HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-10-17 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF
i' • i � i
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 10, 2017
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on October 10,
2017, at 6:39 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue,
Downey, California, Mayor Vasquez presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:'
Fernando Vasquez
Sean Ashton
Blanca Pacheco
Rick Rodriguez_
Alex Saab
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas; City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Alicia Duarte, CMC, Interim City Clerk
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
(excused)
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Jackson Fong, First Baptist Church of Downey. The
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Stauffer ASPIRE Student Committee.
COUNCIL+rUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR• .
CONFERENCE/MEETINGREPORTS
Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He reported attending the
D.U.S.D. State of the Schools Breakfast. He commented in regards to cancer awareness month and
thanked Downey Soroptomist International and the Downey P.D. for supporting the cause. He
acknowledged members of the audience Laurie Tyler, Jeannie Wood and Michael 'Calvert. He
announced the Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament and ribbon cutting for Close the Deal
He acknowledged Youth Commissioners and Lieutenant Mark McDaniel in the audience. He requested
staff address issues with the audio and visual equipment at the CMSC and requested the formation of
an ad hoc subcommittee on homelessness. He reported attending the California Contact Cities Fall
Educational Summit and commented about the session regarding emergency preparedness and how
cities and regions respond to major catastrophes. He asked staff to consider planning for the necessary
medical equipment to assist members of the community with disabilities during a disaster.
Council Member Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She reported attending a Rio
Hondo Golf Club Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting and discussing service and facility improvements for
the Golf Club. She attended the Contract Cities Fall Educational Summit and commented on the
session regarding emergency preparedness. She stated she has followed up with City staff regarding
disaster preparedness and advised the audience to also prepare fora natural disaster. She announced
upcoming events: Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament; Assembly Member Garcia's
Evening of Empowering Women event; grand opening for the Warren High Aquatic Center; Downey
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Regular Meeting — October 10, 2017 1
P.D. Tip A Cop fundraiser at Lazy Dog; and, Habitat for Humanity home dedication event on Elm St.
She stated her interest in serving on the homelessness ad hoc subcommittee.
Mayor Pro Tern Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He reported attending the
California Contract Cities Educational Summit and reported on the session regarding how the energy
industry is adapting to the changing climate. He acknowledged Ashley Rosatti in the audience. He
reported attending the Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy Launch andcommentedregarding the
Community Choice Aggregation. He announced upcoming events: Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf
Tournament; and, Coffee with Your Mayor Pro Tem at Vazza Cafe. He asked staff to research
establishing a moratorium on subdividing single family residential parcels.
Council Member Pacheco announced Gangs Out of Downey will be holding their Annual Ricky
Galvez Golf Tournament on October 27.
Council Member Saab acknowledged Blanca Rochin in the audience.
Mayor Vasquez reported participating as a panelist at the Southern California Latino Policy
Center and discussing what local_ governments are doing to engage their communities through social
media. He reported participating in the Downey Economic Forum to discuss the topic of healthcare.
Mayor Vasquez took this item out of order::
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 Tem Ashton and carried
unanimously, with Council Member Rodriguez excused, to approve the Consent Calendar.
2. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of September 26, 2017: City Clerk.
3.- WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 317472 317948; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003660 & 30003664
30003667; Manual Wire Nos. 1612 — 1617; and, Cashier's Check numbers 103 — 104, in the total
amount of $4,558,690.07: Finance.
4. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SCE'S TAX RELIEF INDEMNIFICATION
LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY FOR SCE'S WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE
BELLFLOWER BLVD. UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 22 PROJECT (UUD #22); AND,
APPROPRIATED $125,015.10 FROM METRO'S MEASURE R LOCAL RETURN FUND TO
COVER SCE'S PAYMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE UUD #22 AND BELLFLOWER BLVD. AT
IMPERIAL HWY. INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: Public Works.
5. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 17-7749, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF OLENKA KRUPA TO THE GREEN TASK
FORCE, DISTRICT 2: Mayor Pro Tern Ashton.
'1•' � ri i i 1 • i •i • •'
MANAGER: Human Resources.
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Regular Meeting — October 10, 2017 2
7. APPROVED THE DONATION OF ONE FOURSOME OF GOLF AT THE RIO HONDO GOL3
CLUB IN SUPPORT OF DOWNEY ROSE FLOAT• •
FUNDRAISER: Mayor- .• Vasquez.
Mayor took this item out of order.
Allen Halstensgaard, resident, commented regarding abortion.
Faraz, resident, commented regarding gas emissions, climate change and homelessness and
unemployment issues in the community.
Kenneth Ramirez,_ Close the Deal, commented regarding "their ribbon cutting event. He
announced Close the Deal would be collecting business attire for members of the community in need.
Ashley Rosatti, Field Representative for Assembly Member Garcia, invited everyone to attend
the screening of Wonder Woman for the Empowering Women event. She announced Assembly
Member Garcia is currently accepting applications for the Young Legislators Program.
Ignacio Gonzalez, Southern California Resources Services commented regarding emergency
preparedness for persons with disabilities. He commented regarding the traffic signal at the intersection
of Paramount Blvd. and 7th St.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Vasquez closed public comment.
Mayor Vasquez took this item out of order.
1. Mayor Vasquez presented the Mayor's Healthy Heart Award to Carmela Castellanos -Garcia,
President & CEO of California Primary Care Association.
2. Mayor Vasquez with the assistance of Council Member Ashton presented a Certificate of
Recognition to George Washute.
3. Mayor Vasquez presented a Proclamation in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to Downey
Soroptomist International.
4. Presentation to the City Council by L.A.-County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) for
2017 Most Business Friendly City in L.A County Award Finalist.
5. Presentation to the City Council by METRO regarding the 1-710 Major Corridor.
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Vasquez recessed the City Council meeting at 7:52 p.m. Mayor Vasquez reconvened the
City Council meeting at 7:56 p.m.
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Regular Meeting — October 10, 2017 3
Mayor Vasquez took this item out of order.
2. APPOINTED TWO COUNCIL- MEMBERS TO SERVE ON AN AD HOC WEBSITE
SUBCOMMITTEE: Administration.
City Manager Livas provided an update regarding the City's current mobile -friendly website
launched in early 2017. Due to advances in technology, requirements for language and accessibility,
and the potential automated alerts and other services, Council is asked to appoint two Council Members
to an ad hoc website subcommittee to provide direction to staff on the Council's vision for the City's
website.
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 Tem Ashton and approved
unanimously with Council Member Rodriguez excused, to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Ashton and Council
Member Saab to serve on an Ad Hoc Website Subcommittee.
PUBLIC NEARING
Mayor Vasquez took this item out of order.
1 AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO REGULATE MARIJUANA: Community
Development.
INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF i OF OF DOWNEY
AMENDING VARIOUS SEC• OF OF •,DREGARDING
PERSONAL•N AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES OF
Mayor Vasquez opened the Public Hearing at 8:00 p.m. Interim City Clerk Duarte affirmed
receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Ashton and so ordered by the Mayor to receive and file. Interim City Clerk Duarte noted there was no
correspondence received.
The staff report was provided by David Blumenthal, Principal Planner. On November 8, 2016,
California voters approved Proposition 64, the Control, Regulation, and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act,
which decriminalized certain forms of non-medical marijuana -related activities under state law. On July
25, 2016, the City Council initiated a.Zone Text Amendment and directed staff to prohibit all commercial
recreational marijuana activity, to ban outdoor cultivation of marijuana and to create provision to regulate
indoor personal cultivation of marijuana. On September 6, 2017, the Planning Commission conducted a
duly noticed public hearing. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission adopted a resolution
recommending the City Council prohibit commercial marijuana/cannabis activities, while regulating
personal cultivation.
Mayor Vasquez opened this item for public comment 8:05 p.m.
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Regular Meeting — October 10, 2017 4
Faraz, resident, commented against the amendment to the Municipal Code to regulate
marijuana.
City Attorney Garcia clarified that the proposed Code amendment would prohibit dispensaries
and not consumption of marijuana in the City.
Blake Rangel, commented against the amendment to the Municipal Code to regulate marijuana.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Vasquez closed public comment at 8:13 p.m.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Pacheco and carried
unanimously, with Council Member Rodriguez excused, to introduce an Ordinance of the City Council
of the City of Downey amending various sections of Article IX of the Municipal Code regarding personal
cultivation and commercial activities of marijuana.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Livas announced recent City staff promotions in the Community Development
Department. He commented regarding Council's goals and ensuring that staff is articulating the vision
of the City Council. He announced staff would be bringing items before the City Council for their
consideration and to obtain Council. He acknowledged Fire Chief Gillaspie for the hiring of the City's
new Emergency Manager Rakdy Khlok. He clarified that the City is not eliminating the Dial -A -Ride and
Downey Link transportation services and explained the City is conducting an RFP for transportation
services in order to ensure services are more efficient.
Mayor Vasquez adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:20 p.m.in memory of victims of
the attack in Las Vegas, Nevada, and, Irma Ortiz, long-time D ent;
MARIA ALICIA DUA "E,MC FE MNDO`VASQUEZ
Interim City Clerk Mayor
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Regular Meeting — October 10, 2017 5