The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 04-09-19 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF COUNCILCITY OF OF DOWNE REGULAR MEETING APRIL 9, 2019 1 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on April 9, 2019, al 6:36 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Rodriguez presiding. 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 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•UNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA •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 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. 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. PUBLIC HEARING: None. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — April 9, 2019 2 • r: 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. `•` r • • i`f rr t i` • i r r •' r i • r r •hA • 5. APPROVED AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE COOPERATIVECOUNTY OF • FOR THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER UPGRADE AUTHORIZED i" TO EXECUTE AMENDMENTNO. AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL FUTURE AMENDMENTS` • PROJECT i Works. r • ` r - • • • • • • • • • l • NW' " '• • i • i; • • • • i i City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — April 9, 2019 3 7. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. i. AN ORDINANCE OF • OF OF •WNEY AMENDING SECTION 3199.10 OF THE • • i } RELATING TO THE SPEED LIMITS FOR"D• • T AND IMPERIAL HIGHWAY ilii' i •'� • 1 •�,' i • -vwn Ireff"Islam . 1 -• f; i• • • i• • • i • i •;• • 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. 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. A iA ALICIA DUA TE, CMC R �10 DRIGUEZ City Clerk yor City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — April 9, 2019 4