SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CONCORD CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
1950 PARKSIDE DRIVE
CONCORD, CALIFORNIA, VARIOUS
TELEPHONIC/ELECTRONIC LOCATIONS,
AND THE WAYFARER SAN LUIS OBISPO,
TAPESTRY COLLECTION BY HILTON,
1800 MONTEREY STREET, ROOM 336,
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023
The Concord City Council met in a special meeting in the Council Chamber, located at 1950 Parkside Drive, via various telephonic/electronic locations, and the Wayfarer San Luis Obispo, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, located at 1800 Monterey Street, Room 336, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, with Mayor Hoffmeister presiding. The pledge of allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Birsan. Minutes follow in abbreviated form per Resolution 3361 and Council Minutes of September 26, 1966.
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Dominic Aliano, Edi Birsan, Laura Nakamura, Carlyn Obringer, Laura Hoffmeister (Councilmember Obringer
participated remotely from the Wayfarer San Luis Obispo, Tapestry Collection by Hilton)
STAFF PRESENT: Valerie Barone, City Manager; Susanne Brown, City Attorney; Justin Ezell, Assistant City Manager; Joelle Fockler, City Clerk; Stefanie Ananthan, Deputy City Clerk; Greg Taylor, Director of Information Technology; James Nakayama, Police Captain; Karan Reid, Director of Finance; Kevin Marstall, Director of Community Development; Steve Voorhies, Director of
Recreation Services; Jasmin Loi, Director of Human Resources; Will Tarbox, Director of Public Works; Guy Bjerke, Director of Economic Development and Base Reuse; Kevin Halm, Police Lieutenant; Mark Robison, Police Lieutenant; Carlton Thompson, City Engineer; Abhishek Parikh, Deputy Director of Public Works – Transportation; Ken Yee, Facilities Manager; Kit Jory, Parks Manager; Jesse Crawford, Maintenance Superintendent; Sophia Huckabay, Housing Manager; Sarah Brannick, Senior Human Resources Analyst; Leng Power, Community Services Manager; Donna Lee, Budget and Treasury Officer; Kylie Hicks, Budget Analyst; Craig Blythe, Administrative Services Manager; Ryan Pursley, Chief Building Official; Bruce Davis, Senior Civil Engineer; Mindy Gentry, Planning Manager; Bill Gallagher, Public Works Supervisor; Pernise Seumanutusa, Public Works Supervisor; Barbie Gary, Program Manager; Jeff Rayos, Senior Administrative Analyst
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
WHO ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL: Hope Johnson, Concord; Kelly Ferguson, Director of Development for Rainbow Community Center; Natalie
City Council Minutes May 16, 2023
2 PRESENTATION
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT – Update on District Activities This agenda item was continued to a future meeting with a date uncertain.
CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Hoffmeister opened a public comment period, and upon receiving no public comment, closed the public comment period.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-41 – One Year Action Plan to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
A motion was made by Birsan and seconded by Aliano to adopt Resolution No. 23-41 entitled, “A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit, on behalf of the City of Concord, the One Year Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Consistent with the Program Rules which Govern the Receipt and Expenditure of Community Development Block Grant Funds Allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development During Fiscal Year 2023/24.” The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
APPROVAL TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR GROUP INSURANCE AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT – Prudential Insurance
A motion was made by Birsan and seconded by Aliano to approve the submittal of a request for group insurance and enter into an agreement with Prudential Insurance for a total not-to-exceed amount of $645,935.50 for professional services as the third-party administrator of the City of Concord's group life and disability insurance plans for the period June 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026, and authorize the City Manager to execute the application and agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ITEMS
Mayor Hoffmeister took the next item out of agenda order.
PROPOSED BIENNIAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023-24 AND 2024-25 AND UPDATED LONG-
RANGE FINANCIAL FORECAST
Budget and Treasury Officer Donna Lee presented the staff report on the proposed Biennial Operation Budget for the Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25, provided an overview of the Council Areas of Focus/Tier 1 Priorities, reviewed the proposed General Fund Revenues and Expenditures, provided a Measure V update, and reviewed the General Fund Long-Range Financial Forecast. Budget and Treasury Officer Lee also highlighted additional topics that would be discussed, including the loan to support Reuse Planning, Pavilion Fund loans, Golf Course loan, Community Services/Housing funds, Cannabis Community Benefit fund, and City Council compensation. Ms. Lee concluded the presentation, noting General Fund budget challenges, stating the proposed Biennial Budget is balanced, and highlighted Measure V revenues. Ms. Lee then explained that Council was being requested to provide direction to staff on the following:
Direction on the City’s General Fund Operating Budget for FYs 2023-24 and 2024-25 Direction on funding a $530,000 loan from the General Fund to the Local Reuse Authority (LRA)
Direction on accelerating repayments from the Pavilion Fund to the Housing Fund, once the loan to the Sewer Fund is fully repaid
City Council Minutes May 16, 2023
3 Acknowledgement of the Golf Course Fund’s debt to the General Fund and support for staff’s recommendation to delay consideration of repayment Direction on the following actions related to the Community Services/Housing Funds:
oAllocate $100,000 of the Concord Pleasant Hill Health Care District (CPHHCD) reserves to the Child Care Grant Program so the final two years of the current three-year grant cycle is adequately funded
oAllocate $210,000 of CPHHCD available fund balance for one-time grant awards in FY 2023-24
oIncrease the annual grant-award amount the CPHHCD administers to $320,000 (from $160,000)
oReimburse $334,957 to the Housing Successor Housing Fund from the Inclusionary Housing Fund
oTransfer the City’s First Time Home Buyer Program from the Housing Successor Affordable Housing Fund to the Inclusionary Housing Fund Direction on the Cannabis Community Benefit Fund:
oConsider investing $14,000 into the One Day at a Time Program for next fiscal year or the next two fiscal years
oEstablish a competitive grant program, supported by the Community Services Commission and staff, with final approvals made by Council Whether grantees need to be physically located in Concord Awards capped at $20,000
One-time start-up costs of up to $20,000
Direction on changes to the pay of Councilmembers, to be effective after the November 2024 election
Direction on the clean up to Policy and Procedure No. 168: Fund Balance Reporting Measure V Oversight Committee Chair Michelle Lane provided a report on the proposed budget from the Measure V Oversight Committee.
Director of Community Development Kevin Marstall continued the staff presentation, discussed the Childcare Developer Fees (CCDF), Concord/Pleasant Hill Health Care District (CPHHCD) grants and funding, and the Inclusionary Housing Fund, and responded to Council questions.
Assistant City Manager Justin Ezell continued the staff presentation, discussed the Cannabis Community Benefit Fund, and responded to Council questions.
Director of Economic Development and Base Reuse Guy Bjerke responded to Council questions related to the loan and fund reserves for the Local Reuse Authority (LRA), including the staffing and consulting costs associated with the Concord Naval Weapons Station (CNWS) Base Reuse project related to the Master Developer selection.
Community Services Manager Leng Power responded to Council questions related to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) federal funds, and the processes followed and audits performed by the Community Services Commission for the funds received.
Director of Recreation Services Steve Voorhies responded to Council questions related to the Golf Course enterprise funds, noting redevelopment of the golf course is tied to the development of the Concord Naval Weapons Station Base Reuse project.
City Council Minutes May 16, 2023
4 Director of Finance Karan Reid responded to Council questions related to property taxes, TEFRA hearings, and the impacts of rent control on property values.
Mayor Hoffmeister recessed the meeting at 8:09 p.m. The meeting resumed at 8:24 p.m.
Mayor Hoffmeister opened a public comment period.
Hope Johnson, Concord, spoke about the CNWS loan, inquired if Economic Development staff is paid by the loan and asked what staff is paid by the Master Developer, noting the information is hard to find on website; and spoke in opposition of increasing Councilmember compensation.
Kelly Ferguson, Director of Development for Rainbow Community Center, requested $60,000 in funding towards LGBTQ youth to support clinical therapy for the LGBTQ youth community.
Natalie spoke in opposition of increasing Councilmember compensation without a needs assessment.
Mayor Hoffmeister closed the public comment period.
Following discussion by the City Council, it was the consensus of the Council to direct staff as follows:
Support the proposed staff recommendations as provided in the staff report; Provide staffing allocations for the Local Reuse Authority at the June 13 Council meeting; Prepare a resolution for adoption at the June 13 meeting outlining the process for distributing funds from the Cannabis Community Benefit Fund;
Work with the Rainbow Community Center to provide a formal proposal for their $60,000 request for clinical therapy for LGBTQ youth, to be brought forward at the June 13 Council meeting;
Provide information for Council’s consideration at the June 13 Council meeting regarding adding an additional FTE to Code Enforcement staff, with alternate staffing options; Invest $63,000 for the Deep Green Energy Plan; and
Discuss changes to Councilmembers’ stipends at a future meeting in fall 2023, after labor negotiations have concluded
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 23-42 – $6.64 Million loan to Eden Housing Housing Manager Sophia Huckabay presented the staff report, provided a brief background on the project, and explained that Council was being requested to adopt a Resolution authorizing a loan of $6.64 Million in Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Asset Funds to Eden Housing.
Kevin Leichner, Vice President of Development, Housing Finance and Acquisitions for Eden Housing, gave a presentation providing a brief overview of workforce housing, housing affordability by occupation, previously acquired properties by Eden Housing, the impact of not preserving versus preserving the two properties, new affordability levels, and average rents with a projected rent differential.
Following questions from the City Council, Mayor Hoffmeister opened a public comment period, and upon receiving no public comment, closed the public comment period.
Following discussion from the City Council, a motion was made by Nakamura and seconded by Aliano to adopt Resolution No. 23-42 entitled, “A Resolution Authorizing a Loan of $6.64 Million in Low and Moderate Income Housing Asset Funds to Eden Housing to Preserve the Long-Term Affordability, City Council Minutes May 16, 2023
5 and for the Acquisition and Minor Improvements of a 116-Unit Affordable Housing Project Comprised of Coral Court Apartments, 1491 Detroit Avenue, Concord, and Sunset Pines Apartments, 1770 Adelaide Street, Concord in Exchange for an Agreement Restricting a Minimum of 10 of the Units at 30% of the Area Median Income and 10 Additional Units at 60% of the Area Median Income.” The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NOS. 23-6042.1 AND 23-43 – Master Fees and Charges Schedule and Amending Sewer Capacity (Connection) Fees
Budget Analyst Kylie Hicks presented the staff report and provided a brief overview of the proposed changes to the Master Fees and Charges schedule, including the sewer capacity fee adjustment, and explained Council was being requested to adopt two Resolutions, one Resolution amending Exhibit A to Resolution No. 78-6042, and one Resolution amending the sewer capacity fees.
Administrative Services Manager Craig Blythe continued the presentation and discussed sanitation and refuse fees, including a comparison of solid waste rate monthly charges for 32, 64, and 96 gallons of waste, and explained Council was being requested to authorize a special extraordinary rate adjustment of 1.95%, as recommended by the Council Committee on Infrastructure and Franchise.
Senior Civil Engineer Bruce Davis responded to Council questions regarding the rate comparisons to other municipalities as shown in the staff report.
Following questions from the City Council, Mayor Hoffmeister opened a public comment period.
Hope Johnson, Concord, expressed concern over the cost of the proposed fees and inquired if the sewer capacity fees being discussed are the same as the sewer levy fees that were noticed by Public Hearing for the June 6 Council meeting.
Mayor Hoffmeister closed the public comment period.
Following discussion from the City Council, a motion was made by Aliano and seconded by Birsan to adopt Resolution No. 23-6042.1 entitled, “A Resolution Amending Exhibit A to Resolution No. 78-6042 (Establishing Fees and Charges for Various Municipal Services in the City of Concord.” The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
A motion was made by Aliano and seconded by Birsan to adopt Resolution No. 23-43 entitled, “A Resolution Amending Sewer Capacity (Connection) Fees.” The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
CORRESPONDENCE
a. Agenda Item No. 2.a – ConFire Update – PowerPoint Presentation b. Agenda Item No. 4.a – Eden Housing – PowerPoint Presentation c. Agenda Item No. 4.b – Proposed Biennial Budget FY 23-24/24-25 – PowerPoint Presentation d. Agenda Item No. 5.a – Master Fees and Charges Update – PowerPoint Presentation City Council Minutes May 16, 2023
6 ADJOURNMENT
By order of the Mayor, the meeting was adjourned on May 16, 2023, at 10:23 p.m. /s/
LAURA M. HOFFMEISTER
MAYOR
/s/
JOELLE FOCKLER, MMC
CITY CLERK