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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-09-20-78-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 1978 The City Council/Community Development Commission held an adjourned regular meeting at 3:30 p.m., September 20, 1978, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor/Chairman William L. Greene presiding. PRESENT: Council Members/Commissioners: Theodore H. Jackman Kenneth J. Miller Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairman Milton R. Mackaig Lyell W. Swearingen William L. Greene Mayor/Chairman ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development Martin F. Wynne, Director of Finance John T. Neavill, Director of Parks & Recreation William F. Martin, Police Chief Don Davis, Fire Chief Howard Stup, Building Official Thomas Tincher, Housing & Redevelopment Coordinator Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Mr. Tincher presented for review the 1978-79 Reinvestment in Downey Work Program and Budget and the Redevelopment Project Work Program and Budget. He said the budgets represent the financial commitment which will result in construction of new development and reinvestment taking place in Downey. Mr. Tincher commented on the various elements contained in the two programs and summarized what the over- all work program is purporting to do. Questions were raised regarding code enforcement. Mr. Thompson reported on the progress of sign-ups for the reinvestment program and its relation to code enforcement. He said the first approach would be for voluntary compliance of the code. Commissioner Jackman questioned whether the policy of code enforcement will be only for rehabilitation areas or throughout the entire City, and also whether there will be a need to increase the City staff. Mr. Thompson stated the enforcement would be based on those items in the Housing Code dealing primarily with structural defects, as well as health and safety type hazards. Cosmetic improvements of property would also be encouraged. Enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance is quite often done on complaint. Chairman Greene feels there is a lack of enforcement on vehicles being parked on property and bearing "for sale" signs. Chief Martin will check into this. Commissioner Jackman requested a list of code elements applicable to the Redevelopment Program. Commissioner Mackaig referred to Page 4 of the Reinvestment in Downey Work Program and asked how crime prevention and police protection fit in. Mr. Thompson replied it was listed because it was the residents' first concern in the Gardendale/Paramount area. Commissioner Jackman also referred to Page 4 of the Reinvestment in Downey Work Program and questioned removal of blighted areas along Paramount Boulevard. Mr. Thompson replied staff will be going into this area and developing a specific plan for upgrading. Commissioner Jackman said he does not want to authorize money to remove any commercial projects in the redevelopment zone until he sees the overall program. He then referred to Page 6 regarding the Golden Park area and questioned the need Council/Comm. Dev. Comm. Minutes 9/20/78 (adj.) -1- to assess park and recreation needs and to adopt a site plan for the park. He did say there is a drinking fountain in the park which needs repair, but he feels the part facility is ideal and adequate in size. Mr. Thompson explained the Council approved the 14 most prominent areas need- ing improvement in the City. He noted that each area has different needs, and after neighborhood meetings, determination has been made as to what the residents feel is the most critical problem. Discussion followed. Mr. Tincher reviewed the fund analysis of the Reinvestment in Downey Budget. Commissioner Jackman questioned approving the budget at this time and asked that the specific projects be brought back one at a time for approval. Mr. Tincher stated that even with the budget's approval, staff will individu- ally bring the projects back to the Council. He asked for particular attention to be given to the Capital Improvements Budget. Discussion ensued, wherein it was explained that any moneys spent out of the General Fund by the Commission for redevelopment purposes would have to be reim- bursed back into the General Fund out of Redevelopment Funds. The General Fund money would be considered as an advance to the agency. Commissioner Jackman questioned the $45,000 shown as an amount the Commission owes the City. Mr. Wynne explained this amount is an expence of the Redevelopment Agency for City staff services, and the staff services have already been appropriated in the General Fund. CITY COUNCIL Councilman Mackaig left the meeting at 5:01 p.m. With the consent of the Council, Mayor Greene then asked Mr. Scott Temple to discuss the Sister City Program. Mr. Scott Temple, 12249 South Rives Avenue, reviewed Downey's Sister City affiliation with the City of Guadelajara, Mexico, and the many exchanges enjoyed through the years such as culture, summer and Easter student programs, and the exchange of City queens. He commented on the many benefits provided to Guadalajara by the Sister City Association and requested the Council to concur with the program and to provide its moral support. Mr. Thompson said he was contacted by a member of the Guadalajara Sister City Association inviting the Downey Mayor and other delegates to visit Guadalajara on October 6th. He indicated Downey's support of the program would not necessarily mean in terms of money, and he offered his personal help to the program. Councilman Swearingen said he is not in favor of eliminating the program. Mayor Greene said the City will support the Sister City Program, but empha- sized the Association will have to raise its own funds. Councilman Miller concurred with supporting the Sister City Program as long as there is no financial obligation on the part of the City. Mayor Greene mentioned he is not planning to go to Guadalajara October 6th. It was moved by Councilman Jackman, seconded by Councilman Miller, and passed by the following vote to approve the appropriation of $2500 from the Unappropriated Fund. Balance into Account No. 10 4 1130.0070 - Contractural Services not Otherwise Classified, for the proposed Charter Amendments on Consolidated Statewide Election Ballot, November 7, 1978. AYES: 4 Council Members: Jackman, Miller, Swearingen, Greene ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Mackaig CENTRACOM Radio System - Joint Fire Communications Mr. Wynne reviewed his report to Council as a result of concerns expressed regarding Downey's financing of the system while the other cities involved will Council/Comm. Dev. Comm. Minutes 9/20/78 (adj.) -2- pay their share on an annual basis over the next five years. He pointed out this method would be of benefit to the City of Downey. Councilman Jackman feels all four cities should pay their proportionate share for the purchase and pay equally into the Equipment Replacement Fund. Chief Davis emphasized the need for the equipment. He indicated he will check with the other cities to see if they will pay their share to finance the system. Councilman Miller asked if it is planned to have the equipment tied in with the 911 Communication System. Chief Davis said yes, the equipment can be incorporated into a joint system with the Police Department. Councilman Miller asked that this be taken under submission and brought back for the full Council to vote. Chief Davis will report back on the other cities' decisions. A discussion was held regarding the League of California Cities Resolutions. It was noted Downey has submitted several resolutions for League consideration at its next meeting. Councilman Miller is the City's delegate to the League. He stated he will go along with the recommendation on each resolution as presented. None of the Council Members voiced objections to the resolutions. A discussion followed regarding the Crossing Guards. It was suggested this be discussed with members of the PTA to go over the problems involved. The various locations will be reviewed to make sure they are needed. The Council then discussed setting another work session. Mayor Greene feels the Council will need to have a study session every other week there is not a regularly scheduled Council Meeting. Mr. Tincher said the Redevelopment Program should move ahead in order to finalize some of the owner participation agreements now being considered. Councilman Swearingen asked that each item be brought to the Council as needed. Mr. Wynne suggested at the next meeting the Council approve the budgets pre- sented, except the capital improvement items. Councilman Jackman stated he will be out of town next week and will not return until October 2nd. Mr. Thompson commented on the need to have a study session as soon as possible because of the work now under way on the loan assistance program. Councilman Jackman indicated he has no objection to the continuation of the rehabilitation loans or the code enforcement program. A study session was set for 4:00 p.m., October 3, 1978. Mr. Tincher pointed out the contract with Municipal Services, Inc., has expired. He requested authorization for a one -month extension of the contract so that Municipal Services can continue to work on the program. It is anticipated - Municipal Services will work on the program for the next ten months on a monthlv retainer. Another work session to study the proposed budgets was set for 4:00 p.m., September 25, 1978. .At 6:32 p.m., the meeting was then adjourned to 4:00 p.m., September 25, 1978, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall. Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer William L. Greene, Mayor Council/Comm. Dev. Comm. Minutes 9/20/78 (adj.) -3-