Mayor Councilmembers
Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:00 PM)
Hillside Conference Room - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito Join Via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81198129526?pwd=DIlOdSD5zzkMLETAPORQ7iJnvN51IS.1 Meeting ID: 811 9812 9526 Passcode: 711428 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 Public Comments:
1. In-person, by submitting a request to speak to the City Clerk.
2. Via Zoom, using the "Raise Hand" feature to request to speak.
3. By phone, dialing *9 to "raise your hand", and *6 to unmute.
4. Online, using the "Submit Comments" feature on the meeting event.
5. Via email to [email protected] indicating Public Comments – Agenda Item #.
Written comments received by 2:00 PM 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 posted after the meeting.
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 are available via zoom.
Conduct: Pursuant to the El Cerrito City Council Rules of Order and Procedure.
Agenda Packet Page 1 of 9
Mayor Councilmembers
Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger
6:00 PM ROLL CALL - CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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.
2. COMMISSION INTERVIEWS, STATUS AND APPOINTMENTS
Action Proposed: Staff requests that City Council conduct interviews and, at the conclusion of interviews, confer with staff regarding the ongoing recruitments, any remaining vacancies, and the scheduling of further special meetings to conduct interviews (if applicable). Council may decide to make appointments at the conclusion of the meeting.
Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management
3. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The City of El Cerrito serves our diverse community by providing exceptional services that create a safe and resilient future for all.
Agenda Packet Page 2 of 9
AGENDA BILL
Agenda Item No. 2.
Date: February 10, 2026
To: El Cerrito City Council
From: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management
Subject: COMMISSION INTERVIEWS, STATUS AND APPOINTMENTS
ACTION PROPOSED
Staff requests that City Council conduct interviews and, at the conclusion of interviews, confer with staff regarding the ongoing recruitments, any remaining vacancies, and the scheduling of further special meetings to conduct interviews (if applicable). Council may decide to make appointments at the conclusion of the meeting.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
City staff continues to publicize board, commission and committee vacancies as they occur. Vacancies are published on the City’s website and in the West County Times; posted at City Hall, the Community Center, the Library and other various locations throughout the City including Little Libraries. Staff continues to utilize the City Manager's Update, social media outlets, and press releases to increase awareness and opportunities for residents to participate by attending meetings and/or serving on a Board, Commission or Committee.
Interview Schedule
Interviews scheduled for this meeting are as follows:
Interview Time Applicant Interviewing for:
6:00 PM Intro/Overview of Process N/A
6:15 PM Nathan TinClair Planning Commission
6:30 PM James Tory Knowles Arts and Culture Commission
6:45 PM Kimberly White Financial Advisory Board
7:00 PM Jia Ma Citizens Street Oversight
Committee
7:15 PM Justin Van Zerber Financial Advisory Board
7:30 PM Melissa Newton Human Relations Commission
7:45 PM Anne Perkins Park and Recreation Commission
8:00 PM Council Discussion on
Appointments
N/A
Agenda Packet Page 3 of 9
Agenda Item No. 2.
Additional Interviews
City Council has an additional Special Meeting scheduled to conduct interviews on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Meeting materials, including the final interview schedule, will be posted and available online no later than Thursday, February 19, 2026. At the time of publication for this meeting, staff anticipates no less than 8 additional interviews to be held.
Additional Eligible Applicants
In addition to the eligible applicants scheduled for interview, the following applicants are currently eligible and have previously interviewed with the City Council:
Henry Pinkard Planning Commission 9/23/2025
Interviewed, not appointed
STRATEGIC PLAN CONSIDERATIONS
This action supports the City’s Strategic Plan Goal(s) of:
• High Performing Organization by increasing communication and public engagement to ensure access to services and promote community events.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
This section is not applicable to this agenda item.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This section is not applicable to this agenda item.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
This section is not applicable to this agenda item.
Reviewed by:
Holly Charléty, City Clerk
Attachments:
1. Commissioner Interview Worksheet
2. List of Pending Applications
Agenda Packet Page 4 of 9
Meeting Dates: 2/10/2026, 2/24/2026 Page 1 of 3
EL CERRITO BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENT WORKSHEET
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Legend
ACC = Arts and Culture Commission
COA = Committee on Aging
CCCA = Contra Costa Council on Aging
CSC = Civil Service Commission
DOA = Date of Appointment Indicates a PARTIAL TERM
EDC = Economic Development Committee
FAB = Financial Advisory Board
HRC = Human Resources Commission
PC = Planning Commission
PRC= Park and Recreation Commission
UFC = Urban Forest Committee
ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION (2 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
DOA – 3/1/2029 James Tory Knowles
DOA – 3/1/2029
2 existing vacancies
CITIZEN STREET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (5 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
3/1/2026 - 3/1/2030 Jia Ma (incumbent)
3/1/2026 - 3/1/2030 Kathy Fleming (incumbent)
3/1/2026 - 3/1/2030
DOA – 3/1/2028
DOA – 3/1/2027
Hill termed out, 2 existing vacancies
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (2 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
DOA – 3/1/2029 Lillia Refes (also pursuing CCCA)
DOA - 3/1/2027
2 existing vacancies
Agenda Packet Page 5 of 9
Meeting Dates: 2/10/2026, 2/24/2026 Page 2 of 3
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD (3 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
3/1/2026 - 3/1/2030 Drew Cruz Patterson (also pursuing PC) 3/1/2026 - 3/1/2030 Benedicto Vega (also pursing PC)
DOA – 3/1/2027
Chuaqui termed out, 2 existing vacancies
FINANCIAL ADVISORY BOARD (2 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
3/1/2026 – 3/1/2030 Kimberly White (incumbent)
DOA – 3/1/2029 Justin Van Zerber
1 existing vacancy
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (3 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
DOA – 3/1/2027 Melissa Newton (also pursuing COA)
DOA – 3/1/2027
DOA – 3/1/2027
3 existing vacancies
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION (5 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
DOA – 3/1/209 Anne Perkins
DOA – 3/1/2027 Julia Salinas (also pursuing EDC)
2 existing vacancies
Agenda Packet Page 6 of 9
Meeting Dates: 2/10/2026, 2/24/2026 Page 3 of 3
PLANNING COMMISSION (2 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
3/1/2026 – 3/1/2030 Nathan Tinclair (incumbent)
3/1/2026 – 3/1/2030 Henry Pinkard (interviewed 9/23/25) Navarrete termed out Mordecai Stayton (also pursuing EQC) Benedicto Vega (also pursuing DRB)
Drew Cruz Patterson (also pursuing PC)
CONTRA COSTA COUNCIL ON AGING (1 Seat)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
6/21/2026 -6/21/2028 Lillia Refes (also pursuing CSC)
Incumbent did not re-apply
Agenda Packet Page 7 of 9
Name Board Name Application Status Application Date Interview Date James Tory Knowles Arts and Culture Commission Active 01/05/2026 02/10/2026 Jia Ma Citizens Street Oversight Committee Active 12/18/2025 02/10/2026 Kathy Fleming Citizens Street Oversight Committee Active 02/04/2026 02/24/2026 Lillia Refes Civil Service Commission Active 01/21/2026 02/24/2026Howard Hickman Community Safety Committee Active 01/06/2026Wayne Coburn Community Safety Committee Active 01/05/2026Lillia Refes Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging Active 01/21/2026 02/24/2026 Benedicto Vega Design Review Board Active 01/27/2026 02/24/2026Drew Cruz Patterson Design Review Board Active 01/23/2026 02/24/2026James Takano (youth applicant) Design Review Board Active 02/02/2026 Ann Lehman Economic Development Committee Active 07/07/2025 Beverly Green Economic Development Committee Active 10/22/2025Jonathan Stern Economic Development Committee Active 01/20/2026Julia Salinas Economic Development Committee Active 01/29/2026Rahul Iyer Economic Development Committee Active 07/14/2025Sandra Mayithara Economic Development Committee Active 01/15/2026Han Miao Environmental Quality Committee Active 06/25/2025 Mordecai Stayton Environmental Quality Committee Active 01/29/2026Sasha Hahn Environmental Quality Committee Active 01/22/2026Justin Van Zerber Financial Advisory Board Active 01/05/2026 02/10/2026Kimberly White Financial Advisory Board Active 12/03/2025 02/10/2026Beverly Green Human Relations Commission Active 10/22/2025 People's Report1 of 2 2/5/2026, 1:44 PM
Pending Applications as of 2/5/2026
Agenda Packet Page 8 of 9
Name Board Name Application Status Application Date Interview Date Melissa Newton Human Relations Commission Active 10/15/2025 02/10/2026Anne Perkins Park and Recreation Commission Active 01/12/2026 02/10/2026 Julia Salinas Park and Recreation Commission Active 01/29/2026 02/24/2026 Benedicto Vega Planning Commission Active 01/27/2026 02/24/2026 Drew Cruz Patterson Planning Commission Active 01/23/2026 02/24/2026 Henry Pinkard Planning Commission Active 09/02/2025 09/23/2025 James Takano (youth applicant) Planning Commission Active 02/02/2026 Mordecai Stayton Planning Commission Active 01/29/2026 02/24/2026 Nathan Tinclair Planning Commission Active 01/14/2026 02/10/2026 People's Report https://elcerritoca.civicclerk.com/Boards/People/PeopleCreateReport?selectedidx=80~86~96...2 of 2 2/5/2026, 1:44 PM Agenda Packet Page 9 of 9