City Council - Regular Meeting

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Alright. Okay, everybody. We're gonna go ahead and get started. Good evening. I would like to call to order the regular city council meeting closed session. The time is 05:30. City clerk Duarte, would you please take roll? Yes, mayor.

Council member Pemberton? Present. Present. Council member Sosa?

Present.

Council member Trujillo is excused. Mayor Prote Mortis?

Present.

And mayor Rometa? Present.

Did we receive any now it's time for public comment. Did we receive any written correspondence, regarding tonight's closed session?

We did not, mayor.

K. And we don't have anybody in the audience for that. So I will, go ahead and close, the public comments since we did not receive anything. And the city council will now recess to closed session under the following authorities. Government code section five four nine five seven point six, conference with labor negotiator James McQueen regarding the direction for labor negotiations with the Downey Public Safety Auxiliary Association and the Downey Police Management Association.

The time is 05:32. We will now resist to closed session. I will now reconvene the regular council meeting closed session. City attorney Funk, will you please report the closed session action?

Good evening, mayor, council, and members of the public. Tonight, the city council convened in closed session and addressed each item on the closed session agenda. There is no reportable action from tonight's proceedings, however. Thank you.

Thank you, city attorney Funk. Before we begin the regular city council meeting open session, I would like to remind members of the audience that anyone wishing to speak during public comment must obtain a number card from the city clerk. Number cards should not be exchanged with other meeting attendees. If you decide not to speak after taking a number or decide to leave the meeting early, you must return the number card to city staff. If you did not obtain a number card and wish to speak, please proceed to the back of the room and city staff will issue you a number card.

Lining up during public comment will not be permitted, and each speaker should remain in their seat until their number is called. The time clock will begin when you begin your comments. Per the city's council meeting rules and for the fire safe and for fire safety regulations, all persons shall remain seated unless addressing unless addressing the council or entering or leaving the chambers. Standing in the aisles or along the walls is prohibited. There is overflow seating. Oh, we don't have overflow seating. I think we are we are good as we are. I will now call to order the regular city council meeting open session. The time is 06:32. City clerk Duarte, would you please take roll?

Yes, mayor. Council member Pemberton? Present. Council member Sosa?

Present.

Council member Trujillo?

Here.

Mayor Pro Tem Ortiz?

Present.

And mayor Froometa?

Present. Thank you. I wanna welcome you once again to, your council meeting. We have several presentations. And for those of you, that are mothers, would you please stand?

We would like to recognize you as we just, celebrated Mother's Day. So a big round of applause for you. Thank you to those of you in attendance and to those of you watching online via YouTube. We are thankful for our mothers, mother figures, and all of the work that you do to invest in the younger generations and make our communities better. Thank you for your sacrifices and thank you for the commitment to move us forward.

Thank you mothers. We have six presentations this evening. I'm gonna come down to the podium and we're gonna get those presentations started. Excellent. Excellent. Yes, thank you. I am in a bit of a hurry to recognize some wonderful people. I would like to call on we do need to have our invocation and our our flag salute. Invocation, pastor David Beery from First Presbyterian Church of Downey. Would you please lead us in the invocation?

Thank you, madam mayor. I'd like to invite all those who wish to do so to please join me in prayer. God most merciful and gracious, I praise you and thank you for the abundant gifts that you pour out on us from day to day. We thank you for the gift of life and for the gift of life in this particular place. We thank you for the institution of human government and the freedom to express our voice and will about how we are to be governed.

We thank you for those who've devoted their lives to community service and to making this city a better place for their neighbors. We thank you, oh, God, for this opportunity to gather and to meet. We praise you for those who will be honored and celebrated, and we ask for your blessing on everything that is said and done. God, give us minds to think well and ears to construe charitably the words of our neighbors and hearts that desire the good of others. God, please bless this time. I ask this for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Amen. Thank you. Thank you, pastor Leary. At this time, I would like to call on Boy Scout troop four four one to, conduct the pledge of allegiance.

Place your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all

for all.

Thank you.

Thank you, Boy Scout troop four four one. Can you give them a round of applause? We we appreciate we appreciate you coming and and honoring us with a flag salute. So now we have some really great presentations. I'm gonna go downstairs and get the get it start.

Good evening. Our recipient of this month's Mayor's Legacy Award is somebody very special in our community. It is doctor Sochil Ortiz, principal of Columbus High School, and she's also recognized for AC I will let her tell us a little bit about that when she comes up to the podium. Doctor Ortiz, would you please join me up here as I speak about you? Give her a big round of applause.

Doctor Sochel Ortiz, as I said, serves as principal of Columbus High School and Woodruff Academy Community Day School. She there, she leads alternative education programs for Downey Unified School District. Doctor Ortiz has twenty seven years in public education, and her experience includes serving as an elementary teacher at Galden Elementary and as a school psychologist across 13 Downey Unified Schools, grades k through 12. Doctor Ortiz is a first generation college graduate who grew up as a low income English learner with Campesina roots. Doctor Ortiz's leadership is deeply personal and grounded in compassion, equity, and high expectations.

Her lived experience continues to shape her commitment to our students, their families, especially those navigating barriers, transitions, and second chances. We all believe in second chances, don't we? Yes. At Columbus and Woodruff, doctor Ortiz leads student center systems focused on credit recovery, restorative practices, attendance support, mental health and wellness, college and career pathways, dual enrollment, and community partnerships. Her work is rooted in the belief that every student deserves dignity, belonging, opportunity, and a pathway to a hopeful future.

Doctor Ortiz was recently recognized by the Association of California School Administrators, ACSA, as the 2026 region 14 continuation educational options administrator of the year and was also selected as a 2026 California state continuation educational options administrator of the year as well. Can you give her a round of applause? This statewide honor recognizes her leadership in alternative education and her work to expand high quality educational pathways, pathways that support student engagement, persistence, and success. Doctor Ortiz's selection as a state honoree represents recognition among administrators from all 19 ACSA regions across California. Doctor Ortiz believes in the powerful healing of community, and she often describes this work as a labor of love and a patience of hope rooted in the belief that when students are seen, supported, and believed in, they they thrive.

As she would say, I again, for for me, selecting individuals for the mayor's legacy award. I I always believe that, and I've said it before, life is not a dress rehearsal. We have an opportunity in our lifetime to make a difference. And as as Jane Goodall would also say, is is what kind of difference do you want to make, and how do you want to be remembered? And certainly, as an educator, as an administrator, is I I want to acknowledge the work that you have been doing with students and their families.

And and sometimes our students may not have, may not make the best decisions from the very beginning, but we, are all deserving of second chances. And we are all deserving of that attention, that love, and compassion. People, we are not perfect. Certainly, nobody is. But dedicating your life to uplifting students and encouraging them so that they can become the better leaders and the future leaders of tomorrow is certainly very commendable.

So doctor Ortiz, I would like to extend to you the mayor's legacy award in recognition of being named the 2026 California State Continuational Education Options administrator of the year and as principal of Columbus High School and Woodruff Academy Community Day School. You have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student success, to equity, and opportunity. And your outstanding leadership in this community, compassionate, student center approach has positively impacted countless students and their families throughout the Downey Unified School District. And for that, I I always say engaged communities are strong communities, and what you are doing is having an incredible impact in the lives of people here in this community. So thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. You. My every time I've had the great honor and pleasure of being selected as as mayor of Downey, I've created a challenge coin, and this one is for you. Thank you. I'm gonna give it to you the way it's supposed to be. Continue to do the great work you have been doing. Here is the pin. If you can please say a few words.

I'm speechless. But fortunately, I did prepare a couple of words. Thank you so much, Mayor Frometa. I do wanna take a moment to say good evening to everyone that is here with us tonight. Mayor Frometa, members of the Downey City Council, right now, we have a school board meeting.

So, unfortunately, our Downey Unified leaders cannot cannot be here with them, but I still wanna definitely honor them. I wanna say thank you to our family, our friends, and our community members that are here with us this evening. I truly am humbled and grateful to receive the mayor's award, and I wanna thank you, mayor Frometa, for this meaningful recognition and for spotlighting the work that we do, on the Columbus High School campus. This honor means so much because not I don't just work in the city of Downey, but I am part of a community that truly believes in its young people and investing in its young people no matter what and no matter who. And Downey Unified, as you may well know, we say our kids deserve the best.

And at Columbus, we have the fortune of seeing what's possible when we have a city, a school district, families, staff, and community partners come together around that belief that our kids deserve the best. It's not just the same. At Columbus and Woodruff Academy, we serve students who remind us every day the healing power of feeling seen, feeling heard, feeling cared for, feeling valued, feeling challenged, and feeling like we believe in you even when they may not believe in themselves. Our work in alternative education is heart work. It's rooted in hope, especially when our kiddos feel a sense of hopelessness.

It's fueled by faith that things will work out even when may at times, they may not seem so. And it's driven by purpose, What I believe to be our calling. When Lions first enrolled at Columbus High School, there is a strong sense of hopelessness. They often arrived defeated and certainly disengaged with school. But I'm proud that through the collective hard work, the transformational work happening on our our campus, our Lions not only graduate, but they thrive.

So over ninety five percent of our lions graduate from high school. We only take students from Warren and Downey. So we are a tier three intervention, but we don't stop there. We also strive for excellence beyond high school. There's a a survey that we gave our kiddos. It's called the LCAP survey. You may be familiar with it. We take that survey every year. It's tied to funding. All the schools in Downey Unified take it, students, families, and staff.

And one of the questions is, my teachers care for me. What do you think the percentage of our kiddos reported that they felt cared for by their by their teachers and staff? I just wanna throw a number out there.

85.

85. 90. 97.5%. I I was sharing with Lisa that I knew the number was high, and I put it's over 90%. But I said, as I was writing a couple of words, I thought, no, you know what? Let me double check that number because maybe it's in the 80% because 90 is high. And when I added the numbers and it was 97.5%, I was like, wow. We we really are an amazing team here. We're doing some great work. Because when you feel cared for, you know, our our hearts open up, our minds open up to learning.

So I'm really, really proud of that. As I mentioned, we also strive for excellence because our kids are brilliant. They've just been through some things. They've been through some things. But when we're able to tap into their true potential, amazing things happen. So, like Warren and Downey, we also offer dual enrollment courses that our students are completing on our campus. It's outside of the norm for continuation schools. And we partner with Cerritos College. We have an overall pass rate for these classes. I believe it's 78 classes that have been taken this year.

Ninety four percent pass rate. Incredibly proud of our kiddos and our teachers for helping make that happen. Our students are also earning industry skills in pathways like welding and media makeup. They're receiving college and career scholarships, improving their attendance, and showing us what's possible with the right belief system, supports, and opportunities are in place. The work on our campus does not happen alone.

It truly does take a village. And in Downey, we're blessed with the village that shows up. I wanna thank the city of Downey, our school board, our superintendent doctor Brosmer, our district leaders, our incredible staff, our students, our families, our community partners for believing in the promise of every student in Downey Unified. I wanna thank my family and friends that are here with me in spirit. I was sharing with mayor Frometa that we have grad nights, so we have our staff getting ready for that on campus.

And my my two kiddos are taking final exams in college, and my husband's working overtime. But with me, I have my beautiful daughter, Jessica. Thank you for being here, mama. And so I could not do this work that I do without my my my family, my friends, and my my my my support team, my village. This award is a reminder that when we when we invest in our lions, we invest in the future of our entire community here in Downey.

We serve anywhere from 500 to 700 students in one year, students coming and going. And we only we only serve kiddos that are referred to us from Warren and Downey because they're at risk of dropout. So can you imagine if at Columbus High School, we didn't do something about it. The impact that that would have on the community of Downey having that many kiddos without a diploma. So thank you for investing in our lives. In the city of Downey, at Columbus and Woodruff, we know that alternative education, like Columbus, is not a last stop. It's a powerful new beginning. Thank you, mayor Frohmeta, for this honor, and thank you for believing in our kiddos.

Doctor. Ortiz said she has got grad night tonight, so I told her we would get her in and out quickly.

Of

course. Now moving on, we have a proclamation declaring in honor of public service recognition week, which is May. And I will call upon, our city manager, Roger Bradley, to assist. This is this is an important week for public servants, and, I will have him read a few words.

Great. Thank you, mayor. The city of Downey proudly recognizes the essential role of public servants at all levels of government during public service recognition week, is from May. These dedicated individuals, whether serving as firefighters, police officers, recreation leaders, engineers, or countless or in other countless other roles, work tirelessly to keep our community running with integrity and efficiency. Many risk their lives daily, while others provide critical service to support our communities.

Without their continued service, the stability and function of our city would not be possible. To accept the proclamation, we have Gonzalo Cadence, our street maintenance lead worker. He is a dedicated, responsible, and ethical employee. Started in in landscaping and transferred over to the streets crew and has been a huge asset to the department and is a perfect example of a public servant. I'm grateful to have him here this evening. Call him up and present the award.

I will, I will only lead the read the bottom. I said I I wouldn't read all of the, whereas. Now, therefore, Claudia Frometta, mayor of the city of Downey, do hereby announce and proclaim to all residents that May as public service recognition week. All residents are encouraged to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of government employees at all levels.

Thank you, Ray. I would like to say thank you to, first of all, to city council members, also to Downing staff. I've been working here for ten years now, and I've gotten to know a lot of people, and I've enjoyed my time here. But it wasn't, easy. Hasn't been easy.

There's a lot of there's a lot of, commitment, responsibility, and I've learned that as as I've, been moving up in my position. But, really, I'm proud of my work I do. I'm proud of the people I work with and the community I serve. I hope to keep this level of, service for another ten years plus and really, really wanna say thank you, to my wife who currently is at home with our two week old baby girl.

Congratulations.

Thank you so much. I wanna say thank you to my two boys. One's here with me today, but thank you for being always, you know, always around, being understanding those times that I have had to miss, you know, birthday parties and holidays because I've known that the city needs their staff, and I've understand that commitment I made. So thank you to my family. I love you all, and thank you.

Thank you, Gonzalo. Thank you. Thank you for your prayers and congratulations.

Alright. Without

a doubt, we are grateful to all of our city staff. Gonzalo, thank you, for that dedication. We cannot, maintain the level of service, and we can't maintain a great running smooth city, without incredible staff. So thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Now moving on, we have, a proclamation in honor of municipal clerk's week, which also is May. And our city proudly recognizes the week of May, excuse me, May as municipal clerk's week, honoring the essential role municipal clerks play in local government. As one of the oldest and most vital public service positions, municipal clerks serve as a professional link between citizens, elected officials, and all levels of government.

City clerks embody a commitment to neutrality, public service, and transparency. They serve as the information hub for local government functions and continually pursue professional development to better serve their communities. I would like to call upon our own city clerk. Can you give her a round of applause? Alicia Duarte.

I would like to, recognize, Alicia for her dedication, for her integrity, for always, being available to this council, at a moment's notice, and for the vital work that Alicia, as our city clerk, does for the City Of Downey. Again, I will not read all the whereasses, but, I, Claudia Frometta, mayor of the City Of Downey, do recognize the week of, May 2026 as municipal clerk's week and further extend appreciation to our city clerk, Alicia Duarte, and all of the municipal clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the community they represent. Thank you. Thank you, Alicia. Go ahead and say a few words.

Thank you, mayor and city council members for recognizing municipal clerk's week. I also want to thank city manager Bradley, assistant city manager De Rojas, and city attorney Funk for their support and collaboration with the city clerk's office, and also acknowledge and thank, Augustine Estrada, deputy city clerk, for his work and dedication. I would like to briefly share some of the many duties and responsibilities of the city clerk, which include preparing council agendas, attending and recording council meeting proceedings, maintaining city records and archives, city election administration, public records management, and Brown Act on political reform act compliance. It is truly rewarding to serve in a role that acts as the backbone of local government, fostering transparency, and directly serving the community. Thank you again, mayor.

Thank you. Can we get, assistant city manager Dorohas, city manager, Brad Boda? Yeah. We really have great, great staff and we definitely have a great city clerk. Moving right along, we also have National Police Week.

It's May 15 through the twenty first. And let yes. Let us give a round of applause, please. If I can call upon chief Lochner to come up here. On behalf of the city of Downey, we extend our sincere gratitude to our police officers, our men and women for their dedicated, professionalism, their their commitment, unwavering commitment to public safety.

Thank you to all of our men and women in uniform. Thank you, chief, for your service to our community. Tonight, we recognize National Police Week, and this is a time to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who serve and protect our community each and every day. We also remember and pay tribute to those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. If we can give them a round of applause, please.

I, mayor Claudia Frometa, call upon all citizens of the city of Downey and all patriotic civil and educational organize organizations to recognize police week with appropriate observance, which our community may join in honoring police officers, past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service, and in doing so, leave established and have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and safety and security of all citizens. Today, 05/12/2026. Thank you, chief. I'll get him some comments. Thank

you, mayor Fermetta. In 1962, president Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Police Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week that it falls in as National Police Week. National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Tragically, our department has lost two officers in the line of duty. On 04/10/1981, motor officer Wayne Presley was pulled to the side of the road assisting a disabled vehicle.

Officer Presley along with his partner Steve Guthrie were hit by a drunk driver. Officer Presley was killed while Steve Guthrie sustained major injuries. Fortunately, Steve Guthrie was later able to return full duty and retired as a sergeant. On number on 11/18/2015, officer Ricardo Ricky Galvez returned to the station in his personal vehicle after working as an agitator at a canine training. As officer Galvez was sitting in his vehicle, he was shot and killed by three gang members.

This year, in memory of officers Presley and Galvez, officers Adon Avila, Rebecca Smith, and Anthony Cantaro participate in the police unity tour. This 250 mile bike ride began on May 10, included today. I'm proud to say that all three finished the ride today safe and healthy. On behalf of the men and women of the Downey Police Department, I would like to thank you for this proclamation in remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our communities. Thank you.

K. We've got two more. Thank you for for hanging with us. Also, we have National Public Workweeks Public Works Week, May 17 through the twenty third. The city of Downey proudly recognizes the critical role public works professionals play in maintaining the infrastructure services and facilities that support our community's health, safety, and quality of life.

These dedicated individuals, engineers, managers, and workers across both public and private sectors are responsible for building, maintaining, and improving vital systems such as transportation, water supply, waste management, and public buildings. As we mark the sixty sixth annual National Public Works Week, May 17 through the twenty third, we, the city of Downey, do encourage all residents to join in honoring the contributions of public works professionals and to participate in activities that highlight the importance of their work in creating resilient, sustainable communities. I would like to, call upon our superstar, the director of public works, Matt Baumgartner, who I had the pleasure of recording a video recently, regarding the tremendous work that, as a city, we are doing to repave, rehabilitate our streets. And, we we had a lot of fun doing that, Matt. We did.

I think we're gonna do another one before before too, too long. It is so important, think, to hear from our director of public works and for our residents. They see the streets, sometimes blocked with cones, and they see some disruption to their daily commutes. Understand that's not fun, and and sometimes can get our our level, you know, our anxiety level through the roof. But the point and the importance of what we're doing, what this council is doing, and certainly the staff, our director Matt, and as well as individuals like Gonzalo who works in public works, and so many others, and Shane.

We have a tremendous city, twelve twelve square miles. And we have a lot of streets that need to be brought up to brought up to code, I would say. And over the past few years, this city and this council has directed the investment of how many million?

35.

$35,000,000 to repair our streets. And so, again, we we wanna make sure we take the time to recognize. Thank you for recording that video with me. Matt, say a few words.

Thank you, mayor Parmeta. I think you've covered very well what we what we do here in public works. I'm actually really glad to be today, I don't usually have the opportunity to have all my my key people here. I've got Shane and and Lisa who manages our facilities. And Shane's two right hand men in, Gonzalo and Andrew.

They're the ones who take care of our roads, our sidewalks. They respond late at night to take care of this community, and they represent what all of our staff do, is, people that have a lot of great pride in the work they do and love this community. So, we take an opportunity this week every year in May. Tomorrow, we have our, our public works week, breakfast where the council, the city manager, assistant city manager, and myself, we take an opportunity to serve breakfast to all of our staff, and we look forward to that and to share a little bit, about what we do. And, it's always a fun time, and we really like the opportunity to to acknowledge and recognize all of our staff for the great work they do.

Thank you.

Thank you. Big

round of applause.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. I I'm not gonna read all the warehouses, but resolved, I, Claudia Frometa, mayor of the city of Downey, do hereby designate the week of May 17 through the twenty third as National Public Works Week. I am urging all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies in activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public work professionals, engineers, managers, and employees, and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our national health, our safety, and advancing quality of life for all of us. A big round of applause once again.

Thank them. Thank them. Thank them because they're always hard at work. Last, but certainly not least, I want to, extend a proclamation, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, which is the month of May. I would like to call upon Ronnie Hernandez, executive director, clinical therapist, at the ten twenty Club to accept this proclamation.

Mental health awareness month, is a national observance in The United States held every May, founded by the Mental Health America in 1949 to raise awareness about mental health, to reduce the stigma, and to connect people with resources. The 2026 theme, more good days together, emphasizes both personal reflection and community support, encouraging individuals to define what a good day means for them and to foster connections that enhance mental well-being. It is particularly I and I've known Ronnie for several years, but especially during the pandemic and post pandemic, the rise in in mental health situations, struggles with our youth, but certainly with community members went through the roof because of what we experienced during the pandemic. But also, with the rise of social media and social media platforms, the bullying and the harassment that often takes place, keyboard warriors and people hiding behind screens and behind made up names. This really calls for it's we're in a crisis.

And we're in crisis of really epic proportions when it comes to our youth. Suicide rates are up. And, again, recognizing that the mental health of individuals across the board, whether it is the youth, community members. But, also, I do want to call attention to our public servants, elected officials. At no other time in the history of our country have we also seen elected officials suffering from mental health illness.

And, again, we need to reduce the stigma, and it is it is incumbent upon all of us to recognize the symptoms. But also to just as we are fierce and staunch supporters of First Amendment and people's right to free speech, We also need to recognize and be staunch protectors of individuals across across the spectrum from the youth to the average citizen to elected officials like ourselves so that our mental health can continue to to be well. So, Ronnie, would you say a few words?

Yes. First of all, I'd like to thank city council for their support over the years for the ten twenty club and for our community. And also a special thank you to Hector Sosa for the men's mental health conference last last year. And also also wanna recognize Park and Recs as well. The importance of having those activities in the community is huge.

The the amount of programs that they have and what what I really feel is the big issue that's now and that will be the future is isolation. And so, I usually I have I run the ten twenty club, so I see kids individually, and I also have my own private practice as well where I see adults. And the overwhelming theme is is isolation. So being able to have people go out and enjoy life, being able to be part of activities, and being able to interact with friends. I don't when we think of mental health, we automatically think of you need to go to therapy.

And a lot of for a lot of people, it's a great tool, and absolutely. But and also thing that we need as well is being able to to do things, being able to call up old friends, being able to do things with with your family. So I I think just being being aware of of mental health and being able to to reach out to a friend, and you don't have to say, you know, we need to talk or anything like that. It just, hey. Let's go out and grab some coffee.

Let's go out and, you know, play some basketball, whatever whatever the case may be. But being able to, bring awareness to to what's what's kinda going on, especially post pandemic. And so being able to have that balance of, yes, therapy is a great tool, and then also being able to to get moving and to to also do things as well. So, again, I'd like to thank, city council, for for everything that you guys do in in the community and, thank you.

I, mayor Claudia Frometa, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as mental health month in the city of Downey. I also call upon residents to commit to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental illnesses. This day, 05/12/2026. There are two public hearings this evening. Number one, the request for franchise agreement renewal with Tesoro SoCo Pipeline Company LLC that the city council conduct a public hearing to consider granting an oil pipeline franchise to Tesoro Pipeline Company LLC, and number two, introduce an ordinance of the city council of the city of Downey granting a renewal of an oil pipeline franchise agreement to DeSoto Soco Pipeline Company LLC.

The hour having arrived, the public hearing is now open. The time is 07:17. I think you are

Yeah. Excused.

Madam mayor, I have to recuse myself. I'll be back in the next item.

City clerk Duarte, do we have proof of publication?

We do, mayor.

K. Can I have a motion and a second to receive and file the publication?

So moved.

Second. K.

Let's vote.

The motion is approved with council member Solsa abstaining from this item.

Thank you. City manager Bradley, I see that we have a staff report from our director of public works, Matthew Baumgartner.

Yes, mayor. Thank you.

Yes. Mayor Permetta and council. At our last meeting, council adopted a resolution, signaling its intent to extend, the franchise agreement with Tesoro pipeline, for another ten years. Our charter requires that we come back every ten years, hold a public hearing to go over this, and to adopt this agreement. This pipeline was installed back in '9 in the nineteen nineties, and we've gone through this process over the last two years ten year last thirty years.

And tonight, we're bringing this forward. This will the rates per foot will be at a dollar 64, which is in line with with the market. And every year, that rate will be adjusted by CPI, which is also standard with the Market. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

Counsel, do any of you have any questions or comments?

No. I don't have any questions. It's interesting that the footprint of the map where it comes in on Southgate goes down south along Imperial, but a lot of underground things that we do not know about.

Exactly.

I have no questions. Thank you for delineating this and showing us where it is.

Thank you. At this time thank you, Matt. At this time, I will open this public hearing item for public comment. City clerk Duarte, did we receive any written correspondence regarding this item? We did not, mayor. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak on this public hearing?

We don't have any, members of the public, ma'am.

Okay. I will, entertain a motion to close this, public comment period for public hearing. So

moved. Second. K.

So ordered by the mayor. If, that is a public comment, I will go ahead and entertain a motion and a second. Unless there are any comments from council, I will entertain a motion and a second to approve the staff's recommendation, for actions number one and two.

I'll make that motion, mayor.

I'll second that. Please vote.

The motion is approved with council member Sosa abstaining from the item.

Our second public hearing of the evening is to consider the adoption of an uncodified urgency, ordinance number 26 dash one five four one, extending a moratorium on single price overstock discount stores for an additional one year. That the city council adopt unquodified urgency ordinance number 26 dash one five four one, extending a moratorium on the approval, commencement, establishment, relocation, or expansion of single price overstock discount stores within city limits for an additional one year. The hour having arrived, the public hearing is now open. The time is 07:21. City clerk Duarte, do we have proof of publication?

We do, mayor.

K. I will make a motion to receive and file the, publication. Can I get a second?

Second.

Please vote.

The motion is approved unanimously.

City city manager Bradley, is there a staff report?

Yes, mayor. We'll, have community development director Weitron, introduce the item.

Yes. Good evening. Tonight, we'll have a brief presentation by our contract planner, Lindsay Ortega.

Good evening, mayor Fermeda and members of the city council. I'm Lindsay Ortega. It is a privilege to be back before the city council again. The item consideration today is an uncodified urgency ordinance number twenty six fifteen forty one, which would extend a moratorium on single price overstock discount stores within city limits for an additional year. On 05/28/2025, in an effort to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the city council adopted an interim urgency ordinance number twenty five fifteen twenty eight, establishing a 45 moratorium on the approval, commencement, establishment, relocation, or expansion of a single price Overstock discount store within the city limits.

On 06/24/2025, the city council issued and filed the requisite report required by state law prior to extension of a moratorium. And on 07/08/2025, the city council adopted ordinance number twenty twenty five fifteen twenty nine, extending the moratorium for ten months and fifteen days, which is set to expire on 05/27/2026 unless extended by the city council. In accordance with government code section six five eight five eight, after an initial extension of ten months and fifteen days, the city council may adopt a subsequent extension for up to one year, not more than two extensions are permitted to be adopted. On 04/28/2026, the city council issued and filed the requisite written report describing the measures taken to alleviate the conditions that led up to the adoption of the moratorium. Staff continues to study the issues associated with single price overstock discount stores to identify recommendations for how this should be defined, permitted, as well as the analysis for the appropriate locations and zoning to mitigate any potential adverse impacts on the city.

Additionally, staff is continuing to research development standards and best practices from other jurisdictions to determine if they would be appropriate for the city of Downey. Staff needs additional time to continue this research, to summarize recommendations, and to draft a proposed text amendment to the zoning code and to act in order to adequately address the issues related to single price overstock discount stores. Upon extension of the moratorium, this would expire on 05/27/2027. This concludes my presentation and I am available for questions. Thank you.

Thank you for that. I do want to remind our residents perhaps they they were not aware. Those that are here in the audience tonight or those watching via YouTube, and for the record, that, this council unanimously, adopted the moratorium, a year ago in May 20 05/28/2025 regarding discount stores. And again, the concern at the time, was that the proliferation of these, places without, regulation would have adverse impact to, our community. Typically, these type of, establishments are associated with an increase in trash, loitering, graffiti, and theft, and due to the lack of security.

And we wanted to discourage residents. Excuse me. That discourages our residents from engaging and being part of the community. Again, knowing that we have currently eight discount stores throughout this city, this council believed that was more than plenty. That was enough. So, again, I just wanted to, remind or, say what why it is we're having this public hearing and how this council voted unanimously, a year ago. Council, do you have any thoughts, questions, comments?

I just have one question. So this is just our last extension until we come back for every, some staff board recommends?

Yes. That's correct. This is the last extension.

That's it.

I I I too will echo the the sentiments of mayor Frohmetta because on social media, I see a lot of comments of certain areas and it's generally related to these types of stores with maintenance or trash or loitering and such. So we need to take a look of what's good to keep our community safe and keep the shopping districts where people do wanna come out and feel that they can do that. So we appreciate looking into this.

Yes. Yes. Thank you. And and I also want to add that even before we adopted this urgency ordinance, as a council, we had asked staff to look into those particular sites that our residents were particularly concerned about whether it's increase in transient activity and and we continue to monitor these areas. And staff, I have to say, have been very responsive.

Thank you, city manager Bradley, for for continuing to to hear us and hear our residents. This this need to continue to be monitored. So thank you. Any other thoughts or comments? If not, I will not open this item for public comment. Thank you again for your report. City clerk Duarte, did we receive any written correspondence regarding this item?

We did not, mayor.

And do we have any in person public comment regarding this public hearing?

We do not have any speakers, mayor.

Okay. I will make a motion to close public, this public hearing. Can I get a second? Second. K. So ordered by the mayor. This urgency urgency ordinance requires a four to five vote to be adopted. Unless there are any comments from my council colleagues, I will entertain a motion in a second to, adopt the uncodified urgency ordinance number 26 dash one five four one.

I'll make a motion. Second.

Please vote.

The motion is approved unanimously.

Thank you. Now is the time for public comment regarding agenda, consent calendar, and non agenda items.

The city council will now take public comment on agenda, consent calendar, and non agenda items. If you did not receive a number card and wish to speak, please proceed to the back of the room to be issued a number card by city staff. We will be calling blue number cards for the public comment period. Before we begin the public comment period, we would like to remind members of the audience that the city's meeting rules contained in the Downey Municipal Code prohibit any conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting. Copies of the meeting rules are located in the back of the chambers.

Members of the audience and speakers who violate these rules and cause a disruption will receive one warning and then may be removed from the meeting. Violations of the rules of decorum for council meetings may also result in an administrative fine under the municipal code or citation for a misdemeanor under penal code section four zero three. The city council acknowledges the right of the public to address issues that are within the city's jurisdiction and invites the public to do so during the city council meeting. However, this right must be balanced with the need of the city council to conduct the public business in a fair and efficient manner, free from disruption or disturbance. We expect that everyone who participates in today's meeting from the members of the council here on the dais to staff, to the members of the public in attendance, do so with respect and dignity.

Please refrain from using profanity, name calling, or behaving in a way that disrupts this meeting. This includes yelling, whistling, booing, screaming, and any other outburst that disrupts or disturbs the meeting. Any conduct that interferes with or disrupts persons who are addressing the city council. Any conduct that interferes with or disrupts council members while they are speaking, any other conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting, and attacks of a personal nature on city staff or city council members that have no connection to agenda items or non agenda items. We remind speakers that your comments must be addressed to the mayor and not to any other council member, city staff, or the audience.

Thank you. Alicia, how many speakers do we have?

We have five speakers, mayor. Okay.

Each speaker will have three minutes to address the city council, and I will be calling on the blue number cards for this public comment period. And, I remind all speakers that you must remain seated until your number is called. Speaker number one, please come forward.

I'll put this right here for now. It was interesting. I'm here to

talk about

illegal the illegal sale of nitrous oxide here in Downey. It's illegal. I'll talk about these particular things. It's interesting when I came in today, there was a lot of people from street maintenance, and they knew exactly what this was. Do do you guys know what this is right here? It's a nitrous nitric oxide that's being sold in smoke shops here. There are 10 smoke shops in Downey selling these things. They're over a $100. This size right here, they have a lot of health health problems when you when you do these things, when you have these things. So let me get my message here.

I also sent a email to the comment section today. I'll just go ahead and read this. It is illegal to sell nitrous oxide or recreation for recreational use in California because of its serious negative health consequences. But there is a loophole that I hope that you will close in this city. There are 10 smoke shops in this city.

The owners of these smoke shops can claim that they don't know what their buyers are using this dangerous gas for. This is their loophole. It is a lie. I know this because they sell balloons and adapters to attach to the canisters that dispose this gas. Here's the adapter right here.

And the balloons, of course. Okay. I lost my my point. This paraphernalia that that they sell with the canisters is not used when it is used legally, only illegally. So they sell it with it.

They know what they're doing. They're denying it, but they're lying about it. The temperatures I'll explain why they did use a balloon. The temperatures of the gas straight from the canister are a minus 40 degrees below zero. Balloons are how illegal users are breathing it into their lungs to avoid the damage of immediate frostbite to their mouth, throat, and lungs.

The only legal use for this nitrous oxide is for dentists, making whipped cream, and for car performance. Can anyone believe that these smoke shop owners are selling this to dentists? Are they selling it to dentists? No. They know exactly what they're doing.

These shops are making a lot of money and they are lying about what they know. Many cities have banned its sale in smoke shops already with penalties of a thousand dollars and losing their business license. Cities such as Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, and many, many more. Set to three minute. Shall I continue? I'm almost done.

Oh, I I would love to be able to have you continue, but we have our three minute limit. Okay. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

If I could

yes. Please. Go ahead. Go ahead, city manager Bradley.

So I I just wanna say thank you so much for, the residents to come in. I for my comments for later this evening, I was gonna, have staff look into adding nitrous oxide and definition to our tobacco ordinance and prohibit these sales on these items. I understand they're what you're you're facing. In my district, we have 17 smoke shops. We did a lot of limitations with between parks, daycares, playgrounds, and schools. Mhmm. So I just wanna make sure that we continue to take care of kids. That's my biggest, issue that I I wanna make sure I tackle. So I just wanna say, if I can have a second

for that. You you can, we can do that during our comments. Thank you, council member Ortiz. And is it 15 smoke shops in your district?

Sorry. Seven smoke shops.

Seven. Okay. Thank you.

17 in total in the city. Yes.

Well, we we we will add that to the comments, but thank you for that. We have to move on to our second speaker. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Speaker number two may come up.

If I may add, this is an important this is an important moment during our city council meeting having, members of the public come and, speak their mind on various issues and there might be times where as council members we may be aware or not on certain, situations and so we thank you for taking the time to come talk to us. Speaker number two, you may start.

Thank you, mayor. Good evening. My name is Sarah and I am a Downey resident. I'm here to report a high risk wildlife encounter and a critical breakdown in our city's public safety outreach. On Sunday, May 3 at 01:30PM, my security cameras recorded a coyote on my property in broad daylight.

The animal was severely malnourished and suffering from advanced visible mange. I immediately executed standard city hazing protocols, patrolling my yards, shouting, and striking outdoor furniture with my bat to create loud noises. While the coyote did not ignore me, its response reveals a terrifying reality. Yesterday, an inspector from the Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner checked my neighborhood. He confirmed the gravity of the threat, explaining that these intelligent coyotes can actually recognize individual human voices.

The inspector believes this coyote has been actively avoiding my voice specifically because I knew how to haze. The animal simply shifted its territory moving just one street over to target my other neighbors and pets. Fortunately, he did see Siaker pursue this contagious coyote, so we'll see. We are also in pup season. Coyotes are biologically driven to hunt more frequently, making them highly active and potentially dangerous during the day.

While I knew how to protect my yards and pets, my neighbors did not. When I went door to door to warn them, every resident shared the same two facts. They have no idea how to haze coyotes, and they have zero awareness that the city recently had a coyote safety meeting. So I am asking Downey to bridge this communication by improving public notifications through channels like social media, publishing a clear protocol for deceased wildlife, and deploying deterrent tools to affect affected blocks. And also, if we can have more workshops, we would appreciate it.

I in closing, I have the video on my phone if you would like to see it after the after the meeting. So oh, I have extra time. I guess just in closing, I just wanna point out I do appreciate wildlife and nature. I grew up with my family taking me camping to Mammoth Lakes in spring and fall and other public parks, and so I knew how to keep a safe distance whether it be coyotes, elk, bears, all that. Unfortunately, nowadays, with social media, people try to get selfies too close for comfort. Now in Downey, since they're comfortable the coyotes are comfortable here, I just hope, we can empower our community to know how to, safely hasten each other wildlife and to coexist. So thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Thank you, speaker number two. I I will like to add and I will mention that during my comments later today. There was a neighborhood block, captain block meeting some weeks ago. And I know council member Pemberton and I have discussed and we have asked staff to look into bringing a a town hall for coyote awareness. And again, I will speak to that a little bit later in this evening. But thank you for your comments and, again, for the record, we will be looking at having a town hall on that.

Okay. Thank you, madam mayor.

Thank you. Madam mayor. Yes. Yes. I'll be asking on that topic. If we've ever engaged in proactive trying to catch the coyote activities, there must be traps somewhere.

We do not, do that. If there is an an issue where there's a coyote that has attacked someone, then we get to maybe that level of of capture. But other than that, this is their habitat. They are proper hazing techniques to use, and we do have that information on our website. We do provide that as a, you know, a service to the community to let them know how to address that concern. But it is their habitat. They're just we have to learn to, to live with them just like any other wild animals that are around us in the area here too.

And I think and you know what, council member Trujillo? We talked about having, inviting, fishing game, wildlife fishing game. Because they again, we there was a town hall many years ago, if you recall, on on this particular topic, and I think it's it's time that we we bring them back Yeah. For education purposes.

Let's see if we could rehome some of these coyotes. I understand it's their habitat, but my residents, Roger, care about their pets. And so while I've understand that the coyotes are important, I like to be proactive. So I but we'll discuss it. I think I'm gonna ask that we put this on the agenda. I'm not going to I don't feel comfortable accepting is there habitat, so we just have to live with possibility.

I understand that, but it also is would be incredibly expensive to try to relocate what could be many, many, amounts of of coyotes in the area, but we're happy to have that conversation. It's a Oh. It's a difficult difficult topic for the whole area here.

I really have to cross talk, Cora. Thank you. No. We we we're not supposed to. And, I I know this is, new for a lot of our residents. During public comment, it is the public who comment, and we really are not supposed to engage in back and forth. So

Thank you for your persistence.

I remember. Let me just make one Siaka comment. If the animal seems to have mange or is suffering, Siaka will go out Yes. And they will come and get it. Otherwise, they cannot. So you can still call Siaka. If that animal has mange or seems to be suffering, they will go out and find it and and take it.

I I just will say the fishing game will tell us the same thing. Yeah. I mean, I don't mean to be the run the party a little bit, but I do say it's a very difficult issue that we're dealing with. They're they will tell us the same thing that that's their habitat, and that's, you know, that's kind the end of the story. I think it might even be illegal in some way to to relocate them. So

Well, we will we will continue this conversation. I I wanna be protective of our public comment, but thank you for coming. Thank you so much. Thank you. Speaker number three may come up.

Good evening.

Good evening, madam mayor, members of the city council, mister Bradley, and staff. Madam mayor, I have three topics on my agenda this evening. The number one, since this is National Police Week, I want to acknowledge the men and women of the Downey Police Department and thank them very much for all they do to make our community a safer place. Thank you very much. Second item is that soon our country will be celebrating their two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, and I was wondering if the city of Downey will provide any kind of festivities relating to that.

The last item has to do with the grappler. I'm sure the police chief is aware of the grappler. It's a device where the police can control and possibly stop a vehicle that they are chasing. And my question is, I'm wondering if the city has looked into it and see whether or it's something the police department should utilize. That ends my comments, madam mayor. I yield my remaining time back to you.

Thank you, mister Lacey. Please appreciate you. Speaker number four may come up, please. Good evening.

Good evening, council members. In 2024, you passed a homophobic ordinance prohibiting the flying of pride flags on city property. Knowing that it was a homophobic ordinance, you did your best to obfuscate that the flag that the pride flag was the true target of the ordinance by calling the ordinance a neutral flag ordinance. Now thanks to this homophobic ordinance, the city of Downey looks just as homophobic as Egypt and Iran. Egypt and Iran are set to, to play against each other in Seattle on June 26 during the first round of the FIFA World Cup.

Long before it was known what teams will be playing in the June 26 game hosted in Seattle, the city of Seattle had planned to give to have pride celebrations around the game in honor of June being l b g t LGBT Pride Month. As soon as Egypt and Iran, two countries known for being homophobic, were selected to play the June 26 game in Seattle, both countries complained because, heaven forbid, they did not want their national football teams to have any association with LGBT pride celebrations. So now the homophobic new neutral flag ordinance, quote, unquote, that you passed in 2024 puts the City Of Downey in the same category as the regressive countries of Egypt and Iran. Does the City Of Downey really want does the Downey City Council really want to put the City Of Downey into the same category as Egypt and Iran? I would like to believe that the residents of Downey would not want that.

I am not a resident of Downey, but I live close enough to Downey and have two LGBT children to be embarrassed on behalf of the residents of Downey for the homophobic neutral flag ordinance that you passed. I call on you to do the right thing and rescind the homophobic new neutral flag ordinance from your books and do it in the time to be able to fly the pride flag during the upcoming LGBT pride month of June. And in the few seconds I have left, I'll add that the reason I came here, even though I'm not a Downey resident, I came to Downey, is to because to paraphrase Martin Luther King, homophobia anywhere is homophobia everywhere. While I cannot do anything about the homophobia in Egypt and Iran, I can do something about the homophobia in Downey, and that's what I'm doing right now. Thank you very much.

Thank you for that. Do we have any other speakers? Yes. You speaker number six may come up. Five. Oh, number five. Excuse me.

Lee Squire, Vietnam era veteran, US army, death before dishonor. I exercise my First Amendment freedoms. Mayor and council members, one, happy belated Mother's Day. It is mothers who give birth to freedom in America whose children are our future military and law enforcement. Hate against Jews in America called antisemitism.

It is the US army veterans who should be speaking up against hatred against the Jews. The US army liberated the Jews from Nazi tyranny. Will Jews have a voice on Memorial Day in honor of our two hundred and fiftieth anniversary and in honor of the US military who defended their rights? I'd like to know that. Two, national police week. In May each year, the last four years under the Biden administration, all we ever heard was hate the police, defund the police, and dishonor the police, and then dishonor the thin blue line flag. Well, enough is enough. Thank god for our military, and thank god for our law enforcement across America. God bless America. God bless Israel.

God bless the military and its veterans, and god bless law enforcement across America. Thank you. I'd like to send to the public record.

Thank you, mister Squire. That was speaker number five. Are there any other speakers? Okay. I will make a motion to close public comment. Can I get a second? Second. So ordered by by the mayor. Now is the time for consent calendar items. Are there any council members that would like to remove or abstain from an item?

Yes, madam mayor. I have to recuse myself because I have conflicts on items five and six.

Okay. Thank you, council member Trujillo. Anyone else? I will make a motion to approve the consent calendar, with council member Trujillo, excusing himself from items five and six. Can I get a second?

Second.

Please vote.

The consent calendar is approved with council member Trujillo abstaining from item numbers five and six.

Thank you. We have, four administrative reports, this evening. And the first one, item number seven on our agenda is the Discover Downey brand update from economic development. But the city council receive and file an update on the refreshed Discover Downey brand. And, city manager Bradley, who will be providing us the staff report on number seven?

Our economic development director will be providing the report. Austin Ramirez. Thank you, mayor.

Thank you. Hello. Hello, Austin. I have to tell you, by the way, I, will not I only. I think thousands and thousands of our residents really enjoyed your, video, welcoming Funbox to, Downey. Thank you for, for the great video. We appreciate it.

Thank you. All all credit to Axel and the Funbox team. I'm still sore from filming that video, but I appreciate it.

It's it definitely looks like a fantastic place. I have not had an opportunity to visit. I reached out to, the owners and I will be visiting soon. But thank you for the for the great work you're doing on the economic development front. I know you're here to, tell us about the rebranding.

Yes. Thank you so much, and thank you, mayor and council, for for all of your time this evening. We're gonna discuss the refreshed Discover Downey brand, and, we'll talk a little bit about why we're evolving into something that's more consumer facing and that really is gonna be focused on elevating our our brand and our reputation here in Downey to really support our local business community. And so we'll talk a little bit about the the history of the brand and also, some of what we're looking at in terms of, implementation in the coming months. And just for some context and and background, the previous brand was certainly functional, but it it lacked a distinct vision.

It was often confused with the city's municipal brand. That's something we heard time and time again that the shared content and the use of the the same logo and the same colors made it difficult for it to stand out. It did not fully leverage or market the amenities and businesses that make Downey such an attractive destination, and it's really struggled to grow its engagement and follower base. That's clearly seen on the screen there. If you just look at the difference in followers between the two accounts, we have close to 32,000 followers in the city's municipal account, and then we really plateaued, at just over 4,000 for the Discover Downey account, but we're hoping to change that here.

The other thing to mention is other cities have successfully developed, their own distinct but very complementary destination marketing brands that focus on attracting new visitation, new spending, and new investment. Some examples, locally, Pasadena, Oceanside, Temecula Valley. And then also just a reminder, as we were putting together economic development action plan, one of the things we consistently heard from small businesses here in Downey is that they needed marketing support, and that that's a critical resource that the city can help provide. And we really see this new evolved platform as a way to support our local businesses. And so when we partnered with Kiltur, which is a really great design agency in LA, you know, to help guide us through this process, our objective we set out from the the beginning was to really create an identity that celebrates Downey and inspires that visitation and investment.

And when we thought about what success would look like at the end of this process, there were four goals, that we established early on, that the brand would be aspirational and inspired by the history, people, architecture, and atmosphere of our great city, that it would inspire inquiries from investors, consumers, and visitors, that it would be distinct from the city of Downey's municipal brand identity, but certainly complementary, and then also that the brand would help establish and create a sense of pride for Downey among current businesses and residents. And when we thought about working with Kiltur on how we wanted to roll out and implement this refreshed brand, we were very intentional about thinking of multiple audiences, multiple settings, multiple platforms. And so we'll preview what some of those digital assets look like as well as those physical marketing assets. We'll talk about sort of the two main audience sectors here, tourism and consumers, as well as economic development for really investors, retailers, developers. And then when we look at the design, just keep in mind, it was intentionally designed to be prominent, in social media applications, conference, and trade shows as well so it doesn't get lost in those sorts of use cases.

And for inspiration, we really we really looked at Downey's, past and present, really some of the the more remarkable history and architecture and and the people and the atmosphere. And so you can see here on the screen some of that imagery, that we looked at. And our goal was really to help balance the city's rich history with our vibrant cultural diversity present in the community today, and that resulted in the following logo. So you can see here that, Discover features a really classic mid century script, but, really, we've paired that with a a bold typeface that centers Downey as the focal point. That is the goal.

Right? Bringing new audiences, new people, new investment to Downey. And then, what we'll look at next is is sort of how the the logo and the brand is applied, with our different color palettes and our different audiences. The color palette we chose is what we call a tropical mid century palette. And the first one, is in our tourism applications.

The three main colors you can see are coral, a deep navy, and then a sort of golden mustard that is very classic mid century. And you can see on the top some of the physical brand assets that we would invest in throughout the community. One is a a billboard. You can see some street banners and then some stand alone signage. In working with Kiltur, we've sort of worked on a play on words incorporating Downey, the down to earth destination of your dreams, also speaking to our space history there.

Downright perfect, the perfect place to put down roots. And then that bottom row is just some some fun merch that we can make available to the community. And then for economic development, to just have that sort of audience have its its own color palette, we drop the coral and replace it with, sort of a mid century teal color there. Keep the golden mustard, keep the deep navy. And, again, continuing with that play on words, downright perfect, the perfect place to get down to business.

That bottom rendering is really exciting for us as we think about taking this brand on the road to ICSC or other conferences and trade shows. And you can imagine that really standing out in the sea of more corporate brands that other municipalities or other businesses, take to those types of shows. The application we're really most excited about is thinking about our our social media and Instagram page for Discover Downey. We have a a rendering of of the Instagram grid, as it's called. And I just wanna point out that while it's a rendering, all nine of these photos are real photos of real businesses here in Downey and events here in Downey.

So this gives you a very realistic feel of that lifestyle brand, that aspirational sort of feel, that we really are gonna drive folks to spend more time, more money in Downey and reach a new audience here. And that's gonna be key for us is making sure it does support our local businesses. We've, previewed it to some of our local businesses and our partners, and they're really excited about this new feel, this intentional shift away from, you know, municipal services. It's something that they're excited about. It's it's something they wanna partner with us on professional level content creation, and, again, that's critical to the long term success of this. It's really for our business community to help support them.

And then this is just a a look at

the tourism palette again, that coral, that gold, and then that deep navy, and then the economic development palette there. And then in in terms of just some next steps, so we we wanna implement this immediately, particularly to to take advantage of, the, World Cup twenty six fan zone. We're hosting here at the city of Downey, the LA twenty eight Olympic games, and some of the the exposure will get to a regional, international, and likely international audience. And so hitting the ground running with with the Instagram as well. And then just to mention the strategic priorities, this touches on it.

I mentioned the the global events and the opportunity to expand our tourism economy, but also strengthening our year round spend local campaign, advancing our efforts to attract and recruit high quality businesses, and also just promoting our market potential to a broader national audience of of develop developers and investors. And then last but not least, before I I open it up for questions, I I really just wanna thank the Kiltur team and Axle. Axle has been instrumental, obviously, in growing our municipal brand, and it's been great working with him on, evolving Discover Downey. So very grateful to Axel and Kiltser for their help on this. But with that, happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Austin. I do have to say that my my favorite is that teal, and and I really like this rebranding for the Discover Downey. I think it's it's going to be a huge success. We may

have heard Tropical sea foam.

Tropical sea foam. I know we've heard from some of our residents already, particularly those that, are also involved with our, our historical society. Highlighting Downey in our mid century modern, history is important is really important. And I think over the years, as as Downey changed and expanded, we we moved away from that. But I think this brings back to Downey's roots.

And, again, I think how wonderful it it is that as we get ready to celebrate, the city's seventieth anniversary since we became an incorporated city that this is also coming out. Thank you. I really am excited about it. I look forward to growing the Discover Downey social media page to over 30,000 just like the city of Downey. Great job. I appreciate the presentation. Colleagues, questions, comments, thoughts?

Up to you. Go ahead. Please. Sure. Okay. Thank you. I I I like it. I really like the fact that you have the word destination as as one of the things that we're doing here. Yeah. I've been in Downey thirty five years. Downey was not a community that used to welcome outsiders. We were bedroom community. We're quiet. Then previous councils really opened up Downey, I think, with the downtown Downey concept. And so I get it.

We wanted to open up for economic reasons. Right? So I love that you're calling a destination because that's really what it's become. In the Southeast, Downey is a destination, particularly for the younger generation. I want to encourage you to use words like or hashtags. I don't even know if those are in anymore, Austin, but hashtag destination Downey, dine shop Downey, visit Downey, vamos a Downey. Love the fact that we're going to provide support to local businesses and marketing. That is key. We've we've managed to do that with the Downtown Downey through the downtown Downey Business Association. Their job is to market downtown.

So I love now that the city is taking that responsibility on. Thank you for doing that. That really shows meaningful support to our small business community. So good job. I I wanna echo what the mayor said. I love that it has that sort of retro, simplistic look. And at first, I was like, yeah. Kinda simple, but you could add so much more now with the videos and your, whatever you say with the captions. Right? So I wanna encourage you to just let people know that we are a welcoming, city.

Bring your tax dollars here, but please behave. Let's keep it classy people. I don't wanna I've always said that we should never sell our soul in terms of keeping that bedroom community small town feel for the dollar. We don't need the dollar that bad. That's why we don't have dispensaries because we simply don't need it. You know? We don't do the three p's in Downey. Do you know what those are, Austin?

I have heard the three p's. Yes.

We don't do pot, porn, or pawnshops. We won't support businesses that do that. Great job. I love what we're doing. We are a destination. We've opened it up, but let's make sure we keep it in a way that we can be proud of what goes on in our city. So thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

You know, when I sat with the presentation, last week to see the the the colors and such, I really love the pop of the orange and the pop of the blue. It's like Dodger blue. So at first, I was like, well, what happened to our colors? But the more I look at the colors that we have here, our color palette and and the naming of them, As you said, this is good for merchandise. I I couldn't sell a lot of orange bright orange shirts. We look like Kaltura and Wernicke's. Right?

That there's anything wrong with that. Nothing. Not at all. Not at all.

But I I do like the color and the design. And and like the mayor said, you know, we received email from someone in the community who was very active with our our neoclassical and knows our history, and and he said they did a great job here. Kilter's done a great job in designing something. And I do like this the color palette you have. City attorney Funk and I, when we saw Ferndale, a nursery, raise your hand if you remember. I bought my fish there. Right? There's some in the audience. And bringing back our history, understanding what Downey is. You know, that was such a a classical place, iconic.

And to council member Trujillo's comments about not welcoming Downey, I would change that to say things weren't happening in Downey. Other than Rockwell, the space industry, we had Stonewood Mall. We could go to golf and stuff and maybe skate a rama if that was still alive.

Yes. That was our entertainment.

So we've really transformed Downey, especially with the promenade and the stores and the restaurants and the businesses and and now the new businesses for children. So we've made it where people do wanna come because there are things to do, and that's why we wanna keep it that way. So I do love the classical colors, the neoclassical, and, down to get down to business, coining that word of Downey with a new slogan. I think a slogan is gonna be really good. Incentive, catchy. We need that catchy phrase. So thank you for this. They've done a good job.

Thank you.

Yeah. Outstanding. Did I say did I already say my favorite is that seafoam blue? I I I really am I I love all things, mid century modern and and that's what Downey, has been known for many years and I think this council, in a little bit of the previous one, we've also have been more intentional about, establishing the, some guidelines to preserve, you know, the preservation ordinance because we over the years, unfortunately, we lost lot of beautiful, mid century modern architecture, just beautiful places in our community, and we need to be intentional about protecting, the the historical piece. And, again, bringing this back, is really fantastic, in my opinion.

Council member, Ortiz or council member Sosa, any thoughts or comments?

I just wanna oh, go ahead. Oh, you already got this. I just wanna say thank you, Austin. I really appreciate you and all the work you have done. This gives me a renewed sense of, you know, excitement for the future of our city.

Discover Downey. There's so much to discover here in our home and a lot of potential, a lot of things coming that we we're ready to announce, and we're excited to bring and show the potential of Downey and the future limited that the city's all well known about. So everything with the colors, the design, Downey has evolved throughout the years. I mean, I'm gonna turn 35 next week, but Downey has evolved since I've been here, and I'm pretty I'm not trying to call it ages. Okay?

But I'm just super excited that we really focus on what Downey has to offer, especially the spend local. I think all of our businesses have, really asked that we work, together, and I think we're heading to the right direction. And so spend local, that's my whole message to our community, and I tried my best to highlight how to spend local and what businesses we have to offer. And I'm excited for this this new change. So thank you, Austin, for all your work.

Thank you.

This is great. Thank you, Austin.

I do have question. I'm just wondering, would there be any cross marketing with Apollo, our mascot? I don't know if Apollo has a voice, but if you or do something, like, where you're engaging business owners to maybe keep your voice for, like, Discovery Downey, Discovery Downey, you might wanna include Apollo in there so people could make that connection. Thank you. Thank you. Just for your consideration, Austin.

Thank you. Do we have, I would like to make a motion. Can I have a second to, receive this and move forward, with this new Discover Downey, redesign? Second. K. Please vote.

The motion is approved unanimously.

Thank you. Once again, moving on to, item number eight on our agenda, this administrative report is a discussion regarding the city of Downey construction and demolition debris deposit. That the city council discussed the current method for calculating construction and demolition debris deposits in the city. Number two, consider staff recommendations to reduce the percentage used in the calculation from 3% to one and a half percent. Reduce the minimum amount from 2,000 to 500 and create a maximum amount of 25,000 for deposits.

And number three, direct staff to return with an ordinance to amend the Downey municipal code to reflect these changes. City manager, I can see a director Baumgartner will provide the report.

Yes, mayor. Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Fermeta and council. Back in February, our council asked us to return with an item describing how construction demolition debris, CND debris deposits are used in the city. So I wanted to give you a little bit background. The state of California requires that 60% of development waste on on development projects are diverted, from the landfill. Common approaches for enforcing this in cities include, refundable c and d deposits, requires, the submittal of a waste management plan to show how you plan on doing this, and the use of final inspection holds to, make sure that the documentation is submitted.

Downey's process includes a refundable c and d deposit, 3% of the total project valuation or a $2,500 minimum. Typical is one percent to 3%, throughout the state. And staff takes us in at the start of the permitting process. We require those waste management plans. We review those and approve those.

And, with final inspection, applicants must submit waste receipts, and we determine if the project has received that sign off and that they've actually met the what they've stated in their waste management plan. Benefits of refundable deposits. It creates incentives to comply. Essentially, if you got money down and you wanna get that money back, you have to, make sure that you're keeping good documentation and submitting that at the end of the project. The city does not need to rely on Athens annual report.

We're essentially getting more project level accountability and not leaving it at the city level. It improves the quality of documentation. Again, there's that incentive to comply. So throughout the project, you're going to make sure that you're keeping your, all of your documents, your your weight receipts, and everything. It's ideal for medium and large projects, where you have staff that can very easily do that.

Some of the limitations, you know, refunds can have slowed timelines as projects can take a while to complete. Deposits that are too small to influence behavior or too large and become a burden for the applicants. One thing I wanna mention is that these are not revenues. These are fully fundable deposits as long as the applicant returns all of the required documentation and meets their waste management plan. Some of the diversion enforcement options that are commonly used are that option one percentage evaluation deposit.

That's what we use here in the city. Some of those pros included its scales was proportional to the project size. It's the most common practice throughout the the state, and it does provide that strong behavioral incentive to comply. It requires clear minimum and maximum thresholds to avoid disproportionate impacts though. On option two, there are a few cities that eliminate deposits and rely completely on reporting at the city level through our hauler.

It obviously lowers the administrative burden, but it does not have any project level accountability. There's reduced documentation. And one thing to keep in mind here, if we were ever to be below the 65% number, CalRecycle could actually find the city at the citywide level. So that's why this is not if if city if CalRecycle were to come in and see that we didn't have a a program where we did some sort of deposit, that would likely lead to to violations and, corrective action plans to deal with that. And the third option is to adopt a a tiered flat deposit structure.

Some cities do this. It's very simple to administer, but it's less proportional to the project. It may under or overcharge relative to the debris that's actually generated on the project. Staff recommendations include, continuing with this percentage model, but consider reducing it from, 3% to one and a half percent. Again, the typical throughout the state is 1% to 3%.

Develop a clear minimum and reducing our current minimum from the 2,500 to 500. Create a maximum amount for the deposit. Currently, the city has no cap on these deposits, and we're recommending that we make it a $25,000. Again, even that large amount, nobody's gonna wanna leave that amount on the table even on a very large project. Even a large developer is not gonna walk away from 25,000.

The rationale with these recommendations, it aligns with the regional and state norms, provides meaningful incentive without being punitive. It protects those small contractors and applicants, simple to calculate and explain, supports consistent enforcement of the CalGreens requirements. It ensures deposits still remain, proportional to the project size, and it lowers the amount on deposits. And that means more funds available for the project for these applicants. And with that, happy to answer any questions you might have on these recommendations or anything else.

Thank you, Matt. I think that that was thorough, and I really appreciate the, opportunity for under the staff recommendations right here, laid out that it supports it allows for individuals to it creates a baseline, so to speak, and it it makes it more affordable to businesses on a certain project. So I I really like that. I appreciate that. It, you know, also supports the consistent enforcement of Cal Green 66% requirements.

Not having not having anything is is not is not acceptable. I think it this as as indicated in the staff report, it protects the small contractors through that cap. So I think that is important and I think as as we continue to to be a council that wants to support initiatives that are very business friendly and, continue to align our processes with with what is acceptable, I think this this is the way to go. I will open it up for comments from my colleagues.

Alright. I do wanna echo what the mayor has mentioned. I brought this up for discussion because I've been hearing, certain projects that have been coming forward, and they have to be major fund for this reimbursement, and that kind of pushes their project back where they don't have enough funds. So the recommendation that staff has provided, I think it's a great change, and, I think it's a really good start to to helping these small businesses out. So I echo my what the mayor was mentioning.

I agree with the staff's recommendation. I'm I'm glad we're looking at it. It's more equitable for smaller businesses that have a lot to pay already when they go in to do something. So, thank you for this report and letting us know about it.

I will entertain a motion and a second if there's no other comments, to consider, adopt, staff recommendations to reduce the percentage used in the calculation from 3% to one and a half percent and reduce the minimum amount from 2,000 to 500 and create a maximum amount of 25,000 for deposits and, direct staff to return with an ordinance to amend these, on the Downey Municipal Code to reflect these changes. Can I get a motion and a second, please?

I'll make a motion. Madam Mayor.

Please vote.

The motion is approved unanimously.

Again, thank you, Matt and thank you staff for the great work. Moving on to item number nine in our agenda tonight. It is, the City of Downey comprehensive general plan update status report from our community development and that the city council receive and file a status report on the city's comprehensive general plan update. City manager Bradley.

Thanks, mayor. We'll start off with, director Weitron to start the report and go from there.

Yes. Good evening, mayor, members of the city council. It's my pleasure tonight to introduce our general plan update presentation. This represents a important milestone for the community development department and the city's long range planning efforts. Before we begin, I'd like to acknowledge our planning division staff of the community development department, especially Swati Meshram and our senior planner, Abraham Luna, who have contributed significant time and effort towards advancing this important project for the city.

Tonight, we'll start their presentation with Swati Meshram. She's our deputy director division, who will provide a brief background on the general plan update process, key milestones to date before introducing our consultant team. And with that, we'll go ahead and get started with our PowerPoint presentation. Thank you, mayor.

Thank you, Irma.

Good evening, mayor and council. The item before you tonight is a status report regarding the comprehensive general plan update process. Our consultant firm, MIG, and city staff, as director Witron mentioned, Abraham Luna, your senior planner, and myself have been working on this project. Laura Stetson from MIG will be providing you the report tonight. But before I hand it off to her, I wanted to provide a very brief background on the project.

MIG has been assisting the city since 2021 with the housing element update, which is mandated by the state law, as well as implementing programs within the housing elements such as rezoning of the housing element sites and creating objective design standards, which apply to multifamily housing developments within the city. Those two projects are complete. And as of last year, the staff in MIG have been working on preparing a comprehensive update to the general plan, which includes all the other elements of the general plan aside from the housing element. Additionally, the effort also includes updating the zoning map of the city to ensure consistency within the zoning as well as the general plan land use map. With that, I would like to invite Laura Stetson to provide a status report to the council.

Madam mayor, members of the city council, and staff, Laura Stetson from MIG. And it's been the pleasure to work with your community for the last several years. I was before you about a year or so ago to talk about the objective design standards. I'm really pleased to be here this evening to share the general plan process with you. We have about a fifteen minute presentation.

I wanna make sure that we leave time in case the council has any questions for us. We're really focused on land use tonight. We're going to give you a status report about the entire general plan report on how we've been speaking to the community over the last couple of years, focus on proposed land use changes, and it was really heartening to hear the presentation from the economic development director tonight about Downey soaring going places, and this general plan fits right in with that because it's creating the capacity to do the things from a land use perspective that you're looking to do. The general plan, is the city's long range vision. It covers a lot of topics.

Typically, the time frame for a general plan is about twenty years, and so we are looking at this as the 2025 since we were really in the heart of things last year through 2045 with the goal and the focus on attracting businesses that can provide additional tax revenues to continue to meet the diverse housing needs of the community. I think we we've all acknowledged that California as a whole needs to provide more housing, and and Downey is certainly doing its part to respond to the need to to accommodate all travel modes. And Downey, you kept mentioning, you know, it's a mid century city. It grew up around the car, and the car continues to dominate the the, the streets today. But is there are there opportunities through the general plan to look at alternative modes of of transportation, to meet the city's evolving needs for public services and importantly, to ensure that future development respects and responds to the aesthetic and the unique character, the visual character that's Downey.

So we plan because change does happen. This this image shows what Downey was really known for, but because the city has been able to adapt and plan for change over time, you've you've had a really great shopping mall replace what was once a really centerpiece of the the space industry. But you've preserved that. You you recognize that it's important to move forward but preserve the past, and that's what the general plan does as well. With regard to transportation, as I mentioned, this is what we see a lot today.

But moving forward with rail transit and increased bike transit, there are ways to get more cars off the street and to get cleaner transportation modes circulating through and within Downey. One of the key things that was prepared to set the stage for this general plan update and provide really a point in time and a quick look ahead, about a five year look ahead, was a market study to really figure out where the market's headed and how that can be reflected in the general plan. We had work from our sub consultant, the native Nadelson Dale Group, look to see what the demand is for a bunch of uses in the city from retail space, office space, industrial, even hotels, as well as residential. And this is the five year look ahead that you see on the screen from both a forecast scenario that's probably, not too aggressive as well as a more aggressive scenario. And I wanna emphasize here that a market study does have a very much shorter time frame than the general plan, but it can start to point toward where things might head.

The portion that we're looking at as part of this phase three of a a pro program that started with the housing element update is, to update the land use plan. There were proposed changes when we were looking at zoning for the housing element that weren't at the same time done to the land use element, and so we're looking to achieve consistency as to where housing is proposed to, as as Irma said, this became an idea of, well, long as we're looking at land use, why don't we look at everything because it's all related and Downey really hasn't had a comprehensive look at its blueprint for over twenty years. The zoning map is also going to be updated and something that hasn't been mentioned yet in parallel with all of this, community development staff enlisted a firm to prepare a historic resource analysis. And so they are preparing a context statement that really defines what you have here, what the great things are here, and an architectural style guide to reflect the different types of architecture in in both residential as well as nonresidential, and to build these recommendations into your policy document, into your general plan.

So it has a very strong foundation on how the aesthetic of Downey is going to move forward. The general plan under state law is required to have eight chapters or what are called elements, and a city or a county has the ability to address whatever else they want to in their general plan. And so in this general plan, the optional elements that the city is incorporating are is an economic development element. It works hand in hand with land use, as we've said, and also a design and cultural resource element. So that deals with the three-dimensional aspect of Downey, not just what's on the ground, but how it looks and how you build culture into the community as well.

And you can see the other topics that will be addressed as part of the general plan update as well. This is gonna be a great looking document. It's gonna be really easy to use. It it will be inspiring. I'm almost wondering if we need to incorporate any of the new logo into this, but think Yes.

And yes. And

this is something that really needs to be a marketing piece for Downey. So if you are at ICSC or any other trade show or anything else to promote the city of Downey, to show people where Downey is headed through its general plan. We've been working on the general plan since the 2024, and, we are now at the sorry to refer to phases as here too, but we're at the phase of actually putting a plan together. We've done an existing conditions report. We've done a lot of community outreach, which I'll share with you in just a second.

We've put together a vision and alternatives, which we've vetted through all of city's, departments through a technical working group, and the plan is now largely finished, and it's being polished and reviewed by community development and other staff so that we can look for a release in June and plan adoption in the fall. A general plan really needs to reflect community voices and in spite be inspired by the vision of the people who live here, own businesses here, and work here. So starting back in 2024, there were a series of, workshops, focus group meetings. We had housing element implementation meetings as as you recall. So we did a lot of outreach in 2024 that rolled into 2025 where we went out to the community.

We didn't ask people to come to a formal meeting, but we, had a survey. We were at the Bunny Patch. We had people touch a truck and tell us about the future of Downey. And then rolling into 2026 after we had taken all of that information and started to, look at the land use alternatives, that was the basis for going back out to the community and saying, we're also going to be doing an environmental impact report for this. And then I think most inspirationally, just about three or so weeks ago, we had a workshop, at Apollo Park where we had about 50 residents show up, and we talked about land use in particular, and they were really great.

They, people talked about a lot of things, and this is a lot of what we heard. This not an eye test. You don't have to read it all. We'll give you the presentation afterwards. But these are a lot of things that people had said through the community outreach.

But what I got really excited about, and I have to compliment your community development staff. It wasn't Irma and Abraham and Swati, but the rest of the staff was there rolling up their sleeves, sitting at tables with residents, and drawing on maps and understanding what people's, reactions were to some of the proposed changes as part of the general plan. So people, said some some pretty nice things. They they love the changes that they're that are proposed in some of the neighborhoods. We had one table of of just Spanish speakers, was led by Jerry, I think, led that group.

And you can see down in the lower right hand corner there, at that Spanish speaking table, somebody said they feel great knowing that their property is not gonna be affected, but this is for the improvement of Downey overall. And this will be provided in the summary to you. We're still putting together the summary of the report. We dealt with both general plan changes as well as zoning changes, and the general plan sits at the high level of policy planning, vision, goals, aspirations. Zoning is where the rubber meets the road and how that actually gets accomplished, and that will be through the zoning map as well as changes to the zoning code.

So we people don't understand the general plan as much as they do zoning, We got quite a few comments about zoning and proposed zoning changes as well. I'm going to focus on the general plan, but if you have questions about zoning at the end here, we could see what we can do to respond to that too. I wanted to present to you that this general plan isn't looking for or isn't proposing widespread change in Downey. Downey works really well. There's great stuff in Downey.

This is really focused change in areas to address some of those key goals that we mentioned. And so on the left hand side of the screen, those are the current land use descriptors in your general plan today. At the colors, it's a secret code that we planners developed so that we can can put colors on a map. I won't test you on them. But the changes really aren't that great.

First of all, the the highlighted box, the first highlighted box is something that the city has already implemented through zoning, and that is to establish a housing overlay or a high density, residential. So it allows more than your current 24 units per acre. It it takes density up to 40 units per acre. And this was in response to the housing element and what the city was required to do to to ensure capacity for housing over the long term. With regard to industrial, currently, your general plan just has one general manufacturing land use category, but there is a whole spectrum of industrial uses, some which should not be next to residential neighborhoods just because of the operating characteristics of it.

And so the general plan is looking to have a lighter industrial that is analogous to a light industrial zone to show, look, in areas where you've got proximity, you need to to back off the heavy industrial uses, and so that's done as part of this general plan. Since the last general plan was adopted, there have been several specific plans, and so those are reflected on the map. And then most significantly, I think, are these new housing overlay zones. These are additive zones to commercial areas, and two of these have already been introduced as part of the housing element implementation. But what these do is they are it's an extra layer of zoning, almost like a bonus layer of zoning on commercial properties along corridors that say to the property owner, it's great.

You can keep that commercial use operating because your underlying zoning is commercial. But this designation gives you the opportunity to build housing as well if you wish or to do mixed use development where you have housing and commercial uses together. So it's it's creating additional opportunity for housing, but it's respecting the ability of a property owner or a business owner to maintain that use that continues today. So the key reasons that change is being proposed on this land use map. Number one, reacting to the mandate that every city and county has in California to accommodate more housing.

And so this plan addresses both your prior housing element as well as looking forward, knowing that the state legislature is probably gonna ask more and more and more over, as we move forward for for each for every city to step up. The plan also responds to changes in the market and to how properties are used. I think since the, COVID, epidemic, we have seen that commercial uses have declined a little bit. Retail commercial, the rise of Amazon, the fact that people have been at home more, and they've really started to embrace online shopping. But that creates opportunities for different types of commercial uses, more lifestyle entertainment uses, and I think you've started to see a lot of that happen in Downey.

In analyzing the maps, Abraham and I and our staff spent many, many hours looking at your land use map and noted that there are many there are a couple of areas of the city where the land use plan doesn't reflect what's on the ground today. Twenty five years or so ago, somebody thought it would be great to maybe over time, it should change. But there are areas that are really stable that won't change, and so we wanna make sure that that property owner has zoning and land use designation in place that will allow them to continue that use and not, have to plan for something else. And so that all moves towards creating this consistency with what the long range vision is and what the zoning is to reflect that vision. So there are really two categories of change, and we described this to the 50 plus members who came to the workshop on, April 22.

Is this is, there's been a great effort to align the land use designation division with zoning. They were in conflict in some areas of the city, and state law requires that they be consistent with one another. If you're gonna promise something, you've gotta allow somebody to implement it through their zoning. And so the a lot of this was focused on achieving that consistency. And, for the most part, it's assigning general plan and zoning that reflect the long term use of that property, allowing that use to continue.

The other, change was to support housing development, as I mentioned, through the housing overlays, but all and and mixed use, but also to start to fill in the gaps along some of these corridors because as part of the housing element process, there was a property here and a property there and a property here and a property there. And from a planning perspective, we wanted to create a little bit more continuity and connection along some of the corridors so that you'd start to see nodes of mixed use development or clusters of mixed use development that would work well together. So the current proposed alternative that you'll see in the general plan when it's released in June is to expand housing capacity in the city by about 22%. Wow. That sounds like a lot.

This is a long range plan. A lot of it would be for well, it it it's both rental housing as well as for sale housing. About half of that, more than half of that, is really to accommodate your housing element obligations, but this proposal is to create capacity beyond that to really have more housing in the community. But it's important to note provided that the city can also provide the services that that housing would demand and the infrastructure can support the any new development. So housing projects when they come through need to meet that test.

So the city's capacity would increase by about 10,000 units over the long term, the capacity for housing to be built. I wanna emphasize as we did when we were doing the housing element, the city does not have the obligation to build housing. All you're required to do is to create the opportunity if a property owner wants to build additional housing. With regard to your commercial and industrial development, a little bit less of a capacity increase, a little bit more modest, about 8% more, and this is through redevelopment of sites that might be underutilized or vacant sites. And so it's a it's a big number there, but it would move to about 33,000,000, square feet of business opportunity in Downey.

Where would that occur? If you wanna get on the Internet and look at a map, there was a link provided in your staff report where you can go look at the website that's been created to use this slider tool to go back and forth, and it can show you where, what the current general plan is and what the proposed general plan is, but we've made it easy for you tonight. We've made a map that that highlights these areas of change, and you might think, oh, that seems like, what, maybe one fifth of the city is changing. So anything that's light gray, no changes proposed. But I wanna point out that some cleanup that we've done as part of this process is wherever there is a park or a school or a public facility, like a fire station in Downey, that those need to be shown as public facilities, and that's what that that seafoam blue color is on the map there.

Also, the big gray areas are specific plans and so that is land use policy that's in place today. So when you really start to boil it down, the areas of change occur along the corridors and, as I mentioned, at at key intersections. And you you can I'm not gonna read all of these, but the the gray box for the specific plans, as I said, that's just because there's a specific plan. There are changes that were required to be made because you've already zoned a property for housing through the housing element update process, but the general plan now needs to reflect that. And in other cases, we've had the general plan wasn't met the zoning is going to be need to be changed to match the general plan.

And a lot of these are because of the housing overlay and the the additional opportunities that it creates for commercial property owners. And this level of detail can be provided to you when start to see the general plan roll out. So what are the steps ahead? We've had about a year and a half, two year process to this point. We're motoring towards the end towards the end of this year.

Foremost, planning staff, community development staff will continue to have one on one dialogues with property owners. The, I think prior to the the April 22 meeting, Abraham, you fielded quite a few phone calls. We put put his phone number out there, people took advantage of it, and they called. And I think they were very appreciative. We had people not come to the meeting because mister Luna Luna was able to assuage them and say, not much is changing.

You know? Don't don't worry about it. Once the general plan is released in June with the draft environmental impact report, we will have a community wide workshop where people can come and review and talk to staff and get their questions answered, And so, we we look forward to that. We are going to be having a study session or a working session with the planning commission later this summer just so that they know what's up, and won't be going into the public hearing process cold. We wanna walk them through the the plan and the changes so that when we go into hearings in September, October, they feel, well versed in it.

And then the council, we would look to bring this to you in October or November of this year. So thank you for bearing with me. That was a lot to get through. I'll stay up at the lectern here if you have questions or comments or Irma might help out or Swati or Abraham if you have particular questions, but I'll see see if

what I

can answer.

Thank you for for this thorough presentation. This this has been a multiyear process and, I definitely want the community to understand that you know, the the general plan update, was in 2020. And then the phase one, was completed in '22, with the adoption of the housing element. And and, again, I think, this this council has, you know, been involved and engaged with with all of these phases. This is important because, again, hopefully, by fall when this council finally and officially adopts this this comprehensive general plan.

This is the vision of Downey for the next twenty years. Right? And and how critical is it for our community to be involved and be engaged? And it's interesting that you mentioned, during the last session you had, you had 50 community members. And I do want to I want to ask city manager and staff to really as we continue to engage the community. I know there is a workshop planned in the summer. Did you say July? June, July?

Probably July. The plan is going be released in late June so we want to give people time.

The two month for the EIR. Okay. It is important as council members, we often hear from our residents, you know, I didn't know. I didn't know. And then again, you know, we we do a push and we get, you know, less than point zero zero, you know, 1% of the community.

And so I I think this is a call to our community members. This this has been a multi year process that is going to define what Downey looks like, for the next two decades, for the next generation. And it is important for people to be engaged and for us to not hear, their complaints after the fact. So again, I I will ask that we I know the staff, this has been such a monumental task and and I want to acknowledge Irma and your staff. This is monumental and and it is a Herculean effort to go through all of this.

It's it's not easy. And so again, we did phase one and '24. Phase two what is it? I am trying to read here '25. We are in phase four right now. Right? Phase And five, the the final, the implementation, we are looking are we on track more or less for October, November of this year? And again, I think it's important for us to continue to push the notifications and use the social media platforms to inform the city. These these are things that are active and this is what's going to change, Downey for the better. But we need to all be engaged.

As council members, we can't be everywhere, all the time and our residents also need to be engaged. I always say engaged communities are strong communities. They need to be engaged, during this process because, our our future what I like about this is that we wanna ensure that the future development of our city reflects the character and the aesthetics. And and I think we often have we we've heard so much. I know as long as I've been on council.

What about the character of Downey? What about you know, again, we gotta preserve, you know, the history, etcetera. But I think it takes all of us from a policy perspective. Here we are and we are directing policy. Staff is doing a a a herculean effort to get all of these, things lined up for us, but the community also needs to be engaged.

And 50 people at our workshop, is it blows my mind. So I wanna make a call and I want to have it on record. You know, we want the community. If you wanna be an active participant of your community and not just complain, these workshops, community engagement, people need to show up and and give us their input, and not comment after the fact. I'm gonna get off my soapbox now, but thank you for this.

It's phenomenal. Strong cities do this. And and we have had the pleasure of governing, in this community for a number of years. And what a privilege to, as this current council, to be part of these final stages and to say we, in some way, shape, or form with our policy guidance, we also, had something to do with the way Downey establishes itself or moves forward for the next generation. So thank you. I I will open it up for additional comments.

Thank you. So I'm wondering if do you foresee any tall buildings in the growth of Downey? I mean, because we look at comparable cities in terms of population. West Covina comes to mind. They have the Eastland Tower, 13 stories tall. I had asked, I think it was our assistant city manager, Vanya, at one time. As I look at our city, now that we're the tenth largest in population, I wonder if we will continue to maintain that small town feel. Of course, I worry about parking and traffic. Right? Those are the first first two things.

But as I look at the landscape, I find that the tallest two buildings we have are probably the Embassy Suites and Bank of America. So I'm wondering, in this vision that you're creating for the next twin twenty years, do you see any tall buildings?

No. Tall.

It's your vision. It's Downey's vision. And the plan needs to reflect that, and the zoning will implement that. The densities that are proposed for the residential are not at a range that would give you super tall buildings.

Okay. So on that point, perhaps this is a message to the staff. I really think we need to start considering the height. For density, I I foresee more condo buildings, smaller apartment buildings if our future generations are going to be able to afford living spaces here in Downey. So I don't know if it's gonna take a set of ordinances to change it, but I foresee these taller buildings in the Downtown Downey specifically.

So I just think we need to start preparing and and accommodating height. Where would be the most logical place to to grow that won't take away from that small town feel? Right? I think the downtown's logical, maybe in the back 20. Right? But I really need I I wanted to start considering whether that's the way to go is up. Right? Because we're running out of land. I also wanna know, do we consider the future of the mall in the twenty years? I realize it's private property, but look what's happening in the Lakewood.

I think we need to start preparing for the fact that that is prime location to do mixed use, and I wanna change the ordinances now. Like, let's just tell the mall the mall, look. Here it is. Grow away and build away. So I would like this future plan for our twenty years to incorporate, making it easier for the mall to grow. Also, the Los Amigos Golf Course that we consider the future of the golf course. And I know the golfers are gonna hate this, but I don't think we need two golf courses on Old River School Road. Assemblywoman Garcia started something in Sacramento. I don't know what it is. I think the county owns it. Yeah.

It is it is county.

Yeah. But to try to pass the notion that it's public space, I think it's a fallacy because you gotta pay the golf there. I So don't want anybody to try to tell me, oh, this is open space for the community. It's not. And what I believe that golf course will lend itself to is a housing village, a neighborhood.

So I I wanna start preparing for the fact that we should make a move for that golf course for us to get control just like we're doing in South Downey and start getting the ordinances ready and getting everything ready so we can take over that golf course. So tall buildings, the mall, and Los Amigos are the things that we need to consider of of where we're going in the next twenty years, and I hope staff will at least present us some options of of what it would look like and how could we accommodate this growth in those areas. Thank you.

So if I can, real quick, Mary, I have a couple answers to those questions.

I

know at least for Stonewood, we already have a housing overlay set over that that property. So that already allows them for mixed use and for housing to go in that situation. So that's taken care of. As far as, the building height, please, Ermie, go ahead weigh in on

that I can take out the the remaining items. With regard to tall buildings, that as you mentioned, that would be as more of a zoning ordinance, where we would set forth, setbacks and heights. The general plan would send, set forth the, as we have it currently in draft form, would create the intensity, the the overall square footage. But how that square footage gets built as far as heights would be the zoning code. So following, it was included in the staff report but not in the presentation tonight.

But following the adoption of the general plan, staff would also then come with zoning text amendments in the form of ordinances where we we then we can get into how do we allow how much height do we allow. The general plan wouldn't get into that level of detail, but it's certainly, we can continue to work with our planning team and our consulting team to ensure that the general plan allows for flexibility, so that it could be considered tall buildings could be considered if that's a pleasure of the city council or if we would need to, look at what would be the limitations. So that that opportunity still, would be within the city's opportunities within the general plan as as it's currently being drafted, and we'll make sure that policies if that is a collective direction tonight, tonight's a good time to get feedback from the city council that we can go back and look at how we're drafting those policies and make sure that we don't get locked into anything very specific within the general plan.

Yeah. And and where I'm relying on staff is based on your analysis, where are the three areas that you could see buildings the height of Embassy Suites coming into our city so that future councils or even this council at some point can say, sure. Why don't we start working on a set, a packet of ordinances to make it available for future developers who might want to come in and strategically buy up the land knowing that they'll be able to build up. Right? So when they put pencil to paper, they figure amount of units they can count on airspace.

So accounts I would like to see again, it's just a consideration if we're going to grow up to maintain that character, that small town feel, where do we think we can live with taller buildings?

I think that the downtown would and again, we will have to look at that what our downtown specific plan, is. But, you know, naturally, downtown and certainly the back 20, there would be opportunities for that. I think that would be the natural inclination, but I certainly would like to hear more from staff as well.

And AB 79 A B 79 right now is on the hot seat of a lot of cities where if you're by a transit area, they say that you can go ahead and build six and seven stories regardless of what a city says. You know, that might have a a strong effect into our city of what we say we want versus what we say we have to accept. Exactly. You know, we don't wanna have that as well. We have to consider what is good for our city versus the how does that play into something like that.

Assistant city manager Banya. Just I want to provide additional background. So, councilor Trujillo, you had brought off assembly member Garcia's bill. So I believe it was, six seventy two, a b six seventy two from the 2021 session. Just to just for context, that faced significant opposition, for many different groups. So it didn't get out of the assembly, for review. On that front, during those conversations in that time frame, the county did express that they do have plans for the golf course. So there's been some conversations behind the scenes whether what to do with it, some of it's rehabbing it, other conversations. So it does seem that they do have plans for that site, for the future regarding it. I just want to provide that context.

And also regarding, not to get too much into detail, but it also does depend on the market and what the market will hold, especially when you would go vertical and what the developers are willing to pay which is the conversations we're seeing now, you know, depending on what if it's rental of ownership, it does change some of the math for some of the developers so it doesn't always pencil out if you go vertical. But, I believe community development director, Yui Tran, has more additional information on the height.

Yeah. With regard to height and downtown is being mentioned. The downtown area has a specific plan currently adopted and that currently allows five to six stories depending on the district. So it does allow quite a bit of height, and that's with without the general plan. That's currently adopted.

And the zoning already allows it? The zoning already

allows it. Yes.

Great. Mister Rojas, in those conversations about the future of the golf course, did housing come into play at all?

There was early conversations around housing, but they haven't expressed anything since then No. Just because

Yeah.

Some of the behind the scenes conversations.

Something for the council to consider. I I mean, look. If if we can't have all the golf course, and, again, the issue why I'm raising this is because we need to build more housing. Right? So why not go to a nine hole and build on half of that right across on Quill? It's already multi units. Right? Something similar across the street to fit fit in with the character of the neighborhood. I think it's something we should look at and look. The county is working with us on South Campus, so perhaps if we could have some influence and say we would like to see some housing.

Again, I'm not a golfer. Sorry to the golfers, but we need more housing, and I think that golf course is ripe, and perhaps we could influence the county to let us work with them and zone it for future development for housing is what I'm saying.

I I think it's a lot more than, just housing and and golfing. Golfers is, you know, the traffic considerations around that area. I can tell you that, if we and we're not even talking about that tonight, but if if we

do

entertain, you know, approaching the county on on building housing at the Los Amigos Golf Course, I can tell you right now that the, the residents would be up in arms with the additional traffic flow, through that area. So, myself being one of them.

Maybe just to add a couple more comments to the discussion, with regard to the golf course, the the general plan is a very general policy document. Without making a specific commitment to a site, a general plan can have a policy objective that indicates that the city would look at creative ways to repurpose existing sites for housing. And then if there were a desire to go deeper into exploring potential rezoning or looking at golf course or other properties, then that those ideas would be supported by the the the new updated general plan. So maybe that is one of the takeaways that we can take as staff

is think so very much.

Is, looking at creative ways to repurpose existing sites such as and we can fill in the blanks based on tonight's discussion. And then that is within the spirit of of what we're trying to do is create the policy framework for future more specific granular discussions on sites. Correct.

May I bring up while we're on that? And I hope the women's club doesn't get mad at what I'm about to say. I don't know what the future of the women's club is, but I'll tell you in a conversation I had with realtors and developers, they literally look they go and look at our city and they look for land, and somebody brought up the women's club. What's the feature? I said, I don't know. It's a private, you know, but I would like us to start maybe identifying some of these areas where should they, if they want to sell. Right? We're set, ready, and locked to welcome housing. Right? So maybe identifying those areas and the women's club came up in conversation.

Again, I'm not saying women's club that you should sell. It is your decision to do whatever you want with your property, but, maybe identifying locations like that where we can get ready to welcome development.

And I think we've accomplished a lot of that already. I mean, the housing overlays and other things that we've done, we've actually gone through and designated as part of this update and things that we've done through this work, to accomplish that. So that the frown framework is there. It allows the people to start thinking about how they're going to develop those sites. The So general plan is just giving people an essence of what you want in certain specific areas within the community. So we're we're getting there, and we're actually hitting some of those notes that you're talking about. Outstanding. A lot of things that we're talking about today will actually come back in future conversations with the council as well.

Yes. Council member Sosa.

Madam mayor, I saw I just wanna take you back to the presentations, the presentation. Laura, thank you for this, thorough, overview, of the, the general plan update. It's basically the city's constitution for development. I wanna thank, Irma and her team, Abraham, Swati. You know, there's a lot of and I I appreciate the the phases spread out over two years.

I believe slow and steady wins a race. I I think that the this general plan update has has gone through a good pace. It it encompasses a lot of things, zoning, housing developments, and brings up, you know, these conversations on the dais, transportation, public safety. So, I just wanted to say thank you guys for that for that and I appreciate the, the phases being spread out over two years. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you. I will now enter, make a motion to, receive and file the report. Can I get a second? Second. Please vote.

I'll try to put it.

The motion is approved unanimously.

Thank you again for such a comprehensive report. We look forward to, the next update. The final item on our agenda this evening, is item number 10, and it is the consideration of amendment to the city of Downey code of ethics and conduct. That the city council consider amending the city of Downey code of ethics and conduct for governing members of the city council and city commissions, committees, and boards. City manager Bradley, would you tell us who has that staff report?

I'll just do a brief introduction, mayor, if you don't mind. It it this is an item that was initiated by the council, to make some amendments and changes to the code of conduct for the city council as well as the commission's committee and boards as as mentioned. Both myself and the city attorney are here to provide any, answers that you might need to any questions. But largely, we'll turn it over to council for conversation and looking for directions on things that you might like to change. Thank you.

Thank you, city manager Bradley. This, this is an important step in continuing to, ensure that not just as a council, but representatives, of our commissions, our committees, and our boards that, we we delineate, the type of conduct that we expect. Right? The professional and respectful, towards each other. I think it's important for individuals to understand that while each council member appoints their individuals from their district, once they are appointed, they're actually voted by this council.

And so while they may represent, you know, mayor from from District 4 or MPT Ortiz, they actually are representing all of us. And it is important to delineate with the with the, growth and usage of social media platforms that we delineate, the type of conduct and behavior that is that is respectable and responsible of those that represent us. And, we wanted to review what we have in place but also add language, regarding, not just civility but also, add clarity, in terms of what what the consequences, will be if certain conduct does not, violates these items. It's important to, highlight, conduct during conferences, trainings, official events, and as I said, the amendment considerations, in regards to the standards of conduct, representing the city, but also, on and off of social media as well. Anybody have any?

Yes. What you already are familiar with this. We have the censure process. You went through this. You censured me.

I mean, what else do you want close of I don't think this council by charter can, get rid of one of us. I think the greatest tool we have, if any of us feels that the conduct of one of our colleagues has somehow crossed some threshold is censure. So I don't know how else we can modify our code of conduct. I understand that for commissioners, we already have a system in place. Correct me, city manager, if I'm wrong, but there's something in the charter that gives us the power to eliminate a commissioner.

So that's already there. I don't know if you wanna review the language of that, But regarding to members of council and city commissions, committees, boards, I think we already have those processes in place. But I don't know if you had specific suggestions.

Yes, Mayor. Yes. Well, no. And and if I if I may, council member Pemberton, I want to specifically, add language, in the standards of conduct, specifically, also related to social media. Again, because as public officials, we have our own social media, political pages, but also members of the community and commissioners, public committee members, and individuals that we vote on.

I want to make sure that any type of, conduct that is whether it's posting or sharing or amplifying contact context, or content, excuse me, that promotes violence, threats, intimidation, or harassment. This includes discriminatory, hateful, or demeaning language directed at us as the council, as well as city. Again, we are protectors and defenders of First Amendment, but anytime an individual that is voted by this council violates codes of conduct in relation to that, I think it it needs to be added and it needs to be spelled out so that there's no, ambiguous. It's not ambiguous whether they are violating, the standard of conduct. And council member Pemberton, I will turn it over to you.

Thank you. Last council meeting, I brought up that we discussed the code of ethics, due to some of the actions of a public works committee member. And so as we looked into the code of ethics for things that a person had done, there really wasn't any, let's just say, teeth or consequence for certain things, nor did we have in our code of conduct items that would talk about the certain items that are not allowed. I looked online for procedures for enforcement of the code of ethics because we didn't have anything in there. And a code of ethics here in general, with this company, ICMA, creates a bond with members in shared commitment of ethical conduct with the codes, core principles to uphold commitment to the value of public service, honesty, integrity, political neutrality, seeking no personal gain as a result of the position held.

And it also goes on to state when alleged allegations of unethical conduct by public officials go unaddressed, and this can undermine the public's trust in local government and harm the reputation of the profession. A critical element is maintaining ethics to hold members accountable for their conduct. And when members raise ethical concerns, immediate action should be taken. And, again, I had mentioned, last week, one of the, committee public works committee members, miss Rivera, had a number of issues, situations that had been done, which warrant us us discussing that we need to have, a resolution for that petition if they are not adhering to it. And and, again, as background information, for example, this individual had made shirts last year unauthorized.

This was public works committee member Lizette Rivera. We had unauthorized city logo emblem and incorrect, position under this shirt wearing pictures, wearing his self made shirts that I then also reported to the city manager to reach out that you cannot do that. A resident even received a New Year's card postcard made by, miss Rivera with our city's name in the body on the backside of it, stating again, committee public works commission. And, you know, I have copies of things that people had given me over time. Another one, unauthorized business cards were made, and that was attached to a neighborhood watch flyer, and it wasn't a Downey event.

So these were continual incidents by a commission a committee member that required in the city manager's attention. And then a letter went out in January making business cards, Still, then making business cards or apparel using our city logo is the individuals were to refrain from these types of actions. And here in our code of conduct, it doesn't specifically state that, which now we should be making verbiage for that, that you cannot do that on your own. And so even after receiving the letter in January, all council members, committee members, rather committee members and commissioners asked to refrain from using that. Again, this individual last month then was again handing out the same self made business card representing her capacity and an appointment as a committee commissioner, not a committee member.

So that's the background why I brought it forth last week to talk about the conducts and misrepresenting a position, not being able to use city logo and printing it ourselves unless it has the authority of our city. And so but needless to say, after this statement was made two weeks ago in forty eight hours after our last council meeting, another council members received a resignation letter from miss, Rivera, so no action can be taken on that. So that's a moot issue. However, we can certainly make sure that the code of ethics and conducts has clear language for, actions done at this nature. And, I had suggested in looking at some of this other material of other general code of conducts, what they can do.

I might suggest saying that appointed commissioners or committee members are not allowed to use the city logo on personal apparel, business cards, mailings, or hold personal individual meetings as a representative of the city. Individuals must consult with and have approval of the city manager if it's unclear. And then violations of any of these actions can result in removal from office by either the board they represent or city council. Removal from office will also disqualify the individual from any future appointments. The appointment of each individual is to uphold integrity and public trust.

Violations occur when elected officials or appointed members fail to meet these standards in public when representing the city of Downey. And a lot of cities are having turmoil and different issues in how they represent the city. I wanna make it very clear that we have take a certain position on how the person should be conducting business. This is an appointed position. They represent the city and it should be clarity that it's no personal gain, not undoing things for any benefit of what they might gain. And so just put that dialogue into our incorporated into our code of ethics.

Thank you, Councilmember Pemberton. I also would like to add the conduct during conferences, trainings, and official events. This section needs to apply when members of our committees, of our commissions, and also members of this council when when, attendance to conferences, trainings, and meetings that are sponsored, by the city that are paid for in whole or in part with public funds. The attendees, that are in an official capacity, the expected conduct of these members, should be professional conduct and not engage in conduct that harasses, intimidates, or discriminates against others, including, members of their own council, causes disruptions at official functions, or creates reputational harm to the colleague and or the city they are representing. Violates conference codes of conduct or applicable laws.

Again, think this is important and also adding a section on reporting misconduct. Members who experience or observe serious misconduct during official events and or conferences paid for in part or in whole with city funds need to, be reported and have established city procedures, including to the city manager, the city attorney. We don't have an ethics officer, but it is important, as as a council and that we not only hold ourselves accountable, but we have a commitment to civility. And when we don't delineate these expectations, there's gotta be a a formal complaint and an enforcement process as well as a disciplinary action because we have seen over the past year, conduct that has put not just reputational harm of the city, but some of us on this council. The code of ethics and conduct needs to spell these out very clearly so that there's no ambiguity as to what is expected of us.

So

I I'm I'm just I came into this office because I wanna make some good for our community. I really care. I wanna make some change. Put aside all the politics, I really just wanna make some really, really wanna be there for my community. It is my belief that we do have those guardrails in place.

Councilwoman Pemberton mentioned last week that she wanted to move public works commissioner Lisa Rivera. We centered one of our colleagues, and we have all that in place already. So I it is my belief that we are airing politics, our internal conflicts, and it's not something I personally like. I've never liked it. I think that's some things that we need to handle behind the scenes, and it makes residents wanna hear things that we wanna change, which is street lights, roads, business, and and, frankly, I believe it makes staff very uncomfortable to hear all these things that we're talking about.

I I just I I I was a planning commissioner, and I had shirts made. I made shirts for my public my all my committee members. I had a nice, Christmas dinner. Invited all my commissioners. I gave them a nice, shirt that that had, their name and the committee member, the committees they're a part of in, that's just who I am. And I remember when I was a a a planning commissioner, I had a planning commissioner sweater, and nobody told me anything. And here we are. It seems to me it's politics. Again, I'm saying it again, and I have to say it. We need to have tough conversations.

We're bringing politics all over again to our community. We have all the guardrails available at our disposal. We censored our colleague. You our, councilwoman Premington wanted to, remove a community member. She resigned

Well, that one I did this.

Discuss it. Discuss it.

Okay. I wasn't resigning. But, again, it's the language that is not in the ethics like like our mayor says, to clearly spell it out. It doesn't say that you can't use our city logo. It doesn't say you can't use a business card. Make your own. So we wanna say that.

But we just right after, a couple months ago, we sent out a letter, and I know Roger, our city manager, sent out a letter to all the commission community members, and, apparently, she did not listen. And the next step was for discussion to remove said person from her position, and that's the steps that we need to take. So I I just feel like we're coming here to discuss something that, for me, is centered around politics. Welcome to election season, but it's not something I personally want to discuss or or, you know, bring forward in in such important forum, which is discussing what the future of our city is. So I I just I I just don't fathom that discussion.

Well, thank you, MPT Ortiz. Your comments are valid. As as I, mentioned earlier and as council member Pemberton indicated, the guardrails are in place, but we don't we need to, from time to time, as any city or any organization, we look at policies that have been established. This particular policy was established the code of conduct, excuse me, was established in 2021. It's five years later, we need to revise it because the increase social media usage, has exploded.

It is not about bringing politics. It is about holding each other but also establishing these protocols of what the expectation of conduct is. In the current code of ethics, it doesn't spell out specific to conferences, specific to social media usage, specific to committee members making their own business cards. It doesn't spell it out and again people may think that is within their purview or that is within the framework of as people get sworn in and as individuals come into the different committees, it is important. The same way we are having discussions about our general plan.

These are things that people in our community respect that as a council, we are reestablishing and amending, adding language that is protection for all of us.

You finished, madam mayor. I wanted to say some comments.

Yes, council member.

Thank you. I agree with mayor Brotem Ortiz. I think we're letting politics commit to these chambers a lot. This I think, councilwoman Pemberton, you're I actually like the fact that you're bringing up the business cards. I talked to Roger about this.

Other cities, I think it's Bell Gardens. They actually give their council their committee members or commission members business cards and shirts. There is there are issues with our commit commission members, and we hear of it. There's frustration. Our commission members feel like, why are we we even here? And I tell them what's an advisory role. Right? If you have any ideas, let me know. We'll try to work on those, and we try to give them some incentives because, you know, they're doing it for free. And I'm glad we recognize that they do represent us.

We choose people, hopefully, carefully. I'll tell you, Horacio and I are probably from the same school because after we won our elections, we made it a point to work across the aisle. I appointed Dorothy Pepperton to be my public works commissioner at first, because I wanted to show that I was gonna be, you know, for everyone. The campaign was over. Let's move on. You appointed Janet Janczyk after they wrote that horrible letter to the Republican Party and they named us. You went and asked her to be your commissioner. Talk about reaching over the aisle after they badmouth us. Right? Me and you.

You remember that letter? And they even threw in former mayor Guerra. I'll tell you, nobody had a problem when Luis Morales wore the shirt, Mario Guerra. The biggest offender, if you will, of the our logo is former mayor, two time Mario Guerra. He made his own sign, the mayor's corner. The city took it down. He put it back up. Then his good friend, mayor Rick Rodriguez, came to the council, the correct thing to do, and they approved it. But he uses the logo in his podcast. We see that not one word about Mario Guerra, not one word about Ordas Ortiz or Gil Legazpi.

They all made their own shirts. But here comes miss Rivera, and we all know we have an election coming. I think that's so hypocritical. That's so hypocritical because you've never once spoken about other people, but now miss Rivera's coming. So sure. Let's go ahead and talk about business cards. I'm okay. You guys don't no business cards for commissioners. Let's add that language. I think that's good. We need that clarification. They should be making their own shirts. Sure. Let's add that language. But we just lost a commissioner that was my hardest working commissioner.

Not once did you invite me to walk a street that you want it fixed or something. Let me tell you, miss Rivera and Roger will attest to this. We want she wanted so many things fixed, particularly in the 4th District that's in decay. And she has she she resigned because she was out there trying to promote information about our homeless program. K?

Her personal gain, I don't know what it was, but she printed the stuff at her own dime. So, yeah, we should talk about the use of the logo and make it clear. I agree. But let's also remember why we're here. It it it's because of the hypocrisy, the politics that's coming into here, and that's sad.

Because if you really have the best interest of this city at heart let me tell you, miss Rivera and I, we're totally odds on the Gascon matter. I think she was the chair of the recall of the Downey recall Gascon campaign, But I saw beyond that, and I appointed her. We're politically very different, but I appointed her because she wanted to do the work, and she showed me she could do the work. So sad that we lost. She was frustrated.

Yeah. She was a personal attack, clearly. But, sure, I mean, let's use that opportunity to clarify all this, so that we don't have the inappropriate use of our logo. But I I do wanna point out that just the hypocrisy of how we've gotten here. And I hope that in the future, we we do a better job of trying to keep politics outside the doors of this chamber, particularly now.

Thank you. You for that. I appreciate that. I think that

You're welcome.

The first two meetings in January, it's not about hypocrisy, council member Sosa. You invited, excuse me, Trujillo. You invited, politics into our council chambers, in January. But that's the reason we're here is to amend this, code of conduct and ethics. And if there's nobody else that has any comments or questions?

I just wanna respond that when I was public works committee member for councilman Trujillo, we did speak. I did tell them about the lighting project and that how people had to pay for their own lighting. So we did work together on a number of issues and made it very clear. And so when I realized that when I was on as a commissioner and a committee member, two different areas, I did have shirts. I found out that no shirts were given. I asked that all commissions, all planning commissions, committee members would have Schirch, and our city manager did that. He made it across the board so nobody would uniquely stand out.

And I I do have to mention something, for the council and perhaps for the record. This was a problem, that became the the the commissioner's shirts, actually became a problem, probably about fifteen years ago. And because they were committee members and commissioners that were, that were overusing, those type of shirts. They were giving themselves, more authority, without their council, knowing what it is they were doing, and the city decided to go do away with shirts. Mhmm.

That was about fifteen years ago, maybe a little a little, more than that. We have wanted our committee members and our commissioners to you know, we have wanted to provide them those shirts. And, again, it's not just about a shirt or a logo. I wanna make sure that this conversation and and it's not about politics. If if those of you that were here in January, tell me that this conversation is because of politics.

You all have to be true to yourselves because what we are trying to do is represent our community in a nonpartisan seat without pointing to each other how we vote or when we vote. This is because we're here for the residents on infrastructure, on economic community development. But when members of this council and council member Trujillo, this code of conduct when we traveled in July when I was president of Naleo, you traveled on the city's dime with a purpose to harass and intimidate me because I was one vote of the majority regarding the neutral flag policy. And you made it your mission over the past two years to harass and attack and intimidate. So I I think it's important while we have and we could have brought the censure then.

I wanted to reach across the aisle and say, we will not discuss that because of public funds that were used on the city's dime to travel and disrupt a national convening that had nothing to do with a local matter. And you continue to do that. You continued your harassment, your bullying, and your intimidation. That is conduct that is unbecoming of a council member. So you can sit here and you can say that you reach across the aisle and you're advocating for a commission for a committee member that violated those rules of conduct.

As individuals, we have had conversations behind closed doors, And I have made it a point to be respectable and respectful to you without pointing to certain differences. But the fact that you chose to humiliate and bring about bad light, not only to the city of Downey, but to myself at a national convening while you were wearing your city of Downey apparel is beyond beyond preposterous. And I want to say that we need these type of items delineated, council member Ortiz, and you were there. You were you were witness to what occurred at a national convening. I think this is important because as we move forward and as we get new council members to to this chambers

Hold on.

Hold Hold No. No. You need to let me let me finish. Was just wanna make sure just a minute.

I was

I just wanna make sure that these our code of conduct delineates what is expected of us. That because we have differences of opinion and differences of voting that we don't utilize than our platform and our different associations with groups to bring shame and harassment to our our own council in our own city. I think this is important and this is a conversation that needed to be had six months ago. And as you said, MPT Ortiz, while the staff may feel very uncomfortable, if council member Trujillo had not done what he did, if his committee member had not done what she did, we would not be here. But these are violations to how we are supposed to act in and off of council.

If we wanna be not elected officials, great. But these these are the positions we hold. And you were there what I'm saying is you were witnessed to what occurred last year. So don't don't please don't, you know, don't say we're we're here and we bring in politics. Well, Unfortunately, politics was brought into this council. Right?

Yes. May I respond now? Are you done?

Yes, sir.

Okay. Actually, I think he's next.

Yes.

Did you wanna respond?

I I just wanna say I was the the sentiment that I was there as a witness, I was there. I went to learn a lot of things. I brought things back. I spoke to councilwoman Pemberton. I spoke to then was it then mayor? Hector Siloso of things that I learned and what, I think could be better and not be better. I was there to to get something out of the the conference. Hence, why I'm bringing back forth information about travel, reimbursement, and all those things so we can really discuss what are the purposes for those.

We discuss then should we discuss traveling on the taxpayer's dime to harass a council member? Sure. And and should we discuss then

That is something that we well,

I'm bringing back board to We're bringing

back the board.

Have member Trujillo reimburse the city for the Naleo conference and hotel and airfare and registration because of of your, intention to intimidate and harass, the president of the organization?

I'm glad you're no longer Naleel. I think we accomplished our mission that we set out to do. You are one of the worst leaders Naleel has ever had. You paralyzed the National Association. Excuse me. No. No. Nope. We're not there.

We're not going to

Listen. Nope. I'm going to respond because I'm tired of this woman. You could cry me a river, madam mayor, with your fallacy. We all get death threats, but we don't call

Kate Spillers. We're gonna go ahead and take a recess

now. Thank you. Says, I'm done with this hypocrisy. You are the most hypocritical, unpopular mayor the city has ever had, and you can't take it. You can't take it. Everything we do now in this city, we could be talking about the World Cup, and the comments are all horrible because of you, because you're in that position. You signed up for this.

Okay. We will resume, the last item on this agenda. Anybody else have any thoughts, comments?

I just

Council member Sosa.

Thank you, madam mayor. I just have a couple of questions. So what is, what is the current, policy on on shirts on shirts with city logos and also business cards, for commissioners and committee members?

Currently, we do not provide business cards, for any commissions or committees. We do provide a shirt, one shirt for each person that's on the a committee or a commission.

So business cards, they're not provided to committee members and commissioners?

They are not provided. No.

Okay. And, I understand someone, made their own business cards. Was was there a was there some type of cease and desist sent out? Or

A letter was given to all commission and committee members saying that that was not a allowable action.

Okay.

Yeah. Again, I just want to include in the code of ethics to update it to have certain language that spells it out explicitly what what is not allowed, and if there's any questions to come to the city manager. This this is a good start to the code of ethics, and maybe that was fine back when it was done in 2021. But I believe it needs to have another paragraph that what is not allowed and what could happen, you know, if you continue to violate, like after the January letter, you know, you didn't stop doing what you weren't supposed to do. And so let's let's just add language what is not allowed and or what will be given or something to that effect and not using it for your own personal use or businesses or things like that.

If I can just

add one comment about a point of process, and just for sake of completeness, for the sake of or for purposes of the discussion tonight, the Downey Municipal Code already does provide a provision section twenty nine fifty nine point zero two making it not legal to use the city's marks or logo in an unauthorized way, except without permission that is, from the city manager. So that is the general overlay of things already. It certainly is within the council's purview to delineate something in more detail if it wishes in the code of conduct. And in that respect, the code of conduct really is a statement of behaviors, if you will, to be expected by colleagues rather than a rules based statement with punitive actions contained within it. The code of conduct is a self enforcing document, meaning that the council ensures its compliance and takes steps to ensure its compliance.

It does so typically or legislative body typically ensures compliance with the code of ethics by the imposition of various sanctions such as those have been mentioned tonight, including censure and the potential removal of of commissioners or members of committees, boards, commissions under our charter section nine zero two. Commissioners are are are subject to appointment and removal by a majority of the council, for example. And so those are those are actions that exist that that the council can use to enforce the standards that are delineated and expressed to the code of conduct. Again, it's a statement of behaviors that are to be demonstrated and to be expected by colleagues as a general principle. So if if it is the council's purview tonight to to amend the code in any respect, staff would just ask that the council be very specific in terms of how would it would like the document to be amended so that it can return with any statement, you know, that is faithful to what the consensus of the council desires.

Thank you, city attorney Funk. This also, would you speak to social media usage and

Well, I think that you had said it earlier, mayor, express the the intent behind any amendment, potential amendment of the code of ethics. It would be to update it, for example, in the face of certain, you know, technology that has come about, including social media. I think that was one of the reasons why you had opened the discussion. I I will say that the code of conduct has some general broad based principles that are already there, that if it's the council's pleasure tonight, it can certainly, be more granular about certain things like that. But, you know, that certainly is, you know, one reason the council may wish to revisit, you know, the the code of ethics and and update or modernize it if it so chooses.

City attorney Funk, thank you for that. Can can is it possible for us to just, look at more granular options on the, code of conduct, and and can we just move on? Yes. It is. Let's move on from this topic already.

Well, I I would like to bring up the fact that, for example, allegations were made against miss Rivera that she continued to pass out the card, something she denies. I think there needs to be a due process clause somewhere where if allegations are made against a commissioner or committee member, they should be able to present some sort of defense to be heard similar to, like, the censure policy. Well, we actually don't have a censure policy, but I was given an opportunity to respond. I just think people need to be given opportunities to respond. And, also, we need to talk about, for example, I understand that the mayor blocks certain people on her mayor page, and so I don't know

about excuse me. Excuse me. That is inaccurate.

See, madam mayor, it is unfair that you get to speak. We're trying to be respectful. And then when it's my turn, you wanna take a break. So do you want something to say? Because I would like my time. I I came back because I'm not gonna let you deny my time because I represent people from Downey. I was elected citywide unlike you in your corner of the universe. And when I travel and I protest, it's because I'm doing something for my constituents. So we need to talk about the social media use. Apparently, we're not supposed to block people.

So let's include that in the policy. That's all. Thank you.

We are going to, I will make a motion to amend the code of conduct and ethics and bring back, more granular options regarding the usage, the fraudulent use of unauthorized business cards, apparel, as well as social media usage. Second. Please vote. Mayor, just Yes.

For purposes, of clarity, I understand your motion is to is for staff to bring back more granular language regarding on the on the unauthorized use of business cards and apparel. With respect to show social media, is there anything more specific, that you are are looking for staff to to come back with? Well Yes. I

had I had kind of prepared a few items in here.

Oh, okay.

So let me just revisit this again. And, again, it was kind of, based on what's happened already. Appointed commissioners or committee members are not allowed to use the city logo on personal apparel, business cards, mailings, or hold personal individual meetings as a representative of the city. Individuals must consult with and have approval of the city manager if it is unclear. Then we might have that social media aspect as well that you were?

Well, what I what I wanted to do is, also include language, refrain from posting, sharing, endorsing, or amplifying content content that promotes violence, threats, intimidation, or harassment. Mhmm. Includes discriminatory, hateful, or demeaning language directed at an individual or groups. This undermines public confidence through knowingly false or misleading statements. K. Did we get that

Did that second still stand? With that clarification.

I'll withdraw my second. I'm I'm having issues with the ambiguity of the language. I find it to be quite vague, and I'm I'm a little hesitant. So I'll withdraw my second just because of the social media. If you guys wanna clarify that or somebody else could second it.

I'll second the motion.

K. Please vote.

Are we voting

on that?

Voting to bring it back.

We're voting to bring it back?

That's my understanding. John, you wanna clarify?

My understanding as the mayor made the motion, and it was seconded by council member Pemberton was for or to provide direction to staff to bring back more granular language regarding three points. The first is regarding the unauthorized use of business cards containing the city logo and other similar marks. Number two, a prohibition or a guideline or the expectation that commissioners not wear apparel using the city logo or any logo that's not authorized by the city for use. And number three, language regarding social media that promotes violence, harassment, and other abusive conduct. Those are the three points I think that the mayor's motion called for for staff to come back with language addressing those three topics.

I would just ask too to make it clear, in the motion that if the motion would include the code of conduct for both commissioners, and council members. As you know, there are two code of conducts right now. They are substantively identical, but they all the one one code, if you will, applies to members of committees, boards, and commission, and the other code applies to council members. So I think it would be helpful to clarify whether those proposed amendments would be incorporated into both those codes.

Understood. Thank you.

Those will be incorporated into both. And for the record, I do want to, state and I want the record to reflect, council member Trujillo's constant attacks on this dais, against myself and language invoking continued, bullying and harassment on and off of the dais, social media, cannot continue to be tolerated. So I want

the record to repay resign, madam mayor.

I not I