Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS
HELD JANUARY 23, 2006
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor John Crawley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Cerritos City Hall, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California.
INVOCATION
Councilwoman Laura Lee offered the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Paul Bowlen led the assembly in the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL
The City Clerk noted attendance of the following Members of the City Council:
Councilman Jim Edwards
Councilwoman Gloria Kappe
Councilwoman Laura Lee
Mayor Pro Tem Paul W. Bowlen
Mayor John F. Crawley
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Crawley presented a proclamation to Norman and Willodean Wiswell who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on February 4, 2006.
Mayor Crawley also presented proclamations to the following participants in the City’s seventh annual “Festival of Friendship” scheduled for February 6, 2006 at the Los Cerritos Center: Carmenita Friends Club; Cerritos Chinese School; Da’Hawaii Seniors Club; Happy Seniors of Cerritos; Mugungwha Woman’s Chorale Group; Southern California Philippine-US Veterans Association; Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 1846;
Whitney High School’s Shanti Club; ARC of Southeast Los Angeles County representatives; and Los Cerritos Center representatives.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Rudy Pulido, Cerritos resident and Commander of the Artesia-Cerritos VFW Post #1846, offered assistance in the completion of the Veterans Memorial; and requested that a design for the Veterans Memorial with seals representing the five branches of the armed forces be placed on the February 9, 2006 City Council agenda for consideration.
Alon Barlevy, Cerritos resident, requested that tonight’s City Council meeting be adjourned in memory of military personnel who have lost their lives in service to our country in Iraq and Afghanistan.
John Skiles, Cerritos resident, reiterated Mr. Pulido’s request.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
Approval of Register of Demands
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Councilwoman Kappe to approve the Register of Demands dated January 23, 2006, Checks 77933 through 77971, Checks 77972 through 78075 and Checks 78076 through 78275, in the total amount of $2,215,178.04. The motion unanimously carried.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Councilwoman Kappe to approve the Minutes of the January 12, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting. The motion unanimously carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
An appeal of a decision of the Cerritos Property Preservation Commission denying a request to remove a parkway tree adjacent to the property located at 11063 Gonsalves Place, Cerritos, California (APN 7049-016-013) – Case No. TR 2005-09 - Appellant: Henry Huen
Appeal to the City Council PPC 2006-1
Title to the foregoing item was read, the public hearing opened, and staff called upon for a report.
Parks Superintendent Kuh provided background information on the appellant’s tree removal request and an overview of the staff report dated January 23, 2006, recommending denial of the request in accordance with the provisions of the City's tree ordinance, noting the tree is growing in a healthy and safe manner and does not meet the tree removal criteria.
Interested parties were invited to present testimony.
Henry Huen, appellant, stated that the parkway tree is a nuisance due to the constant sweeping and maintenance from the falling leaves and opined that potential injury from the roots and sharpness of the falling cones are concerns, noting that his wife and neighbor were hurt and his vehicle was damaged from the falling cones. He further indicated that the tree roots have made it difficult to grow grass in the parkway.
Thomas Conant, Cerritos resident, stated that the seed pods drop on the street, sidewalk and yard for a 60 day period, resulting in ongoing maintenance, difficulty in growing grass, and a nuisance for pedestrians required to walk around the perimeter of the property to avoid the fallen seed pods. He also indicated that the birds eat the seed pods and expressed a health concern from the bird droppings.
Isabel Huen, Cerritos resident, referenced No. 4 and No. 8 of the City of Cerritos, Policies and Procedures for Residents and Property Owners Requesting the Removal of Parkway Trees, asserting that the subject tree does not have an aesthetic purpose and makes the street very messy, and the tree droppings are not ordinary leaves, needles or flowers, but rather seed droppings with sharp and pointed edges. She indicated that she sustained a cut and her vehicle tire was punctured from tree droppings. She expressed an interest in participating in the City Wide Pride Program, but indicated that the tree roots make it difficult to grow grass in the parkway area. Mrs. Huen further indicated that the neighboring streets are clean and well-kept because they do not have Carrotwood trees.
In response to Council inquiry, Mr. Kuh indicated that the Carrotwood tree seeds fall from May through September; there are approximately 1,500 Carrotwood trees in the City; and new developments are permitted to plant Carrotwood trees. He noted that the Carrotwood tree is not considered a nuisance tree in the Forestation Plan. He also noted that there have been other tree removal requests for the Carrotwood tree; and the subject tree roots are not invasive, not lifting the sidewalk and would benefit from re-pruning; and Carrotwood trees are trimmed every three years. Discussion ensued regarding Mr. Kuh’s comments and the healthy condition of the subject tree.
No one else wished to address the City Council on this matter and the public hearing was closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bowlen to uphold the Property Preservation Commission’s determination denying the property owner's request to remove the parkway tree located at 11063 Gonsalves Place, Cerritos, California, in accordance with the City’s Tree Ordinance; and direct staff to inform the property owner of the City Council’s decision regarding the removal of said parkway tree. The motion unanimously carried.
The applicant, PS Business Parks, L.P., 2599 East 28th Street, Suite 204, Signal Hill, California, 90755, is requesting approval of a conditional use permit for property zoned (M) Industrial located at 14020 Bolsa Lane, Cerritos, California, 90703, thereby rendering said property in compliance with existing Municipal Code regulations. A conditional use permit is being pursued by the applicant because the subject use is currently operating without an approved conditional use permit which is intended to ensure that industrial uses are operating in compliance with all applicable Municipal Code regulations (APN 7022-023-009).
Negative Declaration
Conditional Use Permit 2006-2
Title to the foregoing item was read, the public hearing opened, and staff called upon for a report.
Current Planning Manager Hamilton reviewed the staff report dated January 23, 2006 and provided background information of the existing use.
Interested parties were invited to present testimony. There was no response and the public hearing was closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilwoman Lee that the City Council:
A. Receive, file, certify and approve the Negative Declaration, making findings set forth in the Cerritos Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 2006-01; and
B. Approve Conditional Use Permit 2006-02, making the findings set forth in Cerritos Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 2006-02;
as recommended in the staff report dated January 23, 2006. The motion unanimously carried.
NEW AND OLD BUSINESS
Review and consideration of conceptual designs, budget and location for the 50th anniversary mosaic art piece that will be located in the Cerritos Sculpture Garden generally located on the northwest corner of Bloomfield Avenue and 183rd Street (APN 7025-028-904).
MOTION: Following a staff report, it was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Councilwoman Kappe to approve the design concept for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Artwork to be in the form of an eight-page concept (Alternative 2) that could be provided for $350,000; approve an increase to the budget for the 50th Anniversary art piece for $100,000 to provide for the additional artwork; approve the location of the 50th Anniversary art piece to be placed in the new sculpture garden midway along the eastern boundary, adjacent to the driveway from 183rd Street, as shown on Attachment B of the staff report dated January 23, 2006; and directed the Fine Arts and Historical Commission and staff to continue to work with the artist, Terry Braunstein, to provide the final collages of photos, artwork and text for City Council approval. The motion carried with Mayor Crawley dissenting.
Consideration of policy proposals for the newly expanded Cerritos Senior Center Fitness Room.
Community and Safety Services Director Berg reviewed the staff report dated January 23, 2006, noting that an increase in usage is anticipated with the opening of the newly expanded Cerritos Senior Fitness Room and staff is requesting review of the existing usage policy for possible changes.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilman Edwards to impose a user fee of $28.00 per year for Cerritos senior residents for the use of the Senior Center Fitness Room; and direct that a user fee for non-residents be higher than the resident fee, if it is determined by the City Council that non-residents will be allowed to use the fitness facility.
MOTION TO AMEND: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Bowlen and seconded by Councilwoman Lee to amend the main motion to include waiving the user fee for Cerritos senior residents who are unable to pay the fee. The motion unanimously carried.
AMENDED MAIN MOTION CARRIES: The foregoing main motion as amended carried, with Mayor Crawley dissenting.
Interested parties were invited to present testimony.
Ben Gray, Cerritos resident, expressed appreciation for the expansion of the fitness room; commended fitness instructors; and commented on the occasional inability to use the exercise equipment due to the numerous people using the facility.
Sandra McJunkin, Cerritos resident, inquired about and received response regarding the utilization of new user fees for equipment replacement and free fitness classes for seniors offered by ABC Adult School.
Gerald McJunkin, Cerritos resident, expressed appreciation for waiving the user fee for Cerritos senior residents who are unable to afford the fee so they can continue to use the fitness room.
Craig Oka, Cerritos resident, suggested hiring instructors for the fitness room should the partnership with ABC Adult School be terminated.
Martin Grossman, Cerritos resident, commented that drop-in use of the fitness room at the Cerritos Senior Center is limited due to ABC Adult School fitness classes, noting that he uses the fitness room at Cerritos Park East for this reason. He suggested designating additional time for drop-in exercise, the termination of the partnership with ABC Adult School, and hiring instructors for the fitness rooms at Liberty Park and Cerritos Park East.
Jerome Jarsy, La Palma resident, stated that seniors benefit from the assistance provided by fitness instructors; commented on his patronage in Cerritos; and concurred with Cerritos residents receiving priority at the fitness facility.
Jim Davidson, Cerritos resident, concurred with the previous comments regarding the quality of the instructors at the fitness facility. He suggested increasing the amount of time provided by fitness instructors; continued partnership with ABC Adult School for fitness classes; and delaying the temporary closure of the fitness room for construction to allow seniors to use the facility for the maximum amount of time possible.
Kurt Meier, Cerritos resident, expressed appreciation for the use of the fitness room and the fitness instructors.
George O’Brien, Cerritos resident, commended the City on the expansion of the fitness room; expressed appreciation for the partnership with ABC Adult School; and suggested retaining the exercise instructors.
No one else wished to comment. Following discussion, the following City Council actions were taken.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilwoman Lee to maintain the current hours of operation, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The motion carried, with Mayor Crawley dissenting.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilman Edwards to maintain the current age eligibility at 50 years of age and older. The motion unanimously carried.
MOTION FAILS: It was moved by Councilwoman Lee and seconded by Mayor Crawley to allow Cerritos senior residents and non-residents to use the fitness room. The motion failed, with Councilman Edwards, Councilwoman Kappe and Mayor Pro Tem Bowlen dissenting.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bowlen to restrict the use of the fitness room to Cerritos senior residents for a trial period through the end of June 2006. The motion carried, with Mayor Crawley and Councilwoman Lee dissenting.
In response to Council inquiry, Jennifer MacDuff, ABC Adult School fitness instructor, discussed the current fitness program.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bowlen to limit the workout classes conducted by ABC School District instructors to two, two-hour blocks during non-peak hours at a time determined by staff. The motion unanimously carried.
REPORT ON PENDING LEGISLATION
City Manager Gallucci reported the Legislature is back in session and staff is monitoring bills relating to the eminent domain and the water bond issues.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Crawley referenced the request by Rudy Pulido to place the design depicting the seals of the five branches of armed forces for the Veterans Memorial on the February 9, 2006 agenda for consideration and read a statement regarding his inability to make a motion on the matter since he voted in opposition to the placement of the United States Merchant Marines seal on the Veterans Memorial.
MOTION FAILS: Following comments, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Bowlen and seconded by Mayor Crawley to place the design depicting the seals of the five branches of armed forces for the Veterans Memorial on the February 9, 2006 agenda for consideration. The motion failed, with Councilman Edwards, Councilwoman Kappe and Councilwoman Lee dissenting.
Councilmembers commented on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony held at the Civic Center on January 16, 2006.
Councilman Edwards reported on the installation of the first sculpture piece in the Cerritos Sculpture Garden and encouraged everyone to attend the “Don Felder and Friends Rock Cerritos for Katrina,” a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Katrina on February 1, 2006, 8:00 p.m., at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
Councilwoman Lee congratulated Vince Brar on his promotion to senior Assistant City Manager; and announced that January 29, 2006 is the beginning of the Chinese New Year in the Year of the Dog.
Councilwoman Kappe congratulated Denise Manoogian on her promotion to Director of Administrative Services and Hal Arbogast on his promotion to Director of Public Works.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. in memory of military personnel who have lost their lives in service to our country in Iraq and Afghanistan.
/s/ Josephine Triggs
Josephine Triggs, City Clerk
ATTEST:
/s/ John F. Crawley
John F. Crawley, Mayor
Approved: February 9, 2006
