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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-09-21-76-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 21, 1976 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., September 21, 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 Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development Richard D. Patton, Director of Finance William A. Goggin, City Planner John H. Saunders, Administrative Analyst Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Scotto announced the adjourned meeting is being held to discuss the 1976-77 Municipal Budget, Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, and any other business to come before the City Council. Speaking to the Budget for Fiscal Year 1976-77, Councilman Jennings said the City Council should receive a written list of each staff member,for the year,that will be attending out-of-town meetings and for what purpose; also, the day follow- ing the return of each staff member, a concise one -page report should be prepared noting the purpose of the meeting and what was accomplished. Mr. Thompson said he will comply with the Council's wishes and noted the Council is advised at budget time of the amount allocated for travel, pointing out that last year he promised the Council the amount would be equal to, or less than what had been budgeted the previous year, that amount being cut ten percent from the previous year. He commented on the policy established for education and pro- fessional leave for department and division heads, which he said has been approved and placed in the personnel manual. Mr. Thompson noted he keeps a record of the educational leave used and indicated the biggest expense item on travel during the year is for the League conferences attended by most of the Council, Planning and Recreation & Community Service Commissions, and department heads. Councilman Miller suggested a master calendar be placed in the Council Chambers for staff to indicate the dates they will be away. Councilman Jenning supported this suggestion. At 5:35 p.m., Mayor Scotto recessed the meeting to executive session to discuss a personnel matter and pending litigation. The meeting resumed at 6:17 p.m., with all Council Members present. It was moved by Councilman Jennings, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by unanimous vote that the Police matter be placed on the Agenda for the next City Council Meeting. s Councilman Miller asked the City Manager to come back to the Council with a recommendation on the Police Association's proposal. Questions were raised regarding the animal control budget. Councilman Jennings asked about the offsetting costs for fire communications. Mr. Patton said this should be a break-even program. A discussion was held regarding the Community Development grant and Revenue Sharing. Mr. Thompson commented regarding John Saunders' work on grant programs and per- sonnel matters. Responding to Councilman Jennings'inquiry regarding the differing amounts shown for Animal Control under computer program and revenue, Mr. Patton said there are other Finance Department costs involved in providing finance administration to the Animal Control. Council Minutes.9/21/76 (adjourned) -1- _Z�3 Councilman Jennings requested that next year's Non -Departmental Budget contain asterisks showing the City's contribution over and above amounts to the Rose Float and Art Museum and also an estimate for his ulcer surgery at the Downey Community Hospital. A discussion was held regarding rental income. Corrections were made under the Fire Department Budget: Page 57, line 3, "$463,070 or 21.7%" should read "$369,400 or 16.77,'; line 4,"$380,800 or 17.2%" should read "$451,670 or 21.2%". Under the Physical Environmental Budget, Councilman Jennings asked about the difference in the temporary hours recommended at 1,000 and budgeted at 2,500. He was advised that one full-time position was dropped and one part-time was added to full-time, however this was done after adoption of the Budget. A correction was noted on Page 107. The word "below" should be "above". Councilman Jennings indicated the Drug Diversion Counselor is no longer a funded program and is in the General Fund. He also said the Assistant City Manager should be the Personnel Director. Mr. Thompson stated the City Manager is the Personnel Director and the Assist- ant City Manager would be the Assistant Personnel Director. During discussion regarding transfers of funds within the Budget, Mr. Thompson suggested an adopted accounting and finance manual which will in detail specify the basics of the accounting system together with the authorities as to how transfers should be made. A further discussion was held regarding people hired for part-time work in the Police Department. Councilman Jennings stated the last MOE report he has received is dated March. He pointed out that on recreation there are no Budget goals listed. Mr. Thompson said the latest MOE's have been prepared and are being assembled. Councilman Jackman questioned the $4100 added to program 4220 of the Museum of Art Budget. Mr. Thompson replied this had to do with undergrounding of electrical services and the amount of certain utilities the City pays plus janitorial service. Councilman Miller stated his hope that by next year's Budget there might be a committee to come back with a report on a study of the Property Tax versus the Utility Users Tax. Mr. Thompson mentioned he is compiling a list of people to serve on a committee and will bring the information back to the Council within the next month. Councilman Miller expressed a desire to have monthly financial reports availa- ble in the Council Chambers. Also, he said he would like to see the printouts of actual expenditures showing what is budgeted and the revised estimate to see how many inter -departmental transfers there might be. He suggested a policy be estab- lished that these be provided and available in the Council Chambers. A discussion was held regarding the audit reports prepared by Diehl, Evans and Company. Councilman Jennings complimented the Finance Department on the format of the 1976-77 Budget. Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Councilman Jennings inquired regarding the statistics used to determine the number of parking spaces required. Mr. Goggin explained each City is different, and after reviewing other ordi- nances, these were the requirements established. He responded to questions regard- ing required parking for day or child care centers. Councilman Jackman asked if the Golf Course has the required number of parking spaces. Mr. Thompson replied no, however, a new section is being added which is in the Budget this year. He said the City has no jurisdiction over the County Golf Course. Council Minutes 9/21/76 (adjourned) -2- Mr. Goggin responded to questions regarding required parking for day or child centers. Discussion followed regarding parking requirements in industrial, manufactur- ing, and similar uses. Mr. Coggin noted the parking requirements have been increased for commercial businesses based on studies made. Responding to further questions, Mr. Goggin commented on the problems that have occurred with inadequate school parking for students. Also, he said, parking in commercial zones is based on square footage of the building. Discussion followed on the requirements for parking spaces and the radii established. Mr.. Coggin informed the Council that Lines 14 and 15 on Page 279 will be deleted. Mr. Spindel advised in Section 9148.22, (1), "portland cement" should read "Portland cement concrete". A discussion was held regarding parking district formation. Before the public hearing, Mr. Goggin said, additional information will be brought to the Council on handicapped parking. Councilman Jennings questioned whether the City can set requirements for sprinkling systems. Mr. Goggin explained these requirements are not applicable in residential zones and are enforced through zone exceptions. Councilman Greene inquired regarding the number of citations issued each month by building inspectors. Mr. Spindel commented on the method of enforcing violations. Councilman Jackman said increasing enforcement of violations may require in- creasing personnel. He asked for a report back on an incident occurring on Parrot Avenue south of Quoit Street, which required Police enforcement. Mr. Goggin continued with his review of the Zoning Ordinance beginning with variable height requirements and responded to questions of the Council. He noted that after the public hearing by the Council, any recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinance will be referred to the Planning Commission for report back to the Council. A discussion was held regarding Section 9149.26 (a) and changing the wall height in residential zones from 48 inches to 42 inches, which is the present code requirements. Mr. Goggin explained that 42 inches would not keep much out of the front yard and four feet is the usual increment for building materials. Mr. Goggin said under Section 9150.02, he is recommending the following amendments: Line 13: Delete "which were lawful when established" and insert "which were lawful before this chapter became effective". Line 17: Delete "for the time period herein stated" and insert "on the basis hereinafter prescribed". Mr. Goggin also stated a section will be added to Page 293, which allows expan- sion of small homes. Referring to Section 9150.10(3), Councilman Jennings said horses or any other non -conforming use should not be reinstated once they have ended for whatever reason. Mr. Goggin said a horse is not a "use", but he will obtain an opinion from the City Attorney on this. Mr. Goggin asked the Council to carefully read Page 296, Removal of Non -conforming Buildings, Structures and Uses, for discussion at the next meeting. Discussion ensued. Council Minutes 9/21/76 -3- Referring to Page 306, Mr. Thompson suggested adding a statement to the effect that it would not require special enforcement or special consideration in order for the use to be permitted in that zone and is not the granting of a special privilege. Mr. Coggin responded to questions and outlined the square footage requirements for permitting more than one residence on a lot. Speaking to Page 308d, Councilman Jennings questioned whether it is proper to allow the filing of an appeal before the Planning Commission on an action already taken by the Commission. During discussion, it was suggested that the City Attorney be consulted regard- ing the appeal procedure and also whether Line 17, Page 308b, "the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance being prepared" should be deleted. Mr. Coggin pointed out that the City Attorney has read the Ordinance for context and generalities and approves of it; however, once he knows what the Council wants, he will then go over it again in detail and make any corrections. Councilman Jennings requested setting another study session to complete the Ordinance review. The study session was set for 5:00 p.m., September 27, 1976, in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall. Mayor Scotto commented on a memorandum proposing commencement of the DART Program City Wide for November 1st. During discussion, Mr. Thompson said a proposed rubbish rate increase will be on the next Agenda. Mr. Spindel commented on the formula used to determine the rubbish rate and said the Council can either approve the agreement with the present contractor or place the rubbish contract out to bid. He noted that up to now, the City has been getting very good service from Calsan, Inc., the present contractor. Councilman Jennings questioned whether the agreement provides for termination by the contractor at anytime in the event it is determined he is not making money on the program and whether the contractor will be held to the 5:00 pickup dead- line. He said he would like these questions answered before approving the DART Program City wide. Mayor Scotto requested approval of the City-wide program. It was noted the DART agreement will come back to the Council. Mr. Thompson stated the action requested is necessary in order to get the flyers distributed if the program is to commence November 1st. It was moved by Councilman Jennings, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by unanimous vote to approve the Mayor's request to start the DART Program Novem- ber lst. There being no further business to come before the City Council, at 9:35 p.m Mayor Scotto adjourned the meeting to 5:00 p.m., September 27, 1976, in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall to review the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. Robert L. Shand, City C1 rk-Treasurer Haze,/fJ. Scotto, Mayor Council Minutes 9/21/76 (adjourned) -4-