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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 08-25-20 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNE REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 25, 2020 1 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on August 25, 2020, at 6:39 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 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 James McQueen, Human Resources Director Jason Chacon, Recreation Manager Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk The Invocation was delivered by Greg Welch, Downey Police Department Chaplain. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Saab. Mayor Pacheco took this item out of order. 2. Mayor Pacheco presented a Proclamation in honor of the 1 001h Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote to Soroptimist International of Downey. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEM CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS I Mayor Pacheco took this item out of order. Council Member Saab welcomed the audience to the meeting. He acknowledged Michael Calvert, Nolveris Frometa and Mario Trujillo in the audience. He mentioned the school year had commenced and thanked the teachers, administrators and staff for making distance learning a seamless process. He commended parents for assisting the children with Zoom. He encouraged the audience to continue to follow safe health practices and discouraged large gatherings over the Labor Day holiday to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. He thanked Director Dickow and staff for a successful virtual Rocket Fever Festival. He invited the audience to visit the Columbia Memorial Space Center, Parks and Recreation, and Downey City Library's websites to partake in the virtual activities and classes for children and adults. He thanked Director Schindler, Recreation Manager Chacon and staff for the continuing the activities and classes virtually. Virginia Yoshiyama, resident, submitted written comments regarding a proposal to name the Downey City Library's Children's Room the Claudia Dailey Children's Room in honor of Claudia Dailey. Mayor Pacheco requested staff research dedicating the Downey City Library's Children Room after Claudia Dailey. Armando Herman, resident, commented in opposition of gentrification; the Ralph M. Brown Act; transparency; preventing displacement of low income families; need for new development of low income housing projects; political figures; and, programs focused on mental health due to COVID-19. Franklin Dean, resident, thanked the Mayor, City Council, Chief Milligan, Chief Gillaspie and all the civil servants for their support of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. He commented regarding the closure of businesses which has negatively affected the community financially and mentally; and, the loss of his mother due to COVID-19. Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding a Proclamation for healthcare workers of Downey Kaiser Permanente and Downey PIH Hospital. He mentioned the excellent care and continued hope his son received while battling COVID-19; and, the risks all healthcare workers take daily to combat the virus and the negative affect on their families. Having no one else come forward, Mayor Pacheco closed Non -Agenda public comment. Mayor Pacheco reminded the audience that the City of Downey abides by the L.A. County Public Health Orders. She stated the number of COVID-19 cases are decreasing in the City of Downey which was reported by Dr. Barbara Ferrer in her weekly report. She commended all healthcare providers for their efforts. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. 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. Jaime Lopez, commented regarding racial injustice and Black Lives Matter. Armando Herman, resident, commented regarding Item Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14; enforcing compliance of the L.A. County Public Health Order; and, political figures. Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment. Council Member Rodriguez abstained from Item No. 6, due to the close proximity to his rental properties. Council Member Saab abstained from Item No. 3, due to the close proximity to his residence. Mayor Pacheco abstained from Item Nos. 9 and 10, due to the close proximity to her place of business. It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Frometa and carried unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar with Council Member Rodriguez abstaining from Item No. 6; Council Member Saab abstaining from Item No. 3; and, Mayor Pacheco abstaining from Item Nos. 9 and 10. City Council Minutes Regular Meeting - August 25, 2020 City Manager Livas presented the staff report for Item No. 16. City Manager Livas stated the request to rename the Downey Chamber of Commerce building to honor former Downey Mayor David Gafin came from Council Member Rodriguez. He reported the cost would be nominal to rename the building, and the Chamber of Commerce supports Council Member Rodriguez's Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line w would like to comment on Item No. 16. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there were a written comments received on Item No. 16. Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present w would like to comment on Item No. 16. 1 Michael Calvert, resident, commented in support of Item No. 16. He provided a brief history of the relationship between David Gafin and the Chamber of Commerce; David Gafin's work in support of local businesses; and, his volunteer work within the community. Council Member Rodriguez commented regarding David Gafin's efforts to ensure the success of the Downey Chamber of Commerce It was moved by Council Member Saab, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Frometa and carried unanimously to approve the renaming of the Downey Chamber of Commerce building to the "David Gafin Downey Chamber of Commerce" in honor of former Mayor/Council Member David Gafin ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 20-7961, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR THE POSITION OF CHIEF OF POLICE Director McQueen presented the staff report for Item No. 17. He provided a brief history regarding salary range adjustments for the Chief of Police position. In accordance with Senate Bill 1436 local agencies must report out certain information before changing the compensation or benefits of Executive positions. At the June 23, 2020, City Council Meeting the City Council approved a 101*0"A OWN Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line w would like to comment on Item No. 17. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there were a written comments received on Item No. 17. Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present w would like to comment on Item No. 17. 1 Juan Martinez, resident, commented in opposition of the salary increase for the position of Chig of Police; civil unrest and the Black Lives Matter protests; and, redirecting funding to comb homelessness. i City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — August 25.2O2D 6 Armando Herman, resident, commented in support of Item No. 17 and proposed an additional increase of six percent for the Chief of Police position. He thanked Chief Milligan for being an excellent leader and for a job well done. Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding public safety and in support of the salary increa for the position of Chief of Police. He thanked Chief Milligan for being an excellent leader. i 16�=1!1111 EIT INTYNIT 1121115M 1110111M�� It was moved by Council Member Rodriguez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Frometa and carrij— unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 20-7961, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Down establishing compensation for the position of Chief • '•i City Manager Livas thanked Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas, and the Police and Public Works Departments for their work to ensure the upcoming drive by food distribution is successful. He thanked • for all the virtual educational and promotional materials that are being disseminated • the public from the Downey City Library, Columbia Memorial Space Center and Parks and Recreation. He added staff has done an incredible job in providing voluminous amount of information content to the residents. He thanked the Mayor and Council for their leadership. Mayor Pacheco thanked City Manager Livas, Chief Milligan, Chief Gillaspie, the City's Firefighters and Police Officers and staff for everything they do on a daily basis to ensure the City is safe and residents are kept informed. Now, Id City Council Minutes Regular Meeting — August 25, 2020