Mayor Councilmembers
Lisa Motoyama Paul Fadelli
Mayor Pro Tem Gabriel Quinto
Tessa Rudnick Carolyn Wysinger
EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023
View:
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.
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. 6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Motoyama called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM.
Present: Mayor Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Wysinger Present (Remotely): Councilmember Quinto 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
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:00 PM)
City Council Chambers - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito Join Via Zoom (Closed Captions Available):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84586259090?pwd=VHZxUjdRSzlnc2U2RVBrbnJEOGt0dz09 Meeting ID: 845 8625 9090 Password: 941608 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 11/21/2023 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 421521DF-2805-458C-9226-2A4E5CA01C12
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 - announced City Hall closure from 12/21/23 - 1/1/2024.
Councilmember Wysinger - announced Democratic Club support of cities providing hybrid meetings.
Councilmember Fadelli - reported on attendance at 70th anniversary celebration at St. Peter's Church, Urban Forest Committee, and Committee on Aging; thanked sponsors in the Chamber for lights along San Pablo Avenue.
Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick - announced fundraiser at the Contra Costa Civic Theater in December.
Mayor Motoyama - announced City Holiday Pancake Breakfast and Boomer Dance on 12/2/23, and Hana Gardens Makers Faire 12/16/23; reported on attendance at the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Housing Committee meeting, and Environmental Quality Committee.
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.
Buddy Akacic - commented on the need for a senior center.
Patrick Curtin - requested better regulation of speed and traffic on upper Moeser Lane.
Stuart Sonatina - spoke regarding the need and ideas for increasing bike and pedestrian access in the city.
Gaia Sonatina - commented regarding bike access and safety in the city.
Greg Lyman - shared information about the upcoming Sundar Shadi Display on Moeser and Sea View.
Ira Sharenow - shared comments on process for getting a new library and need for a senior center.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Citizens Street Oversight Committee Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2021-22
11/21/2023 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 421521DF-2805-458C-9226-2A4E5CA01C12
Action Proposed: Receive and file the Citizens Street Oversight Committee Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2021-22 to City Council and Citizens of El Cerrito.
Contact: Matthew Kelly, Citizens Street Oversight Committee; Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department Action: Received and filed
B. AC Transit Draft Route Changes
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation from AC Transit regarding draft route changes in El Cerrito and surrounding areas.
Contact: Ryan Lau, External Affairs Representative; Carissa Lee, Acting Senior Transportation Planner, AC Transit
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding financial stability, Bay Bridge bus only lane options, and modifications to El Cerrito bus stops.
Public Comments:
Ira Sharenow - commented on the condition of roads in El Cerrito.
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 Fadelli/Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick Action:
Approve the consent calendar as indicated below. Ayes: Mayor Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None
A. Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for October2023 Action Proposed: Receive and file the Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for the month of October 2023.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Action: Received and filed
B. Amendment to the City's Classification Plan
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution amending the City's Classification Plan to authorize an additional classification of Maintenance Operations Supervisor in the Public Works Department.
Contact: Shannon Bassi, Senior Human Resources Analyst, City Management
Action: Approved Resolution 2023-84
11/21/2023 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 421521DF-2805-458C-9226-2A4E5CA01C12
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. POLICY MATTERS
A. FY 2023-24 General Fund Budget Quarterly Update through September 2023
Action Proposed: Receive and file an update on City General Fund revenues and expenses for FY 2023-24 through September 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 business licenses, additional property tax revenue, increasing homeowners with rentals in compliance with the required business licenses, and real property transfer tax projections.
Public Comments:
Ira Sharenow - provided comments regarding general fund deficit and surplus.
Action: Received and filed
B. Library Presentation
Action Proposed: Receive a presentation on the cumulative work of City staff as well as surveys, polling, and community feedback regarding funding for a new Library in El Cerrito and provide staff direction on next steps.
Contact: Karen Pinkos, City Manager, City Management
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding polling margin of error, how the $0.17 amount used for polling was developed, timing of development phases, internal design, role of the county in the process, size of the proposed space, parking accommodations, financial oversight, tax sunset date, potential constitutional amendment, outreach efforts, use of technology and division of costs with the county, and exploring additional financial options.
Public Comments: Written comments submitted prior to and during the meeting are posted online as supplemental materials and incorporated into the official meeting record.
Dr. Barry Koops, Charles Taylor, Georgina Edwards, Al Miller, Clare Sheridan, Michael Fischer, Greg Lyman, and Tom Panas - spoke in support of a new library and the proposed project.
11/21/2023 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 421521DF-2805-458C-9226-2A4E5CA01C12 Elizabeth Bashor - spoke regarding the need for increased public engagement, parking concerns, need for written agreements with the county on management.
Ira Sharenow - spoke against the project, need for a senior center, and parking citations.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Quinto/Councilmember Wysinger Action: Directed Staff to continue exploring financial options including a potential ballot measure in 2023. Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Quinto, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None Absent: Mayor Motoyama (recused due to potential conflict of interest).
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 Quinto - reported on attendance at the National League of Cities annual conference.
Mayor Motoyama - reported on attendance at Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Housing Committee meeting, Lions Club Veterans Day Observance event, Tibetan Association of Northern California Thanksgiving lunch, Cub Scout tour at City Hall, Environmental Quality Committee meeting, Advisory Body Ad-Hoc Subcommittee meeting, and Asian Pacific Islander (API) Coalition Civic Leadership USA National Elected Leaders Conference.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The regular meeting adjourned at 9:30 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 21, 2023 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
11/21/2023 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 5
DocuSign Envelope ID: 421521DF-2805-458C-9226-2A4E5CA01C12