HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01-27-15 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 27, 2015
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 6:38 p.m., January 27, 2015,
in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor
Marquez presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members
Luis H. Marquez Mayor
Alex Saab Mayor Pro Tern
Sean Ashton
Roger C. Brossmer
Fernando Vasquez
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Adria M. Jimenez, CMC, City Clerk
John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager
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
The Invocation was delivered by Benjamin Dickow, Columbia Memorial Space Center Executive
Director. The Flag Salute was led by Jose Carrillo, Columbia Memorial Space Center Staff Member.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Vasquez recognized the Downey Youth Commissioners in the audience and
thanked them for their work in the City. Council Member Vasquez stated he toured some of the streets
with the Public Works Department, including Lakewood Blvd. He stated Lakewood Blvd. paving is
completed, with striping and other small items to be finished soon. Firestone Blvd. is not yet
completed, and later this year or early next year Lakewood Blvd., between Gallatin and Telegraph Rd.,
will be completed.
Council Member Brossmer stated he is grateful to represent a City with such wonderful staff.
Council Member Ashton reported that on Saturday he participated in the Keep Downey Beautiful
clean -up which was well attended by over 70 people and recognized Keep Downey Beautiful
Committee Members in attendance. He thanked City staff for their assistance with the event. He
reported attending the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Meeting where community members voiced
their opinion about the parks in the City. He thanked Arlene Salazar, Director of Parks & Recreation,
for coordinating the meeting. He reported attending the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Meeting and thanked Jose Vasquez of the Housing Division for his participation. Council Member
Ashton requested Director of Community Development Schindler provide information on the CDBG
survey.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015
Aldo Schindler, Director of Community Development, advised the Department is conducting a
survey of housing resources and needs in the City and will be hosting community meetings in February
and March to assist in assessing the next funding cycle for CDBG and what programs are going to be
funded. The survey can be accessed online and also through City Staff.
Council Member Ashton stated on Sunday he participated in a tour of delegates of the Special
Olympics World Games. Their staff was impressed with the City's preparation and he thanked City
staff for their work.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting and welcomed the
young people, Police Officers, and Fire Fighters in the audience. He reported attending ribbon cuttings
for Mariscos Choix and Miller -Mies Mortuary. He announced the Chamber of Commerce is holding a
networking lunch on Wednesday at Mambo Grill. He confirmed City staff is making arrangements for a
report regarding coyotes in the City. Mayor Pro Tern Saab advised a homeless count is being
conducted tonight in the City to come up with a solution to homelessness. Mayor Pro Tern Saab
reported the Stay Gallery had a nice event and thanked them for their projects. On February 5, the City
is conducting an open and public Special Meeting regarding transit issues. Mayor Pro Tem Saab
advised the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Community Workshop is scheduled for February 28 at
Golden Park, which is the final opportunity for residents to provide input on the City's Parks and
Recreation services in the years to come.
Mayor Marquez welcomed everyone to the Council Meeting. Mayor Marquez reported he
attended the US Conference of Mayors in Washington D.C., and met with members of Congress, the
President, and key staff to share the history and stories of Downey. They were impressed with
Downey's transition from the aerospace industry closures to today and how Downey has been able to
move the City forward while maintaining a low unemployment rate. He reported he was also able to
visit and reconnect with NASA to continue the strong relationship with the City to help expand the
programs at the Space Center. The emphases of the meetings were on transportation, infrastructure,
and funding. Mayor Marquez announced the City received the prestigious Government of Finance
Award. The first time in the history of Downey the City has received this award.
Gilbert Livas, City Manager, indicated this is a prestigious National Award given for outstanding
budget presentation. It is extremely important in that it shows the City is financially stable and helps the
City when bond refinancing is conducted. This award is the culmination of the hard work of the City
Council. The community should rest assured that the Council has done an outstanding job in guiding
the City's finances. Mr. Livas thanked the Finance Department for their hard work.
Mayor Marquez commended City Staff and the Finance Department for their hard work. Mayor
Marquez advised on Sunday the City welcomed a delegation from the Special Olympics World Games.
Mayor Marquez thanked City staff and Arlene Salazar for coordinating the tour and he thanked the
community and businesses for their participation. Mayor Marquez requested staff look into establishing
a City Council Governance, Policy, and Procedure Handbook and requested a City Council
Governance Subcommittee be formed at the next City Council Meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Marquez advised he is presenting the Mayor's Courage Award to Isaac Rincon, a young
Downey boy who is fighting cancer. He was undergoing surgery tonight and was unable to attend
tonight's meeting.
Mayor Marquez advised Diana Owens was unable to attend tonight's meeting to receive her
Certificate of Appointment.
Mayor Marquez and Council Member Ashton presented a Certificate of Appointment and City
pin to Patrick Owens, Planning Commissioner.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015
Mayor Marquez and Council Member Ashton presented a Certificate of Appointment and City
pin to Chuck Frey, Green Task Force.
Mayor Marquez presented Certificates of Recognition to Simon Simonian, Mario Padilla, Ali
Rastavan, Robert Voskanian, of Joseph's Bar & Grill, for their 1 year Anniversary.
Mayor Marquez presented a Certificate of Recognition to Officer Brian Lopez for his actions
during a November shooting that occurred at Los Angeles International Airport.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. DOWNEY GROUNDWATER WELL NOS. 27 AND 28 PROJECT: Public Works.
• r, a - • �•- • r
ADOPTED B. • • RESOLUTION OF •
CITY OF • WNEY ADOPTING THE MITIGATED . , " . • f AND
MITIGATION • • - AND REPORTING - t - • DOWNEY
GROUNDWATER i PROJECT.
Mayor Marquez opened the Public Hearing at 7:17 p.m. City Clerk Jimenez affirmed receipt of
the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Saab, seconded by Council Member
Brossmer, and so ordered by Mayor Marquez to receive and file. City Clerk Jimenez noted there was
no correspondence received.
Mohammad Mostahkami, Director of Public Works, introduced Dan Mueller, Utilities Division
Manager, who is giving an overview of the project, followed by a presentation from RBF Consultants
who worked on the CEQA process.
Mr. Mueller stated the proposed project the CEQA document covers is Groundwater Wells Nos.
27 and 28. The project proposes to construct two new groundwater wells to supplement the City's
water supply system. One of the wells is located in the southwest part of the City at an abandoned well
site that the City owns; the other at the City's Utilities Yard in the southeast part of the City. The actual
construction of the project would be handled in multiple phases: demolition; drilling, which would drill
wells to 1200' to 1500' below surface and conduct pump testing and water quality testing; equipping
phase, which includes installation of pump and motors on the wells; and, well construction, construction
for well housing and a structure to house the SCADA System, which is a computer control system for
the City's water pressure and flow throughout the City's distribution system. The consultant for the
project is RBF Consultants.
Alan /Ashimine, RBF Consulting, reviewed the environmental document, the process and Some
of the findings. The document before the Council is a Mitigated Negative Declaration Study (MND)
prepared in accordance with State Law and the California Environmental Quality Act. It is the method
for the impacts of the projects to be disclosed to the City's decision makers, stakeholders,, and
interested parties so everyone is aware of what the effects of the project will have. The initial study
included a detailed analysis on a range of different topic areas, and a very broad spectrum of analysis
required under State Law. In terms of the process, the MND was circulated for 30 days, December 11
through January 9, 2015. The document was sent to numerous effected agencies, interested parties,
posted to the City's website, and a legal notice publish in the local newspaper. At the close of the 30
days there were no comment letters received as part of the project. Based on the analysis, there were
numerous mitigation measures incorporated into the study related to esthetics, air quality, biological
resources, cultural resources, geology, hazardous materials, noise and traffic. With implementation of
these various mitigation measures it was determined all impacts tied to the project would be less than
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - January 27, 2015 3
significant. There are no significant impacts associated with this project MND is the appropriate
course of action for clearance. There was also a mitigation monitoring program, which is a
methodology for mitigation measures to be monitored and carried forward and makes it enforceable for
the measures being implemented as project build -out occurs.
Mr. Mueller stated the wells will be constructed in phases; the two largest phases are the drilling
phase and the equipping phase; the drilling phase would start in this fiscal year and is budgeted
through Water Fund and Capital Improvement Projects, approximately $3.5 million. The equipping
phase is approximately $3.5 million and would be in next year's budget.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab asked about the life -span of the wells. Mr. Mueller stated the City has 20
active wells. Eighteen of the twenty wells are over 50 years old and starting to age. Eventually the City
needs to begin to eliminate some of the wells by retiring them. There is approximately a 50 year time
frame for well life.
Mayor Marquez opened this item for Public Comment at 7:24 p.m.
Herman, 90242 Downey, stated the report is not clear about the estimated cost for the program,
He requested information on why there is no environmental impact report, funding of the project, the
number of gallons the wells hold, are the wells going to be installed applicable to Federal and State
standards.
Mr. Ashimine, advised the document is a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Environmental
Impact Report is only required when there is significant impact associated with the project that cannot
be mitigated. We were able to identify numerous mitigation measures that did reduce those impacts to
below significant.
Mr. Mueller stated funding for the project had a large span of time before implementing a rate
increase. The reason for the rate increase was to fund operations and improvements for these types of
project. As to the number of years, some of the wells are 60 and 80 years old. The City has seen the
reduction in capacity of those wells to the point that each time the wells is rehabilitated it becomes less
and less efficient and the wells need to be replaced. For Cities that rely on other agencies for water
such as Metropolitan Water District, the rates are significantly higher as a result of the cost of the water
and the environmental impacts that water has on our State. Groundwater is a tremendous resource for
the City. The money that is spent on this project is money well spent to increase the reliability of the
City's water supply system. Drilling of new wells is regulated by LA County and State Department of
Health Services and the Department of Water Resources and must comply with all requirements in
terms of installation and construction. They will also be out to inspect during construction. We will not
actually know the number of gallons the wells will hold until the drilling phase is completed. The City is
hoping it will be 2500 gallons per minute. There was mention in terms of water storage and that is
handled by another regional agency that replenishes the water, not the City of Downey.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab confirmed the City is not voting on funding this project. The Council is
being asked to vote on the Resolution on the agenda. City Attorney Abich Garcia stated yes.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Saab and seconded by Council Member Vasquez and so
ordered by Mayor Marquez to close the Public Hearing at 7:31 p.m.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and
carried unanimously, to adopt the Resolution.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015 4
2. AMEND SECTION 9806 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO APPEALS OF
A PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION AND THE CALL FOR REVIEW PROCESS: Community
Development.
A. INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. 15 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND
APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9806 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO _APPEALS OF A PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION AND THE CALL
FOR REVIEW PROCESS.
Mayor Marquez opened the Public Hearing at 7:32 p.m. City Clerk Jimenez affirmed receipt of
the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern
Saab, and so ordered by Mayor Marquez to receive and file. City Clerk Jimenez noted there was no
correspondence received.
William Davis, City Planner, stated the item before the Council is an opportunity to have a role in
the decision - making process when issues come up affecting Planning Commission decisions. As the
policy - making body of the City, the Council provides direction on development or activities in the City.
The Planning Commission has the opportunity to enforce and regulate decisions on various land -use
issues. There are times when land use issues come up that are problematic for a Council Member or a
member of the community and there is an appeal process in place that allows appellants to appeal
Planning Commission decisions to the City Council. Recent issues arose when a Planning
Commission decision was controversial and members of the City Council sought ways to appeal that
decision but discovered there were problems with the process that made it difficult for members of the
City Council to appeal beyond the scope and nature of your role as a Council Member. The item before
the Council is an opportunity to amend the current appeals process and allow the City Council to
participate in the appeals process that make it legal and not so costly. Mr. Davis reviewed the current
process with the City Council. The problem with the current process is if a Council Member appeals a
Planning Commission decision with the current process, the Council Member is required to provide a
letter stating your reasons for disagreeing with the decision. The problem is that if the Council Member
states his opposition in a letter, that Council Member has already expressed a certain bias on the
decision and when the matter is actually appealed and comes before the City Council the Council
Member making the appeal cannot participate in the process. In addition, the Council Member making
the appeal is required to pay the appeals fee, which is one -half of the original filing fee.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab confirmed the current process requires the Council Member to pay the
appeals fee, but not participate in the process. Mr. Davis responded in the affirmative.
Mr. Davis stated there are other less - expensive fees; however, the Council Member requesting
the appeal still cannot participate. The code amendment would require two council members to initiate
a call for review within 15 days of the Planning Commission's decision. However, the Council Member
would not be required to state a reasons for wanting to appeal the decision;_ therefore, the Council
Member would not be expressing bias and be allowed to participate. The remainder of the process
would remain unchanged. The request must be submitted to the City Clerk in the form of a letter within
15 days of the Planning Commission's decision.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab asked what is the procedure for a Council Member to request an appeal,
and why are two Council Members required to request the appeal, not one Council Member. City
Attorney Garcia stated typically a form or a letter signed by two Council Members requesting an appeal
for the item. She stated the recommendation from the Planning Commission was to request two
Council Members call for review of an item.
Council Member Vasquez asked if the Planning Commission stated why they recommended two
Council Members. Mr. Davis stated it was a staff suggestion based on examples from other Cities.
Some Cities only require one Council Member. The notion of having two is to demonstrate support by
the reviewing body.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015 5
Mayor Pro Tern Saab stated he is concerned about recommending two Council Members
request a call for review as a temptation for a possible Brown Act violation.
Council Member Brossmer stated the concern is the Council Member who is going to challenge
every decision made by the Planning Commission. He stated he understands Mayor Pro Tern Saab's
concern of possible Brown Act violations.
Council Member Vasquez asked, procedurally, how an appeal would occur. City Attorney`
Garcia stated it would be a form that two Council Members would sign and submitted to the City Clerk.
She stated there are some risks of a Brown Act Violation as there will be some temptation to talk about
the merits with a third person if the Council Member does not obtain support from the first person.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab stated the process will have to vet itself out. Since there is a 15 day
period, there is no time to place it on the agenda and unable to have a discussion. Director Schindler
stated the City Council can expand the 15 day deadline to 30 days. The only issue of extending the
deadline is that it will delay someone's project. It does allow two subsequent Council Meetings to occur
after a Planning Commission Meeting and the Council can call for review and obtain a second from the
dais.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab stated he believes it would not be a fruitful discussion on the merits of the
appeal; it would become too politicalized by the discussion on whether to have the hearing or not.
City Manager Livas stated both are valid points. The question is how you get to a point if you
did have two Council Members request an appeal without having a Brown Act violation. Mr. Davis
stated staff reviewed several different City policies. The City of Whittier has a one Council Member
requirement, with a 21 day review period, and the request is done during Council Member requests on
the agenda. The reasons cited by Council Members are the reasons why Cities do it various ways.
Mr. Davis stated the majority of Cities have one Council Member, with the request conducted during the
Council Member comments during a Council Meeting.
City Attorney Garcia stated in her experience the request has been done by two Council
Members completing a form or submitting a letter or done at the dais. With one Council Member it is the
same process, written or requested at the dais.
City Manager Livas asked about the concern of extending the appeal process to 30 days and
the concern that the process will become politicized. He noted the merits of the project will not be
discussed; it would be a request by two Council Members that they would like to request an appeal.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab stated he does not believe two Council Members are necessary. The
political process is going to be the checks and balances. He does not believe one Council Member
habitually requesting items be appealed will be an issue.
Council Member Ashton asked if there is a Council Member who is consistently requesting
Planning Commission decisions are brought back for City Council review, is there a fee the Council
Member would pay.
Council Member Brossmer stated in that case the City Council can bring that item back for a
amendment.
Mayor Marquez opened the item for Public Comment.
Herman, 90242 Downey, read from and commented on the Ralph M. Brown Act.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015 $
City Attorney Garcia stated that the speaker's comments should mean that he does not like the
proposal being considered by the City Council. The procedures the speaker read from the Brown Act
are the sections applicable on how to cure a violation of the Brown Act. What the City is proposing
here is consistent with the Brown Act. The sections the speaker is quoting are not applicable to this
item. These sections are widely used by Cities and are consistent with the Brown Act.
Council Member Ashton confirmed this action does not take away any citizen rights to protest
an action of the Planning Commission. City Attorney Garcia responded in the affirmative, noting any
citizen can still appeal any Planning Commission decision even if a Council Member were to call for a
review.
Having no one further come forward, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Saab, seconded by
Council Member Vasquez and so ordered by Mayor Marquez to close the Public Hearing at 7:53 p.m.
Council Member Brossmer clarified the Council is recommending one Council Member is
required to call for a review of a Planning Commission's decision. City Attorney noted in the Ordinance,
Section C2, the changes to the Code are underlined. The Call For Review is Section C; C2 is
Notification and Timing which will say, "Any member of the City Council may initiative a call for review
of a decision of the Planning Commission..."
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Saab, and
unanimously carried to introduce the Ordinance with an amendment to Section C2 to read, "Any
member of the City Council may initiate a call for a review of a decision of the Planning Commission."
NON - AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Marissa Castro - Salvati introduced herself as the Public Affairs Interim Regional Manager for
Southern California Edison.
Pastor Isaac Thompson, Love, Peace and Happiness Church, reported on his attendance at a
Community Development Block Grant public meeting. He stated he believes there is an omission of
Senior Housing Assistance in the development of the City.
Herman, 90242 Downey, commented on damaged sidewalks and street repairs in the City.
Roy Beard, thanked the City Council for hiring Andrew Stevens, City of Downey Emergency
Preparedness Manager, and thanked the Fire Department for their diligence in the candidate search.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Marquez closed Public Comment at 8:07 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Ashton pulled Item No. 9.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and
unanimously carried to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar.
3. APPROVED MINUTES: Regular and Special Meetings of November 25, 2014 and Special Meeting
of January 13, 2015: City Clerk.
4. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. are 291032 — 291269; Wire Nos. 30003273, 30003275 —
30003276 and 30003278; Manual Wire No. 1307; Voided Check No. 291121, in the total amount of
$3,058,776.25: Finance.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015
5. AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR BIDS FOR TREE TRIMMING MAINTENANCE SERVICES:
Public Works.
6. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH CORRAL CONSULTING IN ORDER TO PREPARE THE HEALTHY DOWNEY STRATEGIC
PLAN: Parks & Recreation.
7. APPROVED THE AWARD OF THE FY -2015 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS GRANT FROM THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
(CAL OES) IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,794; APPROPRIATE $3,759 TO PAY FOR THE CITY'S
20% COST - SHARE; AND, AUTHORIZED STAFF TO CONTRACT WITH RISK MANAGEMENT
PROFESSIONALS, INC. (RMP) TO ASSIST IN THE REVISIONS AND UPDATES TO THE CITY
OF DOWNEY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AREA PLAN (AREA PLAN): Fire.
8. APPROVED THE UPDATED LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MCCUNE & HARBER: City
Attorney.
10. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 15 -7538, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE SUBMITTAL OF TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT APPLICATION FOR THE 2015 LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO) CALL FOR PROJECTS: Public Works.
11. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 15 -7539, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPOINTING FERNANDO VASQUEZ, COUNCIL MEMBER, AS THE
REPRESENTATIVE AND ALEX SAAB, MAYOR PRO TEM, AS THE ALTERNATE, AND ANIL H.
GANDHY, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AS THE
SUBSTITUTE ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE
INDEPENDENT CITIES RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (ICRMA): Administration.
12. APPROVED THE USE OF THE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE CENTER BY
ASSEMBLYMEMBER CRISTINA GARCIA TO CONDUCT A SWEARING -IN CEREMONY
COMMUNITY EVENT: Administration.
13. ADOPTED THE BUDGET CALENDAR FOR FY 2015/2016: Finance.
OTHER BUSINESS
9. APPROVED AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AN EXISTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH DOWNEY ART VIBE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $30,000; AND, APPROVED THE
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SAID PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO
THE CRAWFORD GROUP AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID
AMENDMENT AND ASSIGNMENT: Community Development.
Council Member Ashton requested clarification on the fiscal impact of $30,000. He stated further
into the amendments it states there is a $57,000 compensation and another $30,000.
City Attorney Garcia stated this is an amendment of an existing contract. The $57,000 was for
the first phase of work already completed and paid. When an amendment is conducted staff leaves the
previous amount on the contract, and augments the provision by adding the additional work for phase
two of $30,000.
It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and
unanimously carried to approve staff's recommendation.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
14. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 15 -7540, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY ESTABLISHING A TRADITION IN WHICH THE SECOND CITY COUNCIL
MEETING IN JANUARY WILL ADJOURN IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE APOLLO 1
ASTRONAUTS, THE STS -51 -L CHALLENGER SPACE SHUTTLE CREW AND THE STS -107
COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE CREW: Mayor Marquez.
Mayor Marquez stated he placed this item on the agenda because it is important to memorialize
these accidents and believes it is fitting designating the second Council Meeting in January in honor of
the crew members.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab asked as to the timing of the events and recognition.
Council Member Ashton stated there were multiple disasters: one occurring on January 26, and
the other on February 1. Establishing the date as the second meeting in January will allow the Council
to memorialize both.
Mayor Marquez opened this item for Public Comment. Having no one come forward Mayor
Marquez closed Public Comment.
It was moved by Mayor Marquez, seconded by Council Member Ashton and unanimously
carried to adopt the Resolution.
15. CITY OF DOWNEY'S ENERGY ACTION PLAN: Public Works.
A. RECEIVED AND FILED A PRESENTATION ON THE ENERGY ACTION PLAN, BY KW
ENGINEERING, THE CITY'S PROJECT CONSULTANT; AND,
B. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 15 -7541, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY ACTION PLAN.
Director Mostahkami introduced Antonio Huizar and David Gilliland, KW Engineering, to provide
a presentation regarding the City's Energy Action Plan.
Mr. Huizar reviewed the City's Energy Action Plan and history. Mr. Huizar stated the Global
Warming Act is a law established in 2006 requiring Cities to reduce energy usage back to 1990 levels
by 2020, which is a 15% savings from current usage.
David Gilliland stated the first step was to collect all the data of energy usage by the City and
analyze the data. Water distribution and street lighting make up a big portion of electricity consumption
in the City. Then the 14 highest energy consuming buildings were reviewed. From the 14 buildings
selected, they make up 80% of the total building stock of energy consumption. As a whole, the water
distribution makes up 46% of the total usage. This is a major portion of energy and was a prime focus
of the study. All of the public facilities combined is 25% of total usage. Street lighting is 21% and parks
and miscellaneous buildings make up the remainder. The goal is to concentrate on the bigger usages
and that will get the City to its goals. Mr. Gilliland reviewed the breakdown by City Facilities: Police
Station being the highest user. There are some buildings that are not on the top energy user list. Once
we have identified where the City is using energy, the engineers can figure out where to save energy.
The 14 buildings are the potential for the highest savings of energy in the City. Mr. Gilliland reviewed
the process for reviewing the highest energy usage sites and based on the studies they come up with a
list of projects they believe will be good energy savings projects and be cost effective. In depth
calculations are conducted to determine the actual on bill energy savings and calculate the cost to
install projects. Then the payback is determined for each project and utility incentives. As the plan
was being developed, a number of projects were identified and assisted the City in finding a number of
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015 9
opportunities to leverage Southern California Edison (SCE) and other agencies to get free services.
Downey enrolled with SCE Direct Install Program and at no cost to the City SCE came in and installed
new fluorescent lighting; upgraded reflector kits, removed fluorescent lights from existing fixtures,
replaced other lights with LEDs, and installed occupancy sensors. At no cost to the City saved
approximately 160 kilowatt hours of savings, approximately $24,000 of savings. The projects identified
are listed based on cost effective determination and overall savings potential. The water distribution is
a very large portion of the City's energy consumption. Linkus, through Edison and at no cost to the
City, came in to analyze the savings potential of upgrading wells, and identified a number of wells that
need overhauling and rehabilitation and programs to improve pump control as well as improving the
SCADA System. He stated pumps are being run for 24 hours. The reason the energy is so much is
because the pumps do need work and updating and the goal is to bring that level down to more
consistent aspects of the City. Linkus identified a project at a cost of $900,000 to implement, and
based on the estimate it would save 1.8 million kilowatts annually or $160,000 savings per year. The
second largest energy user was the conglomeration of all the City facilities. The projects listed are
identified across multiple City -owned facilities and the report has a detailed breakdown of the proposed
measures: total project costs savings of 1.4 million kilowatts or $215,000 per year and include interior
lighting and controls, exterior led lighting upgrades and controls, replacing existing roofing with cool roof
material; replacing aging rooftop HVAC equipment; replacing shower heads and water fixture aerators
for lower flow options, and installing photovoltaic systems at many of the facilities.
Mayor Marquez asked if the City is using cool roofing materials for the Police Department and
City Hall. Director Mostahkami stated yes, the City is using cool roofing materials.
Council Member Brossmer asked how many years before the projects break even. Mr. Gilliland
stated it does vary because equipment has varying lifespan. For lighting projects, there is an aim of
under two years of payback. If you look at the individual projects, there is a 1.6 year payback. The
tables in the report show a line by line breakdown of all the projects. Our proposal to stage projects
with Public Works is to do the most cost effective projects first.
Council Member Brossmer stated at his home he has a variable speed pump; he asked if this is
the type of pump they are recommending. Mr. Gilliland stated yes, just having the drive on the pump
does not necessarily do everything you need it to do; you need to have the control system.
Director Mostahkami referred Council to page 66 of the report with a table outlining the energy
savings and payback time.
Mr. Gilliland stated the street lighting plan is to retrofit the city -owned street lights which is
different from the SCE -owned street lights. A plan to retrofit 1600 fixtures with LE -Ds and the energy
network was brought on to determine the savings. The SCE fixtures are currently expensive to buy
back from SCE before a project can be conducted. In 2013, AB 719 mandated that SCE come up with
a plan by July 1, 2015. Their mandate is to provide a cost effective option to have the Cities buy them
from SCE and retrofit the lights for them.
Mr. Huizar stated Downey is at the Silver Level as far as energy savings already performed. In
order for Downey to be at the Gold Level the City needs to approve the Energy Action Plan in order to
obtain incentive rates. Mr. Huizar reviewed Downey's baseline from 2006 to current based on the
projects already implemented, noting the City is already below the goal savings. Mr. Huizar stated the
City needs to adopt an Energy Action Plan; conduct community outreach and education; and, set policy
and guidelines. In total it will be approximately $4.5 million in savings, and the Council can start
identifying specific projects as noted in the report for a total of $500,000 a year in savings.
City Manager Livas noted there are a lot of little things done to reduce the City's consumption.
Mayor Marquez invited the public to comment on this item. Having no one come forward, public
comment was closed.
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Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015 10
It was moved by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Ashton and
unanimously carried to receive and file a presentation on the Energy Action Plan, by KW Engineering.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Ashton, and
unanimously carried to adopt the resolution.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Livas commented on the recent infrastructure work and thanked Director Mostahkami and
Mr. Oskoui for their work on the projects.
Council Member Brossmer asked when the next finalize accouterments will be installed in
Downtown. Mr. Oskoui stated at the next Downtown Subcommittee a review of the project will be
conducted and decision on the flow of the progress of the project from now until completion.
Mr. Livas thanked the Lakewood Blvd. Project Subcommittee for moving the project forward.
He also thanked Director Mostahkami and Assistant City Manager Oskoui.
Council Member Vasquez asked if the materials for the Lakewood Blvd. have already been
ordered. Mr. Livas stated the parts have been ordered and are being manufactured. The bid was
approved by the City Council approximately five months ago.
Director Mostahkami stated the bus shelters have arrived and are waiting to be installed. The
project will move forward after a Subcommittee Meeting review and approval.
Mayor Marquez thanked staff for their work.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Marquez, at 8:43 p.m., adjourned the City Council Meeting in Memory of the Crew of
Apollo One, Jan 27th, 1967; the Crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia, Jan 28th, 1986; the Crew of
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster, Feb 1st, 2003; and, Duane Croom, brother of retired Fire Chief
Lonnie Croom; and, the servicemen who perished this past week during Operation Enduring Freedom:
Sgt. 1st Class Ramon S. Morris, 37, of New York, New York; and Spc. Wyatt J. Martin, 22, of Mesa,
Arizona.
ADRIA M. JIMENE CMC
City Clerk
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 27, 2015 11
LUIS H. MARQU
Mayor