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MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 9, 2004
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:34 p.m., March 9, 2004, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City
Hall, Mayor/Chairman Kirk Cartozian presiding.
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PRESENT:Council Members/Commissioners:
Kirk O. Cartozian
Keith McCarthy
Anne M. Bayer
Meredith H. Perkins
Rick Trejo
Mayor/Chairman
Mayor Pro Tempore/Vice-Chairman
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Charles Vose, City Attorney
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary
Lee Powell, 'Assistant City Manager
James Makshanoff, Assistant to the City Manager
APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Council Member/Commissioner Trejo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore/
Vice-Chairman McCarthy and unanimously carried to approve the Closed Session Minutes of
February 24, 2004.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor/Chairman Cartozian announced the Council/Commission is recessing to Closed
Session (6:35 p.m.) to discuss matters under the authority of the following sections of the
Government Code:
1.SECTION 54957.6 – Conference with labor negotiator Lee Powell re: direction for
labor negotiations with the Downey City Employees’ Assn. – Maintenance group.
The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:31 p.m. with all Council Members/-
Commissioners present. There were no Closed Session actions to report.
The meeting recessed at 7:31 p.m.
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The meeting reconvened for Oral Communications at 8:18 p.m. with all Council
Members/Commissioners present (see Oral Communications under Regular City Council Meeting)
and recessed at 8:27 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:19 p.m. with all Council Members/Commissioner present.
ADJOURNMENT: 09:20 p.m.
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk/Secretary
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MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 9, 2004
TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS
SUBJECT ACTION PAGE NO.
Council Member Announcements
Proclamation for March as Mental Retardation Awareness Month
Presentation of City plaque to Downey High School Boys Varsity
Basketball Team
Public Hearing Kaiser Permanent Application for Tax Exempt Bonds
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2Adopted
Reso # 6737
Consent Calendar Items Removed
Council Minutes: Adj. & Reg. Meetings 02/24/04
Warrants: # 193008 – 193375; Wire Nos. 200-201, 30000759-766;
$2, 1 10,849.66
Agreements to Purchase right-of-way for Lakewood Blvd. Project
Paramount Blvd. & Gattatin Rd. pavement rehabilitation – agmt. w/
Kabbara Eng. for plans & specs.
Join in Amicus brief re: City of Burbank v. State Water Resouces Bd.
R etail firm of Gibbs, Biden, etc. for Fire Station Annex litigation
Reso. # 6739 – Ordering eng. report for Lighting & Landscaping Dists.
Reso. # 6740 – Final Map for 7741 Firestone Blvd. & 11231 Rives Ave.
Reso. # 6741 – Final Map for 9635 & 9709 Downey Avenue
Reso. # 6742 – Changing title of ID Tech & Communication Operator
Ord. Speed limits for Imperial Highway
Oral Communications
General Plan Update – Downey Vision 2025 – agmt. for EIR
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Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Adopted
Adopted
Adopted
Adopted
Introduced
Approved
COUNCIL MINUTES, MARCH 9, 2004
TABLE OF MINUTE ACTIONS (CONTINUED)
ACTION PAGE NO.
Cash contract # S.S. 549/550 – Gallatin Rd. Sidewalk System Approved
Reso. # 6738 approving appeal of revocation of Zone Variance No. 660 Adopted
for 7447 Firestone Blvd. (Johnie’s Broiler Restaurant Signs)
Council Member Requests for Future Agenda Items
Adjournment to 6:30 p.m., March 23, 2004
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014
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 9, 2004
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:37 p.m., March 9, 2004,
in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Kirk Cartozian presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Kirk O. Cartozian
Keith McCarthy
Anne M. Bayer
Meredith H. Perkins
Rick Trej o
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tempore
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager
Charles S. Vose, City Attorney
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
James Makshanoff, Assistant to the City Manager
Desi Alvarez, Director of Public Works
John Finch, Chief of Police
Darrell George, Director of Community & Economic Development
Bonnie Kehoe, Director of Community Services
John Michicoff, Director of Finance
Mark Sauter, Fire Chief
William Davis, Business Development Manager
Jay Jenin, Senior Planner
Jason Mikaelian, Associate Planner
Ron Yoshiki, Asst. Director of Community Dev./City Planner
Susan Domen, Executive Secretary
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Perkins referenced a letter received from Pastor Frank Campos of Vineyard
Family Christian Fellowship commending Downey Police Corporal Tuttle, Corporal Baker, Officer
Doyle and Officer Yepes, in addition to Sergeant Rego, for outstanding service related to ride-alongs
and handling of domestic violence calls.
Council Member Trejo announced he had the honor of attending opening day for North West
Downey Little League where the Mayor threw out the 1 st pitch of the season.
Council Member Bayer mentioned that she had attended Downey Ponytail opening day;
attended the League of Women Voters Luncheon honoring outstanding women of the year Sally
Havice and Ruth White; and announced that the speaker for Citizens of Downey tomorrow at 7:00
a.m. at Mimi’s Restaurant will be Jerry Blackburn, of the Aerospace Legacy Foundation.
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Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy a the note on the picture given to him tonight by a member of
the Downey Swim Team, Veronica Gerry, indicating that she never thought she could swim and now
that she can9 she now realizes she can do a lot of things; referenced the meaning of a billion as noted
by an advertising agency, “A billion seconds ago it was 1959, a billion minutes ago Jesus was alive, a
billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age, a billion dollars ago was only 8 hours
and 20 minutes“; mentioned that the annual costs for benefits for employees is going up from $3
Million last year to 87.3 Million projected for this year which in addition to the State budget problems
is requiring the City to look very closely at how it is spending money; took a tour of the City
yesterday with ('-’ouncil Member Bayer and Keep Downey Beautiful and was impressed with the
overall condition of the City; attended opening day for Downey Ponytail League; and gave two Irish
sayings for St. Patricks Day: “Wisdom is the comb given to a man after he has lost his hair“ and
“May what you see in the mirror delight you and may what others see in you delight them“.
Mayor Cartozian announced that he had attended North West Downey Little League and
Downey Ponytail opening days; referenced the recent groundbreaking for the new Kaiser Hospital
and facilities at the former NASA property; attended, along with other members of the Council, the
March 3 Read-In at Maude Price Elementary School in commemoration of Dr. Seuss’ 100th Birthday;
referenced the letter from Pastor Franks Campos of the Vineyard Christian Church and mentioned an
organization named UITC – Unity in the Community – which is attempting to unify the area of
Downey known as the Island in the northwest portion of the City and announced there is a town-hall
meeting tomorrow night at 6:00 P.M. at the Lord Grace Church.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Cartozian presented a proclamation for the month of March as Mental
Retardation Awareness Month to Kevin McDonald, Executive Director of Arc of Southeast Los
Angeles County and other members of the program. The annual Arc Walk for Independence will be
held on Saturday, March 27 at Stonewood Shopping Center.
Mayor Cartozian presented a City tile plaque to the Downey High School Boys Varsity
Basketball Team and coaches for an outstanding 2003-2004 season, having made it to the quarter
finals of the CIF championship.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1.KAISER PERMANENTE APPLICATION TO CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE
COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR TAX EXEMPT BOND
FINANCING FOR FINANCING THE ACQUISITION, IMPROVEMENT AND
EQUIPPING OF THE KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS’ FACILITY AT THE
DOWNEY NASA SITE.
Mayor Cartozian opened the Public Hearing at 8:00 p.m. City Clerk Midstokke affirmed
receipt of the Proof of Publication. It was moved by Council Member Trejo, seconded by Council
Member Perkins and so ordered to receive and file.
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A staff report was presented by Business Development Manager William Davis who
explained that Kaiser Permanent has submitted an application to the California Statewide
Communities Development Authority for an amount up to $1.6 billion dollars in tax-exempt bonds,
to finance and refinance certain medical facilities that Kaiser owns or operates throughout the State of
California. Kaiser estimates it will use $250 Million for the Downey Landing Kaiser facility on
Imperial Highway which includes funds to purchase land and construct a medical office building, the
hospital, and a parking structure. As a member of the Authority, the City of Downey is required to
conduct a Public Hearing and approve the Authority’s issue of indebtedness through the approval of a
Resolution.
City Attorney Vose indicated he has reviewed the various indentures and related documents
and can confirm that the proposed financing will not be an indebtedness of the City and the City of
Downey will not be obligated in any way to pay the principal, premium, interests, or other costs on
the bonds.
Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy inquired about the term length of the bonds. James Hamel,
Program Manager with California Statewide Communities Development Authority responded that
they are for a thirty-year period with a variable rate which are currently about .8% to .9%.
In response to Council Member Trejo, Mr. Hamel indicated that financing was done last year
as well as this year, for a total of $500 Million for the Downey project.
Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, indicated that he is a member of Kaiser Health Plan
and supports this item.
There being no fUrther speakers, it was moved by Council Member Perkins, seconded by
Council Member Trejo and so ordered to close the Public Hearing at 8:08 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO. 6737
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING A TAX EXEMPT BOND FINANCING TO BE ISSUED BY THE
CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO
BENEFIT KAISER PERMANENTE.
City Clerk Midstokke read the title of the Resolution. It was moved by Council Member
Perkins, seconded by Council Member Trejo, and unanimously carried to waive further reading and
adopt.
Council Member Perkins inquired whether the City had received the Circulation Plan for the
construction project. City Manager Caton responded that the letter requesting it had been sent by the
City last week and no response has been received yet.
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CONSENT CALENDAR – ITEMS FOR REMOVAL
4.CASH CONTRACT #S.S. 549/550 – GALLATIN ROAD SIDEWALK SYSTEM:
AGREEMENT WITH MS. ELIZABETH LOERA, PROPERTY OWNER AT 9275
DOWNEY AVENUE, FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF RECONSTRUCTION OF A
MASONRY AND WROUGHT IRON FENCE, FOR $20,000; AUTHORIZE PUBLIC
WORKS DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND ISSUE A CHANGE ORDER TO
DAMON CONSTRUCTION CO. INC., FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL
SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS ON GALLATIN ROAD, FOR $25,000, was removed at
the request of Council Member Trejo and is listed under Other Business below.
10.A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING THE APPEAL AND DENYING THE REVOCATION OF ZONE
VARIANCE NO. 660 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7447 FIRESTONE
BOULEVARD, ZONED C-2 (JOHNIE’S BROILER RESTAURANT SIGNS), was removed
at the request of Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy and is listed under Other Business below.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Council Member Perkins, seconded by Council Member Trejo and
unanimously carried to waive further reading of the Resolutions and approve the remainder of
the Consent Calendar items as recommended:
2.COUNCIL MINUTES: ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 24, 2004:
Approve.
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5.
COUNCIL MINUTES: REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 24, 2004: Approve.
WARRANTS ISSUED: 193008 – 193375; WIRE NUMBERS 200-201, 30000759-766;
$2,110,849.66: Approve.
6.AGREEMENTS TO PURCHASE RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR LAKEWOOD
BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: AGREEMENT WITH PNS STORES TO
ACQUIRE A PORTION OF THE BIG LOTS STORE PROPERTY AT 9020
FIRESTONE BOULEVARD, FOR $35,130; AGREEMENT WITH EXXON MOBIL
OIL CORP. FOR A PERMANENT ROADWAY EASEMENT FROM THE MOBIL
GAS STATION AT 9002 IMPERIAL HIGHWAY FOR $19,800: Approve.
7.PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD AND GALLATIN ROAD PAVEMENT
REHABILITATION: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KABBARA
ENGINEERING FOR THE PREPARATION OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND
ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE FOR 861,905: Approve.
8.AUTHORITY FOR CITY ATTORNEY TO HAVE DOWNEY JOIN IN AMICUS
BRIEF WITH CA BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION RE: CITY OF BURBANK
VS. STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD. PENDING BEFORE THE
CA SUPREME COURT: Approve.
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9.APPROVE RETAINING THE FIRM OF GIBBS, BIDEN, LOCHER & TURNER AS
SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR THE FIRE STATION ANNEX LITIGATION: Approve.
11.RESOLUTION NO. 6739 (ADOPT)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ORDERING THE ENGINEER TO PREPARE AND FILE A REPORT ON
ASSESSMENTS WITHIN LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT A.D. 121
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005.
RESOLUTION NO. 6740 (ADOPT)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING THE FINAL SUBDIVISION MAP OF PARCEL MAP NO. 26862 (7740
FIRESTONE BOULEVARD AND 11231 RIVES AVENUE), APPROVING AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE SUBDIVIDER AND ACCEPTING A SUBDIVISION
IMPROVEMENT CASH DEPOSIT AS SURETY.
RESOLUTION NO. 6741 (ADOPT)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING THE FINAL SUBDIVISION MAP OF PARCEL MAP NO. 60250 (9635
AND 9709 DOWNEY AVENUE), APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
SUBDIVIDER AND ACCEPTING A CASH DEPOSIT AS SURETY.
RESOLUTION NO. 6742 (ADOPT)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
CHANGING THE TITLE OF IDENTIFICATION TECHNICIAN TO FORENSIC
SPECIALIST AND COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR TO PUBLIC SAFETY
DISPATCHER (FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES).
ORDINANCES
15.SPEED LIMITS FOR IMPERIAL HIGHWAY – ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC
SURVEYS.
A staff report was presented by Pubic Works Director Desi Alvarez who explained that in
order to enforce speed limits using radar, the California Vehicle Code requires that agencies
periodically conduct an engineering and traffic survey of the average speeds on the streets to
determine what the typical driver would drive on the given segment of street. The survey for Imperial
Highway was conducted over the entire stretch from the easterly City limits to Old River School
Road. The findings are that the speed limit of forty miles per hour (40 mph), as currently posted,
should remain.
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Council Member Trejo questioned the segment of Old River School Road to Paramount
Boulevard having a total of thirty-six collisions which appears to be nearly twice as much as the rest
of the segments. Director Alvarez responded that he would get back to Council Member Trejo with
that information.
Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy inquired whether all of the surveys were done during daylight
hours and Director Alvarez responded that they were conducted during regularly traveled hours in
order to capture A.M. and P.M. peek traffic.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
AMENDING SECTION 3186 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING
TO SPEED LIMITS FOR IMPERIAL HIGHWAY.
(,-ity Clerk Midstokke read the title of the Ordinance. It was moved by Council Member
Trejo, seconded by Council Member Perkins and unanimously carried to waive further reading and
introduce.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Burnett, resident of Santa Fe Springs, complained about a recent incident with the
Downey Police involving a lost dog.
Russell Rankin, resident of Downey, spoke regarding the trend of building big houses on
small pieces of property and requested some type of rules for architectural integrity.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
16.GENERAL PLAN UPDATE – DOWNEY VISION 2025.
Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development/ City Planner Ron Yoshiki
presented a staff report including a Power Point presentation, along with Senior Planner Jay Jarrin
and Associate Planner Jason Mikaelian. Assistant Director Yoshiki explained that this item has two
parts, first the General Plan update and the second part is the approval of an agreement for the
preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Senior Planner Jarrin introduced members of the General Plan Committee in attendance
tonight including Craig Schwerdt, Harold Tseklenis, George Redfox, Stella Machado and Mary Lou
Trevis
As background, Senior Planner Jarrin explained that there are four main purposes of the
General Plan: 1) To identify the City’s long-term goals; 2) To identify the policies and programs to
achieve those goals; 3) Provides a foundation for decisions by the City Council, the Planning
Commission, the Design Review Board as well as stan and 4) Comply with State mandates.
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The history of the Downey General Plan starts with the 1 st General Plan adopted in 1963 ,
after the City’s incorporation in 1956; a “General Plan 1990“ adopted in 1973; a “Downey Vision
2010” adopted in 1992; and a “Downey Vision 2025“ scheduled to be adopted in 2004. Since the
General Plan is a long-term policy document, it is updated in ten-year intervals.
Senior Planner Juan then reviewed the steps completed thus far in the process. After the
creation of the General Plan Committee, staff has met on a regular basis with the committee to review
the 1992 document and discuss which areas need to be updated. Included in this process were
members of the Police Department, Fire Department, Housing, Traffic, Economic Development and
the Water Division of the Public Works Department. Staff has prepared drafts of each chapter of the
plan and the Planning Commission has reviewed these drafts. Staff is finalizing those documents for
drafts to be presented to the general public in April and May. To further encourage comments, five
community meetings are being scheduled for late May and June. The finalized draft document is
scheduled to be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council in the fall.
Pursuant to State environmental laws, the City is also required to analyze what impact the
General Plan will have on the community and an EIR will need to be prepared. Staff is proposing the
hiring of a consultant from the Planning Center to prepare the EIR. This work includes a traffic
study, other technical studies, EIR scoping meeting, prepare draft EIR, response to comments, attend
Public Hearings and prepare the final EIR.
Senior Planner Jarrin referenced the proposed chapters of Downey Vision 2025 including
Land Use, Circulation, Safety, and Noise. Associate Planner Mikaelian referenced the chapters of
Conservation, Open Space & Recreation, Design and Economic Development.
Council Member Perkins thanked the General Plan Committee and City staff for their hard
work on this project and indicated he would withhold his comments and questions until the final
document is before the City Council.
Council Member Bayer inquired regarding the population estimate of 1 18,000 and Associate
Planner Mikaelian responded that the number was derived from projections of Southern California
Association of Governments (SCAG).
Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy indicated he was glad to see the effort to maximize the use of
the Green Line MTA Station and he requested the issue ofmansionization be addressed in the future.
He also requested consideration of a service fee for new rental apartment units to help cover the costs
of increased City services. He requested that there be a Spanish language interpreter present at least
one of the community meetings with prior promotion. He referenced that the possibility of an Orange
Line transportation system should be included and that the proposed route is at the southwest corner
of the City through the Rancho property.
Mayor Cartozian thanked staff for presenting this update as a result of his request at the last
meeting. He inquired regarding the elimination of on-street parking on major arterials and Senior
Planner Jarrin responded that this was actually a policy from the 1992 General Plan.
Harold Tseklenis, Chairman of the Citizens Committee for the General Plan indicated that the
staff has been working very diligently with the committee and that they have had an excellent starting
point and background from the 1992 General Plan.
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It was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy, seconded by Council Member Trejo and
unanimously carried to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with The Planning
Center for consultant services related to the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report
(EIR) for the General Plan update (Downey Vision 2025), at a cost of $165,473.
At this time, Mayor Cartozian recognized his parents in the audience, Fred and Arlene
Cartozian.
OTHER BUSINESS – Consent Calendar – Items removed by Council Approval:
4.CASH CONTRACT #S.S. 549/550 – GALLATIN ROAD SIDEWALK SYSTEM:
AGREEMENT WITH MS. ELIZABETH LOERA, PROPERTY OWNER AT 9275
DOWNEY AVENUE, FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF RECONSTRUCTION OF A
MASONRY AND WROUGHT IRON FENCE, FOR $20,000; AUTHORIZE PUBLIC
WORKS DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND ISSUE A CHANGE ORDER TO
DAMON CONSTRUCTION CO. INC., FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL
SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS ON GALLATIN ROAD, FOR $25,000.
Council Member Trejo mentioned that he has received many positive comments regarding the
new sidewalks on Gallatin including from the parents of children attending Gallatin Elementary
School and is pleased that the corner house on Downey Avenue and Gallatin will allow for public
right of way to construct the sidewalk.
It was moved by Council Member Trejo, seconded by Council Member Perkins and
unanimously carried to approve staff recommendation as stated above.
10.A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING THE APPEAL AND DENYING THE REVOCATION OF ZONE
VARIANCE NO. 660 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7447 FIRESTONE
BOULEVARD, ZONED C-2 (JOHNIE’S BROILER RESTAURANT SIGNS).
Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy stated that although this was discussed extensively two weeks
ago, he would like to urge once again, having looked at the sign and the various parts of it in
disrepair, that rather than approving the appeal and denying the revocation, that this decision be
postponed for sixty days to allow interested parties to create something positive out of this. The
appearance and safety is a problem that should not be allowed to continue.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy that action be postponed for sixty days and at
that time go with staffs recommendation from two weeks ago to deny the appeal.
City Attorney Vose explained that two different motions had been made. One to continue the
matter and another to deny the appeal in sixty days. He expressed that the second part is
inappropriate as the Council can not commit themselves to an action to be taken in sixty days.
Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy then moved to postpone any action on this item for sixty days.
The motion died for lack of a second.
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Council Member Perkins indicated that since the occupants of the property had torn the sign
up without a permit, they should be made to restore it to what it was when they moved onto the
property.
Mayor Cartozian indicated that he would be meeting with affected parties on Thursday and
was not sure if everything could be accomplished within sixty days.
RESOLUTION NO. 6738
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING THE APPEAL AND DENYING THE REVOCATION OF ZONE
VARIANCE NO. 660 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7447 FIRESTONE
BOULEVARD, ZONED C-2 (GENERAL COMMERCIAL) (JOHNIE’S BROILER
RESTAURANT SIGNS).
City Clerk Midstokke read the title of the Resolution. It was moved by Council Member
Trejo, seconded by Council Member Bayer, and carried by the following vote to adopt.
AYES: Bayer, Perkins, Trejo, Mayor Cartozian
NOES: McCarthy
It was moved by Council Member Trejo, seconded by Council Member Bayer and
unanimously carried to waive further reading of the Resolution.
At this time, Council Member Perkins requested that Item # 16, the agreement with the
Planning Center for consultant services related to the preparation of the Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) for the General Plan update (Downey Vision 2025), not to exceed $165,473, be
further discussed. He questioned why some agreements approved by the City Council are signed by
the Mayor and some by the City Manager. He asked if they were picked at random and City Manager
Caton responded they were proposed by the various departments. Council Member Perkins indicated
he feels this is a poor way of doing it and there is no check and balance. He feels that additional
services and compensation are matters that should come back to City Council.
City Manager Caton explained that in the example of a Public Works contract, there is a
process of change orders, sometimes in the ten of thousands of dollars, approved by the Public Works
Director and at the end of the project will come back for City Council approval. He indicated that if
the City Manager was removed from all of the contracts, that the City would be hamstringed on a day
to day basis. The City Manager has traditionally had the authority to enter into contracts up to
$ 10,000, but stated that he has no objections if the procedure was changed.
Mayor Cartozian expressed that this item has already been voted upon and approved and any
direction given would be for future consideration. He referenced previous discussions at prior City
Council meetings regarding contracts and it was the Council’s direction to leave as is.
It was moved by Council Member Perkins for reconsideration of this item at the next meeting.
The motion died for lack of a second.
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OTHER BUSINESS – Council Member Requests for Future Agenda Items
Council Member Perkins requested that direction be given to the Planning Department and
Planning Commission to study the number of required guest parking spaces for condos and planned
unit developments; and mentioned that there needs to be public education about the high number of
vehicles being stolen while the keys are in them and the engines are running.
Council Member Bayer thanked her mother for attending the meeting tonight.
OTHER BUSINESS – Staff Comments - None
ADJOURNMENT: 9:20 p.m.
The meeting adjourned in memory of Merl Doty, husband of Downey Unified School
District Superintendent Dr. Wendy Doty, to 6:30 p.m., March 23, 2004, in the Council Chamber of
Downey City Hall.
ora
KIRKHKATHLEEN L. MFDSTOKKE, City Clerk Mayor
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