City Council Minutes
Special Meeting – May 10, 2022 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 10, 2022
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special City Council Meeting on May 10, 2022, at 5:35 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 (excused)
Donald E. La Plante Council Member
Mario Trujillo Council Member
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
Linda Thai, Deputy City Clerk
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pacheco asked Deputy City Clerk Thai if any written comments were received regarding Closed Session Items.
BC, resident, commented regarding Items No. 2 and 3. He requested the names of individuals applying and being interviewed for the Interim City Manager and Interim City Attorney positions as well as the vote counts from the City Council.
Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Closed Session items.
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented regarding Item Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. He commented regarding free speech and public participation.
Juan Martinez, resident, requested the names of applicants for Interim City Manager and Interim City Attorney. He commented regarding transparency and regarding the desired qualities for both positions.
Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment.
APPROVED CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez, seconded by Council Member Trujillo and carried 3-0, with Council Member Frometa absent, and, Council Member La Plante abstaining, to approve the Closed Session Minutes of April 14, April 26, and April 27, 2022.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Pacheco announced the City Council is recessing to Closed Session at 5:46 p.m. to discuss matters under the authority of the following sections of the Government Code:
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting – May 10, 2022 2
1. Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Pending Litigation:
Baca v. City of Downey Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 20STCV11703.
2. Public Employee Appointment: Government Code Section 54957 – Title: Interim City Attorney.
3. Public Employee Appointment: Government Code Section 54957 – Title: Interim City Manager.
4. Government Code Section 54957.6 - Conference with labor negotiator James McQueen, Director of Human Resources re: direction for labor negotiations with Downey Police Officers’ Association.
5. Government Code Section 54957.6 - Conference with labor negotiator James McQueen, Director of Human Resources re: direction for labor negotiations with Downey Firemen’s Association.
6. Government Code Section 54957.6 - Conference with labor negotiator James McQueen, Director of Human Resources re: direction for labor negotiations with Downey Fire Management Association.
7. Public Employee Appointment/Discussion/Recruitment pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) – Title: City Manager.
RECONVENED SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Pacheco reconvened the Special City Council meeting at 6:37 p.m. with all Council Members present.
City Attorney Abich Garcia reported the Closed Session report as follows: In regards to Item No. 1, the City Council gave settlement authority to its legal counsel; in regards to Item No. 2, the City Council met to discuss the appointment of an Interim City Attorney. Following discussion, the City Council voted to appoint Lauren Langer of the law firm of Best Best & Krieger to serve as Interim City Attorney effective May 21, 2022. The motion to appoint Lauren Langer as Interim City Attorney was made by Council Member Trujillo, seconded by Council Member Alvarez, and approved 4-0, with Council Member Frometa absent; in regards to Item No. 3, the Council was given a status report but there was no reportable action; in regards to Item No. 4, 5, and 6, the City Council gave direction to its labor negotiators; in regards to Item No. 7, there was no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Special City Council meeting at 6:38 p.m.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC BLANCA PACHECO
City Clerk Mayor