Mayor Councilmembers
Carolyn Wysinger William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Gabe Quinto Rebecca Saltzman
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MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025
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.
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/83502011883?pwd=zybexaBvmy0C9CIPCK2M96yuaUlkdf.1 Meeting ID: 835 0201 1883 Password: 587128 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 02/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F1B6349-490C-4D18-9580-BC05B3233814 6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Wysinger called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
Present: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember
Saltzman 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 Karen Pinkos - announced upcoming 2/27 Artist's reception for 2nd floor art exhibit, 3/7 deadline to apply for the open call for artists, and 3/8 Crab Feed tickets on sale.
Councilmember Motoyama - announced upcoming 3/15 Poet Laureate family poetry workshop, and 3/22 RecycleMore repair workshop.
Mayor Wysinger - reported on interviews and appointments for city advisory bodies, reaffirmed sanctuary city status, reported on attendance at New Employee orientation for City Staff, council headshots, continuing school collaborative work with the West Contra Costa Unified School District, and attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference.
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.
Inge Brust, Elaine Fielding, Ethan Kim, Cathy Baca - spoke in opposition of the Richmond Street Complete Streets project.
Gaia Sonatina, Stuart Sonatina - spoke in support of the Richmond Street Complete Streets project.
Antonio Silva - commented on traffic congestion on San Pablo Ave between Potrero and Wall Street.
02/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F1B6349-490C-4D18-9580-BC05B3233814
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. Resolution Honoring Recycling Operations Supervisor Mario Gonzalez in Retirement
Action Proposed: Adopt a Resolution recognizing and honoring Recycling Operations Supervisor Mario Gonzalez in retirement after serving the City of El Cerrito for more than 30 years.
Contact: Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Mayor Pro Tem Quinto Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-3. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
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 Saltzman/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Approved the Consent Calendar as indicated below. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
A. Approval of Minutes
Action Proposed: Approve the City Council Meeting minutes from December 17, 2024 and January 21, 2025.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved minutes with the following revisions: 12/17/2024 minutes revised under oral communications to reflect a comma between speakers Miguel and Leslie Adams, correct the spelling of the last name for Stuart and Gaia Sonatina, and correct speaker Steve Price's comments to reflect support of bike lanes on Richmond Streets; 1/21/2025 minutes revised under oral communications for Supervisor Gioia to correctly reference the "Veterans" building.
B. Proclamation in Recognition of Jean Thompson
Action Proposed: Approve a Proclamation recognizing Jean Thompson for her Decades of Service to the El Cerrito Farmers Market.
Contact: Aissia Ashoori, Housing Manager, Community Development Department
Action: Approved proclamation
C. Proclamation in Recognition of Well Grounded Tea & Coffee Action Proposed: Approve a Proclamation in Recognition of the 20th Anniversary of Well Grounded Tea & Coffee.
02/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F1B6349-490C-4D18-9580-BC05B3233814 Contact: Aissia Ashoori, Housing Manager, Community Development Department
Action: Approved proclamation
D. Environmental Quality Committee Reappointment Recommendation Action Proposed: Approve an Environmental Quality Committee recommendation to reappoint Pamela Austin and Sheila Tarbet to the Environmental Quality Committee, effective March 1, 2025.
Contact: Christina Leard, Management Analyst III and Amelia Timbers, Operations and Environmental Services Division Manager, Public Works Department; Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer Action: Approved appointments
E. Urban Forest Committee Appointment Recommendations Action Proposed: Approve an Urban Forest Committee
recommendation to reappoint Jennifer Kaczor and Robin Mitchell, and to appoint Randi Jimenez to the Urban Forest Committee effective March 1, 2025.
Contact: Stephen Prée, Environmental Programs Manager/City Arborist and Amelia Timbers, Operations + Environmental Services Division Manager, Public Works Department; and Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Action: Approved appointments
F. Community Safety Committee Recommendation
Action Proposed: Receive and file a recommendation from the Community Safety Committee.
Contact: Aaron Leone, Sergeant, Police Department
Action: Received and filed
G. Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for January2025 Action Proposed: Receive and file the Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for the month of January 2025.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Action: Received and filed
H. Authorize the purchase of Police Vehicle Emergency Equipment Action Proposed: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to purchase emergency equipment for El Cerrito Police Department vehicles in an amount not to exceed $80,000.
Contact: John-Tracy Wahrlich, Lieutenant, Police Department Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-4
02/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F1B6349-490C-4D18-9580-BC05B3233814
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Establishment of the Pierce Street/San Mateo Street Utility Underground District for the I-80/Central Avenue Interchange Improvements Project
Action Proposed: Conduct a public hearing and, upon conclusion, adopt a resolution establishing the Pierce Street/San Mateo Street Underground Utility District for the I-80/Central Avenue Interchange Improvements Project.
Contact: James Mizutani, Associate Engineer, Public Works Department; Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding signage, plans for acquiring the needed land to expand street, costs absorbed by PG&E and any impact to residents, and costs to residents.
Public Hearing: Mayor Wysinger opened the public hearing. No public comments
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Quinto/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Closed the public hearing. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Mayor Pro Tem
Quinto Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-5. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
9. POLICY MATTERS
A. Legislative Platform Study Session
Action Proposed: Conduct a study session to review and provide input on the content of the City of El Cerrito's first Legislative Platform.
Contact: Alexandra Orologas, Assistant City Manager, City Management; Dane Hutchings, Founder & CEO, CA Public Policy Group
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding delegation of authority, approach to authorizing position letters, defining statements, limiting and making priorities more concise, local short term rental policies, reliance on gas taxes, broader references to climate supportive legislation, subjective terminology, consideration of Cal Cities perspectives on legislation, expanded language for funding mechanisms, next steps, various approaches to presenting legislative information, 02/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F1B6349-490C-4D18-9580-BC05B3233814 Public Comments:
Henry Symons - representative of Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), spoke in support of the draft language addressing promotion and support of transit operators, including BART.
Al Miller - spoke regarding lack of language related to libraries and support of including language in the final platform.
Action: General feedback provided to staff, no formal action taken.
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 meeting with Buffy Wicks regarding El Cerrito priorities.
Councilmember Saltzman - reported on attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Quinto - reported on attendance at the Contra Costa Mayors Conference meeting. Bay Area Air District Board meeting, and Contra Costa Local Area Formation Commission meeting.
Councilmember Ktsanes - reported on attendance at the Urban Forest Committee meeting.
Mayor Wysinger - reported on attendance at the West County Mayors and Supervisors Association and Contra Costa Mayors Conference meetings.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting adjourned at 8:35 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 18, 2025 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
02/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F1B6349-490C-4D18-9580-BC05B3233814