City Council Minutes
Special Meeting – May 17, 2022 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 17, 2022
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special City Council Meeting on May 17, 2022, at 4:00 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
Jason Chacon, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation
Linda Thai, Deputy City Clerk
1. DISCUSS APPROVING FUNDING FOR THE “MEXICO EN EL CORAZON” SHOW AT THE DOWNEY THEATRE: Council Member Trujillo.
Mayor Pacheco asked Deputy City Clerk Thai if there was any written correspondence received regarding Item No. 1.
Charles Gerlach, resident, commented regarding the calling of a special meeting to discuss the item, notice for special meetings, and provision of an agenda report for the item.
Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment regarding Item No. 1.
BC, resident, requested information on the item and an explanation of the cost of the event and expected benefit to the City. He commented in favor of Downey First policies, in opposition to funding of the event, and ticket sales. He requested the Council cease funding to ethnic groups and end support for Stay Gallery and Havana Nights.
Juan Martinez, resident, commented regarding the holding of special meetings. He commented regarding the fiduciary duty of the City Council and discussing the item at a Regular Council meeting.
Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment.
Council Member Trujillo stated his intention for the item to be discussed at a Regular City Council.
He explained that it is customary for the Theatre Subcommittee to meet to discuss Theatre items and he was unable to attend the Subcommittee meeting. He shared he was approached by the President of United Jaliscienses regarding his search for a venue to hold the performance. He noted that the show was hosted in Los Angeles during its last tour in 2019. He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to offer cultural enrichment to Downey residents. He stated that Downey spends approximately $700,000 annual to support the Theatre and its programming, which is a modest amount in comparison to other cities with public theatres. He stated that the performance is funded by the State of Jalisco, Mexico and the Theatre Subcommittee worked with the Interim Director of Parks & Recreation and the event organizers to lower the cost from $16,100 to $3,831, which includes costs to staff the Theatre for practice
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting – May 17, 2022 2
and the performance, security, and ticket printing fees. He advocated for funding $3,831 to make the performance available at no cost to Downey residents.
Mayor Pacheco commented regarding the reason for the Special Council Meeting. She stated that the event would take place on June 1. She noted that the organization holding the event would be responsible for all advertising and the benefit for the City would be to allow its residents to attend for free.
She added that the only reason that discussion was taking place at a Special Council Meeting was because the event would be occurring in the next few weeks.
Interim Director of Parks & Recreation Chacon added that June 1, 2022 was the only date available and that the Theatre Subcommittee did look for other performance date options.
Council Member La Plante commented regarding City policies and the authority of the City Manager to authorize such funds. City Manager Livas responded that while he did typically have the authority to authorize an expenditure in this amount, this item was brought to City Council as it involves rental use of a City facility and a joint promotional activity between the City and another organization. He noted that the City Manager does not have authority over those matters. Council Member La Plante affirmed his understanding and desire for the City Manager to have that authority.
Mayor Pacheco asked whether the event would be advertised on Social Media. Interim Director of Parks & Recreation Chacon confirmed that the event would be shared on the City’s social media sites as well as the Downey Theatre’s social media. City Manager Livas added that this was because the event is a joint City-sponsored event.
It was moved by Council Member Trujillo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez, and carried 4-0 with Council Member Frometa absent, to authorize a total expenditure of $3,831 to support the “Mexico en el Corazon” show at the Downey Civic Theatre on June 1, 2022 and make the show available at no cost to Downey residents.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Special City Council Meeting at 4:17 p.m.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC BLANCA PACHECO
City Clerk Mayor