MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2025, 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 Pastor Leonard Tan, First Evangelical Community Church.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Troop 693 and 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
Mayor/Chair Naresh Solanki
5. Presentations/Appointments
5A. Presentations
A proclamation was made by the City Council honoring:
Rao and Krishnaveni Kasarabada (70th Wedding Anniversary).
Sonu and Sohum Bhargava (National Kidney Month).
Julietta Williams (90th Birthday).
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, City Clerk. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
There was no further action on this item.
The Mayor 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.
Sam Desai spoke regarding the Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Cerritos General Municipal Election and expressed concern regarding public speaker time allotment.
City of Cerritos Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 2 of 10
6. Public Comments and Suggestions (continued)
Celia Spitzer requested Agenda Item 7D be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration and suggested modifications to the proposed Advisory Board, Commission, and Committee term ordinance.
Udit Dave thanked the City Council for promptly responding to community public safety concerns.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
7. Consent Calendar
7A. Approval of Minutes
7A.1. Thursday, February 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Yokoyama, to approve the Thursday, February 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B. Approval of Financial Reports
7B.1. Register of Demands for the City of Cerritos dated February 27, 2025 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Yokoyama, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos February 27, 2025 $4,880,462.50 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7C. An informational budget and audit compliance report and ratification of budget amendments from the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2024-25 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Yokoyama, to:
1. Receive and file this report; and
2. Ratify the executed Budget Amendments from the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2024- 25 as detailed in the Budget Adjustment Log listed in Exhibit 1 of the agenda report associated with this item (COUNCIL).
City of Cerritos Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 3 of 10
7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7C. (continued)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7D. Adoption of Ordinance:
Ordinance introduced at the Thursday, February 13, 2025, City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting:
Waive full reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 1048, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AMENDING CHAPTER 2.15 OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE TO EXTEND
THE TERMS OF OFFICE FOR ADVISORY BOARD, COMMISSION, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ORIGINALLY APPOINTED TO A TWO-YEAR 2022-24 TERM, AND GENERALLY AMEND THE DATES OF SUCH TERMS (COUNCIL).
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration, by the City Council.
The Mayor opened the public comments period. Seeing none, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Vo, to:
1. Waive full reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 1048, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AMENDING CHAPTER 2.15 OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL
CODE TO EXTEND THE TERMS OF OFFICE FOR ADVISORY BOARD,
COMMISSION, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ORIGINALLY APPOINTED TO A TWO-YEAR 2022-24 TERM, AND GENERALLY AMEND THE DATES OF SUCH TERMS (COUNCIL), inclusive of the following modifications (noted in bold and strikethrough text):
Chapter 2.15 – Advisory Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Section 2.15.010 Terms of Office
(a) All City Council appointments to City of Cerritos Advisory Boards, Commissions, and Committees shall be for a term of two years commencing on July 1 of odd-numbered years the 1st day of the month after the Annual Mayoral Transition conducted in odd- numbered years to coincide with the City’s General Municipal Election cycle, or within ninety days thereof, whichever is earlier; or shall expire earlier if the Councilmember making the appointment ceases to hold office as a member of the Cerritos City Council.
Persons appointed may be removed by action of the Councilmember making the appointment, subject to approval by the City Council, or by a majority vote of the City Council. Appointments may be extended pursuant to subsection (b) of this section;
(b) The term of any regular member of any City of Cerritos Advisory Board, Commission, or Committee is automatically extended until their respective successors are appointed and qualified, for not more than ninety days, pending the qualification of his or her their successor, whichever is earlier;
City of Cerritos Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 4 of 10
7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7D. (continued)
(c) If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. Such appointment shall be made by the Councilmember making the original appointment, with the approval of the City Council; and
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, for members serving the 2022-2024 term only, the term of any regular member of any City of Cerritos Advisory Board, Commission, or Committee is automatically extended through and including the last day of the month in which the Mayor is selected pursuant to Section 404 of the Cerritos City Charter as part of the 2025 annual Mayoral Transition, pending the qualification of his or her their successor, or within ninety days thereof, whichever is earlier.
; and
2. Direct the City Clerk to publish a notice of adopted ordinance within 15 days after adoption of Ordinance No. 1048, as required by California Government Code 36933 (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 2 – 0 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Vo, Solanki
NOES: Johnson, Yokoyama
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7E. Award of contract for Arterial Street Rehabilitation, Project No. 23303, Bid No. 1558-24* (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 Barrows, and seconded by Yokoyama, to:
1. Adopt findings in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, P ublic 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 agenda report associated with this item;
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve and execute the associated project funding agreement with the City of Artesia;
3. Authorize a fund transfer in the amount of $1,448,012 from the Citywide Fiber Optic Network Improvements, Capital Project No. 24701, to the Arterial Street Rehabilitation, Capital Project No. 23303;
4. Authorize a fund transfer in the amount of $318,303 from the Citywide Fiber Optic Network Improvements, Capital Project No. 24701 to the Citywide Facility Network Infrastructure, Capital Project No. 23701;
5. Award a contract to R.J. Noble Company in the amount of $5,365,194.40 for Arterial Street Rehabilitation (total bid), Bid No. 1558-24, and reject the other bids; and
City of Cerritos Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 5 of 10
7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7E. (continued)
6. 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: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7F. Approval of a transfer agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District to provide the City of Cerritos with an estimated $940,000 in annual local return of Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W) funds (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Yokoyama, to:
1. Authorize the Mayor to execute the Transfer Agreement between the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and the City of Cerritos (Agreement No. 2024MP15) to obtain an estimated $1,881,000 in annual local return of Measure W funds; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the required Annual Plans and Annual Progress/Expenditure Reports consistent with the City’s adopted financial programs (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7G. Award of contract for annual financial audit and related services (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Yokoyama, to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for annual financial audit and related services for the City of Cerritos and the Successor Agency to the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency for the three (3) fiscal years ending June 30, 2027; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any project-related change orders (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. Public Hearings
None.
City of Cerritos Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 6 of 10
9. New and Old Business
9A. Review and consideration by the City Council of the potential closure of one (1) entrance into the neighborhood accessed by Bigelow Street and Bos Street and one (1) entrance into the Morning Sun neighborhood accessed by Spinnaker Street, Islandia Avenue, and Park Street for public safety purposes (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Daryl Evans, Public Safety Manager. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Alex Estella expressed concern regarding public safety and requested the City Council consider taking further crime deterring measures.
Mel Cortez expressed concern regarding public safety and spoke in support of a neighborhood survey and the closure of one (1) point of access into the subject neighborhoods. He also expressed concern regarding dispatcher responses.
Susy Vigil expressed concern regarding public safety and spoke in support of the closure of one (1) point of access into the subject neighborhoods. She also spoke regarding a petition circulated among the neighborhood supporting this action and requested the City explore alternate measures to increase safety.
Rocky Pavone expressed concern regarding public safety and suggested the City install more surveillance cameras around the City.
Adriana Timoney expressed concern regarding public safety and spoke in support of a crime analysis and traffic study.
Elizabeth Boudreaux thanked the City Council for the City’s response to requests for public safety enhancements and requested the City continue to prioritize public safety matters.
Vipul Vineet expressed concern regarding public safety and spoke in support of the closure of one (1) point of access into the subject neighborhoods.
Adrian Ayub expressed concern regarding public safety.
Yasmin Cortez expressed concern regarding public safety and commented in support of further enhancements to increase safety in the City.
Sophia Tse expressed concern regarding public safety and commented in support of the closure of one (1) point of access into the subject neighborhoods.
Cynthia Nava, 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 comment(s) submitted for this meeting can be made during regular business hours to the Office of the City Clerk.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
(minutes continue on the next page)
City of Cerritos Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 7 of 10
9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
ORIGINAL MOTION (DID NOT CARRY): It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson, to direct staff to:
1. Conduct a survey of the impacted residents of the subject neighborhoods, in order to gauge resident interest in the closure of access of one (1) entry point of the neighborhoods;
2. Consult with the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority to assess the risk factors of the potential closure of access of one (1) entry point of the neighborhoods; and
3. Schedule an agenda report for City Council consideration at a future meeting, presenting the findings of the survey and risk assessment (COUNCIL).
SUBSTITUTE MOTION (ADOPTED): It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Yokoyama, to direct staff to:
1. As soon as feasible, temporarily close access of one (1) neighborhood entry point at Spinnaker Street and one (1) neighborhood entry point at Bigelow Street, for a period of four (4) months;
2. Consult with the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority to assess the risk factors of the potential closure of access of one (1) entry point of the neighborhoods;
3. Obtain for consideration, surveys conducted by the affected community members; and
4. Send an informational letter to residents of the subject neighborhoods regarding the upcoming street closures (COUNCIL).
Mayor Solanki recused himself from the vote on this item due to the proximity of his residence to one (1) of the subject streets pending temporary closure.
The motion carried (3 – 1 – 0 - 1) as follows:
AYES: Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo
NOES: Barrows
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Solanki
9B. Review and consideration by the Cerritos City Council of recommendations by the City Council Protocol Manual Ad Hoc Working Group for amendments to the City Council Protocol Manual (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Ryan Carey, Deputy City Manager.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Celia Spitzer suggested various edits be made to the proposed amendments to the City Council Protocol Manual.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
City of Cerritos Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 8 of 10
9. New and Old Business (continued)
9B. (continued)
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Vo, to approve the amended City Council Protocol Manual (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 2 – 0 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Vo, Solanki
NOES: Johnson, Yokoyama
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9C. Review and consideration of an informational report to the Cerritos City Council providing an overview of the City of Cerritos 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report for submittal to the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Sabrina Chan, Advance Planning Manager.
The Mayor opened the public comments period. Seeing none, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Yokoyama, and seconded by Vo, to receive and file the agenda report associated with this item (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9D. Review and consideration of Amendment Two to the integrated solid waste management services agreement with Athens Services pertaining to additional Senate Bill 1383 programs and services and associated costs adjustments (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Alvin Papa, Director of Public Works/City Engineer. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Norma Williamson expressed pleasure with services provided by Athens Services and support for City Council approval of Amendment Two to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Services Agreement with Athens Services.
Manjula Ramanathan expressed pleasure with services provided by Athens Services and support for City Council approval of Amendment Two to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Services Agreement with Athens Services.
Richard Kolostian expressed pleasure with services provided by Athens Services and support for City Council approval of Amendment Two to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Services Agreement with Athens Services 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).
City of Cerritos Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 9 of 10
9. New and Old Business (continued)
9D. (continued)
Randon Lane, Vice President of Government Affairs, Athens Services, expressed support for Athens Services’ partnership with the City, and for City Council approval of Amendment Two to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Services Agreement with Athens Services.
Mel Cortez expressed concern regarding services provided by Athens Services and regarding City Council approval of Amendment Two to the integrated Solid Waste Management Services Agreement with Athens Services.
Cynthia Nava, City Clerk, announced that prior to the meeting the Council/Agency members received full-text, unredacted copies of the one (1) written comment submitted for Item 9D, by the deadline listed on the agenda and for inclusion in the official record.
Requests for copies of the written comment submitted for this meeting can be made during regular business hours to the Office of the City Clerk.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Yokoyama, and seconded by Johnson, to authorize the Mayor to execute Amendment Two to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Services Agreement with Athens Services, for an amended term ending June 30, 2042, before which, from January 1, 2035, to December 31, 2035 (“Deliberation Period”) upon request by Athens Services (Contractor), the City Council shall convene and hold a vote to determine whether to grant Contractor a new Franchise for a term of ten (10) years commencing July 1, 2042 and to extend the term of the Agreement for a commensurate period, inclusive of the following amendments:
1. Acquisition of new vehicles;
2. Senate Bill 1383 compliance enhancements;
3. Increased servicing of bust stop containers;
4. One (1) additional paper shredding event per year;
5. Annual bin and cart cleaning (all cart types, e.g. trash, recycle, organics), at no charge;
6. Modification of annual rate adjustment formula: Rate freeze for one (1) year until July 2026, followed by a phased-in extraordinary monthly rate adjustment of $1.00 per year, for the first three (3) years; together with an annual adjustment formula of “Trash CPI + 1%;” and
7. Changes to the diversion tonnage requirements to meet Assembly Bill 939 standards (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10. Legislative Items
10A. Report on pending legislation.
None.
City of Cerritos Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Page 10 of 10
10. Legislative Items (continued)
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 Yokoyama and Mayor Pro Tem Vo.
12. Closed Session
Pam Lee, City Attorney, announced the City Council would recess to Closed Session to discuss Item 12A as listed on the Closed Session agenda.
12A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Manager
The City Council recessed into Closed Session.
The City Council reconvened into Open Session.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Pam Lee, City Attorney, provided the following Closed Session report:
The City Council convened into Closed Session to discuss Item 12A. There was no reportable action taken and there was nothing further to report.
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m.
/s/Cynthia Nava____________________
Cynthia Nava
City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
_/s/Naresh Solanki______________________
Naresh Solanki
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: March 13, 2025