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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01-27-64-Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY JANUARY 27, 1964 The City Council of the City of Downey held a regular adjourned meeting in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall at 7 :30 P.M., January 27, 1964, Mayor Stephen G. Skinner, Jr. presiding. PRESENT: COUNCILMEN: Temple, Morton, Corbin, Skinner —. ABSENT: Councilmen: Dickerson ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager Royal M. Sorensen, City Attorney Al C. Gabriel, Director of Finance Robert Gain, Fire Chief Ervin Spindel, Director of Public Works Della Doyle, City Clerk Alberta Pfeiffer, Deputy City Clerk Mayor Skinner announced that this is the time and place set for the public hearing on the proposed City Charter. Melvin Quigley, Chairman of the City Charter Committee was introduced by the Mayor and he was asked to introduce the members of the Charter committee. Chair- man Quigley first introduced Elwayne Smith, Vice Chairman who, he stated, did much of the work in his absence for it was necessary for him to be away a good deal of the time. Other members introduced were: Gano Culwell, Douglas Morrow, John Ezzell and Mr. Ed Giddings. Also, Messrs. Ben Pacheco and Gene Pickett were introduced although they were not present. Mr. Quigley led into the preliminaries leading to the establish- ment of a City Charter Study Committee and stated persons had been inter- viewed from several cities in Southern California; experts were inter- viewed in order to help the committee in making a decision. Proposals were discussed, suggestions were gone over with the attorney, department heads, and anybody who had anything to offer the committee. After a great deal of study, the committee arrived at the conclusion that the City of Downey would protect itself better with a charter than without. This was reported to the City Council and they, in turn, gave the com- mittee the task of writing the charter. The committee does not believe this preliminary draft is the ultimate, final or complete unit, but hopes they have done as good a job as they possibly could. They tried to cover all areas that could be covered and have it as simple as they could, and not restrictive to the point wherein the charter would rule the people. completely, but rather to give freedom under which it could work. They realize there are some areas where changes might be made. If there are suggestions from the people, Mr. Quigley stated he is sure the committee and Council will recognize them and work them out into the charter wherever necessary. When and if it is finally adopted, it is the desire that it be the best tool obtain- able to do the best job possible for the citizens of Downey. Mayor Skinner asked for comments from Council. Councilman Temple commented that the Charter Committee had done a magnificent job and had gone over all phases with a fine toothed comb, and he found there are very few phases, in his opinion, which need changing. r-. Councilman Temple stated he is open for suggestions from the public. Councilman Morton remarked that the purpose of the meeting was to have a hearing and he is ready at this time to hear from the people. Edward d'Loretto, 10923 Little Lake Road, Downey, suggested that Council have weekly meetings instead of semi- monthly; and the establishing of an election board to judge all elections. He objected to the section whereby persons imprisoned in the City jail for six months or less may be compelled to do public works. Council Minutes 1/27/64 (adj.) -1- t, Mr. d'Loretto agreed that the charter would be of benefit to the City but that various areas should be further studied. Robert Sasine, President of the Downey Chamber of Commerce, requested Mr. Ed Giddings to state the position taken by the Park and Recreation Committee of the Chamber. Mr. Giddings read from the report of actions taken by the Committee relative to the Committee being opposed to the City's taking over the '—' Park and Recreation District unless there would be an obvious advantage to the City, Park and Recreation District and to the Citizens of Downey. It is the desire of the Committee that a Park Commission be set up with five members to be appointed by the Downey-City Council, a sixth member to be a member of the School Board, the seventh member to be a member of the City Council, and the Superintendent of Schools, City Manager to serve as ex- officio members. Councilman Temple reminded Mr. Giddings that it had been the long - range program of the Downey Chamber of Commerce to dissolve the Park and Recreation District. He inquired as to the reasons this may be opposed at this time. Mr. Giddings stated that the Committee recommends dissolution of the Park District only on the basis as set forth in their report. It should be done to gain something and not just for the sake of dissolution. Mr.:'Quigley then asked the City At what would become of a portion &f the Park District which lies outside the City of Downey, should the dissolution of the Park District be accomplished and the City take over its operation. The City Attorney replied that this portion would not be governed by the City of Downey but would become a part of the City in which it is located. Mr. Sorensen read a letter from Attorney Harry C. Williams in reply to a question as to whether or not it would be desirable to set forth in the Charter the powers and duties of the Recreation and 'ark Board. Section 900 of the Charter permits such a board to be created by ordinance. As Mr. Sorensen read, in the opinion of Mr. Williams, "it is preferable to create the board and define its powers and duties by ordinance rather than by charter for two reasons. First, because the functions of this board do not relate to any of the essential governmental powers of the City which need to be,included within the Charter, and second, if these matters are contained in the Charter they are frozen and can be altered or amended only by vote of the people, whereas, if they are done by ordinance they are flexible and remain under the jurisdiction and control of the City Council." In Mr. Williams' further opinion, Section 900 of the proposed charter authorizes the creation of such a board by ordinance and that is the preferred method of handling it. Mr. Giddings requested that - Council give serious consideration to doing exactly as recommended by Councilman Temple, to study and have passed, an ordinance governing the Park and Recreation District along the lines recommended by the committee appointed by the Chamber of Com- merce, basically covering the points recommended by the committee. This action should clear up any problem areas with regard to the park situation, Mr. Robert Sasine advised that the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors had passed a resolution that they feel more time is needed to study not only the park proposal, but other sections of the Charter so that they do go on record as proposing that the Council postpone the placing of the Charter proposal on the ballot until at least the June election. Council Minutes 1/27/64 (adj.) -2- 1926 1!92' Councilman Dickerson arrived at the Council Chamber at 9:00 P.M. Others to speak were: Dr. Harold Wilkins, 9850 Hasty Avenue June Mattola, 7963 East 5th Street Phyllis Gardia, 8112 Quoit Street Pat Kearns, 12035 South Dolan Avenue Betty Toro, 7930 Cole Street Blaine Arrington, 10602 Haledon John Grudynski, 9215 Guatemala Jim Nameth, 9212 Downey Avenue Irvin Phelan, 7714 Yankey Street Guy Morris, 7502 Finevale Drive Mrs. Margaret Pau h 9080 Otto Street Warren Ballman, 9 5 Honey The primary areas of discussion from the above persons were related to who inaugurated the charter study lthe City Council /, how the committee was established /two members from each of the City Councilmen /, and a discussion of the various methods of inaugurating a charter /committee ap- pointed by the City Council, the City Council inaugurate charter itself, or a freeholder committee elected by referendum or ballot /, authority and jurisdiction of the legislative body, administration, councilmanic districts and definition of duties of boards, and especially that pertaining to park and recreation commission. Mr. Kearns requested that an amended charter or revised proposed charter be published in the newspaper or printed for public distribution, then hold another general meeting before putting it on any general election. Mayor Skinner declared a 10- minute recess with the meeting reconvening at 9 :55 P.M. with roll call: PRESENT: Councilmen: Temple, Morton, Dickerson, Corbin, Skinner .. The City Attorney was asked to check Article XV, Miscellaneous, page 33 of the Charter as to definitions -- shall is mandatory and may is permissive. It was requested that it definie, or limit, or be deleted with no implied indication. Other areas of discussion brought forth by the above citizens included publication of the proposed preliminary charter and distribution of copies to the citizens in sufficient time for them to suggest alterations or cor- rections before the issue is determined to be put on the ballot. Further discussion of the benefits of the charter with relation to General Law cities and the value of further defining citizens committees—and their duties, methods through which the charter could be amended lonly through the State Constitution /; further discussion relative to the powers and jurisdictions of the City Council, the City Manager and the administrative staff, as well as the possible further limitation of ad valorem taxes and exemption of public utilities from public works contracts; further dis- cussion relative to the definition of departments and department heads and the relationship of the City Council to the department heads through the City Manager. There being no further comments forthcoming, it was moved by Councilman Morton, seconded by Councilman Temple and so ordered that the haaring be closed. The meeting adjourned at 10 :50 P.M. City Cl ' k Mayor Council Minutes 1/27/64 (adj.) -3-