Regular City Council Meeting December 19, 2023

0:00:01Awesome. Thank you. City clerk.

0:00:10The December nineteenth regular City Council meeting is called to order at Pm. Will the city clerk please call

0:00:25and Councilver.

0:00:32The first item on the agenda beats consideration under mandate 2, 4, 4 amends, he clerk, to avenge requests

0:00:40which request the key thing.

0:00:42So next is the pledge of allegiance over a note of silence. Please join me.

0:00:50I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Government

0:00:55indivisible liberty.

0:01:08The next item, agenda is teleconference and public comment. Instructions from our city clerk.

0:01:15Thank you, Mayor. This hybrid meeting provides an option to participate in person, or via zoom with closed captions. Available meetings of the City Council are subject to the Brown Act, and are held for the purpose of conducting city business. The Brown Act also ensures the public's right to be heard, and while city council is not able to respond to your comments directly, your comments will be heard prior to Council taking action

0:01:36for members of the public who wish to provide oral testimony. The mayor will announce the time for public comment on each applicable item. Public comments will be taken in person only, and a request to speak can be submitted to the city clerk by completing a Speaker card. The Council's adopted rules of order and procedures, specify 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 limits in Kmir. That concludes my announcements.

0:02:04Thank you. City clerk. The next item on the agenda is Council Staff Communications City Manager. Do we have any staff communications? Thank you, your honor. I'm Karen Pincus. I'm the city manager. I just wanted to announce that as a reminder to everyone

0:02:19that City Hall will be closed, beginning Thursday, December 20. First. We will not reopen until January second, 2024. We will all be taking a very well, observed holiday break. The community center will also be closed during that time and some other facilities. City facilities have special holiday hours. So you can find that at our website at

0:02:43Cerrito Org. And with that I would just like to wish everyone a safe, healthy, warm, and joyous holiday season. Happy New Year! See you in 2,024.

0:02:54Thank you. City manager. Are there any announcements from any of the council members?

0:03:05Yes, yes, I just want to announce

0:03:10that elsewhere's greatest holiday tuition the Sundar shoddy holiday display was once again assembled last Saturday on the Mojo hillside, and will remain up until December 20. Seventh. Our volunteers are welcome to help take it down.

0:03:26You can just show up at that time, and I just want to say it's not easy everywhere to do what they do, and there are dedicated volunteers and Boy Scouts who give their time to put it up to break it down, restore and refurbish the figures and the buildings.

0:03:43and this year was a very special extra reconstruction of the figures that occurred. So I would like this year to specifically thank those continuing members of the shotting display committee who work so hard every year. First and foremost is former Mayors, Jamie Mitch Barky, who are instrumental in saving the figures and keeping the tradition alive.

0:04:05Former Mayor, Greg Lyman, who is here tonight. We thank him for his advertisers, Donald Sclfhauser, Marty Takimoto Michelle, Fadelli, Jennifer, Shane, Pooler, Peter Locke, and Stephan Milak, Nitz and Mark Wilson, thanks to all of them for making the hillside

0:04:23shine. Thank you very much.

0:04:26Thank you. Any other counsel

0:04:29comments.

0:04:30Okay, I have a couple of announcements for the fourth quarter of 2023, covering October through December I recognize Elsrido, centenarians, Teresa, Parella, Elsridos, 2017 wall of fame in Gotti, who will turn 107 tomorrow, and Peggy Hender 103 with a narrow certificate. Recognition.

0:04:54And I think it's quite amazing that we have so many centenarians in El Cerrito.

0:05:06It's for rather, I think, that you know. Okay.

0:05:13the next item is oral communications from the public. Now is the time for members of the public for which to provide public comments regarding matters not on the agenda, and send items and presentation items. Request to speak can be submitted to the city clerk by completing a speaker card. Public comments will be taken in person. Only please remember to identify yourself and your city of residence at the beginning of your comments.

0:05:37Secret. Can you tell us how many speakers we have for this one. We have 8 speakers, Mayor, so can you set the time for 2 min, please? Yes, ma'am.

0:05:49Okay.

0:05:51okay. Well.

0:05:53was our first speaker knit knit nimets. Chessluck. followed by Samaya Nazf.

0:06:07Thank you for the time, members of the city Council. My name is Mamat Schefffleck. I've lived in El Cerrito since 90 98

0:06:15when my parents moved here, after immigrating here from Turkey. I'm a product of El Cerrito. I graduated from Fairmont. I went to Portland Middle School when it was on a grass field, and ultimately was blessed to be able to get undergraduate and graduate degrees from Berkeley and Harvard.

0:06:31I say this because I invested in our community's values. And I feel like this community invested in me. And so, having said that, you know, I feel like

0:06:41I'm motivated by the principles of justice and empathy that Elsrudo has embodied and continues to embody, and I wish to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and urge our council to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire. Elserida, if you might. Something some of you don't know. This was founded by refugees of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

0:07:03So it shares a poignant historical parallel with Gaza. Many in Gaza, descendants of the Nakaba, the forced displacement of 80% of Palestinians from their homes in 1948. And this is why Gaza is currently one of the densest places on earth.

0:07:16This shared legacy of displacement and rebuilding binds us to those in Gaza compelling our empathy and action. The current US. Administration's policy of not imposing red lines for Israel's actions in Gaza is in stark contrast to the values I and many others, I hope in this room have learned here in El Cerrito.

0:07:34and our community has a history of standing up for what is right, championing justice and peace. And in this spirit we must voice our commitment to these principles on a global stage, a ceasefire resolution in this council is more than symbolic. It reflects our dedication to human rights and peace. It shows that El Cerrito, a city born out of the need for refuge and solidarity remains true to these values, advocating for those who face similar trials. Today.

0:08:01We honor our and and by calling for a ceasefire. We honor our past and take a stand for a future where peace and human dignity are not just ideals, but realities for all.

0:08:11So I am a testament to the city's values of empathy, resilience, and global responsibility. And I implore the Council to draft and adopt a resolution. Let's demonstrate El Cerrito's unwavering spirit of compassion, leadership, and setting an example for others to follow in these challenging times. Thank you all for your consideration and your time.

0:08:29Thank you.

0:08:34The next speaker is Samaya, followed by Fred Bialy.

0:08:40Hello, City Council members. Thank you for your time. My name is Dominosa. I'm a resident of El Cerrito. I'm here to plead the city Council members to please pass a ceasefire resolution. I hope we can. All atrocities in the world is not to commit greater ones what is currently happening.

0:08:58Sorry, thank you. And what is currently happening in Gaza are, in fact, atrocities, ones that have been funded and using our tax dollars in Israel. We have universal healthcare, free education, subsidized housing here. We can't afford healthcare. We can't afford housing. We can afford education. We can't afford a safety net for vulnerable Americans. Yet we can afford to send billions of dollars every single year to a military that does not have any regard to international law journalists on the ground.

0:09:2589 of which have been killed since the beginning of this conflict. Genocide experts, human rights watch doctors without borders and state internationals in the UN all speak to the war crimes being committed on daily basis by the Idf. They have spoken to the genocidal rhetoric of the Israeli government officials. And yet our Government thinks that we not only need to keep giving them the billions of dollars that the American people desperately need, but that there should be absolutely no conditions on what Israel is allowed to do with that money.

0:09:53Conservative estimates with the Palestinian death toll of over 18,000, not including the thousands that are unaccounted for under the rubble, over 8,000 of them, on children over 50,000 have been severely injured and bearing unimaginable pain, because the Israeli Government has cut off any supply of, and medications from each of them. 200,000 bombs have been dropped on Gaza. 45% of them have been unguided ones.

0:10:16Dozens of hospitals have been involved along with hundreds of schools, refugees, refugee camps, mosques, churches, cultural and historical landmarks, and so-called safe zones.

0:10:26Over 90% of the population has been driven out of their homes. Most of this home is now destroyed. 2 people are not denied food, water, electricity, shelter denied here, and dignity not even born in Gaza are showing mercy. Our politicians are now going over backwards to justify the unjustifiable.

0:10:43Many times does this history have to repeat them? Thank you. Our next speaker is Fred Bialy, followed by faith. N.

0:10:53Please refuse to hold any applause to be respectful of all opinions in the room. Thank you, Nelson.

0:11:04When he had asked the City Council members to add their voices to the groundswell of support, locally.

0:11:10nationally and internationally for permanent ceasefire in the Israeli war against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. As a retired physician I want to spotlight the healthcare and humanitarian catastrophe that is developed in Gaza from the bombing and the siege, over 300 healthcare workers have been killed. 75% of hospitals are nonfunctioning

0:11:36health facilities are overwhelmed with the injured, more of them will die who otherwise would have lived with proper care. Operations are being conducted without anesthesia.

0:11:47There is limited access to sleep, water and adequate hygiene.

0:11:52Infectious diseases resulted in expecting to eventually kill more people than the bombing

0:12:00hundreds of thousands of dozens with chronic health problems no longer have access to basic care. A 100 different access to media care. Half of well, dozens are starving effectively wherever the next deal is coming from.

0:12:19They say to children, study the believe that 8% of the children of Gaza are an official stable, for with establishing, and this report was from June 2022,

0:12:34obtaining ceasefires needed, and now to destroy Richmond and other cities around the country by adopting a ceasefire resolution. So Argent City Council should stick to address issues. But this was accessible because a lot of people speak out restrictive decision-making, punctuative justice.

0:13:03Okay. Speaker, is faith by Ann Arbenowski

0:13:15outside of e'en

0:13:19parts of the Jewish people voted. 100 years of reference.

0:13:25Toddlers at Yale Group were massacred by the attack on October seventh of George Holloway. Since the holocaust had been infected.

0:13:49Some people still believe hostage in Gaza. It may be respectable speed

0:14:04compete.

0:14:07and it's explicitly sequence. In spite of this resolution solution

0:14:18and cerebral pacis or strengths of excitement.

0:14:37sea level, compassionate housing washes with a profit.

0:15:04Thank you. Thank you. Again. Please order applause to be respectful to all of our speakers to night. Thank you. I may speak with Anne are the first of the Ashley Cory.

0:15:18Good evening. I'm Annowski, a resident in El Cerrito for 24 years.

0:15:24I am coming tonight to invite you to a walk. It is sponsored by the friends of 5 Creeks. It will be on

0:15:35Saturday, the 20 third from 10 to 12, leaving from the hills the Douglas Street entrance to the hillside natural area.

0:15:45This is going to be just a walk to appreciate and to see what, how much the hillside natural area has to give to us.

0:15:54As most of you know, there is work is being undertaken by the city to develop a plan to reduce the dangers of fire in hillside area, to preserve the natural forest and to develop regular maintenance

0:16:11protocols.

0:16:12And this is just to invite you to know what is at stake.

0:16:17The draft will be presented sometime next will be next year, early next year, but and you'll be hearing more about it. But just to, if you haven't been, this will be a good chance. It'll be informative fun, and

0:16:34supposed to be sunny on Saturday. Please come if you want want any other details. If you just go to friends of 5 Creeks. it's on the first page and will give you the exact meeting spot. Thank you.

0:16:49Our next speaker is Ashley Cory, followed by Jonathan Minser.

0:16:56Hi, there! Good evening. My name is Ashley Cory, and I am an Elsa Rita, resent urging you to please, add a resolution standing in solidarity and calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire of the genocidal campaign being waged on the Palestinian people in Gaza

0:17:11by Israel, and aided entirely by America and our tax dollars.

0:17:16I don't believe we can in clear conscience proclaim to be a city that stands against hate without standing up for what is undoubtedly the moral stance here. and to add our voices and political power into the tidal wave of others calling for an end to the violence that has taken upwards of 20,000 lives, most of which are children we now know.

0:17:38calling for an end to the slaughter of tens of thousands of innocent people does not have to be a divisive topic. There is simply no justification for this.

0:17:47and I didn't know that El Cerrito was founded by refugees, but that makes me feel all the more proud to be a resident here, and thus that it is also all the more important that we do what we can to protect human rights and lives. We'd also go a long way to help our Palestinian community members feel safer living here, and like we have their best interests in mind.

0:18:06And I'll add on also, that if we weren't sending billions of dollars of mill of military aid to Israel. We would have so much more money to invest in our own healthcare and communities the rest of my time. Thank you kindly for hearing. Thank you.

0:18:23Our next speaker is Jonathan Minster, followed by Sherry Drogmer

0:18:30Council. My name is Jonathan Millser. I serve as the director of external relations at the Jewish Community Relations Council. I'm here with a very strong plea, and urge.

0:18:41I urge you to affirm and select Mayor pro tempesa Rudnick as the next mayor, the city of El Sabito.

0:18:51test a blood deck. a dear friend. She, if elected, would be the second Jewish woman, Maya, ever the city of El Cerrito. I have seen her tirelessly for the city. I have seen her lift up all back.

0:19:11I have seized her grief, but with her Jewish values from the dais in the community. She's a deeper personal friend, and I urge you as strong as possible to make her your next mayor.

0:19:27I did not expect to address this issue. But while I have your attention, I also want to speak to the calls of those asking for Elserita to make a resolution in favor of a cease fire.

0:19:39I know this is, I know that this is a very passionate issue for many on all sides

0:19:44I recognize that people of all backgrounds have direct connections to this region. and are hurting their trauma and pain.

0:19:54But what we've learned in Oakland and Richmond is that when we bring these resolutions to city councils, we become divided, brought together. we have seen rising hate stem within the city council chambers. It illustrates all these resolutions.

0:20:12Could you see the antisemitic grifty about Lake man? Destruction of a Hanukkah Mendel about Lake Mead? Do you see, people.

0:20:21that the Jewish residence is now excuse me in Richmond's charge.

0:20:27Schiffard, non-supported by the Council, made these resolutions

0:20:33so many ways to support all those that are in deep pain and experiencing deep trauma because of this conflict. This is another way for you.

0:20:44So I invite you to work together to bring communities together to constructively what we can do to ensure that no innocent life is lost. I can affirm freedom of ceasefire. Resolution will offer the division, as the history has shown throughout the Bay area. Most of the Tessa Runnick to become your next mayor. Thank you so much.

0:21:07Thank you.

0:21:09Our next speaker is Sherry Drubman, followed by Betty Akassic.

0:21:16Good evening. My name is Shirley Grogan. I'm applying for your deferrido. My phone for notes, so forgive me for not making direct eye contact with you tonight. And I do beg to differ with our last speaker. I am here to talk about a ceasefire solution

0:21:41sanctuary sometimes.

0:21:48and see. That was probably a sexual city. It's probably sexual city desk.

0:21:55That was

0:22:14what's a machine? It screams.

0:22:21The school went upset. University of housing, Godfrey.

0:22:28self defense

0:22:30tax dollars.

0:22:35children of Israel and Cheshire

0:22:40defeat Scripture.

0:22:46Let's go

0:22:49as a Jew.

0:22:51However, we make a thousand for 0 based.

0:22:57Sorry. It's very emotional for me.

0:22:59justifies the residents of Gaza segments of children.

0:23:16This happens or present the old.

0:23:27so divisive, silent.

0:23:49Our next speaker is Judy Atlasage, followed by Toby Buffalo.

0:24:07Good evening, my dear friends, on the city council.

0:24:14and it's kind of weird, though.

0:24:17I think a completely mood. And I thought, you know silly way, have room said whatever I did say, or might have said.

0:24:30I was at a meeting here called the Strategic Plan.

0:24:34and the room was full and was a professional facilitator. I was right in the middle somewhere, and somehow or another I got to feeling introverted.

0:24:47I didn't think I could, but towards the end of the meeting I finally

0:24:53Brought the microphone over.

0:24:55and I said a few things. and the Wood Senior Centre somehow came out of my mouth.

0:25:02and

0:25:05City Manager Garen Pinkles

0:25:09responded.

0:25:12and she said.

0:25:15going to consider that

0:25:19we salute you.

0:25:22The senior community does so

0:25:25that that you said that. And and we are

0:25:30really supportive of you. So not.

0:25:34and it's a good sign.

0:25:37And then I heard from one of my contemporaries who couldn't be here tonight that Affidavi also had mentioned the word senior Senator, and never going to consider it

0:25:49well, is that that's music for us. We're so pleased. Thank you. The bottom of our single parts.

0:26:03Patrick spells terribly boring

0:26:14before I begin. I just want to speak to.

0:26:18If you could. Please speak into the microphone.

0:26:21ma'am, if you can. Please speak into the microphone.

0:26:25Okay, sorry.

0:26:27Thank you for inviting us to be here today and welcoming us, and I am here as a former physical therapist, retired now a former teacher

0:26:38and one who has worked

0:26:41the last 20 years of my life to make my government more peaceful in the world.

0:26:48Yeah.

0:26:59I have never witnessed in my entire life

0:27:03a level of brutality and violence that's happening in Gaza right now, funded by my government. I've seen a lot of brutal acts committed by the United States in the world. The nearest thing that comes to it is that

0:27:20the the war in Vietnam, where we massacred

0:27:24villages with people. It wasn't just Milai. It was villages over and over again. That was the policy. Kill everything that moves the goats, the horses, the water, buffalo, water, oxen, and on and on.

0:27:40But the intensity of the violence in such a short time is like nothing I have witnessed. and I have written a lot of horrible things, including Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib holding prisoners indefinitely without charges. We still have them in Guantanamo. Right now, I beg of you.

0:28:02we cannot remain silent during this time. It's eating us. Those of us who are paying attention will know the truth. It's eating us up. I'm on the streets almost every day for Gaza.

0:28:16We need our cities to organize and unite and try to stop this violence. But, like Congress, the majority of them supports this kind of violence as a parent, and we all need to do our part to stop it for the children of Gaza, for the people of Humanz.

0:28:34Okay.

0:28:36with their request to speak at this time

0:28:42and pay. The next item is adoption of a consent, count, which includes the following items.

0:28:50monthly disbursement and check registry report for November 2,023.

0:28:55Transportation impact fee, annual report for fiscal year 2,022 to 2,023 and caldocycle Grant program applications?

0:29:06Are there any brief questions or requests by the Council to pull items off the consent calendar.

0:29:14and on the side. Okay.

0:29:19think. do I have a motion to approve

0:29:23motion? To approve motion by councilmember into? Is there a second second second? Second by Councilmember Weissinger

0:29:32say, clerk will please call the vote. All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed motion carries.

0:29:39The next item is city Council reorganisation.

0:29:46I'm going to make a couple of brief remarks and then call for the reorganization.

0:29:58So I first want to start by thanking our

0:30:04the members in the Chamber for having disagreements, but being very civil with each other. And I think that's really really important that we need to be able to talk about difficult things

0:30:16and sometimes am disagreeing. But it's really important that we allow all the voices to be heard, and that we do that in a kind and caring way. So I thank you for that.

0:30:29So I just want to recap my year. I know I got to do this a little bit with the state of the city. But I just wanna say that this time last year I had no idea what a wonderful experience it would be to serve as your mayor, and I was really fortunate to show up for El Sr. In so many ways

0:30:48kind of in in nutshells, counting all the things that I did, and I think I'll just give you the highlights. I attended 12 ribbon cuttings for new and reopening businesses, 2 fiftieth anniversary celebrations for organizations in our city, and one seventieth anniversary celebration for the St. Peter's and Me Church.

0:31:06I attended 4 conferences. I was in one parade I held one summit. I went to a centenarian event at the Elsro de Royale, and I attended many city, held events and other celebrations, panels, talks, walks, and meetings.

0:31:21The best part of all those events has been the opportunity to talk to so many interesting people, living neighbors, families, friends, and community leaders, and the extra wonderful part has been that so many people are involved in making El Srido better through participating in all aspects of our city, from Ptas, clubs, businesses, service organizations, interested neighbors coming together to create art or beautiful gardens, helping other neighbors and writing books.

0:31:49Seeing how people are so connected. We are a small town in the very best sense.

0:31:55I started my term with gratitude, and I'm finishing my mayoral term filled with even more gratitude for our residents, business owners, and people who work in shop in El Cido, and make Elito a wonderful place to be, and I hope my efforts have made Elstrado better and brighter. I still get to be a council member for another year, so I hope to be working on some more fun. Things like local journalism and art.

0:32:21See how far I can get with those items. But I will be trying. And I say, thank you. Thank you to my council colleagues for making this a really wonderful experience.

0:32:30and thank you to the public for letting me do this and staff for all that you do.

0:32:37hey? So?

0:32:42And then the car.

0:32:45I now declare the office of mayor and Mayor Potem to be vacant. Cindy, clerk, please proceed. Thank you, Mayor. I think he conveniently skipped over if there was an opportunity, or if any of the other councilmembers wanted me common.

0:33:00Oh, okay. Sorry. Any comments from my colleague

0:33:07start at that end. Councilmember. King. 2. Thank you. Mayor Motoyama.

0:33:12as the first Philippino and LGBT elected official here in El Cerrito. Yeah, I was just so proud of your leadership this year you as the first Japanese, American and elected official for El Sorito, representing all of us, Cerrito, and and just well done, Mayor. All of the work that you've done. I took some steps back to make sure that you enjoyed being there all on your own.

0:33:45Have you done that, and done some

0:33:48from all of the ribbon cuttings from attending and representing our city as the first Asian, American, Japanese-american mayor for El Cerrito. You know this shows that el Cerrito is working. If you look at this diverse council.

0:34:10it makes me so proud as someone who grew up in escerito and came back and to call us Cerrito home again.

0:34:21and to see this brand new generation of El Cerrito residents

0:34:27you. You've been everywhere, and I and I just want to say congratulations to you, well done your work as the first mayor to again represent

0:34:43Abad, and it's been a while since we had in El Cerrito. Vanessa Reed, an elected official represent Abag, and and to see this Council

0:34:55as regional leaders. and and that hasn't happened in a long, long time so well done to this council. It is one of the the highlights of working with you and this Council. We've turned it around.

0:35:14and we left politics and ideology aside, and make this be a lesson that El Cerrito from now on will not.

0:35:24and we get that's what got us in trouble, in the first place, is kicking a can. And and following what other cities in other areas were doing. We're just going to do the right thing for now. And it's because of your leadership. Mayor Motoyama. You did this.

0:35:41and and you did this as well Mayor Porten canvas as Rita Council. I'm just so proud of this council and staff and city manager are to see how much we turn it around you spoke at the mayor's state of the city. Our first one in a very long time, and you summed it up.

0:36:04and I just want to say, Well done, Mayor Martiano. Thank you.

0:36:09I think that you are one of El Cerrito's most valuable intellectual assets, and I'll keep it at that. Thank you. Thank you.

0:36:19And I'll just say thank you for modelling, being a good, diligent, thoughtful Mayor. Thank you. I'll say a little bit more. because I always do. It's been a joy to be on the city council with you, Lisa Motoyama.

0:36:35Lisa has taken the job seriously. She's worked hard, she continues to ask lots of questions, as Staff knows.

0:36:44She cut a lot of ribbons from the businesses, and I can tell you that she's really enjoyed her time as mayor every step along the way, and she's told me so. We should have allied entry into the 2020 Council race. But I'm certainly glad she took the plunge

0:36:58because she won big big time.

0:37:01and her efforts have helped to make this city more transparent and more responsive.

0:37:06I must admit, when I was mayor, that I was a bit surprised. After so many service cuts, job cuts, furloughs, salary, freezes, and many motions accepted by Council to accommodate the State auditor that she voted no in the budget that year.

0:37:21and even voting? No, on the following year's budget as well.

0:37:24But she sent a loud and clear message that we needed to do more to be more transparent, and to make many more important decisions, to truly become a financially sustainable city.

0:37:35The mayor's presentation here tonight

0:37:39went to that progress that we've made in that direction, and it shows that her efforts and our efforts have yielded success. So that's to be applauded.

0:37:50Both she and Tessa Ludmitt have helped set the stage for tough budget financing in this city going forward. I hope it will continue, Lisa. Now you can get back to your full-time job doing God's work on much-needed affordable housing in this area in the region, but I'm certainly glad that this is not the value, but rather carry on with all the good things you've done for our city. Thank you very much.

0:38:15Hey?

0:38:17Okay, thank you, Mayor Martyama. So at this time nominations from the year can be made, and nominations do not require a second.

0:38:26do I? Do I have. Are there any nominations for the office of Mayor?

0:38:32I would like to nominate Tessa Redneck from? There?

0:38:36Are there any other nominations for mayor

0:38:40carrying no other nominations? Is there a motion to close the nomination period and select councilmember Tesla Budnick as mayor.

0:38:48so moved do I have a second second.

0:38:52All those in favor, please say aye, any opposed motion carries congratulations. Mayor does. It

0:39:10may have been more too damn and fun to take the open office.

0:39:21Okay.

0:39:32aye, state your name, Tessa Redneck.

0:39:36do solemnly spare or affirm

0:39:39that I will support and defend

0:39:43the Constitution of the United States

0:39:47and the Constitution of the State of California

0:39:51against all enemies born and domestic.

0:39:56that I will bear true faith in allegiance

0:40:00to the Constitution of the United States

0:40:03and the Constitution of the State of California.

0:40:08that I take this obligation freely.

0:40:13without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.

0:40:18and that I will well and faithfully

0:40:22discharge the duties upon which I'm about to enter.

0:40:26Thank you.

0:40:37I will say that is my favourite part of being a city clerk is oath of office.

0:40:45Yes, so now is the official handing over of the travel to our new respect.

0:40:53Do they come down to the front or do it from. Do it to care if you want.

0:41:00She's coming to the picture. This.

0:41:13I

0:41:15yeah.

0:41:27This shuffle was going to Kathleen.

0:41:41Okay. if

0:41:44she took a serious appreciation for her and swell.

0:41:55This is still one of the most exceptional names that Azurla has ever had.

0:42:13Now.

0:42:18thank you.

0:42:27I love local government.

0:42:30The inside of my head probably looks like Busytown from Richard Scarry, because the operations of cities fascinate me. The checks and balances the quotes of complex systems finding process improvements.

0:42:44We read about what works. what doesn't and how we can collectively come together to build a civil society for everyone.

0:42:53This love folds into my service, Alcerrito, and I'm proud to serve on this council. Having spent the past 3 years putting in the labor of bringing the city into better financial standing. Much of the work ahead of us means maintaining our core competencies continuously learning and not falling back into bad patterns

0:43:13at the state of the city address. Earlier today. You heard about the recent hard work put in by our city council and staff as May and turn 24 land price depising. Putting our newly approved strategic plan into action and publicly kicking our budget season in January, continuing the work of the new El Serial Library on Fairmont Street.

0:43:35including and adopting a new climate action and adaptation plan.

0:43:40investing in El Cerrito's future by supporting housing for low income levels, supporting our cherished El Cerrito businesses and being the kind of community that fosters new business.

0:43:52attracting and retaining the highest caliber of city staff, including our public safety professionals.

0:43:58never forgetting our city's commitment to community safety and responding to disasters, whether they be natural or man-made.

0:44:062,024 is a year full of uncertain externalities, and the city is committed to doing its part.

0:44:13One certain externality for us is the upcoming construction on the north side of town. So please be patient. As we make the city a better place on a personal note.

0:44:24Diverse cultural representation in municipal government makes democracy better. I'm the only Jewish municipal elected in West Contra Costa county and the only Jewish women serving as a municipal elected in Contra Costa County.

0:44:39While this might not seem like a big deal, we are living during a time where anti-semitism has become normalized.

0:44:45Extremists on all sides of the political spectrum are more than happy to generalize and dehumanize Jewish people for their own political gain those tactics only serve to commit me deeper to diversity in making sure that all minority groups are able to speak for themselves instead of being spoken for.

0:45:04Thank you to my City Council colleagues for their trust in me. I look forward to what we will accomplish this year.

0:45:10Thank you to our staff for your professionalism and your commitment to El Cerrito.

0:45:15Thank you to my family, my friends, my coworkers, and the community who took the time to show up tonight or are watching online. I'm so grateful for each of you

0:45:27since I first started a local government 15 years ago, until he passed away in 2,018, my grandfather would ask me the same question.

0:45:37when are you going to be Mayor? You're letting, no no matter what times I explained, the council manager form of government, or the professional class for public administrators like me. To him, being mayor, was the biggest honor that anyone in local government could have.

0:45:54He was a holocaust survivor, who was straight to the point when worked off the facts alone. Because he lives on me.

0:46:02I will answer his question by saying, December nineteenth, 2023.

0:46:07Thank you.

0:46:18There are monks from other council members.

0:46:25Yes, congratulations, Tessa Rodnick.

0:46:29The attention is rarely continued to have a number of theatres.

0:46:33I thought about the silly Temple, who was tired of work. A few about women and friends. I mentioned to pass a couple of people. It's late money. But I get to congratulate Tessa Ludwig tonight. Thank God, because Council changed the basic rules of succession about 4 years ago to prioritize those council members who have not yet served as mayor.

0:46:55I'm especially pleased that it will be Tessa.

0:46:58She's already proven her value budget on budget technology recycling issues to the city. I just prevented myself from crying. Then, if you can tell people that

0:47:09I know that this past year for Tesla has been full, it's been tough. It's been eventful, and it's often been disheartening, and I know she will again have a full plate in 2024 with a new full time job family mayor obligations, those ribbon cuttings come way too often. Hopefully, we'll

0:47:29but I also know that she doesn't leave a task undone, and where she sees problems, she will solve them and seek to fix them. Madam Mayor, I will be available to assist in anyway. Can't can't help make that year successful congratulations again. Thank you.

0:47:44Unlike Paul, I didn't write any remarks, so just congratulations. Thank you.

0:47:51So I hope that this may all year, for you will be everything that you hope it will be.

0:47:57and I do hope that you will but have so many ribbon cuttings that you won't know what to do, and that you know that you have as many wonderful interactions with our residents as I have had. It's been so rewarding, and it's so nourishing that I hope the same for you, and I know your attention to detail, and your care for the city will really be a value to us in your mayoral year. So thank you.

0:48:22Thank you for serving.

0:48:25I wanted to echo what my colleague said, but I also wanted to say, as someone who lives on the north side of town, and and to have 2 other of my colleagues with Mayor Rebek and with the future Vice Mayor there on the north side, to finally see true representation of all parts of the city. I'm grateful to you.

0:48:51Mayor Redneck, and the things that you have accomplished in the last 3 years. This city and turning around. stopping the sinking ship. And you you made this dent, and and I'm forever grateful, and your legacy would.

0:49:12with Mayor Notayama. And this council is something that I will always truly remember. because, as someone entering my tenth year on the Council, now to yeah, realize how difficult this job is. And we are doing this for free. Basically, we are giving our time, and we work so hard.

0:49:39This council and I just want to say how proud I am of what you have accomplished the last 3 years, and what you will accomplish this year as mayor, we have a lot to do. We have a couple more years of

0:49:53of times where we do have to truly watch our budget and to stay focused and to be pragmatic.

0:50:01Most of all to stay in our lane. And yeah, this is something that we have always done in Sri Rita, and we will always do is to stay in our lane, and and everyone knows about I'm talking about when it comes to local government. We are nonpartisan, and we deal with budgets. We're not going to kick the can. And and that's what good government

0:50:24is all about. And and it takes these 2 professional women to make these changes, so I can't tell you how grateful and a pleasure it has been working with both of you the last 3 years, and you know, to see you fly out to Israel to meet with both

0:50:46Arabs and Palestinians and Israelis.

0:50:49That takes guts, and I'm proud of you for making that trip, and to meet with the diversity of the Bay Area, the elected officials who flew out there to meet with both sides. That shows leadership, and that shows how

0:51:07much you want to make change, and I'm very, very proud of you. And then and your family, you know. I know this is a sacrifice. This is a sacrifice that all of us has made, but I know you will do a fantastic job, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that I have your back like. I've always had the back for mayor mot. You have my back there as well. So again, congratulations.

0:51:34Thank you.

0:51:36All right. I will now open nominations for mayor pro tem.

0:51:41Are there any nominations?

0:51:47I nominate Councilmember Carolyn Weissner?

0:51:52Second fact.

0:51:57I took the mayoral privilege of seconding it. So the motion by Council member Motoyama, and seconded by Mayor Redneck. All those in favor say, aye.

0:52:09Councilman de Lysinger has been selected as mayor Protem.

0:52:23if you would like to. Yes. no. I say that when I eventually become mayor.

0:52:28but thank you to my council colleagues and to the city staff you are great to work with for a first time Council member who has a lot of big ideas and grand thoughts. So thank you to all of you. Well, before to learning under Mayor Rutnik.

0:52:44Alright. Are there remarks from any of the other councilmembers?

0:52:47Councilman didn't write things down. But I just wanted to congratulate you. I, when you became a city council member. I think, I said, you are a superstar in a variety of realms

0:53:00and arenas.

0:53:02and that it was time to be a superstar in the city council, and now it is time for you to be a superstar mayor pro tem.

0:53:09I know that you're going to find your issues and also read it. I make it better.

0:53:13And you're going to work hard to implement those ideas and programs and make the city better. And you will be a superstar who so congratulations again.

0:53:23Thank you. And I think that was more of a directive than the congratulations. But thank you. take it as you will. Congratulations. I'm Tianna congratulations, councilmember Weissenner. I think I hope that you will enjoy this chance to kind of take more leadership on the Council, and that if you need anything, let me know

0:53:48I will. I will have much time on my hands now.

0:53:53but I think you'll do great. Thank you.

0:53:57Thank you, Mayor, I want to congratulate my colleague, and you deserve this, and then some, and as someone that is homegrown, hearing us really like me, and like Councilmember Fideli.

0:54:11you know it's just fantastic to show how diverse and how wonderful it is to serve in this city that has always welcomed everyone, and as as someone who, you know. It was my parents who who moved here from Berkeley back in 1,964, and and to live on the Street, Lexington Avenue.

0:54:35where? Yeah, by the library, and to see black Latino, Arabs, Europeans, Jewish people all living on that street, and and I'm still friends with many of them.

0:54:50It just shows how wonderful it is to live in this city and to be in a city where we are pragmatic, and we do what is right. So again, I congratulate you. You earned this, and you know you have a Senate example

0:55:11to women and the LGBT community, and as a member of the LGBT community. I can't tell you. You have done your homework because you took all the trainings that I was giving through all the different things from the environment, from politics to everything else.

0:55:31did your homework. And the next thing is mentoring. And and I know you're doing that already, so I can't tell you how proud I am to have a fellow wrestler, and who grew up here to be Mayor Potem, and to be eventually mayor. So I congratulate you, my dear friend. Thank you.

0:55:53I am looking forward to our partnership in 2024, and I have a phone call away. Thank you. Congratulations.

0:56:02So. Now it's time for public comment.

0:56:05At this time members of the public who wish to provide public comment for this item

0:56:10may, do you have any. We do have one request to speak from Dean

0:56:16Caretes. Thank you, and if anyone else would like to speak either to our outgoing mayor or in touch with him now would be the time to submit. Those speaker slips to me, and you may go ahead and

0:56:28begin.

0:56:30My name is Dean Kertz. I'm a lifelong El Cerrito resident.

0:56:35and I am the Rabbi at Temple Beth Hillel, in Richmond, California.

0:56:41And I know Tessa was a little disappointed when she found out she wasn't the first Jewish woman mayor of El Cerrito, but I haven't done extensive research, but I can say with confidence, she is the first Jewish woman mayor, who is a member of Temple Beth Hillel, to serve as the mayor of El Cerrito.

0:57:02and it's a particular pleasure to be

0:57:06present here for this moment for your installation.

0:57:16It's a special occasion, and it's something not to be taken for granted. One thing that makes it special is it's so normal, to be able to actively participate in civic life, to stand for election, to hold office, and to lead.

0:57:32But what also makes it special is that this is not a right

0:57:37that women. or Jews or Jewish women have been able to enjoy throughout much of history. For much of that time

0:57:49we did not enjoy either citizenship or civil rights, and America is unique in that way, imperfect as it is.

0:58:00and as often as the promise has not been kept, the ideal of equal rights. For all that, everyone has a seat at the table, regardless of gender or ethnicity, or race, or religion, is a rare and special thing.

0:58:16and we need to recognize that in this moment.

0:58:21And I know that you're going to be a great mayor.

0:58:24because you know that. And you bring with you

0:58:28an openness. the humility.

0:58:32willingness to listen to everyone, and a consideration of the needs of the people of this city.

0:58:39and I see I am out of time. I was gonna read a poem. I'll give it to you instead, because I don't want to abuse the privilege. But it's an honor to be here tonight. Congratulations, Mazaltov. I know you'll be great for the city.

0:58:55Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is John Stashk.

0:59:00John Stashik el Cerrito. I want to direct us to our now former mayor. Back in 2020, when I was vetting candidates. you answered the phone on a second ring.

0:59:13and all the way through your career on this council. And as Mayor, you've always entered the phone on the second ring, you are amazing. Not everybody does that, you know, when you're in politics. So I appreciate that is but a blast working with you. I've really enjoyed it. Big scissors and all those ribbon cuttings and hoopla and everything else.

0:59:32I'm glad we had some fun with it, and I look forward

0:59:35with our new mayor to big things, because I know she's going to get something accomplished. So congratulations.

0:59:43And our final speaker, I believe, was Betty Acis.

0:59:56Okay.

0:59:59thank you for this opportunity

1:00:02in relation to the Human Relations Commission, that unknown Commissioner on and together with Matt Durham, from the

1:00:13Saint Museum in church.

1:00:16and together with the East Bay Senior School.

1:00:23we are planning for this year

1:00:27to move the Fortune

1:00:29and all

1:00:31Janet Ellison stroll.

1:00:35We're going to go from Magic, and then we're going to go along to Olman and Greenway, and we're going to stop at

1:00:44as with a plaza.

1:00:49Janet Amelson.

1:00:51No

1:00:52squirrel. Everybody in this room should be there.

1:01:00Thank you.

1:01:02Thank you, Mayor. That concludes our request to speak.

1:01:06Next item is the city council and local regional liaison assignments.

1:01:14Do we have any reports? Councilmember? Content?

1:01:17Thank you, Mayor.

1:01:18I wanted to report that I did testify on last Thursday, but for the little HIV Commission, which is a

1:01:27a commission that works on

1:01:31recommendations to the Governor, the Assembly and the Senate on what they need to work on. And I did speak and testified with 7 other people which range from district attorneys folks that worked for the Highway Patrol police chief.

1:01:52and there were former senators, former district attorneys. folks at book for the Attorney General's office, and I spoke in support

1:02:03working on public safety, and that was the number. One thing that mayors and councils live in the 482 cities of California asked to be the number one priority is to work on getting bipartisan legislation to end the Fentanyl epidemic that has taken over many cities in California.

1:02:28and has but also to work on smashing grabs as a special smash committee dealing with smash and grabs, and they will give their recommendations to the Governor and to the new leader of the Senate, Senator Mcguire, and to the new speaker of the Senate

1:02:53speaker, Rita, from not only Canning on the central coast, so seems like everyone's on board. So hopefully we will make these changes that both sides would like, and the head of public safety on the Assembly is Assembly met at Mccarthy in Sacramento. So

1:03:16look at trying to make sure that Ab. 7 0 8 will become a reality and become law for the State of California. So I look forward to working with the new Vice chair for Public safety for the city. So again, thank you for stepping up, Ben, and being the vice chair for public safety for

1:03:40the Lake of California Cities. That's Margaret Park and any other Council reports

1:03:46and summer. Otama.

1:03:48Thank you, Mayor Rodnick. On December sixth I attended the Elsro Day Historical Society Photo Contest, award event as well as the Mechanics Bank Holiday Mixer. On December seventh I attended the Contra Costa County Mayor's Conference, and on December the eleventh I attended the little Kathmandu restaurant ribbon cutting on December the fifteenth I attended the northern California carpenter's Moosefield Junction, on December the sixteenth, I attended Fair.

1:04:20which was a wonderful event and a great success, and I also attended, on December the seventeenth, the grand opening of Eva's Dominican salon.

1:04:30and also attended the craft there at Juku. So which was also a really nice event.

1:04:35Thank you.

1:04:38Councilman Fideli, thank you. Councilmember Weissenber and I participated in a full day tour of the West Contra Costa, unified school district, with the superintendent on December eighth, and on that same very Friday with Tac, the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee held a meeting here in this Chamber, and, as I mentioned before, Congressmany came and gave an Update on transportation and infrastructure issues, and we talked about the Richmond sharing and success in needing to find additional

1:05:09funding for the Richmond Ferry, which we will be doing the good news that came out of Wiktack on that day the city of El Saliro and Richmond and San Pablo will be working together, working with A/C transit to come up with funding for bus stops in the future along San Pablo Avenue. That's been a big issue with our aging committee. The seniors have wanted

1:05:29the bus stops fixed in Elsurita has about 3 major bus stops. That means some major work. Rictac is going to be given about $80,000 this year, but we made it very clear that we wanted A/C transit to go away and come back with a plan for the future that doesn't involve additional funding. So it's good news for Elser, thank you.

1:05:49And I also attended the maker's fair this weekend, and a huge congratulations to the staff who worked on this a special cut the Aisa if she's still here. I saw our Rec. Director getting his holiday gifts, our community Development Director getting her holiday gifts. So it was a fantastic event, and I hope we get to do it again seasonally.

1:06:11Alright.

1:06:13Oh. where it is now! 708, when we are adjourned. the next regular scheduled city council meeting is Tuesday, January sixteenth, at 6 pm.

1:06:24Thank you so much.