Cypress council affirms most committee assignments after contested OCFA race; substitute motion fails on revote

The Cypress City Council on Jan. 13 approved the mayor—s recommended slate of appointments to regional boards and committees with a 4-1 vote, after a substitute motion by Councilmember Bonnie Pete to appoint herself to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) board failed on a revote.

The council—s action followed public comment and written letters urging continuity on OCFA, which provides fire protection across the county during an active wildfire season. Mayor Burke said he sought to balance continuity and shared responsibility when making his recommendations. "Public safety is my top priority," Mayor Burke said during the discussion.

Why it matters: OCFA oversees a large, complex organization that serves multiple cities; continuity of representation on its board was a central point of debate. Several residents and former officials urged the council to keep experienced members on the OCFA seat to avoid disruption.

Public input and letters: Rob Johnson, a Cypress resident and two-time former mayor, recommended continuing the current representative, saying the city benefits when its representative has multi-year continuity on that board. Pearl Bolter, another resident, called the continuation "common sense" given the learning curve on OCFA matters and noted OCFA—s written request to retain the current member. Former councilmember Ann Mallory also urged the council to retain the incumbent, citing the fire authority—s operational challenges during the regional fires.

Council debate and votes: Councilmember Pete offered a substitute motion to appoint herself to OCFA; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Menikus. The council paused after a clerical question about whether an abstention defaults to an affirmative under the municipal code. After a revote, the substitute motion failed with three no votes by Mayor Burke, Mayor Pro Tem Leo Medrano and Councilmember Kyle Chang.

The council then returned to the original motion to approve the mayor—s recommendations (with the OCFA seat, mosquito and vector control, and an alternate Orange County Sanitation seat handled separately). That motion carried 4-1, with Councilmember Pete casting the lone no vote.

Subsequent, separate votes: Councilmember Pete was appointed as the alternate representative to the Orange County Sanitation District by a unanimous vote. The council also named Mayor Pro Tem Leo Medrano to fill the remaining year of Councilmember Pete—s term on the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District; that nomination carried unanimously after Medrano said he was hesitant only because of the time commitment but would serve if the council favored it.

Clerical issue and municipal code: During the discussion the City Clerk and City Attorney cited a municipal code provision that an unexcused disqualification or abstention may be recorded by the clerk as a vote in favor of a motion; the council ultimately took a revote on the substitute motion to avoid confusion.

Meeting context and next steps: The council—s committee and board roster will be transmitted to the relevant agencies; OCFA had previously submitted letters asking that Cypress retain its current board member. The matter of filling other vacancies, including the remainder of the mosquito and vector control term, was resolved at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Motion (original mayoral recommendations, except mosquito/vector control and OC San alternate): Moved by Mayor Burke; second by Councilmember Kyle Chang. Outcome: Approved 4-1 (Yes: Mayor Burke, Mayor Pro Tem Leo Medrano, Councilmember Kyle Chang, Councilmember Menikus; No: Councilmember Bonnie Pete). - Substitute motion (appoint Councilmember Bonnie Pete to OCFA): Moved by Councilmember Bonnie Pete; seconded by Councilmember Menikus. Outcome: Failed on revote (No: Mayor Burke, Mayor Pro Tem Leo Medrano, Councilmember Kyle Chang; Yes: Councilmember Menikus and Councilmember Bonnie Pete in initial vote before revote). - Appointment (Councilmember Bonnie Pete as alternate to Orange County Sanitation District): Moved by Councilmember Menikus; seconded by Councilmember Kyle Chang. Outcome: Approved unanimously. - Appointment (Mayor Pro Tem Leo Medrano to Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District to fill remaining term): Motion by Councilmember Bonnie Pete; seconded and approved unanimously.

The meeting also included other business and adjournments in memory of Signal Hill Police Chief Wayne Byerly and OCFA engineer Kevin Skinner.