HomeMy WebLinkAbout03b. Minutes - 03-12-19 - Regular MeetingCity Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – March 12, 2019 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 12, 2019
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on March 12, 2019,
at 6:33 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, Mayor Rodriguez presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Rick Rodriguez Mayor
Blanca Pacheco Mayor Pro Tem
Sean Ashton Council Member
Claudia Frometa Council Member
Alex Saab Council Member (excused)
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
Aldo Schindler, Community Development Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Rodriguez. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by United
States Army Private First Class Ryan Murray.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Rodriguez took this item out of order.
Having no one come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He reported attending the
Southern California Association of Governments meeting and reported on the Transportation
Committee session where the City of Monrovia announced they contract with Lyft for their Dial-A-Ride
transportation services. Monrovia reported a cost savings of over $800,000 a year. He requested staff
explore utilizing Lyft for the City of Downey’s Dial-A-Ride services. He announced the upcoming Keep
Downey Beautiful Clean Up at Independence Park.
Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She recognized her parents
in the audience and wished her mother, Mariana Pacheco a Happy Birthday. She recognized Michael
Calvert and Joanna Peterson in the audience. She reported participating in the Day of the Reader at
Gallatin and Gauldin Elementary Schools. She reported attending the Downey Chamber of Commerce
Anniversary Luncheon; Assembly Member Cristina Garcia’s Woman of the Year Luncheon and
announced Blanca Rochin, Principal of Downey Adult School was recognized as the Woman of the
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – March 12, 2019 2
Year for the City of Downey. She also attended the West Downey Little League’s Opening Day and
threw the first pitch. She announced upcoming events: American Legion’s 100th Birthday Celebration;
Gangs Out of Downey Annual Luncheon; and Walk with Your Council Member. She announced the
closure of the Downey City Library effective Saturday, March 16 for renovations.
Council Member Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She thanked the Directors,
Police and Fire Departments for always doing a great job. She acknowledged Michael Calvert, Joanna
Peterson, Scott Collins, Commissioner Nolveris Frometa, and Sarah Frometa in the audience. She
reported attending the Clergy Council meeting and West Downey Little League’s Opening Day. She
reported participating in the Day of the Reader at Gallatin and Gauldin Elementary Schools. She
thanked Dr. Garcia and the School Board Members for their participation. She announced upcoming
events: American Legion’s 100th Birthday Celebration; Gangs out of Downey Annual Luncheon; and,
Walk with Your Council Member.
Mayor Rodriguez thanked the audience for allowing him to sit in his seat on the City Council.
He reported attending the Downey Care Collaborative (DCC); and, Homeless Subcommittee meeting
where they discussed a program the Calvary Chapel High School students implemented in which the
students were successful in acquiring free cellphones, food, and housing for the homeless. He
recognized former Mayor of Artesia Victor Manalo and Scott Collins in the audience. He thanked
Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco and Council Member Frometa for doing great job in representing the City of
Downey while the Mayor and two other Council Members were out of town.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Rodriguez presented the Mayor’s Servant Heart Award to Jennifer Lopez.
2. Mayor Rodriguez presented a Proclamation in honor of Social Work Month to Jennifer Lopez and
social workers from the Department of Children and Family Services.
3. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Chief Milligan presented the Downey’s Finest Award to
Captain Leslie Murray.
4. Council Member Frometa presented a Certificate of Appointment to Adam Christin, Public Works
Commission, District 4.
5. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Chief Milligan presented the Department of California
Highway Patrol 10851 Awards 2019.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Rodriguez abstained from Item No. 5.
City Attorney Abich Garcia announced a correction to Item No. 4, the Annual Downey
Chamber of Commerce Agreement, Section 3.3.2 the provision currently states Chamber will invoice
the City in December, 2016, the date shall be changed to read July, 2018.
Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent
Calendar items.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding Item Nos. 3 and 7; maintenance of the
infrastructure on Firestone Ave. between Paramount Blvd. and Downey Ave.; and, the need for more
street lights and sidewalks to improve the quality of life for pedestrians.
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Regular Meeting – March 12, 2019 3
Mr. Lacy, resident, commented regarding Item No. 9. He asked for the new rate adjustments.
City Manager Livas responded to the resident’s inquiry. He advised the resident that the annual
rate adjustments are available in the staff report and listed by category for both commercial and
residential; and, offered to provide a copy of the staff report to the resident.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment.
It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Council Member Frometa and carried
unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar with Mayor Rodriguez abstaining from Item No. 5;
Council Member Saab excused; and, the correction to Item No. 4, Annual Downey Chamber of
Commerce Agreement, Section 3.3.2, the date shall be changed to read July, 2018, instead of
December, 2016.
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Regular Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2019: City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 331524 – 331926; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003849, 30003853 –
30003854, 30003856 – 30003857; and, Manual Wire Nos. 1811 – 1816, in the total amount of
$4,532,011.35: Finance.
3. APPROPRIATED $8,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO PURCHASE SUPPLIES FOR THE
DOWNEY ONE DAY OF SERVICE EVENT SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019:
Administration.
4. APPROVED THE ANNUAL DOWNEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AGREEMENT FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2018-19: Community Development.
5. APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH HOFFMAN SOUTHWEST CORPORATION DBA
PROFESSIONAL PIPE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $189,750 FOR SANITARY SEWER
CCTV INSPECTION SERVICES; AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR PRO TEM TO EXECUTE THE
AGREEMENT; AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
AMENDMENTS DEEMED NECESSARY UP TO 15% OF THE PROGRAM BUDGET: Public
Works.
6. AWARDED A CONTRACT TO U.S. DIGITAL DESIGNS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $605,775.95
FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF NEW FIRE STATION ALERTING SYSTEM FOR
THE CITY’S FIRE STATIONS, TEMPORARY FIRE STATION AND TEMPORARY DISPATCH
CENTER; AND, AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT: Administration.
7. APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHSTAR ENGINEERING & CONSULTING INC. IN
THE AMOUNT OF $20,479 FOR PROVIDING PUBLIC OUTREACH SERVICES AS RELATED TO
THE MEASURE S INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM; AND,
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT:
Administration.
8. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 19-7872, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT’S DESIRE TO JOIN
THE SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD: Administration.
9. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 19-7873, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING ANNUAL RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR SOLID WASTE AND
RECYCLING SERVICES PROVIDED BY CALMET SERVICES, INC. TO RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS: Public Works.
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Regular Meeting – March 12, 2019 4
10. WAIVE D ADMISSION FEES TO THE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE CENTER DURING THE
WEEK OF APRIL 23RD – 27TH, 2019, AND APRIL 6, 2019, AS PART OF THE CITY OF STEM
FESTIVAL: CMSC.
11. APPROVED FEE WAIVER FOR USE OF THE SHOWMOBILE FOR CALVARY CHAPEL
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Mayor Rodriguez.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Livas commented regarding infrastructure and stated in the past five years the
City has spent more funding on repairs to City streets and sidewalks to ensure ADA compliance. The
City has spent approximately $15 million annually, more than the amount spent in the previous 20
years combined. At the last Council Meeting, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2018/19
Residential Streets Pavement Rehabilitation Project. He advised the Council he is planning to schedule
a policy workshop for them with the Independent Cities Risk Management Authority. He reminded the
audience of the closure of the Downey City Library for renovations beginning Saturday, March 16.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:36 p.m. in memory of Robert G. Cormack, former Downey Mayor; Diamond Ray
Edmundson, former employee at the Columbia Memorial Space Center; retired Downey Firefighter Paul
Cruz; victims of the storms in Alabama; victims of the plane crash in Ethiopia, eight Americans were on
board; and, Miguel A. Ferrer, family member of Mayor Rodriguez.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC RICK RODRIGUEZ
City Clerk Mayor