HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12-21-06 - Special MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 21, 2006
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special Meeting at 6:30 p.m., December 21,
2006, 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
Mario A. Guerra
Anne M. Bayer
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
(absent/excused)
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald Caton, City Manager
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Scott Pomrehn, Assistant to the City Manager
Mark Sauter, Fire Chief
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
PUBLIC COMMENT ON SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEM:
Mark Whitworth, Fire Chief of the City of Vernon, spoke in support of the item going forward,
expressed that this is a joint effort of the Los Angeles area Fire Chiefs coming together for the
common good and thanked Chief Sauter for his efforts.
Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, spoke in support of the item, noting that Downey
had already received $1 Million in previous grants.
Richard Elliott, Fire Chief of the City of West Covina, spoke in support of the item, indicting
that this equipment will make a significant difference in emergency response in Los Angeles County
and the project is an example of leadership at its finest.
1.ACCEPTED $1,842,869.10 FROM THE STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT
PROGRAM (SHSGP) AND APPROPRIATED THE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR THE
PURCHASE OF FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT: Fire.
Chief Sauter presented a staff report explaining that the new equipment will allow different
Fire Departments within Los Angeles County to make emergency communications on the same
band. Thirteen other Fire Departments will also benefit from this equipment purchase which will be
made within the next ten days. The City of Downey will be receiving $114,000 in new radio
equipment while acting as the lead agency for the distribution of the remaining equipment to the
other cities. He indicated this is a quantum leap County-wide for the Fire Services. He thanked
everyone who had assisted with this project.
Council Member Guerra asked how the dollar amount was calculated for the cities and Chief
Sauter responded that it was based on the staff levels and apparatus for each City. He indicated
that he supports the project but has some concern about the City fronting the money and then
waiting for the State to reimburse.
City Council Minutes (Spec.) 12/21/06 -1-
Council Member Cartozian inquired about the time period before reimbursement and how
much that will cost the City. Assistant City Manager Powell responded that it will be a loss of
approximately $7,000 per month. Chief Sauter indicated that it should take approximately two
months to receive the reimbursement from the State.
Mayor Trejo expressed appreciation to Chief Sauter for this endeavor.
Mayor Pro Tem Gafin thanked Chief Sauter for his dedication and devotion to the City.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Cartozian and
unanimously carried (4/0) to approve staff recommendation.
APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH MOTOROLA FOR THE PURCHASE OF
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,842,869.10: Fire.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Gafin, seconded by Council Member Cartozian and
unanimously carried (4/0) to approve staff recommendation.
2.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:46 p.m
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk
City Council Minutes (Spec.) 12/21/06