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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 08-11-20 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 11, 2020 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on August 11 2020, at 6:45 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenull Downey, California, with Mayor Pacheco presiding. uuq�y �11 I tvmrlm 177ffev Sean Ashton Rick Rodriguez Alex Saab (teleconference) !ALSO PRESEAT: Gilbert Livas, 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 James McQueen, Human Resources Director Jason Chacon, Recreation Manager Alicia Duarte, CIVIC, City Clerk The Invocation was delivered by Martin Fehn, Director, FoodHelp. The Pledge of Allegianciz was led by Mayor Pro Tern Frometa. Mayor Pacheco took this item out of order. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He thanked FoodHelp for their work in the community. He acknowledged Nolveris Frometa and Michael Calvert in the audience. He announced the installation of kiosks in the Downtown area which provide historical information pertinent to the City. He thanked City Manager Livas for the installation of the kiosks. He stated Downey Unified School District distributed devices in preparation of the start of the school year through distant learning. He requested staff research upgrading Wi-Fi city-wide for faster connectivity. He reported attending the tour of the completed Measure S Improvement Projects: Fire Station No. 3, Discovery Park, and the Fire Fighter's Memorial at City Hall. He stated Fire Station Nos. 2 and 4 have started construction and thanked Chief Gillaspie for his leadership during the transition. He thanked City Manager Livas and Assistant City Manager Oskoui for exceeding expectations with the Measure S Improvement Projects. Mayor Pro Tern Frometa welcomed the audience to the meeting. She reported attending the tour of the completed Measure S Improvement Projects: Fire Station No. 3, Discovery Park, and the Fire Fighter's Memorial at City Hall. She thanked City Manager Livas and Assistant City Manager Morris Carr, resident, submitted written comments regarding a night club and gate proposal; and, in support of the installation of a brick wall. Raquel Mijangos, resident, submitted written comments regarding reducing the Downey Police Department's budget and appropriating the funds to the Residential Rental Assistance Program. Celine Ortega, resident, submitted written comments regarding reducing the Downey Police Department's budget and appropriating funds to programs focused on social welfare and financial assistance to residents. Isabella Praslin, resident, submitted written comments in opposition to an increase of the Downey Police Department's budget amidst social injustice; and, appropriating funds to programs focused on providing financial assistance to residents and supplies to schools and hospitals. Gabriel Perez, resident, submitted written comments regarding the City of Downey being a safe community; reducing the Downey Police Department's budget and appropriating the funds to programs focused on mortgage and rent relief, distance learning and day care. Julieta Perla, resident, submitted written comments in opposition to an increase of the Downey Police Department's budget amidst social injustice; and, appropriating funds to education and financial assistance to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yoko April Tamada, resident, submitted written comments in opposition to an increase of the Downey Police Department's budget and appropriating funds to social programs focused on educating the public to take care of their neighbors, mental health awareness, and providing financial assistance to residents to prevent homelessness. Mel Gutierrez, resident, submitted written comments in opposition to an increase of the Downey Police Department's budget and appropriating funds to programs focused on parks and recreation, housing, public health, and financial assistance for families in poverty. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding the development of housing projects, political figures, and programs focused on mental health due to COVID-19. Non-resident, no name provided, commented regarding political figures and programs regarding alternatives to incarceration. Non-resident, no name provided, commended the City of Downey for its aesthetics and thanked the City Council for supporting law enforcement. She commented regarding political figures; and, in support of Police Officers and an increase to the Police Department's budget. Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding the installation of the flag pole and flag at Fire Station No. 3. He thanked Chief Gillaspie and Firefighters for allowing him to participate in the raising and lowering of the flag to half-staff in honor of the Marines' lives lost. He commented in support of the Downey Police Department, all lives matter and all children's lives matter. Joey Martinez, resident, commented regarding racism and Central Basin Municipal Water District's Board of Directors. Wendy, student, thanked the City Council for their support of past projects that she has been a part of. She commented regarding the Council's response to inquiries and direct communication with Downey's youth on topics pertinent to them as future voters. Mayor Pacheco reminded the audience of her open door policy and encouraged the audience to contact her or her colleagues to schedule an appointment to meet. She stated the Council cannot comment or respond to items that are not on the agenda. She emphasized how she would like the City Council Minutes Regular Meeting - August 11, 2020 3 community.City's youth and all residents to feel comfortable engaging with the Council, Police Department and in the Mayor " • Tern Frometa stated the Council is supportiveof •• projects an• the community. members:She concurred with Mayor Pacheco regarding the Council's open door policy and encouraged the 2udience to contact the Council to discuss any issues that are of concern to them and to dispel the myths and any misinformation. She stated it is unfortunate that in 2020 due to the COVI D-1 9 pandemic �ind distance learning the Council has not had the opportunity to meet in porson with communqy,., Catherine Alvarez, resident, commented regarding the Council's open door policy; political issues; and, rental increases and harassment residential tenants continue to receive during the COVID- pande mic. Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding the Council's open door policy, social media platforms, public participation, and reserved staff seating. 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 Item Nos. 3, 4, and 5; Americans with Disabilities; and, political figures. Non-resident, no name provided, commented regarding Item No. 3; criminal acts, homeless anit' poverty crisis in City Parks; and, political figures. Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding Item No. 5, safe clean drinking • safe health practices and political figures. unanimouslyIt was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Frometa and carried •. approve the Consenti., 2. 11 - - • r y ••; EFT numbers 10049 116Payroll Wire No 30004014,30004020 _- 00 and, Manual Wire Manual _ numbers1 1 • in t total amountof - t r -•- r r `- r> r • - Council City Regular- • — August 11, 2020 4 Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line who would like to comment on Item No. 10. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there were any written comments received on Item No. 10. Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Item No. 10. Mike GreensDan. non-resident, commented �eqardinq�,qonference travel, meal �"penses, and *o -h t ical I ea d ers. I Non-resident, no'name provided, commented regarding subsistent information discussed at the conference, protocols, policies and procedures implemented by voting delegates and political figures; and, public safety. Joey [Tiartinez, resident, commented regarding the mechanisms established to designatc voting delegates and public confidence in political figures. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Council Member Ashton and carrier-, unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 20-7955, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Down Designating Mayor Pacheco as Voting Delegate, Mayor Pro Tern Frometa as 1st Alternate and Coun'10 Member Ashton as the 2nd Alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference & Exp October 7-9, 2020. City Manager Livas thanked the Council for touring the Measure S Improvement Projects. He provided a brief overview of the Measure S Improvement Projects that began over three years ago. He commented regarding his recent tour of the Library project as it nears completion. He stated the City Council has invested heavily in programs which benefit the City's Youth and renovated all City Parks; and, in life saving projects which include a new paramedic engine system. He stated the City will break ground on a new park on Imperial Highway. He mentioned the Council has had a number of completed improvement projects; and, invested more money in street improvement projects in the last five years than the City has had in the previous 20 years combined. He stated the Council continues to conduct outreach to lobby for Federal and State funding to ensure the City is successful in addressing the needs of the community. He invited the audience to scan the QR code on the last page of the City Council Meeting Agenda to see the City's Accomplishments for the past fiscal year and the number of investments the City has completed according to the goals set by the Council yearly. He stated the accomplishments focus on public safety, children and education. He thanked the Department Heads and staff for ensuring the completion of the improvement projects while keeping labor costs the lowest in the County. He thanked Assistant City Manager Oskoui for his guidance on the Measure S Improvement Projects. .1 WIN a 11: 11 a *r_a; I I 141TAr-10 Ito [9 r-AVOR4 1VJM olzr Q " RIC _10161111- min' 0 a Council Member Rodriguez addressed the members of the audience participating in the meeting for the first-time, to understand the City of Downey has respect, honor and dignity. He stated the Council tolerates the vulgar language and postings on social media out of respect for the First Amendment; however, it is not appreciated that it has influenced the City's youth to speak disrespectfully to the City Council. He stated the City is comprised of God-fearing, hard-working people, homeowners, family oriented, business owners, and 77 percent of Downey's population is Latino. He stated he wishes the person elected to replace him holds those same values. He thanked the audience for their understanding. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — August 11, 2020 6 • • Pacheco adjourned the Regular City Council meeting at 8:37 p.m. in memory • Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello; Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside; Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, of Corona; Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin; U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton; Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Oregon; Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas; Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Portland, Oregon; and, the lives • • COVID-19. City Clerk Mayor City Council Minutes Regular Meeting - August 11, 2020