HomeMy WebLinkAbout01c. Minutes - 09-25-18 - Regular MeetingCity Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 25, 2018 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on
September 25, 2018, at 6:35 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 (excused)
ALSO PRESENT: John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Carl Charles, Chief of Police
Mark Gillaspie, Fire Chief
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
Aldo Schindler, Community Development Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Michael Harary, Human Resources Director
Jason Chacon, Recreation Manager
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Rev. Luis D. Perez. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ray
Gard, President of District 19 American Legion.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He recognized Michael Calvert,
George Redfox, and Bill DeWitt in the audience. He reported Sister City Ireland Delegation visit to
Downey; and thanked all whom welcomed them during their stay. He announced the upcoming Ribbon
Cutting event at Office Depot. He invited everyone to attend the upcoming Downey Unified School
District’s State of Schools Breakfast. He notified the public of the construction on Lakewood Blvd. north
of Gallatin Rd. which is scheduled to be completed Monday.
Council Member Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She recognized Alex Gaytan
in the audience. She reported attending the League of California Cities’ Annual Conference and
reported on the session entitled Civic Engagement Amongst Youth and announced Downey has a
Youth Commission. She also attended the International Food & Music Festival. She announced
upcoming events: Downey Unified School District’s State of Schools Breakfast; and, O’Reilly Auto Parts
is having a Used Oil Filter event.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez thanked the audience for allowing him to serve on the Council. He
commented regarding the incident at Kaiser on 9/11 and mentioned how proud he is of all of the
employees that responded by providing water and shelter to those in need. He reported he participated
with the Sister City Ireland Delegation visit. He attended the International Food & Music Festival;
Rancho Los Amigos Ribbon Cutting with Supervisor Janice Hahn; and, recognized a resident during
her 105th Birthday Celebration at the Downey Methodist Church. He announced Roman Gonzalez,
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 25, 2018 2
Courage Forward Member, was deployed to Afghanistan. He requested staff prepare a moratorium to
investigate massage parlors. He announced Eric Pierce will be installed as Lieutenant Governor of
Kiwanis.
Mayor Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He reported hosting the Sister City
Ireland Delegation tour of City, City Hall, Police Department, Colombia Memorial Space Center,
Historical Society, and McDonalds. He thanked staff and the Chamber of Commerce for their efforts
and a successful day. He announced attending the International Food & Music Festival. He thanked
staff for organizing a great family-friendly event. He announced the upcoming event: Keep Downey
Beautiful Clean Up.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Ashton presented the Mayor’s Downey DNA Award to Alex Gaytan.
2. Mayor Ashton presented the Mayor’s Hero Awards to John Lane, World War II US Navy
Veteran; and Robert Cormack, Former Mayor.
3. Mayor Ashton presented a Proclamation for Voter Registration Day.
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Ashton recessed the City Council meeting at 7:06 p.m. Mayor Ashton reconvened the
City Council meeting at 7:14 p.m.
NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Ashton opened non agenda public comment.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding public comment restrictions at public
facilities; poor infrastructure; and, people with disabilities.
Allen Halstengaard, resident, commented in opposition to abortion.
Nick Ioannidis, announced his pride of becoming an American Citizen 43 years ago. He
announced October 28, 2018 is National Immigrant Day and requested the Downey City Council
provide a Proclamation for National Immigrant Day.
Rita Topalian introduced herself as a candidate for Senate. She thanked Mr. Cormack and Mr.
Lane for their service and provided comments in favor of education.
Bill Dewitt, former Mayor of South Gate, commented in opposition of the possible homeless
shelter replacing the American Legion building at Garfield and Gardendale; and, suggested a shelter
facility at Rancho Los Amigos instead.
George Redfox, resident, commented in favor of lining City streets with trees. He requested the
City enact a tree ordinance to be in line with Tree City U.S.A. He requested a preservation ordinance
to protect neighborhoods from inappropriate additions and renovations. He asked that the Art Fund be
used to conduct a City-wide historical survey.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment.
Council Member Saab requested staff return to Council with the City’s current tree policy. He
stated that there are several City streets not tree lined.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 25, 2018 3
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Pacheco abstained from Item No. 1 the Regular Meeting Minutes of October 24,
2017.
Council Member Rodriguez abstained from Item No. 4, due to conflict of interest.
Mayor Ashton asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent
Calendar items.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding traffic congestion on Florence Ave. and
Lakewood Blvd.
Having no one come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez, and carried
unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar with Council Member Pacheco abstaining from Item No.
1 Regular Meeting Minutes October 24, 2017, Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez abstaining from Item No. 4
and, Council Member Vasquez excused.
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of September 11, 2018; and, Regular Meetings of October
24, 2017; May 22, 2018; and, September 11, 2018:
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 327162 – 327527; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003795 – 30003796,
and 30003801 – 30003803; and, Manual Wire Nos. 1747 – 1748; in the total amount of $
3,339,161.36: Finance.
3. ACCEPTED THE LAKEWOOD BLVD./ROSEMEAD BLVD. AT TELEGRAPH RD.
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AS COMPLETE; APPROVED THE FINAL
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $3,459,758.79; AND, AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC
WORKS DIRECTOR TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (CASH CONTRACT NO. 632-3D):
Public Works.
4. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
(MOU) WITH THE L.A. COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO)
PROVIDING $4,925,000 IN MEASURE R GRANT FUNDING FOR THE LAKEWOOD BLVD. AT
FLORENCE AVE. IMPROVEMENT PROJECT; AND, ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE MOU AS
NECESSARY (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 19-07): Public Works.
5. AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF
MONTEBELLO TO JOIN THE INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INTEROPERABILITY
SYSTEM (ICI) AND APPROPRIATED $190,000 FROM MEASURE S FOR MEMBERSHIP COSTS
AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT: Police.
6. AWARDED A CONTRACT TO WILLIAMS PIPELINE CONTRACTORS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT
OF $134,000 FOR MISCELLANEOUS PROJECT NO. 331, STEWART AND GRAY RD. VALVE
REPAIR PROJECT FROM BELLFLOWER BLVD. TO WOODRUFF AVE.; AUTHORIZED
TRANSFER OF $183,800 FROM ACCT. NO. 51-1-8674 TO 51-1-6768; AND, AUTHORIZED THE
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO EXECUTE ANY CHANGE ORDERS OR ADDITIONAL
SCOPE OF WORK FOR THIS PROJECT, DEEMED NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE UP TO THE
APPROVED PROJECT BUDGET: Public Works.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 25, 2018 4
7. AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
HEALTHFIRST MEDICAL GROUP, INC. TO PROVIDE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF DOWNEY: Human Resources.
8. APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH COST RECOVERY SYSTEMS,
INC. FOR STATE MANDATED COST REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM SERVICES: Finance.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ashton adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 7:47 p.m. in memory of
Sacramento Sherriff Deputy Mark Stasyuk, 27, killed in the line of duty; Sturgis Volunteer Fire
Department, Assistant Fire Chief David Fischer who died while trying to rescue an 82 year old man
from a house fire; Miller Timber Services, Firefighter II Eric Christopher Aarseth, who worked the Horns
Mountain Fire in Washington; the Victims of Hurricane Florence; Casimira Iturri, mother-in-law of
Planning Commissioner Steven Dominguez; and Michael Rey Casados Jr.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC SEAN ASHTON
City Clerk Mayor