Mayor Councilmembers
Carolyn Wysinger William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Gabe Quinto Rebecca Saltzman
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MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 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.
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/83401463040?pwd=HfvAhl5pIHavXD2nkshSBbrWv3FnOv.1 Meeting ID: 834 0146 3040 Passcode: 076754 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 12/02/2025 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 6:00 PM ROLL CALL – CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Wysinger called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM.
Present: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto (Remote), 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
Mayor Pro Tem Quinto participated remotely pursuant to the Just Cause exception under AB2449.
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 upcoming State of the City Address on 12/16, City Holiday Closure from 12/19-1/2, and the Annual Council Retreat on 1/10/26.
Assistant City Manager Orologas - provided an update on the pending union strike with West Contra Costa Unified School District and effects on after care programs ran on school campuses.
Councilmember Saltzman - announced National Giving Day.
Councilmember Motoyama - congratulated El Cerrito High School Football team on their division final win.
Mayor Pro Tem Quinto - commented on the upcoming State of the City and Leadership Summit for the League of Cal Cities.
Mayor Wysinger - announced issuance of Mayoral Proclamation in recognition of the 80th Anniversary of the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Jenny K Night Market Thursdays 6-8pm, El Cerrito Pancake Breakfast on 12/6, Holiday Makers Faire on 12/7, Sundar Shadi Display setup and lighting ceremony on 12/13, and St Johns Senior Center Holiday Sing-a-long on 12/16.
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. 12/02/2025 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 Public Comments: Written comments submitted prior to and during the meeting are posted online as supplemental materials and incorporated into the official meeting record.
Avis Codron, Brian Richmond - spoke regarding public paths and non- hillside trail improvements.
Greg Lyman - spoke regarding the Sundar Shadi holiday display and lighting ceremony on 12/13.
Laurie Schrey, Dianne Brenner, Margaret Cohea, Laurie Schrey, Marlene Metcalf, Justin Chang - spoke in opposition to various components of construction of a new library and proposed initiative for a library tax.
Buddy Akacic - commented on the placement of speaker podium and meeting room setup.
Michael McDougell - spoke in support of the proposed Financial Advisory Board recommendations.
Steve Price - spoke regarding concerns about the proposed repaving project on San Pablo Ave.
6. PRESENTATIONS
A. State of the District Presentation - Contra Costa CommunityCollage Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation from the Contra Costa Community College regarding the State of the District
Contact: Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, Chancellor, Contra Costa Community College
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding timing and size of upcoming bond issuance. Mayor Pro Tem Quinto inquired about how residents could contribute to Contra Costa College Foundation and funding for student housing.
Action: Received and filed
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 consent calendar items A - D as indicated below. Ayes:
Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None 12/02/2025 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 A. Urban Forest Committee Appointment
Action Proposed: Approve an Urban Forest Committee
recommendation to appoint Valerie Mih to the Urban Forest Committee effective December 2, 2025.
Contact: Stephen Prée, Environmental Programs Manager/City Arborist; Amelia Timbers, Operations and Environmental Services Division Manager, Public Works Department
Action: Approved appointment
B. Financial Advisory Board Recommendations
Action Proposed: Receive and file recommendations from the Financial Advisory Board.
Contact: David Carvel, Chair, Financial Advisory Board; Crystal Reams, Finance Director/Staff Liaison, Finance Department
Action: Received and filed
C. Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for October2025 Action Proposed: Receive and file the Monthly Disbursement and Check Register Report for the month of October 2025.
Contact: Crystal Reams, Finance Director/City Treasurer, Finance Department
Action: Received and filed
D. Spending Authority and Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Albany to Implement the Albany-El Cerrito Wildfire Resilience Demonstration Project Funded by a Joint California Coastal Conservancy Grant
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Albany to implement the Albany-El Cerrito Wildfire Resilience Demonstration Project as funded by a joint California Coastal Conservancy grant; and approve a budget amendment to increase revenues by $200,000 and expenditures by $200,000 in Capital Improvement Program Fund 304 in Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Contact: Stephen Prée, Environmental Programs Manager; Karineh Samkian, Senior Program Manager; Public Works Department; Chase Beckman, Battalion Chief, Fire Department
Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-74
12/02/2025 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 E. Cooperative Agreement between the City of El Cerrito and Caltrans for the Caltrans State Route 123 Pavement Rehabilitation Project in El Cerrito, Caltrans Project ID: 0419000452
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Cooperative Agreement No. 04-3069 between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of El Cerrito (City) for street, sidewalk, and landscaping improvements along State Route 123 with a contribution amount by the City of $141,000 for Fiscal Year 2025-26, and authorizing the City Manager to execute a future amendment to the agreement for an additional contribution amount of $259,000 for Fiscal Year 2026-27, for a total not to exceed amount of $400,000.
Contact: Jarrett Mullen, Sustainable Transportation Program Manager, Community Development Department; Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer; James Mizutani, Associate Engineer, Public Works Department
Pulled from Consent by Councilmember Saltzman.
Discussion: Questions regarding need to increase safety components included in the project, future projects to improve safety, road geometry, and communication between the City and CalTrans.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Councilmember Ktsanes Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-75. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Proposed East Bay Sanitary Garbage & Organic Waste Collection and Post-Collection Rates and Integrated Waste Management Fees – Effective January 1, 2026
Notice published on 11/22/2025 and 11/28/2025
Action Proposed: Conduct a public hearing and upon conclusion 1) Adopt a Resolution establishing maximum allowable East Bay Sanitary (EBS) garbage and organic waste collection and post-collection rates, effective January 1, 2026, and 2) Adopt a Resolution setting Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Fees, effective January 1, 2026, and appropriating an allocation from the Integrated Waste Management Fund in the amount of $218,507 in Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Contact: Amelia Timbers, Operations and Environmental Services Division Manager, Christina Leard, Management Analyst III, Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Public Works Department Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding the switch in post-collection agreement implications, alternatives, and benefits; and plans for collected fees for public education to reduce waste. 12/02/2025 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 Public Hearing: Mayor Wysinger opened the public hearing.
Public Comments:
Howdy Goudey - commented on efforts towards a zero-omission fleet, need to generate less waste and regular reports on tons of waste from the community.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Mayor Pro Tem Quinto Action: Closed the Public Hearing. Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Ktsanes/Mayor Pro Tem Quinto Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-76 (EBS) and Resolution No. 2025-77 (IWM) Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
B. Adoption of an amendment to the Safety Element of the El Cerrito General Plan
Notice Published 11/22/2025. The Safety Element Update is consistent with the certified General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and an Addendum has been prepared in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15164.
Action Proposed: Conduct a public hearing, and upon conclusion, adopt a resolution finding that the Safety Element Update is consistent with the certified General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and that an Addendum has been prepared in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15164, and amending the El Cerrito General Plan and adopting an update to the Safety Element.
Contact: 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 process for the development of the evacuation analysis included versus evacuation plans by the agency, requirements for next update/review of the analysis, implementation for grant funding purposes, and timeframe for implementation of policies and actionable items.
Public Hearing: Mayor Wysinger opened the public hearing.
Public Comments:
David Gyorke - spoke for Janet Byron and Public Paths Committee request for street signage and addressing evacuation on foot. 12/02/2025 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 Steve Price - commented regarding safety issues not related to natural disasters.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/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 Saltzman/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-78 Ayes: Mayor Wysinger, Mayor Pro Tem Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Saltzman Noes: None
9. POLICY MATTERS
A. Award of Construction Contract for the Swim Center Lap Pool Replastering Project, City Project No. C3050.9
Action Proposed: Adopt a resolution awarding the contract for the Swim Center Lap Pool Replastering Project, City Project No. C3050.9 to Burkett's Pool Plastering Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract in the amount of $228,103 and to approve potential change orders in an amount not to exceed $34,215, for the construction of the Project; and appropriating a one-time allocation from the General Fund in the amount of $183,300 in Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Contact: Roland Lambert, Associate Engineer, Yvetteh Ortiz, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department; Christopher Jones, Recreation Director, Recreation Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding remaining funding needs, clarification of work previously authorized, location of tank to be repaired that was added to the scope, Electric Vehicle charging, design estimates.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Saltzman/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Approved Resolution No. 2025-79. 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.
Councilmember Ktsanes - reported on attendance at the Marin Clean Energy meeting.
12/02/2025 City Council Minutes Page 7 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927 Councilmember Motoyama - reported on attendance at the Association of Bay Area Governments Executive Committee Meeting.
Mayor Wysinger - reported on attendance at the National League of Cities annual conference.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting adjourned at 9:35 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 December 2, 2025 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
12/02/2025 City Council Minutes Page 8 of 8
Docusign Envelope ID: CE2C04C0-F062-4C41-8566-4F5E393C1927