Mayor Councilmembers
Tessa Rudnick Paul Fadelli
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Carolyn Wysinger Gabriel Quinto
EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024
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. 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.
6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Rudnick called the meeting to order at 6:06 PM.
Present: Mayor Rudnick, Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Motoyama Absent: Councilmember Quinto
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 Closed Captions available Via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81153294447?pwd=3dyURNZQ7xGsm49RvaRLgb5j8FgkMD.1 Meeting ID: 811 5329 4447 Password: 999653 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 03/19/2024 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E88676B0-4F8E-4532-89A2-825A3FBF08E2
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.
Assistant to the City Manager Will Provost - provided an update on the status of the Climate Action and Adaptation plan public comments due by April 1st.
City Manager Pinkos - provided an update on the most recent progress report to the State Auditor and request to be removed from the high-risk list.
Councilmember Motoyama - announced City egg hunt and swim event on March 30th.
Councilmember Fadelli - reported on attendance at the recent City Crab Feed, announced Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) Executive Director to receive East Bay Innovation Award, and upcoming meeting with state legislator and regional agencies.
Mayor Pro Tem - announced upcoming Good Friday Celebration at St.
Peters Church.
Mayor Rudnick - announced meeting with Tibet Association of Northern California representatives to present a mayoral proclamation and signed a letter of opposition to the California Public Utilities Commission regarding the application by AT&T to end obligations to provide landline phone service to El Cerrito.
A. West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD)
Presentation on current initiatives
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation on current initiatives at WCCUSD, ways to partner in building the educational community, and receive information about the Community Support Collaborative.
Contact: Kenneth Chris Hurst Sr., Superintendent, WCCUSD; John Gioia, District 1 Supervisor, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
(Heard out of order)
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding funding for use of the Tom Bates Sports Field, outreach approaches, approaches for Portola site, and evening walk and talk plans for El Cerrito High.
Action: Received and filed
03/19/2024 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E88676B0-4F8E-4532-89A2-825A3FBF08E2
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.
Supervisor John Gioia - presented a reimbursement check and thanked the City for their partnership with Contra Costa County in providing mutual aid during COVID 19.
BL, Jessica N, Allen Mayer, Faith M, Susanna Spiro, Jeff Rosenfeld, Sam Salkin, Dean Kertesz, Dorthea Dorenz, Elaine Stelton, Yuko M. - spoke in opposition of a Council ceasefire resolution.
Adrianna Cerundolo, Sherry Drobner, Toby Blome, Somaia Nassef, Walla Orquit, Sima Bouzid, Rula Adranly, Najeeb Nick Adranly, Fred Bialy, Miguel Gravelle, Kate Bolton-Schmukelar, - spoke in support of a Council ceasefire resolution.
Gary Prost - commented on the need to pursue Measure X funding for East Bay Hills fuel reduction.
Michael Fischer - commented on the need for a new library and resources that the library provides.
Council recessed from 7:29 to 7:39 PM
6. PRESENTATIONS
B. FY 2022-23 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Action Proposed: Receive and file the transmittal of and presentation on the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Contact: Sheldon Chavan CPA, Managing Partner Council recessed from 7:58 to 8:00 PM
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding nine areas of control deficiencies, pension liability, low income housing asset funds, accounts payable, inclusion of special funds.
Action: Received and filed
03/19/2024 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E88676B0-4F8E-4532-89A2-825A3FBF08E2
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 Motoyama/Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger Action: Approved the consent calendar as indicated below. Ayes: Mayor Rudnick, Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Motoyama Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Quinto A. Crime Prevention Committee Reappointments
Action Proposed: Approve a Crime Prevention Committee
recommendation to reappoint James Dolgonas and George Gager to the Crime Prevention Committee for a second term, effective March 19, 2024.
Contact: Aaron Leone, Detective Sergeant/CPC Staff Liaison, Police Department
Action: Approved appointments
B. Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for February 2024
Action Proposed: Receive and file the Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for the month of February 2024.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Action: Received and filed
C. Annual Progress Report for the General Plan & Housing Element Action Proposed: Receive and file the attached 2023 Annual Progress Report on the General Plan and Housing Element.
Contact: Diego Romero, Associate Planner; Aissia Ashoori, Housing- Economic Development Manager; Sean Moss, Planning Manager, Community Development Department
Action: Received and filed
D. Amendment to Consulting Services Agreement with Godbe Research
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the consulting services agreement with Godbe Research to conduct a feasibility survey regarding the extension of Measure R.
Contact: Will Provost, Assistant to the City Manager, City Management Action: Approved Resolution No. 2024-15
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
03/19/2024 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E88676B0-4F8E-4532-89A2-825A3FBF08E2
9. POLICY MATTERS
A. Adoption of Revisions to City Board, Commission, and Committee Regulations
Action Proposed: 1) Adopt a resolution modifying regulations for City Board, Commissions, and Committees including member requirements, youth participation and communication with City Council and 2) introduce by title and waive any further reading of an Ordinance amending section 2.04.220 of the El Cerrito Municipal Code related to meeting frequency and restrictions regarding concurrent appointments.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding the annual versus biannual workplan and voting status of youth.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Councilmember
Fadelli Action: Approved Resolution 2024-16. Ayes: Mayor Rudnick, Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember Motoyama Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Quinto
B. Consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding for
Coordination of Wildfire Prevention Activities to Protect the East Bay Hills in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City of El Cerrito to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with other jurisdictions in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to form a Wildfire Prevention Coordinating Group (WPCG) to improve regional collaboration to reduce wildfire risk.
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 status of pilot program for parking restrictions on Red Flag warning days, current agencies that have signed on to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and litigation support.
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, Jim Dolgonas, Michael Fischer - spoke in support of approval and participation in the proposed MOU.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Fadelli/Mayor Rudnick
Action: Approved Resolution 2024-17. Ayes: Mayor Rudnick, Mayor Pro Tem Wysinger, Councilmember Fadelli, Councilmember
03/19/2024 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E88676B0-4F8E-4532-89A2-825A3FBF08E2 Motoyama Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Quinto
Mayor Rudnick appointed Councilmember Fadelli to serve as the representative of El Cerrito and Councilmember Motoyama as Alternate.
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 Motoyama - reported on attendance at the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Housing Committee meeting.
Mayor Rudnick - reported on attendance at the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Conference, and El Cerrito Crab Feed.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM
Tessa Rudnick, Mayor
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the City Council meeting of March 19, 2024 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
03/19/2024 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 6
DocuSign Envelope ID: E88676B0-4F8E-4532-89A2-825A3FBF08E2