Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-24-15 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2015 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 6:32 p.m., February 24, 2015, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Marquez presiding. PRESENT: Luis H. Marquez Mayor Alex Saab Mayor Pro Tern Sean Ashton Council Member Roger C. Brossmer Council Member Fernando Vasquez Council Member 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 Jack Jimenez, Calvary Chapel of Downey. The Flag Salute was led by Downey Youth Commissioners: Molly Donahue, Emely Lopez, Victoria Arguello, and Jonathan Jin. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS Council Member Vasquez announced on March 5th there will be a Groundbreaking event for the 1 -5 Freeway; he invited residents to attend the State of the City on March 4 where Mayor Marquez will deliver City updates. He noted he will be the Keynote Speaker at San Diego State's Graduation this upcoming weekend. Council Member Brossmer welcomed everyone to the Council Meeting. Council Member Ashton reported attending the Keep Downey Beautiful Clean -up on February 14 and advised if anyone is interested the next clean -up is scheduled for March 14. He advised he attended the Opening Ceremony for Downey Ponytail League on Saturday. He requested staff review the intersections of Downey Avenue and Imperial Highway, and Old River School Road and Stewart and Gray Road, for the possible installation of left -turn lights. Mayor Pro Tern Saab advised the Gangs Out of Downey (G.O.O.D) Luncheon is scheduled for March 18 at Rio Hondo Event Center; March 7 is the Kiwanis Dedication of the Exercise Equipment donation at Furman Park. The final Parks and Recreation Master Plan Community Workshop is scheduled for Saturday at Golden Park. He reported the City had a Special Olympics meeting on Thursday and commended Arlene Salazar, Director of Parks & Recreation, and her staff. Special Olympics staff was in attendance and stated Downey was the most organized City in all 80 participating Cities. He thanked and congratulated Director Salazar. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting - February 24, 2015 Mayor Marquez welcomed everyone to the Council Meeting. He reported attending the Opening Ceremony for Downey Ponytail League. In a couple of weeks West Downey and Northwest Downey Little Leagues will be having their Opening Ceremonies. Mayor Marquez noted that he spoke to Director of Public Works Mostahkami regarding the intersection of Imperial Hwy. and Downey Ave. regarding the possible installation of a left -turn arrow. He requested staff return to City Council with information and a plan for the funding and installation of cameras in all City Parks. Mayor Marquez requested staff review City ordinances related to illegal drug dealing and use around schools and would like it applied to City Parks, around Downey youth. PRESENTATIONS 1. Mayor Marquez presented the Mayor's Courage Award to Carlos Fuentes, Antonio Negrete, and Issaac Moscoso, Calvary Chapel Employees, For Their Heroic Actions During An Automobile Accident On October 31, 2014. 2. Mayor Marquez and Mayor Pro Tern Saab presented a Certificate of Recognition to Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church for their 85th Anniversary PUBLIC HEARING 1. CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAMS: Community Development. A. CONDUCTED A PUBLIC HEARING AND RECEIVED PUBLIC COMMENT PERTAINING TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAMS. Mayor Marquez opened the Public Hearing at 6:55 p.m. City Clerk Jimenez affirmed receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Council Member Brossmer, and so ordered by Mayor Marquez to receive and file. City Clerk Jimenez noted there was no correspondence received. Director of Community Development, Aldo Schindler, provided the staff report and advised the purpose of tonight's public hearing is to collect public comment on the service needs for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funding. Every five years the Council is presented the consolidated plan which assesses the needs of the community, specifically: affordable housing, community and economic development services for our low and moderate income residents. These are also addressed through the annual CDBG and HOME funding. This is similar to our annual CDBG and HOME action plan, which the Council approves in May each year. Staff, with the assistance of a consultant, has initiated the development of the required Consolidated Plan and has conducted two Community Meetings on January 15 and February 19. Staff has also solicited input through paper and on -line surveys. The next steps in this process are: complete community outreach: complete the Draft Consolidated Plan with the Annual Action Plan by April 10th, and make the document available to the public at that time; and, host a public hearing on May 12, 2015, for the approval of Consolidated Plan and Action Plan, with the recommended funding for the CDBG and HOME services for next fiscal year. Mayor Marquez invited the public to speak on this item. Charlene Dimas - Peinedo, The Whole Child Executive Director, stated The Whole Child provides comprehensive services for homeless children and families in the community. In Downey, they have served 10 homeless families, with three to four children in the home. In total, they have served 34 homeless families: 12 adults and 22 homeless children at -risk and living in motels, cars, or overcrowded conditions in shelters. The Whole Child also provides prevention services, rapid re- housing, crisis housing and permanent housing, resources for mental health services, job training and placement, financial literacy and life skills. The Whole Child works with Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital for services. The Whole Child provides basic needs such as clothing, food, and furniture for City Council Minutes 2 Regular Meeting — February 24, 2015 homeless families. There is a variety of City and Government contracts that help fund this program, which require a 25% match. Downey will also receive priorities for providing services for families. Ms. Diaz - Pienedo is requesting the City continue services. The Whole Child is the only agency providing housing services for homeless children and families. Having no further speakers, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Saab, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and so ordered by the Mayor to close the Public Hearing. City Manager Livas advised the Council is taking testimony tonight. At a later date the City Council will have the opportunity to review the funding opportunities and services in a more detailed format. NON - AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT Joe Serrano, resident, commended the Parks and Recreation Department for their work and suggested the City hire police personnel to monitor the safety of City parks. Resident, no name provided, recognized and thanked Fire Chief Gillaspie for his assistance with providing additional toys for the Angel Tree Program during the holidays. Bill Menasian, resident, congratulated the Council on the sound upgrades in the Council Chambers. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Vasquez advised he is abstaining from Item No. 5, as it is within 500 feet of his residence. It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Ashton, and unanimously carried, with Council Member Vasquez abstaining from Item No. 5 to approve the Consent Calendar. 2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 291634 — 292030; Wire Nos. 30003284 — 30003289; Manual Wire Nos. 1312 — 1314; in the total amount of $3,247,038.43: Finance. 3. CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 488D - FIRESTONE BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FROM OLD RIVER SCHOOL ROAD TO BROOKSHIRE AVE: ACCEPTED THE CONCRETE IMPROVEMENTS AS COMPLETE; APPROVED THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $1,102,583.83; AND, AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE: Public Works. 4. CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 601A - FIRESTONE BOULEVARD PROJECT: ACCEPTED THE ABATEMENT AND DEMOLITION RELATED TO THE EXISTING STRUCTURES AT 7952 AND 7966 FIRESTONE BOULEVARD AS COMPLETE; APPROVED THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $31,960; AND, AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE: Public Works. 5. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 15 -04 - RIO SAN GABRIEL PARK WALKING TRAILS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR BIDS: Public Works. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — February 24, 2015 6. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 15 -7549, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION FOR THE CALRECYCLE ILLEGAL DISPOSAL SITE ABATEMENT GRANT PROGRAM FOR WHICH THE CITY OF DOWNEY IS ELIGIBLE: Public Works. 7. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 15 -7550, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING TRACT MAP NO. 68042 (12106 OLD RIVER SCHOOL ROAD) AND AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENTS WITH THE SUBDIVIDER: Public Works. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 8. APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH CALIFA TO CONNECT THE DOWNEY CITY LIBRARY WITH CENIC'S CALREN NETWORK FOR 1 GBPS PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS: Administration. City Manager Livas explained this item is regarding the expansion of Wi -Fi at the City Library. Staffs challenge has been getting a response from the provider to provide Wi -Fi service. Ms. DeLong has come up with a creative solution to expand Wi -Fi service for the Library and expanding the outreach to the Library system. The City is able to do this because the Council has also approved a new fiber optic system in connection with a new phone system. Ms. DeLong is presenting something that is creative and achieves the Council's goal, and staff is hoping the City Council will concur and approve the recommendation. Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager /Library Director, stated the Library is proposing to switch internet service providers so the City can provide Library users with internet access that is faster, more reliable, costs less and allows the City to eliminate the current two -hour time limit. There are a lot of pieces to the project: the California Federal Rebate Program, CENIC, California State Library, a library non - profit, local libraries and also a special one -time State Library Technology Grant. The State Library found that slow internet speeds and high internet usage were crashing library systems and making it useless for everyone while spending tax payer funds trying to provide internet services. They determined the way to get faster, more reliable internet service is through the California Research and Educational Network, CalRen, a non - profit, which the California Universities, California State Universities, some private California universities, and some K -12 schools connect through. The Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California, CENIC. users of CENIC, are both Board Members and customers. Individual libraries could not be Board Members of CENIC so the State Library Board gathered the libraries in the state together and joined as a charter member of CENIC and each can become customers of Time Warner or Comcast. Califa, a non - profit consortium partially funded by the Federal Institute for Museum and Library Services, issued a Request for Proposals on behalf of the 86 California Libraries. The recommendation is to approve the agreement with Califa, not CENIC. Califa will coordinate with CENIC on the City's behalf. The proposed service is 20 times faster than the existing service, the monthly recurring costs after E -Rate Rebates is $2.50 less than the current monthly fee and the faster speeds and larger capacity would allow us to provide service without the current time limits. There is also a $6400 connection cost to CalRen, as well as the purchase of additional hardware. The high bandwidth allows patrons to also connect back to the City Library and avail themselves of City Library Services such as E- Books, online databases, the online catalog, and the public Wi -Fi system. This can only support the facilities that are connected through the City's fiber optic network: Various traffic signals, Fire Stations, Water Yard, Transit Depot, Maintenance Yard (Independence Park), Parks & Recreation Admininistration (BJR, Gym at Apollo Park), and the Columbia Memorial Space Center (Discovery Park). If the City Council approves the agreement, staff is requesting the Council appropriate one -time costs of $72,500 (80% reimbursement and $30,000 grant), and approve the agreement with Califa for CENIC service. The City could pay as low as $13,500, and if the City is awarded the grant funds the City could have no costs associated with this service. City Council Minutes 4 Regular Meeting — February 24, 2015 Council Member Vasquez commended Ms. DeLong for her work on this item and stated it is a step in the right direction. He asked what is needed to provide Wi -Fi at Furman Park. City Manager Livas advised it is a cost issue. The upcoming installation of the fiber optic lines was dedicated to the parks that require telephone installation and upgrades. This item came forward for Library and the City decided to participate. Staff can return to City Council with the cost for installation of fiber optic lines to provide for Wi -Fi service. Council Member Vasquez asked where the nearest feed of fiber optic lines is to Furman Park. Public Works Director Mostahkami advised it is Florence Avenue through Rives, which is approximately 2,000 feet. Council Member Vasquez requested staff return to Council with costs for Wi -Fi at all City Parks and Downtown Downey. Council Member Ashton requested Director DeLong clarify the cost. Director DeLong stated worst case scenario the City could pay $72,000 to connect with a monthly fee of $72.50. The E- Rebate brings that cost down to 20 %, and the monthly fee is $2.50 less than what the City is currently paying. It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Saab, and unanimously carried to approve an agreement with Califa to Connect the Downey City Library with CENIC's CalRen Network for 1 GBPS Public Internet Access. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS City Manager Livas stated staff acknowledges and tries to find ways to achieve Council Member requests. He thanked Ms. DeLong for coming with up with a creative way to achieve one of the Council's requests. ADJOURNED Mayor Marquez adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:19 p.m. in memory of Kathleen Mary McClain, mother of Anne Guerra and mother -in -law of former Mayor Mario Guerra; Mario Funk, Grandfather of Beth Gendreau; and, Harriet Paine, longtime Downey Resident. ADRIA M. JIMENEZ, 4MC City Clerk City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — February 24, 2015 -ZZ I z�, ___- - LUIS H. MARQUEZ, ayor