HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-10-15 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 10, 2015
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on February 10, 2015,
at 6:34 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, Mayor Marquez presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Luis H. Marquez
Alex Saab
Sean Ashton
Roger C. Brossmer
Fernando Vasquez
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tern
Council Member
Council Member
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 Pastor Nancy Hamm, Downey Christ Lutheran Church. The
Flag Salute was led by Mark Echmalian.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE /MEETING REPORTS
Mayor Marquez officially announced the City of Downey is hosting the Special Olympics
delegation from Ireland. He thanked Mayor Pro Tern Saab, Director of Parks & Recreation Arlene
Salazar and all the other organizations involved in sponsoring and providing assistance for the Ireland
delegation to ensure the athletes receive the best experience possible, and highlight Downey and the
many different places in our community. He thanked Gold Sponsors: Coca -Cola, Downey Association
of Realtors, Embassy Suites; Event /Meal Sponsors: Downey Federal Credit Union, Presbyterian
Intercommunity Hospital, Soroptimist International of Downey, Downey Host Lions, and Kaiser
Permanente. Mayor Marquez thanked the School District for allowing Special Olympics to use their
fields for training.
Director Salazar announced the City is recruiting volunteers. Forms must be submitted by May
1, 2015, and are available on the City's website. There is a planning meeting every third Thursday of
the month at the Barbara J. Riley Senior Center.
Mayor Pro Tem Saab expressed his appreciation to Director Salazar for the great job she is
doing organizing for the event. Special Olympic staff stated Downey is a model City. He stated he is
looking forward to welcoming the athletes to the community.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - March 10, 2015
Council Member Vasquez welcomed Cerritos Board of Trustee Bob Arthur, who was in the
audience. He announced the following events: Gangs Out of Downey (G.O.O.D) Annual Luncheon,
ARC Walk on March 21; and, the Apollo Park Ribbon Cutting event. Council Member Vasquez
congratulated Mayor Marquez on the State of the City, noting it was a great presentation. He reported
attending a Stay Healthy Downey meeting and discussed how to prepare for the events occurring in the
community and analytically track progress. Next month the Committee will be participating in a four
hour retreat to prepare a strategic plan. He reported last week staff and City Manager Livas, Assistant
City Manager Oskoui, and Public Works Director Mostahkami attended the 1 -5 Groundbreaking
Ceremony. It was a historic day for the City. He reported there will be 24- months of non -stop
construction.
Council Member Brossmer stated he just returned from Seattle where Downey High School was
one of 22 high schools in California and one of 150 internationally selected as a Microsoft Showcase
School. He stated he is really excited to participate in the Special Olympics and hosting Ireland and
thanked Director Salazar for her coordination. He congratulated Mayor Marquez on a successful State
of the City Luncheon and thanked the Chamber of Commerce for hosting the event. He announced he
along with Council Member Ashton, attended the Pavement Management Information System Meeting
and reviewed the conditions of the City's roads. The roads are in pretty decent shape, less so in the
residential areas as most funding can only be used on major thoroughfares. The key to street
management is the street must be maintained to certain level. The bad news is in order to maintain the
roads at their current level it will cost approximately $10 million. Roads are a major concern of a lot of
residents and it is challenging for staff. The City needs to do something because the longer the City
waits the worse the roads get. Roads typically last 25 years; some of Downey's roads are going on 60
years. Downey is not unique in not having the money.
Council Member Ashton stated the City is working really hard to do what we can to yet the
streets fixed. He announced the Keep Downey Beautiful Clean -Up scheduled for March 14t . He
reported on his attendance at events on Saturday: West Downey Little League Opening Ceremonies
and the Dedication of the exercise equipment by Kiwanis.
Mayor Pro Tern Saab extended a special welcome to Gail Courtney, Downey Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director, Jennie Wood, Bob Arthur, and Jonathan Fonti, Representative of the
Downey Association of Realtors. He reported attending the dedication of the outdoor fitness equipment
donation made by Kiwanis, noting it was a great turn out and the donation aligns with Downey's Healthy
initiative. He announced the Rose Float Association Officer Installation was in Long Beach, and
thanked the Association for continuing to produce wonderful floats every year. Mayor Pro Tern Saab
congratulated and thanked the Chamber of Commerce for hosting the State of the City event. He
announced on March 13, Soroptimist International of Downey is hosting a fundraising event, "Casino
Night," to help raise funds for community scholarships.
Mayor Marquez welcomed everyone to the City Council meeting. He thanked the Chamber of
Commerce for hosting the State of the City luncheon. He reported attending a press conference
attended by representatives from Metro, Los Angeles County Supervisor's Office, and the Cities of
Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, and Downey, to announce the 1 -5 Florence Avenue Bridge modernization
project. The project will provide support to modernize the freeway and make it safer for residents to
travel. Mayor Marquez recognized Council Member Vasquez for his work on the project committee.
Mayor Marquez announced West Downey Little League held its Opening Ceremony on Saturday and
thanked Council Member Ashton for participating. Mayor Marquez requested staff return with cost
information on installing cameras in all City parks.
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Regular Meeting - March 10, 2015 2
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor's Courage Award to Isaac Rincon. Mayor Marquez announced Isaac Rincon is unable to
participate in tonight's City Council Meeting.
2. Mayor Marquez and the City Council presented a Certificate of Recognition to Anthony Magee,
Aerojet - Rocketdyne Corp. and the Gencorp Foundation, for their generous support of the Columbia
Memorial Space Center's City of STEM Festival.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. SUBMITTAL OF GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION -
RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT PERTAINING TO THE CITY'S APPLICATION FOR THE
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION - SECTION 5310 GRANT PROGRAM: Parks &
Recreation.
Mayor Marquez opened the Public Hearing at 7:08 p.m. City Clerk Jimenez affirmed receipt of
the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Council Member
Vasquez, and so ordered by Mayor Marquez to receive and file. City Clerk Jimenez noted there was no
correspondence received.
Parks and Recreation Director Salazar provided the staff report advising the request for
submittal of the grant application notice as an element of submitting the grant administered through the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The grant is designed to enhance mobility of seniors and those
with disabilities, and replace aging fleet (9 buses, 1 van) for Dial -A -Ride with a combination of cutaway
buses and vans. The grant will add four new vans, and replace three cutaways for total fleet of 10.
Currently, there are nine buses and 1 van. This allows the City to continue with the subscription
program which takes Seniors to the Barbara J. Riley Senior Center, grocery store and summer
concerts. The City will be replacing the current fleet with compressed natural gas (CNG) at a cost of
approximately $600,000. The City is applying for a majority of maximum amount available.
Mayor Marquez opened this item for Public Comment at 7:13 p.m.
Herman, resident, positively commented about the grant program, noting it is a good program
for Seniors and people with disabilities. He stated he did not hear how the $650,000 will be delegated
and how the grant is going to be paid.
City Manager Livas stated the funds will be used to purchase 4 D -Class Minivans and 3 D -Class
busses used for the Dial -a -Ride program.
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 7:14 p.m.
This item was received and filed.
NON - AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Herman, resident, commented on sidewalk disrepair in District 1
Gail Courtney, Jennie Wood, and Bob Arthur, Chamber of Commerce, provided an update on
the Chamber of Commerce and their upcoming programs.
Mike Chirco, resident, commented on the increased crime in his area and requested additional
police patrols.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - March 10, 2015 3
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tern Saab pulled Item No. 8.
It was moved by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Brossmer, and
unanimously carried, with Mayor Pro Tern Saab abstaining from Item No. 4, to approve the remaining of
the Consent Calendar.
2. APPROVED MINUTES: City Council Meeting of January 27, 2015; Special Meeting of February 10,
2015: City Clerk.
3. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 292031 — 292318; Wire Nos. 30003290 — 30003294; Manual
Wire Nos. 1315 — 1321; Cashier's Check No. 68, in the total amount of $3,124,419.71: Finance.
4. CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 601B - PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD AT FIRESTONE BOULEVARD
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: AUTHORIZED THE' PROCUREMENT AND
INSTALLATION OF THE CITY - FURNISHED SITE FURNISHINGS: Public Works.
5. CASH CONTRACT NO. 632 -3D - LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD /ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD AT
TELEGRAPH ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: APPROVED CONSULTANT AGREEMENT
WITH OVERLAND, PACIFIC AND CUTLER, INC. FOR RIGHT -OF -WAY AND EASEMENT
ACQUISITION ASSISTANCE SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $73,400;
AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE BY
CITY ATTORNEY; AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT AS DEEMED NECESSARY FOR THIS PROJECT: Public
Works.
6. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
WITH CINDY SO AND LAY MENG EA FOR THE CITY -OWNED PROPERTY AT 11911
WOODRUFF AVENUE FOR $1,700,000; AND, THE CITY -OWNED PROPERTY AT 11921
WOODRUFF AVENUE FOR $620,500: Community Development.
7. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 15 -7551, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE OR THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
WORKS TO SIGN ESCROW AGREEMENTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT RETENTION FUNDS PURUSANT TO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE
SECTION 22300: Public Works.
OTHER BUSINESS
8. APPROVED WAIVING ADMISSION FEES TO THE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE CENTER
DURING THE WEEK -LONG CITY OF STEM EVENT, APRIL 6 -11, 2015: Administration.
Council Member Saab stated he pulled this item to provide information on this upcoming event
and thank Director Dickow for his work.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Saab, seconded by Council Member Brossmer and carried
unanimously to approve waiving admission fees to the Columbia Memorial Space Center during the
week -long City of STEM Event, April 6 -11, 2015.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - March 10, 2015 4
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Livas stated Executive Director of the Columbia Memorial Space Learning Center
Dickow has done an excellent job in bringing programs to the Space Center and thanked Director
Dickow for his work with Rocketdyne Corp.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:29 p.m. Mayor Marquez adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting in memory of
Esther A. Uva, longtime Downey resident and mother of Carrie Uva; and, Daniel Saucedo, longtime
Downey resident.
A RIA M. JIMENEZ CIVIC
City Clerk
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - March 10, 2015 5
LUIS H. MARQUEZ, yor