Minutes 2000-03-10MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL
HELD
March 10, 2000
An adjourned regular meeting of the Cypress cil.-y Council was called to order at
5:35 p.m. by Mayor Piercy in the Board ROOm, WeSt Wing of City Hall, 5275 Orange,
Cypress, California.
Mayor Piercy related that a joint meeting with the ci~'Y Council and Senator ROSS
Johnson had been SCheduled in order to discuss several issues of interest to the
community of Cypress.
PRESENT:
Mayor PiercV
Councilmembers Keenan, MCCoV, Sondhi, Mayor Pro Tern McGill,
ALSO PRESENT: Senator ROSS Johnson and his Field Representative, Bruce J.
PurcillV, City staffmembers LIu and Haina.
1. Update of Activities in the City of Cypress.
The Cypress City Council provided Senator Johnson with a status report of recent
Cib/of Cypress activities, as follows:
/vew city Manager Appointed: A new City Manager will officially begin his duties in
the City of cypress during the latter part of May. He was chosen from an applicant pool
of 50 individuals, has prior Orange county experience in public administration, and an
excellent economic development background.
Lincoln Avenue Streetscape: A report on the newly revitalized Lincoln Avenue was
also provided by the Councilmembers for Senator Johnson, who had not Vet had an
opportunity to travel that corridor. Councilmember Keenan advised that some economic
development programs had also been implemented to complement that project. The
Home DepOt iS a primary example of the new development.
Ball Road Pro/ect: Councilmember Sondhi advised that a similar beautification
project was in process for Ball ROad, toward the end of the fiscal year.
City Public Transportation Funding: Councilmember Keenan wanted it noted that
in response to Governor Davis' comments in his State Address, Cypress is spending the
allocated transportation funds earmarked for this community.
New Adult Day Care Center: Mayor Pro Tern MCGill reported on the Work in
progress for the Acacia Adult Day Center proposed for Cypress. He stated that facility is
already operating in the City of Garden Grove. He said that one of the sites under
consideration for this use is City-owned property upon which a VFW Hall is currently
located. Discussions are currently underway to determine how to share the facility
effectively.
Home Enhancement Loan Program: Mayor Piercy reported that a home equity
program has been developed, and that the City is currently a~cempting to contact more
senior citizens who require this type of assistance. Redevelopment monies are the source
of funding for this program.
Roller HoCkey Facility/Joint Agreement with Anaheim Union HSD: Councilmember
Keenan provided an update on the Cypress Roller HOCkey facility, and Mayor Piercy
commented on the joint agreement with the Anahelm Union High SChOol DiStrict for
mutual use of facilities. Under the latter, the Cypress Recreation and Parks Department
has made effective use of the school facilities after regular school hours.
2. West Orange County Cities Association Business Update.
a. At the request of Mayor Piercy, Councilmember Keenan provided
this report. Councilmember Keenan stated that, like other Orange County cities, the
western Orange County cities have been meeting to discuss items of mutual interest.
These topics have included water needs, light rail and economic development strategies.
The cities have cooperated by pooling their resources, in order to retain
businesses which otherwise may have located elsewhere.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 10, 2000
Councilmember Keenan added that the city recently hired a new Economic
Development Director, formerly of the City of Signal Hill.
b. Light Rail Study.
Councilmember Keenan also reported that the Western Orange County Cities had
combined their resources to fund an initial study which will determine the effects of
light rail on the community. The western cities were of the opinion that the centerline
could be brought to the west, as some opposition existed to the originally proposed
route. The Pacific Electric right-of-way which transects Cypress is owned by OCTA; It was
thought this would be a logical placement for the light rail route. Additionally,
Huntington Beach is interested in a system which would allow access to its beaches. The
western Orange County cities feel the proposed system should ultimately connect with
one of the LOS Angeles lines.
Councilmember Keenan also commented on the fact that the present City Council
has expanded Its outreach over that of previous Councils, and that its members are active
on multiple county committees and boards.
Mayor Piercy remarked that in additlon to the economic development activity on
Lincoln Avenue, the City was seeking businesses for Katella Avenue that Would be
compatible with the Business Park.
3. General Review of Legislation and Availability of Funding for the city.
DiSCUSSIOn was held regarding the state budget, the surplus, ERAF funds, and the
differing financial philosophies in Sacramento. The Council asked for the Senator's
support for the proposed legislation concerning the return of property taxes to local
agencies. Should these bills pass, the City will be able to enhance services and programs
hurt in the early 90's, when property taxes were shifted to benefit schools; but ultimately
benefited the State's general fund.
Senator Ross Johnson emphasized that he was in favor of the cities receiving their
fair share of funding, as he was not a proponent of ERAF. He remarked that the money
did not belong to the government, but to the constituents. He further stated that the
State is still in its early budget stage, and the legislature is working on a variety of options
for ERAF returns to local government. He felt it was important to keep writing to the
legislators, and he expressed appreciation on being invited to meet with the City Council.
ADJOURNMENT:
As there was no further business to consider, at 6:20 p.m., the Mayor adjourned
the meeting to Monday, March 13, 2000, at 5:00 p.m. in the City of Cypress City Hall Board
ROOm.
ATTEST:
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS