HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 09-11-07 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 11, 2007
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 8:07 p.m., September 11, 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 M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Dean Durliff, Acting City Attorney/Agency Counsel
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant to the City Manager
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ADJOURNED MEETING AGENDA ITEMS:None
APPROVED CLOSED SESSION MINUTES: July 24, August 28, and August 30, 2007.
It was moved by Council Member/Commissioner Cartozian, seconded by Council
Member/Commissioner Bayer and unanimously carried to approve the Closed Session Minutes.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor/Chairperson Trejo announced the Council/Commission is ncessing to Closed
Session (8:08 p.m.) to discuss matters under the authority of the following section of the
Government Code:
1. Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Appointment – positions of
Economic Development Director and Public Works Director.
RECONVENED
The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 8:38 p.m. Qth all Council
Members/Commissioners present. Acting City Attorney/Agency Counsel Durliff announced that the
City Council unanimously approved the two appointments, which will be further announced as soon
as the appointees have been contacted.
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 09/1 1/07 -1 -
ADJOURNMENT 8:40 p.m
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City Clerk/SecretaryKATHLEEN L MIDSTOKKE
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RICK TREJO,
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City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 09/1 1/07 -2-
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 11, 2007
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:35 p.m., September 1 1,
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
Dean Durliff, Acting City Attorney
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant to the City Manager
Desi Alvarez, Public Works Director
Rick Esteves, Police Captain
Linda Haines, Development Services Director
John Michicoff, Finance Director
Thad Phillips, Community Services Director
Mark Sauter. Fire Chief
David Blumenthal, Senior Planner
Sheila Pautsch, Recreation Manager
Ed Velasco, Housing Manager
Susan Domen, Secretary to the City Clerk
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Cartozian commented on the loss of lives in the September 1 1 th tragedy
stating he was a history teacher at Downey High School at the time. He mentioned that his
grandmother passed away yesterday, noting that her writings always included: “God Bless America”.
Council Member Guerra stated that it is a day for mourning and celebration of our country;
noted he had attended a Gangs Out of Downey meeting last week with Mayor Pro Tem Gafin where
the Character Counts program was discussed and noted three points: in the School District
expulsions are down, suspensions have been reduced by 1 100 days, and an additional 35 teachers
have been trained this summer in the program; he attended a Neighborhood Watch meeting last
week and is invited to one this Sunday; announced the Police and Fire Golf tournament on October
15th at Rio Hondo Country Club; stated the City is receiving compliments on Concerts in the Park;
announced that on Thursday he is being installed on the Board of Directors of the Independent
Cities Association; and wished a Happy 50th Birthday to Police Chief Campos.
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin announced that this Saturday the Chamber of Commerce is putting on
a concert by the Beach Toys at the Civic Theatre.
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Mayor Trejo stated that the City had been conducting the Concerts in the Park since 1961
and that it has always been a priority for the Council to continue the program.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1.APPEAL OF THE DENIAL OF ZONE VARIANCE NO. 07-84 – REQUEST TO DEVIATE
FROM MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AMOUNT A DETACHED ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
CAN ENCROACH INTO THE REQUIRED REAR YARD SETBACK, FOR PROPERTY AT
13108 CORNUTA AVENUE: Development Services.
A ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 07- , A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY DENYING AN APPEAL, THEREBY UPHOLDING THE PLANNING
COMMISSION’S DENIAL OF ZONE VARIANCE NO. 07-84, A REQUEST TO DEVIATE
FROM THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AMOUNT A DETACHED ACCESSORY
STRUCTURE CAN ENCROACH INTO THE REQUIRED REAR YARD SETBACK, FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 13108 CORNUTA AVENUE, WHICH IS ZONED R-1 5,000
(SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL).
Mayor Trejo opened the Public Hearing at 7:43 p.m. Mayor Trejo stated the applicant has
requested that this item be continued. He asked if anyone is present to give testimony that will not
be able to attend on September 25th and no one responded.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to open the Public Hearing and continue it to September 25, 2007.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Guy Sterner, owner of the business at 8145 Firestone Boulevard, presented a flyer to the
Council, from the City of Whittier on parking issues and stated that he feels Downey needs to have a
higher priority on parking enforcement in the Downtown area.
Kim Tachiki, Senior Advisor for Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard introduced herself as
the new City liaison and announced that on October 27th the Congresswoman will attend the Service
Academy Workshop at the Downey City Library.
Harold Tseklenis, resident of Downey, asked if there is a way that a citizen can put an item
on the agenda without having to go through a Council Member.
Stephanie Sines, resident of Downey, thanked Director Alvarez for the changes made on
Suva Street so far and reiterated the need for a 4 way stop at Guatemala Avenue and Suva Street.
CONSENT CALENDAR – ITEMS FOR REMOVAL:
7 ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. . A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY SETTING THE FINE SCHEDULE IN REGARDS TO PARKING
PENALTIES AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES FOR PARKING VIOLATIONS WITHIN
THE CITY: Administration. This item was pulled by Council Member Cartozian (per Guy
Sterner’s request) and is listed under Other Business below.
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CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian, seconded by Council Member Bayer, and
unanimously carried to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar items as recommended:
2.APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Adjourned and Regular Meetings August 28, 2007;
Special Meeting August 30, 2007: City Clerk.
3.APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 225361 – 225715: Wire No. 333,
30001511 – 30001519; in the total amount of $2,308,441.95: Finance.
4.CASH CONTRACT NO. 655: COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SCIENCE AND SPACE LEARNING
CENTER: APPROVED AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH SMITH-EMERY IN THE
AMOUNT OF $35,000 FOR STRUCTURAL TESTING AND INSPECTION SERVICES:
Public Works.
5.AUTHORIZED REPLACEMENT OF THE HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR
CONDITIONING UNIT AT FIRE STATION NUMBER ONE AND APPROPRIATED $8,500
FROM THE EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FUND: Fire.
6.APPROVED AGREEMENT WITH REDDINET FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY
MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT FOR $10,500: Fire.
8.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-7026, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY AUTHORIZING CITY REPRESENTATIVES TO ACQUIRE FEDERAL
SURPLUS PROPERTY: Finance.
9.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-7027. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING CLASS SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTABLISHING SALARY
RANGES FOR SPECIFIED POSITIONS: Administration.
10.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-7028, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND THE DOWNEY FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (JUNE
1, 2006 – JUNE 30, 2010): Administration.
11.INTRODUCED 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 CECILIA AND FIFTH STREET: Public Works.
12.INTRODUCED 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 TELEGRAPH ROAD: Public Works.
OTHER BUSINESS:
13.WAIVED FEES FOR DOWNEY COUNCIL PTA FOR USE OF THE BOGGS AUDITORIUM
AND THE KITCHEN AT THE BARBARA J. RILEY COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTER
FOR MEETINGS ON MARCH 3 AND JUNE 2, 2008: Council Member Guerra.
Council Member Guerra stated that he was approached by the Downey PTA and Downey
Unified School District Superintendent Wendy Doty requesting that the fees charged for the use of
these two rooms be waived to encourage the continued good working re[ationship' between the
School District and the City.
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Council Member Cartozian stated that this type of situation arises frequently and questioned
how this can be justified without setting a precedent. City Manager Caton explained that there are a
lot of shared uses between the School District and the City where there is no charge. He continued
that it was not clear at the time of the initial request that they are an official arm of the School District
and that staff does support this item.
It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin to waive the
fees on March 3 and June 2, 2008. The motion carried, noting the dissention of Council Member
Bayer
CONSENT CALENDAR – ITEMS REMOVED BY COUNCIL APPROVAL:
7.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-7025, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY SErrING THE FINE SCHEDULE IN REGARDS TO PARKING
PENALTIES AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES FOR PARKING VIOLATIONS WITHIN
THE CITY: Administration
Guy Sterner, resident of Downey, questioned who will enforce these violations. Assistant
City Manager Powell stated that this does not change the way parking rules are enforced and that
they will continue to be enforced by Police Officers and Code Enforcement Officers.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Mayor Trejo and unanimously carried to
adopt the Resolution.
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin requested an updated report on Council Requests.
Council Member Guerra requested an update on the renewal of the Neighborhood Watch
Program.
STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS:
City Manager Caton, in response to Harold Tseklenis, clarified there is no way for a citizen to
directly put items on the agenda without going through a Council Member.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:07 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. September 25, 2007, in memory of Sr.
Merlyn Galway, Sisters of Holy Faith, teacher and former Principal at St. Raymond’s Catholic
School and longtime Downey resident; and Frank Gasdia, relative of Mayor Trejo, founding
member of Golf Course Authority and longtime Downey resident; and Frances Conger, Senior
at Downey High School and Downey resident; and all those who lost their lives on September
11, 2001, including family members of resident Lennie Whittington..
a\u+ C_'L_
RICK TREJO, MayorKATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk
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