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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 03-10-20 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING MARCH 10, 2020 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on March 10, 2020, at 6:31 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 (excused) 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 Jason Chacon, Recreation Manager 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 Sarah Frometa. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMI CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He invited the audience to upload the agenda on their electronic devices by scanning the QR Code on the agenda. He acknowledged Nolveris Frometa and Michael Calvert in the audience. He reported attending the West Downey Little League's Opening Day; 5K for TLC Love Run/Walk; and, participated in Read Across America week at Rio San Gabriel, Carpenter and Lewis Elementary Schools. He announced upcoming events: Ribbon Cutting at Buffalo Wild Wings and the Rancho Los Amigos Foundation Amistad Gala. Mayor Pro Tern Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She announced the Measure S Projects are now coming to completion and thanked the residents for their patience. She acknowledged Linda Salomon-SaIdana, the Founder of Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities, in the audience. She reported attending the Downey Ponytails Spring 2020 Opening Day; West Downey Little League's Opening Day; and, the Downey High School Kiwins Thirst Project event where she participated in the Walk for Water Jerry Can Challenge. She mentioned Mayor Pacheco participated in the fundraising efforts by agreeing to be dunked in cold water. She stated the Thirst Project's purpose is to raise funds to build water wells in developing countries and the goal this year's is 24 thousand dollars. She reported visiting Washington D.C. to participate in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference to lobby with other elected officials in support for Israel to ensure the embargo for Iran continues. She announced the upcoming events: Salute to Armed Services Breakfast; Downey Chamber of Commerce Anniversary Luncheon; and, Neighborhood Watch meetings. She encouraged residents to participate in their local Neighborhood Watch meetings. Council Member Rodriguez welcomed the audience to the meeting. He acknowledged Jason Cruz in the audience. He stated his oldest grandson was recruited for the U.S. Army and the swearing in ceremony was held at Warren High School by a U.S. Astronaut. He reported attending West Downey Little League's Opening Day, Walk for Water Jerry Can Challenge and the Clergy Council meeting. Mayor Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She reported attending the Groundbreaking for Springhill Suites Marriott; and, the Presentation of the Founders Award to the Downey Rose Float Association by Lara Farber, President of the Tournament of Rose Float Parade. She thanked the Downey Rose Float Association and volunteers for their hard work and efforts. She reported participating in the Read Across America week at Unsworth, Carpenter and Gallatin Elementary Schools; 5K for TLC Love Run/Walk; Coffee with a Cop; and, a Neighborhood Watch meeting at Imperial Highway and Woodruff Avenue. She stated the Neighborhood Watch group's concern as the removal of a nearby homeless encampment. She thanked Chief Milligan for addressing the residents' concern regarding the homeless encampment. She reported participating in the Covid-19 conference call and was informed risk level is currently low. She shared with the audience some simple healthy hygiene practices to follow. She reported participating in the Downey High School Kiwins Walk for Water Jerry Can Challenge and agreed to be dunked in cold water. She mentioned the Kiwins are fundraising to bring global awareness of the water crisis in developing countries. She participated in the West Downey Little League's Opening Day by throwing the first pitch. as4a4yfi�* M, 1. Mayor Pacheco with assistance from Council Member Saab presented Certificates Congratulations to AYSO Downey United G09 Team. I 2. Mayor Pacheco with assistance from Mayor Pro Tem Frometa presented Certificates of Congratulations to the Downey High School Girls Junior Varsity and Varsity Water Polo Teams, San Gabriel Valley League Champions and CIF Division 4 Quarter Finalists. 3. Sam Gehry, Gehry Partners, LLP, and Joseph Gonzalez, Rivers and Mountains Conservacy, provided a presentation to the City Council regarding the new South L.A. Cultural Center. RECESS/RECONVENE Mayor Pacheco recessed the City Council meeting at 7:19 p.m. Mayor Pacheco reconvened the City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. with Council Member Ashton absent. lJoWlIalli Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding an FBI Indictment, public projects, fiscal Wludget and political figures. Anita Rivero, resident, commented regarding Clean Power Alliance and requested the City default from 50% to 100% renewable energy; and, climate control. Nelson Olvera, commented regarding foreign policy, opposition to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and boycotting the Iran embargo. Resident, no name provided, commented regarding his concerns of illegal room conversions for profit and trailer rentals in a residential area; Accessory Dwelling Units for income; and, Code Enforcement at 8337 Cole Street. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — March 10, 2020 Alan D. Halstensgaard, commented regarding publications, genetic disease, prenatal diagnosis and eugenics and abortion. Dr. Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding climate control, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, litigation against the Central Basin Municipal Water Board, Coronavirus, and the Presidential Primary Election. Resident, no name provided, commented regarding the Central Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors meeting of February 14, 2020 and well water contamination. John Lacy, resident, commented regarding self-confidence and recited a poem by Emily Dickinson. - -ESEMEM,- -. . - - +r r Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items. r ■. _ -a. - -LZLOA-._ . City Manager Livas stated that all the park projects went through a process that included public outreach meetings to address the public's requests and create a Parks & Open Space Master Plan. He stated the Park Master Plan was formulated to include many of the comments addressed tonight. He provided the example of the toddler's play area at Dennis the Menace Park. He reiterated the reason for the parks being closed at the same time period was due to the constraints imposed on the City by the funding source and bond issuance requirements. He stated half of the parks are now open and the remainder will be opened within the next few weeks. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Frometa and carried unanimously with Council Member Ashton excused, to approve the Consent Calendar. 2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 341150 — 341526; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003965, 30003969 — 30003970 and 30003972; Manual Wire 1975 — 1979; and, Cashier's Check No. 139 in the total amount of $3,718,017.54: Finance. 4. ACCEPTED APOLLO PARK AND DE.NNIS THE MENACE PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS AS COMPLETE; 1 AUTHORIZED THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TO ISSUE THE PROJECTNOTICE OF COMPLETION (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT i D A, City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — March 10, 2020 3 City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — March 1O.2O2O 1�