Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS HELD FEBRUARY 22, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:10 p.m. Cerritos City Hall, Third Floor – City Manager’s Conference Room, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California.
ROLL CALL
The following Members of the City Council were in attendance:
Councilman/Member Bruce Barrows
Councilwoman/Member Carol Chen
Councilman/Member Jim Edwards
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Laura Lee
Mayor/Chair Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
Matters for Discussion and/or Consideration for meeting with Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, 39th Congressional District.
A. Request for Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011-2012
B. Requests for Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010-2011
C. Review of Economic Stimulus Package
D. Budget Discussion
Congresswoman Sanchez made a brief presentation regarding the status of the Federal budget. Ms. Sanchez mentioned there would likely be no Congressionally-directed spending or “earmarks” for the upcoming fiscal year. She did note that grant opportunities and processes are options for the City to receive funding for future projects and she would offer support for such applications.
The Mayor and Councilmembers welcomed and thanked Congresswoman Sanchez and her staff for their ongoing support of the City of Cerritos.
Councilman Barrows:
Requested assistance with obtaining the High-Speed Rail Funding returned from the State of Florida to support the building of the Orange Line. He mentioned existing Measure R money and requested a pilot program where transportation modifications can quickly take place.
Requested assistance with supporting the strength and capacity of the Port of Los Angeles.
Mayor Pro Tem Lee thanked the Congresswoman for her assistance to Cerritos and excused herself from the meeting.
Councilwoman Chen:
Requested assistance with fulfilling past “earmark” requests; in particular, transportation projects and updates to the “teen” section of the Library.
City Manager/Executive Director Art Gallucci:
Submission of unfunded projects from last fiscal year (computers at the Library to be upgraded, technology at Sheriff’s Station, technology at the swim center – vents and heating system, teen zone, bridge at Del Amo)
Councilman Edwards thanked the Congresswoman and highlighted the service of her field representative Jesse Cheng.
Ram Kakkar, resident, expressed concerns that the federal stimulus plans are only helping the banks and not helping the ordinary citizens.
The Congresswoman provided a brief overview of the federal stimulus bill and the progress that has been made. She mentioned that Social Security is the only form of income for many seniors.
Harshad Mody, resident, expressed concerns about the delay in the construction of the Del Amo bridge and the upcoming Social Security crisis.
The Congresswoman addressed the concerns regarding the delay in the Del Amo bridge and her perspective of the democratic process.
Mayor Cho noted that the Del Amo Bridge is at the top of the appropriations request list.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:54 p.m.
______________________________
Vida Barone, Interim City Clerk
______________________________
ATTEST: Art Gallucci, Redevelopment Agency
Secretary
____________________________
Joseph Cho, Ph.D., Mayor/Chair
Approved: March 10, 2011
