MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2025
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special City Council Meeting - Open Session on December 11, 2025 at 6:47 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Trujillo presiding.
PRESENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
Council Members:
Mario Trujillo
Hector Sosa
Claudia M. Frometa
Horacio Ortiz
Dorothy Pemberton
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tern
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Roger Bradley, City Manager
Vaniah De Rojas, Assistant City Manager
John M. Funk, City Attorney
Scott Loughner, Interim Police Chief
Anthony Hildebrand, Assistant Fire Chief
Matthew Baumgardner, Public Works Director
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
Irma Huitron, Community Development Director
Stephen Hannah, Finance Director
Jason Chacon, Recreation Manager
M. Alicia Duarte, CIVIC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Dan Dutch, Senior Pastor, Desert Reign Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Emily and Jessica Frometa.
WELCOME
Mayor Sosa welcomed the audience to the City Council meeting. He 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.
PRESENTATIONS
1. FINAL ADDRESS BY MAYOR SOSA
Mayor Sosa delivered his final address as Mayor and presented a year -in -review of accomplishments, initiatives, and acknowledgments. He stated that his goal as Mayor was to ensure that every resident felt safe, supported, and empowered, with a focus on- public safety, economic development, and quality of life. He emphasized support for Police and Fire, addressing homelessness, supporting veterans and youth, fostering economic growth, and ensuring efficient City services. He outlined the City Council's overarching priorities of fiscal responsibility, economic vibrancy, efficiency and adaptability, quality of life, safety and infrastructure, and public engagement, noting that all goals aligned with the City's mission to improve quality of life for the Downey community. Mayor Sosa reported that the City adopted its 14t" consecutive balanced budget, noting this achievement is uncommon and reflects strong fiscal health. He acknowledged City staff for maintaining fiscal sustainability. He stated that the City received national budget awards for the 12th consecutive year from the California Society of City Council Minutes
Special Meeting - December 11, 2025
Municipal Finance Officers and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, marking the 25th consecutive year the City has received this recognition. Mayor Sosa highlighted economic development activity, including the opening of Precision Honda, Sprouts, and Shake Shack. He reported that the City hosted small business workshops providing free technical assistance, assisted over 500 businesses with permitting and licensing, and issued over 400 City business licenses. He noted upcoming and ongoing development projects, including Round1 SpoCha at Stonewood Center, Smiley's Italian Restaurant, and Mamaloo's Dumpling House, and acknowledged the Economic Development and Community Development Departments for their work. He reported improvements related to efficiency and adaptability, including the launch of the enhanced Downey Connect app, through which over 2,000 service requests were addressed. He highlighted the implementation of electronic plan check submittals through Accela Citizen Access, allowing applicants to submit plans online, track review status in real time, and receive automated notifications. He noted the introduction of Downey Link, which provides real-time bus tracking and trip -planning features. Mayor Sosa emphasized the City's commitment to quality of life, safety, and infrastructure. He described the City's first Nonprofit Summit, explaining it was created to improve collaboration among service providers and establish a database to address emergency needs in real time. He highlighted collaboration with Downey Unified School District through the Community Schools initiative and reaffirmed the City's partnership with the School District. He reported the launch of the Home and Business Security Rebate Program, funded with $40,000 in Measure D funds, providing rebates of up to $250 for residents and up to $1,500 for businesses. He discussed a Citywide anti -speeding social media campaign launched with the Police Department, which received widespread engagement and positive feedback. Mayor Sosa addressed the City's homelessness response, noting the work of a multi -departmental team focused on outreach, coordination, and connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with available resources.
He also reported the launch of the pilot Residential Street Lighting Program, with $200,000 available on a first -come, first -served basis. He stated that Measure D funding enabled the addition of 17 public safety positions across Police, Fire, and support services and acknowledged City staff and City Manager Roger Bradley for their work implementing the voter -approved measure. Mayor Sosa highlighted public engagement efforts and community initiatives, including the "Doodalicious" mural, the Rise Above Men's Wellness Resource Fair, the Rolling Greens Estates signage ribbon cutting, the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Wall, and the "Coffee with the Mayor" town halls. He also highlighted the LA Phil Neighborhood Concert, the Emergency Preparedness Fair attended by nearly 200 residents, and the Mayor's Outstanding Citizen Award program, which accepted public nominations to recognize community members. He discussed legacy projects, including the Columbia Memorial Space Center second -building expansion, which will house the Inspiration Space Shuttle mock-up and further establish Downey as a regional hub for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. He noted that the City received the 2025 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence. He reported progress on the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus, including an exclusive negotiating agreement and feasibility work related to an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District. He also highlighted the Southeast Gateway Line project, noting secured state funding and eligibility for up to $985 million in federal reimbursements. Mayor Sosa expressed gratitude to his family, residents, City Council colleagues, and professional staff. He thanked City Manager Roger Bradley, Assistant City Manager Vaniah De Rojas, City Attorney John Funk, City Clerk Alicia Duarte, executive assistants, department heads, and staff across all City departments. He thanked Police Chief Scott Loughner and Captain Maria Villegas for their accessibility and service. Mayor Sosa dedicated his mayoral year to his late father, U.S. Army veteran Cesar Sosa Sr., and thanked his mother, sons, and wife for their unwavering support. He congratulated Mayor Pro Tem-elect Horacio Ortiz and newly appointed Mayor Claudia M. Frometa and expressed appreciation for their leadership and collaboration. He concluded by stating that it had been a blessing, honor, and privilege to serve as Mayor and thanked the community for the opportunity to serve the City of Downey.
Council Member Trujillo left the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
2. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS TO OUTGOING MAYOR SOSA
District Representative Nandy Santana, on behalf of State Senator Bob Archuleta, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a Certificate of Recognition to commemorate his service as Mayor.
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Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a Certificate of Recognition to commemorate his service as Mayor.
Assistant Deputy Vincent Morales, on behalf of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Janice Hahn, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a Certificate of Recognition to commemorate his service as Mayor.
Mayor Rene Trevino, Council Member Sajjad Ali, and Council Member Monica Manalo, City of Artesia, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a Certificate of Recognition to commemorate his service as Mayor.
Mayo Pro Tern Isabel Guillen, City of Bell Gardens, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a Certificate of Recognition to commemorate his service as Mayor.
Mayor Emma Sharif, City of Compton, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a Certificate of Honor to commemorate his service as Mayor.
President of Cerritos Board of Trustees Dr. Dawn Green, Board Member Mariana Pacheco, and Director Andrea Wittig, on behalf of the Office of Jose Fierro, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to commemorate his service as Mayor.
Vice President of the Downey Unified School District Board of Education Jose Rodriguez, Board Members Gigi Saab, Nancy Swenson, and Linda Saldana, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a plaque to commemorate his service as Mayor.
Executive Director Yolanda Castro from the Southeast Los Angeles County Workplace Development Board, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a Certificate of Recognition to commemorate his service as Mayor.
Downey Rose Float Association Vice President Danielle Story, acknowledged Mayor Sosa and presented a Rose Float Association jacket to commemorate his service as Mayor.
Outgoing Mayor Sosa received certificates of appreciation in recognition of his Mayoral Year from the office of Congressman Robert Garcia, the Cities of Cerritos, Commerce, Paramount, Huntington Park; and Montebello.
Council Member Frometa presented outgoing Mayor Sosa with a gavel plaque, a Past Mayor's Pin, and the Mayor's Photo Book.
3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE TO MAYOR FROMETA Pastor Art Reyes, Calvary Church, administered the Oath of Office to incoming Mayor Frometa.
4. MAYOR FROMETA'S INCOMING MAYORAL ADDRESS
Mayor Frometa thanked her family for their support and recognized several relatives and guests in attendance, as well as visiting officials and community partners. She stated she would keep her remarks brief to honor outgoing Mayor Hector Sosa and allow time for attendees to interact, and expressed gratitude and humility in serving as Mayor for the third and final time. Mayor Frometa outlined her Mayoral focus for the coming year, emphasizing continuity on long term legacy projects and alignment with the Downey Forward 2030 Strategic Plan. She highlighted priorities including continued advocacy for the Southeast Gateway Line, advancing the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus mixed use redevelopment in partnership with L.A. County, and ongoing work on the former NASA Vultee building. She noted continued progress on the Columbia Memorial Space Center expansion, including plans for public tours City Council Minutes
Special Meeting — December 11, 2025 3
of the Inspiration Space Shuttle in winter 2026. She emphasized the importance of Council priority setting to keep the organization aligned and avoid fragmented efforts, reinforcing core themes of fiscal responsibility, economic vibrancy, efficiency and adaptability, quality of life, public safety, infrastructure, and public engagement. She stressed fiscal prudence as essential to long term stability, particularly post COVID, and underscored the need for guardrails to protect reserves and maintain a balanced approach to new initiatives. Mayor Frometa identified key economic development goals, including redevelopment of the Rancho South Campus, progress on the Back 20 site, and completion of a refreshed Discover Downey brand package. She discussed continuing efforts to improve municipal efficiency through tools such as updated City apps, and highlighted quality of life initiatives including community events, addressing homelessness strategically, implementing an arts master plan, completing a Downey Downtown parking structure mural by spring 2026, and supporting public safety and infrastructure projects such as street improvements and intersection upgrades. She closed by reaffirming her commitment to transparency and engagement through ongoing communications, quarterly Coffee with the Mayor EVENTS, returning the Bin -it Litter campaign, and expanding mental health programming, reiterating that engaged communities are strong communities.
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Frometa recessed the City Council meeting at 8:34 p.m. Mayor Frometa reconvened the City Council meeting at 9:17 p.m. with Council Member Trujillo absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if any written public comments were received regarding Special Meeting Agenda. City Clerk Duarte confirmed no written public comments were received.
Mayor Frometa asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment regarding Special Meeting Agenda items.
City Clerk Duarte confirmed there were no speakers.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Ortiz, seconded by Council Member Sosa, and so ordered by Mayor Frometa, to close public comment.
CITY MANAGER/STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Bradley congratulated Mayor Frometa on her upcoming Mayoral term and expressed his appreciation for Mayor Sosa's successful year of service. He congratulated the incoming and outgoing Mayor Pro Tem, thanked the City Council for its collective support, and noted that it had been a productive year, with optimism for continued success in the year ahead.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Frometa adjourned the Special City Council Meeting — Open Session at 9:19 p.m. &18`IADUAR�,��;6
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City Clerk Mayor
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