DOWNEY - "Our nation's libraries," to quote Mayor Mario Guerra's proclamation Tuesday of April 19-25 as National Library Week, "are modern community centers for opportunity, education, self-help and lifelong learning."Librarians are trained professionals, helping people of all ages find and interpret the information they need; and "Libraries can help you discover a world of knowledge." He then urged all residents to visit the library to "take advantage of our wonderful resources and programs." City librarian Nancy Messineo also spoke, reinforcing Guerra's message and thanking all manner of supporters of the library. In other action, the Council: •Authorized staff to submit, via the city of Los Angeles, a grant application for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), the funds to be used for crime suppression and prevention, especially targeting street robberies; •Authorized staff to submit a grant application for the Cops Hiring Recovery program, the grant to provide funding (entry-level salary and benefits) for one full-time sworn police officer position that had previously been frozen; •Accepted the improvements and maintenance responsibility for the Discovery Sports complex and appropriated $832,183 from various funds for the resulting funding discrepancy; •Approved the agreement with Steven Andrews Engineering for the preparation of plans, specifications and engineer's estimate for the construction of a sewage pump station to replace the existing Blandwood Road and True Avenue lift stations, and appropriated an amount not to exceed $88,975 for the purpose; •Accepted the Independent Cities Risk Management Authority (CRMA) grant funds in the amount of $6,404 for the purchase and installation of back-up cameras for four Fire Department apparatuses; •Adopted a resolution amending Resolution No. 6709, accepting a fee and waiving six required parking spaces for a new restaurant at l1045 Downey Ave. in the Downtown Parking Assessment District which will be operated by Paul Granata; •Adopted a resolution approving the submittal of transportation improvement project applications for the 2009 Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO) call for projects; and authorized the city manager to execute all agreements as necessary to receive and expend any awarded grant funds.'' •Adopted a resolution approving the submittal of the "Woodruff Avenue at Via Amorita Pedestrian Traffic Signal" application for safe routes to school funding (8th cycle); •Adopted a resolution establishing a No Stopping Anytime prohibition on the south side of Somerset Ranch Road south, west of Laureldale Ave.; •Adopted a resolution approving the appointment of Octavio Silva to the Water Board for Council District Three; •Adopted a resolution approving the destruction of certain obsolete records of the Fire Department; •Introduced an ordinance approving a restrictive use agreement with Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, Inc. for the city-owned parking lot at 8356 Firestone Blvd.; •Introduced an ordinance amending Section 3130.l of the Downey Municipal Code relating to the designation of one-way streets; •Introduced an ordinance amending Section 3186 of the Downey Municipal Code relating to the speed limits for Rosecrans Ave.; •Heard presentations of certificates of recognition to Rayana Gallindo and Celeste Hernandez for their participation in the opening day ceremony of the Downey Girls Ponytail Athletic Association; •Heard presentations of city pins to Miss Downey, Miss Teen Downey and their courts; *Heard a proclamation of April 2009 as DMV/Donate California Month, underscoring the importance of organ, tissue, marrow and blood donations as life-giving acts recognized worldwide as "expressions of compassion to those in need"; and •Heard presentations of certificates of recognition to Stonewood Center and the Frase family for their volunteer assistance with the Keep Downy Beautiful cleanup program. The next regular public meeting of the City Council will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28 at City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave.

********** Published: April 17, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 52