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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMins-PWC-8-19-21MINUTES CITY OF DOWNEY - PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Regular Meeting August 19, 2021 MEMBERS PRESENT CITY STAFF PRESENT Timothy J. Horn, Dist. 1 Delfino R. Consunji, Director of PW/City Engineer Anthony Jones, Dist. 2 Edwin J. Norris, Deputy Director of PW Beth Gendreau, Dist. 2 Cpl. R. Diaz, PD Kevin Ezeh, Dist. 3 Gigi Rodriguez, Engineering Div. Secretary, PW Adam Christin, Dist. 4 Dan Fox, Dist. 4 OTHERS PRESENT Dorothy Pemberton, Dist. 5 Vultee Avenue Residents MEMBERS ABSENT Haro Avenue Residents Denny Chavez, Dist. 1 – absent Carlos Aranibar, Dist. 3 - excused Efferem Sanchez, Dist. 5 - absent I. CALL TO ORDER Public Works Committee Chair Gendreau called the meeting to order at 4:04 P.M. II. FLAG SALUTE – Chair Gendreau III. CONSENT CALENDAR Committee Member Pemberton made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 15, 2021 meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Christin. The Minutes were approved as written. IV. OLD BUSINESS - None V. NEW BUSINESS 1. Residential Preferential Parking District on the east and west sides of Vultee Avenue between Buckles Street and Stewart & Gray Road. Mr. Norris reported that the City received a request to establish a preferential parking district and a parking prohibition between the hours of 2-6 AM daily on the east and west sides of the 11700 and 11800 blocks of Vultee Ave. between Buckles St. and Stewart & Gray Rd. to seek on-street parking relief due to parking overflow from nearby multi-family residential uses which is creating various inconveniences and nuisances for the residents. Parking occupancy studies were subsequently conducted with the assistance of the Police Dept. on March 9th and March 10th, 2021 during the requested 2- 6 AM timeframe for the proposed parking prohibition which showed that 76% and 85%, respectively, of the 41 on-street parking spaces on the subject block of Vultee Ave. and 65% and 63%, respectively, of said parking spaces were occupied by non-residents at the time of the surveys. A petition was circulated among the properties on the subject block of Vultee Ave. which showed that 17 of the 20 properties, or 85%, are in favor of the proposal. Based on the results of the parking occupancy surveys and the petition received, MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE August 19, 2021 Page 2 staff recommends the adoption of a resolution establishing the preferential parking district and parking prohibition between the hours of 2-6 AM on both sides of the subject blocks of Vultee Ave. Provided that the City Council approves the establishment of the preferential parking district and at least a 50% of the residents apply for parking permits within 60 days of the adoption of the resolution, signs prohibiting on-street parking between 2-6 AM every day, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays with an exception for permitted vehicles will be posted on the subject block of Vultee Ave. Permits may then be purchased by the residents residing within the proposed district for $50 annually. If the number of residents who obtain permits falls below 50%, the City Council may repeal the preferential parking district through a public hearing noticed at least 10 days in advance. In addition, a preferential parking district may be terminated by a resolution of the City Council during a noticed public hearing upon receipt and verification of a petition signed by a majority of the property owners within an established district. Such determination shall be based upon a finding that the conditions set forth in the establishing resolution have diminished to such extent that the continuation of the district is unnecessary. Discussion followed. Committee Member Pemberton made a motion that the Public Works Committee recommend adoption by the City Council, after holding a public hearing of a resolution of the City Council of the City of Downey establishing a residential preferential parking district on the east and west sides of Vultee Ave. between Buckles St. and Stewart & Gray Rd. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Ezeh. The vote was 6-1 in favor with Committee Member Fox abstaining. 2. Request to Prohibit Parking within the Alley located West of Haro Avenue, North of Neo Street Mr. Norris reported that the City received a request to install “No Parking in Alley” signs at the entrance to the alley located west of Haro Ave. and north of Neo St. The request cited that parked vehicles within the alley hinder access for residents from parking in their adjoining garages. Residents also observed motorists engaging in social gatherings within the alley. Upon further investigation of this matter, it was determined that Downey Municipal Code (DMC) Section 3195 (a) (b), which prohibits parking within alleys, provided signs are posted at the alley entrances giving notice thereof, will give the Police Department the authority to issue citations to vehicles parked within the alley. In order to effectuate the proposed parking prohibition, “No Parking in Alley” signage will be posted at the alley entrance in order to authorize the Police Department to properly enforce the proposed parking prohibition within the alley. Discussion followed. Staff recommends approval of this proposal and, with the concurrence of the committee, staff will proceed with the issuance of a work order to the Public Works Maintenance Division to install the signs at the alley entrance. All residents located within an approximate 300-ft radius of the subject alley were notified of this proposal and invited to attend today’s meeting to voice their opinion. Vice Chair Christin made a motion that the Public Works Committee receive and file a request to prohibit parking within the subject alley. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Fox. The vote was unanimously in favor thereof. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE August 19, 2021 Page 3 VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON REGULAR MEETING AGENDA AND NON AGENDA ITEMS 1. Written comment in support of the proposed preferential parking district at 11700 – 11800 Vultee Ave., Buckles St. to Stewart & Gray Rd. 2. Comments regarding Vietnam War Memorial, to consider adding a name plate on the pedestal of the sundial saying, “Vietnam War Memorial” and adding a 24th name on the sundial. 3. Comments/discussion – Public Works Committee purpose and responsibility – the objective of the committee per the Public Works Committee By-Laws shall be to advise the Mayor and City Council in matters relating to public works, capital improvement programs, public utilities, traffic and transportation, and solid waste and hazardous waste disposal as directed by the City Council, and shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the City Council. 4. Inquiry/update regarding the installation of speed humps on Prichard Street. VII. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS 1. Comments and gratitude to the Public Works and Police Departments for a quick response regarding parked motorhomes on Myrtle St. 2. Comments were made regarding catch basins that need maintenance - staff will investigate and increase maintenance as necessary. 3. Possibility of assigning a crossing guard on Stewart & Gray Rd. and Patton Rd. – staff will refer to the Police Dept. 4. Possibility of installing a left-turn signal on Columbia Wy. at Foster Rd.- staff will investigate. 5. By-laws Review Committee: Chair Gendreau appointed Committee Member Horn in place of Lee Squire who is no longer a member of the committee. VIII. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Updates were given on the following projects: 1. Construction on Telegraph Rd. – 2nd phase median islands have been poured and street base pavement has been completed between Paramount Blvd. to Lakewood Blvd/Rosemead Blvd. Construction of concrete improvements on the portion of the project between Passons Blvd. and the east city limit is under way. Also, the upgrading of the traffic signals at the Birchbark Ave. and True Ave. intersections is ongoing. 2. Water Improvements on Florence Ave. from Tweedy Ln. to Brookshire Ave. are complete and the pavement rehabilitation project along the same limits of Florence Ave. will begin soon. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE August 19, 2021 Page 4 3. A new water improvement project started this week on Third St. between Paramount Blvd. and Rives Ave. which is the second phase of the water improvements on Third St. Once the water improvements are complete, a pavement rehabilitation project on the same limits of Third St. will follow shortly. The final phase will be from Paramount Blvd. to Civic Center Dr. 4. Residential Street Project – design should be complete by October 2021 5. Rehabilitation of Alleys - design phase will begin shortly. 6. Solar panel system project at the following facilities: City Hall, Police Dept., Library, Theater, BJR, Columbia Memorial Space Center. IX. NEXT MEETING: September 16, 2021 The Public Works Committee meeting was adjourned at 5:46 P.M.