MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026, 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 Bob De Leon, Calvary Chapel Artesia.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Troop 72.
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:
Chick-fil-A (Business Spotlight). A video presentation was displayed.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, California State Assembly; Amie Stewart, Board Member, Bellflower Unified School District; Dr. Dawn Green, President, Cerritos College Board of Trustees; Dr. Mariaelena "Meg" Jimenez, Principal, Frank C. Leal Elementary; Tatiana Yokoyama Bui, Vice President, ABC Unified School District School Board; and Chloe Emmanuelle Luna Mendez and Annabel Rose Gandra Tiongson, Co-Directors, Club Kaibigan Pilipino Cultural Night (Women's History Month).
Ny'Kierra Jackson and Julian Espinoza (Cerritos High School 2026 CIF Southern Wrestling Champions).
Maximilian Zamora (Cerritos Senior Center Employee of the Quarter).
5B. 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.
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5. Presentations/Appointments (continued)
5B. (continued)
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
Joan Pylman 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, Joan Pylman.
MOTION: It was moved by Yokoyama, and seconded by Johnson, to approve Mayor Yokoyama’s nomination listed below to serve the remainder of the 2025-2027 term, through April 30, 2027 (COUNCIL):
Name Advisory Board
Emil Ali 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, Emil Ali.
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.
Kurtis Forsythe expressed concern regarding the State’s public health policies and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and submitted documents 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.)
Melissa Raralio Snyder presented two (2) enclosed documents, stating the enclosures were Notices of Intention to Circulate a Recall Petition, in accordance with California Elections Code Division 11, intended for service upon the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.
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6. Public Comments and Suggestions (continued)
Gloria Pulido congratulated the City’s Women’s History Month proclamation recipients and expressed recognition of the Mayor’s final meeting as presiding officer of his 2025-2026 mayoral term.
Daisy Lagasca inquired regarding recent Citywide special events and individuals recognized by the City.
Murali Vasudevan expressed concern regarding recent City actions and the City’s current political climate.
The Mayor announced that prior to the meeting, the City Council received six (6) written comments submitted for Item 6, inclusive of four (4) comments for Item 12, 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, March 9, 2026, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve the Monday, March 9, 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
7B. Approval of Financial Reports
7B.1. Register of Demands for the City of Cerritos dated March 23, 2026 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos March 23, 2026 $4,958,077.70 (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. Approval of Financial Reports (continued)
7B.2. City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer’s reports for the period ending January 31, 2026 (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to approve City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer’s reports for the period ending January 31, 2026 (COUNCIL/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 Pulido, and seconded by Tse, 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: 110-561-63110 Computer Supplies
Amount: $125,000
Justification: A budget amendment in the amount of $125,000 is requested for citywide software licenses and subscriptions. Additional funding is needed to ensure sufficient appropriations are available to cover current-year costs associated with software renewals, including subscription-based services related to the Tyler Enterprise ERP (EERP) and Enterprise Permitting and Licensing (EPL) projects previously approved by the City Council (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7C. Award of contract for the design of the Regional Stormwater Capture Facility at the Cerritos Sports Complex, Project No. 22505, RFP No. 1565-25 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, to:
1. Award a contract in the amount of $1,855,831 for the design of the Regional Stormwater Capture Facility, Project No. 22505, RFP No. 1565-25, to CWE, and reject the other proposals; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any project-related amendments, up to the approved 10% contingency of $185,583, in accordance with the City's adopted Purchasing and Contracting Policy. (COUNCIL).
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7C. (continued)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7D. 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 1 through 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 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
7E. Standing Agenda Item: Potential consideration of the Swim and Fitness Center Rehabilitation Project, Project No. 20201 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Pulido, and seconded by Tse, 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
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8. Public Hearings
8A. Recommendation by the Cerritos Planning Commission, on a vote of 5-0, to approve the following:
Review and consideration to waive full reading of and introduce AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 2026- 2, A REQUEST TO AMEND TITLE 5 AND TITLE 22 OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING CHAPTER 5.35 AND ADDING SECTION 22.40.340 TO
PROHIBIT THE SALE, DISTRIBUTION, POSSESSION, AND CONSUMPTION OF NITROUS OXIDE IN THE CITY OF CERRITOS* (COUNCIL).
*Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this project is categorically exempt from CEQA review.
A staff report was given by Sabrina Chan, Director of Community Development.
The Mayor opened the public hearing and public comments period. Noting no individuals elected to provide public comment, the Mayor declared the public hearing and the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Yokoyama, to waive full reading of and introduce Ordinance No. 1062, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS APPROVING DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 2026-2, A REQUEST TO AMEND TITLE 5 AND TITLE 22 OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING CHAPTER 5.35 AND ADDING SECTION 22.40.340 TO PROHIBIT THE SALE,
DISTRIBUTION, POSSESSION, AND CONSUMPTION OF NITROUS OXIDE IN THE CITY OF CERRITOS (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9. New and Old Business
9A. Review and consideration of a Freeway Maintenance Agreement by and between the City of Cerritos and the California Department of Transportation.
Review and consideration of a community cleanup event (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Alvin Papa, Director of Public Works/City Engineer.
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:
1. Approve the Freeway Maintenance Agreement (FMA) between the City of Cerritos and Caltrans for portions of SR-91 and SR-605, and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute the agreement;
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9. New and Old Business
9A. (continued)
2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to periodically update FMA attachments, and take any and all actions as are necessary or advisable to implement and administer the FMA; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to coordinate with Caltrans to conduct a Community Cleanup Event at a date and location to be determined in accordance with the provided safety requirements and within the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget as a new appropriation (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Tse, Johnson, Yokoyama
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9B. Review and consideration to rename the intersection of Shoemaker Avenue and Oak Crest Street after Whitney High School founding principal, Robert Beall (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Ryan Carey, Deputy City Manager.
The Mayor opened the public comments period.
The following individuals spoke in opposition to the potential renaming of the intersection at Shoemaker Avenue and Oak Crest Street after Whitney High School founding principal, Robert Beall:
Kirit Chauhan
Joan Pylman
Celia Spitzer
Daisy Lagasca inquired regarding the criteria for renaming an intersection after a member of the Cerritos community.
Cynthia Nava, City Clerk, announced that prior to the meeting, the City Council members received full-text, unredacted copies of the one (1) written comment 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.
ORIGINAL MOTION (HELD PENDING): It was moved by Tse, and seconded by Johnson, to defer consideration of the renaming the intersection at Shoemaker Avenue and Oak Crest Street after Whitney High School founding principal Robert Beall, pursuant to the City's Facility Naming and Renaming Policy, to a future City Council meeting, to allow for the conduct of additional research on the matter and receipt of further community input (COUNCIL).
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9. New and Old Business
9B. (continued)
SUBSTITUTE MOTION (ADOPTED): It was moved by Yokoyama, and seconded by Pulido, to rename the intersection at Shoemaker Avenue and Oak Crest Street after Whitney High School founding principal, Robert Beall (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 – 2) as follows:
AYES: Hong, Pulido, Yokoyama
NOES: Tse, Johnson
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 Councilmembers Hong and Pulido, Mayor Pro Tem Johnson, and Mayor Yokoyama.
As requested by Mayor Yokoyama, Cerritos Sheriff’s Station Captain, Dru Strong, provided a brief update on Cerritos public safety matters.
CONSENSUS (Yokoyama): Directed the City Manager to prepare letters of gratitude (including information related to the City’s percentage of reduction in crime from 2024-2025) for City Council signature, for distribution to each deputy assigned to the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station; each Cerritos Neighborhood Watch Captain; and to each of the Cerritos Volunteers on Patrol.
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.
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 City of Cerritos Monday, March 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
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12. Closed Session (continued)
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 – 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: Two (2)
The City Council recessed into Closed Session.
The City Council reconvened into Open Sesson.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Pam Lee, City Attorney, announced the City Council convened into Closed Session to discuss Items 12A, 12B, and 12C as listed on the Closed Session agenda. There was no reportable action taken and there was nothing further to report.
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:59 p.m.
/s/Cynthia Nava ____________________
Cynthia Nava
City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/Frank Aurelio Yokoyama ______
Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: April 13, 2026