HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-06-19-84-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 19, 1984
The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting
at 5:00 p.m., June 19, 1984, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall,
Mayor Robert G. Cormack presiding.
Present: Council Members:
- Robert G. Cormack Mayor
Ted H. Jackman Mayor Pro Tem
Randall R. Barb
Bob Davila
James T. Quinn
ALSO PRESENT: Bud Ovrom, City Manager
Carl K. Newton, City Attorney
William A. Ralph, Director of Public Works
James R. Cutts, Director of Community Development
Lee Powell, Director of Administrative Services
William F. Martin, Police Chief
Don Davis, Fire Chief
Vicky Jenkins, City Librarian
James R. Jarrett, Acting Director of Community Services
Lt. Dennis Chelstom, Police Department
Harald J. Henriksen, City Engineer
Lowell Williams, Finance Manager
Greg Mayfield, Water Superintendent
Jim Child, Superintendent of Physical Services
Scot Yotsuya, Assistant to the City Manager
Sylvia Garcia, Adm. Assistant/Communications Specialist
Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer
Mayor Cormack recessed the meeting for closed session from 5:00 p.m. to
6:45 p.m. to discuss pending or potential litigation. The meeting resumed
with all Council Members present.
Mr. Ovrom mentioned at the request of Council, an Ordinance declaring a
Moratorium on Mini -Marts in Gas Stations was prepared by staff in order that
Council might further consider the matter. Subsequently, the Planning
Commission has approved two more mini -marts, but an urgency Ordinance would
hold them in abeyance until such time as the Council has had an opportunity to
review what it wants the City's policy to be. The proposed Ordinance would
establish a moratorium for 45 days. Extension of the Ordinance would require
a public hearing.
Councilman Davila feels there should be a public hearing before a
mortatorium is approved.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
DECLARING A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF ANY BUILDING
PERMITS FOR, OR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF, ANY USE WITHIN THE
MEANING OF THE TERM "DRIVE-IN MINI -MART" PENDING
ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING REGULATIONS FOR SUCH USE BY THE
CITY; SAID ORDINANCE TO BE ADOPTED AS AN URGENCY ORDINANCE
PURSUANT TO SECTION 65858 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE
The Ordinance was read by title only pending decision of the Council
whether to introduce the Ordinance or adopt it as an urgency measure, which
would require full reading of the text. It was moved by Councilman Barb and
seconded by Councilman Quinn to adopt.
Councilman Barb requested approval of the 45-day moratorium to give the
Council and staff time to consider the issue, and then have a hearing and take
public testimony. He commented on the need to consider this issue because of
the proliferation of mini -marts in the City.
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Councilmen Jackman and Davila indicated they will vote "no."
Councilman Quinn said he will vote "yes."
Councilman Barb then withdrew his motion indicating he does not see the
need to go forward with the Ordinance as an urgency. He requested the Chair,
on his behalf, to direct staff to begin studying this issue. He did ask that
the Ordinance be brought back the second meeting in July with a staff report
on what other cities are doing and what the problems might be, and then at
that time the Council can decide whether to adopt as an urgency.
Mayor Cormack instructed staff to bring the Ordinance back the second
meeting in July in the same form.
Reconsideration of Redevelopment Ordinances
Mr. Ovrom explained there are two ordinances that have passed first
reading but are inconsistent with each other. The Ordinance adopting the
Redevelopment Plan has Rancho Los Amigos property included. The Ordinance
which approves agreement with the County concerning the Tax Increment split
excludes the Rancho property. He has attempted to contact Supervisor
SchabarUm to learn what the County's position might be, but was unable to
reach him. Mr. Ovrom then suggested the Council might want to consider
introducing two additional inconsistent Odinances, one on the Redevelopment
Plan which deletes the Rancho property, and an Ordinance concerning Tax
Increment Funds with the Rancho property included. This way, four options
would be available for a second reading when the Council chose to do so. A
new Ordinance adopting the Redevelopment Plan has been prepared deleting the
Rancho property, but it was not possible to draft a new Ordinance on the Tax
Increment split. It would depend on when the Council chose to adopt the
Ordinances as to whether the additional Ordinance should be introduced this
evening.
It was moved by Councilman Davila, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and
passed by unanimous vote to continue this to the first meeting in July.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
AMENDING SECTION 2101 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO PLACE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
The Ordinance was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Quinn,
seconded by Councilman Barb, and passed by unanimous vote to waive further
reading and to introduce.
ORDINANCE NO. 754
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
AMENDING THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE BY REPEALING, IN THEIR
ENTIRETY, CHAPTERS 5 AND 5.5 RELATING TO CHARITABLE AND
RELIGIOUS SOLICITATIONS, RESPECTIVELY, AND ADOPTING A NEW
CHAPTER 5, COMMENCING WITH SECTION 4500, ET. SEQ., RELATING
TO BOTH CHARITABLE AND RELIGIOUS SOLICIATIONS
The Ordinance was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Quinn,
seconded by Councilman Barb, and passed by the following vote to waive further
reading and to adopt.
Councilman Davila would like further time to study the Ordinance.
AYES: 4 Council Members: Jackman, Barb, Quinn, Cormack
ABSTAIN: 1 Council Member: Davila
ORDINANCE NO. 755
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REPEALING SECTION 6114 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE
WHICH SAID SECTION RELATES TO EXCLUSIONS AND EXEMPTIONS
FOR STATE ASSESSED PROPERTIES
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reading and to adopt.
Mayor Cormack explained there is a Stamps Foundation Grant for the Downey
Community Theatre for new upholstery and cushions, on condition the City makes
available the sum of $25,000-$35,000.
It was moved by Councilman Quinn, seconded by Councilman Barb, and passed
by unanimous vote to approve appropriating $35,000 out of the Budget towards
upholstery for the Downey Community Theatre.
RESOLUTION NO. 4414
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS NO LONGER NEEDED
(FIRE DEPARTMENT)
The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Quinn,
seconded by Councilman Barb, and passed by unanimous vote to waive further
reading and to adopt.
Mr. Ovrom commented on a request from the Mayor of Norwalk requesting a
meeting with Downey's Mayor or Council representative to meet and discuss the
reoccuring problem of noise emanating from the Alpase Company. The Company is
not in violation of Downey's ordinance because it is in an industrial zone,
but the contiguous area in Norwalk is in a residential zone.
It was suggested this matter be held pending reorganization of the
Council.
Joyce Lawrence, 9627 Cheddar, speaking as President-elect of the Downey
Historical Society, mentioned the Society made a recommendation regarding
preserving some of the features from the old City Hall. The areas recommended
for preservation include the archway of the entry into the building and the
panels that say "Downey Grammar School" and two Presidential medallians on
each side of the doorway. She asked whether this can be included with plans
already being considered so that the art works can be saved without great
expense to the Historical Society or the City.
Mr. Ovrom mentioned that if the archway is to be saved, demolition of the
old City Hall is scheduled to begin Thursday, June 28th. It is his
understanding it would cost around $2,000-$3,000 to remove the objects and an
additional $10,000 to reconstruct them at another location.
It was moved by Councilman Quinn, seconded by Councilman Barb, and passed
by unanimous vote to allot $3,000 and direct staff to proceed.
Discussion followed.
AYES: 3 Council Members: Jackman, Cormack, Quinn
NOES: 2 Council Members: Barb, Davila
Mayor Cormack declared a recess. The meeting resumed with all Council
Members present.
Mr. Ovrom commenced with his review of the City of Downey Budget for
Fiscal Year 1984-85, noting where increases in revenue and expenditures are
anticipated. He mentioned Chief Martin is requesting a police radio scrambler
be included in the Police Department Budget in the amount of $19,025.
Councilman Davila would like to see a study made on the use of a Taser
weapon by the Police Department.
The following items were requested to be added to the Budget:
An upholstery scrubber and floor scrubber for the Theatre, in the amount
of $4,000.
Two motorcycle radios for the Police Department totaling $2,600.
Mr. Ovrom continued with his review of the Budget, which included a
summary of full-time employee positions. He mentioned the City Attorney's
budget has increased due to the handling of litigation cases resulting from
liability claims against the City. Mr. Ovrom noted the Non -Departmental
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account is proposed to be eliminated, and all items contained in this account
will be transferred to departmental budgets.
The following budgets were individually reviewed:
City Council: There were no additions or deletions.
City Attorney: There were no additions or deletions.
Clerk -Treasurer: There were no additions or deletions.
City Manager: There were no additions or deletions.
Administrative Services: There were no additions or deletions.
Police Department: There were no additions or deletions.
Fire Department: Councilman Barb expressed concern that a major portion
of District 4 is being handled by the Santa Fe Springs paramedics, and he
feels there should be a paramedics unit also located in his District. He
noted there are times when the paramedic response time is far too long.
Chief Davis replied the City has much better response than other cities,
and it is felt this method is the most cost effective use of personnel and the
tax dollar and still providing good level of service.
Mr. Ovrom mentioned a study on this matter was done and submitted to the
Council, and the Council chose to take no action.
Councilman Barb suggested the engine at Station No. 4 be substituted with
a paramedic unit and then have a reciprocal agreement with Santa Fe Springs on
the engine.
Mr. Ovrom indicated another feasibility study can conducted regarding the
paramedic program.
Chief Davis commented on the need for a Public Education Specialist.
Councilman Barb requested the Public Education Specialist position be
dropped and that another Paramedic squad be added to the budget. He made a
motion to remove the Public Education Specialist Position from the Budget,
which died for lack of a second.
Chief Davis noted another paramedic squad would cost around $300,000
annually. There would be additional costs for start-up.
There were no additions or deletions to the Fire Department Budget.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m to 4:30 p.m., June 26, 1984, in
the Council Chamber of t�owney City Hall, for continued Budget Study.
RobAP/IL'
. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer R rt Corm c , Mayor
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