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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-06-26-84-Adjourned Regular MeetingYS� MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 26, 1984 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:30 p.m., June 26, 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 James R. Jarrett, Acting Director of Community Services Vicky Jenkins, City Librarian Harald J. Henriksen, City Engineer Greg Mayfield, Water Superientendent Jim Child, Superintendent of Physical Services Kevin O'Connor, Theatre Manager Scot Yotsuya, Assistant to the City Manager Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Council Member -Elect Diane Boggs, 8629 Meadow Road, requested to be seated as representative for Downey Council District One, inasmuch as she has been certified and duly elected for the seat and that the current Council Member has moved out of the City. Mayor Cormack said this matter will be taken up at the 7:30 meeting. Lennie Whittington, 8542 Manatee, also requested that Diane Boggs be seated as Council Member. Mayor Cormack again indicated the matter will be taken up at 7:30. Study Session - City of Downey Budget for Fiscal Year 1984-85 Councilman Davila referred to the Police Department Budget and said he has second thoughts about a scrambler for the Police Department. He said a proposal should be made that the Council be provided with walkie-talkies so that they can monitor the police calls and keep informed as to what is taking place in the City. Chief Martin commented regarding the proposed scrambler units to be purchased. Referred to staff. Mayor Cormack declared a recess from 4:45 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.. The meeting resumed with all Council Members present. Diane Boggs mentioned she has questions regarding certain items contained in the budget already reviewed, and she hopes the Council will go back and take a second look before the budget is adopted. Mr. Ovrom commenced with review of the following Departmental Budgets: Public Works: Lengthy discussions were held regarding tree trimming and street sweeping. There were no additions or deletions. Council Minutes 6/26/84 (adj.) -1- 9t�sq Community Services: On Page I-183, Account 560 - $5,000 for telephone, was removed because it is included in the telephone budget. On Page I-188, Account 930 - $1,550 for Furniture -Fixtures was deleted, inasmuch as it is contained in capital outlay. Mr. Ovrom said on Page I-202 - Library, $33,000 should be added to Account No. 400 - Services and Maintenance of Other Equipment, which includes the computer agreement with Santa Fe Springs and Whittier. Also, the same amount will be added to revenue. Account 900 - Office Equipment, and Account No. 930 - Furniture -Fixtures, were deleted because they are included in Capital Equipment. Councilman Davila would like the Library hours to be extended to be open on a regular basis. Councilman Barb does not feel that video cassettes or rentals of videos belong under the jurisdiction of the City Library, inasmuch as it is in competition with local video businesses. Videos should be deleted from the Library unless they are for educational purposes. Community Development: Pages I-233, I-234, and I-235 are to be dropped and incorporated elsewhere. There were no other additions or deletions. Mr. Ovrom reviewed the items proposed for change, deletion or addition to the various funds of the City Budget. Ms. Boggs made an inquiry regarding the prospect of an in-house City Attorney. Mr. Santangelo suggested that with the possible loss of Federal funds in the future, the Council could consider cutting some of the Budget and increase the reserves. It was agreed to increase the reserves $300,000. Councilman Barb cited the need for another Paramedic unit in the City. Mr. Ovrom indicated staff will bring back a study regarding this matter the first meeting in August. The Fire Chief would need 90 days to study response time. Mr. Lennie Whittington inquired if any consideration has been given to consolidating the Fire and Police into a central dispatch. He was informed this has been discussed several times. Councilman Davila suggested adding the position of Associate Planner to the Planning Division. A discussion was held regarding the tree planting program. With the exception of Councilman Davila being opposed, the Council was in favor of $13,000 for tree planting. The Council then discussed the cost of $55,000 for tree trimming, which includes contract services and an additional employee. The subject of street sweeping was also discussed. Staff was requested to look into the problem of debris being left behind after the sweeper has gone by. Mr. Whittington suggested consideration be given to the possibility of a volunteer program to operate the sweeper in the evenings in the downtown area. It was pointed out there would be liability involved. Mr. Ovrom commented regarding the additional costs that would be needed to increase the Library hours. Joyce Lawrence, 9627 Cheddar, Chairman of the Downey Library Advisory Board, said the Board recommended a part-time budget increase to support the Library being open 58 hours a week. Questions were raised regarding the costs for different levels of increased Library hours. Council Minutes 6/26/84 (adj.) -2- �2V66 Councilman Barb agrees with granting an additional five percent increase over last year for the Library. Also, he wants to get rid of all video cassettes that are not educational. Following discussion, it was moved by Councilman Barb, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and passed by unanimous vote to increase the Library budget to $60,000 and allow staff to work toward bringing the Library up to 58 hours a week. It was moved by Councilman Davila and seconded by Councilman Barb to approve $20,000 for the Downey Chamber of Commerce. The next Budget Study Session will be set at the end of the regular Council Meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p. Robert L. aCity Clerk -Treasurer Y Council Minutes 6/26/84 (adj.) -3-