MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023, 7:00 P.M., IN THE SIERRA ROOM AT CERRITOS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 18000 PARK PLAZA DRIVE, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Invocation
The invocation was given by Vida Barone, City Clerk/Treasurer.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the 2023 BASES program – Leal Elementary School.
4. Roll Call
The following members of the City Council/Successor Agency were in attendance:
Council/Agency Member Lynda P. Johnson
Council/Agency Member Chuong Vo
Council/Agency Member Frank A. Yokoyama
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Naresh Solanki
Mayor/Chair Bruce W. Barrows
5. Presentations/Appointments
5A. Presentations
A proclamation was made by the City Council as follows:
Cerritos High School Model United Nations Team (Award of Distinction – Debate; Award of Distinction – Research and Preparation).
REQUEST FOR REORDERING OF THE AGENDA
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney, requested City Council consensus, pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.09 of the City Council Protocol Manual, to reorder the agenda in order to consider Closed Session Items 12B, 12C, and 12D (described below) at this juncture of the meeting.
He noted the City Attorney’s Office received information concerning material all Councilmembers recently received related to public employee evaluations. He affirmed the City Council should review the relevant information in Closed Session prior to consideration of Open Session agenda items.
Pursuant to City Council consensus, the agenda was reordered to consider Closed Session Items 12B, 12C, and 12D at this juncture of the meeting.
The Mayor opened the public comments period for Items 12B, 12C, and 12D. Noting there were no individuals who elected to provide public comment, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
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CLOSED SESSION (ITEMS 12B, 12C, and 12D)
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney, announced the City Council would recess to Closed Session to discuss Items 12B, 12C, and 12D, as listed on the Closed Session agenda:
12B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Manager
12C. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Attorney
12D. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Clerk/Treasurer
The City Council reconvened into Open Session.
Closed Session Report:
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney, reported the City Council convened into Closed Session to discuss Items 12B, 12C, and 12D , as listed on the Closed Session agenda. The City Council received briefings on Items 12B, 12C, and 12D, and no reportable action was taken. There was nothing further to report.
(Information related to the reordering of the agenda and consideration of Closed Session Items 12B, 12C, and 12D is also crossed referenced in Section 12 of these minutes).
5B. Review and consideration of appointments, removals, and filling of scheduled or unscheduled vacancies on the Cerritos Advisory Boards (2022-24 term) (COUNCIL).
The Mayor opened the public comments period. Noting there were no individuals who elected to pr ovide public comment, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
There was no action taken on this item.
5C. Review and consideration of the 2023 -2024 Mayor’s annual appointment recommendations for City Councilmember service on internal and external committees (COUNCIL).
The Mayor opened the public comments period. Noting there were no individuals who elected to pr ovide p ublic comment, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Solanki, to approve Mayor Barrows’ nominations of City Councilmembers and community members to serve on various internal and external assignments during his 2023-24 Mayoral term as follows:
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5. Presentations/Appointments (continued)
5C. (continued)
Internal Ad Hoc Advisory Liaisons Liaison(s)
ABC Unified School District Vo Johnson
Auto Mall Solanki
Budget/Finance (Mayor serves as primary liaison) Barrows (Mayor)
Solanki
Business/Industry Solanki
Cerritos Community College District Vo
Chamber of Commerce Vo
City Charter Review Barrows
Community Garden Vo Barrows
Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Management Vo Barrows
Legislative Barrows
Library Barrows
Los Angeles County Public Health Department Johnson
MIS/Technology Vo Barrows
Parks and Recreation Vo
Personnel Barrows Vo
Policies and Procedures Barrows Vo
Protocol Manual Barrows Vo
Public Safety Vo Solanki
Senior Services/Senior Center Johnson
West Santa Ana Branch Transit Project Barrows Solanki
External Committees Delegate Alternate
California Contract Cities Association Board of Directors Johnson Vo California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Board of Directors Vo Johnson ECO-Rapid Transit Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors Barrows Solanki Gateway Cities Council of Governments Board of Directors Solanki Barrows Gateway Cities Council of Governments
91/605/405 Corridor Cities Committee
Barrows Solanki
League of California Cities (Cal Cities) and Los Angeles Regional Division Representatives
Vo Solanki
League of California Cities (Cal Cities) 2023 Annual General Assembly Voting Delegate and Alternate
Vo Solanki
Los Angeles County City Selection Committee
(Cal. Gov. Code Section 50270 designates Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem as delegate/alternate)
Barrows
(Mayor)
Solanki
(Mayor Pro
Tem)
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts Board of Directors (Districts 2, 3, 18 & 19)
(Cal. Health and Safety Code Section 4730 designates Mayor as delegate)
Barrows
(Mayor)
1: Solanki
2: Vo
3: Johnson
4: Yokoyama
Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board Policy Board of Directors
Solanki Johnson
Southeast Water Coalition Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors
Vo Solanki
Southern California Association of Governments
General Assembly Member – Cerritos Official Representative Johnson Yokoyama
External Committees (Community Members) Member
Bellflower Unified School District Citizens’ Task Force 2023-2024 Academic Year
Alan Snyder
(COUNCIL).
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5. Presentations/Appointments (continued)
5C. (continued)
The motion carried (4 – 1) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: Yokoyama
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
6. Public Comments and Suggestions
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Bob Quinlan spoke regarding the Neighborhood Watch Program, corruption in local governments, City Council meeting videos on the City’s webs ite, and the “If you see something, say something” campaign.
Al Barlevy expressed concern regarding conduct and decorum at the previous City Council meeting and expressed opposition to the previous adoption of an ordinance changing the date of the Cerritos General Municipal Election.
Jay Gray spoke expressed concern regarding City Council stipends, term limits, and the City Treasurer appointment.
Noting there were no other individuals who elected to provide public comment, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
7. Consent Calendar
7A. Approval of Minutes
Monday, April 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Solanki, and seconded by Vo, to approve the Monday, April 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Thursday, April 27 , 202 3, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Solanki, and seconded by Vo, to approve the Thursday, April 27, 2023, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7A. (continued)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B. Approval of the Register of Demands
7B.1. Register of Demands for the City of Cerritos dated May 11, 2023 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Solanki, and seconded by Vo, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos May 11, 2023 $ 2,935,443.60 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B.2. Register of Demands for the Successor Agency to the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency dated May 11, 2023 (SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Solanki, and seconded by Vo, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
Successor Agency May 11, 2023 $ 611,336.25 (SUCCESSOR AGENCY)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7C. Approval of the quarterly informational budget and audit compliance report for Fiscal Year 2022-23 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Solanki, and seconded by Vo, to ratify the executed Budget Amendments from the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2022-2023 as summarized in the Budget Adjustment Log, Exhibit 1 of the agenda report associated with this item (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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8. Public Hearings
None.
9. New and Old Business
9A. Review and consideration of an informational update on the 2023 Let Freedom Ring Celebration – 50th anniversary event (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Sherré Titus, Recreation Services Superintendent.
The Mayor ope ned the public comments period. Noting there were no individuals who elected to provide public comment, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Solanki, to receive and file this report (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9B. Review and consideration by the City Council of the City of Cerritos of the financial status of the water and sewer utility enterprise funds, and discussion of options, including possible future rate adjustments, to address ongoing operational and maintenance costs of the referenced utilities (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Ryan Carey, Finance Manager. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
In-Person Public Comments:
Jay Gray inquired of water and sewer enterprise loans and spoke in opposition to water and sewer utility rate increases.
Written Correspondence:
(Written correspondence is considered public record. Full-text copies of submitted written correspondence can be obtained in the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer)
The following individuals submitted comments in opposition to water and sewer utility rate increases:
Marty and Gail Grossman
Bev Brown
Ruth and Ron Leopold
Maria and Amos Garcia
Murali Vasudevan
Charles Murphy
Adriana Timoney
Kanchan Premjani
Rostam Namiranian
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9B. (continued)
Noting there were no other individuals who elected to provide public comment, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Solanki, to direct staff to provide a report to the City Council on 1. The feasibility of negotiating a transfer of Cerritos sewer utility infrastructure maintenance and billing liability to the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts 2, 3, 18, and 19; and 2. The feasibility of creating a similar sewer infrastructure maintenance and billing system as the City of Lakewood and other surrounding cities whose systems are operated by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 1) as follows:
AYES: Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: Johnson
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Solanki, to direct staff to write off the outstanding loan balances of the water and sewer fund in a lump sum (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10. Legislative Items
10A. Report on pending legislation.
None.
10B. Review and consideration to support or oppose specific legislation in the State or Federal legislature or in the State or Federal Executive Office for signature.
A staff report was given by Kathy Matsumoto, Assistant City Manager, on a request by the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) for support for action needed to address Fentanyl and other substance use-related legislation.
The Mayor ope ned the public comments period. Noting there were no individuals who elected to provide public comment, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Solanki, to direct staff to prepare a letter endorsed by the City Council in support of Assembly Bill (AB) 474 (Rodriguez), AB 33 (Bains), and AB 701 (Villapudua) and send the letter on Friday, May 12, 2023 (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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11. Reports
11A. Report from City Manager/Executive Director
None.
11B. City Council Communications/Committee Reports/Meeting Reports
Reports were given by Councilmember Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Solanki, Councilmember Vo, and Mayor Barrows.
CONSENSUS (Barrows): Directed the City Manager to provide a report to the City Council related to renaming options (female names) for three (3) Cerritos Library study rooms.
12. Closed Session
The City Council did not recess to Closed Session to discuss Item 12A listed on the Closed Session agenda. There was no action taken on this item.
12A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 (COUNCIL)
Number of potential cases: One (1)
ITEMS 12B, 12C, AND 12 D
The City Council provided consensus direction earlier in the meeting to reorder the agenda for the purpose of considering Closed Session Items 12B, 12C, and 12D immediately after Item 5A. The City Council recessed to Closed Session at that juncture. After consideration of Item 12 B, 12C, and 12D the City Council reconvened to O pen Session and the City Attorney provided the required Closed Session report. The verbal Closed Session report for Items 12B, 12C, and 12D although provided earlier in the meeting and memorialized in these minutes after Item 5A, is repeated below for cross-referencing purposes.
12B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Manager
12C. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Attorney
12D. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Clerk/Treasurer
ITEMS 12B, 12C, AND 12D CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney, announced the City Council convened into Closed Session to discuss Items 12B, 12C, and 12D, as listed on the Closed Session agenda. The City Council received briefings on Items 12B, 12C, and 12D, and no reportable action was taken. There was nothing further to report.
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13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
/s/ Vida Barone ______
Vida Barone
City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/ Bruce W. Barrows
Bruce W. Barrows
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: June 12, 2023