Downey city council recap: Roger Bradley takes oath as new city manager

Downey city manager Roger Bradley was sworn into his new position Tuesday. (City of Downey photo)

DOWNEY — Downey’s new city manager, Roger Bradley, was officially sworn in on Tuesday.

Bradley, who served as assistant city manager in the city of Corona before being selected for the job, kept his comments brief.

“I’m very excited to be here, be a part of this great community, be a part of this organization,” he said. “I look forward to a long and bright future here with the community and organization.”

Bradley’s contract is for five years. He will make over $287,000 annually, plus $300 car allowance and other fringe benefits.

Downey Symphony seeks financial help

During his comments at the start of the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Mario Trujillo said that he had been approached by the Downey Symphonic Society in regards to helping fund the annual Pops Concert, which is traditionally the final performance in the Concert in the Park series each year.

“Attendance has been very low in the last performances; that’s a revenue creating vehicle for them,” said Trujillo. “As a result of low attendance, I understand that they possibly may not be able to put on the Pops Concert in the Park this summer.”

Trujillo did not specifically mention an amount, however, he asked city staff to bring the issue back as an agenda item for City Council consideration.

The Symphonic Society is one of three “legacy groups” at the Downey Theatre, which grants them several fee waivers and rental credits in regards to the theater’s usage.

Fire Station 4

The City Council approved an additional $158,688 towards the complete replacement of the roof of Fire Station 4, which has been closed over a year due to an electrical fire.

A previous $143,888 contract was granted to Global Builders, Inc. in December for initial repairs and construction.

However, recent weather exposed further damage to the roof.

Mayor Claudia M. Frometa expressed increased displeasure with the state of the fire station.

“I have received numerous, numerous calls from residents who are angry; they are angry at us, they are frustrated, and I have to tell you I share that frustration because I live down the street from Fire Station 4, and it has been 13 months – a year and one month – since that fire broke out at that fire station,” said Frometa. “We understand there have been delay’s on various things, but we can no longer continue to have a fire station that is shut down.”

Frometa concluded her comments by asking city staff to do “everything we can to expedite those repairs.”

Fire Engines

Downey will spend over $2 million to replace two aging fire engines.

It will take around 34 months for the apparatuses to be manufactured. One delivered to Downey Fire, the new units will replace two existing engines that have been in service for over 21 years. The older engines will then be put into reserve status.

Overall cost amounts to $2,049,932.