MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 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 Cynthia Nava, City Clerk.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Mark E. Pulido.
4. Roll Call
The following members of the City Council/Successor Agency were in attendance:
Council/Agency Member Jennifer Hong
Council/Agency Member Mark E. Pulido
Council/Agency Member Sophia M. Tse
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Lynda P. Johnson
Mayor/Chair Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
5. Presentations/Appointments
5A. Presentations
A proclamation was made by the City Council honoring:
Hong Lee (Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month).
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.
Eugene Japor expressed support for enhancements to the City’s Let Freedom Ring Celebration on July 4, 2026 to highlight the United States 250 th Anniversary and for the City’s participation in upcoming Los Angeles events, such as the Star Wars 50 th Anniversary Celebration in 2027 and the 2028 Olympics.
Greta Manila expressed concern regarding parking enforcement in her neighborhood and requested enforcement be reinstated.
Elmer Manila expressed concern and requested information regarding drone usage in his neighborhood.
Mel Cortez spoke regarding decreasing crime rates in the City and urged residents to remain vigilant. He also inquired regarding public art pieces and submitted 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 can be made during regular business hours to the Office of the City Clerk.)
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6. Public Comments and Suggestions (continued)
Joan Pylman expressed concern and requested information regarding the Del Amo Bridge replacement and traffic signal synchronization project.
CONSENSUS (Yokoyama): Directed the City Manager to schedule an agenda report for City Council review and consideration of the Del Amo Bridge replacement and traffic signal synchronization project, inclusive of an updated project timeline.
Randon Lane, Athens Services representative, provided an update regarding waste hauling services, billing, and communication with the City.
Eugene Japor spoke in support of Athens Services customer service.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
7. Consent Calendar
7A. Approval of Minutes
Monday, April 21, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve the Monday, April 21, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B. Approval of Financial Reports
7B.1. Register of Demands for the City of Cerritos dated May 7, 2025 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos May 7, 2025 $4,272,484.87 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7B.2. Register of Demands for the Successor Agency to the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency dated May 7, 2025 (SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos May 7, 2025 $300.00 (SUCCESSOR AGENCY)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7C. Award of contract for resealing windows at the Cerritos Library, Capital Project No. 24209* (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 Pulido, and seconded by Tse, 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 agenda report associated with this item;
2. Award a contract in the amount of $59,325.43 to Horizons Construction Company International, Inc. for Library Windows and Roof Repair, Project No. 24209, as permitted by the Cerritos Municipal Code and the City’s adopted Purchasing and Contracting Policy; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any necessary contracts, agreements, change orders, or amendments to complete the specified scope of work, consistent with the City’s Purchasing and Contracting Policy (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. Public Hearings
None.
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9. New and Old Business
9A. Review and consideration of City Council appointments to the Cerritos Advisory Boards (Boards, Commissions and Committees) (2025-2027 term) (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Cynthia Nava, City Clerk.
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 Tse, to approve Mayor Pro Tem Johnson’s nomination listed below for a two-year term of service, through April 30, 2027 (COUNCIL):
Name Advisory Board
Deepak “DJ” Jhaveri Planning Commission
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION: It was moved by Yokoyama, and seconded by Johnson, to approve Mayor Yokoyama’s updated nominations for service appointments for his 2025-26 Mayoral term, as listed below (COUNCIL).
City Council Internal Ad Hoc Working Groups
Name Liaisons
Personnel 1. Johnson 2. Pulido
Public Safety 1. Hong 2. Tse
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9B. Review and consideration of an informational hiring data report prepared pursuant to requirements established under Assembly Bill 2561 (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
Rogan Girard, President, AFSCME Local 619 (Union), spoke regarding improved communication between the Union and the City and expressed support for recently improved City employee recruitment efforts. He also stated the City should transfer the responsibility of payroll processing back to the City’s Finance Division and requested improvements to succession planning and training. Additionally, he expressed concern regarding the impacts of having a large number of part-time staff, who are limited to working 960 hours each fiscal year and provided suggested improvements.
Alma Griffin, Chief Steward, AFSCME Local 619 (Union), expressed concern regarding the impacts of having a large number of part-time staff, who are limited to working 960 hours each fiscal year.
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9B. (continued)
CONSENSUS (Pulido): Directed the City Manager to: 1. Schedule a closed session item, prior to the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Combined Financial Program (City Budget), to discuss an overview of the City’s contract with the AFSCME Local 619 employee bargaining unit; and 2. Provide a copy of the subject contract to the City Council prior to agendizing this item.
Boards, Commissions, and Committee service appoi
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 Pulido, to refer this matter to the Personnel Ad Hoc Working Group (Johnson and Pulido) to review the new Alternate Work Schedule Program (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
At this juncture, Robert A. Lopez, City Manager, announced the recent hiring of Eric Cardoso, Library Services Manager, Lauren Vargas, Enterprise Services Manager, and Glenn Arnade, Marketing Administrator; and the recent promotion of Amy Thomas, Human Resources Manager, Jorge Martinez, Parks and Trees Superintendent, Jenny Mireles, Theater Patron Services Manager, and Steven Hart, Technical Administrator.
REORDERING OF THE AGENDA
At this juncture, the City Council, by consensus, reordered the agenda to consider New and Old Business Item 9D prior to consideration of Item 9C.
9C. Review and consideration of an informational report on Cerritos Library card fees (COUNCIL).
Pursuant to City Council consensus, consideration of this item was deferred to the next City Council/Successor meeting agenda (scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 22, 2025).
There were no members of the public who elected to speak on this item. There was no action taken on this item.
9D. Review and consideration of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Preliminary Combined Financial Program for the City of Cerritos and the Successor Agency to the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
A staff report was given by Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services, and Peter Kemp, Finance and Budget Manager/City Treasurer. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9D. (continued)
Cynthia Nava, City Clerk, announced that prior to the meeting the Council/Agency members received full-text, unredacted copies of the three (3) written comments 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 direct the City Manager to include, with the consideration of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Financial Program (City Budget), an allocation to fund the City’s acquisition and use of a federal lobbyist (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 0 – 1) as follows:
AYES: Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Hong
CONSENSUS (Yokoyama): Directed the City Manager to include, with the consideration of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Financial Program (City Budget), information related to the fiscal impact of closing facilities in the Civic Center, including City Hall and Library, one day every other week, and/or one day every week.
CONSENSUS (Yokoyama): Directed the City Manager to provide the City Council with a memorandum detailing funding requests the City has received from community organizations, for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Hong, to direct the City Manager to include, with the consideration of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Financial Program (City Budget), information related to cancellation of the annual Autumn Moon Festival and options to reimagine the event as a lantern festival in celebration of the Lunar New Year, to be held in February or March (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 1) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: Tse
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Pulido, to direct the City Manager to include, with the consideration of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Financial Program (City Budget), information related to cancellation of the Santa’s Holiday Float program and the scheduling of a one (1) day Santa’s Sleigh Day event (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9D. (continued)
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Pulido, to direct the City Manager to include, with the consideration of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Financial Program (City Budget), information related to partnering with the County of Los Angeles, and the UbeFest organization, to plan and conduct an UbeFest event in the City (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
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.
11. Reports
11A. Report from City Manager/Executive Director
Robert A. Lopez, City Manager, thanked City staff for their attendance at this meeting.
11B. City Council Communications/Committee Reports/Meeting Reports
Reports were given by Councilmembers Tse, Hong, and Pulido, Mayor Pro Tem Johnson, and Mayor Yokoyama.
CONSENSUS (Johnson): Directed the City Manager and City Clerk to schedule an agenda report at a future meeting, for City Council review and consideration of canceling the Thursday, October 23, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular meeting and scheduling a special meeting to be held in lieu of this meeting.
12. Closed Session
Shukan Patel, Assistant 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.
12A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Manager
12B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Attorney
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12. Closed Session (continued)
12C. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957 (COUNCIL) Title: City Clerk
The City Council recessed into Closed Session.
The City Council reconvened into Open Session.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Shukan Patel, Assistant 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 2:15 a.m. in memory of Rick Needham on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
/s/Cynthia Nava____________________
Cynthia Nava
City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/Frank Aurelio Yokoyama_______________
Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: May 22, 2025