MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 16, 2021
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special City Council Meeting on December 16, 2021, at 3:05 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Pacheco presiding.
Council Members:
Blanca Pacheco
Sean Ashton
Catherine Alvarez
Claudia Frometa
Mario Trujillo
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tern
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
Alicia Duarte, CIVIC, City Clerk
PUBLIC COMMENT ON SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Special Meeting Agenda Items.
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented regarding corruption, fraud, and free speech.
Barbara Samperi, resident and President of the DUSD Board of Education, commented in support of City Manager Livas and his performance as City Manager.
Lee Squire, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and his employment rights.
Mario Guerra, resident and former Downey Mayor, commented in support of City Manager Livas and the legacy of the City Council.
Guillermo Arreola, City employee, commented in support of City Manager Livas and expressed concerns regarding the impact to the City should Mr. Livas be removed from the City Manager position.
Alex Saab, resident and former Downey Mayor, commented in support of City Manager Livas the community's support for Mr. Livas, and stability in the City.
Martha Sodetani, resident and DUSD Board of Education Member, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his performance as City Manager, and the ramifications of removing him from the position.
Kim Sodetani, resident and City employee, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his leadership, and the reasons for removing him from the position.
Carrie Uva, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and his performance as City Manager.
Larry Garces, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and the reasons for removing him from the position.
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D. Mark Morris, resident, former City employee, and DUSD Board of Education Member, commented in support of City Manager Livas and his performance as City Manager.
Dorothy Pemberton, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his performance as City Manager, transparency regarding the reasons for removing him from the position.
John Lacey, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and the community's support for Mr. Livas.
Ralph Diaz, President of the DPOA, commented in support of City Manager Livas and his performance as City Manager.
Michael Calvert, resident and Executive Director of the Downey Chamber of Commerce, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the community's support for Mr. Livas, and his performance as City Manager.
Lawrence Christon, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the leadership of the City Council, the community's support for Mr. Livas, and his performance as City Manager.
Gavril Gabriel, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his performance as City Manager, the reasons for removing him from the position, and potential litigation.
Claude Bilodeau, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his leadership, and stability in Downey.
BC, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and questioned the reasons for removing him from the position.
Hector Sosa, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the community's support for Mr. Livas, his performance as City Manager, and the reasons for removing him from the position.
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Pacheco recessed the City Council meeting at 4:00 p.m. Mayor Pacheco reconvened the City Council meeting at 4:01 p.m. with all Council Members present.
Resident, no name provided, commented in support of City Manager Livas and shared a prayer.
Brian Baker, President of the DPMA, commented in support of City Manager Livas and his leadership.
Rick Rodriguez, resident and former Downey Mayor, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the community's support for Mr. Livas, the legacy of the City Council, and the leadership of Mr.
Livas.
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Pacheco recessed the City Council meeting at 4:09 p.m. Mayor Pacheco reconvened the City Council meeting at 4:10 p.m. with all Council Members present.
Ernesto Valle, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his performance as City Manager, the time of the Special City Council meeting, the reasons for removing Mr. Livas from the position, and corruption in other cities.
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Jason Riddle and Kathleen Van Raay, DCEA Miscellaneous Unit, commented in support of City Manager Livas and his performance as City Manager.
Adam Christin, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his performance as City Manager, and the reasons for removing him from the position.
Frank Dean, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and corruption in other cities.
Roger Brossmer, resident and former Downey Mayor, commented in support of City Manager Livas, transparency, succession planning, and Mr. Livas's character Mike Greenspan, non-resident, questioned whether there are charges against City Manager Livas and commented regarding the replacement of Mr. Livas, and corruption.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, good governance, Brown Act violations, accountability, and transparency.
Lisa Fox, resident and City employee, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his character, his performance as City Manager, and City employee morale.
Kevin Ezeh, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his performance as City Manager, and the timing of the discussion.
Randy Davis, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, Southeast area politics, the reasons for removing Mr. Livas from the position, the legacy of the City Council, and representation of constituents.
Lisette Rivera, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the community's support for Mr. Livas, and representation of the community.
Sheetal Talwar, resident and City employee, commented in support of City Manager Livas and thanked Mr. Livas for his service.
Vijay Patel, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his performance as City Manager, the reasons for removing him from the position, the role of the City Manager, politics, and the effect on the community.
Crystal Landavazo, City employee, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the community's support for Mr. Livas, and his leadership through the pandemic.
Steve Perez, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and the reasons for removing him from the position.
Cheryl Van Rensselaer, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and the Downey community, transparency, and listening to residents.
Speaker, no name provided, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the duty of the City Council, the performance of Mr. Livas as City Manager, and the best interests of the residents of Downey.
Gloria Rose, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the community's support for Mr. Livas, and his performance as City Manager.
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Nolveris Frometa, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the reasons for removing him from the position, his character, and the interests of the City.
Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if any written comments were received regarding Closed Session Items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed nine written public comments were received.
Lisa Christine, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his leadership, the City Council, accountability, and transparency.
Dolores Goble commented in support of City Manager Livas, the City Council, Downey schools, and transparency.
Trish Morris, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the time of the Special City Council meeting, and the reasons for removing him from the position.
Drue Bell, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his leadership, transparency, and the reasons for removing him from the position.
Carlos Galvan, Jr., resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, his performance as City Manager, the community's support for Mr. Livas, the reasons for removing him from the position, instability, and corruption.
John Zander, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and his performance as City Manager.
Dwight Simpson, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas and the reasons for removing him from the position.
Steven Dominguez, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas, the reasons for removing him from the position, the impact on the City, and the legacy of the City Council.
Rebecca Guerrero, former City employee, commented in support of City Manager Livas and his leadership.
Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment.
Mayor Pacheco thanked the audience for participating in the City Council meeting.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Pacheco announced the City Council is recessing to Closed Session at 5:09 p.m. to discuss matters under the authority of the following sections of the Government Code:
1. Public Employee Evaluation of Performance - Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) Title:
City Manager.
2. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Separation/Release - Government Code Section 54957(b)(1).
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Mayor Pacheco reconvened the Special City Council meeting at 6:02 p.m. with Council Members Ashton and Trujillo absent.
City Attorney Abich Garcia reported the closed session report as follows: In regards to Item Nos. 1 and 2, the City Council discussed the City Manager's performance evaluation. She stated Mr. Livas remains employed by the City and all media inquiries should be referred to the City Attorney.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Special City Council Meeting at 6:04 p.m. on December 16, 2021 in memory of the lives lost due to COVID-19
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CIVIC BLANCA PACHECO
City Clerk Mayor
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