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Home My WebLink About01. Minutes - 04-09-19 - Regular MeetingCity Council Minutes Regular Meeting – April 9, 2019 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING APRIL 9, 2019 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on April 9, 2019, at 6:36 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 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 Abby Meza. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Geneva Laurain. COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He recognized Michael Calvert and Kylie Torres in the audience. He reported attending the City of Stem Festival and thanked Director Dickow and those involved in organizing the event. He also attended the Coyote Town Hall meeting and Youth in Government Day. He announced the upcoming Downey Police and Fire Foundation Luncheon scheduled for April 23. He requested staff research adding an additional dog park in the south or west area of the City, and suggested Crawford Park. Council Member Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She reported attending the City of Stem Festival. She commented on a great and well attended event. She reported attending the City of Stem Kick Off event with Mayor Garcetti; the Coyote Town Hall meeting; and, the Neighborhood Watch meeting in District 4. She announced the upcoming Downey Police and Fire Foundation Luncheon and Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Up. She requested staff install individual signage at Rio San Gabriel Park citing the DMC section regarding unleashed dogs; and, requested a staff report with details about the planned public outreach efforts ahead of construction and closure of City parks. Council Member Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He reported attending the City of Stem Festival and thanked Director Dickow for a great event. He reported attending the Coyote Town Hall meeting and announced upcoming events: Brunch with the Bunny at Golden Park; Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Up; Mulch and Shredding events; and, open registration for summer camps at City Council Minutes Regular Meeting – April 9, 2019 2 the Barbara J. Riley Center. He requested staff provide an update regarding the Old River School Road Improvement Project; and, he asked staff to bring and item to Council to oppose Senate Bill 50. City Manager Livas advised Council Member Ashton the opposition letter for Senate Bill 50 sent out yesterday. Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She recognized Marianna Pacheco and Green Task Force Commissioner Melissa Bahmanpour in the audience. She announced participating as a guest speaker in honor of Women’s History Month, and talking to the ladies of the Downey’s Rose Float Association and a local Girl Scout Troop. She reported attending the ARC Walk for Independence and announced upcoming events: Downey’s Rotary Club Benefit event to support Downey YMCA and TLC; Neighborhood Watch Block Captains meeting; Free Blood Pressure and Glucose screening; and, Earth Day Tree Planting. Mayor Rodriguez thanked the audience for allowing him to sit in his seat on the Council. He reported attending the City of Stem Festival Kick Off event with Mayor Garcetti. He thanked Director Dickow for a great event. He reported attending the Downey Federal Credit Union Annual Food Packing event at Warren High School; Salute to the Armed Forces at First Baptist Church; Clergy Council Meeting; and, the Coyote Town Hall meeting. He commented on the great ideas which stemmed from the including the ability to report coyote siting’s via the Downey App and the creation of a volunteer group called Coyotes Out of Downey (COOD). He announced upcoming events: Downey Care Collaborative Family Resource Day on May 4; National Day of Prayer; and, One Day of Service. He commented regarding an incident where a City employee was injured at the Public Works yard and mentioned the City has set up a lighted display at City Hal in honor of the employee him and his family, to wish him a speedy recovery. He requested staff research the idea of a movie night under the stars with the Mayor at the Columbia Memorial Space Center and requested staff install Home of the Carpenters signage at the City’s entry points. PRESENTATIONS 1. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Director Consunji presented the Downey’s Finest Award to Carol Rowland. 2. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco presented Certificates of Recognition to Calvary Chapel Christian School Students. 3. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Council Member Saab presented a Proclamation in recognition of Arbor Day to Girl Scout Troop 16325. 4. Mayor Rodriguez presented a Proclamation in recognition of National Library Week to Director Dickow. 5. Mayor Rodriguez presented a Proclamation in recognition of Carpenter’s Day to Kathy Perez. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding political leaders; Freedom of Speech; infrastructure; and, homelessness. Melissa Bahmanpour, Green Task Force member, invited the audience and Council to attend the upcoming Arbor Day event scheduled for April 20, at the Civic Center Breezeway. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting – April 9, 2019 3 CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Rodriguez abstained from Item No. 8 due to close proximity to property. Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding Item Nos. 4 and 7; and, Americans with Disabilities. Mike Farragher, Verizon Wireless Representative, commented in support of Item No. 9; and, thanked Director Consunji and Director Schindler for their assistance. Allan Park, International Youth Fellowship (IYF), extended an invitation the Mayor and Council to attend the Third Annual IYF World Leaders meeting in Los Angeles on April 21. Frank Dean, resident, commented regarding Item No. 4; and, retaining open space at the parks and refrain from cutting down trees specifically at Furman Park. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Frometa and carried unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar with Mayor Rodriguez abstaining from Item No. 8. 1. APPROVED MINUTES: Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 26, 2019: City Clerk. 2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 332296 – 332666; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003858 & 30003864 – 30003866; and, Manual Wire Nos. 1823 – 1826, in the total amount of $3,126,415.68: Finance. 3. AWARDED A CONTRACT TO ALL CITIES ENGINEERING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $376,982 FOR CIVIC CENTER DR. AND HALL RD. WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT; AUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF $526,680 FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WATER FUND ACCOUNT NO. 51-1-8685 TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WATER FUND ACCOUNT NO. 51-1-8687 TO COVER THE TOTAL PROJECT COST; AND, AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE ANY CHANGE ORDERS OR ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF WORK DEEMED NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE UP TO THE APPROVED BUDGET (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 19-18): Public Works. 4. APPROVED THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZE SOLICITATION OF BIDS FOR THE GOLDEN PARK IMPROVEMENTS (CIP NO. 19-32); THE WILDERNESS PARK IMPROVEMENTS (CIP NO. 19-35); THE INDEPENDENCE PARK IMPROVEMENTS (CIP NO. 19- 33); THE DISCOVERY PARK IMPROVEMENTS (CIP NO. 19-30); AND, THE FURMAN PARK IMPROVEMENTS (CIP NO. 19-31): Administration. 5. APPROVED AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER UPGRADE PHASE 2; AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1; AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL FUTURE AMENDMENTS (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 17-14): Public Works. 6. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 19-7878, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF ANTHONY JONES TO THE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKGROUP FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 City Council Minutes Regular Meeting – April 9, 2019 4 7. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 19-1406, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION 3199.10 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE SPEED LIMITS FOR ARDIS AVENUE BETWEEN FOSTER ROAD AND IMPERIAL HIGHWAY 8. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 19-1407, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE TIERRA LUNA DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOWNEY, PCCP IRG DOWNEY LLC., IRG DOWNEY, LLC., AND US VI DOWNEY, LLC., TO AMEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT 9. ADOP TED URGENCY ORDINANCE, REGULATIONS ON WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES IN RIGHT-OF-WAY: Public Works. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 19-1408, AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE, ARTICLE VII (“STREETS AND PUBLIC WORKS”), CHAPTER 1 (“STREETS”), TO ADD PART 6, “WIRELESS FACILITIES IN RIGHT-OF-WAY”; AND, INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE, ARTICLE VII (“STREETS AND PUBLIC WORKS”), CHAPTER 1 (“STREETS”), TO ADD PART 6, “WIRELESS FACILITIES IN RIGHT-OF-WAY” 10. APPROVED THE DONATION OF ONE FOURSOME OF GOLF AT THE RIO HONDO GOLF CLUB FOR THE ROTARY CLUB OF DOWNEY GALA BENEFITING THE DOWNEY FAMILY YMCA AND DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT’S TLC CENTER TAKING PLACE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2019 AT THE EMBASSY SUITES IN DOWNEY: Council Member Saab. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: None. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: City Manager Livas apologized to the audience for the provocative language heard tonight, and said while it is unfortunate that we have to listen to this language, it is what makes this Country great by allowing people to have their constitutional ability to have free speech. He reaffirmed the audience that the language is neither a reflection of the City nor the character of the Council Members and said that while the Council would like to respond this is the reason why they do not. He thanked the City Council for their generous support of Agustin “Gus” Andrade who suffered an unfortunate accident at the Public Works yard and said the City is praying for his speedy recovery. He thanked the Public Works Department, the City, and all the employees for their concerns and prayers. Mayor Rodriguez mentioned Mr. Andrade’s biggest concern was not having a job to come back to and said he reassured Mr. Andrade that he would keep his job. He thanked the City Manager for arranging the light at dusk in honor of Agustin “Gus” Andrade. ADJOURNMENT At 7:51 p.m. in memory of Spc. Joseph P. Collette, 29, of Lancaster, Ohio and Sgt. 1st Class Will D. Lindsay, 33, of Cortez, Colorado who were supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel; Bill Morris, father of Downey Unified School Board Member Tod Corrin; and, Mike Goodus, longtime Downey resident. MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC RICK RODRIGUEZ City Clerk Mayor