MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 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 Bishop David Montgomery, Church of Jesus Christ Latter- Day Saints.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Girl Scout Troop 313.
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
ADDITION OF URGENCY ITEM TO AGENDA:
Pam Lee, City Attorney, stated that due to a matter of urgency that came before the City of Cerritos (City) after the posting of the agenda for the Thursday, August 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting, the City Council should take action to amend the agenda to add Item 12C to consider a matter of potential litigation. This item requires consideration by the City Council prior to the next scheduled meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025, 7:00 p.m. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54954.2(b)(2), to add this item to tonight’s agenda, the City Council must move and approve to find (i) that an urgency item came to the attention of the City of Cerritos after the posting of the agenda for tonight’s meeting; and (ii) there is a need to take immediate action before the next City Council meeting.
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ADDITION OF URGENCY ITEM TO AGENDA (continued)
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Hong, to:
1. Make the findings that:
a. An urgency item came to the attention of the City of Cerritos after the posting of the agenda for the Thursday, August 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting; and
b. The matter requires prompt action by the City Council, prior to the next scheduled City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025; and
2. The agenda for the Thursday, August 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting should be amended to add the item listed below as an urgency item, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54954.2(b)(2):
12C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - POTENTIAL LITIGATION Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) and 54956.9(e)(1) (COUNCIL)
Number of Potential Cases: One (1)
; (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
5. Presentations/Appointments
5A. Presentations
Mayor Yokoyama requested a moment of silence in remembrance of the Cerritos Air Disaster as August 31, 2025, marks the 39th anniversary of the event.
A proclamation was made by the City Council honoring:
Trader Joe’s (Business Spotlight).
5B. 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 Pulido, and seconded by Yokoyama, to approve Councilmember Pulido’s nomination listed below for a two-year term of service, through April 30, 2027 (COUNCIL):
Name Advisory Board
Aris Tagle Economic Development Commission
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5. Presentations/Appointments (continued)
5B. (continued)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Cynthia Nava, City Clerk, administered the oath of office to appointee Aris Tagle.
5C. Review and consideration of the Mayor’s nominations for appointments to internal ad hoc working groups and external boards, commissions, and committees (COUNCIL).
Pursuant to City Council consensus, consideration of this item was deferred to the next City Council/Successor Agency meeting agenda (scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2025).
There were no public comments received on this item and no action was taken.
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.
Linda Troxell expressed concern regarding the current state of her home and requested assistance in securing toxic substance remediation services.
Case Van der Linden spoke in opposition of a water rate increase and of the extending of the terminus of the Southeast Gateway Line light rail transit stop to the Orange County line. He also spoke in opposition of rezoning at Del Amo Boulevard and Pioneer Boulevard, to accommodate more housing.
David Pylman expressed support for the creation of a Senior Services Commission and/or a Disability Advisory Committee.
The Mayor announced that prior to the meeting, the Council/Agency members received full-text, unredacted copies of the four (4) written comments 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.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
7. Consent Calendar
7A. Approval of Minutes
Thursday, August 14, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
City of Cerritos Thursday, August 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7A. (continued)
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve the Thursday, August 14, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular 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 August 28, 2025 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos August 28, 2025 $12,489,705.61 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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 Pulido, and seconded by Tse, 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
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 (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7D. Waive full reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CERRITOS APPOINTING AN ADDITIONAL ALTERNATE TO THE GOVERNING BOARD OF
THE LOS ANGELES GATEWAY REGION INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2025-25, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CERRITOS APPOINTING AN ADDITIONAL ALTERNATE TO THE GOVERNING
BOARD OF THE LOS ANGELES GATEWAY REGION INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7E. Approval of amendments to agreements with the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority for administration and cost sharing for the Lower San Gabriel River and Los Cerritos Channel Watershed Management Groups’ Watershed Management Programs and Coordinated Monitoring Programs required for compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Third Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority and the member cities of the Los Cerritos Channel Watershed Management Group on behalf of the City of Cerritos; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Third Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority and the member cities of the Lower San Gabriel River Watershed Management Group on behalf of the City of Cerritos (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
REORDERING OF THE AGENDA
At this juncture, the City Council, by consensus, reordered the agenda to consider New and Old Business Item 9B prior to consideration of Item 9A.
9A. Review and consideration of proposed sewer rate adjustment options to support long- term fiscal sustainability (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Chris Kuebert, Assistant Director of Public Works. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
David Pylman expressed concern regarding the total number of attendees permitted to attend the upcoming Community Open House events scheduled at the City’s Corporate Yard, and stated he hoped additional attendees would be permitted to attend the event scheduled at the Cerritos Senior Center. He also requested the City include the City of La Palma when surveying surrounding cities’ sewer rates, as a number of Cerritos residents are billed by the City of La Palma for sewer use.
Kirit Chauhan expressed appreciation for the clear and concise manner by which the agenda report for this item was presented. He also inquired regarding aspects of water and sewer billing and expressed support for a gradual rate increase over time.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Tse, to:
1. Approve progression of the sewer rate adjustment process in accordance with Scenario 1, as presented in the agenda report associated with this item, with General Fund support, phased out over five (5) fiscal years, and fixed residential and commercial sewer rate unit charges (customers are charged per one hundred cubic feet (CCF) of water usage for sewer collection services), as follows:
General Fund Support to Sewer Fund
Commercial and Residential Sewer Rates
and;
2. Direct staff to finalize the sewer rate study report accordingly and present the final report for City Council review and consideration at a future meeting (COUNCIL).
Fiscal Year
2026
Fiscal Year
2027
Fiscal Year
2028
Fiscal Year
2029
Fiscal Year
2030
Scenario 1 $1,332,680 $1,000,000 $750,000 $500,000 $0
Unit per 100
cubic feet
(CCF)
Current February
2026
January
2027
January
2028
January
2029
January
2030
Scenario 1 $0.0322 $0.4911 $0.6139 $0.7674 $0.9593 $1.1992 City of Cerritos Thursday, August 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Prior to consideration of agenda Item 9B, Councilmember Hong recused herself from the discussion and consideration of this item, due to her residence within 500 feet of Friendship Park.
9B. Review and consideration of a request for the installation and naming of a park bench located within Friendship Park in memory of a Cerritos resident (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Ryan Carey, Deputy City Manager.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
The following individuals spoke in support of City Council approval of the request submitted, to install and name a park bench within Friendship Park in memory of Chelsea Bankhead:
Courtney Bankhead
Aaron Bankhead
Allison Sutherlin
Stephanie Iwan
Danielle Vela
Jan White
Cynthia Nava, City Clerk, announced that prior to the meeting, the City Council received full-text, unredacted copies of the three (3) written comments submitted for Item 9B, 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.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION (DOES NOT CARRY): It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Yokoyama, to approve the submitted request to name a park bench located within Friendship Park in memory of Chelsea Bankhead, with associated costs to be covered by the City (COUNCIL).
The motion does not carry (2 – 2 – 1 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Pulido, Yokoyama
NOES: Tse, Johnson
ABSENT: Hong (recused)
ABSTAIN: None
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9B. (continued)
MOTION (ADOPTED): It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve the submitted request to name a park bench located within Friendship Park in memory of Chelsea Bankhead, with associated costs to be covered by the applicant (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 1 – 1 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Pulido, Tse, Yokoyama
NOES: Johnson
ABSENT: Hong (recused)
ABSTAIN: None
9C. Review and consideration of the 2026 City Council meeting schedule and potential modifications to the City Council Regular Meeting schedule (COUNCIL).
Review and consideration to waive full reading of and introduce AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AMENDING CHAPTER 2.04.010 OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODIFY THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Cynthia Nava, City Clerk. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Adrian Ayub spoke regarding capitalism within the City and utility rates.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Tse, to:
1. Direct staff to amend Policy No. 9.03 – Agenda Publication/Posting/Delivery Policy, and present a resolution for City Council adoption at a future meeting;
2. Waive full reading of and introduce Ordinance No. 1051, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AMENDING CHAPTER 2.04.010 OF THE CERRITOS
MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODIFY THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE (COUNCIL); and
3. Adopt the 2026 City Council Regular Meeting schedule (second and fourth Mondays, monthly, effective January 1, 2026), inclusive of the proposed amendments, as noted on the following page:
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9C. (continued)
2026 City Council/Successor Agency Meeting Schedule
**Scheduled City Council/Successor Agency meeting s are listed in bold**
Date Day Meeting Time
JAN 1/1 Thu Observed Holiday – New Year’s Day All Day
1/12 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
1/19 Mon Observed Holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day All Day 1/26 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
FEB
2/9 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
2/16 Mon Observed Holiday – Presidents’ Day All Day
2/23 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
MAR 3/9 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm 3/23 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
APR 4/8 Wed City Council/Successor Agency ( Special)
Mayoral Transition
7pm
4/13 Mon City Council/Successor Agency ( Regular) 7pm
4/27 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
MAY 5/11 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm 5/25 Mon Observed Holiday – Memorial Day All Day
5/25 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Canceled) 7pm
5/28 Thu City Council/Successor Agency (Special in lieu of 5/25) 7pm JUN 6/8 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm 6/22 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
JULY 7/3 Fri Observed Holiday – Independence Day All Day 7/13 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
7/27 Mon City Council/Successor Agency ( Regular) 7pm
AUG 8/10 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm 8/24 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
SEP 9/7 Mon Observed Holiday – Labor Day All Day
9/14 Mon City Council/Successor Agency ( Regular) 7pm
9/28 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
OCT 10/12 Mon City Council/Successor Agency ( Regular) 7pm 10/26 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm
NOV 11/9 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm 11/11 Wed Observed Holiday – Veterans Day All Day
11/26 Thu Observed Holiday - Thanksgiving All Day
11/27 Fri Observed Holiday – Thanksgiving All Day
DEC 12/14 Mon City Council/Successor Agency (Regular) 7pm 12/24 Thu Observed Holiday – Christmas Eve All Day
12/25 Fri Observed Holiday – Christmas Day All Day
; (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 2) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Tse, Johnson
NOES: Pulido, Yokoyama
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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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
None.
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 to: 1. Initiate a communications campaign using various City communication platforms to solicit bona fide nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations interested in establishing a Sister City program to submit a request to the City Manager’s Office, in accordance with City Policy No. 7.07; and 2.
Schedule a report for City Council consideration of approval of the request(s) submitted, with subsequent review by the Economic Development Commission, as directed by the City Council.
CONSENSUS (Yokoyama): Directed the City Manager to examine and investigate establishing a partnership with the City of Artesia to utilize a combined network of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras within both agencies, for improved safety services.
12. Closed Session
Pam Lee, City Attorney, announced the City Council would recess to Closed Session to discuss Items 12A, 12B, and 12C.
Item 12C was added to the agenda as an urgency item pursuant to earlier City Council action. The specific motion and vote is detailed on page 2 of this document.
12A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 (COUNCIL) Agency Negotiators: Robert A. Lopez, City Manager; Pam Lee, City Attorney; Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services; Amy Thomas, Human Resources Manager
Employee Organization: AFSCME Local 619
12B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 (COUNCIL) Agency Negotiators: Robert A. Lopez, City Manager; Pam Lee, City Attorney; Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services; Amy Thomas, Human Resources Manager
Unrepresented Employees: Full-Time Exempt
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12. Closed Session (continued)
12C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - POTENTIAL LITIGATION Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) and 54956.9(e)(1) (COUNCIL)
Number of Potential Cases: One (1)
The City Council recessed into Closed Session.
The City Council reconvened into Open Session.
Pam Lee, 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 11:14 p.m. in memory of Frank “Chris” Tierheimer.
/s/Cynthia Nava____________________
Cynthia Nava
City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/Frank Aurelio Yokoyama__________________
Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: September 8, 2025