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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 06-11-19 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF COUNCILCITY OF OF DOWNEY 2019REGULAR MEETING JUNE 11, The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on June 11, 2019, at 6:34 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Rodriguez presiding. 1.7fl-:0644kIII IF 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 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 James McQueen, Human Resources Director Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Rodriguez. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Scout Miles. COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMI CONFERENCE/MEETINGREPORTS Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He congratulated the teachers in the audience for a successful year. He acknowledged Michael Calvert and Commissioner Nolveris Frometa in the audience. He announced upcoming events: Summer Concerts at Furman Park, Summer Library Show "Mighty Mickey's Magic" at the Downey Theatre, and Downey Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament. He commented regarding the various functions of the Downey App and invited the audience to download the App. He requested staff add an option to the Downey App to allow reporting of illegal fireworks. He commented regarding the Central Basin Municipal Water District proposed meter tax and requested staff hold a Special Meeting to direct staff to prepare an opposition letter to the proposed tax. Council Member Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She commented regarding the various Measure S Improvement projects, thanked the voters for approving the Measure S tax, and asked the audience for their patience during the ongoing construction. She reported attending the groundbreaking ceremonies for Fire Station Nos. 1 and 3. She commented regarding her support of calling a Special Meeting to prepare an opposition letter to the Central Basin Municipal Water District proposed meter tax. She thanked the Director Consunji and Director Schindler for their hard work. She requested staff enforce code violations on the tired strip malls on Paramount Boulevard South of Imperial Highway. She also requested enforcement of residential property code violations due to aesthetic issues. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — June 11, 2019 Council Member Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He reported attending a couple of Neighborhood Watch meetings and reported that the main concern of the residents is speeding. He requested staff install permanent speed signs on Cole Street between Paramount Boulevard and Downey Avenue to detour speeding. Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She reported attending the groundbreaking events for the Library and Fire Station Nos. 1 and 3. She recognized all the Fire Fighters and first responders in the audience. She announced upcoming events: Go Skate Day and the Downey Chamber of Commerce Installation event. She requested additional police patrol on Ardis Avenue between Imperial Highway and Foster Avenue to enforce the new reduced speed limits. Mayor Rodriguez thanked the audience for allowing him to sit in his seat on the City Council. He reported attending the Convening of Los Angeles County Mayors and reported on the session regarding preparing children ages zero to five for preschool. He also reported attending the groundbreakings for the Library and Fire Station Nos. 1 and 3; Downey Greek Food Festival; Coyotes Out of Downey meeting; and, the U.S. Army Space Command tour of the Columbia Memorial Space Center. He thanked Executive Director Dickow for the great event. He reported speaking at the Rotary Club of Downey. 1. Mayor Rodriguez presented the Mayor's Servant Heart Award to Kathy Ambruso, Williams Elementary School Teacher. 2. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from City Manager Livas presented a Proclamation in honor of Public Service Recognition Week to City employees from various departments. 3. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Council Member Saab presented Certificates of Recognition to the Downey FC Soccer Club. 4. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Director Consunji presented Certificates of Appointment to Urban Forest Management Plan Workgroup. 5. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Monica Ortiz presented Certificates of Recognition to outgoing Youth Commissioners. The Youth Commission presented their year in review to the City Council. RECESS/RECONVENE Mayor Rodriguez recessed the City Council meeting at 6:50 p.m. Mayor Rodriguez reconvened the City Council meeting at 7:25 p.m. with all Council Members present. PUBLIC HEARING 1. OPERATING COVENANT AGREEMENT FOR CHAMPION AUTO GROUP, LLC (DBA: DOWNEY ASERATI): Community Development. Mayor Rodriguez announced the scheduled Public Hearing item would be continued to the Regular City Council Meeting of June 25, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Ashton, and approved unanimously to continue the Public Hearing Item to approve the Operating Covenant Agreement for Champion Auto Group, LLC (Dba: Downey Maserati) to the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting of June 25, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — June 11, 2019 2 NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Rodriguez opened non -agenda public comment. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding suppression of ideas; First Amendment, Fifth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment; political figures; and, the Ralph M. Brown Act. Roger Collins, resident, commented regarding code enforcement violations at his father's residence on Coldbrook Avenue. Michelle Fording, resident, commented in opposition to a proposed residential care facility in her neighborhood. City Manager Livas acknowledged the resident's concerns. He commented regarding recent State Legislation and suggested the resident write to her local Assembly Member and State Senator. He explained the State regulates residential care facilities. He commented regarding the pending litigation challenging the State's jurisdiction over local control. He recommended the residents submit a petition to their legislators and directed the resident to speak with the Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas for assistance. Mary Beth Aves, resident, commented in opposition to a proposed residential care facility in her mother's neighborhood. She questioned why local government was unable to overrule State and Federal laws similar to the Sanctuary Cities ruling against State law. City Attorney Abich Garcia commented regarding the Sanctuary Cities situation wherein local communities united to take a position against State law which resulted in litigation. She explained if the City goes against State law then the City would be inviting unnecessary litigation. She announced the City is cognoscente of pending litigation, currently there are four pending lawsuits in Federal court challenging residential care facilities in residential zones, and the City is awaiting the outcome of those lawsuits to implement regulations. John Lacy, resident, commented regarding the conduct of political figures, equipping the Police Department with proper equipment to combat the opioids situations encountered in the field, and announced the UCLA Women's Softball Team won the National Championship. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Member Saab abstained from Item Nos. 4 and 8. Council Member Ashton pulled Item No. 21 for separate discussion. Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding Item Nos. 6, 16, and 18; Americans with Disabilities; freedom of speech; infrastructure; and, political figures. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Ashton and approved unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar, with Council Member Ashton pulling Item No. 21 for separate discussion; and, Council Member Saab abstaining from Item Nos. 4 and 8. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting - June 11, 2019 3 20. RENEWAL OF - .L SERVICES AGREEMENT• OF • Public Works. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE OF • OF CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVINGOF COUNTYAGREEMENT WITH THE OF • AND, AUTHORIZED• TOEXECUTESERVICESWITH THE • OF • 22. APPROVED THE DONATION OF • FOURSOMES OF • - • HONDO GOLF COURSE'•` OF SECOND WARRIOR CUP GOLF• - .i • P-3. RATIFIED THE DONATION OF ONE • • • OF • - • HONDO • COURSE•• OF DOWNEY POLICE AND -E FOUNDATION: C• •- Saab. 21. ADOPTED :•-D • ORDINANCE OF • OF OF DOWNEY AMENDING PART 11 OF OF OF DOWNE 11 MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO ESTABLISHING APP -BASED RIDESHARE PARKIN ZONES:Public Works. Council Member Ashton inquired if there were any changes to the ordinance. Council Member Ashton asked what area the geo fencing encompassed as related to t identified passenger pick up and drop off location for the rideshare app. I Director Consunji clarified that the ordinance before the City Council would allow staff to establish app -based rideshare parking zones. He commented regarding the location identified in the staff report to be the most probable potential location in the Downtown area. He stated if the ordinance is approved then staff would notify the rideshare services to inform rideshare drivers and passenger of the identified parking zone. ",layor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Conse Calendar items. Mr. Faraz, resident, commented regarding easier access for rideshare users. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding public safety and continued parking violators. It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Council Member Saab and approved unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 19-1411, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Downey Amending Park 11 of Chapter I of Article III of the Downey Municipal Code Related to Establishing App - Based Rideshare Parking Zones. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — June 11, 2019 6 Mayor Rodriguez adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 8:21 p.m. in memory of Victims of the shooting in Virginia Beach. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — June 11.2O19 7