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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-08-17-76-Adjourned Regular Meetingmy isii 17,j i,'F [III' i OF THE CITY OF Dlt' NI:`t hF(MHAR fit AUGUST 17, 1976 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., August 17, 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 Ten Kenneth J. Miller Theodore H. Jackman Hazel N. Scotto, Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development William A. Gogg:in, City Planner Francis Carter, Ass't City Planner Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -'Treasurer Mayor Scotto announced this is the adjourned meeting on the study session for the _Co_mprehensive Toning Ordinance. She stated that after the last Council meeting, Council- man Greene asked if the SUA Civic Center proposal could also be discussed, however, sub- sequent to the meeting various Council. Members expressed concern that perhaps a committee should be formed to study the SUA Civic Center proposal. Mayor Scotto stated that Thomas Collins, Architect, had asked to form a committee of professionals to look at the Civic Center plans. She asked Mr. Spindel if he would contact professional people who would he in attendance at the meeting along with SUA personnel. Mr. Spindel is now in the process of forming a professional committee subject to final approval of the City Council. Councilman Greene asked how Mayor Scotto felt about the Citizens' Committee. Mayor Scotto replied that Councilman Miller had been talking to various people about forming a committee, and that she was agreeable to such a plan. She said she asked Councilman Miller if he could form a committee and said that the Council's concern is to be sure tint there are professionals who can answer and speak to all the technical concerns. she :anted to know if all Council Members more in agreement in forming these two conn.ittees, one hapuid be the Citizens' Co:hrnhttee- -close who have tine_ particular interest in the Civic Center development program and then the professional nhmnitte- comprised of professional people within Lhe construction industry. She requested that the Council be notified as soon as the committees have been established. Councilman Greene said his reason for requesting consideration of a committee was to enable participation by local citizens in Civic Center development program. Councilman Niller commented that the Friends of the Library comI ttea was scheduled to have a meeting .session that eventing to discuss future plans for the library expansion program. Mayor Scotto said she was aware of the meeting this evening. Councilman Miller said it was This understanding that the Committee :was attempting to have Architect V. Wallace Langford in attendance. Director of Corounity Development, Ervin Spindel, informed Mayor Scotto that he has contacted yen professional people within the cc mum ity, consisting of architects, engineers and contractors to serve on a committee if ncsh_rcd by the City Council. The first meeting would be scheduled for Morday, August 23, 1976, at 7:30 p.m., in the West' Conference Room. Councilman Jackman asked Mr.'Spirdel what would be the purpose of the committee? Mr. Spindel replied that a r:presuntative of the `!A firm would present their program for the 1. .;nary project and that the committee �e bcrs would be requested to reciprocate with their re,ponses to the SEA presentation. Mayor Scotto added that the committee should be made aware of all points that the Council Members already knew retarding the space development ero=ram and that the committee should be expected to provide input accordingly. Council- man Jackman said he would like to know the objective of the committee's plan. Mr, Spindel replied that it is to learn, whether or not the existing plan is workable, and if not, how can the plan be trade workable. Councilman Jennings asked if a times frame will exist wherein a report hack to the Council will be forthcoming from the committee. Councilman Jennings said that he would insist that the committee slmait a written report to the City Council summarizing their study. Mayor Scotto stated that all committee and all staff meetings should be followed with a set of minutes. Ptr. Spindel rcportc-d that: he has compiled the following first of professional person- nel to serve on the Master Plan Committee: V. Wallace Qn ford, Thomas E. Collins, Sherman Griselle, Willis R. Hanes, 'Don ?drown, James Pon., Robert Mayer, Jr., Jack Robinson, Paul Spothelfer, and Mel Rice. Council Minutes 8/17/76 (adjourned) -1- Dis(ussion to! owcd ronard_ug ::ashen, of Qo Nt.. ,,a> staff who shouldr-- -nd th mewLing. it was determinrdthat _ mombor of the e,_ann_ g :staff would be pr-went at the mretin2. The City Manager .said . time limit should be .set for receiving a report from the Committee. G Councilman Miller stated there is a little confusion as to the comments involved. Mayor Scotto said two separate committees are under consideration. Councilman Miller said he would like to converse with people who possess expertise in the field of space improvement and who could communicate with the SUA personnel and report back their find- ings to the Council. Discussion followed regarding extent of participation in development discussion by members of the Library Board. Councilman Jennings wanted to know how many people were going to be on the com- mittee. Mr. Ervin Spindel indicated ten persons were intended for the committee. These people would be professionals in the architectural., building and construction fields. Councilman Jackman asked if the committee was going to recommend a Master Plan. The City Manager explained that the committee would critique the Master Plan, Councilman Greene stated that there were two plans in existence and that the com- mittee will be called upon to examine these two plans, The City Manager asked Councilman Jackman if he thought the Master Plan was not workable in view of the possibility of the City being unable to acquire school property. The City ?tanager emphasized the School Board has not turned down the possibility of sell- ing the property to the City. Discussion followed regarding financing and priorities for the improvement program. The City Manager then proceeded to point out to the Council through use of a plan lay- out, the priorities considered for the space program. Priorities depend upon the acqui- sition of properties west of the Civic Center area. It is probable that the Public Safety Building would be recommended for construction prior to development of the Library building, Councilman Greene said he would not be interested having to acquire property across the street solely to commence construction of the Library. The Mayor asked if the Council preferred to provide the staff with a list of priorities as a guideline in de- veloping the building program,. Councilman Miller said he would prefer to see the Library considered as the number one priority so as to receive the attention warranted. Councilman Puller said he would like to move that the City Council be polled for their consensus. Discussion followed regarding a definite location for the Library so as to provide a committee with a guideline. Councilman Jackman stated that a committee must be given a set of specific instruc- tions as to what the City Council expects of them in the way of a report back on a „aster Plan program, which would include a Library. Councilman Jennings said the first pr:i.ori.ty is to replace the parking space that will be lost when Exparding the Library. This priority will involve of general fund moneys. The City Manager pointed out that the Master Plan is not limited to definite phases but that different areas could be pursued at any given time. Discussion followed regarding the manner of replacing parking space. The City _..rarer pointed out that the lease- on the second 'half of the existing corrugated build- ih g on the corner of Firestone Boulevard and Dolan Avenue terminates in October, 1976, thus making the entire area available for parking space development. --- Mayon Scotto suggested the data of September, 1976 be set as a deadline for receiv- ing feedback from the committee prior to the first Council Meeting in September. Mr. Spindel said the first meeting of the ccc=ittee is scheduled for Monday, 'august 30, 1976, at 7;30 p.m. Councilman Jennings said that in addition to the professional people on the com- mittee, he would like to have lay citizens participate. The three citizens suggested for participating on the committee are: Ruth Coffaro, Bruce Watson and Charles Frey. Councilman Jennings announced that Assembly Bill 1923 cleared the Assembly and is awaiting signature of the Governor. The bill would provide 017.6 million for freeway construction. This money, together with Federal funds, brings the possibility of con- struction of the Century Freeway closer to reality. Council Minutes S/1.7/76 (adjourned) -2- to (a.t an x:: uL; sC�ssion i-i l:.:-t during "C_- ;�la r�r Scgiao nnnoune�_q her rntr-^',,on Council ieeting to discuss nu;cK ations on rho =.mY n-,s' contract. .5 6 Mayor Scotto called for commencing the study session on the Zoning Ordinance. City Manager Charles Thompson suggested that the City Planner William Coggin speak on the first two chapters of the proposed Zoning Ordinance and then have a review session prior to continuing with the study period. Mr. Coggin distributed element books to the Council Members, and explained proposed ground rules for the coming hearing procedure. He then commenced reviewing the Ordinance contained in the Zoning Ordinance booklets. Councilman Jennings raised a question regarding the map, which is an integral part of the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Coggin explained that a list of possible changes in the Zoning Ordinance, which would be made as the outcome of the study session, will be made available to the public so that all parties will be aware of any pending changes. Mr. Coggin suggested prior to commencing the study session section by section, he would prefer not to dwell on defi- nitions. He suggested that definitions be discussed at a later time. Mr. Coggin com- menced to review the proposed Zoning Ordinance section by section up through Chapter 1 - Section 9126, C-3, Central Business District Zone. Mayor Scotto called for the executive session to -review the Teamsters` contract at 5:50 p.m. The session lasted until 6:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. roll call was conducted with all. members present. The meeting then continued with the Zoning Ordinance study session. Councilman Jackman moved for adjournment at 10:05 p.m. Mayor Scotto adjourned the meeting to 4:00 p.m. Vednesday, August 18, 1976, in the Green Room of the Downey Theatre. - Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Hazel �. .'sotto, Mayor t.OL'❑C1: ..1 n L'tbS 5f1-7/4 ;a C7 lii L: ]'n ::'d) ->