HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-23-21 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 23, 2021
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on February 23,
2021, at 6:41 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue,
Downey, California, Mayor Frometa presiding.
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Claudia M. Frometa Mayor
Blanca Pacheco Mayor Pro Tem
Catherine Alvarez Council Member (teleconference)
Sean Ashton Council Member (teleconference)
Mario Trujillo 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
Dan Hurlock, Fire Chief
Aldo E. Schindler, Community Development Director
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
Alicia Duarte, CC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Sam Jebananthan. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cill
Manager Livas.
I ii I I III I I I I I I I I III �I! I I I I I III II I I' I I I I! I I I I I I I 151IT I I
2. Mayor Frometa presented the Mayor's Champion Award to Darrell Jackson, President of the 10-20
Club.
3. Presentation to the City Council regarding an update on S13 1383 — Organic Recycling by Kristine
Guerrero, League of California Cities; and, Keep Downey Beautiful & Recycling Coordinator Carol
Rowland.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMI
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — February 23, 2021
1. RECEIVED PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-22:
Community Development.
Mayor Frometa opened the Public Hearing at 7:52 p.m.
City Clerk Duarte affirmed receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Mayor Pro Te
Pacheco, seconded by Council Member Trujillo and carried 5-0, to receive and file. City Clerk Dua
reported no correspondence was received. I
Economic Development and Housing Manager Jessica Flores presented the staff report for this
item. She provided a brief overview of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's
(HUD) mandates to receive federal grant funding and the various activities the grants are allowed
utilized for. She reviewed the funding received in FY 2020-21 and the programs that received
allocations from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership
Program (HOME) Budgets. She stated $200,000 was reallocated for the City's COVID-19 Emergency
Residential Rental Assistance Program to assist qualified residents with rent payments. She provided
an overview for the conservative projected funding the City expects to receive in FY 2021-22. She
stated the goal for the outreach is to receive as much community input and she provided the scheduled
dates for upcoming virtual CDBG and HOME Community Meetings, marketing strategy and the next
scheduled Public Hearing date.
Mayor Frometa asked if the funds allocated for the City's rental assistance program from the
HOME is separate from funding from the CARES Act allocations. Ms. Flores confirmed the allocations
are in addition not inclusive to the CARES Act funds.
Council Member Ashton inquired how the staff forecasted the total HOME Budget as $933,635
when the City only received $457,703 for FY 2020-21. Ms. Flores stated the $500,000 was a balanced
from the previous fiscal year's budget that was allowed to be carried over.
Council Member Ashton stated that $590,000 being allocated toward housing rehabilitation is
not being used properly and should be reallocated towards rental assistance to assist residents
financially impacted during the pandemic. Ms. Flores said staff will work with the City Manager's Office
and the City Council regarding reallocating funding.
City Manager Livas confirmed the HOME and CDBG funding allocations are transferable. He
stated staff has noted there are potential changes; and, tonight staff is merely introducing the item to
request Council's approval to begin the Public Hearing process to receive the public comment and
engagement. City Manager Livas stated staff will work with the City Council to achieve as many Council
Member goals during the process.
Council Member Ashton stated the ultimate goal is to ensure residents' needs are met. He
thanked staff for the excellent presentation and appreciates the adaptation to ensure the community's
i ri vo Ive -namt.
Mayor Frometa inquired if the three percent cut in funding projections are consistent with past
years. Director Schindler stated the conservative forecast for the CDBG funding source is based on
funding allocations over the previous ten to twelve years.
Council Member Trujillo asked how the A#D payments are being used. IfIs. Flores stated t
'C'ity makes three separate principal payments with interest for bringing the Fiat and Nissan Dealershi
into the City and creating 31 new jobs and the final payment is used to leverage County funds in t
construction at the Rancho South Campus.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — February 23, 2021 3
Zach, non-resident, commented regarding funding for historic preservation research for future
redevelopment projects.
Pamela Zul, resident, thanked the City Council for providing virtual access to allow the public to
participate in the meetings. She commented regarding the Healthy Downey Virtual 5K for TLC event.
Juan Dominguez, resident, commented regarding allocating funds for school programs,
homeowners, rental assistance and seniors during COVI D-1 9
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented regarding the disbursement of HOME funds,
housing shortage, and discrimination solutions.
Carlos Aranibar, resident, commented in support of Council Member Ashton's recommendation
to appropriate additional funding to the renter's assistance program.
Wayne Spindler, non-resident, commented regarding socialism and organic recycling.
Edna lbarra, resident, commented regarding appropriating additional funding to the renter's
assistance program to assist the community impacted by COVI D-1 9 and political figures.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding the importance of community
engagement for the disbursement of CDBG and HOME funds to programs for the development of
affordable housing and advocating for additional funding from the federal government.
Having no one else, Mayor Frometa closed the Public Hearing at 8:32 p.m.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - February 23.2O21 4
City Manager Livas stated for the amount of money, a million dollars, the City receives from the
CDBG the City disburses the funding to provide numerous services for the community. He explained
the Downey Unified School District and the City are two separate entities and the District receives
separate funding for their programs; however, the City has allocated funding for two programs that
directly benefit Downey Unified School District students that are most vulnerable and at -risk. He stated
during the pandernic the City has been able to provide programs that benefit the community by
providing senior meals, free Wi-Fi, food distributions, and $950,000 in rental assistance programs. He
stated the City is currently working with the County of Los Angeles for 75 units of homeless Veteran
housing. The City is also working on a robust program for a transportation corridor to address a corridor
of the most disenfranchised transportation throughout the County. He stated tonight staff provided a
draft of program allocations, based on past practices, to launch the Public Hearing process and should
the Council choose to reallocate funding into rental assistance programs staff will do so. He mentioned
rental assistance program funding has not been exhausted due to insufficient qualified program
participants. He stated staff has considered providing a second month's rent to those individuals that
have applied for the first month's rent.
Mayor Frometa thanked City Manager Livas for his comments and stated the City does have
many programs earmarked to benefit the most vulnerable such as the senior program that she
attended. She stated she would consider redistributing funding amongst the programs provided the City
continues the balance the quality of life as desired by the entire community while protecting the needs
of the most vulnerable.
City Manager Livas commented on the importance of providing STEM related programs at the
Columbia Memorial Space Center. He stated Latino students are one of the most underrepresented in
STEM related fields and the City has made a concerted effort to increase the number of scientists,
doctors and others that need to get into the STEM field. The Columbia Memorial Space Center offers
online robotic programs that are crucial to the youth especially during COVID-19. He stated there are
an enormous amount of programs being offered online throughout the City including the City Library to
benefit the community given the limited resources. He thanked staff for their continued efforts to benefit
the community.
Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco stated the Camp Community is a family guidance center that ot1eFs
assistance to children with mental and emotional health issues. She asked staff if the organization was
invited to participate and apply. Director Schindler confirmed the Camp Community was invited to the
scheduled Community Meetings, Public Hearing and to apply for appropriations.
City Attorney Abich Garcia stated this is a non -action item,
Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if any written public comments were received regardirEo
Non -Agenda items. Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on the teleconferen
line who would like to comment on Non -Agenda items. i
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented regarding political figures, freedom of speech, anI
financial assistance for low-income families.
Juan Rodriguez, resident, commented regarding political figures, programs for rental assistance
and low-income families, illegal dumping and dissemination of information to the community regarding
City funded programs provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — February 23, 2021 5
Edna lbarra, resident, commented regarding political figures, the City's procedures during t
public comment period and inviting the American Civil Liberties Union to participate in City Coun
meetings.
Jessica Sandoval, resident, commented regarding public participation during City Coun
Meetings via YouTube, corruption of political figures and financial assistance for the community duri
the pandemic.
Wayne Spindler, non-resident, commented regarding freedom of speech, the public comment
period process, and political figures.
Carlos Aranibar, resident, commented regarding the Downey Patriot, conflict of interest of
political figures and in support of rent control.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding deaths due to COVID-19; the
mental health crisis; and, rent and mortgage cancellation during the pandemic.
Alexandra, resident, thanked Council Member Alvarez for her dedication and work in Downey.
She commented regarding the importance of a City provided certified translator during meetings and
political figures.
Alfredo Banuelos, resident, commented regarding disappointment with the discussion of rent
control, freedom of speech and political figures.
Having no one else, Mayor Frometa closed Non -Agenda public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if there were any written comments received regardirzo
Consent Calendar items. Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on t
teleconference line who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items.
Having none, Mayor Frometa closed public comment.
Council Member Alvarez abstained from Item No. 2, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of
October 13, 2020, due to not a Council Member at that time.
Council Member Trujillo abstained from Item No. 2, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of
October 13, 2020, due to not a Council Member at that time.
It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco and carried 5-
0 to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with Council Members Alvarez and Trujillo
abstaining from Item No. 2, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of October 13, 2020.
2. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of February 9, 2021; Regular Meetings of October 13,
2020 and January 26, 2021: City Clerk.
3. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 349485 — 349781; EFT Nos. 10431 — 10461; Payroll Wire
Nos. 30004072, 30004078 & 30004083 — 30004085; Manual Wire Nos. 2102 — 2104, the total
amount of $3,586,056.63: Finance.
4. APPROVED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN DOWNEY
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF DOWNEY FOR THE AFTER SCHOOL
PROGRAM FOR INFORMATION RECREATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM "ASPIRE"
FOR THE TERM OF JULY 1, 2020 - JUNE 30, 2021: Parks & Recreation.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — February 23, 2021 6
f. APPOINTMENT TO THE PERSONNEL ADVISORY BOARD, DISTRICT 5: Council MemN"
Trujillo. I
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6. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 21-8001, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE RECORDS OF THE
FINANCE DEPARTMWT: Fitance.
8. RECEIVED AND FILED THE 2020 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORJ
Community Development.
Mayor Frometa adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 9:18 p.m. in memory of FBI
Agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger killed in the line of duty; Deputy Pedro Romo and
Sargent Armando Meneses, 25 year Veterans of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who
died of Covid-19 related complications; Dr. Mary Stauffer, long time Downey resident, medical pioneer,
and Philanthropist; and, all the lives lost due to COVID-19.
5
UDIA M. FROMM
Mayor
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — February 23, 2021
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