Five named to volunteer Green Task Force

DOWNEY - Eager to press on with the work of a high-level review of city policies, procedures, and practices according to Sustainable Cities principles, the City Council Tuesday appointed five members to its Green Task Force.The appointees will represent the district of the City Council member that nominated them. The five: Nancy Swenson (appointed by Councilman Roger Brossmer); Bob Ciatti (David Gafin); Robert Rubio (Mayor Pro Tem Anne Bayer); Janet Molinaro (Luis Marquez); and Lars Clutterham (Mayor Mario Guerra). Guerra and Marquez earlier volunteered to represent the City Council on the task force. Still to be appointed are three 'experts' and another resident. According to Deputy City Manager Desi Alvarez, a total of 12 applications were received from city residents, each one possessing various degrees of 'green' expertise. The task force will serve for a term of 12 months, and will meet monthly to make specific recommendations to the City Council on "best management practices for the creation of a sustainable city." In other action, the Council: •Approved the submittal by the Downey Fire Department of their application for Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFD) funds in the amount of $70,511 for the purchase and installation of "No Smoke Diesel Filters" to equip nine (9) Fire Department apparatus; •Adopted a resolution authorizing the execution of a 5-year General Services Agreement renewal with the County of Los Angeles, to cover such miscellaneous services as traffic signals, city-owned lighting, bridge maintenance, and other tasks the city wishes the county to undertake; •Approved the engineer's report for assessments within Assessment District No. 121 for FY2009-10; adopted a resolution declaring its intention to levy and collect lighting and landscaping assessments within the district; and set a public hearing for June 9, 2009, to consider setting such assessments; •Adopted an ordinance approving the Restrictive Use Agreement with Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, Inc. for the city-owned parking lot at 8356 Firestone Blvd.; •Adopted an ordinance amending Section 3130.1 of the Downey Municipal Code relating to the designation of one-way streets within the city; •Adopted an ordinance amending Section 3186 of the Downey Municipal Code relating to the speed limits for Rosecrans Ave.; •Presented certificates of recognition to the members of the Downey Family YMCA Youth and Government Delegation; •Heard a hearty endorsement by the Muscular Dystrophy Association to the Downey Fire Department of its participation in their annual Fill the Boot Fundraising Campaign; •Proclaimed April 27-May 1 Safety Seat Checkup Week; April 2009 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month; April 26-May 2 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week; May 9 as Kids Day; and urged city residents to lend their full support to the 2010 Census; and •Presented a certificate of appointment to Octavio Silva to the Water Board, representing Council District 3. The next public meeting of the City Council will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12 at City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.

********** Published: May 1, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 2