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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 04-25-17 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING APRIL 25, 2017 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on April 25, 2017, at 6:35 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Vasquez presiding. PRESENT: Council Members. Fernando Vasquez Mayor Sean Ashton Mayor Pro Tern Blanca Pacheco Council Member (excused) Rick Rodriguez Council Member Alex Saab Council Member ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney Adria M. Jimenez, MMC, 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 Pamela Passow, Parks& Recreation Director Aldo Schindler, Community Development Director Anil Gandhy, Finance Director Alicia Duarte, CMC, Deputy City Clerk The Invocation was delivered by Don Metcalf, Desert Reign Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kenneth Thompson, WWII Veteran. COUNCIL - ANNOUNCEMENTS; w FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS Council Member Saab welcomed everyone to the meeting. He acknowledged Laurie Tyler and Michael Calvart, Chamber of Commerce. He announced: the community meeting to discuss street improvements on Paramount Blvd. - between Firestone Blvd. and Florence Ave.; Downey YMCA Carnival of Champions; Police Department prescription drug take back event; and, the electronic waste and paper shredding event. Council Member Rodriguez thanked Mr. Thompson for being here tonight.- He reported attending the first volunteer roundtable discussion meeting and said the City is in the process of creating various subcommittees to address community issues. He announced the new Pets for Troops Program which will allow off duty military personnel to obtain a free dog from SEACCA. He reported attending the Cops and Kids event coordinated by Gangs Out of Downey. Mayor Pro Tern Ashton reported participating in the Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Up, the City of Stem event and the Cops and Kids event. He thanked Director Dickow and staff for coordinating the City of Stem event. He announced the Ride and Stride event and said street closures are being announced through the City's social media sites. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 1 Mayor Vasquez stated he participated in six City events last week. He announced the State of the City Address, on April 26th 1. Mayor Vasquez presented the Mayor's Healthy Heart Award to Brenda Olmos, AppleCare Medical Management. 2. Mayor Vasquez with the assistance of Police Chief Charles presented recognition to Jerry A. Price, Police Corporal, for his 26 years of service with the Downey Police Department. 3. Council Member Saab presented a Certificate of Appointment to Karina Madariaga to the Green Task Force. 4. Mayor Vasquez and Council Member Rodriguez presented a Proclamation to Kenneth Thompson in Recognition of Older Americans Month. 5. Mayor Vasquez presented a Proclamation to Luisa Rivera in Recognition of DMV /Donate Life Month. 6. Mayor Vasquez and Mayor Pro Tern Ashton presented a Proclamation to Ashod Mouradian, Mark Echmalian and Kirk Cartozian in recognition of the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. 7. Financial Partners Credit Union provided a presentation to the City Council of the "Financial Literacy Program ". PUBLIC HEARING: None.; liFIN7,77M Tony Tinejero, resident, commented regarding reducing speed limits on Firestone and Paramount Blvds. He commented on increasing the bee population in the City. John Lacey, resident, inquired if the City is currently using drones as an asset by the Police and Fire Departments. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Vasquez abstained from Item No. 15, Mayor Vasquez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items. Having no one come forward, Mayor Vasquez closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Ashton and carried unanimously, with Council Member Pacheco excused, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar. 1. WARRANTS ISSUED`. Warrant Nos. 312523 — 312948; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003592,, 30003597 30003599 and 30003601- 30003602; Manual Wire Nos. 1540 — 1543, in the total amount of $3,898,595.65: Finance. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 2 -• r r • r i- r • • t- r •- • r •i -r; -i -•; -• 5. APPROVED THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FO ;- BIDS • r • • •, Public Works. • '•• r r �� 'i r r •' r -• i r i • ' • • r•- I . • • • • • • • • 10. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 17-7713, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF DOROTHY PEMBERTON TO THE INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR r ISTRICT 3: Council Member Rodriguez. ADOPTED RESOLUTION N• 17-77141 A RESOLUTION OF • OF OF DOWNEY APPROVING •• OF • THE INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR • r Mayor Vasquez. ADOPTED RESOLUTION N• 17-7715, A RESOLUTION OF • OF OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF MARIO A. GUERRA TO THE INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR r ISTRICT 5: Council Member Saab. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 3 •r r • r 1 • 1 • - r 1 ii • •, =I s Will" r r• •r APPROVED PURCHASING 39 REGULAR GOLF AND ONE • FOR • HONDO GOLF CLUB: Parks : Recreation. APPROVED THE FEE WAIVER FOR USE OF s• • 2017 ANNUAL RELAY FOR LIFE COMMUNITY • •' r BY DOWNEY ADULT SCHOOL: Administration. APPROVED THE DONATION OF • FOURSOMES OF • • HONDO GOLF COURSE •- CALIFORNIA CONTRACT • • SEMINAR GOLF TOURNAMENT: • • 18. IMPERIAL HIGHWAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN: RECEIVED AND FILED AN INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION BY JWA URBAN CONSULTANTS: Community Development. City Manager Livas announced the staff report would be provided by Jack Wong of JWA Urban Consultants and Stanley Hoffman of Stanley R. Hoffman Associates, Inc. The vision of the study conducted for the Imperial Highway Corridor is to revitalize the Corridor by creating economic development incentives and programs for the businesses to thrive, identifying catalytic opportunities, transforming the vehicular- oriented streetscape into an attractive and cohesive urban street with new medical, biomedical, research and development and professional offices, and restaurants. Objectives of the study were to assess economic and residential attributes of the Corridor, identify land constraints and opportunities, attract quality jobs and ownership housing, improve quality of life and place- making, and identify new development_ opportunities within target areas. The presenters provided information about the strengths and challenges for the corridor. They presented key findings and opportunities for development. Some economic development strategies identified were: make economic development a priority; develop leadership, support and coordination; retain, expand, and attract businesses; promote and develop a positive brand identity; update key planning and development codes; and improve public infrastructure and amenities. They discussed an implementation plan and performance metrics. Mayor Vasquez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on this item: Having no one come forward, Mayor Vasquez closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Ashton and approved unanimously, with Council Member Pacheco excused, to receive and file the informational presentation. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 4 19. ADOPTED INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 17- 1376, AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ESTABLISHING ACCESSORY AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, AND DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF: Community Development. City Manager Livas announced the staff report would be provided by David Blumental, Principal Planner. In order to provide more housing units and opportunities for affordable housing, the Legislature of the State of California adopted three statues, Senate Bill 1069, Assembly Bill 2299 and Assembly Bill 2406, that changed the State's regulations on accessory dwelling units. These new regulations supersede the City's zoning authority and mandate that the City of Downey allow accessory dwelling units. These regulations also limit the City's ability to require parking to accommodate the accessory dwelling unit. Downey Municipal Code 9414 currently allows second unit development areas. Second units must be constructed to the rear of the main residence. There must be a two -car garage and the second unit must not exceed 1,000 square feet. Second units are approved via Administrative Permit and require a public notice to all addresses within a one hundred mile radius. The City's current regulations have been deemed null and void by the State's actions and results in Accessory Dwelling Units being permitted in all residential zones citywide. Staff is requesting a moratorium on establishing accessory and junior accessory dwelling units in the City to allow time to study the issue and determine the best course of action to implement the State's regulations, while protecting the City's single - family neighborhoods. The urgency ordinance requires approval by a 4 /5th vote and if approved will go into effect immediately. If adopted, the moratorium will be valid for 45 days, which can be extended through a public hearing for an additional ten months and 15 days, up to a maximum of one year. Staff will return to the City Council within 45 days to report the progress. Any proposed changes in the Municipal Code will require public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. Mayor Vasquez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on this item.. Having no one come forward, Mayor Vasquez closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Ashton and approved unanimously, with Council Member Pacheco, excused to adopt Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 17- 1376, an Interim Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Downey Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Establishing Accessory and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, and Declaring the Urgency Thereof. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS City Manager Livas announced the launching of the City's mobile friendly website. r • Mayor Vasquez adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:03 p.m. in memory of of Staff Sgt. Mark R. De Alencar, 37, of Edgewood, Maryland who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve; Doris Pattersand, Blyan Andrews, long -time Downey rest ent. ... "- , / A-DRIA M. JIMENEZ, City Clerk City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 5 FERN DO VASQUEZ Mayor