Mayor Councilmembers
Carolyn Wysinger William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Gabe Quinto Rebecca Saltzman
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MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025
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.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (5:00 PM)
Hillside Conference Room - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:00 PM)
Council Chambers - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
Closed Captions Available Via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88992852652?pwd=lvfRo761cTaK0LNfx5M5NFdOZUKEte.1 Meeting ID: 889 9285 2652 Password: 407972 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 3/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 9D4DAC5F-EB60-4519-9328-D68812999939 5:00 PM ROLL CALL - CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Wysinger called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Present: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama (arrived at 5:12 PM),
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. 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, Human Resources Manager; Glenn Berkheimer, Labor Negotiator; and Sky Woodruff, City Attorney.
Employee Organizations: Management/Confidential Employees; Police Employees Association (PEA); Public Safety Management Association (PSMA); Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021; and United Professional Firefighters Local 1230.
Contact: Sky Woodruff, City Attorney, City Management
The City Council convened to closed session at 5:01 PM. No reportable action.
4. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The special meeting adjourned at 5:57 PM
6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Wysinger called the meeting to order at 6:06 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
3/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 9D4DAC5F-EB60-4519-9328-D68812999939
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.
Fire Chief Eric Saylors – provided an update on adoption of the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps from Cal Fire, and information available online.
Management Analyst III Christina Leard - shared that the City received an award from the Contra Costa County Food Bank as the 2024 Meal Maker Champion of the Year.
Councilmember Motoyama - announced upcoming Spring Line Dance on 3/29, Earth Day on 4/19, and Spring Egg Splash on 4/19.
Mayor Wysinger - reported on letter sent in support of the City of Albany’s Community Wildfire Grant Application, and on attendance at the National League of Cities 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.
Cathy Baca, Mark Mespelt - spoke in opposition of the Richmond Street Complete Streets project.
Bill Barish - spoke regarding the General Plan update and work on climate components and suggestion for an ordinance to require new construction to be gas and electric junctions to allow easy conversion to electric.
Sara Hundt - commented in support of the City providing sanctuary funding, and support of the Richmond Street Complete Streets project.
Cleopatra Degher - spoke in support of the Richmond Street Complete Streets project.
Rajendra Poudyal - commented on opportunities to providing financial literacy education in El Cerrito.
Buddy Akacic - spoke regarding the role of the City Councilmembers.
6. PRESENTATIONS
3/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 6
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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/Councilmember Ktsanes Action: Approved the consent calendar as indicated below. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
A. The Rosie the Riveter/WWII National Historical Park’s 25th Anniversary Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation recognizing the 25th Anniversary of Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved proclamation
B. Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for February 2025Action Proposed: Receive and file the Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for the month of February 2025.
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 2024 Annual Progress Reports on the General Plan and Housing Element.
Contact: Diego Romero, Associate Planner; Jeff Ballantine, Senior Planner; Sean Moss, Planning Manager; Aissia Ashoori, HousingEconomic Development Manager, Community Development Department
Action: Received and filed the revised report
D. Calendar Year 2022 and 2023 Contra Costa Transportation Authority Growth Management Compliance Checklist
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution approving the Calendar Years 2022 and 2023 Growth Management Program (GMP) Compliance Checklist for allocation of Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25 Measure J, Local Street Maintenance and Improvement Funds by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA).
Contact: A'shanti Coleman, Management Assistant; Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-11
3/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 9D4DAC5F-EB60-4519-9328-D68812999939 E. El Cerrito del Norte Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Complete Streets Project, City Project No. C4014, Federal Project No. CML 5239(029) – Increase in Contract Change Order Approval Authority
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to approve contract change orders in an additional amount of $400,000 for the construction of the El Cerrito del Norte TOD Complete Streets Project, bringing the total change order approval amount to $1,340,000. Contact: Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department
Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-12
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. POLICY MATTERS
A. Dissolution of the El Cerrito Pension Board
Notice published 3/8/2025
Action Proposed: Introduce by title and waive any further reading of an ordinance to amend and restate El Cerrito Municipal Code Chapter
3.20 to dissolve the pension board due to inactive status of the El Cerrito Pension Fund.
Contact: Sky Woodruff, City Attorney; Holly M. Charlety, City Clerk, City Management
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Quinto/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Introduced by title and waived further reading of the ordinance. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto,
Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
B. Annual Parcel Assessment for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program and Drainage Maintenance Activities for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution establishing the annual parcel assessment for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and Drainage Maintenance activities at the current rate of $38.00 per Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) and authorizing the Contra Costa County Flood Control & Water Conservation District to adopt Stormwater Utility Area (SUA) levies based on said amount for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26.
Contact: Christina Leard, Management Analyst III; Amelia Timbers, Operations & Environmental Services Division Manager; Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department 3/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 9D4DAC5F-EB60-4519-9328-D68812999939 Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding costs versus revenues, and options to reduce burden on the general fund.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Saltzman/Councilmember
Motoyama Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-13. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes,
Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman 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.
Mayor Pro Tem Quinto - reported on attendance at Marin Clean Energy Executive and Technical Committee meetings, Committee on Aging meeting, and Bay Area Air District Board meeting.
Councilmember Ktsanes- reported on attendance at the Urban Forest Committee, and RecycleMore meeting.
Councilmember Saltzman - reported on attendance at the Contra Costa County Mayors Conference, El Cerrito Crab Feed, Environmental Quality Committee meeting, and Preschool Cooperative Messy Art Day.
Councilmember Motoyama - reported on attendance at the ABAG Housing Committee meeting, and Preschool Cooperative Messy Art Day.
Mayor Wysinger - reported on attendance at the Contra Costa County Mayors Conference, El Cerrito Crab Feed, National League of Cities Conference, Preschool Cooperative Messy Art Day, and upcoming ribbon cutting ceremonies for Great Clips and Security Storage.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The regular meeting adjourned at 7:36 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 March 18, 2025 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
3/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: 9D4DAC5F-EB60-4519-9328-D68812999939