Downey City Council Meeting - 7/28/2026

The City of Downey Council held a regular meeting on July 28, 2026, which included several procurement and budget-related discussions. The council ratified the appointment of Marlon Ramirez as the new Director of Finance. They approved a 3% salary range adjustment for the City Attorney position, increasing the monthly salary range to approximately $20,120 to $24,571, resulting in an estimated additional expenditure of $14,180. The council discussed and adopted a city facility naming policy, including the naming of a new playground at Rio San Gabriel Park in honor of Jerry Weinstein, supported by a $300,000 donation from the Downey Kiwanis Foundation. Additionally, the council adopted a three-year street light installation plan to install approximately 85 new solar-powered LED street lights annually, funded through grants and not impacting the general fund. Public comments addressed community safety, parking issues, and requests for facility upgrades, including a refurbishment of bocce courts at Apollo Park. The council also discussed ongoing support for the Coler Family YMCA rebuild project, which has raised $23.5 million in phase one funding. Other topics included the continuation of a spay and neuter program for cats, concerns about e-bike safety, and a request to develop a comprehensive community forestation plan. Several motions related to budget allocations, contract approvals, and policy adoptions were passed unanimously or with noted abstentions due to conflicts of interest.