MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2024, 7:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT CERRITOS CITY HALL, 18125 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA. COUNCILMEMBER YOKOYAMA PARTICIPATED VIA TELECONFERENCE FROM HYATT HOUSE CHICAGO, 2ND FLOOR BREAKFAST AREA, 1835 W. HARRISON STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60612, AND THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING
WAS 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 Rory Corrigan, Church in Cerritos.
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 Bruce W. Barrows
Council/Agency Member Lynda P. Johnson
Council/Agency Member Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Chuong Vo
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Barrows, to excuse Mayor/Chair Naresh Solanki from the Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 1 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
5. Presentations/Appointments
5A. Presentations
Proclamations were made by the City Council honoring:
Sapphire Technologies, Inc. (Business Spotlight).
Tim Tislow (Purple Heart Month).
6. Public Comments and Suggestions
Vida Barone, City Clerk/Treasurer, announced that prior to the meeting the Council/Agency members received full-text, unredacted copies of the three (3) written comments submitted for meeting items by the deadline listed on the agenda and for inclusion in the official record. Requests for copies of the written comments submitted for this meeting can be made during regular business hours to the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer.
City of Cerritos Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 2 of 9
6. Public Comments and Suggestions (continued)
David Pylman stated the jurisdiction of the legislative body should be considered as part of the City’s public comments protocols. He expressed concerns regarding the budget amendment items listed on the Consent Calendar.
Susanne Fermin, Public Relations Manager, World Mission Society Church of God, announced their services and programs, requesting the City’s endorsement of their work. The speaker submitted a document for the record entitled, “Young Adults Open the Way of Hope, Asez Wao, World Mission Society Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group.” (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 can be made during regular business hours to the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer).
Peter Park expressed concern regarding trash dumping at an ABC Unified School District lot, near the Cerritos Villas, by one (1) or more entities that have contracted work with the City.
CONSENSUS (Vo): Directed the City Manager to review the contract with Onyx Paving Company, Inc. for arterial street rehabilitation, for omissions and, if necessary, compose a boilerplate contract clause to mitigate future construction staging issues, provide updates to residents, and schedule an agenda report on a future meeting agenda concerning the issue and if needed, an acceptable clause to include on future, similar contracts.
Jason Chou expressed concern regarding trash dumping by regarding trash dumping at an ABC Unified School District lot, near the Cerritos Villas, by one (1) or more entities that have contracted work with the City.
Tony Park expressed concern regarding trash dumping at an ABC Unified School District lot, near the Cerritos Villas, by one (1) or more entities that have contracted work with the City.
Sam Desai expressed concern regarding contractors using loopholes for their own purposes. He also expressed concern with public meeting protocol and the ad hoc working group process.
Marin Bravu expressed concern regarding threats of bomb and gun violence at Whitney High School and other ABC Unified School District schools.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
Written comments, if submitted by the deadline listed on the agenda, are considered part of the meeting record and are available upon request in the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer during regular business hours.
7. Consent Calendar
7A. Approval of Minutes
Thursday, July 25, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the Thursday, July 25, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
City of Cerritos Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 3 of 9
7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7A. (continued)
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
7B. Approval of Financial Reports
7B.1. Register of Demands for the City of Cerritos dated August 22, 2024 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos August 22, 2024 $19,940,041.23 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
7B.2. Register of Demands for the Successor Agency to the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency dated August 22, 2024 (SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
Successor Agency August 22, 2024 $5,835,231.00 (SUCCESSOR AGENCY)
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
7B.3. City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer’s reports for the period ending June 30, 2024 (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer’s Reports for the period ending June 30, 2024 (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
City of Cerritos Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7B. (continued)
7B.4. Approval of Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget amendments (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson, to authorize administrative-initiated Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 budget amendments in accordance with Joint Budget Resolution No. 2024-12/CSA No. 2024-01 and the Strategic Financial Plan and Budget Preparation Policy (Policy 2.04) as adopted by the City Council, as follows:
1. Account/Project: Multiple
Amount: $945,000 (transfer from FY 2023-24)
Justification: A carryover of unexpended funds from the prior fiscal year is requested for capital equipment that was ordered but not yet received at fiscal year-end. The delay in delivery has been caused by ongoing nationwide supply chain issues. This carryover will ensure that the necessary funds remain available to complete the purchases when the equipment arrives. Please refer to Exhibit 1 of the agenda report associated with this Agenda Item, for a detailed list of the equipment.
2. Account/Project: 110-211-51010 (Regular Earnings)
110-211-52400 (Employee Benefits)
Amount: $134,822 (Transfer)
$527 (New Allocation)
Justification: The Department of Community Development is requesting a budget amendment to reclassify the Division Secretary position (Grade 32) in the Current Planning Division to a Department Secretary position (Grade 35) in the Office of the Director. This reclassification is necessary due to existing administrative vacancies within the department and the ongoing need to support Planning Commission operations. The change will enhance administrative efficiencies, ensure continued support for the Planning Commission, and maintain the effective delivery of Community Development services to the public
;(COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
7C. Continuance of the existence of a local emergency concerning a gasoline leak from a privately owned existing pipeline on the Cerritos Iron-Wood Nine public golf course, and potential threat to the safety of persons and property requiring remediation, repair, and improvement of the public golf course and other City-owned public property, as specified (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson to:
1. Continue the local emergency as proclaimed in Resolution No. 2023-05, at the Cerritos Iron-Wood Nine Golf Course and the nearby City property containing the C- 4 well site;
2. Make the findings set forth in Sections one (1) through eight (8) of Resolution No. 2023-05, and incorporate by reference those findings, as they relate to the continued existence of a local emergency as specified; and City of Cerritos Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 5 of 9
7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7C. (continued)
3. Direct staff to provide a report to the City Council regarding the local emergency at least once every sixty (60) days, pursuant to Section 8630(c) of the California Government Code, until the City Council terminates the local emergency (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
7D. Approval of proposed amendments to the 2024 Cerritos public meeting schedule (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the proposed modifications to the 2024 City Council/Successor Agency Public Meeting Schedule, in order to:
1. Cancel the Thursday, October 10, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting and schedule a Monday, October 7, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting in its place; and
2. Return to the original Thursday, October 24, 2024, City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting date and cancel the Monday, October 21, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting, which was previously scheduled in its place (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Solanki, Yokoyama
ABSTAIN: None
7E. Award of contract to Tripepi Smith for the preparation of a Citywide Strategic Plan* (COUNCIL).
*Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this project is exempt from CEQA review.
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson, to:
1. Adopt findings in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq. (CEQA) that the proposed contract award is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, based on the findings set forth in this agenda report;
2. Award a professional services contract to Tripepi Smith, in the amount of $48,250, for the preparation of the City's Strategic Plan, and all associated actions required for such services;
City of Cerritos Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7E. (continued)
3. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute a Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget amendment increasing Account #110-511-61430 (Administrative Services - Office of the Director - Professional Services) by $48,250 to be allocated for professional services associated with the preparation of the City's Strategic Plan; and
4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any contracts, agreements, change orders, or amendments that may be necessary to complete the specified scope of work, in accordance with the City's adopted Purchasing and Contracting Policy (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
8. Public Hearings
None.
9. New and Old Business
9A. Review and consideration of the potential for the development of a memorial bench program and associated policy guidelines (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Ryan Carey, Assistant to the City Manager.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Emily Iverson spoke in support of the subject program, on behalf of proponent Courtney Bankhead, and submitted 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 can be made during regular business hours to the Office of the City Clerk/Treasurer).
David Pylman expressed support for a memorial bench program with concern regarding the development of an eligibility list.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Vo, to direct staff to conduct further research on the development of a memorial bench program, including a study of policies throughout the State and the nation, from the League of California Cities, and the National League of Cities; obtain input from the Policy and Procedure Ad Hoc Working Group (Mayor Pro Tem Vo and Councilmember Barrows); and present the proposed program and policy to the City Council at a future meeting (COUNCIL).
(minutes continue on the next page)
City of Cerritos Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
The motion carried (2 – 1 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Vo
NOES: Johnson
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
9B. Review and consideration of the 2025 City Council and Successor Agency public meeting schedule (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
A staff report was given by Vida Barone, City Clerk/Treasurer.
The Mayor opened the public comments period. Seeing none, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Barrows, to approve the 2025 City Council/Successor Agency Public Meeting Schedule, inclusive of the following modification:
1. Cancel the Thursday, April 24, 2025 City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting and reschedule to a Monday, April 21, 2025 City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
9C. Review and consideration of an informational report concerning the updated City of Cerritos website (COUNCIL).
Staff reports were given by Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services, and Andrew Baumgartner, Acting Public Information Manager. A PowerPoint presentation and video were displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Lance Woolley expressed support for the City website update and inquired as to how the website would be maintained in the future.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Barrows, to receive and file this report (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 0 – 2 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yokoyama, Solanki
ABSTAIN: None
City of Cerritos Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
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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.
11. Reports
11A. Report from City Manager/Executive Director
Robert A. Lopez, City Manager, announced the upcoming departure of Acting Director of Public Works/City Engineer Dario Simoes.
11B. City Council Communications/Committee Reports/Meeting Reports
Reports were given by Councilmembers Johnson and Barrows, and Mayor Pro Tem Vo.
CONSENSUS (Barrows): Directed the City Manager to conduct research and proceed to correct the City sales tax information that populates on the Internet upon conducting a “Google” search, to reflect the actual percentage of sales tax the City receives.
12. Closed Session
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney announced the City Council would recess to Closed Session to discuss Items 12A, 12B, and 12C as listed on the Closed Session agenda.
Councilmember Yokoyama and Mayor Solanki were noted as absent during these items.
12A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - THREAT OF LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 of the California Government Code (COUNCIL) Number of potential cases: One (1)
12B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 (COUNCIL) Agency Negotiators: Robert A. Lopez, City Manager; Patricia Leyva, Personnel/Risk Manager; Joseph Larsen, City Attorney’s Office Employee Organization: AFSCME Local 619
12C. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 (COUNCIL) Agency Negotiators: Robert A. Lopez, City Manager; Patricia Leyva, Personnel/Risk Manager; Joseph Larsen, City Attorney’s Office Unrepresented Employees: Full-Time Exempt
The City Council recessed into Closed Session.
The City Council reconvened into Open Session.
City of Cerritos Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
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12. Closed Session (continued)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney, provided the following Closed Session report:
The City Council convened into Closed Session to discuss Items 12A, 12B, and 12C. There was no reportable action taken and there was nothing further to report.
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
/s/ Vida Barone
Vida Barone
City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/ Chuong Vo
Chuong Vo
Mayor Pro Tem/Agency Vice Chair
APPROVED: September 12, 2024