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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-07-27-76-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JULY 27, 1976 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., July 27, 1976, in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Hazel N. Scotto presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: William L. Greene Richard M. Jennings, Mayor Pro Tem Kenneth J. Miller Theodore H. Jackman Hazel N. Scotto, Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Donald B. Robison, Assistant City Manager Royal M. Sorensen, City Attorney Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development Richard D. Patton, Director of Finance Edwin H. Wood, Fire Chief Jeanne Cook, Deputy City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Scotto explained the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Memo- ms of Understanding with the Downev Citv F.mnloveea' AGsnriatinn. Dnnmav t Plan, other business the Council wishes to discuss. City Manager Thompson explained the Agreements provide for the specification of the maximum amounts that would be paid by the City in regard to medical care, providing a better control for budgetary purposes. Also, included in the Agree- ments is a provision as to how the City would cost out sick leave upon death or retirement of an employee, and both are extremely important. Mr. Thompson further stated there is no agreement to consider at this time with the Teamsters Local #911. The membership of Local 911 did not approve the negotiated agreement, although both negotiating teams signed the agreement -- reached by the negotiating committees. He said he has notified the Union that unless they submit such input prior to Monday, August 9th, he will submit a recommendation without such approval at the Council meeting of August loth and base it upon the agreement reached in negotiation, noting that he and the Teamsters have met and conferred in good faith with full intent of reaching an agreement. Councilman Jackman inquired regarding the accumulation of sick leave. Mr. Thompson explained the employees are entitled to 12 days a year; they are entitled to build it up and retain it with the provision that upon death or re- tirement 50 percent can be paid. He noted this provision was included in a previous Memorandum of Understanding, and it is hoped it can be continued as a permanent provision. A discussion was held regarding the dental -optical benefit package. Mr. Thompson stated it would be of no cost to the City. Councilman Jackman inquired if there is a guaranteed rate for the medical, and Mr. Thompson replied no. Councilman Jackman then asked if there is an increase at any time during the year, would the employees have to pick up the difference in that cost if they want to maintain the same benefits. Mr. Thompson answered yes. Councilman Jennings asked if the medical goes up $10 next year, will the employee pay the $10 with the City continuing to pay the same amount unless re -negotiated. Mr. Thompson replied yes. Mayor Scotto said if no more questions, the Memorandums of Understanding would be set aside for adoption at the regular agenda meeting at 7:30. Council Minutes 7/27/76 (adjourned) -1- Mr. Shimon Ben-Bassat, Senior Vice President of SUA Incorporated, introduced Mr. Leo Deller, Project Architect, and Ms. Arlene O'Brien, who has been involved in the project from the initial programming phase. Ms. O'Brien explained that in November, 1975, SUA made a presentation to the Council and indicated some of the material presented tonight will be a repeat of that presentation. She reported SUA has held interviews with department heads and staffing levels as to the type of space needed and has collected other data for the study. She said the final outcome of those studies is a report document entitled "Facilities Master Plan", copies of which have been distributed to the City Council for review. Ms. O'Brien commented on the methodology used to conduct the studies. Ms. O'Brien stated the total projected space needs have determined the para- meters of how much building space will be needed to house the agencies over the long term, and once the total square footage requirement is known, it can then be determined how much of the existing facilities are reusable. She said at the time of this report document SUA chose two particular alternatives for the City which are outlined and explain how the City can proceed to meet its long-term space needs. Ms. O'Brien continued that at the time this document was presented it was pointed out that it would be a decision -making document, outlining the type of space needed, the quantity needed, and some possible solutions, with the City being able to review the report and put together the solution in a different way. She mentioned that in July, 1976, the City of Downey again worked with SUA to develop some proposed site plans; there have been continuous discussions with City officials as to the site plans being developed; and the plan being presented is based on the information provided in this report, although the components of the plan are slightly different than the alternatives presented at the time of this document. Mr. Deller distributed the following documents to the City Council: 1. SUA Proposal #1675, dated July 27, 1976. 2. Components of the Proposed Plan for City of Downey Civic Center. 3. Preliminary Cost Estimate for the City of Downey Proposed Civic Center. Mr. Ben-Bassat referred to the architectural rendering (SUA Exhibit #1 7/27/76) and described the components and layout of the proposed plan. Councilman Jennings inquired if the Chamber of Commerce Building and the Bank Annex Building was being proposed for destruction. Mr. Ben-Bassat replied yes. Mr. Thompson advised that the Chamber of Commerce lease agreement has ten more years to run and would involve some negotiations. Councilman Greene commented regarding the passageways connecting the buildings and stated he did not want to see Downey have the problems that other cities have encountered with a similar design. Discussion followed. Councilman Jackman asked if there are any plans for a jail facility. Mr. Thompson responded that the City would continue to use the South Gate jail, however, he would suggest a facility in the future with several cities participating. Mr. Ben-Bassat described the proposed Library facilities as being a new two- story building to be built across Third Street on property now owned by the School District. It was noted that if the property is acquired, the school building would be torn down but the gymnasium would remain. Mayor Scotto inquired if the structures would be sound enough for the suggested uses. Mr. Ben-Bassat replied the structures could be "beefed up" should more building be added later. Councilman Jennings asked the City Manager for a report on his meeting with the School Board. Council Minutes 7/27/76 (adjourned) -2- .53 Mr. Thompson said he would be meeting with the Board on July 29, 1976. Mr. Ben-Bassat recommended the City apply for four separate Federal Grants immediately. Further discussion ensued regarding costs. It was noted Federal Grants are handled on a first -come, first -serve basis with the understanding that if approved, the applicant must be ready to start construction within 90 days. Councilman Miller noted that other cities across the Country would be scurry- ing for the same money and inquired if it is known what the total package would be and the chances of success to build a Library on property the City does not own. Councilman Jennings said he would not like to add to the present Library. He questioned the use of Revenue Sharing Funds and the purchase of property on Firestone Boulevard. Mr. Thompson indicated it may be prorated over a period of years. Mayor Scotto asked if cities can obtain Grants on leased land. Mr. Ben-Bassat said his conversations with Washington indicate they can. Following a brief recess, the meeting resumed with all Council Members present. It was moved by Councilman Jennings, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by the following vote to approve the Master Plan for the Downey Civic Center as is and that progress reports as required by City Council be given (SUA Exhibit #1 presented 7/27/76). Mr. Ben-Bassat stated SUA will come in every week if necessary with reports as to how much is being spent, etc. AYES: 5 Council Members: Greene, Jennings, Miller, Jackman, Scotto Mayor Scotto said she would like to see a report at every Council meeting. It was moved by Councilman Jennings, Seconded, by Councilman Jackman, and passed by unanimous vote to authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contract with SUA Incorporated. Mayor Scotto announced she will be leaving for Guadalajara July 28th and will be on vacation the week following. A discussion was held regarding the Memorandum of Understanding with the v Firemen's Association. Mr. Thompson reviewed Item IV -A of the Memorandum and noted the employee groups should recognize that their benefits are only as specified in the Memo- randums of Understanding. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., August 2, 1976, in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall. Jear Cooke, Deputy City Clerk -Treasurer HazelScotto, Mayor Council Minutes 7/27/76 (adjourned) -3-