HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 01-08-08 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2008
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:31 p.m., January 8, 2008, in the Council Chamberof the Downey
City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor/Chairperson Rick Trejo presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members/Commissioners:
David R. Gafin
Mario A. Guerra
Anne M. Bayer
Kirk O. Cartozian
Rick Trejo
Mayor/Chairperson
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairperson
absent (excused)
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Edward W. Lee, City Attorney/Agency Counsel
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary
Scott K. Pornrehn, Assistant to the City Manager
Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects
Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development
John Perfitt, Economic Development Director
Other City Staff
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ADJOURNED MEETING AGENDA ITEMS: None
APPROVED CLOSED SESSION MINUTES: December 11, 2007
It was moved by Council Member/Commissioner Trejo, seconded by Council
Member/Commissioner Bayer and unanimously carried (4/0) to approve.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor/Chairperson Gafin announced the Council/Commission is recessing to Closed
Session (6:33 p.m.) to discuss matters under the authority of the following section of the
Government Code:
1. Government Code Section 54956.8 – Conference with real property negotiator Gerald Caton
re: property at 7550 and 9066 Firestone Boulevard; negotiating party: Tim Hutcherson; under
negotiations: price and terms of payment.
RECONVENED
The meetIng reconvened in Open Session at 7:31 p.m. Qth all Council
Members/Commissioners present. There were no Closed Session actions to report.
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 01/08/08 -1 -
ADJOURNMENT: 7:31 p.m.
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk/Secretary
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DAVID R. GAF IN, hhyor/Chairperson
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 01/08/08 -2-
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2008
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:34 p.m., January 8,
2008, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, Mayor David R. Gafin presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members:
David R. Gafin
Mario A. Guerra
Anne M. Bayer
Kirk O. Cartozian
Rick Trejo
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
absent (excused)
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager
Edward W. Lee, City Attorney
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant to the City Manager
Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects
Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development
Roy Campos, Police Chief
Linda Haines, Building and Housing Director
John Michicoff. Finance Director
John Perfitt, Economic Development Director
Thad Phillips, Community Services Director
Brian Ragland, Public Works Director
Mark Sauter. Fire Chief
Susan Domen, Secretary to the City Clerk
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra welcomed everyone in attendance and wished them a Happy New
Year; he announced that this Friday is the Southeast summit in Norwalk for a new program for first
time juvenile graffiti offenders supported by Supervisor Knabe; noted that there is a feral cat problem
on the Rancho Los Arnigos South Campus that the County is trying to deal with and requested that
people quit feeding them; mentioned that the Public Works Department did an excellent job in the
abatement of illegal news racks in the City last year; and noted a letter commending the senior paint
fix-up program.
Council Member Bayer announced that a Keep Downey Beautiful meeting is being held on
Monday, January 14th at 4 pm.; invited everyone to attend the Citizens for Downey meeting
tomorrow morning where there will be a speaker on Measure G; and recognized her Commissioners
Terry Lambros, Pat Smith and Faye Campbell in the audience.
Council Member Trejo announced that the Downey Junior Athletic Association held their
opening day for basketball last Saturday; and commended Public Works for the integrated system
on traffic control in Downey, specifically on Firestone Boulevard.
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Mayor Gafin noted that the new park being built is on schedule and should open at the end of
March; and that the Columbia Space Science Learning Center should open in August.
PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Gafin presented a Proclamation declaring January 8 – March 15 as One Book, One
Community noting the City of Downey will be reading Tom Brokaw’s: The Greatest Generation,
Mayor Gafin presented a Proclamation declaring January 2008 as American Red Cross
National Blood Donor Month
Mayor Gafin presented a Proclamation declaring January 1 1, 2008 as National Day of
Human Trafficking Awareness.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Elsa Van Lueven, resident of Downey, noted her concerns with the Mayoral Transition and
the selection of Mayor Pro Tem, term limits being put on the ballot again and the cost, and the
wasting of money on televising the Council Meetings.
Edward Hare, resident of Downey, expressed his concerns regarding putting term limits on
the ballot again and questioned whether or not a Council Member could be elected as a Write-In
candidate after terms have expired and he feels his District has been denied their representation by
the way the Mayor Pro Tem rotation was handled
Mark Neihouse, resident of Downey, asked for an update on the Design Guidelines and the
Historic Preservation Ordinance; questioned who the architect would be for the Johnies Broiler and
when recovery of the relics from the site would start; and gave his email address for responses
reservedownevhomes@yahoo . com
Maria Larkin, resident of Downey, stated that she had spoken during the Mayoral Transition
about the rotation of Mayor Pro Tem and was later confronted by Council Member Guerra; that at
the next Council Meeting she had asked for an apology for herself and the City Clerk; and she feels
bullied by him.
Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, noted his concerns with what Council Member
Guerra said at the Mayoral Transition; and noted he is looking into a Brown Act violation in regards
to the Mayor Pro Tem election.
Marilyn Evans, resident of Downey, stated that she feels the election for term limits and the
televising of the Council meetings are a waste of money; and that her District was stripped of their
representation by the occurrences at the Mayoral Transition.
Irma Landesfeind, resident of Downey, stated she has the utmost respect for Mayor Pro Tem
Guerra, that the accusations against him tonight couldn't be true and she hopes the Council works
for the good of the City.
City Council Minutes 01/08/08 -2-
CONSENT CALENDAR – ITEMS FOR REMOVAL:
4.APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP FOR BUILDING
DIVISION INSPECTION SERVICES: Building and Housing. This item was removed at the
request of Mayor Pro Tem Guerra and is listed under Other Business below.
6.APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH MOULE AND POLYZOIDES FOR URBAN PLANNING
AND URBAN DESIGN SERVICES RELATED TO THE DOWNEY STUDIOS
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT: Economic Development. This item was removed at the
request of Mayor Pro Tem Guerra and is listed under Other Business below.
7.RECEIVE AND FILE THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR)
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2007: Finance. This item was removed at the
request of Mayor Pro Tem Guerra and is listed under Other Business below.
9.CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 571 RESIDENTIAL STREET PAVEMENT REHABILITATION:
APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH KABBARA ENGINEERING. INC. FOR PREPARATION OF
PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE AND BID DOCUMENTS FOR
RESIDENTIAL STREET PAVEMENT REHABILITATION FOR $123,635,000: Public Works
This item was removed at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Guerra and is listed under Other
Business below
CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Council Member Trejo, seconded by Council Member Bayer, and
unanimously carried to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar items as recommended:
1.APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned Meeting December 5, 2007; Adjourned
and Regular Meetings December 1 1, 2007; Adjourned Meeting December 19, 2007: City
Clerk
2.APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 227874 – 228480; Wire Nos. 344 - 346
30001574 – 30001591; in the total amount of $7,728,843.43: Finance.
3.APPROVED A NEW PART-TIME POSITION FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK II AT
BARBARA J. RILEY COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTER WITH $21,000 ALLOCATED
FROM PROPOSITION A FUNDS: Community Services.
5.APPROPRIATED $14,000 FROM THE GOLF COURSE FUND FOR THE INSTALLATION
OF ACCENT LIGHTS AT RIO HONDO GOLF COURSE: Community Services.
8.APPROVED MODIFICATION OF STAFFING TABLE FOR ENGINEERING DIVISION:
Public Works.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10. APPROVED BUDGET CALENDAR FOR THE 2008-09 BUDGET: Administration.
It was moved by Council Member Trejo, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to approve.
City Council Minutes 01/08/08 -3-
OTHER BUSINESS:
11.APPROVED CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2008: Mayor Gafin.
Mayor Gafin explained that he had left the assignments as they were the previous year.
It was moved by Council Member Trejo, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to approve.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT:
4.APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP FOR BUILDING
DIVISION INSPECTION SERVICES: Building and Housing.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra asked if the consultants were identifiable with City business cards
and was told yes, and temporary ID cards are being considered.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to approve.
6.APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH MOULE AND POLYZOIDES FOR URBAN PLANNING
AND URBAN DESIGN SERVICES RELATED TO THE DOWNEY STUDIOS
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT: Economic Development.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra asked for a staff report.
Economic Development Director Perfitt explained that this funding is coming from IRG as per
previous agreements and a new process and team were being created to set forth a schedule to
prepare the draft Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report within one year. This will best
serve the needs of the City now and in the future.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to approve.
7.RECEIVED AND FILED THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR)
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2007: Finance.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra noted he had pulled this item so that the citizens can understand the
financial status of the City and commended the Finance Department, Finance Director Michicoff and
City Manager Caton for their work on this report and keeping the City finances stable.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to receive and file.
9.CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 571 RESIDENTIAL STREET PAVEMENT REHABILITATION:
APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH KABBARA ENGINEERING, INC. FOR PREPARATION
OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE AND BID DOCUMENTS FOR
RESIDENTIAL STREET PAVEMENT REHABILITATION FOR $123,635,000: Public Works.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra asked what the determination process is for deciding which streets
will be worked on. Public Works Director Ragland explained that a consultant was hired in 2003 to
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evaluate the 221 miles of streets within the City and they developed a database prioritizing the street
repairs. He stated that this is the 5th year in the program in which they follow the proposed list, as
well as evaluate the streets and citizens concerns. He added that the City is looking at hiring a
consultant to evaluate the major arterials running through the City later this year.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to approve.
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra stated that CouncII had a joint meeting with the Planning
Commission last month and would like to see them continue this year.
Council Member Bayer requested that Council Members are provided with information
discussed at these types of meetings when they cannot attend.
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager Caton thanked Supervisor Knabe giving $100,000 in funding for the new park
and commended Director Phillips for his work in putting the grant together; and thanked Mayor Pro
Tem Guerra for commenting on the financial report noting the efforts of Assistant City Manager
Powell in putting this report together.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:28 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. January 22, 2008.
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DAVID R. GAFIN, MayorKATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk
City Council Minutes 01/08/08