Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS
HELD NOVEMBER 16, 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 Carl Bernal with St. John Lutheran Church in Cerritos offered the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Members of Boy Scout Troop 1005 led the assembly in the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL
The following Members of the City Council were in attendance:
Councilman Jim Edwards
Councilwoman Laura Lee
Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
Mayor Bruce W. Barrows
The excused absence of Councilwoman Carol Chen was noted.
PRESENTATIONS
Proclamations were presented to Cerritos Special Olympics Soccer Team for gold medals at the Southeast Los Angeles County Regional Special Olympics Soccer Tournament and Pasadena Special Olympics Soccer Tournament, and placing fourth at the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley Regional Fall Games Special Olympics Soccer Tournament; and to Free Skater Aaron Li Hai for placing first in 2009 at the Los Angeles Open, California Championships and Southwest Pacific Regional Championships; in 2008 placing first in the Golden West Championships, second at Los Angeles Championships, third at Southern California Inter-Club Championships; and in 2007 placing first at District 15 Free Skating Championships.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Ram Kakkar, Cerritos resident, expressed that the block wall extension ordinance reviewed by the Planning Commission provides for only masonry block with pilasters. He opined that the cost for this option is unaffordable and that the existing block wall would not hold a new masonry wall extension. Mr. Kakkar commented on his previous requests for accommodation for the hearing impaired at the City Council meeting, specifically captioning service, and requested a response regarding his request.
Chris Foster, Cerritos resident, commended staff for their efforts associated with the Cerritos Special Olympics Soccer Team.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of Register of Demands
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Councilwoman Lee to approve the Register of Demands dated November 16, 2009, Checks 112125 through 112608, in the total amount of $20,477,174.80. The motion carried, with Councilwoman Chen absent.
Approval of Treasurer's Report for the period ending September 30, 2009
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Councilwoman Lee to approve the Treasurer's Report for the period ending September 30, 2009. The motion carried, with Councilwoman Chen absent.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Councilwoman Lee to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 22, 2009. The motion carried, with Councilwoman Chen absent.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The Mayor referenced the air quality issue that was reported a number of months ago in the media. He noted that in addition to the other responses to this issue, City staff has worked with the City of Santa Fe Springs to put in place mitigation measures associated with the facility through the conditional use permit process should any air quality conditions deteriorate.
PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES
Consideration and award of contract for the construction of street improvements on Bloomfield Avenue from Artesia Boulevard to the northerly Cerritos city limits; Artesia Boulevard from Bloomfield Avenue to the SR-91 Freeway overcrossing; westerly Valley View Avenue from 183rd Street to the northerly Cerritos city limits; Fabrica Way and Bolsa Avenue, Project No. 13108, Federal Project No. ESPL 5325 (012), Bid No. 1096-10.
Following the staff report, and at the request of Council, staff responded to inquiries regarding the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises goal, planned discussions with Metropolitan Transportation Authority to possibly retain residual funds that are remaining at the conclusion of the project; and status of other stimulus grant applications.
Ken Cha, Cerritos resident, commented on the need for improvements at the 91 Freeway eastbound exit at Bloomfield Avenue, suggesting removal of the utility boxes to accommodate pedestrians and wheelchair accessibility. He also suggested improving the 91 Freeway westbound on-ramp soundwall and landscaping areas.
At the request of the Council, City Manager Gallucci noted that the City would be responsible in perpetuity for any improvements or maintenance it undertakes on Caltrans property in these areas, and that the project involved the City-owned areas near the freeway.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Lee and seconded by Councilman Edwards to award a contract to All American Asphalt in the amount of $1,103,000 for the construction of street improvements on Bloomfield Avenue from Artesia Boulevard to the northerly Cerritos city limits; Artesia Boulevard from Bloomfield Avenue to the SR-91 Freeway over-crossing; westerly Valley View Avenue from 183rd Street to the northerly Cerritos city limits; Fabrica Way and Bolsa Avenue, Project No. 13108, Federal Project No. ESPL 5325 (012), Bid No. 1096-10, and to reject all other bids. The motion carried, with Councilwoman Chen absent.
NEW AND OLD BUSINESS
Consideration of increasing the reward amount for the apprehension and conviction of person(s) guilty of the murder of the grandson of a Cerritos resident.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilman Edwards and seconded by Councilwoman Lee to authorize an additional $15,000 in reward funds for the apprehension and conviction of the individual(s) involved in the murder of Jonathan Muse, bringing the city's contribution to $25,000. The motion carried, with Councilwoman Chen absent.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REPORT ON MEETINGS
Councilwoman Lee reflected on the Thanksgiving holiday, reminded everyone that the next meeting of the City Council would be held on Monday, November 23, 2009, with the Christmas Tree Lighting Event immediately preceding that meeting.
Councilman Edwards reiterated that the Christmas Tree Lighting Event would be held next Monday with the City Council meeting following the ceremony. He commented on his attendance at the National League of Cities conference in San Antonio, Texas.
Mayor Pro Tem Cho commented on his attendance at the Smart Senior Forum at the Cerritos Senior Center, Arts Education Program at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts sponsored by the Friends of Arts Education, the Modie Bell Senior Citizen's Foundation in Culver City, three Veteran's Day ceremonies in the City of Artesia, Cerritos College and the City of Cerritos, and the Neighborhood Watch Townhall Meeting last week in the Council Chambers, noting the low resident turnout.
In response, Community and Safety Services Director Berg commented on the publicity for the Neighborhood Watch Townhall Meeting, noting that many of the attendees are seniors and these meetings are typically held at the Senior Center. It was also noted that the meeting was video recorded and would be broadcast on Channel 3.
Mayor Barrows commented on his attendance at the National League of Cities Conference in San Antonio, Texas, relayed information pertaining to home fire prevention and testing of residential fire alarm devices, and suggested staff review and work with the Fire Department with regard to home fire prevention.
CONSENSUS: At the suggestion of Mayor Barrows, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to review the prepared emergency response program utilized in the City of Frisco, Texas.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
/s/Josephine Triggs
Josephine Triggs, City Clerk
ATTEST:
/s/Bruce Barrows
Bruce Barrows, Mayor
Approved: November 23, 2009
