Mayor Councilmembers
Tessa Rudnick Paul Fadelli
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Carolyn Wysinger Gabriel Quinto
EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024
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 #.
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. 5:30 PM ROLL CALL - CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Rudnick called the meeting to order at 5:34 PM.
Present: Mayor Rudnick, Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger (arrived at 5:55 PM), Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Quinto Absent: None
1. CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION ON ANY REQUEST FROM A
COUNCILMEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING REMOTELY DUE TO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (5:30 PM)
Hillside Conference Room - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
CONCURRENT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUCCESSOR AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:00 PM)
Council Chambers - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
Closed Caption Services (Via Zoom):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81148488235?pwd=tmPaOaY0ZLtqo7ZcbrVeTh0rbyIxBV.1 Meeting ID: 811 4848 8235 Password: 736877 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 01/16/2024 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 97A20EC8-BD8E-4476-B341-AD257B36FEC7 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
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: Karen Pinkos, City Manager; Alexandra Orologas, Assistant City Manager; Shannon Bassi, Senior Human Resources Analyst; Glenn Berkheimer, Labor Negotiator; and Sky Woodruff, City Attorney.
Employee Organizations: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021.
Contact: Sky Woodruff, City Attorney, City Management
City Council convened to closed session at 5:34 PM. No reportable action.
4. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The special meeting adjourned at 5:58 PM.
6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE CONNCURRENT REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY SUCCESSOR AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING AND REGULAR
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Rudnick called the meeting to order at 6:07 PM.
Present: Mayor Rudnick, Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Motoyama, 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
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 - provided an update on the recent Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day parade and event, and Budget kickoff and priority setting Council workshop; and announced budget survey available on the city's website.
Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger - reported on work for school system virtual workgroup, and MLK Day event.
Councilmember Motoyama - reported on attendance at MLK Day event and recent Council Budget workshop.
Councilmember Fadelli - reported on attendance at MLK Day event.
Mayor Rudnick - shared remarks about the recent protest and denounced 01/16/2024 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 97A20EC8-BD8E-4476-B341-AD257B36FEC7 actions of hate.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Wildcat El Cerrito Pipeline Project Presentation
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation from East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD) on the Wildcat Pipeline Project – El Cerrito
Contact: Gus Cicala, Senior Civil Engineer, EMBUD
(Item Heard Out of Order) Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding existing pipeline redundancies, leak repairs, timing of high school portion of repairs, outreach to parents and faculty at schools, timing with Del Norte Complete streets project coordination, and resident notification process and timing.
Action: Received and filed
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.
Sue Duncan - encouraged the city to join the regional Vegetation Management MOU and requested status of the restricted parking on red flag warning days.
John Gioia - spoke regarding the Middle East conflict and bringing the community together to have both communities.
Eric Simpson - spoke regarding antisemitism and attacks in the bay area.
Michael Nye - commented on the middle east conflict and against war and need to bring communities together.
Buddy Akacic - commented regarding the MLK events, and in support of Supervisor Gioia's comments.
Dalia Frydman, Dorthea Dorenz, Dean Kertesz, Kathleen Hunt, Margaret Trowe, Andrea Morell, Sam Salkin, Emily Somberg, Licinda Casson, Eyal Shahar - spoke against a Council resolution related to the Israel/Hamas War.
Somaia Nassef, Walla Oriqat, Zeid Arnaout, Seth Morrison, Leslie Adams, Toby Blome, Sherry Drobner, Michelle Nyazi, Elizabeth Magana, Hammid, Sepideh, 01/16/2024 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 97A20EC8-BD8E-4476-B341-AD257B36FEC7 Padla Sensi-Isolani, Anne Ogonowski, Miguel Gravelle - spoke in support of a Council ceasefire resolution.
The City Council recessed from 7:46 PM to 8:01 PM
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/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Approved the consent calendar as indicated below. Ayes: Mayor Rudnick, Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Quinto Noes: None
A. Approval of Minutes
Action Proposed: Pass a motion to approve the City Council Meeting minutes from November 21, December 5, and December 19, 2023.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved minutes
B. REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUCCESSOR AGENCY ITEM: Approve
Draft Annual Recognized Obligations Payment Schedule 24-25 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)
Action Proposed: Adopt a Successor Agency resolution reviewing and authorizing submittal of the draft Recognized Obligations Payment Schedule 24-25.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Action: Approved SA Resolution 2024-01
C. Adopt a Revised Resolution for the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Program for Mayfair Affordable
Action Proposed: Adopt a revised resolution authorizing staff to apply and receive the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Program funding as a joint applicant with Mayfair Affordable LLC (Developer), an affiliate of BRIDGE Housing Corporation, for 69 affordable housing units located at 11690 San Pablo Avenue (Project).
Contact: Aissia Ashoori, Housing-Economic Development
Manager; Melanie Mintz, Community Development Director, Community Development Department
Action: Approved Resolution 2024-01
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. POLICY ITEMS
A. Purchase Authorization and Budget Appropriation for Property Located at 10936 San Pablo Avenue
01/16/2024 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 97A20EC8-BD8E-4476-B341-AD257B36FEC7 Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all required documents and agreements associated with the purchase of 10936 San Pablo Avenue - APN 502-411-006 (“Property”) with Life In Christian Ministry of the Assemblies of God (“Seller”) and to appropriate $1,604,631 from the General Fund Unreserved Balance to complete the acquisition.
Contact: Melanie Mintz, Community Development Director, Community Development Department; Karen Pinkos, City Manager
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding demolition pricing.
Public Comments:
John Stashik - spoke in support of the purchase.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Councilmember Fadelli Action: Approved Resolution 2024-02. Ayes: Mayor Rudnick, Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Quinto 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 Quinto - reported on meeting with members of the Assembly and State Senate.
Councilmember Motoyama - reported on attendance at East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EBEDA) Executive Committee meeting.
Councilmember Fadelli - announced upcoming February 1, 2024 Mayors Conference hosted by El Cerrito.
Mayor Rudnick - reported attendance at Contra Costa Mayors’ Conference and appointment as Chair of City Selections Committee.
A. 2024 Local Liaison Assignments
The Mayor will announce the 2024 City Council Liaison Assignments to City Boards, Commissions, and Committees and to Regional Bodies.
Mayor Rudnick announced 2024 Council Liaison assignments.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Tessa Rudnick, Mayor
01/16/2024 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 97A20EC8-BD8E-4476-B341-AD257B36FEC7 This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the City Council meeting of January 16, 2024 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
01/16/2024 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: 97A20EC8-BD8E-4476-B341-AD257B36FEC7