Special City Council Meeting December 6, 2022

0:00:09Okay, Mayor Quinto, we are ready to begin. Whenever you are. Thank you.

0:00:12Good evening, everyone. it is 5 O'clock and we were going to

0:00:22See, we have a special meeting called to order at 5 o'clock, city click please call roll X.

0:00:31Is a pledge of leaders to the flag or observation

0:00:43I pledge the Republic for which it stands on one nation

0:01:01And pluck, please give instructions. Thank you, Mayor, this meeting is being held in person with an option to participate via zoom for those participating remotely, please remember to keep your microphone on mute whenever you.

0:01:15Are not speaking for those participating in person. If you are also logged into zoom, please ensure your audio and zoom, and on your device are muted to avoid any audio feedback closed captions are available by participating in the meeting Via Zoom for members of the public who Wish to

0:01:30Provide oral testimony. The mayor will announce the time for public comment.

0:01:33On each applicable item for each period of public comment in person.

0:01:37Request will be heard first followed by remote request to speak in person.

0:01:42Requests are submitted to the city clerk with this speaker, Top Card, Anytime in advance of the Item being heard remote Requests are submitted by Selecting, the Hand, Icon when the Peculiar of public Comment is Announced Remote Requests by Phone or Submitted by Dialing Star 9

0:01:57Instructions are also provided on page one of the Agenda, and will be displayed with the speaker, Timer for each period of public comment thank you mayor that cans my Instructions, the first item, on the agenda tonight, is the Continue public Hearing from November

0:02:15Fifteenth, 2,022 on the San, Pablo, Specific Plan Update we received the Staff Presentation, so we will go directly to Cancer Questions, followed by the opening the Public Caring and taking Public Key Comment

0:02:32Go to Council questions, now

0:02:40Who would who would like to start I feel like I I got to ask a lot of questions so I can come back around at the end.

0:02:47Councilmember Redneck none for me, thanks, that's my brave I I don't really have any questions so much as I would just like to go over openly again.

0:03:04What is why we're doing this specific plan it. But I'm having trouble finding that oh, no, here it is

0:03:21So According to this document, I'll just read it really quick, and then be done with it.

0:03:28It changes to the plan, area the form bit with form, base code, etc.

0:03:36And this one to me is the the most interesting. increased development 2,500. Dwelling units, a 1,000, 1,000 square feet of commercial space.

0:03:53And if it's adopted the plan update could support a total of over 4,000.

0:04:03Do. Along units, and 343,000

0:04:10I guess it's

0:04:15Thanks, is that space 343

0:04:22Yeah, if you'd like me to address that

0:04:25I believe that is the the aggregate of the development capacity in the original 2014, specific Plans plus the additional net development capacity of the of this of Scri and This Update and

0:04:46So it's my understanding.

0:04:50If I understand correctly, that if we didn't adopt this then we're just out about out of Units and Space, to do any more development, under this er, am, I correct so in yeah, in 2,000, and 20, as as you probably read in the agenda Bill we were almost we were butting right.

0:05:14up against that development, capacity, since then we're now in a period where We're some of the Previously Entitled Projects will have their entitlements expired and we will get to kind of Recapture, that development, Capacity but still we do need the development Capacity, that is

0:05:32Planned for in the sir as part of our our houseing element, and our our our Housing Element, Cycle, and our Ourna, Regional, Housing Needs, Assessment, as You'll See when you know when the when the Housing, Element, comes back, to the Council, for Consideration, you Will, See that We're

0:05:49not we're not having to do any rezoning as a result of the Housing element because that capacity is already

0:05:58Is already provided for by the specific plan update, right. Thank you.

0:06:02I just wanted to bring that up and So it was clear what we were trying to do

0:06:14Anything else? Counselor, my Council Member Fidelity, yes, thank you first I wanna just say that that and I want to praise the work that staff is done on this and I just wanna make clear that at the last hearing at the last meeting at late quarter, to 11 Us wanting more

0:06:38time had nothing to do with the product, the quality of the product.

0:06:41We understand Shawn. What you've gone through. And now I mean, this is quite an opus and it's a great product.

0:06:49But we're elected to ask questions, and then make sure that we feel good about what's passed by this council and that's.

0:06:57Why, I appreciate doing this, you know a lot of the excuse me the resolution say that the Council has thoroughly looked at this thoroughly is confident in this and I don't think we would have felt confident without the extra 2 h so the the Time to talk about the questions that we

0:07:16have tonight. So I wanna thank the Mayor and thank you, all of you for allow allowing that I just wanna I have a few questions couple of comments.

0:07:25I Love, the New Project Objectives, and and they are new.

0:07:30Is that correct? The for the enliven San Pablo, avenue encouraged practical market, Friendly Development Support climate action, goals and create housing that Supports the diverse population, those are new they are Yeah a lot of them are new it's.

0:07:43It's sort of a reworking we we use as a starting point, the goals from 2,014.

0:07:48But just you know, as we were looking for them, not all of them seemed as precipient, in 22.

0:07:53So we we re-worked it to make sure that it's still carried forward the the goals of our community think it hits the mark really well and and there's you know to have

0:08:09Retail and Business and Supporting Climate Action and housing, and making that a real livable stretch of ground here in our city is that's what we want in Al Cerrito, can you go into more detail about the open space, Policy, the Changes, of the open space because I wrote good 2 weeks ago, on

0:08:28my and I haven't reread it, but I want to know what has changed, and what's the reason for the change?

0:08:38Pull up the presentation. I think there's some slides that the best display that

0:08:46Let me just find out.

0:08:57Let's see, here we are

0:09:00Yeah, how do you just no screenshot okay.

0:09:18Okay, so these are starting here in the presentation, these slides kind of best

0:09:28Do that yeah, do you know what it's not full screen from there. That's the full slide

0:09:49Okay, thanks.

0:09:54Alright, so starting here, these slides, kind of best Display of the Public Opens, or the Sorry, the Open, Space Changes, so We've added a Requirement that Balconies Be, provided on Street Facing Elevations, so Balconies you know they Provide a a a Series of

0:10:14Benefits, one is just you know. Some amount of of private open space.

0:10:20For those units and Those Building occupants. also, they just provide Visual Interest on a street facing elevation, so that's not appropriate in all locations.

0:10:26So we have created a waiver for this this requirement, but just in general, you know it's it's it's kind of a an attractive building. Amenity.

0:10:38But you know it's it's both the benefit, for the user as well, as an something that's attractive for someone who's who's looking at a building, from the outside so that's, a requirement, that's been added, we've Stipulated, some Minimum size, Requirements, down there at

0:10:53The bottom, for common open spaces, This is a requirement.

0:10:59It gets kind of complex, but it's just I'll just say that it's A.

0:11:00It's a requirement about the minimum dimensions of

0:11:06You interior courtyards, Usually, that serve as common open space.

0:11:12So these are usually, things that are surrounded on on 3, or 4 sides, by a building

0:11:18And I have described to my own notes describe that in Layman's terms, what is what changed?

0:11:25About the projection? Is it involving shadows cause that's the whole separate it's light and shadows is all separate issue, but yeah, so previously, we actually didn't have any minimum dimensions.

0:11:36For these, types of spaces, this is modeled largely after the city and county of San Francisco. Standard.

0:11:37So, this this diagram will look very familiar, if you're if you're familiar, San Francisco standards, basically the you know, without getting too complicated, the requirement is that the that this Dimension the Width, of the of the Courtyard be at least as as Tall be at Least the

0:12:02The same, as the walls, the wall is tall, the the taller wall.

0:12:07Here, if I can just add Council, Member Fidelity, maybe put it in lay person.

0:12:11I know that you took a tour of Mayfair recently, and you've probably also been to Aloni Garden and both of those have interior courtyards, one of them actually has an Open and and the Other one Doesn't but it's the Dimensions, are built so that when we see Proposals that

0:12:27Might be making those, for example, too narrow compared to the height that we made sure that there's enough light in those spaces just to assure a high quality form.

0:12:36Yeah and and that was another concern of the design. Review Board was making sure that enough, light and air gets into units.

0:12:43And so this addresses that concern as well and you have an open space.

0:12:48Like this graph shows for every development. Along sample. Avenue is that correct.

0:12:53Every development has to provide a a certain amount of private and common open space.

0:12:59Correct so that that can be that can be broken into common open spaces, like these courtyards that are shared spaces among the building residents as well as private, open spaces such as balconies, in front yards, and things like that i should add one of the others, changes that was

0:13:19Made my I don't know where it is on these slides, but is a requirement that I think it's 30 you you in the 2,014 plan you can break that allotment.

0:13:34Out. However, you choose, between private and common open spaces. as part of the update, at least the 30 would have to be dedicated to Private Open spaces, and by it was a different percentage before it was you could you could break it up however, you saw fit views, or

0:13:59courtyard. So that's only projects above a certain size, some projects pay in lieu instead of doing that.

0:14:05And then the ones that Sean talked about are private and common, so those are more the common courtyards were shared amenities, or the decks, or patios that's helpful thank you and then the shadows, issue the light what changed from the last plan, yeah, that is one of the more, complicated.

0:14:20Issues

0:14:26So there was just a lot of confusion about the various.

0:14:30So These Standards in the 2014, plan there were 2 different types of standards.

0:14:34There were shadow Standards, and there were Daylight, Plan Stamps and We've tried to simplify them.

0:14:43So we, what the shadow Standards? Means. It's it's a standard that is governed by the shadow.

0:14:50It's how how far can the shadow from a building be be cast right from a new building, a daylight plan is an an inclined plane.

0:15:03That inter let's see it. It just it usually projects at a 45 degree angle starting at a certain height.

0:15:12So it's they're they're, they're related standards.

0:15:15But they're different. There was a lot of confusion in the 2,014 plan about how to apply the various standards.

0:15:16We had, different staff members applying it differently, and so we had the Zoning Administrator, had to issue an internation, that kind of cleared up some of these things, what we have tried to do.

0:15:36In the update is is incorporate that interpretation.

0:15:37And just do everything we can to clarify these standards, so that they are easy and clear to implement they're easier is there, less shadow new standards.

0:15:52There is not less shadow, so the shadow, the shadow along public streets, largely remains the same.

0:16:00So now regardless of street type, basically the building should not cast, a shadow past the curb face on the opposite side of the street, so that's what you see here, in this Diagram, yes, on the on December twenty-first which is generally at a at at 1 30

0:16:19Pm which is you know December twenty-first, is generally the long Longest shadows of the year and 1 30 Pm.

0:16:27Is, you know, a a time at you know peak afternoon. When people are outside.

0:16:28Typically so, basically easier for developers to understand not dramatically.

0:16:38Different. Okay, Thank you, I do like, I mean the the mitigation efforts that you wrote down in the various problems that we will encounter all look pretty good.

0:16:51To me, I know there are other issues on Council on some of these I like the Bike emphasis that we have in here about trying to make sure that we have more bikes and more pedestrian, world, I had a question about I think, it actually relates to resolution we passed at the last

0:17:09Council meeting the Rezoning of the city land near the Parking Lot at the Plaza.

0:17:14How does that change Bart, development, can it change hype requirements in the development that might be happening

0:17:23Yeah, yes, and no, I mean in in reality, it doesn't change things.

0:17:24Because ab. 2923 Assembly, Bill 2923,

0:17:34Preamps are existing, zoning on that site.

0:17:38But we are bringing it into the specific plan area, because it it it does just make that project easier to process as a whole, when it's under the same set of of land use, regulations if I can just build on that a little bit so a B 2923, prescribed a minimum height that Cities, needed to provide for

0:17:58Zoning for Developments on Part Owned property, but it didn't give any design details.

0:18:05So by pulling. So we needed to allow the same height heightened Parking and Density was really regulated by a B-* but by pulling it into the specific Plan rather Than letting it just be there however, we should I think You've, received like you Said, Part Is not going

0:18:21To be using the specific plan actually to process that application, so they are going to be using part of it.

0:18:27So it's it's quite complicated, the way that these all intersect, and you've all received a memo on how the entitlement, for the specific plan will be but that parcel, will be processed Separately, than the Rest of the Project we can expect a new higher height to

0:18:44Buildings, near which is required by A. B. 2923, by that Parcel. So regardless of whether it was pulled into the specific plan or not, that would be required

0:18:59Is not, w will not have the effect of increasing the height or the development capacity of that project.

0:19:07Okay. I mean, the last thing I want to talk about is the little more confusing.

0:19:12And I know it may be. Others will have questions and issues.

0:19:15About it, but it involves the amendments that we discuss late in the process, on the Electricity and Ev and I quite honestly, are supportive of those amendments, but I was going to ask and then we ran out of time the last meeting where they would Fit into this report and I didn't wasn't able to

0:19:39ask those questions. Because we didn't have time to do it.

0:19:42Because it didn't quite fit and then I heard the decision. About.

0:19:45This is the land use report, not a permitting issue. And I hope you can can you elaborate a little bit on that, because you know later in our agenda today we do have an effort to have a report on our climate action.

0:19:54Plan, which gets to some of those same issues which I'm not seeing any of the people who support those amendments made a comment on in my supplemental comments, I'm not sure any of you saw, that but City Council support from the public has moved, the City toward that and I just want to

0:20:19Say that when I was Mayor the one disappointment, I had was that we didn't move on the Climate Action Plan but there were circumstances Adapt Cutting back Staff Covid Financial Issues that didn't get us here, now we are almost here and I'm Feeling Good about what's in

0:20:36This agenda packet based on that. And can you talk about that.

0:20:41This is the land, use, proposal, and maybe things are better suited than something else.

0:20:46Yeah, absolutely so, yeah, you're, you're right. This is this is a land use document.

0:20:47It and you, yes, later on your agenda tonight, you will be considering awarding, the Contract for the Climate Action plan which expedite certain things that we care about in these amendments, we've talked about right correct so the Climate Action, plan proposal

0:21:10Identifies, building Electrification, or or of natural Gas, Band those terms are used are a little bit different but are used a little bit interchangeably, as an early win so that process the development.

0:21:26Of that policy is zoomed to move ahead of the Adoption of the Climate Action Plan.

0:21:32So we we actually think so based on that, we think that that is a good path forward to develop the a building electrification ordinance that would apply city-wide.

0:21:44If could could apply citywide, yeah, the if the so, the the planning Commission recommendation, on the Specific plan, Update, did Recommend including including building, electrification, and that We've, Drafted some Language, of That's, An Attachment to One of the Resolutions, for the

0:22:11Council's Consideration Based on that Recommendation If the Council is to adopt that language and then also includes building electric a building electrification policy in the cap and then later Adopts a building Electrification, Policy as part of the Part of the climate action plan it it could require that we have to come back

0:22:32And and amend the the specific plan later to make it consistent with that later, policy.

0:22:37So I think our our recommendation is that you is that you choose one of the of those 2 paths forward and from our perspective, also they they they, both capture the same thing which is that the development of the policy, as part of the cap effort is going.

0:22:55To capture any projects that are entitled as a part of the specific plan.

0:23:02Update, even, if we got, you know, if we got a new application next week, so you know, based on the time it would take Us to process that application.

0:23:07And then also, you know, have a building permit submitted.

0:23:15Review the building permit, issue, the building permit it would be captured by A.

0:23:18Policy that was that was implemented as part of the Cap Update.

0:23:29Same, Pablo, update. As you point out, I mean that this this is a land use document.

0:23:36And so you know, while precedent, or what's I mean?

0:23:40Does it? Does it really matter, or is it

0:23:43It's you know the these types of policies tend to be pretty, technical,

0:23:49And so you know, we we think that that is better suited to, of you know a different ordinance, and you know having the time to do more public outreach and have a more robust public process could also benefit, the policy I agree, with everything that Mr.

0:24:10Moss said but just to clarify a little bit more, he added about process.

0:24:14So typically natural, gas ban or building electric, so as a reminder, the new building, code, starting January, first does require all buildings to be built to be able to be electric so that's why this natural Gas Band piece is what's really the the more Catalytic, Part typically you might look at

0:24:34All multifamily Buildings, for Example. And it wouldn't be just in the plan area, and then as as Mr.

0:24:39Moss. Just said, when we developed this, we had long as staff, and with the climate action Subcommittee Discussed that the Climate Action plan would probably be a better place but as Sean just referred to the Climate Action, plan can take longer so that by doing an early win you could capture the Projects, the

0:24:57Same projects, but when we looked at exceptions and Details like Sean said, we couldn't in the specific plan really get into some of the Technical issues cost issues, you can see some that we put in there, for example, that we said excluding commercial maybe that would happen through the Climate, Action plan as well, but we didn't get to

0:25:15Do much outreach, but for example, we know that that pg, n right now does not favor undergrounding for example, transformers which creates a real problem on small sites, that's the kind of thing that potentially, an exception or some sort of Process, could be developed in a more

0:25:33Thought-out process, with the guidance of the consultants that are going to be brought forward tonight.

0:25:34So I think as Mr. Mosset, we think it could go in either, but truthfully, we think it's better in the other document, and we think that from a timing standpoint it would still as sean said capture all the same projects.

0:25:47But we think it would be a more thorough approach.

0:25:50And what if you chose to do that we would not need to go back and amend.

0:25:54I guess we could put A, yeah. We could put it. This ends anyway, in the Climate Action plan we would be impacting the entire city

0:26:07Does that include fourplexes? If a new fourplex was built? Does it?

0:26:11What does it include? And so you'd be looking at all of those details

0:26:17You know, evolved through the Council. Here, but I'm I'm hoping, and this is just an idea, that if we do head toward the Climate Action plan Alternative that in the San Pablo Avenue, plan we do have some a Paragraph or 2 that Talks, about this Discussion

0:26:32And that we are undertaking a climate action plan that will address those issues.

0:26:38So it doesn't go unsaid in the specific plan, that we are addressing those in another form that's more appropriate and to reiterate, that I yeah we could think of a way of articulating that and then at staff level we would also be letting every applicant that come

0:26:53In and anybody who's reading the Tea leaves at all.

0:26:56Know that that is going to be in place by the time.

0:26:59They submit, a building permit, it would be required for them, and that's when we would capture projects is when they submit for a building permit, we would expect an ordinance to require so, but we would again, at the staff level be communicating that and so if that was reiterated somehow

0:27:12In the Adoption,

0:27:16I echo what my Council member just said, and I will also want to say, thank you for this complete presentation from last time.

0:27:26And I don't have any questions right now.

0:27:30But I wanted to. Let you know that as a board member.

0:27:31Of Representing, Marine, clean energy. Like you know, we are on board when it comes to electrification.

0:27:34So I know all the cities, that represent brain clean energy, we're aiming for that direction.

0:27:47So appreciate what you have to say on this matter.

0:27:51So we're gonna open the public hearing oh, Lisa go ahead, my my apologies, Mayor for Tem Go, ahead, thank You Mayor.

0:27:59So this is my turn for my mia culpa.

0:28:02So I do want to say I am. I do want to say my apologies.

0:28:06I'm very sorry that I allowed my unhappiness with the process to run over and get expressed as unhappiness with staff and that was not my intense I do deeply appreciate the hard work that went into the sample avenue, specific plan amendment and the Presentation was

0:28:29Really very thorough. And I know that's very hard to do.

0:28:32Because this is very technical and long document. And I know that you guys work very very hard on that.

0:28:38And I want to acknowledge that, and to say, I am so sorry if if it came out that way, so this is you know, just so you know where that was coming from this is something that I was really looking forward, to discussing and as we got close and we had about 15 min left I just really felt that we

0:28:57Were shortchanging the process. I really Appreciate Mayor and City, Manager and Staff for starting this meeting extra early, so that we can have time to this really dive, into all the issues and have Opportunities, for all the comment in the public Hearing, so thank you so much and I, do have more questions.

0:29:18Okay, so I just wanted to ask you, I know we had gotten comments and recommendations from the Eqc, and They're very technical.

0:29:30And they, had a lot of letters of support on that and I was wondering if you could go through those recommendations and sort of explain it to us, and what exact cause they're very very technical what they are and what is, it.

0:29:44That we are including. And what is it that we are not and kind of why we're not including them at this time. And perhaps you know if they can be included for consideration with deployment action, now

0:29:59Yeah, give me just a second to pull up the agenda. Bill. Here.

0:30:02So I can read to you, the exact language of the make.

0:30:06You see his recommendation.

0:30:16Alright, so the I I think the While the Eqcs and the Planning Commission's Recommendations are similar they are actually almost formatted, in the exact opposite and I think It's an an important Distinction, so the the Eqc they passed a Motion to Recommend that the

0:30:41Planning Commission and the City Council, recommend to the planning commission on the city, Council, that the that the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, not be Certified Without Addressing Additional Climate, Actions to Meet Stated Climate Goals, including All Electric Buildings, Increased Ev Infrastructure, Readiness, and Reducing

0:31:02Embodied greenhouse, Gas emissions, associated with construction, materials, and to recommend analysis, of recent Federal legislation, as well as State and Regional Funding Opportunities, Supporting the Funding of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Reductions, so those Ida you know those Items.

0:31:22Kind of taken one by one, are all electric buildings which we've already talked about, increased ev charging infrastructure, which I I I think probably most of the Council has a pretty good handle on that I can go into that you know, I did have some slides on that in the presentation and I can

0:31:41Go into that more. if you want me to reducing embodied greenhouse Gas Emissions associated with construction materials.

0:31:50So that's the the you know the carbon that goes into producing Certain Building materials, and you know that are needed in construction, and analysis of recent of recent Federal Legislation, Ie the Climate, Change Bill that was passed by the Congress, and signed by the

0:32:16President, as well as State and Regional Funding Opportunities, supporting the Funding of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Reductions, so that was the Eqcs Recommendation, I can read the Planning Commission's Recommendation also if you Want Me to so I guess at the the

0:32:36Details are. So we are covering the electrification. I know on the Ev.

0:32:41There was some discussion, about whether it's easy readiness and some standards, and that's where you know I am not a a a climate, science electrification specialist.

0:32:53So how do we has how are things set up so that as technology evolves, or requirements?

0:32:56Change. We're not getting, stuck with them in the dialogue, but that they evolve is that how is it?

0:33:02Is that the job of the climate action, plan that will have guidelines, and say use whatever is the most current, or how how do we capture technological change?

0:33:18Because I think there's you know the Ev r Raceways and the sizes and all these different kinds of things.

0:33:24That I know that if we are too prescriptive in the Saint Paulo Avenue specific plan that they might get outdated, and we have other problems.

0:33:29So can you kind of explain how all this works? Sure. So with so we've already touched on all electric buildings.

0:33:42So, I'm I'm unless there are specific questions about that I'm not gonna Belabor, that more.

0:33:45But with regard to Ev charging infrastructure the approach we've taken in the the document that's before you tonight is to go further than the than the 2022 building, code that update will require so that's the the the Calgary, building code, that it will go

0:34:09into effect, in January so we've gone quite a bit further than that that's based on the Planning Commission's recommendation and the Planning Commission's Recommendation, was Kind of formulated around the the notion, that I I believe that at the meeting it was stated

0:34:25That the 20% of the car sales in the county right now are our electric vehicles, are approximately and so accommodating that amount of electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, seemed to make sense, so that goes as I said quite a bit further, than the the

0:34:42Calgreen code, but at the same time, with regard to a lot of the definitions and things, it defers to the Calgary and building, code and the definitions that are already in there so you know that that's you know with regard to the the conduit and the the what is

0:35:01It called the load management system, I forget the the actual term.

0:35:06Right now alms is the is the acronym but it you know it it defers to the the definition, in the in the building, code that's said, you know if if the Building, Code in the future, does Pursue something that is even you know more Expansive, than these

0:35:24Standards. That would govern. Similarly, if I can just build on that.

0:35:27And this was somewhat going back a little bit. The land use plan doesn't it?

0:35:33Doesn't prescribe every single thing that happens on San Pablo avenue.

0:35:37So in addition to as Shawn, just referred to the Building code generally, as we all know, the Building industry, Climate Activists, everyone works together to try to make that code, as green as possible, within what's Feasible to produce Housing and it lags, so we know that's, true too, but

0:35:54if the city, for example, were to create a new electric vehicle ordinance, requiring something different than the specific plan, it would apply to the specific it could apply to the specific plan area, too, so this is not the the the plan tries to achieve a lot, but there's, certain things, that only this plan can achieve and then there's

0:36:12many other things, like when we go back to the electrification that's not typically in a specific plan.

0:36:17It's usually, in the in the building, code or the health and safety code, or a different code.

0:36:21So yes, in terms of you saying that it doesn't get stale.

0:36:24The things that only we write like how Daylight plane, for example, is, is gonna be here open space requirements are gonna be here.

0:36:27But some of the buildings are things, that partly, we try not to go too far ourselves, as we're not the Leaders of the Bay Area, Building, Market and both Calgreen being so advanced or if through other City efforts, There's other for example, Recycling for example, we Don't have

0:36:49The recycling mandates in here we refer, to what they are in state, law, or another city, municipal code.

0:36:56Thank you, and then kind of Time back to something that Councilman Fidelia was asking about for the parcels that are covered by the Assembly Bill 2923, that has a a certain higher Capacity is that additional capacity, covered by this Sequa Exemption in

0:37:21The plan, Eir, or is that kind of they're just Secret Exempt.

0:37:25Cause it's coming from the state. So it is, yeah.

0:37:28So I know, this again gets pretty technical pretty quickly. But Assembly Bill 2923 allows the the applicant for that project to use the Processes that are stipulated in in senate Bill 35, which does allow for a Sequel exemption, where the Project that said before we had

0:37:51Hashed out any of that and before we we knew that that the project would be exempt from Sequa.

0:37:59We did allow for that project in the Development capacity in the plan update

0:38:08And and to add to that doing, so, just like we did with the first specific plan it's still been allowed us to evaluate the Cumulative Impacts and the collective impacts of all of the projects so it will be counted it will be using I believe and mit might but in the same way

0:38:26that in 2,019, when we started this process, we were running out of units, and I was beginning to call them the golden ticket at that time in the economy and with various things were going there were a lot, lining up to be like how many more do you have how many more do you have

0:38:40that's because anything that's entitled takes that capacity.

0:38:43So that will be true with the Bart project as well even though it's Exempt, and not required relying on Sequa it will be taking 800 of the 2,500, units that you if the er certified as that correct Yeah, in the same, Way, that the Project on Central for example, is One, that

0:39:00we account, okay, thank you and I, was wondering if you could take a moment.

0:39:06I think when we did the first sample having specific plan.

0:39:11It was really, and it allowed us to do a lot. And I think that the world has changed since then and we wanna be as bold as possible, but I think kind of the draw of the plan is changed and it's when I can just briefly talk about how how we should kind of set our expectations for this

0:39:35Plan, because it was so successful before, but now the legislation has changed how attractive we are yeah, sure, let me I'll I'll start. And I'm sure Melanie will will want to add on to what I say, but a a couple of things. So yes, we have seen a lot. Of Success under the specific plan and at this moment.

0:40:11In time there's a that said, and also.

0:40:15You know I I do want to say that you know this as we've said, before, this is an incremental update to the plan

0:40:23It was, you know it was really the the impetus.

0:40:25For this was really increasing the development about doing the supplemental er and increasing the development capacity as a result of needing to do that we use the opportunity to kind of revisit some of the Standards and clean up some of you know clarify some of these things, clean up some of the things, that had been

0:40:42Stickier, right and but you know at the same time I I do wanna say that you know, while this, is it incremental update, like the plan remains a bold vision, for San Pablo avenue and I think it really is worth noting that if this update to the specific plan and this

0:41:05Scir, are adopted, that we will not have to do any additional rezoning as a result of the Housing element, update, which you know it's it's rare.

0:41:15Most cities are not in that position. You know their cities in other, you know, their other communities, that are you know having you know, packed house meetings over their rena, allocation of you know less than a 100, units, so it, you know we are in a very unique position.

0:41:35In that respect

0:41:38And that's Mr. Moss predicted. We have talked a lot about this.

0:41:41So a lot has changed. As we know in so many, so many ways in our lives in the last 3 years, in regards to what does the specific plan promise and how do we get there we talk, about it a lot and so I think the things, that Mr.

0:41:52Moss just said in terms of the housing element and Capacity, and it still does create sequence, streamlining it still does do a lot.

0:42:01But the economics have changed a lot. And to be, you know, to bring this up now, but I think it needs further further further visioning for their dialogue it's true that's, certain.

0:42:15Sean could give us the legislation numbers, but some you know for us, for example, when you think back in 2,014, and this is why the goals changed it was huge for us to go.

0:42:22Up to 6 stories, possibility of 7 reduced Parking down to a half, or at less, or one state legislation, now does that right and so it does take away some of the competitive Advantage, also in other communities, and maybe prior in ours development, was being blocked quite a bit and so the state, has

0:42:40Responded with a lot of pro, housing legislation, and you can see as Sean just referred to sp 35 that's used extensively in adjacent cities to get projects through without any process.

0:42:44Hardly at all. So if that occurs we're not thought we're we're a bit on the fringe of of where Fee economic Feasibility was, and we talked about that quite a bit, and we brought ourselves.

0:43:02Into it through the studies, we did in 2,011, and 14, and that led to the specific plan was, how do we bring ourselves in I think that's changed and we're talking to a lot of people about that we're hearing from some of the Projects they're having a hard time leasing up without

0:43:15Lowering, their rents, Construction Costs are Stabilizing, but they're very high, and there's a lot of units being built so the whole everything is being I think things have changed quite tremendously, and so we think a lot.

0:43:27About it and are thinking about it. I know some of the things, so they do say any way we could reduce costs right so so I'm talking to developers who are like we can't go forward there's.

0:43:39We have several developments. Who have tried to re entitle in order, to make themselves pencil and it's still they're just like Interest, rates kind of achieved quite a bit in terms, of slowing things down here, as well, as our rents are this One's a hard Balance Point for all

0:43:53Of us, but our rents haven't increased to the degree that they expected them to work from home.

0:43:58So many things are affecting it. So I do ask myself, and we as staff talk a lot about it.

0:44:04And I think it's worth some dialogue, and maybe again, some further studies what's the next thing we do to really leverage it I know, I talked to some and there's optimism, we really did bring some new we brought some new wonderful, developments, and if the Bart Project happens

0:44:18It's, quite a bit. Really. If we step back. But it's not as much as we started to feel.

0:44:23So we have to adjust to that, but I still, do think that yeah, I think the question of what is our next bold move I agree with sean, this is still a bold plan.

0:44:29But I don't but we're not as confident that it'll deliver and in the Moment things are things are tough, but the

0:44:33But we have a couple of cool projects, still moving. We have several that are many that have fallen off so I think that next question and I've asked and to be able to come up with like do.

0:44:43You have land, I'm like we don't have that right.

0:44:49So a lot of the easy Answers are not ones that are that possible.

0:44:53So I think have a couple ideas brewing, and I think it's something that we all have to kind of get thinking about, but we're talking to real estate professionals developers it's a it is a bit of a thing, to watch interest rates we we're kind of the

0:45:09the final right? Money is very expensive, right? Now, so does that help a bit.

0:45:13So I we do both think it is bold and yes, to get what we want from it.

0:45:14We need to keep thinking boldly. Thank you and I appreciate the fact that we'll be ready for the Next Real Estate cycle, because the plan will be in place the capacity thank you to add on to that I wanted to mention that you know with these difficult.

0:45:29Times, I know, with inflation and then dealing with all of the Pink Slots going on right.

0:45:39Now, yeah, at least, 10,000 pank slips were were handed out recently, and we have a lot of people that Work in tech that have bought these at our homes, here and also Rita at the Highest time Ever and We have to be mindful, of that as well, and also we lost a

0:45:58Congressional, District, and at least 600,000 Californians have let the State already.

0:45:59So we don't have enough workers and and and folks are saying despite that we're still having a lot of people that want to Move to California so I'm Hoping with All of these Changes, happen, it will come to our favor, that little Pencil and that Interest rates will get

0:46:25Lower and that with these times, also that the materials are constructing

0:46:32Definitely, lower, so that's something that we need to be mindful.

0:46:38Closer, it the just, a reminder Council members to make sure you speak into your mic.

0:46:42So those on Zoom can hear you clearly. Okay, thank you for the reminder, and so I wanted to point that out. Then I know, Council Member Abelson has some questions.

0:46:55I just had a comment to what was just said and that is

0:47:05I still think it's the right thing to do.

0:47:10It may be not as easy to do. As we thought it was gonna be to do.

0:47:15I think that's for sure true, but I think it's the right way to go.

0:47:19I think it's the right. It's what's right for

0:47:27Yeah, ultimately. It's right. It's what's right for the economy.

0:47:32It's right for the environment, and I I don't think that these slowdowns, as I would call them, mean that we stop and don't do anything.

0:47:45But anyway, that's my comment. One thing I forgot to say that you just reminded me.

0:47:46And I remember having this conversation in around, 2,009 when we were also building the recycling center.

0:47:51You know the public improvements that were embarking upon right, now too, and really continuing to make our corridor really our portion of the Corridor, all the things that we Do as a City making it more and more Attractive in the landowner that can Use this plan, and Pull Together the

0:48:09Pieces, like you said in the cycles, and it's it our momentum isn't as strong, and I do think that we have to think creatively.

0:48:13So I want to be honest, that we are facing a headwind and I think, but to your Point Council, Member Abelson, We we think it's it's right and what else, needs to occur.

0:48:27To keep that momentum going is something. I think that we all have to kind of keep keep looking for and

0:48:33One thing, I I think about more than I had been for a while is Lonnie Hancock's comments.

0:48:40Remember that those in the one of the documents that we presented.

0:48:49I I was there when she made her quote actually actually I went on the the trip on the Bus, where we went, from one end of the quarter to the other end of the Corridor and Lonnie talked about her vision as was Described in that document, so I was fortunate, enough, to

0:49:18Be present when she actually, did, when she did it. These things take a while, but it's underway right, but they do take a while, I will so the fact that it takes longer than we would like certainly it takes longer than I, would like but but look what's happened but I I also can say look what's

0:49:41Happening, we are going in the right Direction and So I don't think we need to hit ourselves.

0:49:50Too much for what we've done. I think we've actually done a really good job.

0:49:56And so I think it's just not as easy as we thought it would be.

0:50:04I think we would all admit that. But anyway, I think it's the right.

0:50:09It's right is what I would say, and anyway, I'm ready to move on.

0:50:15I don't know if we're done talking, but let me check with on this side, any one of the things I'm curious about is in the Eqcs recommendation the specific one about constraint materials that's the one where a lot of them it it it seems like with

0:50:37Construction materials. I'm curious how that would be?

0:50:39What would the approach of that? How would that be measured and how is that applicable to this plan?

0:50:45I think that and Mr. Moss, you can. So I know some of the things have been brought up, for example, is if there's modular construction are they still using plastic to wrap it for example, obviously embodied energy, is another you know how do we encourage, reuse and we think we've tried to do that

0:50:59With our tier, one and Tier, 3, When we brought that up again, even let's say, the the Modulus, we again we don't drive, the industry, and so There's getting someone to change methods or choose different materials, for a Project here as Opposed to taking a more Regional, or

0:51:19Statewide, approach is is challenging, and so in the specific plan we didn't again when we I think when when you think of a form based code we don't get a lot into the materials are part of what a form-based code, code, does.

0:51:33Is try to make tries, to make sure that that project interacts with the public realm in a way, that if the Use were to Change, etc.

0:51:40Right, that the the form and the walkability and everything still works.

0:51:43So that is where we definitely got into kind of prescribing and tried to do that in a way, still that we thought of feasibility.

0:51:48But when it comes to materials, it would be hard again in a land use, plan, but it's a kind of thing, maybe that in the climate action plan.

0:51:55It determines that there's certain materials that are higher carbon emitting, you know emitting, or there could be things we would recommend that you always look at the kind of intended and unintended consequences.

0:52:07Of such a thing. Right do you start to make it so that you're not able that that that development becomes more cost prohibitive to the degree, that it actually is going to affect housing production and then you have to decide your trade-offs and mandate for me when i walk, through the journey of

0:52:20What that process would be, it's the enforcement element.

0:52:24Well aside from you, know it, it certainly would be unique in the region to have that there.

0:52:31But the challenge I see, would be, How would you enforce that?

0:52:35If the builders say they're going to do it, and then don't Comply because There's a lot of mechanisms related to that Appreciate, that so there are things for example there's a Construction, and debris Ordinance, and there's various things that happen at a larger

0:52:49Level those still, take a long time to figure out how to implement and enforce in an effective way, we get dump, tags, we contract with something called Green Halo.

0:52:53But when it's something, or even like c. 3 requirements, when it's something that's done on a broader basis.

0:53:00Then the industry starts to they're, learning, we're learning, and there's things that are put in place that have an economy of scale and an efficiency.

0:53:10But that's a great point. So when we come up with something like that we do have to think about what?

0:53:11How how do we enforce it? How do we educate and do?

0:53:14Is it feasible or the materials there, if it's not an economy of scale as well but I think that's an excellent consideration.

0:53:21So when we're looking at those it it is why often it works to work with the Green Building, Council, and others to kind of Make, sure that that's I agree with you it's it's, neat if we can do it here and it's something that's feasible, so we'd

0:53:35Have to look into it, and then look into the staff costs associated with implementing it

0:53:47Those do take a long time, so if it is voted on tonight, it will see a year, potentially, 2 years until We're at the end of that Cycle so I can certainly.

0:53:59Respect, that a lot of us, the discussions of the Climate Action plan will help inform the plan.

0:54:06You know that climate action plan will take time. So there is this really weird period of time, that we're in.

0:54:14But I believe that especially if we're Partnering and We're building good relationships with the folks who are the Developing Developing the Developer community that we can just make Clear what Is going on as a Reminder the Plan, also Doesn't Adopt Ordinances usually so that Climate so

0:54:31That is why the early winds are being proposed in particular to this natural gas ban. And I.

0:54:36Think we haven't had a project to get through both entitlement and building permit earlier than 18 months.

0:54:41But I might even say 2 years So that's an it's an important thing.

0:54:46And we will work with regardless of how you decide to handle that issue, that is why those are still being pulled out as separate than the plan because the plan would have to be then have its ordinances but there is a there is a timeframe as Sean said if a project were to be

0:55:01Entitled in 3 months from now it would take 6 months for it usually to turn into a building permit, and then There's several rounds of review so there is a period of time that it there is a delay there and then just for my own, edification, when you had the slide up and council

0:55:19or Mayor, Protein was talking about the exterior, Elevated Elements, that you is there, any for me, I kind of go back to the the tragedy that happened at the Library Gardens, in Brooklyn in 2,000, and 15 It's, 2,000, and 15 or 2,000 and

0:55:3514, anyway, that that that was a real tragedy, and is there any consideration on the construction side of it since then lessons learned I'm sure that you know it's something that people think, about a.

0:55:48Lot I still think about that too completely. Agree. That that was definitely a tragedy and

0:55:56The I I believe that the the Building Code has responded to that issue, since then and you know so, and you know we will continue to enforce the you know structural requirements of the the billing code with regard to to balconies, etc.,

0:56:14Okay.

0:56:16Any other questions. Okay, we will go forward. Now, we will start the public hearing.

0:56:23The public Hearing, is now open

0:56:26In person, request to speaker, can be submitted a speaker card to the City clerk, and remote speakers, can use a raise hand, feature, 2 requests to speak please remember to identify, yourself, and your city of residence, at the beginning of your comments, Madam City clerk, thank you

0:56:43Mayor. We do not have any request to speak in person, and I see 2 hands online, if you could just confirm the 3 min time.

0:56:51Limit, thank you. So we'll go to our first remote speaker Howdy Gowdy, how do you should be able to unmute.

0:56:53And begin your time, now

0:56:58Thank you counsel. My name is Howard Gordy.

0:57:01I live in el Cerrito, I hope you read my analogy of our community, as a boat with holes in it representing the Greenhouse Gas Emissions that are literally and Figuratively, Sinking our future I think, you can all imagine the first rule of dealing with

0:57:16Holes in boats is to simply stop making new holes in a boat.

0:57:21So the question of including the Amendments for a strong gas prohibition in the specific plan, update is as simple as answering the question are we going to stop making holes in our body not are we going to promise to do it in the future but are we actually going to commit to doing it.

0:57:37Now it is your responsibility to do it. Now, with the adoption of this plan, and not put it off further into the Future.

0:57:44You've had 2 years to do it in the place you want it to be done you didn't do it.

0:57:49And now you have a plan that needs to be approved.

0:57:50And it has an eir, the reason that Eqc focused on the eir, is because the Eir has Greenhouse, gas emission requirements that need to be met and this plan does not meet them.

0:58:02If it's just the same, as the plan. Was you know.

0:58:068 years ago, we have to do something different. We can't backslide, so please adopt the recommended amendments that were you're unanimously adopted by the Eqc in the planning commission and really you really need to add more Improvements, Stronger Electrification Measures, are Necessary to be

0:58:27Consistent with your commitment to the Climate Urgency Declaration, it's irresponsible to continue with a plan.

0:58:35But you know, doesn't take meaningful action

0:58:42You know all residential and non residential building, types can be included.

0:58:47Now there's no reason to pro. You know, have exemptions.

0:58:50Because there is a waiver for hardships. You know, demonstrated in feasibility.

0:58:58So if you've got that, waiver you don't need to.

0:58:59You know buildings less than 5 units. Or you know commercial just do it all and have the waivers.

0:59:11If if they can demonstrate them. You know really Tier 3 should be included.

0:59:17Those are Major Retrofits. And it's just gonna get more costly to do a future retrofit.

0:59:19So why are we gonna put another hole in our boat and keep using g if we have to fix it in the future where it's going to cost us more this is just nonsense, you know El cerrito claims.

0:59:34To be an environmental leader. So show your leadership, leadership isn't punting to the future leadership is taking action now 60 plus jurisdictions have already taken this action.

0:59:45It's not controversial. It's not cutting edge anymore.

0:59:49It's rote, and you should just roll it in do it you know frankly, there's no you know reason.

0:59:56Language can't be written well, to be overridden by you know future ordinances.

1:00:04So just do it commit to doing the right thing, and don't wait.

1:00:10There's way. More that I need to say. And I've written a lot.

1:00:12I'm stop there. Thank you, howdy, thank you very much.

1:00:15Next speaker, thank you. Our next Speaker is Robin Mitchell Robin, you should be able to unmute and begin your time. Now

1:00:22Okay, mayor, King, Do and Council, Members I'm happy to see that the Building electrification was added to the San Pablo Avenue Specific plan based on input from the Planning Commission and the Environmental Quality Commission It's definitely a Move in the right direction, however, I'm Disappointed that

1:00:36Buildings, with less than 5 Units and all commercial buildings are exempted from the requirement I think, an Exemption for Commercial Kitchens could Potentially be Appropriate but that Exemption Shouldn't apply to all Commercial Buildings many of which would not have a Commercial

1:00:47Kitchen and there are professional chefs all over the world who have moved to the latest, Electric Induction stoves would never go. Back.

1:00:55As they are so easy to use as well as being much safer, and emitting no pollution into the kitchen, so even commercial Kitchen should be encouraged to go all-electric in my Work at Lawrence Berkeley, National Laboratory, in the Building, technology and Urban, Systems, Division

1:01:09I work with cities, all over the country, who are pledging to incorporate building performance standards into their buildings in order for their building stock to be carbon, neutral by 2,040 or 2,051 of the Primary Changes, to Standard construction practice which achieve that goal is to

1:01:23electrify buildings, both for new construction and existing, building retrofits.

1:01:27This allows the Greenhouse gas emissions from those buildings to be reduced.

1:01:30As the Electric Grid moves to more renewable energy sources.

1:01:33Here's, the statement from the National Building Performance Coalition quote as Mayors, Governors, and County executives.

1:01:40We are joining in coalition with a heightened ambition to unlock the full human and climate potential of our built-in Environment, Aligning our Emissions, Reductions, and Equity Goals, with Building Upgrade, and Retrofit Programs We Commit to Lead the Effort to

1:01:53Decarbonize, America's building Sector the time for Action is here, and we invite our peers.

1:01:56Nationwide to part with us, end of quote the clock is ticking in terms of our species, being able to Curb, climate, Change, Getting Buildings, to net 0 emissions is something we can actually do to help mitigate climate change but we have to act right away we don't have time to wait

1:02:14for somebody to tell us to do it. We need to act.

1:02:17Now, I've heard Council Members say that Else Rita was an environmentally conscious city.

1:02:22But without adding electrification, as a requirement to to all

1:02:29We cannot give ourselves that accolade. I urge you to reconsider and reduce the exemptions to building electrification that are currently being proposed

1:02:38Thank you.

1:02:40Thank you. We do have a few more speakers. The next speaker is Danielle, Westbrook, Danielle. You should be able to unmute and begin your time. Now

1:02:49Awesome, Many Thanks City Clerk, Mayor, Quinto, Mayor, Pro Tem modiama, and City Council, members, Fideli Abelson and Redneck, I'll Start by just Thanking, you for your time, this Evening my name is Danielle Waters, Westbrook, and I'm Joining you

1:03:03Today, as an else El cerrito resident speaking in favor of the Qc.

1:03:04And Planning Commission's Recommended Amendments to the San Pablo Area, Specific Plan Update recommendations that you've all seen that include the Incorporation of Requirements for all electric new Construction as Well as more Robust Ev Charging Infrastructure and I also want to

1:03:25Emphasize. You know our need to really take even Boulder, climate action beyond the scope of the proposed Electrification and Climate Amendments, you know given the waiver process already outlined Electrification Requirements can be further Expanded and include Retrofits to a address the climate Emergency.

1:03:42We know that we need to take active and increasingly rapid and expanded steps to discontinue our users, natural gas appliances.

1:03:51And natural gas, plumbing. Electrification is critically needed, you know, amongst other initiatives.

1:03:58If we seek to meet our local goals, and broader goals to act on the climate emergency and to meet our own local climate, emergency, declaration, and you know we can seek, electrification, while also creating more affordable more healthy Healthier and safer Environments, more just environments, for

1:04:16residents and All Community members advancing these goals with every opportunity, including in this update.

1:04:24And they seem also kind of very much in alignment with the own plan.

1:04:27Stated goals. But it it seems critical, and it's not an opportunity that's should be wasted alongside.

1:04:35The other mechanism and plans that have been noted today.

1:04:39Before closing. I also wanted to give my further thanks for the Council deciding to add this additional meeting time, both for your own review and questions of the Proposal Update as well, as for public comment you know, I think we can create the Contributions and Work, of City staff and the Consultants, which

1:04:58Has been excellent. While also acknowledging that the present process can often limit opportunities, and time for both counselors, as well, as the public to participate in and I think this does represent a significant barrier and i'd really welcome a Review and Kind of Re-establishment of a New

1:05:16Process. And even just thinking of a barriers. You know, we have a climate topic.

1:05:20Now it's started about 5 Pm and then climate related policy is Listed as Item 10 in this agenda, you know, in as a member of the public can be difficult to attend in a 4 h meetings.

1:05:32Although I did. I did last month to not miss this opportunity.

1:05:36I'll close by emphasizing the need to fully accept and incorporate the proposed amendments by the Eq.

1:05:38And planning commission, and to thank you all for your time and consideration.

1:05:48Thank you, and our final speaker is Fred Bioi.

1:05:52Fred, you should be able to unmute and begin your time. Now

1:05:54Thank you. I had not actually planned to speak verbally tonight.

1:06:00As I've written several times to the City Council on this issue, and I'm recovering from a cold, so I may break out into some coffee.

1:06:10But I. Did wanna just add on to how do you gowdy's comments about the need to act.

1:06:18Now rather than to postpone action to a later date.

1:06:23It's being suggested that a building electrification ordinance.

1:06:29It really could be handled as a early win as part of the Climate Action Plan Update, and my feeling is is that it's just taking the step which is not controversial I Don't think It's in dispute, that Electrifying our Buildings Specifically, new

1:06:54Construction. has many arguments in favor for it.

1:06:59It's just a matter of taking that step. Now, when we can, and not waiting to some point down the road, even though it is a priority, it's listed in the proposal later, in the agenda as just a a goal, without any clear Timeline as to how long that will

1:07:26Take, and so I just want to support the City council, and urge you to take action.

1:07:33Now and not postpone it to some later date. Thank you very much.

1:07:38Thank you. Thank you, Mayor, that concludes our request to speak.

1:07:41Okay, thank you very much. we are going to close the public hearing.

1:07:47Do I have a motion to close the public. Hearing second, okay.

1:07:51I have a motion by Motayama, and second by Rudnick. Madam, okay.

1:08:06Final council comments. I'll I'll start on to my right over here.

1:08:13Thank you. Mayor. I am excited that we are being able to move forward with this, and I I do want to again.

1:08:20Thank staff for the additional, time. I think we learned a lot, and had time to get some fuller discussion on the plan can you I do have one just confirmation cause I know it.

1:08:37Is in here. But I just want staff to confirm that the planning Commission's Recommendations are included and Eq.

1:08:39Using a recommendation of electrification is included correct

1:08:51Yes, specifically, the Planning Commission's recommendations with regards to building Electrification and ev charging infrastructure, we, the the Commission in passing their motion to recommend Adoption of the Plan and the S.

1:09:04And certification of the Sir included those things, and they allowed staff latitude to Draft those policies, and so we have done that and brought it forward with our Recommendation, thank You Council Member, Right now and very Appreciative for the process that you went through I know how long and hard staff, has worked

1:09:30on it, and I think that the community of Elsewhere should be really proud of this document, and knowing that While as Directorman said, there are a lot of headwinds that We're Facing I think, that the kind of what we're able to do with this document and what we're Able

1:09:47to demonstrate to the community, that this is the type of community.

1:09:50We are building, and we want to create we want to create spaces for people.

1:09:51We want to support our small businesses. There's a lot that this this plan will help support.

1:10:01So I'm really appreciative of all the work that you guys did.

1:10:05Thank you okay, cool good at my left then we'll start with Councilmember Abelson.

1:10:10I don't. I have any further comments.

1:10:13No, okay, I'm I'm ready to move on okay.

1:10:14Yeah, just one, quick question. Then a comment, what did we I know way, back, when the first plan was established, there was initial discussions and coordination with the City of Richmond what was the effort with the city of Richmond and say Occupy Half of San Diego

1:10:38Avenue, mostly we meet all we have on our calendar meeting with the Monthly with the City Richmond so I'm not Sure, where They're at Right now, but they were going to be adopting very similar Standards as a Part of their General Plan Update, and That's somewhere in

1:10:55The mix, so they definitely are also increasing their heights and reducing their parking.

1:10:58They had some pretty restrictive standards in place

1:11:03So future I'm talking about in developing this plan. Did we work with Richmond

1:11:17There's Synergistic efforts, across the street.

1:11:18Okay, and just, I know it's maybe the cart before the horse, but in the time and action plan proposal that we'll be discussing later, tonight we have a kind, I Don't have it in Front, of Me, here but we have a couple of Items where We've asked them, to

1:11:39Jump start to move ahead with low hanging fruit is there an opportunity. If in fact, we do approve that plan to have them continue to work with staff on establishing and moving forward, where we can move ahead and enlarge, our emergency efforts, on climate change

1:12:00Yeah, kind of and then there's a nexus between the 2 efforts, and I'm looking forward to getting that climate Action Plan Approved, but I wanna Make and and Moving this Along, too.

1:12:13But Can there be efforts as far as how to you know the amendments are included in this plan.

1:12:20The planning Commission and Eqc is someone coming to comment on this oh.

1:12:28I mean? Could you mean Mayor and City Council will, provost City's Operations and Environmental Services Division Manager I'm happy to jump in here.

1:12:35I'll be presenting the item later for the Climate Action Plan Consultant Award but yes, so We've incorporated into our staff, recommendation to approve not Just the Development of the Climate, Action Plan Update, but these, early Win Activities so Namely, the Development of an

1:12:50Ordinance to ban natural gas and new construction, citywide, so that would be separate from the specific plan and citywide, but also develop a number of Recommendations for early wins for Immediate and Expedited, Implementation so those would likely follow the ordinance Push but they would be for the immediate future

1:13:07To reduce our emissions, as fast as possible, and meet the goals of the Updated plan, and does that action conflict with the amendments that

1:13:20So so speaking narrowly of just, the natural gas, or electric vehicle, the climate, action, plan, could decide to do so as speakers have said putting it in place right now, would put it in place right.

1:13:26Now the Climate Action Plan would its early win might modify that and it would like extend it to be applicable to projects outside of the Plan Area, moving away from the Natural Gas, and Electrification issue there could be all kinds, of things to Come out of the climate action, plan that support Greenhouse, Gas, emissions.

1:13:52reductions in the Plan Area, a lot of them, for example, in transportation.

1:13:56Maybe there's some other materials, maybe there's other other items that come, and it could definitely obviously overlay and effect or support going Back to Kind of It's.

1:13:59This plan isn't the only thing that helps us achieve the goal of the of greenhouse Gas Emissions, Reductions, or even the Vision of Sam Pablo, Avenue, Right There's a Lot of other Things Micro Mobility What are the other other Items that would Be in place so

1:14:18yes, they'd be in tandem and community development staff would continue to work with environmental services, division staff as A climate action plan, effort could, in fact, get to the point that you were talking about of not having enough public input or other technical issues you might want to deal with to enhance the

1:14:36specific plan, climate change, amendments, that we've.

1:14:41We may be voting on tonight

1:14:44Yeah I think that's exactly right. So for example, the and you heard some public comments with regard to commercial uses.

1:14:54So when we were taking the planning Commission's recommendation and drafting a policy around that to bring to the Council.

1:15:02We we did not have the the time or resources to you know, start a a whole public outreach process with regard to a natural gas, span, so we we had to crack you know we had to craft.

1:15:17A, a, a somewhat broad exception, based on you know what will feedback that we have heard from the Development community in in A, in the cap update process, that process will be able to to you know have a more robust public outreach, to look at these things in in more depth and so it

1:15:38It might craft, you know, I I think our expectation is that it will probably craft.

1:15:43A more detailed policy around what Uses, or you know, types of buildings should be exempted from a a natural gas, ban

1:15:56Okay, and again, I, just, wanna concur with what the public comments have met mentioned is that we did vote for an emergency plan.

1:16:03But there were reasons. We couldn't act immediately on it, just by a human capacity here in Elsa Rita.

1:16:10So I I would love to move as fast and forward as as we can on these things.

1:16:15I think it's a good message to the public. But I do want you know.

1:16:18We haven't. We're not talking about that other item, yet.

1:16:19But to really make a strong connecting link between the 2 efforts to move forward and get the low hanging fruit thing, is great.

1:16:28The challenges we have in dealing with the emergency.

1:16:32Thank you. Yeah, thank you councilor I'm reminded of a project that we already have that is completely electrified and it's that the Condos that at the edge of the Ridge over there or Overlooking, While Cake, Cannon, all that is electric electrified no Gas

1:16:51I remember looking at those Condos many many years ago, when we were ready to purchase a home and all that is electrified and electricators, and so it can be done again, so i've been in full support of that so why you know and I know we have many rooms that have been there

1:17:12From the beginning, after those Condos were were built in the in the 19 seventies, so we'll see again, this part of town.

1:17:21As Well I'm looking forward to that so we're gonna go forward now, do.

1:17:26I have a motion to approve, a resolution certifying the Supplemental Environmental Impact report for the sam Pablo Avenue Specific plan and Adopting, the Mitigation, modifying and reporting programs, I I'm gonna Make that Motion Mr.

1:17:41Mayor. I think Mr. Moss wanted to make a clarification about that item.

1:17:42Okay, yeah, I just wanted to note, there is a supplemental document in the in your supplemental materials, that have some changes.

1:17:48It's the the document with Findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

1:17:57So they're actually are some This came to our attention as a result, of some questions that Councilmember modiyama submitted that their actions is an additional impact in from the 2,014.

1:18:16Eir, that is no longer an impact in the Sire.

1:18:19So that has been struck, and then one of the one of the other Impacts and Mitigations has been renumbered.

1:18:25So that's been moved in the document, okay, and and that includes all of that information.

1:18:38I could it. Okay, I have a motion by Abelson, second, by run, deck, Adam City, clap.

1:18:44Please, Mayor, Kinto Mayor.

1:18:47Thank you very much. Next do I have a motion to approve a resolution.

1:18:57Amending Figure 5. the Land Use and Circulation Map of the L Cerrito General Plan

1:19:06I'll Move Okay, seconded, I have a motion by Mayor pretend, and a second by Councilmember Rugby, Madame City Clerk, Mayor Kinto, yes, Mayor Pertemotyama I Councilmember Abelson, okay.

1:19:21Councilmember Fidelity, Alright Councilmember, Redneck Motion Carries. Okay. Next, do.

1:19:26I have a motion to approve a resolution, a messageing the San Pablo, Avenue, specific plan I have a Motion By Mayor Pertam, and a second by Councilmember Rugby

1:19:45Okay, very good. next, do. I have a motion to introduce and wave the first reading of an ordinance to rezone properties within the St Pablo Avenue Specific Plan area.

1:19:58I moved seconded. Okay, I have a motion by Motie. I'm a second, By Councilmember Fideli madam City clerk, Mayor Kinto Mayor, Pratimotyama I Councilmember Abelson, Alright Council, Member Fideli, Councilmember.

1:20:13Redneck Bye Motion Carries. Very good. Thank you.

1:20:16So much very much appreciate that this complete presentation from last last Council, meeting and the last hour, and 20 min.

1:20:26Thank you very much. Thank you

1:20:32May I request a a 10 min break for us before we go into the rest of the meeting

1:20:42Okay, let's do that We will have a 10 min.

1:20:46Recess. Thank you. I appreciate that, and we'll be back at 6 30 sharp

1:32:00Early, Oh, just

1:32:15Let me see here.

1:32:25His kids, and his.

1:32:33We're back. And it's, we're gonna continue the Council meeting, and it is 6 30 to now we're gonna change things around, and we're, going to go, to a wonderful presentation, 7 B and that is the proclamation on a ring maintenance.

1:32:53Superintendent, still Driscoll in his retirement.

1:33:01Good Evening, Mayor and Council members I am a bet, or please, the City's public works, director, thank you for this opportunity to present a proclamation to our wonderful maintenance, Superintendent Bill Driscoll Who's here with his wife, Kelly, I'm so Excited to Present this

1:33:18Approximation that it's very sad as well better.

1:33:22So we were happy for Bill I I just I wanna, start by saying definitely, we wanna, celebrate, and think bill for his 24 Years of Dedicated Service to the El Cerrito community but he's actually had Nearly 40 Years of Public, Service beginning, for the with the

1:33:41West, Contract, Costa Unified School district, maybe Richmond at that Point, but huge he worked there for 13, years and then lucky for us he joined the City of El Cerrito on November Thirtieth 1,900, and 98, and he Retired on the same Day.

1:33:56Last week, and it's also his birthday. So it's not only lucky for us, it's like I'm sure It's lucky for him that day, so a lot of special, special, things.

1:34:06Associated with that date bill began his career as the City's Maintenance, Lead Worker, and then was promoted to Maintenance, Supervisor in 2,000 and 11 and ultimately he became our maintenance, Superintendent where he Had he Carried the Responsibility of Providing

1:34:27Maintenance for all, our facilities, all the facilities are our treasured by our community, our parks are paths, our Creeks, and storm Drains, I mean, we Storm, Dr.

1:34:30Ains on treasury, but they're very important and so so much more I just one of the things that I wanted to touch on is like the when he first started in 1998, he was a new dad, to triplets, so he had his hands.

1:34:47Full his kids were also born in 19 throughout his time.

1:34:56Here in Elsorito Bill has truly cared for our residents and businesses.

1:35:01He has deep roots in the Al. Cerrito, he you know, just always demonstrates extraordinary goodwill.

1:35:11Friendly, no matter where he goes. We're just talking about this bill knows everybody.

1:35:12He stops and greets everybody by name. We went to lunch a couple of months ago, and it was like 5 different groups of people that he must have stopped and talked to like from police officers to retired city Employees, it was Amazing and the has been the face of public works for over 2 Decades.

1:35:34He's a a great a model, leader for public works, and the city in terms of providing like super responsive friendly service, he responds quickly to to all kinds of Requests in the Middle of the Night on Weekends Day to Day, so We're Definitely Appreciate Bill and all his

1:35:56Good work and Caring for our Community Bill does as our maintenance superintendent, and, as I said, he has a customer service book is community had his community his kids have grown up here, he he Support special Events you know from from the Baseball, Parades, to Fourth of

1:36:18July to national night out, always leading his crew to provide the best service, to our community, I hear great things about I Maintenance Team and he has led them.

1:36:29Well, for you know 24 years Overall, Bill has made a significant impact.

1:36:34To our community. He's really a Provided improved quality of Life, Health and Safety, for our residents, and businesses.

1:36:42And I just want to thank bill for all his collaboration, his hard Work commitment, perseverance through some really, like difficult times and challenging times and lots of Changes It's been a Pleasure, and Honor to Work, with Bill we will Miss Him, truly we Already Missed him, the the Day, after he Retired I

1:36:59Just want to congratulate him, and thank him. So thank you, okay, thank you

1:37:12I want to go to cancel comments, and I'll start over here where we have a certain next door, neighbor, that that is it's really been great.

1:37:26Hey, bill in the city, and is that also as a neighbor as recently as Tomorrow.

1:37:37We're gonna have a person working on our rat problem that was recommended by the Driscoll not sure, which one actually it's A it's a team that Anyway they've they've been great as I know, them not only through the City but through being

1:38:04Neighbors, and it's it's been great having that dual relationship.

1:38:11I think I did not hear in the list of organizations within the city.

1:38:18Earth, day, that

1:38:21Bill was fantastic in terms of the work that he did on earth day and a lot of it.

1:38:29Behind the scenes. So that maybe somebody else got the credit for it, but They'll Deserve the credit for it, and

1:38:41So I Bill, thank you for all those many years of doing those many projects, and really making them work.

1:38:51And also for for the respect that you have shown to all the city. Workers.

1:39:02I think that was a a thing that I admired a lot was that there would be maybe a dip.

1:39:11Every project might have a different neat I'll call them lead person, but you were there supporting that person and altogether.

1:39:21It's what really made it happen for our city. So thank you so much for doing that and I look forward to seeing you in the neighborhood.

1:39:31More. Now so enjoy your retirement.

1:39:39Next we'll go to Councilmember. Thank you.

1:39:42Bill you are a local treasure. Never heard anyone say anything bad about you and that you're a great planner just to plan on getting hired on your Birthday and then leaving on your birthday.

1:39:57I want to know where your triplets born on your birthday, too.

1:40:00Okay, okay, so that didn't didn't happen. Well, we were in the back of the room talking about being retired.

1:40:03See. I came back after being retired, and you will do lots of things for El cerrito, still, including I hear helping with the Shy exhibit coming up on the Hillside Coming up soon, so You're gonna be Around, and when We Visit Janet It's a to for we can go across

1:40:22the street, and see you too. So thank you very much. Bill my wife Michelle says, goodbye to you, so I'll say Hello, goodbye, and you all be around thank you very much.

1:40:34Next we'll go to Mayor for count the congratulations, Mr.

1:40:39Driscoll. I I knew of you long before I was accountable person, because you're such an important part of making Al Cerrito as nice and special as it is, and Congratulations on your retirement thank you for all your work, to make Al cerrito, so special

1:40:56and I hope that you do stick around, and do more elseerito stuff to keep that specialness going so congratulations and have a wonderful wonderful retirement, that's good Councilmember redneck if they really don't make people, like you anymore.

1:41:14I wish they did, and if so, can we hire someone exactly like Bill that he's gone.

1:41:22But the quality of work, that you do for the people who see C, and for the people who don't know feel it all the time, because really what you do is the backbone of our community and It's, deeply, appreciated, it is tough work, it is hard Work, and your dedication.

1:41:42To this position and everything you've done in your 40 years in West County, should really be celebrated and it's funny I didn't think about it until just now that both you and Councilmember are Ableson have that 24 year also in the retirements, coming up at the same time, too, so

1:41:59Congratulations. It is very bittersweet. I think.

1:42:00That Director Ortiz really put it perfectly just the impact you've had on our community and I and very deeply grateful and appreciate it for your service.

1:42:12Thank you. I also want to add, you know someone living on the North Side.

1:42:17I wanted to say thank you for all the work that you have done, and and it's beyond the call of Duty to clean up those camps up there, time, and time again, every Day, Every week i've seen you there every time, I'm either walking by to John Soia's Office, or driving pass by know how much

1:42:39Our neighborhood on the north side, and all else rato roused up in the hill.

1:42:40To the Flatlands, and the South, southern part of Town.

1:42:48We very much appreciate you and I look forward and having you head up our Fourth or July Car show and and bring your friends like, you did last time and was a great turnout, and know that the the St.

1:42:56Jerome's family, the Salesian family. I know the my cousins, the the MOS over there at over there at Salesian.

1:43:13You know you are known all over the Bay area with with the the cars that you drive and the work that you've done

1:43:25How We're here. Thank you for that. but I also, want to real read. This.

1:43:31Proclamation that we will give

1:43:35Whereas bill bill, Driscoll mainly Superintendent, has served the El Cerrito community for 24, years, with Dedication, Goodwill, and upon the occasion of Israel, Requirement It's Deserving of Recognition and Whereas after Growing up in El

1:43:52Cerrito Bills, 40 years of public service, began with the West Contra Costs Unified School District, where he worked for over 13 years, and whereas Bill joined the City of Elsredo on November Thirtieth 1998 As A Lead Maintenance

1:44:07Worker and was promoted to Supervisor on the July the twelfth, 2,009 and ultimately serving as Maintenance Superintendent Overseeing the Maintenance of Parks, Playfields Paths Streets, Storm Drains, Buildings, and Facilities, and Coordinating

1:44:24Routine, urgent and emergency responses from the public works, department, whereas during his Tenure Bill was responsible for Quickly and Successfully addressing Countless Spurgeon and Routine Requests for Service Answering Tree Limbs were Removed from the Street, Trip Hazards, were Repaired from

1:44:45Sidewalks, test courts, were resurfaced parks were well maintained, Memorial Benches were installed, and much more, and Whereas, Bill also played a Key role in significant projects supporting the Construction, of New Facilities, Landscape and Street Escape Improvements, and Providing Maintenance

1:45:06Support and Expertise on a vast array of capital improvements, small and large, and Whereas Bill has been responsible for recruiting, training, and inspiring the City's Outstanding Maintenance Team Providing Unrivaled Responsiveness and Outstanding Customer Service To our Else Rata

1:45:26community, and Whereas given his roots in El Cerita role in supporting special events from the Baseball Parades to July the Fourth and Customer Service, focus Bill is well known as as a community member and has been the face of the public Works, Departments for over 2 Decades and Whereas in Fulfilling

1:45:46these role, roles Bill has played made a significant positive impact in the City Contributing to the Health Safety and Quality of Life of the Community and is Deserving of Recognition upon his Retirement on November the Thirtieth 2,000 and 22 and Whereas Bill is Supported by

1:46:07his wife, Kelly, this children, frank Lily Lexi and Dominic, and his Anatolian, shepherd Seamas, now, therefore the city Council of the City of El Cerrito takes, Pride and Pleasure in Drawing special public Attention, to Mr.

1:46:25Bill, Dress Driscoll, For his Record of service to the Local Community extends him to their Sincere Appreciation, and Best Wishes for continued Out Happiness, and Success in his Retirement and this is Dated December the Sixth so I.

1:46:45Want to present this to you, but before that, once you come up and say few words

1:46:59Before before you do that stay right there, I wanna make sure that that that all of us Concurrent, and I want to have a motion on this proclamation for here, a motion second motion, by project and second, by abelson, i'm so clear

1:47:27Motion Carries. Very. Good. Mriscoll. Go ahead.

1:47:32I just wanted to see it. Was Elsie. It's been a great place to work the worst day I've had here was better than the best day I've ever had working anywhere in. The school.

1:47:43District anywhere else that a lot of great people, great you know, great residents, great contractors, great council people,

1:47:56City clerks, city, manager, city, attorneys, it's been great working with all everybody and I plan on sticking around and and you know, Doing the Cars, Show and Helping out with the Shoddy, Display and Stuff, like that so just Feel like It's, not Leaving just kinda

1:48:13Stepping away from my position and and I think you'll be in good hands with the crew that we have thank you very much.

1:48:21I really appreciate all your kind words. Thank you. Thank you very much. What's all this guy have a picture

1:49:51I know.

1:50:04I know we should have that

1:50:08Alright.

1:50:14Do you consent items or

1:50:19TV doesn't

1:50:33Oops.

1:50:49So.

1:50:58Hey! Turn on!

1:51:01Very beginning, oh, like there.

1:51:10We're starting a whole new thing. Here.

1:51:19We're gonna continue the meeting now and we're gonna to start off with

1:51:30Let's let's start with any updates from our Council, first, yeah, I'll I'll look to my right.

1:51:40Then we can start yes.

1:51:45City manager can pick us. Thank you, I wasn't sure what we're doing. Where we go.

1:51:51Okay, thank you so much, let me pull up my notes. Here, thank you, and thank you, to everyone, for for your patients, as we're working through, putting all this meeting together.

1:52:01But I think, we're sort of back on track.

1:52:04Now, so we'll just start at the top and go down So again.

1:52:08I'm City Manager Karen Pinkist.

1:52:10I just wanted to make a couple of Initially, one of course, regarding a local emergency.

1:52:15My second to last, one, that I planned to make the city's local emergency ends as of December, the 30 first Tonight's Agenda, the City Council will consider an Urgency Ordinance to Continue the Outdoor Dining program, and as a Reminder the

1:52:29Eviction Moratorium will expire as of the end of the States, emergency, which is at the end of February and I would also like to announce that as we do each year City Hall Will be closed for the holidays between December 20 s, and January, third.

1:52:43When city helper opens and this is local emergency will have ended.

1:52:48City Hall, Hours, the Building, Hours Will Return to Pre-pandemic Hours, That's Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8, to 4 Tuesday, Thursday, 8 to 7, Every Other Friday, Closed and I Want to Note, though that It' be that beginning in January the Fridays

1:53:03That the City Hall will be open, our planning building and public works services will be available by Appointment only we won't make sure that the Schedule is posted both in the building and online and then the upcoming City Manager update all staff continues to work and has been Working and

1:53:21We've made services, all available throughout the Pandemic, but we are happy to expand additional Locking Hours and open our City Hall and look forward to seeing more of the Public so again, We'll I'll, be more details in my Upcoming City Manager Update but We like to thank the

1:53:36Community, for their patients, as we've navigated through our condensed hours over the past.

1:53:39You know, going on 3 years, now, and that we're looking forward to expanding our services, we still are, as you all know, and the Council has been told and We've been talking to the Public a lot, We're still in Recovery Mode We're still trying to Hire a lot, of staff please

1:53:57Check out our job, opportunities, if you're looking for a job, and you haven't retired from the Community as of today.

1:54:03But we are looking for more staff, and so we're while We're Expanding the Building Hours, We're still Living some Hours, but that's only to make sure that We're Providing the Best Service, as Possible to the community so We just Want, to thank You all as Far as the

1:54:17Pandemic, we do just another Reminder it's still ongoing, as we know, we have to be mindful.

1:54:23If you have any symptoms, stay home, right. Now, we're also dealing with flu and Rsv and all sorts of other fun, viruses that are spreading so Masks aren't a bad.

1:54:33Idea in public, I just traveled on a plane recently, I made sure I wore a mask.

1:54:37So it's just a good idea, and of course, make sure you're vaccinated, not just for Covid, for the blue and any other various viruses that could be out there so just let's stay Vigilant so that We don't have to go back in the lockdown

1:54:50Next, I want to announce that the city has initiated the National Community Survey as of last week the Survey will include Questions about Quality of Life, Important Characteristics of our Community Services Provided by L Cerrito and Priorities for the Future Right now Randomly, Selected Households.

1:55:08Are already receiving Mailed survey invitations, and we will be gathering input over the next few weeks surveys can be mailed or filled out online and are available in English Spanish and Chinese if you aren't selected for the initial survey Effort, we will have a community-wide

1:55:24Survey available at the end of the month. The city has administered the national Community Survey several times over the years most recently in 2,000, and 19, so this will allow us to compare not only our previous survey Results, but to the Nationwide, Database through the survey Administrator, which is called

1:55:40Polko, Po, L. Co. So if you see something from Polkco please feel free to give us your Feedback online, we look forward to that feedback it's gonna help us set the stage for updating, our strategic plan, in the next several months and to set our Vision for the next 5 to 10 years

1:55:56And beyond. If anyone has any questions about the Survey, please, call me or the City clerk, and we will have information on our website and in my upcoming, city manager, update, as well, that concludes my announcements, thank you your honor okay, we'll check in with the cancel, here, and we'll

1:56:13Start With Council member Brenda go ahead. Thank You Mayor, on November eighteenth, I attended the Annual Meeting of the Bay, Area Network of Jewish, Officials also known as Banjo and It was the as I said Inaugural Meeting it was the First Time, ever

1:56:32And borrowing from the traditions of Equality, California, where it's an organization with LGBT Communities, of many different types, coming together and recognizing the Importance of all being Together That's what's happening right now the Jewish American community and we had Representatives, from the Jewish Caucus on

1:56:51The state level we have from County Level District Attorneys City Council, Members School, Board, Members Coming together.

1:57:02Knowing that this is this is a an ethno-related group.

1:57:07So really representing the Diversity of the Jewish American community as well, like all the different levels of diversity, but the importance that right now it is really important that we are together in that anti-semitism, is is here I think it was a week or 2 ago and walnut

1:57:26Creek. There was an instance, where and on Pedestrian Bridge.

1:57:30There was a really terrible anti-semitic and racist messaging.

1:57:31That was place there, and it's it's a very frightening time for Jewish Americans and it's important that we have spaces where we can help really alleviate a lot of the misinformation.

1:57:41Disinformation and It it's unfortunate that this is a community that understands what happens when hate speech is out there.

1:57:54And we wanna make sure really for for everyone, but that we are addressing these things.

1:58:00And I was honored to be asked to be chair. For the East Bay Region and I look forward to being involved in that group.

1:58:02Thank you. Congratulations. We'll go to mayor.

1:58:09Pretend lucky on that. Thank you, Mayor I do have a quick question for seeing Andrew.

1:58:15That's okay. can you, my understanding was that you have chain, made a change to the Agenda to take something out of consent to policy. Oh, thank you so much for Reminding me yes, we will be moving

1:58:30I left my page. We will be moving. Item 6 C.

1:58:35Adoption of a side letter between the City of El, Cerrito and Alcredo, please Employees Association to Policy, so that would be item under Item 9 and it can be in any order, that the Council likes but that was mistakenly, put on Consent and I apologize for that

1:58:52that is meant to be a policy item. Thank you. I just have a couple of things to report.

1:58:55I serve with a Council Member fidelity on the E.

1:59:02Ifd subcommittee, and so we had a meeting for that I think number fidelity may be reporting out on that I also attended the Contra Costa Mayor's County Mayor's Conference, on September the First and I also attended the Mc

1:59:20Executive Committee as alternate on December, the Second.

1:59:24Thank you for filling in. I appreciate it. let's go to my left.

1:59:25Here, any updates, counseling, no other than

1:59:35I don't know I don't know if we've said this.

1:59:37Yet I don't think so. We had an election, and I decided not to run.

1:59:43And re in fact, retire. So I will be retiring more or less.

1:59:50I guess at the end of the year next meeting will be my last meeting on the council, and it's, you know.

2:00:00It's bittersweet of course because I been on the Council for a long time since 19.

2:00:09I think since about November, 1999.

2:00:16I think to be precise, so it'll it'll be hard, but I think it's time to let somebody else have a chance at it, and

2:00:30So I didn't run and Carolyn Licensinger did, and what she she will be taking my place on the Council, and I will be I've already got Lots to do That's New and I look forward to that but I also look Forward to seeing everybody here

2:00:58Not just more of Bill, anyway. That's about all I have to say

2:01:07Thank you, Mr. Mayor, as the Community Development Director Mentioned, Janet Abelson, and I took a tour of Mayfair Apartments, Bill Norte, last week, and We're Impressed and is that big Empty lot, next to it Waiting to get Affordable Housing so we're

2:01:27Hoping we can move on that find the funding on that and following up on what Council Member Redneck mentioned there, you know the news of the Hate Nationally We've continued with the Chamber of Commerce, to Publicly Seek, to Push our Signs Out to the Community, on Elserie those

2:01:45Stands united against hate, and have a good showing along San Pablo, Avenue, fair Mountain, Stockton, We're gonna be Ordering more signs I believe anyone wants one contact email Me or come to City Hall and pick One up on Friday Night Lisa, Motoyama and I,

2:02:05Attended the El Cerrito High School championship, Regional Game, with Grant of Sacramento.

2:02:06It was cold, it was very cold and even though the Gauchos lost we're very proud of them, and what it means to West County that's such a great football team going.

2:02:21There Finally, as a Council member Abelson mentioned the I wanted to shout out again to the County Clerk and the Recorders office.

2:02:31For their election, tabulations, which was not finished until today.

2:02:32Mr. Mayor, where they with a flip of a coin or drawing, of a of a name, the new Richmond City Councilman has been selected and I just Want to say that the Midterms which are going on even as We have this Meeting 2020 to have shown that the public

2:02:54Does care about truth and protecting our democracy, but that we definitely still need to be ever villain.

2:03:03When we have a President and a presidential candidate who would tear up the constitution that he took a notes to protect.

2:03:09So let's all stay together and make sure that our democracy is strong.

2:03:11Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember, Fideli I wanted to report this morning.

2:03:16I did attend the at the Richmond Council Chamber, the the Pulling of the name, Out of a Shopping bag, 2 names and It's our our Long time, Planning Director, Who Used to Live in L Cerrito, and that is Andrew, Butt and Caesars, of

2:03:42Beta, they were tied in their election exactly tied.

2:03:48So what they did they they pulled an envelope that was sealed and they they wrote their names on there, and that is how Caesar's okay.

2:03:58To became a council, member elect for the city of Richmond, and this is his third time trying to get into the Council and Third Times, A Charm, the last, 2 he lost by just, a few votes, so I know it's been frustrating for him I congratulate andrew andrew but

2:04:18Then especially my different who I have mentored from Day one, and that is a Cesar panel, and we will see New leadership in Richmond, I forward to Working regionally with the Richmond Council, and the New Richmond Mayor and

2:04:38Always have close ties with the city of Richmond.

2:04:39Whether we like it or not. Then for the most part, we enjoy working with them when they want to work with us, and and we'll continue to do that, and we'll continue to work.

2:04:46Regionally here in west Contra Costa. So I'm proud to see this Council stepping up and and joining these regions, that Tom Butt used to Share we will share this equally and will Work together for the best of Contra Costa County I'm Excited about that

2:05:17I did attend Amy Worth's retirement party.

2:05:20Who was who has been in charge of Mpc. And worked for many many years with the Mayor Abelson, and one of the things that they are Ableson and Mayor Amy, Ruth, were Responsible for the final board of the Caldicott, tunnel so I remember that Photo.

2:05:42Janet of you had the Opening and with your colleagues at Ccpa.

2:05:51It's better, sweet and sad to see the retirement of you and with Amy worth that you guys got in together.

2:05:58She got in and and she started as a library activist.

2:06:06And she was responsible for getting their library, together, their New library, City Hall together.

2:06:13So Councilmember for Delhi mentioned that they honor, the rotundra in their library, and they're calling it the Amy worth. Working.

2:06:24Yeah, so I want to congratulate Amy, who has been a mentor to me and for many others.

2:06:31Here in contra Costa, County so I wanted to let folks know that we did have our League of California's Works of View California City's Workshop and Board of Directors Meeting and I was joined by City Manager Karen Pincus we have these 4 Priorities, We're gonna Work on all

2:06:53482 cities, and want to read them to you it's to one, protect and expand investments, to prevent and reduce homelessness, secure sustainable state funding that bolsters cities, efforts to support individuals experiencing or at risk, of homelessness, while protecting

2:07:14existing resources, strengthening state, and local partnerships, to connect individuals with the Care.

2:07:15They need through coordinated care systems and provide access to wrapper and services, including Mental Health and Substance Abuse, a Substance, Use, Treatment number 2, Increase the Supply, and Affordability of Housing While Retaining Local Decision, Making Secure Long Term Sustainable Funding Tools, for Cities, to Jumpstart the

2:07:46construction of Housing, at all income, levels, and for cities, retain flexibility into a team, local and State, housing Goals, number 3, to Approve, Public Safety and California Communities, We're Going to Pursue Strategies, and Resources to Address, Crime, and its underlying Causes We're Going To Partner with

2:08:09All levels of government and diverse organizations to improve community safety, through prevention and early intervention, programming workforce, recruitment, and retention, and Improved Reentry Services, and Final Number, 4 We're Gonna Safeguard the Essential Local Revenues, and Support

2:08:30Fiscal sustainability, we're going to protect increase and modernize revenue, streams, for local priorities, we're going to oppose efforts.

2:08:39That would reduce or eliminate funding for cities, including Unfunded Bandwidth from the State, so there's an employment ballot measure that will be and the 2,024 election and that number 4 Explains what the League, of California Cities, and all Cities, of

2:09:02California and we're going to Partner with labor and and other interests.

2:09:09To stop. what that measure is going

2:09:17I'm not sure if we spoke about this Karen did you want to add anything on that meeting?

2:09:23Oh, no, thank you I think you covered it very well, and and as the Mayor said we will be working closely with the league, and League staff to ensure that the city is highly involved in making sure that We're Forwarding these Strategic Priorities.

2:09:38Absolutely, we, the city of El Cerita also joined the national league of Cities, and the City manager, and I were in Kansas City, Missouri there was a Boot, Camp that I Expect Grant Writers, and our Staff to Participate, in and That's, why we Join this we

2:09:56are, we will be competing with every other city in California and across the country.

2:10:03For these, Federal funds that are available and Federal grants.

2:10:08So this is our way, for small cities, like elsewhereito and and cities, our size and smaller can compete with our larger cities.

2:10:14So look forward to, working and and having our councils in the future be part of the National League of cities.

2:10:25So after, that let's go to oral communications to the public.

2:10:31Now is the time for members of the public who wish to provide public comments regarding matters not on the Agenda consent items, and presentation items in person speakers, Can't Submit a Speaker card to the City clerk and remote Speakers, I should use a raise Hand.

2:10:46Feature to us to speak, please remember to event, and identify yourself and your city of residence at the beginning of your comments, madam city clerk, thank you mayor at this time we only have one member of the public signed up, to speak so i'll invite Mr.

2:10:58Lehman up to the date, or up to the podium

2:11:10Good Evening Council, Members Mayor, keto Greg Lyman, El Sredo Resident.

2:11:16I I'm here tonight to reveal the Shoddy Holiday Display.

2:11:21We will be putting the full display up this year on mosure.

2:11:26The first night will be Saturday, December seventeenth, the last night, will be Monday, December 20 sixth.

2:11:38We are looking for volunteers. To help us with the setup.

2:11:42We have ground preparation, activities, this coming Saturday, starting at 9 Am.

2:11:48That is, when we will be making the same of best of Bethlehem, as well, as removing any weeds in the Viewing Area on Saturday, December Seventeenth also Starting At 9 Am Will Be the Setup for the Display all Pickup Trucks are welcome

2:12:05We, do, need vehicles to move houses.

2:12:09Sheep and figurines, and take down. It will also begin at 9 Am.

2:12:17On December 20 seventh, which will also need vehicles to move the Display Pieces for those that don't know Cinders Shoddy was a a member of our community who was a Seek, and this Display was his Tribute

2:12:38To our community. it is being put up on Pg and E.

2:12:43Property, so you know, this is effectively, I, we try to make it a non denominational display.

2:12:45And anybody. And everyone is welcome to help us. Set this up because of the rain.

2:12:56Please wear her sturdy Shoes and Work Gloves, because it will be muddy and slippery during all of our activities, and Councilmember Abelson, I will be otherwise Occupied, on the Twentieth So but I want to thank you very much for your

2:13:15Continuous service for over 22 years. to the City.

2:13:19It it's a great appreciation, that you have done what you've done for us.

2:13:26So thank you so much, thank you and we do have one remote request.

2:13:32To speak, so I'll go to Linda, Kane, Linda, you should be able to unmute and begin your time. Now

2:13:38Thank you, I just wanted to say, well, first of all, I'd appreciate Karen pinkos for coming out in the speaking at Christ's Lutheran Senior Center to the Seniors Recently and gave Us A Chance to hear what she had to Say and feel like We were Listened to so that

2:13:54was really great, and by the Akasak told me that he had recently had a conversation with Chris Jones.

2:14:00That was very optimistic about the possibility of a senior Center and Al cerrito senior center coming back in the future and of Course I'm sure There's No Timeline, but you know, We're We're All Looking Forward to that even though I, Go to Crisis, and in St.

2:14:13John's there were always special things about Rl Cerrito, Senior Center.

2:14:19And it was such a gathering place, so I miss it a lot, and looking forward to whatever happens with that, I just wanted to say, one of our non City Funded senior centers had a a a bad air emergency today, that's gonna like result in closing before our Christmas party that was supposed to be scheduled

2:14:40Next week and the word has not been broken to all of our members yet, but I'm sure There's going to be weeping and wailing and Gnashing of Teeth, over this and and Buddy, Who was our Leader was Saying maybe Well, in the Future, maybe There'll be El Cerrito

2:14:55Senior center. And I thought, yeah, maybe if we had a Senior center, we could go to them.

2:14:59And say, Hey, could you bonus a spot to have our party in a new location, but as it is we don't have a senior center.

2:15:06We don't know where else we could go, and sounds like our seniors aren't going to have a Christmas party at our our center, and I don't know if there's anybody that I can.

2:15:14Talk, to, to help us find a spot, but you know, I think at this moment, like we're canceling Christmas for the seniors.

2:15:21So I'm very sad about that. But anyway, thank you for listening to that. And please keep our senior center in your minds.

2:15:31And thank you. That does conclude a request to speak.

2:15:33And Miss Kane. If you want to send me your contact information to the city quick email listed on page one of the agenda, We'll See. If we can get you in contact with someone from our recreation, department

2:15:42Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

2:15:45Council member Rick wanted to add something. I have a question for Mr. Lyman

2:15:53Are you accepting monetary donations, from the community we are, we are constantly having to do have expenses associated with restoring figurines, for example, one of the 3 camels this year will be on the ground as a result of the the standing Camel having its Legs, broken essentially

2:16:15From all of the Motions and Movement, back and forth. so we are actually going to need to hire a welder to help us with the restaurant of that Camel, Frame that's an example of some of the expenses, we have Additionally, as a result of Losses, of some of our

2:16:31figurines, in the past, we have a security guard there, from 10 o'clock, till 6 0, a M.

2:16:37And that is, we are paying $26 an hour for anybody who's interested in our minimum Wage ordinance.

2:16:38And that at that at $3,000 expense is another expense for us.

2:16:49So we are constantly doing upgrades to the existing Figurines, replacing some of the houses we did have a voice, count, Do their Eagle, Project this year and replace about 25 of the Houses, and the Materials to that essentially was a cost to the to

2:17:06The to the shoddy Display. So yes, we do have donations.

2:17:07I did leave with the clerk a flyer that was went out in the Chamber of Commerce, flyer, and it does have a QR code for donations, excellent, thank you thank you, and 4 members of the public on the call that will, be posted with supplemental materials on

2:17:26our website, tomorrow. Very good. Thank you so much. Next we're going to change things around because I believe, we have a conference room and mark, does sony that is that has joined us

2:17:45I am. I do see representative is hit, of his office on the call, if that is you, it looks like they're coming up hopefully that is him

2:18:02Hi! Good evening, I I'm not sure if the Congressman is having any tech issues.

2:18:09But I can check in with him

2:18:12Okay, we we can perhaps leave you. And when you, when the Congressman, is ready and on the call,

2:18:13Perhaps you can raise your hand and let us know, and then we can try and come back to you

2:18:22I will do so thank you so much.

2:18:24Thank you, next, then we will go back, and we will look at the consent.

2:18:31Calendar, and we have a approved the 2023, regular meeting schedule for a city, Council, and Provide Staff Directions to return with an ordinance modify regular, City start Time from 7 p M to 6.

2:18:49P M. B. Approved the Contract request with Maze and Associates Accountability Accountancy Corporation for Accounting Temporary Services, do I.

2:18:59Have motion motion to approve. Second, okay, I have a motion by runneck and second from Botyama and okay, great

2:19:20May I suggest, perhaps we can move to the move to policy item.

2:19:26For pea, if that works, we do have human resources on the call, and I'm gonna promote.

2:19:33Her. Now, okay, this is an adoption of a Side Letter between the City of Elsredo, and El Cerrito police Employees, association and we have Shannon Bassi, Senior human Resources, Analysts, here.

2:20:05Good evening. Shannon

2:20:06Good evening, thank you for having me. good evening Mayor and City Council.

2:20:12My name is Shannon Bassi, Senior human Resources Analyst Nhr, I have before you this evening, a request to Adopt, a side letter to Modify salaries benefits and conditions of Employees, for the City's police Employees.

2:20:27Association, bargaining unit currently there are 43 Fte budgeted positions in the Pea who are governed by a Mou, approved by the City Council, Positions in this group, Generally Include Police, Officers, Corporals and Sergeants along with other Police non Sworn Staff the L Cerrito

2:20:48Police, Department has faced Tremendous recruitment and retention challenges for sworn personnel, especially within the last year.

2:20:56On average, there have been a steady 9 to 10 vacancies at all times within the pea in the last year.

2:21:03Currently there are 7 Sworn vacancies. These vacancies include 3 police officers, 3 police corporals, and one police sergeant with 2 recruits in the Academy, currently Pending graduation collectively the city, and the Pea Engaged, in several Discussions, to strategize, various ways, to improve

2:21:22Recruitment and Retention, the proposed changes, included in This Pea Side Letter are Effective, January first, 2,000, and 23, and include the following

2:21:35For Recruitment, temporarily suspending step one of the police officers, classification

2:21:42Secondly, a $10,000 hiring incentive to be distributed in multiple stages, including at the higher stage and completion of each Fto and probation.

2:21:54For background, multiple neighboring agencies have implemented hiring and incentives in order to remain competitive, for example, annual Pd is offering a $30,000, hiring, incentive, conquered pd is offering 20,000 and Bart Pd and Pittsburgh Pd

2:22:11Are also offering 15,000,

2:22:15Retention. The Side Letter proposes the following Establish a step 6 for sworn classifications, move all Current sworn staff up one step, effective January, twenty-twenty-three Establish a Retiree Health Savings Account for all Current, Pea Members, Prefunded with 600,

2:22:36dollars. Once prefunded the City Will Contribute $50 per pay period and Employees will Contribute $25 per pay period to alleviate, the financial Impacts of these Changes.

2:22:48The PA has agreed to delay the January 20, twenty-fourth salary increase for sworn staff to July of 23 for a total salary, increase of 4.5.

2:22:57In July of 23 in Closing. I'd like to think the Police Employees Association for their Leadership during this challenging time, for both the Police Department and the City with this said that that Concludes, my Report and I'm available for any Questions

2:23:19Thank you. Shannon Let's get back to the Council any questions, or comments

2:23:26Yes, may procure thank you. Mayor. I have a question.

2:23:30You you mentioned The different incentives that were being offered by rival rival, is not the right Word, perhaps but others cities, in order.

2:23:51Yes, they have

2:23:52To attract additional staff are there any staff that have Left for these Finger Pastures, from our our Force and and Kind of how how are we being Impacted by vacancies, right now

2:23:58So several of our officers are having to work over time, hours.

2:24:03That is, putting extra stress on them and just allowing vacation Schedules also for people to take the vacations it's been hard with scheduling and Being short, staffed

2:24:16Thank you. Okay, any other questions or comments, do. I.

2:24:21Have a motion to approve

2:24:24Mayor. We do need to request that There's Public comment on this item before we take connection, public comment. So for those in the Room and on the call. Now, it'd be the time to request to speak on this item

2:24:38We do not have any imperson speakers, and I am not seeing any hands on zoom can proceed. Okay. Thank you.

2:24:46Any comments. Anyone like, to move this I'm Lucas.

2:24:53Okay, do. I have a second, I'll second, we have a motion by Abelston, and second from Motana, Adam, C.

2:25:01Clerk

2:25:07Thank you Mayor and Council

2:25:09Thank you. Shannon and thank you to our negotiator and thank you, to Ecpd for the the difficult times that you have experience with working 16 h a day, over time we know and you know, we're we're Grateful to you and all the

2:25:28overtime that you have, done and hopefully, we'll get some new people in.

2:25:31And I know with the new crew that's coming in it it's a start.

2:25:37So thank you for working with us. We appreciate, you

2:25:42Okay, we we are still, not ready for the Congressman.

2:25:47So I would suggest, perhaps you just continue down the agenda.

2:25:51We are past, the 7 o'clock. Hour. So you you can begin the additional public hearings that we had noticed today.

2:25:58Let's go to 8, a, and that's a public Hearing, Proposed City proposed E-space Sanitary Garbage, and Organic Waste, Collection and Postc Collection Rates, and Integrated Waste Management Fees, effective January 1 2,000, and 23

2:26:19And we have a well, Provost Operations, environmental Service, Division manager

2:26:30Good Evening Mayor and City Council. My name. Is will provost again with the Operations and Environmental Services Division in the Public Works, Department tonight City Staff is Requesting Adjustments to 2 of the 3 Components, of Solid Waste Rates and Fees Charged to Elsorida, Residents and

2:26:44businesses as we do each year around this time for the portcoming calendar, year.

2:26:50As we'll touch on later in the presentation City Staff is not requesting an adjustment to the integrated waste management Fee Component of the Rates.

2:26:57This year, this year, we again engaged our 3 consulting Group to advise us on these adjustments

2:27:06Oh, I'll screenshot thank you.

2:27:30Perfect, So we again. This year engaged our 3 Consulting group to support us in reviewing the Rates, R 3 has Extensive Experience, in the Field of Solid Waste Management Sustainability and Assist Numerous Municipal Clients throughout the State Garth Shultz

2:27:45Principle of R 3 Consulting is here tonight to walk us, through the Rate Changes also joined here, is a Vetert's, the City's Public Works, director and mark Fagoni President of E, space Sanitary

2:27:56Shown. Here is the agenda for our presentation. I'll provide a brief overview of the City's Solid Waste Services, and then hand it over to Guard he will Present the Overall rate, changes and then Detail and the Details of the Adjustments for each Solid, Waste Component and then I will

2:28:10finish with some additional Details and items for Council Consideration over the Coming Year

2:28:16So the slide shown here slows shows Elsie to Solid waste Services and 3 general categories.

2:28:21The city with funding from the City's Integrated Waste Management Fund Primarily through the Operations and Environmental Services Division at the Public Works Department Manages, the City's Curbside Recycling Collection the Daily Operations, of the Recycling and Environmental Resource Center and Various

2:28:36Integrated waste management programs. We also manage the city's contract with these base Sanitary, our Franchise Haller, who collects our garbage and organic Waste Republic services, Who Process and Dispose of the waste after It's Collected and finally We were We Work, Closely with recycle

2:28:53More, which is West Contra Costa's Joint power, authority for Integrated Waste Management, Overseeing Household Hazardous Waste Programs and Ensuring We Comply with a Variety of State Laws

2:29:04Before diving into the rates, and heming it over to Garth.

2:29:07I did what we did want to highlight a few, accomplishments in the Area of solid waste management over the last few years for Last Couple of Years the City has been working hard as you know, to Aggressively, Implement the Requirements of Sp 1383 We've Adopted an

2:29:21Ordinance to codify the requirements, mandating, Organics, or Recycling.

2:29:26The city's executed a new franchise agreement with you, space sanitary, we've adopted an expanded Foodware Ordinance Requiring Single-use Food, where to become Postable and a comprehensive Brochure, for Solid Waste services, has been sent to all Households and

2:29:39Residents just this last month, and We're also focused on making sure and Investing, making sure we have continuous and uninterrupted Solid Waste Services and so We're Investing and Making Investments in Old Equipment at our Recycling Center and in Addition in the last

2:29:54Year we hired a new recycling driver to make sure we have adequate capacity to meet growing demand and can continue operations even with staff absences, and turnover the City Council approved a Multi Year Post Collection, Agreement, with Napo Recycling and Waste

2:30:08Services, and we're continuing to aggressively work to meet the requirements of Sv.

2:30:121383, and work hand in hand. With these base sanitary to implement the new provisions of our franchise agreement, including things like our Switching Container, Colors which will come later this year or in early 2,000, and 23, and which We'll touch on later in the present but getting back to

2:30:27The proposed access this evening, which is to establish the solid waste rate supporting all these efforts and functions.

2:30:28I'll now hand the the presentation over to Garth.

2:30:35Who can walk you through our rape setting process.

2:30:38Thank you. Will and good evening, honorable Mayor Council, members Staff can I just get a thumbs up, just to register them being heard thank you.

2:30:45So much really appreciate it. Let's move on to the next slide.

2:30:50Just a reminder. our 3 Consulting group is a consulting firm that works exclusively for local agencies, such as L Cerrito, we work with and down the State, for around Roughly a 100 clients at any Given Time, so we do work

2:31:07exclusively, for you, as a city and your rate, pairs.

2:31:11We don't work for East-based sanitary or Hollers that we do work, Cooperate Cooperatively and Collaboratively with them and employing the Solid Waste, Utility my Portion, this Evening is just to cover the the Fundamentals of the Rate.

2:31:26Adjustment, consideration that's before you and then answer questions that you might have now this is a standard annual rate, adjustment process that the City's been in for many years several decades and it Involves, Adjustments typically in any given year to 2 components of East a

2:31:45Sanitary Rates, and then most years. It also would includes an adjustment to integrated waste management.

2:31:51Fees, which are the Cities, funding mechanism, for recycling, Collection, and Recycling Center Services, the West Will cover in this Presentation, new Adjustments are proposed to that this year starting with the Top line Bullet in the Presentation, overall as proposed the Rates before

2:32:10You this evening would increase the total solid waste rate revenues by just under 2.

2:32:12So a modest overall set of revenue adjustments within that residential rates would increase from the high twos to the low, threes, and commercial rates, from the high Twos, to the High 3%, now, you might ask why are the rates going up at a higher Clip than the

2:32:37Overall, rate revenue generation. Well, there is a forecasted set of projections, in reduced rate, revenues around, certain sectors in this coming, 2023, year primarily, having to do with Forecasted Slow Down, in the construction and demolition, and debris box

2:32:57market. So that's the difference between the overall increase in solid waste rate revenues and the modest adjustments to both residual and commercial Rates, as a reminder for the Council in the community, the Commercial Rates, Do now include Minimum Service Levels, of Organics, to Comply

2:33:15with the Mandatory Organics, Collection, Provisions, of Sp.

2:33:181383. That was an adjustment to the rates that was introduced last year.

2:33:19And we're happy to report that it's definitely helped support increased levels of organic subscription and collection.

2:33:30In this current year, so outside of the E. Space, sanitary rate adjustments, which are those second, and third bullets on the slide there are so all are so our adjustments to the east Base Sanitary post Collection Service rates, and for East, Base, Sanitaries, Collection Services the overall.

2:33:51Adjustment is less than it would otherwise be, and that's primarily due to the effects of this.

2:33:57So-called balancing account in the balancing account was put into place back in 2,012 what it effectively does is this is, it says, if he space Sanitary collects from rate pairs more than it's Owed per year Agreement well that balance Carries Forward to the Benefit

2:34:13of rate pairs in future years, then every single year, that that's been in place it has generated a surplus that helps offset rate, revenue adjustments, and there is a fairly large balance carrying forward offsetting much of the adjustment for this year there are also additional

2:34:30Adjustments Included that would help smooth the rate increases over time, and We'll discuss that on one of the following Slides, But what this means here is that the rate adjustment this year is overall fairly low in comparison, to the rate of inflation and it's paying

2:34:47forward, for smoothing out future rates as I mentioned at the beginning of the Slide there is no change to the City's Integrated Waste management Fees proposed for this year and that's because the Integrated Waste Management Fund the Enterprise Fund the City Maintains Isn't A Very

2:35:02healthy position. There has been a bunch of growth in Iwm Fees, in recent years due to things like the Chinese National Sword Policy, and Adjustments to account for the reduced Revenues, Coming from Recyclable commodities, Sales because of the Healthy Position of the Fund no

2:35:21adjustment is proposed, and though no adjustment is proposed, that fund will maintain a really healthy position in the coming fiscal year next slide.

2:35:30Please okay, so the fundamentals of the collection rate adjustment.

2:35:35There are 2 components to east base sanitaries, rates, collection, which is the trucks that go and pick up garbage and organics, from residents and Businesses, throughout the City and then post collection which is the subsequent disposal or in the case of organics you know.

2:35:54Processing Composting, and Marketing of those materials, so dealing with the Collection Activities, first, they Do receive Compensation for the services they provide which is the Collection of that Garbage, in Organics, Waste and the Exclusive Conferencing Source is the Rates

2:36:10Charged to residents and businesses. There aren't other sources of revenue to pay for that service a a unique feature of the City's Rate adjustment mechanisms that are repeated in other areas, around the bay area, for stabilization Is that you actually set an

2:36:24overall Compensation figure Called the rate Revenue Requirement, and you set rates to help cover that rate, revenue requirement, that revenue requirement is adjusted in accordance with you know essentially a a Conglomerate Cpi called the Rate.

2:36:41Revenue index, which adjust their rates in accordance with things like Labor Wages, fuel, vehicle, Maintenance, and other Costs.

2:36:44That was initially executed 10 years ago, but it is perpetuated in the new Franchise agreement that was approved earlier this year for this 2023, year that ri yields a result of 5.4 one higher than in more recent years but still less than

2:37:10inflation, and the primary driver of that is of course, changes to Fuel, that we've all experienced in this last year that's the Main Driver, for that 5 Point, 4 1% increase though as I noted the the overall Increase in compensation, Due to East Base

2:37:27Sanitary from rate. Pairs. Is is very largely offset by the surplus revenues carrying forward from 21 of course, as proposed.

2:37:36The Customer rates that are recommended will cover their compensation, and the rates Smoothing Allotment, that I is in table, one to your Stack report that I also referenced previously again as a Reminder for the Council Minimum Levels of Organic Service are Included That's

2:37:53A benefit to the commercial Multifamily Rate Pairs and Overall Rates are well below the Inflationary Index, which I.

2:38:00Think the last look I had is that Cpi year every year was trending it around 7.7% or so so we're well below that Alright next Slide, please so just to refresh, along with this adjustment there, are new services being provided to the city and its rate, Pairs Due to

2:38:22the A, new agreement that was approved in 2020, that agreement provided these services, and no additional cost.

2:38:29There was no no additional change in these base hands competition associated with all of the Sp 1383 programs new services for both Single family and Multifamily Dwelling Units for Bulky item Waste Collection, a New illegal dumping services, for the City Enhanced

2:38:50Customer service I won't read every bullet here and then importantly, I think, for cities climate action, goals and Implementation first transition to renewable diesel which I believe is forthcoming and then also, a provision to be in the position to Pilot future electric and

2:39:100 waste or sorry, 0 mission, vehicles. There has been some movements on that.

2:39:15This has been a subject of counsel interest for several years.

2:39:16It is becoming a more of a possible reality. it is not yet the case that we can just go to the market and secure one that's ready for route, operation in the city, but that day, is forthcoming and there's certainly our future opportunities available and as well mentioned the new sp 13 a 3

2:39:38Complete Color Coded Garbage and Recycling Cards, coming soon. Next slide.

2:39:43Please okay, moving from collection rates to post collection rates.

2:39:48The post collection rate. It's paid by E Space planetary.

2:39:52But ultimately it's subject to an agreement that this city holds with Republic Services Via its Post collection agreement.

2:40:01So you contract with Republic services at the West, Contra Costa County, Landfill and Composting Facility and Recycling Facility C D Recycling Facility that is, That's the Same Facility, Instead of Services, Used by other West County Entities, that Agreement

2:40:22Sets, an Annual per tongue, rate, 12447.

2:40:26For this coming year, they're adjusted in accordance with the formula set in that agreement, but also account for elements that are funding regional Activities Household as this waste Collection, both the Regional Facility in Richmond but also the Satellite Collection Facility

2:40:44That's operated out of the recycling and Environmental Resource Center as Well, the Per ton rate in that agreement covers your membership in the West, Contra Costa Joint Powers Authority Recycle More for which you have a Membership, and a Seat on the

2:41:01Board recycl more does participate in aspects of the City's Compliance with State, Laws Mandatory, Organics and Recycling, Sb. 13.

2:41:1183, so part of your overall compliance efforts are also then funded through this Post Collection rate, new this year, and it was a request by Republic to Adjust the Per ton Rate, above and beyond the Normal set of Adjustments Due to a Change in Law, request and

2:41:38That change in law, request ultimately was based around republics need to improve the quality of compost material on Being processed through that facility.

2:41:45So that meant new equipment, new labor to be able to meet new standards under sp. 1,383.

2:41:57So that has been conditionally approved at a regional scale by Recycl more as well as by the city.

2:42:04It is a marginal additional element. To the blended per ton.

2:42:07Rate and is included in the rates before you. This year and then overall what you'll see in the next few Slides are ultimately that changes to Customer rates to support Compensation, that you space Sanitary Compensate the Republic, Services as well as the rate Stabilization component that

2:42:28I mentioned earlier, next, slide, okay, this is what it looks like overall starting from left to right.

2:42:34You can see the east Base sand collection component for 2023.

2:42:39This is for single family residual units, and multifamily up to 4.

2:42:43The small medium and large size, cart, ranging from just under $22, A Cart to just under $62, a cart, for the post Collection component again, this is the component that funds disposal, of Garbage, composting, of

2:43:00Organics, Hw. And your membership and the Joint Powers. Authority.

2:43:04You can see starting with 546 ranging to 1913, the total free Space Sanitarius rates shown in Bold, and then to the right of that the Comparison to last Year's rate, as Well as the Overall, monthly, change in what Rate, Pairs would see

2:43:20On their bills. we we haven't shown an overall rate table in this presentation.

2:43:23It is included in your staff report, or the attachments therein, but but for for summary purposes, the Monthly change in the Overall Rate in this year for each space, sanitary is also the Monthly rate change in the overall rates extended to rate Pairs inclusive of the iwm

2:43:45Fee because there is no proposed change to the iw, loan fee, so in simple terms for your 20 gallon, small customer rate, pair, you're gonna see a change of 100, and 32 a Month.

2:43:51Coming forward, and then for the 64 Gallon customers, 4.

2:43:55O 2, a month, next slide, please this is what that looks like.

2:44:04Same set of information, but as aable to commercial and multi-family customers, inclusive of the larger one in 2 Cubic Yard Bulk Waste Bins, so Cards, are the the 2035 and 64 Gallons, and then Bins are

2:44:21the larger one and 2 Cubic yards next slide please.

2:44:25And here just shows a a separate set of rates that are applicable to the additional organics.

2:44:33Service, That's Customers may request this is above and beyond the base level of Organics, Service included for all rate Pairs, Single Family, Commercial and Multifacamily, Alike so if what you're Provided in your Base Rate shown in the Prior to Tables, Isn't, Enough you can

2:44:52Subscribe to additional service at the rate shown here with modest additional changes in the Monthly Overall rate next slide.

2:45:00Please okay. So pivoting briefly, here, to the third component, that is included in all rates, that great parents pay in the city of Al Cerrito. It's the integrated waste management Fee this of course Funds, the Recycling collection operation the subsequent Processing

2:45:17and Marketing of the Recyclables, collected by the City and Via, its Municipal Collection Service, as well as the Operations of the Recycling Environmental Resource Center and All of Its Associated Programs, Amongst the Obligations the City Has is Not Just Those.

2:45:34Collection, Facility, Operations, but compliance with state laws, and as Mentioned, earlier in the Presentation, the Existing Integrated Waste Management Fees will maintain the Funds Overall Financial Health There's No Need for Adjustment this Coming year and this also Doesn't Position, the City for say a Spike, in

2:45:51the Iwmp next year. You should expect a return to to normal adjustments, to the integrated waste management fee in 2,000, and 24, an important note for the Council here is that the existing Fees Adopted by the Council this time last year will remain in Effect Not that they're going

2:46:09Away it's just there's no adjustment or change to them necessary and that's demonstrated in the next slides.

2:46:15So shown here, I Wm free, for this year is the same as last year. No change.

2:46:16Next slide as well, so no change so this is what folks will see in the rate tables.

2:46:22It'll be posted by the city. this is what's what's what folks will see associated with what e.

2:46:32Space, Sanitary will post on its website and of course, will be extended to rate pairs.

2:46:42Great yeah, and thank you.

2:46:43So there's no action needed with respect to Iwm fees, next slide. Please I believe I hand this back to will thank you and I'm happy to take questions and comments, you may have at the end of the presentation

2:46:48Thank you Garth appreciate that so just to build on what cart said the proposed 23 Rates and Iwmbs will continue to support the City's Comprehensive Solid Waste services, in particular for the Iwm Fund the proposed 22 3, Fees which

2:47:03Aren't being adjusted will Maintain a Healthy Fund, balance of over 20% for Cash Flow and Contingency Purposes, even without any Increase from 2022 but in Addition to Finding the Day to day operations of our Robust Robust Solid Waste Programs including the

2:47:17Recycling Center, the slides shown here highlights, some of the Bigger efforts that are in the Work for 2,000, and 23.

2:47:22So we wanted to call these out so we're close to finalizing a memorandum of understanding which We've mentioned in the past, but We're close to finalizing it with recycle more to formally, Formally Delegate certain Sp 1,300, and 83, Responsibilities

2:47:34To Recycle, More, including Edible Food, Recovery and Approval of Waivers We're Anticipating.

2:47:39Bring this forward for City Council consideration as soon as January or February We're working with these space Sanitary on a Switched on a plan to Switch All Garbage Containers to Black and all Recycling Containers to Blue Citywide this is a Requirement, of Sp 13,

2:47:5383 and will standardize the colors, across the State to reduce contamination.

2:47:58This will happen in mid 23, with all older containers being recycled, we'll be working with r 3 to bring the curbside Recycling privatization study to close initial findings indicated, that there were unlikely to be savings from outsourcing but

2:48:12Staff is still planning to work with our 3 to take the final steps to complete that study, and report back to Council, We're focusing on completing a procurement process to prepare renewable diesel fuel for all diesel Give, Vehicles, Citywide, so that Includes Fire Trucks.

2:48:26And every other D's will be cool. We're gonna be rolling out new curbside Routing software, which will Support our Team and Providing Top Notch Customer Service, and We're, Continuing to Implement the various Smaller Requirements, of Sp 1,300, and 83 and Smaller Provisions, of our New

2:48:41Franchise, with the space in the last thing, to note is, we'll be beginning to plan for what to do.

2:48:45When our post Collection Agreement with Republic Services Expires at the End of 2025 and We'll have to get the Ball Rolling on Reviewing what Options are Available Tell Cerrito for Garbage including Waste Post Collection, Services.

2:49:00To conclude the Services Being Funded by the proposed 2,023 solid waste Rates ensure compliance with State Law, and Reliable Solid Waste Collection and Support the variety of related programs that we Offer the proposed Council Action is shown on this Slide thank you and if you have

2:49:15any questions for us before the public hearing. We'd be happy to take them.

2:49:18Now, great great thank you to will, and thank you to Garth great to see you again, let's bring this back to the council and let's start with Elserita's Representative the recycle, more, Tussa Redneck Council Member Right now thank you

2:49:36Mayor, great Job, both of you did an excellent job with the presentation.

2:49:42Most people I'm sure, are not watching recycle more Meetings, Attending Recycle, more Meetings, and Kind of Understanding What's happening in the Region, but you know one of the things that I continually, bring up at least, in this venue, is that we are so lucky in El

2:49:55Cerrito to have the integrated Waste services, that we do and that we're providing to the community I'm really appreciative, that we're keeping that Iwm Fe Flat, I'm really Appreciative, that we are keeping the change to the Monthly, Cost below Inflation and I know

2:50:12That that there's a lot of work that went into making sure that the rates are reasonable given?

2:50:13How much inflation has impacted these services. Recently, I have a question, a little bit about the volatility of the market, that either Mr.

2:50:21Schultz or Mr. Provost could hopefully answer you can explain a little bit about the Volatility of What's happening with a lot of this Kind of post collection, market, I guess the best way to put it yeah, so I can speak to some Volatility and perhaps perhaps Mr.

2:50:43Schultz, can chime in so 2 2 things are happening on the recycling revenue.

2:50:48Side that has been quite volatile. So after the the Chinese sword National policies that limited recycling imports into China they really were there really was a collapse in the International recycling Markets our recycling revenues have come back up a little bit in recent Years but

2:51:03Again, they just in the last couple of months, the Mixed paper prices fell down quite a bit and so still very volatile but we've incorporated that into our 10 year, plan and really are being conservative in our projections the other thing that Garth mentioned was you know

2:51:18East Bay San is predicting that or actually already in the data for this year, their revenues from roll offs, have declined.

2:51:23And so what we're thinking is that just in 2,022 already construction has started this slow, and we're expecting that to accelerate into 2,000, and 23, and what that means on the solid Waste side, is less revenue for space sanitary from that

2:51:38Category and so we're having to account for that in the overall rate structure. broth. I don't know if you have anything to add there

2:51:46The only other thing. I would add is that in the or Organics processing, composting and management, Side of the Marketplace, which is the you know, the newest area of growth not just for the City's, Waste, Stream but for all Waste Streams, in California is that

2:52:08That's, also advancing and developing. we have the change in law, request from a public this year, which is you know Relatively Modest, but what We're Seeing overall is that the Cost for Compost Facility operators is increasing both in response to just high Demand for the Service but also increasing

2:52:29Regulatory Oversight. when you take for example, the facility operating in West Contra, Costa on the old West County Landfill Airport Permits Water Board Permits State solid waste Facility Permits Conditional Youth, Premise with the City Requirements, by

2:52:49Recycled more versus requirements by Al.

2:52:52Cerrito, and then also of course with the State, the Account Recycle, those are Driving Up, the Overall, cost of Operation, resulting in you know, good quality, confost product and a Real Necessary Climate, Pollution, Mitigation Service but It's, Going up, from say where it

2:53:08Was at $30. A ton, 10 or 15 years ago to you know, close to a $100, a ton today, so that is another developing and certainly you know continuing to change element of the overall, post Collection, volatility so recycling in Organics, in particular so maintainable

2:53:26About Volatility, Landfilling, unfortunately, does not because it's all a set of capital infrastructure, holes in the ground that were established 20 or 30 years ago, in a relatively easy to Operate, and Consistent in terms of their Overall management so those are some of the

2:53:48Yes, that was incredibly helpful. Thank you, and I did want to note.

2:53:51I won't go too much into the technicalities of it.

2:53:54Yeah, in this format, but just at least for my colleagues, the change in law requests from Republic.

2:53:59I know that Mr. Provost worked really diligently to for the Justifications for that change in law to to better support this kind of organics, and making sure that there's modern equipment, and enough Staff to be able to support it you know at in that meeting I wasn't entirely

2:54:16Thrilled with how you know, would to make sure that there's enough justification to the public to make clear that this is you know, while it's $2 and 62 cents, per ton, and when you Think about the Overall Rate, That's Incredibly small but We do need to make sure, that

2:54:32We are, you know, using we're stewards, of the Public funds, and make sure that We're doing this correctly, as we are moving and modernizing this field.

2:54:37So thank you so much, and that's those are my questions.

2:54:41Thank you, thank you mayor, and thank you for the presentation.

2:54:47It's waste. Management is always really fascinating.

2:54:53So I I appreciate all the information, I have some questions.

2:54:54One is pretty straightforward, so in the fees for e space center.

2:55:05I think you mentioned that all of the administrative costs are already included in the calculation of that fee

2:55:13Yes, so in the it's in the iwm component, that covers, staff, time like part of my salary is included in that as well, as other Administrative Costs so That's all included and it's included in our Projections as well for Staff Not just this

2:55:28year and administrative costs not just this year, but over the next 10 years

2:56:07So I am concerned about not charging anything, because I feel like there is, you know other things that we may want to do.

2:56:11I I know a number of us read the article about Palo Alto tracing.

2:56:20What happens with their recyclables and the upshot of that article was that they will be considering domestic Management of their Recycled Waste, Stream.

2:56:33And that's gonna be more expensive. And so, if there were things that would cause us to to have that domestic treatment of our Waste stream.

2:56:43It seems like our our fees would go up if we had to do that, or if we wanted to do that, that that would be coming in the future, and so that there would be kind of that spike and so it's, like how how would we address that if if that kind of thing.

2:56:58Comes up. if there was something so insurmountable, something real, you know, out of left field that was like doubled our costs for processing you know, then it would be something where we could come back to council, and and have that discussion at that time but really what we're talking, about is by

2:57:24Foregoing an increase of the Ibm Fee this year, and holding it at 0 Really it's it's helpful to the Rate Pairs, and all it would mean is you know, maybe in a future, you're you have to add one more percent on the Ideapm Fe but we're not even

2:57:38Anticipating that for next year, So that's great, and then this is kind of a more of a Woo question.

2:57:40So bear with me. I understand that Republic Services is doing a pilot program of creating Hydrogen Fuel from the Waste stream, and they particularly want Wet Composty kind of Garbage if if our Compost Is a Fuel, Source Wouldn't they pay, Us, Back That's, Interesting We'll have

2:58:09To have that conversation with the Republic but no, it is exciting, and actually there's going to be a presentation item on Thursday at the Recycle more meeting on that exact topic.

2:58:15The New facility that's being set up in Richmond to convert organic material into hydrogen transportation, Fuel so it's exciting to see it happening at Local, Source of Hydrogen Fuel that would be renewable, and so we'll just be Stay

2:58:31Tuned to closely watch that I want our I want us to be paid back.

2:58:36No, we did. Okay, councilmember padel, thank you.

2:58:40First, I want to compliment you, and event on a great agenda.

2:58:46Bill I mean a lot of different lot of info lot, of different numbers.

2:58:50And thank you for presenting it the way you did.

2:58:54I'm hoping, because I was quite surprised to about no increases that the you know City manager, and others will get the word out.

2:58:55That there's no increase in to our residents this year.

2:59:05And kind of as Lisa Montana was saying.

2:59:08There's so many different things going on and this realm.

2:59:09I'm I'm surprised that we're not charging a little bit.

2:59:13But that's good news for our resonance. So thank you for that.

2:59:16Can, you just just again the republic, concerns that were addressed just very simply say what was the nature of their concerns because I didn't get too, deep, into that yeah.

2:59:30So that amounts to the chain. What was called the change in Law, request and essentially Republic requested, as they're allowed to under our post collection of agreement with them a change in law Increased based on that Growing Requirements, from Spa 1383, and other laws They're adding a Equipment.

2:59:44And labor to increase the screening of the material. And so we all have the shared goal.

2:59:49We have monthly now, Compost gaveaways up at the Street to adding it to the Cost You're saying Yes they're adding it to costs, but we want the material to be clean too, Right we Don't, Want Plastic, debris in the Material being sent

3:00:01Back into our soil, back into our community, and so we found the cost to be appropriate, but we're Following Recycle Morris, Tech and they're looking into it a little bit deeper with their Lawyers and so we're Approving it Conditionally but then Falling

3:00:15Recyclable. Morally, if they want to make any changes later. Thank you.

3:00:19I'll on the Future, Edible, Food, Processing well, that Includes Supermarkets, yes, and That's the Focus of the Work, and so Recycle More We'll be Taking the Lead on that Effort, Doing Outreach, to It's called

3:00:36Tier, one and Tier, 2 Generators, At Supermarkets and Restaurants, and the like

3:00:44Where, to it will be getting diverted into composting facilities.

3:00:45Yes, they're also not given out to people that need the food I think that's a that's an allowable, yes, your lifetime.

3:00:51I hope that would be for people that need fluid food, bank.

3:00:58So part of it is setting up connections with food banks in the Region to Grocery, stores, that's good to see, and then I did have a question from mark if He's mark for Goni if He's on Board, or or yes, the City Clerk, says

3:01:22And it's not it. Hi, mark, how are you

3:01:25I'm sorry I didn't realize I thought I was at the the whim of of the Controllers on your end, for the camera.

3:01:32And the in, the audio.

3:01:34I just have a quick question on the last time, last year you were here.

3:01:35Sure, sure.

3:01:37The whole Focus Going Forward might have been on Multi-unit collection, and that's an additional task.

3:01:48Yeah

3:01:49That you had you've started that that you have. I was wondering how's it going?

3:01:51And are there any problems that you've encountered

3:01:53Yeah, there are no problems. I mean, we are putting out, the green waste cards.

3:01:56For those Multifamily Units as Part of this new Increased, Level of Service to Meet, the 1383 goals, and We're Managing, the Collection Disposal is what it is and

3:02:10Yeah, everything is is is is working. I guess

3:02:14So hopefully along San Pablo Avenue. They're gonna be many more multifamily, so that will grow right

3:02:21Yes, I certainly hope so, absolutely yes.

3:02:26Nope, yeah.

3:02:27No. Problem. Okay, thank, you, thank you, okay,

3:02:30Yeah, can. I just like to add one, other point. I I want to echo your concern, and I'm I'm one, thing, that

3:02:38Many years ago, when I was actually working on the trucks, I recall going into the Lucky store in in the Elsewhere Plaza, and throwing away literally 2 Yards of of Stale Dated Bread on a daily Basis, and now I Don't know if that's Going to be fit for

3:02:53human consumption, but, I'm I'm glad very glad that that there is a component of this Food Recovery program that is going to hopefully go to food kitchen and things.

3:03:07Like, that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

3:03:08Protein, yeah, yeah, I yeah, thank you let's let's let's keep track of that.

3:03:12Right, and make sure that that happens, that would be a good thing.

3:03:17Yes.

3:03:18Thank you. So if you have any questions,

3:03:24That was kind of one kind, of just following up on what was just said

3:03:30I don't quite understand how people

3:03:36Can eat the food that's not working out. For so you know that they're unable to sell.

3:03:44I guess because

3:03:47Quality isn't good enough. Or there's too much of it, or my sort of on the right.

3:03:55Yeah, that's my understanding is that there are. There's food.

3:03:58That's still fit for human consumption. And I think yeah, there's there's state law that allows grocery stores to in good faith donate that to to food shelters, and you know to get it out, to the community because if a nonprofit say had a

3:04:19Served a meal, just some whoever they wouldn't be able to just turn around and donate the stuff in anymore.

3:04:28So that that's kind of why, I'm right.

3:04:31No

3:04:32So in that case, it would just be required to be composted as long.

3:04:33As it's not going in the Landfill

3:04:35Yeah, and I I assume all of that material. That's going to go into those programs.

3:04:37Is going to be prepackaged. Material that is never actually presented for consumption and and by maybe it's Stale, Dated or something along those lines.

3:04:46But it is, it's it hasn't been contaminated.

3:04:50All all the airlines, the good, of course. Huh!

3:04:53Yeah, it hasn't been contaminated. And so I can potentially can be redistributed

3:04:59Okay, or they catch it. Like, so, there's a couple of days left.

3:05:05Correct. Yeah.

3:05:09Right.

3:05:10On it, and that sort of thing. Okay, makes sense.

3:05:11It's interesting how things are

3:05:18How how things are going? You might say, in all of that

3:05:23We are closing the loop.

3:05:26Yeah, you're doing a good job.

3:05:30Thank you. Thank you. Councilman Rabelson, Mayor Pretend That's another question sorry, I missed one.

3:05:35I have a question I I noticed that the Narrative Waste Management Fees are also supposed to cover Illegal Dumping abatement and I have myself been seeing a lot more garbage, It's particularly honest on Pablo Avenue and I've been hearing about that from others as

3:05:56well, so how is that being addressed, and still not having a rate increase sure, so illegal, dumping it's an ongoing issue that we have the integrated waste management, fee fu enhance, and it you know accelerate, our Illegal Dumping Efforts, Funded by Solid

3:06:30waste rates, that's something we could take direction to do not for this, year, but for for 2,024, with something like that we'd want to work closely, with our our attorney to find a nexus between you know any proposed additional Costs and the Solid Waste

3:06:46Rate Pairs, and then also, you know, we're conscious of keeping rates down, and so any additional costs in any category which would add to the rates.

3:06:49Is something we'd want to look at closely and study

3:06:59Thank you. Yes, go ahead.

3:07:00So can. I can I touch on that, too. So part of part of the Increased services we've increased the the Free Annual Cleanup Amounts, and and hopefully that We're We're Picking that Stuff up on a on a requested basis rather than the People, Potentially

3:07:16Dumping it on the Street Somewhere. So we've added Additional quote unquote free service to Hopefully Offset, some of that stuff that might have been landing at the Curve before illegally

3:07:28Thank you for that. we are going to open the public Hearing the public hearing is now open in person request to speak to speaker, can submit a speaker card to the city, clerk, and remote speakers.

3:07:42Can't use a raise hand feature to request, to speak, please remember to identify yourself, and your city of residents at the beginning of the of your Comments fantasy clerk please proceed.

3:07:49Thank you. Mayor, I will just give a few moments for any raised hands.

3:07:52I do, not have any requests to speak or any public.

3:08:00Okay, may have a motion to close the public. Hearing so moving.

3:08:05Okay, we have a motion by Fadelli, a second from Abelson, Memca Clerk, Hi.

3:08:15Any opposed question case. Okay, next, we'll come back to Council comments.

3:08:18I wanted to mention that with there's a lot of nonprofits that do take the the food from Trader, Joe's and All the Grocery Stores, the Catholic, Arch Diocese of Oakland They They have a Food Drive, Down on Company, Boulevard, on

3:08:40A weekly basis down in Richmond, also the Cme Church Methodist Church, and that's pat, the Church that Pat Durham's family built they also have a food drive and Don'tations are made by Trader Joe's and other Markets so yes, there a Lot of

3:09:00The Food is being sent to a lot of food countries and the people that truly need this so yeah, looking at that, I've excited and mark, Fagonia and I spoke about this about the future of the screen, circular economy.

3:09:11And through our plastics are we recyclables, a hospital waste and and our trash, we will be working with the new company Raven Sr that will Use the solar, that Chevron Built with Marine Clean Energy and We're Working with Republic, Services

3:09:44and with these space, sanitary to create green hydrogen, so that will provide the green hydrogen there are future green, hydrogen Station on central and awesome Boulevard, so I'm looking forward to that I know a lot of folks here, want to Purchase a Hybrid car I know I am and I've.

3:09:58Been waiting for it so it's in the works and who knew that it would be coming from our recyclables, and our trash.

3:10:07So I'm excited about that. I know mark, is as well and we look forward.

3:10:17To, yeah, the show that in our future agreement, circular economy.

3:10:21So do. I have a motion to approve

3:10:29Perfect oh, go ahead.

3:10:31I'm I'm sorry quickly one more comment yes, and hydrogen garbage trucks.

3:10:39Absolutely.

3:10:40Hydrogen, fueled garbage, trucks, that's where I wanna be.

3:10:41So that's all. I have. To say

3:10:44Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you for that. so do I have a motion to approve.

3:10:52So moved. Second, okay, I have a motion by Redneck, and second, from Abelson, Benison clerk, all those in favor, please, say Aye, any opposed Motion, Carries okay.

3:11:05Very good well, mark and and we have Mr. Garth over there that was with us earlier Garth Shalt.

3:11:06Thank appreciate.

3:11:13Thank you, all, thank you, all as well and thank you, Garth and and Yvette and and will, much very much appreciated

3:11:21Thank you very much. now, we have a special presentation from our Congressman.

3:11:27And we have. Congressman, mark de Sony, from the Congressional, district number 11.

3:11:35Good evening.

3:11:36Thank you, Gabe, I should say mayor, and I apologize for not being on at the schedule time.

3:11:44I was busy reading a 4,500 page bill we're supposed to vote on tomorrow and I fell asleep by a little Bit wasn't just keeping panel, I guess that as the staff.

3:11:54Report I just listened to this sort of a brought back fine memories of being in local government.

3:11:55And I'm in between waste management and I, if I'm reading your Agenda, Right Retail and Restaurant ordinances, so that Appropriate on multiple levels, I really I just want to take a minute tell you, thank you It's been my really Delight to represent you both in the State.

3:12:19Legislature and the last 8 years in Congress, and then with redistricting those lines, were changed.

3:12:25So I moved East and contradicts to county and out of the 80 Corridor I represented the folks that I'm about to in the past, but I I really enjoyed working with you and your staff always be a Space for me for El Cerrito, and the work.

3:12:44you do 3 things, just very briefly, one

3:12:49I was gonna mention to you that segways into what you were just talking about in the infrastructure.

3:12:54Bill I was able to get one of my most biggest bills put in there.

3:12:55It was a priority both for the transgender Infrastructure Committee and for the administration, for both Hydrogen Fueling Stations, and Ev Charging Stations, so that Grant, Process will run its Way through but I think you and Contra Costa N East Bay in General in the 80 Quarter in

3:13:18this instance are very well positioned for these grants, it's a 1 billion dollar program.

3:13:19So we we have a lot to do, to provide not just renewables, but the infrastructure, the Chinese are adding a 100,000 charging stations they're focusing More on Battery, electric than hydrogen, we as a former member of the Air Resources, Board for 10 years,

3:13:43In my previous life as a local, elected official, having been appointed in those instances, like 3, different governors, many years ago, we worked very closely with A/C transit, we had one of the first, you probably some of you will remember this one of the first hydrogen Fuel Stations, in

3:14:01Richmond, for A/C. Transit. It was on there, something called a trend, the dual, trait, bus, Rule, at Carbs, so we are in a really we collective, on you, and contrast to county are very well, Positioned for this the Contrast to transportation, authority are working on these projects to

3:14:21Develop this this infrastructure. So it's interesting you brought that up your new member of Congress, is also on the transportation committee with me representative Care Mindy, so I'm I'm sure we will be working with you to together, as 2, of 3 members from the Bay, area, on the

3:14:40T and I. Committee translation, Infrastructure Committee, including Congressman, Huffman from Marin County to Facilitate these Grants, and make sure that you have every Opportunity for both of those and then in Addition.

3:14:51There's obviously, this is the biggest investment in infrastructure, including fuels.

3:14:54In generations, that we're able to get through. So we will be parting with you.

3:15:04As it goes through the Regional transportation plans, through the county, or through the county, transportation Agency, and with you in the in the other cities, to make Sure those funds are put out, as efficiently, and quickly, as possible, with innovative ideas that you've always been really

3:15:23Terrific on one other thing, that's important for us, and for you.

3:15:29Is the transition from our heavy fossil fuel in Contra Costa County.

3:15:35We have 4 of the I think, 13 refineries left in California.

3:15:39They're big ones. You are you're impacted by all of those in indirect ways, but particularly the 2 in West, County, both of them are in the Process of Permanent and transitioning to Biofuels, which happens at the local, Level and at the Air District Level but we were able to

3:16:00Get funding for these Infrastructure for these transition projects specifically contrast to County has gotten a little about a 1 million dollars.

3:16:12That they're currently expanding we're trying to get them more to partner with you in the air District, and the Workforce Investment Board to make sure that as We transition eventually Off of Fossil, Fuels, and as quickly, as possible, as far as I'm concerned but as We

3:16:30Transition, these other fuels to make our meet our targets for carbon, reductions and traditional pollutant reductions.

3:16:32There, is a infrastructure to make sure that you, the school districts, the Workforce Investment Board, and others are all working with the workforce to make sure that We Transition to identified Jobs that are Available in the Clean Energy Sector, so and that Impacts, you Will in Back Municipal

3:17:01Budgets, and school district budgets, because the Property tax, base, that those refineries have in the Multipliers they have so that's something that I want to again, Congressman Gary Wendy, and I, are working on something i've been working on for a long time and since

3:17:17I in my new district will not represent any of the 4 refineries.

3:17:21We are partnering with that, and then lastly, the third thing is just.

3:17:22I put a lot of effort in behavioral health of my career.

3:17:28I have a bill that passed out of the House, that We're working on Senate as Bipartisan support to help with Behavioral Health Resources at every Level, Since we got the Affordable Care Act passed We Nationally have a 300% increase in people asking for Behavioral Health Mental health and substance

3:17:46Abuse services, but at the same time we don't have nearly enough people going into the field.

3:17:53So this is a very big bill to help with this, on a specific level.

3:17:58We have been able to get funds in Central County, we're working with West county police departments, and the county Metal Health department to further their program called anywhere anytime where you can Call Emergency, Dispatch, for Behavioral health issues and there are mental health specialists in Contrast to early and national

3:18:19Model, by the way, that we can be proud of, that my predecessor and I have worked on George Miller for a long time, so that this evening if somebody has a domestic Abuse problem or an issue, Around behavioral health they will get a response team but we need to get More of those

3:18:37They're heavily Focused or the the first programs are in east or central, County, East, County, and West County were working with the public, safety Agencies, the Sheriff, your police, department and your neighbors police department, to make sure that we have more Resources so There's, more people, out, there to Respond, so

3:18:57that your police department have partners in Behavioral Health Emergency, response.

3:19:00So I'm really excited about that and I'll stop there and answer any questions, but mostly I just really wanted to take the time.

3:19:08And I'd hope to be there in person but I'm on the East coast, today and I want to.

3:19:13I wanted to come, while I still officially represent you, I no longer will on January.

3:19:14Third, when the new Congress gets warning. I just want to tell you how much I've enjoyed working with all of you.

3:19:23You have wonderful staff some of you and I go back a long way.

3:19:29Jenet, we go back to different party registers.

3:19:33That's how long it's been. But I just want to tell you.

3:19:37It was a different world that in defense of both, of us there were liberal Republicans, then which anybody under 30 gets confused.

3:19:40When I bring that up. But I just want to really tell you how personally how much I've enjoyed working with you, and although I don't represent you directly I want you to know that I always will have a special place in my heart for El cerrito and whatever I can do

3:19:58To be supportive of your your new member, January third, please know that I'll be there thanks

3:20:06Congressman, thank you I I know. we have a janet abelson here, and I know she would like to say a few words.

3:20:16Well, I it's I I would like to thank you for even at this late date, continuing to represent us.

3:20:26I thank you it shows that we really did do a lot.

3:20:32Together, and I, I I'm having a very hard time thinking that you won't be representing us, although I know I I know our new representative is get him.

3:20:50Really look out for us, but I'm I don't know if you knew it, but I'm retiring

3:20:57Alright, good.

3:20:59And this, is my last, full Con Councilman meeting. Oh, there's another one where I'll still be on the Council.

3:21:08But the this is really the last, working meeting, that I'll be at and I really appreciate that you were here.

3:21:19For it I think you always went the extra mile and tried to get us.

3:21:26What was important, force, and so thanks mark and we can maybe someday.

3:21:35We can prowl the Halls again together Cause that's another thing.

3:21:40I remember doing

3:21:44Thank you.

3:21:45Janet. You've been wonderful. We've spent a lot of time, together and at every level of government.

3:21:49Janet Remembers when I was a Mayor, for a short period of time many years ago. So and everything you did on transportation in the in the Disabled, Community wonderful wonderful career and public service thank you so much

3:22:03Thank you, okay, next, we'll go to Councilmember, Fidelity.

3:22:08Mr. Congressman, thank you, thank you thank you for representing contra costs in the tradition of Ellen Tauser.

3:22:16We all, loved, we appreciate that she represented us as well for many many years, and your special attention to West County I'm hoping that your views that you've supported here, will resonate throughout the rest, of the County, which sometimes it doesn't in West County so We've Appreciated your

3:22:35View you've been very adapt and flexible on how you've addressed the entire county.

3:22:40But I also want to thank you for your gallant fight back to health to serve us you know hasn't been easy, just living.

3:22:47I think, and commute and to do all the things that you've done.

3:22:51Your active leadership on behalf of our local transportation and infrastructure needs which you've mentioned.

3:22:56But most of all I want to thank you for your good humor.

3:23:00You always put a smile on my face, because no matter how difficult the issues are.

3:23:05You talk about talk, about there's always a smart and funny and humorous response, and I'd appreciated that so good luck, to you and thank you and thank you to Georgia, tonight.

3:23:19As well. I appreciate that

3:23:22Thanks Paul.

3:23:23Next will to go to our newest Council, member, and that is a councilmember, Tesla right there, thank you, Congressman, for joining us tonight.

3:23:29Your Service has been fantastic, I think it probably you know having a restaurant background makes a huge difference.

3:23:37And hearing about public Service, and customer Service, and going to that extra mile, I feel like the best service that we can give you right now is I won't talk for long because it is 3 h ahead, there, and i'd rather you get sleep for your votes.

3:23:52Tomorrow. So thank you so much for joining us. You always have a home in El Cerrito.

3:23:58Thank you so much.

3:23:59Next we'll go to Mayor Potam, Lisa, Motiama, thank you, thank you, Congressman, as a long time constituent.

3:24:03You've been an example of how you inform people how you get us to understand what's going on in Washington.

3:24:09It's been a real, wonderful learning experience to see how you bring us all along.

3:24:24And I appreciate your service, I'm going to be very sad that you don't represent me anymore.

3:24:27I know, our new Congressman will do a great job.

3:24:28But it's been really special, having someone as devoted to our region, and also devoted to people in the region and Al sredo as well.

3:24:44Thank you and Congressman, I want to thank you personally.

3:24:50You and I started out here in West county at the same time.

3:24:53I remember when we were holding each other sign and and campaigning and being at the the Bart station, and and shaking hands with everyone and great times and and the Parades You've Attended our Fourth of July every Year before Covid so you know I'm I'm Grateful to

3:25:14You and what you have done for our region for Contra Costa County, especially with transportation.

3:25:16So thank you for taking that tour for at Glideways, and and looking at the future of transportation And Contra Cost Account County and one and and and know how much you are appreciated here, in Elsewhereita Representing us since 2,014 and up to the end of this year I spoke to Joan

3:25:43Carbon, or a couple of weeks ago, and she was asking about you.

3:25:44So know how much you are. respected and and and we will miss you representing Elsewhereito and Wisconsinra Costa. But I know you're gonna You're not gonna be too, far away, and you'll, be you'll be Representing central, county and up to

3:26:04Dublin. I believe so you know, look forward to your leadership, but especially when it comes to transit and transportation. Let's bring here, again, one more time in contra cost account I look forward, to that and to more of your Latest ship in the coming years thank you for being here.

3:26:26Thank you all very much, for all we're all very lucky to represent the people.

3:26:30We do in the place we do thank you.

3:26:33Thank you. Congressman, take care.

3:26:40Okay, next we will go to Eightb and that's a temporary outdoor dining and Retail program, urgency ordinance

3:27:32Good evening, Mayor, Quinto Council members again. I'm Sean Moss Planning Manager, I'll be brief with my presentation.

3:27:40So the item before you tonight is a a temporary, outdoor, Dining and retail program

3:27:48So, just a very quick background. So as you know, in March 2020, a lot of things happened. There was a local Emergency declared as a result of the global Covid Pandemic, oh, sorry I was doing that

3:28:14Oops.

3:28:32Nope That's Wells

3:29:01Alright sorry for that.

3:29:04Alright, so back to the timeline so a lot happened in March 2020 local emergency was declared due to the global pandemic.

3:29:09The State and county shelter in place. Orders were issued, and also

3:29:19Since we're here to talk about outdoor, Dining, and Retail the State Department of Alcohol, Beverage, Control, Issued Temporary Regulatory, Relief from their Requirements, as Well Later in the Summer where when We Realized the Extent of you know what was Happening and how

3:29:41long we were in this for the City Council adopted some temporary a temporary outdoor, Dining and retail program that has been in place since then to provide regulatory, Relief, to the Requirements that we had previously had with regard to Outdoor, Dining and Outdoor

3:30:00Retail Exc Excuse Me, that was done based on the City, Councils Emergency, Authority, or the the City Managers, Emergency Authority, as Granted by the Council and fast Forward, All the way Till now, as you know the Local Emergency, Is Going to Expire at the end of the Year

3:30:27So this is an overview of the program that's in place now and what we are proposing is just to continue the program, as it is as a on a temporary basis allowing staff time to Craft a permanent program so the program, now focuses on on 3 areas so use

3:30:48Of of Outdoor private property, so that's like sidewalks, parking, lots, plazas, etc., Use of Public Sidewalks, and the public Right of Way, and Use of Public Parking, Spaces, on Streets, Not on not Along a Caltrans, Right Away, San Pablo

3:31:08avenue. Because that's that's a whole.

3:31:09Another issue.

3:31:12The Program also Streamlines, the the Permits that are required.

3:31:17So it actually remains the encouragement permit fees, we've developed a streamlined online, application.

3:31:26It's very simple to form fill out, You can upload your site plan and other materials that are Required and just acknowledge some some certain requirements with regard to insurance, requirements, etc

3:31:43There's also some guidelines that have been developed according to the to the program so that's that's what you would acknowledge through the through the application and it's things like you know, you have to maintain, ada Accessible, paths of travel if you Use an

3:32:01extension. Cord. It has to be, you know, fastened in a way, so that people don't trip on it, etc., etc., things like that

3:32:10We've, we've had a total of 9 Applications received as a result of this program. Already

3:32:18This is what I was just alluding to is that you know, these are the program requirements, a a site, plan, a transportation control plan, if you're utilizing the public right-of-way.

3:32:28ABC Approval, if out, if applicable. If you're serving Alcohol, Outdoors, a certificate of Insurance, and Acknowledgement of the Terms and Conditions of the Program, and here these are the are the Categories, of of the Types of Standards, that are

3:32:47Contained in the Guidelines

3:32:51So here are just some quick Photos of examples of outdoor saving that have been permitted under the program lo small as as you may many of you, have probably dined there, you know that They have made some changes to their Outdoor Dining Air after Seating air

3:33:10it's been very successful, this is additional Outdoor Seating at Alcredo Natural Grocery.

3:33:18And this is a temporary sitting area at at fat Apples that re purposes, a parking, space

3:33:25So the proposed action tonight is as I said, we're we're recommending continuation of the program.

3:33:32As it exists. Currently this would be done through an urgency.

3:33:34Ordinance that would extend the program for 45 days.

3:33:35Through January twentieth of 23, at which point we would return to you before that expires, and request a full extension for the Remainder of the the 2 year period

3:33:55So during during that time period Staff will initiate a public outreach, process, and a a process to develop permanent Regulations, which we will bring back to you before the Expiration of the the interim ordinance so that concludes the Presentation, I'm Happy to answer any

3:34:14Questions, that you might have. I'll just note also that this this action, since it is an urgency ordinance requires a four-fifths vote of the City Council.

3:34:25Thank you very much. let's go to the cancel any questions for

3:34:33Councilmember thank you, thank you outdoor Dining.

3:34:39It's fun, right, you need to keep those things going.

3:34:41So we, as elsewhere, though doesn't really have a park lit, right

3:34:49We we don't currently we haven't had anyone that is per minute a parklet, and a.

3:34:53Lot of that is the the the challenges of doing it in the the Caltrans, Right of Way.

3:34:59So most of our you know the majority of our businesses, Front San Pablo Avenue,

3:35:00We and the majority of our stretch of San Pablo, is a a state highway, and is you know, and so therefore you would have to go through a call trans permitting process which you know poses, a big hurdle, but you would allow them.

3:35:18To Stockton Or Fairmont. Correct? Okay. What about the Plaza?

3:35:24Are we not able to do anything there, because it's owned by a separate company.

3:35:29So, the we, you know, we would also be open to outdoor well, I mean, if you think some of some of the Businesses at the Plaza, already have outdoor diving exc excuse me the the but those are our rules or is it the Regencies, rules, to own

3:35:47Compiler. Well, it's it's Dining that has that was developed as part of the as Part of the Plasma and you know it's it's so you think about the the Tenant space where MoD Pizza was and that's that's we have

3:36:02a, a, an application from California Fish grill, that we're, Processing, to rettenant, that space they plan, on fully Utilizing, that outdoor seating, They're They're very Excited about it in addition to that I mean, I think we would be open to new

3:36:18outdoor Uses, at Alberta Plaza, the Shop, Shopping Centers of that Scale can be challenging because there are a lot of different Lease Agreements, and Cross Covenants and things, that Require that a Certain Amount of Parking, be Available so that can Be, Challenged just with the

3:36:35tenants, and last question on the if there is a Parklet and we and there's a lot, of room, this is kind of like San Pavlo specific plan for outdoor, dining that you've created here isn't, it all the rules are already there people want to do it the

3:36:52safety guards, that might be at the end of Parklands are those is there is there a tip, prototype for those is it state regulated?

3:37:01Or is that you kind of described it, but I I don't know if we're cause.

3:37:06Obviously San Pablo Avenue would be pretty treacherous yeah, and that's why it can be Chow, chuck, challenging with Caltrans as far as on our local rights, away, there's.

3:37:18A diagram in the in the guidelines, that we've developed about how those barriers need to be provided, but the actual barriers I'm talking about that might be at the end of those parklets, yeah, we would want them to be very, safe right.

3:37:32Okay. Thank you

3:37:36Councilmember Anglson, do you have any questions, no, I think it's a great thing to promote actually and I I was just kind of thinking through the ones that i've known.

3:37:54About I was I don't know. I mean some of these things have been around forever.

3:38:01Actually like the

3:38:07Ruby, I think it was Rubios was the name of the restaurant it's not there, anymore.

3:38:13But but they had an outdoor dining area from Day One, which is probably some point around

3:38:232,002, I would guess Okay, as was that space that you're talking about for the fish.

3:38:33That's been it had a outdoor, dining, component, and some of the other areas like Macaroni, Grill, had one for a while, but then when it got cold, again.

3:38:49Closed it.

3:38:52Not that same.

3:38:55Legal, one, you're looking at me like you don't know about yeah, I'm not. I'm not familiar with the one at Macaroni. Grill, so I it's not there now, some are in the Parking, lot, first, for some in during the Summer, and

3:39:17Then it went away when it got cold

3:39:22Probably

3:39:25I mean, I don't really know why, but the but I I I think we should do everything we can to promote such things.

3:39:40Change that so they may have. You know, just as as the Pandemic regulations have been used.

3:39:45They may have felt that that was no longer needed, but you know, by continuing this ordinance, We're We're looking to you know, allow businesses that have have implemented these to continue.

3:39:57Their use. Yeah, so, I I think it's a great idea.

3:40:04Thank you very much, madam city clerk, do.

3:40:06We have any public comment on this, we do not have any public in the room, but we do have some request to speak on this item remotely, okay, looks.

3:40:25Like we just have 2 requests to speak. So I'll, 3, min.

3:40:26Okay I'll go to our first speaker. Howdy Gowdy?

3:40:31How do you should be able to unmute and begin your time. Now

3:40:34Thank you, my name is Howard Gordy, I live in Elsrido, I Support, the proposed Outdoor, Dining Policy, but as I've Argued before having a Climate Emergency Declaration, means Incorporating Climate, Action into All your Thinking as Council, and in all

3:40:52the work done, by staff as a matter of routine. It is not somebody else's problem portable propane outdoor heaters are explicitly called out in this Policy, Despite this Being, a wasteful, Inefficient and unnecessary Use of fossil fuels that is

3:41:08inconsistent with the seir that you just ratified for the specific plan area, that in its energy section requires that energy use is not wasteful and efficient and unnecessary.

3:41:21Well, I recognize that Outdoor Seating saved Restaurants during the Pandemic and We don't have a great climate for Outdoor, Dining At Night without some heating we can easily do a lot, better than Burning Fossil Fuels, in a wasteful fashion, to make

3:41:34Outdoor Dining Possible. It is entirely feasible to heat people more directly and efficiently, through electrically heated outdoor seating similar to heated car seats, electric spot, heating for dining, comfort, should be identified as preferred in this policy, and any Outdoor

3:41:52Use of propane heating should be discouraged in the policy, even if it's still allowed, there should be some thought toward future phasing out of fossil fuel, Outdoor heating including language in this policy will not Binding, at this Point would at least start to raise Awareness of the

3:42:10issue in the restaurant is community and you know start a needed conversation.

3:42:16It is disappointing to hear other similar issues that I have raised dismissed is something.

3:42:17We don't have control over just tonight. The massive plastic waste associated with modular building, delivery and the Embodied Carbon of Building Materials were both Dismissed rather than being Curious and Proactive About Trying to Solve Problems you know We Can't Just Claim It's

3:42:39Not our problem, or we don't have control these issues, affect all of us.

3:42:44We do, have control, we do have input and we're all responsible for fixing them.

3:42:46If we avoid these problems, they will only continue to hurt us in the future.

3:42:54And this is a similar issue, and while it may feel new to most of you, a topic, you've never heard suggested should be addressed That's Why I'm bringing it up because we need to have these conversations we need to change the status quo we can't just do business as usual we have to

3:43:09Change we have to come up with new ideas instead of just regurgitating the past over and over again, it's just gonna kill us.

3:43:12So please do something different. Don't, just rubber, spam the same, old same, old thank you

3:43:28Hi, next speaker, is Linda Kane Linda, you should be able to unmute and begin your time.

3:43:30Now

3:43:33Thank you. I just wanted to say first of all, I have no objection to what howdy Gowdy sent because obviously that's very forward thinking and and you know I obviously didn't think of about it but I have some warm jackets that I will wear if I'm going out.

3:43:42And it's evening time, but I wanted to say Thank you for letting it happen that we could start having you know patio or yard, or or driveway.

3:43:57Or whatever you know, areas to eat. And I've taken advantage of, a several of those places where I used to love to go before pandemic and because my boyfriend and I are in that age group We We Don't like to eat indoors in a restaurant that makes us nervous, and

3:44:13So we've really taken advantage of the outdoor cafes and places, and especially in the daytime.

3:44:16But even we could bundle up, and I just think you know we've got a pretty good climate.

3:44:23It's not a bad climb that 8 to 9 months to the year.

3:44:26I could probably eat outdoors, especially if I wear my warm clothes, so I think it's a wonderful idea.

3:44:32And I'm glad you're gonna have an emergency approval.

3:44:33And then keep it going. Because, yeah, this, is like, this, could be a lifestyle for Al cerrito, thank you

3:44:42Thank you, Mayor, that concludes our request to speak.

3:44:43Okay, thank you very much. We'll come back here to the account.

3:44:47Any final thoughts. Would someone like to make a motion to approve this recommendation?

3:45:00Oh, this is okay. I move we close to public hearing.

3:45:05Okay, I'll, second, okay, I have a a motion by Abelson, and a second by their pro, temp, all those in favor, please, say aye As Opposed Motion Carries, okay.

3:45:22Okay. Now, we can do this, do. I have a motion to approve the recommendation

3:45:29I would like to make a motion to approve the ordinance, and the Ordinance, and the Guidelines.

3:45:39I just

3:45:42The Temporary Outdoor Dining, and Retail Program, Urgency Ordinance with the Caveat, that the Outdoor, Dining, and Retail Program Guidelines Amended to Encourage, Non Propane Alternatives for Space Heating.

3:46:05And the amendment, are you or or language, as appropriate to encourage non fossil fuels to be used for space. Meeting, second, that

3:46:23Others in favor. Pci. Hi this opposed, hey, hey! Nay!

3:46:31Motion Fails.

3:46:34Okay.

3:46:36I make commotion to approve the or Ordinance for temporary Outdoor, Dining and Retail Program, Urgency you're, Just, You Ordinance Okay I have a Second Second I'm City, Clerk, and just to clarify this is a Motion Only for the

3:47:03Ordinance, not including the adoption of the Guidelines, or is this, including the Guidelines as recommended the Guidelines are attached, to.

3:47:17Over Abelson, and the second was Councilmember, Redneck.

3:47:20All those in favor, say, aye. Those opposed post

3:47:28Motion, Carries.

3:47:32I had to think about that's 4 fifth right 4 eyes.

3:47:34One, now is 4

3:47:43Perfect so next, we can move on to city, Council, Wall of Fame, Nomination, AD Hoc Committee, Recommendation.

3:47:55Thank you. Excuse me thank you mayor The item before you is

3:47:57Just to briefly summarize the wall of fame policy that was adopted by the City Council Provides for July first Application, Deadline for Nominations to the City's Wall of Fame the City received one Application by the Deadline this Year and the City Council Pointed Mayor

3:48:17Protemotyama, and Councilmember Abelson to serve on an AD.

3:48:18Hoc Committee for the purpose of reviewing the Nomination the AD Hoc Committee met twice and at the November, Fifteenth, Meeting, the Committee, Reported, their Recommendation to Forward the Nominee, Norman Look Force to the Full City Council for Consideration First soon to the Policy Following the AD

3:48:36Hoc recommendation, the Nominee and all parties who submitted the application were notified of the Meeting date for the Council to take this action, or take this consideration.

3:48:46The next step in the process would be for the city Council to consider the recommendation to Induct Norman, the force into the El Cerrito wall of Fame and if so also direct the City clerk to return to City Council with the Resolution Confirming the Appointment and

3:49:01Schedule, the Formal Induction, Ceremony at a future city Council meeting that works for all parties and I am available.

3:49:07If anyone has any, questions, I I thought we approved the nomination already at a Council meeting the AD Hoc Committee made their recommendation at the November Fifteenth meeting but the Policy Requires the Full City Council to Take Action and Decide whether or not to Induct the Individual into the Hall of Fame So that is what Tonight's Action is

3:49:33Requesting we had accounts at a Council meeting, I gave a report.

3:49:38Yes, that was the rec the recommendation from the AD Hoc Committee at the November fifteenth, meeting this is the request for the full Council to take Action on the Recommendation from you and Mayor Pro Tembo Toama

3:49:54I don't understand. But maybe we'll have to leave it at that.

3:49:58Okay, Council member fidelity. You have a question.

3:50:02So This is not the Council meeting to say nice things about Norman love, force, you're certainly welcome to if you would like.

3:50:10But this is the next, one, when we really have a resolution and we will be here.

3:50:16Then okay, the direction that Council is giving us tonight. If you choose to move his him forward for induction.

3:50:23We will work on the content for that resolution and we will do a very nice ceremony to induct, formally induct.

3:50:31Him, thank you

3:50:36Not even sure, adopt a resolution.

3:50:41No, way. I'm looking at the room, place.

3:50:52I, we need to I can't figure out how to word it without Janet let's see if we have any public comments first I do not have any speakers in the room and I am not seeing any hands requesting to speak on zoom and any last comments.

3:51:19I'm looking here, on this side, yes, I I'm just going to suggest that the motion would be to to approve the AD Hoc Committee's Recommendation to Induct Norman love Force into the Elstrito Wall of Fame and Direct the City Clerk to Return

3:51:37To sea council, with a resolution for me, the Appointment I make that motion okay, we have a motion, by April, Send a second from the Mayor, Protocol Mab City clerk, all those in favor, please Say, Aye those Opposed Motion Carries, thank you very good thank you.

3:51:55We look forward to ain't Norman before us in the year.

3:51:58Future server. Okay, next is Consulting Services Agreement with Cascadia, Consulting Group to Update the City Else to be a climate action

3:53:15Logan Mayor and City Council. Again, my name is will Provost the division manager for the Operations and Environmental Services, Division under this item, I'm here to talk about the Climate Action plan Update, and our Consultant Agreement with Cascadia Consulting Group and and the Specific

3:53:31Action requested is the Approval of Res Resolution, authorizing the City Manager to enter it, into a agreement with Cascadia Consulting Group to develop a Climate Action and add Adaptation Plan or cap and Simultaneously to Pursue, a Policy or Ordinance, to Prohibit natural

3:53:45Gas and new Construction Citywide, known as an early early what we're Calling an Early Win concurrent with the plan I'm joined here today, by Staff from Cascadia Consulting if you have any questions, for them at the end

3:54:00So during the presentation, I'll provide a quick background on the City's Climate action, Progress to date a request for proposals Process and how we came to Recommend Pascadia what will be included in the proposed Cap and the additional early win Tests were Proposing to Make Meaningful

3:54:14Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions prior to even adopting the plant most notably.

3:54:19This includes the Proposal We've discussed to develop a Policy or the Ordinance Prohibiting, Natural Gas and New Construction Citywide, and last We'll Discuss the Cost and Financial Considerations

3:54:31So first on. Background, I won't need all of the things shown here on this slide, but in short, the city of Al Cerrito has been active on climate, action for more than 15 years from Supporting Ab 32 to setting emission Reduction Targets Adopting our own climate Action

3:54:46Plan. But for most other cities supporting the Paris climate agreement, and declaring a climate emergency, specifically the climate Emergency resolution I'd want to call out I called for for the City to Stripe for 0 Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Updated Cap and so That's Part of

3:55:02The direction we're taking and what we're trying to fulfill as part of this plan, update.

3:55:09After adopting the First Climate Action Plan the city has done a lot to implement the plan.

3:55:14So we've installed solar at the community Center, at the Fire Station, at the police station, and at the recycling Center we Switched to Mc Clean Energy, as a Community and Opted Up to 100,% Renewable Energy for all Municipal Accounts, We've

3:55:27Installed it so ev charging stations, that City hall and at the recycling center, we focused on building the Transit Oriented and Walkable con community through the specific plan We've Adopted a Public Tree and Shrub Ordinance to Protect Trees in our Urban Forest and much

3:55:42more for these efforts. The city has made. It. Has been able to exceed the First Climate Action Plans targets of 1% reduction per year.

3:55:50And so we really have made a meaningful effort and a meaningful, meaningful progress

3:55:56That being said in the last 10 years, the science has changed, and then, as has the need for more immediate action.

3:56:04The State now has goals to reduce greenhouse gas, emissions by 80% below, 1,990 levels, by 2,000. And 50.

3:56:07And achieve carbon neutrality by 2,045.

3:56:13In order to meet these more ambitious targets, there's a need for an updated, plan that will guide us to have with, how to get there

3:56:21In August We Requested Proposals to develop a Cap that builds on our Existing Climate Action Plan, while also serving as a Standalone Document

3:56:32We looked at other climate, action, plan, updates that have been done in the last couple of years and identified a course scope of work that we wanted to see based on best practices.

3:56:40This included analyzing emissions, and updating our inventory, our greenhouse Gas Inventory Setting Targets, and Recommending, a Mission, Reduction Measures, Forecasting Emission Reductions, Completing a Robust, and Equitable Outreach Process Incorporating Climate, Resiliency and Adaptation, into

3:56:57The plan, given, the growing thread of things, like wildfires, smoke, heat, waves, and flooding, and additionally, we sought to have the plan, to fill the requirements of Senate, Bill 373. 7 9.

3:57:06Which requires cities to include Climate, adaptation and Resiliency, into general Plan, Safety, Element, Updates and then of course, we wanted the Consultant to work with us, but the Public process all the Way through to Adoption.

3:57:23We ended up receiving 6 proposals by the deadline, and one notable thing.

3:57:24To to note about this table and agenda bill and shown here is that we allowed firms to be flexible in the Scope.

3:57:28They proposed based on their expertise and in order to minimize costs.

3:57:36And so really the cost shown here aren't comparable from firm to firm, because they don't represent the same scope by each firm. But what we tried to do is using the proposals that were provided identify what would be the best plan for the city and while focusing on minimum Wage costs

3:57:54And what and ultimately, what would be the best value

3:57:59So we looked at their qualifications, their experience, their presentation of the Proposals and quality, their references, where possible, and of Course, Cost Cost, Cost Competitiveness, A Panel of 3, Staff, Interviewed the Top 3 Firms from the Community Development, Department, and Public Works, and Ultimately, We Found

3:58:19Cascadia to offer the best value. They included all of the Tasks.

3:58:23We sought to include in the climate, Action plan, and they actually provided that one of the Lowest Imputed cost per hour.

3:58:29So offering the most hours, really the most hours of any proposal.

3:58:30You know, even though it was a higher price

3:58:40So, Cascadia was formed in 1993 and they have local offices here in Oakland They've been very active in leading climate action.

3:58:46Play plan efforts throughout the Bay area. So in pleasant in Santa Clara Dublin, San Francisco, Livermore, and the list goes on, and notably they led the Development of the Climate Action Plan Update, in Albany, Just a Couple of Years, Ago, we were really Attracted to

3:59:01Their deep expertise and experience of climate Action Planning and their major focus on equity and community Engagement

3:59:10If the proposed action is approved, we'll be getting a robust community engagement Process, and all the Components we sought to include based on best Practices, and ultimately We'll get a highly Accessible climate.

3:59:20Action, and Adaptation Plan for Residents Businesses and City staff.

3:59:25What we'll also get is an actionable early win that the city can complete concurrently with the plan, so to touch on that more here what we've done since we received their proposals we've added a task to evaluate best practices as I mentioned earlier for Ghg

3:59:39Greenhouse, Gas Emission, Reductions to recommend early Win options at for a cost of $3,915, and responsive to community input we're also adding, a proposing to add a task to develop an ordinance, or policy, to Prohibit natural Gas and new Construction citywide.

3:59:56Concurrent with, and notably prior to adoption of the Cap, a cost of 14,500

4:00:04Together. Together. These 2 early wins will provide the city with tangible and meaningful reductions in emissions even before Adoption

4:00:15So the total cost for this work is $147,335.

4:00:20And during the project budget, proc budget, process back in June, we it was noted that the the city, Staff would come back to Council to appropriate funding for this Work when the agreement was ready to be considered and so at this time City staff is Simultaneously requesting the Appropriation

4:00:36of $147,335, from the general Fund Unreserved Fund balance to Develop the Cap and the early Win Ordinance and so the Unaited Projected Fy 22 General Fund Balance Is 8 million for an estimated total of

4:00:5015.2 million, and the City Manager is here to be able and can elaborate on the fund fund balance but essentially, what we're proposing is to fund this Climate action plan of 147,000 out of that 15.2 million fund Balance and So I'm

4:01:06here and available to answer any questions. As This Gretchen Muller, with Cascadia,

4:01:13Thank you, any council. Do you have any questions. We'll start to to my right.

4:01:19Thank you, mayor, okay, So if we were to go in the direction of this electrification ordinance add on what would be the timeline for implementation?

4:01:33Yeah, so I I'd say realistically, if we get started.

4:01:36You know, as soon as possible, 6 to 12 months like a normal ordinance Process.

4:01:40I I think we'd want to do you know, public outreach, connect with our developers, connect with the Chamber of Commerce, you know. So a couple of folks what We're Imagining right now, is in addition to some of the bigger public outreach that we normally do having some focus groups with some

4:01:54Of the Key Stakeholders. you know realistically I think you know a really fast process, right?

4:02:01Is 3, 4 months, 6 months might be conservative definitely before the Climate Action plan comes.

4:02:05So I'd say 12 months on the long side. But somewhere in that range, and could we have Cascadia explain a little bit about how they measure.

4:02:14Ghg, yeah, absolutely and I know, they use best practices based on this Work Internationally here and can try it.

4:02:26I can sign in with the caveat that I am not our greenhouse gas inventory leave, so we have other people that are proposed for that task but we do offer a breakdown in our proposal and I have it pulled up and maybe we can kind of walk through the various

4:02:43Different elements of the Greenhouse Gas inventory, but Just Lines of Caveat, that and so in terms of some of the really key elements, of it, one of the first things that we do, is do an Inventory, Work, really closely, with different Staff members Representing, various different Deployments.

4:03:04To do both Internal Greenhouse, Gas, Inventory, as well, as a Community Greenhouse, Gas Inventory as well, so different different outputs, and then we have a model that we put things, Into and then do Projections, kind of based on that

4:03:25Alright, and as a Co. Member of the Climate Action Plan subcommittee with myself, and Councilmember, Abelson,

4:03:33This has been a long time, coming, but I'm personally very glad thankful that we are now being presented with this tonight and I'm really glad that it's happening during Councilmember Abelson's last Full Meeting so I'll pass on the Questions to my Colleagues Oh

4:03:50it would may pretend next thank you for the presentation and the details.

4:03:53I'm also very excited for the Climate Action plan, cause I think

4:04:02The first one was really helpful. just an individual and household level to have actions that we can all take and so it'll be exciting to see sort of the the Macro Effect of this for our town but also Drilling down to all the things that we can do as in individual community members

4:04:20To make an impact. I have a bunch of questions. first, is, do we have any grants, pending or Kind of Targeted to to offset any the Cost of the Climate, Action, Line, not at this time as the short answer but we are looking into it so We're Working with our our grant Consultant.

4:04:37Rpg, and we have them on board and to focus, look at what Grants might be available talks at some of these costs, so one, I know, is around climate adaptation there is state funding for that, and so That's when we're looking at but Nothing's Solidified

4:04:51at this time, But what I will say is that there are economies of scales, to the What's being proposed here so We're proposing to do the Climate action an adaptation Plan but also Incorporate the Work of Sb 3 7 9, so That's a something.

4:05:04that's going to be required to be in our safety element.

4:05:05But we're incorporating here, and and so surely, if that were a standalone or separate effort, it would cost more, and then also the ordinance.

4:05:14Push if we were to engage a consultant to try and help us.

4:05:16Develop the ordinance to the public outreach. I'm sure, the the Cost, for the Standalone proposal would be higher than this Piggyback proposal to incorporate into the Outreach That's already been Done so in that Way We're trying to minimize

4:05:28Costs and Streamline, and as One Package with One Consultant, and and We'll continue to work on Grants, I know that the Proposal Talks About Doing a Survey and I was Wondering if This was Kind of Tied to the the the Pull Co Survey That's Going out or That's Will.

4:05:46have a separate survey for that, it's not tied to the to the national Survey that's going out, this will really be and it's a proposed so what I should first, say, is basically what cascadia has done in their proposal is in addition.

4:06:00To we're gonna have at least 2 large public workshops where we really try and get Tons, of in-person.

4:06:05You know all sorts of outreach, but what we're gonna do early on in the process, is develop an outreach plan with them.

4:06:11And so they proposed a lot of different things that we could do in coordination with the consultant, and one of them is a survey, although that's not it may or may not be one of the things that we pursue as part of the outreach process but I imagine if we do do a

4:06:25Survey what it'll be is really targeted to try and get specific feedback and specific input about what kind of climate action strategies people want to see you know how they're feeling about adaptation, strategies, and so on and so it will probably be a pretty focused, and targeted survey.

4:06:42Okay, I notice that in the proposal, there was a lot of discussion, about equity and measuring, the disproportionate Impacts, from an up with an equity lens would like to know more about how you're gonna Achieve that and kind of how you how you approach this work, yeah.

4:07:04Absolutely and I'll hand it off to Greg who can speak more you know, speak more fully about Cascadia, but first, I just want to say equity was a focus of our Rfp so you know we need to go.

4:07:15New going in that, you know, a focus of our plan needed to be equity, from the outreach, that's done, and making sure that we really engage meaningfully with the whole community to the strategies that are developed and making sure that they don't have incidental or unintended Adverse

4:07:30Consequences, or we're not creating strategies for Client, that Burn Low-income households, for example, if if we require for example everyone to upgrade their heating, system, in their house, with no you know you don't have any thought about cost you know that's gonna burden some people.

4:07:48And so really it does. Equity was at the core of what we were hoping for and that's where where Cascadia stood, out and they they meaningfully, use data to make sure We're, getting, Going.

4:07:58To, be Doing Good outreach with the the spectrum of the Community, and then all the way through to Implementation and giving Us Key Performance Indicators, and the like to make Sure that We're Thinking About Equity Not Just, in the Development of the Plan, but as We Track, Progress, but Gretchen I'll Hand, it up to

4:08:16You, today.

4:08:17Yeah, thanks, so much, and and good, good response, there and and read in terms of kind of what we included in the proposal and I'll just speak a little bit dive in a little more deeply, into the Project lifespan that that will was referencing and how we

4:08:30Incorporate and and Key Considerations around equity in in our 4 kind of primary project components, the first one as well mentioned during the development of the Engagement Plan and That's also just Piggybacking and I'll Kind, of previous Comment about We Offered a Suite of Potential Ways to

4:08:49Engage, the Community, both Internal Community and External Community, and one of the First Deliables of our effort with with you, all would be to develop a Robust, Engagement Plan and during the Development, of that Plan It's Root That's, really one of the things that we Do right, Out of the Gates

4:09:04along with developing a really comprehensive Work plan.

4:09:07We Gather Community Demographic Data and as we could begin community engagement, we track, the demographics of Participants, through Optional Depression, Questions, that We answer whether or that we Ask whether they're when They're Registering for an Open House or when They're Taking a

4:09:26Survey, and we compare those against citywide, demographics, understand who we're here from and most and and equally importantly, who we're not hearing from and then we use this data to identify and gaps, this Varies, Engagement, and then we look, back at our Engagement, Plan, and Make

4:09:41any Adaptive Management, Pivots to the approach that we need to whether it's providing, different Channels of engagement, like we're not reaching the people, in the right ways in the in the ways, that that certain demographics in your in your community are used to getting information whether we

4:09:59need to adjust our approach in general, maybe the survey didn't quite land with a certain demographic of the community.

4:10:06So we need to pivot and and do something else to solicit their input and then from the vulnerability assessment.

4:10:13So that's kind of you know more in the weeds piece focusing on Frontline communities by using again, the demographics, Geographic Data to Analyze, which populations are most at risk now and likely to be most at risk in the future then from the Strategy, and actions, and prioritization Process, that we do we do a really

4:10:31Robust, prioritization process, when developing and Identifying the cap strategies and Actions, and it's through this thing, that we call them multi Criteria assessment, and We'll Take gratitude analysis that We oftentimes, Equity, and We recommend with all Clients, that We Work.

4:10:49With at equity is one of those criteria in the multi criteria, and and that is where we rank and score, the various actions to end equity, get the very, actions, get an equity score, and then we also ask community members stakeholders about potential Equity

4:11:07considerations and those draft have actions like to we get it right the scores are based on.

4:11:13You know, metrics, that we're using. But they don't always land right.

4:11:17It's some of that, is an art, not a science, and so are there equity related impacts and intended impacts that are equity related to those actions.

4:11:25That we need to consider when we then put these strategies and actions into a final plan, and prayers, certain actions, and de prioritize other actions, and then, also as well mentioned, in that implementation piece so we recommend setting equity-driven metrics, key performance into indicators and the employment plan can

4:11:44put in of the Cap. And this facilitates, the process of the city Tracking equity related impacts, as you all embark on moving the the Cap, and putting Legs on the Cap and Implementing all of the various Pieces, of the Cap and these Exact Measurements, are Developed later in the Process Based on the

4:12:01strategies, and actions, that you all select through this process I believe that key performance, indicators that are that are part of that piece as well, so on all different I'd say the the very the Life cycle of both the project in Terms, of the development of our process, with you, all in developing the plan

4:12:21in terms of the strategies and actions that are highlighted in the Plan, and then in terms of the implementation

4:12:29Thank you, that was a very thorough answer.

4:12:33And then my last question is more, I guess, about the the fund balance, and

4:12:42As I was reviewing the materials for this, and this is not that I am not supportive of the Climate Action plan I just want to make sure that as we then down on our Fund Reserve.

4:12:57Or, like, we, we think you know, we give the total of the remaining fundraiser, but we're really not kind of Tracking, all the Commitments.

4:13:06We've made so far against that. And I think I appreciate Mr.

4:13:15Provost, that you did include that in your slide. I think that it would be really helpful, as anytime we're saying we're drawing against the unreserve that we have this running total.

4:13:25So that We're we know where we are, and just going through and just for myself, trying to track all the the things that we've approved.

4:13:35It was very unwieldy, and going back to the budget and other documents, other agendas and trying to find the things that we have approved.

4:13:46So far so going forward, you know, so that we can be really making good decisions with all the information I really would like us to to keep that running total before us so that we know what we're doing in terms of how much we're impacting the underserved general fund.

4:14:07So I think, Mr. Provost, you had a total of 465,906

4:14:17Spent to date, is that correct? Yeah, that's right. I should say, I got that number from the City Manager.

4:14:20Yes, thank you. Yes, that is your to date.

4:14:21Those beginning in July fiscal year. Those are the appropriations that the Council is approved to Date, going back to the Dis, the discussion for the Fiscal year 2223 Budget if the Council Recalls, this was one of the One-time Projects that was

4:14:44Proposed by the staff, to the Council, and the Council of Agreed, that we would bring those separately, as they are one time projects that would be used by one time funding this was also a consideration because that some of the funding that was available in the general Fund Reserve was made possible by the American

4:15:03Rescue, plan. Act. So this is also consistent with Arpa funding,

4:15:07I just want to make the caveat that our numbers remain unaited as far as the end of the Fiscal year, and so what we really have in fund reserve, if We're Looking at the actual total that was the previous total of 7.2 million We're Projecting about an 8

4:15:251 million surplus for at the end of the year, but that is still going through the audit process.

4:15:30So right now our Projected fund balance would be about 15 to mill 15.2 million which is a 38% fund balance which as We've discussed over the years as we've been building our Fund Balance that the City's Minimum is 10% and the the Government

4:15:47Finance Officers, Association Recommendation 17, so it's about twice that at this point.

4:15:51So what we had brought to the council in June at the as A.

4:15:58Projected one Time Revenues or I'm sorry one Time projects to be spent by general fund reserve.

4:16:03We had anticipated think, we projected about it's right here,

4:16:09$460,000. That would include the classification and compensation study the general plan, safety element, and the Climate Action Plan Update at that Point we had estimated that the general plan, or the Climate Action plan, Uptake, could could Cost about $85,000,, obviously this is much more, but as

4:16:27You can see by the presentation. There's a reason why this is much more, the additional the additional expenditures were for the swim Center Repairs, and the City, Hall, TV Charging, Stations still Brings us down to about a 37% Ratio, which is still more than twice of what

4:16:45We're doing, or what? The recommendation is. But again, that is still on an audited numbers that we will be bringing back to once the Council, wants the Ak for is completed and at midyear we will be sure to have the everything reassessed with the Projections and everything included and as well as

4:17:04The Ending Quarterly General Fund Update, but yes, going forward, we can certainly make sure that in our financial considerations that we will keep the running.

4:17:13Total if you will I don't anticipate before mid Year.

4:17:15I don't want to jink for myself. I don't anticipate before many year we will be bringing an additional budget appropriation from Fund Balance to the Council again, I hope I didn't just drink myself but at that Point if we were to do that prior to mid Year We will

4:17:29Be sure to include that information. Thank you. I I really appreciate that I think

4:17:36You know, I think from the practice. Perspective staff is moving forward with we brought this before you we talked about it.

4:17:44Now we're Moving Forward. But I think that certain things like the the fact that our climate, Action plan, budget at the time when we talked about it was $85,000.

4:17:49And now it's significantly higher, is a material bit of information that we should understand so that we know when we say, oh, we we talked about it when we approved it it is we we need to keep track of the details, and I think that's gonna be important. But it's.

4:18:09Not that it's bad to spend the reserve on important things, like the climate action, plan, and the class and com study, the pool repairs are clearly very important to all of us and the community, it's, just that we need to know what we're doing and I think, that's really the important part of

4:18:27This. So hopefully, you know hopefully, there won't be other calls on the general fund, but it just at any given time.

4:18:34It's easy to say we approve this, this is where we are, and that will be really really helpful for all of us making good decisions.

4:18:43Thank you, okay, I, I completely agree with you. Thank you, Mayor for Tom.

4:18:47I I have a question for sitting Manager, Karen Pincus

4:18:52Did did we receive all of the Arpa funding already

4:18:56Yes. Okay, good good. Because at our Cal cities, meetings. they mentioned that with the the Volatility, that's going on statewide and and across the country, that some cities will the the State of California will slow down, some of this thing some of the Arpa

4:19:23Funding. So I'm glad we have all of ours in there already.

4:19:26So, so I was concerned about that, because they are thinking about that they are they are thinking about slowing down, some of the things that were promised on the State level to help cities and so yeah, our board is concerned.

4:19:42About that, Well, I wanted to mention to you, and I and I know you know already about the earmarks that were given by the Federal level.

4:19:49When and Earmarks for low-income Homes for heat, pumps, and and when I was tinging through last Board meeting, for Energy and I'm on the Executive Committee as Well, They Mentioned, that you know when it comes to

4:20:10Equity. This is only going. 2 cities that are challenged.

4:20:13And We're not considered the challenge. City. So I want to make sure that then and Gretchen does that.

4:20:15I want to make sure that you look at this and make sure that we have access to this because if we don't, we shouldn't promise it.

4:20:25And so looking at that I was told that cities like Bellejo Antioch and Richmond, have first Dibs on these earmarks for Low Income Homes, to change over to Keep Pumps and to Green their their Properties, bring Hard

4:20:50In the Properties by by Double Pain Windows and Changing from Gas to Heat Pumps, and and I just wanna make sure that we look at the price on that and and because that's difficult to get here in California right now, because a lot, of cities want to do this and you

4:21:10Know, when when it comes to ev infrastructure. we have to pay for this, we're not like Richmond and Annie awkward.

4:21:16They get all this stuff for free. We have to pay for it.

4:21:21And you, look at that one cost. Here, at that City hall, at $58,000 for something that the the current ev infrastructure Company, that we've been working with doesn't even want to Work on anymore.

4:21:31Say it's obsolete and I'm concerned about just how fast the technology is going.

4:21:43I want to make sure we're not going to have another dinosaur in the future, with so making sure that we get the right up to date.

4:21:47Yeah, ev. Infrastructure for the City, yeah, I very much appreciate it absolutely and endpoint. Well, taken and as part of this work, we're definitely going to be tracking you know looking more closely at the Federal Legislation, at the State Legislation, the State targets, that

4:22:06Have been updated, I I will note that we have been closely following any grant programs from Mce, any state programs and trying to leverage, those we do have you know people in our community that do qualify for those eb, rebates, and so we push those out in our green Happiness.

4:22:20These new Newsletter and Elsewhere and Even the the High, Cast there was for the Ev Charging station here at City Hall, but we did get a grant for that from mce, for $7,000, to Help Offset the Cost and so We're, trying to take advantage of this Funding that is Available

4:22:34To us, to do this work. Now I very much appreciate you, looking into all that and and you know that you mark said that we looked at and we asked Congress to do this and they did this and especially our our us, Congress I are you a state senator, it was a center, of Fininstein, and Senator

4:22:53Padilla that you know, made this effort to do this for cities in California, so I want to make sure when it comes to equity.

4:22:57You know it it's it's frustrating.

4:23:05When we think that we're able to get these things for low-income, people, the city is not included in a lot of the things because they're not considered they don't consider el cerrita to be a low income city even though we do have poverty and

4:23:22Some low income people overall they always say no when it comes to things that we all

4:23:33Yeah just wanted to let you know about that and I know all the other cities that that are in the the area of Mc the City's in Rand, County, majority of the cities, here, in Cocktail, Costa, we have to pay for these things, so

4:24:00Even though we're thinking about equity all the time.

4:24:01And I know this certainly does so. It's frustrating.

4:24:06When we're not included on this. I tried to get ev infrastructure for bar, even though the majority of our residents are coming from West Contra, Costa and from Richmond Residents they they wanted else to read it to Pay That's That's, the the reality of

4:24:24Things, here, so, but yeah, thank you for that. Let's go to next, questions.

4:24:25I have, thank you, thank you, and I wanted to thank the subcommittee for in the past, for working through difficult times, and We're finally, at a point where We're moving on this so and Cascadia has a good record I'm really Impressed with your Resume and wanna address, a couple of

4:24:46Questions to Gretchen for all the various cities you've worked with, including our neighbor Albany, next door.

4:24:47Here I was wondering, are you New Gretchen to the firm

4:24:59I'm old to the firm but

4:25:01Why why is it? Why is it your picture, and more

4:25:04I'm not Part of the Project Team. Yeah, so that's a really I'm Pinch hitting for for the the folks that that are and that are traveling

4:25:12So you won't be work you personally. I don't see your name listed on the Keystep. Working for us.

4:25:16So you won't be. You're not

4:25:19I will not be yep. So the key staff that are in the proposal are the key, stuff, that will be working for you all on this Project I co-lead our planning and facilitation I'm a Co-director, of our Planning facilitation, line, of business, Along with

4:25:31Andrea Martin, and who, I believe is Featured and so, and Alicia who, is the project manager is, actually, I'm based on the Seattle office.

4:25:42Alicia is the project manager to actually traveling up to Seattle, right now for our all Staff retreat which starts tomorrow.

4:25:50So she wasn't able to join, and I'm Joining in her place

4:25:54Hey, good! Are you an all female firm

4:25:58We are a women owned, yes, we do have some men that work at our firm, but we are

4:26:02Women only contract to men who have men hired to work with you.

4:26:06We do have men, that work with us. Yes.

4:26:08Okay, yeah, I'm just getting to the point that the mayor pro.

4:26:11Tem brought up on equity. I'm really glad she brought it up because I know you're gonna be doing a lot of outreach work, and not I'm not talking about the grant side that the mayor was talking about.

4:26:25Yes.

4:26:26But I'm talking about reaching out to our public's and making sure that there's a diversity, and you, know we have a diversity in our city, and we want to make sure we get that lens here, because this is an issue in our city, that we're trying to focus

4:26:39On, and I noticed that you did work with the county of San Francisco on an equity but can you tell me a little bit about what you did.

4:26:47Because I'm not seeing a lot of diverse people in your firm.

4:26:50And I'm just hoping you know. Are there

4:26:54Yeah, I mean in terms of the places, that we work, I would say, the representation, within our staff overall, We're about an 80, person firm, and we are our demographics within our Firm, represent from a Race, Race, ethnicity, side represent a lot of the Communities, that we work, with I would say that

4:27:15Good. Okay.

4:27:16we we do, have a lot of women that Work at our firm.

4:27:19It's it's it's always been that way a Cascadia in terms of the engagement teams that we lead definitely very much think that the representation in terms of the Engagement Teams that go out into you it's, really important that those engagement teams, are representative

4:27:37of the communities, that they're conducting engagement within.

4:27:42And so our engagement teams are

4:27:43Good. Okay. I just wanna really get input back, because as will is mentioned.

4:27:53Yes.

4:27:57Absolutely.

4:27:58If equity is a theme in this project, then we need to be equitable on how we reach out to folks. So that we're, you know, not having an environmental, justice or equity justice, issues, at the end of the product when the products finally, so okay.

4:28:05Right. Yeah, absolutely, yeah, those are really, great questions. And then sometimes, too, well, we will team up with, and partner with community based organizations.

4:28:08So organizations that are or you know working within the communities that we work with as well

4:28:20Okay, alright, I will hold you to that. you heard you probably been on a long time tonight, listening to us talk.

4:28:25We are at the very beginning, about the Sam Pablo specific plan

4:28:35Yes, yep, there is there I feel like there's been a lot of a lot of overlap across the various presentations

4:28:44Hmm.

4:28:48Absolutely.

4:28:53Yeah

4:28:54Yeah so there's overlap, and there's discussion about you, working with our staff to make sure that that plan there's some unification going on here I just wanna make sure that you hear that so we can move as quickly, as possible, on electrification you can help in that direction, and help us, improve whatever

4:28:57May be finalized in the specific plan. But I think you're an important component, and he will bring us a lot of stuff and a lot of low hanging fruit.

4:29:07I'm hopeful. So we can move quicker than what some are predicting.

4:29:11Here, okay

4:29:12Yeah, thank you. Councilmember. And that. Yeah, just wanting to point out that one of the very first things that we do with the internal Project team is to identify what are complementary, what are what are planning Processes, that are Underway, right now, what are planning Processes, that are

4:29:29Relevant and have have connections and crossroads to the plan that we're developing, with you, all the the one of our top priorities is making sure that this plan talks, to other planning processes, both current future as well as past so that's something that the one of the very first action I

4:29:47Don't in in our process that we've outlined at our proposal

4:29:50Thank you, I I think I don't have too many questions, but I do wanna make sure that I understand something correctly.

4:30:01And that it has to do with when we say electrification, are we talking about the use of the like electrical power rather than gas.

4:30:17Natural gas. That's right. I can answer that. I I think it's more clear.

4:30:23To say, natural gas prohibition and new construction, electrification, yes, we're talking about electricity.

4:30:28But people, often use that for existing, existing buildings, and so you talk about electrifying existing buildings and that's, not what we're talking about here, we're just talking about in this proposal, new construction, new construction, okay, so would it be all new construction. Or well, those are the price precisely, the things we want to look.

4:30:55At and why we want to have a public process around it.

4:30:56So that we should eightyp views be included should 4 units include it should single family homes be include or restaurants?

4:31:00Those are the kinds of things we want to talk about publicly, and with you, all I thought I heard earlier tonight about

4:31:06The I can't call it anything else, except electrification at the Moment.

4:31:13But about that being an early win yes, so explain to me.

4:31:18How that's an early win. Or 2 things to then tonight, so in the specific plan that you all approved.

4:31:25The the update is within. The approval was the the amendments right to include the requirement for Certain Units, 5 units, or more to be all electrode only residential, okay, and then so in this in this climate, action plan update, proposal included in the recommended action is

4:31:47including the development of an ordinance to ban natural gas and new construction, not just in the specific plan area, not just for 5 units, and more, but citywide for all construction, but we want to take it slow so that we can have the public process talk, to the chamber, talk to developers, and and come

4:32:03back to you with with a thorough ordinance that that is vetted, based on best practices, and has carve outs.

4:32:10You know where appropriate. If I understand correctly, there's really 2 parts to the electrification, there's the early win part, and then there's the everything else, Part, and they everything else, when I'm Calling, Everything else, is the thing, that we would spend, a lot of time, on in discussions, but

4:32:34the early when part would be I guess, and probably in a specific plan. Area.

4:32:41Yes, you could look at it, that way that in a sense you've already done the early win through the specific plan.

4:32:47And now we'll be engaging on another, one as part of the Cap.

4:32:50Okay, thank you hmm yeah, great next, we will go.

4:32:54To opening the public, Hearing, the Public hearing is now open in person request to speaker, can submit a speaker card to the City clerk, and remote speakers can use the raised hand feature to request to speak please remember to identify yourself and your city of residents, at the beginning of

4:33:17Your comments, madam, city, Clerk, Mr. Mayor, just wanted to clarify because we've skipped around so much tonight.

4:33:19This is not a public hearing this administrative business, totally understandable.

4:33:28Just wanted to make clear for the record. Yes, exactly, we're we're completely out of order, but this is the time to hear from the see, if there are public

4:33:52Alright, thank you. My name is Howard Caddy hit live in Al Sredo.

4:33:56So here, we're finally, talking about the Climate Action plan that if you all spoken enthusiasm about and I appreciate.

4:34:04And so that this is being brought forward and funded. However, i'm still reeling a little bit from the shock of the fact, that some of you, just a few minutes ago, thought it was important to vote down a very Modest Amendment, to a policy that was non-binding but simply Stated.

4:34:20Climate, Action, awareness, conversation, to help future emissions, reductions.

4:34:26So how do you defend that? Why why do you want to fun, to climate, action, plan.

4:34:30If you don't think it's actually important to make climate action part of your job, climate action, is not just hiring a consultant to write a plan for you, climate action, emergency is a daily commitment to personal and professional actions, in the realms, that you operate the city has recently announced

4:34:48A significant electrification effort with a number of identified projects to replace gas Appliances and City Facilities, fully externally funded.

4:34:57No less, and I congratulate staff on that action.

4:34:59This is a great example of what staff should be proactively doing as a matter of routine, business, like some of the measures that were negotiated, as part of the Solid Waste contract that was mentioned earlier tonight are also good examples of integrating claim actions, and through routine business a larger plan

4:35:16Is important and valuable, but it isn't. The only way to get a lot of meaningful climate action.

4:35:21And as council, you should make clear direction to staff that you don't generate a plan in early Winds.

4:35:27Report from a Consultant, both of which are great and I'm glad they are happy.

4:35:32But you. Also want to see a commitment to in integrating climate action, into the routine course of business, in all areas of the city, because that's what being in a climate action, climate emergency demands the plan should help inform that Evolution of Business Activity I'm Glad the City wide Electrification

4:35:51Ordinance is being proposed, and I hope it progresses as quickly as possible, but in the context of the action you took tonight on the specific plan update.

4:35:56Is worth. Reflecting on the fact that you just got a major bargain by incorporating electricification.

4:36:05Into the specific plan. Now you're looking at more than 14 k to do a citywide ordinance, and you got the earlier action essentially free while the Scope, is larger and I appreciate the intent to do a thorough, outreach I question whether it's really Necessary to spend Fourteenk on this I

4:36:22Don't oppose the proposed budget, for the plan and related activities, but have the other 64 communities with these ordinances really spent this much on them at this point this is a mature routine uncontrollable Action that is now very Cookie cutter given the number of neighbors

4:36:37Who have already done it let's make sure we're focusing our limited funds on climate action areas, that really need the funding.

4:36:43This is not to say, we shouldn't do citywide, electric and Asian ordinance.

4:36:47We absolutely should as soon as possible, but it seems unnecessary that it is this expensive in the context of this action.

4:36:55We need early, public and Committee input, on this coming climate action plan, and also a lot of focus on improving the implementation, and replacing updates, not just the plan the past plan was very weak on implementation, and Reporting, so thank you.

4:37:13Thank you, Mayor, that concludes our request to speak got very good.

4:37:17Next we'll come back to the Council any final comments start with the hmm.

4:37:29I I I think my comment would be

4:37:34That this would enable us to get out a significant amount of work, not just a plan done.

4:37:43But we're the actual. Progress and work done towards implementing, and that's what I really like the early win thing for that reason I think those that's about the only comment I have other than I would be happy to make the motion.

4:38:05Alright. Thank you. we will go through the Council first, and then

4:38:14I'm just glad we're on this path

4:38:16It's been a while, and there's a good combination of things that we're doing tonight that leads Us to a good place but I would like to say not to go I I know staff, said slow I Think We need to move with all due speed which is not easy but it's a goal, that we

4:38:36need to have, and you know, the Money's being spent because Council is asked that this be done and our staff is lacking in the ability to do it all itself so right a place, now, where We're moving forward so things you thank you mayor, pretend thank you mayor, I'm

4:38:57just excited that we're finally here and looking forward to getting started

4:39:03I feel the same way, and I feel the same way as well and it's about time, and I'm excited that we're gonna go through this.

4:39:13And get this done, you know, as a long time former member board member of the Sierra Club, and being Part of the Environmental Policy Committee for Cal, Cities, being on the M.

4:39:22Ce Board and Executive Committee just have to be Frank about this.

4:39:30And this is gonna take years to do it's not gonna happen tomorrow.

4:39:35And just having everyone go through electrification and then change over it's it's going to take many, many years and frankly, the State of California, does not have enough you know, electricity to bus share this, up and down, the State and you look at the Brown, outset We've been

4:39:55Having, Because of our Climate, Change, we have to do this, now I understand, and but yeah, looking at what the deployment, energy is doing they continue to keep that nuclear, plan open because they know that that's turned off we're, gonna have brownouts regular brown outs a lot

4:40:17Of them. So we need to be methodical. About this and we all need to work together and work and we can't do this alone.

4:40:20So small cities cannot do this. We are going to work.

4:40:32With our Partners and our Regional Boards work with the County Work with the State of California and on and on the Federal Level, and I look forward to

4:40:44As well. So on this, yeah, no. You know this, this infrastructure, that we have now with gas, exciting that we're gonna go through this change but it's not gonna happen overnight, then I look forward, to but when it happens but let's, do this methodically, the stuff

4:41:08Is not gonna happen overnight. So I'd love to.

4:41:15Can I make one more and I I wasn't gonna bring this up in the context of electricity in the news from Kentucky about the transmission shutdown.

4:41:24Can we make sure staff we talked to Pgne about making sure we have protections or or cameras that are you've got a transmission station in the middle of our city.

4:41:35That could wipe, us out as far as electricity, and it's news, and it's called people that are have are shooting guns, and it's happened in a couple of places around the Nation in Kern County and yeah, was that Rachel Matt out that

4:41:53There's she did a expose on that last night.

4:41:57So These are terrorists and we need if we're moving toward more electricity, let's make sure that they're cameras.

4:42:00So we protect our electricity supply. That's a follow up question.

4:42:08I know that one of the Resiliency things that we can do is to have microbes, and we have a lot of rooftop solar in our town, I hope that that will be one of the things that's considered in our climate.

4:42:21Action plan, is about equity, as equity and resiliency, more in clean energy. We are on board on doing this, so what the city is at represent were in clean energy, that's that's our next Step and we're Gonna work with our Board members and we're Collaboratively on

4:42:38The campus, level as well, because we can't do this on its own.

4:42:44And and then this is why we collaborate through our Regional Board.

4:42:45So definitely work with Marine clean energy as you've been doing and and I look forward to working with Cascadia as well, you know, I think I just take this opportunity to to call to the community to participate, in the public process, because really you know, we want to think about all ideas that

4:43:16are out there to reduce Greenhouse, Gas emissions and so it's going to try and be a comprehensive plan filled with lots of Good ideas, and and then prioritizing them.

4:43:25So thank you for the comment about microgrids. Okay,

4:43:31I would like to make a motion that we adopt resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Consulting Services Agreement with Cascadia Consulting Group to develop a Climate Action and Adaptation, Plan Alright otherwise Not the Cap and a Policy, or Ordinance to prevent natural Gas in new Construction.

4:43:55Citywide then current, with the development of the cap in the amount not to succeed 147,300, and $35, and amending the Fiscal Year 2,002, Dash 3 Adopted Budget, to Appropriate, 100, and 47,300,

4:44:17And $35 from the general, fund Unreasonved Fund Balance to Cover the Costs for this Work, I second, the Motion okay, great we have a Motion by Council member Abelson and A second from Councilmember Rugby Madam City Clerk, all those in favor please say Aye Aye is

4:44:36Opposed motion carries great so just wanna make sure that.

4:44:42I got this right, we've completed everything and we're now at number 10 and the City Council Local and Regional Liaison Assignments, any Updates from Anyone here, I just have a Brief update, that I'm the Cal Cities, Representative, Policy Committee, for Housing

4:45:03Community economic development and also, taxation of that congratulations.

4:45:07Yeah, that's and that's where we share these things.

4:45:08I'm I'm the Presidential Appointee for the lead, California cities on the Public Safety Policy Committee.

4:45:17That's okay, and I continue to be on the environmental policy.

4:45:25Can we go, on the Environmental Policy Committee meeting and our chair is the Council, member from Piedmont John Kavanaugh.

4:45:31And I look forward working with her when it comes to environmental policy, it's Northern California, in the Bay area that take to lead that take the lead on this some very proud of that then we are going to Miss Mayor Tom Buck who has been a Long time, Member of that Committee, good so we

4:45:50Are adjourned, we're joining this regular council, meeting.

4:45:54It is quarter to 1945 the next regularly Scheduled City Council Meeting, Tuesday, December Twentieth, 2022 at 7 Pm, and that is a special Counsel meeting that I Look Forward to Attending to Welcome our New Council, Member Carolyn

4:46:15Weissinger and say goodbye to and congratulations on the Retirement from my dear friend, and colleague, for the last 8 plus Years, as a Council, member and and more than that as a Volunteer you call me back in 2,001 when I first moved back here.

4:46:25And