HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 10-23-18 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF
CITY COUNCIL OF OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 1
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on October 23,
2018, at 6:35 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue,
Downey, California, Mayor Ashton presiding.
Council Members:
Sean Ashton
Rick Rodriguez
Blanca Pacheco
Alex Saab
Fernando Vasquez
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
Carl Charles, Chief of Police
Mark Gillaspie, Fire Chief
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
Pamela Passow, Parks & Recreation Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
Michael Harary, Human Resource Director
The Invocation was delivered by Joe Cervantes. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Boy
Scouts Troop 441.
COUNCIL - ANNOUNCEMENTS; FOR
REPORTS
Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He recognized Giggy Saab,
Soroptimist International of Downey members, Martha Sodetani, and Bob Arthur in the audience. He
reported attending the Downey Unified School District's dedication ceremony of the Administration
Building to Barbara R. Samperi at Warren High School. He recognized the members of the Youth
Commission in the audience; and, reflected on the commission's goal when it was created to
encourage young people to become involved in the City. He invited the audience to collect a brochure,
highlighting the City's Accomplishments and announced upcoming events: Downey's Christmas Home
Decorating contest, Christmas Tree Lighting, Pumpkin Patch at Apollo Park, Mansionization Study
meeting at the Columbia Memorial Space Center, Ricky Galvez Golf Tournament at Rio Hondo Golf
Course, and Dia de los Muertos event at the Downey Theatre. He encouraged everyone to be safe and
utilize a flashlight when trick or treating.
Council Member Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She recognized Michael
Calvert and Joanna Peterson in the audience. She reported attending the Multi -Chamber Mixer,
Downey vs. Warren Football game, Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Up and was honored by the
participation of Girl Scout Troop 5605, Downey Rose Float Association's Parade of winners, and
Downey's Fire Pink Project Pancake Breakfast. She announced the Fire Department donated $1,500
to Support Sisters, an organization that supports women battling cancer. She announced upcoming
events: Drug Take Back, Pumpkin Patch at Apollo Park, and Downey Veterans Day Ceremony. She
requested staff research traffic safety conditions for pedestrians at the intersection of Everest St. and
Brookshire Ave. near Sussman Middle School.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — October 23, 2018
Council Member Vasquez announced attending the monthly 1-5 Joint Powers Authority meeting.
He reported the Florence Ave. overpass bridge construction project is expected to be completed by the
end of 2019. He thanked staff for providing an update on the Park Improvement Projects funded by the
voter approved Measure S Tax. He reported the completion of the Lakewood Blvd. construction project
between Telegraph Rd. and Gallatin Rd. and congratulated City Manager Livas and the Public Works
Department on the completion of the project.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez thanked the audience for allowing him to serve on the City Council.
He thanked Downey Memorial Christian Church for sponsoring the Hunger 5K Walk to support PTA
H.E.L.P.S. He reported attending the South East Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board
monthly meeting; South East Area Animal Control Authority meeting; Veteran's Subcommittee meeting
with Courage Forward, Save the Brave, and American Legion Downey Post #723 to discuss upcoming
Veterans Day events; and, Downey Unified School District dedication ceremony of the Administration
Building to Barbara R. Samperi at Warren High School. He announced that his oldest grandson was
promoted to Cadet 2nd Class at the South East Academy in Norwalk. He announced upcoming events:
Ricky Galvez Golf Tournament at Rio Hondo Golf Course and 5K for 5 King Benefit Run in honor of
Ricky Galvez at the Promenade.
Mayor Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He reported attending the Keep Downey
Beautiful Clean Up event and thanked everyone who attended. He announced upcoming events: Dia
de los Muertos at the Downey Theatre; Mansionization Study at the Columbia Memorial Space Center;
PTA H.E.L.P.S. canned food drive at City facilities; Pumpkin Patch at Apollo Park; Downey Veterans
Day Ceremony; and, Town Hall meeting at the Columbia Memorial Space Center to discuss the voter
approved propositions. He requested staff increase trash collection efforts and concentrate on the area
along the railroad tracks.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Ashton presented the Mayor's Downey DNA Award to Lars Clutterham.
2. Mayor Ashton presented the Mayor's Hero of the Meeting Award to Glen Swain, WWII Vet.
3. Mayor Ashton with assistance from Council Member Pacheco presented Certificates of Recognition
to the Downey FC Soccer Club - Boys 2005.
4. Mayor Ashton with assistance from Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez presented a Proclamation in
recognition of Spiritual Care Week.
5. Mayor Ashton with assistance from Council Member Saab presented a Certificate of Recognition to
Soroptimist International of Downey in recognition of their work for Breast Cancer Awareness
Month.
6. Mayor Ashton presented a Certificate of Recognition to Nick the Greek in honor of National
Immigrants Day.
7. Mayor Ashton with the assistance of Parks and Recreation Director Passow introduced the 2018-
2019 Youth Commissioners.
Mayor Ashton took this item out of order.
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Regular Meeting — October 23, 2018 2
9. STATUS OF PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS -MEASURE S: Administration,
City Manager Livas provided a brief history of the Measure S Tax approved by the voters in
2016; and, the process and preparation of the park improvement projects being presented tonight. He
thanked Assistant City Manager Oskoui for providing tonight's presentation.
Assistant City Manager Oskoui provided a status update on the park improvement project as
part of the Measure S Infrastructure Improvement Program. He thanked the City Council for their
leadership and the residents for their support of Measure S. He thanked the City Manager Livas for his
guidance; and, Parks and Recreation Director Passow for her diligent work with the design team to be
able to present the project presentation tonight. He acknowledged Edenco for managing the $50 million
dollar Measure S construction program.
Oscar Johnson, Senior Project Manager of MIG, provided an overview of the construction plans
to ensure ADA accessibility and compliance at Apollo Park, Golden Park, Dennis the Menace Park, Rio
San Gabriel Park, and Wilderness Park. He elaborated on the variety of improvements scheduled for
the parks including installation of rubberized surfacing in the play areas, installation of shade shelters
and site furnishings replacement, installation of storage units, replacement of backstops and dugouts in
the ballfield, vinyl coated chain link fencing, trash enclosures, concrete replacement, basketball area
resurfacing, and irrigation improvements. He stated Apollo Park's natural field will be replaced with
synthetic turf and installation of new lighting; Golden Park's community building will be renovated;
Dennis the Menace Park's office building and restroom will be replaced and a fitness cluster installed;
and, Wilderness Park's pond would be completely restored including replacing pond liners, renovating
the shoreline erosion, and adding native vegetation in the pond. He added the park will be irrigated with
the recycled pond water to have continued circulation of the pond to help improve the water quality.
Council Member Pacheco requested clarification regarding the improvements to the baseball
field at Golden Park, and confirmation that the dog park would remain intact at Rio San Gabriel Park.
Mr. Johnson confirmed the only improvements at Golden Park would include ADA compliance,
backstop replacements and new black vinyl coated fencing. He confirmed the dog park would remain at
Rio San Gabriel.
Mike Sherrod, Principal of RRM Design Group, provided the Independence Park, Discovery
Park and Furman Park improvements presentation. He summarized Independence Park improvements
to include ADA accessibility and compliance, a new eight stall restroom and baby changing stations;
drinking fountains with water bottle fillers; rubberized surfacing in the playground; new surfacing for the
tennis courts; seal coat and restriping of the parking lot in front of the skate park; and, replacing the
asphalt and restriping the parking lot in front of the play area.
Council Member Saab inquired whether staff solicited input from the tennis clubs regarding the
project.
Parks and Recreation Director Passow confirmed the tennis groups are extremely vocal with
requests and expressed interest for the resurfacing of the tennis courts, installation of water bottle filling
stations and requested updates regarding the court improvement timeline.
Mr. Sherrod continued the presentation on Discovery Sports Complex renovation to include
ADA accessibility and compliance; replace the natural turf with synthetic turf in the field designed for U-
12 play. Installation of natural turf in Fields 2 and 3; installation of a fully accessible walkway
connecting the soccer fields to the ballfields; installation of a twenty foot high ball containment fence
surrounding the soccer fields and a netting between the fields; installation of a six foot high, black, vinyl
chain link fence surrounding Field 1; installation of two storage structures; and, anti -coyote trash
enclosure. In regards to Furman Park the main entrance would be reorganized and the broken
concrete would be removed to provide a formal entry at the heart of the park; renovation includes ADA
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Regular Meeting — October 23, 2018 3
accessibility and compliance; installation of shade shelters over the existing seating around the play
areas; replacing clamshell backstops with upright backstops in the ballfields; replacing the galvanized
chain link fence with vinyl mess fabric; installing a new restroom with eight stalls with baby changing
stations; replacing the park irrigation system with a recycled water system; resurfacing the tennis
courts; converting the fourth tennis court with a multi -court sport venue; removing the existing Measure
S building to create fifteen new parking spaces; regrading and reconstructing the parking lot to drain
water into a bioswale; and, installing a consolidated anti -coyote trash enclosure. He thanked the City
Council for the opportunity to present the parks improvement plan.
Mayor Ashton inquired about the overall timeframe of construction projects; and, requested staff
provides a construction schedule for each park to the groups that utilize the parks.
City Manager Livas confirmed that staff's main concern is the amount of logistics for each
project. He stated that the Director Passow has been working with the groups to manage their
expectations, articulate the upcoming challenges, and provide information regarding park availability.
He said that the Assistant City Manager Oskoui has set a stringent construction timetable.
Assistant City Manager Oskoui indicated that the sequence in which the construction and park
closures were identified was based upon the information collected from the user groups. The
information was collected to compose a rigorous schedule which will be shared with the public as we
near the implementation phase of the project in April, 2019.
Mayor Ashton asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on this item.
Having no one come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and carried
unanimously to receive and file the presentation.
AND UPDATE: Public Works.
Deputy Director of Public Works Ed Norris provided a brief update on the annual review of the
City's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. He summarized the background on the
completed 2017 self-evaluation plan; compliance transition plan; and, compliance implementation plan.
He provided the presentation regarding service requests received by the City; and, confirmed the ADA
Coordinator had received sixty-six requests since the development of the City's ADA program. He
reported that fifty-seven had been closed upon completion leaving nine to be completed in conjunction
with upcoming capital improvement projects.
Mayor Ashton asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on this item.
Having no one come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Vasquez and carried
unanimously to receive and file the City of Downey ADA Transition Plan Annual Review and Update.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
Mayor Ashton opened non -agenda public comment.
Alan D. Halstensgaard, resident, commented in opposition to abortion.
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Regular Meeting - October 23, 2018 4
Jean Thaxton, mother of Michael Nida, commented regarding the 2011 officer involved shooting
and the seventh year anniversary of the death of her son.
Terri Thaxton, sister of Michael Nida, commented regarding the 2011 officer involved shooting
and the seventh year anniversary of the death of her brother.
Andrea Polino, Hollydale resident, commented regarding the closure of the American Legion, a
rally at the site last weekend, and her opposition to a homeless facility at the American Legion site.
Lars Clutterham, composer, thanked the City Council for the honor bestowed upon him this
evening. He provided clarification that he did not contribute to the official symphonic music written for
the Downey Symphony by Oscar Navarro, Spanish composer, entitled Downey Overture. Mr.
Clutterham's contribution was in celebration of the City's 601h Anniversary entitled Downey Celebration
Sweet. He appointed himself as the ambassador of music for the City of Downey and is working on
projects in conjunction with the middle and high schools in Downey.
John Lacey, invited the City Council and the audience to the Downey Rotary and Downey
Family YMCA's 70th Pancake Breakfast at Downey High School on Saturday, October 27; and, Downey
Rotary and ARC of Los Angeles golf tournament at Rio Hondo Golf Club on November 2. He
requested the City Council consider sponsoring a foursome for this event.
Mayor Ashton requested staff return with an item on the agenda donating a foursome to the
Downey Rotary and ARC of Los Angeles for their golf tournament fundraiser.
Paula Mejia, resident, commented regarding a newspaper notice and notification from the City
to her neighbors regarding potential water contamination. She requested in the future, the City to notify
all residents rather than isolated areas.
City Manager Livas described the notification delivery process which includes personal delivery
to affected residents to prevent a citywide panic. He explained that it was a non -emergency notification
and the notice clearly indicated that the levels of bacteria were not harmful. He explained the City
would need to conduct further testing on the specific water wells. He added the City takes water quality
seriously and tests on a weekly basis; and, when there are indicators the City takes immediate
corrective measures. He assured the audience that the City provides quality water to all residents.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment.
Mayor Ashton asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent
Calendar items.
Having no one come forward, Mayor Ashton closed public comment.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez and carried
unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar.
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of October 9, 2018; Regular Meeting of July 24, 2018:
City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 327933 — 328295; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003804, 30003808 —
30003810, 30003812; and, Manual Wire Nos. 1752 — 1755; in the total amount of $3,506.805.49:
Finance.
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Regular Meeting — October 23, 2018 5
4. ACCEPTED $300,000 IN SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM •
FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019 FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA - OFFICE OF TRAFFIC
Police.
6. INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REPEALING CHAPTER I OF OF DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODEADDING
• • TOPublic
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MayorAshton adjourned the Regular City Council-- • at 8:39 • in memory of •
James A. Slape, 23, from • - • City, NorthCarolina,r • was supporting Operations Resolute
•••: . • --•• Sentinel; - '- _ Brad Clark of - Hanover County- Department
-• in the line of • - Chief David Fischer-- _
resident;Department in South Dakota killed in the line of duty; Patricia Johnson Beckerman, longtime Downey
and, Victims of - Michael.
MAMA ALICIA DUAR E, CMC
City ClerkN44yof
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - October 23, 2018 6
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