HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12-14-23 Special MeetingMINUTES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 14, 2023
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special City Council Meeting on December 14,
2023, at 6:39 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, Mayor Frometa presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
ALSO PRESENT:
Claudia M. Frometa Mayor
Mario Trujillo Mayor Pro Tem
Horacio Ortiz Council Member
Dorothy Pemberton Council Member
Hector Sosa Council Member
Roger Bradley, City Manager
Vaniah De Rojas, Assistant City Manager
John Funk, City Attorney
Leslie Murray, Police Chief
Dan Hurlock, Fire Chief
Matthew Baumgardner, Public Works Director
James McQueen, Human Resources Director
Irma Huitron, Community Development Director
Stephen Hannah, Finance Director
Monica Ortiz, Recreation Manager
M. Alicia Duarte, CMC, City Clerk
(left at 7:41 p.m.)
The Invocation was delivered by Monsignor Lorenzo Miranda, Director, Cardinal Timothy Manning
House of Prayer for Priests. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cub Scout Pack 805.
1. WELCOME & FINAL ADDRESS
Mayor Frometa welcomed the audience to the City Council meeting. She thanked her family for
attending the City Council meeting. She 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.
Mayor Frometa commented regarding the role of the City Council as a team. She thanked City
staff, the City Manager, the Assistant City Manager, the Department Heads, the Police Chief, and the
Fire Chief for their hard work to carry out the vision of the City Council. She commented regarding
changes in City staffing and welcomed the new Department Heads to the City. She shared the City's
focus on economic development and public safety. She thanked her Council colleagues for appointing
her as Mayor for a second term and Downey residents for allowing her to serve the City. She thanked
her husband and family for their support and encouragement. She announced that Sprouts would be
coming to Downey.
2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE TO MAYOR TRUJILLO
Trujillo.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna administered the Oath of Office to incoming Mayor
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting — December 14, 2023 1
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Trujillo recessed the City Council meeting at 7:07 p.m. Mayor Trujillo reconvened the City
Council meeting at 7:21 p.m. with all Council Members present.
3. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS TO OUTGOING MAYOR FROMETA
Mayor Trujillo presented outgoing Mayor Frometa with a gavel plaque, a Past Mayor's Pin, and
the Mayor's Scrap Book.
Outgoing Mayor Frometa received certificates of appreciation in recognition of her Mayoral Year
from: Assemblymember Pacheco; Congresswoman Sanchez; Congressman Garcia; State Senator
Archuleta; Los Angeles County Supervisor Hahn; the Cities of Paramount, Artesia, Lakewood,
Commerce, Cerritos, Compton, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, South Gate, and Whittier; the Cerritos
College Board of Trustees; the Downey Unified School District Board of Education; and, the Downey
Chamber of Commerce.
Outgoing Mayor Frometa commented regarding affecting changes, making a difference, and
impacting the lives of others. She thanked the elected officials for the certificates of appreciation.
Council Member Frometa left the City Council Meeting at 7:41 p.m.
4. MAYOR TRUJILLO'S INCOMING MAYORAL ADDRESS
Mayor Trujillo commented regarding the cohesiveness of the City Council and the role of the
Council to ensure the quality of life of the City of Downey and protection of its residents. He commended
the Downey Police and Fire Departments, Chief Murray, Chief Hurlock, City Attorney Funk, and City
Manager Bradley. He shared his background and motivations for serving as a Council Member and the
inspiration from his mother and family members. He thanked his Council colleagues for appointing him
as Mayor and shared he would work with the Council Members to highlight Downey's attractions and
history. He recognized his children, husband, family, and friends for their support and expressed his
desire to create a legacy in Downey.
He presented his goals to bring the West Santa Ana Branch Light Rail station to Downey,
implementing transit -oriented development in Downey and redeveloping the Rancho Los Amigos South
Campus, expanding the Columbia Memorial Space Center, supporting the renovation of the new YMCA
building, and continuing sound financial practices. He announced plans to enhance quality of life by
creating a multi -department outreach team, bringing a second dog park to the south side of Downey and
a community garden to Rio San Gabriel Park, continuing events such as the Mayor's movie night, and
expanding the International Food Festival to include a ceviche tasting component. He shared plans to
enhance economic development by facilitating the opening of Sprouts, attracting a Trader Joe's grocery
store, filling vacant sites, and bringing additional eateries and destination spots to Downey, enhancing
the online permitting system, and hiring of additional staff to expedite plan review. He stated the City
would increase studio production by attracting studio filming in Downey, increasing revenue, and
highlighting Downey as a destination. He emphasized public safety and his goal of hiring additional Police
Officers. He shared his goal of community preservation through the hiring of additional Code Enforcement
Officers, proactive enforcement of City Codes, and beautification efforts through clean-up events, the
alley improvement program, a streetlight program, repaving of residential streets, additional entry
monuments, a gateway sign in Downtown Downey, and incorporation of street names that highlight the
community. He stated he would continue community outreach through Coffee with the Mayor events,
videos, and monthly articles.
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting — December 14, 2023 2
RECESS/RECONVENE
Mayor Trujillo recessed the City Council meeting at 8:03 p.m. Mayor Trujillo reconvened the City
Council meeting at 8:38 p.m. with all Council Members present.
CITY MANAGER/STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
City Manager Bradley congratulated Mayor Trujillo on being appointed Mayor for 2024, former
Mayor Frometa on her past service as Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Sosa on being appointed Mayor Pro Tem,
and welcomed Council Members Pemberton and Ortiz to the City Council. He wished the audience a
safe and happy holiday season.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Trujillo asked City Clerk Duarte if any written public comments were received regarding
Special Meeting Agenda items. City Clerk Duarte confirmed no written public comments were received.
Mayor Trujillo asked if there was anyone present who would like to comment regarding Special Meeting
Agenda items.
Lee Squire, resident, commented regarding the First Amendment, and the integrity,
accountability, and character of the City Council.
Speaker, no name provided, congratulated Mayor Trujillo and requested the adoption of HR-786
calling to end the ceasefire and the conflict in Gaza.
BC, resident, commented regarding voter turnout for the November 7, 2023 Special Municipal
Election, trust in the City Council, elected officials, and the legacy of previous Council Members.
John Lacey, resident, commented regarding Mayor Trujillo and the departure of former City
Manager Livas.
RodoIfo Cortes-Barragan, non-resident, commented regarding Mayor Trujillo and called for a
humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
Speaker, no name provided, commented in support of a ceasefire in Palestine.
Juan Martinez, resident, commented regarding selection of the Mayor, Council Members, the
Brown Act, and the City Attorney.
Ernesto Valle, resident, congratulated Mayor Trujillo and the City Council, and commented
regarding the hiring of additional Police Officers, the installation of speed bumps in the City, and the
public comment speaking time.
Having no one else, Mayor Trujillo closed public comment.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Trujillo adjourned the Special City Council Meeting at 8:56 p.m.
AR ALICIA DUA TE,
City Clerk
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting - December 14, 2023
MARIO TRUJILLO
Mayor
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