HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 02-24-09 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 24, 2009
The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an
Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:31 p.m., February 24, 2009, in the Council Chamberof the Downey
City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor/Chairperson Mario A. Guerra
presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members/Commissioners:
Mario A. Guerra
Anne M. Bayer
Luis H. Marquez
Roger C. Brossmer
David R. Gafin
Mayor/Chairperson
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairperson
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Edward W. Lee, City Attorney/Agency Counsel
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary
Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects
Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development
Mark Sauter, Deputy City Manager/Emergency Preparedness
Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant Deputy City Manager
Other City Staff
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ADJOURNED MEETING AGENDA ITEMS: None.
APPROVED CLOSED SESSION MINUTES: January 27, 2009.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairperson Bayer, seconded by Counci\
Member/Commissioner Brossmer, and unanimously carried to approve.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION:
Mayor/Chairperson Guerra announced the Council/Commission is ncessing to Closed
Session (6:32 p.m.) to discuss matters under the authority of the following section of the
Government Code:
1. Government Code Section 54956.8 – Conference with real property negotiator Gilbert Livas
re: property at 9655 Firestone Boulevard; negotiating party: Champion Dodge – Paul
Antepara; under negotiations: price and terms of payment.
RECONVENED:
The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:30 p.m. Wth aI\ Council
Members/Commissioners present. There were no Closed Session actions to report.
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 02/24/09 -1 -
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk/Secretary W\RIO A. GUERRA, Mbyor/Chairperson
City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 02/24/09 -2-
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 24, 2009
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular Meeting at 7:33 p.m., February 24,
2009, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, Mayor Mario A. Guerra presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members:
Mario A. Guerra
Anne M. Bayer
Luis H. Marquez
Roger C. Brossmer
David R. Gafin
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager
Edward W. Lee, City Attorney
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects
Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development
Mark Sauter, Deputy City Manager/Emergency Services
Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant Deputy City Manager
Roy Campos, Police Chief
John Michicoff, Finance Director
Thad Phillips, Community Services Director
Brian Ragland, Public Works Director
Jeff Turner, Fire Chief
Susan Domen, Deputy City Clerk
Other Staff
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS:
Council Member Brossmer noted that he attended the Taco’s Mexico grand opening at
Stonewood Mall, the Chamber Mixer at Downey Federal Credit Union, his first Southeast Los
Angeles County Work Investment Board meeting and a Neighborhood Watch meeting at Downey
First Christian Church in the past week.
Council Member Gafin stated that he found the first goals setting session meeting to be very
informative and is looking forward to the second one; reported he attended the opening ceremonies
for the Downey Ponytail League and the Rose Float Association’s Installation Dinner last Saturday;
and announced that the West Downey Little League’s opening ceremonies will be held on March 7,
2009
Mayor Pro Tem Bayer reported that she represented Gateway Cities Council of
Governments on January 20th in Sacramento before a House Legislative Subcommittee; and noted
that the Citizens Police Academy will be starting on March 11, 2009.
City Council Minutes 02/24/09 -1-
Council Member Marquez noted his attendance at the Mega Chamber Mixer last Thursday at
Embassy Suites; and stated that the goals setting meeting was a great experience to meet with staff
and collaborate with fellow Council Members in moving forward on policy issues.
Mayor Guerra agreed that the goals setting meeting was very productive; explained he had
surgery on his eye; requested staff to prepare a report on newspaper racks including cleaning-up,
centralized and eliminating blight; commended the student council for attending; and thanked his
wife and everyone for their well wishes and support during his recovery.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Dan Cristea, resident of Downey, stated his opposition to the City seeking or receiving any
funding from the stimulus package just approved by the Federal Government.
Trisha Zalembo, resident of Downey, stated she had spoken at a prior meeting regarding the
odor permeating parts of the City and had requested to be informed of any meetings. She
complained that she had not received proper notification of a meeting.
Christopher Obello, student of Rio Hondo Elementary School, requested the City help to
donate clothing, books and money to needy children.
Jocelyn Hernandez and Jasmine Ardondo, studenst of Rio Hondo Elementary School,
requested the equipment at Independence Park be cleaned of graffiti.
David Beckham, student of Rio Hondo Elementary School, requested the p:ayground
equipment at Furman Park be replaced.
Grace Bowen and Elizabeth Dias, students of Rio Hondo Elementary School, requested that
additional bottle recycling facilities be placed around the City.
Manual Lopez III, student of Rio Hondo Elementary School, requested lighting be installed at
the ball fields at Furman Park.
CONSENT ITEMS REMOVED: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Council Member Gafin, seconded by Council Member Brossmer, and
unanimously carried to approve the Consent Calendar items as recommended:
1.
2.
APPROVED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting February 10, 2009: City Clerk
APPROVED WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 238331 – 238609; Wire Nos. 428 – 431
and 30001853-30001861 ; in the total amount of $3,306,580.27: Finance.
City Council Minutes 02/24/09 -2-
3.APPROVED AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
KABBARA ENGINEERING FOR PREPARATION OF PLANS. SPECIFICATIONS AND
ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE FOR THE PAVEMENT REHABILITATION OF PARAMOUNT
BOULEVARD BETWEEN FLORENCE AVENUE AND LUBEC STREET IN THE AMOUNT
OF $43,580: Public Works.
4.APPROVED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE BRONSTEIN
COMPANY FOR REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL SERVICES: public Works.
5.APPROVED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH APA ENGINEERING FOR
PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES. LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS. PLANS.
SPECIFICATIONS, ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE AND BID DOCUMENTS FOR THE
PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD AT FIRESTONE BOULEVARD INTERSECTION
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $137,453: Public Works.
6.SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 10. 2009 REGARDING THE FEDERAL
NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM: Economic Development.
7.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 09-7111. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE FINAL SUBDIVISION MAP OF PARCEL MAP NO.
70230 (8102 THIRD STREET), APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SUBDIVIDER
AND ACCEPTING A SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT CASH DEPOSIT AS SURETy: public
Works
8.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 09-7112, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE FINAL SUBDIVISION MAP OF PARCEL MAP NO.
26124 (10415 BROOKSHIRE AVENUE), APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
SUBDIVIDER AND ACCEPTING A SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT CASH DEPOSIT AS
SURETY: Public Works.:
9.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 09-7113. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT/REAPPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE: Administration.
A
B.
C
D.
E.
F.
G
H.
1.
J.
K.
L.
Vivian Durkee to the Art in Public Places Committee;
Rachel Villalobos to the City Hospital Commission;
Dorothy Van Zuilen to the Emergency Preparedness Committee;
Jan Scott to the Emergency Preparedness Committee;
Patti Brode to the Health and Environmental Sanitation Committee;
Bill Minasian to the Health and Environmental Sanitation Committee;
Susan Bouris to the Library Advisory Board;
Nikki Utermohlen to the Personnel Advisory Board and Public Facilities
Financing Corporation;
Michael Murray to the Planning Commission;
Mark Vasquez to the Recreation and Community Services Commission;
Dee Bacus to the Traffic Committee; and
Martin Susnir to the Water Board and Water Facilities Corporation.
10.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 09-7114, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT/REAPPOINTMENT TO BOARDS
AND COMMITTEES FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE: Administration.
A
B.
Janet Molinaro to the Emergency Preparedness Committee; and
Theresa Ford to the Library Advisory Board.
City Council Minutes 02/24/09 -3-
11.AUTHORIZATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING UNDER THE AMERICAN
RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009: Administration.
A. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 09-7115, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE SUBMiTrAL OF A FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FOR THE CITY OF DOWNEY GROUNDWATER WELL
REPLACEMENT PROJECT TO THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO SIGN AND FILE FOR A
FINANCING AGREEMENT UNDER THE STATE REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM;
B. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 09-7116, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE SUBM11-rAL OF A FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FOR THE BLANDWOOD ROAD AND TRUE AVENUE
SANITARY SEWER LIFT STATION REPLACEMENT PROJECT TO THE STATE WATER
RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR
DESIGNEE TO SIGN AND FILE FOR A FINANCING AGREEMENT UNDER THE STATE
REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM;
C. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 09-7117, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE SUBMITrAL OF A FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FOR THE SANITARY SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE
REHABILITATION AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT TO THE STATE WATER
RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR
DESIGNEE TO SIGN AND FILE FOR A FINANCING AGREEMENT UNDER THE STATE
REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM ;
12.ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 09-1240, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY APPROVING THE CITY’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE LOS ANGELES
REGIONAL INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (LA-RICS) AND
APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT: Administration.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
13.RECEIVED AND FILED FORECLOSURE ORDINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION
UPDATE: Police.
Captain McCulloch presented a Power Point presentation noting that the Foreclosure
Ordinance was created to reduce or eliminate vacant distressed properties by requiring lenders to
register the properties in default; making them responsible for hiring a property manager to inspect
and maintain the property; to inspect the property on a weekly basis, and provide the City monthly
status reports. He explained that once the lender files the registration paperwork sent to major
lenders, the information is forwarded to the Code Enforcement Division.
Council Member Gafin asked how the properties are being identified and lenders being made
to register them. He was told through citizen complaint letters, or by staff visually finding obvious
vacant properties. They are then traced back through the mortgage lenders. Council Member Gafin
then asked about properties that are just abandoned and the banks don't have the ownership rights
yet and was told that this Ordinance requires the banks to step in and bring the property in
compliance
Council Member Brossmer asked how many homes are currently in the City that meet these
requirements and was told approximately 105 were initially identified.
City Council Minutes 02/24/09 -4-
Mayor Guerra asked what the next step is and was told that by identifying the properties, this
gives the City a tool to know who is responsible and makes them accountable for the conditions.
Captain McCulloch noted that the Administrative Citation program is being finalized and will
provide another tool to help bring properties in compliance in a more expedient manner. He noted
that last year there were 2,100 cases where 99.5% received voluntary compliance by the owner;
although not always in an expedient manner. Notification was sent out to residents in the water bills
as well as an article in the newspaper. Policies and procedures are being drafted and a contract for
a hearing officer will be brought to Council in the near future.
Mayor Guerra noted he is a big supporter of having Code Enforcement within the Police
Department and that last month there were 726 open cases, 137 new cases, and 148 closed cases.
There was no action taken on this item.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS:
Mayor Guerra solicited possible dates for the second goals setting session meeting and it
was determined that the meeting would be held on March 21, 2009 from 8:30 to 12:30 at the
Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center.
STAFF COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., March 10, 2009.
Wag/Jy . haoAgo.
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk MARIO A. GUERRA, Mayor
City Council Minutes 02/24/09