Downey’s brightest days still ahead
Dearest Downey,
As the year comes to a close, I want to wish you and your families a safe and healthy Christmas and Happy Holidays. It has been my honor to serve as your Mayor Pro Tem for 2023.
During my past three years as your Citywide Councilmember for District 5, the Downey City Council has been at the forefront of positive change and community development. We have mindfully navigated a desire to bring more businesses to Downey while always prioritizing the quality of life of our residents and the preservation of our beautiful neighborhoods. The council continues to enact and actively work on a series of impactful measures that touch upon diverse aspects to benefit the city. Here are some key actions taken for the past three years:
1. Public Safety
• Strengthening Police Department: A third police captain position has been added, and a $25,000 incentive is offered for recruiting lateral police officers, enhancing public safety.
• Completion and Re-Opening of Firehouse Station number 4.
• Fire Engine Replacement: Approval for two outdated fire engines to be replaced with new ones from South Coast Fire Equipment, Inc., improving the city’s firefighting capabilities.
• Oversized Vehicle Parking Regulation: An ordinance has been implemented to regulate oversized vehicle parking.
• Catalytic Converters Control: The City Council has passed an ordinance prohibiting the unlawful possession of detached catalytic converters to combat theft and protect residents.
• We are in the process of hiring a Homeless Services Coordinator to help us get the unhoused off our streets and into dignified housing with services.
• The purchase of two new police motorcycles to replace two outdated ones.
2. Quality of Life
• Created a permit program for residents impacted in the residential area near Downey Landing.
• Built a wall to separate and protect a neighborhood from unruly clients of a neighboring business.
• Woodruff Avenue Beatification Plan: A development plan is underway to beautify Woodruff Avenue, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
• The city council is moving forward in trying to bring a new dog park to the city.
• The city council is moving forward in bringing a community garden to Downey.
• Plans and fundraising are on the way for the space museum expansion which will allow us to permanently house and display the wooden mockup of the Space Shuttle.
3. Community Empowerment
• Grant Funding Program and Support for Local Groups: Five local groups, including Downey Symphonic Society, The Whole Child, Desert Reign Church, 10-20 Club, and Stay Arts, have received grant funding through a newly established program. The city also assisted and supported events such as Downey Symphonic Society’s Summer Concert performance, Downey Pride, Calvary Chapel’s Freedom Festival. We will also now partially fund the Rose Float annually, and provide the YMCA with a fee waiver to help them build the new YMCA.
• Downey is now finally able to accept electronic plan submittal which should greatly decrease the amount of time we are able to respond and get projects completed.
• Downey is closing the gap in the “digital divide” by bringing fiberoptic capability to the city for stronger connectivity to the worldwide web.
4. Infrastructure Development
• Parking Structure Security and Maintenance: Efforts are being made to improve security and maintenance at the city parking structure in Downtown Downey, ensuring a safe, clean environment for residents.
• Sidewalk and Alley Rehabilitation: Significant investments have been made in sidewalk and alley rehabilitation, resulting in the repair of 271,977 square feet of sidewalks and 0.5 miles of alleys in the last three years.
5. Public Works
• Street Light Program: The City Council has adopted a new Street Light Program, set to launch by Spring 2024 as part of the FY 23-24 budget, with specific program details yet to be announced.
• Street Repaving: Over the past three years, a total of 106.7 miles of residential streets and 9.8 miles of arterial streets have been repaved, with investments totaling $33,241,658 and $26,356,993, respectively.
6. Economic Development
• Business Attraction: The City Council is actively seeking to bring popular grocery stores like Sprouts or Trader Joe’s to Downey, promoting local economic growth.
• Spend Local Campaign: A campaign has been launched to encourage residents to support local businesses and contribute to the city’s economic vitality.
7. Supporting Families
• A new discount program has been established for families with multiple children, providing reduced fees for the City’s summer camp and aquatics classes.
8. International Relations
• Meeting with María Teresa Mora Covarrubias, Secretary for Migrants for the State of Michoacán, Mexico, fostering international connections and cultural exchanges.
• Downey hosted the then mayor of Guadalajara, Pablo Lemus, -today a candidate for governor of Jalisco-, to strengthen the ties between the sister cities Downey-Guadalajara.
I am proud of the work that the council has undertaken during the last 3 years. These initiatives collectively contribute to making Downey a more livable and connected community for residents and visitors alike.
As I look towards the last year of my term in 2024, I am thankful to be part of a Council that takes a proactive approach towards community welfare, safety, and infrastructure development. The work of this council underscores our commitment to fostering a vibrant and thriving city. I truly believe that Downey’s finest days are ahead of us.
Mario Trujillo
Mayor Pro Tem