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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-11-05-75-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 5, 1975 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:52 p.m., November 5, 1975, in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Joseph E. DiLoreto presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Hazel N. Scotto Donald H. Winton Richard M. Jennings William L. Greene Joseph E. DiLoreto ABSENT: Council Members: None ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Donald B. Robison, Assistant City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development Richard D. Patton, Director of Finance John T. Neavill, Director of Parks & Recreation Loren D. Morgan, Police Chief Edwin H. Wood, Fire Chief Ruth Miller, City Librarian Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor DiLoreto explained the purpose of the adjourned meeting is for a study session on the Space Utilization Study submitted to the Council and also a pro- posal for Increase in Taxi Fares. The Invocation was delivered by Councilman Jennings, followed by the Flag Salute led by Councilman Greene. Mayor DiLoreto announced the Council will first consider the Proposal for Increase in Taxi Fares. He noted a report has been submitted answering the questions raised by Council. City Manager Thompson said the report indicates from comparison of rates in other cities, the requested rate of Southeast Taxi is found to be competitive; also, the taxi and truck rental operation was reviewed, and there is no evidence of any cross charges. Councilman Winton inquired why the City of Gardena rates are so much lower than the proposed rate in the City of Downey. Mr. Thompson stated he has no information available on that, however, there is a difference in some of the rates depending on the amount of taxi service available. Finance Director Patton noted the area rate structure is uniform. It was moved by Mayor DiLoreto, seconded by Councilman Winton, and passed by the following vote to approve the Rate of Increase of Taxi Fares for Southeast Taxi Co., Inc., as recommended by staff. AYES: 5 Council Members: Scotto, Winton, Jennings, Greene, DiLoreto SUA_Space Utilization Study City Manager Thompson reviewed the need for the space study and stated any changes to be made should be on the basis of sound recommendations done in a professional manner. Mayor DiLoreto explained there is a Planning Commission meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. this evening and, therefore, it may be necessary to have one more meeting for the Council to digest the summary and any questions it may have. Council Minutes 11/5/75 -1- Mr. Walter Jacobs of SUA, Incorporated, mentioned the study clearly indi- cates the City's needs would be the amount of space it now occupies; the City Hall is overcrowded, and there is lack of efficiency. He pointed out this is a modular program and it will and can allow for additions in the future. Mr. Jacobs noted for every month this is delayed the cost for the program increases at the rate of $8,000 per month on each $1 million of the $8 million project and will be added to the cost for every month there is a delay in implementing the program. He said if he could make a recommendation it would be to bulldoze the existing facility and build a new one; that although the City would be spending more now, it would spend far Less over the years ahead. Ms. Arlene O'Brien of SUA, Incorporated, explained how a space study is conducted, and she reviewed the report with Council, commenting on standards SUA has developed in conducting studies. She stated the existing City Hall is not well suited for housing a government agency, and if the City wants to pro- vide more space it has to go into a building program. Ms. O'Brien mentioned the estimated costs for initial construction of each of the two building programs contained in the report are in the vicinity of $8 million, and both would provide the same additional amount of space. Mr. Jacobs commented on the parking requirements and provision for cafeteria space. He mentioned that SUA has planned over 400 million square feet of space for government throughout the United States and is familiar with most of the political comparatives. Mayor DiLoreto indicated it was his understanding the purpose of the report was to show how better utilization of existing space would create economy by reduction of personnel and by performing more efficiently. He commented on the projected increase in personnel for each department and noted approximately 75 to 80 percent of the City's budget is for personnel. Mayor DiLoreto also stated he was under the impression that the study would be directed towards better utilization of the City's present facilities and was disappointed there were only two alternatives provided in the report. He offered an alternative of building a new library and renovating the old facility for possible use by the Police Department. Councilman Jennings inquired how it was determined the City is understaffed and whether national standards were applied to the City of Downey to make this determination. Ms. O'Brien replied the report contains a summary of personnel projections, and there is discussion on department by department basis as to the rational for the increases in that department. She also mentioned the American Library Association's standards were used to determine levels of volume that a community of this size should have in its Library. Discussion ensued. Councilman Jennings stated the Minutes of the City Council Meeting of January 13, 1975, contain a request by Councilman Temple for the report to in- clude how to best utilize the existing facility. Mr. Thompson said he discussed this matter with Councilman Temple, and it was his understanding the Council wanted to know if the present space is being used as sufficiently as possible. He stated the report does indicate that. Councilman Winton mentioned since he has been on the City Council thousands of dollars have been spent on staff studies, and in reviewing some of the pro- jections of repairs, it is apparent that extreme amounts of money have been spent on the existing facility. Mr. Jacobs advised the Senate has passed a $2.1 billion Bill and the House has passed a $5 billion Bill for an accelerated Public Works Program, and he has been informed that by the end of February or early March the Bill should be passed. He noted the most important thing about the program is that it is on a first come, first serve basis, and is a 100 percent Federal grant that does not require matching funds. Mr. Jacobs said it is a program to create work in a community where there is unemployment. Mayor DiLoreto thanked Mr. Jacobs and Ms. O'Brien for attending this meeting. He indicated the Council will probably be raising questions and will need a final session for whatever comments it may have. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adiourned at 7:23 p.m. Rober L. Shand,'City Clerk -Treasurer Jos ph DiLoreto, Mayor Council Minutes 11/5/75 -2-