HomeMy WebLinkAbout01a. Minutes - 04-25-17 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 25, 2017
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on April 25, 2017,
at 6:35 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, Mayor Vasquez presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Fernando Vasquez Mayor
Sean Ashton Mayor Pro Tem
Blanca Pacheco Council Member (excused)
Rick Rodriguez Council Member
Alex Saab Council Member
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Adria M. Jimenez, MMC, City Clerk
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
Aldo Schindler, Community Development Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Alicia Duarte, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Don Metcalf, Pastor of Desert Reign Church. The Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Kenneth Thompson, WWII Veteran.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Saab welcomed everyone to the meeting. He acknowledged Laurie Tyler and
Michael Calvart in the audience. He announced: the community meeting to discuss street
improvements on Paramount Blvd. between Firestone Blvd. and Florence Ave.; Downey YMCA
Carnival of Champions; Police Department prescription drug take back event; and, the electronic waste
and paper shredding event.
Council Member Rodriguez thanked Mr. Thompson for being here tonight. He reported
attending the first volunteer roundtable discussion meeting and said the City is in the process of
creating various subcommittees to address community issues. He announced the new Pets for Troops
Program which will allow off duty military personnel to obtain a free dog from SEACCA. He reported
attending the Cops and Kids event coordinated by Gangs Out of Downey.
Mayor Pro Tem Ashton reported participating in the Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Up, the City
of Stem event and the Cops and Kids event. He thanked Director Dickow and staff for coordinating the
City of Stem event. He announced the Ride and Stride event and said street closures are being
announced through the City's social media sites.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017
Mayor Vasquez stated he participated in six City events last week. He announced the State of
the City Address, on April 26tH
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Vasquez presented the Mayor's Healthy Heart Award to Brenda Olmos, AppleCare Medical
Management.
2. Mayor Vasquez with the assistance of Police Chief Charles presented recognition to Jerry A. Price,
Police Corporal, for his 26 years of service with the Downey Police Department.
3. Council Member Saab presented a Certificate of Appointment to Karina Madariaga to the Green
Task Force.
4. Mayor Vasquez and Council Member Rodriguez presented a Proclamation to Kenneth Thompson in
Recognition of Older Americans Month.
5. Mayor Vasquez presented a Proclamation to Luisa Rivera in Recognition of DMV/Donate Life
Month.
6. Mayor Vasquez and Mayor Pro Tem Ashton presented a Proclamation to Ashod Mouradian, Mark
Echmalian and Kirk Cartozian in recognition of the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
7. Financial Partners Credit Union provided a presentation to the City Council of the "Financial
Literacy Program".
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Tony Tinejero, resident, commented regarding reducing speed limits on Firestone and
Paramount Blvd. He also commented on increasing the bee population in the City.
John Lacey, resident, inquired if the City has considered using drones as an asset by the Police
and Fire Departments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Vasquez abstained from Item No. 15.
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 Pacheco excused and Mayor Vasquez abstaining from Item No. 15,
to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar.
1. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 312523 — 312948; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003592, 30003597 —
30003599 and 30003601-30003602; Manual Wire Nos. 1540 — 1543, in the total amount of
$3,898,595.65: Finance.
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Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 2
2. APPROVED A CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH LANCE,
SOLL & LUNGHARD, LLP TO PERFORM FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES AND PREPARATION
OF REQUIRED REPORTS FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDING ON JUNE 30, 2017, 2018 AND
2019: Finance.
3. ACCEPTED THE PARAMOUNT BLVD. AT FIRESTONE BLVD. INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT AS COMPLETE; APPROVED THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT
OF $1,514,235.25; APPROPRIATED $744,263 IN REIMBURSABLE FUNDS FROM THE LA
COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 1-710 EARLY ACTION MEASURE
R GRANT; AND, AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO FILE THE NOTICE OF
COMPLETION WITH THE LA COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE (CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S.
60113): Public Works.
4. APPROVED THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR
BIDS FOR OLD RIVER SCHOOL RD WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FROM
IMPERIAL HWY TO ARNETT ST (CIP NO. 16-21): Public Works.
5. APPROVED THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR
BIDS FOR RESIDENTIAL STREET PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT (CIP NO. 17-04):
Public Works.
6. APPROPRIATED $30,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND AUTHORIZED PROCUREMENT
OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR CITY HALL: Administration.
7. APPROPRIATED $220,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES AND AUTHORIZED
PROCUREMENT OF MATERIAL & SOLICITATOIN OF INFORMAL BIDS FOR THE RIO HONDO
EVENT CENTER CARPET AND TILE REPLACEMENT PROJECT (CIP NO. 15-31):
Administration.
8. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 17-7711, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY ADOPTING A RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE AUTHORIZING
DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE RECORDS, ADOPTING CITY-WIDE RECORDS
DESTRUCTION PROGRAM PROCEDURES, AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NOS. 6043 AND
14-7475: City Clerk.
9. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 17-7712, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF DAVID GAFIN TO THE INDEPENDENT
CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR DISTRICT 1: Council Member Pacheco.
10. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 17-7713, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF DOROTHY PEMBERTON TO THE
INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR DISTRICT 3: Council Member
Rodriguez.
11. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 17-7714, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF JEANETTE BAUMANN TO THE
INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 4: Mayor
Vasquez.
12. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 17-7715, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF MARIO A. GUERRA TO THE
INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR DISTRICT 5: Council Member Saab.
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Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 3
13. INTRODUCED ORDINANCE NO. , AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ARTICLE II, CHAPTER 1,
SECTION 2105 REGULATING ANIMALS IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS: Council Member Saab.
14. APPROVED PURCHASING 39 REGULAR GOLF CARTS AND ONE ACCESSIBLE GOLF CART
FOR THE RIO HONDO GOLF CLUB: Parks & Recreation.
15. APPROVED THE FEE WAIVER FOR USE OF THE SNOWMOBILE AT THE 2017 ANNUAL
RELAY FOR LIFE COMMUNITY EVENT SPONSORED BY DOWNEY ADULT SCHOOL:
Administration.
16. APPROVED THE DONATION OF TWO FOURSOMES OF GOLF AT THE RIO HONDO GOLF
COURSE FOR CALIFORNIA CONTRACT CITIES ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MUNICIPAL
SEMINAR GOLF TOURNAMENT: Administration.
17. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 17-7716, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF ROGER BROSSMER TO THE
INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR DISTRICT 2: Mayor Pro Tem Ashton.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
18. IMPERIAL HIGHWAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN: RECEIVED AND FILED
AN INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION BY JWA URBAN CONSULTANTS: Community
Development.
City Manager Livas announced the staff report would be provided by Jack Wong of JWA Urban
Consultants and Stanley Hoffman of Stanley R. Hoffman Associates, Inc. Mr. Wong summarized the
study his team of consultants conducted for the Imperial Highway Corridor. Mr. Wong described the
vision of the study as being aimed at helping the city focus on revitalizing the Corridor by creating
economic development incentives and programs for the businesses to thrive, identifying catalytic
opportunities, transforming the vehicular -oriented streetscape into an attractive and cohesive urban
street with new medical, biomedical, research and development and professional offices, and
restaurants. Furthermore, Mr. Wong stated that the objectives of the study were to assess economic
and residential attributes of the Corridor, identify land constraints and opportunities, attract quality jobs
and ownership housing, improve quality of life and place -making, and identify new development
opportunities within target areas. As part of the study the consultants spoke to almost every major
stakeholder along the corridor including Kaiser Permanente. In speaking with the major stakeholders
along the corridor including store managers and property owners, the consultants were able to take
their input into their analysis. In their analysis of their data, they were able to subdivide the Corridor into
four subareas, each with their own unique urban form. For example, the area along Bellflower and
Woodruff, they found was a job creation area while the area around Paramount Blvd. was more of a
neighborhood retail area.
Additionally, Mr. Wong discussed some of the strengths and challenges for the Corridor as well
as areas of which might provide opportunities for development. Some economic development
strategies that were discussed were: make economic development a priority; develop leadership,
support and coordination; retain, expand, and attract businesses; promote and develop a positive brand
identity; update key planning and development codes; and improve public infrastructure and amenities.
Lastly, Mr. Wong discussed an implementation plan and performance metrics that will be places in an
effort for the city to be able to see if progress is made.
After Mr. Wong's presentation on the findings pertaining to economic development, Mr. Hoffman
provided a presentation on demographics and social -economic criteria for the study. Mr. Hoffman
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Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 4
provided a brief overview of the population distribution throughout the City of Downey. He also
emphasized that their study included analyzing the median household income of the city. He found that
the median household income in Downey is $58,000 and that areas surrounding home ownership as
opposed to rental spaces were a significant force in their recommendations when analyzing
opportunities for economic development.
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 Pacheco excused, to receive and file the informational presentation.
19. ADOPTED INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 17-1376, AN INTERIM URGENCY
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ESTABLISHING A
TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ESTABLISHING ACCESSORY AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS, AND DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF: Community Development.
City Manager Livas announced the staff report would be provided by David Blumental, Principal
Planner. Mr. Blumenthal gave a brief background of three newly enacted California laws regarding
housing. He explained that in order to provide more housing units and opportunities for affordable
housing, the Legislature of the State of California adopted three statues, Senate Bill 1069, Assembly
Bill 2299 and Assembly Bill 2406, that changed the State's regulations on accessory dwelling units.
These new regulations supersede the City's zoning authority and mandate that the City of Downey
allow accessory dwelling units. These regulations also limit the City's ability to require parking to
accommodate the accessory dwelling unit. Downey Municipal Code 9414 currently allows second unit
development areas. Second units must be constructed to the rear of the main residence. There must be
a two -car garage and the second unit must not exceed 1,000 square feet. Second units are approved
via Administrative Permit and require a public notice to all addresses within a one hundred mile radius.
Mr. Blumenthal stated that the City of Downey's current regulations have been deemed null and
void by the State's actions and therefore Accessory Dwelling Units must be permitted in all residential
zones citywide. In response to these new state laws, Staff is requesting a moratorium on establishing
accessory and junior accessory dwelling units in the City to allow time to study the issue and determine
the best course of action to implement the State's regulations, while protecting the City's single-family
neighborhoods. The urgency ordinance requires approval by a 4/5t" vote and if approved will go into
effect immediately. If adopted, the moratorium will be valid for 45 days, which can be extended through
a public hearing for an additional ten months and 15 days, up to a maximum of one year. Lastly, Mr.
Blumenthal stated that Staff will return to the City Council within 45 days to report the progress and that
any proposed changes in the Municipal Code will require public hearings before the Planning
Commission and City Council.
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 Pacheco excused, to adopt Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 17-
1376, an Interim Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Downey Establishing a
Temporary Moratorium on Establishing Accessory and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, and Declaring
the Urgency Thereof.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Livas announced the launching of the City's mobile friendly website.
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Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 5
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vasquez adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:03 p.m. in memory of Staff
Sgt. Mark R. De Alencar, 37, of Edgewood, Maryland who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve;
Doris Patterson, and, Bryan Andrews, long-time Downey resident.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC SEAN ASHTON
City Clerk Mayor
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Regular Meeting — April 25, 2017 6