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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-25-20 Regular MeetinglWal• alin UTF-GU111GIL OF • UOTVAEJ REGULAR MEETING The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on February 25, 2020, at 6:33 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, with Mayor Pacheco presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Blanca Pacheco Mayor Claudia M. Frometa Mayor Pro Tern Sean Ashton Council Member Rick Rodriguez 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 Aldo E. Schindler, Community Development Director Anil Gandhy, Finance Director Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director Pam Passow, Parks and Recreation Director James McQueen, Human Resources Director Alicia Duarte, CIVIC, City Clerk The Invocation was delivered by Council Member Rodriguez. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Ashton. Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He acknowledged Michael Calvert, Nolveris Frometa and Alex Gaytan in the audience. He announced the upcoming events: Downey Chamber of Commerce City Affairs meeting regarding Census 2020; Groundbreaking for Springhill Suites Marriott; 5K for TLC Love Run/Walk; and, Coffee with a Cop event. He invited the audience to visit the two newly installed Art sculptures on Downey Avenue between 2nd Street and 3rd Street. He reported attending the Columbia Memorial Space Center's Dedication Ceremony. He thanked the North American Aviation retirees and Financial Partners Credit Union for donating the two benches; and, thanked Director Dickow and staff for a great event. He announced the City News and Parks and Recreation Spring 2020 Guide to be a great source for information regarding the Measure S Construction Projects and invited the audience to retrieve a copy of the guide available in the back of the room. Mayor Pro Tern Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She acknowledged the Downey High School Kiwins and Alex Gaytan in the audience. She reported attending the Downey Ponytails Spring 2020 Opening Day, and the installation of the two new Art sculptures on Downey Avenue. She thanked Council Members Saab and Rodriguez and recognized their efforts as Downtown Subcommittee members to ensure the vision of the Art in Public Places Program. She mentioned as the Measure S Construction Projects are completed additional Art pieces will be revealed. She announced the upcoming Groundbreaking for Springhill Suites Marriott. She reported participating in the Day of the Reader by visiting several local schools. She thanked Chief Milligan and everyone involved for investing in the children. She invited the 2udience to contact Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Jenny Aguirre to become involved in a Neighborhood Watch Group. She announced the upcoming Kiwin's Walk for Water event in eupport of wells and water for developing countries globally. She thanked Director Consunji for providing an update to Council in response to her inquiry regarding increased traffic and gpeeding on Pangborn Avenue between Firestone Boulevard and Florence Avenue due to construction on Paramount Boulevard. Director Consunji provided a brief report regarding Mayor Pro Tern Frometa's inquiry regarding traffic and speeding concerns on Pangborn Avenue. He stated staff reviewed the traffic flow and observed existing radar speed feedback signs posted; a 25 mph speed limit sign is posted; and, there is a 4-way stop at the Cecilia Street and Pangborn Avenue intersection. He noted Pangborn Avenue is relatively narrow and cars park on both sides of the street. He added staff is working with the Police Department to increase enforcement in the area. Chief Milligan reported Motorcycle Officers were directed to provide additional traffic patrol in the area following the information that was provided to by Director Consunji. He stated the area was patrolled over the course of a week and during the six days a total of five citations were issued for speeding. He noted there was not an overwhelming number of speeding the speed limit. He said the Police Department will continue to monitor the area for enforcement. Director Consunji reported the Paramount Boulevard construction delay was due to Union Pacific Railroad's requirement to obtain encroachment permits and workers to complete training to obtain flagmen certification. The requirements have been met and the contractor has planned to mobilize deployment to complete the project. He mentioned safety issues have been brought to the City's attention and staff will install advanced signage to clearly identify the left turn lane and remove striping to allow through traffic to merge into the right lane. Council Member Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He reported attending the Keep Downey Beautiful Cleanup event and invited the audience to participate in the net Keep Downey Beautiful Cleanup event. He acknowledged Carrie Uva in the audience. He requested staff review the parking regulations for large vehicles on residential streets. Council Member Rodriguez welcomed the audience to the meeting. He reported attending the Downey Council Parent Teacher Association's Honorary Service Awards Banquet; Southeast Area Animal Control Authority meeting; and, Military Service Day. He stated Downey Unified School District High School students were in attendance. Mayor Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She acknowledged Downey High School Kiwins and Alex Gaytan in the audience and thanked them for all they do in the community. She announced upcoming events: Downey Unified School Districts Water Art Show at Stay Gallery and the Coffee with a Cop event. She requested staff address traffic signal delays eastbound and westbound at the intersection of 3rd Street and Paramount Boulevard. Mayor Pacheco with assistance from Fire Chief Gillaspie presented the Mayor's Impact Award to Ventura County Firefighter Andrew Marifian. 2. City Manager Livas presented to the Mayor and City Council the International City/County Management Association's Certificate of Achievement Award for Performance Management. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — February 25, 2020 Tom Murray, Complete Landscape Care, Inc., commented regarding rejecting the bids for the on -street landscape maintenance. Diana and Jordan, Downey High School students, commented regarding the Kiwin's Walk for Water event on March 7, at Downey High School. The event will raise money to build two wells in underdeveloped countries and promote awareness regarding the global water crisis. They thanked the City Council for their support of Downey High's Thirst Project Club events. They challenged the City Council to a Jerry Can Challenge. Council Member Ashton requested the Downey High School students provide the Council information regarding the Walk for Water event in electronic format to assist in disseminating the information to Downey residents. Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items. 111111 XTRWINITITIMI Council Member Saab abstained from Item • 6; and, pulled Item No. 8 for separate Cscussion. Council Member Rodriguez abstained from Item No. 1; Item Nos. 5 and 6 due to the close proximity to his properties; and, Item No. 11 due to his source of income. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Ashton and carried unanimously to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Rodriguez abstaining from Item Nos. 1, 5, 6, and 11; and, Council Member Saab abstaining from Item No. 6, and pulling Item No. 8 for separate discussion. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — February 25, 2020 Council Member Saab requested the item be pulled to discuss his concerns about the road diets on Downey Avenue, Brookshire Avenue, Old River School Road, and Gallatin Road. Director Consunji provided a brief history regarding the Bike Master Plan adopted in 2015 and the various projects recommended as part of the implementation of the Bike Master Plan. He stated the item presented tonight is to conduct community outreach to allow more in- depth public participation prior to moving forward on the recommended projects. He stated the proposed road diets listed in attachment "A" were recommended in the Bike Master Plan and is also part of the scope of work in the Professional Service Agreement before Council this evening. He stated the company will provide a recommendation as to whether or not to move forward with the proposed road diets based on public comments received and the company's review of Geo metrics, traffic circulation and vehicle delays. He confirmed the proposed road diets may change as the design process proceeds. Council Member Saab thanked Director Consunji for his report. He requested confirmation that an item will return to Council to further discuss the proposed road diets. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Ashton and carried unanimously to approve the Professional Services Agreement with KOA Corporation in the amount of $439,915 for Professional Engineering Design Services related to the implementation of the Downey Bike Master Plan Phase 1 — Downtown/Transit Project; authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement; and, authorize the City Manager to execute any and all amendments deemed necessary. Council Member Ashton made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Frometa to reopen the public comment period for the Consent Calendar to allow Mr. Banuelos to address the Council regarding Item No. 14. Mayor Pacheco opened public comment period and announced all Consent Calendar Items had been voted on. Alfredo Banuelos, non-resident, commented regarding the Delta Jet fuel dump incident; and, in opposition to Item No. 14. Having no one come forward, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment. City Manager Livas commented regarding the Measure S Projects milestones that have been accomplished including the reopening of Dennis the Menace Park and Fire Station No. 1. He said Golden Park and Fire Station No. 3 will be opening soon. He stated the Theatre is currently undergoing renovations and art pieces will be installed, while the Library is expeditiously on schedule to open this summer. He thanked Assistant City Manager Oskoui and staff for their efforts to ensure the projects are completed as projected. He reminded the City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — February 25, 2020 5 audience that the reason the park closures were not staggered was due to the constraints of the --- bond issuance requirements. He announced the $66 million dollar projects are being completet without adding any additional staff. He thanked staff for accepting the additional project relatel' tasks and thanked the residents for their patience. Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 7:38 p.m. in memory of 7ire Capt. Raymond Figueroa, 35, and Firefighter Patrick Jones, 25, of the Porterville Fire Mayor City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — February 25, 2020