HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-28-14 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 28, 2014
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting at 6:37 p.m.,
October 28, 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 Tern
Roger C. Brossmer (excused)
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 Pastor John Waterson of the United Methodist Church. The Flag
Salute was led by Police Chief Charles
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Marquez welcomed everyone in attendance. He wished everyone a happy
Halloween.
Council Member Saab welcomed Youth Commissioners, the Downey Chamber of Commerce
President Elect Kovach and Downey Kiwanis Foundation President Wetzstein, who were in the
audience. He thanked staff for a great Rooftop Event. He invited everyone to Dia de los Muertos Art
Festival, November 2, the dedication ceremony of the walking /jogging trails at Furman Park and the
groundbreaking event for walking /jogging trails at Apollo Park. He reported attending two Neighborhood
Watch meetings, Downey Landing Park Site /Learning Center City Council Subcommittee meeting,
ribbon cutting event at Marisa's Restaurant and a website subcommittee meeting. He requested crime
statistics be added to the City's website.
Council Member Guerra reported attending a ribbon cutting event at Marisa's Restaurant, the 1 year
anniversary of PIH, a Neighborhood Watch meeting and the Youth Commission meeting. He thanked
Congresswoman Roybal- Allard for her participation in the recent Keep Downey Beautiful event. He
reported on the success of his final Town Hall meeting. He stated Rancho Los Amigos National
Rehabilitation Center will be upgrading a portion of their facility in the near future. He invited everyone to
the dedication ceremony of walking /jogging trails at Furman Park and the ground breaking of
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October 28, 2014
jogging /walking trail at Apollo Park. He requested the Police Department continue keeping residents
safe especially during Halloween. He stated the Adopt a Power Box Art project is making progress and
incorporates the new City branding. He invited everyone to vote, November 4.
Mayor Vasquez reported attending the 1 year anniversary of PIH, a Southeast Los Angeles County
Workforce Investment Board (SELACO WIB) meeting and an 1 -5 Freeway expansion meeting. He
stated the proposed Florence Avenue off ramp project on the 1 -5 has been delayed. He stated having
the privilege of introducing Congresswoman Roybal- Allard at an ROTC program. He stated the JWCH
Institute recently opened and invited anyone with health care needs to visit them. He thanked staff for a
great Rooftop Event. He stated the Firestone Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard street improvement
projects are on track to be completed before the end of the year. He invited everyone to the Pumpkin
Patch and Halloween Carnival at Apollo Park, October 31, the dedication of walking /jogging trails at
Furman Park and the ground breaking of jogging /walking trail at Apollo Park, the Veterans Day event,
November 11, Downey Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook Off event, November 9 and Dia de los
Muertos Art Festival, November 2. He welcomed the Youth Commissioners that were in the audience.
He encouraged everyone to vote on Tuesday, November 4. He mentioned the upcoming employee
recognition event at Rio Hondo Event Center.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Vasquez presented the Mayor's Healthy Heart Award to Dr. Alan Frischer of Frischer Medical
Group.
Mayor Vasquez presented a Certificate of Appointment to Hector Hernandez for his appointment to
the Emergency Preparedness Committee for Council District 5.
Mayor Vasquez presented a Certificate of Recognition to Cindy Calzada - Rosales, Human
Resources Technician, Human Resources Division.
Mayor Vasquez presented a Proclamation to the Soroptimist International of Downey Club and
declared the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Mayor Vasquez presented a Proclamation to the Soroptimist International of Downey Club and
declared the month of November as Domestic Violence Prevention Month.
Mayor Vasquez signed a Proclamation and declared the month of November as National Marrow
Awareness Month.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Joe Serrano, resident, stated the tennis facilities at Independence Park and Furman Park are
deteriorated and need replacing.
City Manager Livas advised the City is aware of Mr. Serrano's concern and the City is taking it under
consideration with the Park Master Plan.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Saab pulled Item No. 5. Council Member Guerra pulled Item No. 6 and Mayor
Vasquez pulled Item No. 7. These items are listed under Other Business.
It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member Saab, and carried to
approve the remainder of the Consent Calendarwith Council Member Marquez abstaining from Item No.
3 because the project is located within 500' of his residence and Council Member Brossmer excused.
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October 28, 2014
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings of October 14, 2014: City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 288808 — 289135; Wire Nos. 30003237, 30003242 —
30003243, 30003245, Cashier's Check No. 50, in the total amount of $2,679,144.90: Finance.
3. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 15 -08 — VIDEO DETECTION CAMERA SYSTEMS
UPGRADE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS: AWARDED CONTRACT TO STEINY AND COMPANY,
INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,210: Public Works.
4. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF
LOS ANGELES FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF 2013 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY ( SHSGP)
GRANT FUNDS; AND, ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE $63,336 OF 2013 SHSGP FUNDS: Police.
8. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 14-7522, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPOINTING DEE BACUS TO THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
FOR DISTRICT 1: Mayor Pro Tem Marquez.
9. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 14 -1334, 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.
10. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN A LETTER OF AGENCY MAKING THE DOWNEY
CITY LIBRARY ELIGIBLE, BUT NOT OBLIGATED, TO JOIN THE CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE
PUBLIC LIBRARY E -RATE CONSORTIUM FOR INTERNET ACCESS: Administration.
OTHER BUSINESS
5. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
WITH JOHN AND ANNICE LIN FOR THE CITY OWNED PROPERTY AT 11911 WOODRUFF
AVENUE FOR $1,675,000: Community Development.
Council Member Saab stated the City purchased a property with water funds several years ago with
the intent to consolidate the Public Works yards. The plan is no longer feasible therefore, the City
decided to sell the property. An appraisal was performed and the sale amount meets the appraised
value.
Council Member Guerra stated a new manufacturing business will occupy the space creating new
jobs.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Guerra and unanimously
carried with Council Member Brossmer excused, to approve staff's recommendation.
6. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
DOWNEY AND THE DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER SERVICES FOR THE POLICE ON CAMPUS PROGRAM: Police.
Council Member Guerra stated he pulled this item to highlight the great effort of Gangs out of
Downey (G.O.O.D). He stated that because of their assistance three Downey High Schools will have
police resource officers stationed to help keep children safe.
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October 28, 2014
It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Marquez and unanimously
carried with Council Member Brossmer excused, to approve staffs recommendation.
7. AWARDED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO R3 CONSULTING GROUP FOR A
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL OF THE CITY'S EXISTING SOLID WASTE SERVICES AND
EVALUATION OF VARIOUS OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE CITY BEYOND THE TERM OF THE
EXISTING AGREEMENT: Administration.
Mayor Vasquez stated this item was pulled at the request of a member of the public.
Debbie Morris, HF &H Consultants, stated their company responded to the Request for Proposal
(RFP) of this project and received the highest technical score through the City's proposal ranking
system. She stated that the proposed benchmark cities they selected for the project would serve the City
best because they are local cities and do not include any beach cities. She requested an opportunity to
discuss their proposal with City staff and negotiate a competitive fee. She stated being confident that
HF &H can perform the scope of work for the cost submitted.
City Manager Livas stated there was a committee formed for this RFP and the City went out to bid
even though it is not a requirement of a Professional Service Agreement.
Assistant City Manager Oskoui stated in the field of solid waste there are only a handful of qualified
firms in California. The City went through a comprehensive request for proposal process. The City
received proposals from HF &H and R3 Consulting Group. Staff evaluated both proposals very carefully
and based on having met the criteria R3 Consulting Group ranked slightly higher. The RFP language
articulates that the primary objective of the City is to select a qualified firm to perform the services
identified at a fair and reasonable cost. The City determined that the most qualified with the best overall
value was R3 Consulting Group.
Council Member Guerra asked for clarification stating that after all factors were weighted to include
having past working experience the recommendation is R3 Consulting Group.
Assistant City Manager Oskoui stated yes.
Mayor Pro Tem Marquez asked if the bench mark cities in the RFP can be revised.
Assistant City Manager Oskoui stated yes, as part of the process there will be a kick -off meeting in
which the recommended work plan will be analyzed and the City can select different bench mark cities
than what R3 Consulting Groups included in their proposal.
It was moved by Mayor Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Guerra and unanimously carried
with Council Member Brossmer excused, to approve staffs recommendation.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
11.ORANGELINE /ECO -RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY: Council Member Guerra.
Council Member Guerra stated he believes in the vision of the Orangeline /Eco- Rapid. He stated the
goal was for Downey to have a station to help promote economic interest. He requested clarification if
the City will have a station.
City Manager Lives stated it is his understanding the City will have a station.
Mike Kodama, Orangeline Development Authority, stated a station is planned at the County campus
on Gardendale in Downey roughly around 2025. He stated that $240 million has been raised towards
this $2 billion dollar project. The project is proposing 10 -12 stations from Downtown Los Angeles to
Artesia which would be about a 45 minute trip. Based on a SCAG alternative analysis, the project has
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October 28, 2014
determined where stations will be located. He stated other cities have put into a motion via a Resolution
having a station and Downey can do the same.
Council Member Guerra asked if the train would be above ground and he requested an updated on
the progress every several months.
Mr. Kodama stated the train can be grade separated or right at grade. The City needs to determine
what works best for their needs and he can provide the Council a report every few months.
City Manager Livas stated he agreed with Mr. Kodama's recommendation of a Resolution stating the
City will have a> station.
Mayor Pro Tern Marquez stated there will be a station in the City and the Joint Power Authority has
made great progress to include having a station in the City. The next year is crucial for the project
because the analysis and the environmental component will be completed, As Chair of the board and
with the hard work of staff, everyone has been instrumental in moving the project along
It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member Saab and carried with
Council Member Brossmer excused, to receive and file this report and request staff bring back a
Resolution.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. to Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., due to the
Veteran's Holiday on Tuesday, November 11; 2014. In Memory of Ella A. Bretz, longtime Downey
resident and Mother of Downey resident and community volunteer Dorothy'Pemberton,
A 1A M. JIMENEZ, CMC FERNAKIJo vASuUt
City Clerk Mayor
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