City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – December 13, 2022 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on December 13, 2022, at 6:36 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Frometa presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
Claudia M. Frometa Mayor
Mario Trujillo Mayor Pro Tem
Vacant Council Member, District 1
Catherine Alvarez Council Member (excused)
Hector Sosa Council Member
ALSO PRESENT: Vaniah De Rojas, Interim Assistant City Manager Lauren Langer, Interim City Attorney
Leslie Murray, Police Chief
Dan Hurlock, Fire Chief
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
Jason Chacon, Director of Parks & Recreation
Crystal Landavazo, Interim Community Development Director Maria Rivas, Acting Assistant to the City Manager
M. Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Greg Welch, Downey Police Department Chaplain. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Emily, Sarah and Jessica Frometa.
WELCOME
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. She expressed her gratitude to the Fire and Police Department personnel in attendance and thanked Chiefs Murray and Hurlock for their leadership.
PRESENTATIONS
1. ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE TO MAYOR FROMETA
Nolveris Frometa administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Frometa.
2. MAYOR FROMETA’S INCOMING MAYORAL ADDRESS
Mayor Frometa thanked her Council colleagues for appointing her as Mayor. She shared her overarching priorities: fiscal responsibility, public safety, legacy projects, efficiency and sustainability, youth initiatives, community engagement, quality of life, and transparency. She commented regarding recruitment of a new City Manager and other executive positions. She stated the strength of a city is incumbent upon the stability of its City Council and a City Manager with a vision who understands the mission of the City. She commented regarding prudent financial practices and shared regarding the presentation of a balanced budget for the past 10 years and mentioned the City received the distinguished Budget Presentation Award. She attributed these achievements to Finance Director Gandhy and the priorities set by the City Council. She emphasized maintenance of public safety as a
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Regular Meeting – December 13, 2022 2
top priority and shared her intention to provide crime statistics on the City’s website. She commented regarding fentanyl, Narcan deployment, and a partnership with DUSD to educate regarding these issues. She commented regarding the issue of homelessness, and partnership with L.A. County related to homeless outreach. She listed legacy projects including redevelopment of the Downey Promenade former NASA Vultee Building, the Groundbreaking for the second building expansion to house the Space Shuttle Inspiration, and the West Santa Ana Branch Corridor Project. She commented regarding the Solar Energy Improvement Project and efforts regarding sustainability and reducing the City’s carbon footprint. She commented regarding modernization of the electronic permitting process. She emphasized the need for youth health initiatives such as vaping education and engaging the Youth Commission in outreach efforts. She commented regarding initiating a Youth on Fire program. She commented regarding coordination of monthly food drives and vaccine drives in partnership with The Whole Child and St. Louise Resource Services Center. She commented regarding providing adaptive recreation activities and access for children with special needs. She shared information regarding Veteran resources, the opening of the Downey Center for Military and Veteran Reintegration Center, and the continuation of the Pets 4 Troops program. She commented regarding continuation of events including the Mayor’s Movie Night event, the Summer Concert series, the Touch-a-Truck event, the Downey One Day of Service event. She commented regarding the Bin It campaign, coordination with CalMet and Athens, and efforts to educate residents regarding illegal dumping. She commented regarding the Mayor’s Legacy Award and recognition of those who make a difference in the community.
She commented regarding community engagement through the Mayor’s Corner column and monthly videos. She emphasized the need for transparency and engagement. She announced plans to host Coffee with the Mayor and the State of the City. She commented regarding the transition as the City Council appoints the City Manager and fills the Council District 1 seat. She commented regarding resilience and shared her hopes for Downey’s future.
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Frometa recessed the City Council meeting at 7:18 p.m. Mayor Frometa reconvened the City Council meeting at 8:08 p.m. with Council Member Alvarez absent.
CITY MANAGER/STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
Interim Assistant City Manager De Rojas congratulated Mayor Frometa on being sworn in as Mayor. She shared this meeting would be the last City Council meeting for retiring Director of Public Works/City Engineer Delfino Consunji and Finance Director Anil Gandhy. She thanked Interim City Manager Scott, the City Council, and Mayor Frometa for their leadership in 2022 and wished everyone a happy holidays.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA, CONSENT CALENDAR AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if there were any written comments received regarding Agenda, Consent Calendar and Non-Agenda items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed two written comments were received.
Gabrielle Villa, resident, requested the repair of a pothole on Imperial Hwy. between Downey Ave. and Brookshire Ave.
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding Public Comment period at the L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting and the Downey City Council meeting.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Trujillo, seconded by Council Member Sosa, and carried 3-0, with Council Member Alvarez absent, to receive and file written public comment.
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Regular Meeting – December 13, 2022 3
Mayor Frometa asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment on Agenda, Consent Calendar and Non-Agenda items.
Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding the thin blue line flag.
BC, resident, commented regarding a change in direction for the City and the Special Municipal Election, he thanked Directors Chacon, Director Consunji, Chief Hurlock, Chief Murray, and City Clerk Duarte for their work, and wished Council Member Sosa luck as new Council Member.
Jeremy Clifton, resident, congratulated Mayor Frometa on her re-election, Council Member Sosa on his election to District 2, Mayor Pro Tem Trujillo on his appointment as Mayor Pro Tem, and Director Chacon on the development of the Downey Sports Complex.
Brandon Sanguily, resident, congratulated Mayor Frometa on her re-election and appointment as Mayor and commented regarding the Council Members.
Dorothy Pemberton, resident, congratulated Mayor Frometa on her second term, welcomed Council Member Sosa, and commented regarding dog parks, a community garden, trash, and Oktoberfest in Downey.
Barbaro Rodriguez, resident, commented regarding democracy, newspaper media, crime, City maintenance, and Council Members.
Joaquin Beltran, resident, commented regarding Council Members.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Trujillo, seconded by Council Member Sosa, and carried 3-0, with Council Member Alvarez absent, to close public comment.
Mayor Frometa commented regarding allegations made against her and regarding her campaign and safety.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Mayor Frometa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Trujillo, and carried 3-0, with Council Member Alvarez absent, to approve the Consent Calendar.
1. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 363590 – 364377; Payroll Wire Nos. are 30004285 – 30004294 & 30004296 – 30004298; EFT Nos. 11953 – 12053; Manual Wire Nos. 2315 – 2324, and, Cashier’s Check Nos. 149 – 152 in the total amount of $11,608,861.31: Finance.
2. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 22-8129, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY IN SUPPORT OF COMPLETE STREETS: Public Works.
3. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES AMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING RULES RELATED
TO PUBLIC COMMENT AND REMOVAL OF A DISRUPTIVE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC FROM A COUNCIL MEETING: Administration.
1) ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 22-5102, 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; AND,
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Regular Meeting – December 13, 2022 4
2) ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 22-5103, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING AND RESTATING DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ARTICLE II, CHAPTER 1, SECTION 2106 REMOVAL FROM COUNCIL MEETING
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Frometa adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:51 p.m. in memory of the lives lost due to COVID-19.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC CLAUDIA M. FROMETA
City Clerk Mayor