City Council accepts city manager's resignation (UPDATED)
This story has been updated with quotes and details of Gilbert Livas’s separation agreement.
DOWNEY — After nearly 15 years with the city of Downey and over 10 as it’s top unelected official, City Manager Gilbert Livas will step down and retire in July this year.
The announcement was made by City Attorney Yvette Abich Garcia at Tuesday’s council meeting after a 4-1 closed session vote to accept his resignation, with Councilwoman Claudia M. Frometa the sole vote in opposition.
Livas’s job has been in the crosshairs since December, when anonymous sources inside city hall disclosed to the Downey Patriot that there was an apparent move to oust the city manager, supported by council members Mario Trujillo, Catherine Alvarez, and Mayor Pro Tem Sean Ashton.
The situation only intensified when a special meeting was called to discuss Livas’s future. This sparked a flurry of support from the community and city staff, who flocked to the council chambers to plead for the council to retain its city manager.
The Council ultimately declined to take any action at that time.
While council members are legally not able to discuss the content of closed session discussion, Frometa would explain her sole opposition vote in a call with the Patriot on Wednesday, saying that she “did not want to accept his resignation.”
“I believe Gilbert is equipped to continue leading our city forward,” said Frometa. “While he tendered his resignation, I did not want to accept it.”
“I believe that he has led our city through great challenges, and he has been an outstanding leader. I certainly wish things would have been different, and I wish him, certainly, only the best. He will be sorely missed in the city of Downey.”
According to the terms of the separation agreement, Livas will receive $452,000 over two equal payments, paid within 14 days of his resignation and within the first two weeks of January 2023.
Livas will continue in his role until July 1.
During his tenure, Livas has been credited with an economic rebirth in the city’s Downtown area, expanded shopping and dining experiences with the development of the Downey Promenade, the successful completion of over $67 million in Measure S neighborhood infrastructure projects, the expansion of the city’s medical hub by bringing PIH Hospital and expanding Kaiser Medical Center, the recent launching a $30 million residential street improvement project, and nine consecutive years of balanced city budgets.
He also led the city through a recession and the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a press release sent out on Wednesday, Mayor Blanca Pacheco thanked Livas for his service.
“Since arriving to Downey, Mr. Livas has taken on increasing responsibility and leadership within our city government. For over 10 years, he has served as the top unelected official in Downey; and that stability has yielded strong results for our community,” said Pacheco. “On behalf of our City Council, I thank him for his many contributions to our community and City staff, and wish him well in his future plans.”
In the same release, Livas thanked city leaders, staff, and community members.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the residents of Downey,” said Livas. “Together, we have worked hard to preserve everything that makes this City special. I sincerely thank all of the elected officials I have had the pleasure of working with throughout the years - thank you for your support and trust in me. To our wonderful City of Downey employees who work tirelessly every day to keep our city running - thank you for your undivided commitment to our residents. Last but not least, thank you to the residents of Downey for allowing me the opportunity to serve you and be part of this community.”
The city will now be tasked with filling the void that Livas will leave at the head of the city, though seem confident that they will be able to do so with the time they have.
“Our Council recognizes the important role of a high-performing City Manager serving as our partner in delivering for the needs of the community, and we will work diligently to find the right person to fill the position,” said Pacheco.