Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS
HELD SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
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, a Cerritos resident with the First Baptist Church of Fullerton, offered the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Boy Scout Troop 693 led the assembly in the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL
The following Members of the City Council were in attendance:
Councilwoman Carol Chen
Councilman Jim Edwards
Councilwoman Laura Lee
Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
Mayor Bruce W. Barrows
PRESENTATIONS
Proclamations were presented for Preparedness Month and the Water Replenishment District's 50th Anniversary. Crystal Brown of the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District presented the District's response to the West Nile Virus and Kristine Guerrero of the Los Angeles Division of the League of California Cities commented on the League action at its recent conference to unanimously support a constitutional amendment to protect local revenues from the State.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Katherine Chu, Cerritos resident, expressed her disappointment at being unable to secure the use of the snack bar and storage facility for a Special Olympics event to be held at the Cerritos Sports Complex this coming Sunday.
Chris Foster, Cerritos resident, thanked the Sheriff's Department for hosting the Law Enforcement Tip-A-Cop fundraising event for the Special Olympics Athletes of Southeast Los Angeles area on August 26 at Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill in the Cerritos Towne Center. He reiterated the comments of Mrs. Chu.
Robin Sumner, Cerritos resident, asked the Council for assistance in the use of the snack bar for the Special Olympics event.
It was noted that staff would contact Mrs. Chu regarding her concerns.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of Register of Demands
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cho to approve the Register of Demands dated September 24, 2009, Checks 111192 through 111466, in the total amount of $2,367,548.48. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cho to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 10, 2009. The motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance for second reading and adoption. Reading of ordinance waived and ordinance adopted.
ORDINANCE NO. 951 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AMENDING CHAPTER 22.25, CN – NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ZONE, OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO SIDE AND REAR YARD SETBACK STANDARDS FOR PROPERTIES ZONED CN THAT ARE THREE QUARTERS OF AN ACRE OR LESS IN SIZE, THAT ABUT A RESIDENTIAL AREA, AND THAT ARE NOT CONTIGUOUS TO OTHER PARCELS ZONED CN.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cho to waive reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 951 entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AMENDING CHAPTER 22.25, CN – NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ZONE, OF THE CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO SIDE AND REAR YARD SETBACK STANDARDS FOR PROPERTIES ZONED CN THAT ARE THREE QUARTERS OF AN ACRE OR LESS IN SIZE, THAT ABUT A RESIDENTIAL AREA, AND THAT ARE NOT CONTIGUOUS TO OTHER PARCELS ZONED CN. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers – Chen, Edwards, Lee, Cho, Barrows
NOES: Councilmembers – None
ABSENT: Councilmembers – None
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers – None
Miscellaneous
*Consideration and award of Bid No. 1095-10, printing of the 2010 Cerritos Community Calendar.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cho to award Bid No. 1095-10 to Lithocraft Co. for the printing of the 2010 Cerritos Community Calendar in the amount of $26,109.53. The motion carried unanimously.
Consideration and award of Bid No. 1097-10, printing of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 2009-2010 Seasonal Calendars.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cho that Bid No. 1097-10 for the printing of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
2009-2010 Seasonal Calendars be awarded to Trend Offset Printing in the amount of $63,831.76. 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 IN OPPOSITION TO THE INCREASE IN PENSION BENEFITS PROPOSED BY THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (MWD).
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Lee and seconded by Councilman Edwards to waive reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2009-18 entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS IN OPPOSITION TO THE INCREASE IN PENSION BENEFITS PROPOSED BY THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (MWD). The motion carried unanimously.
*RECONSIDERATION OF CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM
Consideration and award of Bid No. 1095-10, printing of the 2010 Cerritos Community Calendar.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Chen and seconded by Mayor Barrows to reconsider the award of Bid No. 1095-10, printing of the 2010 Cerritos Community Calendar. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussion was held regarding the local business preference section of the purchasing ordinance as it relates to the bid submitted by JJ Printing in Cerritos and the possibility of re-bidding the project and modifying the ordinance to enhance the local business preference section, particularly for those local businesses that generate sales tax revenue. Concern was expressed in changing the bidding procedure at this point, with the possibility of reviewing the local business preference section and bringing back potential modifications at a future meeting, including a historical component of bids from Cerritos businesses. With regard to this bid, it was pointed out that the time frame necessary to modify the ordinance would not accommodate the time constraints associated with the printing of the calendar.
Derek Lee, JJ Printing, Cerritos, asked the Council to reconsider the one percent local business preference with regard to bidding and expressed that it would be beneficial to the local business community.
MOTION: It was then moved by Councilwoman Chen and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cho to award Bid No. 1095-10 to Lithocraft Co. for the printing of the 2010 Cerritos Community Calendar in the amount of $26,109.53. The motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Chen and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cho to direct staff to report back with an amendment to the purchasing ordinance to enhance the local business preference section pertaining to Cerritos bidders. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW AND OLD BUSINESS
Consideration and review of a report on mass communications systems for delivery of City of Cerritos information via text messages, e-mail messages and telephone calls.
Following the staff report discussion was held regarding the benefits of communicating both urgent safety announcements and general community information to Cerritos residents; the costs associated with mass communications systems; targeted communication; and security concerns related to resident information released to a mass communications system carrier.
MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF A SECOND: Following discussion it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Cho to provide the ALERT LA COUNTY system and direct staff to continuously watch and evaluate new technology to improve communication with residents and bring back information at a future Council meeting. The motion died for lack of a second.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Mayor Barrows to approve the ALERT LA COUNTY service and report back to the City Council in three months during the budget study session on the mass communications systems available and the cost for the service. The motion carried unanimously.
Consideration of various options to further mitigate traffic congestion impacting residents in the vicinity of Gahr High School.
A staff report was presented by Assistant City Engineer Vancheswaran.
Leah Nass, representing management of the Chevron service station at the northwest corner of Artesia Boulevard and Gridley Road, referenced student pedestrian safety as well as student defiance when asked to clear away from the service station driveways. She suggested resolving the question of who is responsible for making sure students are not putting themselves in danger and not damaging property.
Willodean Wiswell, Cerritos resident, referenced her recent attempt to exit her tract from Mapes Avenue, noting that she was unable to do so because cars were parked on both sides of the street and in the middle of the street waiting for students. She added that the marquee sign on the Gahr High School campus indicating drop-off/pick-up points is ignored.
Kenneth Johnson, Cerritos resident, noted that the video prepared by City staff and shown this evening did not include the traffic situation on Abana Street and Mapes Avenue, where the congestion is occurring. He suggested a video of traffic congestion on Abana Street and Mapes Avenue during student drop-off and pick-up times.
Annetta Breedlove, Cerritos resident, commented on her attempts to alleviate traffic congestion on Abana Street and Mapes Avenue, requested historical information with regard to Gahr High School student population and its impact on the adjacent residential tract as well as legal advice regarding possible violations of the Education Code. It was suggested that Ms. Breedlove also contact the School District.
Sabhat Afework, Cerritos resident, requested and received clarification that a gated community or street closure solution would require a petition of the homeowners in the tract.
Kym Sykes, Cerritos resident, referenced the video, noting that the problem is not on the Gahr High School campus, but rather on Abana Street and Mapes Avenue. She added that the problem with student-related traffic has gone on too long and the School District has offered little support. Ms. Sykes indicated further that she would pursue the possibility of a petition for a gated community or street closure.
Paul Lee, Cerritos resident, suggested gates with sensors across Mapes Avenue during student drop-off/pick-up times.
Willodean Wiswell, Cerritos resident, commented on the history of Abana Street and the Gahr High School student population. She opined that more students have cars now than in the past.
Paul Bellenbaum, Cerritos resident, commented generally on the unfortunate circumstances surrounding this matter.
It was noted during ensuing discussion that if Abana Street and Mapes Avenue are closed the tract becomes a private association and residents would incur street and tree maintenance costs, and if only one of these streets is closed, then the City would retain these maintenance responsibilities. Suggestions during additional discussion included encouraging School District staff who are assigned to monitor on-campus traffic to actively assist motorists who require attention, delineate more clearly the lanes near the westerly campus driveway off of Artesia Boulevard, and look into the possibility of closing the most easterly driveway into the faculty/staff parking lot off of Artesia Boulevard with access and exiting via the driveway to the immediate west.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Chen and seconded by Mayor Barrows to direct staff to evaluate, with input from traffic engineering and the School District, both driveways of the faculty/staff parking lot off of Artesia Boulevard to determine if closing the easterly most driveway would assist in reducing the number of cars that stack on Artesia Boulevard, while enhancing traffic circulation at Mapes Avenue. The motion carried unanimously.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Chen and seconded by Councilman Edwards to receive and file the staff report dated September 24, 2009 entitled Consideration of various options to further mitigate traffic congestion impacting residents in the vicinity of Gahr High School. The motion carried unanimously.
RECESS AND RECONVENE
The City Council recessed at 10:05 p.m. and reconvened at 10:20 p.m.
Review and consideration of an opportunity for the City of Cerritos to obtain artwork through a long-term loan from the California Arts Council and Department of General Services, State of California.
Following a report by staff discussion was held regarding the size and scope of the artwork and the three potential options for locating the artwork within the community as well as the terms of the long-term loan agreement, particularly the renewal provisions.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Chen and seconded by Councilwoman Lee to:
1. Direct staff to negotiate the final terms of the loan agreement with the California Arts Council and Department of General Services for the long-term loan of “Angelic Duet” for placement in the City of Cerritos and direct the City Manager to execute said agreement;
2. Concur with the determination of the Fine Arts and Historical Commission to install “Angelic Duet” at the “Care More” office building site, located at 12900 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA (APN 7030-011-011);
3. Direct staff to negotiate with the property owner of the “Care More” office building to install “Angelic Duet” at 12900 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA
(APN 7030-011-011); and
4. Appropriate necessary funds (approximately $50,000) from the Art in Public Places Trust Fund to ship, install and light “Angelic Duet” at the approved location;
as recommended in the staff report dated September 24, 2009. The motion carried unanimously.
PENDING LEGISLATION
Administrative Services Director Manoogian provided an overview of the Proposition 1A Securitization Program and an update on the ongoing City/Redevelopment Agency financial audit.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REPORT ON MEETINGS
Councilwoman Chen reported on her attendance at the League of California Cities Conference last week in San Jose at which the taking of redevelopment monies by the State and pending legislation related to renewable energy requirements were addressed, and she invited the public to the Cerritos Library on September 29 at 7:00 p.m. for author Jenny Cho's Chinatown in Los Angeles book signing. She inquired regarding political signs and the City Attorney noted that property owners can remove or have political signs removed that are posted on their private property without their consent. He added that tenants in commercial properties would also be permitted to remove political signs that are posted on their rented space without their permission.
Councilwoman Lee reported on the Patriot's Day event on September 11 and Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts opening performance. She noted complaints received regarding tree trimming procedures and asked that staff look into this.
Councilman Edwards commented on the Patriot's Day event as well as CCPA opening night and reported on his attendance at the League of California Cities Conference.
Mayor Pro Tem Cho reported on his attendance at the Patriot's Day event, memorial service for Fire Capt. Tedmund "Ted" Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones who lost their lives while battling the recent wildfire in the Angeles National Forest, CCPA opening ceremony, Chamber of Commerce Expo and State of State Address, and the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation 60th Anniversary event.
Mayor Barrows commented on his attendance at the League of California Cities Conference at which filmmaking within cities as well as the taking of monies from redevelopment agencies by the State were among the issues addressed.
CONSENSUS: At the suggestion of Mayor Barrows, staff was directed to report back to the City Council with regard to legally protecting the City of Cerritos name from unauthorized use.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
/s/Josephine Triggs
Josephine Triggs, City Clerk
ATTEST:
/s/Bruce Barrows
Bruce Barrows, Mayor
Approved: October 8, 2009
