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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 01-22-08 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 22, 2008 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:34 p.m., January 22, 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 ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager Edward W. Lee, City Attorney Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk 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 Other Staff COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Bayer mentioned that the February issue of Horse and Rider magazine will have an article honoring officers from Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) for their assistance in rescuing animals from the San Diego fires last fall. Council Member Trejo noted his recent visit to the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center and how it is an inspiration to him to see the progress on the construction. He thanked Deputy City Manager Alvarez for his efforts on this project. Council Member Cartozian mentioned that he has had several meetings regarding the Orangeline Maglev involving obtaining private funding and the City of Glendale becoming a member. He attended a meeting with Senator Lowenthal and Assemblyman De La Torre regarding the agenda for 2008; and attended a Unity in the Community meeting last week on Measure G. He stated that he hopes the speakers tonight will talk about the issues relating to Measure G and not get into personal attacks, that because we live in a democracy we are free to discuss the issues. He then went on to point out his beliefs in why Measure G should be passed and questioned why two terms was the magic number decided upon. City Council Minutes 01/22/08 -1- Mayor Pro Tem Guerra explained that he attended an Independent Cities Association meeting last week where Prop 1 A money was discussed; attended a Southeast Los Angeles County Work Force Investment Board (SELACO WIB) meeting and noted they helped over 12,000 people last year with job assistance; attended the South East Summit on Youth Crime and Violence last Friday; and visited A. La Vielle Lawbaugh, along with Assistant to the City Manager Pomrehn, last Friday. Mr. Lawbaugh used to work at North American Aviation and has several collections he would like to leave to the City of Downey to be put on display. He continued that he will be attending a meeting with Sheriff Lee Baca tomorrow as a follow up to the crime summit; and noted in response to a question that had been asked at the previous meeting regarding write-in candidates in Downey, that our Charter prevents that from happening and that the retroactive clause in Measure G was added to the measure by City Attorney Vose. PRESENTATIONS: Mayor Gafin and Police Chief Campos presented Commendation Certificates to Corporal Mark Galindo, Officer Larry Stroup and Forensic Specialist Ted Hiler for outstanding service displayed during a residential burglary. Mayor Gafin and Fire Chief Sauter presented newly promoted Fire Engineers, Peter Browne and Jorge Villanueva; and Battalion Chief, Bruce English. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Mayor Gafin recognized former Mayors Gary McCaughan and Keith McCarthy in the audience. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: Luiz Marquez, representative for Senator Lowenthal, wished everyone a Happy New Year on behalf of the Senator and announced a City co-sponsored event on Saturday, February 9th from 10:00 a.m. -1 :00 p.m. at the Barbara Riley Center, to address the issues with home mortgages. He noted that there will be representatives from the State as well as the lending companies and invited everyone to attend. He concluded by thanking Assistant to the City Manager Pomrehn for his assistance in coordinating this event. Isabel Rivero, resident of Downey, noted that her sign in her yard on Measure G had been stolen and she had filed a police report. She suggested that stolen signs should be reported to the Police Department as it involves trespassing, theft and a violation of the First Amendment. She also noted a motor home that parks in front of her house for months at a time and asked that the City review the policy on overnight parking of motor homes. Keith McCarthy, resident of Downey and former Council Member, stated that the holiday banners along Firestone Boulevard are still up and should be taken down and noted that he is in support of Measure G and over the years peoples’ opinions have changed and the issue should be revisited Mike Prokop, resident of Downey, noted that while he would like to talk about the issues of Measure G; however, he feels it is more important to talk about the signs being stolen all over town and the comments made by proponents of Measure G towards those with signs against. City Council Minutes 01/22/08 -2- Elsa Van Lueven, resident of Downey, noted her concerns for the handling of the Mayor Pro Tem rotation; the cost of the election; the cost of broadcasting the meetings and whether or not the Public Comments section will be aired; and the effects of the mansionization of homes. Maria Larkin, resident of Downey, noted that the President of the United States is only allowed to serve 2 terms. She commended Code Enforcement for their efforts on getting illegally posted signs removed and that she would be providing the City Clerk’s Office with a list of all signs posted on businesses to ensure the permission forms have been turned in and urged citizens to vote No on Measure G. Mark Niehouse, resident of Downey, noted he had asked for an update on some items last meeting and he has not received a response. He reiterated that he would like an update on the Design Guidelines, Historic Preservation Ordinance and the recovery of relics from Harvey’s Broiler. He inquired when would there be Town Hall meetings this year. Joseph DiLoretto, former Council Member, explained that when he served on the Council he raised the issue of Term Limits that went no where. He did so again in the 90’s where it took a public initiative to get it on the ballot and that while the Council has the legal authority to put back on the ballot he feels it is morally wrong. Ruben Salgado, resident of Downey, stated that he thought more people would be at the meeting if Measure G was such a big issue and that he supports Mayor Pro Tem Guerra no matter what Mary Freeland, resident of Downey, requested that the following issues be addressed at a future Council Meeting: volunteer assistance in cleaning up the Johnie’s Broiler property, the deterioration of the Downtown Redevelopment Area, and how the neighbors of a large public property can work with the Police Department to alleviate the noise and debris by trespassers. Gary McCaughan, resident of Downey and former Council Member, noted he served on the Council when term limits was voted in and that he is in support of Measure G. Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, noted his concern that the minutes reflect a summary of comments instead of detailed comments; he then reiterated his opinions regarding the actions that occurred at the Mayoral Transition Ceremony; and that he feels that citizens should not be chastised by Council Members for remarks made at oral communications. CONSENT CALENDAR – ITEMS FOR REMOVAL: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Council Member Bayer, seconded by Council Member Cartozian, and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar items as recommended: 1. 2. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings January 8, 2008: City Clerk. APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 228481 – 228731 ; Wire No. 347, 30001592 – 30001600; in the total amount of $ 2,989,177.27: Finance. City Council Minutes 01/22/08 -3- 3.SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 26, 2008 FOR COMMENT ON THE 2008-2009 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAMS: Building and Housing. 4.APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH DATANET SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR SCANNING SERVICES AND APPROPRIATE $63,600 FROM THE BUILDING RECORDS MANAGEMENT FEE ACCOUNT: Building and Housing. 5.RATIFIED THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER RICK TREJO AS TEMPORARY ALTERNATE FOR L.A. COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS 2 AND 18 MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 12, 2007: Mayor Gafin. 6.APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH WILLDAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,000 FOR CONSULTING SERVICES TO UPDATE THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN: Community Development. 7.APPROVED AN EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT WITH LEHMAN, KELLY, SADLER AND O'KEEFE FOR GENERAL ADVOCACY SERVICES IN SACRAMENTO FROM JANUARY 31, 2008 TO JANUARY 31, 2009: Administration. 8.CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 538 – MISCELLANEOUS CONCRETE REPAIRS: APPROVED PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND GRANTED AUTHORITY TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS: Public Works. 9.CASH CONTRACT NO. 632-1C – LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT: REJECTED THE BID FROM GMC ENGINEERING AND AWARDED THE CONTRACT TO SHAWNAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,056,371 : Public Works. 10.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7039, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE SUBMiT-rAL OF THE FUNDING APPLICATION FOR THE “VEHICLE SPEED FEEDBACK SIGNS“ UNDER THE OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETy FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2009 GRANT YEAR: Public Works. 11.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7040, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY TO ESTABLISH A NO STOPPING ANY TIME PROHIBITION ON THE EAST SIDE OF STUDEBAKER ROAD, BETWEEN THE 1-5 AND 1-605 FREEWAY RAMPS AND FLORENCE AVENUE: Public Works 12.INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION 4600.2 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO NOISE: Administration. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None. OTHER BUSINESS: COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Pro Tem Guerra requested that staff look into a broader area for Public Art displays and funding; noted that on political signs the person who gives permission does not need to sign the paper work; would like to have the motor home parking situation looked into; and stated that Downey is well represented by Senator Lowenthal and Assembly Member De La Torre. City Council Minutes 01/22/08 -4- Council Member Cartozian requested that the Downtown subcommittee review the concerns raised tonight; and stated that in regards to the motor home issue he would like to see overnight parking studied throughout the City and to have it brought back in the future. Council Member Bayer suggested that staff check with Keep Downey Beautiful to see if they can be of any assistance in the clean up of Johnie’s Broiler site. Council Member Trejo requested that Community Services look into hosting vol\eyball and basketball tournaments this summer in the McCaughan gymnasium; and requested that the illegal conversion of garages be looked into. Mayor Gafin noted that he agrees that the Art in Public Places needs to be reviewed. STAFF COMMENTS: City Manager Caton confirmed that the Acura dealer is leaving the City and announced that he is very glad that Nissan will be back in the City of Downey. ADJOURNMENT: 9:02 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. February 12, 2008 in memory of Mary Tovar, mother of Water Systems Lead Operator Donald Tovar. KKE, city Cierk 'mAnI INTo City Council Minutes 01/22/08