HomeMy WebLinkAbout02b. Minutes - 04-28-20 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 28, 2020
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on April 28, 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 (teleconference)
Rick Rodriguez Council Member (teleconference)
Alex Saab Council Member (teleconference)
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Aldo E. Schindler, Community Development Director
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
Alicia Duarte, CIVIC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Pro Tern Frometa. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
City Manager Livas.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tern Frometa welcomed the audience participating in the meeting via various
methods of technology. She stated although the methods of communication have altered slightly she
assures residents that the City is continuing to conduct the peoples' business. She reported several
thousand families received meals during the drive-thru distribution event collaborated with Supervisor
Hahn and LA Regional Food Bank. She stated the City will continue to provide guidance to abide by the
Federal, State and County Executive Orders as mandated; and the City has aligned with the
Governor's Executive Order pertaining to residential and commercial rent issues. She encouraged
residents to visit the City's Website for up-to-date information pertaining to all COVID-19 related issues.
Council Member Saab thanked staff for continuing to efficiently conduct the City's business. He
thanked the residents for adhering to the Governor's "Stay at Home" and L.A. County's "Safe at Home"
Orders. He encouraged residents to visit the City's website for updated COVID-19 related information.
He requested staff create a plan in anticipation of an increase of dilapidated lawns and other code
violations due to potential foreclosures.
Mayor Pacheco welcomed the audience participating in the virtual meeting and for being
involved in the community. She reported participating in the drive-thru food distribution in collaboration
with Supervisor Hahn and LA Regional Food Bank; and, reported approximately 5,000 individuals
received meals while maintaining social distancing. She shared a letter from Debra Walker Nick,
resident, regarding an act of kindness within the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. She
invited residents to submit an email demonstrating any act of kindness to the Mayor. She announced
the L.A. County's "Stay at Home" Order is in effect until May 15, 2020, and encouraged residents to
continue practicing social distancing, safe health practices, and wearing facial coverings when entering
essential businesses. She requested staff communicate with City contractors the importance of social
distancing and facial coverings while conducting business within the City.
City Manager Livas confirmed staff's continued communication with contractors regarding the
COVID-19 protocol while conducting work within the City.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Pacheco opened non -agenda public comment.
Catherine Alvarez, resident, commented regarding rental forgiveness for those affected by
COVID-19.
Joey Martinez, resident, thanked Supervisor Hahn for the drive-thru food distribution; and,
commented regarding Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board of Directors and in objection of
the City joining the consortium of entities in the litigation against the Central Basin Municipal Water
District.
Todd Rogers, Mayor of the City of Lakewood, submitted written comments regarding the 2015
State Auditor's report regarding the Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board. He commented in
support of Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board Member Oskoui's work ethics,
professionalism, and always having the Water District's best interest in mind.
Robert D. Copeland, Mayor of the City of Signal Hill, submitted written comments regarding the
2015 State Auditor's report regarding the Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board. He
commented in support of Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board Member Oskoui's work ethics,
professionalism, and always having the Water District's best interest in mind.
Nelson Olvera, submitted written comments in opposition of political figures supporting the
AIPAC and the Embargo against Iran.
J. Flores, resident, submitted written comments regarding suspension of rent collections and
mortgage payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ian Jameson, resident, submitted written comments regarding rent and mortgage forgiveness
for those affected by COVID-19 and emergency shelters for the homeless. In addition, he commented
in regards to the current issues occurring at the Central Basin Municipal Water District's and the Board
of Directors recent actions.
Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed non -agenda public comment.
City Manager Livas stated there have been comments made over the past couple of meetings
and visits to elected officials residents regarding Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board so
invited Assistant City Manager Oskoui to address the allegations and the issues brought forth.
Assistant City Manager Oskoui apologized to the City Council for having to address issues
related to Central Basin Municipal Water District (District) during this unprecedented situation and
thanked the City Council for allowing him to speak. He stated during the course of the past few weeks
there has been a coordinated effort by certain individuals to disseminate false information, and
intensified harassment and pressures to distract the Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board of
Directors from the real challenges and problems. He stated he hopes to provide valuable information to
those individuals whom have been listening and do not have enough information and read a part of the
December 2015 State Auditor's report regarding District's problems wherein the State Auditor
concludes that the District's Board of Directors has failed to provide the leadership necessary for it to
effectively fulfill its responsibilities. He mentioned the District's Board of Directors failed to maintain its
stability in key executive management positions for the period, failed to take basic steps to ensure the
district's long term financial viability including engaging in long term financial planning and performing
the necessary study to ensure the District's water rate structure is appropriate and the District will
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — April 28, 2020
collect sufficient revenues to meet its costs. The State Auditor concluded the District's Board of
Directors actions contributed to the District losing its insurance coverage and forced the District to
purchase insurance at a considerably higher premium than in previous years. He reiterated that the
passages were from a State's Auditor's report from 2015, and went on to state that the deep rooted
problems and corruption that we are witnessing today are a continuity of many years of inappropriate
actions. The State Auditor's report became the foundation of AB 1794 approved in September 2016,
mandating substantial changes to the operations of the District with the goal of correcting its
governance structure by adding three Appointed Directors and reducing the Elected Directors from five
to four in 2022. The Appointed Directors are technical expert individuals representing various groups of
water purveyors. The new government structure will inevitably result in more transparency and
accountability. He stated recent Brown Act violations by the Board of Directors have resulted in illegal
actions and appointments to the Metropolitan Water District. The Metropolitan Water District has
confirmed in writing that the appointments were not considered legitimate and would not be accepted.
The District's Board of Directors' actions over the last three months have exposed the District to
extreme financial harm with new lawsuits being filed against the Central Basin Water District causing
the tax payers thousands of dollars in litigation. He stated there are unsubstantiated allegations that he
and others are trying to privatize the District is to create an atmosphere of fear. According to California
Law the formation and existence hard coded, when an agency is created as a Special District to
provide one or more specific service such as water services and cannot be privatized. He stated the
District could possibly face over a million dollar deficit to its dysfunction and corruption that is still
plaguing the District from 2015.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone on the teleconference line who would like to
comment on the Consent Calendar items. Mayor Pacheco asked if there were any written comments on
the Consent Calendar items.
Having none, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment.
Council Member Ashton abstained from Item No. 5, due to his residential property being within
the close vicinity of the project.
It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Frometa and carried
unanimously to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Ashton
abstaining from Item No. 5.
1. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meetings of April 2 and April 14, 2020; Regular Meeting of April
14, 2020: City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 342399 — 342936; Payroll Wire Nos. 30003982 & 30003984 —
30003986; and, Manual Wire Nos. 1991 — 1994 in the total amount of $3,482,270.74: Finance.
3. ACCEPTED WORK FOR CIVIC CENTER DR. & 3RD ST. PAVEMENT REHABILITATION;
APPROVED FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $345,438.91; AND,
AUTHORIZED PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER TO FILE NOTICE OF
COMPLETION WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE (CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 14-13): Public Works.
4. ACCEPTED WORK FOR FIRESTONE BLVD. MEDIAN ISLAND IMPROVEMENTS FROM OLD
RIVER SCHOOL RD. TO THE WEST CITY LIMIT; APPROVED FINAL CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $1,743,083.97; AND, AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER TO FILE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 15-14): Public Works.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — April 28, 2020
5. APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR
CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE PARAMOUNT BLVD. AT DE PALMA ST. AND FIRE
STATION 1 TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS; AUTHORIZED PURCHASE OF CITY -
FURNISHED MATERIALS; AND, AUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF $485,000 FROM ACCOUNT
NO. 56-16781 TO ACCOUNT NO. 56-16772 (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 20-32):
Public Works.
6. APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH E-PLANSOFT FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT, INSTALLATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ELECTRONIC PERMIT AND
PLAN CHECK SYSTEM, TO BE USED BY ALL CITY DEVELOPMENT PERMIT DIVISIONS, AND
AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS: Community
Development.
7. APPROVED AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND KANOPY, INC., TO
PROVIDE VIDEO STREAMING SERVICES TO DOWNEY CITY LIBRARY CARDHOLDERS:
Library.
8. APPROVED A RENEWAL AGREEMENT WITH CALIFA TO CONTINUE TO CONNECT THE
DOWNEY CITY LIBRARY TO THE CENIC NETWORK TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC INTERNET
ACCESS: Library.
9. SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE SEAACA JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT: Administration.
INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITIES OF NORWALK, PICO RIVERA, DOWNEY, BELL
GARDENS, MONTEBELLO, PARAMOUNT, SANTA FE SPRINGS, AND SOUTH EL MONTE
EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE SOUTHEAST AREA ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY.
10. SIXTH AMENDED AND RESTATED JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR THE SOUTHEAST
LOS ANGELES COUNTY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD: Administration.
INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE SIXTH AMENDED AND RESTATED JOINT EXERCISE OF
POWERS AGREEMENT AMONG THE CITIES OF ARTESIA, BELLFLOWER, CERRITOS,
DOWNEY, HAWAIIAN GARDENS, LAKEWOOD, NORWALK, AND PARAMOUNT FOR
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Livas thanked Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas for coordinating the drive-
thru food distribution event, the Police Department for conducting traffic control, and the CERT
volunteers for their assistance distributing the food. He mentioned the event was a collaborated effort
with State, County and Local resources to provide assistance to residents affected by COVID-19. He
thanked Mayor Pacheco for representing the City at the drive-thru food distribution. He stated the City
continues to provide 1,000 meals in an effort to respond to the food insecurities of seniors including
wellness checks for our seniors. Staff is looking to launch a food drive to collect and distribute food to
the residents. He advised the Council that staff had collected food and other items and donated to staff
at PIH in recognition of their hard work during this pandemic. He announced the Library is providing
story time via YouTube and the Columbia Memorial Space Center is working to provide STEM related
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — April 28, 2020 4
activities to continue services to the community. He stated staff is continuing to conduct City business
by ensuring the quality of drinking water and street lights are operational to the public.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 7:20 p.m. in memory of Joseph
Chirco; and, the lives affected by the COVID-19.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CIVIC BLANCA PACHECO
City Clerk Mayor
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — April 28, 2020