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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
DECEMBER 6, 1976
JOINT MEETING: DOWNEY CITY COUNCIL AND
DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
At 5:05 p.m., Mayor Hazel Scotto called the meeting to order. Councilman Jennings
led the renewal of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Vice President Grace Horney
delivered the Invocation.
Roll Call: School Board
Robert Pilling, President
Robert Comstock
Robert Cormack
Grace Horney
Betty Kilpatrick
Clayton Mayes
John Shea
Dr. Gallegos, Superintendent
Citv Council
Absent (Arrived at 5:11 p.m.)
Present
Excused
Present
11
Hazel Scotto, Mayor "
Richard Jennings, Mayor Pro Tem "
William Greene "
Kenneth Miller "
Theodore Jackman "
Charles W. Thompson, City Manager "
Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer "
It was moved by Mrs. Kilpatrick and seconded by Mr. Shea to adopt Agenda No. lla
for the Joint Meeting of the Downey City Council and the Board of Education being
held on Monday, December 6, 1976.
In the absence of Mr. Pilling, Mrs. Horney was acting chairperson for the Board
of Education.
Mayor Scotto explained the purpose of the meeting was to explore the possibilities
for acquisition of property on the Downey Elementary School site by the City from the
School District to provide space for construction of a City library. Also to be con-
sidered was a method for funding such a program and the need for well -formed plans.
Mr. Pilling arrived at the meeting at 5:11 p.m.
Dr. Gallegos reviewed the Downey Unified School District Annual Facilities Report
of November 29, 1976. He said no action has been taken on anything contained in the
report and that the Board is ready to listen to comments.
Various manners of disposing of the School property on the north side of Third
Street were discussed. The Education Code contains details regarding priorities for
disposing of School District property. Also Section 54222 of the California State
Government Code governs School Board decisions on disposal of properties. School prop-
erty may be designated for parks and recreation only and to include a library as part
of the recreation program. An alternative is available whereby the School Board may
declare property as surplus and open to all bidders. Surplus property must be offered
to a local agency first.
The question of school enrollment in the two high school districts was discussed.
The Downey High School enrollment currently exceeds Warren High School. A possible
shift in high school district boundaries would result in balancing the attendance
between the two high schools.
Another alternative leading to use of the School property would be consideration
of the central building for City use and utilizing portable buildings on a $9,000/
year/building for classrooms.
City Manager Thompson suggested agreement upon a specified price at a specified
date after which time it would be possible for the City to use the existing vacant
property at the Downey Elementary School. However, this was questioned because future
Boards of Education would be committed to such an agreement.
The question was asked if there is any possibility of the City purchasing the
entire Downey Elementary School property on a Leaseback of the buildings needed for
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5 93
the School for a definite period of time. The City could then build
a library on the existing vacant land. Such a plan would possibly be financed from
Revenue Sharing funds. It now appears that Public Works grant money will not be
available if no acquisition can be accomplished by June, 1977. Also, if large sums
of money are to be involved, perhaps the voters should have a voice if Government
Obligation Bonds are involved.
The suggestion was made that inasmuch as the School property is not yet available,
an annual update should be rendered and the acquisition program modified to conform
to the indicated desires of the voters if such an understanding can be placed on the
ballot.
A possible delay in the program might result if it is necessary to call for bids
on portable classroom buildings. Several months are necessary to complete the bid
process (possibly one year).
A problem exists regarding an election for the program. A vote for the library
would involve precincts within the City. However, the School District election
boundaries extend beyond the City limits. Also, voter approval might be required
for financing a new library, whereas the School Board would have the power to sell
the surplus property without a voter approval. Present indicators are that upwards
of 2,800 students will continue to attend Downey High School. A projected study of
revision of high school district boundaries is scheduled for February (1977), and
will require considerable time. If all concerned parties could agree on a feasible
boundary, it would be possible to implement the change by September (1977) on a
phase -in basis. The Board must consider the community reaction to any proposed
change.
Discussion followed regarding number of voters and boundaries and possible extent
of financial support for program. It was suggested to poll the Board as to where it
stands. Question is: Are there any alternatives leading to purchase of School
property?
Councilman Jackman explained a plan for leasing all of Downey Elementary School
property and constructing a library on that property not having any structures. Much
will depend on how library project will be financed. If people of Downey favor a
bond issue for a library building, then it would be a message for the School Board to
provide the property for the building. Another manner of financing the library would
be through taxation as high as 30C per $100 valuation. However, a ballot would be
preferred so as to see how many people favor a new library. A tax rate of lOC per
$100 valuation was previously submitted for budget purposes by the City for construct-
ing a library.
Councilman Miller feels that perhaps a bond issue vote of the people should include
provision for financing tennis courts and baseball diamonds within the capital improve-
ment budget for a given year plus construction of a library. Councilman Miller feels
the question for the voters would be whether or not land should be acquired for a
library.
In summary, first consideration by the School Board will be to assure adequate
facilities for the students of Downey High School bearing in mind that the need exists
for a properly equipped library. The first question is: Will the Land go as recre-
ational? Instead, maybe the land should be considered for use at its best possible
value. If the land is not considered for recreation, what will be its use and at what
bid price to the public? Also, will such a change in an educational facility be
balanced by replacement with a library? The City Council would have to come up with
some kind of leaseback program and the School Board would be obliged to provide the
Council with a time frame for such an undertaking.
It is still possible to sell the City at an agreed -upon price for recreational
purpose or non -recreational purpose without bidding and without Section 54222 if the
School Board has a unanimous vote without an agreed -upon price that is less than the
appraised price as permitted in the Educational Code. (It was pointed out that the
Board has sold school property at a negotiated price.)
Councilman Jackman said it should be clarified that the School Board would con-
tinue to have the Downey Elementary Buildings if a Leaseback agreement was reached
with the City.
President said it was now time for both governing bodies to go back to their
quarters and attempt to find answers to the above questions and then communicate
their decisions in writing to each other.
Mrs. Horney recalled seeing an article in an architectural publication whereby
a library can be constructed in a recreational park setting with recreational money.
This is something the City could explore.
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Councilman Jennings commented on the purpose of a vote of the people would be
that after the land purchase price and construction price is established, then a
vote is conducted for a general obligation bond issue and not to ask the voters if
it is a good idea to buy or not to buy the school property.
Mayor Scotto introduced Mr. Gordon Strahan who presented the Board members and
Council members with complementary tickets to the Warren High School Band Concert
on December 15, 1976. Mr. Strahan delivered a short report on the status of the
Downey Youth Band.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer HazeP'N. Scotto, Mayor
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