MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023, 7:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT CERRITOS CITY HALL, 18125 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA. MAYOR PRO TEM SOLANKI PARTICIPATE D VIA TELECONFERENCE FROM THE SOFITEL PARIS LE FAUBOURG HOTEL, 15 RUE BOISSY D’ANGLAS, PARIS, FRANCE, ROOM #642, AND THE MEETING AGENDA WAS BE POSTED AT THAT LOCATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE .
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Invocation
The invocation was given by Pastor Juno Smalley, New Life Community Church.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Troop 394.
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 Aurelio Yokoyama
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Naresh Solanki (via teleconference) Mayor/Chair Bruce W. Barrows
5. Presentations/Appointments
5A. Presentations
A proclamation was made by the City Council honoring:
Friends of the Cerritos Library (National Friends of Libraries Week).
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 provide public comment, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Barrows, to approve Councilmember Vo’s nomination, as listed below, to fill an unscheduled vacancy of an unexpired two-year term of service expiring April 30, 2024 (COUNCIL):
Nominee Name Advisory Board
Habib Ali Community Safety Committee
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City of Cerritos Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 2 of 8
5. Presentations/Appointments (continued)
5B. (continued)
Vida Barone, City Clerk/Treasurer, administered the oath of office to newly appointed Community Safety Committee member Habib Ali.
6. Public Comments and Suggestions
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Amir Green idge inquired regarding the status of the Los Angeles Cou nty Sheriff’s Department ride-along program at the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station.
Chris Kim, Commanding Officer , 1
st Combat Engineer’s Battalion, United States Marine
Corps, thanked the City and Friends of the 1st CEB Adoption Committee for their years of support.
Marshall Cleveland, Battalion Sergeant Major, 1
st Combat Engineer’s Battalion, United
States Marine Corps, thanked the City and Friends of the 1st CEB Adoption Committee for their years of support.
Charles Sooter, resident and member of the Friends of the 1 st CEB Adoption Committee,
provided a historical summary of the Committee’s activities and encouraged members of the community to consider joining the organization.
Daisy Lagasca, member of the Friends of the 1
st CEB Adoption Committee, encouraged
members of the community to consider joining the organization and participate in their upcoming Golf Tournament fundraiser . She invited community members to attend the upcoming “Taste of the Region” Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce event.
Alfred Reyes expressed his personal faith beliefs and noted his enthusiastic support of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, citing the strong community participation at recent performances. He also referenced the support the modernized performances provide to local businesses.
Sam D esai, representing CerritosNewsPaper.com, requested news articles from the community and City for publication through his media outlet. He referred to the need for increased community particip ation and for t he City to be aware of resident s’ needs, especially during the holiday season. He submitted his business card as a document for the record. (Documents submitted to the City Council at a public meeting are considered public record. Public requests for copies of the full-text redacted written correspondence and/or photographs can be made during regular business hours to the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer).
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
Thursday, September 28, 2023, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
City of Cerritos Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 3 of 8
7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7A. (continued)
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the Thurs day, September 28, 2023, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B. Approval of Register of Demands
7B.1. Register of Demands for the City of Cerritos dated October 12, 2023 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos October 12, 2023 $2, 498,852.49 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7C. Approval of the Treasurer’s Reports
City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer's Reports for the period ending August 31, 2023 (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer’ s Reports for the period ending August 31, 2023 (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (5 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. Public Hearings
None.
9. New and Old Business
9A. Review and consideration of a proposed amendment to the 2023 Cerritos public meeting schedule and related actions (COUNCIL).
Staff reports were given by Vida Barone , City Clerk/Treasurer and Peter Kemp, Budget Manager.
City of Cerritos Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 4 of 8
9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
The Mayor opened the public comments period. Noting there were no individuals who elected to provide public comment, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION (HELD PENDING): It was moved by Solanki, and seconded by Vo, to approve the addition of the Strategic Planning Session on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the Cerritos Senior Center to the 2023 Cerritos public meeting schedule, pending modificati on of Cerritos Policy No. 2.04 (COUNCIL).
The motion was held pending due to the following substitute motion:
SUBSTITUTE MOTION (PASSED): It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Barrows, to approve the addition of the Strategic Planning Session on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at a City facility to be determined pending confirmation of availability, to the 2023 Cerritos public meeting schedule, pending modification of Cerritos Policy No. 2.04 (COUNCIL).
The substitute motion carried (3 - 2) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Barrows
NOES: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
(The original motion died due to the vote taken on the substitute motion).
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Johnson, to d irect staff to draft minor modifications to Policy No. 2.04 to allow for more flexibility in scheduling the Strategic Planning Session and present the revisions to the City Council for final review and consideration at a subsequent meeting (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 0 – 1) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Yokoyama
9B. Review and consideration of award of contract for the printing of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 2023-2024 Calendar of Events, Bid No. 1522-23 (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Annie Hylton, City Librarian and Marketing Manager.
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 Yokoyama, and seconded by Vo, to award a contract to Southwest Offset Printing in the amount of $82,106.85 for printing of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 2023-2024 Calendar of Events, Bid No. 1522-23. In the event issues of non- performance arise, the project would be removed from Southwest Offset Printing and taken to the next lowest bidder to ensure the City’s printing deadline, quality standards, and specifications are met (COUNCIL).
City of Cerritos Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 5 of 8
9. New and Old Business (continued)
9B. (continued)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Vo, Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9C. Review and consideration of award of contract for Sports Complex fencing refurbishment, Project No. 20106, Bid No. 1521-23* (COUNCIL).
*Pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this project is categorically exempt from CEQA Review.
A staff report was given by Amandeep Mann , Associate Civil Engineer . A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened 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 Johnson, to:
1. Adopt findings in accordanc e with the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq. (CEQA) that the improvements planned under the proposed contract award are categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, based on the find ings as set forth in the agenda report associated with this item;
2. Award a contract to Everfence Corporation in the amount of $34,000 for Sports Complex fencing refurbishment (total bid), Bid No. 1521-23, and reject the other bids; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any project-related change orders, in accordance with the City’s adopted Purchasing and Contracting Policy (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.
None.
City of Cerritos Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 6 of 8
11. Reports
11A. Report from City Manager/Executive Director
None.
11B. City Council Communications/Committee Reports/Meeting Reports
Reports were given by Councilmembers Yokoyama, Johnson, and Vo, Mayor Pro Tem Solanki, and Mayor Barrows.
CONSENSUS (Yokoyama): Directed the City Manager to schedule a City Council proclamation at the next regular meeting honoring Filipino American History Month and to develop an annual calendar for the purpose of scheduling proclamations recognizing Cerritos’ community diversity.
CONSENSUS (Johnson): Directed the City Manager to schedule a City Council agenda report at a subsequent meeting to consider City membership in the Independent Cities Association.
12. Closed Session
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney, announced the City Council would recess to Closed Session to discuss Items 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E, as listed on the Closed Session agenda.
12A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Consider initiation of litigation
Pursuant to California Government Code 54956.9(d)(4) (COUNCIL) Number of cases: One (1)
12B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8 (COUNCIL) Property: 19700 Bloomfield Avenue (APN 7044 -015-906) & 19900 Bloomfield Avenue (APN 7044-015-902), Cerritos, CA
Agency Negotiators: Art Gallucci, City Manager & Robert A. Lopez, Appointed City Manager
Negotiating Parties: County of Los Angeles & ABC Unified School District Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
12C. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Manager
12D. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Attorney
12E. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Clerk/Treasurer
The City Council recessed into Closed Session.
The City Council reconvened into Open Session.
City of Cerritos Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 7 of 8
12. Closed Session (continued)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney, provided the following Closed Session report:
ITEM 12A:
Councilmembers Johnson and Vo were absent during this item and did not participate in the discussion or vote on this item.
MOTION: It was moved by Solanki, and seconded by Yokoyama, to:
1. Authorize the City to join as a co-plaintiff/co-petitioner in the case entitled City of Whittier et al. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court case no. 23 STCP 03579, transferred to Orange County Superior Court with the same case number. The complaint was filed by the City of Whittier and other cities in Los Angeles County challenging the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s recently adopted Misdemeanor and Felony Bail Schedules, with the case seeking declaratory and injunctive relief and/or writ of mandate to enjoin the implementation of the Bail Schedules. The substance of the case may be summarized as challenging what is commonly referred to a “zero-bail” or “no bail” system, and more specifically summarized as alleged in Paragraph 29 of the Complaint: “Defendants failed to satisfy their mandatory duties as to setting of bail” because the recently adopted Bail Schedules “impose a blanket lifting of whole swaths of categories from being bailable offenses, and requires only citation and release, or booking and release, as to blanket categories of offenses – with no detention or individualized evaluations or assessments of particular crimes or individuals”; and
2. Authorize the law firm representing the City of Whittier and multiple city plaintiffs, Jones & Mayer, to serve as special counsel to the City of Cerritos as a co-plaintiff/co-petitioner in the litigation (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Yokoyama, Solanki, Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: Johnson, Vo
ABSTAIN: None
ITEM 12B:
The City Council discussed the matter and no reportable action was taken. There was nothing further to report.
ITEMS 12C, 12D, and 12E:
The City Council did not discuss Items 12C, 12D, and 12E, as listed on the Closed Session agenda. There was no action taken on these items and nothing further to report.
(minutes continue on the next page)
City of Cerritos Thursday, October 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 8 of 8
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:43 p.m. in memory of former Cerritos Commissioner and resident Mr. Chan Yong Kim.
/s/Vida Barone
Vida Barone
City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/Bruce W. Barrows
Bruce W. Barrows
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: October 26, 2023