Regular City Council Meeting April 4, 2023

0:00:18May, or we are ready to begin whenever you are. Thank you, Madam Clerk.

0:00:24The April fourth, 2,023 regular City Council meeting is call to order

0:00:30at 6 0, one Pm. Madam Clerk, please call role Mayor Motiyama Derek, Mayor, pro Tim Redneck.

0:00:38Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): that

0:00:39Council Member for Fidelity Councilmember Kinto council member. We singer here.

0:00:45and Mayor, if I may quickly just announce that Mayor pretend Redneck is participating remotely under a B, 2, 449 just cause exception for having a contagious illness that prevents in person attendance. However, council action is not required for this exception.

0:01:00Thank you, man. Click

0:01:03please join me in the pledge of allegiance or a moment of silence.

0:01:10I pleasure to the plan of the United States of America.

0:01:15and she's the Republic for which she stands one patient.

0:01:22and this is for all.

0:01:28The next item on the agenda is teleconference and public comment instructions.

0:01:35Thank you, Mayor.

0:01:36This hybrid meeting provides an option to participate in person or via zoom. Remote participants are asked to keep microphones muted when not speaking. If you are in person and logged into zoom. Please ensure your device. Audio and zoom audio are muted to avoid any feedback.

0:01:52Closed captions are available by participating in the meeting via Zoom for members of the public who wish to provide oral testimony. The Mayor will announce the time for public comment on each applicable item in-person. Requests will be heard first followed by remote request, to speak

0:02:07in person. Request can be submitted to the city clerk by completing a speaker. Card Remote requests can be made by selecting the hand. Icon and phone request can be made by Dialing Star. 9 instructions are provided on the meeting agenda, and will be displayed during each period of public comment.

0:02:22Meetings of the City Council are subject to the Brown Act, and are help for the purpose of conducting city business. The adopted rules of order and procedures, specify that public speakers address the city Council in an orderly and respectful manner.

0:02:35precede their comments with their name and city of residents, and be respectful of time, limits, policy prohibits yielding time from one speaker to another. Thank you, Mayor, that concludes my my instructions.

0:02:45Thank you, Madam clerk.

0:02:47The next item on the agenda is Council Staff Communications, Madam City Manager, do we have any staff communications? Certainly. Thank you, your honor. I'm Karen Pinkas City manager. I just wanted to once again have a bulk save the date for our Budget Town Hall, which will be held on Saturday, April 20 s.

0:03:07from 10 am. To noon. That'll be here in the City Council Chambers so hopefully, we'll have a a good turnout. Either it will be a hybrid meeting, so you can come in person or on zoom. And at this point

0:03:20there you are. May I call up? If it's our public Works director and talk a little bit about

0:03:25the I will. Hopefully. What we believe is the last of the major storm impacts that we've had to deal with.

0:03:32Good evening, Mayor Council members either, or thesis that he's Public Works Director.

0:03:37Yes, and I wanted to give you an update on the hillside natural area, which is the last major facility that we're taking care of. And over the last the last 2 storms caused a lot of tree damage, and so last Tuesday we warned the public that the trails were hazardous.

0:03:54and but there's been significant progress made. Our tree contractors started work last Friday, and has been clearing the trees from the trails and hanging lambs to make them safe, so that work should be done by the end of this week. So the trail should be fully open to the public

0:04:12by this weekend. And so in the meantime, there are signs warning the public of hazards, and to be to be careful.

0:04:21So that's the majority of the debris clearance is completed. There's still some other tree work that's not affecting access that we'll we'll have to address at a later date.

0:04:33So that concludes my update. Thank you.

0:04:37Thank you. Any announcements from Council members.

0:04:45I want to let folks know that I had the the pleasure of joining Council member

0:04:55the Council member to my left. Go there, 2 doors down, and we attended the National League of Cities, and we met with a lot of local elected officials across the country, and finding out more about

0:05:14resources on the Federal level for cities and cities like El Cerrito and and cities like that we have here in California. So.

0:05:25looking at that, I will, I will share with all of you the materials that Carolyn and Council member we singer and I have, and we'll share that with all of you with Staff, so we'll let you know what is out there on the Federal level. There's a lot of grants available

0:05:43for all departments, and

0:05:46they're concerned that a lot of cities don't know how to apply for this. But I know this city will will know they probably know already. So

0:05:56yeah.

0:05:58they will have a convention in November, and that will be in the city of Atlanta. So also why attended the a meeting with

0:06:09walk in the halls of Congress with marine, clean energy, and our supervisor, John Joya, and asking for more earmarks for greening our homes by by changing over to from gas

0:06:27to heat, pumps, gas furnaces, to heat pumps.

0:06:31So that's all in the future of California supervisor, choya, who also a member of the Air Board here, so that there will be a an ordinance of law coming up that i'm 2027. You will see most likely you will not see guest furnaces sold here in California, and then in 2029, most likely you will not see other guest appliances so

0:07:00important to know so I urge our residents when you have a an appliance that is no longer working, and you need to replace it when it comes to a

0:07:15a furnace. There are grants available. So look at the Marine clean energy

0:07:21site, and also the air district site, where you will see, you know, Grants available rebates available through the State of California and the Federal level and updating your appliances to electric. So the Federal Government is on board on electrifying things just like the State of California. But it's going to take some time. It's not going to happen yesterday. It's going to take many years, so I know our our Eq activists

0:07:51environmental quality. Folks say they have asked for this, and this is how cities like Elsa Rito. We are able to comply this by collaborating with our partners at marine, clean energy and our regional boards. Cities cannot do this on our own. It's it's not affordable. So whatever we can do to work with our partners on the Federal State county, and the regional boards at the city councils belong to.

0:08:20That's how we get things done. So

0:08:26Thanks.

0:08:27Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): Thank you, Madam Mayor just wanted to give a quick heads up that the first weekend of May is the L. 3 of Trail Trekkers hillside fast, and there they have a trifle that they recently released with all the different events that are happening that weekend. So I just want to let members of the public know about this really fantastic annual event.

0:08:46Thank you. Thank you, man. I just wanted to pig you back on what councilmember I thought this came at the end of our agenda, but we one you have 3, so i'm getting a hold of this

0:08:58scheduled. But yes, we had a great time at the National League of Settings. We also had opportunity to sit down with our congressman, John Gear and Wendy, who, you know, as a an energy champions to to speak about, how we can get more money into our city to electrify our city also in helping out our public safety departments, because we understand that money for public safety is not just helping them solve crime, but it's also for their quality of life. I mean issues that support, keeping the best officer and the best in the room here in elsewhere. So we're looking forward to that.

0:09:27and also just advocating on the Federal level for a lot of those different issues where there's public safety. I mean, there's a lot of talk about what we as cities can do to call a list around this idea of reimagining public safety. So we're looking forward to going into Atlanta, and actually continuing, working with our city leaders. What's one thing that we said there? Councilmember kings are Give away to the cities. We know what what's missed locally, and that's the way that we're going to go about this for the next year.

0:09:54Thank you, Councilman Weinger, and thank you for the reminder. I I will make my comments at the end Council Member for Delhi. Yes, thank you. I just wanted to what the Mayor Prochem said on May 6 and 7.

0:10:07But the trail trail Trackers famous festival up in our hillside. It should be dry, or hopefully, even by then, and also to mention for those residents that may be interested that the a record swap will be at our famous down home records.

0:10:22April thirtieth Sunday from 8 until noon in their parking lot. Go there. Thank you.

0:10:28Thank you. Council Member for Delhi and I for the public. We are do trying to streamline our agenda. We are trying to keep council and staff communications to be forward looking, I activities and events that people can attend and to keep

0:10:46right. I report out of

0:10:48things that we have done in the past to the end of the agenda. And so I have one item which is our Earth Day celebration. Coming up on April fifteenth, Saturday, starting at 8 am. I can meet at the Community Center and go out to different

0:11:06clean ups and events around town. So look for that information on our website.

0:11:13Hey?

0:11:14I also like to report out that the city council held a closed session meeting today at 4 45 pm. And we have no reportable actions

0:11:26for the first quarter of 2023,

0:11:29covering January to March. I would like to recognize the elsredo centenarian, Jack Jacqueline Jackie, Herman, who turned 103 with a mayoral certificate of recognition. So

0:11:42happy. Birthday.

0:11:48Madam Clerk, is there any speakers for the centenarian

0:11:53or no? We do not have any.

0:11:57The next item is oral communications from the public. Now 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

0:12:10in-person speakers can submit. A speaker card to the city clerk and remote speakers should use the raise hand feature, to request to speak. Please remember to identify yourself and your city of residents at the beginning of your comments, Madam Clerk, please proceed.

0:12:24Thank you, Mayor. We did receive public comments for items, not on the agenda from Cordel Himmler. By the advanced deadline Today those were posted online with supplemental materials and provided directly to council. I will.

0:12:36Sorry. I'm having some public.

0:12:45Okay, so I will go to our in person. Request to speak first, which is Buddy Act package.

0:12:55You please start the time clock, Madam Clerk: Yes, give me 1 s

0:13:05Good evening. City Council, I'm. Buddy Activist residents of Hannah Gardens for the last 5 years.

0:13:14Okay.

0:13:16you look great, Tessa. Hope that you're back with us. Live asap. and I'd like to mention that the centenarians in our community. We lost one

0:13:28about a month ago. Leis will tell us 103

0:13:35long time. El Cerito Resident.

0:13:39This is what I've brought to you this evening. It's an honor to do this.

0:13:48Our senior community of El Cerido. California wants to go on record here and now

0:14:01as zoom full solidarity and unyielding support.

0:14:08or a new state of the Art Library here in El Cerrito, California.

0:14:18I thank you.

0:14:20Thank you.

0:14:31Okay. We'll go. We'll go to our remote request to speak, starting with Cordel Himmler Cordell, you should be able to unmute and begin your time. Now

0:14:41cordell hindler: please restart the clock. Member

0:14:49him and Ali.

0:14:50Yes, we can.

0:14:52cordell hindler: So good evening, Mayor Multi. I'm Council members. My name is Prudel Henlet. I'm. A Richmond resident, so

0:15:00i'm bringing forward enough that same same matter that I brought up last time.

0:15:05If you recall. At the December twentieth meeting

0:15:08there was an item on the consent calendar regarding the

0:15:12installing speed bumps along Ashbury. Once again I have seen

0:15:17cordell hindler: cars continually speeding along that corridor, and is getting more and more dangerous because

0:15:24I got a lot of feedback from elsewhere or high school.

0:15:28cordell hindler: The residents, as well as the the businesses along that corridor, and they're saying the same thing. There, there's not enough of

0:15:36there's no speed bumps along Ashbury, and it's getting more and more dangerous. So that's one. And then number 2 is I can send an email out to the Public Works director, and I would think that and I would, and I was hoping for a response, because my concerns then.

0:15:52as we've been having, like, you know, some some bad weather in the last couple of weeks it

0:15:57people continue to drive

0:16:00cordell hindler: fast, and it's getting it, and it's getting more and more not safe. So I would hopefully that that there will be an officer right there along along that that that corridor to, you know, to keep an eye on for people that keep speeding.

0:16:15because to me it's like

0:16:18cordell hindler: Personally, it's like it's not safe because you guys are all these people. We'll be speeding along the Ashbury.

0:16:26and I have not seen the no police officer at present. So i'm hoping that it will be resolved because kids are going to get out of school in June, and I would hopefully there would be a

0:16:37this matter will be, a group will be resolved. That's one of that Number 2 is

0:16:42cordell hindler: for a future agenda. Request is to have

0:16:45either Lisa, Macintosh or Mona Favorite hill to provide an update regarding a proposed race for East Bay mud, because

0:16:55I get the letter from them like every month, and it's like. because I know they're going to raise the the rates of

0:17:01for the use of water. So i'm hoping that that my item that we bring forward to be put on next month's agenda. So

0:17:09that's it.

0:17:11Thank you. Our next speaker is, I will share. Now I will. You should be able to unmute and begin your time now.

0:17:23Why are you with us?

0:17:29Ira Sharenow: Okay, Can you hear me now?

0:17:30Yes, we can go ahead.

0:17:33My name is Ivory Shyver now, and I've lived in elsewhere in California.

0:17:36Ira Sharenow: I would like to speak about recreational opportunities in Pickle Ball is the fastest growing sport in America. I would like to play pickleball, and elsewhereito.

0:17:47I would like to see some recreation tax money and some measure we money spend on pickle ball chords.

0:17:54The city will recoup its investment with significant court fees.

0:17:58I am also a bicycle riser. I have concerned about the alone with Speedway.

0:18:04The city needs to do something about the record speeders on electric vehicles. especially since there's so many young children who are learning to walk and bike on the speedway.

0:18:15There are other issues of the speedway

0:18:18just north of Eureka. There is significant drainage problem.

0:18:22Thanks for fixing the ginormous pothole. but the drain location was a big deal. There are many other i'm also concerned that El Cerito's friendly police force

0:18:35no longer patrols the Speedway. I have not seen all of officers there for over a year. Is that a city policy. I am also concerned that the cameras have not been replaced.

0:18:47Ira Sharenow: even though they were in the Budget a few years ago, and the police chief supported replacement cameras. I hope that the city will make speedway safety a major priority.

0:18:58There are other

0:19:01El cerrito's, one-year payment condition, index pci

0:19:0512 from 85 to 70. I yes, at the city. to include the extensive and relatively recent port by Harrison associate.

0:19:18I also ask that there's street by street assessments

0:19:22he made available to the public in a electronic format.

0:19:27Yes, that city considered spending the recommended amount on street repairs in order to avoid further street degradation.

0:19:35I think El Cerito has dropped from Number One in contrast to the county, to a webinar deployment so slightly more than even though there is a

0:19:48Finally, I would like to ask that the raw data from the survey that is on today's agenda be made publicly available in the electronic format.

0:19:58so that citizen can do their own analysis.

0:20:02and then I guess I don't know I would like to thank Council Member for Delhi for making some inquiry. You ready to pick a ball, so I appreciate this support.

0:20:12Thank you very much.

0:20:15Thank you. Our next speaker is Fred. You should be able to unmute and begin your time now.

0:20:24Fred Bialy: hey? Thank you. Can you hear me?

0:20:26Yes, we can go ahead. And so, as as has been said, my name is Fred B. Alli, and I live in El Cerrito.

0:20:33and I wanted to make 2 comments today.

0:20:36The first is regarding Item D on the Consent Calendar. That's the resolution

0:20:42in support of ending new permitting of oil and gas drilling.

0:20:46as well as phasing out existing oil and gas activities in contrast to county.

0:20:52So I urge the city council to adopt this resolution.

0:20:56Oil and gas drilling have adverse impacts on our health as well as on the climate. and the sooner that we transition away from fossil fuels the better we will all be

0:21:08so. I also want to remind the City council and city staff about information sent to you last week about an upcoming conference on the Inflation Reduction Act.

0:21:19and how cities in Contra Costa County can best benefit from the Acts

0:21:24financial support for climate action.

0:21:27So this conference will be taking place at the Blue Valley College on May eighteenth. The Inflation Reduction Act will help speed up the transition to an all-electric society

0:21:39that will be healthier and safer for all.

0:21:42So please make time to attend this conference. So thank you for letting me speak today.

0:21:48Thank you. Our next speaker is Teresa Munos. you should be able to unmute him. Begin your time now.

0:21:56Teresa Munoz: Yeah, I just is this the right time to talk about a consent? Item.

0:22:01Yes, it is. Okay. Thank you. So good afternoon. My name is Teresa. We know. So i'm an outsourced

0:22:06Teresa Munoz: our resident. I'm also an obstetrician in ghana colleges, and I've been working in Richmond for the last 12 years.

0:22:13I'm. A mother of 2, including a 7 month old, and i'm here to speak in support of adopting the resolution to end new permitting of oil and grass drilling and to eventually face out.

0:22:31So

0:22:32Teresa Munoz: we know that living near a gas and oil wells increases air pollution, and we also know but there is something between. Sorry.

0:22:42Thank you. Between exposure to air pollution, including cardiac respiratory disease, cancer, and adverse Perinatal outcomes. So i'm here as a physician to speak to speak up for my patients and their babies, as well as some others, speaking for my family, and as a member of this community.

0:23:03this resolution, without a doubt, will improve the quality of life of all residents in Contra Costa. We also know that it is communities of color who are

0:23:14of the who bear the the of pollution, and would be the most impacted if we continue permitting oil and gas. Really thank you very much.

0:23:29Thank you. That that includes a request to speak. Thank you, man. Clerk.

0:23:36Hmm.

0:23:37The next item is presentations, Elsredo Library update and National Library Week Proclamation.

0:23:46No, At this time the representative for that item is not currently present. If it is okay with me, or we'd like to take it out of order and continue on to the second presentation for tonight.

0:23:57So our next item is the 2,020 else swedo National Community Survey presentation. Maybe please fill the presentation. I just need 1 s. Our presenter is online and is coming up.

0:24:09I can just begin with a few comments before Brandon comes online. I just wanted to

0:24:17acknowledged that again. Brandon Burnon is here. From Polko is a little bit of a background. The city of El Cerito has conducted the National Community Survey several. I want to say 7. This is our seventh time. Since 2,003

0:24:33we have been working with the group that used to be known as the National Research Center, which is now then, I think that I think it was acquired by the Company pollco just a couple of years ago. If i'm not mistaken, this is a partnership that we've had with them for quite some time.

0:24:50The national Community Survey, as as Brandon will tell you, is a scientific random sample survey as well as we've had some components of different community interactions and an online survey as well. This year

0:25:06one of the things that is valuable to the city and to city staff, and certainly the city council, when it comes to this survey, is not only are we able to compare our marks year to year, but also with the extensive national database that pollco has. And so we know

0:25:24how we're performing against our previous spores, but also how we're performing nationwide, and how that may, you know in particularly, I think, Brandon, i'll talk about some of the trends that they're seeing that can be definitely translated to pandemic related or economic issues that are happening kind of out in the world right now.

0:25:44And I just wanted to acknowledge that. And and I know, Brandon, that we talked about this when we met Prior. Our quality of life score, as I had indicated to all of you was rather high at 87% positive. And I went back and looked at all of our

0:26:01little spoiler alert before the presentation. Sorry, but I think it's worth noting that after we've had some very challenging years here in the city, and yet our residents have scored us very high on quality of life for the highest square that I've seen in all of the previous

0:26:17reports that we've had. So I think that that's something that all of us can be very proud of that. Our community does appreciate the community that it lives in. and you were all provided a preview of the full report, and after this presentation we will. There's there's a a a web page that has that houses all of the previous reports for the community survey, and we will be placing that online as well, following this presentation. So

0:26:46I just wanted to thank all of you for your support in this. And again, this is also going to morph into as we're implementing our strategic plan, and we're beginning the strategic plan update within the next

0:26:57month or 2. This is part of the environmental scan. This is going to be some really great data for all of us to use as we move forward to look at our goals and objectives

0:27:08for the next short term and long term years that we're looking for for the strategic plan. So just wanted to kind of frame that a little bit, and when then, with that, i'd like to turn it over to Brandon. Welcome, Van, and thank you for being here.

0:27:26Brandon Barnett: Thank you very much for having me and for that wonderful introduction that is greatly appreciated. I'm happy to be here to present a summary of the findings for also for the El Cerrito National community survey before I begin on behalf of myself and my Polco Nrc co-workers i'd like to thank Karen Pinkas.

0:27:44our primary contact throughout the survey development and implement implementation process. She provided thoughtful and detailed feedback throughout the project. I would also like to acknowledge my colleague, Steven Vickers, who was El Ceritos and cs project manager for this year's survey and did the bulk of the important work in the project.

0:28:05Little background about Pollco and Nrc. So Polco's online community engagement polling platform provides the information tools, local governments, and other public sector leaders. Need we have hundreds of organizations nationwide that use pollco for strategic planning, budgeting, and empowering resident voices.

0:28:23We make simple verified community engagement online, not only possible, but accessible. And Rc. And Polco merged in 2,019 to more effectively serve local government and project resident voices.

0:28:35Nrc. At Polco gives local governments and other public sector organizations the data they need to make more informed decisions. Since 1,994. We've worked with hundreds of jurisdictions, nationwide

0:28:47nrc is best known for our national benchmarking surveys such as the National community Survey the National Employee Survey and the Community Assessment Survey for older adults.

0:28:57among others, our benchmark database is the largest of its kind in the United States.

0:29:03We are also partners with the International City County Managers Association. The National League of Cities engage local government leaders, the alliance for innovation, and we work closely with the American Association for Public Opinion Research.

0:29:19Before we dive into the results. I want to emphasize that there are a variety of ways that these results can be used most commonly the jurisdictions we work with use their survey data to monitor trends and resident opinion over time, measure, governance, pro government performance, and ratings of public trust, and to inform budgeting processes and strategic plans.

0:29:39Our results allow you to benchmark your community, specific characteristics and services against those same characteristics within under the other communities in our benchmark database. Our hope is that these finding, as these findings are presented, it will spur ideas for you. And what could be done with these results, or where you might want to dig deeper.

0:29:59The national Community Survey is a standardized five-page comprehensive survey that allows municipalities to assess resident opinion about their community and local government.

0:30:09The Ncs. Focuses on the livability of by categorizing survey questions into 10 main facets of community livability. As shown here. These facets have been identified through extensive survey research as those that are most impactful of residents quality of life. The Ncs includes items within each of these 10 facets provide a full picture of how residents feel about their community.

0:30:32Finally, these facets also tend to align with municipal departments, making it easy for city staff to quickly find the information that is of the most importance to them. In the final report of results.

0:30:46All households within El Cerrito were eligible to participate in the survey a list of all households within the Zip code serving else El Cerito was purchased, based on updated listings from the United States postal service, using Gis boundary files provided by the city address is located outside of El Cerritos boundaries were removed from the list of potential households to survey

0:31:08from the list of eligible households. 2,800 addresses were randomly selected to receive the survey.

0:31:14The 2,800 randomly selected households received mailings beginning. On November thirtieth, 2,022, and the survey remained open for 6 weeks. The first mailing was a postcard inviting the household to participate in the survey. The next mailing contained a cover letter with instructions. The 5 page survey, questionnaire and a postage page return envelope.

0:31:34Both the postcard and the cover letter included a web link to give residents the opportunity to respond to the survey online and all follow up mailings. Ask those who had not yet completed the survey to do so, and those that had already completed to not respond. Twice

0:31:49the survey was offered in English Spanish and simplified Chinese. a total of 457 completed surveys were received from these efforts, providing a response rate of 17

0:32:00and a margin of error plus a minus 4.6 percentage points.

0:32:04We then compared the demographic profile of the survey respondents to that of adults in El Sabrito, using the most recent census and American community survey. Data, and then we did the results

0:32:15which is waiting is a survey Research best practice and helps us improve. The representatives of your survey results in addition to the randomly selected probability sample of households a link to an online community-wide open participation survey was publicized by El Cerio.

0:32:33The open participation survey was open to all city residents, and became available on December 20 eighth. The survey remained open for 2 weeks. And 92 responses were received.

0:32:44The presentation and the report are based on the 450

0:32:477 responses from the random sample mail-based survey. The responses to the open participation survey are provided separately in the full report.

0:32:59One of the advantages to a local government of participating in our community surveys is the opportunity to compare ratings given by your residents to those from communities across the nation. and Rc. Was the first organization to conceive of the idea, to create benchmarks of public opinion.

0:33:14This allows jurisdictions to compare ratings of services to ratings of similar services from other communities. There are currently about 500 communities in our database.

0:33:26We'll now move into an overview of the survey results.

0:33:31So in the survey we have 2 questions that asked directly about those 10 facets of community community livability that we touched on earlier

0:33:38this first question as residents to rate the quality of each of the 10 facets, and you can see the resulting comparison to the national benchmark in the shading on the chart.

0:33:50Brandon Barnett: The second question asked about those same facets of livability, but is centered on how important residents think it is for the community to focus on each facet in the coming 2 years. So we asked about both the quality and the importance of each of these facets, and we use those answers to create the quality importance matrix which we'll see on the next slide.

0:34:11We use this chart, which is also included in the report to help determine which areas are of relatively higher importance and lower quality to residents.

0:34:19Those are located in the lower right quadrant is pictured, denoted by the star. This chart is one of many ways to interpret your data, and can be used to identify key findings and help a community determine which areas may need additional focus

0:34:32or resource allocation in the coming years, and which others are performing well by comparison

0:34:40of the 123 survey items, for which response residents provided, evaluative ratings 5 received ratings higher than the National Benchmark. 91 receive

0:34:51similar ratings, and 27 received lower ratings ratings are considered similar, or, if they are within 10 points, of the national average, and higher or lower, if they are more than 10 points different from the average. A few of the higher were the quality of the drinking water, their cycling services, yard, waste pickup, and the ease of travel by publication

0:35:10by public transportation. A few of the lower were the overall economic health, the overall feeling of safety and employment opportunities

0:35:21when compared to the results from El Cerritos, Ncs in 2,019

0:35:25in 2,02317 received ratings that were statistically, significantly higher than the previous survey iteration. 98 received similar ratings, and 32 received lower ratings.

0:35:37a few of the higher where the quality of health services, the overall quality of business and service establishments in hell, Cerrito sewer services and traffic signal timing.

0:35:47A few of the lower were the overall economic health, the availability of affordable quality, child care or preschool utility billing, and the overall feeling of safety, and elsewhere

0:36:00Moving now into the highlights of our findings. I do want to point out a few items that stood out to us as survey researchers. There's a lot of additional data in the full report that we won't cover today. But today's presentation will focus on a few areas that we found to be most noteworthy within El Cerritos survey results.

0:36:20Brandon Barnett: The first of our key findings was that the city's natural environment and parts, parks and recreational opportunities are valued by residents, and both areas are a top priority.

0:36:32About 8 and 10 residents identify both the natural environment and parks and recreation opportunities as an essential or very important area of focus for the community. In the next 2 years, placing them among residents top priorities for the city of Elsa. Rita.

0:36:47Respondents also provided both community facets with the highest quality reviews overall with about 7 and 10 respondents, stating that they were excellent or good, suggesting that the natural environment and parks and recreation opportunities were both of overall good quality and of high importance in the eyes. Local residents.

0:37:05roughly 9 and 10 residents positively rated both recycling and yard waste pickup services in El Cerrito

0:37:12higher than comparable communities across the country. 3 quarters of participants reviewed the air quality, and El Cerrito is excellent or good, which was on par with national benchmarks, and consisted with previous iterations of the Ncs.

0:37:25About 2 thirds of survey respondents favorably rated the preservation of natural areas, and Elsa rio's open space while slightly fewer to 61% did the same for the cleanliness in the city, the latter of which did score below national averages.

0:37:40Participants also offered lower than average reviews, for of elsewhere those water resources which was just 37% excellent for doing

0:37:52residents continue to positively rate the availability of pads and walking trails, the quality of city parks and fitness Opportunities in El Cerito, with positive ratings from roughly 3 quarters of residents. In each case evaluations remain similar to the national benchmarks and previous iterations of the Ncs.

0:38:10About 7 and 10 respondents favorably rated, else ritos, recreation centers and facilities as well as the city's recreation programs or classes in a question unique to El Cerritos survey residents were asked how much of a priority the city should place on various aspects of the community

0:38:27parks was the top choice with 90% of respondents rating it a high or medium priority. Community members also identified open space and trails.

0:38:36Recreation and climate action is important focuses for the city, with roughly 3 quarters of the residents providing positive ratings. Additionally, in another custom survey question. A slight majority of residents

0:38:50prioritize revitalizing the clubhouses in city parks, which was just more than half of residents providing positive ratings.

0:39:01Brandon Barnett: The second of our key findings is that residents generally feel safe, and El Cerrito, but raise some concerns about property, crime, and crime. Prevention

0:39:11residents. Rick. Safety is one of their top priorities for El Cerito, with nearly 9 and 10 residents identifying it is essential or very important for the city to focus on in the next 2 years. Similarly, in a custom design question for else Rio, 88% of participants felt the city should place a high or medium priority on public safety. Within the next 2 years

0:39:32El Cerito residents generally felt safe in their neighborhood during the day, with 92% providing very or somewhat safe ratings as well as elsewhere. Those downtown commercial area during the day, with about 79%, providing those similar ratings

0:39:46about 7 and 10 also reported feeling safe from both violent crime and natural disasters.

0:39:56Fire services which received positive ratings from 9 and 10 residents and ambulance or medical services, which was a slightly lower proportion, were rated very highly in El Cerrito.

0:40:07Additionally, 2 thirds of resident respondents favorably reviewed fire, prevention and education, while about half gave positive evaluations to the city's animal control and emergency preparedness services. All of These marks were similar to comparable communities across the country.

0:40:23However, ratings for the overall quality of crime Prevention and El Cerrito declined by 12% from 2,019 down to 48 from 60, which was below the National Benchmark. In addition, only about half of survey respondents

0:40:39reported feeling safe from property crime which was lower than the national average.

0:40:46The city did ask residents a series of custom, design questions alongside the benchmark questions of the Ncs. And several focused on policing, and else Rio results show that about 8 and 10 residents believe that the else Rito police department does an excellent or good job at treating all residents fairly about 3 quarters

0:41:04a participants positively rated the else Rio Police Department for enforcing the law and using appropriate force on suspects, and 7 and 10 did the same for protecting residents from violent crime. The city also offered a selection of facility initiatives to sort of survey participants within a unique question.

0:41:23with fewer than half stating that Elseredo should place a high or medium priority on building a new public safety building.

0:41:32The third of our key findings was that residents show concern about general affordability and their own economic outlook.

0:41:40Brandon Barnett: Nearly 6 and 10 residents rated the overall quality of business and service establishments in El Cerrito as excellent or good, which was on par with national benchmarks, and a 13% increase over the city's 2,019 survey

0:41:54other results relating to the economy. And Al Serrito, however, tended to fall below the national averages with some items declining since 2,019

0:42:02only 29% of the residents rate of the overall economic health of the city is excellent or good, which was a 20% decrease since the previous survey.

0:42:10Evaluations Bell Sredo shopping. Our shopping opportunities also fell by 10% from 46 to 36 and about half of survey participants positively rated El Cerrito as a place to work in a similar proportion favorably rated the variety of business and service establishments

0:42:29economic development. Neil Serito was rated as excellent or good by about one third of respondents.

0:42:35and roughly, one quarter of residents positively rated the vibrancy of the downtown commercial area. The cost of living and employment opportunities in elsewhere

0:42:44survey participants were also not optimistic about their own economic outlook, with only 14% anticipating the economy, would have a very or somewhat positive impact on their family income over the next 6 months.

0:42:56while these ratings have declined, this is something that we are seeing as a trend nationally. So these decline in ratings is not unique to else Rio itself. This is something that we have seen in other jurisdictions across the country as the years progress.

0:43:12The fourth of our key findings was that residents value the city's utility. Infrastructure

0:43:19Survey Items relating to the city's utility. Infrastructure garnered favorable ratings from the from the community residents gave high marks to the quality of El Cerritos drinking water with 9 and 10, providing excellent or good ratings exceeding the national Benchmark

0:43:33Sewer services and garbage collection, also received positive ratings from about 9 and 10, which was on par with national averages, and roughly, 3 quarters of respondents, offered excellent our good marks to storm water management.

0:43:46both the overall quality of the infrastructure and El Cerrito, and the quality of power, Utility services were rated favorably by 2 thirds of participants, and about half positively evaluated the city's utility billing and the quality of the affordable high speed Internet access.

0:44:05Brandon Barnett: The Ncs. Has a place where a community can add questions of current topical and policy interest. I'd like to show the responses from the community to those custom questions asked by the city of elsewhere that we haven't already touched on

0:44:19the first of these questions that was unique to Elsredo's survey, asked resident about priorities for the city to place on facility initiatives around 7 and 10 residents rated the building a new library at the El Cerrito Plaza, Bart. Development and rebuilding senior centers as high or medium priorities, followed by more than half

0:44:38providing similar ratings for redeveloping the community center and revitalizing the club houses and city parks.

0:44:48The next question asked if residents would support or oppose limited parking on residential streets during red flag days for potential emergency of back evacuations which did receive positive support ratings from 7 in 10 residents.

0:45:04Final custom question asks residents about various priorities for the city to focus on in the next 2 years, roughly, 9 in 10 residents, rated parks, and public safety is higher medium priorities, followed by open space and trails, and the library receiving similar ratings from a slightly smaller proportion.

0:45:21senior services, recreation, and climate action. We're all given civil similar priority ratings from about 3 quarters of residents.

0:45:32The summary of the conclusions of what we found interesting within the survey was that the city's natural environment and parks and recreational opportunities are valued by residents, and both areas are a top priority.

0:45:44Residents generally feel safe, and else Rio, but raise some concerns about property, crime and crime. Prevention. Residents show concern about general affordability in their own economic outlook.

0:45:54and residents value the city's utility. Infrastructure.

0:45:59As we move forward with debriefing the survey results. These are 4 questions that we generally find to be the most useful to ask yourself when reviewing the report.

0:46:08So those 4 are what findings did you expect? What findings were surprising to you? Are there areas where you need to dig deeper and in what areas should you

0:46:21provide additional focus.

0:46:25So in thinking about those follow up the online version of the survey was hosted on full code.

0:46:30and after completing the community survey online residents were asked if they would like to join your Polco panel. If you wish to dig deeper, to find out more about the opinions or perceptions of the residents, you can continue to engage with your community on Polco.

0:46:45You can share new questions through social media, email in person events, local media, and other channels as appropriate.

0:46:52You can engage with your online community panel to ask, follow up questions to your community, survey these questions can include images which can be maps, pictures, and video in addition to links to better informed respondents. Additionally, you can ask about hot topics and new policy issues as they arise.

0:47:10Elsredo currently has 415 panel participants, and you can continue to ask questions and dialogue with these community members.

0:47:21I would now like to open it up for questions

0:47:27questions from Council members.

0:47:34Yeah, thank you. And thank you, Staff, for putting the full survey on our website for others to look at.

0:47:41I really there weren't too many surprises for me. This felt pretty consistent with what I would think people might.

0:47:50The directions they might go, and and the the projects they might support. The biggest 2 questions I had was

0:48:0117% overall response. Doesn't seem very big to me.

0:48:06Was that large enough to really determine

0:48:11the results, as you present them to us.

0:48:15Brandon Barnett: it is, and response rate can be a little bit of a misleading statistic.

0:48:20So the validity of the survey comes in. The total number of responses rather than necessarily the response rate. So the 457 responses which provides the margin of error of 4.6. That is what we focus on, and that's what gives the survey and the responses the validity.

0:48:39Can you say it? You just said.

0:48:42Brandon Barnett: Can you hear me? All right?

0:48:43Yeah, I just I just need to repeat, because you okay, sure response rate itself can be a little bit of a misleading statistic.

0:48:52Brandon Barnett: So the margin of error, which is what gives the survey it's validity is based off of the total number of responses not necessarily the response. Rate. So those 457 responses that we received to the survey is what provides that margin of error 4.6 percentage points.

0:49:10And so what that means is that if we were to survey the entire population, the true rating that we would found that we would have found would have been within 4.6 percentage points of the ratings that we have in our report.

0:49:25Well, I'm gonna have to trust you on that. Okay, and also I was told a city staff mentioned an 87% over overall general support for our city good feelings

0:49:38that wasn't in our

0:49:40powerpoint anywhere can You

0:49:43spec specify exactly what that means to us, and how you came up with that number, because I didn't see them in that

0:49:50Brandon Barnett: in the report there's a section that focuses purely on the quality of life, and we don't necessarily include that as one of the 10 facets of livability, the quality of life. Ta section is really a culmination of all of the facets of livability. So within that, specifically

0:50:08El Cerrito is a place to to live receive positive ratings from 89% of respondents and the overall quality of life received positive rating from 87% of respondents.

0:50:19So that was a question to everybody asking, how do you feel about the general quality of life, and it was good. so we'll be. We'll be able to see that on the website.

0:50:30Additional information on there. Thank you.

0:50:36Thank you so much. I'm sorry. Go ahead, Mayor.

0:50:41Thank you so much for that. I I I do look forward, especially the the responses that there was around our downtown and the economic outlook. I look forward to hearing what our Economic Development Committee has to say around that. I know that's a lot of the deep work that they're working on in their their work group. The the only question that I had, and it was probably answered, and I probably missed it it. I think it may be in the de debrief on the online. But you said.

0:51:07did it tell us who responded, is that in the is that on the the report that's on the website, like the demographics of who actually responded

0:51:15Brandon Barnett: correct. We we have the demographic profile of those that chose to identify their demographic information. It is not a requirement, but the good majority of residents do provide that demographic information, and we in the report itself we have a table that shows

0:51:34the demographic risk, information of the respondents. the census data, demographic information, and then how we weighted the results for each of those aspects of the demographics in order to increase the represent representativeness of the respondents.

0:51:51Okay, so it's not in the report, but we we do go to the website where it's. There is a panel on there where we can actually dig deeper, because i'd love to hear or see what what those demographics are versus what we know to be the real data of who actually lives in El Cerrito. That's really what i'm going to be looking for.

0:52:06Brandon Barnett: So it is in the report under the methods, section or methods, tab, and it is available online as well.

0:52:14Okay, Thank you.

0:52:19Council Member Rudnick.

0:52:23Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): Thank you, Mayor. Under community priorities. That was the

0:52:29tell us how much of a priority if it all the city's place on each of the following aspects of the community in the next 2 years. In that survey was there an a map or an amount in which the public was able to vote for it. So i'm

0:52:46I don't have that slide up

0:52:49so the either percentage of high or medium priorities. Is it with the public lab, one vote for it, or multiple votes for it? I'm trying to articulate the question in the right way.

0:52:59Brandon Barnett: Sure? No. So they were asked to rate each of those 10 facets of livability individually, as far as how they felt it should be re

0:53:08rated as a priority, so each one of those they were able to answer, whether it should be a high or medium priority or low priority or not at all

0:53:17Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): was financial sustainability or fiscal sustainability one of the options for that.

0:53:23Brandon Barnett: So that question Are you talking about the

0:53:26Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): the custom question that was unique to El Cerito Survey, or the question about the 10 facets of liability. It was the community priority.

0:53:35Brandon Barnett: Okay.

0:53:38what I'm. Seeing in the top 2 or the 7 listed on here.

0:53:45Correct. so financial sustainability

0:53:51was, I believe, not asked in that.

0:53:56Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): And then

0:53:58I haven't been on to the website yet. So I Haven't seen. Yet what is the aggregate data available to the public? But is there aggregate data available to the public so that they could be able to do their own analysis.

0:54:10I may. I just jump in and say that this is the the report that we're gonna be placing on the website is the report that I gave to the Council last week. So it's the same report that you have all seen. It also does include all of the survey questions

0:54:25and the methodology. So that is the report that we'll be placing on the website, and just to clarify your previous question may or pro-em that priorities question. We decided to repeat the same question that we had done in 2019, so that we could compare

0:54:42the notes. So that was exact. I believe the exact same question that we asked on 2019 for prioritization, so that we could

0:54:48track that over time.

0:54:52Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): Okay, thank you. But so there's no

0:54:56the the the data itself that's being collected is not available in any kind of

0:55:02format that the public could be able to do any of their own analysis. It's just the paper report that's being provided

0:55:10It's what I'm. Hearing

0:55:14the the report that we are planning to put online. Yes, that is the same report that the council's received. It's the it's the full report from the directly from

0:55:28Brandon Barnett: now within the data itself that is not up to us to decide whether you want to disclose that to the public or not that is entirely up to your decision. But within the report itself there is a tab

0:55:39that is the complete set of frequencies for the responses to the entire survey. It's just not going to be available. What's going to be posted online is not going to be available, say, in an excel spreadsheet for somebody to break it down and do their own data analysis.

0:55:54Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): Okay, thank you.

0:55:57I do have a kind of a similar question as Mayor Pro Tam. When we talk about economic health, I just want to doubly clarify that it is not about the city government physical health. It's about how

0:56:15people are perceiving the economic health of themselves and the community as a whole. Can you please clarify that?

0:56:22Brandon Barnett: That is correct. So that is the perception of the community's economic health. It is not a direct reflection of the government's current fiscal health itself, so that it

0:56:33responds to items like the employment opportunities or shopping opportunities for residents that live within El Cerrito. Similarly, the variety of the business and services establishments available to residents with an El Cerrito, and similar items like that. It is about reckon up the residence, economic outlook on the city as a whole.

0:56:54and their quality and the community livability around the economy and the economic health of the city.

0:57:01Okay, thank you. Because when it when you just see it through the headlines it, it, it reads as if

0:57:06it's a reflection of how we the city, are doing fiscally. And it made me, You know we initially thought we've done a really good job of changing things, and it's not reflected here. But you know I I appreciate the clarification that that is not what this is measuring I did have, and then the

0:57:25Economic Health Outlook section.

0:57:29There was this term general affordability that you use, and I was wondering what that reference is. Is it? Is it referencing inflation. Is it affordability of homes in our community?

0:57:41Brandon Barnett: What do you mean by general affordability

0:57:59within El Cerrito, as we move through the other facets of livability? When we look at community design, there is a specific question in there about the availability of affordable quality housing which received positive rating similarly from about 2 and 10 residents.

0:58:14and then, as we move

0:58:16down through the facets themselves, if we look at health and wellness, we have questions that are about the availability of affordable quality, health, care, and the availability of affordable quality, mental health care, both of which we're lower than the national averages.

0:58:31and then, if we move into education, arts, and culture. We have one more question that is about the availability of affordable quality, child care, or preschool.

0:58:41which was rated similarly to the national averages. So affordability is something that is assessed within various facets of community livability.

0:58:51But they can be tied back to economic health as well.

0:58:56Okay. And then my last question is, we get good marks for overall quality of business and service establishments at 59% But our economic development score is at 35. So how are these 2 things

0:59:12occurring at the same time?

0:59:14Brandon Barnett: So what that's a reflection of is that what's currently within El Cerrito in what is the current overall quality of business and service establishments.

0:59:25But when looking at the future or what the current economic development situation has been, the economic development is looking more at what is being planned, and how it is being executed. Not necessarily. What is currently available

0:59:41is that a negative reflection on our future plans, or that we Haven't completed those plans.

0:59:51Brandon Barnett: I honestly I can't say the why. Because we don't specifically ask the question in that. And so we're not able to make a definitive statement, but the economic development breing has remained

1:00:01pretty similar since at least 2,016.

1:00:07Thank you very much.

1:00:12My. We do have one additional hand from the public requesting to speak. If you're okay with that. Okay.

1:00:25Okay, we're gonna go to. We have one additional public comment from Irish here now, Ira, you should be able to unmute and begin your time now.

1:00:33Ira Sharenow: Okay, my name is I was Sharon now, and everyone else to Rito

1:00:38cool. First of all, I'd like to thank Council members to Deli and run it for the. And I really wonder how the

1:00:51given the

1:00:54I think last time with 29%.

1:00:57And now it's about 17% fine.

1:01:00I think not. It's fine by this is an extremely serious issue.

1:01:04And I disagree with the

1:01:07with the with the individuals

1:01:11statements to what we't convince into interval actually means.

1:01:18Again, I would like to ask. and and I thank you. Council Member Rudnik. I'm not sure if I got a clear answer there.

1:01:26the presenter said. Someone has the

1:01:30who has that raw data.

1:01:32And how can I get that? Can I get that from an open record request.

1:01:37I think it should be available right. If the city has in. then it should be an original format.

1:01:43it should be made available to the public. So I hope that will be clarified because there are some serious questions.

1:01:50especially with the 17% response rate.

1:01:54Now, since the issue of economic help was raised. I would like to recommend the Council members and other members of the public that they go to the State website and take a very close look

1:02:06at taxable sales. This new data out there 2022. You can check 1012 years of data and check out

1:02:18compared to other cities and

1:02:21Albany.

1:02:25and you get, like, I think, a real assessment

1:02:28on what that's measuring it's objective data from the State. You can do your own analysis. I've done the analysis

1:02:36again. I hope people get the close. Look at that.

1:02:40Okay, so i'll just summarize that. I really would like to get a hold of that data. you know, electronic format. See that new file, cell file

1:02:51or data file? I could probably do some other day

1:02:56some other format.

1:02:58So those are the 3 main. From that W. Csv. Excel

1:03:02to the bar.

1:03:03Ira Sharenow: Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

1:03:09I'm, Bill, Thank you.

1:03:12Thank you, Mayor. That does conclude a request to speak and

1:03:20thank you very much for the presentation. Are there any closing comments or any other questions from Council members?

1:03:28Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): One quick comment.

1:03:30Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): It was really helpful to hear that the public is supportive of our parks and open spaces. It was really helpful to hear that they've committed to climate action, plan, and I hope that our climate action plan that we're currently working on align with the expectations from the public. It was an interesting observation for me to see how important public safety was to the public. Yet the Public Safety Center was one of the lower priorities

1:04:00on the list. That was an interesting observation. You know, if we're going to be attracting and retaining the best public safety professionals.

1:04:09it's important that we have a facility that actually has facilities for women, because in our current building it was built before they built facilities for women. It's a very, very old public safety building, and it's one of those things that tends not to pull well with the public to invest in a public safety center. But if we are

1:04:28reimagining and re envisioning, what public safety can be to the public. We need to make sure that we have facilities that align with those values and goals. So it was a really fantastic to get this scientifically valid data from you. So I appreciate it very much. Thank you.

1:04:47Council Member Fideli. Yes, and I I was glad to see specifically about the 71% that support the

1:04:54on Red Flag days parking on one side of the street. I think our city is moving in that direction, and I think this will help spur that that happen a little faster. Thank you.

1:05:07Thank you very much. This is a really important.

1:05:11He's for our strategic planning. So I really appreciate

1:05:15that we have this data. Now, this timing of this data.

1:05:20and I am really

1:05:21glad to see that the community also supports the library. So thank you very much. Thank you.

1:05:29The madam clerk is our next presentation presenter available? Actually, a conflict came up, and

1:05:37it's been requested that we reschedule that item to the eighteenth to our next site, a council meeting which will be okay with the timing of library week. Okay, thank you.

1:05:48The next item is adoption of the Consent Calendar, which includes the following items. Environment: a Environmental Quality Committee appointment Recommendation.

1:06:00The Earth Day Proclamation See Fair Housing Month Proclamation. The Resolution of Support to End Oil and Gas Drilling in Contra Costa County

1:06:11E. Alsredo del Norte Transit Oriented Development Complete Streets. Improvement Project Cooperative agreement.

1:06:19and F. Authorized annual report for landscaping and lighting assessment district for fiscal year 2,023 and 24 I do want to let the Council members know that we have

1:06:33someone to provide common and accept the proclamation for fair housing month.

1:06:40and also as a reminder. If you have a brief comment or question. The item does not have to be pulled for separate consideration. Are there any questions or requests by the Council to pull items off the consent Calendar.

1:06:56Okay, I see none. Any questions.

1:07:01Just comment that included in that. I just want to say that i'm really pleased to see Pam Austin stepping up again. She's a great resident here in is that.

1:07:11and there she is in the audience here. She's done a lot for the community, and she will join the Environmental Quality

1:07:19Committee and Earth Day, Janet able to be pleased that we're moving ahead on that in that direction.

1:07:27And finally, I just want to say, on the resolution dealing with oil

1:07:31and gas drilling. I. That is an issue that did come up in our Environmental Quality Committee that has risen to the level of our council. And so we're voting on that tonight. Thank you.

1:07:44Thank you. I do have a question on Item E: the the Transit Oriented Development Complete Streets Improvement Project.

1:07:52I was hoping that our Director of Public Works can give us a brief status update on that work.

1:08:01Good evening, Mayor. Yes, I can give you an update on the schedule. Is that your question? Yeah. So we're very close. There's a lot of moving pieces right now with the then, if they complete Streets Improvement Project.

1:08:13but because of the funding and because it's on the State Highway, it requires various levels of State approvals, both the Department of Transportation, Cal. Trans. As well as the California Transportation Commission, and we're very close on on getting approvals.

1:08:32and there's a series of approvals, and they all kind of stack on top of each other over April, and

1:08:38and so, pending approval of

1:08:42over there over the next 2 months. Then we anticipate advertising the project for bids in June so early summer, and then opening, bids hopefully in August, and then.

1:08:57pending another series of cal trends, Approvals coming back to City council to award the construction contract.

1:09:05and

1:09:07in a late summer early fall, and starting construction in the ball.

1:09:13so that we're very close. So thank you. The Council for approving a series of agreements, both that require

1:09:21both with Cal. Trans. And maintenance. Then cal Trans. Kind of regulation of the construction portion of the project funding agreement.

1:09:32There's been a I don't know, over 10 agreements related to this project, and you may see more related to funding because we are seeking up another couple of pots of money

1:09:44that we can fully build the full scope of the project.

1:09:47And and when would it be complete? So it is a major project, and because we have to keep a traffic moving we it's gonna be phased. And so the construction time is one year.

1:10:04so the project will be under construction for about a year in different phases, to minimize impacts, to traffic, and to the businesses in that area. Great. Thank you very much. Thank you.

1:10:17Hey? There I'd like to move Adoption of the consent. Calendar a to app. Is there a second second. hey? Second by Council Member Weissinger.

1:10:32Hey, you much, Yama, I may or put time, Red Nick.

1:10:36Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): There is no one in the room with me, and I vote I

1:10:40thank you, Council Member for Delhi and some member, Kinto Councilmember Weisinker. Aye, who she carries

1:10:48great. And now we have

1:10:51a tyra right who

1:10:54provide some comments, if you would like, and accept our proclamation.

1:11:05Good evening, Council Members. Thank you, Mayor, for this opportunity. I just like to thank you first of all for

1:11:14for this, for recognizing this important historical milestone

1:11:20Today we would like to reiterate our commitment to fair housing. The Fair Housing Act. Our ongoing efforts to ensure fair housing rights for every member of our community.

1:11:32We are committed to advancing the housing law, and providing and providing equal professional service to every individual

1:11:40and family in our community, seeking rental

1:11:44or purchase of a home. we oppose discrimination and all its forms.

1:11:51and proactively strive to serve the diverse deeds of our community. Through

1:11:57Excuse me, policy, act, advocacy.

1:12:00continued education

1:12:03and legal guidance, compliance and accountability.

1:12:08Our members participate in special education and training programs. I'm. Also undergoing that looking forward to getting my certification and designation. In

1:12:22In that area

1:12:27we have programs that are designed to enhance our awareness of implicit bias in fundamental, legal and ethical guidelines, governing fairness and diversity in real estate.

1:12:37So again, I'm honored to stand here and thank you all for this proclamation for fair housing.

1:12:44Thank you. Thank you.

1:12:49Okay.

1:12:51I just want to mention that my house, when we purchased it, did have the restrictive racial covenants on it. So fair housing is really important. I would not be able to buy my house

1:13:03if they those things were not removed.

1:14:00Hey?

1:14:03The next item, our city council, local and regional liaison assignments. Are there any Council reports.

1:14:12I also remember why Singer and this was totally accidental, and Mayor pro Tim Red Nick. But as your alternate, I did attend our cal cities mixer the other night along with Councilmember Kinto, and we had a great presentation from our State Center deep steam glazer, as well as Assembly Member Lynn or Tega. Oh, oh, yeah, that's I'm sorry you will sit behind me, though you might not forget all sorry.

1:14:38but it was. It's always good to get together with that with our colleagues across the county and Paul.

1:14:44and talk about how we can continue to work together. So yes.

1:14:50any other reports.

1:14:55Mayor Pro Tem Rudnick (she/her): no other reports. I didn't hit the hit, ran his the raised hand button fast enough.

1:15:04So thank you, Council. Member y singer for filling it for me While I was gone. I just got back from a trip to Israel. I went with Banjo, which is the Bay Area network of Jewish officials, and we had

1:15:19incredible access to members of the Kineset, to

1:15:24local, elected to community leaders, LGBT groups. Really it. We went into Palestine Once Ramallah went to Bethlehem. It was a really fantastic

1:15:37way to explore this very important part of Jewish identity as well as geopolitical identity. Okay.

1:15:48connections being able to better understand. Unfortunately, I did get the Souvenir of Covid, which is why I am not there in person, and i'm still fortunately recovering from Covid. It's not gone away yet.

1:16:02but i'm happy to be home and bring the lessons to El Cerrito, and also share the lessons that we've learned here in El Cerrito, with our counterparts on the other side of the world. So it was very interesting.

1:16:19hey? Any other reports? Okay. So I all. The only report out I have is that I attended the ribbon cutting for Yami Sushi on March the 20 fifth, and it was very nice event.

1:16:32So

1:16:37it is now 7, 17, and we are adjourned The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is Tuesday, April eighteenth, 2,023 at 6 pm

1:16:51Thank you very much. Thank you.