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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-08-18-71-Regular Meeting4170 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AUGUST 180 1971 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special Called Meeting at 5:00 p.m., August 18, 1971, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Joseph G. Ferris presiding. PRESENT: Councilmen: Jennings, Hollis, Ferris ABSENT: Councilmen: Morton, Winton ALSO PRESENT: Donald B. Robison, Assistant City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Public Works James D. Ruth, Director of Parks & Recreation Robert Griffin, Finance Department George Britton, Public Works Tom McCourt, Parks & Recreation Ellen C. Davis, City Clerk Councilman Hollis delivered the invocation, followed by the Flag Salute led by Councilman Jennings. Mayor Ferris inquired of the City Clerk if she had the Affidavit of Posting Notice of this Special Called Meeting, and she responded in the affirmative. Mayor Ferris stated this meeting was called to review the application prepared by Ervin Spindel, Director of Public Works, and his assistants pursuant to the Emergency Employment Act of 1971. He stated that a telegram was received from the Department of Labor requesting representatives of the City attend a briefing relative to the Act, and the briefing was attended by representatives of the City who reported back to him on the implementation of the Act. Mayor Ferris stated that Mr. Spindel had been requested to prepare a long-range plan for this program which would be subject to modification within the next 45 days. He said within 30 days following approval of the initial application to start the pro- gram, the City will present the full-blown plan at which time the program would be started. Mayor Ferris complimented Mr. Spindel and Assistant City Manager Don Robison for their efforts in preparing the proposed plan. The Director of Public Works reported that the initial application under the Act can be for up to 20% of the City°s total annual allocation which is, $151,400. He stated the allocation is limited to 25% of the total personnel which would be employed in the total program. He stated it is estimated in the total program, 20 persons would be employed, and in the initial application funds would be requested to hire five people for a six-month period. He stated the total advance requested from the Federal Government under the initial program is $23,921. Mr, Spindel stated the City is proposing to hire four environmental works trainees who could be trained in various phases of urban environmental control, such as tree trimming, tree planting, root pruning, park and recreation maintenance, landscaping, urban sanitation, etc., also one Administrative Analyst who would start working immediately preparing the final applica- tion and surveying employment in the area as required.. Mr. Spindel stated the program as submitted in tentative form envisions the employment of these persons in the environmental field and also employment of trainees in surveying so that a program of re-establishing the City's centerline ties at street intersections. He stated that it is anticipated with on-the-job training and classroom sessions the new people could be performing productive work within a three-month period, even though the training would probably continue over a six-month period. At the end of a year's time, they would be skilled in the various fields and would be qualified to obtain employment with a City or private industry. Mayor Ferris stated that pursuant to Chapter 12 (c) of the Act, the City has re- ceived from the AFL-CIO Union that they are required under the Act to review the program and make comment to the U.S. Department of Labor, and Mr. Spindel has been requested to schedule meetings with their representative. Mayor Ferris stated that he had talked to a member of the Staff, Mr. George Garland, and described Downey°s program to him, and he was impressed with the approach that has been taken. Council Minutes 8/18/71 -1- In response to questions by Mayor Ferris, Mr. Spindel stated it is required that Veterans will receive first priority, and those persons employed must be Downey residents. Mr. Spindel complimented Mr, George Britton and Mr. Bob DeSio of his Staff, as well as Mr. Bob Griffin of the Finance Department and the secretaries who work to prepare the tentative program. Councilman Jennings requested the following information regarding the Program be made a matter of record: TOTAL PROGRAM Federal Allocation City's Share FY 1971-72 $166,540 $151,400 $159 140 INITIAL FUNDING $26,313 $23,921 $2,392 The Mayor inquired if there was anyone present who wished to speak to the matter, Mr. Edward W. Chuma, 10226 Wiley -Burke, stated he has been a resident of Downey for the past seven years, is a Graduate Engineer, and has a resume' of qualifications. He inquired as to the procedure for presenting his application. He stated that he and others present at this meeting are presently working on a Step Program at the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce. He said they have completed Urban Systems Training, attended various institutes, and that they have a good background for any civil or civic duties. Mayor Ferris recommended that following the meeting Mr. Chuma meet with Mr. Spindel and present his resume'. Mayor Ferris stated the Department of Labor has indicated that $23,921 of the initial funding should be received almost immediately, and the balance should be received following Labor Day, In response to a question by Mr. Chuma, the Mayor stated the on -going program will involve approximately 20 persons, but the City is restricted to 257 or five persons for the initial phase. Mr, Donald Thomas, 13331 Lakewood Boulevard, Bellflower, stated the Experience Unlimited office in. Norwalk had advised him that approximately one-fourth of their pre- sent registration are Downey residents, and they are strictly professional people who are available for this program. Mayor Ferris stated the Act contains provisions which restrictsthe City from hiring no more than 30% professional people and limits the salaries to $12,000 which includes fringe benefits, Mr. Thomas invited and encouraged the Mayor and City Council to attend the next meeting of Experience Unlimited to be held at the Norwalk City Hall at the end of the month. In response to a question by Councilman Jennings, Mayor Ferris stated that one of the functions of the Public Employment Administrative Analyst will be to review the labor market within the City to determine where the need is, and also to review with the City Staff and other agencies within the City the public services needed that are consistant with the employment needs. Following these surveys, the preliminary plan will be modified accordingly. It was moved by Councilman Jennings, seconded by Councilman Hollis, and passed by the following vote to authorize the initial Grant Application for federal funds under — the Emergency Employment Act of 1971 and to authorize the Mayor to sign the necessary papers to place this program in effect, AYES: 3 Councilmen: Jennings, Hollis, Ferris NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 2 Councilmen- Morton, Winton It was moved by Councilman Jennings, seconded by Councilman Hollis, and passed by the following vote to direct the Mayor to change or alter the subject application as necessary to make it correct and acceptable to the Federal Agency, Council Minutes 8/18/71 -2- AYES, 3 Councilmen: Jennings, Hollis, Ferris NOES: 0 Councilmen: None ABSENT: 2 Councilmen: Morton, Winton Councilman Hollis recommended that a report on the Program be submitted to the City Council at the regular Meeting of September 13th. Mr. Jack Phaley, 9320 Gainford, stated that Experience Unlimited has voluminous files on statistics regarding unemployment which might be of help to the City of Downey in preparing their program and advised the City Council to get in touch with Mrs. Roper, the Manager of Experience Unlimited, for any assistance she might give. Mr. Bill Cole, Manager of the Downey Chamber of Commerce, commented regarding the unemployment figure of $4,5% for the City of Downey. He stated this was the first time that this information has been. available from the Department of Human Resources Development, Norwalk area. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. ELLEN C. DAVIS, CITY CLERK Council Minutes 8/18,/71 -3- a. J PEA o1 E RIS, MAYOR