Mayor Councilmembers
Carolyn Wysinger William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Gabe Quinto Rebecca Saltzman
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MINUTES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2025
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 2/1/2025 Public Comments – Agenda Item #.
Written comments received by 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2025 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.
9:00 AM ROLL CALL - CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Wysinger called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM.
Present: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman
Absent: None
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (9:00 AM)
Arlington Clubhouse - 1120 Arlington Ave El Cerrito, CA 94530 This meeting will be held in-person only with no remote participation. 02/01/2025 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 3
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F1B6349-490C-4D18-9580-BC05B3233814
1. 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.
Howdy Goudey - requested City Council focus on the climate action plan implementation and integration into budget document and department work plans, emphasis on disaster response and preparation.
2. CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP RETREAT
Action Proposed: Conduct a facilitated City Council retreat focused on City Council Governance and Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Budget and Priority Setting. Contact: Karen Pinkos, City Manager, City Management; Nancy Hetrick, Facilitator, Raftelis
Presentation and Discussion: The City Council engaged with the facilitator on good governance, attributes of exceptional councils, received a general finance and budget overview and update, and a strategic plan update and priorities.
Council Governance was discussed including individual perspectives, best practices in governing together, roles of councilmembers, the ideal council member, and effective government. Discussed approach to anticipated needs surrounding Sanctuary City status and addressing affected members of the community.
The Council recessed from 10:36 – 10:50 AM.
Staff provided an overview of the City’s financial status including review of the prior fiscal year; the current biennial budget engagement and adoption process, revenue trends, Council approved updated since adoption, general fund forecast, strategies for long-term sustainability. Council discussion included clarification and questions regarding cannabis revenue, sales tax projections, reserve levels, capital needs, new development, and pension liability.
The Council recessed from 11:20-11:35 AM.
Council and staff discussed City Council meetings and remote public comments, safeguards for members and staff if brought back, and Mayor Wysinger shared her plans to create a City Council Ad-Hoc to work with staff and bring back a proposal to the full council.
Staff provided an overview of the Strategic Plan including current Initiatives and priorities based on Council direction. Council discussion included expected electrification and hydrogen bills, Electric Vehicle infrastructure, timelines and next steps for options for the Library, labor partners and Project Labor Agreements related to the TOD project, plans for San Pablo Ave, involvement by the City Council when contention exists regarding public projects, and individual member priorities for the upcoming year. 02/01/2025 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 3
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F1B6349-490C-4D18-9580-BC05B3233814 Action: General direction was provided to staff, no formal action was taken.
3. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The special meeting adjourned at 1:10 PM
Carolyn Wysinger, Mayor
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the City Council meeting of February 1, 2025 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
02/01/2025 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 3
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F1B6349-490C-4D18-9580-BC05B3233814