HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12-03-02 - Reorganization MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REORGANIZATION MEETING
DECEMBER 3, 2002
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The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting for the
purposes of Reorganization at 6:10 p.m., December 3, 2002, in the Council Chamber of the
Downey City Hall, Mayor Meredith H. Perkins, presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members:
Meredith H. Perkins
Rick Trejo
Kirk O. Cartozian
Keith McCarthy
Robert C. Winningham
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
ALSO PRESENT: Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Shirley Conte, Executive Secretary
Other City employees were present in the audience.
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor Ken Kalina, First Presbyterian Church of
Downey. The Flag Salute was led by Mayor Pro Tem Trejo and family.
Mayor Perkins welcomed everyone and recognized special guests, including former
Mayors and Council Members, City Board and Commission members and Assemblywoman
Sally Havice. He mentioned dignitaries from neighboring cities, the Downey Chamber of
Commerce, etc., will be making special presentations later in the meeting. He then delivered his
final address, honoring members of the press, Arnold Adler, Herald American and News (not
present), and John Adams, the Downey Patriot, for their attendance at Council Meetings during
the past year and for an outstanding job of reporting the City’s news. He presented Mr. Adams
with a special recognition award. He also commended Council Member Winningham, his wife
Carol and their children, noting the friendship they have formed since both joined the Council at
the same. He referred to his leadership during the past year and mentioned three goals he set
when taking office: To celebrate the City’s 45th Anniversary, to establish the Mayor’s Soaring
Eagle Award for continued education by staff and community members, and to continue new
developments, such as the new Downey Depot, the future home of a new Kaiser Hospital, the
film industry use of the former Boeing property, completion of the Independence Park skate park,
tennis court and park upgrades, plans for a new golf course clubhouse, and the undergrounding of
utilities on Imperial Highway. He noted Downey is a place to grow and live and thanked his
Council colleagues, staff, Police and Fire personnel and the citizens of Downey for the honor to
serve as Mayor during the past year. He acknowledged Judge Roy Paul, a former Mayor and
Council Member, and thanked him for the opportunity to work on the City’s General Plan for
two years. He then bid everyone “so long and farewell.”
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Council Member Wirmingham delivered his final address mentioning he recently
celebrated his 47th birthday in Downey where he was bom and raised, noting his mom moved to
Downey in 1955 for the quality of life offered here. He acknowledged Downey Unified School
Board Members, Fire and Police personnel, the City Manager, City Management and City staff
and thanked them for the job they do for the City. He also mentioned the outstanding level of
volunteerism in Downey. He thanked his wife Carol, daughter Jennifer, son Scott and friend
Zoila, for their support and also thanked his friends and District 4 residents for electing him. He
stated he was proud of the job he did as a Council Member and noted he was honored to serve
the City. He commended Council Secretary Barbara Fitzsimmons, stating it was a pleasure
working with her during the past four years. He referred to former Mayors and Council Members
Barbara Riley, Joyce Lawrence and Dr. Gary McCaughan, whom he also served with and noted
any differences with other Council Members during his tenure were always left on the dais. He
mentioned his friendship with Mayor Perkins and hoped they would be lifelong friends. He
acknowledged District 4 Board/Commission Members and bid everyone “so long and farewell.“
Council Member Cartozian commended Council Member Winningham for the work he
produced during his four years on the Council and stated he will be missed.
Council Member Trejo thanked Council Member Winningham for his leadership.
Council Member McCarthy, to the delight of the audience, read a humorous verse he
prepared for Council Member Winningham’s departure titled “Ode to Bob,“ and thanked Council
Member Winningham for his dedication to the community.
Special presentations were made to outgoing Mayor Perkins by Assemblywoman
Sally Havice; Connie Sziebl representing Congressman Steven Horn, Laura Jimenez representing
State Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, Barbara Baez representing Los Angeles County
Supervisor Don Knabe, Mayor Dave Butler, City of Whittier, Council Member Dorothy King,
City ofBellflower, Downey Unified School District Board Members Cheryl Andresen and Bobbi
Samperi, Sam Oliveto, Executive Director, California Contract Cities, AIda Sichting,
representing the Downey Sister Cities Association, Mike Prokop, President, Downey Rose Float
Association, Downey City Clerk Kathleen Midstokke on behalf of Senator Betty Karnette’s
office and the Cities of Norwalk, Paramount, and Cerritos, and Lucy Wilson, President, Downey
Chamber of Commerce.
Special presentations were also made to outgoing Council Member Winningham by
Connie Sziebl representing Congressman Steven Horn, Downey Unified School District Board
Members Cheryl Andresen and Bobbi Samperi, Barbara Baez, representing Los Angeles County
Supervisor Don Knabe, and AIda Sichting, representing the Downey Sister Cities Association.
RESOLUTION NO. 6619
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY,
CALIFORNIA, RECITING THE FACT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION, CONSOLIDATED WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL
ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2002, DECLARING THE RESULT AND
SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW
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The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Council Member Winningham,
seconded by Council Member Cartozian, and unanimously carried to waive further reading
and adopt.
City Clerk Midstokke read the Oath of Office to newly elected Council Members Perkins
and Bayer.
Council Members Trejo, Cartozian, McCarthy and Perkins welcomed Council Member
Bayer,
Council Member Bayer thanked everyone for electing her and stated she felt honored to
serve the citizens of Downey. She thanked her family and co-workers for their support
during her election.
Mayor Perkins turned the Chair over to the City Clerk for the Election of a new Mayor.
City Clerk Midstokke declared the Office of Mayor open and asked for nominations.
It was moved by Mayor Perkins and seconded by Council Member Cartozian to nominate
Council Member Trejo as Mayor of the City of Downey. There being no further nominations,
the City Clerk declared the nominations closed.
It was unanimously carried to elect Council Member Trejo as Mayor of the City of
Downey.
Mayor Trejo declared the Office of Mayor Pro Tempore open and asked for nominations.
It was moved by Mayor Trejo and seconded by Council Member Perkins to nominate Council
Member Kirk Cartozian as Mayor Pro Tempore of the City of Downey. There being no further
nominations, Mayor Trejo declared the nominations closed.
It was unanimously carried to elect Council Member Kirk Cartozian as Mayor Pro
Tempore of the City of Downey.
Mayor Trejo presented Council Member Perkins with a Certificate of Election as Mayor, a
Gavel Plaque, and the traditional Mayor’s scrapbook commemorating activities during his term
as Mayor. Council Member Perkins presented Mayor Trejo with a City of Downey Mayor’s Pin
and Mayor Trej o in turn presented Council Member Perkins with a City pin for past Mayors.
Mayor Trejo thanked his family and friends for attending. He presented a Power Point
presentation highlighting his goals for 2003, which included neighborhood preservation,
economic development and recreation. He stated he hoped to bring more community
involvement to the neighborhood preservation program established in 1996 to eliminate blight,
crime and other quality of life issues. He discussed his hope of bringing new retaii developments
to the City and to continue the game plan for the former NASA site, including the filming
component and the special space science learning center to preserve the site’s history, llc stated
he would like to bring more attention and resources to recreation programs for the City’s youth
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and referred to tournaments the City could host for regional sporting events to showcase the
athletic skills of its youth and its parks. He also mentioned his excitement about the addition of a
new park on the former NASA site.
Mayor Trejo thanked his Council colleagues and City staff for their support. He also
thanked Christina Vogel, Barbara Fitzsimmons and Alta Duke for their assistance in organization
tonight’s festivities. He gave special thanks to his wife Karen and introduced his children, Gary,
Kathryn Mary, Karen and James, and other family members and 61ends present. He also thanked
Downey High School for providing music for the reception to follow the meeting.
Council Member Bayer introduced her daughter Amanda, her mom, her sister, family
members, co-workers and friends.
Council Member Perkins recognized Ernie Garcia, City Manager, City of Norwalk and
Norwalk Mayor Jesse Luera, Vice Mayor Mike Mendez and Council Members Gordon
Stefenhagen and Sherry Kelley. He introduced his son Jeff, friend Irene, son Greg and his wife
Angelique, grandsons, family members and friends.
Council Member McCarthy introduced his wife Katrine and son Ryan. He acknowledged
District 1 Commissioners, stated his support for Mayor Trejo, thanked Council Member Perkins
for a job well done as Mayor, and welcomed new Council Member Anne Bayer.
Council Member Cartozian introduced his mom and dad, Arlene and Fred, his brother
Craig, close friends and District 5 Commissioner Maria Larkin.
ORAT / COMMUNICATIONS
Robert Bryan, President of the Downey City Employees’ Association Maintenance Unit,
thanked Council Member Winningham for his support and for taking part in the Maintenance
Unit’s events, such as employee recognition luncheons and pancake breakfasts. He also thanked
Council Member Perkins for always being there with Council Member Winningham. He
commended Council Member Perkins’ service as Mayor during this past year and looked forward
to his continued leadership during the next four years. He also welcomed Mayor Trejo and
newly elected Council Member Anne Bayer.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:55 p.In.
The meeting was adjourned to 6:30 p.m., December 10, 2002, in the Council Chamber
of Downey City Hall.
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K;thleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk RIck M::m
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