Minutes 2001-11-03068
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL
HELD
NOVEMBER 3, 2001
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order
at 12:15 p.m. by Mayor McGill at Manzanita Park, 6500 Orangewood Avenue, Cypress,
California, for the purpose of conducting a Town Hall Meeting.
PRESENT: Councilmembers McCoy, Piercy, Mayor Pro Tem Sondhi, Mayor McGill
ABSENT: Councilmember Keenan
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Director of Finance and Administrative Services,
Community Development Director, Chief of Police, Public Works Director, Recreation &
Community Services Director, Assistant to the City Manager, and City Clerk.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Comments from interested citizens to City Council
members on items of mutual interest to members of the City Council and members of
the community.
Mayor McGill welcomed everyone and invited those present having concerns to
approach the podium and speak. The following individuals provided input:
Councilmember McCoy asked the Chief of Police to give an update on terrorism
preparedness and what specifically the City of Cypress is doing proactively in this area.
The Chief of Police responded that informational meetings will be held on
Wednesday, November 14th, at 1:30 p.m. at the Cypress Senior Center, and
Wednesday, November 14th, at 7:00 p.m. at Cypress High School. Although Cypress is
not a targeted area for terrorist threats, the Cypress Police Department continues to
remain in contact with officials regarding terrorist updates.
Councilmember McCoy discussed contingency plans for terrorism issues on
behalf of the Orange County Fire Authority board.
Mayor McGill asked staff members for an update on departmental issues:
The Public Works Director stated that the City is currently in the process of
analyzing the arterial highway streets and preparing an inventory of residential streets
as part of a City-wide Pavement Management Plan. Every residential street in Cypress
is being inspected in order to identify deficiencies in sidewalks, curbs and gutters. With
over 18,000 trees in Cypress, a street tree inventory was recently completed, and a
database has been established. An analysis of all 17 parks in Cypress has recently
been completed to study bringing the parks up to a higher level of beauty and to
upgrade playground equipment. A report on the parks analysis will be provided to the
Council within the next month.
The Recreation & Community Services Director discussed the differences
between a neighborhood park and a community park.
The City Manager stated that the Public Works Director is physically visiting each
park and preparing an assessment that will be provided to the Council in the near
future.
Leland Place, 6572 Biak Street, Cypress, inquired about the feasibility of adding
restrooms at parks in the near future.
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CITY COUNCIL TOWN HALL MEETING
NOVEMBER 3, 2001
The City Manager reported that the City is in a financially secure position. The
City is jointly working with the Cypress Boys & Girls Club to expand and construct a new
facility on Moody Avenue, including a new gymnasium. There is a tremendous demand
for housing in Cypress, and housing values are at an all-time high. The City Council
has selected a developer for the Wicker Drive property adjacent to City Hall, to develop
residential housing, including approximately 40 single-family detached homes, 5 new
tennis courts, and a small skate plaza. The developer selected for this project,
Fieldstone Communities, is the same developer that built the Sorrento Homes project.
An architect is currently designing plans for a Meeting & Conference Center, which will
accommodate up to 450 people, including a designated space for a Cypress Art
League gallery, and a reconfigured parking lot, on the northwest portion of the City Hall
property. The Cypress Chamber of Commerce will therefore be relocated. The
Cypress Police Department shooting range, which will also be able to accommodate the
police officers in La Palina, Los Alamitos, and Seal Beach, as well, will commence in
February, 2002. The Los Alamitos Race Track & Golf Course redevelopment project
area is the only large single piece of vacant land in Orange County. The Cottonwood
Christian Center, Fuji, and the Los Alamitos Race Track own this land. The City is
currently looking at building a Town Center in the Los Alamitos Race Track & Golf
Course redevelopment project area that would be anchored by Costco. The City of
Cypress is proud to house a first class business park in the City. The majority of the
City's revenue comes from property taxes and retail tax. Fuji, one of the top revenue
bases for the City, is leaving the City of Cypress. It is important for the City to gain a
leading edge on promoting economic development in the City.
A Cypress resident inquired about the feasibility of opening up the Holder Street
bridge.
Mary Crowder 6881 Reefton Avenue, Cypress, inquired about the money that
was put into an escrow account by a developer to open up the Holder Street bridge.
The Director of Finance and Administrative Services responded that the money
is in a trust account in the event that the Holder Street bridge is re-opened. If the
decision were made not to re-open the bridge, the money would be reimbursed to the
developer.
A Cypress resident inquired about Katella Avenue and its "Super Street" status,
and if traffic signals and construction projects are synchronized.
The City Manager responded that streets are studied, including bus turnouts and
coordinated traffic signals.
The Public Works Director responded that there are some existing
telecommunications easements based on federal law.
A Cypress resident asked about plans to improve the intersection of Valley View
Street and Katella Avenue.
The City Manager responded and
approved Arterial Highway Master Plan,
improvements.
discussed the "Smart Street" Plan and
and their relation to street and highway
Allen Crowder, 6881 Reefton Avenue, Cypress, stated his concern about traffic
on Orangewood Avenue, and Lincoln Avenue improvements.
Councilmember Piercy discussed the Lincoln Avenue improvements and the
"Discover Lincoln" project to increase retail business along Lincoln Avenue.
The Public Works Director discussed traffic issues related to the intersection of
Valley View Street and Orangewood Avenue.
A Cypress resident inquired about the number of cars allowed per household
and motor home parking.
CITY COUNCIL TOWN HALL MEETING NOVEMBER 3, 200]
The Chief of Police responded that there are no rules regulating the number of
cars allowed per household, however, there are limits to where they can park and for
how long. He also stated that living in parked motor homes is not allowed, however,
72-hour parking is allowed with a permit.
The Community Development Director responded that the Cypress Municipal
Code only allows for parking of vehicles on a paved surface.
A Cypress resident inquired about the fireworks policy in Cypress.
The Assistant to the City Manager provided a historical perspective on the
fireworks ban in Cypress.
The Chief of Police discussed future plans to jointly work with the Orange County
Fire Authority to handle citizen complaints and respond to homes where fireworks are
being used.
A Cypress resident inquired about U-turns in business and residential districts.
The Chief of Police responded that U-turns are allowed in the middle of a
residential district, and are not allowed in a business district.
Beverly Martin, 11530 Panay Street, Cypress, inquired about who has the
authority to enforce laws relating to animals in the parks and owners not properly
cleaning up after their animals.
The Chief of Police responded that Cypress police officers and police services
officers handle these types of complaints relating to owners not properly cleaning up
after their animals, and Animal Control Services has authority over animals not being
properly leashed. The Chief indicated that he will have staff follow-up with Animal
Control Services.
Mayor McGill adjourned the meeting at 1:47 p.m.
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
ATTEST:
~I/I-Y CLERK OF THE(~ITY OF CYPRESS
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