MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD MONDAY, MARCH 9, 202 6, 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 Mike Balletine, Chaplain, Cerritos Sheriff’s Station.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cerritos Youth Basketball League, Girls Elementary/Intermediate Division Team – Storm; and Cerritos Youth Basketball League, Rookie III Division Team – Lakers.
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
Proclamations were made by the City Council honoring:
Islands Restaurant (Business Spotlight). A video presentation was displayed.
Dr. Olga Rios, Board Member, ABC Unified School District; and Renita Armstrong, Board Member, Bellflower Unified School District (Women’s History Month).
5B. Presentation of the City of Cerritos 70th Anniversary Logo.
Robert A. Lopez, City Manager, and Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services, introduced the presentation of the City of Cerritos 70th Anniversary logo. A video revealing the logo was displayed.
REORDERING OF THE AGENDA
At this juncture, the City Council, by consensus, reordered the agenda to consider New and Old Business Item 9A prior to consideration of Item 5C.
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5. Presentations/Appointments (continued)
5C. Review and consideration of City Council appointments to the Cerritos Advisory 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 appointee removal from the City Celebrations Committee and nomination listed below to serve the remainder of the 2025-2027 term, through April 30, 2027 (COUNCIL):
Name Advisory Board
Shiva Bhatt City Celebrations Committee (removal)
Shiva Bhatt Senior Services Commission
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, Shiva Bhatt.
MOTION: It was moved by Hong, and seconded by Yokoyama, to approve Councilmember Hong’s nomination listed below to serve the remainder of the 2025- 2027 term, through April 30, 2027 (COUNCIL):
Name Advisory Board
John Dawson Senior Services Commission
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, John Dawson.
MOTION: It was moved by Tse, and seconded by Pulido, to approve Councilmember Tse’s nomination listed below to serve the remainder of the 2025-2027 term, through April 30, 2027 (COUNCIL):
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5. Presentations/Appointments (continued)
5C. (continued)
Name Advisory Board
Cindy Yen Chen Senior Services 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 Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve Councilmember Pulido’s nomination listed below to serve the remainder of the 2025-2027 term, through April 30, 2027 (COUNCIL):
Name Advisory Board
Gurpal Singh Senior Services Commission
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, Gurpal Singh.
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Yokoyama, to approve Councilmember Pulido’s nomination listed below to serve the remainder of the 2025- 2027 term, through April 30, 2027 (COUNCIL):
Name Advisory Board
Matthew Scammahorn City Celebrations Committee
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, Matthew Scammahorn.
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.
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6. Public Comments and Suggestions (continued)
Kurtis Forsythe expressed concern regarding public health messaging related to COVID-19 vaccinations.
Sonu Bhargava spoke regarding raising awareness of kidney health and screening 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.)
David Montgomery and Roger Garrett spoke regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and invited the City Council to a regional temple opening event.
Mel Cortez expressed concern regarding public safety, and regulations related to and activity of door-to-door solicitors in the City. He also 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.)
Howard Sachs spoke regarding new management at the Ivy Park at Cerritos senior housing community and requested partnership development between the City and Ivy Park leadership.
Jay Gray requested clarification regarding the composition of the City’s Community Workforce Agreement internal ad hoc working group.
Ron Allice spoke regarding the potential removal of a tree located at Satellite Park, adjacent to his residential property.
The Mayor announced that prior to the meeting, six (6) written comments were submitted for Item 6, 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
Monday, February 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Tse, and seconded by Hong, to approve the Monday, February 23, 2026, 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
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7B. Approval of Financial Reports
7B.1. Register of Demands for the City of Cerritos dated March 9, 2026 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Tse, and seconded by Hong, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos March 9, 2026 $7,070,851.75 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B.2. Register of Demands for the Successor Agency to the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency dated March 9, 2026 (SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Tse, and seconded by Hong, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
Successor Agency March 9, 2026 $17,500.00 (SUCCESSOR AGENCY)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B.3. Approval of Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget amendments (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Tse, and seconded by Hong, to authorize an administrative- initiated Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 budget amendment in accordance with Joint Budget Resolution No. 2025-19/No. CSA 2025-02 and the Strategic Financial Plan and Budget Preparation Policy (Policy 2.04) as adopted by the City Council, as follows:
Account/Project: cp13715 Del Amo Boulevard Bridge Replacement Amount: $1,400,000
Justification: A budget amendment in the amount of $1,400,000 is requested for capital project number cp13715 - Del Amo Boulevard Bridge Replacement and Signal Enhancements Project. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has approved an increase of $1,400,000 in Measure M funding for the project's design phase, increasing the total allocation from $2,400,000 to $3,800,000. This amendment will be fully funded by the additional Measure M grant funds from Metro and will not impact the City’s General Fund (COUNCIL).
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7B. Approval of Financial Reports (continued)
7B.3. (continued)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7C. Adoption of Ordinance:
Ordinance introduced at the Monday, February 23, 2026, City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting:
Waive full reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 1061, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 2026-1, A REQUEST TO AMEND TITLE 22 OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO LOCATION AND PERMITTING CRITERIA FOR BODY ART BUSINESSES* (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 Tse, and seconded by Hong, to:
1. Waive full reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 1061, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 2026- 1, A REQUEST TO AMEND TITLE 22 OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATED TO LOCATION AND PERMITTING CRITERIA FOR BODY ART BUSINESSES (COUNCIL); and
2. Direct the City Clerk to publish a notice of adopted ordinance within fifteen (15) days after adoption of Ordinance No. 1061, 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
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7D. Approval of proposed amendments to the 2026 City Council/Successor Agency Meeting Schedule (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Tse, and seconded by Hong, to approve the proposed modifications to the 2026 City Council/Successor Agency Meeting Schedule, to:
1. Cancel the Monday, April 27, 2026, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting and, in its place, schedule a City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, 7:00 p.m.; and
2. Direct the City Manager and City Clerk to notify the Council/Agency members of the cancellation of the Monday, April 20, 2026, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Special Meeting, if cancellation is feasible, no later than at the Monday, April 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting, and thereafter take all necessary actions to provide legal notice of the cancellation (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7E. Standing Agenda Item: Potential consideration of the Swim and Fitness Center Rehabilitation Project, Project No. 20201 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Tse, and seconded by Hong, to take no action at this time and defer consideration of the Swim and Fitness Center boiler replacement until such time that the existing boiler system requires replacement (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. Public Hearings
None.
9. New and Old Business
Prior to consideration of Agenda Item 9A, Councilmember Pulido recused himself from any discussion, deliberation, or voting on this item due to qualifying City Council and/or California State Assembly campaign contributions over $500 received from affected parties within the preceding twelve (12) months, in accordance with Government Code Section 84308, et seq. (“Levine Act”/Senate Bill 1439). He listed the affected parties and qualifying amounts above $500, then left his seat at the dais and exited the City Council Chamber.
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. Review and consideration of a Community Workforce Agreement (CWA) by and between the City of Cerritos, the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building & Construction Trades Council, and the Signatory Craft Councils and Local Unions, including the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Alvin Papa, Director of Public Works/City Engineer.
Additional information was provided by Andrew Gonzales, Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building & Construction Trades Council.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
The following individuals spoke in support of City Council approval of the proposed CWA:
Mylo
Andrew Gonzales
Jose
Donny Sappington
Jay Gray inquired regarding potential conflicts of interest related to Political Reform Act provisions.
Seeing no further speakers, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Yokoyama, to:
1. Approve the CWA by and between the City of Cerritos and the Trades Council, and the signatory craft councils and local unions, including the Carpenters Council, for an initial term of five (5) years, and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement;
2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to periodically update CWA attachments, and take any and all actions as are necessary or advisable to implement and administer the CWA; and
3. Authorize de minimus changes that do not substantially change the terms and conditions to the CWA, as determined by the City Attorney's Office (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 1 – 1 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: Tse
ABSENT: Pulido (recused)
ABSTAIN: None
Councilmember Pulido returned to the meeting at this juncture and resumed his seat at the dais.
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9B. Review and consideration of the City of Cerritos Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Peter Kemp, Budget and Finance Manager/City Treasurer.
Additional information was presented by Joe Ludin, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
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 Hong, to receive and file the Fiscal Year 2024-25 City of Cerritos Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9C. Review and consideration of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 midyear budget update and proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget amendments.
Review and discussion of potential new or additional revenue sources and long-term General Fund outlook (COUNCIL).
Staff reports were given by Peter Kemp, Budget and Finance Manager/City Treasurer, and Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
Mel Cortez expressed opposition to consideration of a potential sales tax measure and offered suggestions for alternative revenue sources.
Jay Gray expressed opposition to consideration of a potential sales tax measure.
Cynthia Nava, City Clerk, announced that prior to the meeting, the City Council received full-text, unredacted copies of the one (1) written comment submitted for Item 9C, 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.
Peter Kemp, Budget and Finance Manager/City Treasurer, announced a correction of a clerical error located in Exhibit 2 of the agenda report associated with this item.
The correction is documented in the motion text on the following page, shown in strikethrough and red bold text.
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9C. (continued)
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Pulido, to ratify the previously approved budget amendments executed during the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26, as detailed in the Budget Adjustment Log (Exhibit 1 of the agenda report associated with this item), and approve the proposed FY 2025-26 midyear budget amendments as presented in Exhibit 2 of the agenda report associated with this item, inclusive of the correction of the proposed FY 2025-26 midyear budget amendment documented below, shown in strikethrough and red bold text:
Account String Type Account Name Amount
110-141-61430 Expenses Professional Services (260,000) (7,500)
The motion carried (4 – 1) as follows:
AYES: Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: Hong
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Tse, to direct the City Manager to further evaluate or advance study of a 1% Transactions and Use Tax (TUT), including consideration of its potential to offset costs and provide flexibility for future water and sewer rate relief, including a possible polling of residents, and provide an agenda report for City Council review and consideration at a future publicly noticed meeting (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 1) as follows:
AYES: Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: Hong
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Pulido, to direct the City Manager to incorporate a Dual Budget Planning Framework into development of the forthcoming fiscal year budget (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 the City Manager to convene a Resident Budget Task Force (a cross-section of community stakeholders selected by City staff based on civic involvement and familiarity with City services) to provide structured community input on the City’s current budget situation and potential budget balancing strategies, with meetings facilitated by Tripepi Smith (authorized by subsequent City Council approval of an extension of the City’s contract with Tripepi Smith (COUNCIL).
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9C. (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 Tse, to direct the approve the extension of the existing contract with Tripepi Smith for an additional amount not to exceed $75,000 and authorize a corresponding budget amendment in the 110-521- 61430 account string, for a new allocation of funding from existing General Fund reserves (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 1) as follows:
AYES: Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: Hong
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10. Legislative Items
10A. Report on pending or existing 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 Hong and Mayor Yokoyama.
As requested by Mayor Yokoyama, Cerritos Sheriff’s Station Captain, Dru Strong, provided a brief update on Cerritos public safety matters.
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12. Closed Session
The City Council did not recess to Closed Session to discuss Item 12A, as listed on the Closed Session agenda. There was no discussion or action taken on Item 12A.
12A. 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)
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:36 p.m.
/s/Cynthia Nava_____________________
Cynthia Nava
City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/Frank Aurelio Yokoyama________
Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: March 23, 2026