The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 05-26-20 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING MAY 26, 2020 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on May 26, 2020, at 6:35 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, with Mayor Pacheco presiding. Ua4ff5W1 Blanca Pacheco Mayor Claudia M. Frometa Mayor Pro Tem (excused) Sean Ashton Council Member (teleconference) Rick Rodriguez Council Member (excused) 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 City Attorney Abich Garcia. The Pledge of Allegiance was 179 by City Manager Livas. I CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEM CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS I Council Member Saab welcomed members of the public participating in the virtual meeting. He thanked staff for continuing to conduct City business during the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned receiving calls inquiring about the County of Los Angeles Public Health's Safer at Work Order and how it would impact the reopening of their business. He reported participating in the TLC's meeting and mentioned the Downey Elks Lodge generously made donations to TLC and to the City's Congregate Meal Program during the meeting. He asked staff to provide an update regarding the unsightly southwest corner of Paramount Blvd. and Firestone Ave. He requested staff research ways to allow restaurants to utilize their outdoor area for additional seating space and to assist businesses with expediting the permit process. He asked staff to contact the Downtown Business District and Downey Chamber of Commerce regarding a temporary closure of Downey Ave. to allow businesses to utilize their outdoor space. City Manager Livas concurred the three items requested by Council Member Saab has are important to staff as well; and, staff is currently working on the Paramount Blvd. and Firestone Ave. intersection project. He stated staff is researching options to allow for outdoor dining and is working expeditiously with businesses to facilitate their reopening. Council Member Ashton requested staff research and prepare for the is th of July holiday to discourage the use of illegal fireworks and the possibility to utilize unmarked vehicles to enforce the use of fireworks prior to the 4 th Of July. City Manager Livas stated the fireworks issue was a point of discussion at the last executive r,taff meeting and staff will provide a report to the City Council regarding preventative measures that have changed since the previous year. Mayor Pacheco inquired if additional patrols can be conducted to discourage the use of illegal fireworks. City Manager Livas confirmed additional patrolling will be conducted. ZERO FUTFeWlel tile S1a*IaLe5 IUI UIC'ff-U Tiner ineir ealcaTion 111-Ing Tne Ui panae Ic, She reported participating in a graduation parade for Enrique Martinez. She thanked Chief of Police Milligan for the Police Department's participation in the birthday and graduation parades. She reported participating in the Downey First Christian Church's food collection drive and thanked the residents for their donations to help the families affected by COVID-19. She reported attending the Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony in honor of Veterans. She thanked the Downey Elks Lodge for their donations to TLC and the City's Congregate Meal Program. She announced the City of Downey abides by the County of Los Angeles Public Health's Safe at Work order to reopen local businesses. She reminded the audience of the importance of reopening cautiously to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Shp asked the business owners for their continued patience. City Manager Livas announced there were technical issues occurring with the City's YouTu livestrearn of the City Council meeting but the video recording would be uploaded to the City's webs after the meeting. ]I Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line who would like to comment on non -agenda items. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if any written public comments were submitted regarding non -agenda items. Catherine Alvarez, resident, commented regarding technical issues with the City's YouTull 'ivestream of the Council meeting, the number of COVID-19 cases in the City of Downey, the need "a eopen the City, and in support of the creation of a Housing Authority for the City. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding Measure S projects, public official convalescent residents affected by COVID-19, and the reopening of businesses including churches. I Joey Martinez, resident, commented regarding the technical issues with the City's YouTu livestrearn of the Council meeting, Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board of Directors and objection of the City entering into litigation against the Central Basin Municipal Water District. i Brian Heyman, resident, commented in support of reopening Downey City Hall on June 1, 2020 and in opposition of abiding with the County of Los Angeles Public Health Orders. Alex Contreras, resident, commented regarding a moratorium for rent and mortgage forgivene to protect residential and business tenants. i Leticia Vasquez Wilson, Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board Member, comment regarding pending litigation and her position at the Central Basin Municipal Water District. I City Council Minutes Regular Meeting 6, 202# Rodolfo, Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding prioritizing the reopening the City of Downey by public health needs versus the economy's instability, providing rental assistance for residents, and executing the City's emergency powers to enact a policy for rent and mortgage forgiveness during the COVID-1 9 emergency. II •-L-1 0 1 lm2q 1w 0 111 qy-g-•=wAm q- • -•. • • -•_ • • • it Kika Renella, non-resident,• • written comments`g. • • the adoption process f• scued animals at Southeast Area Animal Control Authority. • 1 P 4 N KOTTIT9 Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there were any written comments received regarding Consent Calendar items. Brian Council Member Saab abstained from Item No. 3, due to the close proximity to his busines i Item No. • due to the close proximity to his residence. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pacheco and carried 3-0-2 to approve the Consent Calendar with Council Member Rodriguez and Mayor Pro Tern Frometa excused; • Council Member• abstaining from, • • 9. • 6 + Payroll Wire Nos.30003991 000•• • Manual Wire Nos.10it• in the total• of 3. ACCEPTED WORK FOR• * ,D IMPROVEMENTS FIRESTONE•- . APPROVED * • • CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $1,618,276.85; AND, AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER TO FILE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT • Public Works. APPROVED4. PROFESSIONAL SERVICEAGREEMENT CONSULTANTS, AMOUNTTHE OF . 1 . FOR • •MANAGEMENT,• * E MATERIALS TESTING SERVICES FOR THE STEWART & GRAY RD. FIBER-OPTIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL COMMUNICATIONS AND UPGRADES; AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT; AND, AUTHORIZED • EXECUTE ANY AND ALL Works,AMENDMENTS TO,THE AGREEMENT (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 17-10): Publi* - � � • - • • -'+ . • ', is !iI' • • * • •' � r _ * • ..• is •.'FA R 9 •` 0 i City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — May 26, 2020 3 Mayor Pacheco announced Item No. 13 would be continued to the next Regular City Coun Meeting of June 9, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. due to Council Member Rodriguez and Mayor Pro Tern bei absent from today's meeting. I Council Member Ashton inquired if there would be discussion for this item. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line wl would like to comment regarding Item No. 13. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there we any written public comments submitted regarding Item No. 13. 1 Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding protection of the First Amendment and political leaders. It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Mayor Pacheco, and carried 3-0-2 Ice continue Item No. 13 to the next Regular City Council Meeting of June 9, 2020, at 6:30 p.m., wi el I C.ouncil Member Rodriguez and Mayor Pro Tern Frometa excused. E ----------- Iflayor Pacheco announced Item No. 14 would be continued to the next Regular City Counli Meeting of June 9, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. due to Council Member Rodriguez and Mayor Pro Tern Pacheci '#eing absent from today's meeting. ITlayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line who would like to comment regarding Item No. 14. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there were — any written public comments submitted regarding Item No. 14. ir, Barbaro Rodriguez, resident, commented regarding financial assistance for those affected by COVID-19 and political leaders. Mayor Pacheco recessed the City Council meeting at 7-47 p.m. Mayor Pacheco reconvened the City Council meeting at 7:49 p.m. with Council Member Rodriguez and Mayor Pro Tern Frometa excused. Joey Martinez, resident, commented regarding violations of the Ralph M. Brown Act and the Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board of Directors. Catherine Alvarez, resident, commented regarding rent increases in violation of the Los Angeles County's Temporary Eviction Moratorium and Rent Freeze; and, in support of the City of Downey extending the moratorium for residential renters. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — May 26, 2020 5 City Manager Livas stated staff expects to receive an unbelievable response and does not foresee marketing to be a challenge. He believes the main challenge will be managing resident's expectations because not every resident is guaranteed a subsidy payment. Discussion ensued amongst the City Council and staff regarding the appropriate amount the subsidy should be, and whether to provide the maximum payment amount or maximize the funding by providing a percentage of rent to each applicant. City Council Minutes WOO 0 City Manager Livas stated it has certainly been an interesting meeting. He said the City Coun is in a tough position. The City Council is criticized for opening the City too quickly and criticized if th don't. In terms of the incredible actions the City Council has taken over the last couple of month Council has had food distributed to over 5,000 individuals, thousands of meals distributed and wellne checks conducted for seniors, distributed thousands of face masks to members of the public, a conducted food collection and food drives for the community. He stated the City Council cannot accused of not caring about the community as they have ensured the essential items continue providing services that the community needs. In terms of opening City Hall, he stated staff is ready at moment's notice. He stated that at one point the City was conducting bi-weekly Emergency Operatio Center meetings to ensure the first responders had the essential equipment they required; and, t employees had the equipment necessary to continue to perform their daily duties. Over the past sever months there has been a lot happening and staff has made it a priority to keep the community inform as events occur via all social media platforms. He thanked staff for going above and beyond to ensu programs and services are instantaneously available for the community. He said the County is in t process of reopening and staff is committed to keeping the community apprised as the new Coun Orders are brought forward. He thanked the City Council for their support. Mayor Pacheco thanked City Manager Livas and staff for continuing services a disseminating information to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. I Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 8:29 p.m. in memory of Luis Jose Noy, father-in-law of Council Member Rodriguez; and, the lives affected by COVID-19. 4A id LAI C I �AD U �AR T E, CMG Etc O� City Clerk Mayor City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — May 26, 2020 9