REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CONCORD CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
1950 PARKSIDE DRIVE
CONCORD, CALIFORNIA AND VARIOUS
TELEPHONIC/ELECTRONIC LOCATIONS
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025
The Concord City Council met in a regular meeting in the Council Chamber, located at 1950 Parkside Drive and via various telephonic/electronic locations at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, with Mayor Obringer presiding. The pledge of allegiance was led by Councilmember Aliano. Minutes follow in abbreviated form per Resolution 3361 and Council Minutes of September 26, 1966.
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Dominic Aliano, Pablo Benavente, Laura Hoffmeister, Laura Nakamura, Carlyn Obringer
STAFF PRESENT: Valerie Barone, City Manager; Susanne Brown, City Attorney; Justin Ezell, Assistant City Manager; Joelle Fockler, City Clerk; Monique Robinson, Deputy City Clerk; Greg Taylor, Director of Information Technology; Will Tarbox, Director of Public Works; Carlton Thompson, City Engineer; Kit Jory, Parks Manager; Colleen Awad, Community Relations Manager; Abhishek Parikh, Deputy Director of Public Works; Aaron Sage, Planning
Manager; Meredith Rupp, Principal Planner
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
WHO ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL: Kay Saeyang; Arazu Bakhljov, Monument Impact; Debra Ballinger, United Latino Voices; Natalie; Ruth Gusenkov; Frank Runninghorse, Concord; Savioso Ramirez; Mary Cook, Concord; Wes Nicholson, Concord; Ivette Maruri, Concord; Natalia, Concord; Sirena Saldnar, Concord; Raul Arana Jr., Concord; Arsinoe Orihuela, Monument Impact; Mariam; Betty Gabaldon, Concord; Sarahi Soto-Talavera; Ashley Aguayo; Erin Hansen; Kelly Zhao, EBASE; Maria Dominguez, Concord; Ady Olvera, Concord; Elba Velasquez, Monument Impact; Josue Gomez,
Pittsburg
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Justin Ezell, Assistant City Manager, introduced the City of Concord’s new Community Relations Manager, Colleen Awad.
Kay Saeyang spoke of a socially responsible investment policy.
Arazu Bakhljov, Monument Impact, expressed interest in initiating a Police Oversight Commission.
Debra Ballinger, United Latino Voices, spoke of immigrant abductions at Concord court.
Natalie stated that the Public Comment period should not be used for staff announcements.
PRESENTATIONS
PROCLAMATION – Tree City USA
City Council Minutes June 24, 2025
2 Public comment provided by Wes Nicholson.
PROCLAMATION – Building Respect and Values for Everyone (B.R.A.V.E) Day No public comment was received.
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM UPDATE
No public comment was received.
CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Public comment provided by Ruth Gusenkov.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 1, 29, and April 22, 2025, Special Meetings, and March 4, 25, April 1, and 22, 2025, Regular Meetings
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve the minutes from the March 1, 29, and April 22, 2025, Special Meetings and March 4, 25, and April 1, and 22, 2025, Regular Meetings. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT – Supply Pool Sanitation Chemicals at Meadow Homes Spray Park
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve a Professional Services Agreement to supply pool sanitation chemicals on an as-needed basis for Concord Community Pool and the Meadow Homes Spray Park in the amount of $135,000 for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with the option to extend the agreement for two additional periods of one year each in the amount of $135,000 per year ($405,000 over three years); and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
APPROVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF CONORD AND CITY OF CLAYTON – Dispatch and IT Services
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve an agreement between the City of Concord and the City of Clayton for Concord to provide police dispatch, detention, and Information Technology support services for an initial 5-year term, with the option to extend for an additional 5-year term; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
AUTHORIZE INCREASE IN PROJECT CONTENGENCY FOR THE CITYWIDE TRAFFIC SYSTEM UPGRADE PHASE 2 PROJECT (PROJECT NO. 2574) – St. Francis Electric, LLC A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to authorize an increase in the project contingency from 20% to 20.8% ($219,396.10 to $228,191.85) on the existing construction contract with St Francis Electric, LLC for the Citywide Traffic System Upgrade Phase 2 Project (Project No. 2574) to fulfill contract change orders. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT – Pavement Engineering Inc.
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve a Professional Services Agreement with Pavement Engineering Inc. in the not-to-exceed amount of $518,990 to provide design engineering and related services for the Residential Pavement Maintenance No. 2 (Project No. 2742) for the streets surrounding Cambridge Park, Navaronne Way, and San Simeon Drive; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
City Council Minutes June 24, 2025
3 APPROVE NINE (9) AGREEMENTS INVOLVING ANNUAL LICENSE, MAINTENANCE, PURCHASE
AND SUPPORT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve nine (9) agreements involving annual license, maintenance, purchase and support for Information Technology systems in the total not-to-exceed amount of $1,927,482 for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year; and authorize the Director of Information Technology to execute the agreements and supporting documents in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
APPROVE FIVE-YEAR LICENSE AGREEMENT – Oakland Urban Farming Project
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve a five-year License Agreement with Oakland Urban Farming Project for the purpose of planning, funding, and implementing improvement and maintenance of a community garden at Hillcrest Park in coordination with the City; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
AUTHORIZE INCREASE TO THE CONTINGENCY FROM 10% TO 24% ON EXISTING TASK ORDER NO. 1 – Dewberry Engineers Inc
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to authorize an increase to the contingency from 10% to 24% (an increase of $35,392.31) on existing Task Order No. 1 with Dewberry Engineers Inc. for the Downtown Sanitary Sewer Upgrade Phase 4 (Project No. 2598) to fulfill construction management duties for project closeout. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve an agreement with Carahsoft Technology Corporation to replace the Department of Public Works current work order system with OpenGov Cartegraph Asset Management for a five-year contract (three years with two one-year extensions) in a total not to exceed amount of $1,452,655, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
APPROVE PURCHASE OF RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACON EQUIPMENT – Traffic and Parking Control Co., Inc. (TAPCO)
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve purchase of rectangular rapid flashing beacon equipment and accessories from Traffic and Parking Control Co., Inc. (TAPCO) in the not-to-exceed amount of $113,150.06 for the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) Crosswalk Enhancements project (Project No. 2696) at nine locations. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-36 – Accepting Contra Costa Community Development Block Grant/Home Consortium 2025/30 Consolidated Plan
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to adopt Resolution No. 25-36 entitled, “A Resolution Accepting the Contra Costa Community Development Block Grant/Home Consortium 2025/30 Consolidated Plan and Authorizing the City Manager to Submit the City of Concord Fiscal Year 2025/26 Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Consistent with the Program Rules which govern the Receipt and Expenditure of Funds Allocated by HUD during FY 2025/26; Appropriating and Authorizing Disbursement of $103,200 from the Cannabis Community Benefit Fund (Fund 292); and Execution of all Attendant Documents and Agreements for FY 2025/26.” The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
City Council Minutes June 24, 2025
4 APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT – TJKM Transportation Consultants A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve a Professional Services Agreement with TJKM Transportation Consultants in the amount of $447,988.22 including contingency to develop a Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan and Enhanced Collision Dashboard, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT, APPROVE TASK ORDER NO. 1, AND ACCEPT IMPROVEMENTS – Clayton Road Pavement Rehabilitation (Project No. 2609) located on Clayton Road, from Babel Lane to the City limits at the City of Clayton A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to;
1. Award a construction contract in the amount of $5,978,461.82 to Bay Cities Paving & Grading Inc. and authorize staff to utilize the available project contingency for contract change orders up to 15% of the contract amount; and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
2. Approve Task Order No. 1 with MNS Engineers, Inc. in the no-to-exceed amount of $929,094.98; authorize staff to utilize up to a 10% contingency ($84,463.18) to provide construction management, materials testing, and related services; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Task Order in a form acceptable to the City; and
3. Authorize the City Engineer to accept the improvements upon completion of Project No. 2609 and direct the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion.
The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
APPROVE AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT– Swinerton Management Consulting
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to approve an amendment to Professional Services Agreement No. 16489 with Swinerton Management Consulting for construction management in the amount of $208,475 (for a new not-to-exceed amount of $682,657.50) for the Clayton Road Traffic Operation Improvements - Phase 2 (Project No. 2579); and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT, APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 3, AND ACCEPT IMPROVEMENTS – Residential Pavement Maintenance – Phase C – Concord Blvd/Myrtle Dr. (Project No. 2606 & 2618) A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Aliano to;
1. Award a construction contract in the amount of $2,622,375 to MCK Services, Inc.; authorize staff to utilize the available project contingency for contract change orders up to 15% of the contract amount ($393,356.25); and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
2. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Avila Project Management in the not-to- exceed amount of $308,850, including a 10% contingency ($28,077) to provide construction management and related services; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
3. Authorize the City Engineer to accept the improvements upon completion of Project No. 2606 & 2618 and direct the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion. (Measure V).
The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
City Council Minutes June 24, 2025
5 ADOPT ORDINANCE 25-6 – Amending Concord Municipal Code, Title 5, Title 12, and Title 18 This item was pulled from consideration on the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Nakamura.
Public comment was made by:
Frank Running Horse, Concord
Savioso Ramirez
Mary Cook, Concord
Wess Nicholson, Concord
Ivette Maruri, Concord
Natalia, Concord
Sirena Saldnar, Concord
Raul Arana, Jr., Concord
Debra Ballinger, United Latino Voices
Arsinoe Orihuela, Monument Impact
Mariam
Betty Gabaldon, Concord
Sarahi Soto-Talavera
Ashley Aguayo
Erin Hansen
Kelly Zhao, EBASE
Maria Dominguez, Concord
Ady Olvera, Concord
Elba Velasquez
Josue Gomez, Pittsburg
A motion was made by Aliano and seconded by Hoffmeister to adopt Ordinance No. 25-6 entitled, “An Ordinance Amending Concord Municipal Code, Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations), Section
5.90.010 (Definitions), Title 12 (Street, Sidewalks, and other Public Places), Chapter 12.50 (Vendors), and Title 18 (Development Code), Sections 18.20.030 (Definitions), 18.200.210 (Food Vendor Group Sites), and Adding Title 12, Chapter 12.55 (Sidewalk Vending).” Ordinance No. 25-6 was introduced on June 3, 2025, by reading of the title only and waiving further reading. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Aliano, Benavente, Hoffmeister, Obringer NOES: Nakamura ABSENT: None Mayor Obringer recessed the meeting at 8:10 p.m. The meeting resumed at 8:26 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ITEMS
CONSIDER DENIAL OF REQUEST FROM LA CLINICA FOR A SIX-MONTH EXTENSION AND
EXPANDED USE OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT GRANT ALLOCATION Justin Ezell, Assistant City Manager, presented the staff report.
No public comment was received.
City Council Minutes June 24, 2025
6 A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Nakamura, to approve a six-month extension allowing La Clinica to utilize $146,182 in their possession for expanded uses and retain the $100,000 in the City’s possession. The motion passed by unanimous vote of the Council.
A motion was made by Nakamura and seconded by Benevente to direct staff to bring back the necessary action for Council to take the remaining $100,000 that is reserved and allocate it to support a mobile resource unit. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benavente, Hoffmeister, Nakamura, Obringer NOES: Aliano ABSENT: None ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-37 – Committing to Take Steps Toward Achieving Compliance with MTC’s Transit-Oriented Communities Policy
Mayor Obringer recused herself from the item due to an economic interest in real property resulting from proximity to her primary residence and left the dais for the remainder of the meeting, and the meeting was turned over to Vice Mayor Nakamura.
Meredith Rupp, Principal Planner, presented the staff report.
No public comment was received.
A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Hoffmeister to adopt Resolution No. 25-37 entitled, “A Resolution Committing to take Steps toward Achieving Compliance with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (“MTC’s”) Transit-Oriented Communities (“TOC”) Policy as a Condition for MTC to Allocate Regional Discretionary Funding for Two TOC Planning and Implementation Grants for Land Use Density and Parking Management, and Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate the Land Use Density Grant Funds to Reimbursable Project Number 2801 (Fund 402), and Execute any Necessary or Appropriate Agreements in a form Acceptable to the City Attorney.” The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Aliano, Benavente, Hoffmeister, Nakamura NOES: None ABSENT: Obringer A motion was made by Benavente and seconded by Hoffmeister to direct staff to bring Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Compliance changes from Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to the Infrastructure and Franchise Committee for review and consideration. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Aliano, Benavente, Hoffmeister, Nakamura NOES: None ABSENT: Obringer
CORRESPONDENCE
a. Letter from Mayor to Secretary of Transportation re: Support for City’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Application, dated June 18, 2025
b. Letter from City Manager to Secretary of Transportation re: Support for City’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Application, dated June 16, 2025
c. Agenda Item No. 2.a – Written Public Comment
d. Agenda Item No. 3.c – Correspondence received after 3 p.m. on June 24, 2025 e. Agenda Item No. 3.c – Transportation Overview – PowerPoint Presentation f. Agenda Item No. 4.b – Benched Correspondence
g. Agenda Item No. 5.a – Benched Correspondence
h. Agenda Item No. 5.a – Request from La Clinica for ARPA Grant Extension – PowerPoint Presentation
i. Agenda Item No. 5.b – Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy – PowerPoint Presentation
COUNCIL REPORTS
City Council Minutes June 24, 2025
7 Councilmembers shared information on events and activities in which they had participated since the last meeting and commented on items of interest.
ADJOURNMENT
By order of the Vice Mayor, the meeting was adjourned on June 24, 2025, at 10:12 p.m. in memory of Merrilln Ruiz.
/s/
CARLYN S. OBRINGER
MAYOR
/s/
JOELLE FOCKLER, MMC
CITY CLERK