HomeMy WebLinkAbout01d. Minutes - 12-11-18 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2018
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on December 11,
2018, at 6:40 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 Tern
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
Vaniah De Rojas, Assistant to the City Manager
Dean Milligan, Chief of Police
Jay lbey, Assistant Fire Chief
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
Pam Passow, Parks and Recreation Director
Aldo Schindler, Community Development Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Michael Harary, Human Resources Director
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Richard D. Salyer. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Emily, Sarah & Jessica Frometa.
WELCOME
Mayor Ashton welcomed the audience to the Council meeting. He acknowledged former City of
Downey elected officials and dignitaries in the audience: Kirk Cartozian, Meredith Perkins, and Mario
Guerra. He recognized City Commissioners and Committee Members.
1. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 18-7856, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY RECITING THE FACTS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION,
CONSOLIDATED WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION, HELD ON NOVEMBER 6,
2018, DECLARING THE RESULTS AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW:
City Clerk.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and carried
unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 18-7856, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Downey
reciting the facts of the General Municipal Election, consolidated with the Statewide General Election,
held on November 6, 2018, declaring the results and such other matters as provided by law.
2. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS TO RETIRING COUNCIL MEMBER
Mayor Ashton presented Council Member Vasquez with a gavel plaque, City the plaque, and a
Downey street name sign in recognition of his eight years of service on the Downey City Council.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — December 11, 2018
Council Member Vasquez received certificates of recognition for his year of service from
Assemblymember Cristina Garcia; Cities of Bellflower, Commerce, Santa Fe Springs, Signal Hill and
Norwalk; California Contract Cities; Downey Chamber of Commerce; Downey Rose Float Association;
and, Gateway Council of Governments.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez presented Council Member Vasquez with a gift from his Downey City
Council colleagues.
Mayor Ashton introduced a video presentation in recognition of Council Member Vasquez.
Council Member Vasquez thanked the residents of Downey for allowing him to serve on the City
Council. He provided comments regarding the challenges he overcame when he decided to run for
office; his love for the City of Downey; and, the obstacles each Member of the City Council has faced
which unites them. He thanked his parents and wife for their support.
Council Member Vasquez provided comments regarding his plans to continue being a
healthcare advocate and supporting community clinics to provide healthcare to the less fortunate.
Council Member Vasquez thanked and expressed his appreciation to his Council Colleagues,
City Manager Livas, Assistant City Manager Oskoui, City Attorney Abich Garcia, Police Chief Milligan,
Fire Chief Gillaspie, Director of Community Development Schindler, Director of Parks and Recreation
Passow, Director of Finance Gandhy, and City Council Secretary Monica Delgadillo.
Council Member Vasquez congratulated Gigi Saab for her election to the Downey Unified
School Board.
Council Member Vasquez provided a presentation of his accomplishments over the past eight
years while on the City Council.
Lastly, Council Member Vasquez congratulated incoming Council Member Frometa for being
elected to her seat on the City Council.
3. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF
ELECTION TO NEWLY -ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS
Tammy Ashton administered the Oath of Office to incoming Council Member Ashton, District
Two.
Mayor Ashton announced he was truly honored to be able to represent the City of Downey for
another four years. He provided comments regarding the issues that made him decide to run for office.
Pastor Richard D. Salyer administered the Oath of Office to incoming Council Member Frometa,
District Four.
Council Member Frometa wished the audience happy holidays. She thanked Council Member
Vasquez for his eight years of service and his support. She thanked the audience for being present at
the meeting and mentioned she was humbled and honored to be elected to represent District Four.
She provided brief comments regarding her dream to become a Council Member coming to realization,
her upbringing and the challenges she faced as an immigrant. She congratulated newly appointed
Police Chief Milligan. She stated she looks forward to working with City staff and her desire to continue
making the City of Downey a better place to live.
Council Member Frometa thanked her husband, children, family and friends for their support
and wished everyone a Happy Holidays.
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Regular Meeting — December 11, 2018 2
RECESS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Ashton recessed the City Council meeting at 8:05 p.m.
RECONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez reconvened the City Council meeting at 9:02 p.m. with Mayor Ashton
excused.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Pacheco congratulated Council Member Frometa on her election to the
Downey City Council and Police Chief Milligan on his appointment as Chief of Police.
Council Member Frometa thanked everyone for their support and mentioned she looks forward
to the next four years in office.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez took this item out of order.
Council Members Frometa abstained from Item No. 4.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on
Consent Calendar items.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding air pollution and traffic congestion on
Firestone Boulevard.
Lars Clutterham, composer, invited the City Council to attend three upcoming events at the
Downey Theatre.
Having no one else come forward Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez closed public comment.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Pacheco, and approved
4-0-1, with Mayor Ashton excused and Council Member Frometa abstaining from Item No. 4 to
approve the Consent Calendar.
4. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of November 27, 2018; and, Regular Meeting of
November 27, 2018: City Clerk.
5. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 329255 — 329541; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003822 — 30003825;
and, Manual Wire Nos. 1776 — 1779, in the total amount of $5,745,630.25: Finance.
6. APPROVED THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR
CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR PARAMOUNT BLVD. MEDIAN ISLAND IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT FROM IMPERIAL HWY. TO FIRESTONE BLVD. (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 14-18): Public Works.
7. ACCEPTED STEWART AND GRAY RD. VALVE REPAIR PROJECT FROM BELLFLOWER
BLVD. TO WOODRUFF AVE. AS COMPLETE; APPROVED THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $212,200; AND, AUTHORIZED THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
TO FILE THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (MISCELLANEOUS PROJECT NO. 331): Public Works.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — December 11, 2018 3
8. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 18-7857, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE RECORDS OF THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT: Fire.
9. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 18-7858, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING CITY REPRESENTATIVES TO ACQUIRE FEDERAL SURPLUS
PROPERTY: Administration.
10. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 18-7859, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY UPDATING THE HOURLY PAY SCHEDULE FOR CERTAIN POSITIONS
DESIGNATED AS TEMPORARY/PART-TIME PURSUANT TO THE INCREASE IN THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA'S MINIMUM WAGE FOR 2019: Human Resources.
11. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 18-1405, AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY, REAUTHORIZING AND READOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 644 AS
AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 08-1227 RELATED TO STATE FRANCHISE FEES FOR
CABLE TELEVISION AND PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL AND GOVERNMENT ("PEG") ACCESS:
Finance.
NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez took this item out of order.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding the Ralph Brown Act; poor infrastructure;
public safety; outside contractors and the bid process; and, homelessness.
Alan D. Halstensgaard, resident, commented against abortion.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Livas commented thanks to the City Council a total of 30 million dollars has been
spent the two last years combined on street and infrastructure repairs. He introduced the City's ADA
Coordinator, Vaniah De Rojas and mentioned since last year the City has received 66 requests for
service of which 57 have been completed, and nine are in the process of completion. He stated the
City continually monitors ADA compliance which is subject to the amount of funding available. City
Manager Livas wished Council Member Frometa much success and looks said he looks forward to
working with the City Council in the coming year.
_ • 1411 IN
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 9:28 p.m. in memory
of Arlene McArthur, longtime Downey resident and past member of the Downey Advisory Board;
Sergeant Jason Mitchell McClary, 24, of Export, Pennsylvania, Army Captain Andrew Patrick Ross, 29,
of Lexington, Virginia, Army Sergeant 1St Class Eric Michael Emond, 39, of Brush Prairie, Washington,
Air Force Staff Sergeant Dylan J. Elchin, 25, of Hookstown, Pennsylvania who were supporting
Operation Sentinel; and, George H. W. Bush, 41St President of the United States.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC RICK RODRIGUEZ
City Clerk Mayor
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — December 11, 2018 4