HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-07-15-85-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
JULY 15, 1985
The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting
at 2:08 p.m., July 15, 1985, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall, Mayor
Bob Davila presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Bob Davila
James S. Santangelo
Diane P. Boggs
Robert G. Cormack
Randall R. Barb
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
(arrived at 2:16 p.m.)
ALSO PRESENT: Don Davis, City Manager Pro Tem
William A. Ralph, Director of Public Works
James R. Cutts, Director of Community Development
Lee Powell, Director of Administrative Services
James R. Jarrett, Director of Community Services
William Sumner, Fire Marshal
F. D. Shade, Police Captain
Harald Henriksen, City Engineer
Scot Yotsuya, Assistant to the City Manager
Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer
Mr. Lee Smith, 7205 Coolgrove, spoke in opposition to the posted sign on
Suva prohibiting right turns between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. and on Paramount pro-
hibiting right turns between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m.. He presented a petition
containing in excess of 300 signatures in opposition to the signs and outlined
objections to the posting of these traffic signs and of the effect it has had
on people in the area, as well as schools. Mr. Smith commented on the program
of traffic enforcement on Guatemala as a result of a petition signed by 50
residents on that street, which he said has affected the lives of 300 people
on the island.
Councilman Cormack arrived at the meeting at 2:16 p.m.
Mayor Davila said Mr. Smith's comments and the petition will be taken
under consideration and review by staff.
Mr. Ralph will meet with Mr. Smith and hopes to report back next meeting.
Neva Byram, 9813 Guatemala, concurred there was a petition signed by 50
people asking for a stop sign at Lubec and Guatemala. Also, the problem has
not been solved and it has caused hard feelings in the neighborhood. She
commented on the accidents that have occurred on Guatemala in the last five
years and noted the average speed on that street is over 40 mph. Mrs. Byram
submitted a letter from a lady in the area who could not be present and asked
the Council to review it. She requested a stop sign be placed on the street,
which she said would solve the problems.
It was moved by Councilman Cormack, seconded by Councilman Barb, and
passed by unanimous vote to remove the right -turn signs and have a radar unit
in the area a different day each week.
Mayor Davila recessed the meeting to closed session from 2:25 p.m. to
2:52 p.m. for consderation of a personnel matter under Section 54956.9 of the
Government Code. The meeting resumed with all Council Members present.
Councilman Barb indicated he has a motion to make as a result of
personnel discussion conducted in closed session. He believes that because of
Mayor Davila's involvement in an employee's personnel matter and his direct
instructions given to an employee and requesting the employee to promise not
to tell anyone is a violation of the City's Charter. Councilman Barb then
cited Charter Section 1501, which states that any violation of a provision of
the Charter shall be a misdemeanor and punishable upon conviction of a fine
not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or
by both.
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It was moved by Councilman Barb and seconded by Councilman Cormack that
the Council ask the Police Department to investigate that and if necessary use
an outside agency, to be unbiased, and ask the District Attorney to consider
filing that.
Councilman Barb said this action is based on a series of incidents that
have occurred over several years that he has been uncomfortable with, and it
has nothing to do with his relationship with Mayor Davila. He has enjoyed the
time they have spent together socially, including conversations, and thinks
they are still able to work together. But he feels it is a serious problem --
it undermines the employees of the City and needs to be handled.
Mayor Davila feels he did not interfere or violate the City Charter, and
he welcomes an open, unbiased investigation. He feels in-house would be
biased.
An amended motion was made by Mayor Davila whereby if any investigation
is done that it be done by an outside, independent agency.
Councilman Barb said Mayor Davila admitted instructing an employee to do
something for him and requested a promise not to tell anyone.
Mayor Davila stated he did not interfere but asked for a favor.
Councilwoman Boggs seconded the amended motion.
Captain Shade was asked how an outside investigation would be handled,
and he replied he understands there is a department within the Los Angeles
County District Attorney's office which does handle sensitive or political
affairs. He assumes the first action would be to contact the District
Attorney's office for some advice along these lines. Also, the City Attorney
should be consulted as to his opinion of an appropriate investigation.
The amended motion was passed by the following vote:
AYES: 4 Council Members: Santangelo, Boggs, Cormack, Barb
ABSTAIN: 1 Council Member: Davila
The original motion as amended was passed by the following vote:
AYES: 3 Council Members: Boggs, Cormack, Barb
NOES: 1 Council Member: Santangelo
ABSTAIN: 1 Council Member: Davila.
Councilman Barb asked Mayor Davila to resign his position as Mayor and
Councilman.
Mayor Davila refused.
It was moved by Councilman Barb and seconded by Councilman Cormack to
remove Mayor Davila from his position as Mayor.
AYES: 2 Council Members: Cormack, Barb
NOES: 2 Council Members: Santangelo, Davila
ABSTAIN: 1 Council Member: Boggs
Failed.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilwoman Boggs and seconded by
Councilman Santangelo to continue the study on Capital Improvement Projects.
Councilman Barb said that due to earlier discussion, he does not feel the
Council is in a position to logically think through some important issues of
the City at this time.
The motion and second were withdrawn.
Mayor Davila declared a recess from 3:05 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. The meeting
resumed with all Council Members present.
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Study session of Capital Improvements Projects Budget
Mr. Henriksen commenced with a review of the Budget and gave a brief
description of each project pertaining to Streets; Drainage Systems; and
Traffic Safety. He also narrated slide presentations on alleys in need of
reconstruction; curb returns; and flooded conditions of various streets in the
City.
Mr. Ralph discussed projects under Public Facilities.
Captain Shade narrated a slide presentation on proposed plans for an
ultralight hangar facility on the Rockwell property. A contract to build the
facility will come back to the Council.
Mayor Davila declared a recess from 4:14 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. The meeting
resumed with all Council Members present.
A discussion was held regarding the time necessary to review remaining
categories in the Budget.
The next study session on Capital Improvements Projects Budget was set
for 5:00 p.m., July 23, 1985.
Mayor Davila then recessed the meeting to closed session from 4:26 p.m.
to 4:45 p.m. for consideration of pending litigation under provisions of
Section 54956.9 - Government Code, as follows: One Section 54956.9,
Subsection (1) - Downey CARES vs. City of Downey; and (2) One Section 54956.9
Subdivision (b) matter - Cardono. The meeting resumed with all Council
Members present. There was no action was taken in closed session.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., July 22, 1985, at
the Rio Hondo Country Club Banquet Room for a joint meeting with Senator Paul
Carpenter..
Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Bob Davila, Mayor
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