City of Cerritos logo

Skip to Content | Footer | Accessibility

 


Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logoYouTube logoX logo

E-News signup for e-mail/text updates

 

city logo

Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS
HELD MAY 10, 2007

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Cerritos City Hall, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California.

INVOCATION

Pastor Thel Bringas of Norwalk Foursquare Church and Life Stream Worship Center offered the invocation.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, Juniors Troop 767 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

The following presentations were made:  recognition of outgoing Commissioners and Committee Members; Wittmann Elementary School Recycling Competition; Older Americans Month; Eagle Scouts Atin Patel and Jay Shriram Rajan; Valley Christian High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team; and Valley Christian High School Athletic Director Eleanor Dykstra.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Merri Wheaton, Cerritos resident, offered a prayer and invited the community to the Cerritos Community Prayer Breakfast to be held Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 7:00 a.m. at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Sierra Room.

Howard Kim, Cerritos resident, suggested presentations be made before 7:00 p.m. and that a staff person assist in the process.

CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS

Approval of Register of Demands

MOTION:  It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards and seconded by Councilman Cho to approve the Register of Demands dated May 10, 2007, Checks 90396 through 90655, in the total amount of $7,285,435.90.  The motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the period ending March 31, 2007

MOTION:  It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards and seconded by Councilman Cho to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending March 31, 2007.  The motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Minutes

MOTION:  It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards and seconded by Councilman Cho to approve the Minutes of the April 25, 2007 Joint Special Meeting of the Cerritos City Council and Cerritos Redevelopment Agency with the ABC Unified School District Board of Education.  The motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

A request by Fremont College, on behalf of the property owner, Cerritos Corporate Tower L.P., 18000 Studebaker Road, Suite 575, Cerritos, California, 90703 to permit an adult school use on the ninth (9th) floor of an existing nine-story office building located at 18000 Studebaker Road, Cerritos, California, 90703.  The subject site is zoned Regional Commercial (CR) and is located in the Los Cerritos Redevelopment Project Area (APN 7034-015-036).

Cerritos Redevelopment Agency Conformity Report 2007-1

Conditional Use Permit 2007-1*

*Pursuant to Section 15301(a) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is categorically exempt.

Title was read to the foregoing item, the public hearing opened, and staff was called upon for a report.

Current Planning Manager Hamilton identified the location of project and surrounding land uses; provided an overview of the proposal outlined in the staff report dated

May 10, 2007; noted the proposal is in conformance with the CR zone; and reported the Planning Commission recommends approval.

Interested parties were invited to present testimony.

David Lee, 10900 East 183rd Street, Cerritos, representing the applicant, commented on the Fremont College class offerings and introduced Fremont College President Mark Buck.  Mr. Lee noted the anticipated growth capacity for the facility is 300 students.

No one else wished to comment and the public hearing was closed.

At the request of the Council, the parking requirements were reviewed and it was noted that the proposal meets the parking standards.

MOTION:  It was moved by Councilman Cho and seconded by Councilman Crawley that the City Council:

A.        Receive and file Cerritos Redevelopment Agency Conformity Report 2007-1; and

B.         Approve Conditional Use Permit 2007-1, making the findings set forth in Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 2007-12;
as recommended in the staff report dated May 10, 2007.  The motion carried unanimously.

A proposal by the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency to reconstruct the existing Camp Liberty picnic shelter and remodel the interior of the existing racquetball building to include an additional recreation/meeting room at 19211 Studebaker Road, Cerritos, California, 90703 (APN 7049-014-801, APN 7049-014-900,

APN 7049-014-906), Project No. 72094.

Cerritos Redevelopment Agency Conformity Report 2007-2

Public Referral Project 2007-1

Pursuant to Section 15301, Existing Facilities, of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) this project has been deemed to be categorically exempt from CEQA review.

Consideration to waive reading of and adopt A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVING PUBLIC REFERRAL PROJECT 2007-1 FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING CAMP LIBERTY PICNIC SHELTER AND REMODEL THE INTERIOR OF THE EXISTING RACQETBALL BUILDING TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL RECREATION/MEETING ROOM AT 19211 STUDEBAKER ROAD, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA, 90703 (APN 7049-014-801, APN 7049-014-900,

APN 7049-014-906), PROJECT NO. 72094.

Title was read to the foregoing item, the public hearing opened, and staff was called upon for a report.

Public Works Director Arbogast provided an overview of the reconstruction project as outlined in the staff report dated May 10, 2007; identified the location of the site and surrounding land uses; and reviewed the architectural rendering, elevations, and floor plans.  He responded to Council inquiry by commenting that as a result of an extensive study, Recreation Services found that the trend for racquetball court use has declined, and that one court will remain at this location with 3 outdoor courts at Cerritos Park East.  Mr. Arbogast added that the intent of the reconfigured racquetball facility is to consolidate programming in a central location near many of the recreational amenities, which would accommodate recreation services programming only.  It was also noted that the seating capacity for the reconfigured Camp Liberty area would be similar to the existing capacity of approximately 300 people and that the Planning Commission is recommending approval of the proposal.

Interested parties were invited to address the City Council on this matter.  There was no response and the public hearing was closed.

MOTION:  It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards and seconded by Councilman Cho that the City Council:

A.        Receive and file Cerritos Redevelopment Conformity Report 2007-2; and

B.         Approve Public Referral Project 2007-1, making the findings set forth in Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 2007-13;

as recommended in the staff report dated May 10, 2007.  The motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2007-7

RESOLUTION NO. CRA 2007-1

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVING PUBLIC REFERRAL PROJECT 2007-1 FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING CAMP LIBERTY PICNIC SHELTER AND REMODEL THE INTERIOR OF THE EXISTING RACQETBALL BUILDING TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL RECREATION/MEETING ROOM AT 19211 STUDEBAKER ROAD, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA, 90703 (APN 7049-014-801, APN 7049-014-900, APN 7049-014-906), PROJECT NO. 72094.

MOTION:  It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Edwards and seconded by Councilman Cho to waive reading of and adopt Joint Resolution No. 2007-7 and Resolution No. CRA 2007-1.  The motion carried unanimously.

PENDING LEGAL MATTERS

Consideration of revised assessment for Los Coyotes Lighting and Landscaping District.

Presentation of Engineer's Report.

Consideration to waive reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS APPROVING THE ENGINEER'S REPORT REGARDING THE ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE LOS COYOTES LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO ORDER AND IMPLEMENT A REASSESSMENT BEGINNING JULY 1, 2007 AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF JUNE 14, 2007.

MOTION:  It was moved by Councilman Barrows and seconded by Councilman Crawley to receive and file the Engineer's Report regarding the annual levy of assessments within the Los Coyotes Lighting and Landscaping District; direct that the staff report to come back to the City Council on June 14, 2007 include among its options alternatives and analyses to not continue with the remittance back, including an option to retain only what is currently charged to the businesses; and to waive reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2007-8, entitled:

RESOLUTION NO. 2007-8

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS APPROVING THE ENGINEER'S REPORT REGARDING THE ANNUAL LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE LOS COYOTES LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO ORDER AND IMPLEMENT A REASSESSMENT BEGINNING JULY 1, 2007 AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF JUNE 14, 2007.

The motion carried, with Mayor Lee dissenting.

REPORT ON PENDING LEGISLATION

It was reported that staff continues to monitor legislation related to housing.

CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REPORT ON MEETINGS

Councilman Barrows reported on his attendance at an Orangeline Development Authority meeting in Santa Clarita, at which cities were asked to adopt resolutions to forward to the California Transportation Authority and the Council of Governments.  He also suggested a joint meeting among the City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission and Community Safety Committee to discuss park safety.

CONSENSUS:  It was the consensus of the City Council to conduct a joint meeting in the  next few months among the City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission and Community Safety Committee to discuss park safety.

Councilman Crawley reported on his attendance at the recent California Contract Cities Association election meeting in West Los Angeles, at which Sally Flowers of Artesia was elected in-coming President, and Mark Waronek of Lomita was elected Secretary-Treasurer.

Mayor Pro Tem Edwards reported on a recent trip to Sacramento to meet with Legislators regarding housing, the Community Spring Festival, State of the City address, and the upcoming June 3 Friends of Arts Education Family Arts Festival.

Councilman Cho also commented on the State of the City address and suggested that the information presented at that event be posted on the City's website.  He referenced the conceptual proposal for an affordable senior housing project at the ABC Unified School District site at 166th Street and Norwalk Boulevard, noting that the School Board had taken action to declare the site surplus and authorized lease of the property, and he encouraged residents to attend the May 24 and June 14 Council meetings to provide input regarding this proposal.

At the request of Mayor Lee, it was confirmed that the Parks and Recreation Commission concurred with previous Council action with regard to facility reservation and use policies.  Mayor Lee referenced the April 12, 2007 City Council meeting at which an allegation of law enforcement harassment was made during public comments; requested that an appropriate announcement of investigation outcomes be reported at Council meetings for the benefit of the residents; and encouraged those who are stopped by law enforcement to cooperate appropriately.

Community and Safety Services Director Berg confirmed that the Sheriff's Department complaint process includes providing persons making such complaints with the investigation results; noted that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department oversees personnel issues related to Sheriff's Deputies; and commented briefly on related confidentiality aspects of the investigation process.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

/s/ Josephine Triggs_______
Josephine Triggs, City Clerk

Attest:

/s/ Laura Lee______
Laura Lee, Mayor/Chair

Approved:  May 24, 2007

Back to Article Top