HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-13-18 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
March 13, 2018
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on March 13, 2018,
at 6:48 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
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Alex Bernard, Desert Reign Church. The Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Sara Gonzalez.
COUNCILFOR
CONFERENCE/MEETING
Council Member Saabwelcomedthe audience to the meeting. He acknowledged Michael
Calvert and Jeannie Wood in the audience. He announced upcoming events: Gangs Out of Downey
Annual Luncheon at the Rio Hondo Event Center; Arc Walk at Stonewood Mall; Local Hero's Night at
Chick-fil-A to support the Downey Police -Fire Foundation. He congratulated Tim Hutcherson of Downey
Nissan for his support and contribution to the Downey community and School District.
Council Member Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She acknowledged Ivan
Sulic,- Members of Courage Forward and Sara Gonzalez in the audience. She reported participating in
the Read Across America week at the local elementary schools in honor of Dr. Seuss Birthday. She
attended celebrations at Griffiths and Stauffer Middle Schools in honor of their designation as a
National School to Watch. The Schools to Watch Program identifies middle schools that are
academically excellent, developmentally responsive, socially equitable, and structured for success. She
participated as a guest speaker at the Girl Scout Troop #17305 Women's Empowerment Event. She
reminded the audience to attend the Local Hero's Night at Chick-fil-A to support the Downey Police -Fire
Foundation.
Council Member Vasquez welcomed the audience to the meeting. He announced upcoming
events Gangs out of Downey Annual Luncheon; Downey High School Career Day. He reported
participating as a guest speaker at the Latino Key Network. He met with the America Heart Association
and said they look forward to partnering with the City to improve the area of health policy in the City. He
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — March 13, 2018 1
acknowledged Tim Hutcherson for his commitment and wished him success in his future endeavors. He
announced he will be visiting Guadalajara with a business delegation to build more partnerships.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez welcomed theaudienceto the meeting. He reported visiting the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington D.C. to learn about how to keep our
cniiciren sate and how to use technology with the Flolice 'Department and School District to protect
children. He commented on the passing of WWII Veteran Sgt. Ken Thompson and care taker in the
audience. He requested Sgt. Ken Thompson's name be added to the Veterans' Memorial. He
mentioned meeting with Human Care Hospice and to discuss the possibility of a volunteer program to
assist Veteran families during difficult times and naming it Ken's Helping Hands. He thanked Mayor
Ashton for adjourning tonight's meeting in Ken Thompson's honor.
Mayor Ashton reported participating in the Read Across America week. He mentioned upcoming
events: Arc Walk; Keep Downey Beautiful Clean -Up; Eco -Rapid Line Community Meetings to discuss
the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor Project and the 1-105 Express Lanes Project; Brunch with
the Bunny; State of the City Address; Coffee with a Cop. He reported attending the L.A. County Mayor's
Meeting where he received updates on the 2020 Census and information about cannabis that does not
affect Downey.
Council Member Vasquez wished a Happy Nowruz to the Persian American community.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Ashton presented the Mayor's Downey DNA Award to Tim Hutcherson
2. Mayor Ashton presented the Mayor's- Hero of the Meeting Award to Jesus Torres, U.S. Navy
Veteran.
NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Ashton opened non agenda public comment.
Mike Riche, resident, commented in regards the recent gun "violence in schools and putting
programs in place to help.
Sanford Jenkins, resident, would like to see a Corner Bakery in Downey. He thanked the City
Council for every effort shown to Ken Thompson and his family.
Resident, no name provided, commented in regards to code enforcement violations in her
neighborhood.
Having no one come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment.
City Clerk Duarte announced a correction to Item No. 1 of the Consent Calendar, the minutes
being approved tonight are the Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of February 27, 2018, and not the
Regular Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2018.
City Attorney Abich Garcia announced a correction to Item No. 4 of the Consent Calendar, there
is a revised agreement with Coast to Coast and copies have been provided to the City Council at the
dais and to the public in the back of the Chambers.
Mayor Ashton asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent
Calendar items.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - March 13, 2018 2
Having no one come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment.
Council Member Saab announced he would abstain from Item No. 12,
It was moved by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez and carried
unanimously to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Saab abstaining
from Item No. 12 and the corrections to Item Nos. 1 and 4.
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of February 27, 2018 & Regular Meetings of February 27,
2018: City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 321682 322032; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003718, 30003723 &
30003725 — 30003728; and, Manual Wire Nos. 1672 — 1676, in the total amount of $4,613,091.66:
Finance.
3. APPROVED FEES IN THE AMOUNTOF $50,119.18 • • : MOORE GEOTECHNICAL
AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSULTANTS• & MOORE)FOR rr •
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION SERVICES AND AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
Q, rPERMIT(CAPITAL-•
PROJECT•, 1Public Works.
101 --milk a es
• r -• r -r •- • r
l r �oil a •
6. ADOPTED - SSS • I • 18-7785Y A RESOLUTIONOF • OF
OF DOWNEY OPPOSING• CIRCUMVENT LOCAL• • OVER SALES
TAXES AND FEES: Mayor Ashton.
7. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. :, A RESOLUTIONOF i OF
OF DOWNEY SUPPORTING1 • 'NIA STATE BALLOT PROP• •
THE • •" VEHICLE FEES AND TAXES: RESTRICTIONS ON r
APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT: MayorAshton.
8. ADOPTED RESOLUTION N• • • ! • OF
OF r•ADOPTING MEMORANDUM OF r r
OF DOWNEY AND THE DOWNEY PUBLIC SAFETY AUXILARY ASSOCIATION1
sP21): Human Resource
9. ADOPTED - a • • 18-7788, A RESOLUTIONOF • OF
OF DOWNEY APPROVINGFOR AN ANNUAL RATE
ADJUSTMENTS •R SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICES PROVIDED •
RESIDENTIAL r COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS:, •
1 ADOPTED RESOLUTION N• 18-7789 A RESOLUTION OF • OF
MeetingOF DOWNEY APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF VIJAY J. PATEL TO THE PERSONNEL
ADVISORY BOARD FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 3: Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez.
City Council Minutes
Regular
11. WAIVED ADMISSION FEES TO THE COLUMBIA• - DURING
WEEK OF ND r r APRIL 28, 2018,OF OF
FESTIVAL: CMSC.
12. APPROVED DONATION OF ONE • i OF i "• HONDO GOLF
GLUB FOR THE ROTARY CLUB OF DOWNEY GALA BENEFITING THE DOWNEY FAMILY
YMCA AND DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT'S PLACE ON
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018 AT THE EMBASSY SUITES IN DOWNEY: Council Member
Pacheco.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Livas announced the City was awarded the California Society Municipal Finance
Officers Operating Budget Award for a consecutive fourth year. He acknowledged the leadership of the
City Council and Finance Director Anil Gandhy. He recognized Mr. Gandhy's outstanding work in the
Finance Department. He announced recent promotions in the City: Kevin Kim promoted to Fire Captain;
Cory Lee promoted to Fire Engineer; Charitye Cunningham, new Fire Prevention Technician; Chelsea
Petersen promoted to HR Analyst and promotions in the Water Yard for Anthony Gonzalez, Christopher
Mataalii and Randy Schoendienst. He announced the hiring of two new employees Alfonso Hernandez,
Associate Planner and Lattie Wilkes, Social Media Intern. He commented in regards to the great
partnership between the School District and the City's Police and Fire Departments in regards to safety
and security issues. He stated Superintendent Garcia has met with Police Chief to discuss safety
issues at the schools. He thanked the Police and Fire Departments for ensuring the safety of the
children. He informed the City Council he would like to schedule a field trip with them to tour the
Idealab, a technology incubator.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez said he gave the opening remarks for "What Works Cities" held at
the CMSC. He acknowledged Ben Dickow, CMSC Director for the great work he is doing at the Space
Center. He thanked the Police Department for incorporating the new chaplain services.
Mayor Ashton adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 7:44 p.m. in memory of Officer
Justin Bill, Mobile Police Department, Alabama; Commander Paul Bauer, Chicago Police Department,
Illinois; Officers Anthony Morelli and Officer Eric Joering, Westerville Police Department, Ohio; Officer
Chase Maddox, Locust Grove Police Department, Georgia; Officer David Sherrard, Richardson Police
Department, Texas; Deputy Sheriff Micah Flick, EI Paso County Sheriff, Texas; Officer Glenn Doss, Jr.,
Detroit Police Department, Michigan; Deputy Heath Gumm, Adams County Sheriff; Detective Michael
R. Doty, York County Sheriff, South Carolina; Deputy Sherriff Daniel A. McCartney, Pierce County
Sherriff, Washington; Officer Chris Beaudion, Monroe Police Department, Louisiana; and, Lieutenant
Christopher Robateau, New Jersey Police Department; Pomona Police Officer Gregory Cassillas; and
Sgt. Ken Thompson, WWII Veteran and long-time Downey r ' ent.
a
MA k �ALICIADUA&E,MC��
SEAN ASHTON
City Clerk Mayor
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — March 13, 2018 4