HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 06-24-08 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 24, 2008
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:31 p.m., June 24, 2008, in the Council Chamberof the Downey City
Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor/Chairperson David R. GaIn 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
(arrived 6:40 p.m.)
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald R. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Lee Powell, Assistant 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
Roy Campos, Chief of Police
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: June 10, 2008.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairperson Guerra, seconded by Council
Member/Commissioner Bayer and carried, noting the abstention of Mayor/Chairperson Gafin and
absence of Council Member/Commissioner Trejo, to approve.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor/Chairperson Gafin announced the Council/Commission is mcessing to Closed
Session (6:32 p.m.) to discuss matters under the authority of the following sections of the
Government Code:
1. Government Code Section 54956.8 – Conference with real property negotiator Gerald Caton
re: property at 12510 Clark Avenue; negotiating parties: Chet Mazakis, Andrew J. Mazakis
Trust; under negotiations: price and terms of payment.
2. Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with labor negotiator Lee Powell re:
direction for labor negotiations with Downey Police Officers Association.
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 06/24/08 -1 -
RECONVENED:
The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:35 p.m. Qth all Council
Members/Commissioners present.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk/Secretary DAVID R.,FIN hhyor/Chairperson\b_-
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 06/24/08 -2-
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 24, 2008
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:38 p.m., June 24, 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
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald R. Caton, City Manager
Edward W. Lee, City Attorney
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Scott K. Pornrehn, Assistant to the City Manager
Roy Campos, Police Chief
Linda Haines, Building and Housing Director
Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community 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 SEAACA will be having an Open House on Sunday
June 29th from 12-3 p.m. and are having cat adoptions from June 21 st – July 26th for $25.
Council Member Trejo thanked Public Works Director Ragland for getting him the information
on the road re-pavement program and the sewer lines. He stated he would like to see a Fireworks
Show held at Discovery Sports complex in the future.
Council Member Cartozian mentioned he attended the Treasure Island annual BBQ and
picnic and the Sister Cities Association installation; noted a former student of his, Adrienne Burgos,
graduated from UC Irvine with honors and is headed to medical school; noted he attended the
Whittier College Hobie awards on Saturday; announced the Orangeline Maglev meeting will be held
July 9th in Glendale; recognized Commissioner Sterner and Representative to Assemblyman De La
Torre, Mike Holland in the audience.
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Mayor Pro Tem Guerra mentioned he had attended 4 neighborhood watch meetings in the
last two weeks; attended the SELACO WIB Board meeting last week; spoke at the Downey Regional
Medical Center’s Auxiliary group yesterday; stated that he gets a lot of questions on what is
happening at Johnie’s Broiler property; attended the Central Municipal Water Basin’s Open House
last week; requested that staff prepare a press release regarding public safety and the use of
fireworks; and requested a Downtown Subcommittee meeting be set up in the near future.
Mayor Gafin noted he attended the Treasure Island annual BBQ and picnic last Saturday; the
Donovan Street Neighborhood Watch meeting; the Mayor’s Breakfast for the Rio Hondo Temporary
home; the Central Water Basin’s open house; attended the installation for Sister Cities Association;
announced that this Thursday is the Soroptimist installation and Friday is the Chamber of Commerce
installation; recognized Joe Becker from the Chamber of Commerce in the audience; and requested
that Public Works replant the empty tree wells along Downey Avenue, especially by the YMCA.
PRESENTATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1.PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2008-09 FISCAL YEAR: Administration.
A. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7063, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 BUDGET WITH
IMPLEMENTING DOCUMENTS.
Mayor Gafin opened the Public Hearing at 7:51 p.m. City Clerk Midstokke affirmed receipt
of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Trejo, seconded by Council Member
Bayer and so ordered to receive and file.
Assistant City Manager Powell presented a Power Point presentation outlining that the
proposed budget is $138,361,450 for the Fiscal Year 2008-2009. $68,877,838 for General Fund,
$37,398,155 for the Special Revenue Fund and $32,085,457 for Enterprise Funds. He noted that in
the General Fund budget $5,131,589 is General Government, $29,139,439 is Police, $17,688,952 is
Fire, $5,206,643 is Public Works, $8,086,841 is Community Services, and $3,624,374 is
Development Services. Total budget revenues consist of $25,376,534 in Property Taxes,
$21,472,673 in Sales Tax, $12,171,700 in Other Taxes, $4,917.436 in Interest and Rent,
$26,209,557 in Inter-government Revenue, $20,601,232 in Service Fees, and $6,653,316 in Other
Revenue. Assistant City Manager Powell explained that the City revenue problems are due in part
to real estate transfer revenue being down 50%, building permit fees being down 22%, plan check
fees being down 14%, auto sales being down 5% and the transient occupancy tax being down 4%.
He noted that with the State budget deficit the hits already taken are $218,000 to the Law
Enforcement fund, a mandated cost cut of $110,000, School Resource Officer funding cut $501000,
and Gas Tax funds deferred $887,060. Redevelopment property taxes and City property taxes
might also be in jeopardy. He mentioned that the continuing initiatives are the operation of the
Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center, the Police Officer expansion program, City
labor contracts, and landscaping maintenance and operation of the Discovery Sports complex. Mr.
Powell noted that all requests for new programs were deleted from the budget as well as the deferral
of new equipment and projects. There will be reductions to Community Services part-time
employees, the library electronic data base subscriptions, social services grants and the Building
division. He noted there are unavoidable increases due to the November 2008 General Election, the
County Property Tax Administration fee and fuel prices. He then explained that the City only
receives 24% of Property taxes.
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Russell Rankin, resident of Downey, asked where to find the unfunded retirement and
medical benefits that the city is liable for in the budget.
Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, questioned if the monies used to supplement school
programs such as the Crossing Guards and the Officers in the Schools could be cut back during this
time
Shahira Malek, resident of Downey, asked if the City had considered the decrease in
property taxes when preparing the budget.
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian seconded by Council Member Bayer and so
ordered to close the Public Hearing, the time being 8:04 p.m.
City Manager Caton responded to the audience’s questions by saying that the taxes had
been considered; and the School District had taken harder hits than the City and these are important
programs to continue. Assistant City Manager Powell noted that the retirement costs are shown in
the Financial Statement and that the medical benefits do not have to be reported until June 30,
2009, and will be located in the Financial Statement as well.
Council Member Trejo thanked the department heads for their presentations at the Budget
Study session and noted that he feels the City is overall doing well.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra complimented staff on budget study session and mentioned he is
glad that the cutbacks are minimal.
Council Member Cartozian noted that this is an annual reminder of how well led at the
management level the City is and stated that the constraints in the budget prepare for leaner times,
the City is not in trouble. He also explained that in partnering with agencies like the School District it
is the City’s responsibility to look out for them and assist in leaner times.
Mayor Gafin noted he sat on the budget subcommittee and it gives you a different type of
respect for what staff does to make the budget balance. He requested that $10,000 be
supplemented to the budget to fill the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) bins.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, seconded by Mayor Gafin and unanimously carried
to adopt the Resolution, with the addition of $10,000 for the CERT bins.
2. CITY FEE RESOLUTION: Administration
A. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7064, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY ESTABLISHING A UNIFORM SCHEDULE OF FEES.
Mayor Gafin opened the Public Hearing at 8:16 p.m. City Clerk Midstokke affirmed receipt
of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council
Member Trejo and so ordered to receive and file. City Clerk Midstokke noted that there was a
supplement to page 11 of the Resolution.
Assistant City Manager Powell presented a staff report explaining that there are 619 different
fees; 464 will remain unchanged and 145 will increase; there are 10 new fees and a deletion of 4
fees. He noted the largest increases are in the Building fees which have been adjusted by 7% and
are still lower than the average in Los Angeles County. He stated that there is also a increase to the
Community Services for the rental rates of buildings and noted that the Page 1 1 supplemental is for
grading and electrical permits.
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Mayor Pro Tem Guerra asked for clarification on the process of evaluating the fees for
increases and decreases. Assistant City Manager Powell explained that each department reviews
and makes recommendations based on criteria, which is usually due to cost increases. Mr. Guerra
then questioned where there is a fee for false alarms for the Police Department and was told it is the
reinstatement of a suspended alarm fee on page 24 of the staff report.
It was moved by Council Member Trejo, seconded by Council Member Bayer and so ordered
to close the Public Hearing, the time being 8:25 p.m.
Council Member Cartozian noted his approval for the Building Department fee increases and
stated that it is long over due.
Council Member Trejo noted he is glad that there is not a significant increase in the fee
schedule.
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Michael Hutchinson, Project Area Committee Chairman, submitted a letter for the City Clerk
for the City Council and spoke regarding improvements to Downtown Downey.
Dee Dee Young, resident of Downey, noted her concerns for the colors that businesses are
being painted; submitted pictures regarding the width between certain homes located on 5th Street;
and mentioned that she feels that speed bumps need to be placed along Rives Avenue and in front
of the schools
Shahira Malek, resident of Downey, noted her agreement that the color coding on homes
and businesses in the City affects the value of the homes in the neighborhood; requested that there
be no parking along Firestone Boulevard and Stewart and Gray Road due to the heavy traffic issues.
John Lacey, resident of Downey, suggested that future Councils be proactive in establishing
a reserve fund for the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra noted that the City does have a reserve fund.
CONSENT ITEMS REMOVED:
3.APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned Meetings with Planning Commission June
9, 2008; Regular and Adjourned Meetings June 10, 2008: City Clerk. This item was
removed at the request of Mayor Gafin and is listed under Other Business below.
5.RENEW AGREEMENT WITH EDINGTON, PEEL & ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR
CONSULTANT SERVICES: Administration. This item was removed at the request of
Council Member Cartozian and is listed under Other Business below.
6.RENEW AGREEMENT WITH CARPI, CLAY AND SMITH FOR WASHINGTON D.C
CONSULTANT SERVICES: Administration. This item was removed at the request of
Council Member Cartozian and is listed under Other Business below.
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13.ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 08- . A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING CLASS SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING
SALARY RANGES FOR SPECIFIED POSITIONS: Administration. This item was removed
at the request of Council Member Cartozian 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:
3.APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned Meetings with Planning Commission,
May 28, 2008: City Clerk.
4.APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 232322 - 232653: Wire Nos. 367-372
30001691 – 30001699; in the total amount of $6,537,253.02: Finance.
7.CASH CONTRACT NO. 663 - REPAINT BARBARA J. RILEY COMMUNITY AND SENIOR
CENTER: AWARDED CONTRACT TO TONY PAINTING. INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF
$49,500: Public Works.
8.CASH CONTRACT NO. 664 – FIRE STATION NO. 1 PERIMETER WALL PROJECT:
APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND GRANTED AUTHORITY TO
ADVERTISE FOR BIDS: public Works.
9.APPROPRIATED $65,000 FROM THE WATER FUND TO PURCHASE A VARIABLE
FREQUENCY MOTOR DRIVE FOR WATER WELL NO. 11: Public Works.
10.RENEWED AGREEMENT WITH STEPHEN WRIGHT FOR BUILDING INSPECTION
SERVICES FOR THE DISCOVERY SPORTS COMPLEX. COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE
SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER, KAISER SITE AND DOWNEY STUDIOS: Building.
11.RENEWED CONTRACT WITH INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP FOR BUILDING
INSPECTION SERVICES AND ADDED PLAN REVIEW SERVICES: Building.
12.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7065, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS
LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-09: Finance.
14.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7067, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF BErrY LOGAN TO THE ART
IN PUBLIC PLACES ADVISORY COMMITrEE FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR:
Administration
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra left the dais at 8:42 p.m.
OTHER BUSINESS:
City Council Minutes 06/24/08 -5-
CONSENT ITEMS REMOVED:
3.APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned Meetings with Planning Commission
June 9, 2008; Regular and Adjourned Meetings June 10, 2008: City Clerk.
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council Member Trejo and
carried, noting the abstention of Mayor Gafin and the absence of Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, to
approve.
5.
6.
RENEWED AGREEMENT WITH EDINGTON, PEEL & ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR
CONSULTANT SERVICES: Administration.
RENEWED AGREEMENT WITH CARPI, CLAY AND SMITH FOR WASHINGTON D.C.
CONSULTANT SERVICES: Administration.
Council Member Cartozian stated he wanted to consider items 5 and 6 together. He
questioned how often the lobbyist go over the 20 hours allotted for in these contracts and was told
that it has never happened.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra returned to the dais at 8:45 p.m.
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to renew the agreements with Edington, Peel & Associates, Inc. and with
Carpi, Clay and Smith.
13.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7066, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING CLASS SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING SALARY
RANGES FOR SPECIFIED POSITIONS: Administration
Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, asked for clarification on the duties of the Assistant
Deputy City Manager position in regards to the Learning Center as he thought the Executive Director
had those duties. City Manager Caton responded that this is an upgrade of a position that currently
is in charge of the Learning Center and the Executive Director. He noted that the upgrade is to
reflect the current duties that Assistant to the City Manager Pomrehn is performing and that he is
trying to position the organization in preparation for Assistant City Manager Powell’s retirement next
year
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution.
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Manager Caton asked Community Development Director Livas to give an update on
Johnie’s Broiler. Director Livas noted that they had been in negotiations with Bob’s Big Boy and had
been awaiting the completion of the asbestos survey. The Air Quality Management District’s
(AQMD) approval should come this week and clean-up should begin the following week.
City Council Minutes 06/24/08 -6-
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. July 8, 2008, in memory of A.A. “DeI” D’
Alessandro, longtime Downey resident and member of the City’s Design Review Board.
%aLz£&d,
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk M
City Council Minutes 06/24/08