HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07-28-20 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF
COUNCILCITY OF OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
The City Council of the City of Downey held a
6:34 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey
California, with Mayor Pacheco presiding.
Regular City Council Meeting on July 28, 2020, at
City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
PRESENT: Council Members:
Blanca Pacheco Mayor
Claudia M. Frometa Mayor Pro Tern (teleconference)
Sean Ashton Council Member (teleconference)
Rick Rodriguez Council Member
Alex Saab Council Member
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 Council Member Rodriguez. The Pledge of Allegiance was led
by Council Member Saab.
COUNCILCITY - • REQUESTS FOR
• - REPORTS I
Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He encouraged the audience to
continue to follow safe health practices. He stated the City continues to working diligently to function
and provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic. He acknowledged Steve Roberson and Ron
Collier in the audience; and, thanked them for their service to the community. He reported visiting
Furman Park over the weekend. He stated Furman Park is a prime example of the Measure S Parks
Improvement Project funds put to good use. He invited the audience to visit the newly renovated park.
He requested staff return with an item establishing a policy for contracts with a total time frame over 10
years. He requested staff install fencing to enclose the toddler jungle gym at Furman Park.
City Manager Livas stated there is a Section of the City Charter that establishes a 10 year
provision for City contracts.
Mayor Pro Tern Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She asked the public to
continue to remain vigilant and follow safe health practices. She mentioned there are food banks and
mental health organizations within the City to help the community. She asked the audience to share
information to those residents continuing to remain socially distant which may cause them to fell
secluded or lonely. She requested staff include mental health information on the City's social media
sites. She requested staff review and update the City's Noise Ordinance. She also requested additional
patrols on the main thoroughfares to deter street racing.
Council Member Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He requested staff research
temporarily waiving the 72 hour parking restrictions in driveways during the COVID-19 pandemic. He
requested staff research options to install bollards during the temporary street closures on Downey
Ave. between 2nd and 3rd Street. He reminded the audience to continue to wear facial coverings and
practice social distancing protocols.
Council Member Rodriguez welcomed the audience to the meeting. He stated this is a difficult
time for non -profits and other community organizations. He reported attending Living Help's Fundraiser
of Pnh'c Pin Pnv and narfirinatinn in thin nonartmnnt ref r hilrlr®n and Family C®nAr•®c rlri%ro h%i
graduation for children in foster care from Downey and surrounding cities. He reported attending a
Zoom meeting with Operation Jump Start to help mentor Junior and Senior High School students thaN
are struggling to graduate. He requested staff research dedicating the Downey Chamber of Commerce
Office in honor of former Mayor David Gafin.
Mayor Pacheco welcomed the audience to the meeting. She reported attending a Neighborho
Watch Meeting via Zoom and encouraged the audience to attend their Neighborhood Watch Meeti
VirtUally, She announced Furman and Golden Parks are now open and encouraged the audience
visit the newly renovated parks. She stated she will continue to produce the weekly videos to provicl
updates to the community. She announced the Census 2020 will be conducting a caravan to promo
the Census and reminded the audience to complete their Census. She reminded the audience of ti
She requested staff install a flag pole at Fire Station No. 3. 1
Mayor Pacheco recessed the City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Pacheco reconvened MR
City Council meeting at 7:05 p.m. with all Council Members present. I
Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line w
would like to comment on Non -Agenda items. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if any writt
public comments were submitted regarding Non -Agenda items. Mayor Pacheco asked if there w
anyone present who would like to comment on Non -Agenda items. le
Ron Collier, resident, commented regarding his appreciation and love for the City of Downey
and thanked the City Council for a tremendous job.
Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding the tremendous job performed by the Downey
Police Department. He commented in opposition of abolishing local Police.
Steve Roberson, resident, thanked the City Council and staff for their hard work and efforts to
continue to providing services to the community. He provided an example of the Council Members and
staff's assistance in facilitating the new YMCA facility being built at Sussman Middle School.
Joey Martinez, resident, commented regarding Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board of
Directors, Senate Bill 625, Civil Rights violations and the increase of COVID-19 cases in Downey.
Catherine Alvarez, resident, commented regarding bilingual residents and the limited seating at
the City Council Meeting due to COVI D-1 9.
Josephine Garcia, non-resident, commented regarding Central Basin Municipal Water District's
Board of Directors; and, domestic and foreign political leaders.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - July 28.2O20 2
Chris Enriquez, resident, commented regarding the City's General Fund budget and implored
for an amendment to increase the Community Development's budget for the community projects.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding the limited seating at the City
Council meeting, presentations, caravans to support rent cancellation and political leaders.
Cesar, non-resident, commented regarding Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board of
Directors, political leaders and racism.
Bryan Medina, non-resident, submitted written comments regarding the benefits of planting new
trees in the community, the TreePeople's commitment to plant and maintain 2,000 trees in the City;
and, invited the City Council and members of the public to participate in the Annual Tree Summit via
Zoom.
Regan Cameron, resident, submitted written comments regarding reducing the Downey Police
Department's budget, appropriating funds to social programs focused on education, community upkeep
and social welfare, and the Country's political and humanitarian crisis.
Rocio Quinones, resident, submitted written comments in opposition to an increase of the
Downey Police Department's budget amidst social injustice and reallocating funding to programs to
assist children, women in domestic violence situations, and arts as therapy or other social programs.
Josie Quinones, resident, submitted written comments regarding reducing the Police
Department's budget and redirecting funding towards school supplies and text books.
Josephine Flores Garcia, non-resident, commented regarding boycotting Goya Foods,
incarceration camps and the ancestry of the Downey population.
Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed Non -Agenda public comment.
•► P A ► _IT VA ►I=
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. Mayor Pacheco asked if there
was anyone present who would like to comment on the Consent Calendar items.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding salary increases for the Chief of Police and
Fire Chief; in opposition to Item Nos. 11 and 16; and in support of Item Nos. 18, 20, 21 and 22; and, the
increased COVID-19 cases.
Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
at Fire Station No. 3 and the timeline for the installation of a flagpole.
Catherine Alvarez, commented in support of Item Nos. 20 and 21. She read the bible scripture
from Isaiah Chapter 10; and, commented regarding Downey residents living in poverty according to
Census which is the reason for the need to provide financial rental assistance to Downey residents.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, commented in support of Item Nos. 20 and 21, financial rental
assistance for low income resident and homeless families; the implementation of a Statewide
Moratorium on Evictions for Residential Tenants; increase of taxes on major stores; and, salaries not
rising at the same rate as inflation.
Joey Martinez, resident, commented regarding the rapid reopening of businesses affecting the
increase of COVID-19 cases, increase of unemployment rates, residential tenants unable to pay rents,
and in support of the Moratorium on Evictions for residential tenants.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - July 28, 2020
Mayor Pacheco abstained from Item Nos. 22, due to the close proximity to her business.
Council Member Saab requested the item be pulled to discuss his concerns regarding the 180
day plan to access whether or not the temporary street closure is beneficial, and the possibility of
reassessment being conducted in two or three weeks.
City Manager Livas agreed whenever a project is implemented it should be monitored to ensure
success. He stated staff has worked with the Downtown Community Benefit District and at the District's
behest, the street closure will be implemented with the condition that the closure be monitored for its
success. He stated currently only one business is utilizing the outdoor area and it is the City's goal to
see additional businesses participate. He stated if additional businesses do not utilize the outdoor area
then the project would be considered unsuccessful. He stated an alternative option could be to utilize
parklets and reopen the street to allow for traffic.
Council Member Saab requested clarification of a parklet's purpose. City Manager Livas stated
the parklet would be a deck with fencing installed in front of an establishment taking a couple of parking
stalls to allow for outdoor dining.
City Manager Livas stated currently Downey Ave. is completely closed between 2 Id and 3 rd
Streets. He stated surrounding cities that have implemented similar options have reported that the idea
of the outdoor set up took a few weeks before businesses embraced the idea. He said staff will
continue communication with the Downtown Community Benefit District and if the businesses prefer not
to continue with the closure staff will reopen the street prior to the 180 days.
Council Member Saab stated the temporary street closure is a great concept and he would
appreciate close monitoring to confirm the closure is beneficial to all businesses. He inquired what the
reasoning was to move the Farmer's Market.
City Manager Livas stated staff reached out to the Farmer's Market and they made decision to
temporarily move to another location that would allow for adequate social distancing. He confirmed staff
will monitor the temporary street closure and report back to the City Council.
Council Member Rodriguez stated that many businesses find themselves with the predicament
of whether or not to invest to bring patrons back for the lunch since they have not had any patrons for
such a long period of time. He inquired if staff could encourage outdoor dining by getting the word out
through social media platforms.
Mayor Pro Tern Frometa stated the decision to close Downey Ave. was made because of the
minimal amount of traffic. She recommends a minimum of one month for staffs reassessment to
ensure an accurate determination that is beneficial to the small businesses. She asked whether or not
the COVID-19 Disaster Funds could be used to assist the business owners with any additional out of
pocket expenses that they may incur with the outdoor set up. She stated the premise of the closure of
the street was to ensure the survival of the small businesses and to provide additional safety in the
area.
Council Member Ashton agreed the k-rails are helpful to protect the pedestrians by preventing
the traffic from driving through. He mentioned when the Farmer's Market was there they would park
cars at the end of the streets to protect the resident. He asked if the Farmer's Market is expected to
return to the area after the pandemic is over. He suggested the installation of removable bollards. He
asked if the open area is primarily for restaurants or for all businesses. City Manager Livas stated the
area is primarily intended for restaurants, however, he did notice that there are some businesses that
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - July 28, 2020
have set up outside. He stated that it is staff's intention to assist all the businesses to succeed. He said
staff will encourage the businesses and work with them but at the same time he said they must be
cognizant of the fact that these same businesses may not want the closure. He stated staff will
research the installation of removable bollards and utilizing parklets however the installation does take
some time and the k-rails are only temporary in nature. He continued and said staff hopes to have
something that is inviting for this period and something that will continue after the pandernic so that
residents can enjoy eating alfresco during the summer. Staff will work with the Downtown Community
Benefit District to make this permanent,
Council Member Saab mentioned a few years ago the Downtown Community Benefit District
Io-ok-ed into the insial-lation-of botlards but found that the nice bonards were quite expensive. He recalls
the City decided to wait until the Benefit District was well established but he agreed this may be a good
time to see if the closure works. If the businesses are open to the idea then staff can work with the
Benefit District to implement the bollards.
Mayor Pro Tern Frometa recommended naming the area after the City Manager's suggestion,
"Downtown Dining Alfresco." City Manager Livas stated after if has been determined whether or not the
businesses agree to make the closure permanent staff will work with the Downtown Community Benefit
District regarding signage and lighting.
It was moved by Council Member Rodriguez, seconded by Council Member Ashton and carried
4-0-1 with Mayor Pacheco abstaining to adopt Resolution No. 20-7954, a Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Downey ratifying Emergency Order No, 3 issued by the City Manager acting as the
Director of Emergency Services authorizing the Closure of Downey Avenue between 2"d and 3"' Streets
for temporary outdoor business use in the City of Downey and authorizing closure pursuant to Vehicle
Code Section 21101 (E).
0'-,3. ESTABLISH A MEASURE S PLAQUE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE; AND, APPOINT TW1111
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO SERVE ON THE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE:
Administration
City Manager Livas presented the staff report. He provided a brief history of the Measure S T
Initiative, voter approval, bond rating and construction process. He stated the City's bond rating is at t
highest rating ever which is a reflection of how the City manages its finances. He explained the bo
rating is important because when the City requires a bond for construction projects the City receives t
lowest possible rate. He stated there were many people involved the process to reopen the City park�-
two fire stations; and, Wilderness Park which is well underway. The Library is approximately 75 perce
completed. He stated the Measure S Projects is the largest construction project that the City has had
its history. He stated staff's recommendation is to establish an Ad Hoc Subcommittee to establish
appropriate way to recognize those people that were involved with the process and then return to t
Council with a full program identifying how to recognize those individuals. He asked if the Council wou
like to appoint two Council Members to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee. 11
Mayor Pacheco confirmed Council Member Saab and Mayor Pro Tern Frometa would serve
the Measure S Plaque Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
Council Member Ashton inquired if this process would be in addition to what the City h
normally done in the past to recognize the individuals involved. He stated the past process is to crea
I
a plaque with the current Council Members, City Manager and date of the ribbon cutting. City Managil
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — July 28, 2020 8
Livas stated the purpose of establishing the Ad Hoc Subcommittee is to provide direction to the City
Manager as to how City Council would like to proceed. He stated the Recreation and Community
Services Commission and Oversight Board were highly involved and would the City Council like to
recognize them; and, if so how would they be recognized. He stated rather than leaving this for staff to
determine the Subcommittee would provide recommendations and the City Council would provide the
City Manager concise direction as to how to proceed.
Council Member Saab stated Council Member Rodriguez requested the item and inquired if
would prefer to serve on the Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
Council Member Rodriguez confirmed he would serve on the Subcommittee. He mentioned the
item was due to the passing of former Mayor David Gafin and he felt the importance to recognize those
individuals involved in the projects.
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Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line who
would like to comment on Item No. 23. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there were any
written comments on Item No. 23. Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to
comment on Item No. 23.
Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding the timeline for completion of the Fire
Stations and other Measure S Construction Projects, and the community living in poverty and increased
taxes.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding creating subcommittees to
address housing issues and the creation of a Housing Authority.
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Rodriguez and Mayor Pro Tern Frometa to serve on the Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 8:36 p.m. in memory of the lives
affected by COVID-19; Nancy Lopez, 29, Downey Rose Float Association Board of Directors and
Chaperone for the Miss Downey Court; Jose Reynaldo Fernandez, Downey Resident; Valentin
Martinez, Los Angeles Police Officer; Gaby Rodriguez, Mother of Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia;
John Lewis, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; and, Jose J. Perez, Firefighter with the Los
Angeles Fire Department and past Ambulance Operator with the Downey Fire Department.
BLANCA PACFlICO
Mayor
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — July 28, 2020
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