Hello Downey,

It is my honor and privilege to serve as your Mayor once again. In the first month alone of 2023, our city experienced significant changes.

First, the first recall election occurred in Downey's history. The residents from District 3 sent a strong and clear message to all and that is that character still counts in Downey.

Second, my council colleagues and I were tasked with choosing Downey's next City Manager. We were fortunate to have a remarkable field of candidates for the City Manager position, demonstrating Downey's reputation as a high-quality community with a long tradition of a stable and good government. The chosen candidate, Roger Bradley, impressed us with his strong local government background, commitment to customer service, thoughtful approach to leadership, and insightful analysis of Downey's future needs. We will be voting on his selection at next week's council meeting.

I am optimistic about the direction of our city, and I can tell you brighter days are coming! Our city staff continues to work diligently to improve our city and complete the goals we have set for this year.  

Here are some updates for this month.

On Infrastructure:

The Public Works Department continues to make headway on its extensive list of projects to improve our city's infrastructure. Currently, six active areas are in construction and design under the Residential Streets Pavement Rehabilitation Project. With the city's conservation and environmental efforts, work continues to be completed in an efficient and sustainable matter. While sustainability has yet to become a legal mandate, our city has voluntarily created practices to take action and do our part. Decisions on capital practices like these save our planet and provide positive results for our neighborhoods.

CalTrans and Clean-Up Efforts:

As part of Clean California, Caltrans District 7 is partnering with the city for a Free Dump Day event on February 11th from 8 am to 1 pm at the Downey Park & Ride Lot, 12775 Lakewood Blvd. Caltrans staff will be on-site to accept any household waste and approved debris at no charge! 

Downey’s anti-litter campaign #BINIT, this campaign started during my first Mayoral year in 2021 and continues strong. Residents may call CalMet/Athens services at 562.259.1239 to arrange a bulky item pick up. To report illegally dumped items, please call 562.904.7194 or report it through the Downey App.

The Keep Downey Beautiful Clean-Ups continue to bring together residents who want to make a change and help beautify our city. The next clean-up is scheduled for 9 am on Saturday, February 18th, 2023, at the Firestone Complete Auto Care, 9030 Cecilia Street. Thank you to Stonewood Center for sponsoring our monthly cleanups.

Community Development:

Businesses and residential developments continue to flock to our city. Currently, there are seventeen (17) businesses and nine (9) residential projects in the design, development, or expansion process. With most projects anticipated to be completed this year, our city continues to grow and prosper. As Mayor, I am engaged, working with staff looking to attract new businesses and/or developments to empty spaces. Staff will continue to work with our business community to bring quality developments to our city that will contribute to our local economy.

Citywide Fiber Optic Network System:

This was one of my goals as Mayor in 2021, and the work continues. Plans are underway for a pilot program to begin in a project area this coming Spring. For more information please visit https://sifinetworks.com/residential/cities/downey-fibercity-ca/

Public Safety, Community Engagement & Speed Enforcement:

The Downey Police Department recently welcomed students to its 23rd Citizens Academy. This 10-week program is designed to expose business and residential community members to various aspects of law enforcement and the daily operations of the Downey Police Department. To find out more information or to apply, please contact Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Stephanie Arroyo at (562) 904-2374 or sarroyo@downeyca.org. Also, if you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood, you will join over 230+ active groups in our city. Contact Ms. Arroyo for more information on the Program and how to start your own.

Just last Friday, I joined our PD on a ride-along throughout our city. Thank you to Officer Reyes for the vest and Corporal Bassi for the ride. I am grateful to all the men and women of our police department for their hard work, dedication, professionalism, and attention to our residents. I look forward to more frequent rides with our officers.

We will continue working on speeding enforcement and patrols around our parks for after-hours illegal activity along with parking lots and empty spaces conducive to donuts and racing. Vehicle impounds will continue.

Update on Fire Station #4:

We were informed the current contractor uncovered a need for additional mold remediation, and the roof sustained more significant damage from the recent rains, now needing to be replaced entirely. Unfortunately, this will delay the reopening. I was informed timeline for completion of all repairs is late April. I am frustrated, along with our residents about this extended closure and added delays. I will continue to share updates. 

Community Engagement:

The city is proud to host the TLC 5K as it returns in person at Apollo Park on Saturday, February 25th. Registration can be made online, by mail, and in person at the TLC Family Resource Center or the Barbara J. Riley Community & Senior Center. TLC provides invaluable services to our city’s youth, and I hope you will join me to support this great event. 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 49th Mayor. I will continue to work diligently for our city in 2023. Please 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. Please also download the Downey App on your mobile device. Through this app, you can immediately report illegally dumped items, street repairs, trash, graffiti removal, neighborhood light repairs, etc.

#DowneyStrong, #EngagedCommunitiesAreStrongCommunities, #ThisIsDowney, #CityofDowney, #OperationRestoreOrder #MayorFrometa

Claudia M. Frometa

Mayor