MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 14, 2021
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on December 14, 2021, at 6:34 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Frometa presiding.
Council Members:
Claudia M. Frometa
Blanca Pacheco
Catherine Alvarez
Sean Ashton
Mario Trujillo
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tern
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Aldo E. Schindler, Deputy City Manager/Community Development Dean Milligan, Chief of Police
Dan Hurlock, Fire Chief
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by former Mayor Rick Rodriguez. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cerritos College Board of Trustees Member Mariana Pacheco.
PRESENTATION BY OUTGOING MAYOR FROMETA
Mayor Frometa acknowledged former Mayors and Council Members; Commission and Board Members; Representatives from local Legislative Offices; Elected Officials from surrounding cities; and, community members in attendance.
Mayor Frometa recollected on this past year as Mayor. She thanked the audience for participating in the City Council meeting. She commented regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of City Council Members, and the importance of unity. She shared the various accomplishments and events this past year: the balanced budget for the 7th consecutive year; refinanced CalPERS Pension Obligation Bonds; Fire Department response to approximately 9,900 emergency incidents; renovation of Downey Fire Stations; Police Department addressing of street racing and reckless driving; 97 individuals assisted by the Police Department's Homeless Outreach Team; affordable housing initiatives; allocation of $30 million for street rehabilitation and 76 residential streets rehabilitated or repaved; collection of 1,008 tons of illegally dumped items; the Solar Energy Improvements Project; the Downey One Day of Service event; food distribution events in partnership with Supervisor Hahn's Office; Keep Downey Beautiful events; the Thanksgiving Turkey drive with SCRS-IL; rental subsidies provided to 238 households; $304,719 awarded to local businesses; 46,479 senior meals distributed; increased COVID-19 vaccination rates; expansion of the permanent home for the Inspiration Space Shuttle mockup; redevelopment of the Downey Promenade; the Downey Electronic Plan Check system; the Veterans Support Center; the Dia De Los Muertos Arts Festival; the Downey 65th Anniversary Celebration; the Measure S Thank You Celebration; the Tree Lighting Ceremony; the Shop with a Cop event; and, the Holiday Caravan. She thanked the community and her family for their support during her Mayoral term. She emphasized the importance of community engagement and unity and welcomed incoming Mayor Blanca Pacheco.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — December 14, 2021
PRESENTATIONS TO OUTGOING MAYOR FROMETA
Mayor Frometa received certificates of recognition from: State Senator Archuleta; L.A. County Assessor Jeffrey Prang; Congresswoman Roybal-Allard; Assemblymember Garcia; Cerritos College Board of Trustees; Downey Chamber of Commerce; Gangs Out of Downey; Downey Rose Float Association; U.S. Secretary of the Army; Downey Unified School District Board of Education; Community Family Guidance Center; Supervisor Hahn; and the Cities of Bellflower, Commerce, Compton, Huntington Park, Norwalk, Paramount, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and Whittier.
Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco presented Mayor Frometa with a gavel plaque, a Past Mayor's Pin, and the Mayor's Scrap Book.
PRESENTATION BY INCOMING MAYOR PACHECO
Supervisor Hahn administered the Oath of Office to incoming Mayor Pacheco.
Mayor Pacheco thanked the audience for attending the City Council meeting. She acknowledged Judge James Horan in attendance. She commented regarding the second opportunity to serve as Mayor and hold the ceremony in person. She thanked former Mayor Frometa for her leadership; the Council Members for appointing her as Mayor; Supervisor Hahn for attending the Council meeting; and City staff members Executive Secretary Delgadillo, City Clerk Duarte, City Attorney Abich Garcia, Director Consunji, Director Schindler, Interim Director Chacon, Management Analyst Montenegro, Assistant to the City Manager De Rojas, and City Manager Livas for their hard work and dedication. She thanked the Police and Fire Departments and the Downey Unified School District Board of Education for attending the Council meeting. She thanked Chief of Police Milligan, Fire Chief Hurlock, and incoming Chief of Police Murray in attendance. She thanked her friends for their support and commitment to the City. She thanked her family for their support.
Mayor Pacheco presented her 2022 Goals which are divided into the following four categories:
Legacy Goals, Public Safety, Economic Development, and Quality of Life. She discussed her goals for the upcoming year to include: expansion of the permanent home for the Inspiration Space Shuttle mockup; Rancho Los Amigos Sports Campus; the Downey Police Department's Youth Academy; the Downey Police Department's Facility Dog Program; two new restaurants at Firestone Blvd. and Downey Ave.; a new Honda dealership; relocation of Starbucks; a new Marriott Springhill Suites; redevelopment of the former American Legion site as a Veterans Transitional Housing development with wraparound services; large scale industrial development at Stewart & Gray Rd. and Hall Rd.; development of the former Hometown Buffet site; residential development at 10221-10303 Downey Ave.; Drive-Thru Holiday Gift & Food Giveaway; the Downey One Day of Service event; Touch -a -Truck; Family Game Night; Girls on Fire Summer Camp; the Mayor's Movie Night; Crawford Park & Temple Park Groundbreaking; $30 million investment in residential street improvement; the Mayor's Instagram Photo Contest; the Mayor's Choice partnership with SEAACA; the Mayor's Impact Award; the Unsung Heroes Award; and the Mayor's monthly videos. She thanked residents for allowing her to serve as a Council Member and Mayor for 2022. She shared her intent to lead with compassion, humility, and honor. She emphasized the need to lead together and listen. She wished everyone happy holidays.
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Pacheco recessed the City Council meeting at 8:25 p.m. Mayor Pacheco reconvened the City Council meeting at 9:20 p.m. with all Council Members present.
NON -AGENDA AND ON -AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Pacheco asked City Clerk Duarte if any written comments were received regarding Non - Agenda and On -Agenda items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed no written public comments were received.
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Mayor Pacheco asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Non -Agenda and On -Agenda items.
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented regarding corruption, First Amendment rights, and City Manager Livas.
Kim Sodetani, resident and City employee, commented in support of City Manager Livas.
Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding Kessner v. City of Santa Clara, Downey Police Officers, and the Brown Act.
John Lacey, resident, commented regarding Council Member Frometa, food provided by the City, Mayor Pacheco, and City Manager Livas.
BC, resident, commented regarding COVID-19 recovery rates, business shutdowns, vaccines, The Downey Patriot, and City Manager Livas.
Livas.
Rick Rodriguez, resident and former Downey Mayor, commented in support of City Manager Mike Greenspan, non-resident, commented regarding Florida and elected officials.
Hector Sosa, resident, commented in support of City Manager Livas.
Speaker, no name provided, commented regarding the Department of Children and Family Services, the Children's Court, and the Chinese government.
Mario Guerra, resident and former Downey Mayor, commented in support of City Manager Livas.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding social media, good government, and City Manager Livas.
Having no one else, Mayor Pacheco closed public comment on Non -Agenda and On -Agenda Items.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Council Member Frometa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Ashton, and carried 5- 0, to approve the Consent Calendar.
1. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 355755 — 356379; Payroll Wire Numbers 30004170, 30004174 — 300004180 & 30004182; EFT Nos. 11056 — 11119; and, Manual Wire No. 2190 — 2199, in the total amount of $9,798,779.80: Finance.
2. AWARDED CONTRACT TO CEG SOLUTIONS LLC. IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $253,710 FOR
THE REPLACEMENT OF ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMERS AT CITY HALL, POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING AND BARBARA J. RILEY SENIOR CENTER AND REPLACEMENT OF ROOF AT THE DOWNEY THEATRE; AND, APPROPRIATED $253,710 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO COVER THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT: Public Works.
3. ACCEPTED WORK FOR WOODRUFF AVE. AND SMALLWOOD AVE. SEWER SPOT REPAIRS; APPROVED FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $129,600; AND, AUTHORIZED City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — December 14, 2021 3
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER TO FILE NOTICE OF COMPLETION (MISCELLANEOUS PROJECT NO. 348): Public Works.
4. APPROVED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RACHLIN PARTNERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $310,515 FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE SPACE SHUTTLE EXHIBIT AND EDUCATION BUILDING; APPROVED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ULTRASYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $117,750 FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE SPACE SHUTTLE EXHIBIT AND EDUCATION BUILDING; AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENTS; AND, AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AND ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENTS: Public Works.
5. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 21-8047, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
DOWNEY APPROVING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF ROBERT KIEFER FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM
AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY FOR THE GREATER LOS ANGELES COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES: City Clerk.
6. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 21-1473, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ARTICLE II, CHAPTER 1, SECTION 2105 REGULATING THE RULES OF CONDUCT FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS:
Administration/City Attorney.
7. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 21-1474, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADDING CHAPTER 10 TO ARTICLE V OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE FOR MANDATORY ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION: Public Works.
8. ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 21-1475, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DOWNEY AMENDING AND RESTATING DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ARTICLE II, CHAPTER 1, SECTION 2105 REGULATING THE RULES OF CONDUCT FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: Administration/City Attorney.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pacheco adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 9:58 p.m. in memory of Carmen Salinas, Mexican actress; Vicente Fernandez, Mexican singer known as the "King of Rancheras"; and, the lives lost due to COVID-19.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC BLANCA PACHECO
City Clerk Mayor
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