HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01-12-21 Regular Meeting1:11AITES OF THE
CITY COUNCIL • THE CITY • •
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 12, 2021
The City Council of the City of Downey held a Regular City Council Meeting on January 12,
2021, at 6:35 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue,
Downey, California, Mayor Frometa presiding.
Council Members'.
Claudia M. Frometa
Blanca Pacheco
Catherine Alvarez
Sean Ashton
Mario Trujillo
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tern
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
ALSO PRESENT: Gilbert Livas, City Manager
John Oskoui, Assistant City Manager
Yvette M. Abich Garcia, City Attorney
Anil Gandhy, Finance Director
Delfino Consunji, Public Works Director
Alicia Duarte, CIVIC, City Clerk
(excused)
(teleconference)
The Invocation was delivered by Senior Pastor Shane Hicks, Legacy Church Downey. The
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco.
1. Mayor Frometa presented the Mayor's Legacy Award to Dr. Bill & Connie Kirkwood.
2. Mayor Frometa presented the Mayor's Champion Award to Kimberly Lomeli.
3. Mayor Frometa presented a Proclamation in honor of Human Trafficking Prevention Month to Celia
Gonez and Sonia Bailey.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS;
CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco welcomed members of the public participating in the virtual meeting.
She congratulated Fire Chief Dan Hurlock on his appointment. She reported attending Fire Chief Dan
Hurlock's Swearing -in Ceremony and thanked him for his service. She stated COVID-19 cases
continue to rise and she encouraged the community to continue to practice COVID-19 safety protocols.
She wished the public a Happy New Year.
Council Member Ashton welcomed members of the public participating in the virtual meeting.
He wished the public a Happy New Year. He reported an increase in coyote sightings and requested an
update of the Coyote Management Plan. He asked staff to update the Downey App to allow residents to
report coyote sightings.
City Manager Livas confirmed staff will return with an update and stated it is typical for an
increase in coyote activity during this time of year. He stated staff will activate Coyotes Out of Downey
and convey the information to the community through social media.
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting - January 12, 2021
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 12.2021 3
Raul Ernesto Garcia, resident, submitted written comments congratulating Mayor Frometa on
her appointment to Mayor.
Javier Munoz, resident, submitted written comments congratulating Mayor Frometa on her
appointment to Mayor and extended his support.
Shawn Dawes, resident, submitted written comments congratulating Mayor Frometa on her
appointment to Mayor and extended her support.
Arthur Young, resident, submitted written comments regarding access to residential properties
by City staff performing work on private property and public right of way.
Philip Lee Squire, resident, submitted written comments regarding protecting the Fir
Amendment and public participation without censorship. i
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented regarding the First Amendment, the Los Angeles
Police Department, and public officials.
David Bowers, resident, commented regarding upholding the U.S. Constitution and the
wrevention of government corruption.
I
Paula Mejia, resident, comment regarding the meeting audio and public participation during the
meeting.
Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if there were any written comments received regardirzo
Consent Calendar items. Mayor Frometa asked City Clerk Duarte if there was anyone on t
teleconference line who would like to comment on Consent Calendar items.
Armando Herman, non-resident, commented regarding Item Nos. 2, 3, 4, 7, 10 and in support of
the appointments to the Commissions, Committees, and Boards.
City Attorney Abich Garcia announced Item No. 10 would be tabled and continued to the ne
Regular City Council Meeting of January 26, 2021. 1
Council Member Trujillo abstained from Item No. 7, due to the close proximity to his residence;
ind, Item No. 11, due to a conflict of interest.
It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco and carried
0 to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Alvarez excused; Item N
10 tabled and continued to the Council Meeting of January 26, 2021; Council Member Ashton pulli
Item No. 26; and, Council Member Trujillo abstaining from Item Nos. 7 and 11. 1
City Council Minutes
Regular Meeting — January 12, 2021 4
r r i i r
• r r • r
P14 14 101i • - € • •
COMMITTEES26. APPROVED THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS FOR CITY COUNCIL INTER-GOVERNME
• ' 121: Mayor Frometa.
Council• _ Ashton
•ei• the item • . pulled • discuss the Mayor's is
to request to continue to serve on the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) Board 0
Directors and Executive Committee;and, Gateway Cities• of • ' - r 1
EIR/EIRS Project Committee as the Primary Member.
Mayor Frometa commented regarding her criteria in making the Council Member appointmen�
to the inter -government committees.
MemberMayor Frometa stated Council Member Ashton would serve as the Primary Member for t -
Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) 1-710 EIR/EIRS Project Committee and Coun
• would serve as the Alternate Member.
Mayor Frometa stated Council• Ashton would serve as the Primary Memberfor
Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors and Executive Committee a #
Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco as the Alternate Member.
It was moved by Council Member Ashton, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco and carri 0
4-0withCouncil Member Alvarez . • to aN-krove the •. . • i • y. • • y
Government Committees for 2021 with the discussed changes.
City Manager Livas addressed residents' concerns regarding the condition of City streets.
stated the City Council approved several items on tonight's Agenda related to street improvements.
thanked the City Council for providing direction, and City staff for continuing to move the City forwar
He thanked Director Consunji for his leadership and his staff for their hard work. I
Regular
City Council Minutes
2021
Vernola, former Mayor, City of Norwalk; Captain George Roque, Los Angeles Co ty Fire Department
who died from coronavirus-related complications; Carlos Sotomayor Senior; and, the live ost due to
City Clerk Mayor
City Council Minutes