Mayor Councilmembers
Carolyn Wysinger William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Gabe Quinto Rebecca Saltzman
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MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 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.
CONCURRENT PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY SPECIAL MEETING AND 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/87851494523?pwd=pZ08akKm7voNZLnwiICRMYVD3pEnix.1 Meeting ID: 878 5149 4523 Passcode: 018498 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 06/03/2025 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 7
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE CONCURRENT PUBLIC FINANCING
AUTHORITY SPECIAL MEETING AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
Mayor Wysinger called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Present: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama (arrived at 7:02 PM and left at 8:53 PM), Councilmember Saltzman
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 - reported on recent community survey results, announced upcoming 6/25 Richmond Streets Open House, and 7/15 study session with City Council.
Mayor Wysinger - announced the Human Relations Commission is hosting a Loving Day screening at El Cerrito High School on 6/12, remarked on the Pride Flag raising ceremony held on 6/2, and reported on the presentation of the George Floyd proclamation to his family.
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.
Phil Young, Ed Colucci, - spoke in opposition to the Richmond Street Complete Streets project.
Luke Wallace, Duncan Robinson, Janet Byron - spoke in support of the Richmond Street Complete Streets project.
Sue Duncan - spoke regarding restricted parking on red flag warning days.
Bill Barish - spoke in support of consent item 7A.
06/03/2025 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 7
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 Pam Austin - announced an upcoming open house for a new water conservation garden at the prior Portola School site.
Brian Richmond - reported on the recent Hillside Festival event hosted by Trail Trekkers.
Janos Szlatenyi - spoke regarding the City's financial status and shared recommendations for ways to address.
Buddy Akacic - commented on resident garden vegetation removed from the Community Center, and alternative to conflicting views regarding Richmond Street.
6. PRESENTATIONS
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.
A. Environmental Quality Committee Recommendation
Action Proposed: Receive and file recommendations from the Environmental Quality Committee.
Contact: Fred Bialy, Chair, Environmental Quality Committee; Christina Leard, Management Analyst III/Staff Liaison, Public Works Department Pulled from Consent by Councilmember Saltzman
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Saltzman/Councilmember Ktsanes Action: Received and filed. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
Absent: Councilmember Motoyama
C. National Night Out Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation calling upon all residents of the City of El Cerrito to participate in “National Night Out” on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Contact: Emily Graham, Executive Assistant, Police Department (Heard out of Order)
Pulled from Consent by Councilmember Salzman.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Saltzman/Councilmember Ktsanes Action: Motion failed to modify the proclamation by editing the first clause to read "WHEREAS, National Night Out takes place on August 5, 2025."; and replace the third clause with the following language "WHEREAS, National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live; and WHEREAS, National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community." 06/03/2025 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 7
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 Ayes: Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Quinto/Mayor Wysinger
Action: Approved proclamation as presented Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes Noes: None
Abstain: Councilmember Saltzman Absent: Councilmember Motoyama B. Loving Day Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation declaring June 12, 2025 as Loving Day in the City of El Cerrito and encourage people to reflect on the Loving family and all of the pioneers who have and will continue to fight for the civil right to love.
Contact: Shannon Bassi, Human Resources Manager, City Management Moved/Seconded: Mayor Wysinger/Councilmember Saltzman
Action: Approved the proclamation Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember
Saltzman Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Motoyama
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING: The public hearing on an Ordinance regarding Defensible Space Inspections within the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as Designated by CalFire and Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones has been rescheduled from June 3, 2025 to June 17, 2025
A. Approval of the Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan
Notice Published 5/24/2025. CEQA Determination: The City has prepared an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration.
Action Proposed: Conduct a public hearing and, upon conclusion 1) Adopt a resolution approving the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) and 2) Adopt a resolution approving the Hillside Natural Area (HNA) Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan.
Contact: Stephen Prée, Environmental Programs Manager; Karineh Samkian, Senior Program Manager; Amelia Timbers, Operations and Environmental Services Division Manager, Public Works Department; Chase Beckman, Battalion Chief, Fire Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding identification of funding, plans to update the City Council on implementation progress, available resources and grant opportunities, and methods of removing invasive species.
06/03/2025 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 7
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 Public Hearing: Mayor Wysinger opened the public hearing.
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 - spoke in support of approval of the plan and identifying funding to implement the plan.
Nick Zamorano - spoke in support of approval of the plan, particularly the defensible space requirements.
Mark Mespelt - commented on experience with previous fires in the Hillside Area, and the need to thin and remove trees.
Robert Fabini - spoke regarding importance of managing combustibles, and issues of lost water pressure during previous fires, and community involvement.
Audrey Liese - spoke regarding the importance of community involvement, collaboration and support of the plan.
Isadora Tran - commented on importance of the long-term vision of the plan and short-term actions that can be achieved now including burning piles and protection of native plants.
Brian Richmond - commented on the collaborative community process, and the cost to implement outweighs the cost of inaction.
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Quinto/Councilmember Saltzman Action: Closed the public hearing. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Ktsanes/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-34 and Resolution No. 2025-35 Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
9. POLICY MATTERS
A. CITY COUNCIL/PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITYITEM
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget - Midcycle Summary and Addendum Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation on the draft Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Midcycle Summary and Addendum
Contact: Karen Pinkos, City Manager; Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
06/03/2025 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 7
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding one-time expenditures and forecasting for needs, Section 115 Trust funds, evaluation of long-term funding needs, increasing investment returns, and current projections for revenues.
Public Comments: Written comments submitted prior to and during the meeting are posted online as supplemental materials and incorporated into the official meeting record.
Michael McDougall - spoke in support of budget adoption.
Action: Received and Filed
B. Approval of Fiscal Year 2024-25 One-Time Uses of General Fund Balance
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution approving one-time expenditures and transfers from General Fund balance in Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Saltzman/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-36. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
C. Adopt resolution modifying the Salary, Benefits, and Terms of Employment for Management and Confidential Employees
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution modifying salaries, benefits, and conditions of employment for Management and Confidential Employees.
Contact: Shannon Bassi, Human Resources Manager, City Management Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding financial impacts in future years.
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Quinto/Councilmember Saltzman Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-37. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Motoyama
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 Supervisor Glover's memorial service, and Hydrogen Conference in Sacramento.
06/03/2025 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 7
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56 Councilmember Saltzman - reported on attendance at the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee, Park and Recreation Commission meeting, and local Pride events.
Councilmember Ktsanes - reported on holding office hours for meetings with residents, and attendance at RecycleMore meeting.
Mayor Wysinger - reported on meeting with West Contra Costa County Unified School District (WCCUSD), and WCCUSD schools collaborative meeting.
11. ADJOURN CONCURRENT PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY SPECIAL
MEETING AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting adjourned at 9:14 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 June 3, 2025 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
06/03/2025 City Council Minutes Page 7 of 7
Docusign Envelope ID: 8CAECEB2-89CB-41BC-A351-C8E13641BC56