HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 03-27-07 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 27, 2007
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m., Mbrch 27, 2007 in the Council Chamber of the Downey City
Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor/Chairperson Rick Trejo presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members/Commissioners:
Rick Trejo
David R. Gafin
Kirk O. Cartozian
Anne M. Bayer
Mario A. Guerra
Mayor/Chairperson
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairperson
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Charles S. Vose, City Attorney/Economic Development Director
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary
Desi Alvarez, Public Works Director
Linda Haines, Development Services Director
Ed Velasco, Housing Manager
Scott Pornrehn, Assistant to the City Manager
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mary Freeland, resident of Downey, questioned what project Closed Session item number
five (5) pertained to.
APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Council Member/Commissioner Cartozian, seconded by Mayor Pro
Tem/Vice-Chairperson Gafin, and unanimously carried to approve the Closed Session Minutes of
March 13, 2007.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor/Chairperson Trejo announced the Council/Commission is recessing 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 Charles
Vose re: property at 9066 Firestone Boulevard ; negotiating party John Dinsmore, Penske
Toyota; under negotiations: price and terms of payment.
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 03/27/07 -1 -
2.Government Code Section 54956.8 – Conference with real property negotiator Gerald
Caton re: property at 81 15 & 8123 2-d Street, negotiating parties Hans and Catalina
Oertel; 8144 & 8148 3'd Street, negotiating parties Apple Care Medical Management;
11011 La Reina Avenue, negotiating parties Franklin and Fran Jorgensen; 11013 La
Reina Avenue, negotiating parties Apple Care Medical Management; 8438 – 8454 5th
Street, negotiating parties Residence Cottages On 5th Street; under negotiations: price
and terms of payment.
3. Government Code Section 54956.9(b) – Conference with legal counsel – anticipated
litigation. Significant exposure to litigation – one potential case.
4. Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with labor negotiator Lee Powell re:
direction for labor negotiations with Downey Firemen’s Association.
5. Government Code Section 54956.8 – Conference with real property negotiator Desi
Alvarez re: property at 8445 Imperial Highway, negotiating party James Kriss; property
located at 8818-8832 Imperial Highway, negotiating party David Gonsalves; under
negotiations: price and terms of payment.
RECONVENED
The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:35 p.m. ®th all Council
Members/Commissioners present.
The meeting recessed at 7:35 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:31 p.m. Wth all Council Members/Commissioners present.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:31 p.m.
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk/Secretary RICK TREJO mm)
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 03/27/07 -2-
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 27, 2007
TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS
SUBJECT ACTION PAGE NO.
1
2
2
2
Council Member Announcements
Non-Agenda Public Comment
Council Minutes: Reg. & Adj. Mg. 03/13/07
Warrants: #221145-221540; Wire Nos. 30001403 -
30001411, $3,235,514.29
Chamber permit for Street Faire April 28
Agreement w/ Moreland for Transient Occupancy Tax audit
Reso. #07-6978-Specs & Salary Program Supervisor/Coord.
Reso. #07-6980-Reappoint Jackson & Patterson to Public
Facilities Financing Corp.
Ord. Amend Sec. 4118 Pkg. of vehicles for sale
Ord. #07-1208 Amend Sec. 3186 Speed limits Woodruff
Ord. #07-1209 Amend Sec. 3186 Speed limits Cherokee
After School grant funds $661,050 & added 4 positions
Supp. After School grant funds $158,461
Reso. #07-6980 – Plan. Comm. study Political Sign regs.
Ord. Agreements CDC services and Public Works projects
Council Member Request for Future Agenda Items/Reports
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Adopted
Adopted
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
Introduced
Adopted
Adopted
Approved
Approved
Adopted
Introduced
Adjournment
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 27, 2007
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:36 p.m., March 27, 2007,
in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California,
Mayor Rick Trejo presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members:
Rick Trejo
David R. Gafin
Kirk O. Cartozian
Anne M. Bayer
Mario A. Guerra
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager
Charles S. Vose, City Attorney/Economic Development Director
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Scott Pomrehn, Assistant to the City Manager
Desi Alvarez, Public Works Director
Roy Campos, Police Chief
Linda Haines, Development Services Director
John Michicoff, Finance Director
Thad Phillips, Community Services Director
Mark Sauter, Fire Chief
Sheila Pautsch, Recreation Manager
Sonya Meacham, Recreation Supervisor
Susan Domen, Secretary to the City Clerk
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Cartozian announced that he attended the Arc Walk on Saturday; and the
California Contract Cities Meeting on March 21 “ where Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne
Burke gave an update on the County healthcare facilities.
Council Member Guerra noted he attended a grand opening for a shopping center at Imperial
Highway and Clark Avenue which includes a Goodwill store that accommodates e-waste disposal;
attended the St. Baldricks fundraiser at Fire Station No. 1 that raised over $20,000 for children's
cancer research; met with a Central Water Basin Director and Public Works Director Alvarez
regarding AB640 which addresses the subsidizing of West Central Basin; went to Washington D.C.
with Public Works Director Alvarez and Assistant to the City Manager Pomrehn to lobby for Public
Works projects and Park and Learning Center projects; announced the dedication ceremony for the
Park and Learning Center will be on April 12th.
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin announced that he participated in Arc Walk; and will be hosting his last
Town Hall meeting this Thursday at Lewis Elementary School.
Mayor Trejo noted he also attended the Arc walk and how great it is to see the support from
the community and the local businesses.
City Council Minutes 03/27/07 -1-
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Joseph Lumsdaine, resident of Downey, reported that Arc had over 2400 walkers on
Saturday and had raised over $100,000. He expressed support for the current Council Members
and to retain term limits.
Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, spoke in support of term limits, noting that citizens
had voted on it over fifteen (15) years ago and he thinks it works well. He questioned Council
Member Guerra talking with the other Council Members about term limits prior to the meeting.
Harold Tseklenis, resident of Downey, congratulated the Council and staff for pursuing green
concepts for the Learning Center; and announced that on April 12th at the Gas Co. Energy Center, a
national conference on green buildings will be held.
CONSENT CALENDAR – ITEMS FOR REMOVAL:
8.INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND THE
CITY OF DOWNEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RELATED TO ON-
GOING SERVICES AND PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS: 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 Mayor Pro Tem Member Gafin, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to approve the remaining Consent Calendar items as recommended:
1.APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings March 13, 2007:
City Clerk.
2.APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 221145 – 221540; Wire Nos. 30001403 –
30001411 ; in the total amount of $3,235,514.29: Finance.
3.APPROVED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STREET FAIRE PERMIT FOR APRIL 28. 2007:
Administration.
4.SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR APRIL 10, 2007 FOR AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION’S DENIAL OF TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 07-68693, A REQUEST TO
SUBDIVIDE A PARCEL INTO TWO LOTS ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7960 7TH
STREET: Development Services.
5.APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH MORELAND AND ASSOCIATES TO PERFORM
TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX AUDIT SERVICES: Finance.
6.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-6978, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING CLASS SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING SALARY
RANGES FOR PROGRAM SUPERVISOR AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Community
Services
City Council Minutes 03/27/07 -2-
7.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-6979, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE REAPPOINTMENTS OF CARL JACKSON AND
DORIS PATTERSON TO THE PUBLIC FACILITIES FINANCING CORPORATION FOR
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS THREE AND FOUR: City Clerk.
9.INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
AMENDING SECTION 4118 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ON-
STREET PARKING OF VEHICLES FOR SALE: Public Works.
10.ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 07-1208, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION 3186 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO THE SPEED LIMIT FOR WOODRUFF AVENUE; Public Works.
11.ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 07-1209, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION 3186 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO THE SPEED LIMIT FOR CHEROKEE DRIVE: Public Works
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
12.ACCEPTED AND APPROPRIATED AFTER SCHOOL EDUCATION AND SAFETY
PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS – COHORT 5 IN THE AMOUNT OF $661,050; AND ADDED
THREE PROGRAM COORDINATORS AND ONE SECRETARY TO CITY’S STAFFING
LEVELS: Community Services.
Community Services Director Phillips presented a staff report explaining this would add four
positions and increase the Aspire program from six (6) to twelve (12) sites. He noted the success of
the program and explained the grant application process. He explained that the program is in
conjunction with the School District.
Council Member Guerra noted that the program is excellent.
Mayor Trejo agreed that this is a great program and is evident at the California Seal Bearers
awards presentation he went to at Warren High School, how programs like these support the kids to
achieve in school.
It was moved by Mayor Trejo, seconded by Council Member Cartozian and unanimously
carried to accept and appropriate $661,050 in grant funds; and add three program
coordinators and one secretary.
13.APPROPRIATED SUPPLEMENTAL AFTER SCHOOL EDUCATION AND SAFETY
PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $156,461 : Community Services.
Community Services Director Phillips noted that there had been an increase in the
reimbursement rate and that the grant runs in a three (3) year cycle that is renewable. Currently
there are 510 students enrolled at four schools sites.
Council Member Bayer noted she had spoken to some of the parents of children who attend
the program and they are really appreciative of the opportunities it provides their children.
Council Member Guerra stated that the program really emphasizes the Character Counts
program as well.
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to approve the appropriation of $156,461 in grant funds.
City Council Minutes 03/27/07 -3-
OTHER BUSINESS:
14.COUNCIL MEMBER GUERRA’S REQUEST FOR STUDY OF AMENDMENT TO
POLITICAL SIGN REGULATIONS: City Clerk.
A. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-6980, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY DIRECTING THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO INITIATE A
STUDY THAT WILL CONSIDER AMENDING THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING POLITICAL SIGN REGULATIONS.
Council Member Guerra expressed that this Ordinance is ineffective in the area of the
requirement for permission slips on commercial property and the regulations should be the same as
residential as it only creates a lot of paperwork and is hard to enforce.
Council Member Cartozian expressed that he feels there is a difference between residential
properties and commercial properties as the commercial properties might have tenants that allow for
the posting of the signs and the property owners might not agree with the candidate and don’t know
the tenant gave permission. He continued that the five day waiting period is irrelevant at the end of
the election and would like for the Planning Commission to consider not allowing commercial signs
unless they are placed inside a business.
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin noted that Council is just deciding to have the Planning Commission
review the Ordinance and bring back suggested improvements if needed.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Cartozian and
unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution.
Prior to the vote, Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, stated that during the last
campaign there was a problem with enforcement of the permission slips for businesses.
CONSENT CALENDER – ITEMS REMOVED BY COUNCIL APPROVAL:
8.INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND THE
CITY OF DOWNEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RELATED TO ON-
GOING SERVICES AND PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS: Administration.
Council Member Cartozian asked for staff to give a report on this item as a citizen had been
asking him questions about it.
Assistant City Manager Powell explained that on an annual basis the City loans to the
Commission are approved and the Community Development Commission has to repay them with
interest. The purpose of the loans is tcb provide for financings to occur for the next ten (10) plus
years
Michael Hutchinson, Project Area Committee member, noted that AB1290 establishes the
way the redevelopment agency can incur debt for twenty (20) years and this appears to be an
attempt to circumvent the deadline.
City Manager Caton explained that the debt cannot be incurred after twenty (20) years;
however, this is being done prior to that deadline.
City Attorney Vose stated that it has been reviewed and is in compliance with state statutes.
City Council Minutes 03/27/07 -4-
David Bowers, resident of Downey, asked what the dollar amount is for the ten (10) year
period and Assistant City Manager Powell responded that there are three (3) amounts; one is for
ongoing services at $22 Million, the second is for public improvements along Woodruff Avenue at
$20 Million, and the third is for Redevelopment Area 4 at $30 Million.
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, second by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to introduce the Ordinance.
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
A. CONFERENCE AND MEETING REPORTS.
Council Member Guerra noted that he had given Mayor Trejo, Mayor Pro Tem Gafin and
Council Member Cartozian a heads up that he was going to bring up the topic of term limits at an
upcoming Council meeting, but did not discuss the issue with them. He further expressed that there
had not been any problem with the paper work for political signs at the last election. He noted that
term limits had been voted on fifteen (15) years ago and that the voters should be given the chance
to decide
Mayor Trejo confirmed that Council Member Guerra did not discuss the term limit issue with
him
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin noted that Council Member Guerra had only said he was going to bring
up the term limit issue. He requested staff to trim the overgrown plants or replace them, in the new
medians along Lakewood Boulevard and Bellflower Boulevard at Elm Vista Avenue as they are
becoming a traffic and pedestrian hazard.
Council Member Cartozian requested that USC basketball player Hackett be contacted and
honored at a future meeting for his accomplishments.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:31 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 10, 2007, in memory of Dr. John
Sims, longtime resident and business owner.
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City Council Minutes 03/27/07