HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 03-21-09 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 21, 2009
The City Council of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 8:38 a.m.,
March 21, 2009, in the Cormack Room of the Downey City Library, 11121 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
(Arrived at 8:56 a.m.)
ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager
Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager
Edward W. Lee, City Attorney
Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects
Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant Deputy City Manager
Thad Phillips, Community Services Director
Brian Ragland, Public Works Director
Jeff Turner, Fire Chief
Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Other Staff
City Manager Caton announced the purpose of the continued session today is for the
remainder of the departments - Fire, Community Services, Public Works and Special Projects, to
present their departmental operations and priorities; a fiscal update; Council goals discussion and
blending the department operations and mandates with the Council goals.
1.CONTINUATION OF DEPARTMENTAL PRESENTATIONS AND CITY COUNCIL
DISCUSSION/DIRECTION OF DEPARTMENTAL PRIORITIES: Administration.
Assistant City Manager Powell gave an update on the current budget status in regards to the
General Fund for Fiscal Year 2008-09. Budgeted income is $71,285,000 and projected income is
$68,406,000; and budgeted expenditures are $71,017,000 with $70,633,000 being projected. He
noted that the primary decline to income is approximately $3,000,000 in sales tax revenue. He then
reviewed full-time employee positions, noting the total number of vacancies is 30, with 21 of those
being non-sworn; and of those non-sworn, 16 are funded by the General Fund. He distributed three
hand-outs, the current projections for the General Fund, full-time employee positions, and a list of
vacant positions.
Council Member Brossmer requested that the list of vacant positions be revised for the next
meeting, noting those that are being filled by part-time and contracted employees. He also
requested the length of time the positions have been vacant. Mayor Guerra requested that the list
indicate which positions are frozen.
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City Manager Caton noted that the City has a healthy amount in the reserves compared to
the last recession of the 1990s.
Fire Chief Turner gave an overview of the Fire Department noting that everything starts with
the personnel. The Department has 84 total personnel with 70 being sworn. They work 24 hour
shifts and have minimum staffing of 21 firefighters and 2 ambulance operators. He noted there are 4
fire districts set up for responses with the average response time of 4 minutes 45 seconds. He
described the four fire stations, their history and the facility goals including hiring a consultant to
perform a needs assessment of all facilities. He reviewed the Department’s apparatus and
equipment noting that a goal is to establish a replacement schedule. He reviewed training with the
Federal, State and County mandates, noting that the average firefighter receives over 450 hours
annually. The Fire Prevention Division was reviewed noting that over 300 hazardous material
locations have been identified in the City. In the Community Education area, flu shots at Fire Station
One were started 2 years ago and over 800 were administered this year. The Department priorities
are: life saving, property conservation and protecting the environment.
Council Member Brossmer inquired whether the Fire Department is seeking Federal Stimulus
monies. Chief Turner responded yes, they attended a seminar last week regarding $210 Million
available, but that specifics probably will not be available until summer. There should be some for
equipment but it most likely will be awarded based on age of current equipment and volunteer fire
departments may receive monies before fully staffed departments.
The meeting recessed at 9:38 a.m. and reconvened at 9:45 a.m. with all Council Members
present
Community Services Director Phillips gave an overview of the Community Services
Department noting the divisions of Administration, Recreation, Social Services, Transit, Theatre,
Library and Golf Course. He reviewed the various activities, hours, sizes and amenities of the City
parks. He presented Recreation's ongoing priorities and those for the next 13 years. He noted that
Recreation uses a CLASS system for registrations and there is a priority for a web based system.
Some ideas for new camps include: Top Chef, Survivor, Soccer and Tennis. He noted another
priority as being staffing at all parks. He reviewed the operation of the Downey City Library including
lending and borrowing, information services, programming, adult literacy program and systems. He
presented Library ongoing priorities and those for the next 5 years. He reviewed the contracted
services at the Rio Hondo Golf Course and the current priorities.
Mayor Guerra inquired about the requirement that sports leagues subscribe to the Character
Counts program like the School District requires. Council Member Brossmer noted that this would
be hard to implement with about 25 travelling leagues. Council Member IMarquez indicated that at
least the pamphlet should be available. Mayor Guerra indicated the Council could have further
discussion on this at a later time.
Council Member Marquez inquired about a Space Camp and City Manager Caton responded
that the Space Science Learning Center is not under the Community Services Department. He
further inquired about who does the grant work for the City. Mr. Caton responded that Deputy
Director of Special Projects Alvarez, along with Management Analysis Shannon DeLong look for and
monitor grant opportunities, but that it is up to the individual departments to make their own
applications. Council Member Marquez noted that some local cities have grant writing positions and
that they probably pay for themselves.
Council Member Brossmer inquired about funding opportunities for this Department. City
Manager Caton responded that available funding is currently going to the new Discovery Park.
Council Member Brossmer requested an update on all grants currently in the system.
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Mayor Guerra left the room at 10:33 a.m. and returned at 10:41 a.m.
City Manager Caton noted that since City incorporation in 1956, we are the only City that has
gone full service, including our own Library and Golf Course. Mayor Guerra noted that Downey was
the largest City population wise to incorporate.
Council Member Brossrner questioned the cost of the operations of the Golf Course and
Assistant City Manager Powell responded that the City usually makes a little money on it, and then
transfers that money to the Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center; and the gymnasium.
City Manager Caton noted that the revenue is 97% from golf activities and 3% from the Clubhouse
operations. Mr. Powell stated that the revenue from the food service does not generate enough to
pay the bonds for reconstruction of the Clubhouse.
The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. and reconvened at 10:57 a.m. with all Council
Members present.
Mayor Guerra noted that there does not appear to be time today for the Council to rank and
discuss their goals and perhaps another session needs to be scheduled. It was agreed upon that
Tuesday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chamber would be scheduled.
Public Works Director Ragland gave an overview of the Public Works Department
responsibilities and priorities. He noted the Department's divisions: Administration, Engineering,
Maintenance Services, Utilities and Waste Management. He reviewed their staffing levels and
priorities. The Waste Management Division has 2 full-time employees which are responsible for:
recycling programs, Keep Downey Beautiful, grant applications and funding, and AB 939
compliance.
Mayor Guerra requested that someone from the Waste Management Division be assigned to
the Green Task Force and attend their meetings. Council Member Brossmer concurred and also
requested a review of the AB 939 compliance and the additional conditions imposed upon the City.
Director Ragland continued with the Engineering Division, noting it has 15 full-time and one
part-time position consisting of Administration, Capital Improvements, Traffic, Office and
Stormwater. He noted the Capital Improvements Projects include such projects as pavement
rehabilitation, reconstruction and resurfacing, slurry seal and miscellaneous concrete construction
and repair, traffic signals and street lighting. They also perform many Community Services projects
such as Rio Hondo Golf Course, Clubhouse entrance handicapped access and Treasure Island park
lighting project.
Council Member Brossmer inquired regarding slurry sealing, noting he receives many
complaints from constituents about the conditions of their streets. Director Ragland responded that
this is typically done on a street every 5 – 7 years but its effectiveness has been questioned. He
noted that it has not been worked on for several years, but we do have a pavement management
system with an update in progress that should be ready in 3 – 4 months.
Mayor Guerra inquired about claims filed with the City as a result of potholes. City Manger
Caton responded that given the number of cars travelling in and through the City, the number of
complaints is relatively low. This issue will be addressed in the proposed budget, Capital
Improvement Projects. Mayor Guerra expressed that employees should have a log with them and
report any they encounter. Council Member Brossmer requested further information on the number
of pot holes fixed.
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Director Ragland continued by reviewing the Maintenance Division, noting they service all
City owned property. There are approximately 16,000 street trees in the City. This division also
services a fleet of 260 vehicles.
Council Member Brossmer inquired regarding the diseased oleander bushes, especially on
Florence Avenue and Director Ragland responded that they are being removed and replaced as
time allows.
Council Member Marquez noted that the monument sign at Gardendale and Paramount
needs repair.
Deputy City Manager/Special Projects Alvarez started his review of special projects areas of
water policy issues, community enrichment, inter-agency coordinating advocacy, and utility yard
consolidation.
Due to the time, this presentation was continued to the next meeting.
2.CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED CITY GOALS AND
INTEGRATION OF GOALS WITH DEPARTMENTAL PRIORITIES. This item was
continued to the next meeting. It was noted that staff will group the combined goals/priorities
and give them a letter designation.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ben Coute, resident of Downey, inquired regarding the status of the conditional use permit
for the Onstage Dance Studio and when will it be reheard. Mayor Guerra suggested that he speak
with Community Development Director Gilbert Livas.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 12:38 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., March 24, 2009.
M„oW.#HArahy
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk MARIO A. GUERRA, Mayor
City Council Adj. Minutes 03/21/09