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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-12-07-82-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 7, 1982 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 6.30 p.m., December 7, 1982, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor James T. Quinn presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: James T. Quinn Robert G. Cormack Theodore H. Jackman Randall R. Barb Bob Davila Mayor Mayor Pro'Tem ALSO PRESENT: William F. Martin, City Manager Pro Tem Dudley Lang, Assistant City Manager William A. Ralph, Director of Public Works Francis E. Carter, City Planner Harald J. Henriksen, City Engineer Charles G. Eccleston, Traffic Engineer William Sumner, Fire Marshal Michael Wagner, Consultant Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Quinn recessed the meeting to closed session from 6:30 p.m. to 7:48 p.m. to discuss potential litigation. The meeting resumed with all Council Members present. Mayor Quinn announced during closed session the Council reached a decision on litigation concerning a claim, plus direction on litigation to the City Manager. Study Session concerning Parking on Highways and Streets Mr. Wagner explained for the past several years staff has worked on the Fire- stone Corridor Plan and the Downtown Plan and has concluded after lengthy study that it would be desirable to provide adequate right-of-way and to not allow buildings to be constructed in a future right-of-way on Firestone of 120 feet. He commented on plans for future construction of buildings on Firestone, as well as new construction already completed, pointing out there are other sites on the street which are to be redeveloped to a new and more intensive use. He said a trend has developed of more office space and more uses on Firestone, which will result in additional traffic on that street. Firestone has the highest rate of accidents, many of which involve parked vehicles. Mr. Wagner outlined several alternatives concerning future developments along Firestone and said staff is recommending de- velopment not occur on property within the 10 foot setback beyond the proposed 120 foot right-of-way width. He also commented on the number of vehicles travelling daily along Firestone, noting that 82 percent is local traffic for people coming to the City to do business or people who actually live in the City. He referred to the extensive study done by staff concerning the Firestone Corridor Plan and recommended the new Council Members study this. He said in conjunction to staff's recommendation to maintain the 120 foot right-of-way setback along Firestone, the Council recommended Third Street be widened to 80 feet and Civic Center Drive be maintained at 80 feet. Mr. Eccleston responded to questions concerning how the percentage was deter- mined for local traffic using Firestone Boulevard. Mayor Quinn concurred with the recommendation for 120 foot right-of-way width. Councilman Cormack questioned the percentage figures for traffic along Fire- stone and requested this be studied further by the City, inasmuch as he feels the figures are reversed. Councilman Jackman commented on attempts made to improve the downtown area, noting people are more interested in shopping at Stonewood or Cerritos. He said to rebuild the ordinary retail business in the downtown area is a waste of time. He concurs with widening Firestone to keep traffic moving, but he does not want to destroy the businesses along that street at the present time. Councilman Jackman feels the businesses should be allowed to provide their input to any plan for the Firestone corridor and suggested staff come back with a plan including the estima- ted cost of a study to revitalize Downey. Council Minutes 12/7/82 (adj.) -1- Councilman Cormack suggested staff look into how the city of Whittier has improved its downtown area. Mayor Quinn pointed out the 14 inch high curbs along Firestone restrict people from exiting the passenger side of their vehicles. Councilman Davila said many Downey citizens have to travel through the City in order to get to work in another city. He would like to know what percentage of Downey citizens work outside the City. Mr. Martin indicated staff will prepare a cost estimate for a traffic study, which will reflect through traffic on Firestone and residential traffic, if possible. He said revitalization of the downtown area would be a separate study, and staff will come back with a cost estimate and time frame for that study. Councilman Barb questioned whether such a study would provide adequate informa- tion, and he feels there are other things which can be done without creating an expense to the City. He commented on results of reports he has reviewed concerning traffic in the City and mentioned the Downtown Reinvestment Plan proposes downtown for a future financial and office area, which he said will produce less traffic than a retail area. Councilman Barb suggested where necessary on Florence Avenue or Firestone Boulevard that a two-hour parking restriction be placed during peak hours, but it should be left clear the rest of the day, especially in front of automobile dealers and large businesses, and lower some of the curbs if they are too high. He does not concur with developers being prohibited from developing the front portion of their property along one of the most valuable areas in the City. He asked under what authority the City will restrict the development, and he was informed the Firestone Corridor Plan contains this requirement, which was approved by the Council. Mr. Carter commented on the difference between proposed setback of properties in the Firestone corridor as opposed to the rest of the City. He said major high- ways have 120 feet right-of-way, and secondary highways have 8o feet right-of-way. Discussion followed. Mayor Quinn said a 240-room hotel will increase traffic on Firestone. Councilman Cormack reiterated he would like staff to review what has resulted with improvements to the old downtown section of Whittier. He would like .a deter- mination of whether the traffic figures on Firestone are correct. He said with a declining population, he would like to know why it is necessary to increase the width and remove cars from the street to move traffic which is getting worse along Firestone and Florence. Mr. Martin again said staff will prepare a report regarding the cost for the study and the time frame. Councilman Cormack also requested citizens of Downey be contacted through the newspaper or the Communicator regarding their views of what they would like Downey to be. Mr. Ken Miller, 7336 Cleargrove Drive, requested the Council's permission to review the work sheets of the Diehl, Evans & Co. audit of the Downey Community Hospital project. He was informed by Mayor Quinn that the personal notes and work sheets are not public property. Mr. Miller then indicated there is conflicting information on this matter. Mayor Quinn, Councilman Cormack, and Councilman Jackman each said no to Mr. Miller's request. Study session regarding Capital Projects Mr. Henriksen distributed information showing an analysis on the condition of City streets; surveys of the latest and complete from 1979, including ratings of some of the major streets; and an analysis and study of streets and alleys without concrete gutters. He cited the continuous backlog of streets in need of storm drains, which he said are usually funded with Gas Tax money. A list was prepared in January of this year of streets to be included for FAU funding, and staff also prepared a list of streets for inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which must go for review by the County, SCAG, Sacramento, and then to the Federal Highway Administration for approval. Mr. Henriksen distributed a list of projects approved in the budget which concern primarily Gas Tax and FAU Funds, but also includes some General Fund projects, which he said are projects staff is now working on. He referred to the proposed median landscaping project on Lakewood Boulevard between Gallatin Road and the Southern Pacific Railroad south of Firestone Council Minutes 12/7/82 (adj.) -2- 70 9z and indicated a review was made to see if there could be any improvements to pro- vide better access in some of the areas, and it was decided to remove some of the medians. Mr. Henriksen commented on other proposed street projects in the City, which include upgrading some of the older traffic signals to newer standards. He mentioned a consultant has been hired to do a Citywide sewer analysis. He indica- ted the pedestrian overpass over the Santa Ana Freeway is shown on the list of projects but is not actually included in the budget because it does not involve money other than an allocation of FAU funds. ' Councilman Davila commented regarding the complaints he has received concerning noise made by emergency vehicles leaving the Fire Station on Paramount at Orange and said the residents were promised a traffic signal would be installed at that location. Mr. Eccleston responded that at the Fire Department's request staff analyzed the access at the Fire Stations on each major highway, and it was felt the access needs at this time did not warrant the costs. Mr. Martin said staff will review the costs for an automatically activated signal at Paramount and Orange. Mr. Henriksen requested Council direction concerning the median islands on Lakewood Boulevard, which staff proposes to modify to provide better access. He also requested the length of the project be increased to Telegraph Road. It was indicated this will be brought back to the Council for decision at its regular meeting of December 14th. It was noted that following the Council's review of the information on Capital Projects, another study session will be set after the holidays. Mr. Martin explained the State has expressed a desire to allow the contract for law enforcement in the I-105 Freeway Corridor lapse at the end of the month, but that following discussions he has been contacted by Caltrans indicating they are willing to extend the contract through June 30, 1983. RESOLUTION NO. 4183 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AN EXTENSION TO CONTRACT #U-7963 WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE SECURITY PATROL IN THE I-105 FREEWAY AREA The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Jackman, seconded by Councilman Cormack, and passed by unanimous vote to waive further read- ing and to adopt Resolution No. 4183. It was moved by Mayor Quinn, seconded by Councilman Cormack, and passed by unanimous vote to reappoint Thomas H. Morton to the Mosquito Abatement District. Mayor Quinn commented regarding two new senior citizen vans, one of which is now in service. He said requests have been made that the two older vans also be replaced, and he asked if they can be purchased from Proposition A Funds. Mr. Eccleston replied an additional van has been requested under Proposition A Funds. This, he said, will increase the fleet size, and two additional drivers are included in the proposal. Councilman Barb suggested consideration be given to purchasing diesel -operated, long-range type vehicles that will last a long time. Mr. Ralph explained his department's function on this matter has been to re- view only as to specifications. The individual department involved with the purchase will review this to make sure it is the right piece of equipment for the use required. Mayor Quinn requested staff check into the flag that is to be flown 24 hours a day over the Veterans Memorial. Mr. Martin stated a problem exists, in that someone cut the rope. A new rope is on order. in Mayor Quinn asked that the Council Agenda for 'December 14th include ad Davila's Council Minutes 12/7/82 (adj.) -3- 70 �3 Councilman Jackmanreferred to the Traffic Committee minutes and asked why the Committee recommended not reinstating the bus stop at Paramount and Lubec. Mr. Eccleston replied the Committee felt the potential impact of the park -and - ride lot would be a key, issue as to whether the bus stop should be reinstated. Also, discussion was held with people who signed the petition, a majority of whom live closer to the stop', at Florence and Paramount, and a report will be brought to the Council December 14th. Mr. Eccleston mentioned Mr. Mittleman has been contacted, whose main concern has been the Line 460, and he will be attending the January 6th -Traffic Committee meeting. Councilman Jackman requested he be kept informed regarding this matter. Councilman Barb asked for a copy of the information concerning developers and plots related to the I-105 Freeway. Mr. Wagner explained a search was made of the files but there was no list. He was informed by one of the Century Freeway project workers that of the eight pro- jects with statements of interest to participate, only one project submitted three sites, which is New Frontier Ventures. No sites in Downey were approved for Century Freeway Housing Funding. Mayor Quinn commented on the progress he has seen on the Diller Project. Councilman Davila extended his appreciation to the City Council for the flowers it sent to his mother's' funeral. The meeting was adjourned at 9:44 p.m. r Robert L. Shana,.City Clerk -Treasurer James T. Quinn, May`o7 C_.' Council Minutes 12/7/82 (adj.) -4-