City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting – September 22, 2026 1
MINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting – Open Session on September 22, 2026 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
Horacio Ortiz Mayor Pro Tem
Dorothy Pemberton Council Member
Hector Sosa Council Member
Mario Trujillo Council Member (excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Roger Bradley, City Manager
Vaniah De Rojas, Assistant City Manager
John M. Funk, City Attorney
Scott Loughner, Police Chief
Anthony Hildebrand, Fire Chief
Matthew Baumgardner, Public Works Director
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
Irma Huitron, Community Development Director
Jason Chacon, Parks and Recreation Director
Marlon Ramirez, Finance Director
M. Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
The Invocation was delivered by Pastor David Sarinana, Action Faith Ministries. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Girl Scouts Troop No. 2543.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Certificates of Appointment to the 2026-2027 incoming Youth Commissioners.
2. Certificate of Appointment to George Redfox, Public Works Committee, District 4.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA, CONSENT CALENDAR AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if any written public comments were received regarding Agenda, Consent Calendar and Non-Agenda items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed two written public comments were received.
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Regular Meeting – September 22, 2026 2
Stephen McIntosh, requested the City adopt an ordinance regulating kratom below 2% for adults 21 and older, and prohibit the sale of high 7-OH products.
Trinity Good, requested that the City Council oppose Prop 43.
It was moved by Council Member Pemberton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz, and carried 4- 0, with Council Member Trujillo absent, to receive and file written public comment.
Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone present who would like to comment regarding Agenda, Consent Calendar and Non-Agenda items.
Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding the 25th Anniversary of the September 11, attacks.
John Lacey, resident, commented regarding love.
Roger Miller, resident, commented regarding Downey’s upcoming 70th Anniversary.
It was moved by Mayor Frometa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz, and so ordered by Mayor Frometa, to close public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It was moved by Council Member Pemberton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz, and carried 4- 0, with Council Member Trujillo absent, to approve the Consent Calendar.
1. APPROVED COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: Special Meeting of June 1, 2026; Regular Meetings of August 11, and September 8, 2026: City Clerk.
2. WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrant Nos. 402442 - 402774 (City) and 169 (CMSC); Payroll Wire Nos. 300047439; 30004752 -30004754; 30004756 - 3004757; EFT Nos. 16503 - 16564 (City) and 50060 - 50064 (CMSC); Manual Wire Nos. 2883 - 2886; and, one Cashier's Check No. 91215, in the total amount of $6,706,462.44: Finance.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF WORK FOR THE WOODRUFF AVE. PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT, PHASE 1, BETWEEN FIRESTONE BLVD. AND WASHBURN RD., CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) NO. 14-14A: Public Works.
1) ACCEPTED THE WORK FOR THE WOODRUFF AVE. PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT, PHASE 1, BETWEEN FIRESTONE BLVD. AND WASHBURN RD., CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) NO. 14-14A;
2) APPROVED R.J. NOBLE COMPANY’S FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $1,798,398; AND,
3) AUTHORIZED THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER TO FILE A NOTICE
OF COMPLETION INDICATING THE WORK IS COMPLETE AND HAS BEEN ACCEPTED
BY THE CITY
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Regular Meeting – September 22, 2026 3
4. APPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT
CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE DOWNTOWN DOWNEY GATEWAY SIGN PROJECT, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) NO. 24-99: Public Works.
APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR
CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE PROPOSED DOWNTOWN DOWNEY GATEWAY SIGN PROJECT AT FIRESTONE BLVD. AND DOWNEY AVE., CIP NO. 24-99
5. APPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 ALLEY PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) NO. 26-04: Public Works.
APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZED SOLICITATION FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 ALLEY PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT, (CIP) NO. 26-04
6. APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH APPLE ONE AND HB STAFFING FOR AS-NEEDED TEMPORARY STAFFING SERVICES: Human Resources.
1) APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH APPLE ONE FOR AS- NEEDED TEMPORARY STAFFING SERVICES FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM;
2) APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HB STAFFING FOR AS- NEEDED TEMPORARY STAFFING SERVICES FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM; AND,
3) AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO EXECUTE ANY CHANGE
ORDERS OR SUBSEQUENT ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS, SUBJECT TO MINOR
TECHNICAL CHANGES
7. APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT ADOPTION AGREEMENT WITH TACENERGY, LLC FOR FUEL PROCUREMENT AND DELIVERY SERVICES: Public Works.
1) AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT
ADOPTION AGREEMENT WITH TACENERGY PURSUANT TO SOURCEWELL CONTRACT 121522-TAC AS AWARDED TO TACENERGY IN THE AMOUNT OF $666,500 FOR A TERM THROUGH FEBRUARY 10, 2027;
2) AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO EXECUTE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONTRACT ADOPTION AGREEMENT; AND,
3) AUTHORIZED THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS AS NEEDED
8. APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY'S 13TH ANNUAL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ART FESTIVAL STREET CLOSURE: Parks and Recreation.
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Regular Meeting – September 22, 2026 4
APPROVED THE FOLLOWING STREET CLOSURES FOR THE CITY OF DOWNEY'S 13TH
ANNUAL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ART FESTIVAL SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2026:
• BROOKSHIRE AVE. AT 2ND ST.; AND,
• CIVIC CENTER DR. AT 3RD ST.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz thanked City staff for organizing the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and the I Love Downey Festival.
Council Member Sosa requested stop sign surveys at Melva St. and Samoline Ave. and, at Smallwood Ave. and Albia St., including consideration of an east-west stop sign at Smallwood Ave. and Albia St. The request was seconded by Mayor Frometa.
Council Member Pemberton recognized National POW/MIA Recognition Day and encouraged continued remembrance of military personnel who are prisoners of war or missing in action. She reported attending the Downey Symphony Gala and announced the free Downey Symphony Concert at the Downey Theatre. She reported 39 human cases of West Nile virus and reminded residents to tip and toss standing water to avoid mosquitos gathering in standing water. She thanked Public Works staff and volunteers for participating in the Keep Downey Beautiful cleanup and encouraged residents to keep the City clean. She reported attending the Adult Citizens Academy and thanked the Police Department and staff for coordinating the program. She announced a free compost giveaway and shredding event at City Hall, reported that SEAACA was offering $25 dog adoptions during its September promotion, and announced the Downey-Warren Football game at Warren High School. She thanked staff and the Fire Department for the 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.
Mayor Frometa requested that the City establish a targeted late-night establishment public safety and nuisance abatement ordinance. The request was seconded by Council Member Pemberton. She stated the intent would be to create a fair, objective, and gradual system that distinguishes responsible businesses from establishments with documented recurring public safety issues, while increasing accountability and addressing Police Department overtime costs in the Downtown area.
Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz suggested that the Downtown Subcommittee discuss the issue with local business owners at its upcoming meeting, to make them aware of the concerns. Mayor Frometa noted the Downtown Subcommittee would be meeting with local business owners and emphasized the importance of involving stakeholders in the discussion.
Mayor Frometa announced the Mayor’s State of the City at the Rio Hondo Golf Club, Havana Nights in Downtown Downey, and Beyond the Book at the City Library. She thanked staff for the I Love Downey Festival and noted an estimated 2,000 attendees participated throughout the day.
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Regular Meeting – September 22, 2026 5
CITY MANAGER/STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Bradley announced that there were no comments from staff and congratulated Mayor Frometa on the occasion of her 30th wedding anniversary.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Frometa adjourned the City Council Meeting – Open Session at 7:28 p.m. in memory of Eliana Moreno, 38, aerial photojournalist-reporter for NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, George Marciniw, helicopter pilot, and the victim standing on the ground, Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29, who lost their lives when the helicopter in which the news crew was flying went down on September 15, while reporting on an earlier crash of an SUV driver who slammed into a Los Angeles Metro bus; and, the two victims killed in the bus crash.
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC CLAUDIA M. FROMETA
City Clerk Mayor