1 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CONCORD CITY COUNCIL
CONCORD SENIOR CENTER
2727 PARKSIDE CIRCLE
CONCORD, CALIFORNIA
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024
The Concord City Council met in a special meeting at the Concord Senior Center located at 2727 Parkside Circle, at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024, with Mayor Birsan presiding. Minutes follow in abbreviated form per Resolution 3361 and Council Minutes of September 26, 1966.
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Dominic Aliano; Laura Hoffmeister, Laura Nakamura; Carlyn Obringer; Edi Birsan
STAFF PRESENT: Valerie Barone, City Manager; Susanne Brown, City Attorney; Justin Ezell, Assistant City Manager; Joelle Fockler, City Clerk; Karan Reid, Director of Finance; Will Tarbox, Director of Public Works; Kevin Marstall, Director of Community Development; Guy Bjerke, Director of Community Reuse Planning; Steve Voorhies, Director of Parks and Recreation; Greg Taylor, Director of Information Technology; Mark Bustillos, Chief of Police; Jasmin Loi, Director of Human Resources; James Nakayama, Police Captain; Craig Blythe General Services Manager; Kit Jory, Parks Manager; Ken Yee, Facilities Manager; Jesse Crawford,
Maintenance Superintendent; Carlton Thompson, City Engineer; Jeff Rayos, Senior Administrative Analyst; Marie Suvansin, Economic Development Manager; Melissa Rea, Economic
Development Specialist; Abhishek Parikh, Deputy Director of Public Works – Transportation; Donna Lee, Budget Officer; Wendy McAuley, Executive Assistant
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
WHO ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL: Tim Carr, Concord; Jason Pfister, Martinez
ANNUAL WORKSHOP ON CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Mayor Birsan provided introductions and introduced City Manager Valerie Barone who reviewed the workshop agenda and meeting objectives.
City Manager Barone introduced Sam Caygill, Regional Public Affairs Manager East Bay Division, League of California Cities, who gave a presentation on the California Business Roundtable sponsored Taxpayer Protection Act ballot initiative.
Following questions and comments from the City Council, Mayor Birsan introduced Economic Development Manager Marie Suvansin who provided an economic development update.
Following questions and comments from the City Council, Mayor Birsan recessed the meeting at 11:35 a.m. The meeting resumed at 11:45 a.m.
Mayor Birsan introduced Director of Finance Karan Reid who provided an update on unfunded infrastructure needs.
Following questions and comments from the City Council, Mayor Birsan opened a public comment period.
City Council Minutes April 6, 2024
2 Tim Carr, Concord, commented on building roads that stand up to electric vehicle weight.
Jason Pfister, Martinez, suggested the use of redlight cameras and a Food Maxx in the former Fry’s store.
Mayor Birsan closed the public comment period and recessed the meeting at 12:35 p.m. The meeting resumed at 12:45 p.m.
Assistant City Manager Justin Ezell reviewed the past year’s achievements, then City Manager Barone reviewed the existing work plan.
City Manager Barone facilitated a conversation on existing goals and Tier 1 priorities.
Following discussion, the Council confirmed the following Tier 1 priorities for the organization for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (Tier 1 goals are required to remain a strong organizational focus by the Organization during the Fiscal Year):
Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse: Assist and guide the Master Developer team and City/LRA’s pursuit of the Economic Development Conveyance agreement with the U.S. Navy, the advancement of infrastructure planning, resource agency permitting, remediation monitoring, and community outreach efforts in preparation for the drafting of a Specific Plan and CEQA documents throughout the entire fiscal year.
Implementation of the Homeless Strategic Plan: Council endorsed six strategies contained within the City’s Homeless Strategic Plan. During FY 2024-25, staff will develop and implement programs for the Mobile Resource Center and Interim Motel Housing strategies, and Council will consider and provide direction on the investment of the remaining one-time funds set aside for services to the unsheltered.
Implementation of Housing Element Mandates: Implementation of 13 programs of the 2023- 2031 Housing Element and forward progress on 12 additional programs, all by the end of June 2025.
Economic Development Strategy Update: Complete a new or major update to the Economic Development Strategic Plan by the end of June 2025.
Make Progress on a Plan to address Unfunded Infrastructure Needs: Concurrent with the development of the next two-year General Fund Operating budget (by the end of June 2025), define and recommend actions and funding options that address the City’s unfunded infrastructure needs (recognizing that full plan development will likely take multiple years as many difficult decisions will be involved).
Develop and adopt 2-year General Fund Operating Budget: Develop a balanced two-year operating budget that maintains the organization's fiscal stability and continues to address unfunded liabilities and ensures funding to the Council's priorities and the City's legal requirements by June 30, 2025.
Council set the following Tier II Goal (to be accomplished if time allows):
Develop and implement sidewalk vending regulations by June 30, 2025.
Note to Staff from Council: When discussing Tier 1 Goals always present in the context of the Priority Areas of Focus, with specific attention on Public Safety. Council wants the community to know that they are focused on Public Safety. The Areas of Priority Focus include, in no priority order: Public Safety, Fiscal Stability & Economic Development, Quality of Life, Roadway/Infrastructure Maintenance, Customer Service, and Being a Desirable Workplace—employee success and organizational efficiency.
City Council Minutes April 6, 2024
3 The City Council directed staff to prepare a report on and educate the public on the Climate Action Plan and prepare a white paper on a crossing guard program.
ADJOURNMENT
By order of the Mayor, the meeting was adjourned on April 6, 2024, at 3:35 p.m. /s/
EDI E. BIRSAN
MAYOR
/s/
JOELLE FOCKLER, MMC
CITY CLERK