HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04-22-14 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 22, 2014
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 6:32 p.m., April 22, 2014, in the
Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor
Vasquez presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Fernando Vasquez Mayor
Luis H. Marquez Mayor Pro Tem
Roger C. Brossmer (arrived 8:00 p.m.)
Mario A. Guerra
Alex Saab
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager
Adria M. Jimenez, CMC, City Clerk
Steven Garza, Police Captain
Lonnie Croom, Fire Chief
Mohammad Mostahkami, Public Works Director
Arlene Salazar, Parks & Recreation Director
William Davis, City Planner
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Gladys Chavez, Secretary
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Christie Melby- Gibbons of the Moravian Church of Downey.
The Flag Salute was led by Kids Day Spokespersons Emma Ramos and Bhavesh Patel.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tern Marquez welcomed everyone in attendance.
Council Member Saab welcomed Chamber of Commerce representatives Kotz, Gafin, Bacus,
Vasquez and Cruz. He invited everyone to the 2151 Annual Street Fair Event, May 3; Tour de Downey
and Make Music Downey event, June 14; Kids Day event, May 10; Family Fun Night at the Columbia
Memorial Space Center; and, the Lakewood Boulevard expansion project meeting. He reported
attending the Breakfast with the Bunny event; Feed American Event; the 2014 State of the City Address;
and participated in Youth in Government Day.
Council Member Guerra welcomed Pastor Melby- Gibbons, Dr. Stauffer, and Dr. Kirckwood who
were in the audience. He reported attending the Grand Re- opening Ribbon Cutting Event at Los Amigos
Golf Course. He invited everyone to the upcoming Stay Gallery special exhibit by Anne Rigney. He
requested staff return to the Council with a staff report regarding: the recommendations and
implementations of the Green Task Force items to include solar panels and recognizing Earth Day; Hall
of Fame implementation plan; allow evening parking behind Nance Street as an overflow of the Downey
Gateway; and policy regarding the Mayoral rotation. He encouraged everyone to continue educating
themselves on the upcoming election.
City Council Minutes — April 22, 2014
Mayor Vasquez reported attending a Workforce Investment Board Meeting; UCLA Southeast Alumni
Association Event; Youth in Government Day; and, the 2014 State of the City Address. He invited
everyone to the Downey Adult School Veterans Day event, May 4.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Vasquez presented the Healthy Heart Award to Dr. Mary Stauffer
Mayor Vasquez presented a Proclamation to City Clerk Jimenez and proclaimed May 4 -10 as
Municipal Clerks Week.
Mayor Vasquez presented a Proclamation to Linda Schulz, Harold Tseklenis, and Bernie Lewis and
proclaimed May as Older American Month.
Mayor Vasquez presented a Proclamation to Emma Ramos and Bhavesh Patel and proclaimed May
10 as Kids Day.
PUBLIC HEARING
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO 14 -7483, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $102,000,000 AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF CITY OF WHITTIER HEALTH FACILITY REVENUE BONDS (PIH
HEALTH), SERIES 2014 AND CITY OF WHITTIER HEALTH FACILITY REVENUE NOTES (PIH
HEALTH), SERIES 2014 BY THE CITY OF WHITTIER FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFINANCING
CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH ACQUIRING THE HOSPITAL
FACILITIES OF DOWNEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER - HOSPITAL, INC. AND FINANCING
CERTAIN COSTS OF RENOVATING AND EQUIPPING SUCH HOSPITAL FACILITIES FOR
PURPOSES OF SECTION 147(F) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE: City Attorney.
Council Member Guerra left the dais during consideration of this item due to previous abstentions of
items related to PIH.
Mayor Vasquez opened the Public Hearing at 7:24 p.m. City Clerk Jimenez affirmed receipt of the
Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Marquez,
with Council Member Brossmer excused, and so ordered to receive and file. City Clerk Jimenez noted
there was no correspondence received.
City Attorney Abich Garcia stated the City was contacted by PIH hospital forthe need to put this item
on the agenda in order to receive public input in consideration of adopting a Resolution that would
approve a transaction involving the City of Whittier and the Hospital. The City of Whittier is considering
issuing tax exempt bonds to assist the hospital refinance some of its indebtedness and finance some
improvements. Since the hospital is located in the jurisdictional limits of the City of Downey the Council
has to conduct a public hearing and ratify the transaction by adopting a Resolution.
Mayor Vasquez invited the public to speak on this item. Having no one come forward, public
comment was closed.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Marquez, and carried 3 -1 -1,
with Council Member Guerra abstaining and Council Member Brossmer excused, to adopt the
Resolution.
Council Member Guerra returned to the dais at 7:27 p.m.
NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Ray Guard, resident, asked if the City owned a MIA flag and requested it be flown.
City Council Minutes — April 22, 2014
Katherine Miles, Executive Director of Jewish Family and Children service of Long Beach and West
Orange County, stated they provide affordable counseling and support services to residents from the
City of Downey. She invited everyone to the Race with a View Event, May 18.
Geraldine Kouse, resident, requested an update on affordable senior housing.
Charline Dimas, Chief Executive Office of The Whole Child, provided an update on their services to
Downey residents.
Roy Beard, Emergency Preparedness Commission, reported on a recent fire suppression class for
residents.
John Lacey, resident, reminded everyone of the upcoming free E -Waste Disposal event, April 26 in
the Hometown Hardware parking lot. He congratulated Mayor Vasquez on his upcoming marriage.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Guerra pulled Item No.5. The item is listed under Other Business.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Marquez, and carried 4 -0 -1,
with Council Member Brossmer excused, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar.
2. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meetings of December 12, 2013 and February 4, 2014; Regular
Meeting of March 25, 2014; Adjourned Regular Meeting of April 8, 2014: City Clerk.
3. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 283837 — 284214; Wire Nos. 30003161 — 30003168; Manual
Wire Nos. 1259 —1265, in the total amount of $3,140,431.40: Finance.
4. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF PICO RIVERA
FOR THE LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD /ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD AT TELEGRAPH ROAD
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Public Works.
6. APPROVED AN AMENDMENT EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT WITH LEHMAN,
LEVI, PAPPAS AND SADLER: Administration.
7. APPROVED AN AMENDMENT EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT WITH
EDINGTON, PEEL AND ASSOCIATES: Administration.
8. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A SOLE SOURCE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH MOORE IACOFANO GOLTSMAN (MIG), INC. FOR PREPARATION OF
PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATE AND BID DOCUMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH
DESIGN SERVICES FOR PROPOSED LANDSCAPE BUFFER ADJACENT TO THE 1 -5
FREEWAY BETWEEN FAIRFORD AVENUE AND CECILIA STREET IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $54,855; AND, APPROPRIATE $60,000 IN REIMBURSABLE GAS TAX FUNDS IN THE
FY 2013 -14 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO COVER THE PROJECT COST AND
CONTINGENCIES: Public Works.
9. INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 14- . AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING CHAPTER 3, 4, 5, AND 6 OF ARTICLE III OF THE DOWNEY
MUNICIPAL CODE, THROUGH ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2013 CALIFORNIA FIRE
CODE (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24, PART 9), BASED ON THE
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE, 2012 EDITION, WITH ERRATA, AND THOSE PORTIONS OF THE
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE, 2012 EDITION, INCLUDING APPENDICES A THROUGH K
INCLUSIVE, TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN ADDITIONS, INSERTIONS, DELETIONS AND
CHANGES THERETO, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESCRIBING REGULATIONS GOVERNING
CONDITIONS HAZARDOUS TO THE LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE OR EXPLOSION; AND
City Council Minutes — April 22, 2014
Council Member Guerra asked how their audit Will differ from those that are lacking in other cities.
Mr. Cucushi stated he specializes in this type of work and it is was their large staff focuses on all
year long. They work hand -in -hand with the state controller's office and have many years of experience.
It was moved by Council Member Guerra; seconded by Mayor Pro Tom Marquez, and carried 4 -1,
with Council Member Brossmer excused, to approve staffs recommendations.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
14. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 14-7486, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING AND ADOPTING GREEN STREETS POLICY AND ASSOCIATED
GREEN STREETS MANUAL' FOR MAJOR TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS: Public Works,
Council Member Brossmer arrived at 8:00 p.m.
Storm Water Program Consultant Mr. Hunter stated it is important to incorporate green street
strategies because automobiles are a large source of pollution that eventually ends up in storm drains.
The State now requires the MS4 Storm Water Permit and a green street policy be in effect prior to June
28, 2014. This policy and associated green street strategies will apply primarily to public road projects
along transportation corridors. He stated the green streets policy allows more flexibility than the Low
Impact Development (LID) requirements of the MS4 permit and options include: permeable pavement,
infiltration trenches and dry wells, vegetative swales, flow - through planters and rain gardens, tree wells
and catch basin filters /screens, The project engineers will be allowed to select the most appropriate
design following design criteria's to include: first direct infiltration, biofiltration, and lastly treatment BMPs
for example: sand filters and filter inserts. The MS4 Permit requirements this would apply to are for
transportation corridors with: street and road construction of 10,000 square feet or more of impervious
surface area and street and road redevelopment resulting in the creation or addition or replacement of
5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface area on an already developed site.
Council Member Guerra stated he is glad to be moving forward with this and asked whatthe new law
will require the City to do: -
Mr. Hunter sated the law will be in effect June 2014 the policy will have to be in place and any road
projects that follow this date will have to meet the requirements.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tom Marquez, and
unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Guerra stated the Downey Unified School District is going through a strategic plan
and the school district continuous to shine. He commended Council Member Brossmer for his hard
work.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8 :04 p.m, to Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., in Memory of Army
Captain James Chaffin III, West Columbia, S.C. who perished during Operattan.Ertduring Freedom.
N
ADRIA M. JIMENEZ, C C FERNANbo VASQUEZ
City Clerk Mayor
City Council Minutes := April 22, 2014 6