HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-02-20 Special MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 2, 2020
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special City Council Meeting on June 2, 2020, at
2:02 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, 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 (teleconference)
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, 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 Schindler, Community Development Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
Jason Chacon, Recreation Manager
Alicia Duarte, CIVIC, City Clerk
Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconference line who
would like to comment on Special Meeting Agenda items. Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if
any written public comments were received regarding Special Meeting Agenda items. Mayor Pacheco
asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Special Meeting Agenda items.
Brian Heyman, resident, complemented City Manager Livas and staff for producing an
outstanding Budget document. He commented regarding the economic crisis due to COVID-19,
collapse of revenue, and Budget cuts including staff layoffs.
Having no one else come forward, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment.
1. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 PROPOSED CITY BUDGEJ
Finance.
City Manager Livas presented a brief overview of the proposed annual City Budget. He thanked
staff for working diligently on the Budget process during these unprecedented times. He stated the
Budget process started in January 2020 with the City Council's Goals and Priorities Workshop. He
shared staff monitors the Budget continuously to ensure it aligns with the Goals and Priorities set by the
City Council. He stated in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, a balanced Budget is being presented
tonight for the seventh straight year and staff balanced the Budget without consuming the City's reserve
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Special Meeting - June 2, 2020 1
the Finance Department that have been frozen; and, with a $550,000 transfer to the Columbia
Memorial Space Center.
Director Gandhy provided a general overview of the CalPERS impact on the General Fund. He
stated the projected increase for the Miscellaneous Group will increase from 38.2% in FY 2019-20 to
42.5% in FY year 2025-26; and, for the Public Safety Group the increase is projected • 56% in FY
2019-20 to 67.1 % in FY 2025-26.
Director Gandhy provided an economic overview for the United States. He report the U.S.
continued to make economic history • extending its 126 • • continuous growth and 3.5%
unemployment rate being at a historical low prior to COVID-19. He reported the U.S. economy
dramatically changed in March 2020 as a result of the rapid onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. By April
2020 the unemployment rate increased to 14.7% being the highest rate and •- over -the -month
increase in recorded history dating back to January 1948. The housing market has declined, new
housing construction •- forecasted to drop • • than 21 % and the U.S. Budget is projected at
$54 billion •
Director Gandhy provided an economic overview of the revenue and expenditures for the City of
Downey; and, explained how the Budget for FY 2019-20 has significantly changed due to the COVID-
19 pandemic. He reported the local economy is seeing a dramatic decline. The housing market has
slowed down with sales dropping from 128 in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 88 in the first quarter of
2020. He reported unemployment has risen to 5.9% with leisure and hospitality largely affected.
Director Gandhy provided an overview of the challenges ahead as an unknown future
depending on the severity and duration of the recession and depending on how fast the COVID-19
health crisis is curtailed. Sales, Transient Occupancy Tax and property tax is declining due to closed
businesses and deferral of payments; ongoing increase in pension costs; growth in expenditures has
outpaced the growth in revenues; and, staff will continue to adjust the Budget to ensure it reflects the
services and programs the City can truly fund.
City Manager Livas stated the Department Heads would present highlights and important
accomplishments for their individual Departments.
Director Gandhy proceeded to present the Finance Department's Accomplishments for FY
2019-20. He summarized the Finance Department's accomplishments as performing at the highest
professional standard all aspects of fiscal administration for the City.
Information Technology Division Manager Lam presented the Information Technology Division's
Accomplishments for FY 2019-20: upgrades to the Fire Department's Mobile Data Computer System
and Microwave Network; relocate the Fire Dispatch Center due to Measure S Projects; establish
regular Cyber Security awareness trainings and user testing; implement a Mobile Device Management
System to track and manage City issued mobile devices; upgrade City Voice and IP phone system
which allows employees to telecommute during COVI D-1 9.
Mayor Pro Tern Frometa inquired about the Cyber Security training and how often will
employees be retested. Information Technology Division Manager Lam stated the results of the staff's
tests was about 13% which is below the industry's standard of 15%; and, retesting is scheduled to be
conducted quarterly.
City Attorney Abich Garcia provided a brief overview of the Accomplishments for the City
Attorney's Office for FY 2019-20: continue to provide a wide -range of legal services to promote the
objectives of the City Council through its City Departments; assist in the evaluation of pre -litigation
claims, involved in the City's Risk Pool and encourage use of Risk Pool resources; updated ordinances
and policies to meet current legal standards; continue to reduce the number of litigation matters and to
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Special Meeting - June 2, 2020 3
Executive Director Dickow presented the Downey Library Accomplishments for FY 2019-20:
continued Baby Story Time; planned for the reopening of the Library in the Fall 2020; developed a
fundraising plan for the Friends of the Library; secured a California State Library Association grant to
support outreach programming; presented at the California Library Association meeting; increased the
amount of online resources and programming; delivered remote Summer Reading and Educational
programs at various locations around the City; expanded the Downey One Card Program with Downey
Unified School District; and, celebrated the Library's 60th Anniversary.
Executive Director Dickow presented the Downey Library Goals for FY 2020-21: open the newly
renovated Library; review fines and fees in preparation for reopening; implement outreach
programming; and, work with the Library Advisory Board to review and adopt policies reflecting the
renovated Library and new programming.
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Special Meeting — June 2, 2020 5
Mayor Pacheco recessed the City Council meeting at 3:36 p.m. Mayor Pacheco reconvened the
City Council meeting at 3:46 p.m. with all Council Members present.
Chief Milligan presented the Police Department's Accomplishments for FY 2019-20: completed
both the men's and women's locker rooms and restrooms through Measure S funds; hired 16 new
employees, including six new Police Officers; hosted National Night Out with over 800 people in
attendance; received over $400,000 in grant funds to fund enforcement of traffic, tobacco and alcohol
violations; personnel received over 6,000 hours of training; Citizen's Academy Class of 2020 began on
February 5 th; the Mental Health Team continued to assist people who may be having a mental crisis;
Community Outreach continued with events such as Coffee with a Cop and Shop with a Cop;
Neighborhood Watch groups grew to a total of 222; the number of followers on social media grew to
over 20,500; and, school safety efforts continued with the deployment of a specially equipped golf cart
at Columbus High School.
Chief Milligan presented the Police Department's Goals for FY 2020-21: maintain recruitment
efforts to ensure maximum staffing levels; facilitate the Department's 21st Citizen's Academy; maintain
community outreach through social media and programs such as Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out
and Neighborhood Watch; promote school safety through collaborative efforts with the school district;
seek grant opportunities to fund essential programs such as traffic safety; continue to collaborate with
Coast to Coast Foundation and the Mental Health Team to assist the homeless population; ensure park
safety through public awareness and coordination of police services such as regular patrols, Park
Ranger Program and Neighborhood Preservation Team; develop and deploy a highly trained tactical
entry team to assist in high risk search and arrest warrant service; and, continue to grow the Tactical
Medical Team to provide emergency treatment to officers and the public in tactical emergency
situations. He thanked the City Council and City Manager Livas for their leadership.
Council Member Rodriguez commented regarding the civil unrest across the country and
thanked Chief Milligan for ensuring the safety of the community.
Mayor Pro Tern Frometa thanked Chief Milligan for his dedication to protecting the residents of
the City during these uncertain times and for bringing unity, calmness and peace in the community.
City Manager Livas stated the City is fortunate to have the best Police and Fire Departments.
Mayor Pacheco thanked Chief Milligan for his leadership. She thanked the Police Department
for their community outreach.
Chief Gillaspie thanked the City Council for their leadership. He provided the presentation for
the Fire Department's Accomplishments for FY 2019-20: responded to 10,269 emergency incidents;
transported 5,172 sick and injured patients to local emergency rooms; provided mutual aid assistance
to three major wild land fires; completed Capital Improvements to Fire Station Nos. 1 and 3; Capital
Improvements to Fire Communications Center; relocated 17 first responders to temporary Fire Station;
constructed Fire Fighter Memorial at City Hall; hired four new Firefighter/Paramedics, three new
Communications Operators and 28 new Ambulance Operators; conducted Captains and Engineers
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Special Meeting - June 2, 2020 7
Wells 27 and 28; Bellflower Blvd. Water System Improvements; Pellet St. and Ryerson Ave. Water
System Improvements; and, Td St. Pavement Rehabilitation and Water System Improvements.
City Manager Livas stated he is proud to present a balanced Budget to the City Council. He
stated staff will continue to monitor the Budget and make adjustments accordingly. He attributed the
balanced Budget to staff's hard work.
. Mayor Pacheco thanked all Department Heads and staff for their hard work and dedication
throughout the year.
Council meeting :23 Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Special City Cou 77;;z p.m.
JAtOALICUIX&D�UARTE, MC CbKOISIA M. FROWTAV
City Clerk Mayor
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Special Meeting — June 2, 2020 9