Minutes 2003-08-11MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL
HELD
August11,2003
A regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Mayor
McCoy in the Executive Board Room, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California.
PRESENT:
Council/Agency Board Members McGill, Piercy (arrived at 5:38
p.m.), Sondhi, Mayor Pro Tem/Agency Vice Chair Keenan,
Mayor/Agency Chair McCoy
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager, Assistant City Attorney, Director of Finance
and Administrative Services, Community Development Director, Public Works Director,
Acting Chief of Police, Recreation and Community Services Director, Assistant
Community Development Director, Housing Coordinator, and City Clerk.
City Council Policy on Use of Gates on Residential Developments:
The Assistant Community Development Director stated there are currently three
residential projects that have been approved and/or built with gates. He stated there
are advantages and detractors for entry gates.
Mayor Pro Tem Keenan asked that in the future, if an applicant submits a request for
gates, that it be highlighted for the Council's attention. He stated that gates give the
perspective of being exclusive or trying to keep something out, and that Cypress is a
safe community that does not need gates.
Council Member Sondhi stated that she does not see any compelling reasons why
gates should be installed.
Council Member Piercy stated that she feels there may situations where a gate would
be warranted, such as to control parking or on busy streets so she would not like to put
a permanent ban on their installation.
Review of HELP I and HELP II Housinq Programs:
The Housing Coordinator stated that the City currently has two programs: HELP I, a first
time homebuyers program that provides up to $25,000 for the purchase of a home, and
HELP II, a single family rehabilitation loan program. Both programs have been
successful since implementation.
He stated that the HELP II program is in need of some minor modifications. The
program is funded through redevelopment set aside funds supplemented by Federal
CDBG funds. The use of Federal funds triggers requirements associated with lead
based paint inspections and staff would like Council approval to add this to the scope of
work for the City's construction management firm, which includes the addition of an
inspection fee.
The Housing Coordinator stated that the HELP II program has a 5% simple interest rate
assessed on the loan. With the current lower interest rates, authority is requested to
have the interest rate with the program be indexed at 1% below the "prime" market rate
for a 30 year fixed mortgage. Staff would also like to increase the contractor list from
the current eight to allow participation by other contractors who are local to the
community.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST 11,2003
The Housing Coordinator stated that the HELP I program has experienced a dramatic
decrease in individuals who can afford to qualify for the program due to the recent
dramatic housing cost increases. He stated that currently it would take a minimum of
$35,000 for a moderate-income family as down payment and the gap would be close to
$50,000 for those who typically take advantage of the City's program. Staff would like
direction regarding the possibility of increasing the gap financing to make the program
more feasible financially in current times or suspending the program until the market
becomes more stable.
Council Member Piercy asked where the set aside funds would be distributed if the
program was suspended.
The Housing Coordinator stated one of the options for the funds could be a targeted
first time homebuyers program.
Council Member Piercy stated she would support increasing the loan amount so there
would be participation in the program, even if it were by fewer people.
The Community Development Director stated that with the recently adopted Affordable
Housing Strategy, the City will have more options available for affordable housing
opportunities in the community.
Council Member Sondhi asked about the construction management fee for the HELP II
program and contract fee increases made this year.
The Housing Coordinator stated the construction management fee was increased by
approximately $150. The current fee is $1,200 and would increase to approximately
$1,500 with the lead paint inspection.
Council Member Sondhi stated she is concerned with an increase in the construction
management fee for the HELP II program. She stated that for the HELP I program, she
is supportive of suspending the program at this time and that other creative ways
should be researched in order to get credit for using affordable housing funds against
the affordable housing requirements.
Mayor Pro Tem Keenan stated he is also in support of suspending the HELP I program
at this time.
The Community Development Director stated that currently the HELP II program is
achieving more of the affordable housing goals than HELP I by preserving the existing
housing stock in the community. He stated that the $350 lead paint inspection fee in the
HELP II program is being reimbursed by CDBG funds, but the City cannot receive the
funding without doing the lead paint inspections.
Mayor McCoy stated that he likes that the City provides different opportunities to bring
people to the community.
Council Member Sondhi suggested, if possible, to combine the funding for the HELP I
and HELP II programs so that if no one participates in the first time homebuyer
program, that funding could be used for other affordable housing projects.
The Assistant City Attorney reported that the City Council would be meeting in Closed
Session regarding Conference with Labor Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code
Section 54957.6, Agency Negotiators: Richard Storey and William W. Wynder,
Employee Group: Executive Management.
The Assistant City Attorney reported that the Redevelopment Agency would be meeting
in Closed Session regarding Conference With Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8, Real Property Identified by APN Numbers 241-
091-19, 241-091-20, 241-091-21, 241-091-22, 241-091-23, 241-091-24, 241-091-25,
241-091-26, 241-091-27, 241-091-28, 241-091-29, 241-091-30, 241-091-33, 241-091-
34, 241-091-36, 241-231-24, 241-231-25, 241-231-26, and 241-231-28; Consisting of
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST 11,2003
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approximately 75 Acres at Northwest corner of Katella Avenue and Walker Street within
the Los Alamitos Race Track and Golf Course Redevelopment Project Area,
Negotiating Party: Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Agency Counsel,
Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment.
At 6:17 p.m., the Mayor recessed the meeting.
7:00 P.M. SESSION:
The 7:00 p.m. session of the City Council meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m. by
Mayor McCoy.
PRESENT: Council/Agency Board Members McGill, Piercy, Sondhi, Mayor Pro
Tem/Agency Vice Chair Keenan, Mayor/Agency Chair McCoy
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager, Assistant City Attorney, Director of Finance
and Administrative Services, Community Development Director, Acting Chief of Police,
Public Works Director, Recreation and Community Services Director, Assistant
Community Development Director, and City Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro
Tem/Agency Vice Chair Keenan.
INVOCATION: The invocation was given by Council/Agency Board Member McGill.
REPORT OF WORKSHOP AGENDA/CLOSED SESSION:
The Mayor asked for the report of the Workshop Agenda items discussed earlier in the
evening.
The City Manager reported that the City Council discussed the policy on the use of
gates at residential developments. The City Council is sensitive to the types of design of
residential developments in the community and is concerned that developments would
possibly be occurring that would effectively gate off the development from the rest of
the community. The City Council will only consider under certain cimumstances the
potential for a gate at a new development.
The City Manager reported that the City Council discussed the City's HELP I and HELP
II housing programs. Both programs have criteria for affordability and eligibility, and
after discussion, the City Council provided staff with direction to return with revised
opportunities and alternatives for improving these programs.
The Mayor asked for the report of the Closed Session Agenda items discussed earlier
in the evening.
The Assistant City Attorney reported that the Council met regarding Conference with
Labor Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, Agency
Negotiators: Richard Storey and William W. Wynder, Employee Group: Executive
Management. He stated that the City Council discussed this item and provided direction
to negotiators.
The Assistant City Attorney reported that the Redevelopment Agency met regarding
Conference With Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.8, Real Property Identified by APN Numbers 241-091-19, 241-091-20, 241-091-
21, 241-091-22, 241-091-23, 241-091-24, 241-091-25, 241-091-26, 241-091-27, 241-
091-28, 241-091-29, 241-091-30, 241-091-33, 241-091-34, 241-091-36, 241-231-24,
241-231-25, 241-231-26, and 241-231-28; Consisting of approximately 75 Acres at
Northwest corner of Katella Avenue and Walker Street within the Los Alamitos Race
Track and Golf Course Redevelopment Project Area, Negotiating Party: Executive
Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Agency Counsel, Under negotiation: Price and
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST 11,2003
Terms of Payment. He stated that the Redevelopment Agency will reconvene in Closed
Session to continue discussions at the end of the City Council meeting.
No other action was taken in Closed Session, nor was any solicited.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: LIMITED TO ONE-HALF HOUR. (THREE MINUTES
PER SPEAKER, SPEAKING ONCE.)
Mayor McCoy asked anyone who wished to speak on any topic not included on the
meeting Agenda to come forward.
Anne Hertz, Cypress, spoke regarding the "Passport to Good Health Fair" on Friday,
August 22, 2003, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the Los Alamitos Unified School District
Office, hosted by Partnership 4 Solutions Family Resource Center, Cypress School
District, Los Alamitos Unified School District, Los Alamitos Police Department, We
Care, and Fourth District PTA.
Aric Anderson, Cypress, requested information regarding Holder Street.
The Redevelopment Agency was recessed at 7:18 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: 7:00 P.M. (PUBLIC COMMENTS RESTRICTED TO TEN
MINUTES PER SPEAKER, UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL).
No items.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
All matters listed on the Agenda under "Consent CalendaF' are to be considered by the
City Council to be routine and will be enacted by one motion approving the
recommendations listed on the Agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Sondhi and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Keenan, to
approve Consent Calendar Items No. 1 through 8.
The motion was unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
5 COUNCILMEMBERS: McGill, Piercy, Sondhi, Keenan and McCoy
0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None
0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Item No. 1: APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JULY
28, 2OO3.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Minutes of the Meeting of July
28, 2003, as submitted, with Mayor McCoy and Council Member Piercy abstaining on
the Minutes due to their absence from the meeting.
Item No. 2: MOTION TO INTRODUCE AND/OR ADOPT ALL ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED FOR CONSIDERATION BY TITLE ONLY AND TO
WAIVE FURTHER READING.
Item No. 3: APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PERMIT NO. 2003-04,
A REQUEST TO REPLACE THE EXISTING IN-GROUND FUEL TANKS WITH
ABOVE-GROUND FUEL TANKS ON THE FOREST LAWN MORTUARY PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 4471 LINCOLN AVENUE IN THE PS PUBLIC/SEMI-PUBLIC ZONE.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the Resolution by title only, approving
Design Review Committee Permit No. 2003-04, subject to the conditions in Exhibit "A"
of the Resolution.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST 11,2003
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RESOLUTION NO. 5691
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS,
APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE PERMIT NO. 2003-04
- WITH CONDITIONS.
Item No. 4: ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION AND MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF CYPRESS AND THE CYPRESS
EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION FOR CONTRACT PERIOD JULY 1I 2003 THROUGH
JUNE 30, 2006.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the Resolution by title only, approving
the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Cypress and the Cypress
Employees' Association concerning wages, salaries, fringe benefits and conditions of
employment.
RESOLUTION NO. 5692
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS,
APPROVING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
THE CITY OF CYPRESS EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION CONCERNING
WAGES, SALARIES, FRINGE BENEFITS AND CONDITIONS OF
EMPLOYMENT.
Item No. 5: ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION AND
AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S POSITION CLASSIFICATION PLAN ESTABLISHING
THE CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION FOR THE POSITION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES MANAGER.
Recommendation: That the City Council, acting as the ex-officio governing Board of
Directors of the Cypress Recreation and Park District, adopt the Resolution by title only,
establishing compensation for the classification of Administrative Services Manager in
the City's Classification Plan.
RESOLUTION NO. 5693
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS AND
ACTING AS EX-OFFICIO BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CYPRESS
RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT, ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION
FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER
IN THE CITY'S CLASSIFICATION PLAN.
Item No. 6: AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S POSITION CLASSIFICATION PLAN
REVISING THE CLASS SPECIFICATION FOR THE POSITION OF JUNIOR
ACCOUNTANT.
Recommendation: That the City Council, and acting as the ex-officio governing Board
of Directors of the Cypress Recreation and Park District, adopt the updated class
specification for the regular full-time position of Junior Accountant.
Item No. 7: APPROVAL OF COMMERCIAL WARRANT LIST FOR WARRANTS NO.
60374 THROUGH 60618.
Recommendation: Approve the attached warrant register.
RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT MA TTERS:
Item No. 8: APPROVAL OF FOUR-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH SENIOR MEALS AND
SERVICES, INC., COMMENCING JULY 1,2003.
Recommendation: That the City Council, acting as the ex-officio governing Board of
Directors for the Cypress and Park District, approve the four-year agreement with
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
AUGUST 11,2003
Senior Meals and Services, Inc., commencing July 1, 2003, to provide for the senior
citizens nutrition and supportive services programs.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Noitems.
NEW BUSINESS
Noitems.
RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT MATTERS: The Cypress City Council, Acting as
the Ex Officio Governing Board of Directors.
Noitems.
CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MATTERS:
Acting as the Cypress Redevelopment Agency.
The Cypress City Council,
Noitems.
The Redevelopment Agency was reconvened at 7:20 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: For Matters Not on the Agenda.
None.
ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Mayor McCoy requested reports from the Council Members on their respective
committee assignments.
Council Member McGill:
Attended a Firefighter Memorial Committee meeting. Approximately $100,000 has been
raised to date for the memorial. Attended an O.C. Board of Supervisors meeting where
he spoke in support of the Centerline project.
Council Member Pieroy:
Attended a special presentation for the O.C. Sanitation District, who have been
selected as the only waste management facility in the United States to be given the
Biosolids Management Program Award.
Mayor Pro Tem Keenan:
Attended a League of California Cities Executive Steering Committee meeting where
clarifying the vote of where Orange County cities stand related to Assembly Bill 710,
which would reorganize the Orange County Transportation Authority, was discussed.
Attended a Southern California Association of Governments Transportation and
Communications Committee meeting where financing options were provided on the
regional transportation plan. Attended an O.C. Transportation Authority Board meeting
where a presentation was made on the possible extension of the 57 Freeway.
Mayor McCoy:
Thanked the volunteers who participated in the 5K/10K run and made the race a
success, the Cypress Festival Committee for the quality job they did and the high
quality of the Festival this year, and City staff that worked numerous hours to make the
event a large success.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 11,2003
ITEMS FROM CITY MANAGER:
No items.
The meeting was recessed at 7:35 p.m. to Closed Session,
The meeting was reconvened at 8:15 p.m.
The Assistant City Attorney reported that the Redevelopment Agency met regarding
Conference With Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.8, Real Property Identified by APN Numbers 241-091-19, 241-091-20, 241-091-
21, 241-091-22, 241-091-23, 241-091-24, 241-091-25, 241-091-26, 241-091-27, 241-
091-28, 241-091-29, 241-091-30, 241-091-33, 241-091-34, 241-091-36, 241-231-24,
241-231-25, 241-231-26, and 241-231-28; Consisting of approximately 75 Acres at
Northwest corner of Katella Avenue and Walker Street within the Los Alamitos Race
Track and Golf Course Redevelopment Project Area, Negotiating Party: Executive
Director, Deputy Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Agency Counsel,
Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment. He stated that the Agency discussed
this item and provided direction to negotiators.
No other action was taken in Closed Session, nor was any solicited.
ADJOURNMENT OF AGENCY AND COUNCIL: Mayor McCoy adjourned the meeting
at 8:17 p.m. to Monday, August 25, 2003, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Executive Board
Room.
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CYPI~J~S
ATTEST:
~ CLERK'OF *HE~I~\' OF CYPRESS
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