HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01-09-18 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF
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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
Rick Rodriguez
Blanca Pacheco
Alex Saab
Fernando Vasquez
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
Council Member
Council Member
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 Tern Rodriguez. The Pledge of Allegiancewas led
by Roman Gonzalez.
COUNCIL• FOR
CONFERENCE/MEETINGREPORTS
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 Rodriguezcommentedregarding 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 1
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.
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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.
r
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 2
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.
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4. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT•
COUNTY•R A $50,000 MEASURE H GRANT TO CREATE A HOMELESS ACTION
Administration.
5. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO $50,000 PROFESSIONAL
1r ANY POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS,TO CREATE A
HOMELESS• Administration.
6. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. f A RESOLUTIONOF • OF
CITY OF DOWNEY GRANTING AUTHORITYTO THE CITY MANAGER FOR EXECUTION OF
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE • 'M SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) NATIONAL POLLUTANT
DISCHARGE ELIMINATION•r REPORTS i RELATED
r •CUMENTS: Public Works.
PARTICIPATION8. WAIVED ADMISSION FEES TO THE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE CENTER FOR ALL
GUESTS DURING OPERATING HOURS ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 TH FOR ITS
• f Administration.
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7 RECEIVED AND FILED REPORT REGARDING LOT SPLITS AND ANSIONIZATION:
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,
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Regular Meeting — January 9, 2018 3
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 twelvemonths 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.
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Regular Meeting — January 9, 2018 4
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.
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.
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.
. City Clerk.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 9, 2018
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SEAN ASHTON
Mayor