Hello Downey, while I am encouraged by the continuing climbing vaccination numbers in our city, I am concerned we are inching closer to experiencing a fourth surge of the Coronavirus. This fourth surge is due to the highly transmissible and aggressive Delta variant impacting the unvaccinated population.

A reminder to all of us that this pandemic is not over. Over the past three weeks, the number of hospitalizations across Southern California has tripled, primarily impacting unvaccinated individuals. Deaths amongst seemingly healthy individuals who contracted Covid-19 are being attributed to their unvaccinated status.

Currently, there is great concern throughout the healthcare community that the rise in variants and the resurgence of the spread of Covid-19 will continue if people remain unvaccinated.

The latest figures released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (update from 7/16) indicate the vaccination rate for Downey residents 16 years of age and older is now 69.3%. For adults 65 years of age and older, it is now 89.2%. I hope you will consider a vaccination. Our goal in Downey is to surpass 75% before the end of summer and the return to fall and flu season.

Please call the L.A. County Department of Public Health Vaccine Center at 833-540-0473. The call center is open daily from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. Information is available in multiple languages by calling 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. For more information, please visit VaccinateLACounty.com.

Update on Public Safety and Speed Enforcement

As your Mayor, Public Safety is one of my biggest priorities. Since taking office, I have been working closely with our Downey PD and have asked to increase speed enforcement and focus on street racing activities, including those doing donuts on various parking lots around our city. I’m happy to report that our 2nd quarter numbers are as follows:

Street Racing Detail, from April to June: the department issued 334 Citations. There were 11 arrests and 7 vehicles impounded. Those caught doing donuts have their vehicles impounded for 30 days.

Department-Wide Traffic Citations Issued: 3,678

At our resident’s request, there was an Etched Catalytic Converter event, and 114 cars were assisted.

There was also a DUI Checkpoint: 997 vehicles were screened, resulting in 6 DUI arrests, 13 field sobriety tests administered, there were also 29 citations issued for unlicensed drivers, 7 citations for driving with a suspended license and, 13 vehicles were impounded.

If there is street racing in your neighborhood, please report it to Downey PD. If you must report a non-emergency issue, please contact the Downey Police Dispatch at 562-861-0770.

I’m also happy to report the Downey Police Department Coffee with a Cop events are back. They held their first event last week on July 14, Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco and I had the pleasure of attending. I encourage you to get involved and attend to connect with our officers.

Also, regarding Public Safety, many of you have contacted the City Council via phone, emails, and letters regarding Downey’s stance on L.A. County’s District Attorney George Gascon. Your messages have not fallen on deaf ears. We are aware 23 cities across Southern California have taken a vote of no confidence. Out of respect and consideration to one of our council colleagues currently working for D.A. Gascon, we will not be discussing this matter until sometime in the fall. As your Mayor, I want you to know I hear you, we hear you, and we are here to serve our constituents and answer your concerns. We are currently working with our Downey PD on a Public Safety Town Hall. More to come in the next few weeks. Please stay tuned.

Infrastructure Improvements, Street Rehabilitation, and Public Works Update

During the 2nd quarter of this year, we have rehabilitated 1.5 miles of pavement along Old River School Road from Arnett Street to Imperial Highway.

Additionally, construction of landscaped medians and pavement rehabilitation along Telegraph Road from east to west city limits is currently underway. This is a joint project with the City of Pico Rivera and Downey as the lead agency. The contractor has completed the installation of raised concrete medians and repaved the segment between Paramount Boulevard and the west city limit. The contractor is now working on the segment between Paramount Boulevard and Lakewood Boulevard.

Finally, during our last council meeting on July 13, the council awarded a construction contract to Hardy Harper, Inc. for the rehabilitation of 62 residential streets in the southeast part of the city. Aside from rehabilitating approximately 8.5 miles of asphalt pavement, this project will also replace damaged or uplifted sidewalks, curbs, and gutters and construct Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb access ramps.

Concerts in the Park Continue at Furman

We have had a great turnout for the Twilight Summer Concert Series on Wednesdays at 7 pm. Attendance has increased steadily from approximately 500 people to about 700. These concerts will continue through August 11. Next week, July 28, we will welcome Stone Soul, an 8-piece Classic Soul, and Motown tribute band. August 4 will be CONGANAS, the Latin Jazz group. And to close out our season we will have the Downey Symphony on August 11. I look forward to seeing you there.

Fourth of July and Illegal Fireworks Citations

This holiday is always a busy one for our Police Department. This year, along with over 120 calls for illegal fireworks, there were three reports of fires. PD issued 38 citations for possession of illegal fireworks. At one location, there were 375 lbs. seized. Strict enforcement and crackdown of illegal fireworks will continue. There are steep fines for possession, starting at $2,000 and up to $3,500 per citation. Please contact our Downey Police Dispatch at 562-861-0770 to report illegal firework activity.

The Arts in Downtown Downey

Stay Gallery has reopened and is currently exhibiting the works of 18 artists from the greater L.A. area, including Downey locals. The exhibit titled “Unidos” highlights the impact of Covid-19 on these talented artists. It is a must see! Stay Gallery is open Wednesday-Friday 10 am-6 pm and Saturday 10 am-2 pm. Let’s support our local artists. For more info, visit their website at stayarts.org

ON-GOING

Update on Illegally Dumped Items from March to June

CalMet picked up a total of 87 tons of illegally dumped items. Our Public Works Department picked up a total of 186 tons of illegally dumped items. The total tonnage picked up during the second quarter of this year is 273 tons.

Downey’s anti-litter campaign #BINIT

Let’s continue to do our part by putting all trash in its place. To report illegally dumped items to the City of Downey, please call 562-904-1161. If you would like bulky items removed, please call CalMet at 562-259-1239 (option 3) and save these numbers on your phone. Better yet, I’d like to encourage all our Downey residents to download the Downey App on your mobile device. Through this App, you will be able to immediately report illegally dumped items, street repairs, trash, graffiti removal, neighborhood light repairs, etc.

COVID-19 Business and Rental Assistance

There is currently $750,000 in CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding available. $175,000 has been awarded. We have assisted 7 small businesses. Currently, there are 15 applications under review and 157 businesses on the waitlist.

We have disbursed $60,000 in downtown restaurant parklet grants, 36 temporary outdoor dining permits processed, and 10 temporary outdoor business activity permits have been processed.

For Our Renters

There is $950,000 in funding available; $444,000 has been awarded. Currently, we have a

3-month subsidy, 191 households have been assisted, and 1,788 applications have been distributed.

New applicants that qualify and go through the process will automatically receive three month’s rental assistance. Those that received one month of assistance previously, please contact our Community Development at (562) 299-6706 or visit our website at www.downeyca.org/rentalassistance.

To clarify, the lengthy application process is mandated by the federal government. Applicants must prove they have been financially impacted by Covid-19.

Regarding California’s Residential Rent Repayment Program

Downey residents can submit an application for the state rental assistance program through the state website, at: https://housing.ca.gov/covid_rr/program_overview.html#renter

For those of you who would like to get personal assistance, please call the regional office to seek assistance with submitting their state rental assistance program application. The office is located at:

Community Family Service Center
6662 Loveland Street
Bell Gardens, CA 90201
(562) 806-7654

Also, the State has a program hotline for residents and landlords to call for further information, or questions/concerns: (833) 430-2122, Monday-Sunday 7 am - 7 pm

Regarding Public Events in Downey

As we welcome summer events and activities, please remember there is a process in Downey to host or hold a public event in any of our parks, especially if vendors are involved, even if this gathering is of religious nature. City permits MUST be acquired, and the event must go through an approval process. To prevent any future event from being canceled and the organizers fined, please visit City Hall to ask about the event permit process.

Thank you, Downey, for allowing me to serve you as Mayor this year. It continues to be a challenging time as we navigate through the uncertainties of this ongoing pandemic. It is a privilege and an honor to serve you. Thank you for your support and for extending your grace not only to me as your Mayor but to the rest of our Council. I also want to extend my great appreciation to our City Manager, our city staff, Public Works, Community Development, Parks & Recreation, and Downey Police and Fire who continue to work tirelessly to make Downey the great city it is.

Please stay safe, healthy, continuing to practice handwashing and be well. Do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns at 562-904-7274 or email me at CFrometa@Downeyca.org I welcome appointments for in-person visits. You can also follow my Facebook page for regular updates at Claudia M. Frometa Mayor, City of Downey, along with our City’s Facebook page, City of Downey Government Agency, for regular updates.

#DowneyStrong #ThisIsDowney #UnitingForce #MayorFrometa