EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 19, 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/81090429321 ?pwd=dWF6ejdVUUR4Y05CY1 dmVEQ4WERRdz09 Meeting ID: 810 9042 9321 Password: 948884
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 Or 97.7
3. Livestream Online at www.el-cerrito.org/CouncilMeetingMaterials
4. Via Zoom using the meeting information listed above.
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 3:00 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.
04/19/2022 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 6
7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL - CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Quinto called the meeting to order at 7:09 PM.
Present: Mayor Quinto, Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Rudnick Absent: Councilmember Abelson
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OR OBSERVATION OF A
MOMENT OF SILENCE
2. TELECONFERENCE AND PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
3. COUNCIUSTAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Reports of closed session, commission appointments and infonnational reports on matters of general interest which are announced by the City Council and staff.
City Manager Pinkos - provided an update on current health conditions, including public transportation mask mandate changes; announced the June 7, 2022 return to in person, hybrid Council meeting, placement of Financial Advisory Board Investment Policy recommendation on a future City Council agenda.
Councilmember Rudnick - announced vacancies on city Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
Councilmember Fadelli - shared response to complaints regarding bird droppings at Del Norte station; thanked donors for the July 4th efforts, reminder of upcoming Earth Day on April 22, 2022.
Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama- reported attendance at St. Peters Church prayer breakfast.
Mayor Quinto - reported attendance at St. Peters Church prayer breakfast; announced Contra Costa Mosquito Vector Control Mosquito Awareness Week, and the opportunity to represent the city on the Board of Trustees.
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 Cordell Hindler, Ida Poberezovsky, Amei Papitto, Vanessa Warheit, Miguel Gravelle Izaguirre, Zach Weinstein, Aaron lsenstadt, Danielle Watters Westbrook, Shobit, Allison Cooper, Nick Brooks, Leslie D. Adams, Dave Weinstein (President of El Cerrito Trail Trekkers), and the Contra Costa County Mosquito and Vector Control District.
04/19/2022 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 6
Oral Public Comments:
Miguel Gravelle, Zach Weinstein, Danielle Watters Westbrook, Ida Poberezovsky, Nick Brooks, Aaron lsenstadt, Amei Pepito, Vanessa Warheit, Shobit Singh, and Pamela Davis - provided comments in support of reducing the Police Department budget and investing in alternative social and mental health services in El Cerrito.
Dave Weinstein - commented against proposed development on the vacant property adjacent to the Hillside Natural Area.
John Stashik - commented on police officer staffing shortages, need for coverage and fast response, and not in favor of reductions to the Police Department budget.
Denise Sangster - commented on the lack of racism in the police department and in support of continuing to fully fund the Police Department.
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: Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama/Councilmember Rudnick Action:
Approved item #A - D on the consent calendar as indicated below. Ayes: Mayor Quinto, Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Rudnick Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Abelson
A. Approval of Minutes
Action Proposed: Pass a motion to approve the minutes from the meetings of March 1, 15, and April 5, 2022.
Contact: Holly M. Charlety, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved minutes with the following modification to April 5, 2022 under Council Communications, correcting Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama comments from "will attend" to "attend".
B. Authorize City Council and City Advisory Body Meetings to be Held Via Teleconference Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361) Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing City Council and City Advisory Body meetings to be held via teleconference for a period of 30 days, and making related findings pursuant to AB 361.
Contact: Holly M. Charlety, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved Resolution No. 2022-23
C. Amendment to Custodial Services Agreement with Universal Building Services
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to extend the Recreation Department's custodial services agreement with Universal Building Services through the remainder of FY2021-22. 04/19/2022 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 6
Contact: Christopher Jones, Recreation Director, Recreation Department Action: Approved Resolution No. 2022-24
D. Parking Time Limit Modification in front of 11461 San Pablo Avenue Action Proposed: Approve resolution authorizing the Public Works Director/City Engineer to install thirty-six (36) feet of green curb markings with a parking time limit of thirty (30) minutes in front of 11461 San Pablo Avenue.
Contact: Roland Lambert, Associate Engineer; Ana Bernardes, Engineering Manager/Senior Engineer; Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department
Action: Approved Resolution No. 2022-25
E. Accept the Annual Report on Landscape and Lighting Assessment District No. 1988-1 for Fiscal Year 2022-23, and Adopt a Resolution of Intention to Order Improvements; and Set the Public Hearing as May 3, 2022
Action Proposed: Accept the Engineer's Report specifying assessments for the Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1988-1 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 and adopt a Resolution of Intention to order improvements pursuant to the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972, and set the time, date, and place of the public hearing as May 3, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Sandra Dalida, Finance Director/Treasurer, Finance Department
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Fadelli/Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama Action: Pulled from consent by Councilmember Fadelli. Approved Resolution 2022-26 with the request that Exhibit B be provided as a link in the future and not as a full printed listing of parcels. Ayes: Mayor Quinto, Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Rudnick Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Abelson
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. El Cerrito Public Protection Classification Report
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation on the updated El Cerrito Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating.
Contact: Michael Pigoni, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding if payment is required to conduct survey, and notifications needed to assist homeowners in getting better insurance rates.
Action: Received and filed.
04/19/2022 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 6
B. RPTT Rebate Program Overview and Update
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation on the Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) Rebate Program
Contact: Keith Marks, Building Official; Melanie Mintz, Community Development Director, Community Development Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding most utilized rebates, amount of money paid out in rebates, advertising of rebate program, need for a permit to qualify, and submission process, potential to add rebates to reduce fire risk through vegetation modification.
Action: Received and filed
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. POLICY MATTERS
A. Purchase a Replacement Type I Fire Engine
Action Proposed: Approve a resolution to authorize the lease purchase of a replacement fire engine from Hi-Tech Emergency Vehicle Services of Oakdale, California through a cooperative purchase order process based on competitive bid proposals from the City of San Jose.
Contact: Michael Pigoni, Fire Chief; Jose Castrejon, Battalion Chief; Brian Cheshareck, Fire Captain/Paramedic, Fire Department Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding increased costs for delaying purchase, process for using cooperative purchasing.
Public Comments:
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 this item were received from Jim Dolgonas, Nick Zamorano, Sue and Paul Duncan, and Gary Prost.
Oral Public Comments:
Denise Sangster - commented on potential equipment modification that could increase the speed for travel up the hill, and potential effects of supply chain issues.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Rudnick/Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama Action: Approved Resolution 2022-27. Ayes: Mayor Quinto, Mayor Pro Tern Motoyama, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Rudnick Noes:
None Absent: Councilmember Abelson
04/19/2022 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 6
B. Study Session on First Responder Fees
Action Proposed: Receive and discuss a report and presentation on implementing First Responder Fees for medical services provided by the Fire Department and provide direction to staff.
Contact: Michael Pigoni, Fire Chief, Fire Department; Karen Pinkos, City Manager, City Management
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding administrative needs versus revenue benefits, cost of compassionate writeoff, disproportionate affects on residents, ability to pay, due date of next update to the state auditor, potential pursuit of becoming a transport agency, use of narcotics on response calls.
Public Comments:
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 this item were received from Mary Ghidella, Sue and Paul Duncan, and Sherry Drobner.
Oral Public Comments:
Denise Sangster - spoke regarding prior requests to charge for service and in favor of moving forward with implementing fees.
John Stashik - spoke against charging for services that should be provided as a public service.
Rosa Esquivel - inquired about difference between fire and ambulance billing.
Action: Informal consensus reached to not pursue implementing fees.
9. CITY COUNCIL LOCAL & REGIONAL LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS Mayor and City Council communications regarding local and regional liaison assignments and committee reports.
Councilmember Rudnick - reported on attendance at Recyclemore meeting.
Mayor Quinto - reported upcoming trip to Washington DC representing Marin Clean Energy (MCE).
10. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
:47 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Cit C cil m ting of April 19, 2022 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council. , City Clerk
04/19/2022 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 6