Regular City Council Meeting May 16, 2023

0:00:04The may sixteenth, 2023 regular City Council meeting is called to order at 6 Pm.

0:00:11Well, the assistant city manager, please call Roll Mayor Motoyama, mayor pro tem.

0:00:19Brett, President, Council, Member Fideli, Council, number, Kingdom, councilmember, wizzinger. She has an excuse app since this evening.

0:00:28They have a thank you.

0:00:34The next item is the pledge of allegiance.

0:00:37Please join me in the pledge of allegiance or a moment of silence.

0:00:42I pledge allegiance to the plan of the United States in America and to the Republic.

0:00:52Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

0:01:01The next item on the agenda is telecomerence and public comment. Instructions.

0:01:08Thank you, Mayor, this hybrid meeting provides an option to participate in person, or via Zoom.

0:01:09Remote participants are asked to keep microphones muted when not speaking.

0:01:18If you are in person, and logged into zoom, please ensure your device is on mute to avoid any feedback.

0:01:22Closed captions are available by participating in the meeting via Zoom for members of the public who wish to provide oral testimony.

0:01:31The mayor, mayor will announce the time for public comment on each applicable item in person.

0:01:32Request will be heard first, followed by remote requests to speak in-person request can be submitted to the Assistant City manager by completing a speaker card.

0:01:46Remote requests can be made by selecting the hands 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 meetings of the city Council.

0:01:58Are subject to the brown act, and are held for the purpose of conducting city business.

0:02:02The adopted rules of order and procedures specified that public speakers address the city council, in an orderly and respectful manner, proceed their comments with their name and city of residence, and be respectful of time, limitits policy prohibits yielding time from one speaker to another, that

0:02:18concludes my instructions. Mayor. Thank you.

0:02:22Thank you, madam Clerk. The next item on the agenda is Council staff Communications city Manager.

0:02:29Do we have any staff communications? Thank you, your honor. At this time I would like to call at Christina Lairdssel, Staff Communications City manager. Do we have any staff communications? Thank you, your honor.

0:02:40At this time I would like to call at Christina Leird in the audience to give you a brief update on the Climate Action plan. I'm sorry.

0:02:44Climate action. And ad. Thank you, Karen. Good evening, Mayor, and members of the City Council I'm Christina Laird Management analyst in the Public Works Department.

0:02:50Just wanted to give a brief update as to where we're at with the climate action and adaptation plan update, we are developing goals and actions to develop an equitable cap that includes various methods of outreach strategies and implementation and the greenhouse gas inventory is

0:03:11currently being finalized by our consultants. Cascadia, and we are also working on the building.

0:03:15Electrification ordinance that was directed by Council to be done concurrently with the cap the city's initial approach was to follow Berkeley's ordinance.

0:03:23However, it's now being possibly overturned and appealed by the Clts.

0:03:32So we've put the brakes on that a little bit, and we are working with the legal counsel to consider additional options for moving forward with that.

0:03:39So more to come on that soon. We did have a stakeholder Advisory group meeting on April 20, fifth.

0:03:50That group consists of 12 consistent participants, including members of April 20, fifth. That group consists of 12 consistent participants, including members of the Environmental Quality Committee, the Urban Forest Committee Park and Recreation Commission Planning Commission El Cerrito Trailtrackers El

0:04:04Strido strollers and rollers make El Cerrito fire safe, and a youth voice Fridays for future students from El Salvador High School.

0:04:13We had our first public meeting with the Environmental Quality Committee on May Eleventh and Mayor attended.

0:04:14So thank you. And lastly, I want to announce that we do have some outreach materials provided at the dais here for you, and additional copies over here from members of the public that includes a postcard with information directing to the city's website where more information can be

0:04:39obtained. And there's also a fact sheet available in 3 languages.

0:04:44English, Spanish, and Chinese, and we're directing folks to our website to complete our community, survey, the survey will be open throughout the entire climate action plan Update process.

0:04:57So anyone, we encourage the public and everyone to participate in that.

0:05:02And lastly, we have our first public workshop on Saturday, June third, from 10 Am.

0:05:08To 1130. Here in Council Chamber, being the goals are to build awareness of climate action, planning, and in the engagement process with the public it's gather input for priorities and values to shape the climate action and adaptation plan visions and actions and to promote

0:05:28participation with the community survey. That concludes my report.

0:05:35Thank you. Thank you, Christina, and that also concludes my remarks.

0:05:36Thank you. Okay. Are there any announcements from any of the council members?

0:05:45Yes, Mayor, on this upcoming Saturday.

0:05:49There's the admin one hundredth birthday party and community fair.

0:05:54That's gonna be from 11 to 4 at Lake Penskall.

0:05:59Great. I have a couple a bike to work day or bike to wherever day is may the eighteenth, and they'll be energizer stations at the El Street Plaza Bart Station, and as I also understand, at the Delmorte Bart station, and

0:06:15then on May the 20 fourth, there's a Bart to bay workshop at Hannah Gardens from 6 to 8 Pm.

0:06:24And I also have some additional announcements on April 20 sixth I issued a mayoral certificate of recognition recognition in seation of the ninetieth birthday, of former Mayor and Al-sida residents, Richard Mank on May ninth I signed a letter from

0:06:41local elected officials in support of Sp. 244, which provides fair access to parts, tools, servic information and repair software in order to reduce waste and need for consumers to buy rather than repair electronic products.

0:06:57Unmade eleventh I signed a calcities letter signed by several local elected officials related to needing action on Fentanyl and substance, abuse, abuse, related legislation.

0:07:09Hmm. The next item is oral communications from the public.

0:07:14Now it's a 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 submit a speaker card to the city clerk or assistant city manager and remote

0:07:29speakers should use the raise hand feature to speak, request to speak.

0:07:32Please remember to identify yourself and your city of residence at the beginning of your comments, madam Clerk, please proceed.

0:07:40Thank you, Mayor. We will go to our first in person.

0:07:43Speaker, gary, prost.

0:07:54Mayor Matayana Council. My name is Gary Prost.

0:08:00I'm speaking tonight on behalf of which is, you know, is a neighborhood group dedicated to making the city safe from urban wildfires.

0:08:11We are requesting that Usrido implement a one-year pilot program to prohibit parking on narrow sections of streets on red flag days.

0:08:21The purpose is to reduce the threat to lives by allowing residents to evacuate quicker, and by providing unrestricted access by emergency vehicles during a wildfire we submitted a letter to Council earlier today regarding this in the 70 years between 19

0:08:4223 and 1993. There were 11 Diablo wind, driven fires that burned in these bay hills.

0:08:50On average, once every 6 years. It's been over 30 years since the last Diabola wind fire in the Oakland hills burned over 3,300 homes the density of homes and vegetation has only increased since then the proposed program is based on a review of

0:09:11similar programs across the State, and follows a survey that we did prepared with the health of the fire chief on narrow portions of Contra Costa and King drives between Chevlin and Buckingham.

0:09:2331 residents were surveyed, one out of 13 indicated they would not be willing to park off Street on Red flag days, so that turns out to be a 92% positive response.

0:09:40The program would require of the city to state where there's no parking, so put up signs on Red flag days.

0:09:48The city would have to notify people when there's a red flag day, enforcement would involve a one first and eventually towing once the pilot program is complete, the city would evaluate it and assess whether it should be extended to all streets less than 27 feet in

0:10:10width we feel what we've done. Our homework on this.

0:10:11Now it's time to get it on the agenda and vote on it.

0:10:14Thank you. Thank you. Mayor. That concludes our in-person.

0:10:23Speakers. City Clark, Charlotte. Are there any remote speakers?

0:10:27We do not have any remote requests to speak, but I will quickly announce that we did receive written public comment that was posted online as supplemental material for items not on the agenda from Cordell Hendler, Sue Duncan Jim Doggoneis Gary Pross and Michael

0:10:43Fisher, and that does conclude a request to speak for this item here.

0:10:48Thank you. The next item is adoption of the consent.

0:10:52Calendar.

0:10:55Hmm! So that's the approval of minutes from April eleventh April eighteenth, May second, and May ninth.

0:11:07I have 2 comments on that. Okay? And I've already speaking to the city clerk about those 2 amendments to the minutes.

0:11:15The first is for April eighteenth to correct the name of down home music.

0:11:21That will be corrected on the new version, and also for the main ninth minutes, which where we summarize Council comments and questions on department budgets.

0:11:26If we could add the term in the list of things we discussed at that council meeting, add equity consideration across all departments.

0:11:42And with that I would move the item. Okay, is there a second second move?

0:11:48Move motion by councilmember fidelity, second, by mayor Protam, Rodnick.

0:11:55There any other comments, questions, or I from anyone? Okay.

0:12:03Can you please call the role? I vote all those in favor say, aye, any opposed motion carries with Council Pembroke, wiseker, Absent?

0:12:16Okay.

0:12:19Hey? The next item on the agenda is.

0:12:28Financial Advisory Board Work Plan. Can we please have the presentation?

0:12:35Oh, yes, and I thank you. Sorry. Lost my page.

0:12:40The next item is policy matters, adoption of a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding between the city of Al Rito and the Public Safety Management Association.

0:12:51May be. Please have the staff report.

0:12:56Good evening, Mayor and city Council. My name is Shannon Bassi, senior Human Resources analyst in human resources.

0:12:59I have before you this evening a request to adopt a resolution to modify salaries, benefits, and conditions of employees for the city's Public Safety Management Association, Bargaining Unit, also known as Psma.

0:13:20Currently there are 9 full-time budgeted positions in Psme who are governed by multiple mouss approved by the city Council positions within Ps.

0:13:28A may include the Fire Chief for battalion Chief police, Chief police captain and police Lieutenants.

0:13:38The mou brought before you tonight is specifically covering the fire battalion.

0:13:39Chiefs and the police captain and the police lieutenants.

0:13:48I wanted to highlight some of the major changes proposed in this agreement with Psm.

0:13:54A starting with the agreement will be effective. July first, 2022.

0:13:59Through June thirtieth, 2024, the agreement includes a 3% salary increase retroactive to November 2022 and a 4.7 5% salary increase effective in July of 2023 there were some salary compaction adjustments

0:14:20that were agreed upon for background. The compaction adjustments can be made through the mou in order to reach a minimum of 15% pay separation between clifications.

0:14:33This is done in order to preserve a appropriate internal salary relationships between these classifications.

0:14:34So, for example, balancing the P scale between the fire captain and fire.

0:14:39Battalion chiefs also. Another example is between the police lieutenant and the police captain.

0:14:55There were convection adjustments that were agreed upon.

0:14:56Such as effective. January 2023.

0:15:01Fire Battalion Chiefs Shelby showers have a compaction, salary adjustment of 4.9% in January 2023, police captains and police lieutenants will receive a compaction salary adjustment of 2% in July of

0:15:192023 fire battalion chiefs will receive a companyion adjustment of 4.9%, and the police captain effective.

0:15:26July 2023 1.3 5%.

0:15:34There were additional modifications made to the previous retirement contributions.

0:15:43So offensive. July 2023. All classic members in the fire Battalion chief police captain and police lieutenant classifications will contribute an additional 1% to the public employees.

0:15:57Retirement system for a total of 30%. And then, lastly, there was one more thing to highlight in terms of the post employment health plan for retiree Medical July 2023.

0:16:14The city will implement a retiree medical account for police captain and police lieutenant classifications at $300 per month.

0:16:23Effective. January 2024. That will increase to 4 75 for all classifications within Psm.

0:16:32A battalion chief and police units we'd like to thank Public Safety Management Association for a successful negotiations, and that concludes my report.

0:16:43Okay, thank you very much. Are there any questions or comments from Council?

0:16:51Seeing none. I just would like to also thank Psm. A.

0:16:55Particularly for agreeing to contribute the additional 1% towards retirement.

0:16:59For the for the first great. Thank you very much. Thank you.

0:17:05Okay.

0:17:10Are there any?

0:17:14Public comments. This is the time for members of the public who wish to provide public comments on this item in person, request to speak and submit a speaker.

0:17:17Your card to the city clerk and remote speakers can use the raise hand, feature to request a speak.

0:17:27Please remember to identify yourself and your city of residence at the beginning of your comments.

0:17:32Please proceed, Mayor Modiama. We do not have any in person.

0:17:38Speakers, city collection. Do we have any promote speakers?

0:17:42We do not have any requests to speak on this item.

0:17:46Okay. Thank you very much. Do we have a motion to approve question, to approve?

0:17:55I'm a second hey? Motion by council member kento, second by councilmember Fideli.

0:18:01Oh, please call the vote. All those in favor say, aye, aye, any opposed motion carries with Council Member Weissing, her absent.

0:18:13The next item is the Financial Advisory Board Work Plan.

0:18:16Can we please have the presentation?

0:18:43Good evening, honorable Council. Thank you so much for inviting us today.

0:18:44And my name is Farhad Faraman. I'm the chair of Financial Advisory Board, and I'm happy to be sharing with you some regular duties of the Financial Advisory Board.

0:18:57Some recent accomplishments in our next steps throughout the presentation.

0:19:01I really want to welcome your input. Happy to take notes on, you know, any specific direction you'd like to give in terms of top level priorities for this year.

0:19:12So early in the 2 thousands the austerity municipal code was amended to adopt an ordinance in Section 204300.

0:19:19There's a certain set of regular things that we have to do as part of the Financial Advisory Board duties.

0:19:21We review the budget, the budget process, we review the budget, we review the budget process, we review the annual comprehensive Financial Advisory board duties. We review the budget. We agree with the budget process.

0:19:36We review the annual comprehensive financial. Any auditor reports we reviewed on forecasts, including general forecasts, investment.

0:19:46Council. Member. Compensation is a regularly occurring decision.

0:19:51Item and some of the trend that that kind of short term loan that we had.

0:19:57But we haven't had to review that recently, and we've also recently been getting disbursement in check register reports which we greatly appreciate.

0:20:09Over the last one to 2 years. We've made a number of kind of accomplishments that I'd like to share with you.

0:20:18We were getting any recommendations to the Council that we budget for surplus excluding of any Federal funds.

0:20:27Arpa funds that were intended to be kind of co Covid pandemic relief.

0:20:33As part of that recommendation. There was a recommendation for a menu of budgetary options be delivered to the city council.

0:20:36It would be kind of lying out of a approaches with dollar values, and that impacts on residents associated with that as well.

0:20:47We adopted a socially responsible investment policy that was directing investments away from any fossil fuel potential, not that there was a ton already invested there, but we thought it would be good to formalize and join some of our neighbors who invested who adopted this type of

0:21:03policy we've supported financial transparency.

0:21:07We, you know, after the State Auditor report came out, there were some concerns around how transparent the budget making process the regular expenses process was, and the ongoing maintenance of the budget as well so for the last several months we've been

0:21:30discussing, potential, comprehensive financial policy updates one of the recent accomplishments from this with the assistance of City Manager Pincos was that we adopted a budget status updates being delivered to city Council at least on a quarterly

0:21:46basis to go towards what the stay outta reports, state auditor recommendations were that did result in a policy update.

0:21:56We began studying options to pay down the city's unfunded pension. Li.

0:22:01Butabilities, and this was done through a joint subcommittee with Council Member Kento and myself, along with some consultants and our financial director, and we're still kind of in that process right now.

0:22:19I do want to discuss our high priorities, for you know, this year this fiscal year as well as next fiscal year.

0:22:28We'd really love to increase Fab's effectiveness at achieving the goals that are outlined as part of our recurring duty.

0:22:34You know? How do we counsel? Liaison is great.

0:22:38However, we really would appreciate more communication with counsel. One of the ideas that we had was a joint subcommittee potentially can be helpful.

0:22:48The goal of this would be to develop a process for city council and staff to refer projects to fact that are high priority.

0:22:52And unlined with other cities, schools.

0:22:58Also, I think, looking at several possible amendments to our comprehensive financial policies among the ones that we're going to be discussing at our next meeting is prioritizing surplus allocations among the general front reserve.

0:23:15The emergency, disaster, recovery, fund and pension liabilities.

0:23:16I do have a question for counsel about this particular topic.

0:23:23If we can discuss that.

0:23:27Got a recommendation of the finance director. We will also begin looking into adding policies, explicit policies, governing donations, let's keep it up and clean money, and a couple of other items that the plants director recommended in we understand these are going to be kind of

0:23:44boilerplate, and we we can leverage some.

0:23:47Some of our neighbors, and with middle, with a little research.

0:23:53We also are continuing to draft actions and procedures, complementing city efforts to meet the State auditor recommendations.

0:24:00These may or may not constitute comprehensive financial policy updates one of the things that I really like for us to do is to establish procedures that empower find the Financial Advisory Board to review the budget and the budget process on a more regular basis instead ensuring that there are the

0:24:22appropriate kind of processes. In place of the city level.

0:24:23When we're monitoring expenses.

0:24:31Those were highest priority projects for 2023, 2024.

0:24:38Among the other projects, we want to support a transparent and participatory budgeting process by seeking public input early.

0:24:46I think this year's Budget project making process was definitely step in that direction.

0:24:47Greatly appreciated. We want to increase Council Member Compensation Al Rito is lagging behind compared to the rest of the cities in the State, for cities are size and there's also been discussion about reviewing size and see if we wanna increase it to 7 numbers just to

0:25:10have a better chance of achieving we have a problem with that.

0:25:15Recently we did about a year ago. It's kind of kept it on our agenda.

0:25:28Bye, so one thing, another projects or council priorities. That's the end of my presentation.

0:25:34Thank you so much. Thank you. Before I open it up to my council colleagues.

0:25:40I want to thank you and the committee for the work on this plan, and just to give a little context council member for Delhi and I, as part of the ad hoc subcommittee on advisory boards, have been working on looking at the work of the advisory boards and really

0:26:00working through the work plan. And so we've put this on as a policy discussion so that we can have a chance to more closely review and the plan and talk about our priorities as we're currently working through the work plan. And so we've put this on as a policy discussion so that we can have a chance to

0:26:25more closely review the plan and talk about our priorities as Council.

0:26:27So I don't know Council Member a greater tie to what the Council wants in our work plans and our strategic goals, and what are commissions and committees will be doing no, I don't know if Mayor you wanted to continue in any questions yes, and just to say that we're not we are not focusing on you solely as the Fab but this

0:26:56is the, you know, this is the first work plan that's come before us, which gives us a chance to help kind of express to you our priorities, and Al, this discussion, and hopefully in gain from that.

0:27:06So at this point I'd like to open up to council members and comments.

0:27:13I I just yes, okay, let me just start generally because I appreciate all the effort.

0:27:24Put into this, and I especially, coming from what I think the Council has talked about, and what we've espoused in the past.

0:27:29I'm really looking forward to the financial policy considerations where we deal with financial policy amendment, the comprehensive policy amendment.

0:27:38There's been a lot of talk in the 1 15 Trust issue which we wanted to get back as far as how do we deal with our reserves?

0:27:52And what what's the recipe that we should be putting together to move forward financially?

0:27:55And then, as we talked about last Council, the financial compensation for the Council, which is long overdue, I would love to have seen those things pushed up further in this work plan, because those are things that we have actually talked about thought that we expressed those things to not just process issues but things that

0:28:18we want to deliver. Prom, and the one question I had, and I think he mentioned this chair is as we move toward June greater scrutiny and review June of our budget.

0:28:31How do you envision the Fab being related to reviewing the budget and providing us with comments and suggestions on that budget?

0:28:41And maybe that's a question for the city manager as well.

0:28:43But we would love that review, and and, as you know, now, we're going through a vacancy in our in our city which puts us back a little bit, and we're all a little bit handicapped in that direction.

0:28:56But ideally. How would you see that as far as timeliness and getting the budget and then getting us these costs so that we can discuss those in the context of our council meetings?

0:29:07Yeah, thank you for that question. Yeah, I do. Welcome City manager's perspective on this as well.

0:29:12No, we're not in a position. Financial Advisory Board is not in a position to be able to necessarily prioritize it.

0:29:15Various budget elements. I do think that our review process is primarily around fiscal prudence and makes us up making sure that we are spending less than we are you know, bringing in revenues right as long as there's a balanced budget I think that is the main charge of financial advisory board

0:29:37that's the main thing that we're looking at and revenues right as long as there's a balanced budget.

0:29:40I think that that is the main charge of Financial Advisory Board. That's the main thing that we're looking at.

0:29:43We're looking at the financial projections over the next 5 years in ensuring that also seems has to have rules on both assumptions behind it, and from what I understand, there's Conservatives, assumptions around revenue.

0:29:50So far we totally support that. So those are the types of things we're looking for.

0:29:52Conservative assumptions around revenues and a surplus budget primarily over the next several years.

0:29:56One of the things that the Board has discussed as well is adequate reserves.

0:30:09So we wanna make sure that those surplus goes into a longer term reserve.

0:30:13The General Fund reserve, that environmental disaster, recovery fund really fund.

0:30:17That's those are the main things that we're gonna be looking for.

0:30:21So we may get a check off list on those things and say, it's just fine, and we can good people.

0:30:27I mean one of the things I know, with all of our commissions is we're hoping there'll be more exchange on policy issues at the Commission and Committee levels so we can hear back from those people that volunteer to be on these committees and commissions and those are the priorities that

0:30:43you have in the Fab. We'd love to hear that those have been mapped.

0:30:45So thank you. Alright, thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you.

0:30:52Chair and also see Member White in the back. So thank you so much for being here.

0:30:53Appreciate it. We're really fortunate to have the Fab because it's a space where we can have members of our community who care about strong municipal finance being able to participate in this process.

0:31:10So thank you so much for your service in doing this I echo my colleagues, and I really would love to elevate the 1 15 trust, and we have not made a significant dent in our pension liability, and it's very important for the fiscal sustainability, and for our

0:31:28health that we really begin to make a dent in that.

0:31:29Also I appreciate this notion of a subcommittee.

0:31:30If the mayor be open to it, I'd be happy to volunteer and serve on that subcommittee if that if it comes into fruition that I would certainly support it.

0:31:45I'd be happy to help and one thing that I've been sharing for at this point it feels like years, and it's something that I'm consistently bringing up.

0:31:49And I know right now it's a little bit more of a pinch, because we have a vacancy with our finance director.

0:31:57But having financial dashboards, and we have a modern Erp system here in the city and having that data readily available in a way that's digestible, and that the public can understand.

0:32:10I don't see this in the workplan, but that would be something that, as both a council member and a community member, I would be really thrilled about if there was some sort of financial director with a narrative that they gives more context and a little bit more storytelling around what it is that

0:32:31we're doing, and why it is that we do it.

0:32:34So I would be really supportive of something like that where we can really begin to daylight, our budget and just kind of beyond our budget process.

0:32:37How, how, municipal budgeting works and it's kind of a in this notion of participatory budgeting.

0:32:51I think that a lot of the times, you know, decision makers can.

0:32:56Only, you know there's 5 of us here, but the participatory element of my opinion is being able to provide as much information and context as possible to the public.

0:33:06So that they are informed, and that they can provide feedback to us, because ultimately, you know, we're the ones who have to sit with the decisions.

0:33:14And I appreciate that we can if we can, create spaces where the public is a little bit more aware and understanding of what it is that we're doing here, and the decisions that we are making here 2720 18 we had an open Gov platform that is that kind of

0:33:37a imagine something similar or different, or thinking a lot about how it is that they're providing their their financial data.

0:34:00Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Councilor Mcintosh.

0:34:03Chair, I just wanna say thank you for all your work, and enjoyed working with you, and I apologize that because we didn't have, we have the shortage and staff.

0:34:18We weren't able to do that 1 15 trust, and that was my word to constituents.

0:34:25Last year is that we make. We made a dent, and we were not make able to make that debt because of the shortage of personnel.

0:34:28But but know that once we hire someone and get some a couple more people in that department, we're gonna start this up because I believe in my opinion, this is one of the highest priorities we need to do is to make that make a substantial debt to our unfunded liabilities.

0:34:45And, as you know, I know what all the other cities have put a dent in, and I know the city of Penol has paid out over 10 million dollars, and Hercules has paid over 7 million dollars, and Al-saida has paid 0.

0:35:03So it's about time that we step up because every city in California is looking at our leadership in Al Corito and I'm determined to work with you and straighten the city up.

0:35:22And for now on, we're not going to go that way.

0:35:24We're not going to play politics. We're not going to sue the State of California.

0:35:25These were dumb ideas of the past, that pass councils went for, and you have the the arrogance of Staff and the city of doing this and kicking the candle. These years.

0:35:37So. But I want to remind our residents that we did have the State treasurer here and the Controller here back in 2,016, and everyone was there who attended that meeting, and we warned everyone about this and past councils decided to do something else.

0:36:00And so we have a pragmatic cancel here.

0:36:01Now that is that knows the importance of the work that needs to be done and we're determined to get it done, because that is our priority, and I hope that will be your priority too.

0:36:14Let's make a depth of that. Let's make a substantial payment this year, I'm thinking.

0:36:153 or 5 million dollars at least, because we're the embarrassment of the county, and we can't do that anymore.

0:36:27Just because we see Richmond and Oakland doing this, we have to look at successful cities, and Contra Costa.

0:36:35We are Codra Costa County. We're not Lameda County, small town, and we need to look at what Pleasant Hill is doing.

0:36:42And yes, what Canole and Hercules is doing, because they're way ahead of us.

0:36:49And so this is a black eye on this city that we have to live up to playing these games.

0:36:54We're not going to do this during my watch ever again.

0:36:58So well. I know that, you know. Appreciate what you're doing.

0:37:02I support the 115 Trust and I want to make sure that the Fab members know that this is what the city Council, you know, would like for you to look at.

0:37:07So. But I'm ready to, you know. Let's put yeah.

0:37:18Let's work on this together, and I know we will.

0:37:20We were determined and doing this last summer, but things got in the way.

0:37:25So thank you, ma'am. Counselor Mayor Quinto.

0:37:28So at this time we are drafting a audience amendment, or by an amendment to the companies financial policy that will establish some of these.

0:37:32What we're calling informally a waterfall approach to where where the surplus is remaining from the budget.

0:37:45And you know we're there's 2 established functions already in the comprise of financial policy.

0:37:50And this third bucket is where we're seeing this, you know, this is actually my question for counseling, I don't wanna precede Mayor Mattyama as a comment.

0:37:54Here, so maybe I'll I'll I'll mention that we are in progress on that, and we hope that it comes back to council in the next one to 2 months, which may not align very well with the budget establishing the budget and finalizing the budget.

0:38:15But I'm hopeful that there's some flexibility for the budget making process to retroactively account for some of these accounts. Financial policies.

0:38:24They get it adopted. Okay, fair, good. And then also looking at the fiscal Year work plan, you know, looking at what the city is doing with the Comp.

0:38:35Study, that, looking at. And you know this council is underpaid, and we haven't looked at this since the 19 eighties, so there know how much we appreciate having the Fab look at this, and it's pretty easy to do.

0:38:47And you know, hopefully, you can do presentation soon on that we do have a subcommittee established on that, and I will make it a priority at our next meeting.

0:39:04Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much.

0:39:09So again. Thank you for being the first one through the shoot on the script plan, and I appreciate all the work that's gone into putting this together.

0:39:15Some of my comments about the work plan kind of comprehensively is when I see that the top 3 goals are prosper, related goals I really and you know, from our discussions at our ad hoc subcommittee on advisory boards what i'm seeing is really

0:39:35there's like not enough clarity about how the subcommittees or the committees and the advisory boards work with counsel.

0:39:43And so it's coming through as this priority in your work plan.

0:39:46And so I think hopefully that through our work, and we'll have some resolutions and things like that that are forthcoming, that we can help address that so that you know we can do that comprehensively.

0:39:57And you don't have to like, just think, oh, we gotta fix this process.

0:40:01Much appreciate it. And then, you know, looking at kind of the the ongoing projects that you have, those are all just really important actions that we rely on.

0:40:09And so I think one of the things that I would like to reinforce is that we take your recommendations very seriously.

0:40:22We are the decision-makers, but we rely on good advice.

0:40:26And so we really want to make sure that we are receiving the recommendations from your budget review and getting your comments on the at first, and the audit.

0:40:32And you know, really looking at the financial forecasts and telling us what you see so that we can, you know, catch things better.

0:40:39So all of those ongoing projects for me are priority work for Fab, because we really need the information that you're gonna lift up from that review.

0:40:58And so we can do our jobs better.

0:41:04Thank you. And just a quick comment you know, to councilmember Pedali's point.

0:41:08We'll try to. One thing I can try to do is establish kind of checklist, or you know, points why, we can say, and you know my guess.

0:41:16My question is, some of our items aren't always voting items.

0:41:19So how to, you know, appropriately communicate that to council is, you know, is that through Subcommittee is that through another channel I'm not.

0:41:26We're working on that way to to make that really clear for everybody.

0:41:30So you're not done yet beyond that. And then also just kind of going back to the State auditors reports, you know, what are the you know we are still working on, you know, getting all those items.

0:41:49Shown as completed or objective, met, and part of that was, you know, the 1 15 trust of some addressing of our pension liability.

0:42:00So it feels like, you know, those 2 things kind of go together, and you know what I was hoping for is to that.

0:42:08I had her that well, maybe 1 15. Trust is not the right vehicle, but we never heard what thinking went into that.

0:42:15Or if you had, guys had come around to oh, no, actually, 1 15 is best, because there's some details about like, does that sequester those phunds from what we consider a reserve?

0:42:26Does that impact our bond rating those kinds of things that are really material to our understanding of it?

0:42:27So that would be my comments to you, and I hope that hearing that is helpful, I do appreciate, you know particularly that you attended the Budget Town Hall.

0:42:48So you were able to see kind of our priority areas that came through that in the Polco work and the work of staff, and so that everything that you do all the advisory bodies to will like focus back on all those priorities so that we can be more efficient in what we do and value the time and

0:43:08effort that all you volunteering to do all this committee work can really see the fruits of your labor through what we can accomplish here thank you very much for those comments, Mayor.

0:43:21So I have a I guess, a comment and a question.

0:43:25One? Could comment around the section would. 15. Was that the the consultants that we were speaking with they seem to be very focused on the 1 15 B.

0:43:33And experts in that field, and I guess some of our questions around the world routine. You are around.

0:43:40Yeah, what are the what are the other options? Do we have similar questions to you? I think.

0:43:44In the meantime we've I will definitely want to pay down on front of the pension liabilities.

0:43:49The question is, what is the appropriate vehicle for that?

0:43:50And there is a lot of precedents and information that seems to point that 1 15 p.

0:43:57Is the best, so I think we you know there's nothing saying that I don't believe we said anything that we shouldn't do that.

0:44:03My question for the Council is you know, as we're drafting this kind of waterfall approach.

0:44:10One of the questions that we've encountered is how strictly do we want that third pool after the general Fund reserve and the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to be limited to the unfunded Pension liability payments.

0:44:27What we couldn't cause. There's other options right?

0:44:28There's capital improvement projects. There are the other things that cities potentially could spend that money on.

0:44:39Some amount of discretion may be advantageous, depending on the given year we're at this point where we're not sure if we should say the third pool shall be unfunded.

0:44:51Venture liabilities, or it is the top of the next list of options.

0:44:56This Council have any thoughts that they would like to share. What you might want to see.

0:45:00Come to desk, and I just want to just check with city attorney to make sure that we can discuss this.

0:45:10I think it's within the bounds of what's been agendized with the understanding that this is a general commentary.

0:45:17The City council is not taking a vote on it tonight. And so this will just be direction to the Fab, or at least they've been direction input to the Fab.

0:45:24That would then come back to the city Council for any actual consideration on policy.

0:45:30Thank you. Any comments from council members.

0:45:36Understand the question better. It's what would we want to see on this list?

0:45:41That's correct. So well, it's not just what you would want to see is, and maybe you can just say this is something, Fafsa decided, bring to us to you, and that's fine.

0:45:51But I'll take this opportunity. You know I what's do we want to that third pool to absolutely be always on financial liabilities or do we want to allow some discretion based on the budget year to spend that's something, you know, on maybe a capital improvement

0:46:11project, you know. Not so many years ago we had this kind of surpr for the senior center.

0:46:12Those kinds of things kind of tend to come up. So that's my question.

0:46:22Well, I think you know where I stand by, and and this has been, you know, 3 years of hell being on this council, and having to repeat ourselves time and time again on what we want, and and so I know it's been like that for Fab, because working that uncertainty and and then this emergency of

0:46:42Covid and and everything the shortage of workers. Now that we're dealing with and dealing with Arpa-fun.

0:46:47So that that's you know, my top priority is to make sure that we always make that payment.

0:46:58We have not made this payment in 10 years, while other cities have gotten a head start and and they listen to what the treasurer of California had to say with the arrogance of past counsels just slapped it off, and wanted to see the State of California we're not going to go there anymore.

0:47:16We want to do the right thing. We want good policy and good policy and good government is paying our bills and paying for our unfunded liabilities, which we have done.

0:47:210 yet and and this should be the priority for all, for now, or else, you know, we're gonna be audited again if we continue with this bad government, we pretend making a dent in our pension liabilities is really important.

0:47:42But I also recognize, and wanna take a lens that we have deferred a lot of significant capital improvement projects in the city.

0:47:44So if we have to be able to strike a balance in those where making those payments are incredibly important, but also making sure that our facilities are not completely falling apart, and that we are having a lens to the future and investing in the community, that's here now and investing in the future

0:48:12community as well with these projects. So finding a balance, but making sure that we are at least Yup, providing some sort of contribution to our unfunded liabilities, is important.

0:48:25I would say something similar. Obviously we all know the importance of having our reserves now, and it was a priority we had.

0:48:29We have those now and agreeing with Fab in our disaster, reserve fund, which we did a vote on and is, and I think we just want a plan with maybe to or 3 options for our unfunded liability.

0:48:49Maybe there's a heavy light in a medium, so we can decide how much we want to. Hey?

0:48:55Every year, based on other needs that our city has? Or do we wanna invest more now up front and continue with that?

0:49:02But I know we get locked in and and those are some issues that I think we need to discuss but I think it's, you see, the direction and the goal that we have, and maybe just 3 options light medium and go for the gusto.

0:49:12Here, but and then let us debate that what it means to our city.

0:49:21I don't think you should be deciding whether we need a senior citizen center or those things that's up for us to decide what our goals are and what our needs are.

0:49:29But I think we just would like to have a vehicle to discuss.

0:49:33Okay. So I incur with my colleagues at the Reserve is super important.

0:49:40It's really important that we start to address our pension liability.

0:49:45I would also going to our Mid Year Budget Review, which did that 10 year, trending which, if you guys recall it, did point out that we would be dipping into the Fund Reserve until 2026.

0:50:00So there is already a call on those funds. So if we were to 100%, put everything into the 1 15 trust, we would then have to do some very drastic cuts that I don't think that we would want to you know have to try to do that, and meet the letter, of the law, so I would hope that, we

0:50:21could have some flexibility that you can look at that call on the Fun Reserve that's already projected and take that into consideration.

0:50:28So I think you know 2026 is our sort of threshold year to really be kind of back at sort of wholeness in terms of our robustness of our budget.

0:50:36So, so how do, how do we get there? How do we maintain the reserve?

0:50:47How do we address everything? It's it's a hard ask, but we love suggestions from the fact.

0:50:54Yes, it's something. I'm sorry.

0:51:00Yes. Okay. Thank you. Mayor. Yeah. I agree with Mayor of Montayama.

0:51:01Is, you know. We'll look at everything, but if we don't make a dent on the unfunded liability, we can't do anything yet, so that is the first priority is to make that Dent and then, after we make that dent we can look at other things.

0:51:21But in the meantime, between now and 2026, we're going to have some difficult times that we're dealing with.

0:51:23With making sure that we pay all our bills, and you know but this is what we have to do, because we kicked the can too long, and we can't do that anymore.

0:51:42So. But no, I know you're what what your thinking, and know how much we appreciate you.

0:51:43Looking at all of this, because this is a matter of solvency in the future, and what we can do in the future.

0:51:52If you ever want to put another bond measure on. So the bond measure that I'm thinking of in the month of March of next year's a library measure.

0:52:05But in order to do that we have to get our credit rated back to a A.

0:52:06A. And we can't do that yet until we make a depth on the 115 Trust.

0:52:16So that's for the priority is is making sure that we get our credit rating back up to a.

0:52:23So we' we can, so we'll be able to get back to a as soon as we make a damped on the unfunded liabilities.

0:52:31So that's that's where I stand on that, because, you know, we just have to make do with what we have.

0:52:38We can't afford a senior center. We cannot, we'll have to do a bond measure for all of these things that that residents want.

0:52:44We can't pay for it. So you see what small cities have to go through.

0:52:51We don't have a Casino like St. Pablo.

0:52:54We don't have over refinery like Richmond.

0:52:55We're a small bedroom community, our dead El Cerito Mall is getting better, but it's still a dead mall, so we don't have.

0:53:05We have small businesses, and I appreciate our small businesses.

0:53:06There. But no, we don't have enough, and and the big-box stories we had, she left and read to penult as soon as we did that minimum wage hike.

0:53:18So that's that's where we stand, and and we don't have someone full time that works on economic development.

0:53:25So you haven't had anyone there for years, and it shows so we have to keep an equal balance.

0:53:32We have too many projects, and are not breaking ground. For one reason or another, and the higher interest rates and expenses, materials and and and in a way, and we don't know if any of these things are going to be built, and we took this chance and we have to be honest with our residents.

0:53:50And and this is why we're job is so important to let the Council know in a pragmatic way how we should do this.

0:53:58So you know, I'm counting on the Fab.

0:53:59Let's be conservative when it comes to addition out any extra money, because we don't have it.

0:54:03The number. One thing is to make those make that dent on unfunded liabilities and then once we get to na, we'll put that bond measure.

0:54:17We have 2 things that I would like to put in for next year.

0:54:21The library measure and a tax measure. So you know, it's getting everything done but doing in a way where we all are on the same page, or doing this and doing it step by step-by-steps.

0:54:36I do you want to check in with our assistance manager?

0:54:39Are there any public comments received or online there are no public comments in person.

0:54:45City Club charity. Are there any comments remote?

0:54:48There are no requests to speak online.

0:54:51Okay, thank you. Hey? And thank you very much for the presentation.

0:54:57I think you can tell from the tenor of the comments how important your your work is for the so we really appreciate the Fab, and thank you.

0:55:06So much, it had been a while since Fab came to the council with the work plan, and I apologize for that.

0:55:12But I'm glad that we're first this year at least, so really appreciate your comments, and I'll share these with the rest of the board.

0:55:18And we'll do our best to meet your priorities.

0:55:19Thank you.

0:55:24The next item is fiscal year 2022, 23 third quarter general fund updates and we please have the staff reports.

0:55:37Good evening, Mayor, city council, my name is will Covet, the assistant to the city manager this evening.

0:55:42I'm presenting the city's third quarter to general fund.

0:55:45Update just a brief report here through review of the city's general fund numbers running from July 1, 2022, through March 31, twenty-twenty 3 was completed in close collaboration with our expert financial consultant Chris Bigam of Baker, Tim himself, a

0:55:59former budget director and finance manager, and in close collaboration with the city Manager.

0:56:06As you know, as druged by city Council staff. Provide these quarterly updates to monitor the city budget and financial position as the fiscal year progresses diving into the numbers in the report, the general fund revenues for fiscal year 2223 are budgeted at 46.9 million including the

0:56:23amendments approved by the City Council. As part of the meteor Budget.

0:56:26Update through March. The city has received 60% of budgeted revenues just slightly below this time last year, when interfon transfers are excluded as shown in the report, there are differences across the types of revenues in terms of the present received through March for example, at 84%

0:56:43through March, licenses and permits on track to exceed budget budget.

0:56:47Similarly intergovernmental revenues are showing only 55%.

0:56:51But this has more to do with the timing of payments received from outside sources, such as Kensington fire, on the expenditures side, general fund expenditures are also budgeted at 46.9 million including the midyear amendments across departments, expenditures.

0:57:07are 66% of the budget through the end of March.

0:57:11This shows that departments are on track to remain within budget for the fiscal year, and through the third quarter and revenues appear to be on track as well.

0:57:20That's how summarizes the highlights of the updates.

0:57:23But to conclude the review of our financial data through the third quarter shows the organization is trending appropriately for for this point in the year, and lines with expectations, for when revenue is typically received from Verizon revenue, sources that concludes my report but i'm available along with the city manager to

0:57:38answer any questions, thank you. Any questions or comments from council members.

0:57:48Yeah, yeah, how's the member? Fidelity?

0:57:59Thank you. Just I'm gonna ask the same questions I always ask, and you pull out they will have property transfer tax and tell us how that's doing.

0:58:04That's something that I've always asked that we can show.

0:58:07And it says we're trending favorably, but I'd like to know what.

0:58:15Yeah, so I don't have that in front of me, but I can speak more anecdotally and cancel the city manager.

0:58:16Pinkos can help out, too. But essentially what? From what I understand speeding with again with Chris Briggo, our expert financial consultant, and Sandra Delita, our finance manager director, before she left, is that home sales have sort of slowed down and so while even though the Median

0:58:35home, sale price in Alsorrito has stabilized.

0:58:37It's not going up. It doesn't seem to be going down that quickly.

0:58:41Sales are slowing down, and so what that means for real property transfer tax, too, is that those are stabilizing. Understand?

0:58:48Our revenue, assumptions, work, conservative. And so we think we're going to hit our revenue assumptions.

0:58:53But that means for next fiscal year. We also can't.

0:58:56You know it won't continue to climb, so we're just kind of have to assume that they'll be stable going into next step.

0:59:01We could just if we could. Just that's why those figures are good to have.

0:59:02If we can actually have those figures, because that helped us over the last 3 years.

0:59:09Get through the crisis and it we want to see if we're trending down.

0:59:13This sounds like the first time we're slowing up.

0:59:15I'd like to see by how much so it's important to us.

0:59:19Those for sale signs, and also also another question I ask is our figures on the cannabis, and how, you know. Eventually I know staff.

0:59:24I know we're in critical staffing issues, but we will get some proposals about how to use the cannabis revenue that comes to us.

0:59:34Are there any figures on the cannabis revenue I know there's been a lot of conversations on that.

0:59:40I I turn it over to the city manager to speak more, more closely, but I know that we are.

0:59:45We have seen the first Cannabis shop quite, quite well to the tune of the city, receiving 400,000 600,000 a year, and so going into next year.

0:59:55What? We think. There's going to be a second shop open.

0:59:56We're still trying to be conservative. We don't want to count our chickens before they have it right before they hatch.

1:00:00But essentially, we're confident that they will likely be additional revenues in the $100,000.

1:00:10You know all park next year, and we would love to see those actual figures if they ever realise.

1:00:17And again, since a part of that profit or revenue coming in will be going to some social services that we can plan on, it's really important to see those figures, and I can elaborate a little bit on that you know, as a reminder we do.

1:00:32Have, we have fees that come from, based on sales of the cannabis that come to the city?

1:00:39It's also sales tax related, and I can tell you that in just one year Nug has appeared in our top 10 sales tax generators very quickly, and so that's why we but as far as the separate fees for the social services that you referenced that will be something that would be

1:00:59discussed at a meeting of the municipality's Corporation, and that will be coming up hopefully as soon as we get work to work with the city clerk to schedule that to have that discussion.

1:01:10But those are separate from the fees that are paid and separate from sales. Tax.

1:01:11So just to make sure that you know the public understands that.

1:01:19But we will come back and have that conversation with the Municipal Services Corporation at a separate.

1:01:24Thank you. Good. I want to thank Council Member for Delhi for mentioning the the tax dollars coming in from Nug.

1:01:42And you know I want to reiterate the importance of making sure that this Council made a decision, that the extra money coming in through cannabis sales will help in the social things that are needed the things that are needed the with the homelessness situation that we have

1:02:04here and but I wanna also make sure that it's the county's responsibilities.

1:02:05I look forward to going in halves or thirds with another small city, because we don't need someone full-time to deal with this.

1:02:19We need someone, part time that will work with other cities like Llamarinda or Pinola and Hercules, because we have such a small number of people dealing with homelessness here, and the ones that the city knows the ones that we have dealt with are the ones that have been

1:02:38homeless for some time, and refuse their services, but we do get a few folks at that show up on a bus line or at the end of the bargline, and want to call I'll read a home here or camping out in parking lots and at the Gym.

1:02:54And side street. Here my neighborhood, and so now the importance of what we want to do here with what the Council wants to do with that extra money is to block.

1:03:05Let's help the neediness of people that are here in.

1:03:06Al corrito, so that's been the game plan.

1:03:13And that's gonna you know, we're gonna continue with this, because this is what we agreed on.

1:03:17So I hope you know the importance of making sure that we work with the county side by side, and especially with the folks dealing with addiction and homelessness and mental illness, so appreciate what you're doing and what you mentioned with the the money that we were able to

1:03:36take in, but we haven't been able to use yet, so wanna find out when will be when we will be able to spend that money and finally hire someone with the either pinhole Hercules or Lamborinda, yeah, and again, that would have to be discussed at a municipal services

1:03:55corporation meeting. So that would have to be agendized and discussed separately.

1:04:00So that would be that will be forthcoming. Okay?

1:04:07I do have a few comments. They're not really questions, but I just want to comment that it is slightly alarming to me to know that our expenditures and our revenues are the same.

1:04:18So I hope that you know when we are working on our budget, that we can have more of a differential between the revenue and expenses, particularly since we have so much uncertainty, I think, in part, you know, the good and the bad is that we have relied a lot on vacancies to make that

1:04:38up and I know that it's hard on staff when there are too many vacancies to get all the programs and all the work done that we would like to.

1:04:47But we need to make sure that you know, if we take that away as kind of our background in terms of our budgeting, that we need to act accordingly.

1:04:48So I hope that we can have some good discussion when we get to the for the budget.

1:05:03On looking at that. Are there any public comments?

1:05:12No, no speaker in person. Speakers, city commerciality. Are there any remote speakers?

1:05:20There are no remote speakers.

1:05:25Hey!

1:05:26Why at night?

1:05:27I'm sorry.

1:05:28It's a quiet night.

1:05:30Yes, thank you. I would think that this there's exciting stuff happening here.

1:05:35Okay, so.

1:05:39Do I have a motion to approve the quarterly reports, this is a receiving file, so there action necessary.

1:05:48But thank you. On my it is on my mail's script that I have a motion.

1:05:59We just receive and file. Then you file. The next item is city council, local and regional liaison assignments.

1:06:11Are there any Council reports? Yes, Mayor, have. On? On the tenth I attended the Human Relations Commission meeting, and on the eleventh I attended the Recycle more meeting.

1:06:25Council, member, fidelity! Yes, I participated last night in the Monthly County clerk and registrar's election Discussion group.

1:06:33Tomorrow I will be participating at Ccta, in Walnut Creek, and also tomorrow we.

1:06:34I see we have a brochure here on notice. On celebrating the participation as a Ccta commissioner at the San Ramon opening of a pedestrian and bike bridge on Iron Horse Trail, and Bollinger drive in Santa Ramon and that's where We're trying

1:06:56to get as multimodal in this county. So that's a great success story.

1:06:59Thank you.

1:07:01That's for me, too. Thank you, councilmember delt feli on that.

1:07:07I attended on the third the Mca Marine Clean Energy Executive Committee meeting, and and then the following Wednesday.

1:07:15Of last week I attended the Lafco Commission.

1:07:20I'm on the Lafco Commission with former Mayor Lewis, who's been part of that committee for over 20 years now, so we dealt with the disillusionment of the Knights and Community Board, which really didn't do anything but know that you know the

1:07:43future in that area they had a lot of flooding in that area.

1:07:48So I have a feeling that that committee been maybe a year or 2 will want to start up again.

1:07:50So know that? Yeah, we're dealing with disillusionment of different community groups that were approved back 20 years ago, and knowing that there was a delusion, disillusionment will have to deal with that again, and we have some projects coming up county there was their approval, to

1:08:25change, to change the Richmond Country Club to from what they have now, with rich.

1:08:35The city of Richmond, and there's a new development that will be built there with 70 or 80 new single family homes, and that is being transferred over to the West County Wastewater group, and they will take care of the the Sewers.

1:08:53They're in that new community off Giant Road. So I'm flying to Sand Diego to represent marine clean energy at a Cca.

1:09:04Conference, Thursday and Friday, so I look forward to attending, and I'll give her report at the next Council meeting.

1:09:12Thank you. On May fourth I attended the Contra Costa County Mayor's Conference on May sixth I attended the Els Rio Chamber of Commerce, Open House, at Sola Salon, which was very nice, and was catered by our California Fish girl there in the

1:09:35Alstrido, Plaza on May seventh I attended the ribbon cutting of Anime Island, which is a new anime, collectibles, comics, and things store.

1:09:41In the former junket location. On May eleventh I attended the Cal City's East Bay Division meeting, as well as the Eqc.

1:09:53Climate, action and adaptation, plan, presentation.

1:10:01Hey? It is now 7 10 Pm. And we are adjourned.

1:10:09The next regularly scheduled city council meeting is Tuesday, June sixth, 2023, at 6 Pm.

1:10:17Thank you very much.