Mayor
Gabe Quinto
Mayor Pro Tem
Rebecca Saltzman
Councilmembers
William Ktsanes
Lisa Motoyama
Carolyn Wysinger
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (6:15 PM)
Council Chambers - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
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MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026
View:
1. Cable T.V. Broadcast on KCRT Channel 28
2. Livestream Online at www.elcerrito.gov/MeetingsandAgendas 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: This meeting is held pursuant to City Council Rules of Order and Procedure. 07/07/2026 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 4
Docusign Envelope ID: 11E6B753-1396-8B99-8322-E450B0EEAD8A Mayor
Gabe Quinto
Mayor Pro Tem
Rebecca Saltzman
Councilmembers
William Ktsanes
Lisa Motoyama
Carolyn Wysinger
6:15 PM ROLL CALL - CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Quinto called the meeting to order at 6:16 PM.
Present: Mayor Quinto, Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Wysinger (left at 7:31 PM) Absent: None
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OR OBSERVATION OF A
MOMENT OF SILENCE
2. TELECONFERENCE AND PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Fifth Public Hearing on Transition to District-Based Elections – Introduction of an Ordinance to Establish District-based Elections, Adopt the Final Map to Establish District Boundaries, and Establish Sequence of District Elections
The set start time of this public hearing is 6:15 PM. Notice was published on 6/27/2026, draft maps were publicly posted 6/30/2026 at www.elcerrito.gov/districts.
Action Proposed: Conduct a fifth public hearing and upon conclusion introduce the ordinance titled:
An Ordinance of the City of El Cerrito Amending Title 2 "Administration" of the El Cerrito Municipal Code to Add Section
2.04.007 "District Elections" Within Chapter 2.04 to Provide for the Election of Members of the City Council by Five Districts; Adopt the Final Map to Establish the District Boundaries and Establish the Sequence of District Elections.
Contact: Sky Woodruff, City Attorney; Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding staggered terms, timeline of adopting an ordinance within the safe harbor timeline,
Public Hearing: Mayor Quinto opened the public hearing.
Public Comments: Written comments submitted prior to and during the meeting are posted online as supplemental materials and incorporated into the official meeting record.
Maureen Dixon - spoke in support of draft map C3.
07/07/2026 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 4
Docusign Envelope ID: 11E6B753-1396-8B99-8322-E450B0EEAD8A Mayor
Gabe Quinto
Mayor Pro Tem
Rebecca Saltzman
Councilmembers
William Ktsanes
Lisa Motoyama
Carolyn Wysinger
Richard Brooks - commented on support of moving to district elections and expressed desire to keep the Northwest area whole, sequencing such a district for election in 2028 when there is higher voter turnout, and clarification on the end of the safe harbor timeframe.
Michael McDougall - commented in support of draft map C3, concern on A2 boundary up Moeser and less representative of the high fire risk areas, and support of adopting a map at tonight's meeting.
Grant Ricketts - spoke in support of draft map A2, concern that draft map C3 was forced to try and fit the needs of the community.
Rebecah K - support of draft map C3 for representation of renters and not basing boundaries based on school lines that are across the full county.
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Motoyama/Councilmember Wysinger Action: Closed the public hearing. Ayes: Mayor Quinto, Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman/Councilmember Ktsanes Action: Failed motion to adopt map C3 Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman, Councilmember Ktsanes Noes: Mayor Quinto, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Wysinger
Moved/Seconded: Councilmember Wysinger/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Adopted map A2 Ayes: Mayor Quinto, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman, Councilmember Ktsanes
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Sequenced the election with Brown (1), Purple (3), and Green (5) up in 2028; and Red (2) and Orange (4) up in 2030 Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: Mayor Quinto, Councilmember Ktsanes
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Introduced the proposed ordinance, incorporating adoption of Map A2 and sequencing the election with district 1, 3 and 5 (Brown, Purple, and Green respectively) in 2028 and 2, 4 (Red and Orange respectively) in 2030 Ayes: Mayor Quinto, Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama, Councilmember Wysinger Noes: None
07/07/2026 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 4
Docusign Envelope ID: 11E6B753-1396-8B99-8322-E450B0EEAD8A Mayor
Gabe Quinto
Mayor Pro Tem
Rebecca Saltzman
Councilmembers
William Ktsanes
Lisa Motoyama
Carolyn Wysinger
4. PRESENTATIONS
A. San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan Implementation Update: Economic Development and Affordable Housing
Action Proposed: Receive and file a presentation on the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan Economic Development and Affordable Housing Analysis and Implementation Strategy
Contact: Melanie Mintz, Community Development Director; Aissia Ashoori, Housing-Economic Development Program Manager, Community Development Department
Presentation and Discussion: Presenters and staff responded to comments and questions raised by members of the council regarding addressing property owners leaving vacant lots, Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing program, Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Program usage, inclusionary data, online sales tax revenue forecasts, Certificates of Participation bonds, need for policy discussions to increase affordable housing, future study sessions on addressing housing needs, Action: Received and filed
B. Resolution Honoring Community Development Director Melanie Mintz in Retirement
Action Proposed: Adopt a Resolution recognizing and honoring Community Development Director Melanie Mintz in retirement after serving the City of El Cerrito for 22 years.
Contact: Karen Pinkos, City Manager, City Management
Moved/Seconded: Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman/Councilmember Motoyama Action: Adopted Resolution 2026-43. Ayes: Mayor Quinto, Mayor Pro Tem Saltzman, Councilmember Ktsanes, Councilmember Motoyama Noes: None Absent: Councilmember Wysinger
5. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The special meeting adjourned at 8:58 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 July 7, 2026 as approved by the El Cerrito City Council.
Holly M. Charléty, MMC, City Clerk
07/07/2026 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 4
Docusign Envelope ID: 11E6B753-1396-8B99-8322-E450B0EEAD8A