Mayor Councilmembers
Lisa Motoyama Paul Fadelli
Mayor Pro Tem Gabriel Quinto
Tessa Rudnick Carolyn Wysinger
EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023
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.
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 #.
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 Motoyama called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. Present: Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger (Arrived at 5:27 PM) Absent: Mayor Motoyama (due to potential conflict of interest)
1. CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION ON ANY REQUEST FROM A
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (5:00 PM)
Hillside Conference Room - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (7:00 PM)
Council Chambers - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
Join Via Zoom (Closed Captions Available):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89372450893?pwd=aDE1RU05YVdMdVNKcUJNYmc3WFZvZz09 Meeting ID: 893 7245 0893 Password: 407543 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 View:
1. Cable T.V. Broadcast on KCRT Channel 28
2. Livestream Online at www.el-cerrito.org/CouncilMeetingMaterials 11/07/2023 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 74698B97-CE5B-48DA-AE99-ACDB847EA642
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
City Council convened to closed session at 5:01 PM. No reportable action.
4. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The special meeting adjourned at 6:03 PM
7:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Motoyama called the meeting to order at 7:24 PM.
Present: Mayor Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (left at 8:07 PM), 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
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.
City Manager Pinkos - updated the public on rescheduling of the library presentation at the next city council meeting.
Fire Chief Saylors and Police Chief Keith - provided a brief report on the grass fire that occurred last week, damage, response, and announced upcoming city evacuation drill.
Councilmember Fadelli - reported on attendance at the Senior Resource Fair, and upcoming holiday lighting event.
Mayor Motoyama - announced Lion Club's Veterans Day event at Sunset View 11/07/2023 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 74698B97-CE5B-48DA-AE99-ACDB847EA642 Cemetery and St Peter's 70th anniversary celebration on 11/19/23.
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.
Betsy Bashor - spoke regarding concerns with a library funding process, including timing of discussion and voting on a proposed measure, survey and financial information, and parking concerns.
Sherry Drobner - commented on potential tax measure for a library, and concern regarding unanswered questions.
6. PRESENTATIONS
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 item A and D on the consent calendar as indicated below.
Ayes: Mayor Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None A. Approval of Minutes
Action Proposed: Pass a motion to approve the minutes from the meetings of June 20, September 19, October 3 and 17, 2023.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved minutes with the following modifications: 1) 9/19/23 minutes item #10 modified to read "event on allyship in the face of antisemitism" following JCRC on Mayor Motoyama's Comments; and 2) 10/17/23 minutes item #10 modified to read "and attended the Albany Film Fest Gala" at the end of Mayor Motoyama's Comments.
B. United Against Hate Week
Action Proposed: Pass a motion to approve a proclamation declaring November 12 - 18, 2023 as United Against Hate Week in the City of El Cerrito.
Contact: Shannon Bassi, Senior Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources, Human Resources
Pulled from consent by Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Fadelli/Councilmember Quinto Action:
Approved Proclamation with an additional clause to read 11/07/2023 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 74698B97-CE5B-48DA-AE99-ACDB847EA642 "WHEREAS, the City has experienced racist comments through its public comment process and remains deeply committed to inclusivity.” Ayes: Mayor Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None C. Transgender Day of Remembrance Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation recognizing November 20, 2023 as a Transgender Day of Remembrance in El Cerrito.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Pulled from Consent by Councilmember Wysinger
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Wysinger/Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick Action: Approved Proclamation. Ayes: Mayor Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None
D. Cooperative Funding Agreement between the City of El Cerrito and West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) for the Ohlone Greenway Uptown District Improvements Project Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Subregional Transportation Mitigation Program (STMP) Cooperative Funding Agreement (Agreement) between the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) and City of El Cerrito (City) for the Ohlone Greenway Uptown District Improvements Project.
Contact: Jarrett Mullen, Sustainable Transportation Program Manager, Community Development Department; Marielle Cuison, Associate Engineer, Public Works Department; Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department
Action: Approved Resolution 2023-82
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. POLICY MATTERS
Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick left the meeting at 8:07 PM.
A. Consulting Services Agreement with PlaceWorks to update the City of El Cerrito Safety Element
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a consulting services agreement with PlaceWorks to develop an update of the El Cerrito Safety Element for $167,517 plus a 10% contingency in an amount not to exceed $184,269 and amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget to appropriate $184,269 from the General Fund Unrestricted Fund Balance to cover the costs for this work.
Contact: Sean Moss, Planning Manager, Community Development Department; Melanie Mintz, Director, Community Development Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to 11/07/2023 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 74698B97-CE5B-48DA-AE99-ACDB847EA642 comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding inclusion of local hazard mitigation plan, overlap with Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, inclusion of a dynamic traffic analysis, updated hazard maps, and staff time needed with contracted services.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Quinto/Councilmember Wysinger Action: Approved Resolution 2023-83. Ayes: Mayor Motoyama, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick Noes: None
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.
Councilmember Wysinger - reported on attendance at West Contra Costa Community School System Change Collaborative.
Councilmember Quinto - reported on attendance at Marine Clean Energy (MCE) meeting, Executive Committee for the Board of Cal Cities, and upcoming trip to Atlanta for the National League of Cities.
Mayor Motoyama - reported on attendance at City Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training, City tour for Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, a ribbon cutting for Plank + Power, the National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Freedom Luncheon, Tom Bates Field JPA meeting, West Contra Costa Mayors and Supervisors meeting, El Cerrito Chamber event for Best of El Cerrito, Mayfair and Tiny Footprints Childcare Halloween events, ribbon cutting for Dolly's Tavern, and Junction Avenue street party.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting adjourned at 8:44 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 November 7, 2023 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
11/07/2023 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 74698B97-CE5B-48DA-AE99-ACDB847EA642