Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS
HELD FEBRUARY 8, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Cerritos City Hall, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California.
INVOCATION
Mayor Pro Tem Lee offered the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilman Edwards 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
Mayor Pro Tem Laura Lee
Mayor Paul W. Bowlen
The Mayor noted that Councilman Crawley was ill and Councilwoman Kappe was recovering from surgery.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Charlie Ara, Cerritos resident, read a Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club resolution entitled Resolution on Funding for Iraq War and asked the Council to discuss and consider the resolution at a future Council meeting.
Chris Fuentes, Cerritos resident, discussed his dissatisfaction with the format of the February 6, 2007 American Association of University Women candidates' forum held in the Cerritos City Council chambers; requested access to TV3 not under express City control to broadcast a regular public affairs show to discuss City issues; objected to any additional senior only housing and proposed cut backs in Dial-a-Ride service; and opined that public comments during the meeting should be open to all subjects.
B. J. Zala, Cerritos resident, congratulated the City on its Rose Parade float; asked the Council to re-consider facility use fees to address non-resident use of facilities; and he indicated that Heritage Park is in need of maintenance.
Jerry Kamashian, Cerritos resident, referenced his previous testimony before the City Council with regard to code enforcement. He suggested improved Code Enforcement interaction with the community through a team of City leaders and community members
Bob Houska, Property Preservation Commissioner and Cerritos resident, addressed the benefits to the community of Code Enforcement and suggested residents call Code Enforcement when they have been notified of a code violation to resolve any issues prior to requiring a more extended process.
Chan-Yong Kim, Property Preservation Commissioner and Cerritos resident, indicated that Property Preservation Commissioners are also residents, and he discussed the benefits of residents promptly communicating Code Enforcement concerns to eliminate misunderstandings. He also opined that property maintenance is a valuable tool in keeping the City beautiful.
Kit Ho, Cerritos resident, suggested a more engaging communication method with homeowners when they are notified of Code Enforcement violations, particularly with elderly and disadvantaged residents. He referenced the recent increase in City facility use fees and expressed that residents are being penalized because non-residents are abusing the reservation system. Mr. Ho also expressed privacy concerns associated with the practice of speakers stating their addresses during public comments because videos of the meetings are posted on the Internet via the City's website and asked for input from the City Attorney on this matter.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
Approval of Register of Demands
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lee to approve the Register of Demands dated February 8, 2007, Checks 87882 through 88252, in the total amount of $17,551,953.17. The motion carried with Councilman Crawley and Councilwoman Kappe absent.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lee to approve the Minutes of the January 22, 2007 Special City Council Meeting. The motion carried with Councilman Crawley and Councilwoman Kappe absent.
Ordinance for second reading and adoption. Reading of ordinance waived and ordinance adopted.
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 Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lee to waive reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 921. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers - Edwards, Lee, Bowlen
NOES: Councilmembers - None
ABSENT: Councilmembers - Crawley, Kappe
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers - None
PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES
Consideration and award of contract for construction of street improvements in residential streets, Project No. 14088-06-I, Bid No. 1048-07.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lee and seconded by Councilman Edwards to award a contract for Project No. 14088-06-I, Bid No. 1048-07, construction of street improvements in residential streets, to All American Asphalt in the amount of $445,445.00 and to reject all other bids. The motion carried with Councilman Crawley and Councilwoman Kappe absent.
NEW AND OLD BUSINESS
Consideration of a request of the Woman's Club of Artesia-Cerritos regarding its February 26, 2007 City Council Candidate Forum.
Gayle Grossman, Woman's Club President and Cerritos resident, responded to Council inquiry by indicating that no pre-planned questions would be asked as part of the Forum process.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lee to authorize the use of the City Council Chambers by the Woman's Club of Artesia-Cerritos on February 26, 2007 for the purpose of conducting a candidates' forum for the March 6, 2007 City election, and to absorb the cost of cable casting the event. The motion carried with Councilman Crawley and Councilwoman Kappe absent.
Consideration and award of Bid No. 1049-07, printing of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 2007-2008 season brochures and 2007-2008 single ticket brochures.
MOTION: It was moved Mayor Pro Tem Lee and seconded by Councilman Edwards to award Bid No. 1049-07 for the printing of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 2007-2008 Season Brochures to Penn Industries in the amount of $343,642.00; and to award the 2007-2008 Single Ticket Brochures to Graphic Press in the amount of $192,554.00. The motion carried with Councilman Crawley and Councilwoman Kappe absent.
Review and consideration of a request from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission for the City of Cerritos/Cerritos Redevelopment Agency to participate in a joint public arts project for Cerritos Regional Park generally located at 19800 Bloomfield Avenue bounded by 195th Street, the Coyote Creek channel and the Cerritos Sports Complex (APN 7044-015-906).
Following the staff report, City Council discussion ensued regarding equitable City of Cerritos/Cerritos Redevelopment Agency participation on the proposed committee including a City staff member and confirmation that the $86,000 representing the City/Agency fifty percent share of contribution toward the art work would be from Redevelopment Agency funds.
At the request of the City Council, City Attorney Steres observed that this was a first step in the process and that a Memorandum of Understanding outlining responsibilities, program management, maintenance costs, etc. would be brought back to the City/Agency for approval prior to moving forward with a project.
Cerritos resident Chris Fuentes inquired if other cities are asked to contribute fifty percent of the costs in similar situations with the County; suggested that the City/Agency might not want to participate and have the County oversee the entire project; cautioned that future costs associated with the artwork should not fall on the City/Agency alone; called for equitable representation on the proposed committee for the project; and suggested more public input before a decision is made.
City Manager Gallucci noted that the matter before the City Council this evening is authorization to move forward with documentation preparation, with the final documentation and approval being brought back to the City Council for consideration. He added that the County approached the City/Agency for a fifty percent share of the cost of the artwork after they had assessed themselves based upon their park improvement project, noting that the artwork would be an enhancement opportunity for the park.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards to authorize the amount of $86,000 from Cerritos Redevelopment Agency funds to participate in a joint public arts project with the County of Los Angeles for Cerritos Regional Park; direct that the Fine Arts and Historical Commission select two members to serve on the Project Coordination Committee along with Assistant City Manager Matsumoto; and move forward with looking at the prospect of participating with Los Angeles County for the selection of the art piece. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lee and carried with Councilman Crawley and Councilwoman Kappe absent.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REPORT ON MEETINGS
Mayor Pro Tem Lee suggested the planting of a tree at Cerritos Park East in memory of Cerritos resident Joe Pollard who recently passed away.
CONSENSUS: It was the consensus of the Council to plant a tree at Cerritos Park East in memory of Cerritos resident Joe Pollard who recently passed away.
Mayor Bowlen noted that Cerritos was designated a Tree City USA; reported on sessions he attended at the United States Conference of Mayors Conference in Washington D.C.; and asked residents to contact the City if they have an interest in the adopt a Marine battalion program being developed.
Councilman Edwards reminded residents to vote on the City's Election Day on March 6, 2007.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. in memory of Cerritos resident Joe Pollard who recently passed away.
/s/ Josephine Triggs
Josephine Triggs, City Clerk
ATTEST:
/s/ Paul W. Bowlen
Paul W. Bowlen, Mayor
Approved: February 22, 2007
