Last week’s Cypress City Council meeting was one for the record books – and possibly for the law books.

Buried in the meeting’s agenda was a “carry over” expenditure of $5,000 to be paid to the independent, non-profit organization that runs the city’s community festival. It was described as support for income that the festival organizers “lost” due to their last-minute decision to ban/eliminate “political booths” (which had already been reserved and paid for) by several local candidates running for the two open spots on the council in the November election.

While this may sound like a small, well-intentioned and supportive city expenditure, the story behind it reveals a dark, calculated and politically motivated misuse of public funds and abuse of power.

Statements made during the Cypress City Council meeting on September 23rd revealed that Mayor Scott Minikus, had met in person with the festival’s organizers bringing along city attorney Fred Gallante. At this meeting, the Mayor asked the organizers to eliminate the political booths because the festival date coincided with that of the Jewish high holiday of Yom Kippur, which would prevent one of the candidates, Mark Plager, from hosting one of the political booths at the festival.

It was further revealed by Mr. Plager himself that he had asked the Mayor to intervene on his behalf with the organizers to eliminate the political booths. Mr. Plager asked Mayor Minikus to “do it quietly behind closed doors”. It should be noted – and is in the public record – that Mayor Minikus is a big supporter of Mr. Plager’s campaign, as are Mayor Pro Tem Bonnie Peat and her husband Jon Peat, is Mr. Plager’s campaign treasurer. This kind of closed door action is the antithesis of how our government should operate.
This ugly story doesn’t end here.

Based on the agenda item and the statements made at the council meeting, it appears that Mayor Minikus suggested that the city compensate the festival with the above mentioned $5,000 in taxpayer funds in return for the booth fees they would lose by eliminating the “political booths”. This kind of expenditure doesn’t happen simply because the Mayor wants it to; he needs the support of the City Manager – Peter Grant – and other city staff to include the expenditure proposal on the council’s agenda in the “fine print” and have it approved.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Councilman David Burke objected and exposed the Mayor’s and city attorney’s roles in influencing the festival organizers to remove the political booths. He also objected to the wording of agenda item number seven (7) that purported to justify the expenditure of taxpayer funds in exchange for eliminating the political booths.

In the end, the council then voted to okay the expenditure but removed all wording indicating the payment was in exchange for the organizer’s elimination of the political booths. The vote was three to two, with Burke, Mallari and Marquez voting for and Mayor Minikus and his long-time supporter, Mayor Pro Tem Peat voting against. It was clarified that the festival organizers should henceforth be free to make their own decision regarding the presence of political booths at the festival.

Further aggravating this nasty chapter of Cypress city politics, the Mayor promulgated a set of flimsy arguments in defense of his actions, and launched a threatening outburst directed at Councilman Burke. The Mayor’s actions laid bare the entire ugly abuse of his influence in front of the council and attendees. However, that was definitely not the Mayor’s first or only threatening outburst. He was reprimanded by the council for his January 2024 outburst in which he accused, without any substantiating evidence, fellow council members Marquez and Burke for allegedly working with the plaintiffs in the CVRA lawsuit that the city eventually settled out of court for approximately $850,000, not including attorney’s fees and costs, all paid with taxpayer money

At the previous council meeting on September 9, 2024, the Mayor also threatened the citizens of Cypress regarding the content of their social media posts – especially as those applied to criticism of the current council majority and council candidates they support.
I want to ask the Cypress City Council to again, publicly, reprimand Mayor Minikus for this misuse of his position as Mayor and his violation of the council’s own code of civil conduct in his threatening verbal attack of Councilman Burke. In addition, I think the Mayor, the city attorney and city manager all owe the independent, volunteer, non-profit organizers of the Cypress Community Festival an apology.

Paul Kokkinos is a concerned resident and registered voter in Cypress

By Kyle Chang

The future development of the Los Alamitos Race Course land represents one of the greatest economic opportunities for the City of Cypress. Not only is it the planned site for new housing units to help fulfill the requirements of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), but it’s also the location for the Cypress Town Center. I firmly believe we can meet the goals of the RHNA and fulfill our moral responsibility to create more housing, but without careful planning and strong community engagement, we risk missing a golden opportunity to also create a true town center in our city.

As a parent with two young children, I would love to see Cypress create a vibrant city center that attracts new businesses, restaurants, and retail, transforming it into a destination that draws visitors from neighboring cities. That’s why before moving forward with any more plans or zoning changes for the Los Alamitos Race Course land, I propose establishing a new commission focused on planning, housing, and development to ensure the that we have a more transparent, inclusive planning process in Cypress. Many neighboring cities in Orange County, similar in size to Cypress (such as Buena Park, Stanton, and Fountain Valley), already have such commissions in place.

One of the most significant issues facing our city is the lack of clear communication with residents and not giving residents sufficient opportunities to be involved in important decisions. For example, with the update of the city’s housing plan, most residents are only learning about the details of the plan for the first time now, just before they’re asked to vote on it. Many residents at council meetings have said that they feel as though the city has deliberately withheld information or misled residents.

Additionally, the city has used scare tactics, claiming that if the ballot measure isn’t approved, “the State will override local governments and impose housing projects” and that the city risks “losing local control of planning decisions.” The truth is we already have an alternative housing plan that meets all of the state’s requirements and does not require a ballot measure. Our city must improve its communication with residents and more actively include them in major decisions that impact the future of our community. Any planning that requires community approval is destined to fail if the community isn’t involved in the planning process from the start.

The development of the Los Alamitos Race Course land is a defining moment for Cypress. By prioritizing transparency, honest communication, and active resident engagement, we can create a city center that meets our needs and enhances our community while complying with state housing mandates. It’s essential that we approach this project thoughtfully to ensure it benefits everyone in Cypress and aligns with our collective vision for a brighter tomorrow.

Editor’s Note: Views of any candidate are welcome so long as meet the editorial standards of thisn newspaper. Send submissions to ed****@******************se.com.

By Blaze Bhence

How A Planning Commission Can Empower Residents In Cypress

In the vibrant tapestry of Southern California cities, Cypress stands out—not for its sun-soaked beaches or bustling nightlife, but for its absence of a city planning commission. This gap in our city governance might seem minor, but it carries significant implications for our future.

The old adage, “If you don’t have a plan, you plan to fail,” is particularly relevant in urban development. As one of the few Southern Californian cities without a dedicated planning commission, Cypress lacks something that is present in many other communities – a body comprised of local residents that is specifically tasked with evaluating and directing development. The absence of a planning commission can lead to missed opportunities and suboptimal outcomes for both residents and businesses.

At a recent public meeting the city’s planning director said that a planning commission for Cypress had been considered in the 1990s, but never moved forward. Now that Cypress is faced with state-mandated housing and zoning changes, perhaps its time that we considered giving residents more seats at the table? There are many potential benefits to consider.

First, without a planning commission, development decisions in Cypress may lack coherence and strategic foresight. Projects might proceed without a comprehensive analysis of their impact on local infrastructure, community needs, and how they fit into the long-term vision of what residents what Cypress to look like 5, 10, or even 25 years from now. The lack of a thorough analysis by an independent group of residents can result in poorly designed developments that strain our city’s resources and finances. A planning commission could ensure that projects are systematically evaluated and contribute positively to Cypress’s growth.

Effective urban planning also requires a holistic view of how different elements of the city interact. Residential areas need to be balanced with commercial zones to promote economic vitality while maintaining a high quality of life. We can, and should balance residential housing with exciting new businesses, and appealing public spaces. Without a planning commission, Cypress may struggle to achieve this balance, leading to zoning conflicts, inadequate amenities, and developments that fail to meet our community’s evolving needs.

And who is better to focus on meeting our community’s needs than a group of residents who are deeply invested in our city? Cypress benefits from three highly effective commissions that have greatly contributed to the city and its residents. The Seniors Commission, Traffic Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission have been established for decades, building valuable resources and support for their respective communities.

A planning commission is not merely a decision-making body; it is a forum for community engagement and an additional opportunity to give residents a voice in how their city grows and changes. Public hearings and advisory roles ensure that development aligns with community values and priorities. Without deep involvement from residents from conception of plan all the way to fruition, Cypress residents may feel disconnected from the planning process, leading to a lack of trust and potentially contentious outcomes.

This was evident in the recent informational meeting and public hearing that the city hosted regarding the ballot measure to change the zoning of the Los Alamitos Race Course. Many residents asked great questions and shared their views on the different options. But at the same time, a number of residents expressed distrust about the information they had received from the city.

Others wondered why they were not given more information sooner, when they could have advocated for alternative plans that do not concentrate so much housing in just one or two areas. As a candidate for city council in the upcoming November election, I believe that the sooner we give residents a chance to weigh in on questions of growth and development, the better.

With a robust planning commission, Cypress would be better positioned to seize opportunities for strategic growth, attracting the type of businesses our residents really want, enhancing public spaces, and foster sustainable development. A planning commission would better enable Cypress to proactively plan for our future, whether we’re talking about the Los Alamitos Race Course or the Lincoln Corridor

A planning commission could ensure that redevelopment efforts enhance local infrastructure, support surrounding businesses, and reflect the needs and desires of Cypress residents. And as traffic congestion and related safety issues become a growing concern—which many residents have expressed at city council meetings—we can look for ways to proactively improve traffic flow, and make our city even safer through thoughtful planning.

To some, the establishment of a planning commission in Cypress may sound like another layer of bureaucracy. But in truth, an independent, resident-led body can help lead the way toward more thoughtful, strategic, and inclusive growth. A planning commission would be an investment in our city’s future, enabling us to plan proactively rather than reactively, engage our community in the decision-making process, and ensure that our resources are used effectively.

It’s not merely about having a plan; it’s about having the right plan—crafted with insight, expertise, and community involvement. With a dedicated planning commission, Cypress can set a course for sustainable and prosperous development, ensuring that our city thrives for generations to come.

Editor’s note: We urge candidates in the 2024 election to send us submissions, including op-eds, letters to the editor, endorsements or any material that will comply with our standard election coverage standards.