Regular City Council Meeting April 5, 2022

0:00:02Sky Woodruff (City Attorney): Oh.

0:00:09we're trying a different closed captions tonight, and we need to time our live stream and our zoom recording to make sure they seem to properly so i'm going to be starting the recording a little bit sooner than normal.

0:00:26Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: hi, how can you check it is my video working now.

0:00:29Yes, much better and your audio is cutting out anymore, so it seems your connection is much stronger now.

0:00:35Great.

0:00:36Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you.

0:00:47i'm.

0:00:49Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: About to as to who's gonna call this daughter, and I realize it's me.

0:00:53Councilmember Fadelli: I was gonna say yeah, this is not the night to have bad technology issues.

0:00:59Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: and

0:00:59If, for some reason, it does start to lag you can turn off your camera that while we make your audio stronger if you don't have both on but they both seem to be working fine now okay.

0:01:43mayor pro tem we just once Karen joins us and we have past 7pm you can go ahead and get started started.

0:01:52Because we do have everyone, we expect to be on the call here.

0:01:55Okay.

0:03:14Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: This feels like a really long two minutes.

0:03:20Councilmember Fadelli: Like the end of basketball games right.

0:03:40alright.

0:04:16Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay, it is now seven o'clock.

0:04:21The April 5 regular City Council meeting is call to order at 7pm will the city clerk please call.

0:04:30me are keen to is absent mayor pro tem most yama.

0:04:34Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: President.

0:04:35Council member ableton is opposite Council member fidelity.

0:04:39Here Council member redneck.

0:04:41President, we have a quorum.

0:04:45Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: So now is.

0:04:48The pledge of allegiance to the flag or observation of a moment of silence.

0:04:54I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:05:10So our next item is teleconference and public comment instructions Madam clerk can you provide the instructions, please.

0:05:17Thank you for city council members and staff who are participating as panelists please keep your microphone muted whenever you are not speaking.

0:05:25To ensure compliance with the brown act and to address security concerns attendee images and videos will remain disabled, as well as the chat feature for all participants.

0:05:34for members of the public who wish to provide oral testimony the mayor will announce the mayor pro tem will announce the time for.

0:05:40Public comment on each applicable item, if you wish to speak, please select the hand icon to raise your hand.

0:05:47If you cannot locate the icon please refer to the document linked, on page one of the agenda for the raise hand feature.

0:05:54attendees joining by phone can dial star nine to raise their hand when it is your turn to provide comments your name will be called and you will be prompted to unmute yourself.

0:06:03attendees joining by phone will be prompted to dial star six to unmute themselves, that concludes my comments me or pretend we're ready for the next item.

0:06:12Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you, our next item is Council and staff communications i'd like to first request communications from our city manager.

0:06:21Karen Pinkos (City Manager): Thank you mayor pro tem Hello everyone, good evening I am Karen pincus the city manager, just a brief update tonight report on our local emergency.

0:06:30is still status quo at this time, however, since the last meeting, it was announced by contra Costa health services.

0:06:37That they will now offer second booster doses of coven 19 vaccine to people who are 50 and older.

0:06:43or who are immunocompromised by certain health conditions after at least four months have passed since your last booster.

0:06:49So vaccination, as you know, getting boosted whenever were eligible remains our most effective protection against serious illness from covet 19 so i've gotten mine, I encourage all of you to get yours.

0:07:01appointments are available@coronavirus.cc health.org that's coronavirus.cc health.org or by calling 18338 to 92626 i'll repeat that 18338 to 92626.

0:07:21We continue to look forward to when we will be able to ruben our buildings for a full schedule.

0:07:25As well as holding meetings in person, that is still on hold, at this time, but we will be sure to update the City Council and our entire community as soon.

0:07:33As plans are in place, so please continue to check our website and our social media pages on Facebook Twitter instagram and next door, we will post any and all information there with any updates.

0:07:45When we have that available so at this time here pretend that concludes my remarks Thank you so much.

0:07:51Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Great Thank you are there any Council reports.

0:07:57councilmember rudnick.

0:08:00Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): Thank you, Madam mayor pro tem.

0:08:03On Thursday, Friday Friday April 1 I attended that he bricks meeting.

0:08:09Not much to report except for those meetings, hopefully, the next meeting, are going to be in person, which means a trip out to Dublin but that's okay.

0:08:17And then, last night I attended the JC RC interfaith freedom seder, which was a really wonderful celebration of Passover which is going to be next Thursday.

0:08:30One really interesting takeaway actually few interesting but one is that this month.

0:08:35The three major abrahamic religions are having their springtime festivities, which is very infrequent for it to all have the same month so happy Ramadan to those who celebrate happy started as a celebrate and happy Passover.

0:08:50We were really fortunate last night to hear Council General Ukraine who was able to the first hand accounts of what.

0:09:00The folks in Ukraine are dealing with, especially when it comes to the refugee crisis that's happening in the folks who are there so very much related to item five K on our agenda tonight.

0:09:11And finally, on Thursday April 28 so a little bit in the future.

0:09:16Our neighbors to the south, the city of Berkeley and councilmember wine graph has invited me to.

0:09:21present at their whole cost Remembrance Day that's April 28 at 2pm and i'm gonna be sharing my grandfather's Holocaust survivor story and then how it is to then be descended from a Holocaust survivor.

0:09:32So if you're able to tell him I think it'd be really interesting and that concludes my remarks.

0:09:37Thank you.

0:09:38Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: councilmember fidelity.

0:09:40Councilmember Fadelli: Yes, good evening.

0:09:43Last week, you met a mayor pro tem and I and the mayor attended the cal city's first East Bay in person legislative dinner, and it was great to get together with members of our.

0:09:56alameda fellow alameda cities, and also our city manager was there had a good up update of bills that are moving forward and things to look out for.

0:10:07I also met last week with the Bart operations staff to get an update on the cable that went out from the Richmond to Elsa read online that's caused a little bit of problems.

0:10:18They said that that was an issue they were going to get to the original cable from 1972.

0:10:25And it's caused some problems, but for a while there was no cars running on that mind now they've got cars it's a five car train instead of the 10 car train so it's kind of like the old days, things are crowded.

0:10:38And they told me, it should take about eight weeks to fix, but there are trains running now from that district from Richmond to Berkeley.

0:10:47And finally, I know that all of us need some reason to celebrate with coded and Ukraine, and our city coming back out of some financial issues, and I think if.

0:10:58you're wondering July 4 here are one world festival is a hopefully a place to celebrate we don't have money this year in the general fund for that and that's why we started a fundraising effort.

0:11:10And a sponsorship effort, and if you listening that want to come celebrate to some great music and food and kids and rides please go to our website.

0:11:20I wanted to announce just briefly our initial sponsors so far are Elsa Rita arts and culture Commission certainly stepped up to help help us in this effort stage sanitary premier graphics.

0:11:33East Bay sanitary the Elsa Rita democratic club know dispensary trail trackers and mentors Navi.

0:11:42And just yesterday, I want to applaud AC transit, they will have information about bus lines on their outreach efforts at the July 4 festival, please go to our website and contribute, thank you very much.

0:11:55Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you, and I just have one note of general interest, I am attending a conference regarding housing and I want to let our Community Members know that the California housing finance agency is releasing.

0:12:10$40,000 grants for EDU development, so if you are thinking of developing an ad you in your backyard, you might want to consider this funding.

0:12:21In that.

0:12:25is my first announcement, I have a number of other ones.

0:12:29on behalf of mayor keen to for the first quarter of 2022 covering January to March the mayor recognize the following El cerrito centenarians with a mayoral certificate of recognition.

0:12:43Earl car group should crespin Jacqueline Jackie headman and Josephine know so happy 100 years to all of them.

0:12:57and on march 20 seconds, the mayor signed and sent a letter of personal support for MC funding requests, which is also on the consent calendar for the full Council support tonight.

0:13:10and on a side note, I want to let you know that Miguel SP no husband of sherry grosvenor and an active Community Member pass away on march 22.

0:13:22We will be adjourning and remembrance of Miguel this evening.

0:13:27And that includes Council staff communications, now we go to oral communications from the public.

0:13:43In Thank you mayor pro tem at this time, members of the public who wish to provide public comments regarding matters, not on the agenda.

0:13:50Consent items and presentation items to use the raise hand feature to request to speak.

0:13:56While we give them an opportunity to do so, I will quickly announced that we did receive some written public comments.

0:14:02By the advanced deadline today those comments were posted on our website as supplemental materials and provided directly to the Council members.

0:14:10For items, not on the agenda, we did receive comments from deke Patterson the Chair of the financial Advisory Board.

0:14:18howdy gowdy and cordell handler and unconcerned item five J, we received comments from case stark whether Gary prost Diana Brenner Sue and Paul Duncan and Nick San Marino, and then I will bring up our public comment clock here.

0:14:39And mayor pro tem we have seven request to speak at this time, can you confirm the three minute time limit.

0:14:46Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Yes, thank you.

0:14:54Okay we'll go to our first speaker tonight is Peter Peter, you should be able to unmute and begin your time now.

0:15:04Peter: Thank you for letting me speak I am a little less eaten for over 25 years.

0:15:15Two years ago, the City Council passed a local emergency resolution due to the colby.

0:15:24And two years has the path and lot of things changed, especially due to the.

0:15:32army con variant they now the Kobe is more like a on a cold so everything is seems to be getting back to normal, you know we got a lot of people vaccinated and since CDC and Dr fauci acknowledged the effectiveness of natural immunity and a lot of people i'm sure they has.

0:16:02contacted Kobe one way or the other, it seems to me that we, or we have very good immunity now so lives to go back to normal, but if I am not mistaken, we are still in and local emergency, so I i'm here to.

0:16:25Ask the city council to revisit this local emergency issue and live the emergency if it is call for Thank you.

0:16:39Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you.

0:16:40And next speakers buddy buddy you should be able to unmute and begin your time now.

0:16:47BuddyAkacic: Good evening everyone it's a pleasure to be with you this evening pleasure to see your images on my apple computer.

0:16:56i'd like to comment on a few things i've been I had previously been led to believe that the mask mandate was in still in force as a supported by.

0:17:11contra Costa county and that if I wanted to take it up with anyone john joy, would be the guy to go to so it just so happens that I walked into karaoke host senior Center event on Monday in the Lutheran church library on ashbury and john joy was there, giving a talk.

0:17:30BuddyAkacic: And I approached him about it, and he told me that the contra Costa county mandate for masks is no longer enforce and he was unmasked most of the people in the room, were unmasked and it was not a zoom meeting it was alive.

0:17:50So essentially cutting to the chase for me.

0:17:54I want to advocate that we go back to live meetings ASAP.

0:18:00I want to under line that with a statement that social isolation impacts our mental health negatively.

0:18:12let's go back to alive let's go back to real life.

0:18:19Now the the centenarian roster that was put out and I listened to the names I applaud that that effort centenarian roster that's a beautiful thing to do.

0:18:32Liesl tell us and Clara Ray cancer we're not on I didn't hear their names mentioned.

0:18:38There certainly centenarians and Elsa rainbow resident.

0:18:43mcgillis be know.

0:18:49was a dear friend of mine.

0:18:55We were connected.

0:18:58Salter so.

0:19:02let's have a moment of silence for.

0:19:05Miguel i'm done Thank you.

0:19:20Our next speaker is me saying.

0:19:28Xiaomei Song: hi good morning me and counselors good night i'm sorry good night um so.

0:19:36yeah I feel very sad yeah so i'm I basically I send a few emails to you.

0:19:45A few customer before I want to take this moment to speak in person, because I really in that situation.

0:19:55And the small mommy land, a lot of the ERA sorry to.

0:19:59The incoming other the rental property either my feminist mean most important financial support.

0:20:06My husband.

0:20:08keys Father left to four years ago, he never come back.

0:20:15So he left of the only thing for me to support me and my two young children, I mean he was that my young man is the only three years old, my auto are only 10 years old.

0:20:30So now for year we didn't meet her.

0:20:34And we, that the only income from this rent to rent a report, and so the Tennessee stop painting a studied pandemic and they were renting kami is really our mean Levis bins so now is an IP didn't rent it goes up to 44,500 is.

0:21:04We more than my annual income in my annual income is less than 40,000, so I am a full time student I raised two young kids as same time I have a three part time job.

0:21:22So.

0:21:25During last winter we didn't use any heat because I don't have money to pay the Haiti.

0:21:32We only take a shower I me and my two kids only take a shower one one months because I see money to.

0:21:40This rental business.

0:21:43So now i'm hopeless and the pressure when I think of that induce eviction more moderate and a four hour waiting for the rain to relief is a being half a year, I read it.

0:21:57Being half a year to be to the result that that the rent relief application still recapture so now, I want to take this moment to ask dmv year and the counselor.

0:22:09So that since the hours are it'll pass the local was the cause my hardship to my family where you have me to speak to the relief for a police ugly application.

0:22:22The second question is based on a B to 178 the tenant the shooter P, that the rink at his deal not P, what do I do we are Arizona provider local support to me.

0:22:38i'm sorry yeah Eric anyway yeah I hope.

0:22:43I hope you guys, this is really hard is no read up on that I don't have any money to buy food for my kids now are they borrowed it all my friends.

0:22:56In America, I have a few friends in America, but I borrowed a lot of money for abby please happy.

0:23:03Thank you very much.

0:23:04Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you for letting us know.

0:23:09Our next speaker is Dan pan Stan you should be able to unmute and begin your time now.

0:23:18dan pan: hello, can you hear me.

0:23:20Yes, we can.

0:23:22dan pan: Oh yes, my name is Dan i'm i'm not here for myself or for anything but i'm here to just want to just the same problem is Peter has who has spoken and daisy who spoke as well about the.

0:23:39eviction vomitorium from our cerritos CD.

0:23:43So i'm a board member of bh in the business and how Center work we have many housing providers members, just like a Peter and daisy.

0:23:55Who are mammals have housing providers, so please remember every time we know you pass the eviction monitoring to help one certain group the tenants we call them as well.

0:24:08But when you pass the policies to to protect one group, please think about the other group as well.

0:24:16You feel good that you help them, you see, in there you pass the policies very harsh, we can tell very hostile hosting providers, but it's good.

0:24:28For the for the for the tenants, we know that, but please think about the other group they do have children to face.

0:24:36They do need money to prepare food they have to pay the loan, they have to pay the utility they have they have a lot of costs, you know I know I know the mayor you.

0:24:48you're nodding your head, I know you're fully understand that kind of situation but understand is not enough.

0:24:55You have to do something daisy is one of our Member or us have the pure heart for her, but what can we do nothing.

0:25:07she's sending emails to you guys every time she just get a kick ball back to her, so this is, we cannot do anything you have to wait waiting waiting our stomach our children cannot wait.

0:25:22Please think about this nanowatt that's the world you call housing providers, they are not rich people they are hardworking people just make you guys.

0:25:34They worked several jobs to support the their Rentals then support their, the home of the tenants don't create I mean put them as a evil person I I.

0:25:48I participant many, many consultants every time we talk about the events, a lot of people said, oh no so greedy, they are rated we have squeezing.

0:25:58We always hear that kind of story too bad housing providers are too busy to earn the money to support their their likelihood we don't have time to complain.

0:26:11Okay, so that's, the only thing I want to read a refer, my message and also rhino the quick question ab 2179 has been passed at the State level, so how about the eviction moratorium from.

0:26:27city of our pseudo pseudo it's going to be override by the A, B 20 179, we know that the the eviction moment for him as even more serious than a be 2179 we want the hope we want it to be end, so please work on that and will follow up to find out.

0:26:45The how the evolution of the of the end a severe oh Thank you so much, thank you.

0:26:52Our next speaker is our Miller Oh, you should be able to unmute him begin your time now.

0:26:58Al Miller: Well, thank you i'd like to address two things this evening, the first is the proclamation of National Library week, that is, on the consent decree.

0:27:12calendar, first I want to thank you, whoever wrote it because I think in this single one page was I don't know, maybe nine or 10 were, as is i've never seen a better definition of the value that a library adds to a Community I think it's very important, and thank you for your creativity.

0:27:35On the other side.

0:27:38And I would like you all to think just how much better our library could fulfill all of these purposes the libraries do if it wasn't 70 years old, if it didn't have windows that they can't close to keep skokie air out.

0:27:58and several other things just because it's too small and too old if it weren't for Heidi and her dedicated staff.

0:28:08It would be hopeless but you'll hear from Heidi later and she'll tell you more about why.

0:28:15that's so valuable The other thing is, as the director of the city's sanitary district, I wanted to be sure you knew that recently we have passed a initiated a new program where we are offering interest free $10,000 loans to Homeowners to encourage them to fix their laterals.

0:28:46Right now, you know that's probably know this stage is a consent decree with the other cities in the east bay.

0:28:54To reduce the flow of fresh water into the wastewater system that overloading the system in a wet weather.

0:29:06This purpose, most of this comes in, through info on an infiltration that's water fresh water rainwater groundwater coming through leaky and cracked laterals.

0:29:20And we're just trying to encourage as citizens to.

0:29:25Repair there a check in repair their laterals there's more information at our website www dot stage sam.org and there's handouts explaining the program in our office that's the.

0:29:43Right relatively new building you pass on your right when you're headed for the recycling Center.

0:29:49Thank you very much.

0:29:52Thank you, our next speaker is Rachel are Rachel you should be able to unmute him begin your time now.

0:29:59Rachel R: Thank you hello, my name is Rachel rose kind, and I am and Elsa read our resident, as well as the district one library, Commissioner, which includes that also veto branch.

0:30:10A public library is not only a preeminent opportunities zone, it is an opportunity zone multiplier.

0:30:16Through partnerships with very community groups and embedded 26 branch system ever increasing digital resources and boundless inspiration.

0:30:24The contra Costa county library is the opportunities own exponent and proponent.

0:30:29As we celebrate National Library week, we must remember that libraries are public spaces that are vital civic information and participation hubs for all Community members.

0:30:39Tonight I want to celebrate the people who make our libraries happen because Librarians are truly the heart of their community.

0:30:46They pump ideas, information and inspiration in a continuous feedback loop that catalyzing individual potential and preserves collected treasures.

0:30:55The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated many of the divides the define our region.

0:31:00And during this time library staff have demonstrated how critical their services are particularly to are under resourced and overburdened Community members.

0:31:09Librarians are every community secret weapon and shield and devils to Rita we are blessed to have some of the best of the best i'd like to recognize the following Elsa Rita library staff.

0:31:20Heidi Goldstein library manager katie booster Julia Julia dribble of itch Pam bz candace Carlisle ella hundred figueroa Jenny.

0:31:32Jenny reefs Jesse yo some Morris wes Russell zach Miller, these dedicated staff members work in a building that is in dire need of repair expansion and renewed vision.

0:31:45A complete a check system more space for staff and storage more restrooms lower shelves to meet Ada requirements separate meeting and programming rooms.

0:31:55teen and maker spaces private study areas more public computers, these are just a few of the critical needs.

0:32:03I commend the city of El cerrito for allocating funds to clean the libraries linoleum and I appreciate the Council support for an additional six open hours to extend to the county funded baseline.

0:32:14I encourage you to expand to this allocation and the next fiscal year and, now that the city is achieved greater solvency.

0:32:21Our hard working staff and Community members deserve a modernized safe accessible and imaginative building that is blooming and brimming with courageous promise.

0:32:30A building that reflects the centrality vibrancy and aspirations of this communal symbol and space.

0:32:36public libraries are the threshold of radical possibility, not just in the books that are House there, but in the buildings that house them and the ideas that underpin their institution.

0:32:46Accessibility education critical inquiry imagination public engagement and Community enrichment.

0:32:52I urge city council and Community members to express more vocal and divisible support for construction of a new accessible inclusive inspired library building to serve our diverse and growing city and, lastly, our public Librarians are rock stars, please go thank them.

0:33:10that's it Thank you.

0:33:12Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you.

0:33:14And next speaker is soo Duncan so you should be able to unmute him begin your time now.

0:33:24You are you with us.

0:33:30Sue Duncan: Okay, oh.

0:33:32There you are okay, you can go ahead and begin.

0:33:34Sue Duncan: city council members, thank you for recognizing may 7 as national wealth our Community preparedness day.

0:33:41It is extremely important that the city is a whole residence businesses and the city itself recognize that there was a very real threat of wildfire to our area.

0:33:51And that all the components must start to or continue to prepare for a wildfire, especially as climate scientists have now said that most of California isn't a mega drought.

0:34:02Preparation can take many forms, making the Community where of and educating them about the importance of preparing.

0:34:10educating them on how to prepare and encouraging them to prepare should be started now by the city and this effort should continue.

0:34:19Preparations can take different forms, from adopting best vegetation practices registering for the sea ws preparing go bags, making sure important papers are safe.

0:34:30To home hardening houses and buildings preparation should include talking to neighbors to identify any that will need help with evacuation if that becomes necessary.

0:34:41A neighborhood plan should be made to make sure that those who need help getting out will have someone to help them get out and there should be a backup plan for this.

0:34:50May 7 as well, fire Community preparedness day all of us need to work as a community to keep everyone safe and to decrease the possibility of a catastrophic wildfire here with terrible consequences, and also as a side note.

0:35:07covert is not over, and the pre coven normal normalcy is not ready to return yet i'm not in any hurry to be around a lot of people again, thank you.

0:35:20Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you.

0:35:21Thank you, and then we have one final speaker a rabbi rabbi bell you should be able to unmute him begin your time now.

0:35:32Yanky Bell: Thank you.

0:35:36wanted to address I haven't.

0:35:39I run this about Jewish Center and Elsa Vito.

0:35:42I wanted to address the proclamation for April 12 education and sharing day.

0:35:48Thank the city city council members and the mayor for doing this and just to say a little bit about what this day is all about so.

0:35:57The part of the proclamation as debbie I mean I can mendelssohn isn't the past memory was who was considered to be one of the most influential rabbis and leaders in modern history.

0:36:08And this year will mark hundred 20 years from the year when the baby was born, he was born in Ukraine in 1902 eventually coming to Poland and then escaping Poland during the war and then coming to New York, where he took over the movement in 1950.

0:36:25Well that'd be concentrated his efforts on rebuilding and re energizing the Jewish community after the devastation of the Holocaust really pay great attention to the needs of all of humanity.

0:36:36Which is why for this, this is the reason why the US Congress and President Jimmy Carter designated this day as education day in 1978.

0:36:45honoring the webby and his efforts for education and sharing among all people.

0:36:50And this is continued then every year and through every President, including our President Joe Biden with the cloud the stairs a day two we focus our efforts on education and sharing.

0:37:00Creating a brighter future for society, often we think of education only as knowledge and the means to build a career at the make it to make it as an as an individual in the big world.

0:37:11But there be emphasized many times higher education is not only about the acquisition of knowledge.

0:37:16Encourage world leaders and education activists on the need to focus great importance on education to build a good character to increase awareness of moral and ethical values helping us to look at one another and to add goodness and kindness in the world.

0:37:30This foundation is the bedrock of society and keeps the world together.

0:37:34knowledge can sometimes come with ego can come with arrogance that can come with the desire to be powerful when it comes just as knowledge when it comes.

0:37:42On this foundation of being kind and compassionate have good character traits of sharing caring them the knowledge becomes a source of beautiful things and change the world because.

0:37:52we're in a time when we see that the terrible power for destruction in the world, right now, how one person can with with can use his power.

0:38:00to destroy and hurt so many people at the same time, we see the tremendous power for goodness, and the quest for kindness and peace in the world and the ability to actualize that more than ever before.

0:38:11So it's a nice small acts of random goodness and kindness, that we do, which can change the world, and they turned from random acts of goodness and kindness to routine acts of kindness and kindness and.

0:38:25really changed the world become a better place, so thank you all for doing this, education and sharing day and I bless your efforts and bringing this to the city of St Rita.

0:38:35And then they bring more caring and caring and kindness and sharing and for passion, thank you for everything that you all do for the Community.

0:38:45Thank you.

0:38:46and Nathan, that does conclude I request to speak.

0:38:51Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you, Madam clerk so that our next item is adoption of the consent calendar.

0:39:00So all items on the consent calendar she'll be acted upon in one motion unless a member of the city council or staff request separate consideration so.

0:39:12The items on the consent calendar are as follows.

0:39:17National Library week proclamation to pass a motion to approve a proclamation declaring April 3 through.

0:39:25As National Library week in the city of El cerrito and encourage all residents to visit the library.

0:39:32Item be by be proclamation recognizing education and sharing day to pass a proclamation declaring April 12 2022 is education and sharing day.

0:39:42In the city of El cerrito and to raise awareness and strengthen the education of our children.

0:39:47Item five see earth a proclamation to pass a proclamation declaring Saturday April 23 2022 as birthday in the city of El cerrito and encouraging all residents and businesses to help make Alfredo a greener healthier more sustainable place for all.

0:40:04Item five D sexual assault awareness month proclamation to approve a proclamation declaring April 2022 as sexual assault awareness month.

0:40:14In the city of El Reno and encouraging everyone to support and his sexual violence advocates and service programs and the belief that all Community Members must be part of the solution to end sexual violence.

0:40:26Item five he alcohol awareness awareness month proclamation to pass a motion to approve a proclamation designating April 2022.

0:40:37As alcohol awareness month and Elsa rido item five F letter of support for assembly bill.

0:40:45At the request of mayor quinto to pass a motion to authorize the mayor to sign a letter of support for a be at 14 related to funding for transportation electrification.

0:40:56Item five g letter of support for MC marine marine clean energy federal funding request.

0:41:03At the request of mayor quinto to pass emotion authorizing the mayor to sign a letter in support of mcs federal funding request for three projects designed to confront the climate climate crisis.

0:41:14By eliminating fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions and to create equitable environmental and economic community benefits.

0:41:22Item five H little support for senate bill 847 at the request of mayor quinto to pass emotion authorizing the mayor to sign a letter.

0:41:31In support of sb 847 pertaining to rental assistance for landlords and tenants who do not qualify for assistance under the state emergency rental assistance Program.

0:41:43Item five I Economic Development Committee appointments to approve one Economic Development Committee recommendation to appoint a new member Christopher bunting effective April 1 2020 to.

0:41:55Item five J resolution declaring may 7 2022 as national wildlife Community prepared to stay.

0:42:03At the request of Council member fidelity adopted resolution declaring may 7 2022 as national wildlife wildfire Community preparedness day in the city of El cerrito.

0:42:14I don't five K resolution and support a few quane at the request of mayor quinto to adopt a resolution condemning the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, expressing supportive Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

0:42:27Item five l amendments to existing agreements with multiple firms for on call building services.

0:42:33adopted resolution authorizing the city manager to execute amendments, the existing professional services agreements.

0:42:40With for consulting firms providing on call building services to extend the terms and additional 18 months and to increase the amount for fiscal year 2021 22 for one from by $250,000.

0:42:53Item five m authorized Annual Report for lighting or landscaping and lighting assessment district for fiscal year 2022 2023.

0:43:02Two adopted resolution directing nbs local government solutions to prepare and file the annual landscaping and lighting assessment district number 1988 dash one report from fiscal year 2022 23.

0:43:16So.

0:43:18Would.

0:43:19job.

0:43:23Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: So with any Council members like to pull an item or can we move all of these in one motion Council member of fidelity.

0:43:31Councilmember Fadelli: I would like to pull five g, and I would like to just simply make a comment on five J before the vote for the full sheet goes forward.

0:43:42Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay, do I have a motion to approve the other consent items or whichever take the question on item chain first.

0:43:54Item I councilman philly would you like to make your comment.

0:43:59Councilmember Fadelli: On five g.

0:44:01Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: And that's not the one that you're.

0:44:02fully with the one that you're.

0:44:04Councilmember Fadelli: alive yeah the month.

0:44:05Yes, I just want to concur with what's been said before, is similar to our Earth Day.

0:44:11Resolution, this is a call to action for our Community and our residents to make their homes, their property safe against a wildfire.

0:44:20Last year we passed a resolution saying, this was a critical issue in our city, this year, this Community wildfire preparation preparedness day means we all have to get involved, we all have to be part of this to get this done so thank you for that.

0:44:35Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you mayor fidelity So do I have a motion to approve item five a B, C D E, F H I J K L and m.

0:44:49Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): motion to approve, I do not remember all the letters in order for all of the ones, with the exception of what has been told by Council member fidelity.

0:44:57Councilmember Fadelli: I second that.

0:44:58Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: So moved by councilmember rudnick seconds by mayor Council member fidelity.

0:45:04Okay.

0:45:06Can I have a roll call, please.

0:45:09You pretend to yama.

0:45:11I Council member fidelity.

0:45:13I Council member redneck.

0:45:15I motion carries with mayor and councilmember abramson.

0:45:19absent.

0:45:22Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: So i'm going to open up questions or comments on item G.

0:45:29yeah my finale or Council member fidelity and.

0:45:32Councilmember Fadelli: say thank you that I support this letter, these are good projects, I just have.

0:45:38Some clarification that I think we as Council need to put into this we shouldn't just be asking are these Congress people and our.

0:45:46senators for money for projects, we need to say where we're directing them to get the money, because this is.

0:45:53The appropriations bill this the President just signed last week, now has earmarks in it.

0:45:59This is really asking for earmarked for our Congress folks to go fight for certain projects, and I think in each of these three categories.

0:46:08We should add where those appropriations bills existed, I called MC he their legal team today talk to our staff and and let me just say now and then you can.

0:46:21Have a vote to include this or not, that in the letter, the electrical vehicle charging station, the $2 million request should shouldn't say.

0:46:30From the fiscal year 23 transportation and hundred appropriations bill, the energy storage program asking for $3 million.

0:46:39should include from the fiscal year 23 energy and water appropriations bill and the healthy homes expansion request for $1 million should say from the fiscal year transportation and height appropriations bill it just gives some clarity and we shouldn't be just.

0:46:58letting groups people agencies, ask for money without directing where that money should come from that transparency, thank you.

0:47:06Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you councilmember fidelity Are there any other comments.

0:47:11Okay um is there a motion.

0:47:18Councilmember Fadelli: To you, is it.

0:47:20Can I do this or there's only two of us.

0:47:24Council member fidelity you certainly can make the motion with.

0:47:27The visions that you just read into the record.

0:47:30Councilmember Fadelli: And I moved, I am concerned, item five g with the motions for the electrical the ev chargers energy storage and the healthy homes with language directing which federal legislature appropriations bill we won't be seeking that money those programs from.

0:47:48Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): A motion with the friendly amendment.

0:47:52Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay, Madam clerk can you call the road since.

0:47:56It can't remember reading it, just to clarify your supporting Council Council member fidelity's motion correct you're not seeking to a minute Okay, thank you MIA pretend moti i'ma.

0:48:06Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: I.

0:48:07Council member for Delhi.

0:48:08Our Council member redneck.

0:48:10I motion carries with mayor keen to and councilman breath abramson absent.

0:48:16Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay.

0:48:19Sorry, I am moving slowly through my agenda.

0:48:33Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: And our next item is presentations so our first presentation of the evening will be the l street oh library updates.

0:48:43And we have the presentation, please.

0:48:55Heidi Goldstein (she/her): hi there, good evening.

0:49:01Okay holly do you want to share my screen, or do you have the presentation there.

0:49:14Can you hear me.

0:49:16Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Yes, we can hear you.

0:49:17I apologize I didn't realize i'm not muted, I can certainly share it for you, if that would be easiest.

0:49:22Heidi Goldstein (she/her): If you think so.

0:49:23yeah if you don't mind Thank you so much.

0:49:25At all just give me pull it up.

0:49:36Heidi Goldstein (she/her): I can start though okay.

0:49:44sorry about that.

0:49:46Heidi Goldstein (she/her): Thank you all.

0:49:55Here we go.

0:49:57Heidi Goldstein (she/her): Great Thank you.

0:49:59Thank you mayor pro tem moti yama and they also radio city council for net recognizing National Library week for 2022.

0:50:09And, as you know, libraries Librarians and library workers plan essential role in both transforming lives and strengthening communities.

0:50:18National Library week is a chance to recognize libraries and staff there for all they do.

0:50:24The theme for this year's National Library week is connect with your library, which promotes the idea that libraries are places to get connected to technology by using broadband computers and other digital resources.

0:50:37This is accurate libraries also serve to connect people to others and their to their community, amongst other things, next slide please.

0:50:46Thank you, as the world continues to navigate the pandemic and, in many ways it impacts our lives, the library continues to rethink traditional library services.

0:50:56we've added more ebooks and audio books to our collection last year and proudly reach nearly 1.5 million digital checkouts.

0:51:06With people not visiting the library in person as much we also saw a huge increases and use of online newspapers, like the New York Times East Bay times and Wall Street Journal.

0:51:17To support families who may still be working in schooling from home we introduced wi fi hotspots and raspberry pi kits that can be checked out along with nine at new digital resources.

0:51:30Next slide please.

0:51:35and supportive our communities across the county the library added additional hours at 17 branches last year for a total of 121 extra hours per week.

0:51:47Thank you to the Elsa rido city council for providing our Community, with six extra hours per week next slide.

0:51:55This past year we offered a wide variety of online programs for patients of all ages and are working on a plan to bring back in person programming this summer more information about that very soon next slide.

0:52:12We are happy to provide traditional nutrition and the form of food from eight of our branches, including Elsa rido by serving lunch or providing meal or produce toxins to the Community, in partnership with local school districts, we get ours delivered on Tuesday mornings.

0:52:31Next slide please.

0:52:34it's surprising to people sometimes how many digital resources we provide to our library card holders here are a few of the newer resources such as.

0:52:42Black life in America environmental studies virtual interactive science experiments online classes for older adults.

0:52:50resume and unemployment benefits assistance National Geographic kids and the Wall Street Journal just to name a few come on in, and we will tell you all about them next slide please.

0:53:05Do we skip one.

0:53:07Yes, thank you, here we have elsewhere to libraries most popular titles of the last year salt, fat acid heat by some main nose right.

0:53:17The hunger games by Suzanne Collins and the Thank you book by mo willems.

0:53:23We also have I also have three top adult titles for also rido Kristen sorry adult authors for Elsa rido Kristen Hannah Isabel Allende Jane austen.

0:53:35top three authors for teens rick rhoden Erin hunter you miata and the top three authors for kids Geronimo stilton daisy meadows and may mo willems next slide please.

0:53:49Here we have just a little shout out to some of our library patrons and friends and some of the events that we've had this year, and last year, and you can come by and see some of us and be part of your community and action.

0:54:02Next slide.

0:54:04Thank you very much, and also rido library and final slide.

0:54:10There are ours, thank you 46 hours a week, thank you again so rido for loving your library and for celebrating National Library week with us.

0:54:22Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Great, thank you for the presentation do any Council members have any comments or questions for our librarian.

0:54:31Council member fidelity.

0:54:34Councilmember Fadelli: Thank you, Heidi and thank, thank you for loving our libraries funky as it is working hard to you know, to keep our Community loves that library.

0:54:45But stay active as we continue to seek a new venue for a new library and Elsa Rita we're all trying we're all into this we're excited about the opportunities.

0:54:55It will take time old take better financing by our city there's lots of components were there were excited about the extra hours you have that you're using them and i'm just glad to hear that Jane austen as an adult author.

0:55:11Good.

0:55:12Heidi Goldstein (she/her): People still read.

0:55:13Councilmember Fadelli: That they still read her.

0:55:14Yes, thank you, yes okay.

0:55:16Thank you.

0:55:19Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: councilmember of rudnick.

0:55:22Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): Thank you medallia pretend Heidi I don't even know where to begin because I love the.

0:55:30library, I have been I share all the time to anyone who will listen how important our library is, I am a we see each other all the time, have a dedicated user of the library and when i'm in the library I observe a lot of things.

0:55:46Little things beyond the building falling apart, which we all know and it's a shame, because really a library.

0:55:53should be indicative in the crown jewel of communities.

0:55:57And it is one of the most democratizing spaces, that I can think of it's the only space that regardless of your age your creed anything you come in and you get services and I can't say that about most public institutions.

0:56:12And i've seen the clientele in there, there are many clientele who are on house near on House there are young children who go in the library and they use that as their after school care, because otherwise they wouldn't have it.

0:56:29libraries are so pivotal in the development of any stage of life in the programming that's being offered that we're still using virtually has been really important for my daughter, who misses.

0:56:43Being there for story time but she now feels that the Librarians and all the different locations, especially the children's ones are her rock stars she just it it lights up reading to a dog lights her up and that whole concept of just helping.

0:57:00Young people literacy.

0:57:01Helping adults who are developing literacy everything you guys are doing is so pivotal and so important, and I can keep going on and on, but really what I must say, is.

0:57:13Thank you, because I know how hard it is i've been in there when there's client tells who are combative, and who are unkind.

0:57:22And they're always treated with such dignity and kindness so anything we can do to continue to further and support the library Council member fidelity said it right, you know what we have to do.

0:57:34We know what the assignment is, and it is frustrating and people ask me really weekly when are we getting a new library what's up with the new library to me it's.

0:57:46going to measure on the library is a library pretty close to here the tool lending library that has on their measure twice cut once.

0:57:55And I, we will do that with this library we're going to make sure it's right and then we're going to do it.

0:58:00Because our Community deserves that our Community is growing, we had young families, here we have folks who are aging in place here and we need to have this environment for them, so thank you for letting me have a little soapbox I appreciate all that you guys are doing.

0:58:14Heidi Goldstein (she/her): Thank you so much.

0:58:17Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: hey Thank you and before we go forward, I would like to check with our city clerk to see if there's anyone who would like to comment on this item.

0:58:28At this time from the public.

0:58:33See one additional hand mayor put up the clock.

0:58:54All right, you can go ahead and unmute and begin your time now.

0:59:00BuddyAkacic: Thank you for this opportunity.

0:59:04Looking at the visuals here on my computer screen i'm absolutely.

0:59:11captivated by heidi's T shirt.

0:59:19Incidentally, Heidi what it is given.

0:59:23The call her the glamour Gal of the.

0:59:26East bay.

0:59:28BuddyAkacic: And she let's see that T shirt Heidi i'm done.

0:59:33Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you.

0:59:47Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: So thank you so much for that presentation on the library, which is a critical resource in our Community and.

0:59:53know that we are all working very hard to make that new library a reality in our Community, which we so richly deserve a new library, so thank you very much, and now we go to our next item, which is the urban forest committee work plan.

1:00:11We have the presentation, please.

1:00:16it's.

1:00:16Robin Mitchell: All yes.

1:00:17Oh i'm.

1:00:19Chairman my screen here in one second.

1:00:22And Robin you should have the ability to turn on your camera if you wish.

1:00:26Robin Mitchell: Oh right, yes, I will start my video.

1:00:31Okay, so I am Robin Mitchell i'm the Chair of the urban forest committee and this presentation is about our accomplishments for the previous work plan, which was to 2020 2022 and our future our current work plan which is 2022 23.

1:00:50So just to establish our history, we were established in 2007 by the city council.

1:00:58to advise the city council on the growth maintenance and location of our city street trees, promote the city's master street tree list and the urban forest management plan.

1:01:08promote public awareness, education and support for the urban forestry efforts and foster volunteer opportunities for tree planting and foster public awareness and education about appropriate trees to avoid hazard from utility lines so right tree right place.

1:01:25And the urban forest management plan that was adopted in 2007 highlights several benefits from the urban forest that we have our trees, there are social benefits.

1:01:37The nature is very healing place and trees add to the to the nature around us and the green space they provide a sense of community.

1:01:48There are a lot of environmental benefits for having trees in the city, reducing heat.

1:01:54Taking up pollutants sequestering carbon dioxide and economic benefits, most cities most properties where there's that are in a city that has trees have higher property values.

1:02:08So in 2013 the city had a treat inventory benefit analysis done and the they provided this was 2013 so it's fairly old at this point that i'm sure it hasn't.

1:02:20Maybe even has grown, the benefits have grown since then, but they determined annual benefits from our urban trees of $1.3 million.

1:02:29And I think this is interesting and it's important for the city to understand this, the Council and the residents that every dollar that the city spends on public trees, the residents of else rido get $4 and 28 cents $44 and change and benefits.

1:02:45And the trees remove lots of pollutants, so this study said one plus tons of pollutants from the air.

1:02:51And they sequester they determined that the the trees, as of 2013 sequestered 550 tons of CO2 atmospheric CO2, which is going to be more and more important as we deal with climate change.

1:03:04And the inventory also identified more than 4000 vegan public planting sites throughout the city and there might even be more than those now.

1:03:12we've had to take out several trees, although we have been planting trees also but one of the proposed activities in our 2022 23 work plan is to work with residents to try to get more street trees planted.

1:03:27And look for funding opportunities to actually get them planted.

1:03:31So, in terms of accomplishments between 2020 and 2022 we had several presentations on fire.

1:03:42Robin Mitchell: wildfire because it is such a concern among our citizens and the urban forests sort of is directly affected and affects the wildland urban interface so.

1:03:55We had a presentation by Joe mcbride Professor emeritus that you see about mitigation and urban forest, we had a presentation by the battalion chief fire Marshal on fire hazard reduction sued Duncan who spoke earlier about.

1:04:11The.

1:04:14Anyway, she made a public comment earlier and so she's with make else free to fire safe and she made a presentation to our group and we also have Jerry can to use to.

1:04:23manage East Bay regional park district on talking about the challenges of the wildlife urban interface, which we definitely have and also Rita with inside natural area and our connection not so far away with tilden park.

1:04:36The other activity that we consistently do every year is to celebrate arbor day.

1:04:42And I just thought it was nice this quote from President Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt when he actually made the proclamation for arbor day to the schoolchildren of the United States in 1907.

1:04:53And i'm just going to read it, because I think it's a really nice quote.

1:04:56it's well, that you should celebrate your birthday thoughtfully or within your lifetime, the nation's need of trees will become serious.

1:05:02We have an older generation can get along without what we have.

1:05:06Though with growing hardship, but in your full manhood and womanhood you will want what nature one so bountiful he supplied and man so thoughtlessly destroyed.

1:05:15And because of what of that want you will repurchase not for what we have used, but what we have wasted So hopefully with all the efforts with arbor day that Elsa Rita was doing.

1:05:27we're helping to refurbish our forests or urban forest so in March of 2020 we qualified for Teresa USA.

1:05:37And we were the city receives a plaque, and this was right before the pandemic right February and so everybody could actually be in one place without masks and they.

1:05:47You know, have a ceremony for receiving the plaque we raise the flag, so we have a three city USA flag, that we can fly, and that was raised during our week and then Stephen prayer our city arborist help with a tree planting ceremony.

1:06:05Then we also had an arbor day planting event at fairmont elementary Stephen.

1:06:11Praise here, and he always tries to do a tree planting with one of the schools in Elsa Rico and the children always are really appreciative of that so he planted a persimmon tree at fairmont elementary in March of 2020.

1:06:26And then march of 2021.

1:06:30We didn't have a public we were we were wanting to have more public tree planting events but decided, because the pandemic that we would just do an online event, so we had a ask the arborist.

1:06:42A virtual event at where Stephen pray was the star, and it was sponsored it was hosted by the El cerrito garden clubs, so they did the zoom.

1:06:51The zooming of it and we co sponsored with urban forest committee and so Stephen.

1:06:56outlined the information about how the city, how you could get a street tree planted by in front of your House and then he also answered questions from the participants, and it was quite successful.

1:07:07We were the garden club was really pleased at how many people participated in the kind of questions that they asked so it was quite successful.

1:07:14And then there was a tree planting again at fairmont elementary in March of 2021 so they planted three different trees in the in their little school garden.

1:07:26And Claire who who manages the school garden i'm not going to read this you can read it later when you look at the presentation, but.

1:07:34she's so appreciative of the fact that the city, you know allows event to help the kids plant a tree and it means so much to the kids especially went during the pandemic.

1:07:44And she has a whole curriculum around you know trees and how you care for trees around that activity so it's really special that that the city.

1:07:57provides that service to the to the schoolchildren and then in March of 2022 there was an arbor day planting.

1:08:05At harding elementary this after school program of the second graders so they're Stephen explaining about planting trees and everyone seems very interested in what he has to say.

1:08:17it's a really great every time I think he has a great time doing it.

1:08:22And then, one of the activities that we did the was happening, we had Redwood mulching work parties, and so this was Community residents that.

1:08:32came out and helped mulch these Redwood trees that are in memorial grove that are definitely suffering from the drought drought stressed.

1:08:41Big time and it's not clear that all of them will survive, but Stephen was hoping that by mulching them that would help preserve the soil moisture.

1:08:52that's in the ground, and so we have our fingers crossed that that that will help.

1:08:58And then, in March of this year, we also got our tree city USA signs put up at the borders of El cerrito and the surrounding communities, so now, when people drive into else radio, they will see that we are a tree city USA so that was pretty exciting.

1:09:15And in terms of what we're planning for 2022 23 excuse me so here are our goals fire vegetation management and ecosystem restoration plan a master plan for the hillside natural area.

1:09:29We want to try to increase the financial support for the urban forest activities, and we know the city doesn't have very much money so we're looking for money elsewhere.

1:09:38We want to see if we can expand our awards for entry city USA we want to coordinate with LCD boards and participate in some of the master plans.

1:09:47improve or not improve and enhance the education about the street trees and the urban forest to the Community and recruit new members.

1:09:56So, in terms of the fire fire vegetation management ecosystem restoration for the hillside natural area.

1:10:02We applied for a coastal conservancy grant and we haven't heard yet I think will here soon, maybe, and while this is the end of March, so April between April and May I think we'll hear whether we got this grant or not.

1:10:13And it was for creating this hillside natural area fire resilience and forest conservation, management plan so making our hillside natural area which is sort of our wild one of our wild land urban interface.

1:10:29places is the hillside natural area and it's 100 acres so it's significant so we want to improve in terms of fire resilience, but also in terms of ecosystem management and health.

1:10:40So that was what that grant was about, and then we continue to work with miguel's free to fire safe to comes to pretty much all our meetings, and we always have interesting discussions and tried to make sure that we're addressing their issues.

1:10:56And then, in terms of financial support for the urban forest activities.

1:11:00we're we're always on the lookout for grant opportunities and cal fire is one of the classic places that you can get grants for urban forest and tree planting.

1:11:09and urban forest activities and we have gotten some grants in the past from them, and so, but there are others, and the state has actually increased the amount of money.

1:11:18For these kind of things for climate change in terms of carbon sequestration, in terms of you know, fire mitigation all kinds of things so we're always trying to find more money to.

1:11:30increase our activities in particular, to help plant more street trees.

1:11:34And then we want to maintain our street city USA status, which I think is we won't have any problem doing that, but they also have what they call growth awards.

1:11:43Which sort of if you go beyond the the basic requirements of being a tree city USA, then you get a growth award and we are probably already doing some of those without even without getting credit for it so.

1:11:55A couple of people on the committee are looking into whether we can get some of these qualify for some of these growth awards.

1:12:03And then we want to coordinate with or we continue to coordinate with the different LCD board so, in particular the environmental quality Committee and the park and recreation Commission.

1:12:14We have urban forest committee members that attend both of these meetings every month, and we report on what the urban forest committee is up to and how we might some sometimes there's projects that.

1:12:27That that the two of us, etc, or the park and REC Commission plus third and fourth committee could work on together, and so that's a nice synergy.

1:12:38And then, when the city gets back to working on the climate action plan, we hope to have to participate in that.

1:12:47In the discussion about how to update that climate action plan and see if we can.

1:12:53be taking credit for the carbon sequestration from the trees that we've already planted and maybe plans for how we could sequester more carbon if we find that more trees and so that could be part of the Climate Action Plan.

1:13:06You know action items or whatever so we're hoping to have input on that and then in terms of just educational web presence we just want to.

1:13:14Support the city and produce a continue to produce lots of good content to the residents in various forms, to let them know about the street tree program and the urban and the hillside natural area and just the urban forest in general.

1:13:31And we are always recruiting Members because we only have we have less than half of the positions filled, so we have eight open positions.

1:13:39And so we're trying to figure out different outreach strategies to get more members and if any of you know, anyone that would like to be on the urban forest Committee, please send them our way.

1:13:50So that's the end of my presentation here are the members of the urban forest committee and, as well as our staff liaison Stephen pray who does a great job so, are there any questions.

1:14:10Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: So i'm Robin, could you please close your presentation.

1:14:14Sure i'm.

1:14:15Robin Mitchell: not sure if there are questions, so we do have questions.

1:14:19Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: So i'll start with councilmember running.

1:14:25Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): For Council member councilmember finales hand.

1:14:27Councilmember Fadelli: up at first.

1:14:27Okay.

1:14:29Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): Robin excellent presentation and I agree, you have an excellent staff liaison.

1:14:34Robin Mitchell: Yes, Stephen.

1:14:36Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): yeah yeah it really shows how much you guys are working and how this is a great example of when Community members.

1:14:43are really passionate about things that they can do things that augment city staff ability to get these things done, and makes it easy for us on Council process really understand what we can do and how we can collaboratively work together.

1:14:58I don't know if you'll be able to answer this question it's that curiosity that those numbers from the 2017 survey that every dollar spent is $4 and 28 cents and benefits is that simply related to ghd admission and property value or what what else goes into that.

1:15:15Robin Mitchell: You know I thought the same thing and I thought about trying to research, it and I didn't do it, but I suspect it's a combination of things right.

1:15:22Maybe increase in property values, it could be, you know there's a lot of ecosystem services that the the trees provide in terms of stormwater management, and so I suspect it's a combination of those things, but I actually want to find that out myself, so I might update you flying or whatever.

1:15:38Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): It was an interesting one.

1:15:39yeah so thank you for applying for the coastal conservancy grant.

1:15:43yeah I will keep my fingers crossed and.

1:15:45Robin Mitchell: yeah and I think that's a good that's a good organization, even if we don't get the specific grants they seem to be open to just working individually with.

1:15:55Cities or jurisdictions to help them, so we might even be able to get money, even if it isn't for this specific thing so we're going to keep pursuing this seems like they're very they're very they what they're interested in fits really well with what we're trying to do so.

1:16:12Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): Eight open vacancies, are there any specific skill sets that you would really want to encourage in potential members, so we could as we're recruiting and really helping, how can we create that that team synergy.

1:16:25Whereas Facebook could be helped, for you guys.

1:16:28Robin Mitchell: yeah well, we have you know, having for is sort of tree expertise is good, but we have two Members right now that are foresters.

1:16:37And so we kind of have that covered with Stephen is you know, an expert on that couple of the new members are sort of oriented more towards communication and writing and social media so that's really a nice addition, you know grant somebody that's good at grant writing would be excellent.

1:16:55Because we're constantly looking for that so.

1:16:58yeah and just somebody that's passionate about you know trees and nature and stuff it doesn't they don't have to necessarily have expertise, because that we can provide with other people so.

1:17:08Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): that's really when someone told me you pick the athlete you teach them the sport.

1:17:13Robin Mitchell: yeah exactly.

1:17:14Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): yeah we're looking for for folks who really care.

1:17:16Robin Mitchell: Because he has them yeah.

1:17:17Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): Exactly.

1:17:18yeah, thank you for your presentation, it was great.

1:17:20Sure sure.

1:17:22Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Great Council member fidelity.

1:17:25Councilmember Fadelli: Yes, I also think you have a great Council is on a really great job on this on that committee yeah.

1:17:33Robin Mitchell: it's great.

1:17:34Stephen it's really good.

1:17:35Know hey oh yeah oh yeah yes, we do have a good counsel good.

1:17:42Councilmember Fadelli: All right, um I thought it was a great thorough report to and you do it, there are some new blood right, you have a whole new.

1:17:51Robin Mitchell: yeah we've got three at least three new people.

1:17:54Councilmember Fadelli: Okay okay that's good, and you have a couple birdwatchers in the in the group.

1:17:59yeah it is great.

1:18:01Robin Mitchell: Yes, Cathy is an.

1:18:02asperger's bird watch it at.

1:18:04birdwatching yes.

1:18:05Councilmember Fadelli: i'm congrats on trees city I love the ask the arborist I think that would be a podcast or you got to continue that once a year, at least so people can call in I think that's a great idea.

1:18:18Robin Mitchell: We thought about doing it again this year and.

1:18:20decided not to but I kind of like.

1:18:22It no one, the garden loved it yeah.

1:18:25Councilmember Fadelli: It was um The one thing I wanted to ask is that in your work plan, where you on the chart you have an APP or a very high priority and what and ones about.

1:18:40Fire prevention and working with vegetation and how does your.

1:18:47Come your the urban forest committee cross with wildfire prevention issues is it mainly and vegetation management and do you guys feel comfortable and saying what a good what's good vegetation and what a bad.

1:19:02Robin Mitchell: No, I would say not and that's why I mean, yes, we want, we vegetation management is what we're looking at.

1:19:08And it's trees, but it's also shrubs and things like that and that's why we want to get.

1:19:13Money that's why we applied to the coastal conservancy to put together a master plan for the hillside natural area for that very thing because we don't necessarily know what the best thing to do is, and you know the the the.

1:19:28The fire crew they they do a lot and the there's a lot of controversy about what the best way to manage.

1:19:36fuels are to prevent catastrophic fires, and so we were hoping with this master plan, we could get some expert opinions and try to write down as part of the plan.

1:19:51What techniques are considered to be these days, because it's changing all the time, as we have these worse and worse fires and people collect data about what you know worked and what didn't and.

1:20:03You know control burns or medication of your undergrowth and how many shrubs can you lead and all that kind of stuff so that's why we want to have the master plan, because I think that will really help guide everybody in.

1:20:15Councilmember Fadelli: don't we know.

1:20:16Going though the junipers and eucalyptus are not good to be planted and that could be an effort that the committee works on.

1:20:24Robin Mitchell: Without we have, we are reducing.

1:20:26The eucalyptus in various places on city property Stephen got a grant I believe it might have been a cal fire grant I can't remember but he's had a couple of different instances where some eucalyptus have been cut down and so that's an ongoing effort, I think over time.

1:20:45And then, what was oh yo juniper well yeah so but that's a that's a.

1:20:51House you know landscaping right.

1:20:55Councilmember Fadelli: By bad that's what i'm saying, where did you overlap because yeah, but we have a resolution tonight saying let's get let's help.

1:21:02Our houses and there's a lot of junipers around else real houses.

1:21:06Yes, there are no if you can all combine and let's have a work plan, where we don't make each house flammable that would be very helpful, I think.

1:21:15Robin Mitchell: yeah well it's interesting because it might be slightly outside of the scope and not really and you know we've been We talked to sue Duncan all the time at our meetings, and it could be that.

1:21:26You know, we could the city could decide whether they want to come out with some guidelines about that kind of stuff I mean there's a lot of information about it and.

1:21:35You know I don't know when the when the fire chief goes around and inspects everybody's yards, to see if they are meeting the.

1:21:43landscaping requirement that they're doing right now I don't know if they are starting to take juniper into consideration, but that's another place where that comes in.

1:21:53But yeah I agree.

1:21:54Councilmember Fadelli: There has been some discussion about our real property transfer tax rebates that that could be one of the items.

1:22:01Yes.

1:22:02Okay, so let's keep talking about that.

1:22:04Robin Mitchell: yeah again home hardening yeah I know there's discussion about using that rebate for home hardening, just as you would for earthquake, you know stabilization or whatever yeah I think that's a great idea.

1:22:14Councilmember Fadelli: Okay, thank you.

1:22:15yep.

1:22:17Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Great, so I do have one question for you Robin and I really appreciate your presentations very thorough and it's really nice to see all the work that you've been doing.

1:22:27especially to the pandemic keeping things going, I do have a question about that home hardening guidelines, and you know I see them.

1:22:35And I wonder how that you know relates to how how we want to have more trees and they're sort of kind of the way that those hardening guidelines are written it sort of implies that you know you know clear this 10 foot area around your House I don't have 10 feet.

1:22:49Between bands and.

1:22:51I know I know how do you, you know is that something that you guys discussed it to talk about you know what's the what's the value years at the tree, is it the House is it you know now, how do you mitigate that and what kind of discussions you had around that.

1:23:08Robin Mitchell: We haven't had too much discussion about home hardening but you know if you did have a well hardened home.

1:23:15You could probably have trees touching your House and it would be fine I mean there's a lot of there's again there's just a lot of.

1:23:23Information and some controversy and about and opinions about how to do that sort of stuff and there are the guidelines about having the 10 feet and then urban areas you just don't have that kind of space.

1:23:35But there's also been i've read and heard people talk that if you have well hydrated trees, and this is one of the things you know, Stephen I think he.

1:23:44is going to or did already write something for green happenings saying keep your trees hydrated even though there's a drought.

1:23:51You know it's really important to keep your trees, healthy and well hydrated and if you have well hydrated trees.

1:23:58And most fires are caused by embers landing on something they're not it's not like you have the wall of flames hitting your House it's an ember that lands on something if you have a well hydrated tree.

1:24:09It might just put the Emperor the Emperor might not go anywhere right so and and that's true of other landscaping too, if you have a well hydrated landscape.

1:24:19And you know the living up that the fire department wants everybody that's all good but.

1:24:25Again, so I think there's a lot of there's a lot of controversy about what the best thing to do is.

1:24:31And it could be that, I mean you know we sort of were concentrating on the hillside natural area, but it could be that we want to have some guidelines for that that really applied to our Community.

1:24:42So sometimes trees can actually be protective in a fire and a lot of it has to do with what's the fuel underneath the tree.

1:24:49Is there you know ladder fuels that will take the fire up into the crown of the tree.

1:24:54or not and that's a lot of what the fire department tries to reduce the amount of fuel underneath the tree, so that you have a ground fire and you don't have a crown fire and then.

1:25:03You know it's not such a big issue that the tree is there, maybe the tree is you know, protecting you so it's it's complex, shall we say, fire behavior is very complex.

1:25:14Which is one of the reasons why we want to do that, you know get get a master plan and get get become sort of have more expertise about what the right thing, might be to do in those kind of situations.

1:25:27Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you councilmember rudnick.

1:25:31Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): Thank you and I apologize I forgot to ask the question, which is what would a Community Member and lc to do if they would like to have a tree planted close to their home.

1:25:44So either in front of their home, you know there's a few different places, but what would be the procedure that a Community Member would do.

1:25:50Robin Mitchell: So they would get in touch with Stephen there's an application that they fill out they.

1:25:55have to agree to they pay a certain amount which i'm not quite sure what it is and the city pays for it to be planted.

1:26:03And there's a list of trees that they can pick from and then Stephen helps figure out, you know from that list what might be the most appropriate for their.

1:26:12situation, and this is all street trees so it's going to be in the parking strip or whatever it's not necessarily on your house or your property.

1:26:22And then you have to agree to maintain it to water it and that's one of the the things that keeps us from planting more street trees.

1:26:31You know it'd be nice if we could just plant street trees and not worry about whether the residents were going to water them or not.

1:26:38But we don't have the capacity to water them ourselves the city doesn't and that some cities do that you know they plant trees.

1:26:47In the parking strips or wherever, and then the city brings they either have irrigation or they're bringing water trucks or whatever and water them.

1:26:55So that's something that it would be nice if we could do it, but so far, you know we haven't figured out a way to to afford that but, so they would basically if you want to plant a tree in front of your House talk to Stephen.

1:27:09Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): And then, since its National Library week.

1:27:11Robin Mitchell: I do want to plug.

1:27:12Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): An incredible novel about trees, which is the over story, if you haven't read it before it's a fun book and you can find it at feel free to library it's amazing.

1:27:23Robin Mitchell: yeah you know the other.

1:27:25yeah that's it that's a very good book.

1:27:31Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: And i'd like to check with our city clerk is there, are there any public comments or anyone raising their hand to speak on this item.

1:27:43i'm not seeing any hands being raised to be had to speak.

1:27:47Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you, Madam clerk.

1:27:49Robin Mitchell: I was just gonna mention another book that about trees it's by it's called finding the mother tree by Suzanne some hard.

1:27:57And i'm sure the library has that also and she's a you know, a forester up in British Columbia, who studied trees.

1:28:05And logging and the effects of logging and just the she's discovered the ways that trees communicate with each other underground.

1:28:14For their roots they share they share a lot of nutrients with each other, sometimes you know the mother tree, the oldest tree will send nutrients to the to her children, or even to other species.

1:28:26And so it's just a fascinating book about what she's discovered and it makes you really understand that you need you know, a healthy ecosystem with lots with lots of biodiversity in it, in order to.

1:28:42You know, have a good a good setup.

1:28:46Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you so much, Robin and thank you for sharing your passion for trees and plants with the city and making the city so much a nicer place to be so I really appreciate all your energy on this.

1:28:58Robin Mitchell: trip thanks.

1:29:00bye.

1:29:03Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: So our next item is policy matters are amendment to agreement for services between the kensington fire protection district, and the city of El cerrito.

1:29:17Can we have the staff report, please.

1:29:21Karen Pinkos (City Manager): Certainly I can jump in let's see I know that we have.

1:29:28I first of all, and bill I think has been promoted to a panelist if, once he turns on if he's planning on turning on his video I wanted to introduce bill hansel.

1:29:40bill is the general manager of the kensington fire protection district, and he and I have been working together with fire chief gunny.

1:29:47on this item and on this entire concept so i'd like to welcome bill to our meeting and, of course, you all know, chief gunny so this actually.

1:29:57I can, I can go really briefly into this and if we have specific questions from the Council, I can have bill or she could only jumped in.

1:30:06The water and I just go ahead and outline what is before you tonight is a resolution to approve a fourth amendment to the agreement for services between.

1:30:16kensington fire protection district, and the city of El cerrito which will establish a six month financial reserve so as you've read in your staff report, just as a bit of a history.

1:30:27We have been constant tracking partnered with the kensington fire protection district since 1995 kensington we provide fire services to kensington at station 65.

1:30:41We, the the the kensington fire protection district owns the building and we supply by contract in any equipment, I might add, and we supply by contract the.

1:30:52Staff and employees for the fire district three the fire district, as the city of El cerrito kensington fire protection district fire department considers themselves one you know one big happy family, if you will, and very good neighbors for us so.

1:31:11We have amended this contract three other times in July 2005 the term of the agreement was extended for 10 years in 2009 extended for another 10 years so right now, the agreement is in place through June 2030.

1:31:28Establishing fire services for the community of kensington through the city of El cerrito.

1:31:33Among other things in the agreement in the original 1995 agreement, there was a requirement established to.

1:31:43To provide for the district, to provide a capital reserves account as well as a financial reserve account, and at that time, the financial reserve.

1:31:52was to provide sufficient financial resources to pay for fire protection services provided here in for a period of six months later in 2009 when the second amendment was agreed upon by both the city and the district that was increased to a period of 12 months.

1:32:10Since then, I know, and again bill can elaborate on more of the details and also this is available on the kensington fire protection district website.

1:32:21They have been working a long time to look at the renovation of station 65 of the public safety, building at 217 arlington avenue right now currently it houses, both the kensington fire.

1:32:34Karen Pinkos (City Manager): Fire department services, as well as the kensington police department services.

1:32:39The the structure is essentially seismically unsafe it needs new resources it needs new space and it needs to be upgraded to a contemporary essential services facility, this has been identified, since the late 1990s.

1:32:54geotechnical report was updated in 2016 and further analysis conducted just last year that confirmed that the structure is seismically vulnerable and it's a danger to its occupants, and so this is.

1:33:06of the utmost urgency to all of us to make sure that this station and this building is the is renovated.

1:33:17um so what the kensington fire protection district staff has worked on over the years, I know that i've been working.

1:33:25With the with the previous chief with the previous board and now with the current board and current chief and current general manager.

1:33:32On various options for how this might they've been working on various options we've been talking with them on that.

1:33:38They actually have been working with an AJ advisors, which our Council will remember we've worked with energy advisors, for several years, the last time you saw them was when we.

1:33:49issued our train last year, so we we've been working we've been working with with people that that we trust, as well as that they've been working with the same.

1:33:58So they are financing strategy shows that what they are able to do is because they've built substantial cash reserves.

1:34:06That because, and because of construction inflation has increased over the last couple of years, the building cost has been increased and so they've been working on a strategy to ensure that they are able to do this with the efficiency and cost effectiveness, and I can actually share.

1:34:26This part of the presentation that was included in your packet, this is the there was just a few pages in the presentation on what.

1:34:34He provided to the board, but, as you can see, these are the levels of reserves that they have currently so they've done a really good job in establishing their reserves and including the requirement here.

1:34:47That we have had for the 12 months worth of reserves, but, as you can see.

1:34:53over here if they were able to fund the project, which now has increased to about $9.5 million.

1:35:00Karen Pinkos (City Manager): With loan and reserves, as is then their total cost right here will be about $13 million, however, this cost saving option that was provided that we're asking you to consider tonight.

1:35:13Is if we were able to reduce the original back to the original requirement of six months instead of 12 months, this would save $941,000 in interest over 30 years, this would reduce the cost of the project.

1:35:28almost a million dollars, so this is a significant obviously I mean we all certainly have been very sensitive to understanding what reserves are and budget and finances here in our own city, so I am very sensitive to this as well, but also, this is a really.

1:35:43amazing opportunity for all of us to work together to be able to help the district.

1:35:50Have a cost effective way to finance their the renovation of their fire station, as well as be able to ensure that we have appropriate reserves that they have appropriate reserves.

1:36:02i've talked with bill i've looked at their budgets and again bill and Mike can certainly jump in.

1:36:08But I certainly I have absolutely no reservations, certainly, based on what their budgets are their revenue stream.

1:36:14And because the majority of the revenue stream is indeed property taxes, which we all know, is a very solid and stable form of taxation and revenue.

1:36:23I have no issues at all or any reservations at all that they would be able to continue to pay us our fees, as we have agreed for the last you know however many years.

1:36:35And that we will continue to be able to provide those services without any interruption or any question, this will allow the district, to be able to do again a cost effective way to build a new station that we will be able to.

1:36:49have our employees utilize and be safe in and so at this point what we would request of the city council is that the this literally will come down.

1:37:00What we're asking is a change of one word in the contract from 12 to six, which is the exhibit that you have seen that we would amend the the current contract just.

1:37:11Just that one word to be able to allow them to establish a six month reserve, instead of a 12 month reserve to allow them to implement their financing strategy to.

1:37:20Karen Pinkos (City Manager): build their new station and again bill in chief if you want to jump in, and I know that we're looking they're looking to try to start construction this summer, and so this is again, this is something that I think that the Council.

1:37:34And the Community as good neighbors certainly and not having any issues or reservations with their financial situation can certainly move forward on so I can certainly let bill jump in and add anything if you'd like.

1:37:48Bill Hansell, Kensington Fire: Oh, thank you, and please forgive me for not having my camera on I literally just left the public safety, building and i'm sitting outside where I can get reception for the beating.

1:37:59Karen Pinkos (City Manager): In the building either okay.

1:38:02Bill Hansell, Kensington Fire: you're trying to take care of that too.

1:38:05But thank you very much, as an excellent overview of recommendations and I just want to underscore the collaborative nature of you know, our work here together and.

1:38:15You know I have been in this position for a little bit over a year it's been a quick learning curve.

1:38:22But I do have experience with other Interagency relationships and I think the kensington else 321 is is working very well, so I very much appreciate that this proposal saves us both money and increased stability financially in the long run, we do anticipate this point we we have.

1:38:44Planning approval which we just received for the project were submitting for building approval, with the county we hope to have be going into bidding in the summer.

1:38:54And he has advised us that we you know we are chasing the interest rate changes so every little bit helps that we can utilize our reserves, you know, in the most in the best way to reduce those you know that that amount of interest are we, we think that if we have.

1:39:12Councils approval and and then I will present this to our board at our meeting next Wednesday.

1:39:18That we will be able to and the bids look, you know favorable will be able to start construction by the beginning of the fall at this point now it's looking our next step is continuing to work with the city.

1:39:31On the temporary facility, which is just as important in the interim time that location would be at the moment we're hoping that will be at the unitarian church.

1:39:42parking lots and that property actually falls within the city of Toronto boundaries, so you know, again, I appreciate working with the chief and city manager to expedite that project project and hopefully get that.

1:39:59You know, approved because again that we need that in order to be able to begin the demolition but i'd be happy to answer any other questions about the you know the project in general, but I really appreciate the Madam mayor pro tem and Council members your consideration of the other.

1:40:16Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Great, thank you for that stuff presentation and thank you for the additional comments.

1:40:23Mr hansel so i'll open it up for Council member questions and comments I see councilmember red X hand up.

1:40:32Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): Thank you so much cheaper goni I know this is your last month here, so I hope that this is a wonderful feather on your CAP I don't have any questions and i'm happy to make a motion to approve.

1:40:45Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: And I do see councilmember fidelity's hand up.

1:40:49Councilmember Fadelli: Yes, this is your last month, so enjoy this time chief.

1:40:55I think this is a very creative idea and I think also edo and kensington and we'll both benefit from greater safety and just all and greater power into the station and reception and whatever else, I do have two questions.

1:41:12For my own.

1:41:15Information, what was the what is the purpose Oh, why was the.

1:41:24reserve amount Why was there, an amendment to increase the amount to one year, instead of six months, what what initiated that they needed more reserves.

1:41:38Bill Hansell, Kensington Fire: She forgot he I think he could speak.

1:41:39Karen Pinkos (City Manager): Because he would you like to.

1:41:41hear the longest.

1:41:43Michael Pigoni: yeah no absolutely no problem, good evening.

1:41:48As stated earlier when this contract was first ain't it was a six month, it was a six month reserve that was put into it.

1:41:59one item not sure if we really you know understand the whole reason this contract was done in the first place to go out for the contract for service was the fact that.

1:42:10The fire district obviously was having you know some basically some financial issues, similar to you know what we experienced the last couple of years.

1:42:20Through I mean basically the whole six month was to make sure that there was some stability there the city was kind of going out on the hook.

1:42:29You know, to a higher number of people to fill that slot.

1:42:33And as we went into well the very first couple of years it was just kind of a trial, you know let's see how this works.

1:42:42You know, and it was an incentive for the district, because we knew that we were going to be able to start building some reserves, and you know somebody was like okay let's you know let's not.

1:42:54You know let's not make it too difficult for the district, and those first couple of years that we did it and you know as it proved to be very positive move the district, you know they knew that you know, there was a lot of there was a lot of.

1:43:12Shall we say expenses coming down the road, this is not the first major work has been done to this building.

1:43:20In the in the name of seismic stability and also just you know grading of an older building.

1:43:27And so the district and decided to you know let's bump it up to 12 months that offers you know it forces us to make sure that we have a stable.

1:43:36reserve there to keep the fire service to the community going on in addition to that, which you know really wasn't mentioned here and it's really not applied to it is they also started reserves for the replacement engines.

1:43:50You know, so that when the engines came do for replacement, they would have the funds for that, with it, you know, it was a positive deal.

1:44:00You know the district has built the reserves that the city manager talked about earlier, in addition to that, since the contract their engines have, in the last 25 years.

1:44:12The old engines that were there have been replaced twice, you know through through the normal process.

1:44:19In addition to the Board has been put into this building, in addition to many improvements within the Community and the line of water mains.

1:44:29emergency preparedness, you know the the board district, has done a lot of great work there for it.

1:44:35You know, so at this point, you know it's it's there's no doubt the you know the district is is on, you know as on firm ground as far as the revenue is concerned.

1:44:47And so it just makes sense that you know we back it off a little bit to give them the ability to save extra to save extra money but.

1:44:57long answer, just to basically say that it was a way to force the district to be very solid in their in their financial picture and and and insurance, that the people that the city hired we're going to be, you know we're going to be protected as far as their employment was concerned.

1:45:19Councilmember Fadelli: And i'm just asking because, as a city our FAB suggested that we increase our reserves for safety reasons for disaster response.

1:45:29So now, the fire, the fire depart the suggestion, the request is to reduce you know so with only six months left does what, how would the fire department use the reserves is it for disaster response.

1:45:45I mean, will we be having less Disaster Response money in that category.

1:45:51Michael Pigoni: will know the reserves are strictly to is is strictly any event, if something catastrophic you know, whether it be an earthquake that you know that decreases the you know let's just look at worst case scenario, we have.

1:46:08A massive you know earthquake that does a lot of and potentially a wildland fire, you know example being you know paradise, or you know Santa Rosa Glen Allen sonoma you know what they saw.

1:46:23That these reserves would would go forth to you know, basically, ensure that the district could continue to pay the city to provide fire service for.

1:46:35Real either providing service to what was left or for the recovery for the rebuilding until such time that you know again in a in a catastrophic situation like that you know the district would be looking to fame to come in and fill the gap for.

1:46:55Karen Pinkos (City Manager): And I if I could also know, this is not the only reserve account that the.

1:46:58district know has this is the one that we require like Mike said, in order to make sure that our bills are paid to be honest and it's represents, as you as you had heard, even by our own auditor.

1:47:11This you know 17% is recommended by Jeff away if we reduce it to 1.5 million that's still 33% like.

1:47:21Well, above well well above what is recommended, and so, because again they have such a stable revenue source, they have additional reserves.

1:47:30On top of what this requirement is that is why I have absolutely no reservations about their ability to pay and their ability to use this in case of emergency so.

1:47:40This male members or have they have.

1:47:42Councilmember Fadelli: This is a so that wasn't in the analysis of that there's another reserve account for disaster response.

1:47:48Karen Pinkos (City Manager): That was on the slide that I just showed you that was in your packet.

1:47:52Councilmember Fadelli: So, separate from what we're reducing to six months is another.

1:47:57Bill Hansell, Kensington Fire: We, if I can i'm not sure if I can take another shot at this answer, but the the district has reserves plan for vehicles, it has reserves associated with this contract amount.

1:48:12And that it had reserves, specifically for the building project.

1:48:18As it turns out the the it was a it's been a practice to track those reserves it had they haven't been dedicated you know exclusively so.

1:48:29The funding is all sort of mixed together, but we have tracked them in those three categories, then we've had additional net revenues what, to be able to feed those and typically what you would call the contract reserves would not be so much for you know, an emergency.

1:48:48disaster situation typically yeah typically it would be to cover the the you know the service provider to make sure that.

1:48:55that the agency doesn't suddenly just you know cut the contract off as soon as the cheapest sat in your and the employees would be.

1:49:03jeopardize here we have a long relationship it's clear what the benefits, you know have proven to be there's no there's no reason to see why that.

1:49:10Is the you know, would be the case, but essentially you could you could think, and I have thought of of these contractors resource more, as also operating reserves, but that's, not to say that, for example, we have.

1:49:21You know vehicle reserves which, in a disaster scenario we could certainly you know utilize and move because of those reserves are not tapped.

1:49:30For 10 or 15 years and there'll be plenty of time to recover, you know, for that type of thing, but what we're seeing here with this proposal is, if you look at the NIH a.

1:49:41Financial strategy it just allows allows a greater cushion for net revenues every year that then feeds directly into the reserves.

1:49:50Councilmember Fadelli: Well, thank you, this Council is a bit reserve sensitive over the last couple of.

1:49:54Bill Hansell, Kensington Fire: Years I.

1:49:55Councilmember Fadelli: have to ask those questions.

1:49:57And when we're asked to add more to help with disaster response we don't want to do the same thing, but i'm.

1:50:04mollified that there's other pockets of reserves that we're talking about and that this pot by having it won't upset any disaster response so i'm willing to move this as well if there's a motion to be made.

1:50:18Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: I.

1:50:19Councilmember Fadelli: still have questions oh i'm sorry i'm ready when you are.

1:50:22Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay, so I do want to just acknowledge to figure out any and it's nice to see you for the short time we still have you.

1:50:32I do want to go back to something city manager you mentioned about the shirt the surety of the resources to pay our contract and can you confirm what the source of revenue is that does pay our contract for the fire district.

1:50:49Karen Pinkos (City Manager): The district is funded primarily through property taxes and bill I don't know if you want to be able to to jump in on anything but yeah just you know, essentially, you know kensington is very much like.

1:51:02A bedroom Community like ours, where our property taxes is our most stable form of revenue, but bill, if you have any additional thoughts on that.

1:51:09Bill Hansell, Kensington Fire: No, we have a we have a small additional special tax but, frankly, you know everything comes from from the property taxes, given the nature of the district.

1:51:20Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay.

1:51:22And that your revenues are trending in a in a way that makes RC manager comfortable that even without the six months reserve that you will be able to honor the contract for the foreseeable future.

1:51:35Bill Hansell, Kensington Fire: Well, we would we're moving from 12 months reserve to six months reserves, so we will still you know have that you know substantial cushion.

1:51:44Yes.

1:51:46Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay, so that that's six months really does not make or break in any way our surety that you will enter the contract, so that.

1:51:58Bill Hansell, Kensington Fire: Thank you yeah yeah I it, you know and again i'll i'll just say that the the evidence for how the contract has worked so well, is the fact that the reserves were able to be built up over.

1:52:08You know, over the time of the contract, I mean had they had the contract not happened we wouldn't have we wouldn't have the building reserves, and unfortunately it's only because of the severe construction inflation and we're still protecting about 8% construction inflation per year.

1:52:24That the substantial reserves, which had been plan are not covering the entire.

1:52:31Excuse me project.

1:52:37Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay, thank you.

1:52:40that's really helpful to know.

1:52:43So is there emotion.

1:52:45Oh wait I.

1:52:46apologize, we have to request public comment so Madam clerk is there any public comments on this item.

1:52:54will just give an opportunity now would be the time to raise your hand if you would like to provide public comments on this policy item.

1:53:02And I am not seeing any hems requesting to speak.

1:53:08Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay, thank you, Madam clerk is their emotion.

1:53:12Councilmember Rudnick (she/her): and move to approve the policy item.

1:53:15Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: I second is a motion by Council member of redneck and a second by councilmember fidelity could you call the road closure a row, can you call the roll call vote, please.

1:53:27Here pretend much yama.

1:53:28I Council member for Delhi.

1:53:30I can't remember redneck.

1:53:33I motion carries with mayor Kington one councilmember people send accent.

1:53:39Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you very much.

1:53:41Bill Hansell, Kensington Fire: Thank you all very much.

1:53:42Thank you.

1:53:45Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Okay, our next item is City Council local and regional liaison assignments.

1:53:54Are there any Council members that would like to report out.

1:53:58Councilmember Fadelli: I do have the.

1:53:59Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Council member fidelity.

1:54:01Councilmember Fadelli: Yes, as this is another fire focus night we have tonight, as you all know, we passed a resolution last year.

1:54:10To participate in an effort to possibly create an East Bay showing power authority along the.

1:54:17East Bay hills and they're the city manager and the fire chief and i've been in several meetings.

1:54:22with other local officials and there's been a subcommittee to see how we can move forward the subcommittee came up with a plan to possibly fold.

1:54:32This idea and the group idea to enlarge the East Bay hills into the hills emergency forum which else Reno has been a partner for for some time, along, I believe, with oakland and some others.

1:54:48The it's a it's it would create a.

1:54:53jobs for the elected officials in the area to be a separate group that might review what staff is already doing in that area.

1:55:02and have some personnel fire personnel deeply involved a letter was written last week and sent out to all the people involved and we're waiting for progress to see if.

1:55:13Half the hills emergency forum agrees to move forward with discussions so there's been an evolution, things are happening and i'll keep you informed as we go along, thank you.

1:55:25Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Just a question councilman facility which cities are involved in that.

1:55:31Councilmember Fadelli: I in the jpl or half.

1:55:33Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: In the half.

1:55:34Councilmember Fadelli: Actually, can, oh no more than me Elsa rainbow isn't oakland.

1:55:41and

1:55:43I think the county supervisors office it's a different two different group that meets and chief do you know some of the sending of.

1:55:50say.

1:55:52Councilmember Fadelli: There you go chief is day to day basis yeah.

1:55:55Michael Pigoni: yeah actually the half Alfredo is actually one of the founding agencies have half it was formed after the oakland hills fire I don't know if I can name them all, but it is, it is oakland it is Berkeley uc Berkeley Lawrence livermore lab.

1:56:15El cerrito East Bay parks East Bay mud cow fire.

1:56:21Ah, I don't know if I named all nine of them, but basically all of the agencies that touch that touched the oakland hills that extends within to through kensington and entails thereto.

1:56:34Karen Pinkos (City Manager): I think.

1:56:34Michael Pigoni: We were.

1:56:35We were one of the founding founding cities that started the started this group yeah.

1:56:42Karen Pinkos (City Manager): You just forgot Morocco Monday.

1:56:44Michael Pigoni: yeah there you go.

1:56:45Karen Pinkos (City Manager): Perfectly Elsa Rita oakland cal fire East Bay mud East Bay regional Lawrence Berkeley Miranda Miranda and cow.

1:56:54Councilmember Fadelli: Thank you.

1:56:55Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: But not Richmond even though Richmond has hills area or is that covered.

1:57:00Councilmember Fadelli: render know JP a effort.

1:57:02So we're working to combine all these cities, including San Pablo the county unincorporated so together, it would be a bigger effort if if half agrees to move forward.

1:57:16Mayor Pro Tem Motoyama she/her: Thank you.

1:57:18councilmember rudnick do you have any.

1:57:21Comments okay.

1:57:24Okay, so I think it is now time that we can adjourn the meeting so.

1:57:32If there's nothing else from staff or Council members, the time is now 8:53pm and we are adjourned and memory of Miguel SP know the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday April 19 2022 at 7pm Thank you everyone.

1:57:53Councilmember Fadelli: Have a great job.

1:57:57Job good job.