February 13, 2024 | 7:00 PM Page 1 of 7 City Council / Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF UNION CITY/
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
CAROL DUTRA-VERNACI, Mayor
GARY SINGH, Vice Mayor (District 1)
JAMIE PATIÑO Councilmember (District 2)
JEFF WANG, Councilmember (District 3)
SCOTT SAKAKIHARA, Councilmember (District 4)
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
7:00 PM
City Hall- Council Chamber
34009 Alvarado-Niles Road
Union City, CA 94587
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. She also reported out of the Special Closed Session held earlier that evening.
1.a. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.b. Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Patiño, Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
Absent: None
2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There were none.
3. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
3.a. Police Department Strategic Plan Update
Captain Brian Baumgartner presented a report and responded to questions from councilmembers.
3.b. Presentation on Community Health Needs Assessment by Angus Cochran, Chief Community Support Services at Washington Hospital February 13, 2024 | 7:00 PM Page 2 of 7 City Council / Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Washinton Hospital Chief Angus Cochran presented a report on the CommunityHealth Needs Assessment and answered questions from councilmembers.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci opened Oral Communications. Wendy Huang spoke on items that were not on the agenda. There being no further speakers, Mayor Dutra-Vernaci closed Oral Communications.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci pulled Items 5.f. and 5.g. for further discussion.
The motion was made by Councilmember Patiño and seconded by Councilmember Sakakihara to adopt consent calendar items 5.a. through 5.e.
The motion was carried by unanimous roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Patiño, Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
5.a. Waived Further Reading of Proposed Ordinance (This permits reading the title only in lieu of reciting the entire text of any proposed Ordinance).
5.b. Approved The Minutes Of The City Council Meetings Held on November 14, 2023 and November 28, 2023.
5.c. Adopted Resolution No. 6251-24 Authorizing An Amendment To The Personnel Rules, Section 3.11, To Revise The Rules Regarding Compensation Upon Promotion.
5.d. Adopted Resolution No. 6252-24 Approving An Amendment To Update The Class Specification For The Classification Of Community & Recreation Program Specialist.
5.e. Adopted Resolution No. 6253-24 Appointing Manjit Gil to Serve on the Arts and Culture Commission.
5.f. Adopted Resolution No. 6254-24 Amending The Existing Application Procedures For Commercial Cannabis Permits To Include A Community Outreach Plan Requirement.
5.g. Adopted Resolution No. 6255-24 Authorizing City Staff To File Annual Funding Applications With The Metropolitan Transportation Commission For The Allocation Of Funds For The Operation Of Union City Transit And Paratransit For Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
5.f. Adopt A Resolution Amending The Existing Application Procedures For Commercial Cannabis Permits To Include A Community Outreach Plan Requirement
The item was pulled out of the Consent Calendar.
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5.g. Adopt A Resolution Authorizing City Staff To File Annual Funding Applications With The Metropolitan Transportation Commission For The Allocation Of Funds For The Operation Of Union City Transit And Paratransit For Fiscal Year 2023-2024
The item was pulled out of the Consent Calendar.
5.f. Adopt A Resolution Amending The Existing Application Procedures For Commercial Cannabis Permits To Include A Community Outreach Plan Requirement
Vice Mayor Wang announced he had a conflict of interest related to the consideration of direction for the process for a potential Commercial Cannabis Permit, stating that he has a personal objection to cannabis and cannot act impartially in this matter and recused himself from the item.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci opened Public Comment. The following speakers spoke on the item:
Mario Garcia
Wendy Huang
Craig Roberts
There being no further speakers, Mayor Dutra-Vernaci closed Public Comment.
A motion was made by Councilmember Patiño and seconded by Councilmember Sakakihara to adopt Resolution No. 6256-24 amending the existing application procedures for commercial cannabis permits to include a community outreach plan requirement.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Patiño, Sakakihara, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci NOES: Councilmember Singh
RECUSED: Vice Mayor Wang
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
5.g. Adopt A Resolution Authorizing City Staff To File Annual Funding Applications With The Metropolitan Transportation Commission For The Allocation Of Funds For The Operation Of Union City Transit And Paratransit For Fiscal Year 2023- 2024
Councilmember Singh announced he had an economic conflict of interest and recused himself from the item.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Wang and seconded by Councilmember Sakakihara to adopt Resolution No. 6257-24 authorizing city staff to file annual funding applications with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the allocation of funds for the operation of Union City Transit and Paratransit for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
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The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Patiño, Sakakihara, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: None
RECUSED: Councilmember Singh
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
7. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
7.a. Adopt A Resolution Approving The 2024 State And Federal Legislative Platform For The City Of Union City And Authorizing The Mayor Or City Manager to Sign Position Letters On Behalf Of The City
Deputy City Manager Jennifer Phan and Townsend Deputy Director Andres Ramirez presented a report and responded to questions from councilmembers.
A motion was made by Mayor Dutra-Vernaci and seconded by Councilmember Singh to adopt Resolution No. 6258-24 approving the 2024 State and Federal Legislative Platform from the City of Union City and authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to sign position letters on behalf of the City with the following amendments to the recommendation:
1. A conflicting position by any councilmember requires concerns from at least two councilmembers before discussion is brought to the Council.; and
2. The process will include a requirement to respond to the letter within 48 hours, with the final approval and signature by the designated council approver.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Patiño, Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
7.b. Introduction Of Ordinance Amending Union City Municipal Code Chapter
5.42 “Tobacco Retailers”
City Attorney Kris Kokotaylo presented a report and responded to questions from councilmembers.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci opened Public Comment. The following members spoke on the item:
Bob Gordon
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Deborah Chhun
Shamsa Rafay
Fatima Rafay
Isha Singh
Luseem Mokahel
Krupa Singampalli
Sang Lang Trieu
A motion was made by Mayor Dutra-Vernaci and seconded by Councilmember Singh to waive full reading and introduce by title only the proposed ordinance amending Union City Municipal Code Chapter 5.42, “Tobacco Retailers” and direct staff to review the adjustment of the fines to avoid the misdemeanor classification to the Legislation and Policy Committee.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: Councilmember Patiño
ABSTAIN: None
7.c. Adopt A Resolution Approving An Exception To The 180-Day Waiting Period For Post-Retirement Employment And Approve An Agreement With Retired Annuitant Anita Castillo
Finance Director Jackie Acosta presented a report and responded to questions from councilmembers.
Councilmember Singh moved, seconded by Councilmember Sakakihara, to adopt Resolution No. 6259-24, approving an exception to the 180-day waiting period for post-retirement employment, and approve an employment agreement with retired annuitant Anita Castillo to serve as Extra Help Budget Manager.
The motion was carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Patiño, Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8. SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
There were none.
9. AUTHORITIES AND AGENCIES
There were none.
10. CITY COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were none.
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11. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCIL
Vice Mayor Wang reported on Alameda County Waste Management Authority.
Councilmember Singh reported on the Human Relations Commission.
Councilmember Sakakihara announced he will attend upcoming meetings for the Housing Authority of Alameda County and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Councilmember Patiño noted his planned attendance at upcoming meetings for AVA Community Energy and the League of California Cities Board of Directors.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci reported on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Alameda County Transportation Commission.
12. GOOD OF THE ORDER
Councilmember Patiño reported his participation in the Youth Voter Movement Drive at Decoto School for Independent Study and Conley-Caraballo High School. He traveled to Washington D.C. to work with Townsend to visit the offices of Congressman Swalwell, Senator Butler, Padilla, and Manchin, the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, and the Economic Development Agency. He met with the Senate’s Commerce, Science, and Transportation staff and introduced the city’s lobbyist to Michael Wallace, lobbying director for Community and Economic Development for the NLC. He also attended the Lunar New Year celebration at Kennedy Park. He also requested the Council to direct staff to look into adjusting campaign contribution limits and investigate compensation for council members in neighboring cities, focusing on pay and other benefits. His request received majority support.
Councilmember Sakakihara reported his attendance at the Point-In-Time Count, Chamber of Commerce Awards luncheon, Father-Daughter Dance held by CRS, Youth Voter Movement Drive event at Conley-Caraballo High School, and Alice Bulos Legacy Celebration.
Councilmember Singh attended Lunar New Year events, the Alice Bulos Legacy Celebration, and the Chamber of Commerce Awards luncheon.
Vice Mayor Wang reported his attendance at the Point-In-Time Count, Spirit Award, had a meeting with SEIU, and attended the Lunar New Year celebration at Kennedy Park.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci discussed improving the visual presentation of council meetings for viewers at home by adjusting the split-screen setup to display councilmembers better while they speak. She also reported her attendance at the Scouts Mission Peak Indoor Rally, acknowledging all-girl Scout Troop # 2273, which won the Mission Peak Indoor Rally and is based in Union City.
13. CLOSED SESSION
There were none.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci adjourned the meeting at 9:42 PM.
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Union City on May 14, 2024.
Thai Nam Pham, MMC, CPMC
City Clerk/Secretary for the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency