HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10-06-09 Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 6, 2009
The City Council of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 5:02 p.m.,
October 6, 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
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
John Michicoff, Finance Director
John Perfitt, Economic Development Director
Thad Phillips, Community Services Director
Brian Ragland, Public Works Director
Jeff Turner, Fire Chief
Other Staff
The Invocation was delivered by Community Services Director Thad Phillips. The Flag
Salute was led by Public Works Director Brian Ragland.
At this time, Mayor Guerra announced that Item # 2 on the agenda, the discussion of Council
priority list update, is being continued to the regular City Council meeting on October 13, 2009 and
that there is a need for a Closed Session to be added to the agenda tonight. It was noted that this
item come up after the posting of the agenda and that there is need for immediate action.
It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Gafin and
unanimously carried to add the following item to a Closed Session:
1.Government Code Section 54956.8 – Conference with real property negotiator Gerald
Caton re: property located at 12224 Lakewood Boulevard (Downey Studios); negotiating
party: Stuart Lichter, Industrial Realty Group; under negotiations: price and terms of
payment.
Mayor Guerra noted that the Council will recess to Closed Session upon the completion of
Item # 1
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1.PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF SANITARY SEWER MASTER PLAN AND
PROPOSED RATES FOR SANITARY SEWERS: Public Works.
Public Works Director Ragland began his presentation by introducing Paul Giguere, from
RMC Water and Environment and Mark McLean, from Bartle Wells Associates who prepared the
draft Sanitary Sewer Master Plan and Sewer Rate Study. He noted the objectives of tonight’s
meeting as being to present the findings of the Master Plan and Rate Study, address Council
questions and concerns, and explain steps required to implement new sewer programs and sewer
rates
It was noted that the Downey sewer system serves a population of 1 14,000; has 193 miles of
clay pipe, ranging from 6" to 21 ”; over 4,000 manholes and 2 lift stations at Blandwood Road and
True Avenue. The sewers were installed from the 1940s to the 1960s, with the majority installed in
the 1950s, leaving most sewers over 50 years old.
Paul Giguere explained that there are statewide general waste discharge requirements which
were adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board in May of 2006, which apply to all public
collection system agencies with more than one mile of sewers. It requires the electronic reporting of
all sanitary sewer overflows and development and implementation of Sewer System Management
Plan (SSMP). The SSMP is a best practices approach which includes plans, programs and
procedures for: management, operation and maintenance, condition assessment and
repair/replacement, and hydraulic capacity. It promotes quality customer service and forms the
framework for a sustainable asset management program.
A SSMP has eleven elements: goals; organization; legal authority; operation and
maintenance program; design and performance provisions; overflow emergency response plan; fats,
oils and grease control; system evaluation and capacity assurance; monitoring, measurement, and
program modifications; SSMP program audits, and a communication program.
The operation and maintenance recommendations include: new system-wide sewer cleaning
program (3 year cycle); expand “hot spot” cleaning program; expand chemical root control program;
purchase and implementation of computer software for sewer maintenance management; purchase
a trailer-mounted video inspection unit and spill-response equipment (pump, piping); additional
management, technical, and safety training; and increased dedicated sewer staff.
Mr. Giguere continued by giving the findings and recommendations of the initial video
inspection. 50,000 feet (5% of system) was inspected finding that 7% of the pipes require repair,
rehabilitation or replacement. Recommendations include a minimum of .6 miles of rehabilitation and
1 mile of repairs per year; inspect entire system in 5 years; and re-inspect at intervals from 5 – 30
years based on condition and age.
Mark McLean, from Bartle Wells Associates, began his presentation by noting that about
$1.6 Million a year is needed for the next ten years. He noted the current sewer charge is about
$1.00 per month, that it has not been raised in about twelve years and that Proposition 218 must be
followed to raise the rates. The current sewer revenue is approximately $300,000/year and is
insufficient, noting the rates have not kept pace with expanding regulation, inflation, and the aging
infrastructure repair/replacement costs.
The creation of a self-sustaining Sewer Fund would eliminate current transfers from the
General and Water Funds. The new rates would provide for: ongoing operations and maintenance
costs; funding of reserves; capital improvements; and unscheduled expenses (emergency repairs).
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He then reviewed the proposed rate increases recommendations: implement a rate structure
that generates approximately 60% of revenues from fixed charges and 40% from variable charges;
sewer fixed charge is based on the size of the water meter, larger the meter, greater the charge;
sewer variable charge based on percentage of winter water flow, assumed to return to the sewer
system by customer class; typical single family with 5/8 inch meter, rate increases from $.95 a
month to $3.12; increases will generate enough income to meet the SSMP requirements.
Council Member Gafin questioned how the return rates were determined and was told from
sewer flow monitoring information and input from staff.
Council Member Brossmer noted that the proposal appears to have commercial being raised
more than residential and requested further information.
A chart was then presented showing a comparison of bi-monthly sewer collection bills, with
Downey at the low end with existing $1.90 and proposed $6.16, with the next closest city being
South Gate at $7.02, Arcadia $7.88, Torrance $8.21, Redondo Beach $14.00, Westminster $14.50,
Santa Fe Springs $21.00, Alhambra $29.74 and Norwalk $39.17.
Mr. McLean then reviewed the Proposition 218 procedures, noting it is the “Right to Vote on
Taxes Act” passed in November 1996 which provides that the City must notify property owners and
ratepayers about the proposed increase before it can be implemented. They can file a written protest
against the proposed rate increase. A Public Hearing must be held and if a majority of property
owners and ratepayers file a written protest, the rates may not be increased. He then gave a
proposed timeline for the process.
Mayor Guerra requested that the Council be provided more information with an example of
about 10 bills with different size meters and different customer types.
2.DISCUSSION OF COUNCIL PRIORITY LIST UPDATE: Administration. This item was
continued to October 13, 2009.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: No one came forward to speak.
RECESSED:
The meeting recessed at 6:28 p.m. for the purposes of holding a Closed Session as noted
above
RECONVENED:
The meeting reconvened at 8:16 p.m., with all members present. There were no Closed
Session actions to report.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., October 13, 2009.
Bahz„ay, %MiMI
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk MARIO A. GUERRA, MaR'r
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