Mayor's Corner: Here's how to get involved in your city
Mayor Rick Rodriguez at a groundbreaking ceremony at Apollo Park. Photo by Claudia Gomez.
Happy Fall, Downey!
There are various boards, commissions and subcommittees that address issues in our city. They are important in that they enable residents to participate in Downey’s government processes. Below is a list of the active boards, commissions and subcommittees with their description, meeting information and contact information. All meetings are open to the public.
GREEN TASK FORCE
The Green task force reviews and make recommendations regarding energy, waste reduction, environmental items and water health.
Meets: fourth Monday of the month at 5 pm, City Hall, 3rd floor
Contact: jmontenegro@downeyca.org or 562-904-7284
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission is an advisory group to the City Council on issues and policies related to planning and land use regulation and community development in the city.
Meets: first and third Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 pm, City Hall Council Chambers
Contact: mcavanagh@downeyca.org or 562-904-7154
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
The Public Works Committee reviews and makes recommendations regarding transportation and mobility, solid and hazardous waste, water supply, air quality, public utilities, energy consumption, recycling, conservation and infrastructure.
Meets: third Thursday of the month at 4 pm, City Hall, 2nd floor
Contact: grodriguez@downeyca.org or 562-904-7110
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
The Recreation and Community Services Commission recommends plans and programs for the improvement, maintenance and expansion of parks and playgrounds.
Meets: first Tuesday of the month at 4 pm, City Hall Council Chambers
Contact: parksandrec@downeyca.org or 562-904-7238
There are various subcommittees that meet as necessary including:
Budget Subcommittee
Civic Theatre Review
Downtown Subcommittee
Eco Rapid Subcommittee
Firefighters Memorial Project Subcommittee
Rancho Los Amigos Property Subcommittee
Revitalization of the City/School District Task Force
Rio Hondo Golf Club Subcommittee
Stay Gallery Subcommittee
Subcommittee on Homelessness
Urban Forest Management Plan Workgroup
Veterans Subcommittee
Website Subcommittee
For more information on these subcommittees please contact the council office at mldelgadillo@downeyca.org or 562-904-7274.
This month is a very busy month with many events planned for you and your family to attend. The Keep Downey Beautiful Program will be having a Used Oil Filter Exchange event on Saturday, October 5 from 9 am-1 pm at the Auto Zone on 9920 Paramount Blvd. Residents will receive up to two new filters in exchange for two used filters.
In support of the Pink Patch Project, the Downey Police Department will be working as servers at the Lazy Dog Cafe at the Promenade on Thursday, October 17 from 5-9 pm. Tips made will be donated to a local cancer research organization. Please join us in our efforts and stop by Lazy Dog for a good cause.
Downey Police Department, in partnership with the Downey Unified School District, is excited to seek out the help of our local students to design this year’s Downey Police Department holiday greeting cards. One winner will be selected from each grade category. Winners from each category will receive a $50 gift card and will be recognized at the City’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Monday, December 9. Each winner’s artwork will be featured on this year’s Downey Police Department greeting cards. We can’t wait to see and display the artwork of our amazing Downey students!
On Saturday, October 19 from 8 am-12 noon there will be a Mulch & Shredding Event at the Downey City Hall west parking lot. Also on that day at 9 am Keep Downey Beautiful will be having a cleanup at the Grocery Outlet parking lot. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the event. Gloves, safety vests, trash grabbers and bags will be provided. For more information please call 562-904-7102.
Also on that night is the Measure S Community Open House. City representatives and project team members will be available to answer your questions about all the Measure S improvement facilities and park projects. The Open House will be from 6 pm-7:30 pm at the Barbara J. Riley Community & Senior Center. For more information please call 888-600-7590 or email info@downeymeasure-s.com.
Our local faith providers continue to meet and do great things to help those in need in our community. Please join us for the Clergy Council meeting on Monday, October 14 at 6 pm at the Barbara J. Riley Community & Senior Center. At our next meeting we will have guest speakers from the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (SELACO WDB).
The last meeting of the year for the Downey Business Watch Program is scheduled for Thursday, October 10 at 12 noon at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. This program is a joint effort between the Downey Police Department and the Downey Chamber of Commerce. Join us for lunch as we discuss holiday crimes and how to protect yourself and your family against them.
Also on Thursday, October 10 is the highly anticipated Havana Nights. This free event celebrates live music and art in Downtown Downey. The event will be located on the top level of the public parking structure on the corner of New Street and 2nd Street and will be from 6 pm-9:30 pm. This event is a great way to enjoy a night overlooking the Downey skyline with your friends and neighbors.
The Annual Drug Take-Back event is scheduled for Saturday, October 26 from 10 am-2 pm at the Downey Police parking lot. The Police Department will be collecting unused, unwanted or out-of-date prescription and over the counter medications. This event offers residents an opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous drugs and minimize the potential for misuse and abuse. Event attendees will have the opportunity to drop off their medications into collection boxes provided by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (D.E.A).
This event is co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. For more information please call 562-904-2374 or email jaguirre@downeyca.org.
The city has two events planned for Halloween for families to enjoy. The Columbia Memorial Space Center invites you to wear your costume to Spooky Science Night on Saturday, October 19 from 5 pm. This is a frightful event that the whole family can enjoy with a variety of activities and demonstrations throughout the evening such as a make your own slime station, spooky robotics lab and a costume parade. Spooky Science Night will be from 5-9 pm.
The Annual Pumpkin Patch will be held this year at the Downey Adult School from 5-9 pm on Thursday, October 31 on Halloween night. Bring the family for a fun safe gathering of activities, games, pumpkins and all around fun family atmosphere.
Please don’t forget to sign up for the Downey One Day of Service volunteer event. Join us on Saturday, October 26 from 9 am-12 noon at the Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center. Volunteers will take part in a day of community service and give back by participating in various projects throughout the city. For more information on how you can participate please email jmontenegro@downeyca.org or call the City Manager’s office at 562-904-7284.
Lastly, I wanted to send huge congratulations to the Columbia Memorial Space Center as they celebrate their 10th anniversary on October 23. Ten years ago the idea of having a place where children can go to learn and get excited about science, technology, engineering and math was just a dream. Now every day the staff at the Space Center help motivate our kids to continue their spirit of exploration and imagination. Through programs and events offered at the Space Center we are able to give our children the opportunity to be college ready and to thrive in a modern STEM economy. Happy Anniversary Columbia Memorial Space Center!
God Bless,
Rick Rodriguez
Mayor
562-904-7274
#AlwaysForward
rrodriguez@downeyca.org
facebook.com/mayorrickrodriguez
instagram.com/mayorrickrodriguez
twitter.com/mayorrrodriguez