[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:09] Good evening. Good evening, everybody. Serritos residents, non-residents, businesses, stakeholders. Thank you for joining our meeting tonight. I'd like to call the order, the Monday, July 27, 26, 7 o'clock PM, City Council successor agency regular meeting. Tonight's meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, instructions for remote public participation are listed on tonight's meeting agenda.
[0:35] The invocation tonight will be given by Pastor Bob Dileon of Calvary Chapel, Artisha.
[0:44] And the pledge will be led by Girl Scout Troop 313.
[0:49] So please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance, Pastor
[0:55] Dileon.
[1:03] Good evening, Madame Mayor, council members, and all in attendance, if you would please
[1:08] bell your heads with me in prayer.
[1:10] Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you this evening with grateful hearts, thankful for the opportunity to gather here and for those who accepted the responsibility of serving the residents of the City of Serritos.
[1:22] Father, we thank you for the many blessings you given our community, the safety we enjoy, the families and neighborhoods that make Serritos a special place, and the many people who give their time, talents and energy to make our city a better place.
[1:35] Lord, tonight I especially lift up our mayor, each member of the city council, our city
[1:41] officials, and all the employees who serve this community.
[1:45] We recognize that leadership carries great responsibility.
[1:49] Behind every agenda item, every decision or people, families, businesses and neighborhoods
[1:54] that are affected by what happens in this chamber.
[1:57] So Father, I ask you would give our leaders wisdom beyond their own understanding, help them
[2:02] look beyond the immediate and consider what will serve the long-term good of
[2:05] three-dose. Give them discernment to recognize the needs of our community,
[2:10] including those needs that may not yet be obvious. Give them courage to make
[2:14] difficult decisions when necessary, and humility to listen carefully to one another
[2:19] into the residents they have been entrusted to serve. Lord help our counsel to work together
[2:24] with respect, civility, and unity even when there are differences of opinion. May their
[2:30] discussions be thoughtful, and their decisions be guided by what is best for the people of the
[2:35] Serritos rather than my personal interests or agendas. As they work through tonight's agenda,
[2:40] we pray for clarity in every discussion, wisdom in every decision, and cooperation among everyone
[2:47] gathered here. Father, I also pray for the families of these leaders and city employees. The work
[2:52] of public service often requires sacrifice, time, and energy. Bless them with good health,
[2:58] Peace in their homes, strength for the responsibilities they carry, enjoy and knowing that their service makes a difference in the lives of others.
[3:07] And finally Lord, we ask that you would continue to watch over the city of Serritos, protect our residents, our families, our first responders, and all who work to keep our communities safe and thriving.
[3:19] May this evening's meeting be conducted with wisdom, respect, and a genuine desire to serve.
[3:24] We ask all these things in your great and holy name.
[3:27] Amen.
[3:31] Thank you, Pastor Bob, for that very meaningful prayer. Thank you. Next we have
[3:37] Girl Scout Troop 313.
[3:49] Please place your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin.
[3:54] I pledge allegiance to the flag of United States of America. And to the Republic of which it stands,
[4:02] One nation, under God, end of his book,
[4:06] and liberty and justice for you may be seated.
[4:11] Thank you. Thank you.
[4:13] Did you want to share us your names and what school you go to?
[4:19] Okay.
[4:21] Hi, my name is Ella.
[4:28] What school do you go to?
[4:30] I go to Carre Nita, I went to Carre Nita school and 12 years old, and I'm angry and
[4:47] and a great.
[4:50] Very good.
[4:51] Thank you.
[4:52] Thank you.
[4:53] Hi, my name is Holly and I am nine years old and I go to Stiles Elementary School.
[5:02] Well, thank you. Thank you to both of you for leading us in the pledge.
[5:12] Madam city clerk by
[5:14] Madam city clerk will you please conduct the role call council need to member honk
[5:21] Present council and agency member say is noted absent for the record
[5:25] Council and agency member Yoko Yamma here mayor
[5:28] Protem and Vice Chair Polito present mayor and chair Johnson present and the role calls complete with four members present
[5:36] Would the City Council an agency care to entertain a motion to excuse council an ins member safe in the meeting?
[5:47] It's not required.
[5:48] It's not required.
[5:51] All right.
[5:52] The next item is 5A.
[5:54] There are no presentation schedule for tonight's meeting.
[5:59] The next item is 5B City Manager.
[6:02] Do you have a report on this item?
[6:04] I guess thank you for this item.
[6:05] I'll defer to City Clerk, Cindy Nabe.
[6:07] Thank you, Mr. Lopez.
[6:09] Good evening, Honorable Mayor.
[6:10] members of the City Council, the item before you is consideration of the mayor's recommendation
[6:14] for appointments to internal ad hoc working groups and external boards, commissions and
[6:19] committees, and for community members service during the 2026-27 mayoral term.
[6:24] In just a moment, the mayor will present her nominations after which staff recommends the City
[6:27] Council receive public comment, then review, consider, and approve by majority action.
[6:32] Mayor Johnson's nominations for service appointments and direction to the City Clerk to
[6:36] Parent Post and Upsieded Fair Political Practices Commission, Agency Report of Public
[6:40] Official Appointments, and City Appointments brochure to the City's website as necessary
[6:45] and to coordinate the dissemination of contact information to any respective external bodies
[6:50] and appointees. This concludes my report and I'm available to answer any questions, the City Council
[6:55] may have, and this will be the appropriate time for the Mayor to present her nomination.
[6:59] Okay, thank you for the report. I'd like to make a following nominations and after opening
[7:04] public comment will ask for city council approval on the nomination on the internal ad hoc working group I'd like to appoint Frank Orelio Yokoyama as my alternate this is require a second
[7:16] The this does not require a second however our general in system does
[7:21] If you would like me to connect a roll call vote we can do that that will be done after public comments. Yes, all right, and at this time I will
[7:30] Open up for public comments on item 5, 5b, we are on item 5b,
[7:42] see none, do you have a comment, Mr.
[7:44] Parliament for 5b?
[7:47] Well, unfortunately, it doesn't be like, it relates to 5b and b and g, that is specifically your question.
[7:54] Okay, we'll hold yours off then to public comment on item 6.
[8:11] All right.
[8:11] We'll go ahead and hear your comment then on 5b at this time.
[8:22] Can I get you to raise this up a
[8:32] little bit?
[8:32] David Pileman, 7842, Sun Valley Way.
[8:36] At the last meeting, a member of the community
[8:38] objected to might be enabled to comment
[8:40] during this agenda item.
[8:42] I assert that any action you take, which reduces
[8:44] the number of meetings for the commissions,
[8:47] or limits their ability to provide input or discuss items
[8:50] related to their functions, can have a chilling effect
[8:54] on the public's willingness to accept appointment.
[8:57] Along these lines, I have asked the city attorney
[8:59] To consult with the city manager and reference to whether it is prudent to review regulations contained in the municipal code.
[9:07] When it appears recently, remember the public held positions within two commissions concurrently.
[9:13] This occurred because the citizen did not resign from one commission before they were appointed to another.
[9:19] Further, at the last meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, it was stated that a potential budget reduction would have some effect on the recreation program.
[9:28] I had already objected to the July meeting of the Commission being cancelled.
[9:34] I believed it could have been moved to a more suitable date.
[9:38] But now the August meeting of that Commission has been cancelled.
[9:41] Therefore, the Commission members have not been able to hear what effect budget reductions will have on the August through June programs.
[9:50] I am likewise concerned about the cancellation of the July meeting of the Public Safety Committee.
[9:55] On at least three occasions, the issue of motorbike emergence has been mentioned.
[10:01] Neighboring cities are in the process of creating new ordinances dealing with increases and
[10:07] incidences with youth.
[10:09] Now, during budget considerations, Mr. Yokeama proposed a concert in the park for August.
[10:15] With the conversion of the Let Freedom Ring Committee to a Celebrations Committee,
[10:20] I anticipated that all these special events would be the per view of the Celebrations Committee.
[10:27] But there was no mention of this now identified as night out, being under the review of the Parks and Recreation Commission,
[10:34] when the Celebrations Committee met on June 24.
[10:37] This was after the Council had taken action on scheduling this activity.
[10:42] Now there was not a July Parks and Recreation Commission meeting for them to provide input on this event.
[10:49] And now, there is not an August Parks and Recreation Commission for them to get a report on the plans for this event.
[10:56] So in my household, we believe that the Director of Community and Cultural Services would appear at the June 24 and July 22 meetings of the Celebrations Committee.
[11:07] But as response to the inquiry to the mayor resulted in a message with confirmed this is a recreation event.
[11:12] I was somewhat concerned whether as Mr. Yoke Yamazentant and full knowledge from the rest
[11:18] of the council that the cost of this event would increase with the additional staffing
[11:23] by recreation services.
[11:25] If you are a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, would you not feel your responsibilities
[11:30] were being served?
[11:34] Thank you.
[11:35] Thank you.
[11:35] Thank you, Mr. Palman.
[11:36] Do we have anybody else?
[11:38] Seeing none, Cindy, do we have any speakers that have called in?
[11:42] And then requesting to speak at this time.
[11:45] All right, very good.
[11:46] I will then go ahead to go ahead and close public comments.
[11:51] Does a city council have any questions or comments at this time?
[11:55] Yes.
[11:56] Yes.
[11:56] Mayor, what was your nomination?
[11:59] For the budget and finance ad hoc committee,
[12:02] I needed an alternate.
[12:06] And I appointed you as alternate.
[12:11] So it would be you in Jennifer Hong and then I would be the alternate.
[12:15] you are replacing the current alternate and you will be the alternate or two people in that group.
[12:26] Any other questions?
[12:27] Comments?
[12:29] All right.
[12:30] We'll go ahead and vote.
[12:36] We have a motion.
[12:41] I'll second a motion.
[12:43] I'm just sorry.
[12:46] I didn't know that there's alternate.
[12:49] Oh, I'm sorry.
[12:50] Maybe I misspoke.
[12:51] It's not an alternate.
[12:53] There are two people in the group.
[12:54] You're correct. Thank you for correcting me. Okay. There are no alternates. There are two members in that group.
[13:00] I'm sorry. Thank you. Yeah.
[13:03] There's a first in the second.
[13:09] The motion passes on a vote of three to one. Thank you. Thank you.
[13:13] All right. The next item on the agenda is item six city clerk will you please provide additional information regarding item six under public comments.
[13:21] Thank you Mayor agenda item six public comment should be limited to items on the consent calendar close session and items not list on the agenda
[13:29] But that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body all public comment periods will be limited to three minutes per speaker
[13:36] Prior to the meeting the city council received full text and redacted copies of the one written comments submitted by the deadline for item six
[13:43] requests for copies of written comments can be made to the office of the city clerk during regular business hours.
[13:50] The time is currently 714 p.m.
[13:55] And the public comment period will end by approximately 759 p.m.
[14:02] If necessary to allow remote participants an equal opportunity to speak at the halfway mark of the 45 minute time limit,
[14:07] I will inform the city council.
[14:09] It is appropriate time to transition from in-person comments
[14:14] to the call of remote public speakers.
[14:16] Additionally, in accordance with newly enacted state
[14:18] requirements, if less than the full 45-minute time,
[14:22] a lot ofment is used during this time.
[14:24] The city council may at the conclusion of item six public comments
[14:28] proceed to the next item on the agenda.
[14:30] However, around $7.59 PM, around at the time
[14:35] that item concludes.
[14:36] item six public comments will be reopened to allow interested parties who have not already
[14:43] provided comments under item six to speak for the remaining time of the 45-minute
[14:48] allotment if there is such.
[14:51] Thank you.
[14:52] Thank you.
[14:52] Before we continue, I'd like to speak about item six public comments.
[14:56] So Ritos is a community up.
[15:00] People who deeply care about our city. I see the passion, especially with those that have come to speak under public comments, healthy debate is part of democracy.
[15:11] We can agree to disagree, and I know so many people have written in or have come out to speak and provide ideas and suggestions such as the CCPA, water rates, golf course, et cetera.
[15:25] just because your sex suggestion is not acted upon,
[15:29] please don't mean that we have ignored it.
[15:31] It's been considered, but oftentimes it's just not feasible.
[15:35] So please do not think we're not listening.
[15:38] But what concerns me is when disagreements become personal attacks,
[15:42] especially on social media,
[15:44] and even directed at some of our elders in the community.
[15:48] Behind every post, and just like what Pastor Bob said,
[15:51] Behind every post or comment is a real person with family, friends, neighbors who are affected by the words we choose.
[16:02] I encourage us all to disagree with ideas and to not diminish the people.
[16:08] Let's treat viewpoints with dignity and respect that is the Serritos way.
[16:14] I also want to briefly address our public comment procedures, the three minute time limit is not intended to silence anyone's voice.
[16:24] It is in place to ensure that everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to be heard.
[16:31] The microphone is automatically turned off, at the end of the allotted time, to ensure the rule is applied consistently and fairly.
[16:41] Sometimes it can be difficult for me to interrupt someone while they are speaking, and as
[16:48] if you have seen in the past, meetings where the microphone was turned off, some folks
[16:54] still want to continue speaking. So with the automatic cut off, it provides a neutral and
[17:01] uniform way to enforce the time limit for everyone. This is especially important with the implementation
[17:08] of Senate Bill 707, which allows members of the public to participate remotely by telephone.
[17:14] As participation increases, we must also be mindful of the 45-minute total allotted for public
[17:21] comments so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to be heard while allowing the council
[17:29] to complete the public's business. I do want to say that serritos has been very fair to
[17:36] are residents. Some cities agendize public comments at the very end of their meetings, meetings.
[17:45] And some cities don't even turn on the video during public comments because they turn off the camera.
[17:53] We don't do that here in Serritos. I also want to share a helpful reminder about public comments.
[17:59] The public comment portion of our meetings is your opportunity to share your thoughts, your concerns, your opinions,
[18:09] with the City Council.
[18:11] However, under state law, the Council generally cannot engage in a dialogue or respond to comments on items that are not on the agenda.
[18:21] As a result, you may receive and you may not receive an immediate answer or follow up during the meeting.
[18:29] So if you have a question that requires a response, need assistance with a city service or want to resolve an issue,
[18:36] the most effective approach is to contact staff directly.
[18:41] Our staff is available to answer questions, research issues, and work with you to find solutions.
[18:48] So let's build a city that respects different viewpoints, despite our differences, we are all part of one community.
[18:57] So with that, I will go ahead and open up public comments
[19:03] and our first speaker, Mr. Palman.
[19:06] You're speaking again under item six.
[19:08] Thank you, Mr. Palman.
[19:17] Let me begin by expressing my appreciation for being able to speak to four of you, Mr. Plato.
[19:23] But early in the day on July 4, this honk for close to two hours is to say for about
[19:30] 50 minutes and the Mayor Johnson for just over an hour.
[19:35] I was present in the chamber when after Mr. Galucci had announced his retirement there
[19:40] was discussion among the council whether a consultant should be hired to help with the selection
[19:45] of a new city manager.
[19:47] Mr. Barrill has insisted that we could learn from having a consultant.
[19:53] As I stood at the podium during that time, it was my belief that the group assembled
[19:57] at this end of the room could efficiently prepare a slate of candidates for the council to select from.
[20:04] Of course, today, only one person on this side of the podium remains.
[20:11] Now I understand a couple of you were still employees at that time, but you did not sit here.
[20:18] The city manager should have the right to have staff with him whom he is comfortable with.
[20:25] But he must take the responsibility whether those who he promotes or hires meets the needs of the council and the community.
[20:33] So over the last month in reviewing written public comment that has come into the council, from bits of pieces of information that I have uncovered, and from comments from members of the community, I now wonder how much information are the residents entitled to know.
[20:53] I am concerned that it is possible in an attorney, not the city attorney who sits before
[20:59] us at each meeting, has received an amount rumored at $1.8 million, associated with a
[21:06] personal matter.
[21:08] I was dismayed to know that around $450,000 was cut from the public works park budget, which previously
[21:16] was used for outside contract work, mostly for bright view landscaping.
[21:21] I heard that bright review will have 30 less employees in the city now.
[21:29] But I'm also concerned about why Curtis Forsythe needs to speak at each meeting as a resident
[21:34] he has the right to speak, but why the need.
[21:38] For a long time I did not understand what he was talking about, but now with a little information
[21:44] who can't the city resolve this issue.
[21:48] We, as residents, should expect better judgment by those who we elect and better performance by those we hire.
[21:57] Mr. Lopez, the ball is in your court.
[22:01] Thank you, Mr. Palman. Next, we have Sam Desayan after Sam Desayan.
[22:05] We have Benjamin Al.
[22:14] Good evening, Mayor.
[22:16] Council Member, City staff, friends.
[22:20] Mayor, I'm here because you invited residents to come and give you some ideas about CCPA.
[22:27] Contact City Hall.
[22:30] It's going to take more than three minutes. So I'm requesting that please extend my time to five minutes. I'll keep on speaking. I know that this is all automatic, but it's all right. You can always extend my time.
[22:44] But I'm going to keep your time along with everybody else. It'll be three minutes.
[22:48] Let me just, can we get back? I'm sorry I didn't hear what did you say?
[22:53] Go ahead and speak here three minutes. Absolutely, but in case it gets shut off, I'll keep on speaking.
[22:59] This is just letting you know upfront, so there shouldn't be any misunderstanding what happens once the mic gets shut off.
[23:07] So CCPA needs new ideas, and the community needs more than three minutes to give it to you.
[23:16] Three minutes is not enough time to properly discuss the future of Seritor's Center for Performing Arts.
[23:24] And since you have asked for ideas, we should be given time and you should listen to us.
[23:33] For years, residents have offered practical ideas to help CCPA generate more revenues, attract larger audiences and reduce fiscal burden.
[23:51] Yet, year after year, very little appears to change.
[23:56] If you can just give us a few more minutes today, two more minutes, ma'am.
[24:01] I can share with you with you top 10 ideas.
[24:06] So what are these ideas? Let's talk about the first one.
[24:09] I know I only have one minute, 17 seconds left, and we have just one idea number one.
[24:15] And we'll have 10 ideas to go through, so I hope you give a little bit more time, ma'am.
[24:20] First, install electronic sign visible from 91 freeway.
[24:26] Consider that idea.
[24:27] Hundreds of thousands of people drive through, and we want CCPA to be known.
[24:33] Residents have given this idea, and we just haven't seen from you acknowledge that idea.
[24:39] So, again, if you can consider that, we would really appreciate that.
[24:43] Allow me to move on to point number 2 out of 10.
[24:46] I'll get to the real finish in five minutes, but point number two, consider parking fee of $5 per vehicle.
[24:55] I know, you know, it's a reasonable fee.
[24:59] And we are looking to its creating a dependable income stream.
[25:06] Third idea, ma'am, I know it's important to you that you hear our ideas and you will not cut ourselves an idea number three.
[25:12] How about offering serritos residents, discounts, when you don't have cell-out shows last
[25:21] minute, and you give some discounts, then it really helps. The fourth.
[25:30] I'm sorry Mr. Desire, your time is up. The microphone is off. There are rules that are
[25:37] been given to everybody in this room. I'm going to take a recess at this time.
[25:42] I'm
[25:45] going to take a recess at this time.
[25:49] Take a recess.
[32:47] All right, we're back in session. City Attorney.
[32:51] Take it from here.
[32:53] Thank you, Madam Mayor and members of the City Council. We do have the suite of guidebook for elected
[32:59] and appointed officials, and we do have a protocol manual that dictates how the order
[33:03] of business and the conduct of meetings is to be enacted. And so as part of that under section
[33:09] three, F of the protocol, it does indicate what a disturbance is and a disruption of a meeting.
[33:17] So, to the extent that we have already adopted rules, we're shifting speakers for public
[33:22] comments to three minutes.
[33:23] Those that go over are warned that they have gone over and are requested to wrap up
[33:28] their comments.
[33:29] And if they persist, they may be removed for a disruption.
[33:34] And so that is in accordance with COVID-19 code 549-57.955.
[33:39] Thank you.
[33:40] So, you know, folks, we want to hear all of you.
[33:42] We have a bunch of speakers on this list.
[33:44] We may have some folks calling in.
[33:46] We only have 45 minutes to do this as per our guide book.
[33:51] I'm giving everybody three minutes a fair amount of time for each and every one of you.
[33:56] So let's just try to get along here and not ruin it for the others.
[34:02] So the next person we have is Benjamin now and then Carla Gilheiss.
[34:14] Good evening.
[34:15] About a month ago, I stood here at this podium.
[34:18] urgent, our city council members, to let ongoing democratic processes in town, run their
[34:26] course.
[34:27] I ask them not to do anything that would further alienate their constituents.
[34:32] It seems that those please fail on deaf ears.
[34:36] In early July, the owners of a VNW culture, long time sorry those residents whose small business
[34:44] has served this community for decades,
[34:47] volunteered to circulate the repeal and recall petitions.
[34:52] I provided those petitions to them
[34:54] at my capacity as a private citizen.
[34:57] Last Monday, council member Yokoyama went into their store
[35:02] and confronted them about petitions.
[35:05] According to the owners, he told them
[35:07] they could not have petitions bearing his name there.
[35:11] He said something like, you own a business,
[35:13] and you wouldn't want your business to be inconvenienced.
[35:18] He then called me and operated me for approximately an hour and a half
[35:24] and over my involvement with the petitions.
[35:27] He accused me of betraying my oath of office and told me I was
[35:32] aburning my bridges.
[35:34] As a planning commissioner, I understood that as a threat
[35:38] against my appointment.
[35:40] On Tuesday, I visited the store,
[35:41] and they were shaken, but decided to keep circulating the petitions.
[35:48] On Wednesday, Mr. Yokoyama went back, when he saw his recall
[35:52] of petitions, so was still there. He became upset and began taking pictures of the petitions.
[35:58] The owners objected to it and out of concern about the privacy of people who had assigned the petitions.
[36:06] And after a verbal altercation, the store owners had to ask him to leave and never come back.
[36:18] Mr. Yokoyama then called me again and very unhappy about the fact that he's recovered,
[36:25] not having been removed.
[36:27] By Thursday, the owners told me that the confrontations with him made them feel threatened and uncomfortable so they would stop circulating the protections.
[36:40] This was not an isolated incident according to staff members at another signing location.
[36:47] Mr. Yucca Yama also visited there and demanded that the recopotitions be removed.
[36:53] Mr. Yokama, you were elected to represent the residence and uphold the law.
[37:00] What you did is known as a voter intimidation and the election interference and it is
[37:08] not lawful in the state of California.
[37:10] You need to stop and apologize to those who have been affected by what you did.
[37:20] Thank you, Mr. Owl.
[37:21] next week of Carla Gill Highs and after that we have Steve Stollies.
[37:26] Mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor.
[37:30] Yes, because I don't want there to be misinformation and lies.
[37:38] So, please have decorum. Thank you.
[37:44] So, first I'll say that we are all Americans and we have all have freedom of speech under the
[37:59] the amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
[38:05] You let in serritos, you let it in a point of the officials have freedom of speech, just
[38:10] like any other resident of serritos, just like any other resident of the community.
[38:16] So in ends, I'm going to ask, Mr. Stalinges, I'm going to ask, Mr. Stalinges, I'm going to ask,
[38:21] I'm not running while I'm talking, Mr. Stalinges, please. I'm talking to correct misinformation
[38:30] So elected and appointed officials have a first amendment right to engage in political activities
[38:37] while off duty and outside of city owned or city controlled property and facilities.
[38:44] They made public positions as private citizens on candidates or ballot measures.
[38:51] This means council members, commissioners and committee members may use their free time effort
[38:57] to support or oppose the water repeal initiative or the recall effort.
[39:03] So I have a first amendment right.
[39:05] I have freedom of speech just like all of you.
[39:07] And I will fight to protect each and every one of yours.
[39:12] First amendment rights to freedom of speech.
[39:15] Just like I will assert my own first amendment right, the freedom of speech.
[39:23] What I will say is that when I went into that business, I had a witness, Bill Hu, he will disagree with everything that was said about how I acted in that business.
[39:37] The only person whose voice was raised were other than me.
[39:43] And Benjamin Allen, I had to talk about it after I, Benjamin Allen had to talk on the phone about that afterwards on my cell phone.
[39:50] My cell phone keeps time on how long phone calls are.
[39:55] I did not talk to him for an hour and a half.
[39:58] My cell phone, I'll show myself on to anybody who wants to see it and they'll see the phone
[40:02] call I had with him.
[40:03] The number was nowhere near an hour and a half.
[40:06] But what I want to say is Benjamin and I when I talked and he told me on his own that
[40:13] he was going to go to the business and talk to them about removing the petitions.
[40:19] I said, thank you Benjamin, but there is another business that he brought up when I talked
[40:26] to the owner of that business and he got full information about what was in his business,
[40:35] he made a decision on his own as the owner of the business on what he wanted to do with
[40:40] the petitions in this business.
[40:42] Okay, so Mr. Allen Cam made a decision based on information provided to him by me and other people.
[40:52] Okay, so I have freedom of speech, just like all of you have freedom of speech.
[40:57] Okay, one thing I didn't do, one thing I did not do was use my profession,
[41:05] use my position.
[41:07] Unfortunately, when I went to that business and I saw the petitions in the business that Benjamin
[41:12] was talking about, it's city of Serritos, planning commissioner business cards were attached
[41:18] to the petitions.
[41:20] That is not allowed.
[41:23] That is not allowed to use the core and the core and use the city of Serritos, planning
[41:28] commission business card for the petitions to make it seem as if this was something that
[41:36] supported by the City of Serritos.
[41:44] So
[41:47] Boko was my witness at the business. Grace who
[41:55] Grace who has been my witness at both businesses because she was involved with both of those businesses.
[42:04] So I have witnesses. I cannot do anything illegal. Please do not take comments when someone
[42:12] grace you. Please do not make comments for some who are the witnesses. So where are the business owners who are claiming
[42:21] that I didn't anything illegal. There's only one thing that was illegal that happened.
[42:28] Why wasn't there a police report? Why wasn't there a report? Why wasn't there? Please do not make comments
[42:34] when someone is in a Serritos Sheriff Station. Why wasn't there a Sheriff Station report taking
[42:40] If I did something illegal, but you know what, there was, I have freedom of speech and you know what happened
[42:47] There was a there was a sheriff station report taken because people don't agree with me because I oppose
[42:57] The Serritos Republican led red recall against me because I'm a Democrat and
[43:06] Please and people and please do not be
[43:11] disagree with my freedom of speech, somebody thought, somebody thought it was okay, I'm going
[43:20] to ask your father, if you do not, somebody thought it was okay, we'll have a recess. Thank you.
[43:26] Thank you.
[53:12] Okay, folks. We're back again. I respectfully ask everyone to please maintain the quorum during tonight's meeting. I want to hear everything that you guys have to say. And it's very hard to hear what you're saying when there's mumbling, there's giggling, there's talking in the where you're seated. It doesn't allow me to hear what the speaker is saying. So it's very difficult. So please, I don't talk during your public comment.
[53:42] please do not talk when other people are speaking. I want to run an efficient meeting.
[53:49] We have a timed public comments. We now have 35 minutes left for public comments out of the total 45.
[53:57] That's a lot. We're not going to be able to get through all of that if there's a lot of disruption.
[54:01] So if everyone just follows the rules, just follow the rules.
[54:07] Okay. All right. Now we have.
[54:09] So may or don't don't start to time yet and I'll be it. I'll be quick.
[54:13] Okay, please.
[54:14] So what I held up again, I'm going to ask you not to say anything, please.
[54:19] So what I held up was this. Please.
[54:22] So what I held up was this comments.
[54:24] Thank you, Mayor.
[54:26] What I held up was this police report because
[54:28] because somebody disagreed with my position that I opposed the recalls
[54:34] and he supports the recalls.
[54:36] He threatened me on social media, on Facebook.
[54:40] He said that Frank Yoko Yama might want to be careful.
[54:44] And he posted a photo of four gentlemen holding guns.
[54:49] And people liked it.
[54:51] People egged him on.
[54:53] People supported it.
[54:55] And meanwhile, there's a photo, a foreman in front of a business in Serritos holding guns.
[55:02] And this person who disagrees with me disagrees with my first amendment rights.
[55:06] He said, Frank, Yokoyama might want to be careful.
[55:10] So I filed a police, I filed a sheriff's report with the station, and you received the photos,
[55:17] and the report was taken right, Captain.
[55:24] We did generate a report for that incident.
[55:26] So if you disagree with me, let's agree to disagree, but don't threaten me on social media
[55:33] with Massman and gentlemen in Army, military for Deeds, holding guns, telling me that I might want to be careful.
[55:47] All right.
[55:48] We are now with Carla Gilhuis after that is Steve Stollings.
[55:54] Again, please maintain decorum.
[55:57] Thank you.
[55:59] Witness recently regarding the recall
[56:01] petitions for council members,
[56:03] Johnson and Yokeyama,
[56:04] is nothing short of an absolute abuse of
[56:07] municipal power.
[56:08] It is one thing to defend your record
[56:10] and public debate.
[56:11] It's an entirely different and illegal
[56:13] matter to use the power of your office
[56:16] to intimidate residents and local businesses of
[56:18] Serritos.
[56:19] First, let us address the threats
[56:21] directed at city commissioners
[56:22] and committee appointees,
[56:24] stating that the committee or commission
[56:26] a pointy can face retaliatory removal, simply for exercising their constitutional right to sign
[56:32] or assist a petition, it's an ethical and tyrannical.
[56:37] Public appointments are meant to serve our community, not to buy absolute political
[56:42] field to an individual council member.
[56:45] Second, Frank, for you to go into local businesses, yelling at small business owners and
[56:50] rating them for hosting petitions, signing stations, crosses a very dangerous line. Small businesses
[56:58] are the backbone of Serritos, expecting local shopkeepers to police or suppress lawful
[57:04] public discourse under threat of a municipal friction is outright coercion. Let me be clear.
[57:10] This behavior, Frank, look at me when I'm talking to you. It's bad ethics. It's
[57:17] Thank you.
[57:18] Thank you.
[57:19] Thank you.
[57:19] Under California election code Division 18 chapter 7, state law, explicitly prohibits interference,
[57:26] misrepentation, and voter intimidation during the circulation of recall petitions.
[57:32] Furthermore threatening public appointees with retaliatory action for engaging in protective
[57:37] political activity, violates our first amendment and guarantees that state labor protections
[57:43] are governing public service.
[57:48] The right of the electorate to petition their government for a redress of grievances is a cornerstone
[57:54] of California's Constitution.
[57:57] You do not own your council seats.
[57:59] You hold them in the trust of the public.
[58:02] When you attempt to stifle the recall process by harassing business owners and silencing
[58:07] appointees, you degrade the integrity of this city and you make us a laughing stock and you've
[58:13] broke in the public trust. We are taking note. The local business community is taking note.
[58:20] And the voters of Serritos will not be intimidated. Stop retaliating against civic volunteers.
[58:26] Stop harassing local shopkeepers. Let the democratic process move forward without municipal
[58:33] strong army. Or be prepared to face the legal and electoral consequences of your actions.
[58:39] starting with season to cis letters can Robert can someone come and take these from me there's one there's a copy here for every member on the council and then I have copies for Pam Cynthia and Robert
[59:06] Thank you, next we have Steve Stollings and then Anna Rodriguez.
[59:15] Hi, I'm Steve Stollings, resident of Serritos for 49 years.
[59:21] And my concern tonight is item 7F, which is on the consent calendar,
[59:26] which means we won't have a chance to discuss it, or here have any public comment about it.
[59:31] I'm formally requesting that item 7F, which is the change order for the C4 well site,
[59:39] be moved from the consent calendar to the Council meeting calendar so it can be discussed
[59:44] at a future meeting.
[59:46] Please get off tonight.
[59:49] You're taking my time.
[59:52] The reason I want this made public so we can discuss it is that at the last meeting
[59:56] I attended Miss Johnson in February.
[1:00:00] Regarding the water issues, you lied to us. You lied to the entire city from your seat as Mayor
[1:00:07] Protamut that time. You said that we should be grateful that the city has been augmenting our
[1:00:13] water bill and paying a portion that we weren't covering for up until these new increases.
[1:00:24] That
[1:00:25] funds through pop-to-18 didn't spend those funds on water infrastructure and owed them back
[1:00:33] to us.
[1:00:34] I want to make sure that we got them all back before we start giving you extra money for
[1:00:39] new projects.
[1:00:40] Thank you.
[1:00:41] Thank you, Mr. Stollings.
[1:00:43] Next, we have Anna Rodriguez and then Norma Williamson.
[1:00:57] Good evening, Council.
[1:00:59] Farewell with me, I'm a little nervous, I have to read off of my phone.
[1:01:03] My name is Anna Rodriguez. I am here with former Hawaiian Gardens Mayor Mike Gomez.
[1:01:09] Hello, my, hi, Rosie. And also former ABC Elementary School teacher, Rosie Gomez.
[1:01:17] We are part of the Robert Canada Friendship Powel. We host the City of Wayne Gardens
[1:01:23] Hoses this event every year. This will be our 26th. So we are actually here to invite everybody,
[1:01:31] the council and also staff and also the residents. This is a celebration of
[1:01:40] culture, tradition and unity. So we're hoping that you guys could join us
[1:01:44] on August 22nd and the 23rd from 12 to 8 on Saturday and on Sunday from 12 to 6.
[1:01:52] We did email invitations earlier this afternoon. I also brought a physical copy for
[1:02:01] for you guys, so if you guys join us, we'd be happy to have you guys.
[1:02:07] Thank you.
[1:02:07] Thank you.
[1:02:08] I'm very familiar with that annual event and do you have a flyer or something you can share with us?
[1:02:15] I gave it to you when it's a good one.
[1:02:17] And thank you for sharing that with our city, you came from your city to share with our city.
[1:02:22] And thank you, honorable, former mayor, Mike Gomez for joining us here tonight.
[1:02:27] Thank you.
[1:02:32] Norma Williamson and then Deborah Barry.
[1:02:37] Norma. Norma's not here. Deborah Barry. Deborah Barry and then Charles.
[1:02:52] Hi. Good evening. I'm actually here for Robert Chivell. He asked me to come down to read his comments out.
[1:02:58] So I said, sure. I'll go read your comments. So here's his comments.
[1:03:01] Good evening. Council staff and fellow residents. Sorry. I cannot be there in person or participate via zoom.
[1:03:07] I hope this letter will suffice. I write regarding the city's golf course.
[1:03:10] The golf course is a beautiful beautiful and valuable asset. Yeah, it has been losing hundreds of thousands of dollars
[1:03:18] Dipperans, sorry, that's actually an agendized item and he asks that I say during public
[1:03:28] Like I will wait till that please to be fair to everybody request that I'd say at this
[1:03:33] Thank you and we do have his written comment as well. Okay, well, then I will reserve the rest of my time to speak on myself
[1:03:42] I don't know what's going on right here because I just checked out because this is crazy like I got all involved with the water thing and then I just couldn't it because it was insane
[1:03:51] But I mean this has got to stop like just let it go Frank just let it go
[1:03:56] Okay at some point you just need to stop and just everybody just stop
[1:04:00] Right and you guys don't talk back like I've talked before and you said that in the beginning of the meeting that it's not appropriate to talk back and it's not
[1:04:08] so don't talk back okay stop okay that's all and I'll come back at the water
[1:04:15] thank you Deborah next we have Charles and then Marty Powers.
[1:04:33] My name is Charles
[1:04:34] sooter I've been a resident city of sootles for 57 years I have this here
[1:04:38] same time the dairy cattle we're here. I regret coming up coming to the meeting today
[1:04:46] I feel like I walked into a gunfight at the OK Corral.
[1:04:52] I was really going to talk about the city budget crisis, both the operating cost that
[1:05:00] is getting wider and also the aging infrastructure.
[1:05:05] I've changed my mind.
[1:05:07] I think I want to talk about transparency.
[1:05:11] I was very encouraged when the city staff opened up the discussions about the problems the city has for the budget.
[1:05:21] I was encouraged that we would eventually reach a conclusion which we have not yet.
[1:05:27] So I'm recommending that we continue transparency with some more town hall meetings.
[1:05:33] to give everyone these people here, the chance to come in and talk about what's on their mind.
[1:05:40] Because they have some questions. I haven't do every see of this little flyer here from the activists.
[1:05:47] And seems what they're seeking is the city to justify any replacement rates and transparent data.
[1:05:54] And lawful cost of service analysis. I'm not sure what that means, but if you were to have a town hall meeting give them a chance to
[1:06:01] to express their concerns, listen to the presentations,
[1:06:05] and get the facts.
[1:06:07] I think we can converge on a possible solution.
[1:06:10] I don't like coming in here, listening to bickering
[1:06:13] between this side and that side,
[1:06:16] so I'm recommending more transparency.
[1:06:18] Also, recommend the same thing for the budget crises,
[1:06:22] the operating cost.
[1:06:24] It has not been resolved.
[1:06:26] I recommend we not put it off for another year
[1:06:28] after the city reserves have been reduced by $10.6 million and we're closer to the cliff.
[1:06:39] Let's open the discussions. Let's have some more town hall meetings. Let's focus on solutions.
[1:06:45] And let's converge to something that we can all agree with. All we need is a majority of the
[1:06:58] more transparency, more town hall meetings, I would be in attendance if you were to
[1:07:05] a blind set request. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Suter. Next we have Marty Powers and then
[1:07:12] Case.
[1:07:21] Good evening. Where you powers 1, 3, 1, 6, 5 hour bell drive. First off, I would like to
[1:07:28] give you some positive.
[1:07:30] On one pushing back, the rate increase, appreciate that for six months. The other positive that I don't know where I'll exactly go, but we are very highly taxed in this community. I think 9.75, not going forward with the 1% at this time referendum for additional tax and put us in the LA.
[1:07:53] And we just go over to where all my wife's cousins have moved to,
[1:07:59] Tuston, I think, 7.75.
[1:08:02] Also speaking of Tuston, that's where we go now to enjoy music on Wednesdays
[1:08:06] because we don't have it here.
[1:08:09] I'm married to Juston Chen.
[1:08:13] She's a long time citizen in this community for some of you.
[1:08:18] You may know her.
[1:08:20] And one of the things that I'm speaking as a family on is simply, we have to do more to build cohesiveness.
[1:08:32] These people, myself and good, we're not feeling respect from you and we're not giving respect back then.
[1:08:40] So it's a two-way street. You have to grow a little thicker skin.
[1:08:43] all these open times for comments.
[1:08:48] There should be no discussion.
[1:08:49] This is just let it go.
[1:08:51] Listen to what we have to say.
[1:08:53] Perculate it and see where it goes.
[1:08:55] And then finally, we are a grain community.
[1:08:59] The school enrollment is sliding.
[1:09:02] Has for many years.
[1:09:03] Finally, now the school board has come to the reckoning.
[1:09:06] The other thing is simply,
[1:09:09] we have kicked a proverbial can down the road,
[1:09:11] but like myself, just on an eye and many of you, we live in a cul-de-sac. We don't have any
[1:09:17] more places to kick it. We're going to have to become a little bit sharp and a little sharper
[1:09:23] with the pencil and spend less. Stop digging. We're in a hole. Now, leave you with this. We've bought
[1:09:32] many of our cars from the Serritos all along. We'll ask three. I'm not sure how many of you have.
[1:09:40] you are a City Council representatives. The only car that I know you can't buy a brand new
[1:09:45] over there is the Mercedes-Benz you can get used. If you talk to the general managers of a few
[1:09:55] of the places they will tell you they are not the only game in town they haven't been for a long
[1:09:59] time. Everybody's got an auto mall now. So we have to spend within our means, live within
[1:10:06] our means. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Powers. Next we have case and then Rocky Pavone.
[1:10:23] Good evening. Case, Randall and resident for 55 years. Same location. Do I've seen the changes
[1:10:32] in this city? Unfortunately, there have been not very good. I want to speak of the homeless issue.
[1:10:39] I have rang my bell, and Robert been very helpful, but I think the city council should
[1:10:46] get involved.
[1:10:48] This homeless issue I have never seen before the way has been known in the last year.
[1:10:53] You folks need to do something about it, and you cannot hide under the fact that that is
[1:10:59] owned by Metro, yes, but it's still your city.
[1:11:03] It is rampant, it's all over.
[1:11:05] We had earlier this year an incident where a 3 o'clock in the morning was a guy in front
[1:11:11] of our house hollering for help.
[1:11:14] The police came and I'm sure that he came from that homeless in camp and some fight or
[1:11:19] something like that, but it is crazy that that is going on.
[1:11:24] That goes along with all the other things.
[1:11:27] You folks like to do to your horn about safety, I got news for you, we still have robbers
[1:11:34] and plenty of it. In the call for sex and everywhere else, I cannot understand why the city
[1:11:39] could not work with this gentleman who is not here, but he had orchestrated 30 cameras
[1:11:47] that were mounted on the electric poles. While somewhere on the line, I think you could have
[1:11:53] worked with him to retain those cameras. That was a positive thing that happened in his neighborhood.
[1:12:00] It's crazy that you guys cannot work with that.
[1:12:03] We have still issues, you know, you like the drum, you and too to horn about safety.
[1:12:10] But the safety is not very well organized.
[1:12:14] Thank you very much.
[1:12:16] Thank you, Mr. Van Der Linden, next we have Rocky Pavilion.
[1:12:20] Honorable Mayor, members of the City Council.
[1:12:21] If I may, after this next speaker, if we could transition to the remote speakers, we do
[1:12:27] have a couple of everything hand.
[1:12:28] Thank you so much.
[1:12:29] Thank you.
[1:12:32] I'm here at this evening to stop and cease the abuse of power, which has happened to
[1:12:38] run our councilman and they all began back in March 3rd, 2020 prior to your election.
[1:12:44] Mayor Linda Johnson, you can look at me, it's okay.
[1:12:46] When I was running for Serita City Council, you were driving around your L.A. County
[1:12:52] van.
[1:12:53] I don't know.
[1:12:53] I don't know.
[1:12:54] I don't know.
[1:13:00] I don't know.
[1:13:01] Whitney High School, which is no regulations against public campaigning at the time you were
[1:13:07] supporting another candidate, so you abused your power, and you called the Sereto Sheriff
[1:13:12] Station on me to get me off the sidewalk to shut me up. About six deputies, imagine six deputies
[1:13:18] surrounded me and we're called to stop me from exercising my constitutional right freedom of speech.
[1:13:25] Can you believe that in America? They should be out there stopping criminals,
[1:13:30] burglarizing our homes. Not some person trying to throw their power and stop a person from doing what
[1:13:36] they can do as to speak up for their rights and freedoms. On April 8th, 2026, at the mayoral
[1:13:43] transition, Linda Johnson, you violated the California Brown Act and shut up all the
[1:13:48] residents, including myself, who filled I come a comment card to speak that night and you
[1:13:54] actually adjourn that to the next meeting, which I had to work in the next meeting. So therefore,
[1:13:59] I've never got a chance to speak because you shut me up to talk about the recalls of
[1:14:02] healed of water rate increases.
[1:14:04] Linda, when you had a commissioner, Daisy Lagosca, who spoke against one of the decisions
[1:14:10] that you made or disagreed with you, you actually shut her up by terminating her from her
[1:14:16] commission, a pointy position that you had given her.
[1:14:20] So the way I see it at this moment, it seems as if Serritos is turning from democracy to communism.
[1:14:28] It's my way or the highway. I was here with the residents. This place was packed and we all
[1:14:36] disagreed with increasing our water rates. I stayed here till midnight. Most of the people left already.
[1:14:43] But guess what? You decided and your constituents, Protem Mayor, and which was Frank Yokehama at the time,
[1:14:51] and then proclaim Mayor Polito, all agreed to raise our water rates against the popular consensus.
[1:15:00] And I still don't understand why the residents continue to vote for people who lack financial literacy.
[1:15:09] And I've been in financial education business the last 32 years, and still I can't wait to get on this council seat and turn this city around before it goes into communism.
[1:15:19] And I don't understand why you didn't allow me to speak, but I recommend you to allow other voters to have their opinion. It's okay Frank.
[1:15:24] It's okay, Linda. It's okay, Jennifer. It's okay, Mark. Allow other people to speak their mind and let's come to a consensus how we can approve this city because right now we are on the edge.
[1:15:37] Thank you, Mr. Pavone.
[1:15:39] Your three minutes are up. Thank you.
[1:15:48] For the record, Miss Lagosca was removed by the vote of the city council.
[1:15:55] Is normal Williams in here?
[1:15:58] Okay, thank you.
[1:15:59] Cindy Gohead, spirit, spirit, speaker, spirit, please unmute your microphone and begin your comments.
[1:16:12] Good evening.
[1:16:14] Can you hear me?
[1:16:15] We can hear you, speaker.
[1:16:17] So, good evening, may I counsel in the.
[1:16:20] And thank you, pastor, for your kind words.
[1:16:23] I will be making comments or remarks mainly in the Mr. Yokayama.
[1:16:28] But if the shoe fits, you may wear it too.
[1:16:30] We, the public, elected you to represent us in the manager city, it's resources and how it can benefit residents, businesses, and employees.
[1:16:44] You, as council members, are not entitled to any more power than that.
[1:16:51] As council members, you already have the bully pulpit from the diast that you have demonstrated.
[1:16:59] respect for the elderly is deeply rooted in our cultures. The concept of the
[1:17:06] show in Chinese regardless it is our duty to protect the young and the old. Perhaps
[1:17:14] you can understand my profound dismay at the behavior Mr. Yokayama at the owner of
[1:17:20] the bookstore. This is shameful behavior that cannot be tolerated. Mr. Yokayama, how
[1:17:29] you feel if those were your parents and somebody did that to you. I hope you'd be outraged.
[1:17:40] Your actions and words are not congruent. During the election, you said, I will keep you safe.
[1:17:51] Now it's a read-as that means to be kept safe from you. Let's talk about safety. You keep
[1:17:57] talking about how the safety has gone down. It hasn't. When compared to other cities,
[1:18:06] recently we've had a state of burglary, but we don't want to talk about that, because it looks
[1:18:12] bad.
[1:18:15] You said, you had respect for women, including your daughter, your sister, your mother, your wife,
[1:18:22] then you went on to name a junction after one Robert Bill. Tell me how that is congruent.
[1:18:30] You flip up like a fish out of water.
[1:18:35] You blame the residents for not allowing the tax
[1:18:39] increased. You pined on that last year over and over and steadily. Now you say, you
[1:18:46] don't want any taxes. This is what I mean by, you flip-flop. You don't keep your words.
[1:18:53] You go on the winning side and you think that's a winning strategy.
[1:18:58] This really doesn't
[1:18:59] it well with me. And for the rest of you council members, I hope you understand. There are other
[1:19:06] leaders in the city who too are shaking their head. They won't come out and speak in public,
[1:19:13] but they are disappointed by the inaction of some of you.
[1:19:20] Thank you, Mr. Childhawn.
[1:19:24] Next speaker,
[1:19:26] speaker Raymond Kim, please unmute your microphone and begin your comments.
[1:19:33] Hi, can you hear me?
[1:19:34] We can use speaker. Oh great. Great. Thank you. Thank you for the chance to speak. Yeah, you know sounds like a very exciting place to be at
[1:19:43] I wish I could be there. It sounds like a fun place to be. Yeah, so I guess so that you know my comment is a you know more about
[1:19:51] You know we have a lot of immigrant business owners in Serritos, so cow or Kizha
[1:19:59] And I think a lot may not know about the rights to remove
[1:20:05] trespassers. So, you know, all business owners, you know, residents included, you have the right to remove anyone that you want that's on your property. You have the right to ask them to leave if they don't leave the second they don't leave when you ask them to leave their trespassing.
[1:20:24] So, that's breaking the law. Now, you know, in that moment, you do have a right to inject a trespasser using proportional and reasonable meanings.
[1:20:39] Now, so you know, that's kind of all situational, right?
[1:20:45] But you do have the right to ask the trespasser to leave.
[1:20:51] And if they don't leave, then you can proportionally and reasonably use means to make them leave.
[1:21:00] Now, that's all something that business owners have often thought about, I'm sure, you know,
[1:21:07] than a lot of the crime and trespassing
[1:21:10] that they faced in the past.
[1:21:12] But a lot of our immigrant business owners
[1:21:14] actually come from countries where there is a dictatorship.
[1:21:19] You grew up under dictatorship.
[1:21:21] Now, I'll kill 80 million Chinese yet in Cambodia,
[1:21:28] though the millions of killings.
[1:21:30] You have a lot of immigrants that grew up
[1:21:34] are dictatorships where if you spoke out against a political leader, you're going to go to jail.
[1:21:42] And that's something that when you grow up and that it's hard to realize that, you know,
[1:21:47] oh, like in this situation, when I'm in America, like we don't live in that kind of place.
[1:21:54] So this is, you know, one means for immigrant business owners to understand that they do have
[1:22:01] the right to remove the trespassers and that trespasser can be a politician that is infringing
[1:22:11] on our democratic rights. So yeah, I think it's great that we have so many immigrants that
[1:22:18] love their constitutional rights. All of them, and I think we need to really encourage
[1:22:25] you know, more and more cereals residents tend to embrace their clots too.
[1:22:30] Right? And to leave behind the PTSD of growing up in dictatorships. That's not common.
[1:22:38] Thank you. So, do you have any more?
[1:22:42] May or at this time, at this time, we have no other remote participants requesting to speak, and we have just under eight minutes remaining of the 45 minute time, a lot of my freedom six.
[1:22:52] okay great are there any other speakers from the audience if you have any did you feel
[1:22:59] a lot of speaker card if you'd like to speak you could feel a lot of speaker card
[1:23:11] why don't you
[1:23:11] just go ahead and speak and feel out the speaker card afterwards thank you I'll be quick I didn't
[1:23:19] really intend on speaking today um first I want to say is this really what we want right now um I was
[1:23:27] I think it was after Deepa's comments and I'm not sure who's comments it was but Frank came up to me and asked me why I was clapping and yes, I do support what's going on here today
[1:23:37] I'm saying that as a resident and after that Frank took it upon himself to walk up to his appointees and one of your appointees let the know that I signed the recall petition and yes, I signed the recall petition
[1:23:51] My family did too. He said my mom posted about all of her Facebook. That's not true. I looked on her Facebook. There's nothing there
[1:23:58] She doesn't know how to post to any of the groups. I even called her an aster when I went outside because I want to verify that my family's the most important thing to me
[1:24:06] And I'm not gonna let anybody say that they said or did things that they didn't do so my mom absolutely did not post a Facebook about the recall
[1:24:14] That's absolutely not true. I can go on my Facebook show you show you that she didn't do that
[1:24:18] but I don't know, I don't have much else to say.
[1:24:21] This is, this is ridiculous.
[1:24:23] What's going on?
[1:24:24] I've lived in Serita.
[1:24:25] My family came here originally
[1:24:26] from Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2003.
[1:24:30] My dad came to the city
[1:24:31] because he heard about the great schools
[1:24:32] of ABC Unified School District.
[1:24:34] He could have went and closed her to his work in Long Beach.
[1:24:36] He could have went to cities like Fullerton and all that.
[1:24:39] But no, he chose to settle here.
[1:24:41] My family has had an amazing life here up
[1:24:44] until maybe a few years ago.
[1:24:45] Things have gotten really bad.
[1:24:46] That we have homeless problems inside my neighborhood, like literally in my neighborhood, we have people living in their cars in my neighborhood in this council
[1:24:56] Public safety nobody has really done anything about it. They keep coming to my neighborhood and doing little remedies
[1:25:01] But we still have we still have on-house individuals living in cars in my neighborhood causing problems all the time
[1:25:08] Right before I came to this meeting just so you guys know there was a huge fire in my neighborhood
[1:25:12] well we're all sitting here in this room not to fire my neighborhood thank god for our fire department
[1:25:16] they were able to put it down put it out but there's fires all over the city everybody brings up
[1:25:20] robberies home break-ins unfortunately one of my neighbors passed away the other day i still don't know what happened
[1:25:25] it was really sad i saw ambulances and everything outside their house but the city is falling apart
[1:25:30] and i haven't seen it this bad ever and all the years that i've lived in the city so um yeah that's all i
[1:25:38] Thanks. Thank you and please don't forget to fill out thank you Curtis for like how many minutes do we have left?
[1:25:48] Thank you may or we have just under five minutes left. Okay won't entertain one more speaker. Thank you
[1:25:54] So I'm again
[1:25:55] I'm shocked at what I'm what I'm hearing
[1:25:59] You've interrupted multiple times
[1:26:02] You've left when people have brought up issues that you've created on your own you had the opportunity to
[1:26:08] answer all of these questions for these people and you refuse to do so and you will
[1:26:14] abuse your power and then you're attorney discriminates against me and you know you did
[1:26:19] because I'm scary I look scary how many people have heard that in their life so all of
[1:26:26] this has happened to me because I look scary this is like dealing with a I don't
[1:26:30] need to be offensive here I'm going to say something this is mouset down right here this
[1:26:35] the dumbest thing I've ever seen. The communists, crap that's coming out of this, you're
[1:26:39] discriminating against me. You just told me to watch my back on video. What are you doing?
[1:26:49] You'd called me racist and then the man shows up at my house and you're worried about me now because
[1:26:55] you're dealing with the issue? Grow parable.
[1:26:59] This man won't help me. No one helps me. You've all
[1:27:04] used me, you won't even look at me. Go ahead, Linda, look at me. Look, Linda. Look at what
[1:27:10] you've done. You want to grab it some more? How's it feel? I'm hope I hope you're proud of what
[1:27:18] you've done.
[1:27:21] You, you're disgrace. You sat here and told me that you didn't do exactly what you did
[1:27:27] with the SB9.
[1:27:30] You covered for him, for his tax theft,
[1:27:35] for using the city credit card, for the lies that you've done.
[1:27:39] How those Nike's bro was really interesting to see
[1:27:43] Tran was a Tran that came up and gave me the high five,
[1:27:46] the mayoral thing, and he left five minutes after.
[1:27:49] That's how little you mean to him.
[1:27:52] Why don't you grow a pair of bro?
[1:27:54] Do you understand, I've dealt with this man,
[1:27:57] And these police officers harassing me when I had death threats you just so you know a year ago
[1:28:02] You guys tried to take me down for someone death threatening me. He knows it. It's on video demand all I did was ask for help
[1:28:10] You guys have never done anything to help me. I have people at my house threatening me
[1:28:15] I've been harassed and stalked all the time. You're worried about a guy posting a picture. They're in front of my frickin house, bro
[1:28:22] They're following me
[1:28:25] Now say down all of you
[1:28:27] all of you this is ridiculous you all need to go you to especially
[1:28:35] at this time I will go ahead
[1:28:38] and close the public comment period and next we have item seven consent calendar do we have
[1:28:50] Madam Mayor. Yes. Can we please remove item 7F? All right. We're separate report.
[1:29:00] Second. Do you have, would you like to make a motion then? Mark, do you want to make a motion?
[1:29:09] I move to remove item 7F. I make a motion to approve the consent calendar except for item 7F.
[1:29:18] there you go second let's go ahead and vote
[1:29:29] and pass on a vote of four to zero thank you
[1:29:33] Robert we have a report please on seven f yes thank you item seven f may remember
[1:29:38] mayor members of the city council follows up on a previous action taken by the council as
[1:29:42] it relates to a design for the C4 well I'm going to ask Chris Cuebert acting director of public
[1:29:47] works to provide a brief overview and be happy to answer any questions thank you city manager Lopez
[1:29:53] This Honorable Mayor, members of the City Council, the Gender Item 7A, is a recommendation
[1:29:58] to approve a change order to the seatbook.
[1:30:00] For a well redesigned and water treatment project, a council may recall the existing C4 well is more than 50 years old and has experienced a significant decline in production capacity from the approximate 3500 gallons per minute when originally constructed to approximately 1500 gallons per minute today.
[1:30:18] On February 13, 2025, the city council awarded a contract to Hazen and Sawyer to redesign the C4 well and treatment system.
[1:30:26] Since that time, he has been designing the new treatment system in October 2025, the C4 well experienced a critical structural failure.
[1:30:37] Although emergency repairs return the well to service, the repairs did not address the long-term deterioration of the well.
[1:30:44] After further evaluation, staff and our consultant determined that constructing a replacement well adjacent to the existing well as the most cost effective and reliable long-term solution.
[1:30:55] A new well will restore production capacity and prove system reliability and allow the city to continue maximizing the use of lower cost groundwater rather than relying on expensive imported water.
[1:31:10] The requested change order of 153,000, $80,000, expands hazelnuts, so your scope of work
[1:31:16] to include the engineering design and permitting for the replacement well.
[1:31:21] The revised design contract will total $1.5 million, and sufficient funding is available
[1:31:26] within the project's adopted $5 million budget.
[1:31:30] Therefore staff recommends the city council approve the change order and authorize the city
[1:31:34] manager or design need to execute project-related change orders in accordance with the city's
[1:31:39] purchasing and contracting policy. I'm available for any questions.
[1:31:44] Thank you, Chris, for the report.
[1:31:46] Council, do we have any questions?
[1:31:50] Yes, Mayor.
[1:31:50] Go ahead.
[1:31:51] Thanks for the report, Chris Kubert.
[1:31:55] So what is the current operating status of the C4 well?
[1:32:10] Thank you, Mr. York.
[1:32:11] And what percentage capacity is it at?
[1:32:15] We are pumping it roughly 1,500 to 1,700 gallons a minute right now, which is much lower than the original design of 3,500 gallons per minute.
[1:32:23] That's less than half.
[1:32:24] Less than half.
[1:32:27] So have we now that it's back up and running in June, and it was offline since October.
[1:32:38] Now that it's up and running in June, have we stopped paying for the higher three or four
[1:32:46] times cost imported water?
[1:32:48] No, we're still importing water.
[1:32:51] So at this current 1500 to 1700 gallons per minute, even with it now up and running at 1500
[1:33:05] to the 1700 gallons per minute production, we are going to have to still continue to use
[1:33:14] imported water. Yes, that's correct. This is high season of for water usage in the summer time,
[1:33:21] people are home, the weather's hot, people are irrigating their lawns, so we have much higher usage
[1:33:25] during now versus in the fall and winter. And the imported water is about three to four times
[1:33:33] the cost of groundwater. Yes, I believe the July 1 rate is approximately $1,700 an acre foot
[1:33:40] versus the groundwater is close to $5 or $600. I don't know the number of the top of my head.
[1:33:50] So, if we approve this contract that results in an additional 153,000, $80, because of pivoting from
[1:34:04] pivoting from repair to replacement,
[1:34:09] when will the design phase be done, and when can we
[1:34:14] look forward to having a newly built replacement?
[1:34:19] We expect design to take a couple of months, hopefully, finish up by the end of the calendar
[1:34:23] year, at which time we'll put an RFP package out and put it on the street for bid, and begin the process
[1:34:29] to construct it. So maybe 28, end of 28, two years from construction to implementation.
[1:34:39] But again, it's a rough estimate right now.
[1:34:43] When the well is complete, you're doing the best you can. Because this was a consent
[1:34:52] calendar item. That's what you came into the meeting thinking. It was a consent calendar.
[1:34:57] and I agreed with Mr. Stollings that this definitely needed to not be a consent calendar item.
[1:35:03] We needed to be transparent with what is going on with significantly with our water and sewer infrastructure,
[1:35:10] especially when we only have three wells. Is that right? This is one of our three wells.
[1:35:15] That is correct. Okay. So when this will based on your best estimates tonight,
[1:35:22] When the replacement was constructed, two and a half years from now, at the end of
[1:35:28] 2028, we'll be able to stop paying for imported water at that time.
[1:35:34] That's the goal, but until the wells designed, we don't know how much we'll be able to get
[1:35:38] out of, or the gallons per minute, we'll be able to pump out of the ground.
[1:35:43] We have to have that designed to understand that first.
[1:35:46] Okay, but we are looking at paying for input,
[1:35:48] imported water threat for the next two and a half years,
[1:35:52] or longer.
[1:35:54] That could be the case, yes.
[1:35:58] Thank you.
[1:35:58] So the sooner we approve this, the sooner we get to a replacement.
[1:36:03] Well, that is correct, sir.
[1:36:04] Thank you, Chris.
[1:36:06] Thank you, Mayor.
[1:36:07] Thank you.
[1:36:07] Do we have any other questions?
[1:36:09] Thank you.
[1:36:14] Thank you, Chris.
[1:36:15] Just a follow-up question.
[1:36:16] And once the design is approved and the C4 well begins to be worked on to replace, it will
[1:36:27] not be usable.
[1:36:29] Is that correct?
[1:36:30] That is correct.
[1:36:32] And so what's the plan?
[1:36:34] You know, we have two other wells to make up for the loss of that, or we're just going
[1:36:40] be replacing 100% of what we would have otherwise pumped out of C4 through an imported water?
[1:36:48] Yes, that's correct, and that was budgeted and taken account for into the Prop-218 study.
[1:36:55] And you may have already stated it, but how long do you anticipate it would take for the
[1:37:01] C4 well to be replaced about how long would it be offline?
[1:37:06] Right now, estimates are two years.
[1:37:12] Thank you.
[1:37:13] Following up with that, so you said right now the seed for well is producing 1500 to 1700 gallons per minute.
[1:37:22] Yes. So when it goes offline, we're going to have to make that up by buying that imported water, which is the equivalent of 15.
[1:37:30] 100 to 17 and 100 gallons per minute. We're going to have to buy those while C4 is offline.
[1:37:38] Yes. Imported water. Correct. Thank you. Any other questions? I have a question. Chris, the imported water
[1:37:47] is that absorbed through the general fund or is that the consumer paying for the extra,
[1:37:55] You know, the costs of the imported water.
[1:37:58] That's through the water fund, so residents pay for their usage.
[1:38:02] Okay. Robert, did you want to say something?
[1:38:06] One thing I'll just note to clarify is that yes, all those charges are
[1:38:09] paid out of the water fund, but to the extent they're still a shortfall from water revenues.
[1:38:14] Any gap is covered by the general fund currently.
[1:38:17] Okay.
[1:38:19] So, we are still training our general fund and because of the import of water.
[1:38:26] Well, we were projected.
[1:38:28] Are you done?
[1:38:30] The City Council was informed back in 2025 when we were going over the water and sewer
[1:38:37] and sewer infrastructure and we voted in October to proposition 2018 hearing in place.
[1:38:45] We were told that on the rates that the council, the staff recommended rates, rate schedule that the city council for the proposition to 18 hearing notice.
[1:39:00] Those rates would result in an additional 12 million dollars out of the general fund on top of the 33 million out of the general fund that had already been hemorrhaged.
[1:39:18] So with this news that we found out that we have to pivot away from repairing, we cannot repair the seat for well we have to replace it.
[1:39:31] And so we're changing course.
[1:39:34] We thought we would be able to get more life out of the sea for well.
[1:39:37] We have to replace it instead of repair it.
[1:39:39] And then for the two-year construction,
[1:39:41] we're going to have to pay for imported water,
[1:39:44] 1500 to 1700 gallons per minute.
[1:39:46] We have to pay for imported water,
[1:39:48] which is 3 to 4 times more expensive than groundwater.
[1:39:53] Are we still only going to spend 12 million dollars out of the general fund
[1:39:58] over the next five years.
[1:40:04] That's the projection that was included in the race study
[1:40:07] based on projected cost of projects and projected revenues.
[1:40:12] We will know more precisely the impact of this project
[1:40:15] when we got to bid.
[1:40:17] Is it possible that the $12 million number is going to go lower?
[1:40:22] Actuals will depend on revenues received
[1:40:25] and also the actual cost of projects.
[1:40:27] But that was the best estimate.
[1:40:28] All of this was all of this C4 well replacement and just seeing of 1500 to 1700 gallons
[1:40:39] per minute of imported water for two years. All of that was factored into the 12 million dollars
[1:40:44] that we're going to be subsidizing water and sewer for out of the next five years.
[1:40:49] Yes, the well being offline for the period of construction was factored into that.
[1:40:53] Thank you. Thank you.
[1:40:56] I have a comment.
[1:40:58] Is the question open up for public comments, Pam?
[1:41:03] Do we open up public comments on this item?
[1:41:05] You are indeed.
[1:41:06] We did.
[1:41:07] You had item six.
[1:41:08] Correct.
[1:41:10] Question.
[1:41:11] Yes. Thank you.
[1:41:12] That's what I say.
[1:41:14] Yes. Transparency is very important.
[1:41:16] And now that I think the residents do deserve to know
[1:41:20] Even for the design and redesign and water treatment thing, design, all this, we need to put out with the budgeting and I hope the city, the city manager can help to provide it with Chris to provide more detailed information.
[1:41:37] And so we need to know and residents wants to know as well, transparency is very important.
[1:41:44] So we are all understanding what's going on with this issues.
[1:41:49] This is very important and is all the residents' major concern is more than thank you.
[1:41:56] Thank you.
[1:41:57] If we have no other comments, questions, Mark, you'd have one.
[1:42:01] I'll go ahead and entertain a motion.
[1:42:03] So we don't have to have a separate public comment for this?
[1:42:06] No, it was already under public comment item six.
[1:42:10] Okay. Thank you.
[1:42:13] Is there a motion?
[1:42:14] Motion to approve staff recommendation. Thank you.
[1:42:34] Thank you. Motion passes four to zero.
[1:42:36] Thank you. The next item is public hearing item eight a city manager. Do we have a report on this item?
[1:42:42] Yes. Thank you. Madam Mayor, members of the city council. The first public hearing item eight a
[1:42:46] is a development proposal that comes to you at the recommendation of the planning commission.
[1:42:50] This is an exciting development at Los Serbito Center for the former Sears Department Store
[1:42:55] building.
[1:42:56] An overview of this item will be given by a current planning manager, Amanda Acunia,
[1:43:01] and following a presentation she and members of the project team will be available to answer
[1:43:06] any questions.
[1:43:11] Thank you, City Manager Lopez.
[1:43:13] In good evening, Honorable Mayor Johnson and members of the City Council.
[1:43:17] As mentioned, agenda item number 8A is a request by the applicant, exporting goods, incorporated
[1:43:23] for the approval of precise plan 2026-6 to allow for the redevelopment of the former
[1:43:29] Sears site within the Low Seretal Center, located at 100 Low Seretal's Mall.
[1:43:35] This evening, I will be presenting the proposed project and recommendation by the Seretal's
[1:43:40] Planning Commission. The proposal under this item represents a significant reinvestment in the Low Seretal
[1:43:45] Center through the transformation of the former vacant department store into a new destination
[1:43:51] retail experience at the center. The project includes the
[1:43:55] construction of a new two-story, fixed house of sports store in
[1:43:59] innovative retail concept by exporting goods. The combined traditional
[1:44:04] retail along with interactive experience for further details I'd like to
[1:44:08] direct your attention to the screen for presentation.
[1:44:16] The project site encompasses
[1:44:17] approximately 4.65 acres located at the northern end of low-soreado center. The
[1:44:24] The image on the left here is an aerial view of the overall Low Sereto Center showing the location of the 4.65 acre project site, which consists of the former Sears buildings and surrounding site.
[1:44:35] The Low Sereto Center is generally bounded by 183rd Street to the north, beyond which is a Plaza 183rd shopping center.
[1:44:44] Interstate 6-5 of the San Gabriel River freeway to the west, South Street to the south, and Grily Road to the east.
[1:44:52] The image on the right provides a closer aerial view of the project site in the area proposed for redevelopment.
[1:45:03] Before you hear on the left is a view of the former sears building within the Low Street of Center, which was vacated in 2019, since that time the building has remained vacant with occasional temporary uses occupying portions of the space.
[1:45:17] On the right is a view of the current conditions of the project site looking south.
[1:45:22] Demolition permits for the former building were issued in March of 2026 and demolition is currently underway.
[1:45:29] The site is currently fenced as crews demolished the former building in associated loading areas.
[1:45:40] As mentioned, the applicant is requesting approval, precise plan, 2026S6.
[1:45:45] The project includes a construction of a new approximately 142,000 square foot
[1:45:51] to story retail building that combines traditional sporting good sales with interactive customer experience.
[1:45:57] In addition, retail to retail space, the facility will feature amenities, such as an indoor
[1:46:03] climbing wall, golf simulators and equipment testing and demonstration areas, allowing customers
[1:46:08] to try products before purchase.
[1:46:11] The project also includes a 18,500 square foot outdoor athletic field to support these activities.
[1:46:20] The building has been designed with a contemporary architectural design and enhance materials
[1:46:24] creating a distinctive new anchor for the Low Sereto Center.
[1:46:28] Other site improvements include new landscaping
[1:46:31] and related site enhancements adjacent to the proposed new building.
[1:46:40] Before you hear is the proposed site plan for the project.
[1:46:43] A shown, the project includes the retail building
[1:46:45] with the loading dock area generally located
[1:46:48] in the same location as the previous facility.
[1:46:51] Immediately to the west of the building is the outdoor athletic field
[1:46:55] which will directly be accessible from the retail store.
[1:46:58] The site has been designed with extensive landscaping throughout the
[1:47:03] parameters of the building, which will soften the appearance of both the building and
[1:47:08] the fence outdoor athletic field.
[1:47:10] Along the eastern side of the building, you'll notice a dense landscape
[1:47:13] planter, which will provide a variety of trees, shrubs, and other
[1:47:17] plantings to enhance the streetscape within the center.
[1:47:21] In addition, a Parkway style landscape planter will line the internal
[1:47:25] drybile helping to create an attractive pedestrian environment while entering the Low Street
[1:47:31] a Center.
[1:47:36] The following signs include architectural renderings provided by the applicant
[1:47:39] to illustrate the proposed design of the new two-story six house of sports building
[1:47:44] as well as the outdoor athletic field. This first rendering shows the building looking south-west.
[1:47:52] prominently featured in this photo is the multi-story indoor rock climbing wall,
[1:47:57] visible through a proposed and expansive storefront glazing.
[1:48:06] This rendering illustrates the
[1:48:08] buildings frontage looking southeast. The main entrance is highlighted by a series of tower
[1:48:14] elements, including a central architectural feature that serves as the visual focal point for the building.
[1:48:20] The building incorporates a variety of enhanced materials and materials samples provided by the
[1:48:26] applicant are available at the dies for the council's review. These materials include decorative
[1:48:32] of brick veneer, expansive storefront glazing,
[1:48:36] aluminum-thated cladding or ECM panels,
[1:48:39] as well as colors that represent the
[1:48:42] Dix Sporting Good Signatured Hartford Green accents.
[1:48:50] This rendering depicts the proposed east side
[1:48:52] of the building, as mentioned,
[1:48:54] the project incorporates extensive landscaping
[1:48:56] along the building's perimeter as shown here.
[1:49:00] Consisting with our contextual treatment
[1:49:01] on all building's elevations,
[1:49:03] the east elevation incorporates decorative brick veneer
[1:49:05] with a change in pattern to break up the building mass visually, as well as portions of the
[1:49:11] previously shown expansive storefront glazing. The project exceeds the city's architectural design
[1:49:17] standards by incorporating enhancement materials well over the 40% of each building elevation.
[1:49:27] Lastly, this rendering shows the west side of the proposed building together with the outdoor
[1:49:32] athletic field. The west elevation continues the projects foresighted architectural treatment
[1:49:36] through the consistent use of the enhanced materials.
[1:49:44] The project site is located in Area Development Plan 21 or ADP 21.
[1:49:49] Earlier this year, the city council adopted ADP 21 for Housing Elements Site B at the
[1:49:54] Low Sereto Center, allowing future residential development while retaining commercial uses.
[1:50:00] The proposed Dix has to support its project occupies approximately 4.65 acres and does not
[1:50:06] reduce or preclude the site's plan capacity for up 2,375 future housing units as identified
[1:50:13] within the city's housing element.
[1:50:21] This project has been evaluated in accordance with the
[1:50:23] California Environmental Quality Actors Sequoia and the city's environmental impact report
[1:50:27] guidelines as well as determined to be categorically exempt to under SQL guidelines section 15332
[1:50:33] the class 32 in field development exemption. To support this, the city's environmental consultant
[1:50:39] due to prepared a class 32 technical memorandum on date of February 6th of this year evaluating
[1:50:45] the project. The analysis concluded that the project satisfied all the criteria for the
[1:50:50] exemption and as well as the exceptions to the categorical exemption. The full analysis of supporting
[1:50:55] findings were included in exhibit 25 and 26 of the agenda report tonight.
[1:51:02] Prior to this evening's meetings now received written public letter regarding the project's
[1:51:07] analysis. The letter raised concerned regarding the project's environmental review. Staff,
[1:51:13] along with the city attorney's office review, the common and determined that the issues raised,
[1:51:17] had already been analyzed and addressed within the technical memorandum prepared by the
[1:51:21] environmental consultant, along with staff. The city also received a letter from the applicant's
[1:51:27] traffic consultant, providing additional information regarding the project's traffic and vehicle
[1:51:32] miles travel analysis in response to the concerns raised with the letter. All we're in
[1:51:37] and supporting materials have been provided to the City Council and made available to the public as part of tonight's evening's public hearing.
[1:51:45] SEPA's carefully reviewed all of submitted material and continued to conclude that the project qualifies for the Class 32 exemption.
[1:51:57] The planning commission considered the project on July 1st of this year and recommended that the City Council approved precise plan 2026-6 for the redevelopment of the former SIR site.
[1:52:07] Public hearing notices for tonight's public hearing were posted published in mail
[1:52:11] in accordance with this read as municipal code and all agenda materials
[1:52:15] were made available on the city's website.
[1:52:22] At this time it is the
[1:52:23] recommended that the city council review and discuss the information provided
[1:52:28] conduct the public hearing and adopt.
[1:52:30] The resolution of proving precise plan 2026-6 for this Dix House of Sports project.
[1:52:39] At this time, this concludes
[1:52:40] SAS presentation. The community development staff, as well as the applicant and the city's
[1:52:44] environmental consultant, are available to answer any questions at the council may have. Thank you.
[1:52:53] Thank you. I'm in the for the report and to Sabrina and Kristin as well for the preparation of the report.
[1:53:02] Do we have any questions from the city council?
[1:53:05] Yes. Okay, Mark, Mayor, pro town.
[1:53:11] Thank you.
[1:53:12] Thank you, staff. Thank you, Amanda, for the presentation.
[1:53:19] I appreciate the visuals.
[1:53:23] Would like to highlight slide six.
[1:53:29] If we could go to that.
[1:53:35] I like the glass element.
[1:53:37] I like how it's inviting to what I'm guessing is going to be a rock climbing wall.
[1:53:42] Is that correct? Okay. Thank you. Also on
[1:53:53] Slide 8, I appreciate the effort to
[1:53:58] landscape what otherwise looks like a really long and large wall.
[1:54:08] I appreciate
[1:54:09] that break set up because people are going to have to walk along that way to get
[1:54:14] entrance. And I guess there's no side entrance. Is there's only one way in? Is that correct?
[1:54:24] There are exterior entrance. Correct. There's one on the north and it is also interconnected with
[1:54:31] the rest of the the the mall. On the south. That would be great. But for people who
[1:54:40] park, just east of there, they would have to walk along that pathway, which is nicely
[1:54:50] landscape to enter from the front, which we already saw in slide six,
[1:55:00] and then slide
[1:55:03] nine,
[1:55:07] that's gorgeous. Let's see that.
[1:55:14] What would you call that? Play area, or is that
[1:55:16] demonstration area or where people could test out gear equipment is that that is correct that area yes
[1:55:30] that's wonderful
[1:55:32] could you go back to slide
[1:55:35] seven
[1:55:39] so I just have a concern on the from the center all the way to the right
[1:55:47] for me it looks like a penitentiary
[1:55:52] It looks like a prison.
[1:55:57] I'm just being honest.
[1:55:58] That's the first thing that popped out of me when I saw that.
[1:56:01] And I'm just curious if there's a reason why we need to have such a high.
[1:56:07] It would look like a chain link fence.
[1:56:11] Is there any interest to have some vines that would grow along that to make it look a little bit more.
[1:56:21] or a little less industrial looking is just, you know, from my view of it.
[1:56:31] And, you know, I don't mean to disrespect the person who designed this, but maybe if they're present, maybe they could talk about what the thought was.
[1:56:37] Why we need not just one section, but two sections in then a third section that really brings it, I don't even know how high that is.
[1:56:46] I'm guessing 10, 20, 30, 40 feet high, and I don't know how long that is.
[1:56:54] I don't know, I'm guessing at least the width of a football, not the length of a football
[1:57:01] field, but maybe the width of a football field, if it contains inside would looks like a half
[1:57:08] of a football field, maybe I'm just completely off, but that seems like a very long, very
[1:57:14] tall would look like a chaining fence that gives the appearance that we want to keep something
[1:57:23] out of there.
[1:57:25] You know the kind of sense of message like hey you know don't try and climb in here you know
[1:57:30] to anyone who might want to climb into this nice play area is just completely opposite message
[1:57:38] from what you saw on on the eastern side glass really inviting is a beautiful
[1:57:44] architectural element. I'm wondering, because I didn't watch the planning commission, I mean,
[1:57:51] if any of these issues were brought up and if they weren't, I mean, they were, I'd
[1:57:55] love to hear what some of the feedback was from that discussion.
[1:58:04] And if it wasn't brought up,
[1:58:05] if staff could address the thought behind that element. Thank you.
[1:58:13] Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem.
[1:58:15] In relation to the design of the the fencing around the outdoor athletic field.
[1:58:21] I'll leave for the applicant and their design team who is present tonight to
[1:58:27] to comment on that. I will address your other questions though.
[1:58:31] Well, it did not come up in the planning commission meeting regarding the height or the width of the outdoor field.
[1:58:39] I'd be happy to answer those questions within the presentation packet.
[1:58:44] It seems the plans identify that the outdoor field is approximately 115 feet in width and 150 feet in depth.
[1:58:57] And in terms of the height of the fencing is approximately 25 to 30 feet in height.
[1:59:03] who cite shorter than the bill, the proposed building.
[1:59:07] But that's the proposed height.
[1:59:09] So shorter than, again, yeah, the JSON building
[1:59:12] retail building in relation to the surrounding area
[1:59:16] to the fence, there is a, I don't have the width.
[1:59:21] But there is landscaping proposed along the southern
[1:59:27] and western side of that to balance some of,
[1:59:31] to solve in some of the defense.
[1:59:33] So landscaping, other than the very low shrubbery
[1:59:37] that we see here, would type of landscaping
[1:59:41] or are we talking about to break up that big fence?
[1:59:50] Yeah, and if the applicant is here,
[1:59:52] if they could address some of these issues,
[1:59:54] these concerns.
[1:59:55] I'd like to invite someone from the...
[2:00:00] Seeing, if they can speak to questions that the mayor's pro-tem has, thank you.
[2:00:07] Good evening.
[2:00:08] The Vice President of the real estate development for tick sporting goods, 345, court street,
[2:00:14] Coriapolis, Pennsylvania. This is not in common. We get questions about the fence quite
[2:00:20] regularly. It does need to be relatively high, because there are activities on the field that
[2:00:26] soccer baseball that we need to keep projectiles in, right? So there's a containment aspect to it.
[2:00:34] I think some of what you're seeing in this is a little bit of perspective of the image,
[2:00:37] because the building is about 250 feet wide. The fence is 121. So I think in this image,
[2:00:43] it's taking up more than half of the image and it seems overpowering at this angle.
[2:00:48] But it is 121 by 153 feet, which is much smaller in both height and scale than the building next to it.
[2:00:55] So I think in reality, it looks very different.
[2:01:01] Part of the impact of the field is that it extends the facade
[2:01:07] and creates this impressive overall viewpoint
[2:01:11] when you arrive at the store.
[2:01:13] And our design teams believe that when
[2:01:16] that's activated and people are out on the field,
[2:01:19] it's going to be something interesting.
[2:01:20] People are going to be curious.
[2:01:21] People are going to be looking in.
[2:01:22] So we purposely don't put Arbavita and Tall trees
[2:01:25] around it because we don't want to block it out and hide it from the public.
[2:01:30] We use the term retail theater.
[2:01:33] We like the idea of people being intrigued and interested in what's happening out there,
[2:01:39] because the uses of the field are pretty broad.
[2:01:41] Lots of times it's open play.
[2:01:43] That's probably the most common, you know, just on schedule time where you can go out and
[2:01:47] try to pair sneakers, kick a soccer ball, let your kids run around.
[2:01:50] But we also program it for events that we want the field to be a blank canvas for
[2:01:55] our store teams to engage the community. So we'll do clinics, we'll do community events, we might
[2:02:02] work with a local vendor to do a fitness boot camp. You can also rent the field for birthday
[2:02:06] parties. This is a space that we want to create a real feeling of an amenity for the community.
[2:02:12] So it's going to be very active and there's going to be a lot going on out there. So we don't want
[2:02:15] to hide it. So it's a little bit of a different viewpoint. We do hear it a lot. I will say in person
[2:02:21] And when you see one of these stores, I think it's a very impactful visual arrival moment
[2:02:28] when you see the store all that up with the field.
[2:02:30] And it will be lit at night, you don't see the lights in this debut, but it will be fully lit.
[2:02:37] So it kind of lends itself to that retail theater concept.
[2:02:43] What?
[2:02:43] Wonderful.
[2:02:44] Just to hear all of that.
[2:02:46] And I could envision it if there's a lot of activity there that that, you know, people aren't going to focus on the fence, we're going to be looking through and they could see what did you call it retail theater, retail theater, it's a kind of theater, I get time we're going to get that, it'll draw people in, that's what I had heard conceptually as we're, you know, hearing word around town that this was going to come before us.
[2:03:14] Um, so that's exciting to see. Of course, right up on the field, you know, the, uh,
[2:03:22] uh, where was that slide nine that's gorgeous. So I imagine right when you're up in it,
[2:03:28] uh, my concern was, you know, as, you know, people are parking and they see this, you know,
[2:03:35] because they're not going to be able to see what's going on until they're like right within, um,
[2:03:40] you know, a few feet or yards, what's happening on the field. But what they'll see,
[2:03:47] oftentimes, you know, they're pulling in to the parking lot, they'll see the fence.
[2:03:57] So it'd be lit up at nighttime, I think that's going to be helpful in inviting.
[2:04:04] I am going to be concerned about, you know, how bright it's going to be, especially at
[2:04:09] time, and that much lit up because of the freeway, right? The lights that we use on all of our
[2:04:18] fields are designed as full cut-off lights, which means they're designed to shine down
[2:04:22] onto the field of play, not up into the night sky, and they don't spill out into the parking
[2:04:27] lot. There's specifically designed to contain that sort of control lighting. So you will
[2:04:33] be able to see it, it will be a illuminated object. There's no stopping the visibility of it,
[2:04:38] But it doesn't shine outward, such that it would be a distraction to cars or other structures
[2:04:44] building businesses around it.
[2:04:47] And I don't know if it's in the, it wasn't mentioned in the presentation, but is there going
[2:04:53] to be art and public places component to this development?
[2:04:59] And if so, perhaps somehow it could be incorporated into that area.
[2:05:05] So, it helps draw people in, also, and break up the fence,
[2:05:17] something different than landscaping
[2:05:19] that, as you were saying, would block the visibility of what's going on inside.
[2:05:26] Is there a city manager or a staff that stands for an art and public places component to this?
[2:05:33] Yes.
[2:05:33] Thank you, Mayor Patent, and the applicant is aware of the requirement to comply with the
[2:05:38] art and public access program.
[2:05:39] At this point, their tentative plan is to simply pay the fee in lieu of donating or
[2:05:47] providing artwork on site, so that's their current plan.
[2:05:51] Okay, and then, of course, we know as a city we could use anywhere in the city, but
[2:05:55] or any staff discussion about how we might incorporate it into this site, since I guess the
[2:06:07] applicant is in particular interested in conceiving of it themselves, but giving it back
[2:06:14] to the city, has there been initial thoughts about how those monies could be applying to this
[2:06:21] project?
[2:06:22] We'd be happy to talk again to them all owner to see if there's any interest in having the artwork applied to the location.
[2:06:30] Okay, yeah, I'd be interested in that.
[2:06:33] But of course working with the applicant so that we could further enhance what you're already doing to create retail theater.
[2:06:45] I like that idea.
[2:06:46] We've had a great experience with staff throughout this months-long process to collaborate and coordinate on this.
[2:06:52] design, this is evolved over time.
[2:06:54] This is actually one of the most, I would say, highly elevated stores that we are going
[2:06:58] to do in the entire fleet.
[2:07:00] We have 725 of our stores, our dick stores across the country, right now there are 39 open
[2:07:06] and we're aiming for about 100 to be open in the calendar year of 2029.
[2:07:11] There are only two others that are in development that will look like this.
[2:07:14] This is the most, this is the flagship of flagships, if you will.
[2:07:18] So, we will absolutely continue to coordinate with staff and have the discussion about the artwork.
[2:07:27] We fully have performed it and I budget it for.
[2:07:30] So we understand the requirement and happy to further discussion.
[2:07:33] Where is that other flagship located?
[2:07:36] Neither are open yet. One will be outside of the Boston metro and another one in Oregon,
[2:07:44] where in the shadow of the Nike Headquarters.
[2:07:48] And ours is going to be bigger and better, right?
[2:07:50] A year's is going to be the biggest of this.
[2:07:52] Okay. Okay. Wonderful. Tell me your name again.
[2:07:55] Brian Basick. Brian, have you spelled your last name?
[2:07:58] B-A-C-I-K, B-A-C-I-K, Brian, thank you.
[2:08:04] You have addressed all of my concerns.
[2:08:07] Thank you.
[2:08:07] I appreciate it.
[2:08:08] Thank you.
[2:08:09] Mayor, can I have a question?
[2:08:11] Thank you.
[2:08:12] And thank you so much to have the flagship of the flagships.
[2:08:16] You know, we're so happy to hear that.
[2:08:18] And hopefully, this would definitely bring you a lot of sales revenue.
[2:08:23] First, some retailers would be waiting for this kind of project to show up.
[2:08:27] Thank you for participating this. I only have a concern because I've been seeing a lot of those kind of retails
[2:08:35] And maybe you already have been playing or whatever, but I I find out there's a lot of kind of like no strong
[2:08:42] You know, they you have the retrace center. You have a sit down and relax thing area or maybe you can have a
[2:08:51] Coffee shop something like that. I mean that would motivate more people when they're shopping
[2:08:56] and because of the stories so big, you know what I mean?
[2:09:00] So for them to have a place to sit down,
[2:09:03] you can also do more sales and, you know,
[2:09:05] this is just my thought because I've noticed a lot of CD
[2:09:09] even out of the country, they kind of combine this kind of shopping retail
[2:09:15] with relaxation, with, you know, eating and family getting together.
[2:09:21] So it's just my personal suggestion. I don't know if you put that into the thought.
[2:09:26] because I know a strong doing sales a lot for their small copy shop when you go inside, and
[2:09:32] they're even their coffee, their restaurant is business is very good as well.
[2:09:38] Yeah, thank you for the comment. As of right now we don't have food or cafe options in any of
[2:09:45] our stores from the legacy stores all the way to the new ones. It has been considered, but it's
[2:09:52] a little bit outside of our comfort zone.
[2:09:54] When you talk about, you know, a smoothie bar, a coffee bar,
[2:09:58] bringing in fresh fruit, fresh food,
[2:10:00] it just is a different labor model
[2:10:02] and it's a different core competency.
[2:10:04] We're focusing our differentiation
[2:10:07] on the experimental experiential, excuse me, components.
[2:10:11] We've got golf simulators on a golf pro
[2:10:14] in our golf department.
[2:10:15] It's like having a golf galaxy right in the store.
[2:10:17] We've got the climbing wall, what you saw in those imagery,
[2:10:21] in that imagery with this one will be a four-sided climbing wall with that glass framing around
[2:10:25] the front, which is reserved for our, you know, most successful units, at least the ones
[2:10:30] that we forecast today. And of course, the field, not everyone has not every one of our houses
[2:10:35] of sport is able to accommodate a field, but we have the field and we have our indoor batting
[2:10:39] cage. So we've got what we think is a really great lineup of differentiating components that
[2:10:45] make this more than just a retail location and we'll keep people coming back and keep people interested
[2:10:50] and what we have to offer here.
[2:10:53] We do have the ability to rent out the field.
[2:10:57] And the field, the field fence actually
[2:10:59] has a gate in it where we can bring in food vendors
[2:11:04] for events if that is something that the event calls for.
[2:11:09] But no real plans right now, company
[2:11:11] why to start to introduce a food component to any of our units.
[2:11:16] I understand that.
[2:11:17] Thank you, you do what you, you what the best, you know, that's fine. I agree with that.
[2:11:22] But I also have a concern, when you say we can rent it out privately to the different parties.
[2:11:28] So when you do that, you rent it out, that means you're not allowing the other shopper,
[2:11:35] or, you know, people to go inside when you rent it out separately.
[2:11:39] Yeah, for that portion of time, if it's a birthday party or a corporate event,
[2:11:44] The field can be separated into half, there's basically a line that we can draw and draw a curtain and you can have half the field reserve, you can reserve the whole field.
[2:11:57] So, yeah, if someone rents it out for that purpose, it would be their space for that a lot of period of time.
[2:12:02] If there is an event, you know, we'll be limited by how many people can be on the field per code, so they'll be registration.
[2:12:10] But we would have, you know, we want the field to be welcoming.
[2:12:15] So we want the community to use it.
[2:12:17] So we're going to host a lot of events that are meant to bring people in and get as many people to the stores possible.
[2:12:22] But in those timeframes where we have available for private rental, then that would be their space for that period of time.
[2:12:29] Wonderful.
[2:12:30] So what do you think?
[2:12:32] What is your projection to this project going to be finished?
[2:12:35] What is your goal?
[2:12:36] So right now the the project schedule has us opening in the spring of 2028, hopefully we will get control of the building pad at the end of this year and start construction before the end of 2026 and we'll open in the spring of 28 we are hyper focused on having California stores open and operating at least a couple of months before the 2028 Olympics.
[2:12:59] What we learned at the existing Sereto store around the World Cup, we did a pop-up store in the parking lot, and we had 1,500 people a day visiting just that little pop-up store.
[2:13:12] It catapulted the Sereto location of the number one store for World Cup merchandise in our entire fleet.
[2:13:18] So when we've got 142,000 square feet to play with of flexible space where we can bring in just next level Olympic displays and merchandise.
[2:13:29] we really want to lean in and this is going to be this will be our biggest
[2:13:32] California store for the Olympics and it's going to be spectacular. So long
[2:13:38] we did way of saying we're we're we're looking open in the spring of 28 probably in
[2:13:43] March. Wonderful. We're looking forward for that. Thank you very much for choosing
[2:13:49] three toast as one of your bows important and the most outstanding flash
[2:13:54] ship store here. It looks like it's going to be a state of the art and nobody can compete with
[2:14:00] our city and not to mention it would definitely draw more business into our law. Thank you very much.
[2:14:07] Thank you. Do we have any other questions? Yes, Mayor. Thank you, Brian.
[2:14:16] No, Serritos is really lucky that we have had this year's long relationship with the
[2:14:22] sporting goods. And thank you for confirming that we are, uh, if not your, that were your top
[2:14:30] story, if not one of your top stores, your, the dick sporting goods. Um, so, uh, one thing is,
[2:14:38] I went, uh, I was at a conference and I ran into a colleague from Arizona and she said that,
[2:14:44] uh, Dix House of Sport, the one in Glendale, Arizona is awesome. Okay. So that's up and running, right?
[2:14:52] Correct. And she said it was awesome and, you know, Serritos is lucky that we're going to have a Dix house of sport.
[2:15:00] So you said 39, there's 39 Dix House of Sport. Correct. So we're the only one being planned in California right now.
[2:15:10] Not the only one being planned in California. We just haven't opened any in California yet. There are two California stores that will open in the spring of next year.
[2:15:17] One in Sacramento, one in San Diego. Quite frankly, California is a focus of ours just generally because of the way that the company started in Bingham, to New York.
[2:15:26] So, and then kind of grew in concentric circles.
[2:15:30] So, the way we entered California was mostly through acquisition.
[2:15:34] So, a lot of our stores aren't, like, the one in Serritos, we actually built.
[2:15:38] But a lot of our stores in California, we acquired.
[2:15:41] So, it wasn't the best representation of our brand.
[2:15:45] So, this is the best representation of our brand.
[2:15:48] And that's what we're trying to do in California.
[2:15:49] It's just, you know, hard to do on a short time frame.
[2:15:53] And you know, so we're we're hyper focused on getting a handful of them open houses of sport open by by Olympics 2028
[2:16:02] But they'll they'll be dozens more in the state in California California but based on what you said
[2:16:09] When Dicks house those sports cereals opens in the spring of 2028 we might be the third third Sacramento San Diego cereals
[2:16:20] Yeah, we have others in Fresno
[2:16:25] a couple more and I'd have to check your test in my portfolio knowledge here, but I
[2:16:31] yeah, you will be in the first, let's say, 10 for sure. Probably closer to top five for first
[2:16:37] five. Okay, well, I'm glad that we're moving forward with the plan of being open ahead of the Olympics.
[2:16:48] And is Dix sporting goods serritos going to be open until open the whole time until Dix
[2:17:00] has to support serritos.
[2:17:02] Yes.
[2:17:03] Yes.
[2:17:03] We will not be dark in the market for a day.
[2:17:06] We will close one day and open the next and then complete our move out process over a period
[2:17:11] of time afterwards.
[2:17:12] but we will have doors open in one location, continuously.
[2:17:17] Continuously.
[2:17:20] Do we have the Dix sporting goods and Dix House of Sport?
[2:17:28] Have an idea of ballpark on what sort of fact, what sort
[2:17:39] growth in sales. There is between the exporting good in your upscale, new, a new brand, the
[2:17:51] exhaust support. So typically what we, what we, when we look at a store in a market where
[2:17:58] we have an existing store, we can pretty routinely count on doubling the sales. Now, the most common
[2:18:05] input print of a disk sporting good stores 50,000 feet on one level. So if if the existing
[2:18:11] store were 50,000 feet on one level and we were going to this, I would tell you we might
[2:18:15] even triple it. You have a larger store in the mall today. So doubling it would be pretty
[2:18:21] remarkable. But we do expect a significant sales multiplier.
[2:18:29] Optimists optimistically double
[2:18:31] doubling sales doubling would be doubling would definitely be optimistic but I wouldn't say
[2:18:36] out of the realm of possibility the other thing with California because we don't have
[2:18:40] the organic developed stores where we you know we know how we can how well we can do
[2:18:47] it's I think this guy's the limit I really do I mean I I think this this could be a very very high
[2:18:52] performing store we don't disclose individual store unit forecast so I can't give you a number
[2:18:58] But I think, I mean, as evidenced by the investment that we're making and our contextual
[2:19:04] significance of this and putting all the components in and making it, you know,
[2:19:07] 22,000 feet bigger than our prototype, I think the company is putting them, it's money
[2:19:12] where it's mouth is, I think this one's going to be a home run.
[2:19:16] I'm happy to hear that you have a track record of significant growth, significant increase in sales.
[2:19:28] between, in the same market, going from a Dick sport and good to a Dick's House of
[2:19:33] Sport.
[2:19:33] Oh, absolutely.
[2:19:34] Okay.
[2:19:35] Thank you.
[2:19:37] Thank you, Mayor.
[2:19:38] Go
[2:19:42] ahead.
[2:19:42] Go ahead.
[2:19:42] Thank you, Madam Mayor.
[2:19:43] I just had a couple follow questions, and I think you stated it earlier, but of the 725
[2:19:50] I have Dix Sporting Goods stores, where does this
[2:19:56] middle store from rank in terms of generating sales?
[2:20:02] The current, I honestly don't know off the top of my head.
[2:20:06] I don't have that information with me.
[2:20:09] It is, I can say that part, a big part of our strategy
[2:20:14] with House of Sport, is to find the locations
[2:20:16] where we already exist and do very well and move
[2:20:19] as close to where that store is as possible.
[2:20:21] Because we already know the Serritos customers here,
[2:20:24] we know that store does very well,
[2:20:25] and lucky for us that there's real estate
[2:20:27] that can accommodate this size of a store
[2:20:29] available basically across the hall.
[2:20:31] But we don't want to go too far from where we already are.
[2:20:34] That's really sort of the simplicity
[2:20:35] of our real estate strategy.
[2:20:37] Is move across the stream, move down the hall
[2:20:39] and get bigger and better.
[2:20:42] With 725 stores, there's very little what we call white space,
[2:20:45] where it's just a net new store
[2:20:46] we're not closing one to relocate it. So by virtue of being a candidate for a store like this,
[2:20:54] the Sereto store does very well. Okay. Now the reason I asked this is he's has already been
[2:21:01] 12 years, right? When I was first mayor, 2014, 2015 that was part of phase five expansion
[2:21:08] of the Lost Real Center, and it had been years since we had expanded, and that was the
[2:21:16] major part of that expansion.
[2:21:18] That along with G.C.A. Factory and Harkin's theaters, which I believe has driven the success
[2:21:28] of the Lost Real Center out of the Great Recession.
[2:21:31] You know, we were conceiving of all of that in support of Mace Rich's efforts, because we believe that, you know, as the saying goes, if you build it, they'll come and they did.
[2:21:47] So I am just kind of curious where we stand across your 725 stores.
[2:21:56] And to hear that, we're going to remain open all the way until the day that you open up,
[2:22:05] Dix helps the sport.
[2:22:07] This next question that I have is probably more for staff,
[2:22:11] but is there discussions already with masonry about what's going to potentially happen in the current Dix sporting goods site after they moved into
[2:22:24] The newer expanded flagship of flagships, Dix houses.
[2:22:30] I can answer that. We are in preliminary discussions with Maystrich about potential plans, but there is nothing specific we can report this evening.
[2:22:42] Okay, you're going to keep us waiting. Cool. That's all I have. Thank you. And Brian, thank you and Kudos to your entire team that helped present this to us. I'm very excited. Thank you for your time and your consideration tonight.
[2:22:57] I have one more question.
[2:23:00] Quick question.
[2:23:01] It has a Dix House of Sport explored the possibility of creating co-branded merchandise,
[2:23:06] featuring the Dix House of Sport logo, as well as the city of Serritos logo.
[2:23:12] I think items such as t-shirts, hats, mugs, water bottles could help promote both the store and the city,
[2:23:18] especially as we look ahead to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a sports and retail destination.
[2:23:26] I don't believe that discussion has been raised up to this point.
[2:23:30] I'm not quite certain that that's we've ever done anything like that at our other locations.
[2:23:35] But we want to be partners with the city.
[2:23:37] So we're willing to have the conversation.
[2:23:40] Yeah, I'd like to have the conversation as well.
[2:23:42] And staff can follow up with them on that.
[2:23:45] We'd be happy to talk to them about that.
[2:23:46] Thank you.
[2:23:47] All right, I'll go ahead and open up for public comments.
[2:23:51] Are there any public comments on this item?
[2:23:54] Cindy, do we have any public comments, call in speakers?
[2:23:59] Thank you, Mayor.
[2:23:59] We do have one speaker raising their hand.
[2:24:02] Speaker, Haley, you know, please unmute your microphone and begin your comments.
[2:24:11] Good evening.
[2:24:12] My name is Haley, you know.
[2:24:14] I am a law clerk from Loser, Jerry L.P.
[2:24:17] Here on behalf of the supporters of Lions for environmental responsibility or safer.
[2:24:21] Say, for respect for requests of the city council, find that the Diff's House of Sport project is not exempt from
[2:24:28] sequit and require the city to prepare an initial study, followed by an MMD or EIR. The project does not
[2:24:35] qualify for an infill exemption, because there is a substantial evidence of the project will have significant
[2:24:40] traffic impacts. Participation expert Norman Marshall reviewed the exemption and found several
[2:24:46] laws with the city's traffic impacting analysis.
[2:24:50] For example, the city found that the project was screened from further VMT modeling because
[2:24:54] the project site is within the high-quality transit corridor and meets other criteria.
[2:25:00] However, as Mr. Marshall demonstrated, the project site does not fall under the statutory definition
[2:25:05] of high-quality transit corridor because the project site is serviced by several transit agencies
[2:25:11] with infrequent bus routes at intervals of 30 minutes or more.
[2:25:15] Therefore, the project is not screened out from further analysis.
[2:25:20] Additionally, the city's own VMT analysis shows that the project will have significant impacts.
[2:25:26] The city's assessment concluded that the project would generate around 3,800 weekday trips,
[2:25:31] and 56,100 Saturday trips.
[2:25:34] But implied that these trips were offset by trips that were generated by the city's department store,
[2:25:39] located on the project site, which closed in 2019.
[2:25:43] But a serious store that closed seven years ago cannot be used as part of the baseline for this project.
[2:25:49] Seco requires the lead agency to analyze the environmental baseline as it actually exists at the time the environmental analysis commenced.
[2:25:57] Thus, the proper baseline is one of no current use of the project site.
[2:26:01] Compared to that baseline, the project's generation of 3800 weekday,
[2:26:05] and 5600 Saturday trips is an significant impact that warns full analysis and mitigation.
[2:26:13] For these reasons, the project is not qualified for the infill exemption.
[2:26:17] Save for requests that the city council declined to approve the project until an M&D or EIR is prepared.
[2:26:23] Thank you so much for your time consideration.
[2:26:26] Thank you.
[2:26:27] Do we have any further speakers?
[2:26:29] There are no other remote speakers raising their hand.
[2:26:31] I believe we have one in person.
[2:26:32] speaker? Okay. Mr. Palman?
[2:26:39] No.
[2:26:45] David Palman. So I'd like to start by acknowledging that I was
[2:26:49] present at the Planning Commission meeting, and I was very impressed by the presence of the number
[2:26:54] of people from Dix at that day and again tonight. The only comments are in reference to placement
[2:27:02] of this facility on the on the lot. So, I'm not a person in favor of the train,
[2:27:11] But we should consider that what is if the train comes through how we best maybe can maximize the use of this space.
[2:27:21] And so I don't see that the Dick sporting goods would bring a lot of people on the train to visit the store.
[2:27:29] I think they're probably better uses for that area of the shopping center that would complement the train process.
[2:27:38] So, just as some of the people in my area, when we contemplated the placement of the Starbucks
[2:27:47] at the corner of Dalamol and Bloomfield, there were theaters previously on the location
[2:27:56] of the Serious Center in the southwesternary portion, large area there that could be used
[2:28:05] for someplace this would be a good location for a plot that this is large, so that's my comment.
[2:28:13] And again, going back to the housing element,
[2:28:19] if we are in favor of having a train come in,
[2:28:22] wouldn't it be best for us to have housing if we're going to have something in that portion of the
[2:28:35] is presented to the city. Thank you.
[2:28:38] Thank you. If there are no other speakers, I will go ahead and close public comments.
[2:28:43] May you're at this time. We have one additional remote participant.
[2:28:47] Thank you.
[2:28:48] Speaker, tell you about this. Please unmute your microphone and begin your comments.
[2:28:55] Hi. Good afternoon.
[2:28:58] Sorry. Can you hear me?
[2:29:00] We can hear you.
[2:29:01] Okay. So I'm looking at the whole plan about the big
[2:29:07] House of Sports, and it sounds great.
[2:29:10] My only concern is, what is the city going to implement for public safety?
[2:29:16] I know recently we have had a lot of occurrences around the mall, and with this new
[2:29:23] development and a lot more people being attracted to it, what is the safety looking like
[2:29:30] for everybody that's with more people coming in?
[2:29:40] Is that the end of your comments or your remarks?
[2:29:43] Yes.
[2:29:43] Yes, I just wanted to know if there's a plan in place or if that's something you're going to consider about more safety at the mall
[2:29:58] We do not take
[2:30:00] Info numbers from Zoom, however, if the speaker would like to provide our office tomorrow or via e-mail.
[2:30:07] At city, underscore clerk at cerido.gov, you may provide your contact information so that staff may reach out to you.
[2:30:16] I will go ahead and do that. Thank you.
[2:30:17] Thank you. All right. I'm going to go ahead and close public comments.
[2:30:23] And may if I may note the written comments.
[2:30:26] that's right ahead. Thank you for the record. I will announce that prior to the meeting
[2:30:30] the City Council received full text on redacted copies of the two written comments
[2:30:34] submitted for item eight a request for copies of written comments can be made to the
[2:30:37] office of the City Clerk General Actual Business Ours. Thank you, City Clerk.
[2:30:44] All right. We are on item eight a public hearing. We still have item eight b for another public hearing.
[2:30:50] And we also have items 9 A, B, and C. I'm going to ask my council colleagues to be mindful of the time and to please keep your comments for this item as well as 8 not the 8 B 9 A, B and C as as brief as you can, I want to be mindful of the time. So we will go ahead and have final comments on 8 A.
[2:31:19] Do we have any final comments on A, A?
[2:31:23] Yes. Go ahead.
[2:31:24] Thanks.
[2:31:26] I thought I said everything, but I just wanted to respond to Mr.
[2:31:30] Pileman.
[2:31:31] It was wonderful to hear your comments.
[2:31:34] Even though you made comments up, you know, against the train.
[2:31:39] At least you're open to having a conversation about what might be
[2:31:48] located at the Lost Street of Center, and then for also to mention about housing, which is
[2:31:55] transit oriented development, that I appreciate that feedback.
[2:32:01] And I know earlier you had made a comment to me about wanting to have an hour conversation.
[2:32:09] I'm really open to that, especially after your comments about this.
[2:32:14] So that's all I have to say further and at the appropriate time I love to make the motion to approve this.
[2:32:23] Thank you again.
[2:32:24] Excuse me, can I make a comments please?
[2:32:27] I'd like to hear the comments maybe for a city manager or a attorney about the other speaker on the Zoom regarding the CQI review.
[2:32:39] Am I right?
[2:32:41] Yes.
[2:32:41] Thank you, Councilmember Hong and I'd like to reiterate that on Friday, July 24th, the city did receive comments from the safer organization regarding claims that the project is not exempt under CQA for the class 32 in fill exemption and they basically said that their grounds are based on three claims.
[2:33:05] one that the project site isn't located along a high-quality transit corridor to that the parking
[2:33:14] analysis was inadequate misleading and three. The store closure from Sears in 2019 was not appropriate
[2:33:24] for a review as the baseline. And that all went to the fact that they believe that there was
[2:33:31] inadequate study with respect to transportation and traffic concerns, which would pull it out of
[2:33:38] sequence class 32 exemption. And LLG, which is the consultant that provided the traffic
[2:33:48] review for due deck, they also provided a response to those three claims.
[2:33:53] You receive those today in response to each of the claims that they made and basically
[2:33:59] First, to address the high quality transit corridor issue, the city relied on scabs, which is the regional planning for transportation and housing.
[2:34:14] They've already designated the areas around the suite as a high quality transit corridor as part of their regional transportation plan.
[2:34:23] And so with the difference to the regional analysis from Skag, that's where the high quality
[2:34:32] transit corridor comes from, with respect to the parking issue, there is a net reduction
[2:34:39] in the parking for this project of 55 spaces, so it actually does reduce the traffic for this
[2:34:45] project site, notwithstanding the fact that they made claims that the project is overparked
[2:34:51] as in totality for the mall.
[2:34:54] We look at this specific project,
[2:34:57] notwithstanding any other issues with the surrounding properties.
[2:35:01] And lastly, with the Steers closure,
[2:35:04] the analysis actually did a conservative approach.
[2:35:08] They took the gross project trips with the current analysis
[2:35:13] and based on the conservative analysis
[2:35:18] of the impacts of the weekday empties and the weekends, they still concluded that there was
[2:35:27] no significant impact with respect to traffic and the consultant is here and available to further
[2:35:34] provide analysis but it's all included within the memo that was provided today.
[2:35:41] Thank you. Do you mind we have some the consultants can give us some explanations since they're here. Thank
[2:35:48] Good
[2:35:54] evening. I'd be happy to respond to any questions that you might have about the VMT and our responses that we put together this afternoon basically in response to the safer letter.
[2:36:09] So specifically what questions would you have in your position?
[2:36:14] My apologies.
[2:36:15] My name is Trisa Allen.
[2:36:17] I'm with Lynne Scott Law and Greenspend Engineers.
[2:36:21] And we were the ones that put together the VMT screening
[2:36:25] and trip generation assessment for the Dix House of Sport.
[2:36:36] Thank you.
[2:36:39] And what's your conclusion and what your study, everything is okay
[2:36:46] for our CD and for safety, for transportation, for parking?
[2:36:52] Yes, in fact, if I can just give a very quick overview
[2:36:57] that the focus of the analysis is very consistent
[2:37:01] with the city skydelines on traffic impacts that is,
[2:37:06] which is in accordance with the county of Los Angeles as well,
[2:37:10] with regards to VNT screening, VNT analysis,
[2:37:14] which has really evolved in time.
[2:37:17] It used to be levels of service.
[2:37:20] If that's something that you're familiar with,
[2:37:22] you know, older, older traffic impact studies
[2:37:26] under CEQI required level of service analysis.
[2:37:30] But ever since SB743, where the state's goal in reducing GHG for air quality purposes and all that,
[2:37:40] we have since moved on to the analysis of VMT. And with that, and upon our very close
[2:37:49] coordination with city staff, we knew that what we had as a basis for our test, you know, screening test for this was based on Skag, which for all other other jurisdictions, you know, it's the same approach that we apply, we basically go by what Skag has predefined as major transit centers or high quality specific to our project.
[2:38:19] It's the high quality transit corridors, and we've been able to determine that the most of the latest and currently available map put together by Skag that the each roadway
[2:38:39] joining a low-sereto center, which is basically 183rd on the north,
[2:38:45] gridley on the east, and then south on the south, that each one of those are high quality
[2:38:53] transit corridors, which means that there is a very clear indication that the project meets
[2:39:01] the screening criteria for VNT that basically says that the projects, the project can be considered
[2:39:12] to have less than significant traffic impacts. So that's essentially the approach, again,
[2:39:20] consistent with area-wide standards of how to conduct VMT screening and apply to the project.
[2:39:33] Thank you for your explanation. I appreciate that.
[2:39:37] Thank you.
[2:39:39] There's no end of the comments. I'll make a comment.
[2:39:41] I have a comment.
[2:39:41] Go ahead.
[2:39:45] Yeah, and I'm glad to hear that we're relying on the, we're relying on the data from
[2:39:53] Skad, Southern California Association of Governments.
[2:39:58] I'm honored that I have been the regional council member representing Serito Sartizia, Hawaiian
[2:40:06] Gardens in Norwalk on the Skad Regional Council since 2019.
[2:40:11] So again, I'm glad that we are looking at the data from Scag's Connect Soul Cal to confirm that this is an HQTC.
[2:40:25] Also, we got Trisha Allen's memo, the City Council got Trisha Allen's memo.
[2:40:33] today.
[2:40:35] It was sent to us at 5 p.m. It was emailed to the City Council today at 5 p.m.
[2:40:43] Is this going to be part of the public record or do I have to say, put this in the public record?
[2:40:49] Thank you for your question, Councillor Murio Kuyama, this will be included in the official record.
[2:40:55] Okay, because we got it after 3 p.m.
[2:40:59] But you're confirming it's going to be in the public record for this agenda item.
[2:41:03] Yes, as this is the public hearing, it will be included.
[2:41:07] Okay, so Trissa, we got this, this, the City Council got this email to us before the meeting.
[2:41:14] Thank you.
[2:41:16] Thank you.
[2:41:18] Anybody else?
[2:41:20] Okay, I'm just, you know, please to support this project.
[2:41:23] It's not just a store, it's an experience.
[2:41:26] This project represents a type of economic development that strengthens our city.
[2:41:31] attracting a nationally recognized retailer, creating jobs, activating our commercial center,
[2:41:37] and generating additional sales tax revenue that help support the services our residents value.
[2:41:45] As we look ahead to the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games coming to Los Angeles,
[2:41:50] Serritos is well positioned to benefit from increased regional tourism and activity.
[2:41:55] So I'd like to thank Community Development for their hard work and involvement in this project and many
[2:42:02] thanks to the exporting goods, Los Serrido Center, for their partnerships and bringing this project forward.
[2:42:10] So I proudly support this item.
[2:42:13] And I believe we have a motion and a second motion made by Mayor Protemor Toledo and the second was made by Council Member Frank
[2:42:30] Thank you for waiting.
[2:42:38] All right, next up, we have item eight B city manager.
[2:42:43] Do we have a report on this item?
[2:42:45] Yes, thank you, Mayor members of the city council.
[2:42:47] Item eight B is also a public hearing with a development proposal.
[2:42:51] This is for a proposed exterior remodel at the northwest corner.
[2:42:55] The shopping center located at the northwest corner of our TGB.
[2:42:58] of art and harmony to road.
[2:43:00] An overview of this project will be given by senior planner, Jeremy Lowe, and following
[2:43:04] his presentation, he and members of the team will be happy to answer any questions.
[2:43:16] Thank you, Mr. Lopas.
[2:43:17] Good evening, Madam Mayor, and Cereados Council members, applicant, Sarkis Tartarian, is requesting
[2:43:23] approval of precise plan 1969-5-2026 amendment to permit an exterior remodel of several
[2:43:30] commercial buildings at the Commercial Shopping Center located at the Northwest Corner
[2:43:35] of Artesia Boulevard and Carmenina Road, but proposed also includes improvements to the parking
[2:43:40] lot and new landscaping.
[2:43:42] Before the details, I would like to direct your attention to the screen for your presentation.
[2:43:49] This is an aerial view of the subject property.
[2:43:51] The property is bordered on the north by Staures Elementary School, on the south by Artesia
[2:43:55] Boulevard, on the west by properties of its own single family residential, and on the east
[2:44:00] by Carmenina Road.
[2:44:06] This is an enlarged aerial view that shows the details of the property.
[2:44:09] The project scope is outlined in blue and only includes commercial and retail buildings on the northern portion of the shopping center.
[2:44:17] The other parcels shaded in blue are now included in the project scope due to the multiple property ownership structure of the entire shopping center.
[2:44:28] Here are photographs of the existing retail spaces of the shopping center.
[2:44:32] On the left is a view of the former market space and on the right is a view of the inline retail stores.
[2:44:38] Both images show minimal landscaping in the existing parking lot.
[2:44:44] The applicant is proposing to refresh the exterior facades of the subject property with new materials and paint.
[2:44:52] Here are proposed elevations for the former market space.
[2:44:55] At the top is the front elevation of the market showing charcoal grey metal fascia panels and wood texture.
[2:45:00] Alluminum 2 columns wrapped with stacked stone veneer. The sign area at the front of the front will be reduced and will be the same wood textured aluminum material. The reduced sign area will review more of the storefront glazing behind it. At the bottom is the front elevation showing the actual storefront. The exterior will be repainted pure white with the strip of dark gray paint to mimic the charcoal gray metal fascia. The stone veneer on the columns will be light colored to compliment the pure white paint.
[2:45:30] Here are proposed elevations for the in-line retail building.
[2:45:36] As you can see at the bottom of the slide,
[2:45:37] the charcoal gray metal fascia panels will be accented by titanium white tower elements,
[2:45:43] with a metal block pattern.
[2:45:45] The same wood textured aluminum tube columns with light colored stacks
[2:45:48] don't have any errors proposed to be consistent with the market's face.
[2:45:52] The same gray material, the same gray metal panels excuse me,
[2:45:56] are proposed on the rear elevations to provide visual interest
[2:45:58] and complement the new front facade materials.
[2:46:05] This is the proposed site plan in conceptual landscape plan.
[2:46:08] The shopping center was originally approved and developed in 1970.
[2:46:12] The approval of the shopping center and its construction
[2:46:14] precedes the city's adoption of landscape and parking standards.
[2:46:19] And therefore, the existing landscape and parking
[2:46:21] is a legal, non-conforming condition.
[2:46:25] In compliance with the Seritos Municipal Code,
[2:46:27] the applicant is proposing to significantly increase
[2:46:30] the amount of landscaping throughout the site
[2:46:31] and repave and re-strike the parking lot.
[2:46:35] Other site improvements include relocating the row of parking directly adjacent to the in-line
[2:46:40] retail spaces and creating an enhanced outdoor area with covered dining spaces surrounded by
[2:46:45] raised stone planters. The applicant is also proposing to add additional landscape planters
[2:46:51] throughout the parking lot and compliance with the Serritos Municipal Code.
[2:46:56] In regards to the parking, the project requires a total of 209 parking stalls for the project
[2:47:01] area. The existing parking count for the project area is 192 parking stalls.
[2:47:09] Due to the increased landscape areas and enhanced outdoor dining areas, the applicant is
[2:47:13] proposing 191 parking stalls. A net loss of only one parking stall within the subject area.
[2:47:21] In circumstances of legal non-conforming conditions, the city seeks reasonable compliance with
[2:47:25] the Serritos Municipal Code when total compliance is not attainable. As a result of the
[2:47:30] applicants efforts to increase landscaping, the project brings the property into reasonable
[2:47:34] compliance, additionally to ensure sufficient parking is available for the new tenants,
[2:47:40] a parking analysis may be required by staff prior to approval of future tenant business
[2:47:45] licenses at that time.
[2:47:51] This is a perspective rendering facing the northwest showing the parking lot and landscape
[2:47:55] improvements.
[2:47:57] The applicant is proposing landscape planters throughout the parking lot consistent with
[2:48:01] cities landscape standards and policies.
[2:48:05] This is a perspective rendering facing north from the drive aisle in front of the market space.
[2:48:10] Note the pure white paint and wood textured metal columns and wood textured metal sign area with
[2:48:16] stacked stone veneer in front of the market space.
[2:48:21] This is a perspective rendering showing from the front of the market space facing north east showing
[2:48:26] the new inline retail spaces and covered outdoor dining areas.
[2:48:30] Note the lighter metal panel tower elements protruding from the new charcoal gray metal fascia.
[2:48:36] To the left is a proposed water feature and seat wall planter,
[2:48:40] while to the right are covered dining areas protected by raised planters.
[2:48:45] Note the planters and building columns will both be wrapped with stacked stone veneer,
[2:48:49] and the columns will feature a wood texture like in the front of the market space.
[2:48:55] Here is an additional perspective rendering on the easterly end of the inline retail buildings facing west,
[2:49:01] showing the outdoor dining area and covered walkway in greater detail.
[2:49:05] Again, note the wood textured metal columns, stone veneer on planters and columns, metal
[2:49:11] soft fits under the tower elements and potted plants.
[2:49:16] This concludes the details of the proposed use.
[2:49:19] Our soon-to-section 153.01 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines.
[2:49:24] This project is categorically exempt from SQL review,
[2:49:27] as it is an existing facility being remodeled.
[2:49:29] The Planning Commission consider the project on July 1st, 2026, and recommend it to the City Council,
[2:49:36] approve precise plan 1969-5, 2026 amendment. Public hearing notices are posted and published on July 17,
[2:49:44] 10 days prior to tonight's meeting. Staff did not receive any comments from the public from the public hearing notices.
[2:49:52] Before you this evening's consideration of the precise plan amendment to permit a major
[2:49:56] exterior remodel and related site improvements to a commercial shopping center at the
[2:50:00] northwest corner of Carminita Road in Artesia Boulevard.
[2:50:06] At this time, it is recommended that the City Council review and discussed the information
[2:50:09] provided, conduct a public hearing, and waive full reading of and adopt a resolution
[2:50:14] approving the precise plan amendment.
[2:50:18] This concludes staff's presentation.
[2:50:21] I'd be happy to answer any questions at this time.
[2:50:22] The project manager and the project architect is in the audience tonight to answer questions for the council as well.
[2:50:30] Thank you.
[2:50:31] Thank you.
[2:50:32] Thank you.
[2:50:33] Do we have any questions from the council?
[2:50:35] Yes, go ahead.
[2:50:40] Thank you, Madam Mayor.
[2:50:42] Thank you, Mr. Low, for your presentation and the staff that work on the report.
[2:50:49] I really appreciate the upgrade to the facades and the use of stone veneer and the wood element.
[2:51:02] Is there a similar board, the Dix Sporting Goods for this?
[2:51:08] If not, that's okay, but if there was one, I don't see it up here.
[2:51:12] The samples provided were in metal panels, which weren't able to fit on a board, but the staff
[2:51:22] does have samples in the city hall. Okay.
[2:51:27] From what I see from the presentation and also the materials
[2:51:31] that have arrived here, this is a significant upgrade to what is the current current condition,
[2:51:39] And let's just be honest, it's been an I-SOR for the community, for far too long.
[2:51:47] I remember when it was a vibrant part of the local community, when Alphabet was the supermarket,
[2:51:54] and that was a long, long time ago.
[2:51:57] So I'm eager to find out what business is going to be located in the anchor store there.
[2:52:07] Um, I, you know, it wasn't a part of the presentation, but I think with these enhancements
[2:52:14] of, and the landscaping, and so forth, I think will help attract businesses to this
[2:52:26] sorely depressed commercial life.
[2:52:31] I just got to underscore that, that this is a long time coming and I'm very grateful to staff working with the property owners, applicants to bring us to us and also the planning commission for their efforts.
[2:52:47] My question is with regard to the seated areas along the north part of the development.
[2:53:00] I appreciate that there are the planters there and that'll provide for greater safety.
[2:53:08] And it also is a nice enhancement to that area.
[2:53:13] But I'm wondering how you're able to make up for the loss in parking with just a net loss
[2:53:22] of one parking space. Can you walk us through that? I suspect. I know the answer to it,
[2:53:28] but if you could go into a little detail about how you're able to maintain the current level
[2:53:36] parking available. Yeah, so staff worked with the applicants. We went back and forth on how to
[2:53:44] minimize the loss of parking while providing the maximum amount of landscaping or at least to meet
[2:53:50] the minimum landscaping requirements for the site. In the staff report, but not mentioned
[2:53:55] in tonight's hearing, but I guess I'll mention it now. Existing landscaping, it comprised about 5% of
[2:54:02] project site where the City of Serious requires 15% of the site to be landscaped and the
[2:54:08] applicants are now providing over 15% landscaping like 15.8 and so they're tripling landscaping
[2:54:16] again while also only resulting in a net loss of one parking space. They achieved that by
[2:54:23] restriping the parking lot especially in the backside on the backside of the market.
[2:54:28] The parking stalls were larger than the city's standard parking requirements, and so they were able to pick up parking there.
[2:54:36] And they also re-striped some parking on the easterly side adjacent to Carminita, where there was a drive aisle.
[2:54:44] They're actually enclosing the drive aisle, so that picked up some additional parking spaces as well.
[2:54:49] So, even though they added outdoor dining, which costed 16 parking stalls, they were able to make up 15 parking stalls.
[2:55:00] Excellent, so they made up the 15 by going to more standard sized parking spaces behind the buildings.
[2:55:14] Correct. Okay. So how about the existing spaces in the front? Are they remaining standard size or are are you
[2:55:28] creating more compact ones? They're remaining the standard size. Okay. Good. Several of the parking stalls, especially on the very ends.
[2:55:38] You can't see my cursor, but on the ends of the parking aisles,
[2:55:41] adjacent to Carminita will actually be a wider because they're adjacent to a
[2:55:46] a planter which will allow for easier turning into the space.
[2:55:51] Wonderful. And I'll just add that insurveda as we do not permit compact space.
[2:55:55] Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, because increasing the you see that in other cities,
[2:56:02] I'm not naming any cities, but when they label it compact,
[2:56:08] It's even, it's so small and there are so many SUVs and many vans and just so many bigger cars these days that it's really frustrating that people just, you know, shove a SUV in a compact and, you know, people can't even get in and out of the cars, it's not a good experience and you know, cars get dented, you know, all of that.
[2:56:35] I wouldn't want that type of frustration here in Serritos, so I'm pleased to see that great efforts were put into enhancing the property, but then also not at the cost of having standard parking spaces for customers, diners, et cetera, to come to this development.
[2:57:03] I have no further questions.
[2:57:05] Thank you so much.
[2:57:06] I do have a question, Mayor.
[2:57:09] Go ahead.
[2:57:10] Okay.
[2:57:10] I have two questions.
[2:57:11] The first one is like the one, the facing the Artisha one,
[2:57:17] that building is not including the whole street mall.
[2:57:20] But are they allowed to use to share the parking lot behind the store,
[2:57:25] those parking space on the backside of the store?
[2:57:30] So there is an agreement among the various owners for common area maintenance.
[2:57:37] It's a very loosely held agreement, but there is a provision for reciprocal access.
[2:57:45] So in theory, the parking among all the lots is shared.
[2:57:48] However, for purposes of analyzing this project, we look slowly at the subject parcels.
[2:57:53] and for the subject parcels, there is substantial compliance with the municipal code requirements.
[2:58:00] I see, okay, my second question is because, okay, it looks like we have a great improvement
[2:58:06] on this area, but how about the free more at the front?
[2:58:11] And also the one, the bank next to it, you know, you don't want to those two,
[2:58:16] would now to bring down the value of our new place.
[2:58:22] So, show we required them to keep up with this.
[2:58:25] So, the whole lot will look so much more attractive.
[2:58:30] I'll comment on the bank first, the bank,
[2:58:32] which, friends, on Carmonita Road,
[2:58:34] is actually is part of this project.
[2:58:37] And they're proposing to repaint the bank building
[2:58:39] to match the color scheme of the rest
[2:58:42] of the subject shopping center area.
[2:58:45] As for the strip center, that's located along the south side facing Artigable of Art, which is not part of the project, as well as the adjacent liquor store.
[2:58:55] We have been working for several years to try to get the entire center to come before the Planning Commission City Council for a proposed remodel, because of the current setup with the maintenance agreement that I referenced.
[2:59:10] We cannot compel them to do an upgrade.
[2:59:14] However, once this upgrade is in place,
[2:59:18] our hope is that that'll inspire
[2:59:20] these adjacent owners to do something similar.
[2:59:24] And if I may, council member Hong,
[2:59:26] Jarmila Steph,
[2:59:29] after the July 1st Planning Commission meeting,
[2:59:32] the actually one of the adjacent property owners of the liquor store,
[2:59:36] which is the tiny building between the market space
[2:59:39] and the inline retail spaces facing artisans.
[2:59:44] They indicated that they were interested
[2:59:46] in doing a similar remodel
[2:59:48] and that they would work with the applicant's team as well.
[2:59:52] So, almost there, but yeah.
[2:59:55] Yeah, great.
[2:59:56] So we just have to convince the front street more
[2:59:59] on there too.
[3:00:00] To apply with it, that would really bring you agenda right there. There are business as well. Thank you.
[3:00:09] Any other questions?
[3:00:11] Yes, please.
[3:00:12] Okay, go ahead.
[3:00:15] Okay, so thanks, Jeremy.
[3:00:19] It says on page 3, parking required.
[3:00:24] 209 spaces.
[3:00:26] It says proposed parking 191 spaces.
[3:00:30] Where do I see in the conditions of approval and the project specific conditions approval
[3:00:37] or in the resolution that discrepancy that we're allowing for 1951 spaces when it was calculated
[3:00:47] that the parking required is 299 spaces?
[3:00:55] Council member, Yoke Yama, are you referencing a exception or a variance or are you trying to?
[3:01:05] I'm just saying a page three of the agenda report under land use statistics under analysis on use statistics.
[3:01:11] It's as parking required total 209 spaces.
[3:01:16] And then the project is going to have proposed parking of total of 1951 spaces.
[3:01:23] So what does parking require 209 spaces mean?
[3:01:26] If this project is as proposed as only going to have 1951 spaces,
[3:01:32] what does parking required total 209 spaces mean?
[3:01:36] So if I can add to the conversation,
[3:01:39] there is additional discussion on page 4,
[3:01:41] the general report, which is after the statistics table, which describes the history of the shopping
[3:01:47] center and the existing legal non-conforming status of the shopping center.
[3:01:52] The original development proceeded the existing municipal code regulations, and so when it
[3:01:59] was originally approved, it wasn't required to meet these standards.
[3:02:04] However, we have worked with the applicant to do their best to meet these standards, and as
[3:02:09] noted, they have now exceeded the minimum landscaper requirement, which will significantly enhance
[3:02:14] the appearance of the center, and they've made every effort to preserve as many parking spaces
[3:02:20] as possible given that upgrade and landscaping. And so while they do fall short of the required
[3:02:26] into the code, because they are legal and not conforming, consideration is given that the overall
[3:02:34] impact of this project as an enhancement to the center. So the recommendation is to approve
[3:02:40] with the understanding that there is this deficiency. Also, it is noted that depending on
[3:02:48] specific new tenant spaces uses, there may be a need for a parking analysis, perhaps looking
[3:02:53] at time of day. There was precedent set for that years ago, the city council approved
[3:03:00] a gym use at the corner of Paloverde and South Street, ultimately, because of COVID that
[3:03:06] that gym use was not built, but in connection with that use, there was a time of day,
[3:03:12] time of use analysis under a parking, noting that because of the different needs of different
[3:03:18] times of day, there was adequate parking at any given time to accommodate the needs.
[3:03:22] So that may be a requirement, once we have a specific tenant, that's proposed for the
[3:03:26] large space.
[3:03:27] Yes, I read the agenda report and I read this this explanation on page four. I'm just wondering if we're not if we're not going to require.
[3:03:39] This project.
[3:03:41] To have the required number of parking spaces. That's required under the municipal code.
[3:03:47] Is that covered in the conditions of approval.
[3:03:51] that the City Council is going to be approving tonight, or this much needed project,
[3:04:00] which I am glad that the owners are going to
[3:04:10] I'm
[3:04:13] glad that the owners are going to be bringing a nice new shopping center venue for our residents in that neck of the woods of Serritos.
[3:04:27] I just was wondering with the discrepancy between the required number of parking spaces under the municipal code.
[3:04:35] And the fact that we are going to be approving today a project that has less than the required number of parking spaces under the municipal code.
[3:04:45] But do we need to do to make sure that everything is copesetic?
[3:04:51] And we take care of these owners and they know that they're getting approved for the number of parking spaces that's on the project even though it's less than what's required under the municipal code.
[3:05:04] Where is it in the resolution or the conditions of approval or the project conditions of approval or the standard conditions of approval that we are giving them approval for less than
[3:05:16] the required number of parking spaces under the municipal code?
[3:05:20] So there's no explicit mention in either of those areas the plan that's attached as part of the public record does indicate
[3:05:27] that being part of the proposed approval, if the council would like, we can memorialize that
[3:05:33] understanding either with a condition of approval added or an amendment to the resolution
[3:05:37] to have that explicitly stated.
[3:05:39] What do you think about that city attorney that the project as proposed to this city council
[3:05:46] right now is not in compliance with the municipal code regarding the required number of parking
[3:05:52] spaces and staff and
[3:05:59] staff and the Planning Commission are recommending to this City Council
[3:06:03] to approve this plan when it is not in compliance with the Municipal Code regarding
[3:06:07] parking.
[3:06:08] You're asking the City Council to approve this.
[3:06:10] Are you okay with us approving this City Attorney as is?
[3:06:14] My recommendation would be to include in the findings and the resolution of approval
[3:06:20] that I believe it's under paragraph section two, paragraph two, that the proposed site
[3:06:29] proposed precise plan amendment conforms. We would indicate that the proposed precise
[3:06:33] plan amendment substantially conforms with the applicable land use zone and include
[3:06:38] reference to the findings of evidence under the second paragraph, second full paragraph
[3:06:47] of page four. That would basically comply with the allowance of the net loss of only one
[3:06:55] parking spot in exchange for the increase in landscaping conformants. And that would basically
[3:07:02] make the finding applicable and substantial compliance as provided with the staff report.
[3:07:10] And I hear you, I mean, you've told us what we've heard that there was a net loss of the current
[3:07:16] number of parking spaces. But we are now approving this new much-needed project today. And today,
[3:07:27] it is not in compliance with the required-
[3:07:30] I read a number of parking spaces under the municipal code. I want the city council to approve it, knowing that it's okay that we are not complying with the municipal code.
[3:07:40] So tell me again, please, what is the finding a fax going to say so that this city council can approve this project, knowing that we did the right thing, and we're not going to get blamed for approving a project that's not a compliance with the municipal code.
[3:07:54] My recommendation and proposal would be in the section two paragraph two of the findings of the resolution.
[3:08:02] It would state pursuant to the findings of the staff report and specifically the second full paragraph of page four.
[3:08:10] The proposed precise plan amendment substantially conforms with the applicable land use zone and the rest of the paragraph would be as is.
[3:08:20] So we can somebody on this side of the council when we make a motion to approve the planning commission recommendation including the planning staff that the city attorney stated on the record during this year.
[3:08:36] Okay.
[3:08:37] Thank you.
[3:08:38] We have any other questions from the council.
[3:08:40] I just have a quick question.
[3:08:42] I think I live within 500 feet.
[3:08:44] So if I need to.
[3:08:46] I'm okay.
[3:08:48] and if we have no other questions, I'll open up for public comment. Do you have any public comments on this item?
[3:08:56] Cindy, do we have any speakers?
[3:08:58] None at this time, Mayor.
[3:09:00] Any other, did you want to speak?
[3:09:02] Thank you.
[3:09:09] David Payalman.
[3:09:10] Ms. Johnson, I want to start by commenting about the fact that those of us who attend ABC School Board meetings are used to midnight as a cutoff time.
[3:09:21] So let's don't be rushing things here.
[3:09:25] So I was present at the Public Planning Commission meeting
[3:09:29] for this as well.
[3:09:32] And I had some concerns about the parking issue.
[3:09:36] He spent a lot of time driving a lot of different places
[3:09:40] around Southern California.
[3:09:42] I find that behind stores, the parking is not used frequently.
[3:09:47] I go to islands at the town center and it's very easy to find a parking place behind the theaters.
[3:09:55] No one parks back there.
[3:09:57] So the applicant intended that he was going to increase the number of parking places behind the buildings.
[3:10:05] If you drive the site now you find that there are virtually no parking mark parking places back there.
[3:10:12] I'm not quite sure how many of them are going to be used.
[3:10:15] His explanation was that he would ask that the employees parked back there.
[3:10:22] I'm not sure the employees are going to be excited about doing that.
[3:10:25] I'm not sharing that they are going to do that.
[3:10:29] My concern was that argument that night also was that at the Serito's Plaza.
[3:10:35] Keith Stone Plaza, which is at South and Carmenita, we had orchard supply which moved out
[3:10:43] and we moved in EOS fitness and what happened there is that those stores at the front
[3:10:49] part of the Long South Street had to start posting signs that fitness parking was not allowed
[3:10:56] So now, as we go back to items, display 7 on this project, we identify that there's a number of stores there facing our T-Shable of art that may lose their parking because of the overflow of people that are at the new market.
[3:11:19] Isn't it unfortunate that we couldn't get the Tokyo market plans and this project to kind of to be working in concert?
[3:11:32] Because when we off the subject a little bit, when Tokyo market moves into the Town Center right now, there's no parking in front of Pacific sales, even no Pacific sales is closed.
[3:11:45] So, we're going to have a parking issue there as well.
[3:11:48] We did have been nice if we could have put Tokyo market into this shopping center, where there was plenty of parking going to be available.
[3:11:57] So, again, I agree that this is a positive looking improvement to this site, but I am concerned about what this may not be doing down the road with parking.
[3:12:10] Thank you.
[3:12:13] Okay. If there are no other speakers, I'll go ahead and close public comments. We have
[3:12:20] any comments from the council. Go ahead. None. None. Any comments from the council?
[3:12:26] All right. Just want to say that I'm pleased that we are finally going to revitalize this area.
[3:12:31] It's a major facelift for this for the Carmen. Carmen need a Plaza North. It's been
[3:12:38] since 1969.
[3:12:42] So projects like this keep serritos economically strong and competitive, a modern, attractive shopping center is better positioned to attract new businesses and retain existing tenants.
[3:12:54] So I want to encourage anyone that's interested in bringing new retail, restaurant or an entertainment concept to serides to connect with the property owner.
[3:13:05] It's not the city that determines what goes into the plaza, it is the property owner.
[3:13:11] So any creative ideas such as an anti-packing district, I know folks have talked about that a lot where something that can enhance our community.
[3:13:19] Please bring your suggestions to the property owner.
[3:13:23] So thank you again to community development
[3:13:26] for their involvement with this project.
[3:13:29] I'll go ahead and entertain a motion at this time.
[3:13:36] I moved to approve it.
[3:13:39] Subject to, we have to subject to the parking space study.
[3:13:44] Second.
[3:13:49] Was that motion clear enough for you, City Clerk?
[3:13:52] Is it?
[3:13:54] Yes.
[3:13:55] So, I believe the motion is to approve the Planning Commission's recommendation to wafer
[3:13:59] reading of an adopt resolution of the Security Council approving precise plan 1969-5, 2020-6,
[3:14:06] amendment, a proposal by the property owner to remodel the exterior of the existing buildings
[3:14:11] and complete other site-related improvements at the Carme de Plaza North Chopping Center.
[3:14:15] Look at that 133, 2, 1 through 133, 4, 9, or 10, or 10, or 10, or 10, or 10, or 10,
[3:14:21] and 303 company to road, so we just call for nine of seven of three.
[3:14:24] So site is zoned neighborhood commercial,
[3:14:28] CN, APN, 7000, 8-015-002, 7000, 8-015-003,
[3:14:36] and 7000, 8-015-004, inclusive of the amendments noted
[3:14:43] by the city attorney, just a bit of go.
[3:14:46] also add that this is also the amendment that I made is also in conformance with the
[3:14:52] three doses of municipal code, 23-50-200,
[3:14:59] some division.
[3:15:03] We'll go ahead and vote.
[3:15:10] Motion passes on a four to zero vote. Congratulations to the property owners. We're very excited about this new development. Thank you so very much. Thank you. Thank you.
[3:15:22] Thank you for staying so late. Thank you. All right. Thank you.
[3:15:27] Moving on to nine a, nine a, city manager, do we have a report on this item?
[3:15:32] Yes, thank you. Madam Mayor members of the City Council. Item 9A comes to you in response to consensus direction provided by the City Council to explore and present information on a potential reserved parking program for veterans at various city facilities.
[3:15:48] An overview of this item will be given by any health and director of community and cultural services and following her presentation. She and I'd be happy to answer any questions.
[3:15:56] Thank you, Mr. Lopez.
[3:15:58] Good evening, honorable mayor and members of the City Council.
[3:16:02] The City of Serritos has a proud tradition of honoring the service of United States
[3:16:06] military veterans.
[3:16:08] Providing reserved parking for veterans at city facilities would enhance the city's efforts
[3:16:14] to recognize, celebrate, and support veterans and express a deep appreciation for their service.
[3:16:20] The parking spaces would be offered as a courtesy, reflecting the community's appreciation for Veteran's service.
[3:16:29] It is expected that non- Veteran community members will respect this designation and voluntarily refrain from using these spaces as a sign of shared gratitude.
[3:16:40] The reserved parking program for veterans would consist of two conveniently located parking spaces designated with signs at major city facilities.
[3:16:53] As displayed on the slide, staff has designed a veterans parking only sign that would be installed at the designated parking spaces.
[3:17:01] The veterans parking only spaces would be designated at the following locations as shown on the slides.
[3:17:10] The Cerritos Civic Center, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos Olympic Swim Fitness Center, Cerritos Park East,
[3:17:23] Cerritos Senior Center at Patton X and Park, Cerritos Sports Complex,
[3:17:29] Heritage Park, Ironwood Nine Golf Course, and Liberty Park.
[3:17:36] A vendors estimate to produce the signs, including the hardware and printing of the
[3:17:41] custom design, is $2,654.20. The public works departments maintenance division staff
[3:17:49] would install the signs. Funds are available in the cities
[3:17:58] It is recommended that the city council review and discuss the feasibility of implementing a reserve parking program for veterans at city facilities and receive public comment and direct staff accordingly.
[3:18:14] This concludes my report and staff would be happy to answer any questions at this time.
[3:18:18] Thank you, Annie, for the report.
[3:18:20] Do we have any questions from the City Council?
[3:18:23] Yes, please.
[3:18:24] Hi, thank you, Mayor.
[3:18:25] My question is, this is like an owner system, right?
[3:18:29] Because this is not like handicap.
[3:18:31] You don't have the license or you don't have any hand tag.
[3:18:34] You don't, they don't require that.
[3:18:36] Am I right?
[3:18:37] That is correct.
[3:18:38] This would be considered courtesy parking and it would be on an honor system.
[3:18:43] We would expect that community members would be happy to show their
[3:18:48] appreciation to veterans and allow only veterans to park in those spaces.
[3:18:55] And if I could add as well, the Home Depot and Lowe's City of Paramount City of Norwalk
[3:19:00] do the same as well, where it's an honor system.
[3:19:03] And I just hope that you know, the honor system work, because I'm worried about like maybe
[3:19:10] I don't want to have a creative and the argument or, you know, about this space in the future.
[3:19:16] I do like this kind of proposal I think it's very important for our CD and it's a very
[3:19:22] honorable to is a appreciation for all the VA's, I would just worry about if they couldn't
[3:19:30] get to their spot and they're like, oh, the one, how you prove it, you know, so this is basically
[3:19:35] just honorable system.
[3:19:37] Okay.
[3:19:40] Any other questions?
[3:19:43] Mark?
[3:19:46] So I like this idea.
[3:19:49] And I'm counting a total of 18 spaces.
[3:19:53] No, 16 spaces at eight city facilities.
[3:20:00] And if you take a look at the location of these spots,
[3:20:03] this is pre-mo parking.
[3:20:04] This is, this is like steps away from the front door, I think this was really a nice way to say thank you to our veterans.
[3:20:19] I really think whoever came up with this idea, I think this was this your idea, Madam Mayor.
[3:20:27] Thank you. Thank you. And to the staff who who put time and effort into this, um,
[3:20:35] on beyond, there's a lot of veterans in our community. I mean, that's part of our heritage here.
[3:20:40] It probably as much as, uh, we have the dairy heritage of Serritos. Once it built all the houses,
[3:20:51] there were so many veterans who moved here. Um, so there are a lot of sons and daughters of veterans,
[3:20:57] and also veterans who have moved here, knowing how much this city is supportive of our veterans
[3:21:09] and how patriotic events are held here that really express our gratitude to our veterans.
[3:21:21] So this is just a continuation of that effort.
[3:21:25] With that many potential veterans wanting to utilize these spaces, there's only handful of spaces.
[3:21:38] I would highly suggest that we look into something that is very low cost to put on the vehicles.
[3:21:46] you know, some type of a sticker that is unique. I can't imagine that would be too expensive.
[3:21:55] I'm not talking about a placard, you know, that one might use, you know, for handicaps faces,
[3:22:02] but maybe a sticker, just something like that. I think there might be some pride in,
[3:22:13] you know,
[3:22:15] Councilmember Hong mentioned it might prevent any arguments.
[3:22:22] Is that the point that you're making earlier?
[3:22:24] Yes.
[3:22:24] What are you about if that's all?
[3:22:26] No one would want that.
[3:22:27] I mean, that's, you know, that kind of defeat stuff.
[3:22:30] The whole purpose of honoring our veterans. And yeah, you know, we could try on honor system, but then there's going to be some people who are dishonorable and they're going to take advantage of that. And then once they get used to doing that, then it becomes the custom. And then really who's going to regulate that? But if from the outset, we demonstrate to our veterans that, yes, hey, we have this come. And you know, simply register.
[3:23:01] I don't know, we have so many, all of these facilities should, you know, have the ability
[3:23:09] to, if the veteran comes in, hey, can I saw that there's veteran parking out front
[3:23:16] out of the way of all of that, and they said, well, here, fill this out, or do it on the
[3:23:21] app, something simple like that, and here's a sticker, slap this on your bumper, your
[3:23:29] bumper. Those are my thoughts so that we don't have unintended consequences of a great idea.
[3:23:44] So I'm sure that we could come up with something very low cost to put on. And if not the bumper
[3:23:51] Maybe, you know, like how you put parking permits on the lower, lower corner of your windshield, something like that.
[3:24:03] Maybe even a tag on the rear.
[3:24:05] Yeah, something like that.
[3:24:06] Yeah.
[3:24:07] That's my suggestion.
[3:24:09] Thank you.
[3:24:10] So I do have a question.
[3:24:11] Now that Mayor Proton brought it up.
[3:24:14] Certainly we can institute a program where they would have to register as simple as providing your
[3:24:21] CD-2-14, any veteran knows what that is, Commissioner Reyes, absolutely knows what that is,
[3:24:29] to show your status as a veteran.
[3:24:31] But then what happens then if there are members of the community, members that are outside
[3:24:36] of the community, that are visiting our facilities, I don't know, can I don't know, I don't
[3:24:46] know what to, how we would solve that.
[3:24:48] I not seen it on any other locations such as Norwalk, Paramount, Home Depot, Lowe's. It really is an honor system.
[3:24:58] I don't anticipate folks would be this honorable. That would be so bad. I mean, how could you say you're a veteran and you're not?
[3:25:09] What we can do is, of course, if we become aware of an issue where someone's parking in that space and we understand that out of veteran, staff can address it with that patron.
[3:25:20] And if there seems to be an issue with regard to compliance, we can come up with the system to try to identify them internally to figure out what that could look like.
[3:25:31] And in the meantime, if you can please contact the city managers over at Norwalk and Paramount and see if they've had that kind of issue.
[3:25:37] Thanks. Are there any other questions? Yes. Yes, please. One comment is I think I saw
[3:25:48] at BJ's Serritos. They have Veterans Parking.
[3:25:55] On the north side of the restaurant.
[3:25:59] And then also, you know, this is a great idea, let's not let, you know, the perfect
[3:26:07] be the enemy of the good.
[3:26:09] We don't have to worry about every possibility today.
[3:26:14] We just need to get our veterans,
[3:26:20] the goal of this proposal, preferred parking to thank them
[3:26:27] their service and if we need to tweak it in the future, we tweak it in the future, that's not
[3:26:32] let it perfect be the enemy of the good. Thank you, Councilmember Yokoyama. Yes, I do agree with that.
[3:26:40] For that, I think we can try it. I'm here. We really facing some problem. Then we deal with it.
[3:26:46] But I do like this idea and I think this is a great idea. Thank you.
[3:26:51] Right. If we don't have any other questions, I'll open up for public comments.
[3:26:57] Okay, let me see if we have any that signed in.
[3:27:04] Commissioner Reyes, thank you.
[3:27:07] And Deborah, afterwards, thank you.
[3:27:11] Thank you for staying.
[3:27:13] Kidney thing.
[3:27:14] I'm Mary Johnson.
[3:27:16] Mary Pro Tempulito.
[3:27:17] Council members.
[3:27:19] And Yokuyama.
[3:27:21] Good evening.
[3:27:21] Also just staff, audience, and the people watching this meeting on television.
[3:27:25] in social media. My name is Armin Reyes, I'm a resident of Serritos, and I come before you to
[3:27:31] speak in favor of item 9A under new and old business. Item 9A, as I've been discussed,
[3:27:38] is the review and consideration of the facility of implementing a research parking program
[3:27:43] for veterans at the city facilities. As a veteran and a retired user on personnel, I support
[3:27:50] this proposal, and thank you Mayor Yulinda, knowing that it came from you based on your
[3:27:56] concept of conversation with the Muslim and Polito. And I support this proposal for the
[3:28:02] following reasons. Mainly, it shows that our city, this community, appreciate and recognize
[3:28:09] the services of veterans like I mentioned.
[3:28:14] And secondly, it offers convenience to all the veterans
[3:28:18] and veterans with minor mobility challenges who may not qualify for a official state handicap
[3:28:24] placard.
[3:28:25] So people have been hurt but that enough to be disabled or older veterans that that's
[3:28:32] qualified for a handicap, that will be a great help for them also.
[3:28:37] And of course there are challenges as this doesn't implement this proposal, namely enforcement,
[3:28:43] How can law enforcement and or code enforcers distinguish vehicles on an operative
[3:28:50] veterans?
[3:28:51] And like a muscle memory, I almost said, I mean, let's do it when it becomes a problem.
[3:28:57] And secondly, even among the veteran communities, there are certain means and opinions of veterans
[3:29:02] regarding this issue, there are mixed, some actively used them, and some clearly refused
[3:29:08] to use them to avoid unwanted detention, because some of the veterans don't want to be
[3:29:13] recognize the veterans or, you know, to be questioned as such.
[3:29:17] And the end speaking as an individual representing my own opinion
[3:29:21] on this matter, I wholeheartedly support this proposal,
[3:29:26] because of some broad member of this community.
[3:29:29] I am proud that our city is going above and beyond
[3:29:32] to honor and recognize the veterans.
[3:29:35] Whether to serve part and space is utilized or not.
[3:29:38] It is a very visible and daily reminder
[3:29:41] to our veterans and their families that our city, the City of Surveillance, it's leaders and
[3:29:47] community members appreciate and honor us of veterans. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you commissioner
[3:29:53] raise and thank you for your service to our nation.
[3:29:57] Are there any, oh yeah, Deborah Barry.
[3:30:04] Hi. Thank you. Everybody loves our veterans. Everybody wants a supporter of veterans. I don't know any American who wouldn't say, yeah, let's support our veterans.
[3:30:14] But it's these little things like this. These pandering to the veterans, because we want to make sure we look better things that cost money. So only it's only $2,000. We have an under budget.
[3:30:25] What about all the staff time to make this presentation, how much did that cost?
[3:30:30] How much is it going to cost to install those $2,000 worth of science?
[3:30:35] For what?
[3:30:36] We know people are going to park in those spots.
[3:30:39] It's just another dog and pony show to make you look better for everybody.
[3:30:45] When it doesn't do anything and it waste everybody's time.
[3:30:49] All of this nickel and diamond adds up to budget deficits.
[3:30:54] You want to find out why you have a budget deficit?
[3:30:56] It's the $2,000 signs.
[3:30:59] It's the thousands of dollars in wasted staff time.
[3:31:02] I'm sure if you asked any one of your staff,
[3:31:05] they don't want to be wasting their times on these types of projects
[3:31:08] when they have more important things to do.
[3:31:11] We have real issues in the city,
[3:31:13] and it is now 10.30.
[3:31:18] That I've had to wait to speak to an item
[3:31:20] because we do things like this.
[3:31:22] This is the kind of stuff that is mismanaged, because as you guys don't focus on the real issues,
[3:31:29] you focus on all of this fluff that means nothing.
[3:31:33] So a few people feel good when they leave, but it does nothing to improve the lives of the citizens in this city.
[3:31:41] We know darn well that those parking spots will be used by whoever shows up,
[3:31:46] especially at the park when there's limited parking.
[3:31:48] What about all the other people that need a part close, pregnant women, right?
[3:31:54] The family with five kids that are at the park that are trying to shuffle around and now
[3:31:59] all right.
[3:32:00] You know what I mean?
[3:32:00] We have services for people that are disabled.
[3:32:03] We have dialeride that will take you to the front door, right?
[3:32:09] This is not solving any problems.
[3:32:11] This is so you can feel good.
[3:32:14] You can go home and say like, oh, I did something.
[3:32:17] You didn't do anything. It's all fluff. Stop wasting time. Stop wasting money. It's all these little things that adds up to the problems that you have. Thank you.
[3:32:37] I'm the daughter of a Navy veteran and a mother of a US Marine captain. I do this for them. My many veterans have combat related service related disabilities.
[3:32:56] And like Commissioner Reyes says, do not qualify for a disability placard with my job as
[3:33:03] L.A. County deputy on military veterans affairs to connect our veterans with services
[3:33:08] to get rated and receive benefits. So I know the toll and the cost of serving and defending our nation.
[3:33:18] Do we have any other? Do we have a comment? Some Cindy written us?
[3:33:23] we call this Colin Speakers.
[3:33:26] Thank you, Mayor.
[3:33:27] We have none at this time.
[3:33:28] Thank you.
[3:33:29] We do have folks that wrote in.
[3:33:33] I am going to acknowledge those that wrote in because they have served our nation.
[3:33:39] Former.
[3:33:40] L.A. County supervisor of the fourth district.
[3:33:42] Don Kanabi and former mayor.
[3:33:44] City of Serritos is in support of this item.
[3:33:46] Thank you, Don, for your service.
[3:33:48] United States Navy.
[3:33:50] Colleen Aldrich, her husband Gary, served as country for four years, the United States Air Force, served in El Canawa and in Vietnam.
[3:34:00] An arrest and supply mission, flying to areas where soldiers had been shot down.
[3:34:06] Gary is one of the, maybe I shouldn't say because it's Hippa, but I do know that Gary receives benefits from the military veterans affairs and recently suffered a stroke.
[3:34:19] And is now homebound, but he and his wife are in support of this item.
[3:34:24] So thank you, Gary, for your service.
[3:34:26] United States Air Force, Marty and Gayle Grossman.
[3:34:31] Gayle Marty Grossman served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969.
[3:34:37] Station in the DMZ of Korea, defending our country from attacks on our bases.
[3:34:43] And he too, what do you call this is, served our nation, defended our country, and thank
[3:34:52] you, Marty for your service, United States Army, and Sue Carter also is in very much
[3:35:01] support of our signed programs, so thank you, Sue, for writing in.
[3:35:12] Do we have any other comments, I'll close?
[3:35:14] Yes.
[3:35:14] Go ahead. Oh, thank you. I mean, I'll close public comments. Okay. I'll close public comments. Go ahead and bring comments back to the council. Yeah. Thank you Mayor Johnson. So just to be clear to the 48,000 300 residents of Serritos. I am 100% in support. 100% in support of thanking the veterans.
[3:35:44] of our city of Serritos and those visiting our city of Serritos, just like this past Saturday,
[3:35:53] we think our active military at our first C.E.B. monthly, meritorious marine recognition,
[3:36:03] monthly ceremony, the city of Serritos has, for decades, had a tradition of recognizing
[3:36:12] and thanking our veteran community, our veteran residents, our active military residents, they
[3:36:19] matter this agenda item 100% matters. And it's disheartening to see members of our city saying
[3:36:32] that this doesn't matter, that it's a waste, it's a waste, it's wasteful, it's not worthy
[3:36:41] of the city of Serritos.
[3:36:46] Those of you who clapped enthusiastically. Now you're not even looking
[3:36:51] at me in the eye. There you guys are. You guys disrespected our veterans of our city who are
[3:37:01] strong vibrant active community. This matters, this 100 percent matters. I support our residents.
[3:37:16] I support our veterans 100 percent. Thank you, Mayor Linda. For championing championing this.
[3:37:24] I support our veterans 100% thank you.
[3:37:30] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Armin Reyes for speaking. Thank you, Don Camp Canabi for speaking. Thank you, Sue Carter. Thank you, Gayle Grossman. Thank you, Colleen Aldrich for standing the veterans of our community.
[3:37:44] Thank you. Council member Yokoyama, and also thank you to your father Tom Yokoyama for his service to our nation, as well as Mayor Protem Mark Polito to your father for defending our freedom. Thank you.
[3:37:58] Uh, go ahead with comments.
[3:38:05] So, um, proud, great grandson, grandson, son, son and law of veterans, and um,
[3:38:22] five of them are dead, we're not here.
[3:38:27] So I'm just glad to support this, you know, for those who are living,
[3:38:34] so that I could
[3:38:35] serve here and make decisions, and also so that all of us could have the freedoms that
[3:38:43] we enjoy.
[3:38:47] When I made the comments about, hey, you know, there's going to be some folks who
[3:38:50] are going to take advantage of it.
[3:38:53] That's a real concern that I have.
[3:38:56] You know, I just, I hope that people will honor it, though I do understand that not
[3:39:04] everyone honors veterans. And that's okay. That's that's a right to do so. But I could only control what I do.
[3:39:15] And so this is the reason why I'm proud to support this. Just like before me, my dad led the effort against odds in this community
[3:39:25] to establish that street of veterans memorial. And yeah, there were a lot of people who were against that veterans memorial.
[3:39:32] They didn't want it out front. They wanted it in the back.
[3:39:39] They didn't want to honor our veterans.
[3:39:44] That's a real part of our heritage.
[3:39:47] There are people who are supportive of our veterans and there's people who are not supportive of veterans
[3:39:51] and they have that right too to voice that opinion.
[3:39:55] And at that podium, people, yeah, I got up there and said they weren't in support of it.
[3:40:04] But people voted me to represent, you know, what's in my heart and to do what's right.
[3:40:12] So that's the reason why I support this. I don't see this as fluff. I see this as fundamental.
[3:40:20] And I just hope that we get somehow get through this period. It's very difficult period
[3:40:27] in our city's life. So we could get back to it. It's been reasonable.
[3:40:37] and civil. That's all I have to say. Thank you.
[3:40:42] Thank you, Mayor. Pro Tem, any other comments?
[3:40:46] Yes, I understand what the last speaker's point of view. I understand everybody. All the racism.
[3:40:54] Even myself is very sad about that we have to come back a lot of service and this kind of hurting
[3:41:00] quality of life, but that's what Mayor used to say. This is a year that we have to try to get through.
[3:41:09] And I know every dollar counts is all the text dollars, you know, payers money, but
[3:41:16] because my respect for all the veterans, you know, even though it's going to cost cities of money, but I think
[3:41:24] we should still pursue this one, although I know we're sacrificing not having the
[3:41:31] concert at the night on the summer night, you know, I know there's a lot of
[3:41:36] thing that we have a major budget deficit, but this is something I think I do
[3:41:42] realize we do have a lot of veterans in our CDs, so for myself I will approve
[3:41:49] this one, I would, you know, I would pro for this program because it's not a lot of money,
[3:41:55] you know, everything is not, you know, like you say, why is having back at a calendar, everything,
[3:42:00] but we have to save in some ways somehow. But for this, if we can benefit some of the veterans
[3:42:06] and let them feel, they're so proud that, you know, our city really honored them and really appreciate
[3:42:13] what they have done for our country. I think that would be worse while to spend this kind of money.
[3:42:20] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? So I'm proud to champion this item.
[3:42:27] It's been on my list since I was elected in 2022. So over the years I've had the privilege of working
[3:42:34] alongside and building relationships with veterans and their families. During my time as deputy
[3:42:39] for military and veteran affairs with Los Angeles County. I gained a deeper appreciation for the
[3:42:45] sacrifices made by those who have served our nation. Honoring veterans has always been important
[3:42:51] to our community each year. Serritos proudly recognizes veterans day, which we pay for.
[3:42:58] Comes out of our general budget, and we come together to express our gratitude to those who have
[3:43:03] the uniform, but more the uniform, some don't even come home. We also participate, participate in
[3:43:13] Operation Greenlight, another initiative I championed in which we illuminate the infinity sculpture
[3:43:19] at the sculpture garden with green lights, raising awareness in the sacrifices and challenges
[3:43:24] of our nation's veterans. So I'm proud to champion the reserve veterans parking program. It is
[3:43:31] simple, but meaningful way for our community express our gratitude and respect. A reserved
[3:43:38] parking space may seem like a small gesture, but it sends a powerful message. Each and every
[3:43:46] one of you in this room have benefited from a service member that fought for this country, each
[3:43:55] every one of you and this is just a small gesture to say thank you so thank you to our city
[3:44:03] staff council colleagues for your support and it's truly rewarding to see this become a reality
[3:44:13] and proud to be a Seretals resident that in a city that honors our veterans so at this time
[3:44:21] I'd like to make the motion to go ahead and approve item 9A, and I have a second from Mayor
[3:44:29] Protem Mark Polito.
[3:44:36] Motion passes. Thank you very much, Council colleagues, appreciate it.
[3:44:40] All right, thank you Commissioner Reyes for your time and your service.
[3:44:45] Thank you for your service, Armin.
[3:44:48] All right, next up, we have item 9B, Corbus Herb Address Painting Program.
[3:44:54] city manager do we have a report on this item thank you man
[3:44:57] members of the city council this item also comes back to
[3:45:00] Thank you, and response to consensus direction that was given at a prior meeting. This is a proposal, a proposed program for consideration that would provide a mechanism to use outside funding for curb address painting throughout residential neighborhoods.
[3:45:16] An overview of this item will be given by Chris Kubert, Acting Director of Public Works, and following his presentation he and I will be happy to answer any questions.
[3:45:24] Thank you, City Manager Lopez, Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council.
[3:45:29] Gen9, I'm nine B's for the review and consideration of a curb address painting program within the City of Street Us.
[3:45:35] At the April 13th, 2026 City Council meeting, staff was directed to evaluate the feasibility of a curb address painting program performed by third party organizations on a voluntary charitable donation basis.
[3:45:49] In response, public works developed proposed program, guidelines that establish clear standards for implementation, while protecting residents and city infrastructure.
[3:46:00] Under the proposed program, providers will be required to paint entire streets or neighborhoods rather than only the homes of residents who chose to donate.
[3:46:10] Participation and donations will be completely voluntary and homeowners would receive the service regardless of whether they contribute.
[3:46:16] The guidelines also prohibits soliciting donations from anyone other than the property owner or authorized adult
[3:46:23] representative helping sure the donation process is fair, transparent and not misleading.
[3:46:30] The proposed guidelines also require providers to obtain a city business license and encroachment permit.
[3:46:36] submit insurance and work plans for approval and comply with uniform painting standards.
[3:46:42] Residents would be informed that providers are not affiliated with the city.
[3:46:46] Written property owner permission is required before any curve is painted,
[3:46:50] and any concerns regarding solicitors can be reported directly to the Department of Public Works.
[3:46:56] There's no direct fiscal impact to the city as administrative costs would be recovered through the permit and business license fees
[3:47:02] Well, third party providers would fund the campaigning services.
[3:47:06] Staff recommends city council review and discuss the proposed guidelines,
[3:47:10] receive public comment, and provide direction to staff.
[3:47:13] This concludes my presentation and available for questions.
[3:47:16] Thank you. Thank you, Chris, for the report. Do we have any questions from the council?
[3:47:23] I have some comments. Thank you for city manager and Chris to work so hard on this things,
[3:47:31] because I think this is important because nowadays most of us are having the, we all have online,
[3:47:39] you know, we older a lot of stuff online and I've also feel like there's a lot of time
[3:47:45] the service that always dropped the parcel or the package at the wrong address and I've noticed
[3:47:51] that a lot of address number is already, when you can hardly read it and some of the house,
[3:47:59] you know, they have to do it, put it up themselves, but all of them they don't even do it.
[3:48:05] So I think for safety purpose and also for because of the online order, the package,
[3:48:12] everything this is very important for the CD. And of course, it's even better that, you know,
[3:48:18] we come out with the solution without having cost CD extra money. So I'm really appreciate that,
[3:48:25] and our CD can work out on this project
[3:48:28] and without costing, you know, a CD.
[3:48:34] But if it's all after the resident,
[3:48:38] if they want to contribute it,
[3:48:40] they want to donate, it will be really appreciated.
[3:48:43] But I think the address is very important for safety
[3:48:47] and for your package delivery as well.
[3:48:50] So please, I hope my console colloquial
[3:48:54] I'll also support this project. Thank you.
[3:48:58] Is there any other questions?
[3:49:01] Okay. Go ahead.
[3:49:04] Thanks, Mayor.
[3:49:07] So how much is the non-refundable encroachment permit application going to be?
[3:49:13] The encroachment permit is $570.
[3:49:21] One time per year.
[3:49:24] This would be one time per location.
[3:49:27] Per business?
[3:49:28] Correct.
[3:49:28] That's one time per business.
[3:49:30] Yes, that's the cost for encroachment permit for commercial businesses, non-residential.
[3:49:38] We're going to require the providers to get an non-refundable encroachment permit application
[3:49:43] so that they can go to our residents and offer these services to them for free.
[3:49:50] Yes, with requesting a donation.
[3:49:53] That is correct.
[3:49:54] They are working in the public right of way.
[3:49:56] So they have to get 500. They have to apply just to be able to ask the residents.
[3:50:04] If I can paint your address on your curb for free, but if you can give me a donation,
[3:50:10] if you want to, but you're not required to. And the paper where it's going to make it clear,
[3:50:15] no payment is required. That is correct. They have to get an encroachment permit for $570.
[3:50:22] Yes, along with the business. So like I said, it's at a one-time fee or an annual fee.
[3:50:28] It's a one-time fee. Okay. Now the business license fee, how much is that?
[3:50:36] I don't know that off the top of my head.
[3:50:43] Give me one second. We can pull that up.
[3:50:44] Okay, and that's an annual fee. That is correct.
[3:50:47] So, these providers that were offering them,
[3:50:53] hey, do you want to come to Serritos and provide our residents for free,
[3:51:02] painting their addresses on the curb?
[3:51:05] You have your required to tell them it's free, no payment required,
[3:51:10] but you can donate money to me if you want.
[3:51:13] They have to pay $570 in crotchman fee and then what's the annual fee?
[3:51:18] For a contractor city business license, depending on the class for the contractor, for class A and C, for one year, it's 548 and for class B, it's 778 dollars.
[3:51:31] So 548 or what?
[3:51:34] 778 for a class B.
[3:51:37] So just to get in the door to offer free services to our residents, they have to either pay over $1100 to get an encroachment fee,
[3:51:46] and a business license fee where they have to pay the business license every year or they have to pay
[3:51:54] over $1,300. If they have to depending on if they pay the 548 or the 778 and annual
[3:52:01] business license fee. So for somebody to start doing this in serritos where they're going to offer
[3:52:08] are residents to paint their license numbers on the curb. That encroachment fee plus the annual
[3:52:18] license fees over $1,100 or over $1,300.
[3:52:23] Yes, they're that's correct.
[3:52:28] They have to pay this before.
[3:52:30] Or they can even solicit one customer, one resident to paint the license, paint the address on their curve.
[3:52:40] Yes, sir. Okay. Now, the city is providing that for free right now, right?
[3:52:44] The city does do it as requested by property owners.
[3:52:48] So if the property owner requests it, the city would do it for free.
[3:52:53] That is correct. The city does not charge residents for when these are done in response to individual needs.
[3:53:01] There is a cost to the city in terms of material and labor.
[3:53:05] The city workers do not ask for a donation.
[3:53:08] That's correct.
[3:53:10] They do go out there, do it for free because they do it as a city service.
[3:53:16] And they do not get a donation or a tip from the resident.
[3:53:23] That's correct.
[3:53:24] The issue is that is it was one of scale.
[3:53:26] There's a large scale need for widespread repenting of addresses.
[3:53:33] And so this is one way of addressing that at a larger scale.
[3:53:37] I will say the fees that were quoted are existing fees charged for commercial entities.
[3:53:42] This is a program that is coming at the direction of the city council.
[3:53:46] the City Council would like as part of this specific program, either a waiver of fees or a
[3:53:52] lower fee amount can be assessed. We just can't go higher than existing fees.
[3:53:57] So we can charge the businesses lower fees than that was quoted to me by Chris and Sabrina.
[3:54:03] If this, yeah, the City Council would like to consider an alternative fee structure or
[3:54:08] waiving fees just specifically for this program that can be the direction given.
[3:54:14] Okay, so, well, has there been, has, has staff talked about what we think we're going to be charged.
[3:54:22] We're going to be telling our residents as a reasonable donation for this service that they could otherwise get for free from the city.
[3:54:29] If they caught which department of the city hall do they call to request the free campaigning of their address?
[3:54:36] It's public works but our understanding is that there is a large skill need for this and it cannot be accommodated within current resources.
[3:54:46] So we're backed up on the phone calls right now. We have too many residents that have called in the public works asking for this and we're backed up. How much are we backed up?
[3:54:55] I'll see if Chris has a number as far as actual request received, but we've also observed many areas that are in need.
[3:55:01] Well, I mean, I'm hearing you, Robert, but how much are we backed up on requests for curb painting of our addresses into public works? How much are we backed up?
[3:55:13] We're not currently backed up. We do get a couple dozen I want to say a month.
[3:55:18] and we do them. We do them usually within one to two weeks, but ultimately as a city
[3:55:23] managed or stated, the need throughout the city outweighs our manpower and staffing ability
[3:55:29] to complete the entire city. Here's some hearing what you're saying right now, but you're telling
[3:55:35] me we get in a couple of dozen requests a week or a month. Usually a month. Okay, we get a couple
[3:55:42] doesn't a month and we finish them. Right? That's, you know, in a reasonable amount of time.
[3:55:49] So you guys are speculating about a need from the residents, but they're not asking for more
[3:55:55] than a couple dozen a month. Are we going to force it on them to do it with these people that want
[3:56:01] to charge them through a quote and quote donation when they can get it for free from the city?
[3:56:07] No, we would not try to them.
[3:56:14] Those are my questions for now.
[3:56:15] I have questions kind of piggyback on council member Yokuyama.
[3:56:19] From what I believe I read in the report,
[3:56:22] if the business were to go out to paint a street of houses,
[3:56:29] all the houses would have to be done.
[3:56:30] Correct? You have to get approval from all the homes.
[3:56:33] You don't just go out and do one or two homes on the street.
[3:56:36] We would require the entity to do all homes within a defined area within a neighborhood.
[3:56:45] They would be required to paint all the addresses.
[3:56:48] They would be allowed to solicit donations from all the homes.
[3:56:53] But there's no obligation from a homeowner to provide a donation.
[3:56:57] So even if one resident wanted it done, you kind of got to get your neighbors to get on board, too.
[3:57:03] We are aware that their entire neighborhoods that are in need of
[3:57:06] repainting, even though the calls haven't come in,
[3:57:08] we observe that there are needs throughout the city.
[3:57:11] And how are the residents going to be notified,
[3:57:17] door to door, or are there going to be mailed something?
[3:57:20] We worked that out with a specific entity.
[3:57:23] It would be appropriate to do a male and initial mailing,
[3:57:26] as well as they can do a drop off of fire attached
[3:57:29] to the front gate of the mailbox, as appropriate.
[3:57:33] And we also plan to provide information to all residents that this is a, if adopted is a new program and so they can have it expect that it may be coming at some point in the future.
[3:57:45] So, you know, our residents experience, you know, crime in our neighborhoods, they don't like answering doors to people that are unknown to them.
[3:57:56] There are no solicitation signs at our residences.
[3:58:01] I don't know how effective the program can be.
[3:58:04] A mailing is a common approach.
[3:58:06] I'm aware of some entities that will solicit donations and it'll send in the notice in the mail
[3:58:11] ask you to leave something at the curb.
[3:58:14] But what do people do with that mail? They toss it.
[3:58:17] So what's going to happen if one of these providers that just paid
[3:58:24] $1,300 to get their encroachment,
[3:58:30] their encroachment, permit, application, and their business license,
[3:58:35] and they pay $1,300, and they get assigned to do a street, and they do the street,
[3:58:40] and none of the residents don't need. They just have to eat it, right? They just have to eat it.
[3:58:46] They did all that work. They paid $1,300. There's no payment required. They're going to just go out there soliciting donations,
[3:58:54] begging for donations and the residents have no obligation to give them anything and they're
[3:58:59] potentially going to get nothing, right? And that's what this program is, right?
[3:59:04] There's there would be a calculator risk. We would solicit feedback from those providers.
[3:59:10] Are you going to tell them that potentially they can get nothing because they cannot require
[3:59:14] your payment, it's donation only, and they required under this
[3:59:19] curb address painting program guidelines, they're required to make it clear
[3:59:24] that no payment is required.
[3:59:28] That's correct, that it's not required for anyone to
[3:59:31] provide payment. And we're asking our residents
[3:59:37] who we've heard from in different contexts. We've heard our residents in different
[3:59:42] contexts saying they can't afford things. And we're telling them now we want
[3:59:46] of the pay. We want them to pay for address, painting on the curbs when it's a free service
[3:59:55] from the city. It would be a way to do it.
[4:00:00] More expeditiously on a widespread skill.
[4:00:05] I don't want the residents to say that I want them to pay for something now that they haven't had to pay for in the past.
[4:00:16] That's my thought.
[4:00:19] Any other questions?
[4:00:21] Yeah, but this is a donation, right? They don't have to, and they're not going to knock at the door.
[4:00:28] No, the requirement is that they can provide, you know, flyers or male information, but they'll provide information to the homeowners as to how to donate.
[4:00:39] These days it would likely be typically done online with a QR code.
[4:00:44] But no, it would be a donation, no obligation.
[4:00:46] Is this entity have done this service to other CT as being successful?
[4:00:51] Yes, we are aware of other cities that have, have the similar program.
[4:00:55] I believe Braya is one that we've contacted that they've been able to achieve
[4:01:02] care painting through this donation process.
[4:01:05] Thank you.
[4:01:07] So, Braya is doing this program.
[4:01:10] What's correct?
[4:01:10] Did you say any other cities?
[4:01:13] The City of La Palma and LA County also offered the same program.
[4:01:17] LA County unincorporated areas or throughout the entire LA County.
[4:01:22] It's where LA County is.
[4:01:24] unincorporated. Okay. So how much are they asking for in the donation solicitation piece of paper?
[4:01:31] What's the amount of the donation that they're asking for? It doesn't specify.
[4:01:41] Good evening, Councilman, Yokeama. I can go ahead and speak about the city of Braya.
[4:01:48] I currently reside in the city of Braya and have taken advantage of a similar program twice in
[4:01:56] over seven years. The solicitation is suggested and this is just a
[4:02:02] C. Brea minimum of $5 donation, but you can certainly donate more if you wish.
[4:02:08] You can donate less if you wish or you can donate nothing if you wish.
[4:02:13] I can only
[4:02:15] speak to Brea. I received a door tag initially informing me of the program.
[4:02:25] I received
[4:02:26] the date to which that they would be visiting my residential street and painting the curves
[4:02:33] and the suggested donation of $5, and then that door tag included an envelope should you wish
[4:02:41] to donate? And then two weeks later the date to which they came they collected the door tags
[4:02:47] and painted the entire street, the entire neighborhood, whether you donated it or not.
[4:02:56] So does the city of Braya provide the address painting on your curb as a free service?
[4:03:03] I do not know the answer to that question.
[4:03:05] She's in that significant.
[4:03:06] That is significant, but I provided a nation and got my curb painted.
[4:03:13] But we don't know if it's apples to apples or apples to oranges.
[4:03:17] I do not know.
[4:03:20] I don't know.
[4:03:21] I'm just not so sure about somebody coming to my home.
[4:03:25] Painting.
[4:03:26] When I'm not there.
[4:03:27] I don't want nobody know. I'm not there. That's all.
[4:03:32] Any other comments?
[4:03:33] What do you think Captain Strong, our deputy is having trouble finding the houses that they're supposed to go to on a call?
[4:03:44] I have not heard of any issues of the deputies being unable to locate a residence based on what I say.
[4:03:53] Faded paint or anything like that on the curb line. I haven't heard that, but they know the area very, very well.
[4:04:00] Of course, it does help to see those curb lines, to see him painted often times we park a little bit for their way from their residents.
[4:04:08] So it's nice to be able to see a nice bright address with that we can identify from far away as well for tactical reasons and things like that.
[4:04:17] So I do like a nice painted curb for us to identify a location. It doesn't harm anything.
[4:04:22] It's totally different from anything that you guys are talking about right now that you guys can make the decision on all on all that stuff.
[4:04:27] but we do like to see the curbs for tactical purposes
[4:04:30] plus, if somebody's injured inside the house,
[4:04:34] or it's a medical emergency call that we're responding
[4:04:38] to every second counts.
[4:04:40] So if we can see a curb very well,
[4:04:43] we can get there a little bit quicker
[4:04:44] and help that person as well.
[4:04:46] Thank you, Captain.
[4:04:48] Good comments.
[4:04:50] So given his comments about every second counts,
[4:04:52] Do we have a robust, a robust program informing our residents of serritos that if they want their curb painted with their address, all they have to do is call public works.
[4:05:08] How do, how are we letting our residents all of our 48,300 residents in our 15,000 plus households know that all they have to do is call public works?
[4:05:18] And they will get their curb, the address being an under curb.
[4:05:23] Chris said he only gets a few dozen calls a month.
[4:05:27] We are not actively advertising that ability because we simply don't have the resources to do that.
[4:05:33] If we did advertise widely, we would get, I'm sure we would get a lot of requests.
[4:05:38] And we would not be able to fulfill those requests in a timely manner.
[4:05:42] So right now it's simply reactive.
[4:05:44] If a resident feels like their own address is not visible enough.
[4:05:47] And they feel strongly enough to call in, they'll do so, and staff currently keeps the list and responds.
[4:05:54] But we are aware of large areas of the city that don't have or they have faded address numbers that we don't have the resources to do at a large scale.
[4:06:04] Currently, with the limited budget resources.
[4:06:07] But Robert, we've cut back on capital improvement projects, some projects in public works.
[4:06:15] Not saying that staff is not doing anything, but I'm sure there can be time carved out if we've cut back on projects.
[4:06:24] So with the amount that we currently receive, we can work that in with a monthly schedule.
[4:06:31] Excuse me, and accommodate that amount, but if we do receive a larger number, then there would be sort of a waiting list.
[4:06:40] Like our existing pine tree program is a long waiting list.
[4:06:43] Maybe we just kind of monitor it for now then.
[4:06:48] If there's no other questions, I'll go ahead and open it up for public comments.
[4:06:53] Public comments, do we have any? Yes, Catherine?
[4:07:05] Good evening. I grew up in an incorporated elite county, so this is all very familiar to me.
[4:07:10] We would get the tags and we would be asked for a donation.
[4:07:15] I do know that I noticed on number five here, it's as it's only in the address, it's no
[4:07:22] flags, military and signal, colleges, universities, sports teams.
[4:07:30] Those extras are what get people to pay the donation. So my mom proudly has some universities that
[4:07:39] her children attended on either side of her address on the curb. And so those are not donation
[4:07:47] based, but you pay to get those extras put on there. I know ceritos likes to have things be very
[4:07:54] uniform, but that is something to think about if you're worried about having the companies not
[4:07:59] any money off of this. I am somebody who goes out door knocking a lot. I go out and deliver
[4:08:06] political science to people. The addresses are very hard to see. People don't have consistent
[4:08:12] house addresses on their homes. They don't necessarily have addresses at their mailboxes.
[4:08:19] And so the curve is where you should be able to always find somebody's address.
[4:08:27] And in
[4:08:28] trying to explain is that we should be doing this on a cycle, but just like lots of other problems
[4:08:34] in the city due to deferring maintenance for the past decade and a half, we've not done
[4:08:40] this on a cycle, we've not kept up with it. If I needed my address painted, I would take a picture,
[4:08:47] I'd upload it to the Serritos app and I'd get it taking care of because you guys are great
[4:08:52] at taking care of things that people ask for. But it shouldn't be on a resident by resident
[4:08:58] by resident basis to ask for that.
[4:09:00] The efficient way to do it as a city
[4:09:02] is to do a neighborhood at a time, right?
[4:09:04] And so I think that outsourcing that makes a lot of sense
[4:09:07] if we don't have the capacity to do it.
[4:09:09] But I also hear what council member Yoke Amma is saying
[4:09:13] by you're asking people to do some,
[4:09:16] you're asking companies to pay a fee
[4:09:19] to basically then provide a free service to residents
[4:09:22] that we currently already provide for free,
[4:09:25] like how does it make business model sense
[4:09:27] for them to have to pay all these fees to be able to do it.
[4:09:31] So maybe there's a way that we could do it
[4:09:32] without the fees to the businesses
[4:09:34] because they would really be doing us a favor
[4:09:37] by taking care of this for them.
[4:09:39] So I don't know if that was coherent,
[4:09:41] but those are my thoughts.
[4:09:43] Thank you, Katherine.
[4:09:44] Is there anybody else?
[4:09:46] Thank you.
[4:09:47] Yeah, thank you.
[4:09:48] Oh, that's probably not enough.
[4:09:49] Is Cindy?
[4:09:49] Sorry about that.
[4:09:50] That's a problem.
[4:09:51] Cindy, isn't anybody called?
[4:09:53] No, I'd like to ask, Dan, this time, thank you.
[4:09:55] And do we have any written comments on this item?
[4:09:57] We did not receive any written comments on that.
[4:09:59] Thank you.
[4:10:00] Bring it back to the council for comments.
[4:10:02] And I appreciate it.
[4:10:04] The public speakers.
[4:10:06] Thoughts on this issue.
[4:10:10] Of curb address painting program.
[4:10:15] But the fiscal impact on this.
[4:10:17] States that the reason why there would not be a fiscal impact to the city is because
[4:10:22] because the administrative costs of the program would be paid for by the encroachment permit application fees and the business license fees.
[4:10:29] So if you reduce or get rid of the encroachment permit application fees and the business license fees,
[4:10:36] then there will be a positive fiscal impact on the city because those fees are supposed to cover the administrative costs.
[4:10:43] So, everybody else that'd like to comment,
[4:10:48] all right? Are you going to comment? Is that correct?
[4:10:52] So, what council member, Yoko Miyamoto?
[4:10:57] Fees for encroachment permits are intended to cover these staff time involved.
[4:11:02] They're already, they're currently is staff time involved in painting the curves.
[4:11:06] So, if there is an interest in waving the fee to help make it more lucrative for the businesses involved in the painting,
[4:11:14] that would not be a significant impact, there is an objective impact, but it would not be a significant one.
[4:11:23] Thank you.
[4:11:24] What is the dollar amount of not a significant impact?
[4:11:28] I mean, we heard residents complaining about $2,000 just the previous agenda item.
[4:11:34] So what amount are we talking about in costs for running this program?
[4:11:40] The encroachment fee, I believe, was in the $500 or $700 range, and if we wave those fees but with the benefit of having, you know, widespread areas of curb address painting done, you know, it would be in my view of a good investment.
[4:11:57] But that's per provider. How many providers are we thinking are we projecting estimating are going to be signing up for this program?
[4:12:05] We will advertise. We'll start with those have already service other cities. And of course, depending on the demand, that'll tell us the number, it'll be a handful, like us.
[4:12:17] Do we know anything about La Palma?
[4:12:20] Did staff look into La Palma other than the fact that telling us that La Palma does this?
[4:12:26] Did staff look into, it's been a month since our last meeting.
[4:12:29] Did staff look into what La Palma is doing?
[4:12:31] Yeah, staff reached out to the Pama.
[4:12:33] We didn't get a substantial answer of requests and businesses
[4:12:39] that are asking for the service.
[4:12:43] Do they provide, that's a city of La Pama, provide address painting,
[4:12:48] curb address painting for free to the residents?
[4:12:52] I do not know that.
[4:12:58] All right.
[4:12:59] There are no further comments.
[4:13:03] Go ahead and move forward.
[4:13:11] I'd like to make a motion to approve it to have the consider a curb address painting program within the city of within our city because I think it's very important especially a lot of them at night time you try to find somebody's house
[4:13:29] There's really no address, you know, on the door or, you know, side curve is really, you're guessing.
[4:13:39] And I've noticed, on neighbors, they a lot of the time they, the service is in the package, they're wrong address all the time.
[4:13:47] And I'm like, why, you know, and it's always sim address that they sent to the wrong place.
[4:13:52] So I'm thinking, I went to check it out because of that reason.
[4:13:55] So I'd like to make a motion and then hopefully I can have a second.
[4:14:07] What is your motion?
[4:14:11] My motion is what the CD manager proposed that we can have find the outside entity to help
[4:14:19] to pin the curb for free and then we were sent out of the flyer to notice them if they
[4:14:25] can do the free donation or not.
[4:14:27] So, that the whole city's address could be all looking the same and the very I don't know how many years we'd have to do that I think this like five years or maybe not even five years, right?
[4:14:42] We would work with perspective providers to do it as quickly as possible if it's we would start with one neighborhood and as a test case and learn from our experience there, but continue to offer that
[4:14:55] throughout the city and we'd be able to judge after the first.
[4:15:00] Anywhere had to judge who have quickly the whole city can be covered?
[4:15:03] Right. So I would think that this is worse why if just like we were talking about for safety
[4:15:08] purpose, for a violent man, fire truck, when they want to find the address, it would be easier
[4:15:14] for them. Of course, I think they know where to go, but it would be very important for the
[4:15:21] caring people to find the address or maybe a call for a ride, die of a ride to make sure
[4:15:31] because I do call before and they couldn't find my address and they have to go find the
[4:15:37] neighbors address in order to get my house. So I've noticed because the address is kind of
[4:15:43] faded. So I've been for that and I also receive a lot of residents asking if this
[4:15:51] possible we can have the city to do that. And I say, well, we were under the budget
[4:15:56] constraints. So if we can find out the better way, we were trying to do it to provide
[4:16:03] this kind of service to make our city look very clear for all the address.
[4:16:09] You said you said you heard from a lot of residents. What did you hear from a lot of residents?
[4:16:14] I have, you know, I went to a church with, I joined a lot of organization and I do have people like,
[4:16:22] oh, can you ask the CD if they find out there are a lot of addresses. It's not showing very clearly.
[4:16:30] So, they were saying, is it possible that we can find out a way to get this address repent?
[4:16:36] And I think if we can do it, you know, we should provide it.
[4:16:40] Residence is up to you. You want to donate. You can donate if you don't feel like it. You don't have to. You know, so and business person. I think you can ask for maybe a little bit less of money and everybody contribute a lot a little bit that would work out.
[4:16:58] So that's my proposal.
[4:16:59] You said that a lot of residents have asked you about this. Did they know that the city provides it for free?
[4:17:11] They don't know. Unfortunately, and they're frustrated to ask because they've been waiting for the tree removal or whatever.
[4:17:19] They've been on the waiting list for four years. So they're like, no, I'm not going to try it because they got frustrated.
[4:17:25] And a lot of them are not really, you know, they don't want to, they don't even know how to get online to apply it to be honest with you because there will you have some senior residents, they're not really that high tech person.
[4:17:43] So anyway, they were just making a really strong suggestion that they'd be talking about this over a year.
[4:17:50] and I was trying to say, hey, we really
[4:17:53] the city really have a bunch of issues.
[4:17:56] So I was asking the manager and to find out
[4:18:02] is there a better way and solution that can help this out?
[4:18:06] I know this is not a major issue.
[4:18:08] I don't want to cost too much of everybody's time,
[4:18:11] but I'm just saying if we can do it,
[4:18:13] we should try to do it for the benefits of the residents,
[4:18:17] you know, residential. Why stay up and get everybody's
[4:18:20] happy when we go to something or even when I do in my
[4:18:24] campaign, I do find that after six o'clock, something you
[4:18:28] couldn't find the address, you couldn't find it, you don't know
[4:18:31] where you at, you cannot find the address. Okay, so what are the
[4:18:34] concerns that I have? And I think we need to be very clear in
[4:18:38] messaging for our residents, whether it's in the flyer or
[4:18:41] however we're contacting the residents, that only proposals for
[4:18:45] entire street or track will be considered. Painting for a single residence is not permitted.
[4:18:52] So I don't want our residents saying, oh, you know, I asked for this. They said they would do it for free,
[4:18:57] and then come to find out nobody in their neighborhood wants it. And then they're going to even be more
[4:19:01] upset that it didn't get done. That's what I'm concerned about. And that there's no obligation for
[4:19:11] donations. So I'm assuming they're not knocking on the door and saying here's my envelope.
[4:19:17] They just leave it on the door. They're not knocking and making contact.
[4:19:23] And also the part where says written permission from the property owner is required.
[4:19:28] How is that done? Do they write a letter? Is it a form that they sign? Those are concerns that I have.
[4:19:36] I can just imagine our seniors saying they want something painted but they're not going to take
[4:19:41] the time to write a letter, what does written permission mean?
[4:19:49] So, Jennifer, is this motion, is this curb address painting program going to be, is it going
[4:20:00] to be in place alongside the city of Serritos Free Program or is it going to replace
[4:20:09] the city of Serritos Free Program?
[4:20:13] That's a very good question, I think if once we do that, we reduce the phone call for a request to the public work department for repenting the address once we have done this.
[4:20:27] So that way, hopefully, we can re-offload some of the burden to the public work.
[4:20:34] They can do content for it on more other job that they've been delayed or their short
[4:20:40] of empowers, which is more important thing, rather than just address, you know?
[4:20:46] So it sounds like you're not going to limit in your motion.
[4:20:50] You're not eliminating the city of Cretos Free Program.
[4:20:55] You're going to leave it in place and it's up to residents, the call public works tomorrow or next week.
[4:21:04] If they want it, they just call up public works, they ask for it, they get it for free.
[4:21:09] Yes, you cannot take away what we're not going to eliminate that.
[4:21:12] No, we're not going to eliminate it.
[4:21:14] And then the other thing and I'm glad that Mayor Johnson brought this up,
[4:21:18] It's very broad to say only proposals for an entire street or track will be considered.
[4:21:28] That's a big difference to say a street or track because we got some big tracks in
[4:21:35] serritos and we got some short streets in serritos. There's some streets in serritos where there's
[4:21:43] eight houses is so that means that street can be considered and then a track like
[4:21:51] shadow park can be considered or a track like Renata Park you have to you have to
[4:21:56] get up you have for Renata Park you have to do a proposal for the entire Renata Park
[4:22:00] for the courts you have to do a proposal for the entire courts and then but for
[4:22:06] streets that are not in a HOA. If there's a street that's whether it's 12 homes or 18 homes or
[4:22:16] four homes, it can potentially cause we got some small streets. So what does this mean? Only
[4:22:23] proposals for an entire street or track and what about uh...
[4:22:28] cereals village
[4:22:30] Or, you know, condominium communities, gated communities. How are we going to navigate what is a permit? What is the allowable proposal?
[4:22:46] So we would work with each owner. The main goal is that we want to cover as wide areas possible. So we want to make sure that an entire street is uniform and assuming there's multiple streets in a track, then the entire track.
[4:22:59] We would work on a boundary with the provider to ensure that there's
[4:23:05] uniformity within as large areas reasonable per project that they work on.
[4:23:13] This covers city streets or the streets that are maintained by the city, so private
[4:23:18] streets such as inshadow park that are maintained by the HOA would not be covered because
[4:23:24] they have their own care painting program internally,
[4:23:29] if it's a condominiums that are private
[4:23:31] streets the same, it would be, those are handled by the HWA internally. So it would be any
[4:23:36] street that is maintained by the city. Okay, so I'm, you know, it's up to the, it's up to the
[4:23:42] provider to decide if this is a good investment of $1100 or $1300 just again in the door to try to get
[4:23:52] these donations to pay them back for the for the encroachment application fee and the business
[4:23:58] license fee and their labor and their materials. Hopefully, they get enough donations to make it worth
[4:24:07] their business time. But as long as the city of Sridos continues its free program for our
[4:24:17] residents that they can call in to public works and, you know, and, you know, public works
[4:24:26] and Chris are going to help them get that free address painted on the curb. If there's
[4:24:33] a safety reason or Amazon delivery reason, they need to get it and now they know they can
[4:24:39] call up and get it for free. As long as that continues to be in place, you know, I'll support
[4:24:46] this.
[4:24:48] Thank you.
[4:24:59] Thank you. The motion passes on a vote of four to zero. Thank you. Now we move on to
[4:25:02] the IAC. So you managed. Do we have a report on this? Yes. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Members of the city council. Item 9C is also coming back to you and response to consensus request.
[4:25:14] This relates to information that was requested regarding the possible outsourcing of
[4:25:20] Operation Maintenance of the Serritos Ironwood Dying Golf Course, an overview of the information
[4:25:24] is and recommendation will be given by any Hilton Director of Community Cultural Services
[4:25:29] and following your presentation, she now will be happy to answer any questions.
[4:25:34] Thank you, Mr. Lopez. Good evening, Honorable Mayor and members of the City Council.
[4:25:39] In response to a suggestion by the Serritos resident budget task force,
[4:25:43] the City Council directed staff to provide a report on the feasibility
[4:25:47] and potential impacts of outsourcing the operations and maintenance of the Cerritos Iron
[4:25:53] Wood 9 Golf Course to a private operator. Iron Wood 9 offers a 9-hole course in a driving range
[4:26:00] with lighting. A total of 4 full-time city employees and 18 part-time city employees work at the golf course.
[4:26:08] The grand total allocation in the 2026-2027 budget for the golf course is 1,499,593 dollars in 90 cents.
[4:26:21] Golf course revenues for the 2025-2026 fiscal year total 1,121,851 dollars.
[4:26:32] The total difference between operating expenses and revenues is $377,742.
[4:26:42] Out sourcing the operations of the Ironwood Nine Golf Course requires several considerations.
[4:26:48] Changes in the golf courses operations that affect represented city staff would require the city to meet and confer with representatives of the city employee union.
[4:26:58] The city would also need to seek approval from the County Sanitation District and Southern California Edison to amend lease agreements for the golf course property.
[4:27:09] Determining the potential revenues or expenses for outsourcing the golf courses operations would require the preparation and dissemination of a request for proposals.
[4:27:17] In compliance with Assembly Bill 339, the city would first need to notify the city employee
[4:27:25] Union of its intent to issue a request for proposals prior to its dissemination.
[4:27:32] As an alternative to contracting with a third-party golf course operator, the city council
[4:27:37] could review findings from a study and consider increasing all golf course fees to generate additional revenue.
[4:27:44] The golf course's most recent fee adjustment took effect in January 2023.
[4:27:51] When compared with similar public, nine-hole golf courses in the surrounding area,
[4:27:56] Aaron Wendine golf course's current fee structure is below market rates.
[4:28:01] It is projected that a fee increase of approximately 30% would be required to bring the
[4:28:07] golf course closer to a break even operating position while maintaining competitiveness
[4:28:13] with similar facilities. It is recommended that the City Council review and discuss the feasibility
[4:28:19] and potential impacts of outsourcing the operations and maintenance of the Serritos Ironwood
[4:28:24] Nine golf course to a private operator. Review and discuss continuing city operation of the
[4:28:31] Serritos Ironwood Nine golf course and direct staff to prepare an agenda report with information
[4:28:37] from a study on the golf course's fees and potential consideration of increasing the
[4:28:42] course fees as an initial measure to mitigate operating losses, receive public comment and direct
[4:28:49] staff accordingly. This concludes my report and staff would be happy to answer any questions this time.
[4:28:58] Thank you, Annie for the report. Do we have any questions from the council?
[4:29:04] No questions?
[4:29:05] I'm sorry. I do have a quick question. Any, I want to know how many years we're being. I know it's
[4:29:11] like almost $380,000 last year. But how many years like we've been losing money on the golf course management?
[4:29:22] To my knowledge, we have never really studied if we've ever made money at the golf course,
[4:29:29] so we would need to go back and do a study. We've always viewed it as a very nice service to provide
[4:29:35] to the community. We have golfers of all ages. It's a place people like to learn how to golf
[4:29:41] and we have a lot of senior patrons
[4:29:43] who enjoy the fact that it is a nine-hole course.
[4:29:46] So it was not really the city's goal
[4:29:49] to look at making it as a place to generate revenue
[4:29:53] as viewed as a service.
[4:29:56] So I do know in recent years, certainly.
[4:30:00] The office has operated at a loss, but I would need to go back and do further research to determine over the years. We've been operating the golf course since 1977. It'll be the 50 year anniversary in February of 2027.
[4:30:14] Thank you. Thanks for the report. I guess I would not look at this. Oh, my goal is to try to balance it. You know, not losing. So you have to come out with the money from the general fund. That's what I'm looking at because a golf is important.
[4:30:28] but like some of the residents say they're not golfers. So to those people do use this facility
[4:30:34] they think it's very important but for some residents they all like I don't play golf so they don't
[4:30:39] really care you know it's not like library majority of people would go you know or different facility
[4:30:46] or senior center we know the people among of course we have this you know my suggestion is probably
[4:30:53] we should review and how we maybe should increase our cost because I've seen the report.
[4:31:00] This is a great report.
[4:31:02] If showing was the rate and comparing to other city and I think it's time for our city
[4:31:08] not trying to make the money, but at least try not to lose money.
[4:31:13] And for that, I would still, I would probably personally, I would prefer to ask the city
[4:31:19] nature to bring back and look into this issue before we to analyze what's the cost and how much
[4:31:27] percentage which you increase and of course we always have to give the resident a better
[4:31:33] benefits because you know it's different but for outside resident players we can increase a little more
[4:31:41] so to to be a standard even I look at this even we bring up to like long beach rate for 15
[4:31:48] or even 15 dollars or make an even number 15 18 22 or 26 but of course you have to
[4:31:57] see the manager with a staff have to do the more study about this. My goal is not to
[4:32:05] you know we have to subsidize the money from the general fund but same token if we can keep
[4:32:11] it ourselves that would be the best because we do a great job to maintain the golf course
[4:32:17] because I don't mind outsourcing, but sometimes I do heard a bad part of American golf.
[4:32:27] You know, once they have the contrast, if they don't keep up the golf course, it's just affecting
[4:32:33] our cities image as well. And of course, we're not pleasing our golfers as well. And that's not
[4:32:42] what we definitely want.
[4:32:44] So that's my personal proposal.
[4:32:46] Before we do the further proposal about,
[4:32:52] because if you send it out for a consultant
[4:32:56] to find out what is the PFR, you know,
[4:33:02] that would cause this, I'm sorry, I have pee,
[4:33:06] that would cause more money.
[4:33:08] And I don't know what is the timeframe, you know?
[4:33:10] So, that's my consideration.
[4:33:16] So, I think it's great that the city is beautiful city we all live in, offer so many services.
[4:33:22] There's something for everybody, there's golf or the golfer, there's a theater, for the theater patron,
[4:33:28] there's a senior center for seniors, there's swimming pool for swimmers, all of these are city services.
[4:33:36] And to say that, oh nobody golfs, we don't know that.
[4:33:40] people pull out numbers out of the air. Just like people say, oh, only 5% go to the CCPA.
[4:33:46] We don't know that. I don't know where they get that number. So I support whatever we can do for our residents.
[4:33:57] And if there's any other questions, I'm going to open it up for public comments. Any questions?
[4:34:06] All right. Anybody want to comment? Okay. Thank you.
[4:34:19] Yeah. Okay. Again, I'm speaking for
[4:34:21] Robert Chivell. He could not be here tonight, so I told him I would come down. Let's
[4:34:27] speak. Good evening. Council staff and fellow residents. Sorry that I cannot be here in person or
[4:34:32] participate via Zoom. I hope this letter will surprise. I write regarding the city's golf course.
[4:34:37] The golf course is beautiful and valuable as city asset. It has been losing that
[4:34:42] Well, hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, the average loss over past five years has
[4:34:48] been more than $400,000 per year.
[4:34:51] The golf course should instead be making money for the city.
[4:34:54] Golf is a luxury, not a necessity.
[4:34:57] The city has thus been heavily subsidizing a luxury item.
[4:35:02] A strong majority of Serritos residents would much prefer the same money be spent instead
[4:35:08] on such things as reopening the library on Sundays,
[4:35:11] tree trimming, sidewalk repairs,
[4:35:13] and restoring the Thursday night concerts in the park.
[4:35:16] All of that could be done if the council
[4:35:18] would act on the golf course.
[4:35:20] Such action would show that you care about the residents
[4:35:23] and it would generate significant goodwill, a reminder,
[4:35:28] our mayor wrote on the first line of a first mayoral letter
[4:35:33] on May 1st of this year.
[4:35:35] Quote, one of the most important responsibilities of the City of Cerritos Council and City staff is to ensure that we are good students of the taxpayer dollar.
[4:35:43] Losing more than $400,000 a year on a luxury item is not good stewardship.
[4:35:50] Good stewardship here would be to consider all options for the golf course, including having an outside firm maintained and operated.
[4:35:58] As you know, this issue was raised by the resident budget task force in April.
[4:36:03] Details were then provided to the City Council meetings on May 11 with follow up on both June 13th and June 22nd.
[4:36:10] And thankfully at the May 28th meeting, the Council voted to direct, quote,
[4:36:15] the City Manager to provide a report on the feasibility and potential impacts
[4:36:20] of outsourcing the operations and maintenance for the golf course to a private operator.
[4:36:26] May we please have a click update on that work.
[4:36:28] Okay, you've given that council.
[4:36:30] Would you please ask the city mayor and others
[4:36:33] for an update right now?
[4:36:34] Again, you're doing that.
[4:36:35] Thank you so much for your time and consideration,
[4:36:38] Robert Chival.
[4:36:39] And I have 43 seconds left.
[4:36:41] I will just say that I, Deborah Barry,
[4:36:43] support his efforts to make the golf court solvent,
[4:36:47] just like we should have made the water fund solvent,
[4:36:50] just like we should make all of these things solvent
[4:36:52] so we stop encroaching on the general fund.
[4:36:55] Thank you.
[4:36:56] thank you anybody else do we we have two people you can you guys please sign it let me
[4:37:04] see here first hold on well I have Charles the David Pileman Charles and then Jason
[4:37:09] knows
[4:37:15] David Pileman initially I had no position on this issue I don't play golf I know
[4:37:30] So once I started reading the report, staff report, I thought, wow, this doesn't really look like
[4:37:38] there's any choice. It is required that the city maintain this facility because we can't
[4:37:45] just get rid of the whole facility, sell it, so we're going to have to maintain it. It's
[4:37:53] terrible that we've gotten into a situation where the sanitation district is going to extract
[4:37:58] so much money from this process.
[4:38:02] Even worse, I guess many people probably would think
[4:38:07] that I'm an anti-union person.
[4:38:09] I don't understand why we need to consult with the union
[4:38:11] about this.
[4:38:14] If we're going to have somebody else run this place,
[4:38:18] we just tell all the recreation employees, I'm sorry.
[4:38:22] We no longer are employing people for this function,
[4:38:26] so you don't have a job anymore.
[4:38:27] for some reason I guess that's not what we can do by law.
[4:38:35] But then of course we have this working relationship with the school district and we do provide
[4:38:43] the service to the school district and I just wonder when you did the survey you know how
[4:38:50] Long Beach, Norwalk, and Lamarada served their school districts.
[4:38:55] Did they give them free use of a golf course that's run by someone else?
[4:39:02] So I'm sorry that there was someone that promised to come tonight and speak, but I'm sure
[4:39:09] they would this day and tell 11.45 either.
[4:39:13] So I think there's no note, choice, but for us to continue this operation of this facility,
[4:39:20] because we don't want to give up total ownership of the facility.
[4:39:25] So therefore, the fees have to go up.
[4:39:28] That's all there is to it. Thanks.
[4:39:30] Thank you, Mr. Palman. We have Charles.
[4:39:34] Jason Holmes.
[4:39:42] I expect to be here this long.
[4:39:43] Thank you for staying.
[4:39:46] I'm here because I've been out the golf course for,
[4:39:49] I've been frequent in the golf course.
[4:39:51] I've been a resident of Serios for 40 years.
[4:39:52] I've been out the golf course since 1988.
[4:39:55] That's where I started my golf journey, and that's where I would like to continue my golf journey as the
[4:40:01] Acting PGA professional at our facility
[4:40:04] One of my students is actually here in the room. I didn't know he was going to be here, but that just shows you the impact of golf course has on our community and what it's had on me
[4:40:13] And I think when most people look at the golf course you look at the obviously we're in the financial time
[4:40:19] So we're looking at numbers right we're looking at the $378,000 deficit
[4:40:24] But what we heard from the Dix people is golf is going to be a huge part of their business.
[4:40:32] They're bringing insimulators, they're bringing in all these different things to drive revenue
[4:40:38] to their business.
[4:40:40] I just played in a golf tournament today representing our city through P.J.
[4:40:44] America as the pro junior out in Victoria Club, and I was speaking to the president of the
[4:40:53] And when it comes to golf courses, what we do at Ironwood and the way we do things has been recognized by
[4:41:00] Don Canabi, it's been recognized by the county, it's been recognized by P.J. of America.
[4:41:06] I don't think people understand when you talk about 55,000 rounds a year, okay?
[4:41:11] There's 18-hole golf courses that always get mentioned that don't do that kind of business.
[4:41:17] We're talking about 149,000 people that come through the gate.
[4:41:21] When I told the PGA of America that that's the type of numbers we were doing, you should
[4:41:25] have seen the look on their face.
[4:41:27] Some of their private high-end facilities aren't doing those kind of numbers, right?
[4:41:32] I was always told Ironwood was never about profit.
[4:41:35] It was always about a community-driven thing, right?
[4:41:39] Now golf, and the golf course, along with the community-driven thing is kind of unique
[4:41:45] in the sense that you actually can make money off the golf course.
[4:41:50] It can subsidize itself, and subsidize the community, and we can continue to provide these programs.
[4:41:57] And still work cheaper than anything that's in the area.
[4:42:02] So I think a lot of people that don't frequent our golf course, don't see what the golf course does for our veterans, for our seniors.
[4:42:11] There's a lot of people that just come to the golf course just to talk to the staff, because it's a home for them.
[4:42:17] You know, and so I just believe that the golf course is extremely viable, golf is one of the biggest businesses in the world.
[4:42:24] I mean, if we start looking at it from the business perspective instead of just a community thing, we can at least break even on this stuff.
[4:42:32] You know, I mean, to do $1.1 million in a business where we're not even trying to make money.
[4:42:38] You know, the need is there.
[4:42:40] I mean, we got to do is make $2.50 more per every person that comes in and we'll break even.
[4:42:45] But I think we can be profitable as well.
[4:42:47] So I'm here to support
[4:42:51] that.
[4:42:52] Thank you.
[4:42:53] Do we have any other speakers?
[4:42:56] How about any colleagues?
[4:42:57] You came and spoke at the previous meeting, right?
[4:43:01] Then you speak at the previous meeting as well.
[4:43:04] Yeah, thank you for coming both times.
[4:43:07] Cindy, do we have any colleagues, speakers?
[4:43:09] We have no remote speakers, but I will
[4:43:13] know for the record of the City Council receive full text
[4:43:16] and our doctorate copies of the three
[4:43:17] and comments, and then by the deadline for item 9C, request for copies of these
[4:43:21] rain comments, can be made to the office of the City Clerk during regular business
[4:43:25] hours.
[4:43:25] Thank you.
[4:43:26] And one more time, we do not have Charles in the room.
[4:43:30] Okay, great.
[4:43:30] I'm going to close public comments, bring it back to council for comments.
[4:43:36] Do you have any comments?
[4:43:37] Yes.
[4:43:39] Thank you.
[4:43:40] Thank you, Madam Mayor.
[4:43:41] Yes.
[4:43:44] First part of me, thank you Mr. Holmes for coming and speaking in support of our golf course
[4:43:53] and thank you for your many, many, many years of dedicated service given back to your hometown
[4:44:01] At the call, of course, my question of our city manager, I'm concerned about
[4:44:12] complying with Assembly Bill of 339 with regard to our city's obligation to notify the city
[4:44:21] employee union of
[4:44:26] its intent to issue a request for proposals, and the meeting confer process
[4:44:32] Can can you please elaborate that and not just elaborate on that process but in your opinion what impact that would that the real impact that would have on the morale of our city employees.
[4:44:48] Sure. Yes, you know, for a time.
[4:44:53] AB339 was went into effect at the beginning of this year, and it requires that for a public agency.
[4:45:00] Prior to conducting an RFP for services, such as this concept, we would first have to do a meeting
[4:45:09] for a process with the employee union to discuss impacts of that potential RFP. So this is even
[4:45:16] before soliciting proposals and knowing what potential providers are out there to offer services.
[4:45:25] This is a requirement of state law now and effect.
[4:45:30] And doing so, of course, if that were a need,
[4:45:34] we would undergo that process.
[4:45:37] But as you pointed out, there would be an impact in a cost
[4:45:41] in terms of a morale that can be avoided at this point
[4:45:46] with the recommendation that's included in the report.
[4:45:49] As a first step, as simply just a reason
[4:45:52] and the existing fees that are charged entered effort to offset the any potential operational
[4:45:58] losses. So our recommendation is that that be a first step and that can continue to be assessed
[4:46:06] and we can continue to come up with recommendations related to the operation to address the overarching
[4:46:13] concerns about cost and revenues without needing to pursue the RFP process at this time.
[4:46:23] Thank you. I appreciate your answer.
[4:46:31] Yeah, I'll leave it at that. After we have further discussion, I might have another comment. Thank you.
[4:46:40] Is there anybody else?
[4:46:45] Yes, Mayor.
[4:46:45] I have to view comments.
[4:46:47] I think first of all, I apologize.
[4:46:49] The term is F.P.
[4:46:51] What is stands for is request for proposal.
[4:46:56] This is a way that we request for outside source of people to come up and give us the proposal.
[4:47:02] How they're going to run it and how much would they cost us.
[4:47:06] However, this before the RFP, the request for proposal,
[4:47:12] requires staff time and legal review and consultant resources.
[4:47:19] So before we spend public money exploring private operations
[4:47:25] operators, I believe we owe it to our resident to determine whether we can
[4:47:36] through operational improvements and reasonable rate adjustments while keeping the golf course
[4:47:44] under CD management. Like the public speaks they were saying yes most of the golf course
[4:47:51] is easily to make money especially not too many CD have all the golf courses and if we have a lovely
[4:47:58] one we maintain it well a lot of people do enjoy it come over here and I think this also part of the
[4:48:06] of our city as well because like we all are very proud of our city because our city is a small
[4:48:13] city, however we provide so much services, you know, life of quality of life to our
[4:48:20] residence. How many city have like the mayor was just talking about? How many city have the library?
[4:48:26] How many city have a golf course? How many city have senior centers? And we have all this. We have
[4:48:34] swimming centers, we have all the beautiful parks. I mean, this is something that we are so proud
[4:48:41] of our city and we want to bring back the quality of the life in our city. But how we can
[4:48:47] manage this city is very important. And so if we were talking about if we can at least break
[4:48:55] even and maintain it and I would be more than happy to do that. Or if we can make some money out
[4:49:02] to help ourselves generate some revenue for our CD that would be even much better.
[4:49:10] So I think we should go for this way because I personally think we do provide like even the
[4:49:16] park. We have everybody to come over and enjoy it, but who's maintained it? Who's paying for it?
[4:49:22] And now that we got down to the budget problem, now we have to say sorry residents, we have to
[4:49:32] You know, which we all have to work together to make it, you know, to go through this kind of difficult timing and our job in this council, I believe we all have the same goal.
[4:49:44] We want to balance our budget and we're trying our best to do that. So if there's any way we can work it this out, I always look at that.
[4:49:53] What is the good for our city, and what we can do not to
[4:49:58] train our general funds?
[4:50:01] So I personally would like to move to direct the city manager return
[4:50:08] with the city operator financial,
[4:50:13] substandability plan, including potential rate adjustment,
[4:50:17] and operational efficiency.
[4:50:21] That's my proposal. Thank you. Do we have any other comments?
[4:50:26] What is your proposal? I'd like to see to study and do the plan including potential rate
[4:50:35] adjustment. That means we need to increase the golfing fee. Of course,
[4:50:42] but residential have a better rate and also study how we can make the operational efficiency much better instead of like, you know, we can cut back and make it the work more efficient.
[4:50:59] But basically, once you erase the cost, I think we we can easy to make it the balance the budget, you know, and also probably making a little bit.
[4:51:11] a little bit of self-repeated you because you look at the price here. We are really, really
[4:51:17] reasonable, you know, and most of the golf are paid for that because if they go through
[4:51:21] other city, they probably won't get that price. My proposal is to keep it and have the city
[4:51:28] manager to go back and do the study and come back with a better adjustable the rate adjustment
[4:51:36] and operational efficiencies.
[4:51:39] Okay, this is how much it's going to cost us.
[4:51:43] We have on the page five on this item,
[4:51:48] NIC page five, it tells you total revenue
[4:51:52] and total recreation service, this division expenses,
[4:51:58] and the total parks and trees division expenses.
[4:52:01] As Southern California, Addison payments, we cannot get away with it.
[4:52:07] So that's the fixed amount, or maybe it could go higher in the future.
[4:52:11] But then we have the total expenses, and we have the net difference.
[4:52:17] So I think, and also, like my other colleague, our male protein was talking about,
[4:52:24] we also have to comply with the assembly bill 339 the city with
[4:52:30] First need to notify the city employee unions of this intent to issue a request for possible prior to this kind of adjustment or changes.
[4:52:44] So, my personal proposal is, as I say, before we go further to request proposal, I would like to move to direct a city manager to return with a city operated financial substanability plan, including potential rate adjustments and operational efficiency.
[4:53:10] that way I think this is $378,000. I think it's something we can manage, you know,
[4:53:21] if I do increase in the, but I just proposed. Do we have any other comments? Yes, go ahead.
[4:53:28] Thank you, Mayor.
[4:53:31] That was happy to get this report.
[4:53:37] I was happy to get this report because
[4:53:40] The city council
[4:53:44] was told back in May that the Delta for the golf course was almost $600,000.
[4:54:02] Mine is $578,500,000.
[4:54:09] That's what we were told in May.
[4:54:15] So I'm happy to see that we have a number that's over $200,000 different.
[4:54:26] I'm wondering why we were told such a big number just a few months ago in May, but it allows me to see that we're providing this community service that's valued by our residents and by our neighbors and by our kids,
[4:54:50] to be able to play golf in the city of Serritos.
[4:54:54] And,
[4:54:57] you know, we are active military,
[4:55:04] that we recognize every month with the first C.E.B. program where we recognize our Maritorious Marine.
[4:55:10] They get the chance when they visit Serritos, they get the chance to play golf at Ironwood Nine, as one of the things we showcase to them when they visit Serritos.
[4:55:23] That's why we, that's one more reason why we have Ironwood 9 because it's a, it's a wonderful thing to have in a city of 48,300 residents.
[4:55:36] But that's one thing I'm going to find out, and another time, why we were told in May 578,578,578,578,5008 dollars.
[4:55:45] When today,
[4:55:48] two months later, we're told that the Delta is actually 377,742 dollars in 90 cents.
[4:55:56] Another comment I like, thank you to the public.
[4:55:59] Thank you to the speaker.
[4:56:01] We spoke at public comment for shouting out that her opinion,
[4:56:10] just for shouting out just like the golf course should be solvent.
[4:56:16] Our water in the city of Serritos should be solvent.
[4:56:20] So, thank you to the vote.
[4:56:21] Thank you to the public speaker for pointing out pointing out that opinion of her.
[4:56:26] that our waters should be solvent.
[4:56:33] So we're providing a library to the residents of Serritos,
[4:56:39] to the community, our world renowned library,
[4:56:43] our Delta's almost $6 million.
[4:56:45] Our senior center is minus our Delta's over $1,300,000.
[4:56:53] Our theater is over $2,700,000 Delta.
[4:56:58] significantly in this city that this city council has prioritized safety, and ever since
[4:57:07] this city council got together in 2025,
[4:57:13] our residential burglaries are down almost 40% plus comparing
[4:57:20] 2025 to 2024 and 2026 numbers are pretty much matching 2025, public safety
[4:57:30] manager of Ryan Carey and I were taking a mid calendar year look at the numbers
[4:57:36] of residential burglaries and we're doing everything we can that are 2026 numbers
[4:57:41] don't go up. We want them to stay. We want to get them even lower than 2025, but we
[4:57:48] definitely don't want them to go higher than 2025.
[4:57:51] And this city council's working together with Captain Drew Strong
[4:57:55] that a residential burglaries are not going up
[4:57:57] because we made such great progress since we started working
[4:58:02] together in 2025 compared to 2024.
[4:58:10] But this is a jewel of the city.
[4:58:13] Ironwood Nine, one of them, many jewels on our infinity
[4:58:18] we got late of the city of Cerritos, and we have our theater, we have our senior center,
[4:58:24] we have our library, we have our golf course,
[4:58:29] all with an umbrella over them of safety
[4:58:32] provided by the sheriff station and neighborhood watch in the city council and vops,
[4:58:40] and
[4:58:40] everybody that works together to keep our city safe.
[4:58:45] So just like all these other things that have deltas, the golf course is not supposed,
[4:58:50] You know, we're a city, we're not a business, we're a city, we provide services to our residents and we try to do the best we can.
[4:58:58] We make the best decisions we can to provide these programs and services to our residents and we don't just write something off because it has a delta.
[4:59:13] So,
[4:59:16] the golf course, I'm happy that we showcase it to our meritorious Marines and to our local school districts and we have a tiny top golf programs that are going on right now and,
[4:59:33] you know, this is a comprehensive report, I'm not certain what you're talking about Councilmember Hong but they make recommendations in here in this report about price.
[4:59:43] price adjustments in this report. They have a significant listing of things that need to be considered for an RFP.
[4:59:52] If we were to put out of RFP, this report that was presented to the City Council is a comprehensive report.
[4:59:58] Just like was just like...
[5:00:00] I was asked for by you and Sophia. You and council member say, say, ask for this report. The two of you asked for this report. We're hearing it tonight at midnight,
[5:00:14] because you and Sophia asked for this. She's not even here. So we have the four of us need to figure out if we can make progress on this tonight.
[5:00:29] At least at least the speaker who had spoken up about this in previous meetings. At least he made sure that he was going to
[5:00:37] that someone came in and read is public comment that he provided to us in writing,
[5:00:44] but tonight
[5:00:45] the four of us have to consider this matter even though you and Sophia were the ones that
[5:00:49] brought it to the city council.
[5:00:53] So I want to make progress on this. Thank you, Mr. Holmes.
[5:00:59] I'm not sure about your math. You said something about if we increased it maybe two bucks or
[5:01:04] to 50, that,
[5:01:10] yeah,
[5:01:19] yeah, and thank you.
[5:01:21] Thank you to the mayor for letting us have this conversation.
[5:01:23] And usually we're not really not supposed to,
[5:01:26] but I appreciate you speaking twice about this
[5:01:30] because it shows you are engaged
[5:01:33] and you want to provide information
[5:01:35] from someone who's actually at the golf course.
[5:01:41] With our community, with our residents,
[5:01:43] with the students, with the seniors, with the veterans golfing, and they all love it, right?
[5:01:53] Okay.
[5:01:54] So I kind of, you know, this number of rounds of golf, 55,892 in a fiscal year, that's 153 rounds
[5:02:05] of golf a day.
[5:02:06] If we golf every day, 365 days, that's 153 rounds of golf a day, 55,892 in a year.
[5:02:14] You
[5:02:16] know, so if we just made the adjustment based on rounds of golf, with a 377,742 delta,
[5:02:27] you know, that's, you know, that's telling me, you know, we got to actually, we can't just based on,
[5:02:33] if we only adjusted the price of a round of golf, you know, that's closer, that's in the ballpark of seven, seven bucks per round.
[5:02:42] And I think that's something that
[5:02:48] our golfers are going to,
[5:02:50] they're either going to get a wide open, if they have to pace,
[5:02:52] pay $7 more around the golf.
[5:02:58] But what I did see in this comprehensive report,
[5:03:05] what I did see in this comprehensive report is that staff pointed out
[5:03:11] that a fee increase of approximately 30% would be required to
[5:03:15] bring the golf course closer to a break,
[5:03:18] even operating position while maintaining its competitiveness
[5:03:22] with similar facilities.
[5:03:24] That's on page six.
[5:03:31] Those are my thoughts.
[5:03:34] I'm happy with the golf course.
[5:03:35] I'm so thankful to the hardworking city
[5:03:38] of cereals and poise that operate and maintain our golf course.
[5:03:43] You know, we have to deal with the fact that,
[5:03:45] you know, we're leasing that property right, releasing it.
[5:03:48] And then we have to deal with the fact
[5:03:49] that even like right now, there's a local emergency going on there.
[5:03:52] And the fact that the city of Sritos is running it, it allows us to better deal with the fact that there's an ongoing local emergency there.
[5:04:00] And then we get to directly deal with all of the parties involved with that local emergency, where we had a hazardous chemical leak that we had to deal with.
[5:04:11] And we were able to quickly pivot and deal with this emergency because we're the ones running the golf course.
[5:04:18] And if we had some third party who doesn't know our city and doesn't know our residents running that thing,
[5:04:25] I don't think we would have had those positive results we had in dealing with that emergency of the hazardous chemical hazardous materials leak underneath our golf course.
[5:04:37] So Jennifer and Sophia asked for this item.
[5:04:40] I just wanted to share my comments about this item.
[5:04:43] I love the golf course. I'm so happy the city of Serios has it. Thank you to the hard working employees. Thank you to Mr. Holmes.
[5:04:50] I want to keep providing golf.
[5:04:52] To our community with our hard working city employees running that golf course.
[5:05:00] Anybody else?
[5:05:01] I just like to add on some more comments.
[5:05:03] And the reason, thanks for Councilmember Yokoyama, I'm point now, the reason I propose to
[5:05:11] have a request for proposal is because at that time the number is kind of huge and we don't
[5:05:17] even know how many years we'd be running, losing that kind of amount.
[5:05:24] So that's why at that time, if I'm thinking if we can outsource it and have somebody else to
[5:05:31] funded and now we'll flow our city's burden and instead of, you know,
[5:05:37] training our general funds. But after this wonderful report finally came out,
[5:05:43] we have the actual numbers of all this. The problem is not as big as what we
[5:05:48] original. What I originally thought, that's why I also look at the procedure that we
[5:05:55] have to go through the time mean and the cost or everything together, I kind of change my
[5:06:04] proposal.
[5:06:04] I would prefer to keep it if we can change it and what I was just proposed, that would
[5:06:10] be really, I think it could be the best proposal.
[5:06:14] And then after a year, you know, we can look at it to it.
[5:06:17] If we are still losing money, then city really have to look harder on this one.
[5:06:22] We really know how to run this or not.
[5:06:25] If we cannot run it, then we need to outsource.
[5:06:28] We have to have the RFP.
[5:06:31] That's my suggestion.
[5:06:33] Thank you.
[5:06:35] Anybody else?
[5:06:37] Yes.
[5:06:39] Mayor Proton.
[5:06:39] Thank you, Madam Mayor.
[5:06:46] And I appreciate the suggestion that Mr. Holmes mentioned
[5:06:50] about in all of would take,
[5:06:52] based upon the number of people who are coming annually,
[5:06:57] just a simple increase of $2.50 would address the $377,742 dollars in
[5:07:10] 90 cents net difference, give or take of, you know, a little bit. And I was looking
[5:07:20] that exhibit too, it says city of sweetest comparison of local nine-hole golf course fees and just looking at this.
[5:07:30] I've seen the ranking on all the fees, the current fees, were number two in all categories to the
[5:07:39] Don Canobie Gulf Center in Norma. And if, say, you were to apply the nice suggestion from
[5:07:46] Mr. Holmes of just suggesting it, modestly, 250 across the board, we would be in the third position
[5:07:58] That is this whole chart of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 cities that operate local nine-hole golf courses.
[5:08:10] So just that modest adjustment makes
[5:08:17] a, makes a, makes a even.
[5:08:22] Councilmember Yokeyama mentioned that, you know, this is a public good, not a private enterprise.
[5:08:30] We're in the business of providing services to our community, not profiting,
[5:08:40] and I'd like
[5:08:43] to, for us, to take a crack at
[5:08:49] making the necessary adjustments.
[5:08:54] What I don't want to do is unnecessarily trigger a meet and confer process that would
[5:09:02] cause a drop in morale among the dedicated staff over there and clearly from the written
[5:09:12] submitted feedback from residents,
[5:09:21] they believe that going to a private company would quote
[5:09:25] be detrimental to the city and another one said they're deeply concerned about having a
[5:09:32] of a business from the course because it would destroy the unique sense of community.
[5:09:36] You know, when we hear the people who are
[5:09:42] supporting this great public good,
[5:09:51] I think we need to listen to them.
[5:09:54] And I see that in recommendation number two, it allows for us to do that, to direct the city manager and staff to come back to us
[5:10:06] with study of golf course fee adjustments.
[5:10:14] So I'd like to see us move in that direction
[5:10:16] and not move towards outsourcing.
[5:10:22] I concept, you know, principally I'm against outsourcing.
[5:10:25] Okay, I'm for preserving good city jobs,
[5:10:32] rewarding, loyal, dedicated staff,
[5:10:37] rewarding loyal dedicated residents, patrons of our public goods,
[5:10:47] so I believe to be consistent with that.
[5:10:50] I would like to move this second recommendation that the staff provided.
[5:10:59] A second.
[5:11:00] I second.
[5:11:01] Okay.
[5:11:02] Thank you.
[5:11:05] Have a first and a second.
[5:11:06] Let's go ahead and vote.
[5:11:08] The
[5:11:29] motion pass on a vote of three to one.
[5:11:34] I think we had enough information to make the price adjustment tonight.
[5:11:40] All right.
[5:11:41] Right and we're on
[5:11:43] 10
[5:11:45] Madam Mayor, we do not have any items to present under 10 a or 10 be the same evening.
[5:11:49] 11
[5:11:50] And I have no reports under item 11 a this evening. All right. Council comments
[5:11:57] Any?
[5:11:59] All right.
[5:12:00] If none, I'm going to move to adjourn in memory of Randolph-Randy Mantooth.
[5:12:05] Tonight I ask my council colleague to join me in adjourning tonight's meeting in memory of my dear friend, Randolph-Randy Mantooth.
[5:12:14] Many of us know Randee as the beloved actor who brought firefighter, paramedic Johnny Gage to life on the iconic television series emergency.
[5:12:23] But as greatest legacy extended far beyond television, through that role, Randy helped introduce millions of Americans to the emerging field of paramedicine and inspired generations of firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and emergency responders to preserve careers dedicated to serving lives.
[5:12:46] The legacy of Randy Mantooth also preserved through the work of the Los Angeles County Fire Museum located in Belflower,
[5:12:55] which honors the history of the fire service and the evolution of emergency medical services.
[5:13:02] The museum is also home to the iconic engine 51 and squad 51 vehicles from emergency.
[5:13:10] Serritos was fortunate to be part of Randy's incredible journey when the Serritos Center for the Performing Arts hosted the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Emergency a few years ago.
[5:13:23] One of Randy's final projects is a documentary called Into the Unknown.
[5:13:28] I was very fortunate to be involved in a very, very small way when the project was first discussed back in 2018.
[5:13:36] It was exciting to see the vision begin to take shape, and I'm so grateful that Randy was able to see the completed final version, which came out this year and witnessed the culmination of a project that was meaningful to him.
[5:13:51] I was blessed to know Randy not only as a talented actor and public figure, but as a friend.
[5:13:56] What I'll remember most about Randy was his kindness, his humility, and his genuine heart.
[5:14:03] Despite his fame, he always made people feel valued and welcome.
[5:14:07] He had a special appreciation for the men and women who serve our communities, and he used his voice to honor firefighters,
[5:14:14] paramedics, and all those who answer the call during someone's greatest moment of me.
[5:14:20] May he rest in peace, and we are now going to go into close session, can you take us into close session?
[5:14:30] City Attorney?
[5:14:31] Yes, thank you Madam Mayor and members of the City Council.
[5:14:34] We will now need to recess into close session to discuss the 12A conference with legal counsel and potential litigation,
[5:14:41] as well as 12B, 12C and 12D public employee appointments, evaluations, and dismissal for the City Manager City Attorney and City Clerk.
[5:14:49] Thank you and one last announcement is I'd like I'm delighted to invite the community to the city's National Night Out event on Thursday, August 6th.
[5:15:00] The event starts at 7 p.m. at Heritage Park and will provide residents with an opportunity to meet and
[5:15:05] thank the first responders who dedicate their lives to protecting us. The event will also feature
[5:15:11] public safety displays and information activities for children, food trucks and a concert by that's
[5:15:19] what I like. The ultimate Bruno Mars tribute experience. Information about the event is posted on
[5:15:26] the city's website at serritos.gov.
[5:15:29] I want to thank our Deputy Sheriff Eric Mutton that there for staying the whole evening
[5:15:33] and to all of our staff. It was a long meeting. Thank you so much.
[5:15:38] I appreciate all of you. Good night. Meeting adjourned.