Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS
HELD JUNE 12, 2008
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 Bill Ebling with the First Baptist Church of Fullerton offered the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Edwards led the assembly in the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL
The following Members of the City Council were in attendance:
Councilman Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
Councilwoman Laura Lee
Mayor Pro Tem Bruce W. Barrows
Mayor Jim Edwards
PRESENTATIONS
Recognition and presentations were made for the following: City of Cerritos being named an All-America City by the National Civic League; 2008 California Distinguished School Awards for Mary Bragg, Cerritos, Patricia Nixon and Wittmann Elementary Schools; City of Cerritos Elementary School Recycling Competition to Wittmann Elementary School; 2008 City Wide Pride school winners Wittmann Elementary School, Carmenita Middle School, Haskell Middle School and Tracy High School; Cerritos High School Boys Varsity Tennis Team for winning the 2008 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Championship Tournament; and Mary and Robert Buell on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Chris Fuentes, Cerritos resident, congratulated the City for being named an All-America City, Mr. and Mrs. Buell on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary and Councilmember-elect Carol Chen, and thanked everyone who voted in the City's June 3, 2008 special election. He commented on labor negotiations associated with Dial-A-Ride and COW, asserting that higher-paid drivers would be replaced with lower-paid drivers, and called for fair personnel practices.
City Manager Gallucci indicated he was not aware of the situation related to the Dial-A-Ride and COW drivers and noted the drivers are employed by an independent company and are not employed by the City.
Alon Barlevy, Cerritos resident, congratulated Councilmember-elect Carol Chen and commented on the election results, noting that the City is well run and residents are satisfied with the level of service provided by the City.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of Register of Demands
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Lee and seconded by Councilman Cho to approve the Register of Demands dated June 12, 2008, Checks 100126 through 100579 in the total amount of $20,260,126.97. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Lee and seconded by Councilman Cho to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 22, 2008 and the Joint Special Meeting of June 2, 2008. The motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance for second reading and adoption. Reading of ordinance waived and ordinance adopted.
ORDINANCE NO. 939 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS ADDING CHAPTER 9.35 TO THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO RESIDENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR SEX OFFENDERS.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Lee and seconded by Councilman Cho to waive reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 939 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS ADDING CHAPTER 9.35 TO THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO RESIDENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR SEX OFFENDERS.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers - Cho, Lee, Barrows, Edwards
NOES: Councilmembers - None
ABSENT: Councilmembers - None
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers - None
Miscellaneous
Notification of review of Conflict of Interest Code.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Lee and seconded by Councilman Cho to direct staff to notify each City agency to review its conflict of interest code and report back to the City Council with notice of anticipated changes prior to October 1, 2008. The motion unanimously carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Consideration of options regarding the continuation of the Los Coyotes Lighting and Landscaping District.
Consideration to waive reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS, ORDERING A REASSESSMENT WITHIN THE LOS COYOTES LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT, CONFIRMING THE FINDINGS OF THE ENGINEER'S REPORT, PROVIDING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO, THE MAINTENANCE OF AND THE FURNISHING OF ELECTRIC CURRENT AND LANDSCAPING TO THE LOS COYOTES LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT, AND ORDERING THE REMITTANCE OF ASSESSMENTS FROM RESERVES IN THE LOS COYOTES LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING FUND AND OTHER AVAILABLE REVENUES.
Title to the foregoing item was read, the public hearing opened, and staff called upon for a report.
Budget Administrator DeMasi provided an overview of the assessment findings from the Engineer's Report and options pertaining to the Los Coyotes Lighting and Landscaping District, as outlined in the staff report dated June 12, 2008. He noted a typographical error in Section 9 of the resolution to change the reference to 195th Street to 166th Street.
Those wishing to present testimony were called upon.
Chris Fuentes, Cerritos resident, inquired if part of the assessment could be used to repair landscaped areas and asked if the assessment could be structured to generate more money in the fund.
In response, the City Manager indicated that repair of the walls on 195th Street is being proposed in the upcoming budget and noted that the homeowner assessment could be expanded, which would require an election.
No one else wished to comment and the public hearing was closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Cho and seconded by Councilwoman Lee to approve Option #1 and waive reading of and adopt, as corrected, Resolution No. 2008-16 entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS, ORDERING A REASSESSMENT WITHIN THE LOS COYOTES LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT, CONFIRMING THE FINDINGS OF THE ENGINEER'S REPORT, PROVIDING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO, THE MAINTENANCE OF AND THE FURNISHING OF ELECTRIC CURRENT AND LANDSCAPING TO THE LOS COYOTES LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DISTRICT, AND ORDERING THE REMITTANCE OF ASSESSMENTS FROM RESERVES IN THE LOS COYOTES LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING FUND AND OTHER AVAILABLE REVENUES. The motion carried unanimously.
PENDING LEGAL MATTERS
Resolution for consideration
Consideration to waive reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA'S EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (EDD) EMPLOYMENT DATA FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.
MOTION: It was then moved by Mayor Pro Tem Barrows and seconded by Councilman Cho to waive reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2008-17 entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA'S EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (EDD) EMPLOYMENT DATA FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES
Review and consideration of a traffic analysis and options for improved traffic circulation for Gahr High School and neighboring streets.
Assistant City Engineer Vancheswaran provided an overview of the current situation and outlined the options contained in the staff report dated June 12, 2008.
During ensuing discussion it was noted that ABC Unified School District would pay for improvements on school property and the City would bear the cost of improvements to Artesia Boulevard, with $125,000 proposed in the upcoming budget for Alternatives 1 or 2 and the costs associated with Option 3 being minimal. Additional discussion was held regarding the approximate cost of addressing previous traffic issues at $300,000 for Whitney High School, $200,000 at Cerritos High School and a nominal amount thus far at Gahr High School for painting curbs red and posting signs; the issuance of 51 citations in the Gahr High School area for the months of April and May; the likely ineffectiveness of an elaborate camera/identification system to address the problem; the possible ineffectiveness of the options provided due to the tendency of parents to drop-off/pick-up students at the Mapes/Alora Avenues locations, which are nearer classrooms; and an increased Sheriff's deployment at initial implementation of a traffic circulation solution as well as cooperation from Cerritos residents in helping to alleviate issues associated with student drop-off/pick-up.
Annetta Breedlove, Cerritos resident residing near the Gahr High School campus, commented on safety concerns associated with student drop-off/pick-up practices at present and expressed a preference for Alternative 1 to shift this activity onto the school campus.
Chris Fuentes, Cerritos resident, commented that this has been a continuing problem; expressed that the flaw in the process was the lack of affected resident involvement in developing solutions; and suggested an intensive enforcement stage.
Judith Fergusen, Cerritos resident, commented on the continuing traffic problems, safety issues, inconvenience, and inconsistent traffic enforcement associated with student drop-off/pick-up at Gahr High School; and discussed her efforts to address this problem through the Sheriff's Department.
Alon Barlevy, Cerritos resident, indicated that the solution should address the specific problem and suggested the possibility of retractable speed bumps.
Dr. Gary Smuts, Superintendent, ABC Unified School District, commented on traffic circulation solutions at Whitney High School, noting that the City solution was appropriate in that instance, and concurred with the recommended Alternative 1. He noted that school service organizations would assist with on-campus traffic control.
General discussion continued regarding the three alternatives provided and the preference for Alternative 1 coupled with appropriate enforcement as well as a suggested re-evaluation of the program in several months.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Cho and seconded by Councilwoman Lee to direct staff to work with the ABC Unified School District to implement Alternative 1 as outlined in the staff report dated June 12, 2008 for improved traffic circulation at Gahr High School. The motion carried unanimously.
REPORT ON PENDING LEGISLATION
City Manager Gallucci reported that he and the Mayor would be in Sacramento this coming Tuesday to testify in support of City-sponsored AB2000 relating to rollover of Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocations.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REPORT ON MEETINGS
Councilwoman Lee reported on her recent attendance at the California Contract Cities Association conference in Indian Wells at which green issues were addressed and congratulated residents and others for winning the All-America City award.
Councilman Cho expressed pride and congratulated all involved in the City being named an All-America City and commented on other awards bestowed upon the City, suggesting that the City recognize receipt of all of its recent awards at the upcoming Let Freedom Ring celebration; congratulated Councilmember-elect Carol Chen and the other candidates for their efforts in the recent election; and reported on his attendance at the California Contract Cities Association conference.
Councilman Barrows reported on his attendance at the California Contract Cities Association and League of California Cities events; commented on water conservation issues and legislation; and indicated he would like to see a report back to the City Council on red light camera enforcement expenses and revenues at each location.
CONSENSUS: At the suggestion of Councilman Barrows, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff and the Planning Commission to review building development standards associated with the reduction of the use of potable water.
CONSENSUS: At the suggestion of Councilman Barrows, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to review with the Planning Commission the updated Fire Code, contact the City of San Diego, Fire Marshal, and Fire Chief for purposes of improved implementation, and report back to the City Council.
CONSENSUS: At the suggestion of Councilman Barrows, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare resolutions in support of AB2724 and AB844 related to the theft of metals for Council consideration at the next meeting.
CONSENSUS: At the suggestion of Councilman Barrows, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to report back on the status of current aerial photographs of the City.
Mayor Edwards commented on the City being named an All-America City.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. in memory of Dorene Montgomery, mother of ABC Unified School District Board Member David Montgomery, who recently passed away.
/s/ Josephine Triggs
Josephine Triggs, City Clerk
ATTEST:
/s/ Jim Edwards
Jim Edwards, Mayor/Chair
Approved: June 26, 2008
