Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10-09-07 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 9, 2007 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:33 p.m., October 9, 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 (absent, excused) ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager Ed Lee, City Attorney Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant to the City Manager Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development Roy Campos, Police Chief Linda Haines, Building and Housing Director John Michicoff, Finance Director Thad Phillips, Community Services Director Brian Ragland, Public Works Director Mark Sauter, Fire Chief William Davis, Business Development Manager Susan Domen, Secretary to the City Clerk COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council Member Bayer announced that Citizens for Downey will be meeting Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. and that Keep Downey Beautiful will be presenting a landscaping workshop on Saturday morning from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Barbara Riley Community Center. Council Member Guerra announced that next Monday is the Downey Police and Fire Foundation (DPFF) Golf Tournament; Downey Unified School District (DUSD) kicked off the Character Counts coalition meetings; Parent Teacher Association (PTA) held a principals meeting last week; True Lasting Connections (TLC) discussion meeting on October 19th with Senator Lowenthal; October 17th town hall meeting at the Barbara Riley Center at 7 p.m.; League of California Cities meeting presentation by head of emergency medical services for Los Angeles County Mayor Pro Tem Gafin mentioned the DPFF golf tournament; encouraged everyone to read the “One Person’s Trash” quarterly newsletter; announced that October 20th will be Keep Downey Beautiful (KDB) cleanup at Lakewood Boulevard and Firestone Boulevard from 8-9 a.m.; recognized Gywnn Gustafson from the Downey Chamber of Commerce in the audience and announced their annual Business Expo is to be held at Stonewood MaII tomorrow. City Council Minutes 10/09/07 -1- Mayor Trejo announced he had attended the Downey Symphony gala and that the Downey Junior Athletic Association (DJAA) had held their flag football opening day; and he stated that he will be presenting a City tile to Downey Savings and Loan next week to celebrate their 50th anniversary. PRESENTATIONS: Mayor Trejo presented a Proclamation declaring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and November as End Domestic Violence Month. Mayor Trejo presented a Proclamation declaring October as National Hispanic Heritage Month Mayor Trejo presented a Proclamation declaring the week of October 21-27 as Character Counts Week. Mayor Trejo presented a Proclamation declaring October as National Arts and Humanities Month PUBLIC HEARING: 1.ZONE CHANGE NO. 07-86, APPLICATION TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF THE PROPERTY AT 8603 IMPERIAL HIGHWAY FROM C-P TO R-3-0. PROPERTY OWNER: DI LORETO FAMILY TRUST: Community Development. A.INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY’S COMPREHENSIVE ZONING MAP, CHANGING THE ZONING OF PROPERTY AT 8603 IMPERIAL HIGHWAY FROM C-P (PROFESSIONAL OFFICE) TO R-3-0 (MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL OWNERSHIP). Mayor Trejo opened the Public Hearing at 7:56 p.m. City Clerk Midstokke affirmed receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Bayer and so ordered to receive and file. Business Development Manager Davis presented a Power Point presentation stating that the property is currently zoned commercial and the applicant is requesting an R-3-0 zoning to allow for the building of residential housing. The surrounding properties are zoned R-1 5000, R-3, and C-1. The adjoining properties are apartment housing and a medical office building. The underlying zoning around the property makes it difficult to develop as a commercial building and therefore it is recommended that it be rezoned to R-3-O. Mayor Trejo asked about the process involved in the development of the property and it was explained it would include the Design Review Board and the Planning Commission for a Conditional Use Permit and Tract Map. Joseph Di Loretto, applicant, stated that they are asking for approval due to the fact that the property cannot be developed under the current zoning. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Bayer and so ordered to close the public hearing, the time being 8:10 p.m. Council Member Guerra stated that the current zoning severely restricts the owner and he has no problems with approving the zone change City Council Minutes 10/09/07 -2- Mayor Pro Tem Gafin indicated he supports the rezoning as it will bring the property into conformance with the General Plan. It was moved by Council Member Guerra, seconded by Council Member Bayer and unanimously carried to introduce the Ordinance. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: Lee Ann Sears, resident of Downey, announced that the Cancer Relay Walk at Columbus Adult School will be held on June 7-8, 2008 and encouraged the community’s involvement. Oni Gascon, H& R Block manager, introduced herself and stated that they are conducting a community outreach program to help educate the public on their taxes. CONSENT CALENDAR: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Bayer, and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar items as recommended: 2. 3. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting September 25, 2007: City Clerk. APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos, 226019 – 226398; Wire No. 335 – 336 30001529 – 30001537; in the total amount of $5,224,892.57: Finance. 4.RENEWED AGREEMENT WITH S & S LABARGE GOLF INC. FOR GOLF PROFESSIONAL-MANAGER SERVICES AT RIO HONDO GOLF COURSE: Community Services 5.CASH CONTRACT NO. SS 544: APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND GRANTED AUTHORITY TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR OLD RIVER SCHOOL ROAD PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS: Public Works. 6.CASH CONTRACT NO. SS 590: APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND GRANTED AUTHORITY TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEM: Public Works. 7.APPROVED A SOLE SOURCE ACQUISITION FROM SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT PC AND LAN SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT NETWORK DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDING EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION: Finance. 8.CASH CONTRACT NO. 656-3: AWARDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $160,500 WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION MANAGEMENT FOR THE VAPOR EXTRACTION SYSTEM PROJECT LOCATED AT 9255 IMPERIAL HIGHWAY (FORMERLY SPARTAN LACQUER) AND APPROPRIATED $60,000 1N ADDITIONAL GAS TAX FUNDS: Public Works. 9.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 07-7032, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY UPHOLDING AN APPEAL THEREBY OVERTURNING THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S DENIAL OF ZONE VARIANCE NO. 07-84. AND APPROVING 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: Community Development. City Council Minutes 10/09/07 -3- 10.INTRODUCED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY: AMENDING SECTION 3186 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE SPEED LIMITS FOR THIRD STREET: Public Works. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 11.FORMATION OF SUBCOMMITTEE TO EVALUATE THE DOWNEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PRACTICES: Fire. Fire Chief Sauter provided the staff report requesting the formation of a subcommittee to review the effects of the closing of Martin Luther King Hospital and what changes can and should be done with the City's services in the emergency response program. Mayor Trejo directed the formation of the subcommittee with Council Members Bayer and Guerra as the members. 12.DIRECTED STAFF TO HIRE A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT TO PREPARE A SECURITY LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR TREASURE ISLAND PARK AND APPROPRIATED $25,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND: Community Services. Community Services Director Phillips presented a staff report stating that staff has met with citizens and the Recreation and Community Services Commission who composed a list of suggested improvements with a preliminary estimate of $1.1 million. Director Phillips continued that the security lighting is the most important item at this time and that estimate is $130,000. Council Member Guerra asked for clarification on the security lighting and Director Phillips responded that it would be 15-16 foot high lights that would not provide lighting for activities. He questioned if there are any grants available to fund these improvements and was told that all opportunities would be explored. He concluded by asking if this could be done internally by our engineers and City Manager Caton explained that we do not have staff electrical engineers. Mayor Trejo asked what time the park closes and staff responded it is 8 p.m. Council Member Guerra noted he has concerns about jumping into the project without knowing where the money will come from and without having a complete plan in place. City Manager Caton explained that he had concerns about the project as well and noted that this is only the designing of a lighting system that has been talked about for years. Mayor Pro Tem Gafin stated that this is a big wish list; however, since he had been on Council they had been promising lights for this park and feels that it needs to be done. Council Member Bayer noted that residents have waited a long time for the lighting. Mayor Trejo stated he had attended their meetings and is sorry this hasn’t been done sooner Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, noted the group has worked very hard to reclaim their park including his friend the late Ken Miller and they deserve the City’s assistance. Council Member Guerra stated that security lighting is of the utmost importance and agreed the group has done a great job but he feels the entire project needs to be looked at thoroughly. City Council Minutes 10/09/07 -4- It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Bayer and unanimously carried to approve staff recommendation. OTHER BUSINESS: COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Council Member Bayer noted there are 5 things that you can tell someone that you feel is in a domestic abuse situation: “I am afraid for you, I am afraid for your children, it will only get worse, I am here for you, and you don’t deserve to be abused”. Mayor Pro Tem Gafin requested clarification about the 7:15 p.m. start time of the Community Development Commission Meetings, noting it never gets started on time. City Clerk Midstokke responded that a resolution could be brought back changing the time to 7:30 p.m. Council Member Guerra requested information on the use of lap tops on the dais to help reduce the paper flow be included with the redesigning of Council Chamber; and requested increased publicity for the Keep Downey Beautiful adopt a street program. Mayor Trejo requested a clean up program for the areas of the railroad tracks behind businesses, perhaps in conjunction with the School District. STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS: City Manager Caton introduced the new Deputy City Manager/Community Development Gilbert Livas; noted that he had completed his 18th year with the City last week and has attended well over 500 Council meetings during that time. He thanked the City Council and staff for all of their efforts during his tenure, noting Downey is a very special City. ADJOURNMENT: 8:45 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. in memory of Charlene Apel, sister of Library Advisory Board member Theresa Ford, to 6:30 p.m. October 23, 2007. I , L TIJdk. TREJO, Mayor KM£&qX'74dMzgo KATHLEEN L. MtDSTOKKE, City Clerk City Council Minutes 10/09/07