East Palo Alto City Council February 7, 2023 Minutes Page 1 of 3
EAST PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 7, 2023
EPA Government Center
2415 University Ave, First Floor – City Council Chamber East Palo Alto, CA 94303
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Councilor Lisa Gauthier at 6:30 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Carlos Romero Councilor Present
Ruben Abrica Councilor Remote
Lisa Gauthier Mayor Present
Antonio Lopez Vice Mayor Remote
Martha Barragan Councilor Remote
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Romero, Abrica, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan
3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Romero, Abrica, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan
1. May 26, 2022 - September 6, 2022 Minutes
RESULT: CONTINUED TO 2/21/2023 MEETING [UNANIMOUS]
2. Mayoral Committee Appointments and Assignments
RESULT: CONTINUED TO 2/21/2023 MEETING [UNANIMOUS]
3. A Proclamation of The City of East Palo Alto Celebrating Lunar New Year RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
4. Proposed Amendment to Contract with Verde Designs for Additional CEQA Review of MLK Junior Park
RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
5. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Sanitary Sewer Services RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
6. Proposed Updated Terms for Library Acquisition
East Palo Alto City Council February 7, 2023 Minutes Page 2 of 3 RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
7. 2547 : Caltrans EPA US 101 Univ Ave Maint Agreement
RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
8. Black History Month Proclamation
RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
9. AB 361 Findings to Continue Virtual Meetings for the City Council and City Advisory Bodies
RESULT: APPROVE [UNANIMOUS]
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Gail Wilkerson
5. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
1. Status of Local Emergency - Winter Storms
Patrick Heisinger provided a report.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - NONE
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
8. POLICY AND ACTION
1. City Participation in the Age Friendly Communities Certification Presentation provided by Cynthia Nakayama and Maurice Baker.
RESULT: ADOPT [UNANIMOUS]
MOTION BY: Ruben Abrica
SECOND: Carlos Romero
AYES: Romero, Abrica, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan
2. Proposed Final Design of Bell Street Park in partnership with Magical Bridge Presentation provided by Olenka Villareal and Maurice Baker.
RESULT: ADOPT [UNANIMOUS]
MOTION BY: Antonio Lopez
SECOND: Lisa Gauthier
AYES: Romero, Abrica, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan
3. Approval of Business Discovery Program for Business Licenses - Presentation provided by Ian Davis from HDL Companies. - Lynn Gibson and Gail Wilkerson
- Updated the motion by providing businesses amnesty for penalty payment via the following breakdown:
Days 1-45 100% amnesty
Days 46-90 50% amnesty
East Palo Alto City Council February 7, 2023 Minutes Page 3 of 3 RESULT: ADOPT [UNANIMOUS]
MOTION BY: Antonio Lopez
SECOND: Ruben Abrica
AYES: Romero, Abrica, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
- Melvin Gaines and John Le welcomed by Mayor Lisa Gauthier. - Mayor Gauthier announced the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year and the inclusion of housing resources.
- Councilmember Abrica expressed consolation for mass shootings in Half Moon Bay and other areas in California.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.