Cerritos City Council Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE
CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
HELD SEPTEMBER 15, 2011
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Cerritos City Hall, 18125 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California.
2. ROLL CALL
The following Members of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency were in attendance:
Councilmember/Member Bruce Barrows
Councilmember/Member Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
Councilmember/Member Mark Pulido
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Jim Edwards
Mayor/Chair Carol Chen
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
There were no public comments.
4. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR CONSIDERATION:
STUDY SESSION OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY IDENTIFYING FUTURE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED BY AGENCY TAX INCREMENT FUNDS.
City Manager Art Gallucci introduced the study session
A staff report and Powerpoint presentation were provided by Torrey Contreras, Director of Community Development. Director Contreras thanked the Council and Agency members for hosting the study session, and noted that the projects presented would help to further support the long term vision of the City of Cerritos Redevelopment project plan.
Councilman Barrows commented on whether items on project list “A” would increase the overall operating costs for the City; asked to identify specific projects impacting operating costs; specific projects designed to increase revenue for the City; and requested that Item “C3” (Transit related item) map definition be changed to extend down to 183rd Street and Gridley road.
City Manager Gallucci noted that the Library, Liberty Park, and Heritage Park all have existing cost saving staffing in place, and that projects listed(capital projects, streets, bridges, medians, etc.) were considered with this in mind. Revenue generating projects include the mall Parking structure (quid pro quo consideration); Studebaker mixed use development; and the Photovoltaic items.
CONSENSUS (Barrows): Direct staff to expand the “C3” (Transit related item) map definition down to 183rd Street and Gridley Road, with further review after adoption of this project. The consensus was unanimous.
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Edwards commented regarding whether the Library expansion (Teen Learning Center) cost projection encompasses enhancements and technology equipment; corrected dollar figures given for items “B7” and “C4”; expressed his agreement with and support of the list provided; the need to lock in funds; and noted the possibility of the “B7” item (expansion of the CCPA Sierra Room) generating additional revenue for the City as well.
Councilmember/Member Cho commented regarding availability of monies for the projected items with consideration of current payments to the State; Total tax increments expected; Possiblity of changing or adding to the list after it’s adoption; the project list extending out to 2027; and whether approval is required from the state after Council/Agency adoption.
City Manager Gallucci responded that based upon the current numbers, future funding should be available; the projects are not required or binding; the list projects through 2027; you cannot change items after adoption only dollar amounts; and the possibility current litigation may impact this list.
City Attorney Steres noted these items are just publicly owned improvements; there are limitations as to what could be put on the list; the list is under today’s current redevelopment law; items may be subject to future changes (in reference to increment funding); and the state is not required to review and approve the list adopted.
Mayor/Chair Chen commented that the purpose of the study session is strictly to review; put a definition on projects for funding; and emphasized that the cost estimates listed are very preliminary.
Councilmember/Member Pulido commented regarding items “A1 & A2” (Bridges) potential for shared costs of these items with neighboring cities or agencies; “A3 & A4” Photovoltaic projects are one or both items potential revenue generators; “A5” Parking lots being improvements or expansions; “A6” Potential benefit of new reservoir increasing city storage capacity; “A7” shared costs with the City of Norwalk; “B2” New athletic complex at Cerritos Park East; Museum partnership with the Smithsonian; “B4” (Liberty Park) Rehabilitation of existing location or is it a new facility; “B5” (Heritage Park) new construction; “B6” Fire station being critical new construction; “B7” conference room capacity increase and new amenities; and item “C4” location of the Auto Mall sign.
City Manager Gallucci noted all bridges listed belong to Cerritos; the Del Amo bridge improvement when complete will extend into other neighboring cities; raises the potential for shared costs; Both Photovoltaic projects will generate revenue; Parking lot items are improvements; the Sports complex item will utilize existing staff; New reservoir will expand current storage capacity; Heritage park to resemble the Liberty park building; The desire to have two first class fire stations in the City; CCPA Sierra room capacity improvement; and the Auto mall sign remaining in the same location with owner contribution consideration.
Assistant City Manager Brar opined the benefits of a New reservoir expansion; noted the reliability of the system goes up; enhances fire flow requirements; impacts and assists with disaster and emergency preparedness; optimizes operations; and defined the criteria for a new reservoir site location.
Mayor/Chair Chen requested the status of a resident recommendation regarding underground utilities; Noted we may want to identify and include this as an item; and commented regarding the litigation impact on the ability to move forward with the Cuesta Villas Senior housing project.
CONSENSUS (Chen): To stop the current process, go back to City Hall, add the numbers and adjust the list to put include additional items. The consensus was unanimous.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. with direction to receive and file the report and send it to Council on Monday, September 19, 2011 with recommended amendments.
/s/Brenda Cabrera___________
Brenda Cabrera
Assistant City Clerk
ATTEST:
/s/Carol K. Chen_________
Carol K. Chen, Mayor/Chair
Approved: October 13, 2011
