HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-24-21 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
The City Council ofthe City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on August 24.
2021. at 6:30 p.rn., in the Council Chambers of the Downey City HeU, 11111 Brookshire Avenue,
Downey, California, with Mayor Frometa presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members'.
ClaudiaK8. Frometa
Blanca Pacheco
Catherine Alvarez
Sean Ashton
Mario Trujillo
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tern
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
(left at 10:24 p.m.)
ALSO PRESENT: John Oshoui.Assistant City Manager
Yvette K8.AbiohGarcia, City Attorney
Aldo E. Schind|er, Deputy City Manager/Community Development
Leslie Murray, Police Captain
Dan Hur|ook. Fire Chief
[}e|fino Conau ji. Public Works Director
JeeonCheoon. Interim Parks and Recreation Director
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
VanimhOeRojas, Aeeistan1totheCitvK8anaAer
Alicia Duarte, CW1C.City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Mario K8aoafia, LEV Church. The Pledge ofAllegiance
was led by Downey Police Explorers.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Council Member Alvarez welcomed the audience to the City Council meeting.
Mayor Pro Tenn Pacheco thanked the audience for being engaged and attending the City
Council Meeting. She acknowledged Michael Calvert, Jeannie Wood, and Dorothy Pemberton in
attendance. She reported attending an event hosted by Assembly K8ennberCriedne Garcia recognizing
Food Help as Nonprofit of the Year. and Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for Fire Stations 2 and 4. She
thanked residents for approving the Measure 8 half cent sales tax which o||ovva the improvements to
various City facilities in the City. She invited the public to attend a vaccination clinic at Downey High
School as well an additional vaccination clinic at the Nonmo|h Arts and Sports Comnp|ex, e job fair
hooted by 8ELACO, and the September 11 Remembrance Ceremony. She encouraged the oonnnlunib/
to contact Assembly K8mmbarCrietina Garcia regarding 8enoba Bill S.
Council Member Ashton welcomed the audience to the meeting. He thanked volunteers who
participated in the Keep Downey Beautiful Clean evert. He shared that environmental documents for
the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor project are available to view onthe Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authoritvvvebeite and encouraged those with questions or concerns to
submit public comment.
Council Member Trujillo vve|oonned all the students in attendance. He encouraged the public to
vote in the upcoming election. He requested staff clarify the Homeless Count figures in Downey. He
City Council Minutes
Mayor Frometa welcomed students from Calvary Chapel Christian School in the audience. She
commented regarding the City's 65 th Anniversary, nonpartisanship, and leadership. She acknowledged
Dorothy Pemberton, Jeannie Woods, Michael Calvert, her husband, and her two daughters in the
audience. She commented regarding the Concerts in the Park series and the two vaccinations clinics
hosted in the City. She reminded the audience regarding the Mayor's Corner which provides City
updates in the local newspapers. She commented regarding Downey vaccination rate data published
by the L.A. County Department of Public Health. She thanked Columbia Memorial Space Center
Executive Director Ben Dickow for a successful Rocket Fever event. She commented regarding the
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for Fire Stations 2 and 4, and thanked Downey residents for passing
Measure S. She requested the Police Department monitor RV parking on Woodruff Ave., between
Stewart & Gray Rd., and Imperial Hwy. and asked that they continue to conduct speed enforcement
2ctivities. She directed Code Enforcement staff to address illegal dumping, unkempt properties, and
cars parked on lawns.
:j N *1
Mayor Frometa, with assistance from Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco, presented the Mayor's Legacy
Award to Johana Hernandez of GLAUDI Bridal.
2. Mayor Frometa, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol, presented Certificates of
Recognition to California Highway Patrol 10851 Award recipients.
3. Update regarding COVID-19 by City of Downey Emergency Manager Rakdy Khlok,
4. Presentation regarding the impact of directives by L.A. County District Attorney on City of Downey.
Mayor Frometa opened public comment for Item No. 4 under Presentations. Mayor Frometa
asked City Clerk Duarte if there were any written comments received regarding the item. City Clerk
Duarte confirmed one written comment was received.
Ana Brown, resident, commented regarding the policies of Los Angeles District Attorney Gascon
?nd requested a vote of no confidence.
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented regarding racial discrimination and the case
Brandenburg v. Ohio. I
Lee Squire, resident, commented in support of law enforcement and a vote of no confidence for
Los Angeles County District Attorney Gascon.
BC, resident, commented regarding the efforts to recall Los Angeles County District Attorney
Gascon and California Governor Newson, District Attorney Gascon's policies, crime rates, and
sovereign individual rights.
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Regular Meeting - August 24, 2021 2
John Laoey, residmnt, commented regarding renuoing Council Member Trujillo from discussion
on the item and the effort horecall Los Angeles County District Attorney Geacon.
Juan &4erUnmz, n*e|dent, commented regarding oaoie| diopahtV, racial dioohnninatinn, and the
prison industrial complex, and in support of Los Angeles County District Attorney Gascon.
Bill Adrian, nmoident, commented regarding the impact ofLos Angeles County District Attorney
Gascon on Downey Police Officers and a vote of no confidence for District Attorney Gascon.
Rmdo|fo Cortoo Bono8on, non-reaident, commented regarding the election of Los Angeles
County District Attorney Gascon and in opposition to the effort to recall District Attorney Gascon.
Speaker, no name provided, commented regarding nonnrnento byeCity Council K8ernber, votes
of no confidence in other cities, justice, and regarding a vote of no confidence for Los Angeles County
District Attorney Geeoon.
NON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Fronnsta asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Non -Agenda
Elsa Van Lueven, resident, requested the Christian flag to be flown at City Hall during the
Easter and Christmas holidays.
Armando Hernnon, non-meaident, commented regarding the ogee of Brandenburg v. [>hio, racial
dimorimnineUmn, the conduct of Mayor Fnomne1a and former Planning Commissioner Frorneta, and
constitutional rights.
Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding the evacuation of Afghanistan.
Monique, remidert, commented regarding homelessness enoannpnnmnte, vandalism, and litter
along the 105Freeway.
Liasettm F(ivera, resident, commented regarding the effort to recall Council Member Catherine
Alvarez.
Leticia Vasquez -Wilson, non-reeident, commented regarding the Central Basin Municipal Water
District, water quality in Downey, and Assistant City Manager John Oskoui.
BC, resident, commented in opposition of Governor pJewoon, nneok mandates, Nancy Pe|ooi.
and the Democratic Party.
Spmaher, no name providad, commented regarding the conduct ofCouncil Member Catherine
Alvarez.
Jang Leo, reoident, commented in support of the Downey Police Depmrtnnent, the need for
juvenile ha||m. the LGBTQ cnrnrnunitv, and in opposition to the City's support of the Pride Picnic.
Juan K8mrtinez, neaidmnt, connrnmnbad regarding Assistant City Manager John C>akoui and xvahar
contamination inDowney.
John Lacey, resident, commented regarding the evacuation of Afghanistan.
Rmeident, no name provided, commented regarding the |aoh of civility at the City Council
meeting and the evacuation ofAfghanistan.
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Regular Meeting - August 24.2U21 3
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding homelessness, unhoused
veterans, and protections a• . evictions • foreclosures.
Speaker, no name provided, commented regarding the effort to recall Los Angeles County
District Attorney Gascon and the water quality in Downey.
Ronald Wilson,nt, commented regarding Leticia Vasquez -Wilson,-' speech,•
theirOskoui, and the Central Basin Municipal Water District.
Speaker, no name provided, commented regarding morality and thanked the City Council for
r ;:
ManagerAssistant City •hn Oskoui commented regarding . Central i.sin Municii.
District Board meeting.
Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte any public commentswere '• regarding
Non-Agenda items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed three written comments were received.
treatment
Fatima Baqi, resident, commented regarding the crisis in Afghanistan, misinformation, and t
of and Arabs.
• \ l
'NTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
_11OWNEY AMENDINGDOWNTOWN DOWNEY SPECIFIC PLAN TO
INTRODUCErtt ESTABLISH STANDARDSFOR DRIVE -THROUGH
FACILITIES i ACCESSORY MONUMENT
BOULEVARD GATEWAY DISTRICT OF DOWNTOWN
DOWNEY SPECIFIC PLAN
Mayor• . opened the Public ' r at 9:57 • City ClerkDuarte affirmed receipt of
Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Sean Ashton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern
Pacheco, and carried 5-0, to receive and file the publication.
Council
City
Regular• - August 24, 2021
Council K8ennbmr Trujillo recuoed himself from Item No. 1. due to the commercial properties he
owns |nthe area.
City Planner Cne*a| Landovazm presented the staff report for |tarn No. 1. She explained the
purpose of the amendment to introduce a drive -through facility and monument signature in the
Downtown C)nvvney Specific Plan. She shared that the amendment was requested by the property
owner of 8300 Firestone Blvd who would propose to remodel the existing commercial building to
incorporate a drive -through facility if the amendment is approved. She reviewed the proposed
development and operation standards and how the proposed remodel would comply with the
standards.
Council Member Ashton expressed concerns regarding traffic and enquired about the business
proposing the drive -through. City Planner Landavgzo responded that there in no tenant at this time and
that staff considered the issue from nnu|t|p|a perspectives. She eteh*d that the Code requires a drive -
through queue lane that e||oxva a nninirnunn of eight vehicles and the applicant proposed a queue
allowing 11 vehicles to be lined up. She reported that a traffic analysis was completed on-eiba, vvh|nh
determined o less than 1096 chance that the traffic would spill off -site at maximum peek times.
Council Member Ashton asked whether the same standards apply to the In N Out in [}mvvney,
which does experience spillover and reiterated his concerns regarding traffic. City Planner LendaVazo
responded that staff is avvany that certain businesses such as In N Out experience higher turnout and
conducts studies based on such businesses. She noted that, without e hanont, staff could not impose
standards such as those applicable to an In N Out but did hold the project to o higher standard than
what the Code requires.
Council Member Ashton requested to confirm the flow of traffic into the proposed drive -through.
City Planner Landavazo confirmed that vehicles would enter through Downey Ave. and circle the
perking lot.
MayorFrornata. at 10:05 p.m., opened the item for public comment. K8ayorFronnete asked City
Clerk Duarte if there were any written comments received regarding the Public Hearing item. City Clerk
Duarte confirmed no written connnnmnte were received. Mayor Fronnete asked if there was anyone
present who would like to comment on the Public Hearing iVonn.
Armando He,nnan, non-neaident, commented in opposition to the item and expressed concerns
regarding accessibility.
F(odo|fo Cortee BerreAen, non-mesident, commented in opposition tothe ib*nn and expressed
concerns regarding the environmental impact.
Johana Hernandez, resident, commented in favor of the item and renovation of vacant buildings
in Downey.
Having no one else, K8oyorFronnmte closed the Public Hearing at 10:12 p.m.
Council K8ennbar Ashton commented regarding unknown factors and possibly revisiting the
issue. Hecommented insupport ofthe proposed project.
Mayor Frometa commented regarding the traffic flow and possible revitalization of the area. She
commented insupport ofthe proposed project.
It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tenn Pacheco and carried
4-D.with Council Member Trujillo ebataining.tointroduomanC)rdinanoeoftheCih/Counoi|oftheCitvof
Downey amending the Downtown Downey Specific Plan to introduce and establish Standards for Drive -
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Regular Meeting - August 24.2O21 5
Through Facilities and Accessory Monument Signage within the Firestone Boulevard Gateway District
of the Downtown Downey Specific Plan.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Frometa abstained from Item No. 2, Special Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2021, due to
being absent.
Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if there were any written comments received regarding
Consent Calendar items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed no written comments were received. Mayor
Frometa asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items.
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented in opposition to Item Nos. 10, 13, and 15 and
commented regarding the Emergency Operations Center, California Governor Newsom, Larry Elder,
Chief of Police Milligan, and workers compensation.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented on Item Nos. 6 and 9. He commented in
favor of transparency and accountability and regarding water well rehabilitation.
Juan Martinez, resident, commented in opposition to Item No. 11 and in favor of Item No. 9.
Having no one else, Mayor Frometa closed public comment.
Council Member Alvarez left the meeting at 10:24 p.m.
It was moved by Mayor Frometa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco and carried 4-0, with
Council Member Alvarez absent, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar, with Mayor
Frometa abstaining from Item No. 2.
2. APPROVED MINUTES: Special Meeting of August 10, 2021: City Clerk.
3. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 353359 — 353758; Payroll Wire numbers are 30004134,
30004138 — 30004142 & 30004144 — 30004146; EFT Nos. 10822 — 10863; Manual Wire Nos. 2155
— 2169, total amount of $21,302,681.80: Finance.
4. ACCEPTED THE FIRE STATION 2 AND FIRE STATION 4 MODERNIZATION AND EXPANSION
PROJECT AS COMPLETE; APPROVED THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF
$5,967,720.19 WHICH INCLUDES THE COST OF ALL ISSUED CHANGE ORDERS TO THE
ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT; AND, AUTHORIZED THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION
TO BE FILED (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NOS.19-37-04) Administration.
5. APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR
CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE LAKEWOOD BLVD. IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (PHASE 3E)
(CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 20-37): Public Works.
6. AWARDED A CONTRACT TO BEST DRILLING AND PUMP, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $185,445
FOR WELL NO. 14 REHABILITATION; AND, AUTHORIZED THE PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTORICITY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE ANY CHANGE ORDERS OR ADDITIONAL SCOPE
OF WORK DEEMED NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE UP TO THE APPROVED PROJECT
BUDGET (CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJCE NO. 21-24): Public Works.
7. APPROVED AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE SOUTHEAST AREA ANIMAL
CONTROL AUTHORITY (SEAACA) TO PERFORM ANIMAL LICENSING AND CANVASSING
SERVICES; AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT:
Administration.
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Regular Meeting — August 24, 2021 6
Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco shared that, in Whittier, if a Council Member brings forth 's d uri
item
Council comments and two other Council Members are interested in discussion, it is then scheduled f
is
an upcoming meeting. She stated that in South Gate, Council Members discuss items with the Ci
Manager before adding items to the agenda, and, in Santa Fe Springs, the Council Member discuss
the item with the City Manager and the City Manager brings the item to the Mayor for consideration.
Council Member Ashton commented regarding the similarity of the policies of other cities to th
of Downey's. He commented that Council Members work with City staff to bring items before the Ci
Council. He stated that the City Council assignment list assists in tracking Council Member requests.
Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco continued to discuss policies of other cities in the area, which requ
the Mayor's approval, support from three Council Members, or discussion with the City Manager. S
commented regarding the effect of long work hours of staff.
Mayor Frometa commented regarding efficient use of time and utilization of staff time a
resources. She commented regarding the result of placing items with no traction before Council a
other items that are not discussed as a result.
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Regular Meeting — August 24, 2021 8
Council Member Ashton commented regarding the need to allow public participation and
opportunity for public input on certain topics. He reiterated the importance of representing constituen
who may have different needs.
Assistant City Manager Oskoui commented regarding the intent of the item and the inability•
handle a large number of requests that come in at the same time due to limited staff resources.
commented regarding the City Council prioritizing which items are to be discussed first due to ti
sensitivity or other factors. He clarified regarding the purpose of the City Council assignment list, whii
Awf?*PnE
Council Member Ashton questioned how this differs from the Council's current process. Assista
City Manager Oskoui responded that if Council Members come to staff and request to place an item
the agenda, the item is placed on the agenda.
Council Member Ashton commented that everything proposed by Assistant City Manager Osko
is already being done. He stated that he has discussed with staff whether an item should be placed
the agenda immediately or can be postponed. He questioned what is being changed. He reiterated h
opposition to requiring support from a second Council Member to bring an item to the Council f
discussion.
A
It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco, and carried 4-
0, with Council Member Alvarez absent, to take no action.
F-11 all 10111 V k, I �� I =1 ill 110
Mayor Frometa adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 10:53 p.m. in memory of the
victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and, the lives lost due to COVID-19.
4C
NCA PACHECO
City Clerk Mayor
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Regular Meeting — August 24, 2021 9