HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-26-19 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF
CITY COUNCIL OF OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on February 26
2019, at 6:37 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue,
Downey, California, Mayor Rodriguez presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Rick Rodriguez
Blanca Pacheco
Sean Ashton
Claudia Frometa
Alex Saab
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
Vaniah De Rojas, Assistant to the City Manager
Dean Milligan, Chief of Police
Mark Gillaspie, Fire Chief
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
Pam Passow, Parks and Recreation Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Michael Harary, Human Resources Director
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Alex Vargas, The Lord's Grace Church. The Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Council Member Frometa.
COUNCIL :: ` ANNOUNCEMENTS,AFOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He invited the audience to utilize
the QR Code to upload the agenda to their electronic devices. He recognized Planning Commissioner
Nolveris Frometa and Michael Calvert in the audience. He reported attending the TLC Healthy Downey
5K Walk and thanked everyone for their participation. He also attended the Downey Military Service
Day at Calvary Chapel. He announced upcoming events: Downey Chamber of Commerce Anniversary
Luncheon; Gangs Out of Downey Annual Luncheon; and, the City's Town Hall Meeting on April 2,
2019, regarding coyotes issues in the community. He requested an update on the Stay Gallery's
activities for a future Council meeting.
Council Member Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She acknowledged Michael
Calvert; Rory Rear; Planning Commissioner Nolveris Frometa; and, Dan and Debbie Fox in the
audience. She reported attending the USC Price Executive Education Forum for Policy, TLC Healthy
Downey 5K Walk and thanked Director Passow, staff, and the Police and Fire Departments for making
the event successful. She announced visiting Fire Station No. 4, meeting with Captain Steve Davis,
and going on a ride along with the crew. She reported attending a Neighborhood Watch meeting and
encouraged the audience to get involved in their area. She announced the upcoming events: City
Council Town Hall Meeting on April 2, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. regarding coyotes and the Keep Downey
Beautiful Clean Up at Independence Park. She requested new street name signage in the area of
Gallatin between Brookshire and Downey.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — February 26, 2019
Council Member Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting_ He reported attending the
Southern California Association of Governments' Legislative Advocacy trip to meet with Assembly
Member Christina Garcia and Senator Bob Archuleta to discuss Housing and the lawsuits against Cities
for not implementing a Housing Plan. He attended the Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Up; and,
acknowledged Lisa Fox and Carol Rowland for their continued efforts in organizing the cleanup events.
He reported participating in the TLC Healthy Downey 5K Walk. He attended the Rancho Los Amigos
South Campus Public Scoping meeting and thanked Community Development Director Schindler and
his staff for organizing the meeting. He announced the upcoming events: Keep Downey Beautiful
Clean Up at Independence Park; Downey Chamber of Commerce Anniversary Luncheon; Community
Development Block Grant and Home Community Meetings.
Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco welcomed theaudienceto the meeting. She reported attending the
USC Price Executive Education Forum for Policy to build leadership skills and the science of decision
making to become better leaders for the City. She reported attending the Downey Rose Float
Association's Installation of the Board Members and congratulated Jeremy Clifton, Present of the Rose
Float Association. She also attended the TLC Healthy Downey 5K Walk; Northwest Downey Little
League Opening Day; and, the Boy Scouts of America Dinner. She commented on how important it is
to be involved in the community at an early age. She announced upcoming events: Downey Chamber
of Commerce Anniversary Luncheon and the Downey Rose Float Association's 80's Murder Mystery
fundraiser.
Mayor Rodriguez thanked the audience for allowing him to sit in his seaton the City Council.
He reported attending the Northwest Downey Little League Opening Day and the Downey Military
Service Day hosted by Calvary Chapel. He commented that over 200 High School Juniors and Seniors
from the high schools in Downey attended the Downey Military Service Day to receive information from
all branches of military service. He reported attending the TLC Healthy Downey 5K Walk, and being a
guest speaker at CSUDH and CSULA to provide motivational inspiration to students regarding their
future after graduation. He commented regarding a tour of Chinese students at City Hall. He
announced St. Pius X St. Matthias Academy was granted the use of the property adjacent to their
property by the County of Los Angeles for one dollar per year. He thanked Supervisor Janice Hahn for
providing this opportunity to the school. He reported attending ribbon cuttings for Play Date and L.A.
Taco.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Rodriguez' presented the Mayor's Servant Heart Award to Jose Bautista.
2. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Delfino Consunji presented the Downey's Finest Award to
Doug Babcock, Paul Dunlap, and Louis Marin.
3:- Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Chief Milligan introduced the new Downey Police Officers:
Jacob Salcedo; Manuel Castro; Patrick Scholl; Victor Ugarte; Christian Ordono; Cory Igua; and,
Daniel Perez.
4. Council Member Frometa presented a Certificate of Appointment to Dan Fox, Public Works
Commission, District 4.
5. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance of Constanza Pachon, The Whole Child presented certificates of
Recognition to Brittany Bowen and Eddie Nava.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — February 26, 2019 2
Mayor Rodriguez recessed the City Council meeting at 7:34 p.m. Mayor Rodriguez reconvened
the City Council meeting at 7:44 p.m. with all Council Members present.
NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding First Amendment Rights; political leaders;
the City's infrastructure; law enforcement; and, public engagement.
Thomas Smith, resident, commented regarding pot holes; repaving his residential street; and,
the coyote problem in the City.
Mayor Rodriguez responded to the resident's concerns regarding the coyote problem and
invited him and the audience to attend the upcoming Town Hall meeting on April 2, 2019 in the Council
Chamber to address the coyote issues and the City's Coyote Management Plan. He added, the City is
working on getting the pot holes filled between rain breaks as well as repaving the City's streets per the
City's yearly master paving plan.
Scott Collins, Field Deputy for State Senator Bob Archuleta, commented regarding the 14 Bills
submitted to the State Assembly by Senator Bob Archuleta; and, announced that he was appointed the
Field Deputy for the Veterans _ and Military Affairs, and Health Care committees and he will form
roundtables to focus on homeless veterans and health care reform.
Edgar Jimenez, resident, commented regarding pot holes on Clancy Avenue and Bigby Street;
and, the safety of small children due to the coyote increase.
Julia Emerson, Southern California Gas Representative, announced a new option for renewable
natural_gas to the residents of Downey. She stated the natural gas is methane captured from natural
resources which is now being injected intothepipes for business and residential customers. The
methane gas is turned into fuel for cooking and heating and is more sustainable than natural gas from
fossil fuel. She added that the residents will have a choice of electricity or natural gas for a cleaner
environment.
Mark Gonzalez, resident, commented regarding Smart Meter; West Nile Virus and mosquitos.
He requested a campaign to combat mosquitos during the rainy season. He commented regarding the
recent earthquake and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment.
• r�
Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent
Calendar items.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding Item Nos. 5, 6 and 8, and regarding potholes
and street paving.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Ashton and carried
unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar.
1 APPROVED MINUTES: Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2019: City Clerk.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — February 26, 2019 3
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: At 8:13 p.m. in memory of Virginia State Police Trooper Lucas B. Dowell, killed in
the line of duty; Felipe Plascencia; and, Marina Villavicencio.
qL
AMAIA ALICIA DUARTE, DMC
City Clerk
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — February 26, 2019
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