Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2022
Minutes of Adjourned November 8, 2022, Meeting of the Belmont City Council and Belmont Fire Protection District Board of Directors, November 9, 2022 City Council Chambers City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California CALL TO ORDER 2:00 PM
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Lieberman, Stone, McCune, Mates COUNCILMEMBERS: Hurt
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by City Clerk Jozi Plut
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rennie stated that a closed session was not on the agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation Recognizing Water Dog Run and Presentation Presentation made by the Water Dog Race organizers Mary Morrisey Parden, Huan Phan, Terri Cook.
Mayor Mates read and presented the proclamation,
Native American Heritage Month Proclamation
Mayor Mates read the proclamation.
San Mateo County Library Annual Report
Anna Koch, Belmont Library Manager provided an overview of the library’s annual report.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Mates commented on the previous days General Election. She announced upcoming events.
CONSENT BUSINESS
Resolution 2022-104 finding that the COVID-19 statewide emergency remains in effect and that state and local officials continue to recommend measures to promote social distancing and directing the Council’s Citizen Advisory Bodies to make consistent findings Approved Monthly Financial Reports - September 2022
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Stone and seconded by Councilmember Lieberman the Consent Business was approved by a roll call vote. (4-1 Hurt, absent)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2022
GENERAL BUSINESS
Restated Employment Agreement between the City of Belmont and City Attorney Scott City Manager Rennie introduced the item noting that Council formed a subcommittee of Councilmembers Lieberman and Stone as negotiators to update Mr. Rennie’s employment contract and commensurate salary provisions. He noted that the Mr. Rennie’s contract was initiated in 2011 and the committee recommended updates to current terms and practices of the City and laws regulating public employment. He explained that the restated contract establishes a base pay effective October 2021 with commensurate increases similar to what is offered to the City’s labor groups.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Councilmember Stone Resolution 2022-105 establishing compensation for the City Attorney; and authorizing the Mayor to execute a restated City Attorney employment agreement was approved by a roll call vote (4-1 Hurt absent).
First Amendment to the Employment Agreement Between the City of Belmont and City Manager Afshin Oskoui
City Manager Oskoui stated the contract negotiation is similar to the that of the City Attorney and was also vetted by the Council Subcommittee of Councilmembers Lieberman and Stone. He explained that the agreement establishes a base pay effective September 2021 and merit increases in September 2022 and 2023, all other terms remain same.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Councilmember Lieberman Resolution 2022-106 establishing compensation for the City Manager; and authorizing the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 to the City Manager employment agreement was approved by a roll call vote (4-1 Hurt absent).
Revised City Council Benefits Plan
City Manager Oskoui stated the Council benefit plan is adjusted to reflect changes that the City made to employee benefits including conversion from self-insurance plan to VSP vision insurance and aligning the plan with the City’s Miscellaneous group related to the cash in lieu benefits caping the limit to $389 per month when choosing cash in lieu of health benefits.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Stone and seconded by Councilmember McCune Resolution 2022-107 approving revision to the Benefits Plan for the City of Belmont Councilmembers effective January 1, 2023, was approved by a roll call vote (4-1 Hurt absent).
Revised Unrepresented Management Group Compensation and Benefits Program City Manager Oskoui stated that this program consists of the Department Heads and City Clerk, he noted that the salary control point was adjusted based on a salary survey compatible with the market median last adjusted in 2019. He noted that the plan does not adjust to the top range salary rather to a benchmark to ensure competitiveness and retention of staff. He noted that the plan includes the conversion to the VSP vision insurance and the cash in lieu cap of $389 per month.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2022
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Stone and seconded by Councilmember McCune Resolution 2022-108 approving revisions to the Compensation and Benefits Program for the Unrepresented Management Employees was approved by a roll call vote (4-1 Hurt absent).
Revised Master Pay Schedule
City Manager Oskoui stated that the pay schedule summarizes the earlier actions and approval will update the City’s Master Pay Schedule as presented.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Stone and seconded by Councilmember McCune Resolution 2022-109 approving the City’s revised Master Employee Pay Schedule in accordance with California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) regulations was approved by a roll call vote (4-1 Hurt absent).
Belmont Village Specific Plan (BVSP) Streetscape Design Guidelines Community Development Director de Melo provided an overview of the Belmont Village Specific Plan (BVSP) Streetscape Design Guidelines. He noted that the streetscape guidelines are critical to defining the pedestrian level finishing touches including sidewalks, trees, side furnishing, and street parking layout. He explained that developing a City Public Art Master Plan adopted in September 2020, adopting the BVSP Guidelines and a Signage and Wayfinding Program are key to the placemaking outcome. He outlined previous outreach efforts for the Belmont Village Specific Plan (BVSP) Streetscape Design Guidelines. He noted that Council provided feedback at an September Council meeting and is was incorporated in document, he recommend approval of the guidelines.
ACTION: on a motion made by Councilmember Stone and seconded by Councilmember McCune Resolution 2022-110 Approving The Belmont Village Specific Plan (BVSP) Streetscape Design Guidelines Were Approved By A Roll Call Vote (4-1 Hurt Absent) Update to Council Protocols
City Attorney Rennie stated that the last update to the protocols was in 2020 and with the transition to District Elections some technical changes are needed as related to the elected rather than appointed Mayor process and clean-up on appointing the Vice Mayor. He explained that staff recommends that a councilmember serve at least one year before eligible to serve as Vice Mayor.
He noted that audience decorum provisions were aligned with Brown Act statues passed this year.
He also noted the adjustment of providing the Mayor the authority to make temporary appointments to vacancies on intergovernmental assignments when both the primary and secondary seats are vacant.
Council discussion regarding teleconference and virtual option for meetings and concurred to continue providing remote meeting opportunities for public participation.
Mayor Mates noted that since the City is in newly formed districts the protocols might include language stating to the effect that the City Council intends to govern with a City-wide perspective that the City Council acts as a body not as individuals. Council concurred.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2022
City Attorney stated that the language will be added to the Protocols and will return for approval at a future 2022 meeting agenda for approval.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Councilmember Stone Resolution 2022-111 amending the protocols was approved as presented by roll call vote. (4-1).
BRIEF VERBAL REPORTS FROM MEMBERS AND STAFF
Verbal report from Councilmembers on Intergovernmental (IGR) and Subcommittee Assignments
Councilmembers reported on their assignments.
Verbal report from City Manager
City Manager Oskoui announced the recruitment for the Mosquito Vector Control representative and the ongoing City Commission and Board recruitment.
He noted that November is National Gratitude Month, he voiced his gratitude to the efforts of the Council.
MATTERS OF INTEREST/CLARIFICATION
None
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 3:25 PM
Jozi Plut
City Clerk