2024-01-10 (Special Meeting) 23
SPECIAL MEETING
CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 10, 2024
5:00 P.M. — Closed Session
6:00 P.M. — General Session
A special meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 5:04 p.m. by Mayor
Minikus in the Council Chambers, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California.
ROLL CALL
Cypress City Council, also acting as the Ex-Officio Governing Board of Directors of the
Cypress Recreation and Park District
Mayor Scott Minikus
Mayor Pro Tem Bonnie Peat — arrived at 5:05 p.m.
Council Member David Burke
Council Member Anne Mallari
Council Member Frances Marquez
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Peter Grant
City Attorney Fred Galante
City Clerk Alisha Farnell
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON CLOSED SESSION/WORKSHOP ITEMS
(Limited to 30 minutes—three minutes per speaker. The City Council may adjust the time
allotted per speaker.)
None.
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
Southwest Voter Registration Education Project v City of Cypress
Case No. 30-2022-01270865-CU-CR-CJC
Orange County Superior Court
Mayor Minikus recessed the meeting at 5:05 p.m.
RECONVENE
Mayor Minikus reconvened the public meeting in the Council Chambers at 6:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Cypress City Council, also acting as the Ex-Officio Governing Board of Directors of the
Cypress Recreation and Park District
Mayor Scott Minikus
Mayor Pro Tem Bonnie Peat
Council Member David Burke
Council Member Anne Mallari
Council Member Frances Marquez
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Peter Grant
City Attorney Fred Galante
City Clerk Alisha Farnell
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REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney stated that the City Council met in Closed Session regarding the item
listed on the agenda, namely Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation, the
matter of Southwest Voter Registration Education Project v. the City of Cypress. The City
Attorney stated the City Council received an update and no further reportable action was
taken.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS
Jayme Crisafi, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Dennis Brandt, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Tom Moore, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Kelly K, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Harumi Lucak, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Robin Itzler, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Marilyn Reames, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Bob Youngsma, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Pearl Boelter, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
David Festa, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Katie Shapiro, Cypress, spoke reading Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Clare Chu, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Beth Culver, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Esther Poch, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Bret Rogers, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Kevin Shenkman, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Glen Button, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Jon Peat, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Paul Kokkinos, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Malini Nagpal, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Edwin Kraemer, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Barry McGeorge, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Helen Le, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Quintin Bentley, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Paul Healy, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
Val Mallari, Cypress, spoke regarding Agenda Items No. 1-3.
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CONTINUED ITEMS
Item No. 1: Approve an Agreement to Settle the Lawsuit Challenging the City's
At-Large Method of Electing Council Members
The City Attorney provided a report on this item.
The City Council asked questions of the City Attorney.
Council Member Mallari requested a roll call vote on all items on this agenda.
City Council discussion ensued.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Peat, and seconded by Council Member Mallari,
to approve an agreement with Malini Nagpal, Kathryn Shapiro, and Southwest Voter
Registration Education Project to resolve the California Voting Rights Act action by
requesting the Court to enter a judgement requiring the City, pursuant to procedures set
forth in Elections Code 10010, to change from an at-large system of electing five Council
Members to a system of by-district elections for five Council Members as described in
subsection (a) of Exhibit 1 of the agreement beginning with the November 2024 City
Council election.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Burke, Mallari, Marquez and Peat
NOES: 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Minikus
ABSENT: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
Item No. 2: Approve a Resolution of Intention Regarding Transition to By-District
City Council Elections
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Peat, and seconded by Council Member Mallari,
to approve a Resolution of intention regarding transition to by-district elections; and adjust
the start time for Regular City Council meeting general sessions that feature a public
hearing related to the adoption of by-district elections to 5pm and ensure the public
hearings begin promptly at 6pm.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Burke, Mallari, Marquez and Peat
NOES: 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Minikus
ABSENT: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
RESOLUTION NO. 6953
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CYPRESS, AND ACTING AS EX-OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE CYPRESS RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT,
DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO TRANSITION FROM AT-LARGE TO
DISTRICT-BASED ELECTIONS
Item No. 3: Approve an Agreement for Services to Establish City Council Electoral
Districts and a Task Order for Community Outreach Services
Council Member Marquez commented on this item.
A motion was made by Council Member Mallari, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Peat,
to approve an agreement with National Demographics Corporation, not to exceed
$50,000, related to establishing City Council electoral districts including providing a
project website, online and paper mapping tools for the public, and in-person participating
at all public hearings; and approve a task order with Communications LAB, not to exceed
$20,000, for by-district election communications and outreach; and appropriate $70,000
in the General Fund.
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Council Member Marquez asked questions of the City Attorney.
City Council discussion ensued.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 5 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Burke, Mallari, Marquez, Peat and Minikus
NOES: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ADJOURNMENT
By motion of Mayor Pro Tern Peat, and seconded by Council Member Mallari, and carried
3-2, with Council Members Burke and Marquez voting No, Mayor Minikus adjourned the
meeting at 8:49 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024,
beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
c AYOR OF T, ' F CYPRESS
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CITY ERK OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
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