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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-03-24-77-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MARCH 24, 1977 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., March 24, 1977, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Hazel N. Scotto presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: William L. Greene Richard M. Jennings, Mayor Pro Tempore Kenneth J. Miller Theodore H. Jackman Hazel N. Scotto, Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development John T. Neavill, Director of Parks & Recreation William A. Goggin, City Planner Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Scotto announced the purpose of the meeting is to study parts of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance relating to C-2, C-3, M-1 and M-2 zoning, or any other business to come before the City Council will be considered. The first discussion involved Budget Goals and Objectives for the Parks & Recreation, Community Development, and Public Works Departments. Councilman Jackman preferred that each department prepare the best possible program for Council discussion. This would also give the City Manager an idea of the money that will be required to meet the budget. Councilman Jackman suggested the City Manager come in with the lowest possible budget for study by the City Council to determine if further reductions can be made. The Council voted on whether or not to study the Municipal Budget for 1977-78 Fiscal Year: AYES: 3 Council Members: Jennings, Miller, Scotto NOES: 2 Council Members: Greene, Jackman The City Manager said he hopes to obtain the Council's budget viewpoint based on goals and objectives information submitted by the departments. Councilman Jennings presented his Police Department recommendations: Police patrol cars be kept 24 months; a new contract be formulated; and patrol cars be specified with standard displacement motors, four -door Novas; and police vehicles with a two-year contract. Citywide recommendation is that every City vehicle display a City seal. Possibly a vehicle in Public Works and the Police detective cars may be unmarked. Discussion was held regarding the Chip Seal Program. Councilman Jennings feels the cost outlay of chip seal material should be reduced and the resulting savings applied to use of rollers to finish the chip seal surface. He proposes the street sweeping program be discontinued and pro- perty owners be held responsible for clean gutters, with violators being sent to court. The commercial sections would continue to be swept. Discussion was held regarding staff input to Council for budget decision - making process. Mayor Scotto recessed the meeting at 6:00 p.m. to enable the Council Members to obtain budget material from offices. The meeting resumed at 6:10 p.m. with all Council Members present. Mr. Goggin requested the Council Members to submit to him any questions they have relative to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. These questions will then be spread over three meetings for study. April 4th, llth, and 18th were set aside for Comprehensive Zoning studies. Mr. Neavill proceeded to present the upcoming Parks & Recreation Budget. He explained the personnel policy set for the coming fiscal year and outlined the Council Minutes 3/24/77 (adjourned) -1- proposed reporting system within the Department. This would require a new position to enable coordination of all activities through one person. Discussion followed regarding responsibilities of Parks & Recreation division heads and managers. Mr. Neavill proceeded to explain the Co -sponsored Group Budget. Some ad- ministrative changes appear necessary in the Art Museum program to consider the Museum Director as a City position. Councilman Jennings pointed out such a change would be contingent upon all assets being deeded over to the City at time of dissolution. Discussion continued on proposed Parks & Recreation improvements, including relocation of Parks & Recreation administrative offices which will be on the agenda in the near future. Mayor Scotto voiced concern about the "very sad" appearance of the Rio Hondo Country Club building interior and exterior. Mr. Neavill recommended negotiating with Marmac's for contract renewal on basis that the interior facilities be upgraded. Discussion continued on upgrading the building. Councilman Jackman asked that bids be called for complete renovation of the Recreation Center and not have any use of the building until it is completely renovated. It was moved by Councilman Jennings, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by unanimous vote to authorize the Community Development Department to advertise for bids for: (1) Painting exterior of building; (2) Replacing all broken window panes; (3) Hiring consultant to redesign bathrooms; and (4) Interior painting where necessary. New discussion included report on proposed improvements in the parks. Mr. Neavill proposed diverting State Park Bond Funds in the City Park Improvement Fund. Moved by Councilman Greene, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by unanimous vote that the Parks & Recreation Commission be asked to consider diverting State Park Bond Funds into improving Independence Park in the amount of $267,000. Mr. Neavill said interviews are being conducted for the tennis court facility. At 7:23 p.m., the Parks & Recreation Budget presentation was concluded. Mayor Scotto recessed the meeting at 7:30 p.m. to executive session to discuss personnel administration items. The meeting resumed at 7:45 p.m. with all Council Members present. Mr. Thompson proposed establishing a referral center for informing citizens where governmental aid is available for assisting them with their problems. Services would be provided by a coordinator who is knowledgeable of Federal aid programs. A discussion ensued. It was moved by Councilman Jackman and seconded by Councilman Jennings that the City Manager be directed to set aside the program. (See motion withdrawn.) Mr. Thompson commented that in the absence of a City -administered program, the Federal government might possibly mandate such a service on the community. The motion and second were withdrawn. The proposal was set aside. Mr. Spindel presented the Public Works Department Budget. The first sub- ject discussed was the street sweeping program. Reports were presented for street repairs, resurfacing, and storm drain projects. Discussion followed on street maintenance. Mr. Spindel will submit sheet containing street repair costs. Council Minutes 3/24/77 (adjourned) -2- f_A Charts were presented showing contract costs for Public Works. Discussion was held regarding wheelchair reaps and reflectorized street signs. Councilman Greene would like to see $10,000 sign program diverted over to street program. The street striping program was discussed. Mr. Thompson reviewed the vehicle equipment rental unit cost program. Councilman Jackman said he would like to know where City trucks and pickups are being used. Discussion followed regarding the tree planting program. $18,650 is ear- marked for the project. Councilman Greene thinks the program should be held off for a year because of the drought. Councilman Jackman requested status on Smoking Area Sign Program. Councilman Jennings was excused from the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Mayor Scotto commented on Italian Cypress trees. She said they lack shade. Mr. Thompson commented on the advantages of trees in smog -ridden areas and the favorable effect on air quality. Mr. Thompson then proceeded to present the list of areas to be posted with NO SMOKING signs. Areas included are: Police Department public counter and outside hall waiting area. Public counter in City Clerk's office. Public counter in Finance Department. Public ounter in City Manager's and Personnel offices. Public Assembly Room - Fire Station No. 1. Library. Central Permit counter (one-half smoking, one-half non-smoking). Theatre auditorium and lobby. Recreational Center: Optional. Golf Course: Smoking at bar. Bankquet room optional. Wilderness Park Museum. Furman Park Art Museum. All other parks assembly area: Optional. Council Chamber (excepting conference rooms). Apollo Park Recreation Center: Optional. It was moved by Councilman Greene, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by the following vote to approve the list of areas to be designated for "NO SMOKING." AYES: 4 Council Members: Greene, Miller, Jackman, Scotto ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jennings Mr. Thompson gave a report on proposed Hospital Service Rate Increases. Discussion was held regarding what action the Council could take to disallow the proposed rate increases for 1977-78 fiscal year. A $400,000 revenue lag exists for Hospital operation. The Council sees a need for more financial information from the Hospital. It was moved by Councilman Greene, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by the following vote to direct the City Manager to dispatch a letter to the Hospital, saying the City Council is not prepared to sanction a five per- cent (5%) ancillary rate increase pending receipt of more detailed information. AYES: 4 Council Members: Greene, Miller, Jackman, Scotto ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jennings At 9:31 p.m., the meeting was adjourned to 5:30 p.m., April 4, 1977, in the Council Chamber, of the Downey City Hall for study session on the Comprehensive Zoning 0 dinance. Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Hazel Scotto, Mayor Council Minutes 3/24/77 (adjourned) -3-