EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 5, 2022 - 7:00 p.m.
Members:
Mayor Gabe Quinto
Mayor Pro Tern Lisa Motoyama · Councilmember Janet Abelson Councilmember Paul Fadelli · Councilmember Tessa Rudnick Join Via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom. us/j/87834939037?pwd= Tk1 WSzlUbnFiZzAObk1 DcXIORk9LUT09 Meeting ID: 878 3493 9037 Password: 409664
or Dial in: 1-408-638-0968
The City Council may continue to meet by teleconference, consistent with the Brown Act as amended by AB 361 (2021 ). Under the amended rules, the City will not provide a physical location for members of the public to participate in the teleconference meeting.
Members of the public can watch or listen to City Council meetings as follows:
1. Cable T.V. Broadcast on KCRT Channel 28
2. Radio Broadcast on FM 88.1 Or97.7
3. Livestream Online at www.el-cerrito.org/CouncilMeetingMaterials
4. Via Zoom using the meeting information listed above (Closed captioning available)
Each period for public comment will be announced. Public Comments may be submitted one of two ways:
• Via Zoom using the "Raise Hand" icon to request to speak. If joining by phone, dial *9 to "raise your hand", and when prompted by the host, *6 to unmute/mute. • Via email to [email protected]. Email must contain in the subject line Public Comments - Not on the Agenda or Public Comments - agenda item #.
To ensure City Council receives your written comments prior to taking action, they must be received by 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. All written comments received by this deadline will be provided to the City Council and posted on line in advance of the meeting. Comments received after the deadline will be provided to the City Council and included with supplemental materials after the meeting. No written comments will be read into the record.
7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL - CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Present: Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Rudnick Absent: Mayor Quinto, Councilmember Abelson 04/05/2022 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 7
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OR OBSERVATION OF A
MOMENT OF SILENCE
2. TELECONFERENCE AND PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
3. COUNCIL/STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Reports of closed session, commission appointments and informational reports on matters of general interest which are announced by the City Council and staff.
City Manager Pinkos - provided an update on public health conditions.
Councilmember Rudnick - reported attendance at East Bay Regional Communication System Authority Board of Directors (EBRCSA) meeting and Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Interfaith Freedom Seder Passover celebration; announced April 28th Holocaust Remembrance Day event.
Councilmember Fadelli - reported attendance at the Cal Cities East Bay division meeting, BART operations staff on cable outage on Richmond/El Cerrito line; announced World One festival fundraising efforts for July 4th celebrations and major donations received,
Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama - reported attendance at a conference regarding housing and available grants for ADU's; announcements centenarian recognition of Earle Carr, Gertrude Crespan, Jacqueline Hetman, and Josephine Knoll; and reported letter of personal support sent by Mayor Quinto in support of MCE funding request; shared the passing of El Cerrito resident Miguel Espino.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Remarks are typically limited to 3 minutes per person. The Mayor may reduce the time limit per speaker depending upon the number of speakers and may limit the total time for public comment to facilitate the completion of business on the agenda. Comments regarding non-agenda, presentation and consent calendar items will be heard first.
Comments related to items appearing on the Public Hearing or Policy Matter portions of the Agenda will be heard prior to the City Council taking action on each item.
All written comments submitted prior to and during the meeting were posted online as supplemental materials and incorporated into the official meeting record. Written public comments for matters not on the agenda were received from Dick Patterson (Chair of the Financial Advisory Board), Howdy Goudey, and Cordell Hindler; and consent item #5.J. from Kay Starkweather, Gary Prost, Dianne Brenner, Sue and Paul Duncan, and Nick Zamorano.
Oral Public Comments:
Peter - commented on improvement of public health conditions and requested revisiting or lifting the local emergency.
Buddy Akacic - spoke regarding the mask mandate, in favor or returning to inperson meetings, support of the centenarian recognition, and asked for a moment of silence for Miguel Espino.
04/05/2022 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 7
Xiaomei Song - shared remarks of challenges with rental and eviction moratorium as a small landlord.
Dan Pan - spoke regarding lifting of the local eviction moratorium and the need for protections for landlords.
Al Miller - spoke in support of the National Library Week Proclamation, importance of libraries, and announced new interest free loan program through Stege Sanitary for lateral repairs.
Rachel Rose Kind - District 1 Library Commissioner, spoke regarding partnership with libraries and local communities, National Library Week, recognition of El Cerrito Library staff, and need for new library facility in El Cerrito.
Sue Duncan - spoke in support of the Wildfire Preparedness Resolution, and not in support of returning to in person meetings.
Rabbi Yanky Bell - spoke in support of the Education and Sharing Day proclamation.
5. ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
All items on the consent calendar shall be acted upon in one motion, unless a member of the City Council or staff request separate consideration.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Rudnick/Councilmember Fadelli Action:
Approved items A-F and H-M on the consent calendar as indicated below.
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Rudnick Absent: Mayor Quinto, Councilmember Abelson Noes: None A. National Library Week Proclamation
Action Proposed: Pass a motion to approve a proclamation declaring April 3-9, 2022 as National Library Week in the City of El Cerrito and encourage all residents to visit the library.
Contact: Heidi Goldstein, Senior Community Library Manager, Contra Costa County Library
Action: Approved proclamation
B. Proclamation Recognizing Education and Sharing Day
Action Proposed: Pass a motion to approve a proclamation declaring April 12, 2022 as Education and Sharing Day in the City of El Cerrito and to raise awareness and strengthen the education of our children.
Contact: Holly M. Charlety, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved proclamation
04/05/2022 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 7
C. Earth Day Proclamation
Action Proposed: Pass a motion to approve a proclamation declaring Saturday, April 23, 2022 as "Earth Day" in the City of El Cerrito and encouraging all residents and businesses to help make El Cerrito a greener, healthier, more sustainable place for all.
Contact: Will Provost, Operations + Environmental Services Manager, Public Works Department
Action: Approved proclamation
D. Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation declaring April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of El Cerrito, and encouraging everyone to support anti-sexual violence advocates and service programs in the belief that all community members must be part of the solution to end sexual violence.
Contact: Holly M. Charlety, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved proclamation
E. Alcohol Awareness Month Proclamation
Action Proposed: Pass a motion to approve a proclamation designating April 2022 as Alcohol Awareness Month in El Cerrito.
Contact: Holly M. Charlety, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved proclamation
F. Letter of Support for Assembly Bill (AB) 1814
Action Proposed: At the request of Mayor Quinto, pass a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for AB 1814 related to funding for transportation electrification.
Contact: Holly Charlety, City Clerk, City Management
Action: Approved letter
G. Letter of Support for MCE Federal Funding Request
Action Proposed: At the request of Mayor Quinto, pass a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter in support of MCE's federal funding request for three projects designed to confront the climate crisis by eliminating fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions and to create equitable, environmental, and economic community benefits.
Contact: Holly Charlety, City Clerk, City Management
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Fadelli/Councilmember Rudnick Action: Pulled from consent by Councilmember Fadelli. Passed a motion to approve the letter with revisions to the three sections of funding requested to reflect where the funds would be appropriated from.
04/05/2022 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 7
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Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama, Councilmember Fadelli,
Councilmember Rudnick Absent: Mayor Quinto, Councilmember Abelson Noes: None
Letter of Support for Senate Bill (SB) 847
Action Proposed: At the request of Mayor Quinto, pass a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter in support of SB 847 pertaining to rental assistance for landlords and tenants who do not qualify for assistance under the state Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Contact: Holly M. Charlety, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved letter
Economic Development Committee Appointment
Action Proposed: Approve one Economic Development Committee recommendation to appoint a new member, Christopher Bunting, effective April 5, 2022.
Contact: Aissia Ashoori, Senior Program Manager, Community Development Department
Action: Approved appointment
Resolution Declaring May 7, 2022 as "National Wildfire
Community Preparedness Day"
Action Proposed: At the request of Councilmember Fadelli, adopt a Resolution Declaring May 7, 2022 as "National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day" in the City of El Cerrito.
Contact: Holly M. Charlety, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved Resolution No. 2022-18
Resolution in Support of Ukraine
Action Proposed: At the request of Mayor Quinto, adopt a resolution condemning the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine and Expressing Support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian People.
Contact: Holly M. Charlety, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved Resolution No. 2022-19
Amendments to Existing Agreements with Multiple Firms for OnCall Building Services Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute amendments to the existing professional services agreements with four consulting firms providing on-call building services to extend the terms an additional 18 months; and to increase the amount for FY 2021- 22 for one firm by $250,000.
04/05/2022 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 7
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Contact: Keith Marks, Building Official; Jen Bright, Management Assistant; Melanie Mintz, Community Development Director, Community Development Department
Action: Approved Resolution No. 2022-20
M. Authorize Annual Report for Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District for Fiscal Year 2022-23
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution directing NBS Local Government Solutions (NBS) to prepare and file the annual Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1988-1 report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23.
Contact: Sandra Dalida, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Action: Approved Resolution No. 2022-21
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. El Cerrito Library Update
Action Proposed: Receive and file a brief update on Contra Costa County Library activities, resources, and National Library Week.
Contact: Heidi Goldstein, Senior Community Library Manager, Contra Costa County Library
Action: Received and filed
8. Urban Forest Committee Work Plan
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation from the Urban Forest Committee on Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 Accomplishments, and Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 Work Plan.
Contact: Robin Mitchell, Chair, Urban Forest Committee; Stephen Pree, Environmental Programs Manager, Public Works Department Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding prior survey and basis for data, skills needed for existing committee vacancies, committee collaboration on wildfire prevention issues, home hardening guidelines and conflict with the desire to increase the number of trees in the city, and the process to iequest planting new trees in the city.
Action: Received and filed
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. POLICY MATTERS
A. Amendment to Agreement for Services between the Kensington Fire Protection District and the City of El Cerrito
04/05/2022 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 7
Action Proposed: Adopt a Resolution approving the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement for Services between the Kensington Fire Protection District and the City of El Cerrito that establishes a sixmonth financial reserve.
Contact: Michael Pigoni, Fire Chief, Fire Department; Karen Pinkos, City Manager, City Management; Bill Hansell, General Manager, Kensington Fire Protection District
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding purpose of the prior increase to reserve levels, effect on ability for disaster preparedness, security of resources to pay the El Cerrito contract, and recent revenue trends.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Rudnick /Coun ci!member Fadelli Action: Approved Resolution No. 2022-22. Ayes: Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember
Rudnick Absent: Mayor Quinto, Councilmember Abelson Noes: None
9. CITY COUNCIL LOCAL & REGIONAL LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS Mayor and City Council communications regarding local and regional liaison assignments and committee reports.
Councilmember Fadelli - announced discussion of potentially forming an East Bay Joint Powers Authority and the potential to fold this concept into the Hills Emergency Forum.
10. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The regular meeting adjourned at 8:53 PM in memory of El Cerrito Resident Migu:a:__y~ Gabe Quinto, Mayor
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the City Council meeting of April 5, 2022 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
C, City Clerk
04/05/2022 City Council Minutes Page 7 of 7