HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01-11-68-Regular Meeting3063
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
JANUARY 11, 1968
The City Council of the City of Downey held a regular adjourned meeting at
8:00 A.M., January 11, 1968, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall,
Mayor Ben 'd Corbin presiding.
PRESENT: Councilmen: Morton, Dunnum, Temple, Dickerson, Corbin
ALSO PRESENT: Oren L. King, City Manager
Robert W. Gain, Fire Chief
Ivan A. Robinson, Chief of Police
Ray Lake, Director of Building & Safety
Ervin Spindel, Director of Public Works
Robert A. Shand, Director of Finance
William Goggin, Director of Planning
Russell Reynolds, Purchasing Agent
Don Robison, Assistant to the City Manager
Alberta Pfeiffer, City Clerk
A summation of bids for floor covering under Cash Contract #182-A was submitted.
Councilman Morton inquired if the tile which had been previously programmed was
reflected in the cost estimate as a credit. Mr. Reynolds, Purchasing Agent reported
the material and installation cost for asphalt tile in the amount of $600 was shown
as a credit on his report. The estimated cost is $2,379 for 280 square yards of
carpeting at $10.00 a square yard; installation of linoleum top -set base is $65.00;
credit of $600 on the asphalt tile; $114.00 sales tax. Materials, labor and instal-
lation is included in the cost estimate.
Councilman Temple inquired whether a portion of the carpet might be taken up for
replacement in the event it might wear. Mr. Reynolds explained the process for
installation of the carpeting and stated that it could be taken up and replaced, if
necessary.
It was moved by Councilman Dunnum, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by
the following vote to approve Change Order No, 1 to Cash Contract #182-A for City Hall
West Wing Improvements, to delete asphalt floor tile, as specified, in all rooms
except the storage vault and the Fire Chief's office, and replace with nylon carpet-
ing, an area of approximately 280 square yards at a cost estimate of $2,379.
AYES: 5 Councilmen: Morton, Dunnum, Temple, Dickerson, Corbin
NOES: 0 Councilmen: None
ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None
The City Manager stated, in referring to previous communications from the Bank
of America relating to the City's interest in property owned by them lying between
Second Street and Firestone Boulevard, and further consideration by the City Attorney,
that it is recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor, City Manager and
City Attorney to negotiate for the purchase of and lease of all the Bank of America
property between Second Street and Firestone Boulevard within the appraised price.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Dickerson and passed by
the following vote that the City Council authorize the Mayor, City Manager and City
Attorney to negotiate for the purchase of and lease of all the Bank of America property
lying between Second Street and Firestone Boulevard, within the appraised price.
AYES: 5 Councilmen: Morton, Dunnum, Temple, Dickerson,Corbin
NOES: 0 Councilmen: `None
ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None
It was pointed out that the previous communication was a letter from Mr. William R.
George, Real Estate Department for Bank of America which gave reference to a letter
from the City dated November 17, 1967. Mr. George's letter dated December 18, 1967,
had been presented at the December 26, 1967 Council Meeting and indicated previous con-
sideration for additional parking in the Civic Center area.
Council Minutes - 1/11/68 -1-
It was pointed out by Councilman Temple that additional parking is also being
considered with parking spaces totaling approximately 150 available from the Pederson
property on Firestone Boulevard. It was also recommended that in the City Manager's
chronological history of the proposed Downey Theater, the additional parking which
would be available be reflected, as well as the fact that Council had visited other
civic auditoriums.
Councilman Morton stated that in listening to some of the remarks made regarding
the Downey Theater, some appeared entirely out of place as the information has been
readily available and questions which were asked, had been answered many times. He
stated in checking the records, there were at least thirty separate meetings at which
the theater had been discussed. The cost, financing had been discussed; site locations
had been studied.
Councilman Temple recommended all the above should certainly be included in the
chronological history being prepared by the City Manager of the Downey Theater.
Also, the City Manager stated, the report will show that the financing of the
theater would be through cigarette taxes set aside for this purpose.
Councilman Morton advised that page 3 of the chronological history on the theater
be revised to include under "parking currently available" all other parking, showing
a total figure to show parking for the theater - 150 and parking available, the total
of current parking stalls plus the parking across the street.
Councilwoman Dunnum remarked that in her observations, two previous councils, from
the very beginning, it had been discussed that there would be a mall from Firestone
Boulevard into City Hall which presupposed the closing of Second Street, with no street
going through interfering there or interrupting the mall, so though it comes to the
present Council as a new proposal, in fact, it is not a new proposal.
The Director of Public Works displayed a drawing displaying layout for a one-way
driveway from Brookshire Avenue where passengers could be dropped off for the theater,
then going on out Second Street, or possibly driving through the City Hall parking lot
out onto Third Street. Mr. Spindel stated the architect had shown the theater building
4' off the property line and this, it was suggested, could be shifted allowing 30'
from the curb on the north side of Second Street--.-) .'. .. There would be room for a
20' driveway and a 10' parkway for landscaping strip between the building and the drive-
way. The reason for the 20' drive is so that if someone is parking and unloading,
another vehicle can go by without stacking up traffic too much. There could also be
a gate and chain across the driveway which could be kept closed at such times as the
theater would not be in use. This would be at the option of Council to keep open or
closed.
Councilwoman Dunnum asked if the above plan would still require closing of Second
Street. Mr. Spindel reported a partial vacation would be required but that he would
recommend vacating the entire width at Brookshire Avenue.
Councilman Morton directed the Department of Public Works to show on the drawings
that the driveway proposed at Second Street and Brookshire Avenue be designated
"Controlled Access" or "Control Driveway". This will not be a street but a driveway
access approach coming into a parking area rather than onto a street.
The turning radius of the access was shown as a short radius on the south side and
Mr. Spindel indicated the radius could be shortened on the north side. The City Manager
stated these drawings were submitted for information only and Council study and would be
brought back with the suggested changes at the time the hearing is again on the Council
agenda.
Councilman Corbin inquired about a taxi stand near the theater and it was suggested
there couldbe a loading and unloading zone, or possibly a standing zone on Brookshire on
the side by the Chamber.
Report on a study made by Director of Planning Bill Goggin was then presented on
parking now available and future parking. Mr. Goggin stated the parking being considered
in his initial report is that on the lots existing between Second and Third and Brookshire
and on the assumption the Bank of American property will be acquired. With parking space
utilized from the Bank of America lot, the parking spaces arrived at were 110. Attendant
parking could be used with stacked parking, obtaining then 155 parking spaces. Contact
was made with Park Director James Ruth who reported obtaining attendants for the attend-
ant parking would be no problem.
Council Minutes - 1/11/68 -2-
3065
Mr. Goggin stated that on the City Parking Lot, assuming there will be a driveway
just north of the one proposed by Mr. Spindel in his report, with the new Police Wing
taking approximately 27' of the lot leaves a very narrow driveway and tight for backing
out. , There would be 38 spaces opposite the Police Department and with taking out part
of the landscaping by the library, leaving approximately 6' of walkway possibly 11 spaces
will be obtained in that area. Completely re -doing the Chamber lot and the private lot
they have, projecting a driveway from Brookshire Avenue would furnish 116 spaces. This
would be for normal day-to-day use with wide aisles, 26', and spaces 9' wide.
In the evening, anticipating a possible heavy performance at the theatre, stacked
parking could again be utilized, thus gaining an additional 74 parking spaces over the
aforementioned 116. A total of 58 spaces could be reserved for Police and Library
parking and during performance nights, this area could be blocked off.
Arriving at a figure of 226 spaces for evening parking with stacked attendant park-
ing means there would be one parking space for each 3-1/3 persons which is considerably
better than the ordinance requirement of one per 5.
Councilman Morton ascertained that Mr. Goggin's report considered only parking
currently available and does not include 38, 11 and 9 available at three other locations
previously mentioned, plus an additional 115.
Chief Robinson stated the Police Department will need the ability to have access
in and out at all times and will require parking all along the Police Wing.
Councilman Morton complimented Mr, Goggin with coming up with an idea which had
not been considered -- stacked attendant parking, stating this appears to be a ready
solution to crowded parking conditions if the theatre is located in the downtown area.
The total number of parking spaces arrived at from this study is 341 on existing City
property, which is far in excess of what is needed to house the theatre, also accomo-
dating the Library, Police Department and Fire Department.
It was recommended by Council that the report on parking available show what is
on existing City property and include also the parking available on the Pederson
property plus attendant parking possibilities with stacked parking; and that it would
exclude police, fire and library parking.
It was moved by Councilman Morton, seconded by Councilman Temple and passed by
the following vote to authorize the City Manager, Director of Public Works, Director
of Building and Safety and Director of Parks and Recreation to proceed with plans and
specifications, bring an estimated cost for architectural renderings at the earliest
possible date and employ, as needed, a local architect.
AYES: 5 Councilmen: Morton, Dunnum, Temple, Dickerson, Corbin
NOES: 0 Councilmen: None
ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None
A parking problem at the Bank of America building site on LaReina, between Second
and Third Streets was discussed and Council suggested the contractor contact Plannet
for negotiating for parking on a vacant lot owned by them in the vicinity of this con-
struction,
Councilman Morton indicated he was prepared to authorize plans and specifications
for extension of the Library (the one wall which previously had been discussed) but in
looking at the parking situation this morning, he came up with another idea which he
would like to give consideration to. He would like the Library to know their need for
additional space has not been forgotten.
--, Councilman Morton commended the departments working on the various reports brought
to this meeting which was done in a mere two days' time.
Council Minutes 1/11/68 -3-
30666
Thel;rctor of Finance requested Council to transfer the funds for appropriation
for the ri or'covering for the center wing construction in the amount of $2,380.
It was moved by Councilman Temple, seconded by Councilman Dickerson and passed
by the following vote to approve the following transfer of funds:
AMOUNT: FROM TO
$2,380 Unbudgeted Capital Improvement City Hall Additions
Account No. 0913814 Account No. 0913804
AYES: 5 Councilmen: Morton, Dunnum, Temple, Dickerson, Corbin
NOES: 0 Councilmen: None
ABSENT: 0 Councilmen: None
Fire Chief Gain inquired as to color selection on the floor covering for the Fire
Wing. Councilman Morton stated it should be uniform and blend in -without clashing and
being called to the citizens' attention. Councilman Dickerson stated it should be
brought out that the floor covering is a commercial carpeting and not of a kind used
in residences, and that he concurs with Councilman Morton's thinking.
Upon Councilman Dickerson's inquiry, Council was informed by the City Manager
that Council Chamber seats should be ready no later than the end of January.
There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting adjourned at
9 a.m.
Alberta M. Pfeiffer
City Clerk
Council Minutes 1/11/68 4-
Ben 'd Corbin
Mayor