Mayor Councilmembers
Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama
Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 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/83874265564?pwd=COS7C6nC8kw0cKXUw5GXR4eq4talcW.1 Meeting ID: 838 7426 5564 Passcode: 320716 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 24, 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 Lillia Refes Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging 6:15 PM Lillia Refes Civil Service Commission
6:30 PM Drew Cruz Patterson Planning Commission
6:45 PM Drew Cruz Patterson Design Review Board
7:00 PM Benedicto Vega Planning Commission
7:15 PM Benedicto Vega Design Review Board
7:30 PM Julia Salinas Park and Recreation Commission
7:45 PM Mordecai Stayton Planning Commission
8:00 PM Joanna Pace Contra Costa Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee
8:15 PM Carol Kehoe Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging Agenda Packet Page 3 of 9
Agenda Item No. 2.
8:30 PM Council Discussion
on Appointments
N/A
In addition to the interviews listed above, interviews were held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM. An up-to-date list of pending applications and list of appointments for consideration are attached to the meeting materials.
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
CCTA CAC = Contra Costa Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee
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
CITIZEN STREET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (5 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
Jia Ma 3/1/2026 - 3/1/2030 Jia Ma (incumbent) appointed 2/10/26 Kathy Fleming 3/1/2026 - 3/1/2030 Kathy Fleming (incumbent) appointed 2/10/26 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
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
Agenda Packet Page 5 of 9
Meeting Dates: 2/10/2026, 2/24/2026 Page 2 of 3
FINANCIAL ADVISORY BOARD (2 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
Kimberly White 3/1/2026 – 3/1/2030 Kimberly White (incumbent) appointed 2/10/26 DOA – 3/1/2029 Justin Van Zerber interviewed 2/10/26
1 existing vacancy
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (3 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
Melissa Newton DOA – 3/1/2027 Melissa Newton (pursuing COA) appointed 2/10/26 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 interviewed 2/10/26
DOA – 3/1/2027 Julia Salinas (also pursuing EDC)
2 existing vacancies
PLANNING COMMISSION (2 Seats)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
3/1/2026 – 3/1/2030 Nathan Tinclair (incumbent) interviewed 2/10/26 3/1/2026 – 3/1/2030 Mordecai Stayton (also pursuing EQC) Navarrete termed out Benedicto Vega (also pursuing DRB) Drew Cruz Patterson (also pursuing DRB)
CONTRA COSTA COUNCIL ON AGING (1 Seat)
Name Term Eligible Applicants
6/21/2026 -6/21/2028 Lillia Refes (also pursuing CSC)
Carol Kehoe (incumbent)
Agenda Packet Page 6 of 9
Meeting Dates: 2/10/2026, 2/24/2026 Page 3 of 3
CONTRA COSTA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (1 Seat) Name Term Eligible Applicants
3/1/2026-3/1/2030 Joanna Pace
Incumbent did not re-apply
Agenda Packet Page 7 of 9
Name Board Name Application Status Application Date Interview Date Lillia Refes Civil Service Commission Active 01/21/2026 02/24/2026 Howard Hickman Community Safety Committee Active 01/06/2026Wayne Coburn Community Safety Committee Active 01/05/2026Carol Kehoe Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging Active 02/18/2026 02/24/2026Lillia Refes Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging Active 01/21/2026 02/24/2026Joanna Pace Contra Costa Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee Active 02/18/2026 02/24/2026Benedicto 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 07/07/2025Beverly 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 06/25/2025Mordecai 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 02/10/2026Beverly Green Human Relations Commission Active 10/22/2025Anne 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 Pending Applications as of 2/18/2026
Agenda Packet Page 8 of 9
Name Board Name Application Status Application Date Interview Date Benedicto Vega Planning Commission Active 01/27/2026 02/24/2026 Drew Cruz Patterson Planning Commission Active 01/23/2026 02/24/2026James Takano (youth applicant) Planning Commission Active 02/02/2026Mordecai Stayton Planning Commission Active 01/29/2026 02/24/2026Nathan Tinclair Planning Commission Active 01/14/2026 02/10/2026 Agenda Packet Page 9 of 9