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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes -04-21-64-Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APRIL 21, 1964 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 21, 1964, Mayor Stephen G. Skinner, Jr, presiding, The meeting of April 13, 1964, was adjourned to this time by motion of Council. The City Clerk reported at the meeting that a copy of the notice of adjournment was posted as required by law, and further reported that notice of the adjournment was given as pro- vided by law. The proper affidavit covering this matter is on file in the office of the City Clerk. PRESENT: Councilmen: Temple, Morton, Dickerson, Corbin, Skinner ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager Royal M. Sorensen, City Attorney A. C. Gabriel, Director of Finance Sherman Griselle, Director of Planning Ervin Spindel, Director of Public Works Don Warren, Assistant Fire Chief Ray Lake, Director of Bu$,lding and Safety Lee Leavitt, City Engineer Ivan Robinson, Chief of Police Don Robison, Administrative Assistant Della Doyle, City Clerk Alberta Pfeiffer, Deputy City Clerk Reverend Milton Gould of the First Baptist Church delivered the invocation. Mayor Skinner announced that this is the time for the canvass of the ^ General Municipal Election, It was noted in Precinct #56 the tally was to have 1 figure added for Morton David Saltman and 1 for Lawrence Foster. After the canvass of votes, the City Clerk read the title of the Resolution only, noting the corrections. RESOLUTION N0, 1356 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DECLARING, BY PRECINCTS'IN THE WHOLE OF SAID CITY COUNCILMANIC DISTRICTS NO, 1, 3 AND 5, THE RESULT`9F THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD THEREIN ON TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1964, AND DECLARING THE RESULT OF THE CANVASS OF THE VOTES CAST AT SAID ELECTION It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Morton and so ordered that further reading be waived. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote that Resolution No. 1356 be adopted. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Temple, Morton, Dickerson, Corbin, Skinner NOES; 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None .-� The City Clerk administered the oath of office to Councilmen Ben Corbin, District #5, Priscilla Dunnum, District #1 and Charles W. Dickerson, District #3 and presented the Certificates of.Election, Mayor Skinner stated he appreciated being part.of the Council and the teamwork of the Council; then he stepped dorm, turning the chair over to the• City Clerk, Council Minutes - 4/21/64 °1- 2004 The City Clerk, Della Doyle, asked for nominations for the office of Mayor of the Council. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed by the following vote that Councilman Morton be appointed Mayor. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Temple, Dickerson, Corbin, Dunnum NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None ABSTAIN: 1 Councilman: Morton Mayor Morton took over the chair, stating he will do his utmost to uphold the position and status of the Mayorship and knows Council will continue to work together as it has in the past, looking toward a "Future Unlimited" for the City of Downey. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Dickerson and passed by the following vote that Councilmen Scott Temple be appointed Mayor Pro Tempore. AYES: 4 Councilmen: Dickerson, Dunnum, Corbin, Morton NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None ABSTAIN; I 1 Councilman: Temple After introducing her two daughters, Carolyn and Ann, newly installed Councilwoman Priscilla Dunnum remarked that it is a real privilege to work with Council; that each is a sincerely dedicated individual; and she is look- ing forward to the next four years. She was welcomed by Mayor Morton who stated he knows she will do a good job for the City. Councilman Corbin stated he appreciated being reelected and that the turnout of voters shows not only that they were voting for the incumbents and the new City Councilwoman, but were giving Council a vote of confidence. Mayor Morton stated to Steve Skinner that it was a privilege to present to him the gavel as Mayor of the City of Downey as a memento of many hours spent in connection with his community service without pay; that he has dedicated himself in spending many hours on his district problems which arose. Steve Skinner reviewed for Council that at this time the appointments of director and alternate to the Sanitation Districts #2 and #18 for the coming year would be in order. It was moved by Councilman Dickerson, seconded by Councilman Corbin and passed by the following vote that the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore be appointed director and alternate, respectively, to the Sanitation Districts #2 and #18. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Dickerson, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum, Morton NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None The__City-Maiage ri stated he can't tell how much he has appreciated working with Steve Skinner - -he has served well and sincerely and he will always remember him very fondly. He extended best wishes to him and his family for the future. On behalf of the City employees he pledged to the newly elected Council their utmost support through the coming years and congratulated each one of the new councilmen. He stated he has seen seven years of success such as no other City in the State has achieved; that Council has always given dedicated service without pay. Mayor Morton read a list of items which had been discussed by the Downey Chamber of Commerce which they wish to be considered for the City of Downey. He stated that at the top of the list would be to support the adoption of the City Charter. Council Minutes - 4/21/64 -2- rdQos Mayor Morton recognized the first Mayor, James L. Stamps, a man who devoted many hours to community service in the City and known as "Mr. Downey ". Mr. Stamps stated it brought back memories of when the City was first incorporated and he was very proud of what the City has done the last seven years. The City has done a wonderful job and he '.. %nows that the present Council will continue doing the same. He is glad there is going to be a hospital... this has long been a need ... and he is sure it will be put over this time with the proper bonds. He congratulated all Council members and stated that he knows they will continue to do a good job. He also commended all employees of the City and thinks they have done a good job and will continue to do the same. The Mayor reminded Council to review their committee appointments in order that they may be appointed at the next meeting to start their new terms. He urged Council to review the attendance of the members on the various committees and if some were not active, they may wish to appoint someone else. There are 2 or 3 committees which are going to be of prime importance the next year. Due to the increased juvenile problem the past year, he has requested the City Youth Committee and Police Advisory Committee to make a study of the youth problem in conjunction with the Chief of Police. He urged Council to place people on these committees who will take a direct interest in the activity and scope of these committees. Mayor Morton stated that he endorses and supports the drive for a new Children's Theater and feels it is a worthy project and that Council should "get behind" this move to support the cultural development of the community. The Mayor stated he added his check to the requests for $25 for the Sunday performance of "Music Man ". Councilwoman Dunnum stated she appreciates the Mayor's personal endorse- ment, particularly since he has assumed the office of Mayor. The Mayor stated Council had endorsed the move to affiliate with the Cerritos Junior College District and that he has been asked to serve with that committee. He recommended and requested Council's giving its support to that program. The other Council members offered their congratulations to the Mayor and thanked Steve Skinner for his service to the City. The City Attorney reported that in the pending litigation relative to the widening of Downey Avenue he had learned that some of the information previously received from the Regional Planning Commission relative to a certain ordinance was not so. In view of that fact not being correct, Mr. Mann revised his appraisal and a settlement has been reached within the scope of Mr. Mann's appraisal, which action needs the ratification of the City Council. The original settlement offered was 41,821 and the settlement reached was for $2400. The property involved was the Mazur property; improve- ments have been put in by the City and the paving will be assessed to Mr. Mazur. It was moved by Councilman Dickerson, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote that ratification of the City Attorney's action in settlement of the Mazur property on Downey Avenue be approved. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Dickerson, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum, Morton NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None The City Attorney stated that in the matter of the opinion of O'Melveny & Myers on the bonds for the Downtown Vehicle Parking District No. 1, the fee has been set at 1% of the value of the bonds issued and the attorney advised that the amount that the City had paid previously for fee for services rendered will be applied to the fee in the approximate amount of Council Minutes 4/21/64 -3- ones $3,400. This can be paid out of the present assessment amounts so that it will not be paid out of the General Fund, and this in no way will increase the cost of the assessment district and will be as already established. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Dickerson. and passed by the following vote to authorize the employment of the firm of O'Melveny & Myers to render an opinion on the bonds in the Downtown Vehicle Parking District No. 1. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Dickerson, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum, Morton NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote to authorize calling for bids on the bonds in Assessment District #66, Downtown Vehicle Parking District No. 1. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Dickerson, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum, Morton NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None The City Attorney reported that in order to acquire immediate possession order in A.D. #69, Brookshire and Everest Street, where the City is opening new streets and extending them, a warrant will need to be issued in the amount of $58;543. It must be deposited with the County Clerk and would come out of the assessment district fund. It was moved by Councilman Dunnum, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote to approve issuing of a warrant in the amount of $58,543 as recommended by the City Attorney. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Dickerson, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum, Morton NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None Mr. Sorensen reported that the condemnation action has been filed on the property for the hospital site. He has checked with Mr. Stradling of O'Melveny & Myers and the City can be reimbursed for the expenditure of funds. The acquisition of property should be withheld until approval of the bond issue. The complaint has been filed and the date of evaluations has been filed. It is advisable to authorize obtaining of the condemnation guarantee on this property and also to authorize employment of an appraiser. It was moved by Councilman Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote to authorize obtaining of title reports on 54 parcels of property not to exceed $2500 from the unappropriated reserves, to be returned upon issuance of condemnation guarantee. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Dickerson, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum, Morton NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None It was moved by Councilman Dickerson, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by the following vote to authorize the employment of Mr. J. A. Mann, Appraiser, to appraise the 54 properties relative to a hospital site in the City of Downey. AYES: 5 Councilmen: Dickerson, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum, Morton NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None It was moved by Councilman passed by the following vote to from unappropriated reserves for site. Corbin, seconded by Councilman Temple and appropriate an amount not to exceed $7,000 appraisals of properties for the hospital Council Minutes - 4/21/64 -4- r�o AYES: 5 Councilmen: Dickerson, Temple, Corbin, Dunnum, Morton NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None The City Manager stated there were 2 or 3 parcels now under construction in the area for acquisition for the hospital site which were being questioned as to whether or not the properties should be acquired at this time and also whether or not construction should proceed as planned. It was deemed advisable to investigate these parcels and that the City Manager report at the next meeting. Chief Robinson reported that on Friday of next week, the Police Department will have been formed for seven years and he remarked that they have been the most challenging of his career. He then introduced his key personnel: Captain Roger Harmon, Un1form Division, Captain Jack Martin, Investigation Division, Captain Robert Toplift, Service Division and his secretary, Madolyn Groover. The City Manager requested three days' vacation this week. It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Dickerson and so ordered that three days' vacation time be approved for the City Manager at this time. There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adj u ed at.6 45 A.M. i G 6 '117 � City Clerk Council Minutes - 4/21/64 -5- THOMAS H. MORTON Mayor