08-06

Volume 1

 

June 2008 Monthly Report

Number 4

New Five Story Office Building
Under Construction
In The Cerritos Towne Center

On May 9, 2008, Transpacific Development Company (TDC) started work on a 5-story office building, to be located at 12800 Center Court Drive in the Cerritos Towne Center. When completed in the spring 2009, the local law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo will occupy 60% of the new structure, which will be approximately 100,000 square feet of commercial office space,. The project will create approximately 350 new jobs in the City and provide an estimated $77 million of additional revenue for the City over the life of lease.

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The building’s architectural design will serve as a focal point within the Towne Center by combining art and architecture to form a new Cerritos landmark. The building’s design will feature an artistic dome structure accented with a sculpture called “Undulating Spire.” The dome structure is a contemporary adaptation that symbolically represents the neoclassical dome found on the United States Capitol Building in Washington D.C. The prominent placement of the sculpture on the top of the building symbolically represents the City’s ongoing commitment to public art; thereby further establishing the City of Cerritos as a culturally rich community and the Towne Center as a regional destination.

The building will be contemporary in design and will include enhanced decorative finish materials, including colored glass and Alucobond material. Architectural distinction will be achieved by utilizing a combination of circular and rectilinear shapes to form the building’s exterior façades. The main pedestrian entrances will be distinguished by arched stainless steel canopies and shapes used in the design of building.

 

(Councilman Joseph Cho, Councilwoman Laura Lee, Mayor Jim Edwards, Mayor Pro Tem
Bruce Barrows, President of TDC Thomas G. Irish & Attorney Atkinson, from right)


2008 State of the City Of Cerritos

On May 15, 2008, Mayor Jim Edwards and City Manager Art Gallucci gave presentations on the City’s 2007 progress and 2008-2009 outlook during the annual State of the City address, hosted by the Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. According to the City manager Art Gallucci, the City has felt the affect of the slumping economy, yet is faring well and the income stream is still going strong.

The nature of the economy is illustrated by new development arrivals and business departures. Last year, more than $113 million worth of office, commercial and warehouse buildings were sold in the City. The Tech Company, GST moved its headquarters to the City and several big-name businesses such as a Coach store, Fresh & Easy store and a Marriott Residence Inn will arrive and negotiations for another hotel are also in the works. On the other hand, closing their Cerritos branches were the Levitz and Wickes furniture stores, which had generated $200,000 in annual sales tax.
 


Registrations for new vehicles are down 19.3% statewide, 16.3% down in Los Angeles County and 19.7% in Orange County. The Cerritos Auto Square, the City’s No. 1 sales tax revenue source, was also hit by the downturn. In 2007, only 45,240 vehicles were sold, a figure not seen since 1997 when the Auto Center sold just over 45,000 vehicles. In 2006, 48,241 vehicles were sold.

For the 2008-2009 fiscal year, a budget of about $139.2 million is proposed, which includes a $5 million proposed cut. Also included in the proposed budget, are $6.9 million for capital improvements, $4.5 million for the expansion and remodel of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station and $13 million for the public safety budget with the addition of two deputies.

The City is still ahead of many other California municipalities when it comes to sales tax revenues. Its 2007 $25 million sales tax revenue earnings placed the City in rank of 48 out of 535 cities. It ranked 21 out of 535 cities in the amount of sales tax produced per capita; putting Cerritos ahead of Costa Mesa, Santa Monica and Newport Beach. The City was also recognized for its business retention program with an Award of Merit from CALED and is a finalist for the All-America City Award, an honor given to 10 cities every year by the National Civic League. (Mayor Jim Edwards (above left), City Manager Art Gallucci (right)

The presentation materials are available on the City’s web site now at http://www.ci.cerritos.ca.us/stateofthecity08.pdf .
   

Please Join & Support Relay for Life®
June 21 – 22, 2008 at Gahr High School

The American Cancer Society's event, Relay For Life®,will be held on June 21 and 22, 2008 at Gahr High School. In 2007, we formed a team called, “Never Give Up” and participated in the Relay, an overnight experience to bring together individuals who have been affected by cancer. We want to continue that same team spirit and help the American Cancer Society offer services and hope to people across the country when they need it most. By joining together at the Relay, we celebrate life, friendship, and an opportunity where we can work to defeat cancer for future generations.

Sign up today to become a part of the “Never Give Up” team and you too can fight back against cancer. This link will take you directly to the team page to join or to donate money. We look forward to making a difference in fighting back against cancer with your support. < ‘Never Give Up’ Team Captain Kenneth Cha>


Cerritos 1st Official Memorial Day Ceremony

May 26, 2008, The City of Cerritos held its first official Memorial Day Ceremony near the Cerritos Veterans Memorial in the Cerritos Civic Center in honor of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation’s freedom. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, State Senator Alan Lowenthal, Mayor Jim Edwards, Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Barrows, Council member Joseph Cho and Council member Laura Lee participated in the ceremony. Members of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1846, Southern California Philippine-US Veterans Association and Marines of the 1st Combat Engineers Battalion at Camp Pendleton also participated in the ceremony. More than 200 community members attended at the ceremony. Prelude music was performed by the Cerritos College Concert Band. The ceremony included the presentation of colors, comments by the City Council, wreaths laying and a moment of silence.
 
   

Last year, the City of Cerritos did not hold an official Memorial Day Ceremony. Joseph Cho who was newly elected Councilmember at that time, decided to sponsor a special memorial ceremony in memory of Lt. Colonel Bernie Einson, a World War II and Korean War veteran. In addition, two local veterans organizations held separate ceremonies. At the following Council meeting Councilman Cho recommended that the City has one official ceremony instead of three separate ceremonies. The City of Cerritos started to hold the Memorial Day ceremony this year.

(Councilman Joseph Cho, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, State Senator Alan Lowenthal, Mayor Jim Edwards, Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Barrows and Councilwoman Laura Lee, from left )


Cerritos Named Tree City USA for Tenth Year Cerritos TV3 Received Two Awards

Once again, the City of Cerritos has been honored by the US Department of Forestry and the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA. For the tenth year in a row, the City has met or exceeded the requirements to maintain the park-like aesthetic as set forth by the Foundation. In order for a City to be named as a Tree City, it must have a current ordinance, a board that meets regularly to rule on tree issues and protect the urban forest, have sufficient funding to promote the health of its trees, and take part in an Arbor Day observance with activities and events to promote public awareness of trees.

Also the City received a First Place Award in the video text

   

bulletin board category and a Second Place Award in the overall programming category in the 2008 Southern California and Nevada Chapter of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors Star Awards program.

(Councilman Joseph Cho, Mayor Jim Edwards, Director of Public Work Hal Arbogast,
Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Barrows Councilwoman Laura Lee, from left)


AB2000 Was Passed By the Assembly

On May 8, 2008, AB2000 (Mendoza), a bill that the City of Cerritos requested as it relates to the carry-over of excess affordable housing units (required by RHNA), to the next planning cycle was approved by the full Assembly. The vote count was 69-Yes; 0-No; 11 not voting. It has now been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing.


New Sculpture Beautifies Cerritos Business

As part of the City’s Art in Public Places program, a new art piece was recently installed in front of the new VCA Lakewood Animal Hospital located on the northeast corner of South Street and Palo Verde Avenue in Cerritos. The City’s program requires property owners/developers to provide a piece of artwork or donate 1% of the building permit value to a trust fund when constructing developments that cost $250,000 or more.

The sculpture, created by artist Lyle London, is titled “Ten Soaring” and depicts 10 soaring birds in flight ascending from a pedestal. The piece is made of stainless steel with an oil-rubbed powder-coated bronze base and stands approximately 10 feet 4 inches high. (New Sculpture: Ten Soaring)

 

 

 
   

2008 Scholarship Awards Announcement

  1. Eligibility: High School seniors and College students

  2. Application Materials:

    1. Resume (one page maximum) and photograph

    2. Letter of recommendation from community leader (principal, pastor, teacher, employer, etc.)

    3. Personal statement (700 word maximum): You may describe, for example, your accomplishments, goals, hardships you have faced, financial need or any other factor relevant to your application

    4. Official school transcript -- College freshmen to provide both HS and college transcripts

      1. All other college students to provide full college transcripts

      2. High school senior to provide HS transcripts (and college, if any)

  3. Award Amount:

    1. 5 College scholarships of $1,000 each

    2. 10 High school scholarships of $500 each

  4. Application Procedure:

    1. Application Period: May 1 - June 30, 2008

    2. Notification Date: August 31, 2008

  5. Mailing Address: Please send your complete application in one set to the below address. Applications that are incomplete or that do not follow guidelines will not be considered.

The Lucy and Joseph Cho Foundation
P.O.Box 4115
Cerritos, CA 90703
   

 

Joseph Cho’s Upcoming Events

  1. California Contract Cities Association 49th Annual Conference
      Date: May 29-June 1, 2008
      Place: Renaissance Esmeralda Resort
      Indian Wells, California
     

  2. Cerritos Family Arts Festival
      Date: June 1, 2008
      Place: Cerritos Center for Performing Arts
      Cerritos, California
     

  3. National Civic League All America City Award Ceremony
    Date: June 4 - 6, 2008
    Place: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina.
    Tampa Florida
     

  4. LOCC Executive Forum & Advance Leadership Workshop
      Date: June 4 – 7, 2008
      Place: Resort at Squaw Creek
      Lake Tahoe, California
     

  5. Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce Installation Luncheon
      Date: June 12, 2008 11:30 AM
      Place: Cerritos Sheraton Hotel
      Cerritos, California
     

  6. Colorado River Aqueduct Inspection
          Date: June 13-15, 2008
      Place: Lake Mathews, Diamond Valley Lake, Gene Village MWD Field Headquarter,
      Intake  Pumping Plant, Parker Dam and Salton Sea
      Sponsor: Central Basin Municipal Water District
     

  7. Korean American Federation of LA Inaugural Ceremony
          Date: June 19, 2008 6:00 PM
      Place: Wilshire Plaza Hotel
      Los Angeles, California
     

  8. Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA Inaugural Ceremony
      Date: June 20, 2008 6:30 PM
      Place: Wilshire Grand Hotel
      Los Angeles, California
     

  9. 24 Hours Relay for Life
      Date: June 21 – 22, 2008
      Place: Gahr High School
      Cerritos, California
      Sponsor: American Cancer Society
     

  10. US Conference of Mayors 2008 Livability City Award Ceremony
          Date: June 22 - 24, 2008
      Place: Miami Florida
     

  11. Let Freedom Ring Celebration
      Date: July 4, 2008
      Place: Cerritos Civic Center
      Cerritos, California

Joseph Cho Cerritos City Councilmember - P.O. Box 4115, Cerritos, CA 90703 (562) 547-4434
This site was last updated November 01, 2008