City Council Minutes
Special Meeting – May 24, 2022 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 24, 2022
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special City Council Meeting on May 24, 2022, at 5:32 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
Lauren Langer, Interim City Attorney
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED CLOSED SESSION MINUTES
It was moved by Council Member Trujillo, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez and carried 4-0, with Council Member Frometa absent, to approve the Closed Session Minutes of May 3 and May 10, 2022.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if any written comments were received regarding Closed Session Items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed no written Public Comments were received. Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Closed Session Items.
BC, resident, commented regarding the importance of the position of Director of Parks and Recreation and enumerated the reasons for the importance of the Parks and Recreation Department and its programs.
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented regarding information provided regarding the candidate for Director of Parks and Recreation, the bathroom policy at City parks, and the importance of recreation on mental health.
Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Pacheco announced the City Council is recessing to Closed Session at 5:41 p.m. to discuss matters under the authority of the following sections of the Government Code:
1. Government Code Section 54957 – Public Employee Appointment: Director of Parks and Recreation.
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting – May 24, 2022 2
RECONVENED SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Pacheco reconvened the Special City Council meeting at 6:32 p.m. with all Council Members present.
Interim City Attorney Langer reported the Closed Session report as follows: In regards to Item No. 1, the City Council unanimously ratified the City Manager’s recommendation and appointment of Jason Chacon as Director of Parks and Recreation.
City Manager Livas expressed his pleasure with the City Council’s action to ratify his appointment of Jason Chacon as Director of Parks & Recreation. He provided information on Director Chacon’s educational and professional background and listed his accomplishments with Downey Parks and Recreation.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Special City Council meeting at 6:34 p.m.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC BLANCA PACHECO
City Clerk Mayor