City Council Regular Closed & Open Sessions
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 54957.6 - Conference with labor negotiator James McQueen, Director of Human Resources re: direction for labor negotiations with Downey City Employees' Association - Maintenance Unit, Downey City Employees' Association - Miscellaneous Unit, Downey Fire Management Association, Downey Police Officers’ Association and Downey Public Safety Auxiliary Association.
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
Art Reyes, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel Downey
FLAG SALUTE
Girl Scout Troop No. 71453
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS
CITY MANAGER/STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
PRESENTATIONS
1. Mayor's Legacy Award to the Downey Rose Float Association for winning the Founder's Trophy at the 137th Tournament of Roses Parade. 2. Presentation of City Pins to the 2026 Miss Downey Court.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES ADOPTING THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE AND LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO BASED UPON CLIMATIC, TOPOGRAPHICAL, AND GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
That the City Council: 1) Adopt Ordinance No. 26-1535, Repealing and Recasting Chapter 1 (Downey Building Code) of Article VIII (Building Regulations) of the Downey Municipal Code; Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Incorporating and Amending the 2024 International Building Code) – Including Appendix H; and Making Certain Local Additions and Amendments Thereto; 2) Adopt Ordinance No. 26-1536, Repealing and Recasting Section 8730 (Grading Regulations) of Chapter 8 (Floodplain Management, Grading and Paving) of the Downey Municipal Code and Adding a New Section 8730 (Downey Grading Regulations) to Chapter 8 (Floodplain Management, Grading and Paving) of the Downey Municipal Code by Adopting by Reference Appendix J of the 2025 California Building Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2); and Making Certain Local Amendments Thereto; 3) Adopt Ordinance No. 26-1537, Repealing and Recasting Chapter 13 (Downey Residential Code) of Article VIII (Building Regulations) of the Downey Municipal Code; Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Residential Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2.5) and Appendices BB, BF, BG, And C1; and Making Certain Local Additions and Amendments Thereto; 4) Adopt Ordinance No. 26-1538, Amending Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 of Article III of the Downey Municipal Code and Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Fire Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9), Including Appendices A Through O, Together with Certain Additions, Insertions, Deletions and Changes Thereto, for the Purpose of Prescribing Regulations Governing Conditions Hazardous to Life and Property from Fire or Explosion; and Adopting Chapter 6.95 of Division 20 of the California Health and Safety Code for the Purpose of Prescribing Regulations Governing Conditions Hazardous to Life and Property from the Handling, Use, Storage or Release of Hazardous Materials or Hazardous Waste; and, 5) Adopt Ordinance No. 26-1539, Adopting the 2025 Editions of the California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Historical Building Code, California Green Building Standards Code, California Energy Code, California Existing Building Code, and California Referenced Standards Code (as Set Forth in California Code of Regulations Title 24); and Amending Downey Municipal Code Article VIII (“Building Regulations”), Chapters 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 15, and 16 Accordingly.
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.
APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
Regular Meetings of September 9, 2025 and December 9, 2025.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS ISSUED
Warrant Nos. 395676-396170; Payroll Wire Nos. 30004664-30004667; 30004651; 30004656; 30004660; EFT Nos. 15437-15501; and, Manual Wire Nos. 2780-2786, in the total amount of $ 6,719,402.04.
APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH POSITIVE ENERGY, INC. FOR DESIGN, PROCUREMENT, AND INSTALLATION OF FAST CHARGING ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) STATIONS RELATED TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) NO. 22-06, ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, PHASE 3 PROJECT
That the City Council: 1) Approve a public works contract agreement with Positive Energy, Inc. in the amount of $1,443,575 and a five percent project contingency in the amount of $75,425 for design procurement and installation of five dual-port, Level 3 fast charging stations at the Civic Center; 2) Appropriate $560,000 in grant funds to the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Phase 3 Project, CIP No. 22-06 for the Fast 2.0 Charging for all Californians grant from the California Energy Commission; and, 3) Authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement, and authorize the City Manager to execute all amendments to the agreement.
APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH F.M. THOMAS AIR CONDITIONING, INC. FOR THE UPGRADING OF THE HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM INCLUDING CONTROLS AT THE MCCAUGHAN GYMNASIUM, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) NO. 26-16
That the City Council: 1) Approve a public works contract agreement with F.M. Thomas Air Conditioning, Inc. in the amount of $390,121 and a five percent project contingency in the amount of $19,506 for the upgrade of the HVAC system at the McCaughan Gymnasium Facility; and, 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all amendments to the agreement.
APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE DOWNEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
That the City Council: 1) Approve the Professional Services Agreement with the Downey Chamber of Commerce to promote civic and business services for a total contract amount of $35,000; and, 2) Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the agreement with the Downey Chamber of Commerce, including any non-substantive extensions and/or amendments.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AN AGREEMENT WITH COMMUNITY LEGAL AID SOCAL FOR TWO ADDITIONAL "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" WORKSHOPS
That the City Council: Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1, to an agreement with Community Legal Aid SoCal that increases the total allotted monies from $10,000 to $15,000 for an additional two "Know Your Rights" workshops.
APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RKA CONSULTING GROUP FOR VARIOUS ROADWAY REHABILITATION PROJECTS
That the City Council: 1) Approve a professional services agreement with RKA Consulting Group, Incorporated in the amount of $770,480 for design of various roadway rehabilitation projects; and 2) Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to the authorized budget amount for the professional services agreement with RKA Consulting Group, Inc.
APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND THE DOWNEY FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
That the City Council: Adopt Resolution No. 26-8330, approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Downey and the Downey Firemen's Association (DFA) - (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2029).
APPOINTMENT TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 5
That the City Council: Adopt Resolution No. 26-8331, approving the appointment of Jennifer M. Alvarez to the Public Works Committee for Council District 5.
APPOINTMENT TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 5
That the City Council: Adopt Resolution No. 26-8332, approving the appointment of David Valadez to the Public Works Committee for Council District 5.
APPOINTMENT TO THE RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 5
That the City Council: Adopt Resolution No. 26-8333, approving the appointment of Lissette Rivera to the Recreation and Community Services Commission for Council District 5.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO THE I-5 CONSORTIUM CITIES JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
That the City Council: Introduce an ordinance approving the eighth amendment to the Interstate 5 Consortium Cities Joint Powers Agreement.
APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET CALENDAR
That the City Council: Approve the Budget Calendar for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget.
2026 CITY OF DOWNEY LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
That the City Council: 1) Adopt the 2026 Legislative Platform; and, 2) Authorize the Mayor (or Mayor Pro Tem in the Mayor's absence) to sign policy and position letters within the guidelines of the platform.
AUTHORIZATION OF A STREET CLOSURE REQUEST - 14TH ANNUAL 5K FOR THE TRUE LASTING CONNECTIONS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER EVENT
That the City Council: Authorize the following street closures for the Annual 5k for the True Lasting Connections Family Resource Center event scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026, for the following streets: Rives Avenue between Hondo Street and Leeds; and, Quill Drive between Old River School Road and Morning Avenue, on Richeon Avenue between Quill Drive and Hondo Street.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
DISCUSSION REGARDING A CAT SPAY AND NEUTER REBATE PROGRAM
That the City Council: Receive an update regarding SEAACA's Cat Spay and Neuter Programs and consider staff's recommendation to have SEAACA continue and expand its Cat spay and neuter programs based on recent information gathered from SEAACA.
ADJOURNMENT
In memory of the Apollo 1 Astronauts; the STS-51-L Challenger Space Shuttle Crew; and, the STS-107 Columbia Space Shuttle Crew.
FUTURE COUNCIL REQUESTED ITEMS
1. Reimbursement options for outside meetings/conference – (M. Trujillo) 2. Options for limiting live music at residential properties – (D. Pemberton) 3. Research a Talent Show for Downey – (M. Trujillo) 4. Study adding crosswalks at Castana Ave. near Golden Park – (H. Ortiz) 5. Traffic survey on Cecilia St. from Pangborn Ave. to Woodruff Ave. – (H. Sosa) 6. Review CUP fee structure for small businesses in Downey – (H. Sosa) 7. Conduct speed survey on Fontana St. between Brookshire Ave. and Patton Rd. – ( H. Ortiz) 8. Traffic Study for crosswalks by Furman Park – (D. Pemberton) 9. Conduct a survey of traffic signs and stop signs along Brookshire Ave. – (H. Ortiz)
Date Posted: January 22, 2026