East Palo Alto City Council March 21, 2023 Minutes Page 1 of 5
EAST PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 21, 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 Mayor Lisa Gauthier at 6:33 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Carlos Romero Councilor Present
Ruben Abrica Councilor Present
Lisa Gauthier Mayor Present
Antonio Lopez Vice Mayor Present
Martha Barragan Councilor Present
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
1. December 28, 2022 - January 21, 2023, and March 7, 2023 Minutes
2. 2022 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Report
3. Adoption of 2023 Reach Codes: Proposed Electrification Reach Codes for 2022 Green Building Standards Code
4. Monthly Cash Treasury Report for January 2023
5. Ratifying Purchases and Authorizing New Purchases from Comcast
6. Amendment No. 1 for Harper & Associates Professional Services Agreement
7. Proclamation of the City of East Palo Alto Celebrating Powerhouse Hobbs Day
4. CLOSED SESSION
A. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
B. ADJOURNMENT INTO CLOSED SESSION
C. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
City Attorney, John Le, reported that there was no reportable action.
D. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
- Gail Wilkerson
- Leland J. Francois
- Edwin Magana
- Has B
- Laura Rubio
- Danielle
- Uhila Makoni
- Francisca Guzman
East Palo Alto City Council March 21, 2023 Minutes Page 2 of 5 - Michael Francois
- Court Skinner
6. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS - NONE
7. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation on SB 594 (Durazo) LLC Owner Transparency Aliyah Shaheed provided a presentation on LLC Owner Transparency.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Hearing on Proposed Increases to Water Capital Surcharge Rates on April,1 2023 and Reducing Operational Water Rates by $0.02.
Votes:
Motion: Carlos Romero
Second: Antonio Lopez
Passed by unanimous decision.
Batool Zaro, Greg Henry, and Alex Handlers provided a presentation on the Water Capital Surcharge Rates.
Public Speaker:
- Gail Wilkerson
- Michael Francois
- Meda Okelo
- Lettecia
Mayor Gauthier Closed Public Hearing
The City received a total of 3 protests and 171 returned letters. As the protests did not exceed 50% + 1, the council voted on the Surcharge Increase.
9. POLICY AND ACTION
1. Acquisition of the Site Located at the Corner of Bay Road and Pulgas Avenue for Potential Use as New Public Library
- Michael Mashack
- Christopher Kao
- Michael Francois
- Donna Rutherford
- Heather
- Larry Moody
- Gail Wilkerson
Votes:
Motion: Carlos Romero
Second: Antonio Lopez
East Palo Alto City Council March 21, 2023 Minutes Page 3 of 5 Passed by unanimous decision.
2. Local Gun Control Ordinance
- Paula Maciocia
- Leah Elkins
- Alexandra Pavidakis
- James's Galaxy A51
- Davena Gentry
- Donna Rutherford
Votes:
Motion: Carlos Romero
Second: Lisa Gauthier
Passed by unanimous decision.
3. Funding for Affordable Homeownership Opportunities as an Affordable Housing Preservation Strategy
- Public Speaker
- Michael Mashack
- Gail Wilkerson
- Luella Parker
- Laura Rubio
- Filiberto Zaragoza
- Amy Arrellin
- Ofelia Bello
- Michael Francois
- Patricia Lopez
- Sherman
- Hailey
- Romanovskaia, Anna
- Claire Tan
- Phil
- Federico Andrade
- Daniella Montes
- Elena Kogan
- Carlo Li
- Gegne Gan
- Xenia
- Jay
- Jennifer Liu
- Dan Pan
East Palo Alto City Council March 21, 2023 Minutes Page 4 of 5 - Estefani
- Lisa Yang
- Donna Rutherford
- Alfred Weng
- Simon Weng
- Matt Runyan
- Michael Trujillo
- Thomas Maa
- Karen Grove
- Elena Savva
- Mac
- Nina Helmer
- Feng
- Peter
- Anne Wang
- Rani Indaheng
- Jack Biederman
- Deborah Lewis-Virges
Votes:
Motion: Lisa Gauthier
Second: Antonio Lopez
Passed by unanimous decision.
4. 40th Anniversary Follow Up Report
Maurice Baker provided a presentation on the 40th Anniversary event.
Public comment:
- Laura Rubio
- Gail Wilkerson
- Q Smith
Council voted to allocate 75,000 dollars (total) for the 40th anniversary parade and voted for “Building the Just City” as the motto,
Votes:
Motion: Antonio Lopez
Second: Martha Barragan
Passed by unanimous decision.
East Palo Alto City Council March 21, 2023 Minutes Page 5 of 5
10. COUNCIL REPORTS
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:49 p.m.