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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-04-21 - Agenda AGENDA CITY OF DOWNEY DOWNEY CEMETERY DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES 5:00 PM Tuesday, May 4, 2021 Downey City Hall – 1st Floor Council Chambers 11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey, CA 90241 I. CALL TO ORDER: 1. Regular Downey Cemetery District Meeting 2. Roll Call: Chair Mario Guerra, Vice Chair Brian Heyman, Trustee John Unkovich 3. Welcome to Members and Guests: SEE SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR May 4, 2021 DOWNEY CEMETRY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING II. PUBLIC COMMENT: (Non-Agenda - Five minute limit) This portion provides an opportunity for the public to address the Board on items within the jurisdiction of the Board and not listed on the agenda. It is requested, but not required, that you state your name, address and subject matter upon which you will speak. Please limit your comments to no more than 5 minutes. Pursuant to the Brown Act, no discussion or action, other than a referral to staff or schedule of subsequent agenda, shall be taken by the Board on any issue brought forth under this section. III. CONSET AGENDA: 1. Approve Board Minutes: Meeting of April 6, 2021 IV. PUBLIC COMMENT: (On-Agenda Items - Five minute limit) This portion provides an opportunity for the public to address the Board on items within the jurisdiction of the Board and not listed on the agenda. It is requested, but not required, that you state your name, address and subject matter upon which you will speak. Please limit your comments to no more than 5 minutes. Pursuant to the Brown Act, no discussion or action, other than a referral to staff or schedule of subsequent agenda, shall be taken by the Board on any issue brought forth under this section. V. BOARD BUSINESS: VI. DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION: 1. Vandalism: Upright Headstone 2. Memorial Day: Update VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: VIII. TRUSTEE REPORTS/DISCUSSION: IX. ADJOURNMENT: Supporting documents are available at: www.downeyca.org; City of Downey, Parks and Recreation Department, 7850 Quill, Downey, California during regular workday hours between 8:30 a.m and 5:30 p.m, Monday – Friday. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, complete the City’s Title II ADA Reasonable Accommodation Form located on the City’s website and at City Hall - City Clerk’s Department, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and submit to the City Clerk’s Department or contact the City Clerk’s Department at (562) 904-7280 or the California Relay Service at 7-1-1. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make arrangements to assure accessibility. The City of Downey does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services or activities. The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices. Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act may be forwarded to the City’s ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA 90241, ADACoordinator@downeyca.org; Phone: (562) 299-6619; FAX: (562) 923-6388; California Relay at 7-1-1. I, Karen Zavala, Office Assistant II, City of Downey, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing notice was posted pursuant to Government Code Section 54950 Et. Seq., at the following locations: Downey City Hall, Downey City Library, and Barbara J. Riley Senior Center. Dated this 29th day of April, 2021 Karen Zavala Karen Zavala Office Assistant II     1 SPECIAL NOTICE Public Participation and Accessibility for the May 4, 2021, Downey Cemetery District Board of Trustees Meeting Pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Executive Order N-29-20, executed by the Governor of California on March 17, 2020, and the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Officer Order Revised December 29, 2020 as a response to mitigating the spread of Coronavirus known as COVID-19 and providing direction for moving the County through the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy – Tier 1, the Regular Downey Cemetery District Board of Trustees Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. will allow members of the public to participate and address the Commission during the public comment portion of the meetings via teleconference or by email. Below are the ways to participate in the Cemetery District Board of Trustees Meeting at 5:00 p.m. 1. Join the meeting (Audio Only): URL to join the Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/97312419422?pwd=dmtmaXRRQ3l3ZWRuZTluU2U1ajJJZz09 Meeting ID: 931 3303 1712 Passcode: 617648 Call Toll-Free (audio only): (877) 853-5247 or (888) 788-0099 Members of the public wishing to address the Cemetery District Board of Trustees during public comment or for a specific agenda item, or both, may do so by the following methods. 3. E-mail: parksandrec@downeyca.org In order to effectively accommodate public participation, participants are asked to provide their public comments via e-mail by 2:00 p.m. on May 4, 2021. Participants addressing the Cemetery District Board of Trustees by email are encouraged to provide the following information: a) Full Name; b) City of Residence; c) Subject or Agenda Item No.; d) Written Comments. 4. Teleconference phone number: (562) 299-6622 Calls will be placed on hold in queue and participants will provide their public comments via speaker phone. Persons speaking are limited to a maximum of five (5) minutes. Participants addressing the Board of Trustees by teleconference are encouraged to provide the following information: a) Full Name; b) City of Residence; c) Public Comment or Agenda Item No; d) Subject. For any questions contact the Parks and Recreation Administration office at (562) 904-7238. MEETING MINUTES OF THE DOWNEY CEMETERY DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES April 6, 2021 The Downey Cemetery District Board of Trustees held a Meeting on April 6, 2021 at 5:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Vice Chair, Brian Heyman, presiding. Present: Mario A. Guerra, Chair Brian Heyman, Vice Chair Absent: John Unkovich, Trustee Also Present: Jason Chacon, District Director Karen Zavala, Office Assistant II Welcome to Members and Guests: Chair Guerra welcomed all members and guests. Chair Guerra asked for a few seconds of silence in honor of former Mayor Perkins who sadly passed away that morning. Chair Guerra stated that former Mayor Perkins loved our Downey Cemetery; he was a very nice man and a gentlemen. Non-Agenda Public Comment: Public Comment Statement Email Public Comment: Lee Squire submitted via email the request of Memorial Day activities in light of COVID-19. Lee Squire proceeded to explain that it is a day we honor those who died in service for our Country. 23 men of Downey were killed in action during Vietnam that also represents 46 Golf Star Parents. He also stated that given attacks upon Jews (Anti-Semitist) he is asking the Rabbi at Downey Jewish Temple to participate. He states further that most of those of Vietnam Vets are children of WWII parents and relatives. Carol addressed to the board and voiced her concerns regarding the cemetery’s daylight savings schedule. She would like staff to let visitors know when the gates are going to be locked so no one is left inside. She mentioned that she would like daylight savings to be extended for the gates and stated that she is aware that staffing is an issue at the moment. Regardless she addressed Director Chacon that maybe he would be able to get someone to close the gates a little later. Carol mentioned that there is an issue with leaning headstones. Carol commented that she found out that Public Works now has a mason because he repaired the top stones from the front wall. She suggested that perhaps Public Works can work on some of the grout that is coming out of the wall were the stones are getting so loose that you are able to see daylight through. Carol also brought to the attention the flag light and the historic land mark number nine. Consent Agenda 1. Approve Board Minutes of January 5, 2021. Vice Chair Heyman moved to approve January 5th minutes, Chair Guerra seconded; roll call was taken, all were in favor and motion passed 2-0. - Chair, Mario Guerra: Yes - Vice Chair, Brian Heyman: Yes Board Business: 1. Review proposal from cemetery landscape maintenance vender. Chair Guerra stated the Downey Cemetery works under the landscape contract from the City. He voiced, we have an opportunity to tell the City what we want and the things that we want done there but we don’t get to dictate or mandate what kind of contractor to hire. Vice Chair Heyman stated that he added the landscape discussion in the agenda because more than one member of the community has approached him about the general condition of the landscape and the cemetery. He voiced that the chief complaint seemed to be the edging surrounding the headstones. He mentioned, that if an opportunity is given to review the contract landscape services that are being provided to the cemetery and maybe consider a specification for an RFP. Vice Chair Heyman didn’t propose to make any changes at that point but stated that perhaps rely upon a landscape contract firm that specializes in maintaining cemeteries. Director Chacon followed by stating that currently the City has a contract with a vendor who is also responsible for all of the parks in the City. At the time that was done, the cemetery was added to the list of locations. The cemetery has not been happy with their performance over the years, as has been noted to Public Works landscape supervisor as well as the Director and Superintendent. He followed by stating, that they are going to RFP for a new contract all together because it’s that time of year. Public Works has asked the group to come out and give an idea of what a cemetery specific bid would look like so they can include those specs on an overall RFP for the next upcoming fiscal year. Director Chacon addressed the Board that as a reminder they currently pay $1,200 a month to the contract, roughly right now a cemetery only contractor is an upward $50,000 a year which would be $4,000 a month. On-Agenda Public Comment: Public Comment Statement Carol commented that she is happy that the board is investigating when it comes to the landscaping. She stated that she does observe the landscaping crew and has seen staff nick the headstones. Carol stated that Pam Passow made the landscaping contact available to her and the edging was not mentioned on the contract which shocked her. Carol did state that the landscaping crew has been working hard on the gophers. Carol commented that in the 15 years she has been involved with the cemetery things around the cemetery have gotten better, there is less vandalism. 2. Discuss Memorial Day Activities. Chair Guerra stated that the way things stand now obviously something small can be done with Council and the District. He stated that at the moment he believes 15 guests are within regulations but come around Memorial Day that then the State will open up the next tier. Chair Guerra suggested possibly having a Veteran or active military as a key note speaker. Chair Guerra wants to make sure Council is involved and part of the event. Vice Chair Heyman stated that this year we definitely need to do something for Memorial Day. He voiced that he had as few suggestions; a floral wreath on a stand like done in the past and maybe additional flowers arrangements for the main driveway coming up towards the Veterans wall. Bunting installed on the gates which was done last year and looked very festive, anything that can be done in the form of decorations to let the community know that it is still something to be observed and respected. He expressed that we can also take the opportunity to partner with the newly formed Veterans Council, Mayor Pro Tem Blanca Pacheco and Council Member Mario Trujillo. He mentioned that it is important for the board to make a commitment on doing something for Memorial Day and provide an outline to the Director for approval for the next meeting. Lastly Vice Chair Heyman added on lowering the flag to half-staff and having a ceremony involving the Cemetery Board Members, City Council Members and American Legion Members to raise the flag up again to full- staff. Director Chacon thanked the board for their suggestions and stated that the floral wreath the flowers and the bunting are a given annually. Director Chacon voiced to the board that with the anticipation on the number of guest going up in the future, the hard part will be having enough time to plan for it. He mentioned that partnering with the Veteran Council will be great. The Council might be able to help with some resources for both with the Rifle Company as well as trumpet or bagpipes. On the next meeting Director Chacon suggested coming up with several options as to space wise for the event. Chair Guerra commented on the Vietnam Veteran Wreath that it was beautiful and suggested for it to be done every year. Vice Chair Heyman stated that as a Vietnam Veteran himself, he thanked Director Chacon’s staff for working with A Unique Florist for coming up with the Vietnam Veteran Wreath. Directors Communication: 1. Wreaths Across America: Update Chair Guerra asked if any updates on Wreaths Across America. Director Chacon confirmed updates and stated that his office assistant reached out to Wreaths Across America to find out how it works and how our cemetery can be a part of it. Wreaths Across America is an organization that basically is a fundraising arm for cemeteries across America. This organization puts up the ability for people to donate for wreaths for veterans during Christmas time. It is free for our cemetery to participate. Once becoming part of Wreaths Across America our cemetery will have a custom URL that will be shared with our Downey Citizens but anyone who wishes to donate to our cemetery can. 2. Activity Report: Financial Attached Administrative Reports: Trustee Reports/Discussion: Chair Guerra mentioned working on the cemetery short and long term goals in regards on marketing for the cemetery and signage for better direction. . Adjournment: There being no further business before the Downey Cemetery District until May 4th , the meeting was adjourned at 5:54 p.m. __________________________________________ Mario A. Guerra, Chair