The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 04-24-07 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETI NG APRIL 24, 2007 TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS SUBJECT Council Member Announcements Presentations Proposed Charter Amendment Re: Term Limits Non-Agenda Public Comment Council Minutes: Reg. & Adj. Mtg. 04/10/07 Warrants: #221898-222254; Wire Nos. 30001421 30001429, $3,165,441.66 Recycling Grant Applications OTS Grant, Police Seat Belt Safety Checks Reso. #07-6985-Intent to Levy & Collect Taxes, AD121. Assessments for Street & Landscaping Operations ACTION PAGE NO. 1 2 2 3 4 4 Approved Approved Approved Approved Approved Adopted Set Hearing 06/12/07 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 Council Member Request for Future Agenda Items/Reports Staff Member Comments Adjournment MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING APRIL 24, 2007 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:35 p.m., April 24, 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 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 Susan Domen, Secretary to the City Clerk COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Bayer announced that this Saturday is the Chamber of Commerce Annual Street Faire from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Brookshire Avenue, Kids Day is May 12th at Furman Park; and she recognized Commissioners Pat Smith, Lee Ann Sears and Terry Lambros in the audience. Council Member Cartozian mentioned he had attended: the Library Volunteer brunch on Saturday, a tree planting event for Earth Day by Rio Hondo Elementary, and the Newport Beach Film Festival to watch a documentary about astronauts by Jeffry Roth on Friday. Council Member Guerra noted he participated in a charity basketball game for the YMCA on Friday; is leaving to go to Sacramento with representatives from South Gate and Signal Hill and Public Works Director Alvarez for the hearing on AB640 regarding water rights; mentioned he attended the groundbreaking for the new park and the learning center; reminded everyone there is still time to submit a name to name the new park; suggested that Clark Avenue be changed to Columbia Way; asked for an update on the radio purchase through Homeland Security funds from December; and recognized Mike Holland, Field Representative for Assemblyman De La Torre in the audience City Council Minutes 04/24/07 -1- Mayor Pro Tem (,afin mentioned he had attended the Library volunteer awards and the Gauldin Elementary earth day celebration; announced the Street Faire this Saturday on Brookshire Avenue; and noted that on Wednesday the Kids Day Hall of Fame ceremonies will be held at the Downey Civic Theatre. Mayor Trejo thanked Mayor Pro Tem Gafin for moderating the Library Volunteer breakfast and noted how much the City appreciates the Library volunteers; he thanked Council Member Cartozian for representing the City at the Newport Beach Film Festival; stated that he had a great time reading at the Library; and mentioned he attended the YMCA charity basketball game. PRESENTATIONS: Council Member Bayer presented a Certificate of Appointment to Pat Smith, Library Advisory Board, for Council District 4. Mayor Trejo presented a Proclamation declaring Drinking Water Week, MaY 6 – 12. Mayor Trejo presented a Proclamation declaring May 12, 2007 as Kidsday 2007. Mayor Trejo presented Certificates of Appreciation to YMCA Youth and Government Delegation participants from Downey, Warren and South Gate High Schools. Mayor Trejo presented a City Tile for Downey resident Daniel Hackett in recognition of his excellence as a member of the USC Basketball Team, he was not in attendance. PUBLIC HEARING: 1.PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT REGARDING TERM LIMITS: City Attorney/ City Clerk A. APPROVED LANGUAGE OF PROPOSED MEASURE FOR NOVEMBER 6, 2007 SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION; B. APPROVED BUDGET OF $85,000; C. DIRECTED THE CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY CLERK TO PREPARE THE APPROPRIATE RESOLUTIONS CALLING THE SPECIAL ELECTION AND OTHER MATTERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW. Mayor Trejo opened the Public Hearing at 8:04 p.m. City Clerk Midstokke affirmed receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member Lartozian and so ordered to receive and file. City Clerk Midstokke noted a supplement distributed by Council Member Guerra titled “Argument in Support of Proposition C”, in regards to the City of Long Beach election on term limits. City Clerk Midstokke presented a staff report explaining the City Attorney has approved the proposed wording for the Charter Amendment that would state that Council Members be limited to 3 consecutive terms and a sit out period of 2 years to reestablish eligibility. She stated the County estimate came in at $85,000, and along with approval for the wording of the measure, she is asking for approval of the budget. City Council Minutes 04/24/07 -2- City Attorney Vose stated that along with the City Clerk he reviewed wording from other cities and the language being proposed simplifies the wording in the current Code making it easier to understand. Council Member Cartozian clarified that this language pertains to the City Charter. The following persons spoke in opposition to this item: Robert Rubio Lennie Whittington Robert Goldstein Joseph DiLoretto Diane Boggs It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council Member Guerra and unanimously carried to close the Public Hearing the time being 8:27 p.m. Council Member Guerra noted he was grateful for the debate tonight and stated that he feels it is important for the citizens to revisit the issue by having an election. In response to comments made he explained that the City Council should be able to provide the continuity for projects as they are the decision makers and the City Manager runs the daily operations. He concluded that he had already received the support from citizens by getting elected. Mayor Pro Tem Gafin stated that nothing presented had changed his mind and he feels the issue is not whether or not the citizens should vote on the matter but how it is being brought about. He feels it is has the appearance of being self-serving and that the issue should be brought about through an initiative process, and that the cost of this election could be put to a better use. He also stated that he felt the sit out period created an inequity and should be a four year break to be equal. He concluded that he is opposed to the whole process. Council Member Cartozian stated he has always been against term limits at any level; however, they are only reforming them not removing them. He continued that he agrees with arguments on both sides but that the issue should be looked at again. He reiterated that he had no intentions of running again and had been cultivating possible candidates for his seat. Council Member Bayer expressed disappointment in how the matter is being handled and is opposed to spending $85,000 on a Special Election instead of having it on our next regular election. Mayor Trejo stated concerns about being able to find good candidates to fill his seat and that the need to protect future projects is important. It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member Cartozian and carried by following vote to approve staff recommendation. AYES: NOES: Cartozian, Guerra, Mayor Trejo Bayer, Gafin NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: Diane Boggs, resident of Downey, stated she had been contacted by John Vincent President of the Downey Historical Society and he is suggesting naming the new park, Vultee Park. John Lacy, resident of Downey, noted that in honor of Earth Day we need to treat mother Earth with better respect through solar energy, water conservation and increased responsibility. He also stated that he would like the Council to provide feedback to the citizens who bring up issues at Non-Agenda Public Comment. City Council Minutes 04/24/07 -3- Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, mentioned that he feels the Council and Staff should not be provided meals prior to the meetings as this would save the taxpayers $2,500 per year. Harold Tseklenis, resident of Downey, noted that there are 480 cities in California that encourage the use of sustainable energy systems and Downey should do more to promote green use CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council Member Bayer, and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar items as recommended: 2.APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings April 10, 2007: City Clerk. 3.APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 221898 – 222254; Wire Nos. 30001421 – 30001429; in the total amount of $3,165,441.66: Finance. 4.AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION’S DIVISION OF RECYCLING FOR AVAILABLE GRANTS AND PAYMENT PROGRAMS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING AND LITTER REDUCTION ACT; Public Works. 5.APPROPRIATED $37,851 1N CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY (OTS) GRANT FUNDS FOR POLICE SEAT BELT SAFETY CHECKS: Police Department. 6 LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT A.D. 121, FISCAL YEAR 2007-08: Public Works A. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-6985, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR ASSESSMENTS WITHIN LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT A.D. 121 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 B. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-6986, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNY DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEW AND COLLECT LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING ASSESSMENTS WITHIN LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT A.D. 121 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 C. SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 12, 2007 TO CONSIDER SETTING ASSESSMENTS FOR STREET AND LANDSCAPING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:None OTHER BUSINESS: COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: A.CONFERENCE AND MEETING REPORTS. Council Member Cartozian encouraged staff to look into developing more energy efficient guidelines and incentives for future developments. City Council Minutes 04/24/07 -4- Council Member Guerra requested staff to provide an update on the cleaning up of the newspaper racks around town; and asked for the process on how it is decided which youth groups get to use the fields at the new park. Mayor Pro Tem Gafin requested staff to investigate turning a portion of Independence Park into a dog park. Mayor Trejo requested staff put together some sort of athletic event for employees and Council to participate in as it is a good community event; and he also stated that he went to the Hindu Temple recently and enjoyed their teachings respecting others beliefs and cultures. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: City Manager Caton noted he would be happy to look into athletic event for staff; and explained that per State law the Council is not allowed to take action on an item brought up during the meeting that was not on the agenda he further explained staff will either meet with them after the meeting or during his staff meeting he assigns someone to follow up on the issue. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. May 8, 2007 in memory of the thirty-two shooting victims who lost their lives at the Virginia Tech campus; Gina Monaco-McIntosh, longtime Downey resident; and Helen Ann Crawford, mother of Library Advisory Board Member Mary Crawford. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk RICK TREJO, Mayor City Council Minutes 04/24/07