Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS
HELD APRIL 12, 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
Pastor Suk-Boo Lee of Artesia Cerritos United Methodist Church offered the invocation
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Boy Scout Troop 1005 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 Bruce W. Barrows
Councilman Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
Councilman John F. Crawley
Mayor Pro Tem Jim Edwards
Mayor Laura Lee
PRESENTATIONS
A plaque in recognition of her service on the Let Freedom Ring Committee was presented to Cristina Pajo.
The following proclamations were presented: New Life Community Church upon the occasion of its 75th Anniversary; Relay for Life Paint Our Town Purple Day in support of individuals living with cancer and honoring those who have lost their lives to cancer; and Earthquake Preparedness Month.
CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS TO VACANCIES ON VARIOUS COMMISSIONS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Cho and seconded by Councilman Barrows to confirm the following appointees:
Councilman Cho
*Jeanelle Padre Community Safety Committee
*Chong Sop Yi Community Safety Committee
*Susan Sung Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center
*Pinakin "Pino" Pathak Economic Development Commission
*Chris Fuentes Fine Arts & Historical Commission
*Jennifer H. Hong Let Freedom Ring Committee
*Michelle Yun Let Freedom Ring Committee
*Alon Barlevy, Ph.D. Parks and Recreation Commission
*Heung Sik "Nick" Kim Planning Commission
*Kenneth Cha Property Preservation Commission
Councilman Crawley
Van Coleman Community Safety Committee
Bhavin Gandhi Community Safety Committee
LaVerne Tancill Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center
Lily Kuo Economic Development Commission
George Ray Fine Arts & Historical Commission
Charles Carson Let Freedom Ring Committee
Candace Yee Let Freedom Ring Committee
Gail Grossman Parks & Recreation Commission
Carol Chen Planning Commission
Jose Iglesias Property Preservation Commission
Mayor Pro Tem Edwards
Waldo Arballo Community Safety Committee
George Dominguez Community Safety Committee
Marianne Hughlett Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center
Kathy Lovell Economic Development Commission
Janet Beach Fine Arts and Historical Commission
Michael James Inouye Let Freedom Ring Committee
Vacant Let Freedom Ring Committee
Maynard Law Parks & Recreation Commission
Larry Sagert Planning Commission
Rusty Chiang Property Preservation Commission
Mayor Lee
*Rick Renaker Community Safety Committee
*Randy Hyatt Community Safety Committee
*Edward Ho Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center
*Brian Hews Economic Development Commission
*Maria Skiles Fine Arts and Historical Commission
Alan Wang Let Freedom Ring Committee
Ranjit "Ron" Amin Let Freedom Ring Committee
*Mark Ruiz Parks and Recreation Commission
Cindy Yen Chen Planning Commission
Chan-Yong Kim Property Preservation Commission
*New Appointees
The foregoing motion carried unanimously.
The City Clerk then administered the oath to those newly appointed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Kareem Berridge, Cerritos resident, referenced incidences at or near Cerritos Regional Park, which he asserted he was the recipient of unreasonable conduct by Sheriff's Deputies including harassment, racial profiling, and institutional racism. He indicated a complaint had been filed with the Sheriff's Department, and demanded that this misconduct be addressed and changed.
Lana Berridge, Kareem Berridge's mother, read excerpts of a letter in which she expressed pain in the way in which Sheriff's Deputies have treated her son.
City Manager Gallucci referenced the complaint, noting it is being reviewed by the Sheriff's Department. He also briefly addressed the complaint process.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
Approval of Register of Demands
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Barrows and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards to approve the Register of Demands dated April 12, 2007, Checks 89466 through 89996, in the total amount of $6,493,190.79. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the period ending February 28, 2007
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Barrows and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending February 28, 2007. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Barrows and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards to approve the Minutes of the March 22, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS ADOPTING A MORATORIUM SUSPENDING ALL CITY-RELATED ACTION AND CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR A PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY ZONE TO BE LOCATED WITHIN DEVELOPMENT AREA ONE (ADP-1) INDUSTRIAL ZONE AND PROVIDING FOR ITS ADOPTION AS AN URGENCY ORDINANCE.
Title was read to the foregoing item, the public hearing opened, and staff called upon for report.
Community Development Director Contreras provided an overview of the proposed ordinance as outlined in the staff report dated April 12, 2007.
Those wishing to present testimony were invited to address the City Council.
Benjamin Ao, Cerritos resident, representing United Homeowners Alliance, noted the project should be well-planned and meet all legal requirements, adding that negative impacts to surrounding communities, the school system, and public services should also be addressed. He referenced the General Plan, opining that the schools serving Cerritos are at or above capacity, and requested specifics regarding the number of potential students resulting from the project and how these students would be accommodated. Mr. Ao requested that a certain percentage of the houses be affordable workforce housing to alleviate the state mandate on affordable housing, without taking property from the school district. He also requested a moratorium for the project involving a proposed affordable senior housing project at the School District administrative offices site and new offices at 183rd Street and Bloomfield Avenue.
No one else wished to present testimony and the public hearing was closed.
ORDINANCE NO. 923
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS ADOPTING A MORATORIUM SUSPENDING ALL CITY-RELATED ACTION AND CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR A PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY ZONE TO BE LOCATED WITHIN DEVELOPMENT AREA ONE (ADP-1) INDUSTRIAL ZONE AND PROVIDING FOR ITS ADOPTION AS AN URGENCY ORDINANCE.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Barrows and seconded by Councilman Crawley to waive reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 923 as an urgency ordinance.
Discussion ensued regarding the effect of the proposed ordinance, any extension of the ordinance, and the review process associated with any related proposal. It was noted by Councilman Cho that he would abstain from voting on this matter because the matter is still in the research/conceptual stages, there is no environmental report, permits will not be issued at this point, and a moratorium on this project is not necessary.
MOTION CARRIES: The foregoing motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers - Barrows, Crawley, Edwards, Lee
NOES: Councilmembers - None
ABSENT: Councilmembers - None
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers - Cho
MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF A SECOND: Councilman Barrows moved to conduct a study session as part of the General Plan review on consideration of development proposals for a proposed residential overlay zone located within Development Area One (ADP-1) Industrial Zone prior to the expiration of the 45-day moratorium or extension thereof. Following discussion, the motion died for lack of a second.
PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES
Consideration and award of a contract for a traffic signal installation at Carmenita Road and Beach Street, and the installation of in-road flashing crosswalks at various locations, Bid No. 1052-07, Projects No. 15067 and 75072.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Barrows and seconded by Councilman Crawley to award a contract for a traffic signal installation at Carmenita Road and Beach Street, and the installation of in-road flashing crosswalks at various locations, Bid No. 1052-07, Projects No. 15067 and 75072, to California Professional Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $271,095, and to reject all other bids. The motion carried unanimously.
Consideration and approval of a cooperative agreement between the City of Cerritos and the County of Los Angeles for participation in the County's traffic signal synchronization program.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards and seconded by Councilman Barrows to approve and authorize the execution of an agreement between the City of Cerritos and the County of Los Angeles for participation in the County's Traffic Signal Synchronization Program. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW AND OLD BUSINESS
Consideration of scheduling a special meeting of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency on April 25, 2007 in lieu of and canceling the April 26, 2007 City Council/Redevelopment Agency regular meeting.
MOTION: Following a report regarding the proposed change in the meeting date to accommodate a joint meeting with the ABC School Board to address a proposed affordable senior housing development, and to accommodate attendance at the Mesquite Regional Landfill Groundbreaking Ceremony, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards and seconded by Councilman Crawley to schedule a special meeting of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency on April 25, 2007 in lieu of and cancel the April 26, 2007 City Council/Redevelopment Agency regular meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION OF CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Crawley and seconded by Councilman Cho to approve the 2007-2008 City Council Committee assignments as follows:
| Standing Committees |
Councilmember |
|
|---|---|---|
ABC Unified School District |
Laura Lee |
Jim Edwards |
Budget/Finance |
Laura Lee, Chair |
Jim Edwards |
Performing Arts |
All City Council Members |
|
Personnel |
John Crawley, Chair |
Laura Lee |
One-Member Standing Committees |
Councilmember |
|
Auto Mall |
Laura Lee |
|
Business and Industry |
John Crawley |
|
Cerritos Community College–Liaison |
Bruce Barrows |
|
Chamber of Commerce–Liaison |
Joseph Cho |
|
County Health Department/Health Insurance |
Jim Edwards |
|
Legislative |
Jim Edwards |
|
Library |
Laura Lee |
|
Parks and Recreation |
Jim Edwards |
|
Senior Services/Senior Center |
Laura Lee |
|
Other Organizations |
Councilmember |
Alternate |
California Contract Cities Association |
Jim Edwards |
John Crawley |
California Joint Powers Insurance Authority |
Laura Lee |
* |
Consolidated Youth Services Network |
Joseph Cho |
John Crawley |
Gateway Cities Council of Governments |
Laura Lee |
Jim Edwards |
Gateway Cities Council of Governments–91/605 |
Laura Lee |
Jim Edwards |
Corridor Cities Committee League of California Cities/City Selection/Metropolitan Transportation Authority |
Laura Lee |
Jim Edwards |
Orange Line Development Authority |
Laura Lee |
Bruce Barrows |
Sanitation Districts 2, 3, 18 & 19/Waste Management |
Laura Lee |
Jim Edwards |
Southeast Water Coalition |
Laura Lee |
Bruce Barrows |
Workforce Investment Board–Policy Board |
Jim Edwards |
Joseph Cho |
Staff Committees |
City Representative |
|
California Joint Powerse Insurance Authority |
*Art Gallucci, Alternate |
|
Central Basin Water District |
Joe Holdren |
|
Gateway Cities Council of Governments–91/605 Corridor Cities Committee |
Art Gallucci |
|
Youth/Juvenile Diversion |
Greg Berg |
The motion carried unanimously.
REPORT ON PENDING LEGISLATION
City Manager Gallucci reported on the following bills: opposition to SB303 mandating density and zoning requirement associated with low income housing, including the loss of subventions for failure to comply; and support of AB640 related to equitable approach to pumping of water.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REPORT ON MEETINGS
Councilman Barrows noted that due to past City of Artesia budget shortages, the City of Cerritos has supported that city's Sky Knight expenses, and he requested the Council consider the possibility of discontinuing funding through the budget process, since that economic hardship no longer exists. Additionally, he asked that staff be authorized to discuss possible financial participation with the Cerritos College Foundation and Cerritos College in the construction of an automotive-related educational building at Cerritos College.
CONSENSUS: It was moved by Councilman Barrows and seconded by Councilman Crawley to direct staff to report back during the budget process on the possibility of the City of Cerritos discontinuing the funding of the City of Artesia's portion of the cost of Sky Knight . The motion carried unanimously.
CONSENSUS: It was moved by Councilman Barrows and seconded by Councilman Crawley to authorize staff to discuss with the Cerritos College Foundation and Cerritos College an automotive-related educational building concept at Cerritos College and report back to the City Council. The motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Crawley referenced the original intent of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts endowment fund, which was removed from the Friends of Arts Education at the Cerritos Center mission statement, and asked that this matter be brought back to the City Council. He also asked for a report back regarding the annual costs associated with free usage of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and potential related conflict with the gift of public funds law.
CONSENSUS: It was moved by Councilman Crawley and seconded by Councilman Barrows to direct staff to report back on the endowment fund for the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, and to also report back on the annual costs associated with free usage of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, including potential related conflict with the gift of public funds law. The motion carried unanimously.
Councilman Cho indicated that the past four sets of City Council minutes had not been posted on the City's website and indicated that the information on the website should be current and up-to-date. He suggested posting the City Council agenda/reports on the City's website on the Friday before the City Council meeting rather than the Monday before the Council meeting, which is the current practice. Councilman Cho also indicated he would like the City's public notices posted on the City's website and would like staff to research on how the City's website can be improved.
Councilman Edwards congratulated newly appointed Commissioners and Committee Members, thanked Christina Pajo for her service on the Let Freedom Ring Committee, and he congratulated Mayor Laura Lee on being named 56th Assembly District Woman of the Year in the area of politics by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza.
A PowerPoint presentation of a recently completed residential street paving project was presented by staff as an informational item.
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/ Laura Lee________________
Laura Lee, Mayor/Chair
Approved: April 25, 2007
