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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05-31-22 Special MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY SPECIAL MEETING MAY 31, 2022 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special City Council Meeting on May 31, 2022, at 2:01 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, with Mayor Pacheco presiding. 19;4*1 Blanca Pacheco Catherine Alvarez Claudia M. Frometa Donald E. La Plante Mario Trujillo Mayor Mayor Pro Tre TF..JJ LffolFraW ILYA r4fil ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager Lauren Langer, Interim City Attorney Anil Gandhy, Director of Finance Linda Thai, Deputy City Clerk Mayor Pacheco asked Deputy City Clerk Thai if any written public comments were receivev-9 'I regarding Special Meeting Agenda Items. Deputy City Clerk Thai confirmed one written public comme it/as received. Alistair Hunter, resident, commented in support of including a line item in the 2022-2023 budget for arts, culture, and history. Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment regarding Special Meeting Agenda Items. BC, resident, commented regarding taxes imposed on residents, funding for non -essential services, reduction in spending, and the budget surplus. 1. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 PROPOSED CITY BUDGET: Finance. City Manager Livas presented a brief overview of the proposed annual City budget. He shared the budget would be his 1 01h consecutive balanced budget presented to the City Council and totaled $249 million. He announced the City is amongst the lowest in per capita employees in 10 cities surveyed. He highlighted $35 million in funding for residential road improvements, $100 million in funding for infrastructure improvements, and funding for public safety. He reminded the Council of the February City Council Goals Workshop to set priorities for the budget. He commented regarding the process of developing the budget. Director Gandhy provided a presentation regarding the proposed annual City budget. He stated for the FY 2022-23 Budget there is a beginning fund reserve of $32,521,230, proposed revenues in the City Council Minutes Special Meeting — May 31, 2022 Director Gandhy presented a general overview of the City's projected general fund expenditures as $103,007,207. He stated the reason for the increasing in spending was due to the structure of the pension obligation bonds allowing for savings in the first year. He compared the PERS costs of $11,735,052 in FY 2015-16 and projected PERS costs of $23,628,322 in FY 2025-26 and stated that he was able to lower the PERS costs. Council Member La Plante inquired how the City was able to save money. Director Gandhy responded the City's total unfunded liability is $212 million and the City was able to refinance $112 million of that amount. He shared the PERS interest rate is 7% while the PERS Bond interest rate is 2.6%, which is one of the lowest in the region. He stated the total savings was $60 million and the City took $4 million of those savings in the first year. Council Member La Plante summarized that the City issued bonds to prepay the PERS liability. City Manager Livas confirmed this was correct and the City was paying at a lower interest rate. Council Member Frometa added that the PERS interest rate was a historic low. Director Gandhy stated the City's pension obligation was 67% funded at the time of issuance and the unfunded liability is now approximately 85% funded. Director Gandhy commented regarding expenditure increases, including $100,000 in contractual services to manage public records requests, $257,000 for election services for the November 2022 election, and the addition of two School Resource Officers. City Manager Livas clarified the City is working on an agreement for the Downey Unified School District to pay 100% of the costs for the School Resource Officers. He shared the Officers will be patrolling for the City Officers when they are not working for the school. He stated the City added one additional Police Officer position to monitor speeding and address issues in the Downtown area and one additional full-time Safety Dispatcher position to decrease overtime staffing. Council Member La Plante inquired regarding the total budgeted cost per Police Officer. Director Gandhy responded the cost is $180,000 per Police Officer or $200,000 including overtime costs. Council Member La Plante commented regarding requests for additional staffing at schools. City Manager Livas shared the City hired 10 additional officers through Measure S funding and added public safety is not inexpensive at approximately $200,000 per person. Mayor Pacheco inquired regarding the number of Police Officers currently employed by the City. City Manager Livas estimated that the Police Department currently has 121 officers. Director Gandhy stated that personnel costs encompass the majority of expenditures. He added the Parks and Recreation Department will have a full staffing of part-timers and the budget increased due to $300,000 in funding for the Theatre and $135,000 for Downtown events. He mentioned $1.3 million in the Community Development Department expenditures for the General Plan update. He noted the largest transfers out of the General Fund is $1.3 million to subsidize the Columbia Memorial Space Center. He commented regarding the almost equivalent year to date change in revenues and expenditures. Director Gandhy provided a list of future capital needs the City would be addressing with the $13 million in proceeds from the one-time real property sale of the Kaiser property.. Council Member Frometa requested to clarify the $13,869,000 is from the sale of the property and the funds have been allocated for future capital needs. City Manager Livas clarified the property is located on Bellflower Blvd., next to the Downey Promenade. He added the property is seven acres of land for which the City has been negotiating with Kaiser over the past year and a half. He highlighted purchases such as the ladder truck and ambulance for the Fire Department to provide public safety. He noted the items would typically be paid from the General Fund through a lease and the purchase of the items generated a cost savings to the General Fund. He shared the $4 million in funding for the Space City Council Minutes Special Meeting - May 31, 2022 3 Information Technology & Systems Manager Lam provided the presentation for the Information Technology Division's Accomplishments for FY 2021-22. He emphasized the Division's focus on cyber security and upgrading the City's backup technology to meet cyber insurance requirements. Information Technology & Systems Manager Lam provided the presentation for the Information Technology Division's Goals for FY 2022-23. He reiterated the Division's focus on cyber security. Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas provided the presentation for the City Manager's Office Accomplishments for FY 2021-22: coordinated mid -manager and city-wide staff trainings; completed the redistricting process; implemented the Shower of Hope program; completed oversight of Measure S projects; successfully managed American Rescue Plan stimulus funds; expanded promotion of the Downey Store at City events; coordinated various ribbon cuttings for Measure S projects; reinstituted the Business Watch program with the Police Department and Chamber of Commerce; continued informing the public of COVID-19 information through social media platforms and the website; increased followers across all social media platforms; produced various City videos; and, held successful community events such as the as the Veterans Day Ceremony, Tree Lighting ceremony, Downey One Day of Service event, and Holiday Caravans. Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas presented the Department's Goals for FY 2022-23: explore online system for ADA requests and complaints; continue to increase social media followers/presence; increase ongoing public communication regarding City awards and achievements; hold and expand the Girls on Fire program; host a mental health event with the Youth Commission; use of Flash Vote program for satisfaction surveys and community input; hold Team Up to Clean Up event and Volunteer Clean -Up Service Day; and, place a Transient Occupancy Tax measure on the November ballot. Human Resources Manager Vera provided the presentation for the Human Resources Department's Accomplishments for FY 2021-22: conducted recruitment and selection processes establishing 98 eligibility/hiring lists to meet City staffing needs resulting in the hiring of 42 full-time and 114 part-time employees, including eight Police Officers and five Firefighter Paramedics; processed 772 Personnel Status Reports for authorized payroll actions; and, offered 11 training sessions on a wide range of topics including Harassment Prevention, Supervisory Skills, Performance Evaluations, and COVID Employment Issues; City's Employee COVID Response including maintaining the COVID Prevention Plan in accordance with Cal -OSHA requirements, COVID Leave Policies, and responding to over 280 employee related COVID inquiries; expanded use of City's online training program; ' revised City's Administrative Regulations regarding Family Care and Medical Care Leaves; and, updated full- time and part-time employee evaluation forms. Human Resources Manager Vera provided the presentation for the Human Resources Department's Goals for FY 2022-23: engage in Labor Negotiations with Downey Firemen's Association and Downey Fire Management Association; engage in Labor Negotiations with Downey Police Officers' Association and Downey Police Management Association; engage in Labor Negotiations with Downey City Employees' Association -Miscellaneous Unit, Downey City Employees' Association -Maintenance Unit and the Downey Public Safety Auxiliary Association; continue to expand the use of a web -based training program; and, conduct 10-20 employee training courses throughout the year including, but not limited to, Enhancing Supervisory Skills; Conducting Effective Performance Evaluations; Managing Employee Safety and Risk; Exercising Management Rights; and Harassment Prevention in the Workplace. Deputy City Clerk Thai provided the presentation for the City Clerk's Office's Accomplishments for FY 2021-22: collaborated with the City Attorney to fill the Council District 2 Vacancy; managed a ballot measure initiative; collaborated with the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to host two Vote Centers at City facilities for the June 7, 2022 Primary Election; received and processed over 650 Public City Council Minutes Special Meeting — May 31, 2022 5 Council Member Frometa inquired whether the Space Center would be hosting in -person summer camps. Executive Director Dickow responded the five -week summer space camp is already sold out and stated three levels would be provided for early childhood, elementary, and junior high school students. Mayor Pacheco inquired regarding the anticipated groundbreaking for the Space Center expansion. Executive Director Dickow responded the project is too early to approximate a date and stated the groundbreaking ceremony would take place the following year. Executive Director Dickow provided the presentation for the Downey Library's Accomplishments for FY 2021-22: resumption of in -person library services, opening of workshop programming, production of the first annual Beyond the Book Festival, resumption of periodical subscriptions, and expansion of digital resources. Executive Director Dickow provided the presentation for the Downey Library's Goals for FY 2022- 23: continue to increase accessibility to Library materials; expand the Beyond the Book Festival; launch full studio programming options; begin early -childhood outreach program; grow City -related programming; implement the Library Strategic Plan; and, expand social media outreach. Mayor Pro Tern Alvarez inquired regarding plans for a new cafe outside of the Library. Executive Director Dickow responded that the Library needs to restart the Request for Proposals process and shared the previous operator's decision not to return. Mayor Pro Tern Alvarez inquired whether the door adjacent to the location would be operational. Executive Director Dickow responded the door would be operational before the cafe opens. Council Member La Plante inquired regarding the imposition of library fines. Executive Director Dickow responded many local library systems have gone fine -free and this is something the Library is considering. Director Chacon provided the presentation for the Parks and Recreation Department's Accomplishments for FY 2021-22: continued to explore grants for potential park renovations; worked with a new golf concession vendor and existing contractors at Rio Hondo Golf Club to increase banquets and tournaments to increase revenue to fund the ongoing maintenance of the facility and golf course; increased events at the Downey Theatre; and, re -introduced programming, including special events post COVID-19. Director Chacon provided the presentation for the Parks and Recreation Department's Goals for FY 2022-23: explore grants for potential park renovations in existing parks that still need improvements; explore creating an annual Volunteer Recognition event; complete the installation of new playgrounds and surfacing at Temple and Crawford Parks; explore potential for increasing park acreage through right of way partnerships and/or redevelopment of current parcels; and, develop and expand additional adaptive programming with social and enrichment programs and include an Adaptive Recreation section with quarterly programming, workshops and social development. Council Member Frometa inquired regarding incorporation of swimming classes for children with special needs. Director Chacon responded all programs are geared toward all ability levels and noted the City is unable to host classes specific to special needs due to staffing shortages. He shared staff works with parents of children with special needs to offer accommodations. He stated other cities have moved away from offering classes solely for students with special needs and the City refers students to cities that are able to offer these classes. Council Member Frometa inquired how the City is informing residents of the available recreational programs. Director Chacon responded residents are notified through the quarterly brochure and other publications, which advise residents to contact staff with any special requests. He stated the summer camp program is handled similarly, with requests that parents work with the program supervisor to accommodate special needs. City Council Minutes Special Meeting - May 31, 2022 7 Council Member Frometa inquired regarding the restoration of the former NASA/Vultee building. Interim Director Landavazo responded the acquisition of the building has been a major priority for the City and upon completion of the process to acquire the building, the Department will begin planning for future use. Council Member Trujillo inquired regarding steps taken to create relationships with shopping centers to create a permit parking system for apartment renters. Interim Director Landavazo responded staff has completed initial outreach to commercial centers and property management companies. She shared feedback providing initial concerns regarding insurance and liability in case of vandalism of vehicles parked overnight. She stated staff is researching contacting other cities regarding successful partnerships and learning best practices to share with concerned property owners. Council Member Trujillo requested to research establishing safe parking zones in each district where permit parking may be available on street sweeping days. Council Member La Plante inquired regarding the status of the former American Legion property. Interim Director Landavazo responded the property is owned by L.A. County and staff is working with the County on the project. She shared the project is in the development phase, wherein staff is reviewing plans and working on a tentative approval to enable the County to apply for funding sources. Council Member La Plante inquired regarding the historic designation of the NASA/Vultee building. Interim Director Landavazo responded that the building was one of the few remaining NASA buildings intact enough to be qualified as a historic resource by the Secretary of the Interior and once qualified, the building cannot be demolished or altered unless compliant with requirements for historic properties. City Manager Livas added the NASA/Vultee building is the only remaining building from the former NASA site. Council Member La Plante commented the appearance of the NASA/Vultee building. City Manager Livas commented regarding adaptive re -use of the building, partnership with DUSD, and potential uses as an industrial office space, a facility for STEM -related programming, and an incubator. He commented regarding the size of the property and the acquisition of the property at no cost. Council Member La Plante commented regarding making use of the property soon. Council Member La Plante commented regarding the conversion of Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall for transitional housing and outreach to the community. City Manager Livas commented regarding the opportunities provided by development of large parcels of land such as Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall and Rancho South Campus and the effect on the neighborhood. Council Member La Plante commented regarding access to the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall site and the flow of traffic. City Manager Livas responded the City will develop remedies to allow the site to fit the community. Chief Murray provided the presentation for the Police Department's Accomplishments for FY 2021-22: hired 15 new employees, including eight new Police Officers, hosted the first National Night Out in two years; resumed homeless outreach efforts; resumed Coffee with a Cop event; resumed Drug Take Back event; initiated Special Needs Awareness program; increased training for street racing enforcement detail; received a $400,000 grant from Behavioral Health Services Project for additional mental health services; and, hosted the first Youth Academy class. Chief Murray provided the presentation for the Police Department's Goals for FY 2022-23: maintain community outreach through social media and programs such as National Night Out and Coffee with a Cop; continue partnership with Federal Drug Enforcement Agency and host Drug Take Back events; expand social presence; conduct more homeless outreach with Behavioral Health Justice Intervention grant; start Police Drone program; host Citizen/Youth Academies; start a Facility Dog program; and, promote school safety through collaborative efforts with DUSD. City Council Minutes Special Meeting — May 31, 2022 9 Chief Hurlock provided the presentation for the Fire Department's Goals for FY 2022-23: initiate the Fire Service Accreditation program; identify and develop recruitment and retention strategy for ambulance operator program; conduct an exercise for the City's emergency shelter plan; and, update and restock the Emergency Preparedness bins (year four of four-year plan). Council Member La Plante inquired regarding the repair date of Fire Station 4. Chief Hurlock commented regarding the bid process and fire investigation and shared the construction would take two to three months to complete. Mayor Pacheco inquired regarding an increase in fires occurring in the City. Chief Hurlock responded there was an increase in fires at certain properties and locations, some of which may be attributed to the homeless populations. Director Consunji provided the presentation for the Public Works Department's Accomplishments for FY 2021-22: Completion of 23 projects with a total cost of $37 million including the Residential Streets Pavement Rehabilitation, Old River School Rd. Pavement Rehabilitation, 3rd St. Water and Street Improvements, Concrete Repairs and ADA Improvements (Council District 3), Florence Ave. Water and Street Improvements, Telegraph Rd. Reconstruction, south Downey Safe Routes to School, 5th St. Water System Improvements, Third St, Smallwood Ave., and Woodruff Ave. Sewer Rehabilitation, rehabilitation of Groundwater Well No. 30 and Well No. 14, Lakewood Blvd. Sidewalk Repairs, and, adoption of the Active Transportation Plan; completed design and started construction of the Residential Streets Pavement Rehabilitation, Solar Panels and Battery Energy Storage Systems at City Facilities, 54h St. Pavement Rehabilitation, Firestone Blvd. at Lakewood Blvd. Intersection Improvements, Pellet St. and Ryerson Ave. Water System Improvements, and, Imperial Hwy. Fiberoptic Communications and Traffic Signal upgrades; and, other improvements such as completing the final design of Well Nos. 2 and 4 PFAS treatment facilities, and, obtaining $12.3 million in Measure W grant funding for Furman Park Storm Water Improvements. Director Consunji provided the presentation for the Public Works Department's Goals for FY 2022- 23: Complete design and construction of 16 projects with a total budget of $36 million including the Residential Streets Pavement Rehabilitation, Paramount Blvd. at Imperial Hwy. Intersection Improvements, the Lakewood Blvd. at Florence Ave. Intersection Improvements, the Lakewood Blvd. at Imperial Hwy. Intersection Improvements, implementation of the Bike Master Plan - Phase 1, the Alley Pavement Rehabilitation, Space Shuttle Exhibit building project, implementation of the Citywide Fiberoptic system, Systemic Safety Analysis Report program, Citywide Transit Priority System, Water Improvements on Cole St, 6th St., 0 St., and 3rd St., and, the Firestone Blvd. Stormwater Dry Well Improvements; and other goals including repaving the City Yard parking lot, planting 300 trees Citywide, flushing and cleaning 65 miles of sewer mains, implementing the SCADA System for water, sewer, and storm water systems, sewer rehabilitation in the northwest quadrant of the City, and Ground Well No. 2 and No. 4 Treatment systems. Council Member Frometa inquired regarding the number of residential streets that were part of the Pavement Rehabilitation Program. Director Consunji responded that the City was divided into 10 grids and while the Public Works Department was expecting to rehabilitate six or seven grids, staff will be able to rehabilitate seven or eight grids due to very competitive bids received He reported rehabilitation of 300 street segments consisting of 36 miles to date, current construction of 213 street segments consisting of 22 miles, totaling 58-60 miles repaved by the end of the year. Council Member La Plante inquired regarding the Citywide Fiberoptic System. Director Consunji responded the City entered into a Development Agreement with SiFi Networks to install 415 miles of fiberoptic lines in the City to create the infrastructure to provide reliable, inexpensive high-speed internet for residents and businesses. He added the project will be at no cost to the City. City Council Minutes Special Meeting - May 31, 2022 11 Mayor Pacheco clarified Council Member TruiUm'arequest. Council Member Trujillo confirmed his request for staff toreturn with areport todiscuss anarts, cubune, and history grant program. He added that the proposals totaled more than $50.OD and the Subcommittee scaled down the requests. City Manager Liumsresponded staff can research programs in other cities and shared the program parameters should be prioritized before determining the program amount. He emphasized the need toset parameters due hothe large amount ofgroups seeking funding for arts programs. Council Member Trujillo reiterated his request to ogendize discussion of an arts, ou|tune, and history grant program and formalize support of arts, cu|tuma, and history in the City. Council Member Trujillo pequemtedtoincneaeetheeUeya||ooaUonto$1 million and commented regarding the status mfalleys inthe City. City Manager Livaeresponded adjustments can bemade and commented regarding determination of where the funding would be taken from. Council Member La Plante requested information regarding current arts expenditure in the report regarding the artg, uu|ture, and history grant program. He requested inclusion of figures for all arts expenditures including the Downey Theatre and Stay Arts and emphasized the need for a comprehensive review ofarts spending. Council Member Trujillo inquired regarding the Downey LINK Transit System and commented regarding low ridership. City Manager Livas responded the City is in the process of dismantling Downey Link and clarified that funding oonmae from Prop A funds for transportation and cannot be used for the arts. He summarized the Council's desire to limit funds for the Downey LINK System and use those funds for alleys and streets. Council Member Trujillo commented regarding the budget surplus and the need to fund infrastructure improvements. Council Member Fnonleta commented regarding the need to analyze use of funding for alley repairs and the need for responsible spending. She cautioned against using naeenvm funds. She commented regarding current funds allocated for street rehabilitation and alley repairs. She inquired how many alleys are repaired using the $300,000 allocated and commented regarding other possible uses of additional funding. Director Conou jinegpondedthe $3D0.00budgeted for the upcoming fiscal year would be used for rehabilitation of alleys north and south of Stewart and Gray Rd. between Lakewood Blvd. and Patton Rd. He estimated two alleys would be repaired at an average of$15D.DDO per alley. He stated two alleys would be repaired annually if the budget remains at $300.000 per year. Council Member Fronnm{aclarified abudget of$6OD.ODOwould repair four alleys. Mayor Pacheco inquired regarding the total number of a||eVe in the City. Director Conou ji responded there are 2Oalleys inDowney. Council K8arnbor La Plante requested a report regarding the condition of the 26 o||eya and the Citv'e responsibilities in maintaining the alleys. He shared he in not opposed to raising the annual allocation or making a one-time a||moaUmn from surplus funds but emphasized the need to understand alley conditions and current spending. City Manager Livamcommented regarding balancing the needs mf various Departments that also have requests for additional funding. He shared the decisions regarding which funding nsquaa1a are approved are based on the priorities set bythe City Council. He stated more funding has been spent on roads in the last five years than in the preceding 20 years. He stated the City has added $45 million infunding to address street rehabilitation. Hmconcurred with Council Member La P|ontm'o request for a comprehensive analysis of all a||eye, determination of the number alleys in the worst conditions, and the funding required toaddress those alleys. He shared his hesitation in taking funding from other Departments to fund additional alley repairs. He stated staff will return with an analysis regarding alley conditions. City Council Minutes Special Meeting — May 31.2O22 13 Council Member Trujillo expressed his desire to maintain spending on street rehabilitation and t;ave- I I j I @Ito ('01 El MV11111 ' r4r1;-Rr4T1 UrO I I I r-A I L-717-lo a (ol; is R I FT-17-jr, I I fivAsiol i I a I I 1511 City Manager Livas summarized staff will return to Council with a report on alley conditions and request direction from Council. 1 6 0 !, , , , =IZJJ Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Special City Council meeting at 4:45 p.m. 4A PA At I UCI A �DU A R �TE, �C CLAUDIA M. FROWETA City Clerk Mayor Uity Council Minutes Special Meeting — May 31, 2022 14