MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2024, 7:00 PM , IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT CERRITOS CITY HALL, 18125 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Invocation
The invocation was given by Cynthia Nava, Acting City Clerk.
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 was noted absent for the record.
Council/Agency Member Lynda P. Johnson
Council/Agency Member Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Chuong Vo
Mayor/Chair Naresh Solanki
MOTION: It was moved by Solanki, and seconded by Vo, excuse Council/Agency Member Bruce W. Barrows from the Monday, November 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 1 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barrows
ABSTAIN: None
5. Presentations/Appointments
5A. Presentations
None.
5B. Informational update on the Tuesday, March 4, 2024 General Municipal Election.
An informational update on the Tuesday, March 4, 2024 General Municipal Election was given by Cynthia Nava, Acting City Clerk. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
There was no further action on this item.
5C. Review and consideration of selection of a voting delegate and alternate to represent the City of Cerritos at the National League of Cities 2024 Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, November 16, 2024 (COUNCIL).
A report was given by Cynthia Nava, Acting City Clerk.
The Mayor opened the public comments period. Seeing none, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
City of Cerritos Monday, November 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Page 2 of 8
5. Presentations/Appointments (continued)
5C. (continued)
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to:
1. Confirm Councilmember Yokoyama as the City’s final designated voting delegate to attend and cast the City’s vote at the National League of Cities 2024 Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, November 16, 2024; and
2. Direct the Office of the City Clerk to complete the official 2024 National League of Cities Summit voting delegate registration no later than the Friday, November 15, 2024 deadline (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 1 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barrows
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Solanki announced the meeting rules of decorum.
6. Public Comments and Suggestions
The Mayor opened the public comments period for items not listed on the meeting agenda but that were within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, the Consent Calendar, and Closed Session.
Cynthia Nava, Acting City Clerk, announced that prior to the meeting the Council/Agency members received full-text, unredacted copies of the two (2) written comment(s) submitted for Item 6 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.
Jignesh Mehta expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Amit Desai expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Payal Sawhney expressed concern regarding safety in her neighborhood.
Sam Desai expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Jincai Chang expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Ernie Nishii invited the community to upcoming ABC Unified School District events.
Bani Mukherjee expressed concern regarding safety in her neighborhood.
Mel Cortez expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood and submitted a document for the official 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).
Arti Adhvaryu expressed concern regarding safety in her neighborhood.
City of Cerritos Monday, November 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Page 3 of 8
6. Public Comments and Suggestions (continued)
Angie Coleman expressed concern regarding safety in her neighborhood.
Sunil Goyal expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Lee Kull expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Sonia Chopra expressed concern regarding safety in her neighborhood.
Vijayaraghavan Ramaswamy expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Bin Tang expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Parimal Shah expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Raj Sah expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Deepak Jhaveri expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Sophia Tse expressed concern regarding safety in her neighborhood.
Case van Der Linden requested the City Council declare Cerritos a non-sanctuary City.
Sanjeev Jain expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Unidentified Speaker expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Anil Ramineni expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Unidentified Speaker expressed concern regarding safety in her neighborhood.
Unidentified Speaker expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Unidentified Speaker expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
Jay Gray expressed concern regarding safety in his neighborhood.
CONSENSUS (Johnson): Directed the City Manager to prepare a report to the City Council on service call response times and reasons why fingerprints were not collected and/or reports were not completed for reported burglaries that recently took place at specified Cerritos locations.
CONSENSUS (Vo): Directed the City Manager to proceed with Automated License Plate Recognition camera and drone procurement and installation in-house, if necessary for advancement; and to prepare a report to the Community Safety Committee on November 20, 2024, providing an update on the City’s progress with Automated License Plate Recognition camera and drone procurement and installation, and including information related to service call response times.
CONSENSUS (Johnson): Directed the City Manager to assess the feasibility of 1.
Contracting with a private security company to supplement the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; and 2. Initiating a standalone City police department.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
City of Cerritos Monday, November 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Page 4 of 8
7. Consent Calendar
7A. Approval of Minutes
Thursday, October 24, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to approve the Thursday, October 24, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 1 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barrows
ABSTAIN: None
7B. Approval of Financial Reports
7B.1. Register of Demands for the City of Cerritos dated November 4, 2024 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos November 4, 2024 $3,548,052.51 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 1 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barrows
ABSTAIN: None
7B.2. Register of Demands for the Successor Agency to the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency dated November 4, 2024 (SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
Successor Agency November 4, 2024 $2,818,955.07 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 1 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barrows
ABSTAIN: None
7B.3. City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer’s report for the period ending September 30, 2024 (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to approve the City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer’s Report for the period ending September 30, 2024 (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
City of Cerritos Monday, November 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Page 5 of 8
7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7B. Approval of Financial Reports (continued)
7B.3. (continued)
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 1 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barrows
ABSTAIN: None
7C. Award of Contract for Gridley Park East Playground Refurbishment, Project No. 24105, Bid No. 1554-24* (COUNCIL).
*Pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this project is categorically exempt from CEQA review.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to:
1. Adopt findings in accordance 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 findings as set forth in the subject report;
2. Award a contract to R.E. Schultz Construction, Inc. in the amount of $254,850.00 for Gridley Park East Playground Refurbishment project, Capital Project 24105, Bid No. 1554-24, 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 (4 – 0 – 1 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barrows
ABSTAIN: None
8. Public Hearings
None.
9. New and Old Business
9A. Review and consideration for the Cerritos City Council to identify the priority goals to guide the preparation of the City’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and Strategic Financial Plan in accordance with the Strategic Financial Plan and Budget Preparation Policy (Policy 2.04) (COUNCIL).
Staff reports were given by Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services, and Mike Egan, Christine Martin, and Kylie Sun, representatives from the City’s Strategic Plan consulting firm, Tripepi Smith. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
City of Cerritos Monday, November 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Page 6 of 8
9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Cynthia Nava, Acting City Clerk, announced that prior to the meeting the Council/Agency members received full-text, unredacted copies of the three (3) written comment(s) submitted for Item 9A 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.
Sam Desai provided suggestions for City strategic planning goal priorities.
Bin Tang spoke regarding low resident engagement in the City strategic plan community survey and inquired as to how the City may attain higher levels of community engagement.
Mel Cortez spoke regarding low resident engagement in the City strategic plan community survey and inquired as to how the City may attain higher levels of community engagement.
Adriana T. spoke regarding low resident engagement in the City strategic plan community survey and inquired as to how the City may attain higher levels of community engagement. She also expressed gratitude for the City’s response to her suggestions she provided in response at the City Strategic Planning Community Workshop.
Patricia Bautista expressed gratitude for the City’s response to her suggestions she provided in response at the City Strategic Planning Community Workshop.
Adrian Ayub provided suggestions for City strategic planning goal priorities.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to:
1. Approve the eight (8) strategic planning goals presented for discussion, as follows:
a. Enhance Public Safety;
b. Assess and Maintain Infrastructure;
c. Strengthen Economic Development;
d. Improve Technology Resources;
e. Attract and Retain a Highly-Skilled Workforce;
f. Focus on Fiscal Transparency and Sustainability;
g. Improve Community Communications; and
h. Ensure Continued Excellence in Community Recreation and Cultural Programming; and
2. Direct the City Manager or designee to work in collaboration with Tripepi Smith and the Budget and Finance Ad Hoc Working Group to develop measureable objectives and tasks for achieving the City Council’s priority goals, and identify to which departments the goals apply, for presentation to the City Council for review and final consideration at a future date and time (COUNCIL).
City of Cerritos Monday, November 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Page 7 of 8
9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 1 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: Barrows
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.
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 Vo, and Mayor Solanki.
12. Closed Session
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney announced the City Council would recess to Closed Session to discuss Item 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E as listed on the Closed Session agenda.
12A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957(b) (COUNCIL) Title: Position of City Clerk
12B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 (COUNCIL) Agency Negotiators: Robert A. Lopez, City Manager; Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services; Amy Thomas, Enterprise Services 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; Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services; Amy Thomas, Enterprise Services Manager; Joseph Larsen, City Attorney’s Office
Unrepresented Employees: Full-Time Exempt
12D. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Manager
City of Cerritos Monday, November 4, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Page 8 of 8
12. Closed Session (continued)
12E. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Attorney
The City Council recessed into Closed Session.
The City Council reconvened into Open Session.
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, 12C, 12D, and 12E.
Items 12A, 12B, and 12C:
The City Council received a briefing on Items 12A, 12B, and 12C, and no reportable action was taken. There was nothing further to report.
Item 12D:
Item 12D was not considered.
Item 12E:
The City Council completed its performance evaluation for the City Attorney and reported that the City Council has chosen to transition the appointment of the City Attorney to the City’s prior Acting City Attorney, Pam Lee, and transition the City Attorney’s Office to the law firm of Aleshire and Wynder, LLP. The City Council reported that they will honor the minimum thirty (30)-day notice provisions for terminating the current Agreement for Contract Legal Services and directed the current City Attorney and City Manager to coordinate and take appropriate actions to transition the City Attorney’s contract for services to Pam Lee and Aleshire and Wynder, LLP, and to retain Bill Ihrke and Rutan and Tucker, LLP as Special Counsel to complete specific tasks and projects. There was nothing further to report.
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:36 p.m.
/s/Cynthia Nava_ __
Cynthia Nava
Acting City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/Naresh Solanki____ __
Naresh Solanki
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: December 2, 2024