Tuesday, September 8, 2026
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR
CLAUDIA M. FROMETA
Regular Meeting
5:30 p.m. - Closed Session
6:30 p.m. - Open Session
MAYOR PRO TEM
HORACIO ORTIZ
Council Chambers
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
COUNCIL MEMBERS
DOROTHY PEMBERTON
HECTOR SOSA
MARIO TRUJILLO
Instructions for remote attendance
and participation in the Council
meeting can be found on the last
page of this Council agenda.
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 Pemberton, Sosa, Trujillo, Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz, Mayor Frometa
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, unless otherwise limited by the Mayor for good cause including number of speakers, as permitted by the City’s meeting rules.
RECESS TO A CLOSED SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL UNDER THE FOLLOWING AUTHORITIES:
1. Government Code Section 54956.95 - Liability Claim: Alejandro Irizabal v. City of Downey, Worker ’s Compensation Claim No.: 24-181203; WCAB NO.: ADJ19651861; Agency claimed against: City of Downey.
2. Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: City of Whittier et al. v. Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles et al. - Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 23STCP03579; California Court of Appeal Case No. B340630.
3. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) – Public Employee Performance Evaluation – Title: City Manager.
RECONVENE AND ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTION
CALL TO ORDER THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - OPEN SESSION - 6:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Pemberton, Sosa, Trujillo, Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz, Mayor Frometa
INVOCATION
Greg Welch, Chaplain, Downey Police Department
FLAG SALUTE
Boy Scout Troop 441
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor's Legacy Award to Roger Miller, Downey Historical Society.
2. Certificate of Recognition to the Downey Historical Society.
3. Proclamation in honor of National Preparedness Month.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE.
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, unless otherwise limited by the Mayor for good cause including number of speakers, as permitted by the City’s meeting rules. 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.
1.APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meetings of June 9, and August 25, 2026.
2.APPROVAL OF WARRANTS ISSUED
Warrant Nos. 402049 - 402441 (City) and 166 - 168 (CMSC); Payroll Wire Nos. 30004741; 30004745; 30004747 - 30004748; 30004750; EFT Nos. 16436 - 16502 (City) and 50058 - 50059 (CMSC); Manual Wire Nos. 2878 - 2882, in the total amount of $5,531,821.33.
3.ACCEPTANCE OF WORK FOR THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT – AREA 6, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) NO. 22-23 That the City Council:
1. Accept the work for the Residential Streets Pavement Rehabilitation - Area 6 Project, Capital Improvement Project (CIP) No. 22-23;
2. Approve Onyx Paving Company, Inc.’s final construction contract amount of $3,688,931; and,
3. Authorize the Director of Public Works/City Engineer to file a Notice of Completion for the project, indicating the work is complete and has been accepted by the City.
4.APPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR FLORENCE AVE. ACCESS WALKWAY IMPROVEMENTS, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) NO. 25-03, AND FIND THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO SECTION 15301(C), EXISTING FACILITIES That the City Council:
Approve plans and specifications and authorize the solicitation of construction bids for the Florence Ave.
Access Walkway Improvements, CIP No. 25-03, and find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301(c), existing facilities.
5.ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION DECLARING AS AN URGENT NECESSITY FOR THE PRESERVATION
OF LIFE, HEALTH, OR PROPERTY THE WORK NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE HVAC EQUIPMENT
IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ROOM, PURSUANT TO DOWNEY CITY CHARTER SECTION 1211
That the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 26-8380, Declaring as an Urgent Necessity for the Preservation of Life, Health, or Property the Work Necessary to Replace the HVAC Equipment in the Information Technology Room, Pursuant to Downey City Charter Section 1211;
2. Authorize the City Manager to sign the purchase order for emergency repair work done by Quest Heating and Air in the amount of $137,800 (Attachment B); and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute contract Change Orders to complete the emergency repairs of the HVAC system.
6.APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF A BACKHOE LOADER FOR PUBLIC WORKS UTILITIES
OPERATIONS
That the City Council:
Approve the purchase of Caterpillar Model 430 Backhoe Loader and associated equipment from Quinn Company under Sourcewell Contract No. 011723 - CAT for the total bid amount of $212,114 and waive any and all minor irregularities in the bidding documents as submitted by said bidder.
7.APPROVAL OF AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT (ENA) WITH THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RANCHO LOS AMIGOS
SOUTH CAMPUS
That the City Council:
1. Approve an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office (CEO) to commence formal negotiations regarding the development of the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus; and
2. Appropriate $50,000 from the General Fund Reserves to be used toward the reimbursement of County expenses during the duration of the ENA.
8.APPROVAL OF SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH MV TRANSPORTATION, INC. FOR
DOWNEY LINK DOWNEY DIAL-A-RIDE TRANSIT SERVICES
That the City Council:
Authorize the Mayor, or her designee, to execute Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement with MV Transportation for a one-year extension for the period from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, for a total amount not to exceed $2,921,397.
9.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE FINANCE DEPARTMENT
RECORDS
That the City Council:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-8381, approving the destruction of certain obsolete records of the Finance Department.
10.DESIGNATION OF AUTHORIZED AGENTS FOR THE PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION GRANT FORM
TO ENSURE THE CITY CAN OBTAIN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR EMERGENCIES/DISASTERS That the City Council:
1. Approve the Designation of Authorized Agents - Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Form to ensure the City can obtain financial assistance for emergencies/disasters;
2. Authorize the City Clerk to certify the Designation of Authorized Agents- Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Form; and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute any and all amendments to the Form as deemed necessary.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
11.DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR REGULATING THE SALE OF NITROUS OXIDE AND KRATOM
That the City Council:
1. Receive and file this report and provide staff with direction on whether to pursue any of the below options:
a. Option 1: Direct staff to prepare an ordinance regulating the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide within the City; or
b. Option 2: Direct staff to prepare an ordinance regulating the sale and distribution of kratom products within the City, and provide direction to pursue either:
i. Comprehensive regulation of all kratom products, including traditional botanical kratom and synthetic or highly concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products; or ii. Targeted regulation of synthetic 7-OH and/or products exceeding an established 7-OH concentration threshold, without prohibiting traditional botanical kratom solely because it contains naturally occurring kratom alkaloids; or
c. Option 3: Direct staff to prepare ordinances regulating both nitrous oxide and kratom products within the City and, with respect to kratom, provide direction to pursue either the comprehensive or targeted regulatory approach described above.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
CITY MANAGER/STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
In memory of Martha Sodetani, a long time Downey resident and advocate for children, who served more than 17 years on the Downey Unified Board of Education and volunteered extensively with local organizations, including PTA, PTA HELPS, Gangs Out of Downey, Assistance League of Downey and the Downey Coordinating Council.
FUTURE COUNCIL REQUESTED ITEMS
1. Traffic Study for crosswalks by Furman Park - (D. Pemberton)
2. Conduct a survey of traffic signs and stop signs along Brookshire Ave. - (H. Ortiz)
3. Research adding crosswalk on Florence Ave. between Arrington Ave. and Vultee St. - (C. Frometa)
4. Evaluate road conditions on Stewart & Gray Rd. from Garfield Ave. - (H. Sosa)
5. Research expanding City school zone designation to include City parks - (H. Ortiz)
6. Review parking options around CMSC due to 2nd building expansion - (H. Ortiz)
7. Evaluate aesthetic improvements in the right of way along Vista del Rio Ave. between Stoakes Ave. and Brookshire Ave. – (M. Trujillo)
8. Research installation of speed feedback sign along Old River School Road between Firestone and Florence – (D. Pemberton)
9. Research adding Senior Assistance Projects to Keep Downy Beautiful – (H. Ortiz)
10. Conduct traffic survey on Mitla Ave at De Palma – (H. Sosa)
11. Research removing street sweeping exemptions – (D. Pemberton) Supporting documents are available at: City Hall-City Clerk’s Department, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 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 – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 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.
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.
Maria Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
METHODS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
IN PERSON ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Obtain a number card from City staff upon arriving at the City Council Chambers. The Mayor will make an announcement when it is time for public comment. Speakers must remain seated until their number is called. Speakers will have three (3) minutes to speak, unless limited by the Mayor for good cause.
REMOTE ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
TO VIEW THE LIVE STREAM OF THE COUNCIL MEETING, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS THE CITY'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/@cityofdowneycouncilmeetings
NOTE: REMOTE PARTICIPATION DURING PUBLIC COMMENT WILL ONLY BE TAKEN VIA TWO-WAY TELEPHONIC SERVICE.
1. Participants must dial: (888) 788-0099 or (877) 853-5247
2. Enter the Meeting ID when prompted: 842 8892 3601
Instructions for Remote Participation
Please make note of the last three digits of your telephone number which will be used to identify your turn to speak. Once the last three digits or your telephone number are called, follow the instructions below:
1. To request to speak, dial *9 on your telephone key pad.
2. Dial *6 to unmute your telephone line when prompted.
Once unmuted you may proceed with your comments, and the timer will start once you begin your comments.
3. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes.
Each speaker is allotted three (3) minutes to speak unless otherwise limited by the Mayor for good cause including the number of speakers as permitted by the City’s Council Meeting rules. Once your time has expired, your telephone line will be muted.
NOTE: THE CITY'S MEETING RULES CONTAINED IN THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE WILL APPLY TO IN PERSON AND REMOTE PARTICIPANTS.
Submitting Written Public Comment
To submit written public comment send an email to [email protected] or submit your written comments in person at the Downey City Clerk’s Office, 11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey, CA 90241 no later than 2:00 pm on the day of the City Council meeting. Your comments will be incorporated into the Council meeting's record. Comments received after the cut off time will be incorporated into the records at the following Council meeting.
NOTE: ALL WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED TO THE CITY OF DOWNEY SHALL BECOME PUBLIC RECORD AS DEFINED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT.
Date Posted: September 3, 2026