Minutes of Oakley City Council/Oakley City Council Acting as the Successor Agency to the Oakley Redevelopment Agency/Oakley Public Financing Authority held
January 10, 2023
1) OPENING MATTERS
1.1 Call to Order and Roll Call of the Oakley City Council/Oakley City Council Acting as the Successor Agency to the Oakley Redevelopment Agency/Oakley Public Financing Authority
Mayor Aaron Meadows called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. in the Oakley City Council Chambers located at 3231 Main Street, Oakley, California. Vice Mayor Anissa Williams and Councilmembers George Fuller, Hugh Henderson and Shannon Shaw were also in attendance.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag (Liam Castro and Mia Moraida, 4th Grade Students at Almond Grove Elementary)
4th Grade Almond Grove Elementary School students Liam Castro and Mia Moraida led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Mayor Meadows announced item 1.5 would be heard next.
1.3 Update from Youth Advisory Council (Lindsey Bruno, Recreation Director) Oakley Youth Advisory Councilmembers (OYAC) Estella Whittstruck, Sawyer Whitford and Addison Villeda presented a PowerPoint presentation reporting on events held during 2022 and shared upcoming events. Recreation Director Lindsey Bruno mentioned the photos provided in the presentation represent what OYAC would like to see in Oakley, i.e., a community magazine, teen center, more entertainment, outdoor areas, community art, more restaurants, and more small businesses.
Vice Mayor Williams inquired if they could create a task force to take steps toward progress on items shared.
City Manager Joshua McMurray indicated staff will take feedback and develop the framework; it may check some of the boxes on what staff is working on now, and staff will report back to the Council.
Mayor Meadows inquired how many members comprise OYAC.
Ms. Bruno confirmed there are 13 members in OYAC.
1.4 Update from California Department of Insurance (Mary Beth Bykowsky, Outreach Analyst)
Mary Beth Bykowsky, Outreach Analyst, California Department of Insurance, provided a prerecorded presentation and was available by phone for questions. The presentation included the role of the Insurance Commissioner, Community Relations and Outreach Branch 2021 outreach, progress report, plan for wildfires, regulations to lower cost and increase transparency, Climate and Sustainability Branch (CA Climate Insurance Working Group), Senior Resources from CDI-Senior Gateway, and California's Low Cost Auto Insurance (state-wide coverage and rates).
Mayor Meadows revisited item 5.1 to call upon Michael Dupray for public comment. Mr. Dupray read his written comment submitted online and it was made part of the meeting record.
1.5 Proclamation Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Odessa LeFrancois, President of the East County NAACP)
Item 1.5 was heard prior to item 1.3.
Mayor Meadows presented the proclamation to Odessa LeFrancois, President of the East County NAACP. Ms. LeFrancois was joined by Michael Dupray. She accepted the proclamation and thanked the Council. She provided information about the organization and Dr. King. She provided a handout and announced a breakfast to be held by East County NAACP on January 16, beginning at 8:00 a.m., at Martin Luther King, Jr. Junior High School in Pittsburg to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
2) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Peter Zirkle, Director, Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD), introduced himself as the new liaison for ISD. He indicated there have been many challenges with the recent storms.
Mayor Meadows requested Mr. Zirkle provide more detail regarding the challenges he mentioned.
Director Zirkle indicated the sewage system is designed to handle household waste, not deluged with rainwater so ISD has pump trucks to keep stuff out of the system. 3) CONSENT CALENDAR
3.1 Approve Minutes from the Special City Council Meeting held December 13, 2022 (Libby Vreonis, City Clerk)
3.2 Approve Minutes from the Regular Joint City Council/City Council Acting as the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency/Public Financing Authority Meeting Held December 13, 2022 (Libby Vreonis, City Clerk)
3.3 Accept Report Out of Closed Session Memo (Derek Cole, City Attorney)
3.4 Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 Second Quarter Report on the Capital Improvement Program (Kevin Rohani, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer)
3.5 Appointment of City Council Standby Members for Newly Elected Councilmembers in the Event of a Declared Emergency (Libby Vreonis, City Clerk) Councilmember Fuller requested clarification regarding item 3.4—if the Council is accepting the item.
Mr. McMurray confirmed the recommended action is to accept it.
No public comments were submitted.
Vice Mayor Williams requested to pull item 3.4.
It was moved by Councilmember Shaw and seconded by Councilmember Fuller to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar. Motion was unanimous and so ordered. (5-0) Item 3.4
Vice Mayor Williams pulled the item to highlight the projects the City is working on. She requested staff provide the timeline regarding the East Cypress Road Widening project.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Kevin Rohani indicated the contract for the reconstruction of E. Cypress Road from Knightsen Avenue to Jersey Island Road has been awarded by the Council, the utility relocation of PG&E gas lines was supposed to start December 28 but due to weather it is postponed until the rain stops, and once done, actual construction will begin and will take approximately 4-6 months, providing a two-lane road widened to six lanes with curb gutter, sidewalk, underground utility and a bike lane. He indicated E. Cypress Road from Jersey Island Road to Bethel Island Road will be constructed as part of the Grand Cypress Reserve Project with construction anticipated to start in the latter part of this year. He mentioned this will complete overall E. Cypress Road from Bethel Island Road to Main Street. He shared that the City’s maintenance staff has been involved in patching the road and staff will do road repair from Knightsen Avenue to Jersey Island Road next week when the rain subsides.
Vice Mayor Williams inquired if the Holly Creek Restroom Project is near completion. She mentioned recent vandalism.
Mr. Rohani indicated it is nearly done with finishing touches being placed on the project and clean-up of vandalism; it will be open by spring.
Vice Mayor Williams mentioned the Laurel Road Extension Project (Teton Road to Sellers Avenue) and Laurel Road Widening Project (O’Hara Avenue to Cloverbrook Avenue) and asked staff to provide context regarding the amount of travel on Laurel Road and if it would require more improvement and frequency than E. Cypress Road.
Mr. Rohani indicated there is no favoritism as to which road is improved. He explained these projects involve many components, i.e., acquiring right of way and utility. He shared Laurel Road has the largest arterial with almost 20,000 trips per day; E. Cypress Road has less than 20,000 trips per day. He further explained that E. Cypress has gone through improvements by developers and projects on E. Cypress depend on developers because the City doesn’t have the right of way and there are a lot of utility relocations. He indicated the condition of the road is not lost on the radar. He shared that Laurel Road has been improved section by section; the relocation of WAPA lines took 3 years to work with utility companies, it took several years to acquire the right of way to bring a design contract forward, and E. Cypress Road will be built before Laurel Road is completed because of large WAPA poles which will take a couple of years. He added that staff looks collectively at all projects in the City and must address issues of right of way, funding, and work with multiple agencies involved, i.e., the County railroad, etc.
Vice Mayor Williams commented that Enrico Cinquini Park is also listed on the update and will include additions to the park, a bocce ball court, a cornhole court, and a splashpad water feature.
Mr. Rohani mentioned it will be one of Oakley’s nicest parks funded partly by the developer and partly by park impact fees.
Vice Mayor Williams moved to accept the report.
Councilmember Fuller thanked staff for their work on E. Cypress Road to ensure safety. He indicated there is no priority of projects, there are different needs for different projects, and he appreciates what has been done and what staff is doing. He mentioned the Oakley Regional Community Park Project (CIP #176) is still being planned and does not yet have funding. He requested clarification that there has been no final approval what is going there.
Mr. Rohani mentioned Councilmember Fuller is referring to the 55-acre property located at the end of Sellers Avenue. He shared that before the holidays, a landscape architect was approved for the project who will assist the Council to bring forth a final concept plan for the project. He confirmed there is no major funding for the project, it will cost $50-$60 million to complete the project, and staff has applied for grants unsuccessfully thus far but will keep seeking funding.
He indicated this year the concept will be developed to then secure funding.
Councilmember Fuller seconded the motion accepting the report. Motion was unanimous and so ordered. (5-0)
4) PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
5) REGULAR CALENDAR
5.1 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Oakley Appointing the Mayor and Vice Mayor as the City Council’s Subcommittee for City Manager Employment Matters (Derek Cole, City Attorney)
City Attorney Derek Cole presented the staff report.
Councilmember Fuller commented he and Mr. Cole differ on that it has always been done. He commented that Mr. Cole mentioned here that the Mayor and Vice Mayor will meet with the City Council and receive direction on the salary after the contract or whatever is being moved forward upon, but he didn’t see in the resolution that the Mayor and Vice Mayor after each negotiation contact will return to the City Council to report which is imperative. He expressed if the ad hoc committee talks with the City Manager regarding salary and the City Manager wants to present a different salary, it should be reported back by the ad hoc committee so the City Council can hear it in closed session. He indicated if it does not happen that way, the only time the City Council has an opportunity to speak is on it is at the dais when the contract is made public where they cannot talk about performance, therefore, it is imperative that the negotiating team receives direction from the City Council during closed session, negotiates with the City Manager, then returns and reports in closed session.
Mayor Meadows asked Councilmember Fuller if he is requesting to add that language.
Councilmember Fuller confirmed he is.
Councilmember Shaw commented if they go back for every discussion, it will be a lot of back and forth, however, if they meet in closed session and the City Council provide parameters and the subcommittee stays within that, there is no need to keep reporting back, but if something is proposed outside of that, she agrees.
No public comments were submitted.
Councilmember Fuller expressed his experience is that the process may be slow, it involves a lot of work, but they need to be transparent, and the Oakley City Hall family needs to be heard; they do it with unions and non-represented and it is the right way to do it.
Mr. Cole commented that it has always been the practice as long as he has been City Attorney and it should be that way. He mentioned what he is asking for is implied. He suggested for clarification he could add “or continuing” to the third “Whereas” paragraph, after the words “before commencing”.
Councilmember Fuller agreed.
Vice Mayor Williams commented she was going to ask for language to be added; parameters will help keep moving negotiations forward and if outside parameters the added language will address it.
It was moved by Councilmember Fuller and seconded by Vice Mayor Williams to approve the resolution as amended to include "or continuing" in the third “Whereas” paragraph as Mr. Cole suggested. Motion was unanimous and so ordered. (5-0)
5.2 Authorization for the City Manager to Execute the Second Amendment to a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Yellow Roof Foundation for the sale of one additional property located at 4921Teakwood Drive (APN: 035-322-022) which will lead to the construction of 2 additional affordable housing units (Joshua McMurray, City Manager)
City Manager Joshua McMurray presented the staff report.
No public comments were submitted.
Applicant Trent Sanson, Yellow Rood Foundation, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with the City Council and staff.
Vice Mayor Williams inquired when construction would begin if the item were approved.
Mr. Sanson responded that pending approval of the fourth lot, they would submit for design review mid-February and package 45-60 days, construction would begin in the summer.
Vice Mayor Williams inquired if the property qualifies for the next housing element cycle.
Mr. McMurray confirmed it does.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Williams and seconded by Councilmember Fuller to authorize the Second Amendment. Motion was unanimous and so ordered. (5-0)
5.3 Consideration of a Resolution Approving an Agreement between Tyler Technologies and the City of Oakley for the Conversion from the Tyler Eden Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System to the Tyler Enterprise ERP System and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Agreement (Tim Przybyla, Finance Director)
Finance Director Tim Przybyla presented the staff report.
Vice Mayor Williams inquired if staff anticipates any downtime of any modules over the period of the conversion (July 2023 through March 2026).
Mr. Przybyla responded staff expects no downtime; one module will be implemented at a time.
No public comments were submitted.
It was moved by Councilmember Fuller and seconded by Councilmember Henderson to adopt the resolution. Motion was unanimous and so ordered. (5-0)
5.4 Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Professional Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Oakley and Koa Hills for Consulting Services Associated with the Conversion from the Tyler Eden ERP System to the Tyler Enterprise ERP System and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Contract (Tim Przybyla, Finance Director)
Finance Director Tim Przybyla presented the staff report and recommended adoption with revisions including changing the year from 2026 to 2025 on page 9 and changing the contract administrator from Kevin Rohani to Tim Przybyla, CPA, Finance Director.
Councilmember Fuller inquired how much support will be provided.
Mr. Przybyla expressed he is confident the consultant is knowledgeable and will be able to provide the assistance staff needs.
No public comments were submitted.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Williams and seconded by Councilmember Shaw to adopt the resolution as amended. Motion was unanimous and so ordered. (5-0) 6) REPORTS
6.1 CITY MANAGER
(a) City Manager
City Manager Joshua McMurray reported that work has been performed almost around the clock with recent storms, and overall, infrastructure has held up well. He mentioned staff is trying to keep the public informed and push out updates as needed.
Vice Mayor Williams addressed flooding of the pasture on E. Cypress that accumulated with several days of rain. She inquired if there is anything the City can help with in this area.
Mr. McMurray responded that continual flooding could shut down the roadway which causes staff great angst and concern; however, the rain is supposed to lighten up by tomorrow morning which should provide some relief and allow the area to drain; staff is monitoring it (staff during the day and Police on patrol after business hours) and keeping in contact with the County. (b) Police Department Update from Police Chief Paul Beard Chief of Police Paul Beard provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Police Department including a command staff introduction, mission of the department, where staff is from; staffing numbers, attrition since 2016, recruiting efforts, beat/patrol team structure, calls for service, challenges facing Police in Oakley and across America, daily toll of the occupation, 2022 accomplishments, LEICA 3D scanner, notable incidents of 2022, enforcement trends, current structure and growth of the department, and information regarding the flag pole they installed and dedicated last year.
Mayor Meadows inquired if the public could request a copy of the presentation.
Chief Beard confirmed it is available to the public.
Councilmember Fuller inquired about NIBRS.
Chief Beard explained it is a national database all agencies report stats to.
Councilmember Fuller commented 68% staffing of officers is not so unusual given the work officers perform. He inquired if there is an average number of staff that may be out ongoing to have an idea of the numbers needed to cover.
Chief Beard explained the past two years have been rough in regard to injuries with there being a cumulative effect of the number of years on the job for some requiring months off. He shared they have tried to have a cushion yet were close to needing emergency staffing and therefore recruiting and hiring have been ongoing.
Councilmember Fuller commented that people not are not currently as interested in police work, even in families with a long history of officers.
Chief Beard commented they need bodies but also continue to maintain high standards for hiring.
Councilmember Shaw inquired about the timing from an officer’s application being submitted, to training, to being on their own.
Chief Beard indicated about 60 days and once sworn in, it depends on their level of experience, anywhere between 7 weeks to 13 weeks before being on their own.
Councilmember Shaw inquired if there is a field officer and trainee with 2 bodies to a car.
Chief Beard responded that is correct; however, there are 2 officers currently in training and they are not yet operational.
Councilmember Henderson inquired if traffic collisions have increased in 2022 with taking the traffic division out.
Chief Beard responded that he feels like they were down. He mentioned staffing issues and investigations took precedent during 2022 and they will be opening up a traffic position tomorrow. He indicated the full traffic division will consist of 3 officers which he hopes to fill this year.
6.2 OAKLEY CITY COUNCIL/OAKLEY CITY COUNCIL ACTING AS THE SUCCESSOR
AGENCY TO THE OAKLEY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
(a) Reports from Council Liaisons to Regional Committees, Commissions and Boards AND Oakley City Council/Oakley City Council Acting as the Successor Agency to the Oakley Redevelopment Agency
Councilmember Fuller reported he forgot to mention one element from his last report regarding Diablo Water District. He mentioned the District is writing a multi-agency EIR regarding the Delta Conveyance Project which it is taking a point on leading.
Mayor Meadows reported he attended the Mayors Conference hosted by the City of Hercules last week where there were appointments to commissions, and he will attend the TRANSPLAN meeting Thursday.
(b) Requests for Future Agendas
Councilmember Henderson requested a work session to increase staffing of Police and look at needs of its facilities as they grow. The entire Council supported his request.
Councilmember Fuller requested an update and presentation on the SJPA/train platform. His request was supported by Councilmember Shaw.
Councilmember Fuller mentioned Supervisor Diane Burgis mentioned a partnership for the library. He requested a report from the non-profit organization and how much money is available.
Mr. McMurray responded that an update will be provided during the next Council meeting.
Vice Mayor Williams requested a procedure to address the items OYAC presented that will also be good for economic development.
Mayor Meadows inquired if the OYAC items could be aligned with other items.
Mr. McMurray mentioned they can have a work session to address economic development and OYAC items.
Mayor Meadows called a brief recess at 8:44 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:51p.m. 7) WORK SESSIONS
7.1 637 and 639 Brownstone Preliminary General Plan Amendment (PA 01-22) – Work Session to discuss the merits of a potential project to amend the General Plan Land Use Designation of an approximately 9.97-acre site from Residential Very Low (RV) to Residential Low (RL) (Ken Strelo, Planning Manager) Planning Manager Ken Strelo presented the staff report and PowerPoint presentation, and he summarized two incoming comments.
Vice Mayor Williams thanked the applicant for their work on the plans. She inquired if the recommendation to not have an exit on Brownstone would mean Brownstone gets no improvements because it does not seem that the developer would be on the hook for that.
Mr. Strelo explained Brownstone would still be a frontage for the project and would still be required to be dedicated and improved.
Vice Mayor Williams inquired if the amendment takes away any ag uses on these properties.
Mr. Strelo mentioned there may be some confusion based on newer General Plan land use titles. He explained that the residential very low is very similar to the previous single-family medium density which allows for 3.8 dwelling units per acre and would not typically be ag limited.
Councilmember Fuller requested clarification how that works.
Mr. Strelo inquired if he is referring to the blending of density with capped units.
Councilmember Fuller mentioned residents bought there because it is rural. He mentioned this may be less density, but right of it are vineyards and ag.
Mr. Strelo explained the property is currently residential very low which allows for a maximum of
2.3 dwelling units per gross acre meaning they could have 29 units. He indicated this would amend a portion, or one of the properties, resulting in 3.0 units per acre and the next higher density to what they are is what it would be amended to. He mentioned if the entire property were amended to that density, it would be 3.8 dwelling units per acre which is a lower density than Riata but is a higher density than what is permitted currently; there would be a 3.3 dwelling units per acre for Riata, 3.0 dwelling units per acre for this property if built as proposed, and the next property over would max out at 2.3 dwelling units per acre under the current General Plan so in that sense there would be some blending of density; it would be higher than what is currently allowed, but lower than what is currently allowed at Riata.
Councilmember Fuller inquired if it stays as is, how many units can be built per acre.
Mr. Strelo 2.3 units per gross acre (prior to any road dedication), or 13 acres x 2.3=29.9 units per acre.
Councilmember Fuller inquired if it goes to residential low; how many units would be allowed per acre.
Mr. Strelo explained it would be a maximum 3.8 dwelling units per acre; if they do the entire 10 acres as residential low, the maximum allowable units on all 13 acres would be 45 which is why the question came up regarding capping units.
Councilmember Fuller inquired if this development would have affordable housing.
Mr. Strelo responded he does not believe this project would have the allowable density to pencil as an affordable project; however, it is a market rate project.
Councilmember Fuller commented if there were fewer units, they can charge more because of larger lots, so they could get equity out of the property either way.
Mayor Meadows called for public comment.
Michael Rosalez shared he lives across the street from Riata Park, one of the busiest parks in Oakley. He mentioned Neroly Road coming into the new subdivision is a good idea and speedhumps are welcomed, but the roundabout hasn’t slowed down speed much. He commented that the park is very important with a lot of young families in the neighborhood; there are young kids at the park and kids riding scooters and bikes around the park. He mentioned he would like to see a greenway at Scabbard Way for emergency vehicle access with bollards (he provided pictures). He mentioned if Neroly is the only way only in great, but if they are going to open Scabbard look, he suggested looking again at opening Brownstone. He requested the timeline.
Marilyn Tiernan shared she has lived on Brownstone since the City incorporated. She commented there is way too much traffic going way too fast on Brownstone, she appreciates the changes that have been made and that density has decreased, but it doesn’t change the fact that Brownstone is an ag street with horses in backyards of the roads everyone drives. She mentioned she fought to get very low density through many Councils and here they are again not honoring previous Council decisions when she and her neighbors thought this was a done deal. She mentioned Brownstone received pavement and a line upgrades but is still Brownstone; here they are again years later.
Zachary Wright with Discovery Builders (applicant) thanked the City Council for its time and the public for their comments. He shared they are under contract for the 3 acres.
Councilmember Fuller expressed he appreciates that people bought for the rural atmosphere and residential very low but the Council is not going to stop people from coming into Brownstone to develop the property; if the developer is going to sell at a higher rate, the equity is still there at 29 units. He mentioned the area is a nightmare for school traffic and he can understand how people use Brownstone to get to Main Street, but putting the traffic onto Neroly is not the answer either and he is uncertain how to negate the traffic.
Vice Mayor Williams inquired if there is possibility of green space as proposed since the City promotes walkability and a pedestrian-friendly city.
Mr. Strelo explained the development needs a minimum of 2 emergency access points. He shared that he has not yet reached out to the Fire District as it has not yet been proposed.
Mayor Meadows commented they are looking at the General Plan amendment to change the zoning tonight, not the conceptual plan; if they approve the General Plan amendment, they will probably bring it back for discussion. He added he appreciates the applicant listening to the Council and bringing back a less dense project. He indicated he would be in favor to approve the General Plan amendment to change the zoning tonight and later come back with a conceptual plan.
Councilmember Shaw shared she likes the idea of capping units which she brought up at the Planning Commission meeting and would want to see happen, and she likes the idea that there is gradual density. She indicated she would be open to the General Plan amendment.
Vice Mayor Williams shared she doesn’t typically love density changes; she believes she has been consistent with the way the City was outlined and how the former Council decided and they should stay as true to that as possible, but she also understands making the numbers pencil out.
Mr. Wright commented there are two frontages, Neroly and Brownstone, and they are trying to amortize that cost. He mentioned it doesn’t matter if they are 12,000 or 8,000 square foot lots; they will charge the same because buyers will buy the house, not the land. He indicated this plan meets the needs of the public and gets roads improved.
7.2 City Council Visioning and Strategic Plan Review (Joshua McMurray, City Manager)
Mayor Meadows commented he appreciates the applicant bringing this back. He explained he felt he didn’t get a voice in 2021 and believes he can also speak for Vice Mayor Williams and Councilmember Fuller in that regard. He mentioned they pushed for a Strategic Plan a year ago to include their input and agreed they would look at doing a review every 2 years in odd years.
He mentioned he wants to hear what Councilmembers Henderson and Shaw have to say; they were in the room for planning process but may have comments or additions.
City Manager Joshua McMurray commented that in early 2022, the City held a work session to go over the vision and kicked off the Strategic Plan process, they spent 4 months and $60k, and held meetings with public participation to develop a 5-year plan instead of a 2-year plan which includes 170 objectives to span all operations of the City. He mentioned there is an opportunity now for all the City Council to provide input. He also mentioned they are 9 months into the document, which was adopted April 2022, there was an update provided at the end of 2022, and 3 updates will be provided per year.
Councilmember Fuller commented Councilmember Henderson and Shaw should have priority, the rest can address particulars.
Councilmember Shaw commented she is new to the Council but participated in workshops, therefore, she feels like she has been part of it and some of her ideas are in it.
Councilmember Henderson commented he also participated in it. He mentioned it was planned when built to be a 5-year plan and layout the foundation. He expressed that the plan needs to be allowed to work and they can evaluate it in 2 years but at this point there hasn’t been enough time; they would be changing things in the middle without allowing time for completion.
Councilmember Fuller referred to Section 8.5 of the handout he provided and mentioned he is still looking for a statement like this in the mission statement. He highlighted the portion, “Contractor shall not discriminate on the basis of a person’s race, religion, color, national origin, age, physical or mental handicap or disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation,…”.
Councilmember Fuller commented on the Parks and Open Space goal that they need to stress they are planning to develop the area for recreational use and funding is still needed.
Councilmember Fuller commented on NGOs that they are committed to creating NGOs but they are not coming about and need more concentration on them, similar to what has been done for the entrepreneur center.
Mr. McMurray commented that it doesn’t sound like there is a desire to open the whole Strategic Plan. He indicated if there is support for any of Councilmember Fuller’s suggestions this is a good time to express support. He indicated work has been done to the mission statement and staff will seek funding for the regional park. He shared that the Strategic Plan guides the budget each year; they are not presenting something public the Council is not aware of. He mentioned there is a maintenance obligation and as they embark on planning stage of the regional park, there are many aspects that haven’t yet been discussed. He shared one idea is to privatize some of the park to cover maintenance and use. He indicated there is a lot they still need to talk about and if it is the Council’s desire to strengthen the language, the Council should provide staff that direction. Regarding NGOs, he mentioned staff can work on programs or classes for nonprofits, like the entrepreneur program. He mentioned there are things they are doing but the Council can provide direction if it wants it in the Strategic Plan or to bring forth a work session.
Vice Mayor Williams mentioned as they are working on a business-friendly economic development plan during a downturn; they need to provide resources and support and build it into the Plan how they envision the city. She mentioned it is timelier than when they first were going through this; they want to support businesses started by residents and there is some urgency competing with Brentwood that already has approved soccer fields that will create revenue for them but will pull from Oakley. She indicated she wants to see some plans in place to get real economic development and where Oakley is an attraction, a place to go.
Mayor Meadows commented staff is working on an economic development plan that should be in place late spring.
Mr. McMurray commented that the economic development work plan can include those things.
He mentioned they are working on development grants and updating the facade improvement plan. He mentioned February 28 is the date they are targeting for the plan, and it will guide the work they do daily for economic development of which ideas the consultant will obtain from the Council during interviews. He mentioned they are doing some work now for small business but can do more; it is a resource issue. He added if the Council wants to amend the Strategic Plan, staff can insert language there too.
Councilmember Shaw commented that one goal within the Strategic Plan is not more important than another and if they work on everyone’s specific ideas, they are never going to get through the goals if the focus is on perfecting the plan. She suggested staff needs to spend their time on doing things to get to these goals.
Mayor Meadows commented he is okay with the mission, the way the regional park plan is worded but they are working on an update to the regional park plan, and the NGO section the way it is worded. He mentioned there are not a lot of service organizations in Oakley which is a detriment because it is tougher for the city to put on functions, and it would be a benefit if they could promote them somehow.
Councilmember Fuller provided many examples of San Francisco NGOs and how they benefit the city and community; they provide a sense of life and bring tourism.
7.3 Process for Selecting Mayor and Vice-Mayor Following Implementation of District Elections (Derek Cole, City Attorney)
City Attorney Derek Cole presented the staff report. He mentioned his intent is to bring an ordinance back after obtaining Council direction. He outlined 4 options.
Option 1: Relative Percentage
Mayor Meadows suggested they can discuss the 4 options or go by each one. He mentioned he thinks option 1 is convoluted and would not be in favor.
Councilmember Fuller indicated he wants to hear what his colleagues have to say.
Councilmember Fuller commented a tie can be settled by a coin flip and 2 elected would serve once as Mayor during the 4-year term.
Mayor Meadows commented percentages are in the staff report rather than vote count.
Councilmember Fuller commented they won’t work with the way the districts are set up.
Councilmember Shaw commented she doesn’t think percentages would work; it wouldn’t be fair.
Vice Mayor Williams commented she doesn’t like percentages.
Option 2: Random Draw
Mayor Meadows commented the second option is a random draw during a tie and he is not for it.
Vice Mayor Williams commented she is not for it. She explained that if District 2 wins the dice every time, no rotation occurs. She mentioned the way they currently rotate, essentially people were voting for it because it is based on the highest percentage of votes during the election and a random draw would not give voice to those people who voted.
Mayor Meadows commented that choice was taken away with districting.
Councilmember Shaw commented she doesn’t like a random draw.
Option 3: Nominate
Mayor Meadows mentioned this option provides that they can pick a new Mayor or Vice Mayor every year, but it could be the same people every year, so he is not in favor.
Councilmember Fuller commented he is thinking they would be rotating through, but two at the end get a tie; first and second if two, they will serve as Mayor one time during the four-year term.
Mayor Meadows commented as of now, they would not because it is based on vote count; Councilmember Fuller could not be Mayor unless he runs again and wins.
Councilmember Fuller commented if there is a tie between Councilmembers Shaw and Henderson and they flip a coin, one would become Vice Mayor.
Councilmember Shaw commented this would be changing it completely moving forward in 2024; it would not be an automatic rotation.
Councilmember Fuller commented if they are going by rotation, they would need a tie breaker between the 2 new Councilmembers.
Mayor Meadows commented this option would allow the Council to choose the Mayor and Vice Mayor every year and it could be the same person year after year if voted in.
Councilmember Fuller commented he sees this as random, the person selected can change.
Mayor Meadows commented it could become political and that doesn’t best serve the Council.
Councilmember Fuller agreed and commented he is not quite sure why it wouldn’t work; if he runs in the rotation scenario and is not elected, Councilmember Shaw would become Mayor.
Mayor Meadows commented that the problem is now the city has districts so the percentages are different for the number of votes for Councilmembers Shaw and Henderson; the districts have different numbers of population and District 4 could have a larger district with all the homes being built on E. Cypress.
Councilmember Fuller expressed regardless of percentages, they both entered into office at the same time and they could flip a coin.
Option 4: Rotation by District
Councilmember Henderson suggested after the first election the rotation would be built, then they could go in order of district by district so by the end of it, it would be in a total rotation; at first it would take a hybrid approach. He mentioned it makes the most sense as a newly elected cannot sit in the position of Mayor the first year.
Mr. Cole commented under this option, Anissa Williams would be Mayor in 2024, and they could implement the district rotation with District 2 or 4 in 2025, when one of the two Councilmembers from these districts would be appointed as Vice Mayor.
Councilmember Henderson clarified Councilmember Fuller would rotate into being Vice Mayor and then the new system would be implemented.
Mayor Meadows commented that Anissa Williams would be Mayor in 2024 (District 3), Shannon Shaw would be Mayor in 2025 (District 4), and Hugh Henderson would be Mayor in 2026 (District 2). He indicated they will have to figure out the rotation, but he favors rotation by district.
Councilmember Fuller commented that a person without a year on the Council could not sit as Mayor or Vice Mayor.
Vice Mayor Williams commented there are currently 3 at-large positions, the majority. She suggested they could implement it once they are all in districts.
Mr. Cole commented that the Council can specify Anissa Williams as Mayor and George Fuller as Vice Mayor for 2024, and in 2025, the District 2 or 4 Councilmember would be Mayor. He mentioned they have to account guaranteed seats and they may have a problem if all 3 don’t run again or don’t get re-elected, speaking of Districts 1, 3 and 5.
Vice Mayor Williams suggested they could have the Mayor and Vice Mayor as District 2 and 4 for 2025.
Councilmember Fuller commented that in 2024, Anissa Williams would be Mayor and he would be Vice Mayor, and in 2025, Districts 2 and 4 would be Mayor and Vice Mayor.
Councilmember Shaw mentioned she would like to see the Mayor be Vice Mayor for 1 year and the Vice Mayor on the Council for 1 year as it gives the Vice Mayor experience.
Mr. Cole commented if Councilmember Fuller runs in 2024 and wins, they could grandfather it to preserve him being Mayor (District 5). He indicated he will work on it and bring it back for the Council to consider.
Councilmember Fuller commented he likes the idea to grandfather it.
Mayor Meadows summarized the consensus is for option 4 and the City Attorney will work on the language for the Council’s consideration. He called for public comments.
Angela Lowrey commented. She suggested the Council think about districts, not people. 8) CLOSED SESSION
9) ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Respectively Submitted,
Libby Vreonis
City Clerk