Skinner, Temple NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None NOT VOTING: 1 Councilman: Corbin 1° Ma or Tem p le presented a plaque with gavel to retiring Councilman Edwin W. Giddings. The plaque was accepted by Ed Giddings who stated he did so with mixed emotions as a final move on the City Couukil. He stated it has been a very pleasurable experience for him and that he has no regrets for having stood for election twice. He regrets however he could not have stood a third time. He stated he is grateful to those in District #4 who saw fit to elect him both times, and offered his assistance in any way possible to his successor, Councilman Thomas H. Morton. Retiring Councilman Giddings also stated, although he is leaving the area as a Councilman, he will not lose his interest in the City, adding that it is with considerable regret that he is leaving the Council Chambers. Mr. Giddings expressed his appreciation to the citizens, employees and press for the terrific support given to Council and the City of Downey during the last five years. He stated he does not think there is a City that has a better group of people working for it and added that the record shows that the City Council of the City of Downey gets along better and.does more things progre%ively than in many other cities. He added that he is leaving it in wonderful hands. Councilman Morton introduced his wife, Mary, and daughter, Janice. Mayor Temple presented a Municipal Code book to Councilman Morton. Mayor Temple then announced that during the canvassing of votes he had noticed the arrival of additional students and another professor from Guadalajara and wished to acknowledge their presence at the Council Meeting. One of the students acted as spokesman for the group and stated that they are in the City of Downey to make the better understanding between the two cities of Guadalajara and Downey and that they are all glad to be in the City. Councilman Morton expressed his appreciation to all who gave him their support, enthusiasm and wonderful work in the committee to help in the election - -it was a wonderful group helping. He expressed his appreciation to each one and stated he feels he is filling the shoes of a man who has done a tremendous amount of work for the City of Downey, and one who is forward in his thinking and ever progressing; that he shall strive to maintain the mark that Ed Giddings has set. Councilman Morton stated that he feels very humble to do so and that he will serve the people to the best of his ability, and will forever strive to do just that. 1379 The City Manager congratulated and welcomed the new councilman on behalf of the City employees, and dated that efforts to keep the City of Downey operating in what he feels is a very efficient manner will be con- tinued. The City Manager reported that since the establishment by the City Council of a high priority on the improvement of Downey Avenue as a .-. street of major importance, and in accordance therewith, an amount of $112,500 was requested from the City- Highway - Through - Cities Funds as one - half of the estimated cost of $225,000. Supervisor Bonelli suggested that a stage construction program which would permit a more equitable sharing of County funds with the City, be used. The following program was suggested: The original project of the improvement of Downey Avenue from Cherokee Drive to Gallatin Road to be divided into two stages, the first consisting of the improvement from Florence Avenue to Gallatin Road, at an estimated cost of $112,500 and that one -half of this amount ($60,000) be requested from the City Highways- Through- Cities Fund for the fiscal year 1962 -63. It was recommended that Council approval be granted as soon as possible, with, first, a field trip being made immediately following the Council Meeting. The City Manager reported that at the regular Library Board Meeting last Tuesday, it was called to the attention of the Administrative Office that 1 /10 of the day's circulation took place before noon, while approxi- mately 3/10 is done during the afternoon and 6/10 in the evening. The present hours are from 10:30 in the morning until 9:00 at night. It is believed by the library staff and the Library Board that a change of opening hours to 12:00 noon to 9:00 P.M. would enable the library staff to better serve the majority of people who utilize the library services. The Library Board, therefore, at their meeting, unanimously recommended that these hours be changed to 12:00 noon through 9:00 P.M. on Monday through Friday and on 0-. Saturday, change from the present hours of 10:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. to the new hours of 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. It is recommended that the changes become effective May 15 and that proper notification be given to all citizens. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Skinner and passed by the following vote to approve the change in hours of the City Library as recommended by the Library Board. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Corbin, Morten, Peavey, Skinner, Temple NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None The Mayor commended Armand Francis and Al Lopez for their assistance in the Sister -City program and outlined the fine program prepared by Don Robison for the visitors from the City of Guadalajara. Also congratulated for the tremendous job she has been doing on the Sister -City Committee was Mrs. Leona Aldridge. The City Manager requested permission to attend the 31st Western Regional Conference for Public Administrators and Personnel to be held in Seattle, May 20 -23. It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed by the following vote that authority be granted Mr. King to attend the ^. 31st Western Regional Conference for Public Administrators and Personnel in Seattle, May 20 -23. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Corbin, Morton, Peavey, Skinner, Temple NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None 1380 Councilman Corbin reminded Council of reappointments to citizens committees for the next year. Mayor Temple urged all Councilmen to make these appointments as soon as possible. Councilman Peavey welcomed new Councilman member Tom Morton and assured him that Council is more than glad to give him all the support they can. He stated it is indeed a pleasure to have Mr. Morton with the Council. Councilman Skinner concurred in the comments made by Councilman Peavey and congratulated Mayor Temple in assuming the mayorship to finish out his term of one year. Councilman Morton expressed his appreciation for the confidence each Councilman has expeessed in his abilities. The City Clerk read a letter of resignation from the Downey City Planning Commission from Robert Ryan. Mayor Temple, who had made the appointment of Ryan as a charter member of the Commission, expre%ed his regret that Mr. Ryan had to resign this post. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Skinner and so ordered to accept with regret the resignation of Robert Ryan from the Planning Commission. Councilman Skinner stated that Mr. Ryan is the last of the charter members to leave the Planning Commission. Councilman Corbin stated that he is sorry to lose Mr. Ryan and feels that the City is losing a good man. Mayor Temple stated that he will make his appointment to replace Mr. Ryan as soon as possible, after speaking with the persons being considered. Mayor Temple stated that he is glad to have Councilman Morton with Council. Reverend Eugene Grubbs, Trinity Baptist Church, was requested at this time by Mayor Temple to deliver the benediction. There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 A.M. City Clekk Mayor