East Palo Alto City Council January 17, 2023 Minutes Page 1 of 3
EAST PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 17, 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 6:37 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Carlos Romero Councilor Present
Ruben Abrica Councilor Remote
Lisa Gauthier Mayor Present
Antonio Lopez Vice Mayor Present
Martha Barragan Councilor Remote
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
RESULT: ADOPT [UNANIMOUS]
MOTION BY: Abrica
SECOND: Romero
AYES: Romero, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan, Abrica
3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Quarterly COVID-19 Emergency Reporting
2. Monthly Cash Treasury Report for November 2022
3. 2022 Annual Street Resurfacing Project First Contract Amendment
4. Proclamation of the City of East Palo Alto Commemorating the Contributions of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Fight for Equality
5. Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Letter Urging State Legislators to Amend Assembly Bill ("AB") 2449.
6. AB 361 Findings to Continue Virtual Public Meetings for the City Council and City Advisory Bodies
7. City Manager Appointment
Councilmembers, the Gaines Family, and members of the public congratulated Melvin Gaines for his appointment as a City Manager.
RESULT: ADOPT [UNANIMOUS]
MOTION BY: Lopez
SECOND: Romero
AYES: Romero, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan, Abrica
East Palo Alto City Council January 17, 2023 Minutes Page 2 of 3
8. Ratify Payments with Enviro Clean Maintenance
9. Proclamation Congratulating the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for 35 years of Service to the City of East Palo Alto and the San Mateo County Founding members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority received the proclamation and provided comments.
RESULT: ADOPT [UNANIMOUS]
MOTION BY: Abrica
SECOND: Romero
AYES: Romero, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan, Abrica
10. Proclamation Taking a Stand Against Human Trafficking in the Bay Area Motion to approve the consent agenda:
RESULT: ADOPT [UNANIMOUS]
MOTION BY: Lopez
SECOND: Romero
AYES: Romero, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan, Abrica
4. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney, John Le reported that no action was taken but direction was given to staff.
A. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
B. ADJOURNMENT INTO CLOSED SESSION
C. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
D. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
- Thurman Smith
- Laura Moya representing HIP Housing
- Amy Madison
6. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
1. Status of Local Emergency
Presentation provided by Interim City Manager Patrick Heisinger and Public Works Director Humza Javed.
2. Addison Avenue Safe Route to School and Green Street Infrastructure Project Update
Presentation provided by Senior Engineer Glen March and Interim City Manager Patrick Heisinger.
7. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
East Palo Alto City Council January 17, 2023 Minutes Page 3 of 3
1. San Mateo County Libraries - EPA Library Annual Report Presentation provide by Ramses Escobedo, East Palo Alto Library Branch Manager.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
9. POLICY AND ACTION
1. Annual Financial Reports for Fiscal Year 2021-22
Tomo Oku Finance Director and Mitesh Desai from Badawi and Associates provided a presentation.
RESULT: ADOPT [UNANIMOUS]
MOTION BY: Romero
SECOND: Lopez
AYES: Romero, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan, Abrica
2. Resolution of Intent to increase water capital surcharge rates on April,1 2023 and provide notice of a proposition 218 public hearing set for March 21, 2023 Alex Handler, Greg Henry and Humza Javed provided a presentation.
RESULT: ADOPT [UNANIMOUS]
MOTION BY: Romero
SECOND: Lopez
AYES: Romero, Gauthier, Lopez, Barragan, Abrica
10. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Romero announced the availability of a vaccine clinic.
Mayor Gauthier announced the strategic planning retreat.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 p.m.