Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS
HELD JANUARY 22, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Paul Bowlen 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 Gloria Kappe offered the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Campfire USA Long Beach Ta Chi Ga Wa Club 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 John F. Crawley
Councilman Jim Edwards
Councilwoman Gloria A. Kappe
Mayor Pro Tem Laura Lee
Mayor Paul W. Bowlen
PRESENTATIONS
The Mayor and Let Freedom Ring Committee members presented proclamations to the following “Festival of Friendship” participants, which is scheduled for February 3, 2007 at the Los Cerritos Center: Happy Seniors of Cerritos; Cerritos Chinese School; Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club; Southern California Philippine-US Veterans Association; Cerritos Korean-American Association; Indo-American Optimist Club; Oriental Moo-do Taekwondo School; Liberty Park Tot Lot; Cerritos High School Key Club; and the Los Cerritos Center.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Catherine Gaughen, Cerritos Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, announced the distribution of the annual business directory and community guide and expressed appreciation for the City’s support.
Larry Caballero introduced himself as Assemblyman Tony Mendoza’s senior field representative for the City of Cerritos.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
Approval of Register of Demands
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilman Edwards to approve the Register of Demands dated January 22, 2007, Checks 87497 through 87638, Checks 87639 through 87736 and Checks 87737 through 87881, in the total amount of $10,001,077.56. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the period ending November 30, 2006
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilman Edwards to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending November 30, 2006. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilman Edwards to approve the Minutes of the January 11, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
With concurrence of the City Council, the following New and Old Business Item was taken out of order.
NEW AND OLD BUSINESS
Review and consideration of a request to adopt the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion of the United States Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton.
Assistant City Manager Matsumoto presented details of the request by Cerritos resident Charles Sooter to adopt the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion of the United States Marine Corps as outlined in the staff report dated January 22, 2007. Ms. Matsumoto introduced Major Bud Dwyer, USMC, Sergeant Michael Mack, USMC, Tim Sloat, USMC and Chief Naval Officer Rodney Lewis.
Interested parties were invited to present testimony.
Charles Sooter, Cerritos resident, discussed the formation of an Adoption Committee, non-profit organization registration and the formal adoption ceremony. He invited the community to participate in the Adoption Committee. Mr. Sooter encouraged the City Council to adopt the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion of the United States Marine Corps.
Jim Weisenberger, Cerritos resident and President of the Friends of Loreto Foundation, spoke in support of adopting the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion of the United States Marine Corps.
Tim Sloat, representing the United States Marine Corps, discussed his participation in other military adoptions; opined that non-profit status is not required; and suggested the adoption process begin with City Council approval of the adoption followed by a formal adoption ceremony.
No one else wished to address the City Council and the public input portion of this item was closed.
Discussion ensued regarding a preference for non-profit organization 501(c)(3) status to ensure fiduciary accountability and preparedness for contribution relationships with all donor levels; and formation of an Adoption Committee prior to the formal adoption of the battalion.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Councilwoman Kappe to approve adoption of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, with final approval subject to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion providing the City Council with a roster of members of the Adoption Committee and proof of registration as a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)); and authorize the City Attorney and staff to assist the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion with the preparation of 501(c)(3) documents. The motion carried unanimously.
The regular order of the agenda was resumed at this juncture.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Consideration to waive reading of and introduce AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE TO CLARIFY EXISTING STANDARDS OF DEVELOPMENT.
Development Code Amendment 2007-2*
*Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is exempt from CEQA review.
Title to the foregoing item was read, the public hearing opened, and staff called upon for a report.
Advance Planning/Redevelopment Manager Lopez provided background information and an overview of the proposed ordinance as outlined in the staff reported dated January 22, 2007.
Interested parties were invited to present testimony. No one wished to address the City Council on this matter and the public hearing was closed.
ORDINANCE NO. 921
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE TO CLARIFY EXISTING STANDARDS OF DEVELOPMENT.
MOTION: It was moved by Vice Chairwoman Lee and seconded by Councilwoman Kappe to waive reading of and introduce Ordinance No. 921. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers - Crawley, Edwards, Kappe, Lee, Bowlen
NOES: Councilmembers - None
ABSENT: Councilmembers - None
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers - None
PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES
Consideration and award of contract for the purchase and installation of CNG fueling equipment at the Corporate Yard, 16540 Marquardt Avenue, Cerritos, APN 7003-002-900, Project No. 12016 (12015).
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilman Edwards to make the following findings with regard to Project No. 12016 (12015); that the unique qualities of Fuel Maker products and services are specially suited for the specific use at the Cerritos Corporate Yard; that staff has negotiated fair and reasonable terms for the products and services with Gas Equipment Systems, Inc., the sole regional distributor of Fuel Maker products; that staff has satisfied the purposes of the Bidding Statute of the Cerritos Municipal Code, and that it is reasonable and necessary to sole source the purchase and installation of the CNG fueling equipment; and award a contract to Gas Equipment Systems, Inc. for the purchase and installation of CNG Fueling equipment at the Cerritos Corporate Yard in an amount not to exceed $131,755. The motion carried unanimously.
Consideration and approval of a Memorandum of Understanding for Coordination of Water Resources Planning relating to Proposition 50 Grant Funding and Implementation.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilman Crawley to approve and authorize the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding for Coordination of Water Resources Planning relating to Proposition 50 Grant Funding and Implementation. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW AND OLD BUSINESS
Consideration of a request of the United Homeowners’ Alliance (United HOA) regarding its February 5, 2007 City Council Candidate Forum.
Interested parties were invited to present testimony.
Paul Carlson, Cerritos resident representing the United Homeowners’ Alliance, provided clarification to their meeting notice indicating that physically handicapped are not invited to attend their January 18, 2007 meeting; discussed the purpose and goals of the organization; and requested approval for the United Homeowners’ Alliance to hold a City Council Candidate Forum on February 5, 2007. In response to Council inquiry, Mr. Carlson indicated the candidates would be asked pre-determined questions during the forum.
During ensuing discussion it was confirmed that United Homeowners' Alliance has general purpose recipient committee/political action committee status under the Political Reform Act, unlike other organizations who have requested use of Chambers for candidates' forums in the past. It was also confirmed that candidates' controlled committees are recipient committees.
No one else wished to address the City Council and the public input portion of this item was closed.
MOTION: Following discussion , it was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Councilman Crawley to deny the request of the United Homeowners’ Alliance (United HOA) regarding its February 5, 2007 City Council Candidate Forum. The motion carried unanimously.
Consideration of a proposed development involving the City of Cerritos/ Cerritos Redevelopment Agency and the ABC Unified School District for the construction of an affordable senior housing project and a neighborhood park located at 16700 Norwalk Boulevard in Cerritos (APN 7012-001-900).
Community Development Director Contreras presented details of the proposal for the construction of an affordable senior housing project as outlined in the staff report dated January 22, 2007. He indicated that in response to public concerns, the original concept for workforce housing has been modified to affordable rental apartments for seniors. He addressed state redevelopment mandates for affordable housing, Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) requirements, income and age eligibility requirements, project amenities, satellite senior center, property management, environmental assessment requirements, establishment of a project schedule, preparation of a draft Disposition and Development Agreement, and future public meetings to discuss the project. Mr. Contreras also provided the following e-mail address to contact staff regarding the project: planning@ci.cerritos.ca.us.
Interested parties were invited to present testimony.
Gavin Riley, Cerritos resident, retired ABC Unified School District teacher and teacher’s union representative, supported the new concept for the housing development project, but opined that original housing development concept helped solve the housing issue for young teachers and provided the school district the opportunity to compete with other districts for the best and brightest teachers.
Catherine Gaughen, Cerritos Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, indicated that the Chamber has not taken an official position on the proposed project, however, workforce housing is their priority issue. She opined that there is already an adequate amount of senior housing and that creating affordable workforce housing should be a priority. She encouraged denial of the senior housing proposal and to instead build affordable workforce housing for our local school and City employees.
Suguru Kitahara, Cerritos resident, inquired about and staff responded regarding future Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation for multi-family housing.
John Transue, Cerritos resident, spoke in support of the new concept for affordable senior rental housing.
No one else wished to comment and the public input portion of this item was closed.
MOTION: Following discussion regarding eligibility requirements, tenant screening and development of a waiting list, it was moved by Councilwoman Kappe and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lee to authorize the City Manager/Executive Director, or his designee, to work in collaboration with representatives of the ABC Unified School District to establish a schedule of public meeting dates for the purpose of reviewing architectural concepts, an environmental assessment, and all public documents proposed for approval relating to the proposed project described in the staff report dated January 22, 2007; to make said schedule of public meeting dates available to the general public; and to mail a notice of public meetings before the City Council/ Redevelopment Agency and joint public meetings before the City Council/Redevelopment Agency and ABC School District
Board of Education regarding said proposed project to all property owners within a one-half-mile radius of the proposed project site; and authorize the City Manager/Executive Director, or his designee, to negotiate with representatives of the ABC Unified School District for the preparation of a Disposition and Development Agreement for the proposed project described in the staff report dated January 22, 2007, for review and approval by the City Council/Redevelopment Agency and District Board. The motion carried unanimously.
REPORT ON PENDING LEGISLATION
City Manager Gallucci reported on legislative activities relative to housing issues.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REPORT ON MEETINGS
Councilmembers commented on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony held at the Civic Center on January 15, 2007.
Councilwoman Kappe announced that she would be unable to attend the next City Council meeting because she would be having knee surgery.
Mayor Pro Tem Lee reported on her attendance at the 75th Southland Motor Car Dealers Association Annual Dinner held on January 18, 2007 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts; announced that the City awarded its first residential assistance loan; and inquired about and staff provided an overview of the residential assistance loan program.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
/s/ Josephine Triggs
Josephine Triggs, City Clerk
ATTEST:
/s/ Paul W. Bowlen
Paul W. Bowlen, Mayor
Approved: February 8, 2007
