HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-08-16 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF
COUNCIL CITY OF OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 8, r
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on March 8, 2016,
at 6 :35 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, Mayor Saab presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members.
Alex Saab
Fernando Vasquez
Sean Ashton
Roger C. Brossmer
Luis Marquez
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tern
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Saab. The Flag Salute was led by Downey High School
KIWIN'S: Daniel Gonzalez, Patricia Flores, Mikayla Bisson and Jocelyn Martinez.
COUNCIL • FOR r
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Ashton reported attending the Downey Little League Opening Ceremony and
the TLC 5K Run. He thanked the community members who attended his Town Hall meeting. He
announced upcoming events: Arc Walk Fundraiser; Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Up; and, Brunch with
the Bunny. He requested staff draft a resolution asking the State of California to increase the penalty for
fatalities caused by street racers.
Council Member Marquez welcomed the audience to the City Council Meeting. He provided` an
update regarding the Eco -Rapid Transit Project and the release of a Request for Proposals for an
Environmental Impact Report as well as funding allocation for the project.
Council Member Brossmer welcomed the audience to the City Council Meeting. He reported
attending a Theatre Subcommittee meeting and provided an update on the status of the Theatre
renovation project.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez announced the Gangs Out of Downey Luncheon; Dottie Middle School
visit to City Hall; and, his participation as a panelist at the University of Southern California for
Univision's Financial Fair regarding Small Businesses and Finances. He recognized Michael Murray,
former Planning Commissioner; Mrs. Murray; and, Teacher Alex Gaytan, in the audience. He requested
staff schedule a Lakewood Boulevard Subcommittee meeting.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — March 8, 2016
Mayor Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He requested an update from the Public
Works Department on the Firestone and Lakewood Projects.
Director Mostahkami provided an update on the construction on Firestone and Paramount.
Paving and grinding of the street starts tonight and will be completed in the next few days. Firestone
east construction has started between Lakewood and east City limit. The contractor has begun the
installation of the median island irrigation line and paving will begin once the median island work is
complete. The Lakewood /Rosemead and Telegraph intersection project began today with Phase One
of Four Phases. The contractor will begin with concrete work. Staff has met with the City of Pico Rivera
and is working with Edison on the relocation of poles. The anticipated completion time for the project is
between June and July of this year.
Mayor Saab reported attending a Theatre Subcommittee meeting and provided an update on
the renovation. He commented on the use of the Theatre for various events throughout the year. He
reported participating in the "Day of the Reader" event at various local schools and the Wesley Health
Center. He also attended Downey Unified School District MADE Program Celebration and the
convening of Mayors at the Museum of Latin American Art to discuss transportation issues. He
announced upcoming events: Gangs Out of Downey Luncheon; Downey Federal Credit Union CARES
Cook -Off; PTA HELPS Open House: Brunch with the Bunny; and, Family Game Night at the Columbia
Memorial Space Center.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Saab presented the Mayor's Distinguished Citizen Award presented to Alex Gaytan.
2. Council Member Ashton presented a Certificate of Recognition to Chuck Frey, for his service and
commitment to the Green Task Force.
3. Presentation to the City by Downey Sister City's Association of paintings by Maureen Gaffney-
Wolfson to be donated to the People of Ireland.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
NON- AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Roy Beard, resident, stated there will be a presentation to the Neighborhood Watch Committees
on emergency preparedness and announced an upcoming sheltering class and new CERT Class.
Resident, no name provided, commented on the American Disability Act
Resident, no name provided, commented in regards to speeding issues at the 8100 block of De
Palma, between Downey Avenue and Paramount Ave.
Business owner, no name provided, commented in regards to excessive car accidents at the
intersection of Imperial Highway and Bellflower Avenue.
Mr. Ivan, Solplicity, commented regarding his solar panel company and requested to meet with
City staff to discuss solar panel installation at a City facility free of cost.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Brossmer, and carried
unanimously, with Council Member Ashton pulling Item No. 12, to approve the remainder of the
Consent Calendar.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — March 8; 2016 2
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Special and Regular Meetings of February 23, 2016: City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 301559- 301980; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003434= 30003438
Manual Wire Nos. 1416- 1418; Cashier Check Nos. 79 -81; Voided Check No. 301731 for
$2,350.56, in the total amount of is $3,515,252.99: Finance.
3. CASH CONTRACT NO. CC 675 — BLANDOOD ROAD AND TRUE AVENUE SEWER LIFT
STATIONS REPLACEMENT PROJECT: REJECTED BIDS, APPROVED PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS, AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR Public Works.
5. APPROVED A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH MARK 43 FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
RECORDS _ AND COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH
(CAD) TO REPLACE THE CURRENT SYSTEMS: Police
c• i i • r ;i • • + l
• r • r r • r r•
r r r r - - - •
7. ADOPTED - • I • 116-76116 A RESOLUTION OF • OF
OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION TO CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT
OF • AND RECOVERY (CAL RECYCLE) FOR
CONTAINER • " • AND RELATED
• • N: Public Works.
• r r - i • • i • • i •
i' •rI • i • 1 - • -
ADOPTED RESOLUTION N• f A RESOLUTION OF • OF
OF DOWNEY APPOINTING TO THE GREEN TASK FORCE FOR DISTRICT
Mayor • Tern Vasquez.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — March 8, 2016 3
ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE OF • OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION OF DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
9314.04 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ALLOW COMMERCIAL RECREATION
USES IN THE M-1 (LIGHT MANUFACTURING) AND M-2 (GENERAL MANUFACTURING)
ZONES: Community Development.
10. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 16 -7619, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY SUPPORTING THE "NO PLACE LIKE HOME" SENATE PROPOSAL ON
HOMELESSNESS: Administration.
Resident, no name provided, commented on the homeless community and monetary assistance for
the homeless.
12. INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 16--, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ARTILE II, CHAPTER 1, SECTION
2105 REGULATING THE RULES OF CONDUCT FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: City Attorney.
Council Member Ashton stated he did not have any issues with the current length of public
comment time. As a compromise, he suggested having a three minute non - agenda public comment
period and a three minute consent calendar public comment period.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez asked what other cities practice in regards to public comment. City
Attorney Abich Garcia stated most cities allow a three minute time period which complies with State
law.
Council Member Marquez agreed with keeping the current practice but reducing the time to
three minutes.
Council Member Ashton said he would also like to have a three minute public comment period
for administrative reports.
Mayor Saab stated he was not in favor of reducing the public comment time period. He would
like to have non - agenda public comment at the beginning of the meeting to avoid having speakers wait.
Council Member Ashton stated he would like to have a three minute time period for every part of
the agenda instead of the proposed onetime five minute period and would like the non - agenda public
comment time period to beheld at a consistent time during the meeting.
Council Member Marquez stated he would like a policy changing the public comment time
periods to three minutes instead of five minutes, and to have non - agenda public comment time moved
to the beginning of the meeting.
Council Member Brossmer said he is not in favor of reducing the public comment time and does
not want to dictate when the non - agenda public comment period takes place.
Council Member Ashton stated his concern was the item being approved had he not pulled it
from Consent Calendar. He clarified he did not request this item be placed on the agenda and was not
happy with it but was offering the three minute suggestion as a counter proposal to the
recommendation but is fine with the way it is now:
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting— March 8, 2016 4
City - Attorney Abich Garcia recommended not limiting the time for public comment on public
hearing items involving property rights or Planning Commission appeals in order to allow the applicant
or appellant to make an argument on a decision or make their case. She stated the current rules are
written to allow the Mayor to use his discretion and extend the amount of time for these issues.
Mayor Saab opened this item for public comment.
Resident, no name provided, commented against any change to the public comment time and
referenced the Ralph M. Brown Act. He questioned if Council Member Ashton is against the public's
First Amendment rights.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Saab closed public comment
Council Member Ashton replied to the comments made by the resident. He clarified he did not
place this item on the agenda and said he suggested the three minute time period per agenda section
in counter argument of the proposed change of a one -time five minute public comment period per
person. He stated wanting more time for the public to speak and had he not pulled the item it would
have been passed and there would only have been a five minute public comment period.
There was no action taken on item.
r ••
i ' • • .1 r • • ' • r
a"wl E Len r ••,, r r r; i-
ACCEPTABLE BY THE CITY ATTORNEY: Administration.
The staff report was provided by Director Salazar. As part of the celebration of the City's 60th
Anniversary, Council asked staff to provide options for hosting a one -time fireworks show during the
Fourth of July weekend. Director Salazar explained there are several options available including costs
dependent upon the scale of the desired event, and the date selected by the Council. She advised the
City Council Downey High School is the only location available to hold the event.
Council Member Brossmer stated his vote was to hold the celebration on July 4.
Mayor Saab concurred with July 4.
Council Member Ashton stated he was opposed to holding the celebration due to the surveying
of a proposed tax increase and said he does not think it is a good idea Unless there is sponsorship.
Council Member Marquez said he was in agreement with July 4,
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez agreed with July 4.
Council Member Brossmer suggested contracting with Expo Shows based on the lower cost.
Mayor Saab said in the past, the cost of this type of event was significantly offset by
sponsorships. He mentioned he has already spoken to members of the community about sponsorship
and said this would be a community event that could substitute having fireworks at home including
illegal fireworks. He prefers the medium option for the celebration and said it is well worth celebrating
the City's 6& Anniversary.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — March 8, 2016 5
Council Member Brossmer stated his agreement with Mayor Saab and commented on the other
events held throughout the year which are more costly. He said it is the Council's job to inform the
public. He encouraged staff to seek fundraising and donations to offset the cost and said it is a
worthwhile event at that level.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez asked if the full cost of the previous fireworks event was offset through
sponsorship. City Manager Livas stated a significant portion was offset.
City Council discussed and agreed with selecting Option #4 for the event, which would feature
limited carnival games; one stage; open swim at the pool with DJ and pool games; and, the fireworks
show. Total event time of 3.5 hours.
Council Member Ashton stated he was still hesitant about holding the event without having
secured the sponsorship. Mayor Saab explained the event must be scheduled to obtain sponsorship.
Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez asked Council Member Ashton what his solution would be and what
could be done to gain his support. Council Member Ashton stated he could not support holding the
event at this time due to the proposed tax increase issue. City Manager Livas commented on the value
of having this community event and the expense to hold other recreational events throughout the year.
He commented on the cancelling of the fireworks event in the City years past and the numerous calls
from the public to City Hall to complain. He mentioned it was unfortunate to have this celebration tied to
a sales tax initiative.
Council Member Ashton commented on Council Member Brossmer's concern about having
fireworks banned in the City and said he is not in support of having the event at this time. Council
Member Brossmer clarified he asked staff to look into banning fireworks not necessarily being in
opposition to fireworks.
Mayor Saab opened this item for public comment.
Resident, no name provided, commented in favor of holding the celebration through donations
and fundraising.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Saab closed public comment
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Brossmer and
approved 4 -1 -0, with Council Member Ashton voting no, to hold the 60th Anniversary Event on July 4;
contracting Expo Shows for a 23 Y2 minute fireworks show, with an additional $2,000 cost; and, off -set
costs with sponsorships, donations and fundraisers.
City Manager Livas thanked Director Salazar for her assistance with the 60th Anniversary item.
He commented on The Promenade grand openings;
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — March 8, 2016 6