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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-04-14 Special MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2014 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special Meeting at 2:00 p.m., February 4, 2014, in the Downey Council Chambers, City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA. Mayor Vasquez presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Fernando Vasquez Mayor Luis H. Marquez Mayor Pro Tern (arriv. 2:10 p.m.) Roger C. Brossmer Mario A. Guerra Alex Saab STAFF: Gilbert Livas, City Manager John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager Adria M. Jimenez, CMC, City Clerk Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager Lonnie Croom, Fire Chief Carl Charles, Police Chief Brian Saeki, Community Development Director Arlene Salazar, Parks & Recreation Director Anil Gandhy, Finance Director Maurina Lee, Finance Manager PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Vasquez opened up Public Comment. Having no one come forward, Public Comment was closed. 1. MID -YEAR BUDGET REVIEW: Administration. City Manager Livas advised Finance Director Gandhy is providing the staff report and presentation. Finance Director Gandhy reviewed the presentation and noted the following: Adopted Budgeted Revenue of $67,556,475; Adopted Budget Appropriations of $67,544,066; with a Budget Surplus of $12,409. The Mid -Year adjustments during the six months included: Revenue of $665,000; Expenditures of $575,967; and, Un- budgeted Revenues of $12,744,101, for a total of $12,833,134 in adjustments. He noted the projected ending Fund Balance for June 30, 2014, is $33,321,543. Some of the budget adjustments made in the past six months to Revenue were: Paramedic Engine — EMS Service Delivery $690,000 and Downey Theatre - $25,000 for a total of $665,000. Some of the Budget Adjustments during the past six months to Expenditures included: Paramedic Engine — EMS Service $490,000; grant writing services $30,000; Library Database $13,167; Holiday Home Decorating Contest $3,800; Street and Monument Signs $15,000; Capital Scan and Grow Program (SBDC) $20,000; and, City Hall Wi- Fi $4,000; for a total of $575,967. Mr. Gandhy reviewed the Year -to -Date Revenues and advised the revenue coming in is trending in the right direction and is certain the City will meet its revenue projections, without the one -time revenues received from the sale of the hospital property to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH) and repayment of the Fiat Car dealership debt. Mr. Gandhy reviewed the Revenue Type per Fiscal Year, noting there are no changes for next year's budget. The sales tax revenue consultants believe sale tax will project an additional $600,000, which is projecting flat, but there will be minor increases. Council Member Guerra stated that according to the numbers there is a 7.7% increase in sales tax and he does not understand what Mr. Gandhy means when he states he is projecting flat. Mr. Gandhy advised that projections are based on cash collections. Projections can be up in one area, while down in others. Mr. Gandhy reviewed the Year -to -Date Expenditure Comparison and noted the only difference is realized in General Government due to the Employee Benefit Fund and General Fund which was combined into one fund. General Government is a little higher due to a one- time net service interest payment in service and pension obligation bonds; that cost has picked up in the first six months. It does not show in the employee benefit fund. Council Member Brossmer discussed the threat of unfunded pension liability. He asked if the City was able to capture or anticipate what that amount would be moving forward. Downey has been proactive in taking steps such as negotiated pension reforms, but will not see the net gain until several years out. He stated he would feel better knowing what that number is and having a plan to address that number. Mr. Gandhy advised in May he will be presenting accounting principles to the Council. At that time, he can present the numbers on unfunded pension liability. CalPers is reviewing how they charge rates to the City. The City pays approximately $10 million a year in PERS contributions to the State and those numbers are going up in FY 2015 -2016. Council Member Brossmer stated he would like to earmark those dollars because the City is already thin in terms of budget and cannot absorb that hit. Council Member Guerra stated this current budget estimates 11.6% sales tax increase built into the budget. He asked what is meant by flat in the budget; it is 11% over last year. Mr. Gandhy stated the consultant's projections are going to be higher than what is already in the budget. Mr. Gandhy then reviewed the Expenditure Type per Fiscal Year. Council Member Brossmer asked if the City budgets the funds for litigation from this past year, and if it was built in as a component of the reserves. Mr. Gandhy stated that the funds for litigation were not budgeted, but combined in the $20 million reserves for an ending total of $33 million in reserves. When it was paid, it was paid out of reserves. Council Member Brossmer confirmed that when Mr. Gandhy states it is a net gain to the reserves from $20.4 million to $33.3 million, it really should have been $35 million. Mr. Gandhy responded in the affirmative. Council Member Guerra stated the City did not spend the money; noting it comes out of General Funds. There is a $68 million dollar pot and the City has a $2 million unreserved amount that has to be spent separately. Council Member Brossmer stated it is expenses vs. actual expenses. On the graph for expenditures it would be in General Government, but it has been absorbed because the City has saved money. Mr. Gandhy stated the money came from a collaborative insurance fund which is an off- shoot of the General Fund. Every year the City charges liability insurance to other funds and accumulates that money over time. From that fund the City pays the premiums for our general liability and other insurances, and also pays some litigation. It is a different reserve within the General Fund. Council Member Brossmer stated the City had $20 million in reserves and the City thinks it is going to be $33 million from the sale to PIH. The $2 million expenditure has been backfilled from other expenditures or the graph bar would be higher, but we saved on other expenditures. Council Member Guerra stated there were three items that were added to unbudgeted revenues: the sale to PIH; the Fiat Car Dealership debt repayment; and the Caltrans sign lease. The City placed the Caltrans sign lease amount into the budget, but not the other two. Finance Director Gandhy reviewed Reserve percentages of the operating General Fund. He noted that the City has approximately 50% of operating expenses in reserves. Council Member Brossmer pointed out the City dropped reserves by $20 million in just over three years from 2007 -2008 to now. Council Member Guerra stated at that time the Council approved a $3 million deficit to the budget, but it ended up being a $5.9 million deficit that was not approved by the Council. If you look back to 1990, the City has more in reserves now at 49 %; the City has added 20% in 10 years and it looks healthy. If the City had started at the reserve level in 2003 -2004, the City would have gone bankrupt. City Manager Lives stated anytime you are putting money away for a rainy day it is a good thing. The Council action taken several years ago and more recently has placed Downey in a position where Cities around us are envious. He thanked the Council for staying with the plan and staff will keep the services at a high level by doing what we need to do. Council Member Brossmer stated the reason the budget has increased is because of the one -time funds received. Council Member Guerra stated if the City Council chose to designate funds, it should be on one -time items. City Manager Livas reviewed the second portion of the meeting to discuss the priorities list. He requested the City Council provide direction to staff on how they would like to proceed. He advised that the Council has the option of delaying all items and review the requests through the regular budget process. Council Member Brossmer stated he is willing to consider any items that are of an emergency nature and need to be considered now, and asked if any of the items on the list fit those requirements. Council Member Saab also said he is willing to consider any items that are of a health and safety concern, or a liability issue. City Manager Livas stated none of these items are critical and need to be approved now. These items can be taken through the regular budgetary process and handled in the upcoming months. The only item staff needs direction on now, due to an unexpected increase in expenditures, is in Legal Services for litigation. Council Member Guerra stated he understands Council Member Brossmer's concern. He stated he thinks there are some things that are an investment in the City, for example an Executive Director for the Columbia Memorial Space Learning Center (CMSLC). It can wait another six months, but waiting will not help the cause. There are some Downtown items such as WiFi for the entire Civic Center and the parks. Some of the items on the list were brought forward by staff. Council decided to conduct a Mid -Year Review to see where the City was, and we are now at a point where it is safe to go further and spend some money. The City should put half of the money from the sale to PIH in reserves. If we are going to do some of these items in five months, then it is safe to do them now. We need to upgrade the City's website, add WiFi in the Downtown, and address the items in the parks. Council Member Saab stated he is willing to consider the items that are necessary and have a safety component attached to them. The items on the list are very rough estimates and he would not feel comfortable going forward unless the Council feels comfortable without getting specific information. He is comfortable moving forward with CMSLC and legal services for litigation and asked if there are any other items with health and safety concerns. He asked if the roof condition at the Police Department is compromising the evidence. Chief Charles stated the condition of the roof is not and has never compromised the evidence. Council Member Saab stated he would prefer to fix the roof sooner rather than later as he believes there is a health and safety component. He asked about the urgency of the Downey Theatre ADA compliant bathrooms City Manager Lives advised there was one item added which is a notice of environmental clean -up for the Martin Laquer property on Imperial Hwy /Caring Way for a total of $400,000. Staff is currently looking at alternatives such as whether or not the City can take out an insurance policy or if there is a developer who would be interested in the property. Most developers will not take over a property that has an environmental concern, but there are a number of things the City can consider to offset the cost. If not today, the City will need to review it in the future. Council Member Guerra stated he is not in favor of that until the City moves forward. The City was not allowed to do anything with that property, because Kaiser has first right of refusal; it is in a prime location next to The Promenade and to spend $400,000 to be able to sell it. He asked for staff to have the land valued to see what it is worth with or without clean -up. City Manager Livas stated staff can return to Council with additional information. Council Member Saab stated in regards to the park items on the list, he does not know if the City exhausted or maximized its ability to receive grants to address the items. Parks and Recreation Director Salazar stated over the last six months the City has applied for $1.5 million worth of grants, and most grants do not pay costs for irrigation construction. The City can receive a grant for approximately $200,000 for synthetic fields, but the total cost exceeds $2 million. Staff is utilizing the grant consultant; however; all competitive grants will only fund a percentage of the project, not the entire project. Council Member Saab confirmed that staff is applying for every grant available. Ms. Salazar stated yes, and there is not a lot of money out there anymore. Council Member Guerra asked if the City is renewing the grant consultant contract. City Manager Livas stated that the City needs to add another $30,000 for the grant consultant to make sure the City continues the process. Their contract has expired and staff will bring this back to the next meeting with a status report and recommendation for re- issuing the agreement. City Attorney Garcia stated staff can return at the next City Council meeting with recommendations for Council. Council Member Saab stated he has serious concerns about pension projections and the Council needs to have the foresight to take into consideration good planning with the proper information. Receiving this extra money was a gift and the City only receives gifts so often and its impact is obvious. He stated Council Member Brossmer's comments have really resonated with him and had the City not received the gift, the City would be in a bad place or worse. He further stated it is sobering to know the City spent $21 million in reserves over the course of five years; things looks great now, but it really was not that long ago and the Council does not want to look back and say we blew it. He stated the list is a good list, but the Council does not have the proper information today to make a solid decision on spending. He stated he would like this list to return at a Regular Council Meeting for Council to review item -by -item. He stated he does feel there are a couple of items, such as litigation, CMSLC, Police Department roof and the Theatre bathrooms that the Council should consider. Mayor Pro Tern Marquez stated he echoes Council Member Saab's comments. He stated it comes down to what City Manager Livas stated earlier: the Council should prioritize items on what is necessary now. All items previously discussed make sense and need to be done now and not go through the regular budget process. The City needs to do long range and long term planning, and how to move the City forward and address the needs. The Council has to take a step back and work closely with staff on how to develop a long -range plan on how to tackle those projects. The Council needs to figure out a funding plan for major capital projects. Mayor Vasquez asked Police Chief Charles if the body worn cameras can be paid from Asset Forfeiture Funds. Police Chief Charles stated, yes, the body -worn cameras can be paid for from Asset Forfeiture funds, but he is unsure of the roof repairs. Council Member Saab stated he feels comfortable spending money from Asset Forfeiture funds. Mayor Vasquez stated he is comfortable with moving forward on the legal fees for litigation. He stated he would like the Council to consider the Community Development Department's request for an Economic Development Consultant. He stated he is in favor of moving forward with the recruitment for the CMSLC Executive Director. Council Member Guerra stated if the Council waits until the regular budget process to review and approve these items, it will be another six months. There are things on this list that the Council knows we going to look at six months from now. That is what this priorities session is designed for. If there are five things on here the Council wants to do, the Council is giving direction to staff. It does not mean they will be done tomorrow. The Council is giving staff direction to research and come back to the City Council for approval. Mayor Vasquez stated he would like the City Council to consider the Park Master Plan. He stated he does not feel comfortable approving the Park items until the Council knows what needs to occur. He concurs with Mayor Pro Tern Marquez that the Council needs additional information. In regards to Community Development, he stated he believes hiring a consultant helps to create jobs and invests in the community. If the City wants to encourage growth and economic development in the City, the City needs to fix the Zoning Code. Council Member Brossmer stated although he would like to hire an Executive Director of the CMSLC, he cannot be supportive of it until there is a structural way to pay for it as it is an on- going cost. Council Member Guerra stated out of all of the items on the list, that is one of the most important. The Council would be expediting the obvious and setting the direction in- motion. The fiscal impact would not be realized until next fiscal year. There are one -time costs involved such as recruitment and request for qualifications. City Manager Livas stated the position was eliminated in FY 2013/2014. The City can advertise the position and list on the flyer, "Subject to Council- approved budget in July." The City Council agreed with City Manager Livas' suggestion. Mayor Pro Tern Marquez stated for four years the City Council has been talking about and funding the CMSLC. The original plan was that the Center was going to fund itself through a foundation. The City funds it now and we do not know for how long. The subcommittee has been working on establishing a plan, but has yet to see a suggestion. After 2 years, the Director is responsible for fundraising, for getting the foundation going, for getting off the City's book. Yes, the City is still responsible for the infrastructure and maintenance, but there needs to be a clear specific plan for the future, where it will be independent of the City's General Fund, which is what the Council agreed to. I am supportive of the Center and the mission of educating the City's youth, and I'm supportive of looking for an Executive Director now, but before that I want to make sure there is a long range plan in place to be independently funded. Council Member Guerra stated all are frustrated because the City is not there yet. The first thing to do is set -up the vision plan with the Executive Director. Mayor Vasquez stated his expectation as part of hiring the Executive Director position is that person will come in with a plan and bring in ideas and the City will hold that person accountable for the milestones and accomplishments. Mayor Pro Tern Marquez stated he is in favor of hiring an Executive Director and wants to make sure it is part of the Council's long -range goals. City Manager Livas stated as part of the job classification duties we include running a foundation and seek fundraising opportunities in order to be independent of the City. The City Council agreed to approve the funding and recruitment of the CMSC Executive Director. Council Member Brossmer asked for the status of the Library roof. Ms. DeLong, stated the Library roof does leak during the rainy season, trash receptacles are placed out, books are moved, and the lobby is cleaned up in order to prevent slips and falls. Council Member Saab asked if the whole roof needs to be repaired. Ms. DeLong stated about half of the roof needs to be repaired, and deferred to the Public Works Director. Assistant City Manager Oskoui stated the Library roof is approximately 27,000 sq. feet and the entire roof needs to be replaced baring that there is no structural damage to the roofing system, which I do not believe there is. It is recommended that the entire roof be replaced. There is enough time between now and when the rainy season is over to develop the plans and specifications and be ready to do the worth during the summer. Mayor Vasquez asked Mr. Oskoui when the findings are to return from the solar panel consultant. Mr. Oskoui the City is securing funding from the Gas Company and Southern California Edison to hire a consultant to come in and design an entire system for the City. It will take 2 -3 months to secure the funding from Edison and then hire a consultant. Mayor Vasquez stated he believed the City Council authorized funding to hire a consultant. Mr. Oskoui stated the Council received a report that stated the City is using funding from Southern California Edison and the Gas Company to do an Energy Master Plan for the City which includes hiring a consultant. Council Member Guerra stated could the City find out if the City can do solar before putting on a new roof to help obtain some funds for repairing the roof. City Manager Livas there has been some discussion about looking at facilities and whether or not the City can do solar panels at the facilities and whether or not those particular contractors would be able to support a new roof, as well as building solar panels. Mr. Oskoui stated there was one thought that the City explored to roll -in the costs of doing the roofing as part of doing the affordable take. As indicated, we are not sure how much of the affordable take we need to have in the first place, which is why we have to do Energy Master Plan fist, and is what the consultant would do. If we are tying it to what we are discussing now, the City can always replace the roof and come back and do affordable take. It is not going to compromise a newly installed roof if you install the jacks that support the affordable take panels. The City looked at being able to fund the cost of the replacement of the roof through a program, but it did not pencil out. It is too much of an investment for the undertaker to commit to. Staff looked at the Library, Police Department, and City Hall about a year and a half ago with three different vendors. Mayor Vasquez asked has the trend or the industry changed since then. Mr. Oskoui stated not so much as to change the equation of their investment, and being able to absorb the cost of the new roof and guarantee a 13 -15 year payback. Council Member Guerra asked if the City has looked at parking roofs with the solar panels. A local high school is installing the panels and asked if the City considered all options. Mr. Oskoui stated the City has looked at all options. Mayor Pro Tern Marquez stated he thinks that is an issue that should have been mentioned previously, the City did have vendors or other companies look and review all public facilities, but had not mentioned that information. Financially it does not make sense unless they get the parking lots. It is all based on energy used by the City and how much energy is going to be able to sell back. The reviews were for Discovery Park, Columbia Memorial Space Center, and the Civic Center. Without the use of the parking structure and the level of usage, there is not enough use without the City contributing an amount to these types of systems. As the City is reviewing the long -range plan for the parking structure or address the Downtown or Civic Center parking, the City cannot move forward with placing covered carports with energy. All three consultants stated without a contribution from the City, it does not make sense for them. Mr. Oskoui added the City is not going to decide what is going to be placed on a parking lot or covered lot until the City determines how much energy is used and how it can be reduced and then cover the difference. The City uses approximately 2 mega -watts energy usage. What kind of things does the City have to do to reduce consumption or reduce the cost of consumption? In some cases the consultant has told us that we need to renegotiate with Southern California Edison. The City has unaccounted meters that we are still paying for. The Energy Master Plan is going to capture all that information, tell the City where we are as far as usage is concerned; how we can reduce the usage, and then cover the usage with alternative uses, such as affordable take. You do not want to put affordable take on the entire roof of three facilities where there is no use for it. Council Member Saab confirmed if that is something the City may consider, then it would be premature to move forward with changing the roof at the Library. Mr. Oskoui stated the City can independently replace the roofs of whatever the City is going to do in the future as far as affordable take is concerned. Installing affordable take is not going to compromise the integrity of the newly installed roof. City Manager Livas stated the question is whether or not a vendor can pay for the roof at the time they are doing the affordable take. Mr. Oskoui stated it did not pencil out economically and the vendors are not going to pay for it. Mayor Pro Tern Marquez stated the savings would not be what they need to be going solar. Council Member Guerra stated we are spending money to replace the roofs anyways; it does not seem we looked at it from the point of installing a new roof. Mayor Vasquez asked if electricity bills are going up. Mr. Oskoui responded in the affirmative. Council Member Brossmer stated Proposition 39 is funding solar improvements for school districts with outside funding. It would not pencil otherwise, but if you are receiving $5 million it works. If it does not matter to putting in a new roof now, it does not preclude us from looking at solar panels later. Council Member Saab stated he would hate to not consider the option and then in a few years from now look back and note that the City should have done that. Council Member Guerra stated the Council did that with the Columbia Memorial Space Center. We were given incorrect information and should have installed solar panels. If the City is putting on a new roof, shouldn't the City look at all the options. Mr. Oskoui stated in the case of the Columbia Memorial Space Center, what the consultant found was that by putting affordable take on the roof you are not going to realize the savings that you want. In order to do it right, it would be better to have the parking lot equipped. City Manager Lives stated staff will work on obtaining the results from the consultant. Once the report is back, if it does pencil out for the contractor to do the roof and install solar panels, the City can move forward. If not, the City already has the allocation in place and can proceed in the summer. The City Council agreed with City Manager Livas' recommendation. Community Development Director Saeki stated the first recommendation is a comprehensive zoning code update. There are approximately seven or eight inconsistencies the Department has identified with the Zoning Code as it relates to the General Plan and practical uses. The City sent out an RFP and there is a firm available at approximately $40,000. The Downey Art Vibe consulting contract: at the next meeting the branding will be presented and is ready to roll -out and hope that the Downey Art Vibe can assist the City will the roll -out. The Department is requesting an Economic Development website, and refreshed marketing materials to further the City's Economic Development initiative. An Economic Development consultant, with several projects in the pipeline, the consultant would help analyze the projects. The next two are wi -fi in Downtown and way- finding signs. Finally, the physical reconstruction of first floor reception and to secure the entrances to create a receptionist area in the front and rebuild all of the downstairs lobby area including the staff furniture and counters. This will top -off the cap to the one -stop shop initiative at approximately $200,000. Given the Council's direction, if you were to ask me what my important item is, it would be the comprehensive Zoning Code update. It could probably be budgeted next year and the Downey Art Vibe consulting contract. I request that the City Council keep an open mind with the Downey Art Vibe consulting contact that will be presented to you at a subsequent meeting. Beyond that given direction from discussion today, none of these requests are imminent. Council Member Saab asked what is meant by music in the Downtown. Mr. Saeki stated it is piping music throughout the Downtown. There are wireless speakers spread out through Downtown, and can be seasonal, not a necessity. Council Member Saab asked about way- finding signage. Mr. Saeki stated way- finding signage is pointing people to the important items in the downtown such as City Hall, theatre, public parking. It may be along Firestone pointing to the Downtown, but once you get into the Downtown it shows people where things are located. Council Member Saab asked about the Zoning update. Mr. Saeki stated it is not outdated. It was updated in 2008, but it would clean -up minor conflicts. Yvette Abich Garcia, City Attorney, stated to add on to that information, one item that was a requested from me, was to update the Massage Establishment Ordinance because of a change in the law that occurred in the last couple years. The code is outdated and needs to be updated and consistent with law. Council Member Brossmer stated he does not see anything that the City needs to do at this time. Mr. Saeki stated there is nothing that is imminent. Council Member Guerra confirmed if the Council does not approve these items today, they will wait until June. Council Member Brossmer stated the items will wait until the budgetary process. The Downey Art Vibe consulting contract will come forward at the next Council Meeting. The City will have a full presentation with a contract for approval at that time. Council Member Guerra stated we are not approving any items today; we are directing staff to return to Council with additional information in a report for approval. City Manager Livas stated his understanding is that these items are items the Council would like to see started now and funded this fiscal year; between now and the end of the fiscal year. For example, staff will start the process to do an RFP for the Library roof. Then staff will return to the Council with the bids. Council Member Guerra stated for example, Wi -Fi in the Downtown, bring that item back to us with information. He stated he would like to see what the cost is for Wi -Fi in the Downtown and not the way- finding signage. Council Member Saab stated based on how the City Council prioritizes, that is how staff will spend their time and return to City Council. Mayor Vasquez stated he would like to see Wi -Fi at a reduced rate. Mr. Saeki clarified there is not Wi -Fi at City Hall yet, we are waiting for the service contract; however, the infrastructure is in place. Council Member Brossmer stated he is not recommending the Council move forward with any of these projects for this fiscal year, except for the Downey Art Vibe consulting contract which is going to be presented at the next Council Meeting. Council Member Guerra stated he does not feel that there are any urgent items in Community Development. Council Member Saab asked how much staff time it would take to analyze the Wi -Fi in the Downtown. Mr. Saeki stated approximately a month to return to City Council and approximately ten hours of staff time. If it is more, we can always return to City Council. Council Member Saab stated he is comfortable with asking staff to bring back that recommendation during budget time. Council Member Brossmer stated all items should be brought back for consideration during the budgetary process. City Manager Livas stated Council can have the information and make the decisions within the backdrop of all the other elements. City Clerk Jimenez reviewed items as it relates to the repairing infrastructure of the Council Chambers. Mayor Vasquez stated the direction from Council to the City Clerk was to bring this item back. City Clerk Jimenez stated this item will return to the City Council with additional information and details and anticipate it returning to Council before the fiscal year. Chief Croom stated there are two items: the first is an item the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator position that was approved in the Budget FY 2011 -2012. The recruitment was conducted, interviews were held and then the Department was asked to staff the position with current in -house staff starting December 2011. This is federally mandated position. The request is to fund it in this upcoming fiscal year; however, conduct the recruitment process now, and hire by July 1. Council Members Brossmer and Guerra expressed their support of that recommendation. Mayor Vasquez confirmed this position was authorized in the FY 2011/2012 of $60,000. Chief Croom stated it was at $79,000 for salary, for a total of $120,000 with benefits. The City Council approved Chief Croom's recommendation to conduct the recruitment process now for the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and hire by July 1, and fund it this upcoming Fiscal Year FY 2014/2015. Council Member Saab asked about the emergency containers. Chief Croom stated the City is looking into replacing some of the equipment. Battalion Chief Gillaspie stated the Emergency Preparedness (EPC) Committee is looking into this and that item will be presented at tonight's EPC meeting. Ms. Garcia requested funds to cover legal costs expended and not foreseen based on the threats of litigation from the Fire Union. This is the bill that involved unexpected legal costs. Mayor Vasquez asked if the balance in the budget is enough to cover the remaining fiscal year. Ms. Garcia responded in the affirmative. The City Council agreed to approve the additional legal fees. Arlene Salazar, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed the Furman Park irrigation and turf replacement request. The current hydraulic system cannot sustain the current use. The system at Apollo park very similar and is 65 years old. The new automatic system would be completely upgraded with a system that would be consistent with other parks. The Downey Civic Theatre needs restroom upgrades in the lobby and backroom performance area and ADA compliance upgrades. The Wilderness Park Lake restoration project — the lakes were originally built between 1973 and 1974, and adjustments to the lakes have been difficult. The request would be to replace both lakes and add a bridge that we removed last year. The development of Park Facilities Master Plan would not only include park facilities, but include Civic Center facilities, excluding the Golf Course. She reviewed the standardize park amenities, which includes picnic tables, bike racks, fountains, and charcoal dumping stations. Council Member Brossmer stated he is in favor of looking at a Facilities Master Plan, and from there identify needs and priorities and then seek appropriate funding. The City is not going to have the funds in General Funds or Reserves. It is a prudent expenditure of dollars and would set the City up moving forward and how to address the on -going needs. I would not be in favor of the expenses listed above; however, I would be in favor of the Facilities Master Plan process. Mayor Pro Tem Marquez stated he agreed with Council Member Brossmer's comments. Council Member Guerra confirmed the City will not stop the construction of walking trails if grant funds are awarded to the City. Council Member Brossmer responded in the affirmative. Council Member Saab requested information on the Park Master Plan prepared by Cal Poly Pomona. Director Salazar stated the issue is that there has not been an investment to the City's system toward facility upgrades. The plan prepared by Cal Poly Pomona worked out to be a community assessment more than a complete Master Plan, which needs to be more comprehensive. After reviewing the initial analysis, it was determined that most of our facilities needs some actual upgrades, but did not have the resources to evaluate in the short- period of time. The City needs to have consultants come out and evaluate each facility independently and review the design and determine if it makes sense for our community now. Most parks were designed in the 1950s for half of the City's current population. The City needs a more comprehensive assessment to give us the information on what to provide and prioritize funding in the next 50 years. Also, having a Master Plan is helpful when preparing grants as they will look at what the City has done to determine community need versus funding. Council Member Brossmer advised it will give the City a comprehensive look at all facilities, with an emphasis on the parks. City Manager Lives stated if the City had a real Master Plan in place, the park irrigation that is 50 years old, would have been replaced at some point, because the City would have budgeted for it. This gets the City started along that path. Director Salazar stated the $320,000 estimate is a very conservative amount and advised the City Council that it may be higher. The City Council agreed to fund the Facilities Master Plan. Chief Charles stated the roof is under similar circumstances and conditions as the Library. Council Member Saab asked if that item will fall under the same circumstances as the solar panel consultant discussed previously. City Manager Lives confirmed it will parallel that item. Chief Charles advised the other request is body -worn cameras and as discussed previously can be purchased out of asset forfeiture. As far as asset forfeiture, all the cars and motorcycles and equipment has been purchased out that account over the last five years. That is not an unlimited funding source and once that source is gone, it is gone. Over time, cars and equipment reverts back to the General Fund. The request for a Forensic Specialist is a crime scene analyst. The department is down to three from 2009, when it was a five person unit with one supervisor. It is not immediate, but would like the request to be considered. Council Member Guerra stated he was in favor of purchasing the body -worn cameras from asset forfeiture and wait for the roof repairs with the others. Council Member Brossmer stated he is open to look at the position and start recruitment for the position, but be placed in next year's budget. He asked Chief Charles if the City has $110,000 for a position, between another officer on the street, this position takes priority. Chief Charles stated yes. Council Member Guerra stated he would not be opposed to start recruiting for the position. The City Council agreed that the three positions approved for recruitment now and funding in FY 2014/2015 are: Executive Director of the Columbia Memorial Space Center, the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and Forensics Specialist. City Manager Livas confirmed City Council's approvals include: the Columbia Memorial Space Center Executive Director recruitment; the Library roof repairs in conjunction with the solar panel study; Council Chambers AV system; Emergency Preparedness Coordinator recruitment now, but funded in FY 201412015; legal services; development of Parks and Facilities Master Plan, Police Department roof to be in conjunction with solar panel study, body - worn cameras funded from Asset Forfeiture and Forensic Specialist from FY 2014/2015 budget; return to Council with the cost for Wi -Fi for the Downtown for the FY 2014/2015 budget; and the Downey Art Vibe Consulting contract. The City Council agreed to give staff direction to return to the City Council with a contract for Grant Consultants for an extension of six months and 12 months. ADJOURNMENT: at 4:05 p.m. A ADRIA M. JIMEN Z, CIVIC City Clerk FE DO VASQUEZ Mayor