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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-04-21-81-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING APRIL 21, 1981 The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:30 p.m., April 21, 1981, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor/Chairman Theodore H. Jackman presiding. PRESENT: City Council/Commissioners: Lyell W. Swearingen Milton R. Mackaig Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairman James T. Quinn Robert G. Cormack Theodore H. Jackman Mayor/Chairman ALSO PRESENT: Loren D. Morgan, Acting City Manager William A. Goggin, City Planner Harry Rayson, Building Official Charles G. Eccleston, Traffic Engineer Thomas Tincher, Housing & Redevelopment Coordinator Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer CITY 'COUNCIL Civic Center Architect Report Mr. Morgan reported on the many hours spent in reviewing proposals of archi- tectural firms and conducting interviews. It is staff's recommendation that the City Manager be authorized to enter into negotiations to result in a contract with the firm of Kenneth R. Wing & Willis R. Hanes to be architect of the Civic Center Complex. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and -- passed by the following vote to have the architectural firm of King & Gibbs of Long Beach to do the architectural work on the new Civic Center. Discussion followed. AYES: 5 Council Members: Swearingen, Mackaig, Quinn, Cormack, Jackman Mr. Morgan indicated staff will be happy to work with the firm of King & Gibbs. Mr. Tincher added that Republic Development has hired its architect, and the hotel architect will be at City Hall tomorrow. It is hoped a meeting can be arranged next week for all of the architects to meet. Mr. Morgan commented on a letter from the City of Huntington Beach inquiring whether Downey would be interested in participating in the Municipal Homeowners " Insurance Program. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen and seconded by Councilman Mackaig that a letter be sent in support of the program. Mr. King thanked the Council for awarding the architectural contract for the new Civic Center to King & Gibbs. The meeting was then recessed to a closed session from 4:45 p.m. to 4:55 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter. The meeting resumed with all Council Members present. It was moved by Councilman Cormack, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and passed by unanimous vote to reclassify the Real Estate Officer from Step 25 to Step 27. Mr. Morgan said the City Attorney has requested approval of the Project Area .Committee be by Council action. Mr. Tincher reported on the status of compiling a list of people interested in participating on the committee. Appointment of the Committee would have to be by April 25th, and it is appropriate for the Council to approve the Committee as out- lined, with the names of the representatives being filled in as this progresses. It was moved by Councilman Cormack, seconded by Councilman Mackaig, and passed by unanimous vote to approve the Project Area Committee as presented, with final confirmation of the committee members by the City Council. City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 4/21/81 (adj.) -1- ME CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION The joint meeting was called to order with all Council Members/Commissioners present. The meeting was then transferred to the West Conference Room for the study session on the Firestone Corridor and Downtown Plans. A discussion was held regarding traffic and rapid transit. Councilman Cormack indicated that in the Firestone corridor he would ]Like to see 50 percent more parking required than what has been planned for in the past. Mr. Eccleston commented on RTD bus stops on major thoroughfares in the City. Councilman Mackaig stated the Chamber of Commerce is concerned about the park- ing area allotted in the Civic Center, including the hotel and Theatre. Mr. Tincher stated this matter will be looked at thoroughly and professionally. Further discussion ensued. Mr. Eccleston highlighted plans regarding transportation for the Firestone corridor. Councilman Cormack feels the City should demand RTD to use another route until the I-105 Freeway is completed. He indicated it would be his intent to make a mo- tion to turn down widening Firestone and re -introduce parking until such time as the Freeway is completed. Mr. Eccleston pointed out the necessity for the architect's plans of the hotel to include the possibility of widening Firestone. Mayor Jackman said plans should include eventual widening of Firestone in order to accommodate parking for people who will use the shopping centers and businesses, but not necessarily to make Firestone a continual thoroughfare for traffic and buses. Mr. Eccleston commented on the recommendations for future widening of Third Street should redevelopment occur in the downtown area and to construct a loop _ underpass for Firestone Boulevard service road at the Rio San Gabriel bridge. Second Street would be phased out, and it is proposed to expand Third Street and signalize its intersection at Downey Avenue. Mr. Eccleston referred to other areas in the City where signals may be needed in the future. Councilman Swearingen asked if anything is scheduled for Fifth Street. Mr. Eccleston explained alternative routes would take the demand off Fifth Street, and the report on the Firestone Corridor Reinvestment Plan addresses this issue. Councilman Swearingen also cited the bottleneck problem at Stonewood Shopping Center entrance on Firestone. Mr. Eccleston said it is proposed to review the length of Firestone and the possibility of different side -by -side left turn pockets. He also commented on plans to eventually replace the obsolete bridges and to underground utilities. Mr. Tincher stated the hearing on the Environmental Impact Report for both the Firestone Corridor and Downtown Plans is scheduled for April 29th. The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. a/� �_4Z Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 4/21/81 (adj.) -2-