Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
Special and Regular Meetings of
November 28, 2023
MINUTES OF CITY OF BELMONT CITY COUNCIL AND BELMONT FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL AND MEETING City Council Chambers City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023, 6:30 PM
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Latimerlo, Pang-Maganaris, McCune, Hurt, Mates COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
STUDY SESSION
Business License Tax Modernization and Equity Update
Economic Development & Housing Specialist Renfield provided a brief background on business license tax modernization in Belmont. She explained that the process has not been updated in over thirty years. She further explained that the proposed process is intended to make the tax equitable to business in Belmont. She stated that staff is seeking direction on (1) Confirm the intent to revisit modernizing the business license tax model, (2) Reaffirm the Guiding Principles identified by Business Focus Groups, and (3) Identify two Councilmembers to serve on a subcommittee to work with City staff and business stakeholders to determine the best model to bring to the Council for a vote.
Public Comment
Mary Morrisey Parden commented regarding the 2022 business license tax modernization process.
Council deliberations ensued. City Attorney Rennie clarified that due to political reform act a license holding Councilmember participating in a sub-committee that will discuss restructuring the business license tax can cause a potential conflict.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Councilmember Latimerlo a Business Tax License Subcommittee with Vice Mayor Hurt and Councilmember Pang-Maganaris was formed to evaluate options for modernization of the business license tax and assist staff with stakeholder outreach.
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 7:08 PM
Submitted by,
Jozi Plut, City Clerk
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
Special and Regular Meetings of
November 28, 2023
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER: 7:08 PM
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Latimerlo, Pang-Maganaris, McCune, Hurt, Mates COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Mates
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
No closed session on this agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Giuliano Carlini commented on the need for more bike lanes on Belmont Streets.
COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmembers commented on upcoming holiday events in the City.
CONSENT BUSINESS
Minutes November 14, 2023 City Council Special & Regular Meeting November 14, 2023 BFPD Meeting November 15, 2023 City Council Special Meeting
Resolution 2023-092 authorizing the City Manager to negotiate an amendment to the contract with WRA, Inc, for open space management plan services for an additional amount of $89,900, for a total not-to-exceed of $291,211
Americans With Disability Act Title II Fiscal Year 2022-23 Update Recommendation Resolution 2023-093 to make certain findings and accept the annual report on receipt and use of development impact fees, in-lieu fees, and linkage fees for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 Resolution 2023-094 approving revisions to the City's Master Employee Pay Schedule in accordance with California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) regulations Resolution 2023-095 approving the creation of a new job classification for Principal Management Analyst and revising the City's Master Employee Pay Schedule to include the classification in accordance with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) regulations Resolution 2023-096 establishing a compensation and benefit plan for unrepresented and confidential positions
Ordinance 2023-1173 of The City of Belmont amending the Belmont Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No.360) to establish regulations for a Commercial Cannabis Overlay District and establish Zoning Regulations to potentially allow Commercial Cannabis uses City Clerk Plut noted that the Council received an updated exhibit to the Resolution 2023-093 to make certain findings and accept the annual report on receipt and use of development impact fees, Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
Special and Regular Meetings of
November 28, 2023
in-lieu fees, and linkage fees for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 and will be made part of the public record.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT BUSINESS FOR SEPARATE
CONSIDERATION
New Job Classification Principal Management Analyst
In response to Mayor Mates, Interim Administrative Services Director Ritzma explained that the communications and community engagement aspect of the job description is the primary focus of position, as well as legislation and support for functions in the City Manager’s office.
City Attorney Rennie read the title of Ordinance 2023-1173 of The City of Belmont amending the Belmont Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No.360) to establish regulations for a Commercial Cannabis Overlay District and establish Zoning Regulations to potentially allow Commercial Cannabis uses
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Vice Mayor the Consent Business Items were unanimously approved by a roll call vote (5-0).
RECESS to JPFA Meeting: 7:20 PM
RECONVENE: 7:21 PM
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
GENERAL BUSINESS
Report from Audit Committee and Measure I Committee for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023
Finance Director Castaneda explained that the Measure Committee met on November 20, 2023 to review the Measure I financial statements, she noted that the report received a clean opinion, the highest level of assurance from the City’s external auditors and transmitted the reports indicating the funds are being properly spent and reported on.
She further explained that the Audit Committee met on November 21, 2023 to review the external auditors report for Fiscal Year June 30, 2023 these reports also received the clean opinion also included with highest assurance were the Measure A and Measure W reports.
She concluded her presentation and recommended that the of the City Council accept the City's independent audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023; and receive Annual Measure I Advisory Committee Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
In response to Council questions City Manager Oskoui explained that the Measure I fund is a threeyear rolling cycle of projects. He explained that a major pavement project bid was rejected earlier in the year which is indicated in the higher fund balance.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
Special and Regular Meetings of
November 28, 2023
He noted that the project will be re-bid in the spring/summer 2025.
No members of the public came forward to speak.
ACTION: On a motion made by and seconded by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Vice Mayor Hurt the Measure I and Audit Committee reports were received by Council.
Councilmember and Mayor Salary
Interim Administrative Services Director Ritzma presented a brief background on the new legislation allowing for increase in Council legislation and the process for increasing Belmont’s Council compensation model. She noted that the Belmont salary had not been changed since the 1990’s and may be changed by ordinance or ballot measure. Should Council choose the ballot measure the increase may exceed $950.00 per month. If by ordinance the maximum for a city with the population of Belmont is $950 per month. She noted that increasing the salary would align with the City’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She concluded with a request for direction from Council to introduce an ordinance amending Councilmember salary and whether or not to provide additional compensation to the mayor role.
No member of the public came forward to speak.
Council deliberation ensued.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Latimerlo and seconded by Vice Mayor Hurt an ordinance amending the salary for City Councilmembers from $390 per month to $950 per month per the newly enacted State of California Senate Bill 329 and an additional 10% compensation for the position of elected mayor was unanimously introduced by a roll call vote. (5-0).
Appointments to Measure I Advisory Committee
City Clerk Plut noted that Council interviewed four applicants for five vacant positions on the Measure I Committee. City Manager Oskoui explained that Council may choose to appoint for three or five positions and included staggered two- and three-year terms. He noted that if the Council chooses the five positions staff will continue the recruitment process and the appointment can be made in early spring before the first committee meeting.
Council deliberation ensued. Council concurred to make appointments for a five-member committee and continue recruitment.
No member of the public came forward to speak.
ACTION: On a motion made by Vice Mayor Hurt and seconded by Councilmember McCune Resolution 2023-97 appointing Richard Bartoli, Patrick Kong, and Mark Gurevich for three-year appointments and Robert Flanagan for a two-year appointment as members to the Belmont Streets and City Service Advisory Committee (Measure I) was unanimously approved by a roll call vote (5-0).
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
Special and Regular Meetings of
November 28, 2023
Cannabis Business Prequalification Process
Assistant City Manager Kleinbaum reviewed the proposed prequalification process and proposed community benefits for a cannabis retail and/or distribution business. She noted that a commercial cannabis police regulatory ordinance will be before the Council for approval in January of 2024 this will include general administration, legal authority, operating requirements and enforcement.
Public Comment
Giuliano Carlini commented in support of the proposal for cannabis business prequalification process in Belmont.
Council deliberation ensued. Council concurred to support the staff proposal for cannabis business prequalification process.
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 invited the community to visit the City’s website for information on the various holiday events in the community. He noted that the December 12, 2023 meeting will the final meeting for 2023 and Council will recognize the community with Beautiful Belmont and Community Service Awards as well as the annual Council reorganization with a selection of a Vice Mayor for 2024. He noted that a rainy season is predicted for the area and advised of services available to the public in the event of storm issues.
MATTERS OF INTEREST/CLARIFICATION
None
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 8:45 PM, in memory or San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley.
Submitted by,
Jozi Plut, City Clerk