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Cerritos council approves memorial bench for Chelsea Bankhead; applicant to cover installation costs
Summary
After public testimony from family and friends, the council approved a bench dedication at Friendship Park honoring Chelsea Bankhead. An initial motion to have the city cover costs failed; council later approved the request with costs to be borne by the applicant (vote 3–1 with 1 recusal).
The Cerritos City Council voted Aug. 28 to approve installing and naming a memorial bench at Friendship Park in honor of Chelsea Bankhead, a longtime park patron who died in 2023. The council approved the request on a motion that requires the applicant to bear installation costs; the vote was 3–1 with one recusal.
Courtney Bankhead, Chelsea’s sister, asked the council to recognize Chelsea’s daily presence at Friendship Park, saying the bench would ‘‘give our family a place to sit and remember her, but also serve as a visible reminder to the broader community of what this park meant to one of its community members.’’ She referenced city policy 7.06 as the mechanism for dedications.
Council debate centered on policy precedent and cost allocation. Mayor Yokoyama and City Manager Robert Lopez noted past instances in which the city paid naming costs; the mayor asked whether the existing policy implied city payment, and City Manager Lopez replied, “That’s correct, sir,” when asked if the city had paid such costs historically. Council Member Pulido initially moved to approve the request with costs covered by the City; that motion failed by a 2–2 vote with one abstention and one recusal (Council Member Hong recused because she lives within 500 feet of Friendship Park).
Following the failed motion, Pulido made a second motion to approve the bench with installation costs borne by the applicant and encouraged supporters to contribute. Council approved that motion 3–1 (with 1 recusal). The council clarified that, under city policy, ongoing maintenance of benches remains a city responsibility once installed.
What’s next: Staff will work with Courtney Bankhead on installation logistics and next steps, including plaque wording and placement. The council directed staff to report back on procedural steps and implementation details.
Action: Motion to approve bench dedication with applicant‑funded installation — moved by Council Member Pulido; motion passed 3–1 with 1 recusal.
