__________________________________________________________________________________________ JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD/ December 4, 2023 PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES PAGE 1
MINUTE BOOK NO. 68
MAYOR JEFF GEE MINUTES
VICE MAYOR LISSETTE ESPINOZA-GARNICA
COUNCIL MEMBER ALICIA C. AGUIRRE 1017 MIDDLEFIELD ROAD
COUNCIL MEMBER KAIA EAKIN REDWOOD CITY, CA
COUNCIL MEMBER DIANE HOWARD
COUNCIL MEMBER ELMER MARTINEZ SABALLOS
COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS STURKEN
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/
SUCCESSOR AGENCY/
PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Monday, December 4, 2023, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Gee called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL – Council Members Aguirre, Eakin, Howard, Martinez Saballos, Sturken, and Mayor Gee were present. Vice Mayor Espinoza-Garnica was absent.
Staff present: City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz, City Attorney Veronica Ramirez, and City Clerk Yessika Castro.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council Member Eakin led the pledge of allegiance.
4. CLOSED SESSION
There was no public comment.
The City Council convened a Closed Session at 6:07 p.m. to discuss the following:
4.A. Closed session regarding existing litigation pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Litigation has been initiated formally pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9.
Name of Case: Stephen Fine v. City of Redwood City – Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Case Nos. ADJ11026382, ADJ10869273, ADJ1155500, and ADJ15070830
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MINUTE BOOK NO. 68
At 6:38 p.m., the City Council reconvened the regular meeting.
There was no reportable action.
5. PRESENTATIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
5.A. Senator Josh Becker presentation of check to Redwood City and Redwood City Together for the Purposeful, Action, Creation and Engagement (PACE) program Senator Josh Becker presented a check to the City of Redwood City, Redwood City Together and PAL. Redwood City Together representatives Rafael Avendaño and Elisa Chavez, PAL representatives Ivan Martinez and Tito Alvarez, and PACE program youth member Hector gave remarks.
5.B. Presentation by HIP Housing
Former Mayor and HIP Housing Board Member Ian Bain, and HIP Housing Board Member Aaron Aknin gave a presentation. 2024 HIP Housing calendar cover winner Paavi L. gave remarks.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR, MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST AND
ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The following members of the public provided comments:
• Chris Robell
• C. Delarosa
• Elizabeth Starks
• Janet Whittemore
• Yvonne Prudhomme
• Dorraine Couillard
• Nacho
• Paul Bocanegra
• Julie Pardini
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion and second, Aguirre and Martinez Saballos, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar, passed 6-0-1 with Vice Mayor Espinoza-Garnica absent.
7.A. Rejection of general liability claim by Brenda Interiano-Lorenzo on behalf of minor E.
Lemus Interiano, c/o Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim (303)
Recommendation:
Approve rejection of subject claim.
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MINUTE BOOK NO. 68
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
7.B. Historic Resources Advisory Committee Work Plan for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 (209)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve the proposed Historic Resources Advisory Committee Work Plan for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
7.C. Resolution authorizing the submittal of individual grant applications for CalRecycle grant programs and authorizing the City Manager or their designee to execute all grant documents necessary to secure CalRecycle funds and implement approved grant projects (505) Reso 16191 (0108)
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of individual grant applications for all CalRecycle grant programs for which the City of Redwood City is eligible and authorizing the City Manager or City Manager's designee to execute all grant documents necessary to secure grant funds and implement approved grant projects.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
7.D. Notification of the exigent use of military equipment (drone) not approved for use by Redwood City Police Department’s Military Equipment Use Policy during police activity on October 26, 2023 (802)
Recommendation:
Receive notification of the exigent use of unapproved military equipment during police activity on October 26, 2023, as required by Police Department Military Equipment Use Policy Section 703.9.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
7.E. Approve November 27, 2023 City Council Minutes (301)
7.F. Approve claims and checks from December 4, 2023 to December 18, 2023 and the usual and necessary payments through December 18, 2023 (303) __________________________________________________________________________________________ JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD/ December 4, 2023 PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4
MINUTE BOOK NO. 68
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.A. Public Hearing on proposed increase to water utility service rates and charges and ordinance updating water service charges and water reserve policy and direction on increases to the City’s Utility Rate Assistance Program (802)
Public Works Services Assistant Director Sindy Mulyono-Danre introduced the item, and Public Works Superintendent Justin Chapel gave a presentation.
Mayor Gee opened the public hearing. The following members of the public provided comments:
• Chris Robell
• Jon Frymann
• Lori McBride
• Liat Perlman
• Nisha & John Potter
• Kathy Waddell
• Kris Forbes
• Diane Stow
• Molly Tinney
• Lynelle Gordon
• Ekaterina Stomakhina
• Mina Barzanian
• Brent Adams
• Annette Parker
• Cindy Asrir
• Robin & Ron Okada
• Carol Sconzert
• Michelle G.
• Elaine and Christian De La Cruz
• Dennis Weaver
• Barb Valley
Mayor Gee closed the public hearing.
Public Works Services Assistant Director Sindy Mulyono-Danre confirmed there was not a majority protest against the proposed rates.
Recommendation:
1. Hold a Public Hearing on proposed increase to water utility service rates and charges, and if written protests are not made by a majority of the affected parcels, waive the __________________________________________________________________________________________ JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD/ December 4, 2023 PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5
MINUTE BOOK NO. 68
first reading and introduce ordinance amending Article II (Water Service and Facility Charges) and Article IV (Water Fund) of Chapter 38 of the Redwood City Municipal Code, Updating the City’s water service charges, amending Resolution No. 14648 and Rescinding Resolution No. 15446 (5/7 vote); and
2. Provide direction to staff on increasing the City’s Utility Rate Assistance Program.
CEQA:
This activity is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) because the City is setting maximum rates for water utility service to be charged to fund ongoing operation and maintenance activities of the Water Enterprise of the City, and as such, the action involves a funding mechanism or fiscal activity within the meaning of the CEQA Guidelines. The activity is also exempt from CEQA as there is no possibility for causing a significant effect on the environment, per CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)(3). No specific water projects are associated with this Ordinance. The Ordinance is policy-oriented and would create a funding mechanism for the development of future water facilities. When and if specific water projects are developed and proposed for implementation, the environmental impacts of such facilities would be evaluated in accordance with CEQA and City practice.
Motion and second, Eakin and Martinez Saballos, to:
1. Hold a Public Hearing on proposed increase to water utility service rates and charges, and if written protests are not made by a majority of the affected parcels, waive the first reading and introduce ordinance amending Article II (Water Service and Facility Charges) and Article IV (Water Fund) of Chapter 38 of the Redwood City Municipal Code, Updating the City’s water service charges, amending Resolution No. 14648 and Rescinding Resolution No. 15446 (5/7 vote); and
2. Provide direction to staff on increasing the City’s Utility Rate Assistance Program.
The motion passed 6-0-1 with Vice Mayor Espinoza-Garnica absent.
9. STAFF REPORTS
9.A. Informational report to City Council outlining minor technical adjustments to the City Council District 7 boundaries that will result in no changes to the composition of the districts (307)
City Clerk Yessika Castro gave a presentation.
There was no public comment.
Recommendation:
Receive report prepared by the City Clerk outlining minor technical adjustments to the City Council District 7 boundaries, as required by Section 2 of Ordinance No. 2506 – City __________________________________________________________________________________________ JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD/ December 4, 2023 PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES PAGE 6
MINUTE BOOK NO. 68
Council District Elections. Adjustments made will not result in changes to the composition of the districts. Report is for informational purposes only and no Council action is required.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
This was an informational update only and no formal action was taken.
10. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST
10.A. City Council Member Report of Conferences Attended – Council Member Sturken reported on the Victory Institute conference in Washington D.C. from November 30- December 2.
10.B. City Council Committee Reports
A. Climate Action Sub-Committee – Mayor Gee gave an update.
B. Transportation Mobility Sub Committee – Mayor Gee gave an update.
C. Equity and Social Justice Sub-Committee – Council Member Sturken gave an update.
D. Ad Hoc Committee on 101/84 Project – Mayor Gee gave an update.
10.C. City Manager (Oral) Update – City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz reported the following:
• Three of the six approved retail storefront cannabis businesses have opened their doors
• Staff training underway for the automatic license plate reader (ALPR) program, and installation expected to take place over the next two weeks • Continued public engagement on park safety, including outreach conducted at various parks by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department
Mayor Gee thanked the Downtown Business Group and Redwood City Improvement Association (RCIA) for the Hometown Holidays and tree lighting ceremony over the weekend.
11. ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Gee adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
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MINUTE BOOK NO. 68
Respectfully submitted,
Yessika Castro, CMC, CPMC
City Clerk
Approved at the December 18, 2023 City Council meeting.