TOWN OF MORAGA
REGULAR MEETING
October 11, 2023
MINUTES
6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting
The following are minutes of the actions taken by the Moraga Town Council.
A full video recording of the meeting is available on the Town's website at:
https://livestream.com.moraga
Council Chambers
335 Rheem Boulevard, Moraga, California 94556
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Renata Sos.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Mayor Renata Sos and Councilmembers Kerry Hillis, David Shapiro and Steve Woehleke
Councilmembers absent: Vice Mayor Onoda
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Sos reported the Town Council had held a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on October 10 for a Study Session on Phase 2 of the Advanced Planning Initiative. The Town Council then met in Closed Session to perform a six-month evaluation of the Town Manager.
4. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
There were no proclamations or presentations.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
There were no public comments or suggestions.
6. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA
A. Acceptance of Consent Items
Consent Item 6.2 was pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
There were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
Town Council Regular Meeting 1 October 11, 2023
ACTION:
Motion: Woehleke / Second: Hillis
Adopt Consent Agenda Items 6.1 and 6.3.
Roll Call Vote: 4-0 / Absent: Onoda
6.1 Receive Accounts Payable Claims for: 9/22/23 ($202, 109.20); Approved 10/6/23 ($343,102.76)
6.2 STIP Funding to Complete Street Improvements Project Pulled for Discussion
Consider Resolution 65-2023 Approving an Application for State Transportation Improvement Program Funding (STIP) Assigned to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in the Amount of $10,529,000, Committing Any Necessary
Matching Funds and Stating Assurance to Complete the St.
Mary's Road Multimodal Safety Improvements Project (CIP Project No. 23-417)
6.3 Funding Agreement for Smart Signals Approved
Consider Resolution 64-2023 Approving Funding
Agreements between Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Town of Moraga to Design and Construct the CCTA Countywide Smart Signals Project (CIP Project No. 23-413) and Community Smart Signals Project (CIP Project No. 23-412)
B. Consideration of Consent Items Removed for Discussion $10,529,000, Committing Any Necessary Matching Funds and Stating Assurance to Complete the St. Mary's Road Multimodal Safetv Improvements Project (CIP Project No. 23-417)
Mayor Sos had removed the item to acknowledge the efforts of staff.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
There were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
ACTION:
Motion: Woehleke / Second: Hillis
Adopt Resolution 65-2023 approving an Application for State Transportation Improvement Vote: 4-0 / Absent: Onoda
Town Council Regular Meeting 2 October 11, 2023
7. ADOPTION OF MEETING AGENDA
ACTION:
Motion: Shapiro / Second: Hillis
Adopt the meeting agenda, as shown.
Vote: 4-0 / Absent: Onoda
8. REPORTS
A. Town Manager
Town Manager Scott Mitnick reported the State of the Town Address would be provided by the Mayor on December 13, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at SMC, and the Town was working with SMC as it endeavored to pursue its plans for facility upgrades and modernization efforts along with the selection of a new President.
B. Mayor's and Councilmembers' Reports
Councilmember Hillis read written comments he asked to be part of the public record are captured as follows:
"With all that is going in the world, especially in the middle east. I would like to take a moment to remind everyone that The Town of Moraga is proud of the diversity of our residents. Our town is made up of people from all over the world practicing a wide array of religions. Everyday we coexist and live peaceful lives. Our diversity is our strength. Many of Moraga's residents happen to be Jewish or of Jewish decent. As a father of three young amazing Jewish children and husband to an amazing Jewish wife, it is important to reflect on this week's unprecedented attacks inside of Israel. The past week has been very difficult for many residents in Moraga and for my family as well. Earlier this year I had the privilege to visit cities near the Israel/Gaza boarder and learned first hand about the issues faced by residents in this region. I visited Kfar Aza a small idyllic border community. Where this past weekend, Hamas terrorists massacred innocent babies and families.
Some of whom I surely saw happily playing and living out their lives peacefully just months ago.
Innocent civilians in both Israel and Gaza are paying the price with their lives for these unjustifiable acts of terror. My heart goes out to all these families that will never be the same. Also, on my trip I met with Israeli Jews, Israeli Arabs, Palestinian Christians, and Palestinian Muslims all working to find ways to peacefully coexist with one another. While countless lives have been lost, I believe that this hope for the future remains. As a town proud of its diversity and tolerance, many Moraga residents share in the anguish and sorrow that so many families in the Middle East are experiencing at this moment. Please know that those that are suffering are not alone. We are with you. We support you."
Councilmember Woehleke reported he had attended the Pear and Wine Festival, received compliments on the new picnic areas and also participated in Community Service Day.
Mayor Sos had also attended the Pear and Wine Festival and thanked the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department staff, Moraga Police Department and community organizations who had volunteered to work tirelessly to make the event a success. She had also attended the Moraga Library reopening after its months long renovation and expressed her appreciation to Park and Recreation Director Mackenzie Brady and her team in collaboration with the County and the Friends of Moraga Library for all of their efforts. In addition, she provided an update on the status of Republic Services' collection issues in the community and thanked RecycleSmart and its member agencies working with Republic Services to resolve ongoing collection issues caused by a shortage of trucks.
Town Council Regular Meeting 3 October 11, 2023
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
10. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ACTION
A. Municipal Advisor Selection and 2013 COP Refunding
Approve, by Motion, Selection ot Kosmont Financial Services to serve as Town of Moraga's Municipal Financial Advisor and Authorization to Town Manager to Form the "Financing Team" and Enter into Professional Services Agreement with Jones Hall to Serve as Bond and Disclosure Counsel to Commence with the Process of Refunding of the Moraga 2013 Certificates of Participation (COPs) Town Manager Mitnick introduced the item and recommended the Town Council approve the proposed item.
Responding to questions from the Council, Mr. Mitnick, Senior Managing Director; Julio Morales, Kosmont Financial Services and Assistant Town Attorney Denise Bazzano clarified that if the Town Council approved the item and it did not make sense to move forward, the risk to the Town would be $30,000 not including staff time. Answers were also provided to specific questions related to the possibility of changing the duration of the payment as an option, potential prepayment of the bonds, financing variables, interest rates, other options and next steps.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
There were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
ACTION:
Motion: Woehleke / Second: Hillis
Approve, by Motion, Selection of Kosmont Financial Services to serve as Town of Moraga's Municipal Financial Advisor and direct the Town Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement, in a form approved by the Town Attorney, to provide such services for an amount not-to-exceed $30,000; and Authorize the Town Manager to form the "financing team" to commence with the process
of refunding the existing Town of Moraga 2013 Certificates of Participation (COPs) bonds including:
Approval to enter into a professional services agreement, in a form approved by the Town Attorney, with Jones Hall to serve as Bond Counsel for an amount not to exceed $30,000.
Approval to enter into a professional services agreement, in a form approved by the Town Attorney, with Jones Hall to serve as Disclosure Counsel for an amount not to exceed $18,000.
Vote: 4-0 / Absent: Onoda
B. Town Manager's Appointment of Retired Annuitants
Consider Resolution 66-2023 Approving the Hiring of Lisa Malek-Zadeh as Interim Administrative Services Director and Consider Resolution 67-2023 Approving the Hiring of Marty Mcnturf as Interim Assistant to the Town Manager/Town Clerk Town Manager Mitnick introduced the item and recommended the Town Council approve the proposed resolution.
Town Council Regular Meeting 4 October 11, 2023
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
There were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
The Town Council looked forward to stability on Town staff and welcomed Lisa Malek-Zadeh and Marty Mclnturf back to the Town of Moraga.
ACTION:
Motion: Woehleke / Second: Hillis
Adopt Resolution 66-2023 Approving the Hiring of Lisa Malek-Zadeh as Interim Administrative Services Director and Consider Resolution 67-2023 Approving the Hiring of Marty Mclnturf as Interim Assistant to the Town Manager/Town Clerk.
Vote: 4-0 / Absent: Onoda
11. DISCUSSION ITEMS
There were no discussion items.
12. COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were no Council requests for future agenda items.
13. COMMUNICATIONS
There were no communications.
14. TOWN MANAGER FOLLOW-UP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Mitnick reported he had attended the Mayors' Conference and the International City/County Management Association Conference in Austin, Texas. The next Town Council meeting had been scheduled for October 25, 2023.
15. ADJOURNMENT
ACTION: The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
ANeuvenes
Amy Heavener, CMC
Town Clerk
for Marty McInturf, Interim Town Clerk
Approved by the Town Council:
Renata M. Sos, Mayor
Town Council Regular Meeting 5 October 11, 2023