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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-07-23-85-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JULY 23, 1985 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:08 p.m., July 23, 1985, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall, Mayor Bob'Davila presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Bob Davila Mayor James S. Santangelo Mayor Pro Tem Diane P. Boggs Robert G. Cormack Randall R. Barb ALSO PRESENT: Don Davis, City Manager Pro Tem 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 James R. Jarrett, Director of Community Services F. D. Shade, Police Captain William Sumner, Fire Marshal Harald J. Henriksen, City Engineer Scot Yotsuya, Assistant to the City Manager Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Davila said Neva Byram wishes to speak regarding the traffic problem on Lubec and Guatemala and he asked if the Council had any objections._ Councilwoman Boggs mentioned that since Mrs. Byram is present she would not ask her to wait, but she questioned scheduling a meeting for studying a particular subject and then having other items come forth. Mayor Davila said the Council will set a policy of having the meeting first before someone comes up to speak. He then asked Mrs. Byram to present her information to the Council. Mrs. Neva Byram, speaking as a citizen and resident on Guatemala Avenue and for other residents on Guatamala, commented regarding the petition circulated for a stop sign at Lubec and Guatemala and of the subsequent study approved by Council. She also discussed the speeding vehicles on Guatemala which endangers lives and property. Mrs. Byram requested a stop sign at Guatemala and Lubec and said if the results are not satisfactory, the resi- dents will ask for its removal and pay for it themselves. Councilman Santangelo asked about the Traffic Committee's recommendation for a stop sign, and Mrs. Byram said the Committee was against it but staff was in favor. It was moved by Councilman Cormack and seconded by Councilwoman Boggs to install a stop sign at the requested intersection of Guatemala and Lubec. (See later motion.) Councilwoman Boggs does not feel a decision should be made without having all parties involved present to provide input. Mrs. Byram requested the stop sign for one year. Mr. Ralph said staff is concerned about the liability related to install- ing stop signs that do not meet the normal accepted warrants in the State. Speaking to the motion, Councilwoman Boggs said she would prefer to wait and take another look at it. Councilman Santangelo concurred and would like to review the information on this matter. It was moved by Councilman Barb, seconded by Councilman, and passed by the following vote to postpone action to the first meeting in August. Council Minutes 7/23/85 (adj.) -1- AYES: 4 Council Members: Santangelo, Boggs, Barb, Davila NOES: 1 Council Member: Cormack Study session on Capital Improvements Projects Budget Mr. Henriksen commenced with a review of the Budget beginning with Public Facilities - Civic Center Construction. It was requested that the proposed corrections to the computer room be added to the items in dispute with the Civic Center architect. During a review of the Firestone Demonstration Project, Councilwoman Boggs said she would like to see plans and drawings when they are available. It was moved by Councilman Santangelo, seconded by Councilman Cormack, and passed by the following vote to not go forward with bus shelters at this time. Staff was asked to bring back a report at a later date on the availa- bility and need for bus shelters. AYES: 4 Council Members: Santangelo, Cormack, Barb, Davila NOES: 1 Council Member: Boggs Mr. Ralph and Mr. Henriksen continued with a review of the Budget regard- ing Water Utilities and Sewer Projects. Mr. Jarrett reviewed projects under Community Services and narrated a slide presentation. Councilman Santangelo noted the need for palm tree trimming at Furman Park. Councilman Barb said moving the picnic shelter at Furman Park would take away from available recreation area and that the addition of another shelter would increase park usage and traffic on streets in the area. He recommended remodeling the current shelter rather than moving it. Mr. Jarrett said relocating the shelter would provide more space for con- ducting the summer concerts. Before proceeding, staff will come back to the Council with a complete study and recommendation. The backstop will be removed at Rio San Gabriel Park. Mr. Jarrett commented on two additional items requested by the Recreation and Community Services Commission: One is to install a double entry door immediately in front of the Library entrance to serve as a wind screen. The other is for security lighting at Wilderness Park. Councilman Santangelo asked when the security lighting comes back that information be provided on incidents at the park which relate to problems with security. Councilman Barb referred to the meeting of July 15, 1985, wherein an investigation of Mayor Davila was requested and said in looking at the Charter he probably jumped to conclusions regarding an investigation. He said he made a mistake and went too far in asking for an investigation on a criminal basis. It was moved by Councilman Barb, seconded by Councilman Cormack, and passed by the following vote to reconsider the previous motion and that the Council make the commitment that it will attempt to stay within the bounds of the City Charter and work in that direction. Councilwoman Boggs commended Councilman Barb for reconsidering and coming forward in the manner he has this evening. Councilman Santangelo would like to discuss the two issues that origi- nally brought this about so that everyone will know what transpired and will not think something happened that was improper which Mr. Davila is guilty of. Mayor Davila said whatever the Council does it will not undo what has been done to him and his family and everyone concerned in the City. He does not care to discuss it further. Council Minutes 7/23/85 (adj.) -2- /Vc Councilman Santangelo commented on the two incidents that were cited when Councilman Barb requested the investigation and said he did not feel that requesting a City employee to translate a Spanish letter should have been an issue nor could he find anyting in the City Charter that says it is a viola- tion to request an employee's personnel file. He appreciates Councilman Barb coming forward at this time and feels the issues should be discussed so that the news media will let the pubic know that Mayor Davila is serving his City in a sincere capacity. Councilman Cormack stated it is not what was done but how it was done. He feels it is better to not get involved in employee matters. Mayor Davila explained he has been hurt by this matter and cannot accept the apology. Also, it has had a great impact on the City. Councilman Cormack feels there should be teamwork among the Council Members and that they should work together. Councilman Barb said he should have brought this matter to the Council to work out together and come to an understanding, and he is sorry he brought this up as a criminal issue. Mayor Davila indicated there will be a policy that anytime a Council Member wants something done it has to be in a memo to the City Manager. Mr. Newton asked if this motion would constitute a withdrawal of the request for an investigation, and Councilman Barb replied yes. When Mr. Whittington came forward to speak, Mayor Davila indicated the Council will not hear from the public at this time. Also, he will not vote on this matter. During further discussion, Mayor Davila said he will accept Councilman 0A - a r apology, reluctantly. '3 a-6 s AYES: 4 Council Members: Santangelo, Boggs, Cormack, Barb ABSTAIN: 1 Council Member: Davila Mayor Davila announced the Council will take a short break and then recess to closed session for consideration of salary negotiations and pending or potential litigation under provisions of Section 54956.9 - Government Code as follows: 1. Section 54956.9, Subdivision (a) matter - Downey CAREs vs. City of Downey. 2. Two Section 54956.9, Subdivision (b) matters. 3. One Section 54956.9, Subdivision (c) matter. The meeting was then recessed from 6:50 p.m. to 7:47 p.m. The meeting resumed with all Council Members present. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m, R b rt� L. Shand, City Cle -Treasurer Bob Davila, Mayor Council Minutes 7/23/85 (adj.) -3-