Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS
HELD FEBRUARY 24, 2011
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, St. John’s Lutheran Church offered the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Boy Scout Troop 888 led the assembly in the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL
The following Members of the City Council were in attendance:
Councilman Bruce Barrows
Councilwoman Carol Chen
Councilman Jim Edwards
Mayor Pro Tem Laura Lee
Mayor Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
PRESENTATIONS
Proclamations and presentations were made as follows:
A plaque was presented to Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman to honor his 22 years of service to the County of Los Angeles.
Proclamations were presented to Andrew Fang, Julian Hwang, and Chi-Han Lu in recognition of receiving the rank of Eagle Scout.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Lakbathi Sheth announced fundraising events at Whitney High School.
Joel Beam responded to a recent newspaper regarding the City’s collective bargaining unit.
Kari Franco spoke regarding her involvement in the City’s employee union.
Rogan Girard spoke regarding the City’s current collective bargaining process.
John Nieto responded to a recent newspaper regarding the City’s collective bargaining unit.
Ram Kakkar spoke regarding the current economic climate as it impacts the negotiating process with collective bargaining units.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approval of Register of Demands
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lee and seconded by Councilman Edwards to approve the Register of Demands dated February 24, 2011, Checks 122881 through 123158, in the total amount of $1,725,526.67. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lee and seconded by Councilman Edwards to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 10, 2011. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Consideration to waive reading of and introduce an Ordinance of the City of Cerritos amending Chapter 22.40, Specific Uses, of Title 22 of the City of Cerritos Municipal Code to prohibit the establishment and operation of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in all zones within the City of Cerritos.
1. Development Code Amendment 2011-2*
*Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is exempt from CEQA review.
Ryan Carey, Management Analyst, provided a staff report.
Mayor Cho opened the public hearing and public comments. There were no public speakers. Mayor Cho closed public comments and the public hearing.
Council discussion ensued regarding pending litigation in other jurisdictions and the locations of regional medical marijuana dispensaries.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Chen and seconded by Councilman Barrows to 1) approve Development Code Amendment 2011-2, making the findings set forth in the Cerritos Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 2011-5, 2) waive reading of and introduce AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS AMENDING CHAPTER 22.40, SPECIFIC USES, OF TITLE 22 OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROHIBIT THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES IN ALL ZONES WITHIN THE CITY OF CERRITOS. The motion carried unanimously.
Consideration to waive reading of and introduce an Ordinance of the City of Cerritos adding Chapter 9.100 to the Municipal Code declaring as a public nuisance the establishment, maintenance, or operation of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries within the City of Cerritos.
Ryan Carey, Management Analyst, provided a staff report.
Mayor Cho opened the public hearing and public comments. There were no public speakers. Mayor Cho closed public comments and the public hearing.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Chen and seconded by Councilman Barrows to waive reading of and introduce AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS ADDING CHAPTER 9.100 TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE DECLARING AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE THE ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE, OR OPERATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES WITHIN THE CITY OF CERRITOS. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS ACTIVITIES
Consideration and approval of a proposal to re-allocate Congressionally-directed federal grant funding for the installation of a photovoltaic system from the Cuesta Villas Senior Housing Project to the Cerritos Corporate Yard.
Kanna Vancheswaran, Assistant City Engineer, provided a staff report. A PowerPoint Presentation was displayed.
MOTION: It was moved by Councilwoman Chen and seconded by Councilman Edwards to 1) approve a proposal to re-allocate congressionally directed federal grant funding for the installation of a photovoltaic system from the Cuesta Villas Senior Housing Project to the Cerritos Corporate Yard, 2) Identify and allocate sufficient funds from the Cerritos Water Utility Fund to provide the necessary local match to complete the project, 3) direct staff to design, advertise and bid the project as described. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW AND OLD BUSINESS
Consideration of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Fiscal Year 2010 Local Solicitation Application.
Emily Merina, Community Services Supervisor, provided a staff report.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lee and seconded by Councilman Edwards to approve the Bicycle Patrol Program that was submitted and approved by the Office of Justice Programs as the project for the 2010 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program. The motion carried unanimously.
Consideration of a proposed amendment to the existing agreement between the City of Cerritos and the Artesia Cemetery District.
Sherre Titus, Recreation Services Superintendent, provided staff report. A PowerPoint Presentation was displayed.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lee and seconded by Councilwoman Chen to 1) approve Amendment No. 1 to Extension of Lease Agreement, commencing March 6, 2011, for Rosewood Park from the Artesia Cemetery District and allow the City Manager to sign the agreement, and 2) authorize staff to commence a bid process for the relocation of the security fence for a total amount not to exceed $15,000. The motion carried unanimously.
REPORT ON PENDING LEGISLATION
Art Gallucci, City Manager, provided an update report on the pending and proposed litigation/legislation regarding the Governor’s proposal to eliminate Redevelopment Agencies.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/COMMITTEE REPORTS/REPORT ON MEETINGS
Councilwomen Chen reported on the following: various community events on behalf of the City of Cerritos. She also recognized Julie Suh, a recent appointee of California Governor Brown.
CONSENSUS (Chen): Requested staff evaluate and potentially draft a letter for the Mayor’s signature on the impacts of the City opposing the elimination of any Federal Workforce Investment Board funding (HR-1).
Councilman Edwards reported on the following: reading event at a local school, retirement of Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman, the Volunteer Coaches Recognition Dinner, and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Mayor Pro Tem Lee reported on the following: various community events on behalf of the City of Cerritos, reading event at a local school, CCPA Children’s event,
Mayor Cho reported on the following: various community events on behalf of the City of Cerritos, Miss USA coronation events, Volunteer Coaches Recognition Dinner, and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Councilman Barrows reported on the following: Volunteer Coaches Recognition Dinner, the collective bargaining matters that were debated at the recent candidate’s forum, League of Cities joint meeting, and current 1st CEB donation event.
CONSENSUS (Barrows): Directed staff to reinstate the opportunity for long-term City employees to be recognized at Council meetings, if they desire.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.
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ATTEST: Vida Barone, Interim City Clerk
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Joseph Cho, Ph.D., Mayor
Approved: March 10, 2011
