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 54956.95 – Liability Claim - Worker's Compensation Claim - Claimant: Scott Devereux - Claim No.: 21-152991; Worker's Compensation Appeals Board No.: ADJ14001024; Agency claimed against: City of Downey. 2. Government Code Section 54956.95 – Liability Claim - Worker's Compensation Claim - Claimant: Brian Baker - Claim No.: 23-175963; Worker's Compensation Appeals Board No.: ADJ19140613; Agency claimed against: City of Downey. 3. Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: Hilda Baez De Campos v. City of Downey et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 24NWCV03386. 4. Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with labor negotiator James McQueen, Director Human Resources re: direction for labor negotiations with Downey Police Officers’ 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

Rick Rodriguez, former Downey Mayor.

FLAG SALUTE

Boy Scout Troop 441

PRESENTATIONS

1. Presentation to the City Council by the Downey Youth Commission. 2. Presentation to the City Council by the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee on the 2025 Measure S and Measure D Annual Report.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

1.

FISCAL YEAR 2024–2025 AND FISCAL YEAR 2025–2026 HUD ACTION PLAN SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS

That the City Council: 1. Conduct a public hearing and receive comments on the proposed Substantial Amendments to the FY 2024–2025 and FY 2025–2026 Annual Action Plans for the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funds; 2. Approve the proposed FY 2024–2025 Substantial Amendment, which cancels the CDBG-funded Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (LA CADA) – Behavioral Health Program ($20,000) and the Veteran Employment Support Training (VEST) Program ($25,000), and reallocates a total of $45,000 to the FY 2025–2026 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program; 3. Approve the proposed FY 2025–2026 Substantial Amendment, which cancels the CDBG-funded LA CADA – Behavioral Health Program ($20,000) and the HOME-funded The Whole Child Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program ($50,000), and reallocates those funds to the FY 2025–2026 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program (increased from $344,187 to $409,187) and the FY 2025–2026 HOME Housing Rehabilitation Program (increased from $253,732.44 to $303,732.44); 4. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to submit the approved Substantial Amendments and any necessary supporting documentation to the Unites States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and, 5. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to modify and execute any and all appropriate instruments, agreements, contracts, and implementing documents related to the implementation and administration of the Substantial Amendments.

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.

2.

APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Regular Meetings of January 13, 2026 and January 27, 2026.

3.

APPROVAL OF WARRANTS ISSUED

Warrant Nos. 396171-396502 (Check No. 101 was voided); Payroll Wire Nos. 30004662,30004668, 30004672-30004673; EFT Nos. 15533-15547; Manual Wire Nos. 2787 - 2798; and Cashier's Check No. 91202, in the total amount of $3,343,481.72.

4.

APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH F.M. THOMAS AIR CONDITIONG, INC. FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HVAC SYSTEM CONTROLS AT THE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE CENTER, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (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 $180,000 for the upgrade of the Direct Digital Control System for the HVAC at the Columbia Memorial Space Center; and, 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all amendments to the agreement. 

5.

APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH INFINITY TECHNOLOGIES FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

That the City Council:  Approve an agreement with Infinity Technologies for an initial three-year term beginning February 10, 2026, for an annual contract amount of $1,335,168. 

6.

APPROVAL OF A LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DAPEER ROSENBLIT & LITVAK LLP FOR CITY PROSECUTOR SERVICES

That the City Council: Approve the Legal Agreement with Dapeer, Rosenblit, & Litvak, LLP for City Prosecutor Services, for a three-year, three-month term beginning on March 1, 2026, with the optional extended term of three years, per compensation rates set forth in Exhibit “B” of the agreement.

7.

RATIFICATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES WORLD CUP 2026 HOST COMMITTEE TO HOST AN OFFICIAL WORLD CUP FAN ZONE IN THE CITY OF DOWNEY

That the City Council: 1. Ratify the City Manager's execution of an agreement with the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee (LAWCHC) to host an Official World Cup Fan Zone in the City of Downey; and, 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all amendments to the agreement.

8.

APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY AND GATEWAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS’ REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PLANNING SUBREGIONAL PARTNERSHIP 2.0 GRANT PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED GUIDELINES

That the City Council: Adopt Resolution No. 26-8334, approving a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and the City of Downey for technical assistance under the Southern California Association of Governments’ Regional Early Action Planning Subregional Partnership 2.0 Grant Program.

9.

ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CITY'S INTENTION TO GRANT A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FOR TOWING AND STORAGE SERVICES AND SETTING A DATE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE MATTER

That the City Council: 1. Adopt a Resolution No. 26- 8335, declaring the City's intention to grant a Franchise Agreement for towing and storage services and setting forth the notice of the time and date for hearing objections thereto; and, 2. Set Public Hearing for granting the Franchise Agreement for towing and storage services for February 24, 2026.

10.

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE INDEPENDENT CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE BYLAWS

That the City Council:   Adopt Resolution No.26-8336, approving amendments to the bylaws of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC). 

11.

ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO THE I-5 CONSORTIUM CITIES JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT

That the City Council: Adopt Ordinance No. 26-1540, approving the eighth amendment to the Interstate 5 Consortium Cities Joint Powers Agreement.

12.

ACCEPTANCE OF DONATED FIREFIGHTER WELLNESS EQUIPMENT

That the City Council: Accept the donation of firefighter wellness equipment from Dialed and Defend, valued at $12,999. 

13.

MEASURE S AND MEASURE D ANNUAL REPORT

That the City Council:  Receive and file the Measure S and Measure D 2025 Annual Report submitted by the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

14.

ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT (ACFR) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025

That the City Council: Receive and file the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025.

15.

DISCUSSION REGARDING LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONSIDERING A TEMPORARY ½ CENT SALES TAX MEASURE ON THE JUNE PRIMARY BALLOT

That the City Council: Discuss and provide staff with direction regarding a proposed temporary countywide ½ cent sales tax measure on the June primary ballot. 

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS

CITY MANAGER/STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS

ADJOURNMENT

Investigator Jaime Llamas, 20-year veteran of the Anaheim Police Department, and former Downey Police Officer from 2006 to 2017, who succumbed to his battle with cancer.

FUTURE COUNCIL REQUEST 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) 10. Research adding crosswalk on Florence Ave. between Arrington Ave. and Vultee St. – (C. Frometa) 11. Evaluate road conditions on Stewart & Gray Rd. from Garfield Ave. – (H. Sosa) 12. Evaluate a Hotel Users Tax – (M. Trujillo)

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Date Posted: February 5, 2026