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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-27-15 Special MeetingMINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL OF OF DOWNEY SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 27, 2015 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special Meeting on July 27, 2015, at 6:38 p.m., in the Columbia Space Science Center, 12400 Columbia Way, Downey, California, Mayor Pro Tern Saab presiding. Council Members. Luis H. Marquez Alex Saab Sean Ashton Roger C. Brossmer Fernando Vasquez Mayor (Excused) Mayor Pro Tern Council Member Council Member (Excused) Council Member Gilbert Livas, City Manager Alicia Duarte, Deputy City Clerk 1. MAYOR PRO TEM ALEX SAAB TOWN HALL MEETING: Mayor Pro Tern Saab. Mayor Pro Tern Saab welcomed the audience to the Town Hall meeting. He acknowledged the presence of City Manager Livas, Downey Unified School Board Member Martha Sodetani, Council Members Ashton and Vasquez, and former Council Members Perkins and Guerra in the audience. Mayor Pro Tern Saab provided a quick overview of the City's organizational structure. He briefly discussed the role and responsibilities of the Community Development Department and said Director Schindler has done a great job attracting new businesses to the City. He mentioned the recent Municipal Code amendments related to water conservation imposed by the Governor and mentioned future Municipal Code amendments in progress to allow artificial turf in the next 30 to 60 days. He talked about the recent amendment to the Downtown Downey Specific Plan to allow the use of off -site parking for businesses in the downtown area. He talked about improvements to existing businesses that are taking place. First, Penske Toyota, one of the largest businesses in Downey is completing _a -small addition and remodeling their showroom and offices as well as renovating their fagade;_ Champion Dodge has purchased property adjacent to the dealership from the City and is constructing a new 16,000 square foot showroom and offices; Downey Nissan has submitted plans to construct a new 49,000 square foot building on the northeast corner of Firestone Boulevard and Old River School Road at the old All American site. He spoke regarding the purchase of Downey Regional Hospital by Presbyterian_Intercommunity Hospital (PIH) and their work to expand the emergency room; PIH's purchase of the medical office building across the street and their fagade modification, landscape upgrades and improvement in the parking area of the facility. He noted Centrelake Imaging on Lakewood Boulevard has added approximately 3,700 square feet to an existing building and conducted a fagade remodel Uses of the imagery include MRI, CT Scan, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy. The former Sambi's will be converted to a La Barca Restaurant which includes a new look for the building and addition of an outdoor dining area. He talked about The Promenade a large project which will create thousands of jobs. He mentioned various businesses the City tried to attract to that location such as Tesla, a solar panel company and the movie studio. He explained the land is a private development; the City only owns 20 acres on the east side and the developer decided to turn it into a shopping district. A 24 Hour Fitness building has been constructed and it will also host a 16 screen CineMark Theatres. He explained the development will incorporate the history of science at this historical site in the City which will include a Benihana Japanese Restaurant, Mod Super Fast Pizza, Gaucho Grill, Lazy Dog Cafe, Jersey Mikes, Rock & Brews, Ruby's Diner, Five Guys Burgers, Pick Up Stix, Dickey's Barbecue Pit, What the Funnel, Fresh Griller, Active Clothing Store, Panera Bread and Floor & City Council Minutes Special Meeting — August 27, 2015 1 Decor. Mayor Pro Tern Saab commented on The Commons development on the southeast corner of Lakewood Boulevard and Gallatin Road will be new modern architecture building with a mix use of restaurants and retail space which will include a Golden Corral and more to be announced in the future. Mayor Pro Tern Saab confirmed Wal -Mart would be coming to the Promenade and explained the City had could not control this because it is a private development and they do not determine what retailers come. City Manager Livas explained the City's attempt to bring Tesla, a solar panel company and other businesses to the location of The Promenade. He talked about their efforts to bring other big box retailers to the development such as Target, Costco, Sam's and Lowes but they are already located in adjacent cities. He talked about the importance of revenue tax dollars that will come in to the City to be able to provide the residents with the necessary public safety services and street improvements needed. Mayor Pro Tem Saab mentioned their efforts to bring Trader Joes to Downey but they were informed Trader Joes is not expanding in California at this time. City Manager Livas stated many cities have offered Trader Joes incentives and free land but they have been turned down, including Downey. Mayor Pro Tern Saab commented on the renovations taking place at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital to meet state - mandated seismic safety requirements and replace aged and deteriorating facilities. Construction will include a new Wellness & Aquatic Therapy Center. He announced more new developments, Aldi Food Market coming to the vacant lot on Lakewood and Firestone Boulevards; Vallarta and Starbucks coming to the former Beach's Market and Baker's Square Site; a second Starbucks coming to the corner of Bellflower and Imperial; a Giant RV coming to the former Sam's Club Site; and a new housing development, The Centerpointe on Paramount Boulevard between 5th St. to 7th St. He announced the City Council approved to move forward with the construction of a new hotel at 9066 Firestone Blvd. adjacent to the Dunkin Donuts. Mayor Pro Tern Saab discussed the City's new branding logo, and also commented on upcoming building improvement at the Downey Library and Theatre. He confirmed a BevMo! is coming to Firestone Boulevard east of Brookshire Avenue. He talked about the replacement of street name signs with the City Seal and the new City logo. He commented on the residential street rehabilitation to repave and slurry seal several residential streets and explained streets are assessed and evaluated every three years to schedule repairs. He briefly commented on the improvements in the Northeast Quadrant of the City known as Slurry Seal Area "A" which covers approximately nine miles of roadway; the Firestone Boulevard Potable Water System Improvement project between Brookshire Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard to east City limits; the Lakewood Boulevard /Rosemead Boulevard at Telegraph Road Intersection Improvement Project scheduled to start the end of September and estimated to end in March 2016. He provided an update on the replacement of the Firestone Boulevard Bridge. He commented on the Police Department's expansion of the Canine Program, the Firestone License Plate Reader Project and the body worn cameras. He invited the residents to join the Neighborhood Watch Program. He talked about the increase in coyote sightings. He encouraged the audience to download the "City of Downey App" and use it to report graffiti. He talked about the recently adopted Bicycle Master Plan; the park improvements in accordance to the Parks Master Plan; the Columbia Memorial Space Center; and upcoming City events: the International Food Festival; the Halloween Pumpkin Patch; the Rock n' Ride for Veterans; and, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. He briefly discussed the homeless issues in the City. Council Member Vasquez left the meeting at 8:00 p.m. City Council Minutes Special Meeting — August 27, 2015 2