The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 12-09-14 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 9, 2014 Mayor Vasquez called to order a Regular Meeting at 6:52 p.m., December 9, 2014, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey. PRESENT: Council Members: Fernando Vasquez Mayor Luis H. Marquez Mayor Pro Tern 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 Ann Guerra. The Flag Salute was led by the Downey Police Department Honor Guard. WELCOME: Mayor Vasquez Mayor Vasquez recognized former Mayors Gafin, Perkins, Cartozian and Trejo, who were in the audience; representative from Los Angeles Supervisor Don Knabe's Office Andrea Avila; representative from Congresswoman Lucille - Royball Allard's Office Kim Tachiki -Chin, Assemblymember Christina Garcia; Superintendent of the Downey Unified School District Dr. Garcia; Downey Unified School Board Member Martha Sodetani; Mayor of the City of Bellflower Santa Ines; Bellflower Council Members, Dunton and Schnablegger, representative from Rancho Los Amigos Mr. Phillips; community leader Dr. Stauffer; newly elected Senator Mendoza; Downey Youth Commissioners and other Commission members who were in the audience. 1. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 14 -7527, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY RECITING THE FACT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION, CONSOLIDATED WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION, HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2014, DECLARING THE RESULTS AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW: City Clerk. It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member Brossmer and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2014 PRESENTATIONS Mayor Vasquez and Council Member Guerra presented the Mayor's Healthy Heart Award to Nomar Garciaparra, former Major League Baseball player. Senator Mendoza spoke and congratulated newly elected Council Member Ashton and stated it is his pleasure to serve our community. He invited everyone to his swearing -in December 13 and introduced the District Representative for the City of Downey, Aldo Ramirez. 2. ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION TO NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER FERNANDO VASQUEZ - DISTRICT FOUR Donna Noushkam administered the Oath of Office to Council Member Vasquez 3. FINAL ADDRESS BY RETIRING COUNCIL MEMBER MARIO A. GUERRA Council Member Guerra recognized representatives from local Legislative Offices and the community that were in the audience. He thanked City Manager Livas, Department Heads, and staff for their support in accomplishing many goals. He provided a presentation highlighting events and accomplishments. He reported on the City's top five priorities: fiscal responsibility, economic vibrancy, efficiency and adaptability, public information and engagement, quality of life, neighborhoods and infrastructure. He reported on: public safety (new K -9 Program, 106 Neighborhood Watch groups, Nixel Alert system, new police force training room and lowered crime by 25 %); defeat of Measure B by Downey voters; balanced budget; excellent credit rating by Moody's Investor Service and Standard & Poor Rating Service); job creation; the Promenade at Downey; Columbia Memorial Space Center; Inspiration Shuttle; award winning Downtown Downey; grand opening of Porto's Bakery; and, the View Housing Development. He reported on: Downtown events; Special Olympics World Games, Healthy Downey Partners, park improvements (Treasure Island Park, Furman Park and Apollo Park), Park Master Plan; Bike Master Plan; Utility Box Public Art program, Stay Gallery, Youth Commission, Green Task Force, Taste of Downey, the All- America City Award, the David R. Gafin Dog Park, the addition of two new Sister City relationships (Roscommon County, Ireland and Fresnillo, Zacatecas), the Diakonia Award, the privilege of serving as the President of the Independent Cities Association, and, the Hall of Fame. He reported on street improvement projects (Lakewood Boulevard and Firestone Boulevard). Lastly, he thanked his family for all of their love and support. PRESENTATIONS (cont.) Council Member Guerra presented a Certificate of Recognition to former Mayor Meredith Perkins for his dedicated service to the community and to the City of Downey. Council Member Guerra presented a Certificate of Recognition to former Mayor Kirk Cartozian for his dedicated service to the community and to the City of Downey. Mayor Vasquez and the City Council presented a Proclamation and proclaimed Dr. Mary Stauffer as the first Downey Hall of Fame inductee. 4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS TO RETIRING COUNCIL MEMBER MARIO A. GUERRA Mayor Vasquez presented outgoing Council Member Guerra a plaque and gavel, City tile and street name sign. The following government representatives presented a certificate of appreciation: Congresswoman Lucille - Royball Allard; Asseblymember Garcia; City of Bellflower; State Senator Mendoza; Cerritos College Board of Trustees; City of Bell; Downey Unified School District; Los Angeles Supervisor Don Knabe; Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center; and, Downey Chamber City Council Special Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2014 2 of Commerce. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION TO NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER SEAN ASHTON — DISTRICT TWO Retired Superior Court Commissioner Administered the Oath of Office to Council Member Sean Ashton. RECESS CITY COUNCIL MEETING The meeting recessed at 9 p.m. RECONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING The meeting reconvened at 9:40 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS Council Member Brossmer welcomed everyone in attendance and congratulated new Council Member Sean Ashton Mayor Pro Tern Marquez welcomed new Council Member Sean Ashton. Council Member Saab thanked staff for a great Tree Lighting Event, ribbon cutting event for the Firestone Boulevard Project and the grand opening of the View. He requested an update on his request of a tree removal policy and requested an update from the new Columbia Memorial Space Center Executive Director Dickow. He welcomed new Council Member Sean Ashton. Council Member Sean Ashton thanked staff for a great Tree Lighting event. He reported attending the 63rd Annual Christmas parade sponsored by the Downey Chamber of Commerce. Council Member Vasquez thanked staff for a great year. He welcomed new Council Member Sean Ashton. PUBLIC HEARING: None- NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT Nick, resident, thanked the Council for their support and sent well wishes to new Council member Ashton. CONSENT CALENDAR Item No. 9 was pulled at the request of Council Member Saab and is listed under Other Business. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Brossmer and unanimously carried, with Council Member Vasquez abstaining from Item No. 8 because the project is within 500 ft. of his residence, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2014 3 6. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of November 10, 2014: City Clerk. 7. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 289840 - 290084; Wire Nos. 30003254 — 30003255, 30003257 — 30003258 & 30003260- 30003261; Manual Wire No. 1302 and, Cashier Check No. 67, in the total amount of $1,921,031.43: Finance. 8. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 15 -01 - MULLER STREET IMPROVEMENT FROM PANGBORN AVENUE TO LESTERFORD AVENUE PROJECT: ACCEPTED THE IMPROVEMENTS BY SULLY - MILLER CONTRACTING COMPANY AS COMPLETED, APPROVED THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $199,999.19, AND AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE: Public Works. 10. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 15 -18 - CIVIC CENTER AND UTILITIES YARD ROOF REPLACEMENT PROJECT: AWARDED PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,447,280 TO CHAPMAN COAST ROOF COMPANY; APPROPRIATED AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $490,000 FROM GENERAL FUNDS; APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE AGREEMENT WITH EDENCO, INC., TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE BY THE CITY ATTORNEY; AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY ADDITIONAL CONTRACT AMENDMENTS IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE BY THE CITY ATTORNEY: Public Works. 11. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 15 -24 — APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR BIDS FOR COMMUNICATION UPGRADES TO VARIOUS CITY FACILITIES AND APPROPRIATE $213,000 FROM THE GAS TAX FUND. Public Works. 12. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY AND TO EXECUTE ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS FOR THE BELLFLOWER BOULEVARD AT IMPERIAL HIGHWAY INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE BY THE CITY ATTORNEY: Public Works. 13. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 14 -7528, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TRANSIT STATION AS PART OF ANY TRANSIT - ORIENTED RE -USE OF THE PACIFIC ELECTRIC RIGHT -OF -WAY: Administration. OTHER BUSINESS 9. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 15 -02 — FURMAN PARK WALKING /JOGGING TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS, PHASE 1 - ACCEPTED THE IMPROVEMENTS AS COMPLETED, APPROVED THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $140,808.99, AND AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE: Public Works. Council Member Saab stated he pulled this item to thank the Los Amigos Kiwanis Club for investing in our parks and stated they have also agreed to fund an outdoor fitness area at Furman Park. City Council Special Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2014 4 It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Brossmer and unanimously carried to approve staff's recommendation. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 14. DISCUSSED AND APPOINTED THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM FOR 2015: City Clerk. City Manager Livas stated he would like for the Council to discuss this item and make a nomination. It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Ashton and unanimously carried to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Luis H. Marquez as Mayor. It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Marquez and unanimously carried to appoint Council Member Alex Saab as Mayor Pro Tem. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS City Manager Livas thanked the Council for a great year and thanked staff for Annual Report for the library that was recently put out regarding the accomplishments of 2014 stating it would be posted on the City's website. Council Member Brossmer said the Annual Report for the library was great. Council Member Saab said the Annual Report for the library was great ADJOURNED The meeting adjourned at 10:03 p.m.in Memory of the servicemen who perished this past week during Operation Enduring Freedom: Capt. William H. DuBois, 30, New Castle, Colorado; Sgt. Maj. Wardell B. Turner, 48, Nanticoke, Maryland; Spc. Joseph W. Riley, 27, Grove City, Ohio. A IA M. JIMENEZ, MC City Clerk City Council Special Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2014 5 2 � ��, Z -1� 5� � � FERNANDO VA S 96r �)Y- r