Cerritos · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cerritos public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Iron-Wood Nine golf course outsourcing
The nine-hole course loses roughly $600,000 a year serving only about 2% of residents. The council raised fees about 34%, added a $1 maintenance fee, and will revisit outsourcing if finances don't improve within six months.
Celebrating Cerritos community recognition program
The city will host a 'Celebrate in Stride — Move with the Herd' 5K at the Cerritos Sports Complex on May 30, 2026, with a $14,000 budget amendment, sponsorships expected to offset costs, and food trucks and a health expo.
Veterans reserved parking program
Two honor-system reserved parking spaces will be installed at each of eight major city facilities for about $2,654 in signs. Supporters called it a meaningful tribute; one critic called it wasteful fluff during a budget crunch.
Sunshine Park Basketball Court Resurfacing
A resident offered to help fund resurfacing of the neglected Sunshine Park basketball courts and add pickleball lines.
CCPA Programming and Arts Education Funding
CCPA officials reported big gains — ticket sales up from 64,000 to 89,000 and fee revenue trending toward $1 million — but the theater still runs a $2.6 million annual deficit. Councilmember Hong proposed a citizen task force to study it; the mayor countered that an economic impact study due this summer should come first.
Tree care responsibilities and urban forestry in Cerritos
The city maintains about 28,000 public trees, but who trims, waters, and pays for removals depends on where the tree stands. Parkway trees in front of single-family homes are city-maintained (homeowners water them), while HOA, commercial, and multi-family property trees need city permits for trimming and removal. Commissioners pressed staff on slow response to hazardous trees and questioned the code's four-inch tree definition.
Ivy Park at Cerritos senior housing partnership
A resident advocate reported the senior housing community has a new executive director, Mark Padilla, who wants to build a partnership with the city — but the facility is struggling with roughly 25 vacancies.
Tree removal request at Satellite Park
Longtime resident Ron Allice asked the city to remove a six-story pine at Satellite Park that he says has caused thousands of dollars in pool damage and blocks equipment access; staff agreed to inspect.
Parkway tree responsibility confusion
A missing parkway tree at the Gonsalves Place project sparked a long debate about who pays for tree replacement — the city or the homeowner. Staff promised to follow up with the tree superintendent, and residents with questions can call Public Works.
Cerritos Olympic Swim and Fitness Center closure
The council approved an emergency water heater replacement at the closed Cerritos Olympic Swim and Fitness Center, and asked staff to share reopening timing with the ABC school district, whose families are waiting for the pool to reopen.
Heritage Park Play Island renovation
The city wants Measure A grant money to fix the Heritage Park play island, but first needs to rezone a 0.44-acre parcel and adjust lot lines to create a legal parcel for the required deed restriction. The commission unanimously recommended the changes.