Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2024
MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BELMONT CITY COUNCIL AND BELMONT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
City Council Chambers, City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Pang-Maganaris, McCune, Hurt, Latimerlo, Mates COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Dr. Martin Luther King Essay Winners
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
No closed session on the agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Second Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Poetry & Essay Contest Recitals Belmont Poet Laurette Korde introduced the essay winners, The participants read their winning pieces in their respective grade category.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Giuliano Carlini commented on cycling.
Amanda Yu commented on banning the use of artificial turf.
COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Mates announced upcoming Spring events offered to the Community.
CONSENT BUSINESS
Minutes Special and Regular Meeting January 23, 2024 BFPD, January 23, 2024, Adjourned Meeting January 30, 2024
Resolution 2024-10 authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to the Service Agreement with Eaton & Associates for managed information technology services for the Police Department in an amount not-to-exceed an amount of $7,580 per month or $90,960 annually Resolution 2024-11 approving plans and specifications, authorizing advertisement for sealed bids, authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with the lowest responsible bidder for an amount not to exceed $880,770 plus a ten percent construction contingency with the aggregate total of $968,847 for the 2024 Slurry Seal Pavement Project, City Contract Number 2024-630.
Public Comment
Giuliano Carlin commented on the need for multimodal transportation.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Hurt and seconded by Councilmember McCune the consent business items were unanimously approved by a roll call vote (5-0).
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2024
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
GENERAL BUSINESS
Council Organizational Policy and Procedures Updates
City Attorney Rennie stated that the proposed updates to the City Council Protocols and Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and City Ordinance pertaining to Boards and Commissions provided clarity and reflect Councils current values, initiatives, priorities and how Council and its appointed advisory bodies conduct business. He noted that sone some grammatical errors were corrected. He further noted that the rules are intended to be flexible and provide understanding of who to conduct Council and Advisory Board business.
Council deliberated on the proposed updates. Discussion ensued on the process of taking action by motion and concluding debate. City Attorney responded to Council inquiry noting that the agenda and meeting section of the protocols follows the Rosenberg Rules of Order. He also clarified that the definition of citizen was amended to be inclusive, he noted that citizenship does not preclude an applicant from sitting on City Advisory Body, he explained that Belmont Ordinance requires that an applicant is a resident of the City.
Discussion ensued regarding the updates to the protocols, Council concurred to cross-reference decorum, with the Code of Ethics and Conduct in the Protocols in particular to the phrase “works well with” and adding language to the ordinance reflecting conduct of the advisory bodies when conducting City business.
No member of the public came forward with comment on this item.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Latimerlo and seconded by Councilmember PangMaganaris amendments to various City Council organizational policies and procedures, introduction of an Ordinance updating the Boards and Commission Ordinance including corrections and Resolution 2024-12 amending the Council’s Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and the City Council Protocols were unimanually approved by roll call vote (5-0).
Draft Five-Year Pavement Plan
Public Works Director Brown introduced PEI City Consultant Joe Ririe, he noted that Mr. Ririe conducted an independent assessment of the City’s road improvements finances utilizing the objective program Street Saver a systematic assessment of pavement condition index.
Mr. Ririe provided an update on the 2024 Five-Year Pavement Plan (FY 24/25 through FY 28/29), which supersedes the 2021 Five-Year Plan. He explained the City’s pavement improvement efforts, including evaluating the various conditions of pavement using the Pavement Condition Index (PCI). He explained pavement management strategies, nothing that the City uses a Critical Point Management style which selects streets before the deterioration and the need for more expensive treatment. He noted that the City’s PCI is 68 and provided a six-year projection noting that the City has a 1.3 million deferred maintenance. He outlined the pavement expenditure plan for years 2022 through 20229.
Council discussion ensued.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2024
Public Comment
Giuliano Carlini commented on the cost of pavement maintenance and importance of bike safety.
This is an informational report, and no action was taken.
RECESS: 8:45 p.m.
RECONVENE: 8:55 p.m.
Municipal Regional Permit Annual Report Update
Public Works Director and Public Works Associate Engineer Wada provided an update on Belmont’s Municipal Annual Report. Ms. Wada explained that the objectives of the permit aimed at stormwater management to prevent pollution and mitigate impacts of urban runoff. She outlined the tasks and reporting on the permit including increased mandates and cost of the requirements.
Discussion ensued on meeting cost requirements.
No public comment received.
This is an informational report, and no action taken.
Report on Mid-Year Budget Financial Results as of December 31, 2023 Finance Director Castaneda reviewed the City’s budget she noted that the general fund is tracking to budget expectations and noted that it includes the State actions to take away property tax in-lieu of (VLF).
She provided an overview of the revenues and noted that property tax is the main source of revenue in the general fund at 40 % of revenues and explained that the general fund balance is anticipated to the drawn down over a long-term forecast. She reviewed the results of the hotel tax (TOT) and sales tax revenues and general fund expendituresshe noted that the City will be close the fiscal year below budget.
She reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) results and noted that 90% of funding is towards sewer and street projects.
Ms. Castaneda reported on the City’s fiscal sustainability noting that VLF continues to be underfunded and the State continues to not meet its VLF payment obligation. She explained that the future shortfall impact to the general fund is anticipated at $4-$6 million annually. She outlined the recommended next steps.
Council discussion ensued; Council concurred that new sources of income need to be assessed.
No public comment received.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Councilmember Latimerlo Resolution 2024-01 amending the City of Belmont and Belmont Fire Protection District (BFPD) Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget and Resolution 2024-13 Amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget by Approving Revisions to Revenue and Authorizing Supplemental Appropriations was unanimously approved by a roll call vote.
BRIEF VERBAL REPORTS FROM MEMBERS AND STAFF
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2024
Verbal report from Councilmembers on Intergovernmental (IGR) and Subcommittee Assignments Councilmembers reported on their assignments.
Verbal report from City Manager
City Manager Oskoui outlined upcoming events offered to the community. He noted that information on City summer construction activities will be sent to the public to plan accordingly.
MATTERS OF INTEREST/CLARIFICATION-none
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 9:47 p.m.
Submitted by
Jozi Plut, City Clerk