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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-18 - Minutes-Citizens' Oversight Committee Mtg MINUTES Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee Meeting April 11, 2018 Downey City Hall – 2nd Floor Training Room 11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey CA 90241 I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m. by Assistant City Manager John Oskoui. Members Present: David R. Gafin Chair Mario A. Guerra Vice Chair Dorothy Pemberton Committee Member Claudia Marroquin-Frometa Committee Member Donald LaPlante Committee Member Members Absent: None City Staff: John Oskoui Assistant City Manager Anil Gandhy Director of Finance Juddy Montenegro Management Analyst II. WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS: Assistant City Manager John Oskoui welcomed committee members and thanked them for being present and serving on the committee. Committee Members and City staff each introduced themselves to the group. All five committee members took the oath of office and were officially sworn-in as members of the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee. III. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR: It was moved by Dorothy Pemberton, seconded by Mario A. Guerra to elect David R. Gafin as Chair of the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The motion passed unanimously, 5- 0. It was moved by David R. Gafin, seconded by Claudia Marroquin-Frometa to elect Mario A. Guerra as the Vice Chair of the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0. IV. REVIEW OF MEASURE S: Mr. Oskoui provided committee members with a list and description of Measure S projects, which included City parks and facilities. Finance Director Anil Gandhy provided a summary of Measure S Funds, highlighting that $4.3 million is being spent on Public Safety Personnel and Public Safety Equipment. Another $4.3 million will be spent on capital improvement projects relating to parks and facilities. INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE - MINUTES, APRIL 11, 2018 Vice Chair Guerra asked why this amount did not total the $9 million that was originally stated when Measure S was passed by voters. Mr. Gandhy explained that $9 million was an estimate and the expected revenue from Measure S is actually $8.6 million. Vice Chair Guerra also asked for the total number of Police Officers. Mr. Gandhy confirmed there were a total of 121 officers, which includes the 10 new officers hired under Measure S. Member Pemberton asked if the Fire Department specifically asked for the positions mentioned (1 Fire Captain, 1 Ambulance Operator Coordinator, and 6 Ambulance Operators). Mr. Gandhy confirmed these were the only positions the department requested. Chair Gafin questioned the $800,000 amount under PERS costs for public safety personnel and mentioned he did not know this would come from Measure S funds. Vice Chair Guerra and Member Pemberton also stated this information was not communicated and should be available on the City website for residents to know. Mr. Oskoui stated the information would be uploaded to the City website. Mr. Gandhy discussed the City issued a $50 million bond to finance Measure S capital improvement projects. Vice Chair Guerra and Member Pemberton once again stated this information should be shared with citizens and be made available on the City website. Mr. Oskoui explained cities and school districts issue bonds often for infrastructure projects. Member LaPlante agreed stating it is very common, especially in school districts. Chair Gafin asked for the status of the parks and facilities improvement projects. Mr. Oskoui stated the City approved a list of on-call design and landscape architects for Measure S projects, and that the City had issued a request for proposals for the Library and Fire Stations. A request for proposals for park improvements would also be sent out in the next few weeks. Member Marroquin-Frometa asked how the City was prioritizing what projects would go first. Mr. Oskoui stated selection of projects is done by the City Council. Member LaPlante asked what the timeframe was for completing all of the improvement projects. Mr. Oskoui confirmed the projects need to be completed in three (3) years. Member LaPlante also asked if all positions have been hired, and yes, Mr. Oskoui confirmed all 22 positions have been filled. Member Marroquin-Frometa asked if the public safety equipment had been purchased. Mr. Oskoui mentioned part of it had been ordered and would probably be in use in a few more months. Vice Chair Guerra suggested there should be a separate auditing company for Measure S funds to promote more transparency. He also asked that City staff look at Downey Unified’s website on Measure O and see how we can improve the City’s website. INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE - MINUTES, APRIL 11, 2018 V. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. Nolveris Frometa, local resident and City of Downey Planning Commissioner, was present at the meeting and asked if Measure S projects, specifically facilities projects, would have an energy efficient component for savings in utility costs. The City of Downey has an Energy Master Place in place and energy savings are considered for all City projects. VI. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS: Chair Gafin suggested meetings be held quarterly, possibly on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5pm. The other committee members agreed and the next meeting date was set for July 11, 2018. Member Marroquin-Frometa thanked fellow committee members and City staff, and mentioned she looks forward to future meetings. Member Pemberton asked that more information be provided on senior programs/activities, since this was also mentioned initially when Measure S was passed. VII. STAFF COMMENTS: None. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: The Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2018.