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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-09 343 REGULAR MEETING CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 9, 2026 5:00 P.M. Closed Session 6:00 P.M. — General Session A regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Medrano 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 Leo Medrano Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Chang (arrived at 5:20 p.m.) Council Member Bonnie Peat Council Member David Burke Council Member Rachel Strong Carnahan STAFF PRESENT Interim City Manager Sean Joyce City Attorney Fred Galante City Clerk Lisa Berglund ORAL COMMUNICATION ON CLOSED SESSION None. CLOSED SESSION The City Attorney announced the following closed session items: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT AND CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR Pursuant to Government Code Sections 54957 and 54957.6 to discuss appointment, salary, compensation and fringe benefits related to the City Manager candidate. City Representative: City Attorney Fred Galante Unrepresented Employee: City Manager CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL--EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9 Name of case: Frances Marquez v. City of Cypress (U.S.D.C., Southern Div. Case No. 8:24-CV-01835-ODW (JDEx) Mayor Medrano recessed the meeting at 6:00 p.m. RECONVENE Mayor Medrano reconvened the meeting at 6:19 p.m. STAFF PRESENT Interim City Manager Sean Joyce City Attorney Fred Galante Director of Finance and Administrative Stephanie Sikkema Director of Recreation and Community Services Jeff Draper Director of Public Works Nick Mangkalakiri Chief of Police Mark Lauderback Planning Director Alicia Velasco City Clerk Lisa Berglund Deputy City Clerk Ruthie Marroquin Senior Management Analyst Jason Machado 344 INVOCATION Steve Mauss, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, led the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Medrano led the Pledge of Allegiance. REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION The City Attorney reported that the City Council met in Closed Session regarding the first item listed on the Closed Session agenda, namely Public Employee Appointment and Conference with Labor Negotiator concerning the title of City Manager Candidate. He stated the City Council received an update, and no further reportable action was taken. Regarding the second Closed Session item listed on the agenda, namely Conference with Legal Counsel— Existing Litigation, the matter of Frances Marquez v. City of Cypress and additional defendants. He stated the City Council received an update, and no further reportable action was taken. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed on the Consent Calendar are to be approved with one motion unless a Council Member requests separate action on a specific item. Mayor Pro Tem Chang requested to pull Item No. 2. Council Member Peat requested to pull Item No. 2. A motion was made by Council Member Burke, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Chang, to approve Consent Calendar items No. 1, and 3 through 5. The motion was unanimously carried by the following electronic vote: AYES: 5 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Peat, Burke, Medrano, Strong Carnahan NOES: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None Item No. 1: Approve Minutes of City Council Meetings held on December 8, 2025 and December 19, 2025 Recommendation: Approved as submitted. Item No. 3: Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Cypress Municipal Code Section 1-13 and Adding Subsections 1-13.1 and 1-13.2 to Regulate Use of the City Seal and Logo Recommendation: Conduct Second Reading and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Cypress Municipal Code Section 1-13 and Adding Subsections 1-13.1 and 1-13.2 to Regulate Use of the City Seal and Logo. Item No. 4: Award Contract for the Police Department Shooting Range Bullet-Trap Replacement, Project 422 Recommendation: 1. Approve Plans and Specifications for the Police Department Shooting Range Bullet- Trap Replacement, Project 422; and 2. Award the attached contract to Hunter Consulting Inc., dba HCI Environmental & Engineering Services for $94,250, and authorize a contingency of $14,130, and authorize the City Manager to execute the same; and 345 3. Appropriate an additional $52,380 in the Capital Projects Fund for Project 422; and 4. Transfer $52,380 from the Infrastructure Reserve Fund to the Capital Projects Fund for Project 422. Item No. 5: Award Contracts for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Project 428 Recommendation: Award a contract to ABM Electrical & Lighting Solutions Inc. for $126,648.61, and authorize a contingency of$15,350. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR Item No. 2: Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 (Administration), Article X (Campaign Finance Reporting) of the Cypress Municipal Code by Adding New Sections 2-128.1 and 2-128.2 Establishing a Local Campaign Contribution Limit and Disclosure of Top Contributors Mayor Pro Tern Chang indicated he supports the campaign finance reform measure; however, he stated that the proposed $500 contribution limit is too low. He suggested $2,700 to be aligned with current County limit. Mayor Medrano stated that he contacted the City of Irvine, which has a population of approximately 325,000, to compare contribution limits and noted that Irvine has a $650 contribution limit. He further noted that the City of Cypress has a population of approximately 50,000 and suggested that Cypress consider a $650 limit as well. Council Member Peat shared a handout with the City Council Members and reviewed her recommended changes to the Ordinance. This handout was added to the public record. Council Member Burke thanked Mayor Pro Tern Chang for his comments and suggestions and responded to Council Member Peat's comments, explaining that the draft ordinance was crafted in consultation with the City Attorney. He indicated he was in agreement with adding language to allow for automatic inflation adjustments and stated that much of the ordinance, including enforcement provisions, was intentionally drafted as written. Mayor Medrano noted that the ordinance was prepared by the City Attorney and expressed hesitation to modify or disregard the Attorney's verbiage without further discussion. The City Attorney stated that the ordinance was drafted based on Council direction and includes detailed provisions added during the drafting process. He confirmed that it meets legal requirements but noted it is not necessarily a recommended form, and any revisions are within the Council's prerogative. Council Member Peat stated she would like a response to each of her proposed changes and expressed the importance of having an open discussion regarding the revisions. Mayor Medrano stated that the Council has been discussing campaign finance reform for several years and noted that multiple compromises have already been made. He expressed concern that continued proposed changes at this stage appear to be delay tactics and stated that the issue has been thoroughly considered over time. Council Member Peat clarified that the issue has been discussed for less than a year and stated that earlier discussions focused primarily on contribution limits, not the expanded enforcement provisions later introduced. She expressed concern that the more detailed ten-page ordinance went beyond prior discussions and noted that other cities that reduced contribution limits did not necessarily adopt similar enforcement frameworks. Mayor Pro Tem Chang commented on Council Member Peat's suggested changes and expressed openness to discussing the contribution limit amount, while indicating support for retaining certain provisions in the draft ordinance. 346 Council Member Peat responded to comments regarding her proposed revisions. Council Member Burke stated that the item should not be further delayed and expressed support for adopting the ordinance as drafted, with the addition of inflation adjustment language. Mayor Pro Tem Chang stated he would support approval of the ordinance with a small amendment to increase the contribution limit from $500 to $1,500. The City Attorney advised that increasing the contribution limit from $500 to $1,500 would constitute a significant amendment to the ordinance and would require the first reading to be conducted again. Mayor Medrano stated that prior to any motion and second, he would ask the City Manager to explain the proposed amendment and its impact on the timeline and procedural requirements. Council Member Peat expressed disappointment and requested additional consideration of her proposed changes, stating that she did not believe there was urgency to adopt the ordinance at this time and again asked for compromise on certain provisions. Council Member Burke responded to Council Member Peat, stating that disagreement with her proposed changes did not mean her concerns were being ignored. He reiterated that he was trying to support what he believed was best for the City and asked Mayor Pro Tern Chang whether he would amend his motion to include annual inflation adjustments. Mayor Pro Tern Chang agreed to include annual inflation adjustments in the motion. The City Attorney clarified that the adjustment would be based on the Consumer Price Index and advised that the language should be read into the record if the Council intended the action to serve as the first reading. Council Member Burke read into the record the proposed language providing for contribution limit adjustments every odd numbered year based on the Consumer Price Index for the Orange County area. Mayor Medrano asked if there were any objections from Council Members, and hearing none, proceeded with public comment. Steve Mauss, Cypress, provided comments regarding the ordinance, stating that the issue warrants thorough discussion and expressed that the adoption appeared rushed. Marilyn Reames, Cypress, expressed support for Council Member Peat's review of the ordinance and requested additional consideration before adoption. Glenn Button, Cypress, stated that current Council Members have previously accepted contributions above $500 and expressed support for Mayor Pro Tern Chang's suggested $2,700 limit. He also supported Council Member Peat's request for additional clarity. Mayor Medrano closed public comment and returned the item to Council for review. Council Member Peat thanked the speakers for their comments and expressed appreciation for the open and detailed discussion. Council Member Strong Carnahan asked for clarification regarding the $10,000 penalty and where it appears in the ordinance and inquired about the possibility of tabling the item to provide greater public visibility. The City Attorney clarified that the $10,000 amount is listed on the last page of the ordinance. 347 Council Member Burke responded to Council Member Strong Carnahan, stating that the ordinance has been publicly available and discussed, and expressed a desire to move forward with the item. Mayor Medrano stated he would support a $1,000 contribution limit with CPI as a compromise. Council Member Peat stated that the November discussion addressed only the $500 limit and disclosure requirements, and that the expanded ordinance was introduced later without prior dialogue. She expressed that she did not see urgency to adopt the item and thanked Mayor Pro Tern Chang for considering compromise. Mayor Medrano stated that campaign finance reform has been discussed over several years, noting that prior presentations included disclosure requirements, a contribution limit, and the proposed use of taxpayer funds, which was later removed. Council Member Peat stated that the November discussion addressed only the $500 limit and disclosure requirements, not the later-added enforcement provisions. She expressed concern that not all cities have similar frameworks and reiterated that she did not see urgency to adopt the item. Council Member Strong Camahan expressed support for compromise on a higher contribution limit and suggested reconsidering the $10,000 penalty and negligence provision. Council Member Burke stated that $1,000 to $1,500 would work for most Council Members and suggested reducing the maximum penalty from $10,000 to $5,000. Mayor Pro Tern Chang thanked Council Member Peat for bringing forward the proposed changes, reviewing the item, and working with colleagues to seek a compromise. Mayor Medrano asked the City Attorney to explain the procedural mechanics if the Council were to amend the document by increasing the amount from $500 to $1,000 plus CPI and reducing the penalty from $10,000 to $5,000. The City Attorney provided procedural guidance. A motion was made by Council Member Burke and seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Chang to adopt the ordinance as drafted with the following three changes: increasing the limit from $500 to $1,250, adding an annual inflation adjustment beginning in 2029, and reducing the civil enforcement penalty from $10,000 to $5,000. The motion was carried by the following electronic vote: AYES: 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Burke, Medrano, Strong Carnahan NOES: 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Peat ORDINANCE NO. 1230 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 (ADMINISTRATION), ARTICLE X (CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING) OF THE CYPRESS MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING NEW SECTIONS 2-128.1 AND 2-128.2 ESTABLISHING A LOCAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT AND DISCLOSURE OF TOP CONTRIBUTORS CONTINUED ITEMS None. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS None. 348 COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS FROM CITY-AFFILIATED BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND REMARKS Council Member Rachel Strong Carnahan: Reported that she had attended the Regional Military Affairs Committee meeting at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. She also participated in the 46th Annual Black History Parade and Unity Day in Anaheim. Council Member Peat: Reported that she attended the OC Sanitation District Board Meeting and the Operations Subcommittee Meeting. She noted that there are ongoing OC Sanitation projects in Cypress, particularly near the Lexington area, and stated that staff will continue to communicate updates to residents. She also participated in a Partners in Local Government discussion hosted by California City Manager's and Cal Cities City Manager's working group, which focused on improving collaboration between City Councils and City Managers. She further reported that she attended the Solidarity Walk and Vigil addressing human trafficking, where Mayor Pro Tern Chang and the Police Chief spoke. Lastly, she attended the Cypress Girls Softball Grand Opening at Arnold Cypress Park, marking the first spring season at the renovated fields. Council Member Burke: Reported that he attended the Solidarity Walk and Vigil addressing human trafficking at Saint Irenaeus and commended Mayor Pro Tern Chang and the Police Chief for their remarks. He noted that the event highlighted the broad impact of human trafficking across various industries and encouraged residents to be mindful of available consumer resources. He also thanked his colleagues for their collaborative work on the campaign finance ordinance, stating that the discussion and input from all members resulted in a stronger ordinance and provided transparency for the public. Mayor Pro Tern Chang: Mayor Pro Tern Chang thanked the Catholic Church and the Brigid Light Ministry for hosting the Human Trafficking Walk and Vigil. He noted that a video shown at the event highlighted how easily children can be exploited through social media and encouraged parents to remain vigilant and aware. Mayor Medrano: Mayor Medrano reported that he attended the Kiwanis 75th Anniversary Celebration and the Cypress Girls Softball Opening Day, where he volunteered serving pancakes as part of Kiwanis. He also extended well wishes to those observing Lent and Ramadan later in the month. COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION Council Member Burke requested to agendize an item for consideration of lighting conditions at Oak Knoll Park, noting that residents have expressed concerns about insufficient evening lighting. He asked the City Council review the current lighting situation and consider whether improvements are warranted. There was no objection from the City Council, and Council member deferred to the Interim City Manager to follow up on the item. CITY MANAGER REMARKS The Interim City Manager introduced Stephanie Sikkema, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, who recently joined the City, and welcomed her to the Cypress community, noting that she has already made a positive impact. The City Manager also requested Senior Management Analyst Jason Machado to provide an update on the Cypress Citizens Academy. Mr. Machado announced that the next session will begin on March 11, with advertising to begin shortly. He noted that the program provides residents and business owners an opportunity to learn about local government and shared that over 50 graduates have gone on to serve on City commissions and the City Council. 349 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Medrano adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:02 p.m. to an adjourned Regular Meeting, to be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Executive Board Room. MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS ATTEST: CITY CLERK OF T ITY OF CYPRESS 350 I THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK