Orinda City Council Minutes Page 1 of 13 07.11.23
JULY 11, 2023
CITY OF ORINDA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Note: Written communications received from the public prior to the start of this meeting can be viewed on the City’s website meeting calendar. They are also kept in the City Clerk’s Office as part of the public record and available upon request ([email protected]). 7:00 P.M. –REGULAR MEETING– GARDEN ROOM, ORINDA LIBRARY A. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL:
Mayor Miller called the Regular Meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Brandyn Iverson, Latika Malkani, Janet Riley Mayor Inga Miller, Vice Mayor Darlene Gee
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Mayor Miller
C. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION by Councilmember Riley, and seconded by Councilmember Malkani, to adopt the agenda. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) roll call vote.
D. ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY
D.1. Certificate of Recognition to Orinda Senior Housing Foundation for Vista Verde Project – Pacific Coast Builders Conference 2023 Gold Nugget Award Winner
Mayor Miller and Councilmembers recognized Orinda Senior Housing Foundation for the Vista Verde Project as the winner of the Pacific Coast Builders Conference 2023 Gold Nugget Award, and recognized the need for affordable housing.
D.2. Contra Costa County Animal Services Department Update Beth Ward, Director of Animal Services, Contra Costa County Animal Services, provided an overview and update of the County’s Animal Services Department. She described the following:
• Animal Services Departments which include field services, shelter operations and medical services, administration, and community services; • The two categories of services which include public safety services and community services;
• Statistics of animals take and adoptions from 2022 field activities; • National trends in animal sheltering and highlights from January-December 2019- 2020 and quarters 1-4 of 2022;
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• Comparison of CCAS vs. national trends;
• A visual graphic of their kennel, capacity for care, intakes and outcomes; • Recent Bay Area news coverage regarding overcrowding, waiving adoption fees and addressing challenges;
• Decrease in intake of animals;
• Increase in outcomes and foster capacity;
• Success stories;
• CCAS euthanasia year over year and their reasons; and • Next steps
Councilmembers questioned and discussed with Director Ward animal shelter resources, rescue groups, saving lives and euthanasia, breaking the cycle, pet needs, adoption events, County funding and the fee schedule, the need for building more services, spay and neuter and veterinarian services.
Mayor Miller opened the Public Forum.
Bara Sapura, San Pablo, voiced concern regarding the very small number of foster families versus Oakland statistics, one county shelter versus more shelters in other counties, lack of behaviorists and volunteers who pay for assessments, kill lists, and thinks the County’s Animal Services is not doing a good job.
Irina Dyatlovskaya said she sent emails to the Council, clarifying that all dogs she sent are on the kill list, and dogs not sent on euthanasia days will not go on this list. She thinks dogs are not evaluated properly, rescue volunteers do not have access to see dogs at the kennels, they used to pull them before they were placed on kill lists, and the shelter does not put evaluations made by the rescue volunteers to emails sent to outside rescue.
She asked how rescue can commit to the dog that there are no evaluation notes. The rescue takes videos with limited time which are not included in emails which makes rescue very difficult. She referred to an example of a dog named Leonard and asked about the foster program and the length of time taken to bring forward programs that used to exist.
Mayor Miller closed the Public Forum.
Director Ward stated in addressing comments, she spoke about very large dogs, no requirement for a behaviorist at the shelter, and the best is to get them in a knowledgeable foster home for the dog to decompress and for them to know the best placement for the dog. All decisions do not always have a positive outcome even when foster families are very experienced, and dogs sometimes are triggered by things, and it is not an exact science, but they do the best they can.
Councilmember Malkani asked if there is a need or has there ever been a position in the shelter for a coordinator that works with the rescue groups. Director Ward said there has never been a regular coordinator position filled by an independent contractor who left the shelter; however, a new position starts July 1st will be for a Transfer Partner/Coordinator, and the shelter is already in motion to place that position.
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Mayor Miller asked what is needed in terms of volunteers. Director Ward said volunteers are the heart of any shelter and they are caring, compassionate, and there are a plethora of positions available.
City Manager Biggs stated the Board of Supervisors head some recent testimony and referred some of these issues to the Public Protection Committee. Director Ward stated the Committee met July 3rd and identified next steps forward which relates to Measure X funding. They will meet again on August 7th and reviewing that information.
Mayor Miller recognized another speaker.
MOTION by Councilmember Malkani, and seconded by Vice Mayor Gee, to re-open the Public Forum. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) roll call vote.
Mala said she prepared an 11-page letter to the Board of Supervisors, the Council, and the Governor, and it has attachments that will provide evidence of community concerns.
She asked Councilmembers to look up the word “disingenuous” which she described as the current situation, described negative comments about rescue partners, evidence regarding the animal crisis, and urgent concerns with spay and neuter services.
Mayor Miller emphasized the need for volunteers for the shelter, thanked speakers for their comments, and Director Ward for her presentation.
E. PUBLIC FORUM
David Beckman spoke about the concern that on 6 separate occasions, 6 LGBTQ flags have been stolen from the church over the last year which has not been solved. He asked to protect community members and houses of worship, speech, rights, and asked that the City address the problem. He thinks it matters when things like this happen repeatedly, noted this occurred as hate crimes in Southern California and asked for police to work on solving this hate crime.
Nick Waranoff said he explained to the public speakers on the animal control issue, told his grand-daughters that the City’s government is run by 5 women and he invited them to the meeting, knows 4 Councilmembers are lawyers as he was before retiring, and reported that he submitted 2 written comments on the lawsuit and the no net loss rule.
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Miller asked and confirmed there were no items the public or Councilmembers wished to remove, and there were no public comments.
F.1. City Council Minutes
Recommendation:
Approve City Council Minutes:
1. May 9, 2023 Closed Session
2. June 6, 2023 Regular Meeting
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3. June 20, 2023 Closed Session
4. June 20, 2023 Regular Meeting
F.2. Quarterly Report of Cash Disbursements for the Period January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023 and Summary of Revenue, Expenditures, and Preliminary Fund Balances for July 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file this report of cash disbursements, and preliminary fund balances for the period of JanuaryMarch 2023.
F.3. Authorize Contract Amendment No. 4 with Fisher Geotechnical for OnCall Geotechnical Engineering Services Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Contract Amendment No. 4 for Fisher Geotechnical to increase the contract value to $300,000.
F.4. Approve Cooperative Paving Agreement between the City and East Bay Municipal Utility District (“EBMUD”) for Rehabilitation of Miner Road Following EBMUD Pipeline Project
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the cost sharing agreement with EBMUD related to pavement restoration work on Miner Road; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
MOTION by Councilmember Malkani, and seconded by Vice Mayor Gee, to approve Consent Calendar Items F.1.1, F.1.2, F.1.3, F.1.4, F.2, F.3, and F.4. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) roll call vote.
G. POLICY MATTERS
H.1. SSTOC Updated Goals
Recommendation:
Receive Report and Review Updated Wildfire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness Goals as promulgated by the Supplemental Sales Tax Commission, Discuss, and Provide Direction, if any.
Mayor Miller introduced the item and commented that the goals of the SSTOC in the staff report are solely the goals on wildfire safety and evacuation planning as opposed to also those which relate to one of the other mandates with Measure R at the time, which is drainage, flooding, and other disasters.
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City Manager Biggs gave the staff report and overview of the matter, stating the item was heard at the June 6, 2023 Council meeting during which time it was presented with the SSTOC’s Annual Report. He described the SSTOC ad-hoc committee to finetune goals, outreach, various programs, the chipper, use of the Fire District’s chipper for additional signups, the first wildfire prevention fair, the paving program, and starting on the storm drain issues. Staff can answer specific questions, and the Council is asked to receive the report and review the updated wildfire prevention and emergency preparedness goals, and provide any direction.
Vice Mayor Gee referred to the incentive program and monies for public benefit, and she asked if it is possible to formulate some sort of reimbursement or incentive tied to removing specific types of bad trees.
Mr. Biggs said this is an emerging area, but the City is in sync with the Marin WFPA programs and best practices. The current program can be used to remove a dead or dying tree, or the Fire District’s mandate to remove bamboo or junipers by the end of this year.
The County, through Measure X, is offering HOAs grants for removal of trees.
Councilmember Iverson stated she met with Commissioner Melanie Light on fire suppression and fire prevention and she thought fire was the problem. She is struggling with how the MOFD and SSTOC are not more of a single team with a single goal with lots of communication, even though their sources of funding are different, as well as evacuation.
Mayor Miller stated the SSTOC is an advisory commission to the Council and it is different from some other commissions. They would not have the SSTOC working with a sister agency.
Councilmember Malkani noted the 2x2 committee was created by the former Council and continues, and she and Vice Mayor Gee serve on that, together with two members of MOFD. One purpose of this committee is to facilitate that communication, which happens regularly on a staff level collaboratively with MODF staff.
In response to Councilmember Iverson’s questions, Mr. Biggs noted the City is served by a Fire District that has its own Board and funding sources, so they are not subordinate to the City. The City and MOFD do things collaboratively, but Orinda and not Moraga have such funding which can be applied. He then gave an historical background on fire departments and their roles in medical and fire response, prevention, education and inspection.
The City communicates and is engaged with the Fire District through a joint staff meeting with the Chief the second Tuesday of each month, spoke about a joint request for funding and securing $800,000, leveraging other resources, the 2x2 committee to enhance communications, staff interaction, education and outreach, enforcement, adoption of fire codes, assistance in bringing residential property into compliance, join Firewise neighborhoods, and staff-driven activities and programs.
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Councilmember Malkani said the goals are short and long-term recommendations, and those keep coming to the Council from the SSTOC periodically because this is an evolving area given climate change impacts people are noticing over the last 5 years, and best practices continue to evolve as well as recommendations.
Outreach and Education Coordinator James Duff spoke about a grey area where MOFD has good modeling software for wildland. The problem is when getting into the built environment. There is no good model that exists now to go from a wildland fire into a structure fire which is what the Wildland Urban Interface is. There is a lot of jargon in this field, and he could answer any other questions. He is trying to be the person who stays abreast of all of the cutting edge work and best practices and can provide a brief synopsis of what is emerging in the field.
Mr. Biggs spoke about the Fire District’s modeling and noted they are scheduled to update their Community Wildfire Prevention Plan in the next 2 years and City staff works in tandem with them and relies on their efforts, given they have that responsibility. They also work with the City’s Police Department and will soon hold an exercise, so this is more of a staff to staff activity, information of which is provided to the SSTOC. They are preparing a report card which will outline all efforts.
Mayor Miller opened the Public Forum.
Jud Hammon, SSTOC, referred to the Diablo Fire Safe Council and said it is an excellent resource. There is a Fire Safe Moraga-Orinda organization being established which can provide additional considerable help and asked to keep everyone’s eyes open for that.
Regarding evacuation, a huge resource aside from the Police Department is the Lamorinda CERT which is very active. The City and SSTOC have been in contact with them and are important when considering evacuation activities. Lastly, regarding the question of wildfire modeling, the SSTOC recommended to the Council last year to consider funding a proposal from Dr. John Radke and he understands the City’s concerns in funding that, but it is another possibility worth revisiting.
Councilmember Iverson asked how to best coordinate with Firewise, the Fire Safe Council, SSTOC, and Mr. Duff.
Mr. Biggs said between Ms. Cronin and Mr. Duff, they coordinate with Firewise, Mark Evans is spearheading development of the Moraga-Orinda Fire Safe Council, and their tri-fold brochure talks about the Fire District’s programs, the City’s programs, and encourages people to become Firewise neighborhoods.
Councilmember Malkani asked if SSTOC members Latimer or Hammon had any comments.
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Rachel Latimer, SSTOC member, said as the City Manager outlined, the SSTOC has focused more on fire safety because it is and continues to be an emerging field. Until the City hired Mr. Duff, there was no City staff with such knowledge. They continue to figure out ways to measure and continue to show efforts of what Measure R is doing in the City and around defensible space issues.
Mr. Biggs commented there were 2 written correspondences on this item in the packet from Nick Waranoff, Charles Porges, and Steve Cohn.
Mayor Miller asked and confirmed the City Manager also serves as the Director of Emergency Services under state law, activate the EOC and directing the emergency response, which is a uniform model in the State. They would activate the EOC, the County EOC, and draw resources. Tomorrow night, the Police Chief will provide an update to the SSTOC on his plans for the Measure R funds allocated to police. There has been a separate effort which was evacuation analysis and Safety Element Update. It is the Planning Commission that has the formal role on advising the Council on those items, but staff presented them to the SSTOC, as well.
Mayor Miller said she thinks this discussion has been helpful and suggested adding evacuation as a bullet point and goal and to flush out the drainage item or just handling of disasters. This will make this a clear document for the public to highlight all of what Measure R monies are going.
Councilmember Iverson said she still thinks this is wildly confusing, appreciates the explanations, agrees the 2x2 committee meets, but now she is hearing that fire suppression, prevention, and safety are different orbits, and that is not good enough for residents who do not think about this every day. She thinks the City can do better because there is fear of residents and there is a sense the City is a very grown in maturely landscaped community with tiny winding roads. She asked to incorporate Firewise neighborhood organizations and neighborhood communications, and what Fire Safe can do, the best Fire Safe communications, and for people to understand their roles. She thinks they can simplify the way to think about fire safety and prevention so a regular person knows what to do.
Mayor Miller then cited the various areas this information is highlighted for the community.
Councilmember Malkani said the SSTOC is already doing a lot of what was described as needing to be done, but they might not be communicating to everyone. She thinks they need a “Wildfire Risk Reduction 101” presentation to the Council. Some are new to this, and she also suggested holding another joint meeting with the SSTOC and the Council.
Mayor Miller said she understands why staff packaged the item a certain way, but as a liaison, she feels the public was not part of the decisions on drainage and roads, understands why they were carryovers, but they work together. She said things evolve in these areas, and these are ongoing discussions by the SSTOC.
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Councilmember Malkani said she wants to point out that the title of this document is not SSTOC goals. They can provide feedback that they would like the SSTOC to come up with holistic goals, and they may be trying to do that in the future, but there would need to be education on commissioners of roads and drains. This document is short and long term goals for wildfire risk reduction and emergency preparedness.
Mayor Miller stated the agenda title should be SSTOC Goals.
Councilmember Malkani said she thinks what is before them is the document they have on packet pages 121-123. She has specific feedback and comments. First, the document was excellent, appreciates this is an evolving area, a lot of best practices many of which are incorporated, said areas she wants to note that resonated as things she would like followed through on are:
1. Metrics; there are challenges in getting data that MOFD maintains but it is important to recognize the metrics;
2. The continuing collaboration should continue to emphasize and the Community Ambassador program is wonderful;
3. Encouraging how they engage individuals, and one reason to go back to the issue of modeling in some form is that if modeling can provide a mechanism for an additional level of community engagement to remove their own vegetation on their property, that might be another reason to revisit this in a smaller pilot program to see if it works;
4. Expanding incentive programs: She is excited about the possibility of the Fire Safe Council and bringing together residents of Orinda and Moraga who are excited to create their own non-profit that could tap into funding and work collaboratively to get some of the larger community programs; and
5. Regarding community education, the fair was fabulous and she would like them to work with the schools and do a Town Hall to Sleepy Hollow parents one night and have everyone there together, bring it to Del Rey parents one night, etc.
Vice Mayor Gee complemented the SSTOC. The item she would love to see tons of energy put into over the next few years is the coordination with the schools and the kids.
If parents push this down to every 4th grader that comes home with a piece of paper that asks them to go out, look in their yard, and fill out the fire safety sheet. She can remember doing this with her family of where to meet in an emergency, etc.
Councilmember Iverson agrees with Councilmember Malkani on the document, stating it was complete. She suggested having block parties in following up on Vice Mayor Gee’s comments.
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Mayor Miller recognized school program ideas, the checklist, consideration to look into incentive programs for larger projects, hold a “Fire 101” session annually, vegetation mapping, planning for removal of something and planning for what will replace it, a focus on fire and fire prevention, and staff-driven plans for roads and drains. She noted the City Manager is spending 40% of his time on this topic and she cannot be effective. The SSTOC is doing a tremendous job trying to learn the latest and greatest, along with staff, and she needs to strike a balance for roads and drains, which is also part of this.
Councilmember Riley said she thinks if a narrower report was presented, it might be helpful. It would help to ask the SSTOC to do separate goals.
Mr. Biggs said this is one piece of the scenario. He sees the Council as in more agreement. When the SSTOC did their annual report, the Council specifically asked them for updated goals related to wildfire prevention and emergency preparedness. The reason is that the City is spending the majority of Measure R money right now on infrastructure, mostly storm drains because they already have an approved plan by the CIOC, went to the Council, and it does not need adjustment. Globally, it was thought Measure R would fund about $10 to $40 million of need, so the City is not going to solve the storm drainage problem with Measure R. They are on an in-between period on roads so they gave the Council and SSTOC a preview and they will turn back to roads soon.
The SSTOC did provide information on roads, and this is how they got to improve them.
What the Mayor is saying is there are some in the community and on the Commission who would like the City to only spend Measure R money on wildfire prevention, but the CIP included the storm drain and the road projects in the 5-year CIP and endorsed this in the budget just approved. It left some fund balance for Measure R to invest in wildfire and emergency preparedness if there were initiatives or projects to be recommended by the SSTOC as a higher priority than storm drains or roads.
He thinks it would be helpful for some policy statement from the Council that says, they are generally comfortable with how money is being allocated now. This does not mean they would not want to shift more money into wildfire prevention, but they also live in a changing world where they may need more money for storm drains, flood response, or roads. There are some that would like to move in that direction. This is the little bit of the tension and the public policy-making he thinks is out there.
The way things landed with the SSTOC’s goals are generally comfortable, are on the right track in spending about the right amount of money, they are funding mostly storm drains with the balance of funds, and everyone will have a chance to review roads in the fall or the early part of next year because they must pause, step back, and look at what will be needed to keep roads up. So, it is a moving target but this is what the Mayor is trying to articulate. The Commission struggles with these varying perspectives, and it would be helpful for them to have a clear message from the Council as to what is the comfort level at the moment.
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Councilmember Riley confirmed the SSTOC has the responsibility of solely reviewing Measure R activities. Mayor Miller added the SSTOC is an advisory group to the Council overseeing the Measure R funds. Because of this public vetting of the CIOC roads and drains plan last approved years ago, but is still valid. She has a sense of discomfort with the roads and drains coming from staff and maybe getting more of a rubber stamp from the Commission.
Vice Mayor Gee said those goals did not come from staff. They came from the CIOC and were approved by the Council. Mayor Miller noted though that the CIOC is a different legal body than the SSTOC.
MOTION by Councilmember Riley, and seconded by Councilmember Malkani, to re-open the Public Forum. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) roll call vote.
Rachel Latimer said she asked if they should revisit the storm drains and roads, and the SSTOC decided they were very comfortable with the CIOC recommendation that was approved. That was why they chose to focus again on fire because it is much more of a nebulous area right now. They could, however, make that clearer in their document that the SSTOC agrees with the current recommendations, given the difference in the agenda title and the title of their document.
Mr. Biggs stated right now, the SSTOC has 4 or 5 CIOC members on it, which have led this discussion, as well. He understands some would say in the first 3 years, the City was supposed to spend the entirety of Measure R on wildfire prevention, which is not what he heard from staff from the prior City Manager, but also, after 3 years the City would not spend anything on wildfire prevention, but he does not think they will ever get out of the business. If they spent $1 million a year for the life of Measure R, they will spend more of the $8 or $9 million Measure R will generate in the first 3 years.
Mayor Miller said she has said many times with Commissioners that when they had that discussion they thought it was going to be 5 years and they would be done with fire prevention. But, they know now it is an on-going thing, so she asked the SSTOC not to be concerned they are only spending a small amount now. It is taking longer to get people to apply for grant programs, so it will be a longer term endeavor.
Councilmember Malkani said she was going back to the first March or February 2021 meeting and review of the charter. It is a good reminder to go back to it and to keep all of the oversight goals in mind.
Mr. Biggs said the Council does not have to formally approve or adopt the goals. Mr. Duff just reached out to the school presidents and they will work with them, they will work with the Fire Safe Council on education materials, and they are already doing much of what was suggested, but vegetation grows back.
Mayor Miller said if the Council wants to adopt the SSTOC goals, they can add comments about the schools involvement or just leave them as the goals.
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Councilmember Malkani said there was some request that in posting them, perhaps there be some contextualization of what they are, as one piece of the work of the SSTOC and one piece of what Measure R funds are being used for, so maybe some precursor paragraph to what is posted would be helpful.
Mr. Biggs said staff can add an additional introductory paragraph to this is the broader mandate of Measure R and the City is spending funds in these other areas, etc.
Mayor Miller thanked everyone for their comments.
H.2. Resolution Honoring Former Long-time Acclaimed Miramonte High School Teacher, Coach, and Mentor Otis (Odie) McCain by Naming an Athletic Field at Wilder Park in his Honor.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends the City Council approve City Council Resolution 44-23 in order to honor long-time acclaimed Miramonte High School teacher, coach, and mentor Otis (Odie) McCain by naming an athletic field at Wilder Park (Field 2) in his honor and direct staff to obtain and install agreed-upon signage.
City Manager Biggs said Councilmember Kosla initially brought this forward as a Matters Initiated, and the Council decided to proceed at that time with a naming, and asked staff to identify a particular site and bring back the resolution.
Parks and Recreation Director Todd Trimble echoed background comments of the City Manager, said staff is recommending approval of the resolution and moving forward.
Mayor Miller referred to fundraising and she believes former Councilmember Kosla was in charge of this.
Councilmember Iverson pointed out a date typo at the bottom of page 130. The meeting they were going to pass it has changed.
Mayor Miller opened the Public Forum, and there were no speakers.
MOTION by Vice Mayor Gee, and seconded by Councilmember Riley, to adopt Resolution 44-23, as amended, to honor long-time acclaimed Miramonte High School teacher, coach, and mentor Otis (Odie) McCain by naming an athletic field at Wilder Park (Field 2) in his honor, and direct staff to obtain and install agreedupon signage. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) roll call vote.
H.3. Designation of Voting Delegate and Potential Alternate at the League of California Cities Annual Conference
Recommendation:
Designate Voting Delegate (and potential Alternate) at the League of California Cities Annual Business Meeting at the September 20-22, 2023 League Annual Conference and Expo in Sacramento.
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Mayor Miller stated usually the Mayor attends and is the Voting Delegate, and the Vice Mayor is usually the Alternate. Vice Mayor Gee stated she is unable to attend and will be on vacation during the conference period.
Councilmember Malkani said she was planning to attend, and Mayor Miller confirmed the City has the budget to allow for all Councilmembers to attend. Mr. Biggs suggested Councilmembers reach out to the City Clerk if interested in attending.
Mayor Miller opened the Public Forum, and there were no speakers.
MOTION by Councilmember Iverson, and seconded by Councilmember Riley, to designate Mayor Miller as Voting Delegate and Councilmember Malkani as Alternate at the League of California Cities Annual Business Meeting at the September 20-22, 2023 League Annual Conference and Expo in Sacramento. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) roll call vote.
Mr. Biggs suggested a motion to extend the meeting, noting it was 10:00 p.m.
MOTION by Vice Mayor Gee, and seconded by Councilmember Malkani, to extend the meeting to 10:10 p.m. Said motion carried by unanimous (5-0) roll call vote.
H. COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS – Vice Mayor Gee reported yesterday they held the CCTA Southwest Area Transportation Committee meeting as well as the Lamorinda Fee and Finance and Program Management Subcommittees. They moved forward with authorizing steps to utilize development fees in the transportation area to help the design progress on the new Smart Signals program.
They verified also that ultimately it will take some time, but the goal is all Lamorinda traffic signals in all 3 communities will end up being the same equipment, controls, and abilities to control remotely which will help with evacuation and traffic management.
Mayor Miller reported she met with Vivian Talagian today who is a Campolindo student who volunteers in Orinda. She is passionate about making sure she does what she can to reduce the impact of hostile architecture. One Bush Street is such an example. It was developed in the 1960’s to keep away people from Market Street in an earlier era, so they built benches very high, built a very slippery rock surface for walking. They have take pictures around the country of this and it is very similar to this.
I. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT – City Manager Biggs reported the community had a great 4th of July. He thanked all non-profit groups, City staff, and others. There are remaining Summer Concert Series and Movies in the Park. He also announced the City will be utilizing the Fire Department’s Chipper which is in hiatus during the summer because firefighters are doing inspections. Appointments will be publicized about the available chipper unit.
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J. MATTERS INITIATED – Councilmember Malkani suggested having a presentation on “Wildfire Risk Reduction 101” for the Council. Councilmember Iverson suggested doing this in 6 to 9 months so they can incorporate some of the actions. Mr. Biggs stated Mr. Duff is preparing a PowerPoint presentation for the community which can be shared with the Council. Councilmember Malkani agreed.
She also asked for a staff report relating to Mr. Beckman regarding the pride flag being removed 6 times and what can be done about the theft. Mr. Biggs said he will share some information to the Council given it is the subject of a criminal investigation.
K. ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:59 p.m. to the next Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________________
Sheri Marie Smith, City Clerk