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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03b. Minutes - 01-09-18 - Regular MeetingCity Council Minutes Regular Meeting – January 9, 2018 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 9, 2018 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on January 9, 2018, at 6:39 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Ashton presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Sean Ashton Mayor Rick Rodriguez Mayor Pro Tem Blanca Pacheco Council Member Alex Saab Council Member Fernando Vasquez Council Member ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney 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 Anil Gandhy, Finance Director Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Roman Gonzalez. COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He wished everyone a Happy New Year. He acknowledged Kirk Cartozian, Joanna Peterson, Cindy Kovach, and Michael Calvert. He commented regarding a vandalism incident that occurred at the Downey Cemetery and said the City will work with L.A. County to install lighting at the cemetery. Council Member Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She acknowledged Lt. Mark McDaniel in the audience. She congratulated the Rose Float Association for receiving the Queen’s Award for this year’s float. She reported attending the Got Milk event at Porto’s Bakery and the California Contract Cities Association Conference where she attended sessions regarding the importance of local control and transportation, housing, and public safety issues. She announced upcoming events: ribbon cutting at Ruby’s Diner and the Homeless Count. Council Member Vasquez welcomed the audience to the meeting. He asked staff to address the issue of shopping carts in residential areas and homeless on major corridors. Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez commented reg arding the creation of the Clergy Council and his participation in Operation Reboot. He acknowledged his son in the audience. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting – January 9, 2018 2 Mayor Ashton reported attending the Got Milk event at Porto’s Bakery. He also reported attending the California Contract Cities Association Conference where he attended sessions regarding public safety control and housing. He announced upcoming events: Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Up and Homeless Count. He asked staff for a list of projects that will be funded through Measure S funds. PRESENTATIONS 1. Mayor Ashton presented the Mayor’s Downey DNA Award to Zoey Luna. 2. Mayor Ashton presented the Mayor’s Hero of the Meeting Award to Roman Gonzalez. 3. Mayor Ashton with assistance of Joanna Peterson presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Downey Christmas Parade Volunteers. NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT Kirk Cartozian, Stay Gallery Board Member, introduced Josie Estrada as the new Executive Director at Stay Gallery. Josie Estrada, Stay Gallery Director, introduced herself to the City Council. Armando Herman, resident, commented about proper police training to deal with members of the public with disabilities. Carlos Renovar, founder of Downey Democrats, commented regarding the creation of his group and talked about the community issues they will focus on. Aldo Ramirez, Field Representative for Senator Mendoza, commented regarding the Senator’s current leave of absence and advised the City Council that the office is open and staff continues to assist constituents. John Lacey, resident, commented regarding traffic signal durations and the Eddy Awards. Ron Warren, resident, commented in regards to pass through traffic from Paramount onto Puritan and Smallwood and street repaving. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Ashton pulled Item No. 7. Mayor Ashton asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items. Armando Herman, resident, commented in regards to homelessness. Emory Sipos, resident, commented in regards homelessness. Having no one come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Saab and carried unanimously to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with Mayor Ashton pulling Item No. 7. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting – January 9, 2018 3 1. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of December 12, 2017; Regular Meeting of December 12, 2017: City Clerk. 2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 319699 – 320385; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003687 – 30003688, 30003691 – 30003695 and 30003697 – 30003700; Manual Wire Nos. 1637 – 1644; and, Cashier’s Check numbers 106 – 107, in the total amount of $7,337,708.77: Finance. 3. RESIDENTIAL STREET LIGHTING UPGRADE PROJECT (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 18-14): AUTHORIZED STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION INCLUDING PROCUREMENT AND INSTALLATION OF CITY- FURNISHED MATERIALS; APPROPRIATE D $190,000 FROM THE LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT (AD 121), ZONE 1 FUND TO COVER THE TOTAL PROJECT COSTS; AUTHORIZED CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PROJECT CONTRACT AGREEMENTS; AND, AUTHORIZED THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO EXECUTE ANY CHANGE ORDERS OR ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF WORK: Public Works. 4. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOR A $50,000 MEASURE H GRANT TO CREATE A HOMELESS ACTION PLAN: Administration. 5. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A $50,000 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, AND ANY POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS, WITH PATH TO CREATE A HOMELESS ACTION PLAN: Administration. 6. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 18-7770, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY GRANTING AUTHORITY TO THE CITY MANAGER FOR EXECUTION OF MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) ANNUAL REPORTS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS: Public Works. 8. WAIVE D ADMISSION FEES TO THE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE CENTER FOR ALL GUESTS DURING OPERATING HOURS ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 27TH FOR ITS PARTICIPATION IN SOCAL MUSEUMS FREE DAY: Administration. 9. APPROVED BUDGET CALENDAR FOR 2018-19 FISCAL YEAR: Finance. OTHER BUSINESS: 7. RECEIVED AND FILED REPORT REGARDING LOT SPLITS AND MANSIONIZATION: Community Development. City Manager Livas stated Director Schindler would provide the report requested by City Council at the previous City Council Meeting. Director Schindler stated the report was requested by former Mayor Vasquez during Council’s discussion to extend the moratorium on lot splits in the City. The request was to have staff report to City Council on the estimated cost and time needed to amend the zoning code to address concerns with lot splits and mansionization. Staff talked to several consultants and ultimately determined six steps to follow for this scope of work. The steps include a kick-off meeting and city tour with the consultant; facilitating two community meetings to discuss preferences for addressing the concerns with lot splits and mansionization; a Planning Commission Study Session; preparing amendments to the code, City Council Minutes Regular Meeting – January 9, 2018 4 graphics, design guidelines and any necessary General Plan Amendments for public review; preparing all necessary documentation to comply with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act; and, preparing staff reports and presentations for the Planning Commission and City Council Public Hearings. It is anticipated the project would take nine to twelve months to complete and have a cost between $75,000 to $85,000. If Council wishes to proceed staff would move forward with preparing a Request for Proposals and would return to City Council with the recommended consultant for approval of a Professional Service Agreement. Mayor Ashton asked if here was any correspondence received regarding this item. City Clerk Duarte announced an email was received from George Redfox of the Downey Conservancy in support of amending the municipal code to prevent lot splits. Mayor Ashton asked when the General Plan Amendment is scheduled to take place. Director Schindler stated the Amendment will take place during Fiscal Year 18-19. He explained that the process is lengthy and it can take one to two years to complete. He said the lot splits and mansionization issues can be addressed separately or in conjunction with the General Plan Amendment. Mayor Ashton opened this item for public comment 7:40 p.m. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding parking concerns and against mansionization. Having no one else come forward Mayor Ashton closed public comment at 7:45 p.m. Council Member Vasquez said he continues to believe that the issue is not lot splits but mansionization. He asked Director Schindler what could be achieved by addressing the issue of home elevations. Director Schindler stated set-backs, size, design and compatibility of the home with surrounding homes could be addressed. Council Member Saab asked if the Planning Commission would review this item before it came to City Council. Director Schindler stated yes. Council Member Vasquez asked City Manager Livas to provide some history of the issue with mansionization. City Manager Livas stated the peak of mansionization occurred sometime around 2007. Homes were being built on traditional property lots from property line to property line. He said for example in the Orange Estates, there would be houses that were 3,000 to 4,000 square ft. being built next to houses that were only 1,700 to 2,000 square ft. He said this issue can be addressed by reducing the size of mass allowed. He also agreed that the issue of concern is masionization. He said scaling the building back on the property can also be a more acceptable design. Council Member Vasquez asked Director Schindler to explain how the applicant on Rives Ave. was able to build with that type of elevation. Director Schindler said they have recently implemented informal compatibility studies. He explained the City has no legal authority under the municipal code or zoning code to require an applicant to built within the character of the community but staff has talked to the applicants and they agreed. Council Member Saab agreed that the issue is mansionization. He asked if the mansionization issue is something that can be addressed by staff or is an outside consultant needed. Director Schindler stated an outside consultant is needed. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting – January 9, 2018 5 City Manager Livas said architects are needed to assist in designing the guidelines. Council Member Saab asked for a completion timeline to address the mansionization issue. Director Schindler stated it can be addressed in six to eight months and the cost would be approximately $50,000. Council Member Vasquez asked the City Attorney if the City can enforce a development to blend with the neighborhood. City Attorney Garcia Abich stated it cannot be enforced if it is not in the zoning code but adding language to the code can help. She said the City can look at other cities that have included this in their codes. She said it can be addressed along with the mansionization issue. Council Member Pacheco asked if any other applications have been received since the last meeting for lot splits. Director Schindler stated there is an existing lot split application coming before the Planning Commission but no new applications received. Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez said he previously requested extending the lot split moratorium to give staff an opportunity to research the issue. He agreed to move forward with addressing the mansionization issues. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and approved unanimously to direct staff to issue a Request for Proposals for a consultant and return to City Council with a selection and cost. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS City Manager Livas thanked the City Council for their participating in the upcoming annual priorities and goals setting workshop for 2018. He said the City of Whittier has solicited Downey to participate in an effort to make changes to the criminal justice system as a result of AB109 and Prop 47. They are hoping to get a coalition of cities together to roll back some of the initiatives through legislative measures. He thanked Rakdy Khlok, Emergency Manager for making sure the City is prepared for the upcoming storm. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Asthon adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:03 p.m.in memory of Firefighter and Engineer Cory Iverson, who passed while fighting the Thomas Fire; and, Staff Sgt. David Thomas Brabander, 24, of Anchorage, Alaska who was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel; and, Lawrence “Larry” Falce, 70, San Bernardino Deputy Sheriff who was fatally attacked on New Year’s Eve. MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC SEAN ASHTON City Clerk Mayor