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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 01-23-18 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF COUNCILCITY OF OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 23, 2018 The City Council of the City of Downey 2018, at 6`31 p.m., in the Council Chamber Downey, California, Mayor Ashton presiding. PRESENT: Council Members held a Regular City Council Meeting on January 23, of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire_ Avenue, 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 (arrived at 6:46 p.m.) The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Jack Jimenez, Calvary Chapel Downey. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Girl Scout Troop 2765. COUNCIL•UNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FORAGENDA CONFERENCE/MEETINGREPORTS Council Member Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She acknowledged members of the audience Michael Calvert, Chad Oberly, Wendy Mora and members of Courage Forward. She reported attending an Emergency Preparedness event hosted at the Southern California Gas Company Energy Resource Center and encouraged everyone to be prepared for a disaster. She attended a meeting of the Housing, Community and Economic Development Committee for the League of California Cities and discussed ordinances and policies for local control. She participated in a tour of the Aspire after school program and visited Alameda Elementary and Sussman Middle School She announced upcoming events: Homeless Count; CMSC Astronaut Commemoration; and, Downey Parks & Recreation Job Fair at BJR Center. Council Member Vasquez welcomed the audience to the meeting. He acknowledged Denise Juarez in the audience. He reported attending of the 1-5 Consortium Cities Policy Board meeting and discussing public private partnership funding to speed up construction of the 1-5 Freeway. He announced the Homeless Count scheduled tomorrow and talked about the issues in the community related to homelessness. He thanked the Fire Department for their assistance in Santa Barbara and Montecito. He mentioned receiving a call from the Mayor of Santa Barbara acknowledging the Downey Fire Department for their training. He announced the upcoming City Council goals and priorities workshop. He reported meeting with the Director of Small Businesses from the Governor's Office and discussing featuring Downey in a focus study group related to redevelopment. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — January 23, 2018 1 Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez welcomed the audience to the meeting. He acknowledgedmembers of the audience Sally Hazard, Denise Woodside and Antonio Barajas of SEACCA; and, retired Downey P.D. Officer Richard Tuttle. He mentioned presenting a certificate of recognition to Downey High Eagle Scout Raymond Esparza and attending an Emergency Preparedness event hosted at the Southern California Gas Company Energy Resource Center. He reported attending ribbon cuttings for Computer Tech; Ruby's Diner; and the 1-5 Bloomfield Overpass. He represented the City at the Blue Ribbon Commission meeting created by Supervisor Hahn along with the City of Whittier to share concerns related to AB109 and Prop 47. He acknowledged Erin Kim and members of Courage Forward in the audience and said he introduced members from Courage Forward to SELACO WIB to assist them with finding employment. He commented regarding National Random Act of Kindness Week. He invited all community members and community service organizations to advise him of members of the community that are known to perform random acts of kindness in order to recognize them at an upcoming City Council meeting. Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He acknowledged the young students in attendance who contributed their time and talent to the Used Oil Recycle Artwork competition. He reported attending a neighborhood watch meeting in District 4. He encouraged members of the audience to form a Neighborhood Watch Group if they don't have one in their area and commented regarding the benefits of forming a group. He reported attending the Emergency Preparedness event hosted at the Southern California Gas Company Energy Resource Center. He announced the upcoming TLC 5K Run/Walk at Apollo Park. He requested staff contact Edsion regarding their property located adjacent to Crawford Park between Dinwiddie and Pellet in regards to overgrown vegetation and securing the location. Mayor Ashton said he participated as guest speaker for Girl Scout Troop 7975, where he talked to the girls about being involved citizens in the community. He also interviewed with Jack Zhao, of EDI Media, where he talked about the City's values and the community. He reported attending the League of ('.alifnrnia r ..itiac NPM1 Unwnra and rani inril MA mmhare ®r-nrlamw and alen o++nnr4inn +hn I coni is of California Cities Transportation Committee meeting where they discussed issues related to gas tax funding. He reported attending the Keep Downey Beautiful Clean -Up. He thanked Helpful Honda and Courage Forward for participating at the Clean -Up. He attended a performance by the Downey Symphony Orchestra and display by Downey Arts Coalition at the Downey Theatre. He announced he will be participating as a guest speaker forthe Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council Breakfast of Champions. He announced upcoming events: Homeless Count; Lion's Club Student Speaker event; Metro Community Meetings; and, the Mayor's State of the City Address on March 26 at Rio Hondo Event Center hosted by the Downey Chamber of Commerce. PRESENTATIONS 1. Mayor Ashton with assistance from Lisa Fox presented the Certificates of Congratulations to 2018 Used Oil Recycle Artwork Winners. 2. Mayor Ashton presented the Mayor's Downey DNA Award to Blake Boyington., 3. Mayor Ashton and Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez presented the Mayor's Hero of the Meeting Award to Luis Cervantes, Marine Corps Veteran and Pets for Troops Recipient. 4. Presentation to the City Council by Downey Sister Cities Association, City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — January 23, 2018 2 Mayor Ashton announced a written request was received from the attorney representing the Hookah Hub to continue the public hearing item scheduled tonight to the regular City Council Meeting of February 27, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Pacheco and approved unanimously to continue the review of an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to modify the conditional use permit which allows Hookah Hub to operate with live entertainment and dancing at 8323 Firestone Blvd. to the regular City Council meeting of February 27, 2018. 1. REVIEW OF AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S DECISION TO MODIFY THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WHICH ALLOWS HOOKAH HUB TO OPERATE WITH LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND DANCING AT 8323 FIRESTONE BOULEVARD: Community Development. • rWNW i:• 'it r • r r• i ri • • i r • r • ••- • • -• •r r Development. INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF • OF OF DOWNEY APPROVING A ZONE CHANGE, THEREBY REZONING A PORTION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 12120-12132 WOODRUFF AVENUE FROM P -B (PARKING BUFFER) TO M-1 (LIGHT MANUFACTURING). Mayor Ashton opened the Public Hearing at 7:38 p.m. City Clerk Duarte affirmed receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and so ordered by the Mayor to receive and file. City Clerk Duarte noted no correspondence was received. The staff report was provided by David Blumenthal, City Planner. The subject property is located on the east side of Woodruff Ave., south of Washburn Rd. and north of Imperial Hwy. The site has an area of 111,030 square feet and is currently developed with six, one-story buildings, no landscaping and 92 parking spaces. The subject site has a General Plan Land Use Designation of General Manufacturing. The applicant submitted applications fora zone change and a site plan review requesting to change the zone for a portion of the property from Parking Buffer to Light Manufacturing, and for the proposed development of a one-story industrial building and a fagade modification for the existing building located to the south-western portion of the property. The applicant is proposing to construct a one-story 17,656 square -foot industrial building. Along with the construction of the new building, the existing 1,067 square -foot, one story -building will undergo a fagade modification to match the architectural style of the new building. Council Member Saab asked what type of signage will be at the site. Mr. Blumenthal stated that applicant did not propose signage at this time and he will have to go before Planning Commission for approval of any type of signage. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — January 23, 2018 3 Mr. Blumenthal stated no specific tenants have been identified but the proposed building will be divided into nine spaces. The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on December 6, 2017. The Planning Commission approved the Site Plan Review and adopted a resolution recommending the approval of the zone change to the City Council. Council Member Saab asked if there were any deficiencies in parking. Mr. Blumenthal stated there are no deficiencies in parking. zones. Mayor Ashton opened for public comment at 7:43 p.m. Jonathan Mason, Architect for the proposed project said he was available for any questions. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding the type of businesses in light manufacturing Having no one else come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment at 7:49 p.m Council Member Vasquez asked the City Attorney about eliminating the Parking Buffer Zone from the Zoning Code. City Attorney said options can be explored to eliminate the Parking Buffer Zone from existing zoning maps. City Manager Livas said there are areas that still have a Parking Buffer Zone and staff will be address this during a review and update of the Zoning Code. It was moved by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Saab and carried ....C,-..�. as.. a., :�a__r.._m �u� a.�_r.._—'¢-- 0— --Il.11 V1.611G �✓Ily UI LUWIIVY a�. p[UVIIII�. cl GUIIC - change, thereby rezoning a portion of property located at 12120-12132 Woodruff Avenue from P -B (Parking Buffer) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing). Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding the retirement of Chief Charlie Beck, extra patrolling by Golden Park and neighborhood watch. David Lenstrum, resident, commented regarding trash throughout the strip malls in Downey. Jane Rudderman, resident, commented on the subdivision of a property on her street Having no one else come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment Mayor Ashton announced he would be abstaining from Item No. 5 due to the proximity to his property. Mayor Ashton asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent - Calendar items. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding police incident reports,_ trash dumping and graffiti. Having no one come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — January 23, 2018 4 It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and carried unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar with Mayor Ashton abstaining from Item No. 5. 3. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of January 9, 2018; Regular Meeting of January 9, 2018, City Clerk. 4. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 320386 — 320728; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003696 and 30003701 — 30003706; Manual Wire Nos. 1645 - 1649; and, Cashier's Check numbers 108 — 110, in the total amount of $3,844,949.31: Finance. E. SLURRY SEAL PROJECT DISTRICT 2 (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 18-03 APPROVED AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FO BIDS: Public Works. 6. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO EXECUTE A MEDICAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH VITAL MEDICAL • - it � •` r • `•: ii '• - 8. AUTHORIZED THE MAYORTO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENTTO THE SPECIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE LAW FIRM OF r' WHITMORE (LCW): Human a - 9. AUTHORIZED THE CITY TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT • PROVIDE •• PROGRAMMING • -(AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR INFORMATION RECREATION AND EDUCATION) PROGRAM AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE MEM• r OF r; r AND RELATED r • Recreation. 11. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF • OF OF DOWNEY RESCINDING• • • HAD PROVIDED NOTICE OF TO WITHDRAW FROMINDEPENDENT AUTHORITY:MANAGEMENT Administration. o 12. AUTHORIZED STREET CLOSURESQUILL r' BETWEEN • r RIVER SCHOOL`'r AND MORNING AVE.; RICHEON AVE. FROM QUILL DR. TO HONDO ST.; AND, RIVES AVE. BETWEEN HONDO ST. AND LEEDS ST. FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL HEALTHY DOWNEY 5K FOR ON r f Parks & Recreation, City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — January 23, 2018 5 13. APPROVED OF OUR COMMUNITY" COALITION AND AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE ANY NECESSARY Administration. 14. RECEIVED AND FILED THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADA SELF-EVALUATION AND TRANSITION PLAN AND DIRECT AN ANNUAL REVIEW AND UPDATE: City Attorney. r �• 15. APPROVED THE CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2018: Mayor Ashton, Mayor Ashton commented regarding the City Council Subcommittees and said he did not have many changes but would like to have the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem serve on the Budget Subcommittee. Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez stated he would like Council Member Saab to continue serving on the Budget Subcommittee due his experience and knowledge. Council Member Saab stated his desire to remain on the Budget Subcommittee. He also suggested eliminating the Lakewood Blvd. and Stay Gallery Subcommittees and combining the Rancho Los Amigos Property and Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Renovation Subcommittees. Council Member Vasquez suggested keeping the Lakewood Boulevard for one additional year based on the ongoing construction between Gallatin and Telegraph. He stated he is not familiar with the .Stay Gallery Subcommittee and said he is interested in continuing to serve on the Budget Subcommittee. Council Member Rodriguez suggested keeping the Stay Gallery Subcommittee due to the quarterly reporting provided by the Stay Gallery. City Council agreed to keeping the Stay Gallery Subcommitee. Mayor Ashton agreed to merge the two Rancho LOS Amigos Subcommittees. Mayor Ashton said he would like to serve on the Rancho Los Amigos Property Subcommittee along with Council Member Vasquez. Council Member Vasquez asked City Manager Livas to ask the County to provide the City an update on the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus renovation. After further City Council discussion Mayor Ashton agreed that Council Members Saab and Vasquez continue to serve on the Budget Subcommittee. Council Member Saab suggested combining the Branding and Downtown Subcommittees. Mayor Ashton agreed to combine the two together, Council Member Saab suggested eliminating the Good Governance Subcommittee and said he does not recall the Subcommittee meeting. City Manager Livas said the Subcommittee can be eliminated and meet as an Ad Hoc Committee if necessary in the future. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting— January 23, 2018 6 Mayor Ashton agreed to eliminate the Governance Subcommittee. Mayor Ashton asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on this item. Armando Herman, resident, requested an ADA committee be established. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez and approved unanimously to approve the City Council Subcommittee Assignments for 2018. 16. APPROVED THE CITY COUNCIL INTER -GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2018: Mayor Ashton. Mayor Ashton commented regarding the Inter -Government Committee Assignments for 2018 and said there weren't significant changes. He announced Council Member Vasquez will be stepping down from serving on the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors and Executive Committee and Council Member Saab has been assigned as the Primary and he will serve as the Alternate. Mayor Aston will also serve as the Primary for the L.A. County Sanitation District Nos. 2 and 18, and Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez will serve as the Alternate. For the Los Angeles City Selection Committee, Mayor Ashton will also serve as the Primary and Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez will serve as the Alternate. Mayor Ashton asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on this item. Having no one come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and approved unanimously, to approve the City Council Inter -Government Committee Assignments for 2018. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS City Manager Livas thanked Director Mostahkami and Public Works Staff their work in the repaving of Brookshire Ave. and commented on the significant street improvements to the City. He thanked Assistant City Manager Oskoui and Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments for their work with the improvements at the Rio Hondo Golf Club. He announced the City Council's goal setting workshop scheduled next week. I IM6111. ►I�,1"k Mayor Asthon adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 8:35 p.m. in memory of Sargent 9 st Class Mihail Golin, 34, of Fort Lee, New Jersey and Specialist Avadon A. Chaves, 20, of Turlock, CA who were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve; Deputy Daniel Mccartney of Pierce County Sherriff's Department, Washington who died in the line of duty; Deputy Zack Parrish of Castle Rock Police Department, Colorado who died in the line of duty; Lieutenant Matthew Letourneau of the Philadelphia Fire Department Engine 45 who succumbed to injuries suffered from a structural collapse while fighting a rowhouse fire; and, Apollo 1 Astronauts, the STS -51-L Challenger Space Shuttle Crew and the STS -107 Columbia Space Shuttle Crew. aA�IAALICIADU�RTIE, C City Clerk City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — January 23, 2018 tfAI ASHTON Mayor 7