Action Minutes
City Council Regular Meeting via Video/Teleconference only Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
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Elected Officials on Video/Teleconference City Staff on Video/Teleconference Mayor Rob Schroder
Vice Mayor Lara DeLaney
Councilmember Debbie McKillop
Councilmember Mark Ross
Councilmember Brianne Zorn
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Eric Figueroa, City Manager
Michael Chandler, Assistant City Manager
Lauren Sugayan, Deputy City Manager
David Glasser, Finance Director
Jeff Walter, City Attorney
Edgar Villanueva Jr., Deputy City Clerk
Call to Order – Pledge of Allegiance
City Council reconvened from the Closed Session, which started at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom Video/Teleconference. Mayor Rob Schroder called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Public Comment (01:06 in video)
Gretchen thanked City for paving Morello Ave except for small stretch; warned about misplaced bicycle road signs by railroad overpass; conflicting speed limit signs by Howe. Anne Ling complained of reduced services in the animal services agreement with County, despite new agreement with additional funding; suggested agreement revisions. Kristin Henderson spoke of Historical Society’s role in General Plan to tell accurate facts. Peter Moulders told of marathon event fundraiser for foundation for autism incorporated. Lisa Fulton complained of inadequate animal services agreement with County; need help Cassidy Schulman introduced “In Defense of Animals”, an international nonprofit animal welfare organization; upset at disastrous terms of new animal services agreement. Annie Wright criticized new animal services agreement; listed insufficient animal services
Consent Calendar (26:48 in video)
1. Waive reading of and introduce and/or adopt all Ordinances by title only.
2. Motion approving City Council Action Minutes, dated February 16 and March 2, 2022.
3. Motion approving the Check Reconciliation Register, dated March 10, 2022.
4. Adopt an Ordinance [1435], amending the Martinez Municipal Code Title 15, Buildings and Construction, by adding Chapter 15.08, “Electric Vehicle Charging Station” and adopt findings and exemption from the provisions of the California City Council Action Minutes
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to Title 14, Section 15061(b)(3), 15628, 15308, and 15378 of the California Code of Regulations.
Speakers: None
Public
Comment:
None
Closing
Comment:
Councilmember (CMB) Ross asked if Item #4 finalizes sustainability goals checklist; asked problems of an unpermitted new charger with old wiring. Asst. City Manager (ACM) Michael Chandler and Public Works (PW) Director Dave Scola answered.
Motion to: Approve staff recommendations on Consent Calendar Items #1 through 4.
Motion by: Mark Ross Seconded By: Lara DeLaney
Motion
passed
5-0
Rob Schroder Aye Debbie McKillop Aye
Lara DeLaney Aye Mark Ross Aye
Brianne Zorn Aye
General Business Items (31:14 in video)
5. Receive report, hold discussion, and provide direction regarding implementation of the new Downtown Outdoor Dining and Retail Program.
Speakers: Staff Report/PowerPoint by Deputy City Manager (DCM) Lauren Sugayan. CMB Ross asked when media will be at Roxx on Main; concerned about lack of parking in downtown due to no enforcement, live music volume; questioned value of band info on application.
Vice Mayor (VM) DeLaney asked about entertainment schedule submission timeline and last-minute changes.
CMB Zorn asked about timeline of street closures, special events impact; if admin fee is 1-time only fee or annual; cautious of unfair fees per usage; which Main Street blocks are included in program to define area. CMB McKillop asked possibility of entire stretch of Main St. to be closed due to many adjacent applications; live bands’ volume conflicts/penalties. VM DeLaney clarified street closures are for Friday-Saturday. Mayor Schroder was pleased to reopen streets late night, due to security; wants attention to ADA regulations compliance.
DCM Sugayan, CM Figueroa, ACM Chandler answered inquiries in detail.
Public
Comment:
Christine complained of loud live music late due to residence in downtown. Luis Castro asked how to continue with street closures affected by program.
Closing
Comment:
Mayor Schroder asked for compromise to program hours in other areas. CMB Zorn advised nested deal closure as compromise; CMB Ross agreed. VM DeLaney asked if Del Cielo requested both flex space, street closure. CMB McKillop supported street closure program on Estudillo; concerned of other side streets requesting as well.
CMB Ross stated potential problems of compromise, but supported it. CM Figueroa answered inquiries; offered application modification. DCM Sugayan recapped upcoming timeline for program launch/outreach.
City Council Action Minutes
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
CMB McKillop asked if possible to use billboard outside of City to promote; thankful for increased visibility of barriers.
CMB Ross asked of locations on portable bathrooms.
6. Adopt an Ordinance [1434], amending the contract between the City of Martinez and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Board of Administration to effect the following changes:
1. End the 1% cost sharing agreement for Martinez Police Officers’ Association (MPOA) bargaining unit members designated by CalPERS as “new members” under the Public Employee Pension Reform Act “PEPRA” effective January 1, 2022, or as soon as administratively feasible.
2. MPOA bargaining unit members designated by CalPERS as “Classic” members shall pay an additional two percent (2%), for a total of three percent (3%), toward the City’s CalPERS costs effective July 1, 2022 (PERS Section 20516). [1:29:00 in video]
Speakers: Staff Report by Finance Director, David Glasser.
Public
Comment:
None
Closing
Comment:
None
Motion to: Adopt Ordinance [1434], amending CalPERS contract.
Motion by: Lara DeLaney Seconded By: Debbie McKillop
Motion
passed
5-0
Rob Schroder Aye Debbie McKillop Aye
Lara DeLaney Aye Mark Ross Aye
Brianne Zorn Aye
7. Receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021.
[1:33:48 in video]
Speakers: Staff Report by Finance Director, David Glasser. Summary report by Auditor Vicki Rodriguez, Maze & Associates, which provided unmodified opinion: the cleanest opinion that city can receive. Mayor Schroder praised City staff for clean audit grades. VM DeLaney advocated for priority on old loans relief for Marina due to current state budget surplus of $45.6 billion.
CMB Zorn asked about best practices recommendations from audit report. Finance Director Glasser, Auditor Rodriguez answered inquiries in detail.
Public
Comment:
None
Closing
Comment:
None
8. Adopt a resolution [037-22], amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Mid-Year Budget. [1:47:10 in video]
Speakers: CM Figueroa introduced Item and provided background. Staff Report/PowerPoint presentation by Finance Director, David Glasser.
City Council Action Minutes
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
CMB Zorn was excited about July 4th Fireworks/Parade are back on; asked about pool maintenance/opening schedule, suggested keeping open longer; police de-escalation training details; Amazon fulfillment centers tax impact. CMB McKillop asked about parking enforcement revenue of $200k which was never received; CM Figueroa explained parking enforcement strategy. Mayor Schroder explained parking fund in relation to enforcement. DCM Sugayan, Captain Beth Johnson, Finance Director Glasser, answered inquiries in detail.
Public
Comment:
None
Closing
Comment:
CMB Ross commented on parking enforcement is vital to parking turnover to help businesses downtown.
Motion to: Adopt Resolution [037-22] amending FY 2021-22 Mid-Year Budget.
Motion by: Lara DeLaney Seconded By: Debbie McKillop
Motion
passed
5-0
Rob Schroder Aye Debbie McKillop Aye
Lara DeLaney Aye Mark Ross Aye
Brianne Zorn Aye
Public Hearing Items
None
Chief of Police (2:27:32 in video)
Comments/
Updates
Chief of Police, Manjit Sappal regrettably announced retirement due to health concerns and provided gratifying comments on City staff support and experience serving as Police Chief.
Mayor Schroder commended Chief for his service; recalled tumultuous events at the start of term, but enjoyed working with such excellent person. CMB Ross praised achievements of Chief Sappal during difficult times from the start and brought compassion, wisdom to the position. VM DeLaney thanked Chief for outstanding leadership, combining intelligence and compassion to the benefit of the force and City as a whole. CMB McKillop was brokenhearted to news, said Chief Sappal was best Police Chief she had ever known in 36 years working with law enforcement. CMB Zorn enjoyed Chief’s service and appreciated foundation and direction for Police Department moving forward.
City Manager (2:41:22 in video)
Comments/
Updates
CM Figueroa announced future celebration for Chief’s retirement, and steps moving forward to find a new Chief.
Appointments to Commissions and/or Agencies
None
City Council Action Minutes
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Subcommittee Reports
None
City Council (2:42:00 in video)
9. Adopt a resolution [038-22], amending the City Manager’s Compensation Program, and direct Staff to incorporate any changes into the City’s Salary Schedule.
Speakers: Staff Report by Finance Director David Glasser.
Public
Comment:
None
Closing
Comment:
None
Motion to: Adopt Resolution [038-22], amending City Manager Compensation Program.
Motion by: Mark Ross Seconded By: Brianne Zorn
Motion
passed
5-0
Rob Schroder Aye Debbie McKillop Aye
Lara DeLaney Aye Mark Ross Aye
Brianne Zorn Aye
Comments/
Updates
Mayor Schroder announced his hair was dyed green in support of St.
Baldric’s Foundation Shave-off to be held in Main Street Plaza on Mar. 20; next Council meeting will be a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting; CM Figueroa explained in detail.
Adjournment
Mayor Schroder adjourned the Regular Meeting at 9:51 p.m.
_______________________________
Rob Schroder, Mayor
Edgar Villanueva Jr., Deputy City Clerk 04/06/22