Cerritos Gets Clean Bill of Health on Air Pollution at Town Forum

By Jerry Bernstein

Cerritos is off the hook. The city is not and has not been a recipient of undue pollution resulting in the city’s air being a Cancer risk caused by “Hydrazine” released from a plant in Santa Fe Springs as stated in a June report issued by the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA}. That was the message given to residents attending the Town Forum Aug. 18 held in the Sierra Room at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
Hydrazine is a colorless liquid used in rocket fuels and chemical manufacturing and is listed as a possible carcinogen by the EPA.
Representatives from the EPA and South Coast Air Quality Management District [SCAQMD] along with Congressional Representatives Linda Sanchez and Grace Napolitano joined members of the City Council in questioning how the repudiated report was released and what steps have been taken to see this does not happen again.
Mayor Bruce Barrows opened the meeting saying it took two months to get information for tonight’s meeting. “It is good to have two members of Congress in your corner,” referring to Grace Napolitano and Linda Sanchez. “Two months is a short time to get a response in government,” he added.
Representative Napolitano said after Cerritos Mayor Bruce Barrows contacted her, she talked to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson who said the report should not have been released since it had not been verified. Napolitano said she and her colleague Representative Linda Sanchez want to guarantee this does not happen again. “The report was a mistake. There was no toxic effect. The report was wrong.”
The Congresswoman said they looked at the different agencies, local and national, that provided the information and questioned how and why it was used. Correct reporting needs to be done,” she asserted. “Your City Council and your mayor put that issue immediately before us. Not only is the city due an apology but the plant that was accused to be the cause of the bogus pollution should receive one as well. The amount of Hydrazine released by the plant was found to be way below the safety level.”
Rep. Sanchez complimented the Mayor and City Council whom she said responded very forcibly and quickly to the EPA air quality report. She said something went very wrong in the analysis of how much Hydrazine was released and we need to know what happened and how it happened. We also need to know what steps are being taken so this will not happen again.
Sanchez said the factors used in future reports have to be checked much more carefully. She was pleased that the Air Quality Management District acted so promptly last month with its plant inspection and testing of Cerritos air quality. She said the AQMD has informed her the data used goes back to 2001 and likely to 1989 or earlier. It looks like the 2001 data was never verified. The Congresswoman concluded by assuring that she and her colleague are going to stay on top of this to its conclusion.
Dr. Phillip Fine, with the SCAQMD, speaking in behalf of all the agencies involved, said
Cerritos air quality was similar to other areas of Southern California. He said the plant inspection was conducted both indoors and outdoors and it was determined the plant was not polluting the atmosphere with toxic materials. He said they measured for the maximum emission rate, which is the worst-case scenario and concluded the plant was operating safely, adding in the future the EPA and SCAQMD are committed to work closely so this type of error will not occur again.
City Consultant Julia Lester, Ph.D. of Environ International Corporation, agreed with Fine. She said the results of Environ’s investigation shows Cerritos air quality is good and is comparable to other urban areas.
EPA Website Results Differ
Upon researching the EPA website she said different data revealed different conclusions. Pointing to a map on a screen in back of the stage, she noted EPA data had had three different location for the plant. One was in a front yard about six miles south of the actual plant site. In 1999 the plant was placed in another location. The 2005 report shows it in its correct location. She said there needs to be a closer relationship with the entire data base before they are used in order to get a correct analysis, adding the SCAQMD concurs.
How did this happen? Dr. Lester answered her own question. “There are a multiple number of databases used by the various agencies which often contradict one another. There needs to be a closer coordination between the agencies and their various databases, she asserted. She also noted that some of the databases have multi uses not related to air quality.
Dr. Lester said they would recommend there be an on going report on air quality and not the current policy of one every seven years. City Councilmember Carol Chen concurred but didn’t understand how a report based on 20-year-old data could be released as current information.
Chen wanted to know if the 2002 report showed a high toxic rate in the atmosphere and if so why wasn’t it double checked to see if it was correct, and if it was high why wasn’t anything done about it? Dr. Fine said the data wouldn’t have shown whether it was healthy or unhealthy. That’s why we need better communication between the agencies, he added.
EPA official Warren Beckman interjected that the 2002 data has been updated. He said all the agencies have agreed they have to coordinate and work closer together so this does not happen again. He said an example of this is tonight’s joint presentation. This has never happened before. “We are now working together to resolve the differences in how we treat carcinogen exhaust in California.”
In a letter to Mayor Barrows, EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy admitted the 2002 report did not accurately reflect the plant’s emissions of hydrazine. She said it also included incorrect census tract information [location] for the facility. She added the agency would revise the 2002 NATA with correct data.
Councilmember Laura Lee said she feels more has to be done to prevent this from happening again. Referring to the two months it took Cerritos to get the participants of tonight’s Towne Forum together so residents could receive s answers; she said it might have been a short time in government response, but a long time for our residents. How are you going to do your checking in the future so the people don’t have to wait so long for answers? Dr. Fine said they would be doing their checking well in advance to prevent this from happening again.
Left unanswered was why an unverified report was released.

Greening Cerritos

By Jonathan Ho and Jonathan Liang

Thousands of dollars in incentives and green energy savings are just part of the benefits Cerritos businesses and residents can obtain through the Voluntary Green Development Program (VGDP) recently approved by the Cerritos City Council. The program stemmed from the City of Cerritos commitment to protect the environment and promote sustainability and aims to provide comprehensive information on the City’s
website, which explains green "building" and the incentives of the Green Development program.
“After the approval of the program, the City Council anticipates residents and businesses who wish to practice green development techniques, but who may not have had reliable and useful information available, could utilize the program as a resource and informational guide in using green building techniques,” said Torrey Contreras, the Director of Community Development. “The City Council] hopes to encourage better environmental design and construction through program incentives and a recognition program.”
Since buildings constructed through current practices account for 39 percent of total energy use, 12 percent of total water consumption, and 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the US, Cerritos has developed the VGDP to combat this problem.
Build it Green, a non-profit organization, explains that green building is a building practice to help increase efficiency with natural resources and establish energy efficient buildings. Such practices include taking advantage of the sun for heat, power, and light. It also calls for the incorporation of salvaged materials, the use of native, drought tolerant plants, and the application of shading elements.
Energy efficiency is the most important aspect of building green. Installing solar panels and low energy-using major appliances are a few methods of this feature help to reduce the potential of energy supply interruptions and the need for new power plants. Indoor air quality is another element to consider for building green. Poor indoor air quality is a result of moisture infiltration and poor maintenance and can emit volatile organic compounds.
These problems can be improved by some simple steps, such as installing permanent front door walk-off mats to reduce indoor dust and ensuring that gas appliances have their own exhaust fans routing towards the exterior of the residence. Another important step in building green is resource conservation, which ensures more efficient building practices, especially when using wood, water, metal, and fossil fuels.
Resource conservation starts with reusing and recycling old construction and demolition waste while also diverting project demolition and construction waste from landfills. It also includes using durable roofing materials that have 40-50 year warranties and using recycled materials for counter tops and walkways.
Resource conservation involves efficient water management with methods such as installing low or dual flush toilets, plumbing fixtures with below standard flow rates, and on- site water retention systems. With these resources, there are many ways that residents and businesses are able to obtain incentives. Not only does building green help the city and environment, but it also helps businesses and residents save money through incentives.
To further promote building green, the Cerritos City Council will provide incentives based upon on a structured basis, the LEED Certification Project. It is a four tiered system that, from lowest to highest, is ordered as certified, silver, gold, and platinum. The permits and plan check fees will be waived by 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% respectively. Incentives for the LEED Project include waivers for the Development Code, Conditional Use Permit, Precise Plan, and Subdivision and Parcel Maps.
Residential and business rebates are also available through Southern California Edison and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Southern California Edison provides Energy In-Home Surveys to present suggestions for making a home more energy efficient. Some rebates such as the Energy Efficient Evaporative Cooling Rebate gives reimbursements of up to $600. The California Solar Incentives also provide monetary stimulus based upon the characteristics of the installation and the watts generated. The Water District provides incentives through its Social Water Smart Program. As such, it provides rebates that start at $100 for highly efficient toilets and $85 for highly efficient washers.
The VGDP is a new way for the City of Cerritos to "go green." It structures such projects to be more efficient and clearer than before. The City Council expresses its enthusiasm for the VGDP and hopes that this program will encourage the city to be more environmentally friendly.
Contreras said, “Green Cerritos encourages the development of environmentally friendly buildings by providing information on the City's web site on what green development is, why green development is important and beneficial to the community, methods and techniques for green development, and information on resources, rebate programs, and incentives.”
For more information visit http://www.ci.cerritos.ca.us/cominfo/business/green_cerritos.html

Hawaiian Gardens Approves New Contracts for City Administrator and City Attorney

By Jerry Bernstein

The Hawaiian Gardens City Council approved new three-year contracts with its City Administrator Ernesto Marquez and City Attorney John Cavanugh at its Aug. 25 meeting.
Opponents of the contracts criticized the council for its approval. Citing the current economic condition, this was not the time to approve new three-year contracts for the City Administrator and City Attorney that include salary increases. They also felt with an election in November that could see a new council majority the contracts could have been postponed until after the election. Criticized was Marquez’s new base salary of $169,941 a year. They also noted that Marquez did not have a Masters Degree in Public Administration, which they said is normally required.
Also noted was the Aug. 11 approval of a new five-year contract with the Los Angeles Sheriff Department. “It seems you are approving the contracts to tie the hands of the new council,” stated one resident.
Dr. William Mathis, of the Mathis Group who earlier this year conducted an extensive review of the performance by the City Administrator and City Attorney as requested by the City Council said they found that John Cavanaugh Associates have kept the City very well protected. “The Council had asked us to look at different strategies where the city could save costs.” He said the Cavanaugh Group received a high rating. He also noted there is a 60-day exit clause. He explained when new councilmember’s are elected, they have to wait 90 days before they can use the exit clause. This gives them time to weigh the pro and cons and sees for themselves how the City Attorney is doing before making a decision. He said the new contract is $125,000 less than the previous one.
Turning to the City Administrator’s contract, he said there is also an exit clause. Looking back on recent city history he said it appears every other year there has been a change in the City Administrator, which has harmed the city. “Often,” he said, “it appears that previous City Administrators have been fired on the whim of a single council member. This contract says if the individual does something dishonest there is no compensation when terminated.
The raise in the new contract is the same as the city workers, which is three percent. He said Mr. Marquez did not ask for a raise. This was an evaluation conducted by the City Council. He said a survey of the 30 cities in Los Angeles County reviewed revealed Hawaiian Gardens is rated third from the bottom as far as the City Administrator’s salary is concerned. “For city managers in the area, it’s in the bottom end.” Dr. Mathis sai, there is also an incentive in the contract for Mr. Marquez to get his Master’s Degree.
He said there is also a clause in the contract that basically states it is the City Administrator who works with the different departments in the city and sets the evaluations. The city council’s job is to set policy and work with the City Administrator and City Attorney
A Play on Words
After the salary debate, Barry Bruce, Pastor at the Way Out Ministries in Hawaiian Gardens accused the Council of forcing out low-income families in favor of middle class families. He said the council was following a policy of gentrification, which he said the dictionary defined as moving from a working class community to a middle class community. “I think this is what we all aspire for, to better our lives,” he stated.
He accused the Mayor of not reading the entire meaning of the word at the Aug. 11 Council meeting He said the American Heritage Dictionary defines it as a restoration and upgrading of deteriorating urban property by middle class and/or affluent people often resulting in the displacement of low-income people. He said the Mayor left out the part about the displacement of the poor, adding that according to the last Census report the average person in Hawaiian Gardens earns $13,765 a year compared to the California average of $28,678. He said 19.8 percent of these people were below the American poverty line, many of which are 65 years or older. He asked what would happen to these people when the city upgrades their neighborhoods?
He also accused the city of giving up to 80 percent free grants to businesses on Carson and Norwalk Boulevard but next to nothing to residents who desire to fix up their
homes.
Former Mayor Kathy Navejas asked the Council what they received from the city for there services, accusing them of getting $35,000 a year.
Councilman John Heckerman said that would be nice, but they only receive $40 a month. “Furthermore, the council unanimously voted not to take a cost of living increase this year. Referring to the City Administrator’s salary, he said Marquez did not ask for an increase. The Council thought it was time to give him one. “He’s earned it,” he stated.
Heckerman said he is getting tired listening to people coming before the Council and saying things that are not true and taken out of context. He said he has been a working man all of his life – a blue collar working man. “I identify with the people in Hawaiian Gardens. We are not going to throw anyone out of their homes. That’s the last thing I would do.”
“It’s not true that the city is not providing money to the people who want to improve their homes,” he asserted. “We have grants. That is what they are for. All they have to do is apply and if they qualify they get the help.”

Norwalk Council Denies Variance for Check-Cashing Business

By Andrew Perry

After an odd request from a check-cashing business, the Norwalk City Council voted against its opening a location in Norwalk at its Aug. 18 meeting.
Norwalk has had an ongoing moratorium on check-cashing/ payday loan businesses since April 15, 2008. Advance America, a check-cashing business, previously had a business in Norwalk and wanted to re-open its business. However, at the time of the council meeting, the company has indicated that it is no longer interested in opening its business at the proposed location, but was interested in what the city council would have voted, and so opted to keep the item on the council’s agenda.
“Why are we even voting on this?” asked Mayor Cheryl Kelley. The property owner Huey Byrne explained that “we are here on a forethought. While the business has since rescinded its interest, it wanted to look at the possibility of a variance based on the fact that the tenant was a previous business owner in the city.”
“If the city is interested, then they’re interested,” said Byrne.
The Council voted 4-0 against Advance America’s request.
In other news, the council voted to increase parking fees for the Civic Center, in an effort to offset revenue losses associated with the Norwalk Superior Court’s scheduled furlough and increasing costs of maintenance. The last fee increase for the Civic Center was in August 2006.
The council also adopted a resolution for additional funds to be put toward the purchase of nine hybrid buses. According to the staff report, the procurement of the hybrid buses is 90 percent funded from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) from a capital grant, and 10 percent from Proposition 1B’s. Six 40-foot buses will cost $3,734,497 and three 35-foot hybrid buses will cost $1,866,970.
This procurement has no fiscal impact to the city’s general fund, as the cost is covered by other sources.
The Council also voted to enter into an agreement with Central Basin Small Water Producers Group. From 2006 to 2008, Central Basin and West Coast Basin developed a framework for groundwater storage.
The Central Basin Group wishes to do an economic analysis of the impacts of the developed framework on small water agencies before supporting it.
The agreement with Norwalk allows the city to participate in the analysis, and contribute towards the legal costs involved with the court submittal process.
The fiscal impact is determined to be $15,000. Ten thousand of this money has already been budgeted, and the resolution t the council voted on appropriated the remaining $5,000.

No Solution Yet To Gahr High School Traffic Congestion

By Larry Caballero

Cerritos residents began showing up early for the Special Meeting of the Cerritos City Council at the Performing Arts Center on Aug. 25 to learn what the City or ABC School District were going to do about the traffic congestion that occurs each morning and afternoon when parents drop off or pick up their teenagers from Gahr High School.
In attendance were all five members of City Council, ABC Superintendent Gary Smuts, Associate Superintendent Mary Sieu, Board members David Montgomery and Sophia Tse and the Principal and Assistant Principal of Gahr.
The problem isn’t new—the school was built in 1965, and from the time it was opened, Gahr was heavily attended. In 1972, the District converted the school to double session until ABC could complete construction of Cerritos High School in 1973. Gahr’s annual attendance is currently 2,020 students.
Gahr is located in the westerly portion of the district, but many of the students live east of the school. Consequently, pedestrian and automobile traffic has been an issue with many residents for a very long time. Typically, a majority of students arrive between 7:45 and 8:00 am and leave campus between 2:30 and 2:45 pm.
Over the years, the City has been contacted several times by residents who live near the school who are concerned with issues relating to the heavy traffic. Specifically, they are worried about cars blocking the street, making u-turns, using driveways to drop students and with pedestrians who congregate near the homes at the entrance to Mapes Avenue leaving litter and graffiti behind.
Numerous residents have contacted City staff and requested such solutions as limiting turns, providing additional signage, providing additional law enforcement, and installing a traffic signal. They have also requested that the City work with the School District on improving the unload/load capacity within Gahr High thereby reducing student drop off and pick up related traffic in the residential tracts adjacent to the school.
In 2007, several residents approached staff again regarding the problems, and in response, staff retained the services of Hartzog & Crabill, Inc. (HCI) Consulting Traffic Engineers, to conduct a traffic circulation analysis for the entire area. Its findings supported the residents’ concerns and suggested the creation of an on-campus loading/unloading zone of sufficient length that should provide the necessary convenience to serve all students being dropped off during the morning peak hour.
In 2008, the City approved the HCI/City Staff/ABC Administration plan to improve traffic circulation at Gahr at a cost of $130,000. It was hoped that the plan coupled with an aggressive education program administered by the School District would result in improvements to the neighborhood concerns. Unfortunately, residents continue to complain and parents continue to utilize the area neighborhoods to drop off and pick up students.
The City is considering six options that could potentially provide some relief to the issues raised by the Mapes residents:
• Increased law enforcement/security
• Staggered starting/ending school schedule
• Create No Stopping/Standing/Parking zones on Mapes Avenue
• Install a traffic signal at Mapes and Artesia
• Convert the neighborhood to a gated private community
• Close Mapes Avenue at Artesia Boulevard
Unfortunately, each of the options may lead to additional problems. Increased law enforcement and security is not feasible due to budgetary concerns which leaves three motorcycle officers to patrol 22 school sites with similar hours of attendance and similar traffic congestion and law enforcement issues.
A staggered school schedule may be difficult to implement and would be at the discretion of the School District and the Gahr Administration. A No Parking Zone would have limited impact since cars are parking only long enough to drop off or pick up. A traffic signal may encourage even more use of this location to drop off and pick up students, and a gated community would necessitate the creation of a Home Owners Association (HOA), the installation and maintenance of gates and the privatization of the streets and public rights-of-ways.
Closing Mapes at Artesia would be very expensive and may lead to additional traffic measures. Closing Mapes at Artesia with a service gate has the same issues. Consequently, City staff was seeking input from the impacted residents as well as from City Council as to the best course of action to take in exploring additional traffic congestion measures for this neighborhood.
Mayor Bruce Barrows said the Aug. 25 meeting was an attempt to correct the traffic congestion at Gahr and encouraged the 80 residents in attendance to speak. One resident stated that he has called the School District in the past to only be told that it isn’t their problem. Another resident of 40 years complained that it is impossible to go shopping or make a doctor’s appointment during the time of school opening and closing because of so many cars blocking her street. She also complained about speeding on Gridley from the 91 Freeway and sometimes her house will shake. One car crashed into a neighbor’s home when he couldn’t make a turn onto Artesia. “I’ve complained in the past, but the problem still exists. There are too many kids and cars.”
One resident was worried about property values with so many teenagers loitering and ditching school during school hours. She suggested issuing more citations to the drivers and pedestrians who are not obeying the laws. Yet another said it takes her 20 minutes to drive by four houses in the morning and suggested No U-Turn signs for non-residents.
A resident said that she called the Vice-Principal at Gahr who told her that there’s nothing that can be done, but she doesn’t believe it. She asked, “What is the school doing to resolve these problems? We’re living the nightmare every day.” She accused school administration of not doing their job. “Lip service is not enough.”
Barrows reminded residents that the City does not have authority over the School District but is sure the District wants to work with the City to find solutions. Superintendent Smuts said t the District has mailed numerous letters to parents, made announcements to students, made phone calls and wrote articles in the Community News asking parents and students to drive safely and legally.
Councilmember Laura Lee felt that “we have to keep working hard because there is always a solution to every problem.” Councilmember Jim Edwards said he knows the problems since he was an educator at Gahr for 30 years. “It’s a matter of respect for the law,” he said. Councilmember Carol Chen asked several questions of staff and Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho wanted to take an informal survey of the residents who were present at the meeting. He was interested to know which city options that were mentioned that night were acceptable to the residents. Mayor Barrows told Cho they were not going to do any surveys that night.
Cho understood that the survey would not be a scientific one, but he was still interested in getting input from the residents. Again, Barrows told Cho they were not going to do any surveys. The City will probably choose to do a more scientific survey in the future.
Property Preservation Commissioner Alon Barlevy suggested one option could be retractable steel bars on Mapes that would be implemented in the morning and afternoon times. “It may be expensive, but it’s technically feasible.” Councilmembers Lee and Cho asked City staff to research and/or modify Barlevy’s suggestion and to report back to the Council.

ABC School District Board Votes to Cut Member Compensation

By Shelley Henderson

In an action that continued a long-standing spirit of exemplary cooperation and support between the ABC School District Board of Education and the District’s administration, faculty and staff, the members of the Board voted 6-0 to cut the amount of money that each member receives for serving on the Board in an amount proportional to the cut taken by the District’s faculty and staff in contract negotiations approved at the June 23rd meeting of the Board.
Board member David Montgomery was absent. However, in an email sent to Board member Mark Pulido and read into the record, Montgomery expressed whole-hearted support of the proposal by invoking something his own mother had taught him: Don’t ask others to do something that you are unwilling to do yourself.
The budget approved at the June 23rd meeting assumed that the student population will shrink by 150, that new flexibility legislated by the state will allow transfer of $3.6 million in categorical funds the district will have available, $5.4 million in state fiscal stabilization funds from the federal stimulus program, and $1.8 million will be available from federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and that employee furlough days will provide approximately $2.2 million in savings.
The approved budget further assumed delayed rehiring of non-classroom personnel, reduced contracts and operating expenses, and elimination or modification of class size reduction programs.
Also approved at the same June 23rd meeting were labor agreements that called for a reduction of the work year and consequent reduction in compensation for teachers, staff and administrative personnel that explicitly included four unpaid furlough days.
Total net revenues in the approved budget came to $163 million and total expenditures of $165 million for a deficit of $1.5 million. The deficit will be made up from the district’s reserve fund.
Superintendent Gary Smuts opened discussion of the agenda item by praising the hard work and foresight of those who put the budget and labor agreements together under the cloud of the California state budget crisis. Because of that hard work and foresight, no further cuts are currently needed to bring the School District’s budget into line with the current state budget.
In his comments, District Chief Financial Officer Toan Nguyen stressed that changes to the budget may be forced later in the year should promised funding from the state be further reduced. That promised state funding depends on state revenues meeting projections in the current state budget.
On Aug. 10th, California State Controller John Chiang released information stating state general fund revenues dropped 8 percent in July 2009 when compared to July 2008. Personal income tax revenue dropped 11.5 percent ($335 million) year-over-year. Revenue from corporate taxes rose 9.1 percent ($18.9 million) and sales tax rose
20.8 percent ($185 million), not enough to make up for the drop in personal income tax. Gavin Riley, representing the ABC Federation of Teachers, Local #2317, spoke in favor of the proposal, expressing the consensus that all bargaining units were treated in a similar fair manner that would avoid long--term animosity. Especially appreciated was that no permanent employees have been laid off. He expressed gratitude for the Board members willingly voting to “join the club.”
Following the close of discussion, the proposal was approved by voice acclamation. It will result in a small but highly symbolic savings of $1,510 to the District general fund.
The headquarters for the ABC Unified School District is located at 16700 Norwalk Blvd. in the city of Cerritos. For more information call the District’s main telephone number at 562-926-5566 or visit the official District website at www.abcusd.k12.ca.us.

Artesia Council Studies Pioneer Boulevard Parking Proposals

Off-street structure will be built at 186th and Corby.

By Jerry Bernstein

The Artesia City Council took under study three proposals for off-street parking on Corby Avenue off 186th Street to serve the downtown area along Pioneer Avenue. The proposals include an automated multi-story parking structure with a computerized valet parking system that doesn’t need human assistance, a standard multi-story structure, and a surface parking lot.
As outlined by the company Dasher/Lawless U-Parkit, the driver would pull his/her car into an “Entry” compartment in the computerized parking structure similar to an automatic carwash, turn off the engine and set the emergency brake. The driver then takes the time to gather his/her belongings, children etc. and exits the compartment. The driver than activates the storage process by taking a coded parking ticket at the parking kiosk as he/she exits the compartment.
Upon activation of the storage system, sensors measure the vehicle for compatibility with the design of the system. The door of the Entry compartment is closed and the vehicle is mechanically lifted from the ENTRY compartment to a location in the storage vault via a conveyor transport device. The storage location is recorded in the system for retrieval to the bearer of the coded parking ticket.
To retrieve the vehicle, the driver returns to customer lobby and swipes the coded parking ticket at the pay station and pays the required fee. This activates the mechanical retrieval of the stored vehicle; the computer determines the vehicle location from data records for the user of that parking system.
Advantages of this parking system include it’s a compact system; the structure takes up only two-thirds of lot, expandable for future parking demand. no mechanical ventilation due to transporting vehicles without engine running, vehicle emissions ventilation system is not required, reduced lighting with interior lighting not required, safety and emergency lights only, enhanced convenience. Comparable to valet parking, there is no need to search for a parking stall.
Disadvantages are there is no U-Parkit System currently in existence in California, no information presented about event of mechanical failure, what solutions are to assist patrons whose vehicles are stuck in storage areas, lack of evidence about public acceptance, advantages/ benefits to city of for pioneering such a system in Artesia,
If the company goes bankrupt how will city find replacement parts or another company to assume maintenance and operation of facility?
Second Proposal
A second proposal is by Edge Development Company, who is managing construction t for the city’s new Public Works Yard. The firm proposed a more conventional parking structure.
Under its proposal the company would be responsible for the preparation of design plans, building the parking structure and then handing over the building to the City as a “turn key” package. Deputy City Manager Justine Menzel said this concept is extremely beneficial to a city that has no available staff personnel capable of administering and handling such a capital improvement project.
She said cost estimates for a permanent parking structure could range from $3.5 million to $5 million depending on the type of structure built. Menzel said even if
it is a pay parking facility, it can take 25 years or more to recuperate the investment
cost. Funding sources for the project will be from the proceeds of the 2007 bonds program.
The Council also looked at the possibility of constructing a surface parking lot. The costs, including demolition of the existing buildings on the land, installation of a 93-spaced surface paved parking lot, complete with lighting and landscaping is estimated at $250,000. Unlike the proposed multi-story parking structure, the surface lot could be constructed in two months and quickly recover the initial investment costs within two years.
In her report Menzel pointed out that once the paved parking lot is operating, City staff could then evaluate and report back to the Council and Parking Authority whether a parking structure is needed. Such an evaluation is important to prevent the City from investing $3.5 to $5 million dollars in construction costs for a parking structure that might not be effectively utilized or under-utilized after completion of the parking lot.



•

Cerritos Joins Group in Lawsuit Against State

Part of League of California
Cities challenge to state’s seizure of local funds.

By Jerry Bernstein

The Cerritos City Council approved a resolution authorizing City Manager Art Gallucci to join the League of California Cities, the California Redevelopment Association, and other cities and associations in litigation challenging the constitutionality of any seizure by the State of local funds.
In her report to the Council, Assistant City Manager Kathleen Jung Matsumoto said recent action by the Governor and State Legislature to balance the state budget by seizing local government funds is unconstitutional. She said it is estimated this fiscal year.
2009-10, Cerritos will lose $8.9 million in redevelopment funds and $1.1 million in property taxes through a loan allowed by voter approved Proposition 1A.
In addition, another $2.3 million in redevelopment monies will be seized in the next fiscal year 2010-11. She said the redevelopment funds will be a total loss to the agency and the property tax loan should be paid with interest within three years under Proposition 1A. “The seizures of these funds will reduce available resources to the City and Redevelopment Agency and alter the course of our operations for the next several years,” she concluded.
In other business the council authorized the construction of a mid-block pedestrian crossing on Moore Street between Studebaker Road and Manning Way.
In his report to the council Assistant City Engineer Kanna Vancheswaran said in 2006 United Parcel Service [UPS] completed a 425 space parking structure for its employees on the north side of Moore Street. The nearest legal pedestrian crossing is more than 1,000 ft. to the west at the intersection of Moore Street and Shoemaker Avenue.
Vancheswaran said UPS has agreed to test for the installation of light standards and to install flashing LED pavement markers and safety signage similar in scope to what the City has done at other unprotected mid-block crossing along arterial streets.
The Council also approved a Voluntary Green Development Program recommended by the Planning Commission. In her report to the council, Planning Assistant Kristin Huy said the goal of the program is to address and promote green development site design and construction resources for residents or businesses interested in healthy, energy-and resources-efficient green development practices.
Huy also said it will encourage the development of environmentally friendly buildings by providing information on the City’s website on what green development is, why green development is important and beneficial to the community, methods and techniques for green development, and information on resources, rebate programs and incentives.
In a 3-2 vote, the Council voted to end its membership in the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System [MCLS], which is an association of 33 independent cities, county, and special district public libraries located throughout Los Angeles County. MCLS members extend on an equal basis, loan privileges to residents of other member libraries and provides a link for reference referral to members, enabling them to provide answers to difficult questions without purchasing the range of expensive resources required for an in-depth research.
The council’s action follows MCLS joining with two other systems. Members of the Council however, felt the Cerritos library is available for students and employees of the ABC School District and employees who work in the city as well as its residents. Councilmembers Carol Chen, Mayor Bruce Barrows and Jim Edwards felt, with the economy being in recession they did not believe the library should be further open to the public. “We’re not a regional library, but a city library,” they said. Councilmember Laura Lee and Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho, said the benefits of the library should be available to all who want to use it. They did not believe the expansion of MCLS would influence how the library was run and the number of books that would be available to Cerritos residents.