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BACKGROUND
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CIVIC CENTER • 18125 BLOOMFIEI.O AVEJ,UE 1111
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P.O. BOX 3130 • CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA 90703-3130 "'
PHONE: (562) 860-031 I • CERRITOS.GOV 2008
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Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
rj)J-, Robert A. Lopez, City Manager ;,ri L
Kristin Aguila, Assistant City Manrlfr� - 0
Ryan Carey, Deputy City Manageyv'�
September 28, 2026
Review and consideration to waive full reading of and adopt A
RESOLUTION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE
FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM OF THE CITY
OF CERRITOS
The City of Cerritos monitors legislative and regulatory activities at the federal, state, regional, and county levels that may affect the City's operations, financial resources, municipal authority, businesses, residents, and overall quality of life. To provide a consistent framework for legislative advocacy efforts, staff has prepared a proposed Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Legislative Platform (Platform) for the City of Cerritos. The Platform reflects the City Council's legislative priorities and is intended to guide the City's advocacy efforts in alignment with the City's Mission and Vision, the objectives of the City's Strategic Plan, and its motto, "Cerritos in Progress."
The Platform is intended to serve as a point of reference for staff when evaluating proposed legislation, regulations, funding opportunities, and public policies that may impact the City.
Adoption of the Platform will provide staff with clear City Council-approved policy direction and allow the City to be more responsive when legislative matters require timely action.
Through the course of preparing the Platform, staff presented a draft of the document to the Policy and Procedure Internal Ad Hoc Working Group. Following extensive review, and the incorporation of suggested revisions, the Policy and Procedure Internal Ad Hoc Working Group has recommended the proposed Platform for approval by the City Council.
DISCUSSION
The proposed Platform establishes broad policy priorities to guide the City's legislative advocacy activities. Consistent with the City's Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan, the Platform focuses on protecting and enhancing the quality of life in Cerritos while maintaining the City's commitment to fiscal responsibility and responsive municipal services.
LYNDA P. JOHNSON
MAYOR
MARKE. PULIDO
MAYOR PRO TEM
JENNIFER NONG
COUNCILMEMBER
SOPNIA M. TSE
COUNCILMEMBER
FRANK AURELIO YO KOY AMA
COUNCILMEMBER
1 2
2026-2027 Legislative Platform
September 28, 2026
Among its principal areas of focus, the Platform identifies priorities related to:
• Public safety and emergency preparedness;
• Protection of local control and municipal authority;
• Infrastructure maintenance, development, and resiliency; • Economic development and support for local businesses; • Technology modernization and cybersecurity; • Fiscal transparency and long-term financial sustainability; • Parks, recreation, cultural, and community programs;
• Community communications, transparency, and civic engagement; and • Workforce development and retention of a highly skilled municipal workforce.
The Platform also establishes a framework for pursuing external funding opportunities, including grants, earmarks, discretionary funding, and infrastructure investments that support the City's identified priorities. Additional detail regarding the City's specific legislative priorities, advocacy strategies, and organizations whose legislative programs the City follows is provided in the attached Platform.
Legislative Position Authority
Adoption of the Platform will provide the City Manager, or designee, with authority to communicate the City's position on legislative and regulatory matters that are consistent with the adopted Platform. This authority will allow staff to respond in a timely manner as legislative proposals develop, or as opportunities arise to communicate the City's position to legislators, regulatory agencies, and other policymakers. If adopted, staff will provide the City Council with ongoing updates regarding positions of support or opposition communicated on proposed legislation and other significant legislative matters. Importantly, any legislative or regulatory matter that is not addressed within the adopted Platform, or that involves significant policy considerations outside the scope of the Platform, will be brought before the City Council for direction prior to any action being taken on behalf of the City.
The Platform also establishes procedures for formal legislative correspondence and provides flexibility to accommodate recommendations from the City's contracted state and federal legislative advocacy firms when an alternative approach may better advance a targeted City objective. The Platform is intended to be reviewed and adopted annually to ensure that it continues to reflect the City Council's priorities and the City's evolving legislative needs.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the Platform is not anticipated to result in a direct fiscal impact. The Platform establishes policy guidance for legislative advocacy activities and identifies priority areas for pursuing external funding opportunities.
CONCLUSION
The Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform provides a clear and consistent framework for advancing the City's legislative priorities and protecting the interests of the community.
By aligning the Platform with the City's Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan, the City can more effectively advocate for policies and resources that support "Cerritos in Progress." 3 2026-2027 Legislative Platform
September 28, 2026
Adoption of the Platform will enable staff to respond promptly to legislative and regulatory matters that are consistent with Council-approved priorities, while ensuring that matters outside the scope of the Platform continue to be brought before the City Council for direction.
RECOMMENDATION
The following is recommended to the City Council:
1. Review and discuss the information provided in this report; and
2. Waive full reading of and adopt a resolution captioned as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS Exhibit List:
1. Proposed Resolution and Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform of the City of Cerritos
4 CITY OF CERRITOS
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Cerritos ("City Council") periodically establishes legislative priorities to guide the City's advocacy efforts at the federal, state, regional, and local levels; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to provide clear policy direction for evaluating and responding to legislative, regulatory, and funding matters affecting the City; and WHEREAS, the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform ("Platform"), attached hereto as Attachment A, establishes the City's legislative priorities and provides a framework for advocacy consistent with the City's Mission, Vision, Strategic Plan, and overall community interests; and
WHEREAS, in developing the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform, City staff presented a draft of the Platform to the Policy and Procedure Internal Ad Hoc Working Group for review and consideration; and
WHEREAS, following its review of the draft Platform and consideration of proposed revisions, the Policy and Procedure Internal Ad Hoc Working Group recommended that the proposed Legislative Platform be presented to the City Council for approval; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adoption of the Legislative Platform will facilitate timely and consistent advocacy on matters within the scope of the City's established priorities while preserving City Council oversight of matters requiring additional policy direction.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby adopts the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform, attached hereto as Attachment A and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 3. The City Manager, or designee, is authorized to communicate the City's positions on legislative and regulatory matters that are consistent with the adopted Legislative Platform, including correspondence and advocacy before legislators, governmental agencies, and other policymakers.
SECTION 4. The City Manager, or designee, is authorized to advocate for grants, discretionary funding, infrastructure investments, and other external funding opportunities that are consistent with the Legislative Platform, subject to applicable City policies and any required City Council approvals.
SECTION 5. Legislative or regulatory matters that are not addressed by the Legislative Platform, or that present significant policy considerations beyond its scope, shall EXHIBIT 1
Proposed City Council Resolution
5 be presented to the City Council for direction before the City takes a position on such matters.
SECTION 6. The Legislative Platform shall be reviewed annually and presented to the City Council for consideration and adoption for the subsequent fiscal year, as appropriate.
SECTION 7. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 28th day of September, 2026.
Lynda Provido Johnson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Cynthia Nava, City Clerk
6 Introduction
CITY OF CERRITOS
FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
ADVANCING "CERRITOS IN PROGRESS"
The Cerritos City Council recognizes the importance of maintaining a proactive and effective legislative advocacy program to protect and advance the City's interests at the federal, state, regional, and county levels. The City's Legislative Platform establishes the framework for its advocacy efforts and provides guidance for evaluating legislation, regulations, funding opportunities, and public policies that may affect municipal operations, residents, businesses, and the overall quality of life in Cerritos.
Adopted annually, the Legislative Platform identifies the City's legislative priorities and policy positions, enabling the City to respond to legislative and regulatory matters in a timely, consistent, and strategic manner. The City may support legislation, regulations, and funding opportunities that align with the Platform and may oppose those that conflict with the City's priorities. Legislative issues not specifically addressed in the Platform may be presented to the City Council for policy direction.
The Legislative Platform is grounded in the City's Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan, which establish the principles that guide service delivery and the stewardship of municipal resources. Through the legislative advocacy and pursuit of external funding opportunities outlined within the Platform, the City is supporting and advancing the objectives that are outlined in these foundational documents. The Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan objectives are set forth below:
City Mission
"The City of Cerritos is committed to preserving the high quality of life of Cerritos residents through fiscally responsible leadership and by providing responsive municipal services with a high degree of professionalism, integrity, and care."
City Vision
"The City of Cerritos is a prosperous and thriving community in Southern California, which is committed to excellence and the provision of outstanding City services and programs for residents of all ages. The City possesses world-class public facilities and popular commercial-retail attractions that make Cerritos an outstanding place to live, work, and play. The City is dedicated to attracting, retaining, and growing local businesses that support the City's efforts to maintain a safe, healthy, family-oriented, and park-like environment for the community. The City takes great pride in its visionary and fiscally Attachment A
7 City of Cerritos - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform
responsible leadership that values the importance of working alongside neighboring communities, regional authorities, and government agencies in the pursuit of mutually beneficial objectives for all. "
Strategic Plan Motto
The City's Strategic Plan motto is "Cerritos in Progress." Core Legislative Principles
The City's legislative advocacy efforts are intended to support the Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan objectives by identifying legislative and funding opportunities that:
• Support public safety
• Protect local control and municipal authority
• Maintain and improve public infrastructure • Strengthen economic development • Advance innovation and technology modernization • Enhance transparency, communication, and civic engagement • Promote fiscal responsibility and long-term financial sustainability • Provide outstanding recreation, cultural, and community programs • Preserve and enhance the quality of life for Cerritos residents • Foster collaborative partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions, regional organizations, state agencies, and federal partners
To support the advancement of these core legislative principles, the City's legislative priorities include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Support Public Safety
Consistent with the City's commitment to maintaining a safe community, the City supports legislation and funding that:
• Strengthen law enforcement services and crime prevention efforts. • Improve emergency preparedness, disaster response, recovery, and resiliency. • Enhance traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety.
• Address homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse through coordinated and evidence-based approaches.
• Provide resources for emergency planning and public safety technology. • Combat cybercrime, organized retail theft, and illegal activity conducted through digital platforms.
• Support programs that assist victims of crime and improve community safety.
City of Cerritos - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform
2. Protection of Local Control and Municipal Authority
The City supports legislation that preserves and strengthens local decision-making authority.
The City opposes legislation, regulations, and ballot measures that preempt municipal authority over:
• Land use and zoning
• Municipal services
• Public safety
• Infrastructure planning
• Economic development
• Fiscal matters
• Community standards and quality-of-life issues
3. Support Infrastructure Maintenance and Development
Consistent with the City's commitment to preserving world-class public facilities and maintaining a modern infrastructure system, the City supports legislation and funding that:
• Preserve and improve streets, roads, sidewalks, and public facilities. • Invest in transportation infrastructure and regional mobility improvements. • Support water, wastewater, stormwater, and flood-control infrastructure. • Promote infrastructure resiliency and climate preparedness. • Expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure and clean-energy investments. • Fund capital improvement projects and deferred maintenance needs. • Support local control over infrastructure planning and project delivery. • Provide funding for parks, recreation facilities, and community assets.
The City opposes efforts that impede local funding or that imposes legislation that would negatively impact the City's ability to address and support infrastructure maintenance.
4. Strengthen Economic Development
Consistent with the City's vision of attracting, retaining, and growing local businesses, the City supports legislation and funding that:
• Encourages economic growth and job creation.
• Supports business attraction, retention, and expansion. • Preserves local control over land-use and development decisions. • Expands economic development tools available to cities. • Supports workforce training and education partnerships. • Promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment. • Enhances telecommunications and broadband infrastructure. • Supports commercial revitalization and infrastructure improvements.
The City opposes unnecessary regulatory burdens that inhibit economic growth or undermine local planning authority.
8 9
City of Cerritos - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform
S. Improve Technology Resources
Consistent with the City's commitment to innovation and efficient service delivery, the City supports legislation and funding that:
• Expand broadband access and digital infrastructure. • Improve cybersecurity protections. • Modernize government services through technology investments. • Improve public access to online services and information. • Support innovation and emerging technologies that improve municipal operations. • Promote equitable access to information and communication technologies.
6. Support Fiscal Transparency and Financial Sustainability Consistent with the City's tradition of fiscally responsible leadership, the City supports legislation that:
• Protects local revenues and fiscal authority. • Ensures cities receive their fair share of tax revenues. • Supports long-term financial sustainability.
• Provides adequate funding for state and federal mandates. • Protects local transportation, public safety, and infrastructure funding. • Simplifies the distribution of federal and state funding to local governments. • Preserves municipal bond financing authority.
• Supports fair allocation of sales tax revenues, including revenues generated through e-commerce and remote sales.
• Promotes transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of resources.
The City opposes:
• Unfunded mandates. • Revenue shifts that divert locally derived funding from local governments. • Reductions in municipal funding sources.
• Legislation that shifts costs to local governments without corresponding resources. • Restrict local flexibility in the use of public funds. • Reduce local authority over tax and revenue decisions.
To support the City's objective of fiscal responsibility and financial sustainability, and in an effort to supplement existing financial resources, the City will actively pursue and support funding opportunities that benefit the community, including grants, earmarks, discretionary funding, and infrastructure investments.
Priority funding areas include:
• Public safety
• Water infrastructure • Infrastructure maintenance and improvement • Parks and recreation • Technology modernization • Economic development 10 City of Cerritos - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform Pages
• Emergency preparedness
• Community facilities
• Workforce development
7. Provide Excellence in Community and Recreation Programming Consistent with the City's commitment to providing outstanding services and programs for residents of all ages, the City supports legislation and funding that:
• Enhance parks, recreation facilities, libraries, community centers, and cultural arts programs.
• Expand recreational opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities. • Support youth, family, senior, and wellness programs. • Promote diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. • Improve quality-of-life amenities and community gathering spaces. • Invest in recreation infrastructure and programming that strengthens community connections.
• Support grants and funding opportunities for arts, culture, education, and lifelong learning.
8. Improve Community Communications
Consistent with the City's commitment to transparency and civic engagement, the City supports legislation and funding that:
• Enhance public access to government information.
• Strengthen civic engagement and public participation. • Improve communication between residents and local government. • Preserve Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) programming and related funding.
• Expand digital communication tools and community outreach efforts. • Increase accessibility and engagement opportunities for all residents.
9. Attract and Retain a Highly Skilled Workforce
Consistent with the City's commitment to organizational excellence, the City supports legislation and funding that:
• Invest in workforce development and employee training. • Promote leadership development and succession planning. • Strengthen partnerships with educational institutions and workforce development organizations.
• Maintain fair and sustainable retirement and employee benefit systems. 11 City of Cerritos - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform
Legislative Advocacy Strategies
To support and advance the priorities outlined in this Platform, the City will use the following advocacy strategies:
• Monitor federal, state, county, and regional legislation and regulatory proposals. • Communicate official City positions to legislators, regulatory agencies, and policymakers.
• Collaborate with local, regional, state, and national organizations that advocate for municipal interests.
• Work with partner agencies, neighboring jurisdictions, and professional associations on issues of mutual concern.
• Pursue grants, earmarks, and discretionary funding opportunities. • Meet regularly with legislators and agency representatives to advocate for City priorities.
• Educate residents, businesses, and stakeholders regarding legislative issues. • Support legislation that aligns with this Platform and oppose legislation that conflicts with adopted City priorities.
• Advocate for policies and funding opportunities that advance the vision of "Cerritos in Progress."
Legislative Position Authority
The City Council authorizes the City Manager, or designee, to communicate positions on legislative and regulatory matters that are consistent with the adopted Legislative Platform.
Matters that fall outside the Legislative Platform or involve significant policy considerations may be referred to the City Council for direction.
Formal letters expressing support or opposition on legislative matters, or requesting funding support, shall be prepared for signature by the Mayor or the Mayor's designee. However, if the City's contracted state and/or federal lobbying firms recommend an alternative approach on a case-by-case basis to achieve a targeted outcome, letters may instead be signed by all members of the City Council or by the City Manager or designee. 12 City of Cerritos - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Legislative Platform
Organizations Whose Legislative Programs the City Follows Federal
• American Planning Association • American Public Works Association • American Water Works Association
• International Council of Shopping Centers
• National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) • National League of Cities
• National Recreation and Parks Association • United States Conference of Mayors State
• Association of California Water Agencies
• California Association of Environmental Professionals • California Association of Local Economic Development
• California Building Officials
• California Chapter, American Planning Association
• California Contract Cities Association (CCCA)
• California Municipal Revenue and Tax Association
• California Municipal Utilities Association
• California Park & Recreation Society • Independent Cities Association • League of California Cities (CalCities)
Regional
• California Joint Powers Insurance Authority • Central Basin Municipal Water District • Gateway Cities Council of Governments (Gateway COG) • Gateway Water Management Authority
• Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District • Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department • Metropolitan Transportation Authority • Southern California Chapter of NATOA • Southeast Los Angeles Workforce Development Board
• Southern California Association of Governments
Conclusion
Through this Legislative Platform, the City of Cerritos reaffirms its commitment to protecting local control, preserving fiscal sustainability, strengthening public safety, investing in infrastructure, supporting economic vitality, promoting innovation, and enhancing the exceptional quality of life enjoyed by residents.
Guided by the City's Mission, Vision, Strategic Plan, and commitment to "Cerritos in Progress," the City will continue to advocate for policies and resources that ensure Cerritos remains one of Southern California's premier communities in which to live and work.