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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-07-01-63-Regular Meeting1` MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY JULY 1ST, 1963 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned meeting in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall at 9:00 A.M., July 1, 1963, Mayor Pro - Tempore Hollis M. Peavey presiding. PRESENT: Councilmen: Skinner, Morton, Temple, Peavey ABSENT: Councilman: Corbin ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager A. C. Gabriel, Director of Finance Don Robison, Sr. Administrative Assistant Della Doyle, City Clerk Alberta Pfeiffer, Deputy City Clerk Mayor Pro - Tempore Peavey called for nominations for Mayor Pro Tem. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Morton and passed by the following vote that Councilman Stephen G. Skinner, Jr. be elected Mayor Pro - Tempore to serve the balance of Councilman Peavey's term to October, 19 -64 due to the resignation of Councilman Peavey as Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem, effective July 1, 1963. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Morton Temple, Peavey NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilman: Corbin ABSTAIN: 1 Councilman: Skinner Councilman Peavey wished success to Councilman Skinner and stated that he knows he will handle the post of Mayor Pro - Tempore with efficiency. Councilman Skinner advised he will try to assist the balance of the Council to do what is right and good for the City. Councilman Peavey turned the chair over to newly elected Mayor Pro Tempore Stephen Skinner. The City Clerk reported on the following correspondence: A - letter from Dr. O'Toole, Chairman of the Downey Rose Float Associa- tion, requesting the City to assist the Rost Float Association in their continued community promotion, including Sister City Rose Float activities. An indebtedness was incurred by the Association through extension of the sister -city rose float activities with Guadalajara. In reply to Councilman Morton's inquiry regarding availability of funds, the City Manager reported funds are available from a carry -over for promotional activities from the 1962 -63 budget. It was moved by Councilman Peavey, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote to approve a transfer of funds to be allocated to the Downey Rose Float Association. AMOUNT FROM ACCOUNT $1,000 AYES: 4 NOES: 0 ABSENT: 1 TO ACCOUNT 9- 2000 -331 9- 2000 -331.1 Councilmen: Morton, Temple, Peavey, Skinner Councilmen: None Councilman: Corbin f r A letter from William E. Coleman, 7968 East Fifth Street, in application for City councilman of the Third District. Councilman Temple suggested that a conference be arranged with Mr. Coleman. ►--, The Mayor Pro Tem advised that conferences already had been held with applicants, Gordon W. Christoff and Frank Gasdia. Mayor Pro Tem Skinner read a procedural outline for selection of a councilman to replace Hollis M. Peavey. Appointments for conferences will be made during the next 2 -3 weeks and upon Mayor Corbin's return to the City July 17, Council hopes to be in a position to make the appointment. All applications should be submitted to the City Clerk. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Morton and so ordered that the procedure for appointment of a Councilman for the Third District be followed as outlined. It was reported by the City Manager that the City Attorney has completed the initial negotiations with the owner of the Purtell property, known as Parcel #3 in the Downtown Parking Lot #4, and it was requested that Council authorize payment of $60,000 as final settlement of the owner has agreed to the stipulation of this amount, and that allocation of funds be determined at a later date. It was moved by Councilman Morton, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote to authorize acquisition of the Purtell property in the amount of $60,000, transfer of funds to be determined at a later date. AYES: 3 Councilmen: Morton, Temple, Skinner NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 1 Councilmen: None ABSTAIN: 1 Councilman: Peavey The City Manager reported that the multilith offset duplicator machine presently in operation in the City Hall has been completely "depreciated out ", and it was recommended for trade -in with a request to re -sell the machine to the local Chamber of Commerce for an agreed price of $1,000which will be credited to the purchase price of $4,439.70 to the City, leaving a balance of $3,439.70 plus 47. sales tax. Available funds for this trans- action exist in the equipment replacement fund. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Peavey and passed by the following vote to purchase a multigraph (multilith offset) duplicator as outlined in the report from the Purchasing Agent as submitted by Mr. King. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Peavey, Morton, Temple, Skinner NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: Councilman: Corbin Mr. King congratulated Councilman Skinner on behalf of the City employees on his election as Mayor Pro- Tempore. Councilman Temple requested that Carlos Gil Elizondo, son of the Governor of Guadaljara, and Esteban Torres Lomple, son of the private secretary to the governor, who are spending some time in the City of Downey, be welcomed at the next Council Meeting. 1739 Councilman Morton remarked that this will be Councilman Peavey's last Council Meeting and he wished to leave with him one verse of scripture: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet;" and as he and his wife continue to live and grow together, may God bless them and may he enjoy his retirement. He is sorry to see him go and has thoroughly enjoyed knowing Hollis M. Peavey. Councilman Peavey remarked that he has certainly appreciated work- ing with everyone and that it was a privilege to work with such high type personnel such as the City has been so fortunate to have in its employ. Councilman Peavey stated he appreciates the marvelous comments by the press the last few days - -they have been very gracious, and this all serves to give one moving away a kind of glow, as it is hard to pick up and leave a place that has become quite a habit. Councilman Peavey stated there were a couple items he wished might have been completed before his leaving: one, he had hoped to see side- walks completed on Tweedy Lane and he suggested that his successor might follow through on this item. Second, he had hoped a traffic signal could be installed at Tweedy Lane and Florence Avenue. He added that the latch string is out to all and that he hopes the City continues to go on to bigger and better things; that he sees the City at its peak right now and he does not hope to recognize it five years from now with all the buildings proposed. The City is in good hands and he knows that it will go forward. He wished the City God's speed. Marie Coffey of the Southeast News stated it had been good working for him - -the press always knew exactly where they stood. James Bannister of the Herald American remarked that Councilman Peavey was never too busy to sit and talk and give his view to the press. He wished the councilman all the God's speed in the world. Dave Shaw, of the Huntington Park Signal, delivered farewells to Councilman Peavey from Herb Lawrence and wished the councilman good luck where he goes. The City Manager stated that during the last two decades local municipal government has made more progres than any other federal, state or government body, and if more governing bodies would pattern their operations within their anticipated revenues in the thrifty manner in which the municipal government, they would have a more stable government throughout the United States, and it has been men like Peavey who have brought the government to its high standards today. In his mind, local government is the highestform of govern- ment in the United States today. He stated it has been a privilege working with Councilman Peavey the last six years, with his untiring efforts and dedication to Downey City government. Councilman Peavey urged that the Independent Cities group should be used more effectively and suggested that legislation be presented through them to wipe out certain inequities such as, for example, the payment for operation of a sheriff's office when a City has its own police department. Through the League of California Cities and Independent Cities, bills should be introduced to change such inequities. ,.M" Councilman Temple reminded Council of the necessity to replace Council- man Peavey who is presently chairman of the Southeast Mosquito Abatement District. Councilman Peavey stated he had not tendered his resignation to them but would do so very soon, to enable Council to appoint a replacement by the end of July. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 A.M. City Clerk