Mayor Councilmembers
Lisa Motoyama Paul Fadelli
Mayor Pro Tem Gabriel Quinto
Tessa Rudnick Carolyn Wysinger
EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023
View (Regular Meeting Only):
1. Cable T.V. Broadcast on KCRT Channel 28
2. Livestream Online at www.el-cerrito.org/CouncilMeetingMaterials Accommodations: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 510- 215-4305. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable accommodations. Closed Captions available via zoom.
Conduct: This meeting shall be conducted pursuant to the El Cerrito City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, including adjourning by 11:00 PM unless extended to a specific time determined by a majority of the Council.
Public Comments:
1. In-person by submitting a request to speak to the City Clerk.
2. By Email to [email protected] identified in the subject line as Public Comments – Agenda Item #.
Public Comment via zoom has been suspended.
Written comments received by 2:00 p.m. the day of the meeting will be provided to the City Council and posted online in advance of the meeting.
Comments received after the deadline will be provided to the City Council and will be posted after the meeting.
5:00 PM ROLL CALL - CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM.
Present: Mayor Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick,
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (5:00 PM)
Hillside Conference Room - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito Join Via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89498217087?pwd=WVNjQWlPZ3RybVI3UTk2N3pmbmxQUT09 Meeting ID: 894 9821 7087 Password: 830489 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:00 PM)
Council Chambers - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
Join Via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84084043280?pwd=NlY2eGRwS2ZQbzY4QmtyeXJnajg1UT09 Meeting ID: 840 8404 3280 Password: 448839 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 10/17/2023 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 8
DocuSign Envelope ID: D1BC2ECD-30D7-4746-95D5-36C3EA7D3670 Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger (arrived at 5:18 PM) Absent: Mayor Motoyama (due to potential conflict of interest)
1. CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION ON ANY REQUEST FROM A
COUNCILMEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING REMOTELY
DUE TO EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES PURSUANT TO AB 2449
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
All persons wishing to speak should sign up with the City Clerk. Remarks are typically limited to 3 minutes per person and to items on the special meeting agenda only.
3. CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54856.8
Property: A portion of City property adjacent to the east side of the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station between Central Avenue and Fairmount Avenue Agency negotiators: Melanie Mintz, Community Development Director, Community Development Department; Sky Woodruff, City Attorney, City Management
Negotiating parties: BART and The Related Companies of California, LLC
Under negotiation: Price and terms
Contact: Sky Woodruff, City Attorney, City Management
The City Council convened to closed session at 5:04 PM. No reportable action.
4. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The special meeting adjourned at 5:55 PM
6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Motoyama called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.
Present: Mayor Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick,
Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Absent: None
1. CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION ON ANY REQUEST FROM A
COUNCILMEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING REMOTELY
DUE TO EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES PURSUANT TO AB 2449
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OR OBSERVATION OF A
MOMENT OF SILENCE
3. TELECONFERENCE AND PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
10/17/2023 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 8
DocuSign Envelope ID: D1BC2ECD-30D7-4746-95D5-36C3EA7D3670
4. 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.
Mayor Motoyama and Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick - shared words of support for those affected by the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
City Manager Pinkos - provided an update regarding work on the Strategic Plan and upcoming City Council workshop on 10/28/2023.
Councilmember Quinto - shared words of support for those affected by the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
Councilmember Wysinger - announced upcoming luncheon of the EL Cerrito Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and commented on disagreement regarding discontinuing remote public comments and the need to work instead on dismantling the system.
Councilmember Fadelli - reported on attendance at the St. Peter's Methodist Church Layday, and EBMUD meeting on the wildcat pipeline replacement project.
Mayor Motoyama - announced ribbon cutting for Plank and Power Pilates on 10/21, NAACP Freedom Luncheon on 10/22, the Best of El Cerrito Celebration on 10/26, and Strategic Plan workshop on 10/28, ribbon cutting for Dolly's Italian Restaurant on 10/28, and senior resource fair on 11/3.
5. 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.
Public Comments: Written comments submitted prior to and during the meeting are posted online as supplemental materials and incorporated into the official meeting record.
Max Mankita - spoke regarding dangers for cyclists and pedestrians on Ashbury Avenue, and suggested modifications to increase safety.
Stuart Sonatina - commented on the need for increasing the bicycle infrastructure in the City and identified potential locations.
John Stashik - commented on the need for a reliable emergency backup generator for Fire Station 52.
Susan Duncan - spoke in support of the purchase of an emergency 10/17/2023 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 8
DocuSign Envelope ID: D1BC2ECD-30D7-4746-95D5-36C3EA7D3670 backup generator for Fire Station 52.
Kimberly White - spoke in support of having all financial items on the agenda be presented as a discussion item.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Annual Sundar Shadi Garden Club Awards
Action Proposed: Receive and file a brief presentation and acknowledgement of contest winners.
Contact: Pamela Austin, El Cerrito Garden Club Representative (Heard out of Order)
Action: Received and filed
7. 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 Quinto/Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick Action: Approved the consent calendar as indicated below.
Ayes: Mayor Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None A. Shelter in Place Education Day Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation recognizing November 1, 2023 as Shelter in Place Education Day in El Cerrito.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved proclamation
B. Ujima Lodge #35 Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation recognizing Ujima Lodge #35 on its 102nd anniversary.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved proclamation
C. Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day Proclamation Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation declaring October as National Bullying Prevention Month and October 18, 2023 as Unity Day in the City of El Cerrito.
Contact: Andrea Dwyer, Childcare Supervisor, Recreation Department
Action: Approved proclamation
D. 70th Anniversary of St. Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal 10/17/2023 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 8
DocuSign Envelope ID: D1BC2ECD-30D7-4746-95D5-36C3EA7D3670 Church
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation recognizing the 70th anniversary of St. Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of El Cerrito.
Contact: Holly Charléty, City Clerk, City Management
Action: Approved proclamation
E. Committee on Aging Appointment
Action Proposed: Approve a Committee on Aging
recommendation to appoint Linda Cain to the Committee on Aging, effective October 17, 2023.
Contact: Bridget Cooney, Recreation Supervisor, Recreation Department
Action: Approved appointment
F. Resolution to Authorize the Purchase of an Emergency Replacement Generator for Station 52 and appropriate an amount not to exceed $75,000.
Action Proposed: Adopt a Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2023- 2024 adopted budget to appropriate $75,000 from the general fund balance to purchase a renewable diesel emergency back-up generator at Fire Station 52, and authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement with Leete Generator LLC.
Contact: Eric Saylors, Fire Chief; Joseph Torres, Battalion Chief, Fire Department
Action: Approved Resolution 2023-78
G. Authorization of Agreement for the Infill Infrastructure Grant – Catalytic Qualifying Infill Area Program of 2019 for the El Cerrito Plaza BART Transit-Oriented Development
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a standard agreement and all other required documents for the Infill Infrastructure Grant – Catalytic Qualifying Infill Area Program (IIGC) with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to support the El Cerrito Plaza Station Transit- Oriented Development (TOD) Project.
Contact: Aissia Ashoori, Housing Manager; Melanie Mintz, Community Development Director, Community Development
Department
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Quinto/Mayor Pro Tem
10/17/2023 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 8
DocuSign Envelope ID: D1BC2ECD-30D7-4746-95D5-36C3EA7D3670 Rudnick Action: Approved Resolution 2023-79 Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None Absent: Mayor Motoyama (recused due to potential conflict of interest).
H. Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Grant Pass-through Agreement Between the City and BART to Receive Funding
from BART for Transportation Infrastructure Planning, Design, and Construction Around the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station.
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to 1) execute a grant pass-through agreement with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to receive grant funding from the Transit and Intercity Capital Rail Program (TIRCP) Cycle 5, which was awarded to BART, in an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the first allocation; and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute amendments to this agreement to receive additional allocations of grant funding from TIRCP Cycle 5 for an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.
Contact: Jarrett Mullen, Sustainable Transportation Program Manager; Sean Moss, Planning Manager; Melanie Mintz,
Community Development Director, Community Development
Department
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Quinto/Mayor Pro Tem
Rudnick Action: Approved Resolution 2023-80 Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None Absent: Mayor Motoyama (recused due to potential conflict of interest).
I. Consulting Services Agreement with Ghirardelli Associates for the El Cerrito Del Norte Transit-Oriented Development
Complete Streets Improvement Project, City Project No.
C4014, Federal Project No. CML-5239(029)
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Consulting Services Agreement with Ghirardelli Associates (Ghirardelli) to provide construction management services for the El Cerrito Del Norte Transit-Oriented Development Complete Streets Improvement Project, City Project No. C4014, Federal Project No. CML 5239(029) in the amount of
$1,584,372.83 and approve a contingency amount not to exceed $110,000.
Contact: Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department
Action: Approved Resolution 2023-80
J. Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for
September 2023
10/17/2023 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 8
DocuSign Envelope ID: D1BC2ECD-30D7-4746-95D5-36C3EA7D3670 Action Proposed: Receive and file the Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for the month of September 2023.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Action: Received and filed
K. FY 2023-24 First Quarter Cash and Investment Report
Action Proposed: Receive and file the City's first quarter cash and investment report for the period July 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Action: Received and filed
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. POLICY MATTERS
A. FY 2022-23 General Fund Budget Quarterly Update through June 2023
Action Proposed: Receive and file the FY 2022-23 General Fund Budget Quarterly Update through June 2023.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding real property transfer tax revenues, staff vacancy levels, expected variations from unaudited to audited numbers, and online sales tax revenues.
Action: Received and filed
B. Wildfire Safety and Preparedness
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation from the El Cerrito Fire Department with information on wildfires, including threats, impacts, prevention, and safety and provide staff direction on wildfire safety preparedness programs.
Contact: Eric Saylors, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding potential money from Measure X funds, data tracking for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program,
community participation, vulnerable community engagement, regional agency collaboration, maintaining funding for fuel 10/17/2023 City Council Minutes Page 7 of 8
DocuSign Envelope ID: D1BC2ECD-30D7-4746-95D5-36C3EA7D3670 reductions in the Hillside Natural area, zone assignment for community warning systems, State readiness,
Public Comments: Written comments submitted prior to and during the meeting are posted online as supplemental materials and incorporated into the official meeting record.
Susan Duncan - Spoke in support of the City Council joining the East Bay Memorandum of Understanding for Wildfire Prevention and approval of a pilot project for parking restrictions on red flag warning days.
Action: Received and filed
10. CITY COUNCIL LOCAL & REGIONAL LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS Mayor and City Council communications regarding local and regional liaison assignments, committee reports, and any required reporting under AB 1234 for meetings (as defined by the Brown Act) attended at the public'sexpense.
Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick - reported attendance at the Citywide Garage sale event.
Councilmember Fadelli - reported attendance at Contra Costa Mayors Conference, announced upcoming CCTA Retreat
Mayor Motoyama – reported attendance at Contra Costa County Mayors Conference, Mayor’s choice selection for EC Art Association Show, and attended the Albany Film Fest Gala.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM.
Lisa Motoyama, Mayor
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the City Council meeting of October 17, 2023 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
10/17/2023 City Council Minutes Page 8 of 8
DocuSign Envelope ID: D1BC2ECD-30D7-4746-95D5-36C3EA7D3670