Downey City Council Meeting - 10/27/2026

The City of Downey City Council’s regular meeting on October 27, 2026 included a major facilities item: the Civic Center parking lot reconfiguration, CIP 26-15. The proposal would close Civic Center Drive to nonemployee traffic, consolidate secure police and employee parking, and increase public parking; staff described a net gain of seven employee spaces and 58 police spaces, with additional public spaces created through reconfiguration. Police representatives and council members voiced support, and council discussion included preserving trees, retaining public access to the grammar school archway, notifying the school district, accommodating special events, and considering two military/veteran spaces by the library. Staff’s stated schedule was to complete plans and permitting, solicit bids in January 2027, return for a contract award in March, and construct from approximately April through July. The transcript does not capture a final vote on this project. Public commenters also urged cancellation of the previously approved Motorola ALPR camera contract, citing an estimated $100,000 annual cost and privacy concerns; the city clerk clarified that the contract had been considered and acted on at the October 10 meeting and was not on this agenda.

Council also unanimously directed staff to return with options for increasing parking fines, including comparisons with neighboring cities. Members supported removing street-sweeping exemptions affecting 22 streets; the council’s direction was confirmed for the record, with staff to return on implementation details such as an ordinance, notice, and treatment of permits already paid for. The meeting also included proclamations and community recognitions, and references to a $1 million state grant for the Columbia Memorial Space Center expansion, but no related purchasing action was recorded.