1 CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR
HECTOR SOSA
MAYOR PRO TEM
DOROTHY PEMBERTON
COUNCIL MEMBERS
CLAUDIA M. FROMETA
HORACIO ORTIZ
MARIO TRUJILLO
Notice regarding Public Comment: In order to ensure that limited English proficiency speakers receive the same opportunity to directly address the City Council, the City of Downey will continue to follow Government Code Section 54954.3(b)(2) and provide limited English proficiency speakers double the allotted time to make their public comments utilizing a translator during public meetings of the City Council. All other speakers will be given the allotted 3-minute speaking time for public hearing and closed session items, and one 3-minute speaking time for agenda, consent calendar and non-agenda items established by the Downey Municipal Code. To request oral language interpretation at a City Council meeting contact the City Clerk's Office at (562) 904-7280, 48-hours in advance of the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING – CLOSED SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Frometa, Ortiz, Trujillo, Mayor Pro Tem Pemberton, Mayor Sosa
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS
(Persons wishing to address the City Council on any item on the Closed Session Agenda items may do so at this time. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes).
RECESS TO A CLOSED SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL UNDER THE FOLLOWING AUTHORITIES:
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation – Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code sections 54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(3). Claims pursuant to the Government Claims Act by Alberto Hurtado, Alexander Arenas, Linda Steele, Sonny Arenas, and Tommy Arenas, available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office at 11111 Brookshire Avenue during regular City business hours.
2. Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation:
Jessica Rosas v. City of Downey et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 22STCV06985.
3. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) – Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Title: City Clerk.
4. Government Code Section 54957.6(a) – Conference with Labor Negotiator Agency Designated Representative: James McQueen, Director of Human Resources Unrepresented Employee: City Clerk
RECONVENE AND ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTION
CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING – OPEN SESSION - 6:30 P.M.
JANUARY 28, 2025
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting
5:30 p.m. – Closed Session
6:30 p.m. – Open Session
Council Chambers
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
2 ROLL CALL: Council Members Frometa, Ortiz, Trujillo, Mayor Pro Tem Pemberton, Mayor Sosa
INVOCATION: Pastor Leonardo “Fish” Figueroa, Real Life Calvary Church
FLAG SALUTE: Royal Rangers Youth Group, Desert Reign Church
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
CITY MANAGER/STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor’s Outstanding Citizen’s Award to David Cha, Social Science/AVID 12 Teacher, Warren High School.
2. Certificate of Recognition to the Downey Rose Float Association for winning the Founder’s Award at the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade.
3. Presentation of City Pins to the 2025 Miss and Mr. Downey Court.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. PUBLIC HEARING NO. 2 TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS THE TRANSITION TO EITHER A FIVE
DISTRICT ELECTION SYSTEM OR A FOUR DISTRICT ELECTION SYSTEM WITH AN AT-LARGE ELECTED MAYOR: City Attorney/City Clerk.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1) CONDUCT THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS THE
TRANSITION TO AN ELECTION SYSTEM CONSISTING OF EITHER FIVE INDIVIDUAL
DISTRICTS OR FOUR DISTRICTS PLUS AN AT-LARGE MAYORAL OFFICE, INCLUDING ANY PUBLIC INPUT; AND,
2) AFFIRM THE PRIOR DECISION TO IMPLEMENT A FIVE-DISTRICT SYSTEM OR PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE DIRECTION TO CITY STAFF.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA, CONSENT CALENDAR AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS This portion provides an opportunity for the public to address the City Council on agenda, consent calendar and items not listed on the agenda within the jurisdiction of the City Council. It is requested, but not required, that you state your name, address and subject matter upon which you wish to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes. The total public comment period is limited to 30 minutes. Pursuant to the Brown Act, no discussion or action, other than a brief response, referral to the City Manager/staff or schedule for a subsequent agenda, shall be taken by the City Council/Agency on any issue brought forth under this section.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are to be approved with one motion unless a City Council Member requests an item be removed. Removed items will be considered following approval of the Consent Calendar.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 384963-385416; Payroll Wire Nos. 30004538 and 30004541- 30004543; EFT Nos. 14236-14274; and, Manual Wire Nos. 2627-2637, in the total amount of $7,156,906.86: Finance.
3. AUTHORIZE THE SOLICITATION OF CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE DOWNEY AVENUE PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT, CIP NO. 23-03: Public Works.
3 THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
APPROVE THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND AUTHORIZE THE SOLICITATION OF
CONSTRUCTION BIDS, FOR THE DOWNEY AVENUE PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT, CIP NO. 23-03.
4. PURCHASE OF CITYWIDE COMPUTER AND LAPTOP REPLACEMENTS: Information Technology.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER
TO PURCHASE FROM DELL, REPLACEMENT DESKTOP COMPUTERS AND LAPTOPS IN THE AMOUNT OF $276,000.
5. APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 5: Council Member Trujillo.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-8288, APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF GIL LEGASPI TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 5.
6. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO
THE RANCHO LOS AMIGOS SOUTH CAMPUS SPECIFIC PLAN TO ALLOW THE
CONTINUATION OF INDUSTRIAL USES WITHIN EXISTING BUILDINGS LOCATED IN THE FLEX
TECH/BIO-MEDICAL SUBDISTRICT AND A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO ADD A DEFINITION FOR “EXISTING FTBM BUILDING” WITHIN DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 9130: Community Development.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1) ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 25-1518, APPROVING A SPECIFIC PLAN (PLN-24-00060) TO AMEND TABLE 5-1 OF THE RANCHO LOS AMIGOS SOUTH CAMPUS SPECIFIC PLAN
TO ALLOW EXISTING BUILDINGS TO BE USED FOR SPECIFIC INDUSTRIAL USES
WHEN LOCATED IN SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE FLEX TECH/BIO-MEDICAL SUB- DISTRICT; AND,
2) ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 25-1519, APPROVING ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT (PLN-24- 00060) TO SECTION 9130 OF ARTICLE IX OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD A DEFINITION FOR “EXISTING FLEX TECH/BIO-MEDICAL SUB-DISTRICT (FTBM) BUILDING”.
7. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES TO ESTABLISH TWO NEW HOUSING OVERLAY ZONES, REZONING ONE PARCEL (APN: 6232-020-004) FROM SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) TO MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-3), MODIFYING AND ADDING NEW SECTIONS TO ARTICLE IX (LAND USE) OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE: Community Development.
4 THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1) ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 25-1520 APPROVING ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9302 AND 9328 OF ARTICLE IX OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT NEW HOUSING OVERLAYS OF THE 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION; AND,
2) ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 25-1521 AMENDING THE CITY’S ZONING MAP TO REZONE ONE PARCEL (APN: 6232-020-004) FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO
MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING AND IMPLEMENT NEW HOUSING OVERLAYS OF THE 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT.
8. BUDGET CALENDAR FOR 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR: Finance.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
APPROVE THE BUDGET CALENDAR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET.
9. ACCEPTANCE OF A COMMEMORATIVE BENCH DONATION FROM THE KIWANIS CLUB OF DOWNEY: Administration.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
ACCEPT THE DONATION OF A BENCH FROM THE KIWANIS CLUB OF DOWNEY COMMEMORATING THE ORGANIZATION’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHAPTER’S FOUNDING.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
10. APPROVAL OF A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS PAVEMENT REHABILITATION – AREA 3, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) NO. 22-22: Public Works.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1) DENY THE APPEAL BY EFS WEST OF CITY STAFF’S RECOMMENDED DECISION TO
REJECT THE LOW BID BY EFS WEST FOR THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS PAVEMENT REHABILITATION - AREA 3 PROJECT, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) NO. 22-22 ON GROUNDS OF NON-RESPONSIVENESS;
2) AWARD A CONTRACT TO THE NEXT LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, R.J. NOBLE COMPANY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,793,751 FOR THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS PAVEMENT REHABILITATION - AREA 3 PROJECT, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) NO. 22-22 (SEE ATTACHMENT A); AND,
3) AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO EXECUTE THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH R.J. NOBLE COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,793,751, INCLUDING ANY NON-SUBSTANTIVE EXTENSIONS, CHANGE ORDERS,
PURCHASE ORDERS, AND AMENDMENTS UP TO THE AUTHORIZED BUDGET AMOUNT OF $5,203,000.
5 11. DOWNEY POLICE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT: Administration.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1) ALLOCATE THE FOLLOWING NINE POSITIONS WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 BUDGET TO BE PAID FOR BY THE NEWLY PASSED MEASURE D REVENUES:
i. ONE (1.0) TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICER
ii. ONE (1.0) TRAFFIC DETECTIVE
iii. TWO (2.0) OFFICERS/CORPORALS
iv. ONE (1.0) OFFICE ASSISTANT
v. ONE (1.0) TRAINING COORDINATOR
vi. TWO (2.0) FORENSIC SPECIALISTS
vii. ONE (1.0) PROPERTY ROOM TECHNICIAN; AND,
2) INCREASE APPROPRIATIONS IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 BUDGET BY $341,543 IN GENERAL FUND, MEASURE D OPERATING FUND, ACCOUNT NO. 12- 4-2120 FOR THE ADDITIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING.
12. DISCUSSION REGARDING PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE NEW DOWNEY YMCA FACILITY : Administration.
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL:
1) DISCUSS FUNDING, INCLUDING ANY POTENTIAL CITY ASSISTANCE, OF THE NEW YMCA FACILITY AT 11531 DOWNEY AVENUE; AND,
2) APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL FEE WAIVER OF $66,070 FOR CITY FEES AND
ASSOCIATED COSTS FOR THE YMCA OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW YMCA FACILITY AT 11531 DOWNEY AVENUE.
ADJOURNMENT: In memory of the crews of Apollo 1, Space Shuttle Columbia, and Space Shuttle Challenger; Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland, 44, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, shot and killed while on duty during a traffic stop; and, Riverside County Sheriff Deputy Timothy Corlew, 40, assigned to the Jurupa Valley Station who died in a traffic collision while on duty.
Supporting documents are available at: City Hall-City Clerk’s Department, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Video streaming of the meeting is available on the City’s website. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if special assistance is needed to participate in this meeting, complete the City’s Title II ADA Reasonable Accommodation Form located on the City’s website and at City Hall - City Clerk’s Department, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and submit to the City Clerk’s Department or contact (562) 904-7280 or TTY 7-1-1, 48 business hours prior to the City Council meeting.
The City of Downey prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any of its program and services. For questions, concerns, complaints, or for additional information regarding the ADA, contact the City’s ADA/Section 504 Coordinator at [email protected]: Phone: (562) 299-6619; or TTY at 7-1-1.
In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the City of Downey prohibits discrimination of any person in any of its program and services. If written language translation of City agendas or minutes, or for oral language interpretation at a City meeting is needed, contact the City Clerk's Office at (562) 904-7280, or (562) 299-6619, 48 business hours prior to the meeting.
En cumplimiento con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles, la Ciudad de Downey prohíbe la discriminación de cualquier persona en todos sus programas y servicios. En caso de necesitar una traducción escrita de las órdenes del día o las actas de las reuniones de la ciudad, o para solicitar un intérprete oral para una reunión de la ciudad, comuníquese a la oficina de la secretaria de la Ciudad al (562) 904-7280, o al (562) 299-6619, en el horario de atención comercial, 48 horas antes de la reunión.
6 I, Maria Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk, City of Downey, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing notice was posted pursuant to Government Code Section 54950 Et.
Seq., at the following locations: Downey City Hall, Downey City Library, and Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center.
Dated this 23rd day of January 2025. Maria Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
Zoom Teleconference: (888) 788-0099 or (877) 853-5247
Meeting ID: 842 8892 3601
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84288923601
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DowneyCityCouncilMeetings
Members of the public wishing to submit written public comment can do so by sending an email to [email protected] or by submitting their written comments to the City Clerk’s Office in person no later than 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Note: All written public comments received shall become public record as defined under the California Public Records Act.
To view the recording of the City Council Meeting at a later time:
https://www.youtube.com/@cityofdowneycouncilmeetings/streams