March 26, 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
REGULAR MEETING
CAROL DUTRA-VERNACI, Mayor
JEFF WANG, Vice Mayor (District 3)
GARY SINGH, Councilmember (District 1)
JAMIE PATIÑO Councilmember (District 2)
SCOTT SAKAKIHARA, Councilmember (District 4)
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
7:00 PM
City Hall- Council Chamber
34009 Alvarado-Niles Road
Union City, CA 94587
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dutra-Vernaci at 7:08 PM.
1.a. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.b. Roll Call
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Councilmember Patiño
Councilmember Sakakihara
Councilmember Singh
Vice Mayor Wang
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
Absent None
2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There were none.
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3. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
3.a. Introduction Of New And Promoted Employees For 2023 Human Resources Director Jason Castleberry provided staff presentation.
3.b. IT Department Strategic Plan Update
IT Services Director Mario Vallejo provided staff presentation and responded to Councilmember questions.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci opened Oral Communications. The following speaker spoke on items that were not on the agenda:
Wendy Huang
There being no further speakers, Mayor Dutra-Vernaci closed Oral Communications.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: Approve the Consent Calendar.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Patiño
SECONDER:Councilmember Singh
AYES: Councilmembers Patiño, Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
5.a. Approve The Minutes Of The February 27, 2024 City Council Special Meeting
A motion was made to approve the minutes.
5.b. Approve The Minutes Of The February 27, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting
A motion was made to approve the minutes.
5.c. Adopt A Resolution To Formalize The Digital Preservation Of City Minutes, Resolutions, And Ordinances As Official Policy And Designate Docuware As The Trusted Electronic Document
Management System (EDMS)
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 6266-24
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5.d. Adopt A Resolution Approving An Amendment To Update The Class Specifications For The Classifications Of Maintenance I - Parks and Grounds, And Budget Manager/Purchasing Agent
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 6267-24
5.e. Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The Acceptance Of FY 2022-2023 SB 1383 Grant Funds From CalRecycle, In The Amount Of
$180,941, And Amending The FY 2023-2024 City Manager’s Office, Solid Waste And Recycling Program Budget
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 6268-24
5.f. Adopt A Resolution Approving The Consulting Services Agreement With California Wood Recycling, Inc. dba Agromin, For A Not-ToExceed Amount Of $240,000 Through December 31, 2026 For Compost Procurement Services And Compost Delivery To The City To Facilitate Compliance With SB 1383 Compost Procurement Regulations And Authorizing The City Manager To Approve Up To Three One-Year Extensions In An Additional Amount Not To Exceed $270,000
A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 6269-24
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
7. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci requested that Item 7.b. be moved ahead of 7.a. Her request received unanimous support.
7.b. Policy Direction Regarding The Franchise Agreements For Landfill, Compost, And Recycle Collection Services
Recycling & Solid Waste Program Manager Cliff Feldman provided staff presentation and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci opened Public Comment. The following members spoke on the item:
Mary Schlarb
Susan Peinado
Jason Toro
Subru Bhat
Joe Chu
Michael Gross
There being no further speakers, Mayor Dutra-Vernaci closed Public Comment.
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Motion: Approve a 10-year contract extension with Republic Services and Tri-City Economic Development Corporation (TriCED) from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025, with the condition that all parties, along with the City, revisit and explore possibilities for cost adjustments to reduce rates.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
SECONDER:Councilmember Patiño
AYES: Councilmembers Patiño, Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
7.a. Introduction Of Ordinance Amending Union City Municipal Code Chapter 5.42 “Tobacco Retailers”
City Attorney Kokotaylo provided staff presentation and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci opened the Public Comment. The following speakers spoke on the item:
Luis Santos Hernandez
Deborah Chhun
Thanawat Boohtheng
Dream Magampo
Jeremiah Duong
Mary Ann de Gracia
Aditya Indla
Krupa Singampalli
Camille Cummings
Alyssa Mamaclay
Lucine Mokahel
Liz Williams
Arjun Singampalli
Bob Gordon
There being no further speakers, Mayor Dutra-Vernaci closed Public Comment.
Motion: Introduce the ordinance amending the Municipal Code Chapter 5.42 “Tobacco Retailers” with the exemption for reusable vapes removed within the language.
RESULT: Fail
MOVER: Councilmember Sakakihara
SECONDER: Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
AYES: Councilmember Sakakihara and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: Councilmember Patiño, Singh, and Vice Mayor Wang
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ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion: Waive Further Reading and introduce by title only the proposed ordinance amending Union City Municipal Code Chapter
5.42, “Tobacco Retailers.”
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Patiño
SECONDER: Councilmember Singh
AYES: Councilmember Patiño, Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7.c. Presentation Of The Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Year-End Financial Results And Adoption Of A Resolution Authorizing The Use Of 50% Of The General Fund's Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Unanticipated Savings To Fund Unfunded Liabilities
Finance Director Jackie Acosta provided staff presentation and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci opened the Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Dutra-Vernaci closed Public Comment.
Motion: Receive and file the staff report and adopt the attached resolution authorizing staff to use $473,442 to pay down a portion of the City’s unfunded pension and/or OPEB liabilities.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Councilmember Singh
SECONDER: Councilmember Sakakihara
AYES: Councilmember Patiño, Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 6270-24
7.d. Adopt A Resolution Approving An Exception To The 180-Day Waiting Period For Post-Retirement Employment And Approving An Employment Agreement With Retired Annuitant Laurie
Radovich
Human Resources Director Jason Castleberry provided staff presentation.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci opened the Public Comment. There being no speakers, Mayor Dutra-Vernaci closed Public Comment.
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Motion: Adopt a Resolution approving an exception to the 180-day waiting period for post-retirement employment, and approve an Employment Agreement with retired annuitant Laurie Radovich to serve as an Extra Help Transit Coordinator.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
SECONDER:Councilmember Singh
AYES: Councilmember Patiño, Sakakihara, Singh, Vice Mayor Wang, and Mayor Dutra-Vernaci
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 6271-24
8. SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
There were none.
9. ITEMS REFERRED BY COUNCIL
Councilmember Patiño reported his attendance to the Cal Cities Latino Caucus Meeting, Cal Cities East Bay Meeting, and Cal Cities Policy Committee.
Councilmember Sakakihara reported on his attendance at the New Haven Subcommittee meeting, the Economic Development Advisory Team as an attendee, and the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
Councilmember Singh reported on the Human Relations Commission and the Economic Development Advisory Team.
Vice Mayor Wang reported his attendance to the Chamber of Commerce, New Haven Unified School District Joint Sub-Committee, Economic Development Advisory Team, National League of Cities Congressional Conference, Cal Cities Public Safety Committee, and Alameda County Waste Management Authority.
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci reported on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
10. GOOD OF THE ORDER
Councilmember Patiño reported his attendance at a community meeting at Torrey Pines residents at Studio 11, National League of Cities Conference, reception at the Library of Congress, food distribution at St. Anne’s., Spectrum’s Senior Lunch Program.
Councilmember Sakakihara shared his involvement in community activities, including a mock congress at IBCMS, celebrating Women's Day, and participating in Spectrum’s Senior Lunch Program. He requested the Council to agendize an examination of potential relief for a resident facing a $17,000 affordable housing fee for a home addition. This includes March 26, 2024 | 7:00 PM Page 7 of 7
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considering adjustments to the definition of capital space, increasing the exemption square footage above 500 for home additions, and specifically focusing on owner-occupied additions. He also called for analyzing the potential financial impacts of such changes on the City. His request received unanimous support from the Council.
Councilmember Singh reported his attendance at the Shri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj celebration.
Vice Mayor Wang reported meeting with Embarc and Republic Services.
11. CLOSED SESSION
11.a. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Pursuant to
Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated
Representatives: Kristopher J. Kokotaylo, City Attorney; Mayor Dutra-Vernaci Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci reported no reportable action on the item listed above.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dutra-Vernaci adjourned the meeting at 10:27 PM.
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 April 9, 2024.
Thai Nam Pham, MMC, CPMC
City Clerk