MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 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 Rick Westra, Trinty Christian Reformed Church.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Michelle Lovell, Soroptimist International of Artesia-Cerritos.
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:
Bermingham Controls, Inc. (Business Spotlight).
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.
Teddy Lloyd thanked the City Council for a successful Veterans Day Ceremony and spoke regarding revenue generation through expansion of the City’s pickleball court usage and a potential for reservation fee collection.
Tobi Balma expressed concern regarding cellular service and Wi-Fi outages throughout the City and specifically in the neighborhood adjacent to Heritage Park.
Kirit Chauhan congratulated the City on a successful Veterans Day Ceremony and expressed concern regarding the Cerritos Library one (1) day per week closure and suggested consideration of alternative cost-saving measures.
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6. Public Comments and Suggestions (continued)
The Mayor announced that prior to the meeting, the Council/Agency members received full-text, unredacted copies of the one (1) written comment submitted for Item 6 (inclusive of one comment for Item 7C), 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.
7. Consent Calendar
7A. Approval of Minutes
Monday, October 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the Thursday, October 27, 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 November 13, 2025 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Johnson, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos November 13, 2025 $14,453,680.45 (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)
7C. Adoption of Ordinance:
Ordinance introduced at the Monday, October 13, 2025, City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting:
Waive full reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 1052, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 2025-3, A REQUEST TO AMEND SECTION 22.40.730 OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE, REMOVING
THE QUANTITY LIMITATION ON SELF-STORAGE FACILITIES PERMITTED IN THE CITY OF CERRITOS (COUNCIL).
*Pursuant to Sections 15378(b)(5) and 15061(b)(3) 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 Johnson, to:
1. Waive full reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 1052, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 2025- 3, A REQUEST TO AMEND SECTION 22.40.730 OF THE CERRITOS
MUNICIPAL CODE, REMOVING THE QUANTITY LIMITATION ON SELF- STORAGE FACILITIES PERMITTED IN THE CITY OF CERRITOS (COUNCIL); and
2. Direct the City Clerk to publish a notice of adopted ordinance within fifteen (15) days after adoption of Ordinance No. 1052, as required by California Government Code Section 36933 (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7D. Award of a professional services contract for water quality analyses and laboratory services (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Johnson, to:
1. Authorize a professional services contract with Enthalpy Analytical, LLC for water quality analyses and laboratory services for $59,488 annually; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the contract and any contract modifications, in accordance with the City's adopted Purchasing and Contracting Policy (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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8. Public Hearings
None.
9. New and Old Business
9A. Review and consideration to waive full reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS ADOPTING A GUIDEBOOK FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Cynthia Nava, City Clerk. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Tobi Balma expressed concern regarding amendments to public speaker time provisions stated on public meeting agendas, referenced in the “Order of Business” and “Public Comments and Suggestions” sections of the proposed City of Cerritos Guidebook for Elected and Appointed Officials. She also requested a definitive maximum public comment time provision on Cerritos public meeting agendas.
Kirit Chauhan expressed opposition to a potential one (1) minute maximum public comment time provision and inquired regarding public meeting parliamentary procedures.
Cynthia Nava, City Clerk, announced that prior to the meeting, the Council/Agency members received full-text, unredacted copies of the two (2) written comments 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.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Pulido, with acceptance of a friendly amendment by Yokoyama, to:
1. Waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2025-33, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS ADOPTING A GUIDEBOOK FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS, inclusive of the following amendments to the proposed Guidebook for Elected and Appointed Officials (Guidebook) (deletions noted in strikethrough and additions noted in bold text) (COUNCIL):
a. Chapter 1 – Introduction, Section E. Guidebook Administration – Biennial Review
• Upon receipt of City Council consensus direction, given at a public meeting, an Internal Ad Hoc or Administratively Appointed Working Group will review the Guidebook and provide recommendations to the City Council at a subsequent public meeting.
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
b. Chapter 3 – Meetings, Section A. Placing an Item on the Public Meeting Agenda
City Council
• At a public meeting (preferred): Request consensus concurrence from at least one (1) other Councilmember; or
• Via email Written request: Consult with only one (1) other Councilmember and submit request via email in writing to the City Manager…
Advisory Boards
• At a public meeting: Request consensus concurrence from at least one (1) other Advisory Board member…
c. Chapter 3 – Meetings, Section C. Order of Business (City Council)
• Public Comments and Suggestions…Verbal comments may be limited to one three minutes per speaker, subject to the Mayor/Chair extending to a maximum of five minutes per speaker, with a total time allotted not to exceed 45 minutes unless the Mayor/Chair extends.
• City Council Communications/Committee Reports/Meeting Reports…Subject to City Council consensus, Requests may also be made of staff reports…
d. Chapter 3 – Meetings, Section D. Order of Business (Advisory Boards)
• Public Comments and Suggestions…Verbal comments may be limited to one three minutes per speaker, subject to the Chair extending to a maximum of five minutes per speaker, with a total time allotted not to exceed 45 minutes unless the Chair extends.
e. Chapter 3 – Meetings, Section E. Voting on Agenda Items
• In the event electronic voting cannot be used, the Mayor/Chair may call for a roll call vote requesting for “ayes” first, then “nays,” then abstentions.
f. Chapter 6 – City Council Use of Facilities
• Each Councilmember is limited to a maximum of six (6) community center meetings per year, with a maximum of 90 minutes per meeting.
• Requests shall be submitted in writing to the City Manager for review and processing at least three (3) one (1) weeks prior to the proposed meeting date.
; and
2. Direct the Office of the City Clerk to post the City of Cerritos Guidebook for Elected and Appointed Officials to the City's website and disseminate the document to all City Elected and Appointed Officials after City Council consideration and potential approval of new Advisory Boards, at a future public meeting (COUNCIL).
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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
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Pulido, to direct staff to prepare an agenda report, resolution, and ordinance for City Council consideration at a future publicly noticed meeting, to:
1. Dissolve the Let Freedom Committee; and
2. Establish the City Celebrations Committee (with consideration of current Let Freedom Ring Committee member appointment to this Committee), to assist in the planning of Citywide special events, including the Festival of Friendship, Halloween Festival, Let Freedom Ring (Independence Day) Celebration, Santa’s Sleigh Day, Spring Fling and Fireworks Spectacular, UbeFest, and Water Lantern Festival (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Pulido, to direct staff to prepare an agenda report, resolution, and ordinance for City Council consideration at a future publicly noticed meeting, to establish a Senior Services Commission that will serve as an advisory body to the Council researching and recommending policies, programs, and services related to senior, accessibility, and disability needs (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.
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11. Reports
11A. Report from City Manager/Executive Director
None.
11B. City Council Communications/Committee Reports/Meeting Reports
Reports were given by Councilmembers Hong, Tse, and Pulido, Mayor Pro Tem Johnson, and Mayor Yokoyama.
12. Closed Session
Pam Lee, City Attorney, announced the City Council would recess to Closed Session to discuss Item 12A, 12B, and 12C, as listed on the Closed Session agenda. Item 12D would not be discussed.
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
12C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) (COUNCIL) Name of Case: Castro v. City of Cerritos
(U.S. Dist. Ct., Central Dist. Cal., Case No. 2:24-cv-09625-CBM-Ex)
12D. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – POTENTIAL LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 of the California Government Code (COUNCIL) Number of potential cases: One (1)
The City Council recessed into Closed Session.
The City Council reconvened into Open Sesson.
Pam Lee, City Attorney, announced the City Council would convened into Closed Session to discuss Item 12A, 12B, and 12C, as listed on the Closed Session agenda.
Item 12D was not discussed. There was no reportable action taken and there was nothing further to report.
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13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:29 p.m.
/s/Cynthia Nava_____________________
Cynthia Nava
City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/Frank Aurelio Yokoyama______________
Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: December 11, 2025