SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (9:00 AM)
Arlington Clubhouse - 1120 Arlington Blvd, El Cerrito CA This meeting will be held in-person only with no remote participation Mayor Councilmembers
Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger
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MINUTES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
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.
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. Friday, January 9, 2026 will be provided to the City Council and posted onlinein advance of the meeting. Comments received after the deadline will be provided to the City Council and will be posted after the meeting. 9:00 AM ROLL CALL - CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Quinto called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM.
Present: Mayor Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Wysinger Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman 1/10/2026 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 3
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F559BA3-8B39-4030-9D6C-8CD8037EA9A2
1. 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.
Public Comments: Written comments submitted prior to and during the meeting are posted online as supplemental materials and incorporated into the official meeting record.
Greg Lyman - spoke regarding the need for a new library, and details regarding the proposed tax initiative.
Charles Taylor - commented on need for and type of senior services that could be provided with a new library.
Michael Fischer - commented on the conditions of the current library location.
Georgina Edwards- spoke regarding need for and type of children programs that could be provided with a new library
Joanna Pace - commented on the updated to the Arlington clubhouse, rapid response of city staff, new AC Transit app, and upcoming bus party event.
Ted Steen - commented on improvements to Cerrito Vista Park could increase the use and programs ran out of the locations.
2. City Council Workshop Retreat
Action Proposed: Conduct a facilitated City Council retreat focused on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 Budget and Priority Setting
Contact: Karen Pinkos, City Manager, City Management; Nancy Hetrick, Facilitator, Raftelis
Presentation and Discussion: The City Council engaged with the facilitator on topics including the National Community Survey and celebrating achievements sharing what the members are most proud of accomplishing; staff provided an overview of the City's fiscal position including FY 2024-25 audit, reserves, expenses and forecast, upcoming budget process, and major initiatives currently in process.
The facilitator discussed with members their thoughts on needed information to make informed decisions, continue momentum, prepare for push back, and plan for what could interfere with objectives.
Members round tables one on one with each department's key staff to receive updates on department challenges, initiatives and other updates. Staff reviewed the Strategic Plan goals and status of current initiatives and received feedback from members regarding what success would look like, what changes are needed, and highest priority of members.
Action: No formal action was taken.
1/10/2026 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 3
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F559BA3-8B39-4030-9D6C-8CD8037EA9A2
3. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The special meeting adjourned at 1:04 PM
Gabe Quinto, Mayor
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the City Council meeting of January 10, 2026 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
1/10/2026 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 3
Docusign Envelope ID: 4F559BA3-8B39-4030-9D6C-8CD8037EA9A2