City Council Minutes
Special Meeting – May 3, 2022 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 3, 2022
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special City Council Meeting on May 3, 2022, at 4:02 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, with Mayor Pacheco presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Blanca Pacheco Mayor
Catherine Alvarez Mayor Pro Tem
Claudia M. Frometa Council Member
Mario Trujillo Council Member
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Leslie Murray, Chief of Police
Dan Hurlock, Fire Chief
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
Crystal Landavazo, Interim Director of Community Development Jason Chacon, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation
Anil Gandhy, Director of Finance
Vaniah de Rojas, Assistant to the City Manager
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Karen Richards. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by former West Covina Mayor Ben Wong.
1. WELCOME: Mayor Pacheco
Mayor Pacheco welcomed members of the Downey United School District Board of Education in attendance. She thanked the Downey Police Department for attending the meeting.
2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY-APPOINTED DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL MEMBER DONALD E. LA PLANTE
Sandra Carlson administered the Oath of Office to newly-appointed Council Member Donald E.
La Plante, District 2.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER LA PLANTE’S INCOMING COMMENTS
Council Member La Plante thanked members of the School Board, City staff, former West Covina Mayor Ben Wong, and Anaheim School District Superintendent Nancy Nien for attending the swearing-in ceremony. He stated his intention to do his best for the City of Downey and restated his goals of bringing the City together and moving forward prosperously and beneficially during his time on the City Council.
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Pacheco recessed the City Council meeting at 4:10 p.m. Mayor Pacheco reconvened the City Council meeting at 4:31 p.m. with Council Member Trujillo absent.
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting – May 3, 2022 2
PUBLIC COMMENT ON SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if any written comments were received regarding Special Meeting Agenda Items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed no written Public Comments were received. Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment regarding Special Meeting Agenda items.
BC, resident, welcomed Council Member La Plante. He commented regarding the stability of the Downey City. He commented regarding the decision-making Council Member La Plante will take part in, in opposition to taxation, funding of Stay Gallery and City events, and in support of smaller government and lower taxes.
Lee Squire, resident, questioned why the swearing-in did not take place at the May 10th City Council meeting and whether Council Member La Plante supports the recall of Los Angeles County District Attorney Gascon.
D. Mark Morris, resident, commented in support of newly-appointed Council Member La Plante.
Jeannie Wood, resident, thanked Council Member for allowing her to remain on the Recreation and Community Services Commission.
Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed public commented.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Special City Council meeting at 4:38 p.m.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC BLANCA PACHECO
City Clerk Mayor