City of Downey FY 2022-2023 City Accomplishments

Mayor and City Council

Mission

Proudly committed to continuously improving the quality of life for the Downey community by providing excellent service in a professional, ethical and responsible manner.

Values

Integrity | Commitment | Respect | Teamwork

Engagement | Passion | Excellence

City Council Priorities

Fiscal Responsibility

Economic Vibrancy

Efficiency and Adaptability

Quality of Life, Safety and Infrastructure

Public Engagement

Hector Sosa District 2 COUNCIL MEMBER

Timothy Horn District 1 COUNCIL MEMBER

Claudia M. Frometa District 4 MAYOR

Mario Trujillo District 5 MAYOR PRO TEM

FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023

City Management Team

Roger Bradley City Manager

Vaniah De Rojas

Assistant City Manager

John Funk City Attorney

Maria Alicia Duarte City Clerk

Irma Huitron

Director of Community Development

Stephen Hannah Director of Finance and Information Technology

Leslie Murray Chief of Police

Dan Hurlock Fire Chief

Matt Baumgardner

Director of Public Works/ City Engineer

Jason Chacon Director of Parks and Recreation

James McQueen Director of Human Resources

Benjamin Dickow Executive Director & President, Columbia Memorial Space Center Downey City Library

Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council, Downey Residents and Friends:

On behalf of the entire City team, I am pleased to present the annual City Accomplishments Report for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. This report showcases the City’s continual commitment to the Downey community through the completion of numerous successful City initiatives pursuant to the City Council’s overarching priorities:

Fiscal Responsibility; Economic Vibrancy; Efficiency & Adaptability; Quality of Life, Safety, & Infrastructure; and Public Engagement.

The City maintained a financially stable local government through the adoption of its 11th consecutive structurally balanced budget, and maintenance of our AA bond ratings. We continued to receive prestigious budget operating and annual comprehensive financial report awards. Reflecting our steadfast commitment to the stewardship of public resources, we also successfully implemented GASB accounting standards and secured $9 million in grant funding.

Community Development prioritized fostering a stable, vibrant economy post pandemic. The department continued to provide financial assistance to businesses to aid with recovery from COVID-19, received certification from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the City’s Housing Element Update, and received funding allocations to address homelessness and expand housing availability. We saw the ongoing growth of Downtown Downey with new businesses and public private partnerships, such as the Downey Farmer’s Market and Downtown Downey Night Market. Several new businesses are anticipated to open by year’s end further bolstering the area as a dining and retail destination.

The City’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors was reflected in ongoing investment in our infrastructure. This past year, we completed several public works projects, including alley and residential streets rehabilitation projects, water system improvements, rehabilitation of groundwater wells, installation of new park playgrounds, reopening of Fire Station No. 4 and opening of the Rancho Los Amigos Sports Center.

We continued to build on our reputation for hosting outstanding community events! Residents and visitors enjoyed the International Food & Music Festival, Beyond the Book, National Night Out, Twilight Summer Concerts, and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Our Downey One Day of Service, Keep Downey Beautiful Monthly Cleanups, and Neighborhood Watch Program provided opportunities for residents to build community pride and connect with neighbors. To better meet the diverse needs of residents and set up our citizenry for success in an ever-changing world, we also hosted the first annual Special Needs Resources Awareness Fair and Girls in STEM Drones Day at the Columbia Memorial Space Center, as well as saw the return of Student Government Day and the Girls on Fire Summer Camp.

The impressive work highlighted in this report could not be possible without the City’s highly professional workforce. On a daily basis, staff diligently provide services and plan and execute projects that continue to make Downey a desirable place to live, work, and play. I am honored to acknowledge the efforts of the City Council and this dedicated team. We look forward to building upon these successes in the year ahead.

Respectfully submitted,

Roger Bradley City Manager

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Maintain a financially stable local government

Highlights:

Received $185,000 from Regional Park and Open Space District for the development of projects that promote park equity.

Adopted a Structurally Balanced Budget - 10th consecutive year

Received the GFOA and CSMFO Awards for Distinguished Budget Presentation

Received the GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Completed a federally compliant indirect cost allocation plan

No financial audit findings resulting from the FY21-22 Year End Audit

Successfully Implemented various GASB accounting standards

Maintained enhanced level of customer service as well as the accurate and timely recording of financial information

Secured $9 million in grants

9

ECONOMIC VIBRANCY

175 Planning Applications

320 Businesses Assisted

Chicken Koop

10000 Paramount Boulevard

A new Chicken Koop restaurant, which includes a 1,742 square foot restaurant plus 1,157 square feet of outdoor dining under a new pergola. The project provides substantial remodel of the existing building, which used to be a chapel. New landscaping will be installed particularly along the front of the property to enhance the aesthetics of the site. Currently under construction with opening anticipated by end of 2023.

Highlights:

Completed and Received Certification from HCD of the City’s Housing Element Update

Continued to support residents and business with COVID-19 financial assistance

Received PLHA and HOME ARP funding to Reduce Homelessness and Create Housing Stability

Continued to encourage the use of Downtown Downey to further attract patrons and businesses

Created a Housing Subcommittee City joined the Gateway Cities COG Housing Trust

Shake Shack

8300 Firestone Boulevard

A new 3,624 square foot Shake Shack drivethrough restaurant is anticipated to open in January of 2024. The building will include 1,200 square feet of indoor dining area and 933 square feet of outdoor dining area.

Four Unit Multifamily Project

10538 La Reina Avenue

A new three story multifamily apartment project began construction in 2023 and is anticipated to be completed in June of 2024. Each unit is approximately 1,700 square feet and has a two car garage.

Highlights:

EFFICIENCY AND ADAPTABILITY

Create an environment where new processes and programs are encouraged and are used to improve internal and external services

Established a Drone Program

Implemented new Customer Service Software for the Police Department

Improved the City’s cyber security exposure

Completed the upgrade and integration of the Fire Department email system with the City system

Replaced the IT Helpdesk service request and asset management system

Improved the City’s back-up storage infrastructure

Implemented MFA to enhance cyber security and comply with insurance requirements

Upgraded the City’s Data Center servers operating systems

Implemented new records management system to allow for Automatic Vehicle Location and use of tablets for paperless fire prevention inspections

Reduced business license inspections lead time from 4-6 weeks to 3-4 days

Police Drone Program

EFFICIENCY AND ADAPTABILITY

6,088 Employment Applications Processed 999 Personnel Status Reports (PSR’s) processed for authorized payroll actions

13 HR Employee Training Sessions on a wide range of topics

668 Public Records Requests received and processed

The City facilitated the construction of the first hydrogen home in North America.

Annual Parks and Recreation Recruitment Expo at Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center.

63 Subpoenas, summons and claims received and processed

2,600 Employee Information Technology requests received and assisted

100% ADA/LAP Requests Resolved

QUALITY OF LIFE, SAFETY & INFRASTRUCTURE

Foster a safe community through key investments and provide inclusive, diverse community programs and activities

Completed the installation of new playgrounds and surfacing at Temple & Crawford Parks

Opening of the Rancho Los Amigos Sports Center and implementation of sports programming at the facility

Installation of security cameras at Furman Park and Transit Depot

Installation of automated parking units at Wilderness Park

Addition of Pickleball Courts at Independence Park

Began planning & designing Rio San Gabriel Park renovations and improvements

Implemented multi sibling family discount for summer aquatics and day camp

Improved transit signage and ADA access along Downey Link routes

Started a new “Counselor in Training” program for teens

Installed new stage lighting at the Downey Theatre

Highlights:

Residential Streets Pavement Rehabilitation in Areas 2, 4 and 8 - 31 miles

Alleys North and South of Stewart & Gray Road Pavement Rehabilitation

Imperial Highway Traffic Signal Upgrades

Annual Miscellaneous Concrete Repairs (Council District 4) and ADA Improvements

Fire Station No. 4 Fire Damage Repair and Reconstruction

Water System Improvements on Third Street, Cole Street, Pellet Street, and Ryerson Avenue

Rehabilitated Groundwater Well Nos. 14, 24, and 30

Potable water improvements of various water valves, service lines, and mains throughout the City

Installed and activated a new space counter for the parking structure

Installed a new entry monument sign on Lakewood Blvd. at Rosecrans Ave.

Conducted an exercise utilizing the City’s Emergency Shelter Plan

Replaced large diameter 5” hoses on every fire engine with safer, more manageable 4” hoses

Acquired Cal OES Fire Engine and placed in service for state-wide mutual aid response

Placed two new ambulances in service

Developed Tactical Emergency Medical Services Program to respond with Police

Department on tactical incidents

Implemented a Full-time School Resource Officer Program

Addressed Traffic Safety Concerns, including Street Racing and Distracted Driving

Pickle Ball Court

New Temple Park Playground

New Crawford Playground

QUALITY OF LIFE, SAFETY & INFRASTRUCTURE

5,602,217 sq.ft.

PUBLIC SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS

POLICE FIRE

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Highlights:

Expanded the Police Department’s Recruitment Efforts via Social Media

Held Multiple Job Fairs

Hosted 10-Week Citizen and Youth Academies

Students attended Student Government Day

Cultivate a trustworthy and participatory local government through equitable, transparent, and effective processes.

PW Touch a Truck Police Department

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Columbia Space Shuttle 20th Anniversary Commemoration

Holiday Caravan

National Go Skate Day at Independence Park

Havana Nights

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWER GROWTH: