HomeMy WebLinkAbout01a. Minutes - 08-27-19 - Regular MeetingCity Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – August 27, 2019 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 27, 2019
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on August 27,
2019, at 6:29 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
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
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
Pam Passow, Parks and Recreation Director
Aldo Schindler, Community Development Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
Ed Norris, Deputy Public Works Director
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Rodriguez. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Danielle Luevanos and Juliana Fonseca.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He invited the audience to utilize
the QR Code to upload the agenda to their electronic devices. He thanked the residents for their
patience during the renovations at City parks. He announced upcoming events: Downey Chamber of
Commerce meeting; groundbreaking ceremonies at Wilderness and Golden Parks; and, ribbon cutting
at the Kentucky Fried Chicken on Firestone Blvd. He announced the Columbia Memorial Space Center
will be closed September 3 through September 6, for staff training. He requested staff review the
ordinance regarding graffiti penalties.
Council Member Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She invited the audience to
visit the City’s website for updates regarding the Measure S Park Improvements. She reported
attending Rocket Fever and encouraged the audience to visit the Columbia Memorial Space Center
and get involved in the STEM programs. She reported attending the College of Business Freshmen
Intensive Transition Program and the 1st Cohort University of Southern California Sol Price Leadership
Alliance academy. She announced the upcoming Neighborhood Watch meetings during September
and October. She requested additional police patrolling in the major thoroughfares throughout the City
to address speeding. She asked for police patrolling at Gallatin Elementary to address traffic violations
and ensure public safety.
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Regular Meeting – August 27, 2019 2
Council Member Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He announced upcoming
events: Groundbreakings at Wilderness and Golden Parks, and, the Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Up
event at Rio San Gabriel Park. He requested police patrolling on Paramount Blvd. in front of Warren
High School to address traffic violations.
Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She acknowledged Michael
Calvert and Chad Overly in the audience. She reported attending Rocket Fever and thanked Assembly
Member Garcia for assisting with the State of California’s approval of $5.8 million to construct a second
building at the Colombia Memorial Space Center. She reported attending Dr. Mary Stauffer’s 102nd
Birthday Celebration. She announced upcoming events: Downey Chamber of Commerce’s Let’s Do
Lunch; and, ribbon cutting event at TFL Fitness. She requested police patrolling at Gallatin Elementary
to address traffic violations and ensure public safety. She thanked the Public Works Department for
repairing the pot holes on Mel Dar Ave. near Gallatin Elementary School. She announced the Downey
Adult School will soon be offering free Emergency Medical Technician training to Downey Police
Officers.
Mayor Rodriguez thanked the audience for allowing him to sit in his seat on the City Council.
He reported attending the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority’s (SEAACA) Board of Director’s
meeting. He commented regarding the Mayor’s Choice Program which has assisted with the adoption
of eight dogs. He reported attending Rocket Fever, L.A. Department of Mental Health Service Area 7
Employment Opportunity and Wellness Resource Fair; Dr. Mary Stauffer’s 102nd Birthday Celebration;
and, Courage Forward meeting where Congresswoman Roybal-Allard discussed proposed legislation
pertaining to Veterans’ issues and assistance. He also attended the National Academy of Science with
Congresswoman Roybal-Allard to discuss reducing child poverty; and, visited Sermon on the Mount as
guest speaker as well as interviewed with Boston University where he talked about the City.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor Rodriguez with assistance from Council Member Saab presented Certificates of Recognition
to Downey Ponytail Girls Softball 10U Gold.
2. Presentation to the City Council by Carlos Moran of the TreePeople.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Rodriguez opened non-agenda public comment.
David Linsdrum, resident, commented regarding parking congestion on Adoree St. between
Downey Ave. and Paramount Blvd.; and, illegal parking restricting view of oncoming traffic.
Ralph Diaz, Downey Police Officer’s Association President and Downey Police Corporal,
thanked the City Council, City Manager and Chief Milligan for the purchase of the Tactical Armored
Vehicle “BearCat” to ensure the safety of the police officers and member of the public.
Speaker, no name provided, commented regarding political leaders, climate change debate,
implementation of the Green New Deal, and the practice of a green transition for all City purchases.
Mark McDaniel, Downey Police Captain and representative of the Downey Police Management
Association, thanked the City Council on behalf of its members and their families for the purchase of
the Tactical Armored Vehicle “BearCat” to ensure the safety of the police officers and members of the
public.
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Regular Meeting – August 27, 2019 3
Edna Ibarra, resident, commented regarding support for immigrants; medians on Paramount
Blvd.; speeding near Rio Hondo Elementary School; street conditions on Baysinger St.; and, ongoing
City construction projects.
Resident, no name provided, commented against the purchase of the Tactical Armored Vehicle
“BearCat”, support of the TreePeople, and supports a clean environment for the future generations.
Cesar Flores, resident, commented regarding the City’s Website and Agenda; against the
medians on Paramount Blvd.; support for the planting of trees; political leaders; and, electioneering.
Resident, no name provided, commented regarding support for the planting of trees, climate
change, undocumented residents, children in cages, sanctuary cities; the City Council; transparency in
construction projects; and, against pollution in surrounding cities and Mansionization.
Rodolfo Cortez Barragan commented regarding electioneering; political leaders; poor immigrant
families; reducing child poverty; increase for Veteran compensation; and, renewable energy.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding Freedom of Speech; political leaders;
Americans with Disabilities Act, recent gun shootings; mental health issues; ongoing construction;
homelessness; maintenance of existing trees; and, against planting of new trees.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Rodriguez asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent
Calendar items.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding Item No. 8; the creation of new jobs;
homelessness; and, Measure S Improvement Projects.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Rodriguez closed public comment.
Council Member Saab abstained from Item No. 1.
It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Council Member Frometa and approved
unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar with Council Member Saab abstaining from Item No. 1.
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of August 13, 2019: City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 336002 – 336485; Payroll Wire Nos. 330003903 & 30003908
– 30003910; and, Manual Wire Nos. 1895 – 1901 in the total amount of $7,955,223.38: Finance.
3. APPROVED A PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $222,512.10 FOR PB LOADER
CORPORATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE PB LOADER MODEL B-4 ASPHALT
PATCHER TRUCK; AND, APPROPRIATED $230,000 FROM THE MEASURE R FUND
BALANCE FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE TRUCK: Public Works.
4. REJECTED TWO BIDS RECEIVED FROM ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRUCTION, INC. AND
FORD E.C., INC. FOR THE WILDERNESS PARK PONDS RESTORATION PROJECT AND
AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION OF BIDS (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 15-21):
Administration.
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Regular Meeting – August 27, 2019 4
5. APPROVED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KREUZER CONSULTING
GROUP (KCG) FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, DESIGN, AND RIGHT-OF-WAY ENGINEERING
SERVICES FOR THE PARAMOUNT BLVD. AND IMPERIAL HWY. INTERSECTION
IMPROVEMENTS; AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT; AND,
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS DEEMED
NECESSARY (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 19-06): Public Works.
6. AUTHORIZED THE COLLEGE/PREHOSPITAL PROVIDER AGREEMENT BETWEEN ORANGE
COUNTY EMT AND THE CITY OF DOWNEY: Fire.
7. APPROVED THE INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM MEMORANDUM OF
AGREEMENT TO ENABLE THE CITY TO SEND EMERGENCY ALERTS TO RESIDENTS’
CELLPHONES; AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL
AMENDMENTS TO THE PROJECT: Fire.
8. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 19-1415, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY AMENDING PROVISIONS OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING
A SIDEWALK VENDING PROGRAM: Public Works.
9. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 19-1416, 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: City Attorney.
10. TEMPORARILY REDUCED FEES TO A BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ADMISSION OFFER FOR
KCET, AND ITS AFFILIATE KUSC MEMBERS DURING SEPTEMBER 2019: CMSC.
11. APPROVED THE CITY OF DOWNEY’S 2ND ANNUAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FAIR:
Fire.
12. AUTHORIZED A STREET CLOSURE FOR THE CITY OF DOWNEY’S INTERNATIONAL FOOD
AND MUSIC FESTIVAL EVENT SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2019: Parks &
Recreation.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS:
City Manager Livas commented regarding the TreePeople’s presentation which provided
clarification regarding the locations where trees would be planted. He reported the City Council voted to
have a Tree Master Plan and become a Tree City. He addressed the issue concerning the newly
installed center medians on Paramount Blvd. and reminded the audience that the medians were
installed for public safety reasons and to allow the planting of trees which would replace whole slots of
hot pavement. He stated over the last five years the City Council has committed approximately $15
million annually on street repairs and improvements which is more funding spent than the previous 15
years combined. He agreed that there are some short term inconveniences with the park’s closures for
renovations but reminded everyone this endeavor is in response to residents’ concerns about the
conditions of the parks and to remain compliant with the City’ Parks Master Plan. He mentioned the
addition of new green space planned for the South Rancho area. He announced the City’s website is
currently being reconfigured and stated the City has a Green Plan in place to reduce carbon footprint.
He added the City has implemented a number of things to reduce the amount of energy consumed and
has received an award from Southern California Edison for its efforts. He announced the Library is
undergoing major renovations and will be a 21st Century Library.
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Regular Meeting – August 27, 2019 5
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rodriguez adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 8:09 p.m. in memory of Army
Specialist Clayton James Horne, 23, of Atlanta, Louisiana, who was supporting Operation Inherent
Resolve.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC RICK RODRIGUEZ
City Clerk Mayor