HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-14-14 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 14, 2014
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting at 6:38 p.m.,
October 14, 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
Mario A. Guerra
Alex Saab
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Adria M. Jimenez, CMC, City Clerk
Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager
Carl Charles, Chief of Police
Mark Gillaspie, Fire Chief
Mohammad Mostahkami, Public Works Director
Arlene Salazar, Parks & Recreation Director
Aldo Schindler, Community Development Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Gladys Chavez, Secretary
The Invocation was delivered by Associate Pastor Isaac Thompson of Love, Peace and Happiness
Church. The Flag Salute was led by Police Chief Charles.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Brossmer requested staff provide a report to include the pros and cons of synthetic
turf on residential front lawns.
Council Member Marquez welcomed everyone in attendance. He stated he would be returning the
previously issued City Council police badges to the Chief of Police. He requested the placement of the
street light at the intersection of 3rtl Street and Paramount Boulevard be evaluated by the Public Works
Department.
Council Member Saab reported attending a Budget Subcommittee meeting. He invited everyone to
the 1 year anniversary of PIH, October 18 and the final Rooftop Event, Havana Nights, October 22. He
requested that the Public Works Department evaluate the traffic signal light on the intersection of 5th
Street and Paramount Boulevard because it causes confusion to motorist, and the traffic light at the
intersection of Stewart and Gray Road and Rives Avenue because there is insufficient delay between a
red light and the opposing green light.
Council Member Guerra stated the Council issued police badges were not illegal and did not have to
be returned. He stated this week was Spirit Week at Downey and Warren High School. He reported
attending the Rotary Club Annual Pancake Breakfast at Downey High School, a Budget
City Council Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2014
Subcommittee meeting, and participated in a youth government class field trip at City Hall and the Police
Department. He invited everyone to his Annual Town Hall Meeting. He stated Supervisor Knabe, Rick
Rodriguez of the Living Tree Foundation, and the City will be assisting the American Legion Park with
much needed improvements to benefit the Veterans. He stated the Firestone Boulevard improvement
project will enhance the Downtown.
i
Mayor Vasquez reported attending the Living Tree Foundation event, the CROP Hunger Walk at Our
Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) and a Neighborhood Watch meeting. He requested Public Works look
into the overnight street parking near Lakewood Boulevard and Cecilia as some residents have
expressed concern. He invited everyone to the 1 year anniversary of PIH, October 18 and the Rooftop
Event, Havana Nights, October 22. He recognized Downey Unified School District Superintendent Dr.
Garcia, Kiwanis President Pacheco, Downey Kiwanis Foundation President Wetzstein, Downey Kiwanis
Foundation Board Member Vasquez and Public Works Commissioner Cuevas who were in the
audience.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Vasquez presented the Mayor's Healthy Heart Award Brian Smolskis, CEO of PIH Health.
Mayor Vasquez and the City Council presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Downey Kiwanis
Foundation and Kiwanis Member Don Cuevas for their donation of new playground equipment at
Furman Park.
Mayor Vasquez and Council Member Brossmer presented a Certificate of Recognition to Julie
Romero, Downey Unified School District Teacher of the Year.
Mayor Vasquez and the City Council presented Certificates of Recognition to Parks & Recreation
Director Salazar and staff members Sonya Meacham and Luigi DeLeon.
City Manager Livas stated the Parks & Recreation Department has done a greatjob and he thanked
all departments for always moving forward with the City Council's direction.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Resident, no name provided, requested the City review its safety infrastructure as it relates to the
disabled stating that some sidewalks are not structurally sound.
Dr. Malek, resident, requested clarification on Measure O and stated homeowners should not be
penalized with an increase in taxes. She stated appreciating tonight's recognition of Teacher of the Year
to Ms. Romero.
Art Gonzalez, resident, stated the new HAWK beacon light system on the corner of Woodruff
Avenue and Via Amorita is confusing to motorist. He stated being upset with the recent removal of
healthy trees on Florence Avenue. He requested the information on Council police badges be placed on
the City's website.
Sean Ashton, resident, stated he has heard concerns from residents regarding parking on Orizaba
Street, north of Imperial Highway and stated a possible solution could be permit parking.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item No. 14 was moved to the City Council Meeting of October 28, 2014.
City Council Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2014
14. EXERCISE ITS OPTION TO WITHDRAW FROM THE LA -RICS JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO ISSUE A NOTICE OF SUCH OPTION TO THE
LA -RIGS BOARD: Police.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Saab, and unanimously
carried to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with item No. 6 as amended, to include a
corrected copy of the agreement.
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings of September 23, 2014: City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 288249— 288807; Wire Nos. 30003230— 30003240, Manual
Wire Nos. 1292 -1295, in the total amount of $5,105,797.82: Finance.
3. CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 488G -2 - FIRESTONE BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
FROM OLD RIVER SCHOOL ROAD TO BROOKSHIRE AVENUE (DOWNTOWN DOWNEY
MONUMENTS): AWARDED A CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $384,200 TO BRAVO SIGN &
DESIGN, INC.: Public Works.
4. CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 601A - ABATEMENT AND DEMOLITION OF EXISTING
STRUCTURES AT 7952 AND 7966 FIRESTONE BOULEVARD: AWARDED A CONTRACT IN
THE AMOUNT OF $31,542 TO ASBESTOS INSTANT RESPONSE, INC., DBAAIR DEMOLITION
AND ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS: Public Works.
5. APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RJM DESIGN GROUP TO
DEVELOP A PARKS AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN FOR $187,949 AND AUTHORIZED
THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE BY CITY ATTORNEY;
AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY FUTURE CONTRACT
AMENDMENTS OR ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF WORK FOR THIS PROJECT DEEMED
NECESSARY, UP TO THE APPROVED PROJECT BUDGET WITHOUT FURTHER CITY
COUNCIL ACTION: Public Works.
6. APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH EDENCO, INC. TO PROVIDE
CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE CIVIC CENTER AND UTILITIES YARD REROOFING
PROJECT AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT IN A FORM
ACCEPTABLE BY CITY ATTORNEY: Public Works.
7. APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH DATAPROSE AND PAYMENTUS FOR UTILITY BILLING
PRINT, MAIL AND ELECTRONIC BILL PRESENTMENT AND PAYMENT SERVICES: Finance.
8. APPROVED AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING OPERATING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF DOWNEY AND THE DOWNEY ART VIBE: Community Development.
9. APPROVED A LEASE AMENDMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOWNEY, THE DOWNEY ART
VIBE AND THE PROPERTY OWNER OF 11140 DOWNEY AVENUE, DOMENICO NAPOLI, AND
APPROPRIATE A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $75,000 FROM THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
FUND TO PAY FOR THE LEASE UNTIL JUNE 2017: Community Development.
10. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 14 -7520, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY AMENDING THE CITY'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE WHICH
INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE THE FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION'S
STANDARD MODEL CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE: City Clerk.
City Council Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2014
11. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 14-7621, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPOINTING HECTOR HERNANDEZ TO THE EMERGENCY PREPARDENESS
COMMITTEE FOR DISTRICT 5: Council Member Saab.
12. INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 14- , AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING ARTICLE III (PUBLIC SAFETY), CHAPTER 1 (TRAFFIC
REGULATIONS), PART 13 (RESTRICTED USE OF CERTAIN STREETS), SECTION 3179
(TRUCK ROUTES), SUBSECTION C, OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO
TRUCK ROUTES ON FIRESTONE BOULEVARD: Public Works.
13. ACCEPTED $145,000 IN SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2014 -2015 FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA - OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY:
Police.
15. APPROVED THE LITIGATION MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND UPDATED
LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LARENCE, BEACH ALLEN & CHOI, LYNBERG &
WATKINS; AND CARPENTER, ROTHANS & DUMONT: City Attorney.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
16. APPROVED GREEN TASK FORCE BRANDING LOGO: Council Member Guerra
Council Member Guerra stated his recommendation is for approval of Item E of the staff report. He
requested the Branding Subcommittee continue educating staff on all acceptable uses of the new City
branding.
It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member Brossmer and unanimously
carried to approve Item E of the staff report.
17. APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS TO THE DOWNEY YOUTH COMMISSION: Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation Director Salazar stated that out of the 15 Youth Commissioners appointed to the
2013/2014 term, eight were seniors and therefore, termed out and one stepped down leaving nine
vacancies. She stated the following appointments have been made: Mayor Vasquez appointed
Jonathan Jin and Nicholas Acosta; Mayor Pro Tem Marquez appointed Victoria Arguello, Jailene Lemus
and Matthew Perez; Countil Member Saab appointed Angelique Franco and, Council Member Guerra
appointed Sandra Ortiz , Rodrigo Quintas and Molly Donahue. She requested the appointments be
approved.
Council Member Brossmer stated he had no vacancies to fill.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Saab and unanimously
carried to approve the appointments.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None.
City Manager Livas reminded everyone of the Great Shakeout event in which staff will be
participating.
City Council Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2014
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. to Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., in Memory of
George E. Delis longtime Downey resident, WWII Veteran and 29 -year Library volunteer; and, the
servicemen who perished this past week during Operation Enduring Freedom: Sgt. Charles Strong,
Suffolk, Virginia; Maj. Michael Donahue, Columbus, Ohio; Sgt. l st Class Andrew Weathers, DeRidder,
Louisiana; Maj. Jonathan Walker, Merriam, Kansas; Stephen Byus; Raynoldsburg, Ohio — Department
4
of Defense Civilian Employee. t
ADRIA:M. JIMENEZ, MC FERIVRN O VASQUEZ
City Clerk Mayor
I
I
i
i
City Council Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2014 5