Mayor Councilmembers
Carolyn Wysinger William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Gabe Quinto Rebecca Saltzman
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MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025
View:
1. Cable T.V. Broadcast on KCRT Channel 28
2. Livestream Online at www.elcerrito.gov/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 PublicComments – 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 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/82472295589?pwd=4OXrHE7WV9PhdH5z2GsjKE2Fck25Qm.1 Meeting ID: 824 7229 5589 Passcode: 672732 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 11/04/2025 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 Mayor Wysinger called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
Present: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman (left at 8:24 PM) 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 Pinkos - announced El Cerrito Plaza BART Station Transit Oriented Development information pop up on 11/5, and the appointment of Stephen Mello, Neighborhood Preservation Coordinator, to serve on the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers Region 2 Board.
City Clerk Charléty - announced information regarding the application period for Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
Councilmember Motoyama - announced ticket sales for the 12/6 Pancake Breakfast.
Mayor Wysinger - shared a reminder that it is election night and the polling location next door at Hana Gardens.
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.
Bill Barish - spoke regarding the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan update and requested additional information regarding presentation content.
David Gyorkee - commented on the Trail Trekker program and trail completion.
Brian Richmond - spoke regarding the first annual Public Paths Festival in the Hillside Nature area.
11/04/2025 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 Janos Szlatenyi - spoke regarding various city fees.
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. (Heard out of Order)
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Councilmember Saltzman 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 September 16, September 23, October 7, and October 21, 2025.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved minutes
B. Shelter in Place Education Day Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation recognizing November 5, 2025 as Shelter in Place Education Day in El Cerrito.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved Proclamation
C. Homeless Awareness and Youth HomelessnessOutreach,
Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Month Proclamation
Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation declaring November as Homeless Awareness and Youth Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Month in El Cerrito
Contact: Aissia Ashoori, Housing-Economic Development Manager, Community Development Department
Action: Approved Proclamation
D. 85th Anniversary of El Cerrito Preschool CooperativeProclamation Action Proposed: Approve a proclamation in recognition of the 85th Anniversary of the El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Action: Approved Proclamation
E. Amendment of the Pierce Street/San Mateo Street Utility Underground District for the I-80/Central Avenue Interchange 11/04/2025 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 Improvements Project
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution amending the Pierce Street/San Mateo Street Underground Utility District for the I-80/Central Avenue Interchange Improvements Project.
Contact: James Mizutani, Associate Engineer; Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department
Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-70
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. El Cerrito Climate Action and Adaption Plan Update
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation on the El Cerrito Climate Action and Adaption Plan update.
Contact: Amelia Timbers, Operations + Environmental Services Division Manager, Public Works Department
(Heard out of Order)
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding project impacts on carbon-neutral goals, and interdepartmental task force communication to all staff.
Action: Received and filed
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Appeal of Conditional Use Permit Approval for a New Day Care Center Land Use at 556 Richmond Street
Action Proposed: Conduct a public hearing, and upon conclusion adopt a resolution denying an appeal of Planning Commission approval of application PL24-0044, granting a Conditional Use Permit for a new Day Care Center at 556 Richmond Street.
Contact: Diego Romero, Associate Planner; Sean Moss, Planning Manager, Community Development Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding conditions regarding the reduction in student numbers and front yard restrictions, AB2897 regulation overrides parking requirements, traffic study applicability, notification process, short term rental and un-permitted addition, use of second floor, and maximum number of students.
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 11/04/2025 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 into the official meeting record.
Appellant representative Asher Shaffer - commented on the basis of the appeal including adverse effects on the neighborhood, lack of need for additional childcare, surplus capacity for childcare, property sinkhole concerns, environmental concerns, traffic impacts, noise impacts to neighboring properties,
Applicant representative Anahita Baktiari and Fathima Badurudeen - presented an overview of plans and approach for the project.
Michael McDougal, Jon Sung, Jessica Wright, Lillia Refes, Dolly, Hollis - spoke in support of the project.
Cecilia Plaza, Daniele Panicacci, Kristen Lockhart, Rajan, Reed, Patrick Swen, Tsering Yangchen, BJ Thorsnes, Fang Zhang - spoke regarding concerns about the project.
Appellant representative Asher Shaffer - spoke regarding the lack of distinction between Montessori and childcare, and violations at the existing school location in Albany.
Applicant representative Anahita Baktiari - spoke regarding Montessori teaching experience of staff and addressed lack of citations for violations and mitigating actions.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Mayor Pro Tem Quinto Action: Closed the public hearing. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes:
Councilmember Ktsanes
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Councilmember Saltzman Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2025-71 and authorized after 12 months from the date of approval, to allow the zoning administrator to increase the number to 20 as long as the Zoning Administrator can continue to make the findings that are required for the Conditional Use Permit Ayes:
Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
9. POLICY MATTERS
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 Ktsanes - reported on attendance at RecycleMore meeting. 11/04/2025 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 Councilmember Motoyama - reported on attendance at East Bay Wildfire Coalition of Governments meeting, and Enterprise Soiree by the Bay event.
Mayor Pro Tem Quinto - reported on attendance at the Contra Costa Real Estate Association reception, Community Safety Committee meeting, and Marin Clean Energy Executive Committee meeting.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting adjourned at 8:30 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 November 4, 2025 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
11/04/2025 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 6
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927