HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12-05-07 - Adjourned MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 5, 2007
The City Council of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting for the
purposes of Reorganization at 6:40 p.m., December5, 2007, in the Council Chamber of the
Downey City Hall, Mayor Rick Trejo presiding.
PRESENT:Council Members:
Rick Trejo
David R. Gafin
Kirk O. Cartozian
Anne M. Bayer
Mario A. Guerra
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
ALSO PRESENT:Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk
Joyce E. Doyle, Chief Deputy City Clerk
Other City employees were present in the audience.
The Invocation was delivered by Dr. John Toay, Downey resident. The Flag Salute was
led by Fire Explorer James Martinez and Police Explorer Michael Otey.r Mayor Trejo welcomed everyone and recognized special guests, including former
Mayors and Council Members Diane Boggs, Robert Cormack, Keith McCarthy and Meredith
Perkins; and representatives from the State, County and the community. He also acknowledged
City Board, Commission and Committee members in the audience.
1. WELCOME AND FINAL ADDRESS MAYOR TREJO:
In his final address, Mayor Trejo noted his 47 years in Downey and all the changes he
has seen. He presented a Power Point presentation depicting 50 years of progress in Downey,
noting the Citys economic strength, stability, civic responsibility, pride, opportunities, growth,
learning, play and 50 years of a future unlimited.
2. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
Special presentations were made to outgoing Mayor Trejo by Mike Hollon, Field
Representative for Assemblyman Hector de la Torre; Luis Marquez, Senior Field Deputy for
Senator Alan Lowenthal; Joe Legaspi, Field Representative for Assemblyman Charles Calderon;
Joe Matthews, Field Deputy for Supervisor Don Knabe; Willie Gutierrez, President Board of
Education; Jaime Garcia, President, Downey Chamber of Commerce; and Kim Tachiki, Senior
Advisor to Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.
Mayor Trejo thanked everyone for their special presentations as well as his colleagues,
the City Manager, staff and all the Departments for their support.
3. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL:
Clerk Midstokke declared the Office of Mayor open and asked for nominations.
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It was moved by Council Member Bayer to nominate Mayor Pro Tem David Gafin as
Mayor of the City of Downey. There being no further nominations, Clerk Midstokke declared the
nominations closed
It was unanimously carried to elect Council Member David Gafin as Mayor of the City
of Downey.
Mayor Gafin declared the OKice of Mayor Pro Tem open and asked for nominations.
It was moved by Mayor Gafin to nominate Council Mbmber Kirk Cartozian as Mayor Pro
Tem of the City of Downey.
Council Member Cartozian expressed appreciation for the nomination but declined
saying it was uncertain if he would be on the Council next year and that he felt serving as Mayor
Pro Tem is a role that a future Mayor would serve. He indicated it was much in the Citys
tradition to nominate the member of the Council who is newest and has not served as Mayor.
It was moved by Council Member Cartozian to nominate Council Mbmber Mario Guerra
as Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Downey.
Council Member Trejo asked Clerk Midstokke who would be Mayor Pro Tem next if the
traditional rotation was followed. Clerk Midstokke responded that if you were following the
traditional rotation of the past, she believed it would be Council Member Bayer and then Council
Member Guerra.
There being no further nominations, Mayor Gafin declared the nominations closed
It was carried, with Council Member Bayer dissenting, to elect Council Member Mario
Guerra as Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Downey.
Council Member Bayer requested that the record reflect that she voted no as she
believes in the traditional City Council rotation.
4.ADDITIONAL PRESENTATIONS TO OUTGOING MAYOR AND NEW MAYOR:
Mayor Gafin presented Council Member Trejo with a Certificate of Election as Mayor, a
Gavel Plaque, and the traditional Mayor’s scrapbook commemorating activities during his term
as Mayor.
5. ADDRESS BY INCOMING MAYOR:
Mayor Gafin presented a Power Point presentation emphasizing (1 ) Completion of
Ongoing Projects: Phase II of the Lakewood Boulevard widening project; Discovery Sports
complex; Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center, and increase in the number of
sworn Police Officer positions; (2) Re-Emphasizing Long Term Projects: Consolidation of the
Public Works Yard; Rancho Los Amigos site revitalization; and the Neighborhood Watch
Programs (3) New Projects: Start Phase II – Imperial Highway improvement project; review
parking requirements for multi-family residential developments; initiate traffic calming program;
and initiate Police cadet program.
6.INTRODUCTION OF FAMILIES, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS:
Council Member Bayer recognized Commission members present, her mother noting it
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was her birthday tomorrow, and introduced the new Downey Symphony conductor Sharon
Lavery
Council Member Trejo introduced his wife, children, mother and brother.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra introduced his wife and friends, and recognized community
members in the audience. He mentioned the ChHstmas Tree Lighting ceremony earlier in the
week commencing the season of anticipation and expressed the City has many good things to
look forward to in the upcoming year. He complimented City staff, the Police and Fire
Departments, his Council colleagues, former Mayor Trejo and expressed he looks forward to
working with newly elected Mayor Gafin.
Council Member Cartozian introduced his mother, father, and brother. He complimented
former Mayor Trejo, his other Council colleagues, and said he looks forward to working with
Mayor Gafin and Mayor Pro Tem Guerra in the upcoming year. He further recognized City
Manager Caton and his staff for their excellent work. Council Member Cartozian introduced
Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development and John Perfitt, Economic
Development Director.
Mayor Gafin thanked his Council colleagues for their support and City Manager Caton for
making their jobs easier. He introduced his wife, son and daughter-law, other family members,
as well as his secretary for over 15 years, Mary Delgato. He thanked Dr. Toay for tonight’s
invocation and the Police and Fire explorers for the flag salute and all those in attendance.
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NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
Diane Boggs, former Council Member and resident of Downey, congratulated Mayor
Gafin and expressed disappointment in breaking the traditional City Council rotation.
Noreen Kimura, Downey Theatre Supervisor/President, Downey City Employees
Association-Miscellaneous, congratulated Council on this festive occasion and said their
Association values the high regard the Council has shown them.
Maria Larkin, resident of Downey, congratulated Mayor GaIn and expressed sadness
and disappointment that that election was taken out of rotation order.
Lennie Whittington, resident of Downey, agreed with the other two speakers and said he
would be looking into alleged Brown Act violations.
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David Littlehalles, Executive Director, Rio Hondo Temporary Home, thanked the City for
continuing support including outgoing Mayor Trejo and congratulated Mayor Gafin.
Robert Cormack, former Council Member, wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:32 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned to 6:30 p.m., December 11, 2007, in the Council Chamber
of Downey City Hall.
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk
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