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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 05-13-08 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MAY 13, 2008 The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:34 p.m., IVby 13, 2008, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor/Chairperson David R. Gafin 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 R. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director Edward W. Lee, City Attorney/Agency Counsel Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant to the City Manager Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development John Perfitt, Economic Development Director PUBLIC COMMENT ON ADJOURNED MEETING AGENDA ITEMS: None. APPROVED CLOSED SESSION MINUTES: April 22, 2008. It was moved by Council Member/Commissioner Bayer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem/Vice- Chairperson Guerra and unanimously carried (4/0) to approve. RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION: Mayor/Chairperson Gafin announced the Council/Commission is ncessing to Closed Session (6:36 p.m.) to discuss matters under the authority of the following section of the Government Code: 1. Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with labor negotiator Lee Powell re: direction for labor negotiations with Downey Police Officers Association. RECONVENED: The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:32 p.m. Wth all Council Members/Commissioners present. There were no items to report. City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 05/13/08 -1 - ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk/Secretary C )AVID R. GXPfN, Mbyor/Chairperson City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 05/13/08 -2- MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING MAY 13, 2008 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:35 p.m., May 13, 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 Rick Trejo Kirk O. Cartozian Mayor Mayor Pro Tem absent (excused) ALSO PRESENT:Gerald R. Caton, City Manager Edward W. Lee, City Attorney Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant to the City Manager Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects Roy Campos, Police Chief Linda Haines, Building and Housing Director Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Economic Development 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; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Council Member Bayer announced that Citizens for Downey will be meeting Wednesday morning discussing judges and ballot measures; and recognized her commissioner, Lee Ann Sears, in the audience. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra noted he attended the Brownfield conference in Detroit, an Independent Cities Association board meeting, 4 Neighborhood Watch meetings, a Downey Regional Medical Center workshop, and a County of Los Angeles Emergency Medical Services meeting; he noted that last week was the 1 year anniversary of the Griffith Park fire and at a press conference Downey Fire Department was singled out for their help in saving the Greek Theatre; he recognized his family in the audience; and apologized for calling anyone a gadfly in the past as he had looked up its true meaning. City Council Minutes 05/1 3/08 -1- Council Member Cartozian noted he attended Kids Day and the Kids Day Hall of Fame; reminded everyone to attend the Farmers Market; stated he will be attending the Older American’s celebration; he noted that the City of Glendale joined the Orange Line Development Authority last month and stated the importance of finding high speed, energy conscious, mass transportation to begin moving people, not vehicles. Mayor Gafin announced that Saturday is Armed Forces Day and Calvary Chapel will be having a celebration at 2:00 p.m.; noted he attended several Neighborhood Watch meetings; and recognized former Council Members Diane Boggs and Keith McCarthy in the audience. PRESENTATIONS: Mayor Pro Tem Guerra presented a Power Point presentation of the 2007 Phoenix Award for the revitalization project of the former NASA/Downey Industrial Plant. Mayor Gafin recognized Lois Buchanan as Assemblyman Hector De La Torre’s 2008 Woman of the Year from Downey. Mayor Gafin presented a Proclamation to Lisa Fox, Public Works employee, declaring National Public Works Week, May 18 – 24, 2008. Mayor Gafin presented a Proclamation to Ken Smith, citizen of Downey and volunteer, declaring May 2008 as Older Americans Month. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1.ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT: Building and Housing A. APPROVED THE 2008-09 ACTION PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT (HOME) PROGRAMS. Mayor Gafin opened the Public Hearing at 8:06 p.m. City Clerk Midstokke affirmed receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra and so ordered to receive and file. Housing Manager Velasco presented a Power Point presentation stating that these grants fund the CDBG program and the HOME program. He said it is estimated that the City will receive an additional $1,484,754 for CDBG and $ 712,852 for the HOME program. He noted the goals for the coming year are financing 63 home improvement projects, completing 20 units accessibility modifications; addressing homelessness by providing transitional housing for 4 families and preventative homeless services for 25 families; assisting 4,800 people with supportive public services; add 8 units of affordable housing; acquiring 1 non-housing property; and supplement other City programs such as Code Enforcement, Adult Literacy Program, Aspire Program, and the Senior Nutrition Lunch Program. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra questioned how recipients are notified of the application process and it was explained that notification is done through the Public Hearing process and letters are sent out to previous recipients. He then asked how the final grant amounts are determined and was told that there are limits on how much of the funding can be used towards these programs and staff makes decisions based on the Five-Year Plan and what groups are serviced by the organizations. City Council Minutes 05/13/08 -2- It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, seconded by Council Member Bayer and so ordered to close the Public Hearing, the time being 8:22 p.m. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, seconded by Council Member Cartozian and unanimously carried (4/0) to approve the Action Plan. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: Dennis, resident of Downey, stated that he feels the art in public places and the space/science museum are pointless and a waste of money. The following persons from the LaRouche Political Action Committee spoke requesting the passing of a Resolution regarding the efforts to resolve the housing financial crisis: Michael Rowland Roy McCarin Gary DeRemer, resident of Downey, stated the Farmers Market is a good thing but there are some concerns by Downey Avenue business owners of it affecting their morning business that should be addressed. CONSENT ITEMS REMOVED: 5.APPROVE RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT WITH GRAFFITI TRACKER. INC. FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING GRAFFITI VANDALISM: Police. This item was removed at the request of Council Member Cartozian and is listed under Other Business below. 6.APPROVE AMENDED AGREEMENT WITH ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR CROSSING GUARD SERVICES: Police. This item was removed at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Guerra and is listed under Other Business below CONSENT CALENDAR: 2.APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular and Adjourned Meetings April 22, 2008: City Clerk. 3.APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 231212 - 231479; Wire Nos. 362 – 363 30001664 – 30001672; in the total amount of $3,249,282.63: Finance. 4.APPROVED APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION LOANS: Building and Housing. 7.APPROVED USE OF SHOW MOBILE BY DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT ON JUNE 7 AND 8, 2008 AT COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL: Administration. 8.APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TIERRA WEST ADVISORS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,990 FOR CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE FORMER NASA SITE: Economic Development. City Council Minutes 05/1 3/08 -3- 9.AUTHORIZED PAYMENT OF $180,461 TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY FOR UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 23 – RULE 20B, ALONG LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD FROM APPROXIMATELY 350 FEET SOUTH OF GARDENDALE STREET TO APPROXIMATELY 550 FEET SOUTH OF DALEN STREET: Public Works. 10.APPROPRIATED $33,500 FROM THE CIVIC CENTER FUND FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF POLICE STATION AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NO. 4: Public Works. 11.CASH CONTRACT NO. 663: APPROVED SPECIFICATIONS AND GRANTED AUTHORITY TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR REPAINT OF BARBARA J. RILEY COMMUNITY/SENIOR CENTER: Public Works. 12.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7053, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE RECORDS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT: Police. 13.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7054, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY TO ESTABLISH A NO STOPPING ANYTIME PROHIBITION AT TWO LOCATIONS ON THE WEST SIDE OF LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD BETWEEN THIRD STREET AND FIRESTONE BOULEVARD: Public Works. 14.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7055, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY TO ESTABLISH A VEHICLE HEIGHT PARKING RESTRICTION OF SEVEN FEET FROM 6:00 P.M. TO 6:00 A.M. DAILY, ON BOTH SIDES OF EVEREST STREET, BETWEEN BENEDICT STREET AND WOODRUFF AVENUE: Public Works. It was moved by Council Member Bayer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, and unanimously carried (4/0) to approve the remaining Consent Calendar items as recommended: ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 15.APPROVED NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY: Administration. Assistant to the City Manager Pomrehn presented a Power Point presentation that proposes a phased approach to solving speeding issues on a specific segment of streets within the City. He noted that this would not cover all streets in the City. While there is a current unwritten policy this policy would go steps further in providing documentation and data gathering which would be useful in the future. He explained that the policy would cover streets with a posted 25 mph speed limit, have 75% of the households buy into the program and the speeding must exceed 15% above 35 mph and/or 1 ,000 cars per day. Stage 1 measures would include: radar speed trailer deployment, traffic signing and pavement markers and semi-permanent radar speed sign deployment. Stage 2 measures could include: speed humps, speed tables, mini-roundabouts, curb extensions, chokers and chicanes, and/or street closures and cul-de-sacs. He noted that for Stage 2 measures to be implemented there would have to be 75% buy-in by the residents on the street, 100% buy-in by the residents within 100 feet of the proposed device, the devices shall not impact driveways, street drains, fire hydrants, etc. or have an effect on the safety or quality of life for the neighborhood. He continued that all Stage 2 options would be brought back before the Council for approval before implementation. Assistant to the City Manager Pomrehn stated that funding would come from several sources, such as grants and monies currently in the budget for these types of enforcement. He concluded that this policy is flexible and provides additional tools for the enforcement/education and relief of speeding issues. City Council Minutes 05/13/08 -4- Mayor Gafin stated that he had asked for this policy in response to the numerous complaints he has received from the citizens. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra asked for the Police and Fire Chiefs to provide insight on the affects Stage 2 options would have on them providing services to the community. Fire Chief Sauter stated that his only concern would be on response times however, the department will have a say on any of these items before implementation as will the Council and Police Chief Campos concurred. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra then asked what types of costs would be involved for these options and was told that exact costs are unknown at this time. Council Member Cartozian noted his concerns regarding the unknown number of streets that this policy would cover and the funding to take care of the unknown costs at this time. City Manager Caton noted that we already receive these requests and this will simply be a program to help guide them to some resolution/improvement; and that there is a limited amount of resources available and they will be handled on a first come first serve basis. Mayor Gafin suggested limiting to 4 streets to a district as study streets. Council Member Bayer mentioned that she does not feel speed bumps work but agrees something needs to be done. It was moved by Council Member Cartozian motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra and unanimously carried (4/0) to approve the policy on a trial basis with 3 streets per distriet to be evaluated and the results brought back to Council. Prior to the vote Diane Boggs, resident of Downey, noted that in the past she sat out and took pictures and license plate numbers of cars speeding in her neighborhood and it alleviated the problem Keith McCarthy, resident of Downey, suggested that they have the Parking Commission review the policy and for the Golden Park area to be evaluated. 16.CONTINUING DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION TO THE CITY ATTORNEY FOR PREPARATION OF A WRITTEN POLICY ON THE MAYOR ROTATION: City Attorney. Mayor Gafin noted that this item affects all of the Council and asked for it to be held over to the next meeting when all Council Members could be present. OTHER BUSINESS: None. CONSENT ITEMS REMOVED: 5.APPROVED RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT WITH GRAFFITI TRACKER, INC. FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING GRAFFITI VANDALISM: Police. Council Member Cartozian explained that he pulled the item to highlight its importance in the fight against graffiti and commended the Public Works and Police Departments for all of their efforts. It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Mayor Gafin and unanimously carried (4/0) to approve. City Council Minutes 05/1 3/08 -5- 6.APPROVED AMENDED AGREEMENT WITH ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR CROSSING GUARD SERVICES: Police. This item was heard before Item Number 5, however, for the sake of clarity is listed in order. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra noted he had heard of an issue with a crossing guard last year and questioned if this was the same company and how the issue had been resolved. Police Chief Campos stated that the investigation determined that it was a personnel issue and had been dealt with by the company. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, seconded by Council Member Bayer and unanimously carried (4/0) to approve. STAFF COMMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. May 27, 2008 in memory of Christopher Lee Hamilton, Downey resident and Arc consumer. >g. mAMa fr-7/<Z/- rKATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk City Council Minutes 05/1 3/08