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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-13-19 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF COUNCILCITY OF OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 13, 2019 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on August 13, 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 (excused) ALSO PRESENT: John Oskoui, Assistant 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 Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco. CO11i1CIL MEMBER •UNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FORAGENDA CONFERENCE/MEETINGREPORTS Council Member Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She acknowledged Michael Calvert and Greg Welch in the audience. She reported attending the Downey Federal Credit Union "Bite of Reality" event and the M.A.D.E. culmination. She thanked the community, Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco, and Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas for the success of the Girls on Fire Summer Program. She thanked Chief Milligan for his support of the program; and, thanked City Attorney Abich Garcia for her participation. Council Member Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He announced upcoming events: Rocket Fever; Red Cross Blood Drive; and, the groundbreaking ceremony at Independence Park. He reminded the audience that tomorrow is the first day of school for Downey Unified School District and asked that they plan accordingly due to the ongoing construction on Paramount Blvd. He participated in the 1 St Cohort University of Southern California Sol Price on Leadership Alliance. He requested staff provide the Council with a quarterly Budget Expenditure Report; and, asked staff to provide the Council with an update on the Neighborhood Branding Project. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — August 13, 2019 Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She acknowledged Michael Calvert, Michael Chirco, and Captain Mark McDaniels in the audience. She thanked Mr. Calvert for his participation in the Girls on Fire Program and for the Downey Chambers Commerce's sponsorship of the program. She reported attending the M.A.D.E. culmination and commented on her involvement in the M.A.D.E. program. She commented on her participation in the Girls on Fire Summer Program. She thanked Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas for her work and thanked Captain Murray, Lieutenant Mendoza, and all the Officers involved in the program. She also thanked City Attorney Abich Garcia and Council Member Frometa for their participation. She reported attending the League of California Cities L.A. Division Installation Dinner and announced she was sworn in as the Vice President of the League of California Cities L.A. Division; and, mentioned Council Member Juan Garza of the City of Bellflower was sworn in as the President. She thanked Mayor Rodriguez and Council Member Ashton for their support at the League's dinner. She reported attending the Gangs Out of Downey Backpack Give Away; National Night Out; and, the Neighborhood Watch Meeting at Calvary Chapel. She requested staff address the homeless gathering at Calvary Chapel. Mayor Rodriguez thanked the audience for allowing him to sit in his seat on the City Council. He reported attending the League of California Cities L.A. Division Installation Dinner, the Retirement of Mayor Diane Martinez of the City of Paramount; Downey Chamber of Commerce's Let's Do Lunch; Annual Pediatric Cancer Survival Carnival at Kaiser; Gangs Out of Downey Backpack Give Away; National Night Out; Downey Dolphin's Swim meet; Backpack Give Away at Calvary Church and Desert Reign Church; Movie Night with the Mayor; Clergy Council Meeting; and, Coyotes Out of Downey (COOD) meeting. He thanked Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas for her work with GOOD. He thanked Chief Milligan and Chief Gillaspie for their work on the National Night Out event. He reported meeting with the Mayor of the City of Whittier to discuss the creation of a Clergy Council to assist with the homeless issues. He announced upcoming events: L.A. Department of Mental Health Service Area 7 Employment Opportunity and Wellness Resource Fair and Rocket Fever. • 1. Presentation to the City Council by Jeff Klein of Los Angeles County Registrar -Recorder regarding Voting Solutions for All People (VSAP). 1. INTRODUCED ORDINANCE OF • OF OF DOWNE APPROVING•NE CHANGE REZONING PROPERTYLOCATED AT 13034 DOWN I AVENUE FROM • AND TO (NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL): Community Development. Mayor Rodriguez opened the Public Hearing at 7:28 p.m. City Clerk Duarte affirmed receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Council Member Frometa, and so ordered by the Mayor to receive and file. City Clerk Duarte reported no correspondence was received. City Planner Crystal Landavazo presented the staff report for this item. She provided a brief history of the current zoning and the recommended zone change for the property located at 13034 Downey Ave. which resulted from a Site Plan Review and Conditional Use Permit application. She stated the proposed project is the construction of a 7 -Eleven convenience store and staff's recommendations is to approve the zone change. Council Member Ashton requested clarification whether the C-2 zoning would remain on the proposed property. City Planner Landavazo stated the C-2 zoning is for the adjacent apartment complex property not the proposed property. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting - August 13, 2019 2 Mayor Rodriguez opened this item for public comment at 7:33 p.m. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding the location of the trash receptacles, homeless encampments, and public figures. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment at 7:38 p.m. It was moved by Council Member Frometa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco and approved unanimously with Council Member Saab excused to introduce an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Downey approving a zone change rezoning property located at 13034 Downey Ave. from C-2 (General Commercial) and P -B (Parking Buffer) to C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial). Mayor Rodriguez opened non -agenda public comment. Joe Serrano, resident, commented regarding the U.S. Tennis Association Net Tennis Camp held at Furman Park. He thanked Recreation Supervisor Heidi Lockwood and Parks and Recreation staff for a magnificent job and inquired if Ms. Lockwood can receive recognition for a job well done. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding an incident that occurred at a Downtown Downey Restaurant, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Freedom of Speech. Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas commented regarding the actions taken on behalf of the City and announced any further issues at local restaurants would need to be referred to the Department of Justice. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment. Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding Item No. 12 and Measure S infrastructure and facilities improvement projects. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment. Council Member Ashton pulled Item Nos. 10 and 15 for separate discussion. City Attorney Abich Garcia commented regarding the non -substantive changes made to the Harry Howard Professional Service Agreement Item No. 12. She stated copies of the revised agreement were provided to the City Council and copies were placed in the back of the room for the public. It was moved by Council Member Frometa, seconded by Council Member Ashton and approved unanimously with Council Member Saab excused to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Ashton pulling Item Nos. 10 and 15 for separate discussion. 2. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting Minutes of July 9, 2019 and Regular Meetings of June 25, 2019; July 9, 2019; and, July 23, 2019: City Clerk. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — August 13, 2019 3 City Attorney Abich Garcia presented the staff report. She provided comments regarding direction the City Council provided staff at the May 14 City Council meeting regarding substantive changes to the meeting rules by consolidating the public comment periods. She stated the ordinance before the City Council includes changes to address how the City Council handles the Consent Calendar items and provided a brief summary of the Consent Calendar's current process related to public comments. In order to provide efficiency to the meeting, one proposed change is to allow for public comment on all Consent Calendar items upfront; and, if an item is pulled for future discussion the Council will no longer be required to take further public comment. If the City Council chooses to allow additional public comment on the pulled Consent Calendar item language has been added to allow this flexibility. She commented regarding the proposed language referencing large items brought into the Council Chambers, if allowed by the Mayor. This was changed to reflect the First Amendment, if the item causes interference with the meeting or impedes the public's ability to participate in the meeting then the person can be asked to remove the item from the Council Chambers. Council Member Ashton inquired if it is at the discretion of the Mayor to allow public comment on the Consent Council items pulled by a Council Member or would it be at the Council Member's discretion. City Attorney Abich Garcia confirmed generally it is the Presiding Officer's discretion or three Council Members are able to make the decision. Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Item No. 15 Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding the regulations of the rules of conduct and Freedom of Speech; Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco, seconded by Council Member Frometa and carried unanimously with Council Member Saab excused to introduce an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Downey amending Downey Municipal Code Article II, Chapter 1, Section 2105 regulating the Rules of Conduct for City Council Meetings. c •- r •� r • •- r Chief Milligan provided the staff report. He provided comments regarding recent active shooter event where a suspect was shooting at officers in transit and the Department was forced to wait a substantial amount of time for the tactical armored vehicles to arrive from other jurisdictions to assist. Council Member Ashton asked how the situation could have been handled if the Downey Police Department owned a tactical armored vehicle. Chief Milligan stated had the Police Department owned a tactical armored vehicle, it would have provided a safer area and a quicker response with a peaceful resolution to that specific situation. He commented regarding the current vehicles only have bullet proof panels in the doors and does not provide for protection to the Officers from the roof or glass leaving the Officers exposed to gun fire. Mayor Rodriguez mentioned the Kaiser active shooter incident and said having a tactical armored vehicle in this incident would have allowed Officers to extract innocent by standers from the hostile area. Council Member Frometa inquired if the purchase of the tactical armored vehicle was included in the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Budget. She also asked if one vehicle is enough or if additional vehicles are needed or could upgrades be made to other vehicles. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — August 13, 2019 6 Mayor Rodriguez stated recently the City requested federal funding from the Senate for public safety and the City was denied. He stated the equipment is needed by the Police Department and hopefully one vehicle will be sufficient. Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Item No. 10. John Lacey, resident, commented regarding the cost associated with the purchase of the vehicle. Council Member Ashton provided the breakdown and total cost of $319,843.60 to purchase the unit. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding de-escalation training, opposed the purchase of the tactical armored vehicle, and political figures. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco, seconded by Council Member Ashton and carried unanimously with Council Member Saab excused to authorize the Police Department to Purchase a Tactical Armored Vehicle "Bearcat" from Lenco Armored Vehicles. 26. ESTABLISHED A 2020 UNITED STATES CENSUS AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE AND APPOINTED TWO MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO SERVE ON THE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE AS RELATED TO THE CITY OF DONEY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE 2020 UNITED STATES CENSUS: Community Development. Community Development Director Schindler presented the staff report. He provided a brief history regarding staff's involvement with the Local Update of Census Address Operation, providing assistance with residential address corrections and collections; and, reviewing and updating current City maps to provide accurate address lists. Council Member Ashton nominated Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco and Council Member Frometa to serve on the Ad Hoc Subcommittee. Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on this item. Armando Herman, resident, commented in opposition of the 2020 Census, homeless Veterans, and political figures. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Mayor Rodriguez and carried unanimously with Council Member Saab excused to establish a 2020 United States Census Ad Hoc Subcommittee and appoint Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco and Council Member Frometa to serve on the Ad Hoc Subcommittee as related to the City of Downey's participation in the 2020 United States Census. we R• • ` • . . ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 19-7899, A RESOLUTION OF • OF CITY OF DOWNEY DESIGNATING • DELEGATE AND - FOR LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 16-18, 2019, IN LONG BEACY City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — August 13, 2019 7 Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas provided the staff report. She provided a brief history regarding the appointment of a voting delegate and alternate(s) for the League of California Cities Annual Conference. Council Member Ashton nominated Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco as the Voting Delegate and Council Member Frometa as the Alternate. Mayor Rodriguez amended the motion and nominated Council Member Saab as the 2nd Alternate. Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on this item. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding the League of California Cities, Gateway Cities, and political figures. It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Mayor Rodriguez and carried unanimously with Council Member Saab excused to adopt Resolution No. 19-7899, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Downey Designating Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco as Voting Delegate, Council Member Frometa as 1St Alternate and Council Member Saab as the 2nd Alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference, October 16-18, 2019, in Long Beach. Mayor Rodriguez adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 8:42 p.m. in memory of Larry Latimer, Author and Historian; Police Officer Juan Diaz, Los Angeles Police Department; victims of the shooting in Gilroy, CA; victims of the shooting in EI Paso, TX; victims of the shooting in Dayton, OH; and, Andre Moye, 34, California Highway Patrol Officer, killed in the line of duty. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — August 13, 2019 N. ICK R RIGUEZ M