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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01-16-78-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 16, 1978 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:00 p.m., January 16, 1978, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Richard M. Jennings presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Kenneth J. Miller -- William L. Greene Mayor Pro Tem Theodore H. Jackman Hazel N. Scotto Richard M. Jennings Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development Martin F. Wynne, Director of Finance William A. Goggin, City Planner Thomas Tincher, Housing & Human Services Coordinator Roland Stiteler, Manager Financial Systems Kent Parker, Accountant James Funk, Principal Planner Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer :Mayor Jennings announced the purpose of the adjourned meeting is to discuss the Reinvestment in Downey Program and Birchdale Avenue Barricade. Reinvestment in Downey Program Mr. Tincher narrated a slide presentation and commented on the proposed establish- ment of a citizens committee which would contain two sub -committees: One would be a redevelopment project area committee; and the other would be a rehabilitation loan and financial assistance committee. Mr. Tincher said he hopes to present the guidelines to the Council for action on January 24th and have the program implemented by the first of February. He commented on neighborhood meetings that will be held in the target areas and indicated he will be sending out brochures to residents in the target neighborhoods. Councilman Jackman and Councilwoman Scotto requested that they be invited to the first neighborhood meeting. Mr. Tincher outlined the following elements contained in the Housing Rehabilita- tion Financial Assistance Program: Rebate Incentives: Provides the percentage of rebates for improvements made by homeowners, residents, renters, or absentee landlords under the maximum $3500; the rebate would be dependent on the amount of family income. Below Market Rate Interest Loans: Would supplement the rebate program and be managed and administered by participating lending institutions. Deferred Payment Loans: Up to $5,000, with a three percent interest rate for those people who are not able to pay back the loan; the loan would be collected upon the sale, transfer, or probate of the property. Critical Maintenance Loans: Would provide assistance to the elderly and handi- capped for a loan up to $2,000 to make improvements for those conditions that are unhealthy or unsafe. Mr. Tincher responded to questions of the Council concerning the 312 Loan Program. He noted a firm will be retained to administer this program. Mayor Jennings requested information concerning the firm°s percentage of failure in obtaining 312 Loans prior to voting on this. The Council decided to appoint committees for redevelopment. At 6:30 p.m., a roll call of the City Council was taken prior to beginning discussion on the Birchdale Avenue Barricade. All the Council Members were present. It was moved by Councilman Jackman, seconded by Councilman Greene, and passed by the following vote to eliminate public input. Council Minutes 1/16/78 (adjourned) -1- It was noted a letter has been received from Mr. Brazelton and read by each Council Member. AYES: 3 Council Members: Greene, Jackman, Jennings NOES: 2 Council Members: Miller, Scotto Mr. Spindel said as requested by City Council, he is presenting three designs for barricading the street which would still allow emergency vehicles through at the house obstructing the street at the narrow portion. The first design was for cul-de- sacs on both sides with 25 foot sub -standard radii, which would not require any right-of-way acquisitions; the second design is a cul-de-sac on the south side and a curb and gutter on the north side; the third design is a straight blockage on each side with a six inch curb face. All designs would allow emergency vehicles to go through. He said staff recommended widening the street for a two-lane 22-foot roadway, including right-of-way acquisition and engineering for approximately $8,000-$9,000 and is shown as Plan A-2. Mr. Spindel was asked if he has a design showing a cul-de-sac at Lubec, and he replied yes. A discussion was held regarding the material received from Ms. Vartanian. Mr. Spindel said the cost for constructing a barricade at Lubec is estimated at $5,500--a straight -through barricade would cost around $3,500. Questions were raised regarding the measurements for turning radii on cul-de-sacs. Mr. Spindel said funds to construct any of the proposals would come from Revenue Sharing. Mayor Jennings asked if Gas Tax Funds would be available for this; and if not, could the project wait until next fiscal year when they would be available. Mr. Spindel replied he does not know of any Gas Tax Funds that could be budgeted for this project, and although he feels it would be eligible, he is not sure whether cul-de-sacs would be. Councilman Greene indicated he will go along with the staff recommendation for Plan A-2. Councilman Jackman concurred and moved to accept Plan A-2 and proceed with construction. Councilwoman Scotto said she has reviewed the traffic pattern in the area. She feels the street should be opened up to through traffic, with the City continuing to monitor the area in case any problems occur. Councilman Miller stated he feels over a period of time if the street is opened Up. there will be a considerable increase in traffic. Councilman Greene said there is an unusual situation on Birchdale, and the City should try to set some type of standardization because of this problem. Discussion followed regarding the cul-de-sac on Bluff Road on the Island. Councilman Jackman restated his motion to adopt Plan A-2 as presented by staff and that the funds come from Gas Tax Funds by setting this as a higher priority. Mayor Jennings asked Mr. Spindel to have the property appraised and then come back to Council with the appraisal rather than appropriating an amount at this time The motion was seconded by Councilman Greene and passed by the following vote. ---- Further discussion ensued. Responding to questions regarding curbing and design of the driveways, Mr. Spindel said he will review this further. AYES: 3 Council Members: Greene, Jackman, Jennings NOES: 2 Council Members: Miller, Scotto Mayor Jennings commented on receipt of a memo to the City Council regarding setting a Quarterly Joint Meeting with the Downey Community Hospital Board. The hour of 7:30 a.m., January 20, 1978, was set as the time and date for the meeting pending Hospital approval. Council Minutes 1/16/78 (adjourned) -2- Z_>94 Mayor Jennings said it is his understanding the City of Santa Fe Springs is con- sidering withdrawing as an independent Fire Department and going back to the County plan. He asked how this would affect Downey°s Paramedic Program. Chief Wood replied this is a problem being considered at the present time. He pointed out Downey entered into automatic aid agreements with Los Angeles County and has been unable to implement these plans until this time. He indicated he is unable to answer at this time what affect this would have on the Paramedic Program. He plans to take this problem into consideration during the next Budget study period. Mayor Jennings noted tomorrow is the bid opening for Water Bonds, and he re- quested the City Manager prepare a statement for Council°s perusal of costs including interest for the balance of this fiscal year. Councilman Greene said Ms. Vartanian has suggested the Council Chamber ceiling not be lowered as much as proposed, and he feels this should be given some consideration. Mr. Spindel was requested to review the matter further. Councilman Greene then suggested paneling be placed across the windows in the Chamber to make the room more uniform. Ms. Vartanian addressed the City Council and suggested consideration also be given to installing a fluorescent type of lighting in the Chamber that uses less energy. She did not concur with closing the windows in the Chamber because they pro- vide ventilation in the event the air conditioning system is not working. Mayor Jennings stated the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance became effective January 14th and hopefully it will enforce clean-up of the School District property on Brookshire Avenue. Councilman Miller inquired regarding the status of the committee studying the Property Tax Refund. Mr. Thompson said the committee plans to meet again after the Water Bond sale. - Mayor Jennings said Mr. Thompson and Mr. Spindel have been asked to prepare names and information necessary to assemble an Architectural Design Review Board, which is called for in the new Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. The Council will be meeting to make a decision regarding the appointments. Councilman Jackman informed the Council he will be meeting with the E. W. Ward P.T.A. on January 19th regarding the problem of recent kidnapping. He asked the Police Department to supply him with information regarding what it is doing about this case and what it intends to do to prevent something like this in the future. Chief Martin replied he will also be attending the meeting. Chief Wood explained he spoke to a Lieutenant of the State Police regarding the State sharing patrol of the 105 Freeway area. Chief Martin advised the patrol began last week --it is 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., January 24, 1978, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall for a joint work session with the Planning Commission regarding the Preliminary Redevelopment Plan. R-Aert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer William L. Greene, Mayor Pro Tom Council Minutes 1/16/78 (adjourned) -3-