The Downey City Council approved unanimously to have SOS Security, Incorporated’s services at the city’s Downtown parking structure for an annual amount not to exceed $45,000 last Tuesday at its first meeting of the new year.

Before the council approved the item, David Gafin, new city council member, had some questions about how people will know that there is security in place.

“Will there be any types of signs posted to let people know that there will be security present?” Gafin asked.

The question was answered by a staff member of the city who said, “We can put signs up, [saying] that there is security, if the council wishes to do so.”

She also said that security will be walking the structure, and will also have a golf cart to move around inside the structure.

There will be no electrical surveillance, but the cart will have a scanning system to make sure that each floor is being checked. If extra security is needed, like on a day when the street fair is on, then they will be able to do so.

Kirk Cartozian, council member, also added that the reason the Council decided to put security in the parking structure is due to vandalism and stolen cars.

He said that the citizens of Downey came to the Council with concerns about the parking structure and what is being done to cars inside.

The item tied-up a long portion of the meeting where the Council was to approve committee assignments for 2005. That was done by Mayor Anne Bayer.

Cartozian added a supplement to the item, stating that he was unhappy with the committee’s assignments given to him by the Mayor. He said that most of the committees he has been on, he really enjoyed and did not understand why he was being removed from six of the seven committees he had served.

“I would like some kind of justification as to why I am being removed from some of the committees. Based on the recommendation the Mayor has given, I will be on hardly any committees. That will free up my time. I would like to work,” Cartozian said.

The floor opened for discussion on the topic and Meredith Perkins, Mayor Pro Tem, commented on the need for unity in the Council.

“I am happy with my assignments, disappointed in some, yes. It is really up to the mayor and we all get to be mayor during our term. I am willing to accept the change. Lastly I would like to say, I am happy with the assignments I have,” Perkins said.

Gafin said, “I really have no objection, because it is my first time being on the Council. Most duties that you (Cartozian) had were given to me. I have no problem with my assignments, it’s my assignments that I was given.”

Some Downey residents also spoke to the Council on this matter.

One resident commented to the Council that he has been coming to the meetings for the past 25 years and has never heard anyone challenge the mayor’s decisions. “I don’t know what the big deal is. It’s the mayor’s job to assign them.”

Cartozian responded to the resident’s comment by saying “If it is solely the mayor’s job, why are we voting on it then?”

The City Manager, Gerald Caton said it was because the Council has always done it that way.

A resident also said, “Each of you should work diligently with others. It should be the people best suited for the jobs. If one person has multiple committees and the other only has one, something is wrong.”

Mayor Bayer finally commented on the topic by saying, “I did take into consideration the special talent. I feel they are the best (for the committees) and benefit the city of Downey best.”

Perkins motioned that the Council vote on each of the committees separately.

Rick Trejo, council member, said, “Before we vote, I had some complaints last year and didn’t complain about it for the benefit of the Council.” Trejo was referring to last year when Cartozian was mayor of the city.

The vote passed 4-1 with Mayor Bayer voting no.

The Council then approved each item on the list with a little discussion on some of the changes of council members on certain committees.

Cartozian tried to get on the City School Coordinating Committee, which he had been on previously, but was unable to get the response he was hoping for. The vote carried 3-2 with Perkins and Cartozian voting no.

He did succeed on getting on the Downey Landing Park Site subcommittee. The original two people were Trejo and Bayer and it failed to pass with a 2-3 vote, no votes came from Perkins, Gafin and Cartozian.

Trejo gave his spot to Cartozian, after saying that he was honored to have him on the committee when he was mayor.

After all the committees were approved, there was still more business to discuss.

Perkins brought to the attention of the Council an item on the agenda that was waiting for approval. If approved, it would allow the city to approve a contract for on-call legal services with the law firm Oliver, Vose, Sandifer, Murphy & Lee.

He had pulled the item from the agenda because of concern that there was a conflict of interest involved. The City Attorney, Charles Vose, is a part of the law firm in question. Perkins asked Vose if there is a conflict of interest in hiring a company that he was apart of.

Vose said, “As of Jan. 1, I have no income with the law firm. I have no interest in the law firm.” This existed before prior years of serving.

Perkins was also concerned that since Vose name was second in line on the firm’s name, it would look as if he was still involved in the firm.

Vose said, “The firm plans on changing the name.”

The item passed 5-0

In Council, Perkins reported that the Rio Hondo Clubhouse and Parking lot replacement projected ended up with a surplus of $394,000.

Mayor Bayer announced that the city was entered in the Keep America Beautiful contest and had won first place for the Presidential Circle Award. The award ceremony was in Washington D.C. and they could not attend. But was very pleased with winning the award.

The next city council meeting is Nov. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Downey City Hall in Council Chambers.