HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-01-2021 - Agenda AGENDA
CITY OF DOWNEY
DOWNEY CEMETERY DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
5:00 PM Tuesday, June 1, 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,
3. Welcome to Members and Guests:
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 May 4, 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. Memorial Day Follow up
2. Niche wall lighting 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 28th day of May, 2021 Karen Zavala
Karen Zavala
Office Assistant II
MEETING MINUTES OF THE
DOWNEY CEMETERY DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
May 4, 2021
The Downey Cemetery District Board of Trustees held a Meeting on May 4, 2021 at 5:00 p.m., in the
City Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Chair,
Guerra, presided.
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.
Non-Agenda Public Comment:
Public Comment Statement
Carol voiced her concerns from past statements regarding the Bougainvillea has still not been fixed;
debris from the Gardendale gate to the Southeast side of the cemetery. Carol mentioned the Southeast
area is still having problems with dead chickens and other stuff that is left in bags. She complimented the
yard that it looks pretty good. She stated that she never got an answer as why the Wisteria was cut down.
She asked when the Niche area was going to be worked on because it currently has cracks and the paint is
peeling and bubbling.
Vice Chair Guerra thanked Carol for caring so much about the cemetery.
Consent Agenda
1. Approve Board Minutes of January 5, 2021.
Vice Chair Heyman motioned to approve April 6th 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:
Directors Communication:
1. Headstone: Vandalism
Director Chacon advised the board of 2 headstones that were vandalized. A headstone was put back
upright and luckily was not damaged but unfortunately one headstone was broken. This headstone was
taken to Public Works were they were able to piece it together. The cemetery doesn’t have record of
family to contact but we were able to get a name and date on the headstone. Director Chacon thanked
Carol for sending in information in regards to an organization that is interested in making a donation to
replace the headstone. The Office Assistant is helping by contacting several mortuaries on headstone
pricing. Director Chacon stated that the Chief of police was contacted as well as patrol and was informed
of the vandalism issue. They were asked to increase their cemetery patrol. Director Chacon did a follow
up with the Chief, Captain Murray as well as Lieutenant Loughtner and they were all aware of the
requested additional patrol. Chair Guerra stated that it is sad that someone did this to a headstone; he
mentioned that someone had to take a physical object to be able to break it apart. Chair Guerra asked
Director Chacon if he knew how much a headstone like that would cost and Director Chacon answered as
of right now he did not. Director Chacon mentioned that the headstone is from the 1800s and it’s a style
that isn’t typically used now days. Director Chacon made a statement regarding cemetery policy, that
unfortunately any damage done to a headstone is the responsibility of the family to fix; unless the City
had any type of reasonability for the damages.
2. Memorial Day: Update
Director Chacon mentioned that currently even under the yellow tier the event will be restricted to the
informal social gathering which is up to 50 people. The cemetery has been mapped out for seating
locations. Socially distanced seating will be applied to 6 feet distance in pods of 2,4 and 6 mostly 2s and
4s; enough for 50 people to be able to sit and have 6 feet of distance both next to them as well as behind
them. Director Chacon asked the board to RSVP any guests that will be attending the Memorial Day
event to know how many guests to expect. Director Chacon mentioned that typically we have a posting of
the colors and an invocation, currently those are both pending. Director Chacon has spoken to the
American Legion post 270 in regards to their involvement in the event. Chair Guerra mentioned that if for
any reason they can’t attend the event he can get the Army Battalion or the Long Beach Company to
attend the event in uniform. Director Chacon mentioned that Vice Chair Heyman emailed him in regards
to another group and their availability for the event, that group has been contacted as well. Flag salute is
normally done by one of the board members of the cemetery as well as the welcome. PD will be having
two veteran speakers at the event, which has been confirmed. The American Legion Post usually helps
out with the actual program; the American Legion Post will place a wreath that the cemetery provides by
the monument. A bagpipe player has been secured, 3 trumpeters have been secured as well. The event at
the moment will take roughly about 35 minutes in total. Chair Guerra suggested inviting veteran groups in
the city or organizations, Commissioners from the Council Districts and Nick’s group from Bastards.
Vice Chair Heyman added that the newly formed Veterans Council to be invited as well as City Council
would be a great opportunity. Chair Guerra suggested inviting Living Tree and former Mayor Rick
Rodriguez. Vice Chair Heyman suggested inviting Fire Chef and Police Chief as well as their command
staff. Vice Chair Heyman recommended putting a list together of Veteran City employees. Chair Guerra
agreed and commented that in the future that list can be included to recognize our veterans in future
events. Vice Chair Heyman commented on Memorial Day decorations, that he would like more elaborate
use of bunting for the Veteran Wall. He suggested using a vendor for the Veteran Wall décor, Director
Chacon mentioned that staff is looking into it but the use of a vendor like, but it isn’t cheap and would be
a couple thousand dollars. Chair Guerra commented that considering only 50 guests will be permitted to
attend the Memorial Day event the cemetery shouldn’t spend money that isn’t available; regardless it
needs to be done honorably and respectfully.
Chair Guerra mentioned of an event in Apollo Park that happened a couple Sundays back. He stated that
the event had hundreds and hundreds of people that were so loud he was able to hear it from his house.
Chair Guerra questioned Director Chacon if that is permitted. He stated that how is that allowed and we
can’t be allowed to honor our Veterans. Director Chacon addressed Chair Guerra that event was an
unpermitted misuse of Apollo Park and PD was contacted several times.
Administrative Reports:
Trustee Reports/Discussion:
Vice Chair Heyman asked for a status report in regards to the lighting of the flag pole and Memorial Wall.
He recommended solar lighting and as an example mentioned the Orange Estates; he stated the monument
that announces the Orange Estates uses a solar photovoltaic battery power system that is not wired. Vice
Chair Heyman suggested that perhaps this can be used for the flag pole.
Chair Guerra thanked Director Chacon for communicating with the board in regards to the cemetery. He
then directed himself to the guests and stated; our cemetery is a gem its historic there is so many beautiful
things about it and we need to continue to do everything we can, number one to enhance it but also
preserve it as well as make sure that the people that are buried there receive the dignity and the honor they
deserve.
Adjournment:
There being no further business before the Downey Cemetery District until June 1st, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
__________________________________________
Mario A. Guerra, Chair