Concord City Council
April 6, 2024

1 COUNCILMEMBERS
Edi E. Birsan, Mayor
Carlyn S. Obringer, Vice Mayor
Dominic D. Aliano
Laura M. Hoffmeister
Laura M. Nakamura
Civic Center
1950 Parkside Drive
Concord, CA 94519
www.cityofconcord.org
Special Meeting of the
Concord City Council
Saturday,
April 6, 2024
9:30 a.m. – Open Session/Workshop Concord Senior Center Garden Room
2727 Parkside Circle
Concord, CA
This meeting is being held in-person only.

Members of the public are invited to attend and participate at: Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord, CA.

Public comment may be provided in-person or via email, as set forth below. Members of the public desiring to provide comments as a part of the meeting are encouraged to either submit written comments before 3:00 p.m. the day before the meeting or to attend the meeting in person.

Under California law, public comments at special meetings are limited to subjects on the agenda only. Therefore, public comment will only be taken on Agenda Item No. 2.a.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
The public is invited to participate in the Special City Council meeting using any of the following methods:

In-Person Comments: Welcome to the Special City Council meeting. To assist the Mayor in allowing all speakers to be heard, we ask you to fill out a blue Speaker’s Card if you wish to address an item.

Please complete the Speaker’s Card and give it to the City Clerk before the agenda item is called, and preferably before the meeting begins. When the Mayor recognizes you to speak, come forward, give your name, and direct your remarks to the Council. Please limit your comments to three minutes, or less if so directed by the Mayor.
2 Written Comments: Please note that emailed comments will not be read aloud by staff.

1.Public comments can also be submitted via email to [email protected]. Please note that emailed comments will not be read aloud by staff. Any public comments received before 3:00 p.m. the day before the meeting will be:
a. distributed to the Council before the meeting,
b. posted online for public inspection at
https://stream.ci.concord.ca.us/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/Search, and c. inserted into the meeting record.

2.As emails containing public meeting comments are part of the official record, note that personal contact information may be published if it is included with your email.

OPEN SESSION

1. OPENING
Roll Call

2. ANNUAL WORKSHOP ON CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
The public is entitled to address the City Council on items appearing on the agenda before or during the City Council’s consideration of that item. Each speaker will be limited to approximately three minutes. Please see “How to Participate” above.
a. Council Workshop – presentation and facilitated conversation among councilmembers on the California Business Roundtable Statewide Ballot Measure, Economic Development, Unfunded Infrastructure Needs, and discussion of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Work Program Priorities.

3. ADJOURNMENT
Next Meeting: Regular Meeting
Date: 4/9/2024 6:30 PM

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
There is a 90-day limit for the filing of a challenge in the Superior Court to certain City administrative decisions and orders which require a hearing by law, the receipt of evidence, and the exercise of discretion. The 90-day limit begins on the date the decision is final (Code of Civil Procedure §1094.6). Further, if you challenge an action taken by the City Council in court, you may be limited by California law to raising only those issues you or someone else raised in the hearing or in a written correspondence delivered to the City Council prior to or at the hearing.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and California Law, it is the policy of the City of Concord to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. If you are disabled and require a copy 3 of a public hearing notice, or an agenda and/or agenda packet in an appropriate alternative format; or if you require other accommodation, please contact the ADA Coordinator Tianjun Cao at (925) 671-3243 or [email protected], at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Advance notification within this guideline will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.

CITY OF CONCORD MEMORANDUM
Office of the City Manager
Date: April 6, 2024
TO: Mayor Birsan and City Council Members
FROM: Valerie Barone, City Manager
SUBJECT: Council Annual Workshop—Turning Your Policies Into Actions Workshop Basics
Council’s workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 in the Concord Senior Center’s Garden Rooms. A continental breakfast will be available for Council starting at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and is anticipated to end at approximately 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided for Council and staff. Attire is casual.

The Mayor, Councilmembers, and Executive Team will be attending. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting will be facilitated by City Manager Valerie Barone.

The goals for the workshop are:
 Continuing Council team development;
 Continuing development of the Council-Staff team relationship;  Update for Council on three topics:
o California Business Roundtable Measure on the November State-wide Ballot o Economic Development Update
o Concord’s Unfunded Infrastructure Needs
 Council agreement on the organization’s Tier 1 Priorities for the next Fiscal Year, July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025; and
 Commitment to stay focused on the agreed upon Tier 1 priorities.

Discussion
The City is a high performing organization that embraces its mission: To join with our community to make Concord a city of the highest quality by providing responsive, cost-effective, and innovative local government services.

2.a2.a2.a2.a

Council Workshop
April 6, 2024

To achieve this mission, the Council has remained focused for many years on what the City terms: “Priority Areas of Focus.” These are listed below in no order or priority:

Priority Areas of Focus
 Long Term Fiscal Stability, including Economic Development  Concord Naval Weapons Station
 Public Safety
 Infrastructure Maintenance
 Organizational Health & Employee Success
 Quality of Life
 Customer Service
The seven Priority Areas of Focus listed above remain relevant in Concord and they continue to guide the organization as budgets are developed and services delivered. However, if used without clarity around defining Council’s highest priority projects in any given year they spread the City’s limited resources over too many projects, diffusing the organization’s impact.

Consequently, starting in 2019, the Council began identifying Tier 1 Priorities. Defining Tier 1 goals assists the organization in focusing on what is most important to Council. In March of 2023, Council established the following Tier 1 Goals for the organization. A brief update on each Tier 1 Priority will be provided during this year’s priority setting workshop. The Tier 1 goal and the organization’s progress are summarized below:

Development of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station - Council, acting as the Local Reuse Authority, selected Brookfield as the new Master Developer on August 26, 2023, and entered into an Exclusive Agreement to Negotiate with Brookfield on September 19, 2023. In March of 2024, Council adopted a Term Sheet with Brookfield outlining the next steps to securing entitlements (Specific Plan, EIR) and the Economic Development Conveyance agreement with the U.S. Navy.

Implementation of the Housing Element Update – On October 23, 2023, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) issued a letter finding the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element Update (“HEU”) to be in substantial compliance with state housing element law, a step also known as “certification.” The City Council adopted the certified HEU on August 22, 2023, following a two-year community engagement process, two comment letters from HCD, and numerous revisions. As part of the City’s 2030 General Plan, the HEU provides goals, policies, and programs to address the housing needs of all segments of the City’s population. Major new programs in the HEU that were either adopted or worked on by the City this year include objective design standards, a rent stabilization and just cause for eviction ordinance, rezoning of at least 20 acres in moderate- and high-resource areas of Concord to create greater opportunities for multi-family affordable housing, and allowing multi-family housing projects “by right”

Council Workshop
April 6, 2024

(without a public hearing or appeal process) in all commercial and mixed-use zoning districts, provided that all objective design and development standards are met.

Completion and Implementation of the Homeless Strategic Plan – Council accepted the completed Homeless Strategic Plan on February 6, 2024. The Plan was developed by an 11-member working group with the participation of dozens of community members and stakeholders. In line with Council’s direction to have robust community input, the development of the plan involved 32 public meetings, numerous focus group sessions and interviews, and 3 surveys. The Plan identified 6 strategies for addressing homelessness within our community. As an initial implementation step for the Homeless Strategic Plan, staff, with Council authorization, applied for $4.7 million of Encampment Resolution Funds to implement the Mobile Resources Center and Interim Motel Housing strategies identified in the Plan. Staff continues to work on developing implementation plans for these two policies while the City awaits news on its grant application.

Implementation of ARPA Funded Projects – Council authorized investment of the entire $27 million of ARPA funds received by the City. Allocations were divided into several programs, including replacement of lost City revenue, costs of testing for Covid, program administration costs, investment into a variety of City capital projects and special events, support for programs related to the unsheltered, support to small business, and investment into community non-profit organizations. City staff has successfully managed the distribution of these funds per the Council’s direction.

Looking Ahead
The challenge for Council in thinking through its priorities for this coming fiscal year is that Council has done a significant amount of policy setting this past year which, in turn, is leading to a heavy workload for staff as we translate Council’s policies into the outcomes that the Council desires. Specifically, the organization will be focused on the complicated and involved work around implementing the Council’s adopted policies, including those resulting from:
 The City’s adopted Housing Element Update,
 The newly approved Rent Stabilization and Just Cause of Eviction Ordinance (if not repealed; and, if repealed, in exploring what’s next),
 The recently accepted Homeless Strategic Plan, and
 The Concord Naval Weapons Station—now that the LRA has a term sheet with Brookfield.

If Council wants to achieve the outcomes it desires in each of these major policy areas, it must directly focus the organization on completing the work involved with implementing each of these policies/programs.

This year, Council will again participate in a facilitated workshop to create consensus around Council’s highest priority projects (Tier 1 Projects) for the next fiscal year, July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.

Council Workshop
April 6, 2024

At the workshop, staff will share a list of special projects currently on the organization’s “to-do” list for the next fiscal year. This list is long and is attached to this report. This list is not inclusive of day-to-day work activities but rather represents special projects/programs.

Council will discuss the various projects among themselves and with Executive Team members, and then take public comment. Council will then be asked to confirm the organization’s Tier 1 projects for the next fiscal year.

Attachments:
 Achievement List for Mid-year of the Current Fiscal Year, Fiscal Year 2023-24  Work Plan “To Do” List for the upcoming Fiscal Year, Fiscal Year 2024-25

Mid-Year Update of Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2023-24

Long-Term Financial Stability & Economic Development
 Business Attraction. Provided technical assistance to class A property owners/managers to attract eight new tenants with a total of 274 jobs and facilitated and supported the attraction of several other businesses including Ion Clean Energy, J Crew Outlet, and Chick Fil A.  Business Retention. Facilitated the retention, expansion, and relocation of multiple dealerships owned by Future Automotive Group, supported $250,000 of sales through the buy-one-get-one Shop Concord e-gift card promotion, and awarded $5,000 in grants to 184 businesses through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Small Business Reimbursement Grant program.
 Federal Grants Ad Hoc Committee. Initiated work with a Council Ad Hoc committee with a focus on identifying and securing state and federal funding for City projects.  Urban Forest Service Grant. Secured $1,000,000 from the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant program that will result in expansion and better management of the City’s urban forest.
 Local Roadway Safety Plan Grant Received. Secured $400,000 in grant funding to enhance the Local Roadway Safety Plan and develop an action plan for implementation.

Quality of Life
 Special Events. Hosted another year of Music & Market series and the Tree Lighting and Mayor’s Sing-Along, processed 55 special event permit applications, produced 23 City events, and 52 farmers market dates, resulting in 130 event days bringing in thousands of attendees, and implemented new online event permitting software to make application and event processing simpler and more efficient.
 Residential Tenant Protections. Developed an ordinance that establishes rent stabilization and just cause for eviction policies for Concord rental properties, helping protect the tenant community from displacement.
 Communications and Outreach. Regularly shared news and information through a variety of platforms, including a semimonthly e-newsletter, mailed communications, the City website, and social media, delivering two issues of the City News & Activity Guide to all mailing addresses, and a four-page Measure V update. The e-newsletter is the most popular news vehicle with about 10,000 subscribers and a 52% average open rate.  Utility Box Artwork Program. Worked in partnership with Concord Art Association to complete installation of twenty additional works of art located on traffic signal cabinets throughout the City.
 Tobacco Retailer Program. Began implementation of City’s updated Tobacco Retailer Program, including development of materials, updated webpage, and education and outreach to retailers and compliance checks.

 Flashvote Online Survey Tool. Launched pilot program to utilize an online survey tool to solicit instant feedback from residents regarding any topic; the first two surveys involved the City’s communication efforts and feedback on homelessness and strategies.  Concord Community Academy. Hosted fall Community Academy resulting in a better- informed community and one participant subsequently applying to serve on a Concord board or commission and two attendees landing permanent full-time positions in the City of Concord.
 Police Department Community Engagement: CIU coordinated ten National Night Out events and three Coffee with a Cop and one Taco with a Cop events, and participated in a presentation at Monument First 5 Center, a Girl Scout tour at the Police Department, City Recreation Services - Trick or Treat Trail, YV Branch Basketball, Barnes and Noble (First 5) Book Reading and several neighborhood watch meetings, along with other events such as Red Ribbon Week and Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, resulting in many officers and community members having casual interactions and relationship building.  Bicycle Rodeo. The Police Department hosted the third annual Bike Rodeo featuring free bicycle helmets and fitting, a bicycle safety course, and bicycle tune-ups; the event also promoted public safety and community outreach and resulted in the donation of more than 100 brand new bicycles for community youth.
 Shop with a Cop and Stuff the Cruiser. On December 3rd, the Police Department hosted the second annual Shop with a Cop and third annual Stuff the Cruiser events, resulting in 12 children receiving $300 in shopping funds, a $200 Safeway gift card, and four police cars being filled with toys for the Monumental Toy Drive.
 Parent Project. The Police Department continued a partnership with the Family Justice Center by hosing the sixteen-week Parent Project parenting program focused on families dealing with adolescent children (ages 10+) with behavioral issues, resulting in efforts to reduce family conflict, decrease juvenile crime, reduce recidivism, and improve school attendance and performance.
 Revitalization and Landscaping Projects. Completion of revitalization projects on Diamond Boulevard, Galaxy Way, Olivera Road, Senior Center, Hillcrest, Willow Pass, Brazil Quarry, and Olivera Road Overpass, and 5 community partner events at Olivera Road, Markham, Hillcrest, Willow Pass, and Todos Santos for a total 725 hours of volunteer activities.  Graffiti Abatement. Completed 3,327 graffiti abatements in high-visibility corridors to improve the visual image of the City, communities, and neighborhoods.  Dumpster Day Event. Completed the annual dumpster day event in partnership with Mt.

Diablo Resource Recovery resulting in 367 residents disposing of 1,320 yards of waste and 150 mattresses, equivalent to (66) 20-yard dumpsters.  Live Strong Health Expo. The annual Live Strong Health Expo at the Concord Senior Center promotes health and education for our 50 and Better (senior) community and families. Over 60 health, resource, and wellness vendors attended the Expo to provide information, prizes, and takeaways for over 400 community members, seniors, and their families. The Expo also

offered various free services, including more than 50 haircuts, 25 dental cleanings and x-rays, 70 COVID vaccines, 27 flu shots, and 56 blood pressure checks.  BASTAS Program. The Commission on Aging and the Concord Senior Center orchestrated "Be a Santa to a Senior" (BASTAS), a service program that aims to spread holiday cheer among seniors who may be feeling lonely, in financial distress, or are less likely to receive gifts during the festive season. This year, over 15 businesses participated as tree hosts and provided gifts to over 500 seniors in the Concord area.
 Recreation Services Growth. Recreation programs experienced considerable growth and increased engagement across a wide range of age groups and interests. Enhanced activities tailored for teens and kids, such as Teen Treks and expanded summer camps, have been introduced, catering to diverse age ranges and interests. New recreational events like the Floating Pumpkin Patch and Concord's Got Talent have been successfully introduced. Collaborations and infrastructure improvements have been notable, including the successful completion of maintenance projects and the establishment of innovative amenities like the Outdoor Fitness Area. These efforts have contributed significantly to community well-being and engagement.

Public Safety
 SUAS (Drone) Program. During FY 2023-24 the drone program consisted of 12 pilots who are part 107 certified to operate the drones to support patrol operations. Two new pilots were added during this fiscal year bringing the total number of pilots to 14. There are currently 12 drones in our inventory, which are used for both interior and exterior searches. During this fiscal year, there were approximately349 drone deployments and 28 rescue missions. Drones continue to be a valuable resource for patrol operations.  ALPR Cameras (Automated License Plate Readers). During FY 2023-24 there have been 57 active ALPR cameras in the City of Concord. During this timeframe there has been over 387 ALPR alerts in the City of Concord. This has contributed to the recovery of over 34 felony vehicles in the City of Concord. ALPR cameras have been a valuable to for both patrol and investigations. The cameras have contributed to approximately 177 cases that were advanced or solved due to ALPR leads generated from our system.
 Cleanwater Program. Met the Trash Load Reduction compliance goal of 90% as required by the Municipal Regional Permit, through implementing visual assessment strategies, and installing the latest round of full trash capture devices in city storm drain inlets throughout the city, which now total over 450.
 Public Safety Vehicle Cameras and Vehicle Network Connectivity Systems. Installed new vehicle dash cameras and upgraded the computer system’s core networking equipment resulting in improved reliability, enhanced overall video quality, and ten-fold increase in network download speeds.
 Safety Interview Room Video System Upgrade. Implementation of a new Police Interview Room Video System that flows into a single repository of all digital evidence, resulting in

improved coordination of evidence between the Concord Police Department and District Attorney.
 Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS). Volunteers logged 3,300 hours of service with a work value to the City of $123,150.
 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Reintroduced in-person Basic CERT training with a shortened delivery schedule and an updated FEMA curriculum, resulting in 29 students successfully graduating from the program and development of partnership with Mount Diablo High School to embed the Concord Teen CERT program in their Emergency Response Capstone Course in spring, 2024.
 Contra Costa County Health Services A3 Program. Starting in August 2023, the Police Department responded to 98 calls promptly identified as mental health crisis incidents.

Among these, 52 calls were diverted to the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) without additional law enforcement involvement, while 16 necessitated a joint response involving both MCRT and the Police Department. In approximately 30 instances, MCRT was unavailable or alternative call resolutions were pursued. This data sheds light on the frequency of apparent mental health crisis calls addressed by our officers and underscores the City of Concord's collaborative efforts with Contra Costa Health Services to develop and maximize the utilization of this crucial mental health service within the community.  Office of Traffic Safety Grant. The Police Department secured a $275,000 grant from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), marking a $100,000 increase from last year's grant amount. This OTS grant is designated to bolster selective traffic enforcement, education, and training initiatives, focusing on areas such as DUI enforcement, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, and combating distracted driving. The grant will fund these activities from October 2023 through September 2024. Notably, since July 2023, the OTS enforcement operations have resulted in 10 DUI arrests.
 Major Crimes, Special Victims, and Financial Crimes Units. MCU investigated two separate murders which resulted in the arrest of suspects in both cases; one was the murder of a grandmother, and the other was a fentanyl overdose. SVU coordinated a human trafficking operation in Contra Costa County, collaborating with the DA's office and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. This proactive online undercover operation led to the apprehension of six child predators. FCU solved a large multi-county organized retail theft ring where losses exceeded $100,000. An arrest was made, and the case was sent to the DA’s office.
 Electronic Signage Installation. The installation of flashing beacons at the Willow Pass Park Pedestrian Crossing, which has long been a priority for City staff, park users, and the Parks Recreation and Open Space Commission, was inaugurated on November 20, 2023. The project improves pedestrian safety at Willow Pass Community Park by employing rapid rectangular flashing beacons across Salvio Street. In addition, nine permanent speed feedback signs were installed throughout the City as a part of the citywide neighborhood traffic-calming program.

Roadway and Other Infrastructure Maintenance
 Measure V CIP Projects: Significant Roadway Improvements. Completion of major paving projects, including Treat Boulevard Pavement Rehabilitation (Phase 1) and Oak Grove Pavement Rehabilitation (Phase 3), simultaneously at a busy intersection, with close coordination to minimize public disruption, including communication through notifications, signage, message boards, and project webpages, and coordination with Walnut Creek informing drivers of increased traffic on Ygnacio Valley Road during construction. Two additional major corridors receiving substantial paving rehabilitation included Willow Pass Road (between Hwy 4 and Landana Drive) and Meadow Lane/Market Street (from Monument Blvd to Willow Pass Rd), addressing longstanding ride quality issues along these heavily traveled roadways. In addition, Concord Boulevard (from Sunset Ave to Bailey Rd) received upgrades to install buffered bike lanes, along with new surface paving, as part of the City’s Bicycle, Pedestrian & Safe Routes to Transit Plan.
 Sidewalk Repair Program. 78 property owners took advantage of the City’s sidewalk replacement program. This is the second all-time high for a six-month period since the program began in 2017 (the other all-time high was 94 in the first half of 2021). The work involves the removal and replacement of sidewalk, curb, and gutter. Property owners have also taken advantage of slicing lifts from their sidewalks in lieu of removal and replacement, saving them money while being able to reduce trip hazards.

Customer Service
 Public Works Responses to Concord Connect. Responded to 1,310 public requests for service through Concord Connect. Improved public interface through updated Concord Connect closeout procedures to notify the public when a work order request has been closed vs. closing it when the request is sent to another management system.  SolarAPP+. Implementation of this instant automated Solar PV permitting software allows applicants to obtain permits online instantly at the time of application with no wait for plan review.
 Building Code Enforcement. In the 2023-24 budget, a new Building Inspector position specifically for Building Code Enforcement (BCE) was approved. In October 2023, the position was filled, and it promptly started addressing BCE cases. This targeted approach has led to enhancements in BCE case follow-up and achieving code compliance. Metrics are not yet available; however, data showing the success of this position will be available after 12 months of implementation.

Organizational Health & Employee Success
 Teambuilding for Executives. Completed an initial retreat and series of meetings resulting in the development of shared vision and norms for the City’s Executive Team.  Support Employee Morale. Hosted two large all-employee events to celebrate staff/City accomplishments and to provide an opportunity for employees to connect with each other.

These included a lunchtime picnic at Concord Community Park and a holiday social at Willow Pass Center.
 Breakfast with the City Manager. The City Manager held monthly breakfasts with employees representing a cross section of the organization to touch base on the employee experience working in Concord and to aid cross-departmental connections amongst employees.  Leadership Concord. Developed and launched a unique, Concord focused management/supervisor certificate program that integrates the City’s Mission, Vision, Values, customer-service expectations, and other essential aspects of supervision/management within the City of Concord. Participation in the training program is mandatory for all newly promoted and newly hired managers and open to all other management employees. The program goes live in March 1, 2024.
 Recruitment and Selection. Reduced the Citywide vacancy rate from 12.4% (53 positions) to

7.7% (32 positions), resulting in better service delivery and reduced workloads for existing staff.
 Training and Workforce Development. Improved support to all City departments by successfully re-launching the Citywide Employee Learning and Organizational Development Program—allowing all employees to participate in a variety of skill training opportunities.

City of Concord
Work Plan List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (April 6, 2024)
Page | 1 of 6 Work Plan: “To Do” List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Infrastructure (not inclusive of entire CIP)
Mandated/
Already
Started
 Implementation of the Two-Year Capital Budget and Five- Year Infrastructure Investment Plan (includes the Measure V Roadway Investment Plan)
X
 Implement New Tracking and Compliance Measures Required under Stormwater Rules (MRP 3.0 Green Infrastructure
Implementation)
X
 Continue the Grant-Funded Upgrading of Traffic Signals in Conjunction with a Countywide Smart Signal Upgrade Project that will Upgrade the Majority of the City’s Signal System over a Three-Year Period
X
 Continue Implementation of the Transportation Technology Project Involving Use of Fiberoptics, Adaptive Traffic Signal Systems, and Safety Analytic Technology for Improved Traffic Operations (first project includes implementation on Willow Pass Road with anticipated completion May, 2024)
X
 Update Concord Municipal Code as pertains to Design/Build Construction
X

City of Concord
Work Plan List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (April 6, 2024)
Page | 2 of 6 Work Plan: “To Do” List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Long Term Fiscal Stability & Economic Development
Mandated/
Already
Started
 Development and Adoption of Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026- 27 Biennial Operating Budget
X
 Development of a Plan to Address the City’s Unfunded
Infrastructure Needs & Equipment and Furniture Needs
 CNWS—Continue work—with Brookfield as the LRA’s
Partner—on Navy Negotiations, Infrastructure Plan, Specific Plan, Disposition & Development Agreement, Environmental Impact Report Process
X
 Cannabis Permitting/Licensing—Process Remaining
Applications/Monitor Compliance
X
 Ensure ARPA Funds are Invested by the December 2024
Deadline and Monitoring and Reporting is Completed as
Required
X
 Processing the White Picket Fence Development with
Selected Developer (Council expected to interview candidate firms in May)
X
 Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee (OSIP) Update (modeling is expected to be complete by Feb/March 2025)
X
 Continued Pursuit of Various Grant Applications to Aid with Infrastructure Improvements and Maintenance
X
 Administer U.S. Forest Service $1M Grant to Improve the Urban Forest, Complete Long-Term Urban Forest
Management Plan, Plant 500 Trees, etc.

X

City of Concord
Work Plan List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (April 6, 2024)
Page | 3 of 6 Work Plan: “To Do” List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Long Term Fiscal Stability & Economic Development (Con’t) Mandated/
Already
Started
 Release Oak Street Property RFP (Housing Element) X
 Update Economic Development Strategy
 If ABAG/MTC Grant Received, Complete Multiple Studies on the Monument BART Site (adjacent to skate park) and Oak Street Property Street-Vacation Process
 Review and Determine Compliance with ABAG/MTC’s Transit Oriented Communities - Policy May Require Ordinance
Updates
X
 Complete the Clean-up and Enhanced Security of Downtown Parking Garages Project (ARPA funded)
X

City of Concord
Work Plan List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (April 6, 2024)
Page | 4 of 6 Work Plan: “To Do” List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Public Safety
Mandated/
Already
Started
 Continue Coordination/Partnership with the County on the Rollout of New A3 Program as a Mental Health Crisis
Response Program
X
 Increase Lighting and Install Camera Surveillance in City Facilities to Improve Security (project will be 20% complete current FY; remaining 80% to be completed during FY 2024- 25)
X
 Complete the City-wide Tree Maintenance Plan X
Customer Service
Mandated/
Already
Started
 Wireless Facility Regulation Cleanup X
 Selection and Implementation of a New Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System (replace Lawson)
X

City of Concord
Work Plan List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (April 6, 2024)
Page | 5 of 6 Work Plan: “To Do” List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Quality of Life
Mandated/
Already
Started
 Rent Control/Just Cause—Provide Fact-Based Information During Referendum Process and if Ordinance Goes Live,
Implement the Ordinance. If Ordinance repealed work with Council and community on next steps.

X
 Implementation of Housing Element—Required Activities  Complete Rezoning of Sites for Multi-family Residential Development in Moderate and High-Resource Areas of Majority White Populations
 Complete the Development of Ordinance Changes to Remove Barriers to the following Uses: Supportive Housing, Emergency Shelters, SROs, and Low-Barrier Navigation Centers
 Complete Miscellaneous Housing Element Implementation Tasks (Affordable Housing Toolkit, Sites Inventory Updated and Put on Web, Public Education & Outreach)
 Complete outreach to development community on permitted heights for residential to achieve maximum densities and amend the Development Code based on the feedback
 Amend Development Code to provide Objective Design Standards (ODS) for small lot and medium density development. Monitor adopted ODS and provide update to Council
 Amend the Development Code to reduce parking requirements for religious institutions in exchange for housing development  Develop regulations to facilitate tiny homes/cottage production on religious institution sites
 Amend the Development Code to reduce parking requirements for group housing
X

City of Concord
Work Plan List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 (April 6, 2024)
Page | 6 of 6 Work Plan: “To Do” List for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Quality of Life (Continued)
Mandated/
Already
Started
 Implementation of Housing Element—Required Activities (continued)
 Amend the Development Code to require multifamily housing projects by right and additional density in Transit Station Overlay District
 Develop an affordable ADU incentive program
X
 Implementation of Homeless Strategic Plan Strategies
 Mobile Resource Center
 Interim Motel Housing Program
X
 Continued Implementation of New City Financial Assistance Program (Summer Camp & Swim Program Scholarships and
At-Risk Kids Camping Program at Camp Concord) and
Identification of Funding Source other than ARPA
X
 Complete RFP Process to Select a Partner for Adaptive Use of the Don Fernando Pacheco Adobe Site

From: Jason Pfister <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 1:15 AM
To: Birsan, Edi <[email protected]>; Obringer, Carlyn <[email protected]>; Nakamura, Laura <[email protected]>; Hoffmeister, Laura <[email protected]>; Aliano, Dominic <[email protected]> Subject: Top three priorities

Dear Mayor Birsan & the Concord City Council:

Per a post that Mayor Birsan posted on his Facebook wall, he wants constituents to submit emails discussing what they deem Concord's top three priorities in the upcoming years. I wish to share my input:

1. Reforming the Concord Police Department with an independent auditor. I've spoken at length in prior correspondence regarding my views here so I need not elaborate any further except to reinforce these unequivocal facts: more law enforcement agencies are switching to independent oversight (both in California and nationwide) and extol a cooperative relationship with the independent auditors with whom they partner. This is not "anti-police" or "defund the police". If anything, having an independent auditor is the most pro-police measure any legislative body can enact. There is nothing liable or otherwise counterproductive in admitting there are various flaws within law enforcement.

In light of the current lawsuit filed by the four women officers from Concord PD (Beth Long v. City of Concord et. al.), combined by the narratives I have shared with all five of you, you cannot deny there are serious issues within this agency. If anything, Chief Bustillos himself welcomes the assistance at this juncture. Let us not forget that several of these sexual harassement & gender discrimination incidents highlighted in that lawsuit are from the post-Me Too Movement. When you have a culture that is as fractured as Concord PD's, per that lawsuit, it is evident they can no longer be objective in ushering accountability. A fresher lens from an independent auditor is of vital necessity. Current candidates & people holding public office, such as Shanelle Scales- Preston (Contra Costa County Supervisor-District 5), John Gioia (Contra Costa County Supervisor-District 1), Tim Grayson (Assemblyman of the 15th District. He is now of course running for the State Senate), Steve Glazer (State Senator), Mike Barbanica (Contra Costa County Supervisor-District 5), Ken Carlson (Contra Costa County Supervisor-District 4), Marisol Rubio (CA State Senate) and many more are on record for supporting independent oversight into law enforcement. It is time for the Concord City Council to adhere to their views, in particular that of Ken Carlson and Tim Grayson, as the former not only served as a Concord PD officer for nearly 30 years but, at one point, ran their Internal Affairs division and the latter once sat on the Concord City Council. Assemblyman Grayson called for an independent auditor for Antioch PD over the racist text messages. As awful as those messages were, the narratives I have sent you from individuals who feel Concord PD has violated them are even worse. We are talking unconstitutional behavior, abusive conduct towards women (refer to the 1998 narrative regarding a woman who reported an attempted rape and the horrifaclly degrading questions she was subjected to at that time; refer to a story in 2023 where a homeless person sustained severe injuries after an officer behaved towards her like Derek Chauvin did to George Floyd; refer to another story where a female nurse at a Benched Correspondence
Agenda Item No. 2.a
April 6, 2024

convalescent home was condescended to by a male police officer; and various others), unlawful arrests, unprofessional statements, harassment towards the unhoused, etc.

2. Obviously housing is second. With respect to the Concord NWS development, I encourage the City Council to once again reject any bids from Concord First/Seeno/Discovery Builders. Having grown up in Clayton, trust me you DO NOT want this company in charge of a project of that magnitude. I would prefer a smaller company head the project and I believe one in particular is submitting a bid. If you opt for someone else, De Nova is a solid developer. Greenfield, who Councilmembers Obringer and Hoffmeister selected in 2021, likewise is commendable as well. I also hear Taylor Morrison has a highly credible portfolio.

3. Do not rescind Zoom privileges for all future city council meetings. If you receive hateful remarks or uncivilized behavior, just mute the person speaking. Do not take away this popular option all on account of a couple vociferous troublemakers. Other city councils nearby have returned to Zoom public comment without any hassle. Please get this on the agenda for a debate and resume Zoom public comments.

Thank you.

-Jason Pfister
(925) 708-5942