Regular City Council Meeting April 2, 2024

0:02:55Good evening, everybody. At 6 PM.

0:02:58April second, 2024. Regular City Council meeting is called to order at 6 PM. Will the city clerk please call both

0:03:07Mayor Tessa Rudnick.

0:03:09mayor pro tem. Weisinger

0:03:12councilmember Fideli. Here Council member Motoyama. Here Council member Quinto. Here

0:03:18we have a quorum with Mayor Rudnick and Mayor. Proxigar, absent.

0:03:25fantastic. Next is pledge of allegiance to the flag or observation of a moment of silence. Please join me

0:03:33pledge allegiance to the flag

0:03:36United States of America.

0:03:38and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:03:40One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for

0:03:51Madam clerk. Please provide instructions and announcement.

0:03:59So this is regarding the first item, consider and take action on any request

0:04:05from a council member to participate in the meeting remotely due to emergency circumstances pursuant to A. B, 2, 4, 4, 9, and at this time council member, we do not have any requests. Okay.

0:04:14fantastic.

0:04:16Next we will go to Council Staff Communication city manager, Karen Pincus.

0:04:26Thank you.

0:04:27councilmember Kinto going to say Mayor Kinto Mayor for the night. Yes, I just wanted to announce that the city will be hosting 2 budget workshops coming up this month.

0:04:40To provide so that residents can provide input on the city's budget. Our first community budget workshop is going to be this Saturday, April sixth. Here in the Council chambers from 10 Am. To 1130 Am.

0:04:52And then we will also be hosting a budget workshop at the regular Financial Advisory Board meeting, that is, April 20, third at 6 30 Pm. Here in the City Hall Council chambers. They will be in person meetings. And if you cannot participate, we do invite you to participate. Virtually you can take our survey@ldashcerrito.org slash budget survey.

0:05:16So thank you, your honor, that's all I have.

0:05:19Do we have anything here with my colleagues

0:05:24councilmember motown. Just a brief announcement, earth Day is coming up on April 20, fourth, and that is also the same day as the spring line dance. So if you're interested in that, please get tickets

0:05:38for announcements for the first quarter of 2024 covering January to march

0:05:46the Mayor recognize El Cerrito centenarians, Betty Moore, who turned a hundred 2 in January and Jacqueline Jackie Hetman.

0:05:56who just turned a hundred 4 last week.

0:05:58and we have a mayoral certificate of recognition for them. And then next, we are going to do presentations first

0:06:08and then public comment afterwards. So we have an El Cerrito Library update and National Library Week Proclamation, and we have Heidi Goldstein, who's a senior community library manager at the Contra Costa County Library.

0:06:27Oh, fuck.

0:06:29Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): Hello!

0:06:30Good evening.

0:06:31Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): Good evening. Hello, El Cerrito, City Council

0:06:36Holly, should I start with? My.

0:06:39yes.

0:06:40thank you.

0:06:45Okay. Hi, everybody. Thank you for having me. I am Heidi Goldstein, Senior Community Library Manager here at El Cerrito, Library, part of Contra Costa County Library system.

0:06:58and I'm here to talk about National Library week, which starts next week, and it is a proclamation that the city has to vote on. But for now I just have a little presentation that I'd like to do for everybody

0:07:11next slide, please.

0:07:13So here we

0:07:14we have 2 lovely statistics, and so you can see the statistics from 2021 and 2022. Library item circulation has risen 15% in the past year.

0:07:27and this is terrific news and serves to illustrate the value of the library and its effect on the community.

0:07:32Next slide.

0:07:37And then

0:07:39Contra Costa County library doors were not open to patrons for over a year in 2,020 and 2,021.

0:07:46And while we didn't have people browsing inside on our physical shelves, they were able to peruse our digital ones. And during this time we saw an unprecedented increase in ebooks, and this includes ebooks and e audio books which you might remember as books on tape.

0:08:02What a great way to read they are, and the convenience of having a bunch of books in one device, it can't be beat. And I have to confess that I love it.

0:08:10Okay, next slide. Thank you.

0:08:13As you can see here, library visits have increased between 2,022 and 2023.

0:08:20Our virtual checkouts have increased as well, and the library is providing a lot of assistance to a lot of community members, both in person and remotely.

0:08:31And here we have the most often checked out items from 2023. You can see, early, reader, dog man, girls guide to murder and adult and Prince Harry and so let us know if you'd like to borrow any of these materials, we do have other ones as well besides the most popular ones, and you're more than welcome to come on by.

0:08:53and then, thank you.

0:08:55This is an exciting addition to the Contra Costa County Library fleet of vehicles.

0:09:00This is our rolling reader, and it comes along and provides literary services to lots of kids.

0:09:06and I did hear a little birdie say that we might be visited by the rolling reader this summer, so stay tuned for that.

0:09:15And I just wanted to review with everybody a couple of our digital resources, some of which are new. We have here our overdrive and Libby resource, which you might remember for ebooks and e audio books. And now we have magazines there

0:09:32Libby provides cardholders with over 4,000 magazines in several different languages. This beautiful dancing picture is an icon for Alexander Street, which is an awesome collection of performing arts videos that include music dance theater.

0:09:48And then I've included a few other resources. So we have so many digital resources. These are just a few of them. And so here we have National Geographic kids. We have News Bank, which is lots of newspapers, novelists, which is book recommendations. Learning express, which links users up with practice tests for careers and schools.

0:10:10press reader, which has even more magazines, reference solutions which includes business and personal data for reference and research. Rosetta Stone, 30 languages, teaching books, resources for parents and caregivers, the tumble books which are additional library books, and this is just to name a few of our resources. So we also are the final thing.

0:10:32And so we also check out Wi-fi Hotspots and State Park passes all free with your library card.

0:10:39Thank you.

0:10:41Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): And a wonderful thing that we do every summer when schools are shut down is many of our branches provide lunch at the library, and El Cerino Library is one of those branches that is very happy to not only distribute lunch to those at 18 and under during the summer, but to also hold programs and have educational opportunities to go along with these meals.

0:11:02Last year we gave away 20 bike helmets, and this summer we're going to have lunch at the library Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, starting June eleventh, and each Tuesday of the program we will have an exciting new craft project or Special Guest star or a program going on.

0:11:21Excuse me.

0:11:23And here's a picture of one of the graduates of career online high school. And this is an accredited online high school diploma and career certification program that's available through the Contra Costa County Library. We offer a scholarships, free enrollment to a limited number of motivated students, and since launching the program in 2,015 career online high school has graduated 11 students. California State Library has recently agreed to pay for qualified students to attend.

0:11:52And we're very fortunate here in El Cerrito to have loyal and dedicated both friends and foundation organizations. Not all the branches are as lucky as we are.

0:12:03and a Countywide Foundation was established in 2023. The library Foundation of Contra Costa is the first ever countywide Library Foundation, and the goal is to enhance library services for the entire community, sorry for the entire county, and to help decrease equity gaps and funding amongst the branches.

0:12:24Thank you. And then, I just popped in some fun brag pictures of our branch. And so here we have one of our staff members, Mary Ann, teaching gardening to last year's lunch at the library. Attendees. Oops. Sorry monthly teen magic, the gathering meeting.

0:12:44and then we have one of our satisfied Elserito patrons celebrating Star Wars day on may the fourth?

0:12:53We that's okay, Holly. They. We all work to present the community a well rounded community, public library, with events for all different kinds of folks as such. We are truly, almost entirely back up to speed of pre pandemic programming.

0:13:09Make sure you check out. Ccc, lib.org at the events, page to see what's going on. And here you can see that we do celebrate fun. Star Wars Day. We also have this magic together, and we have started a dungeon dungeons and dag. So sorry dungeons and dragons program which has become very popular, and we're also very proud to have the only LGBT. Plus special collection in Contra Costa County, which we kicked off in 2,018.

0:13:35The collection is growing. You might want to come by and check it out.

0:13:39Thank you.

0:13:41And for the first time at least, in our knowledge, El Cerrito Library celebrated California Arbor Week, with the assistance of local biologists and polyglot young Linhart and local naturalist, Cassie Hughes. We were lucky to have them in the library twice, once for an adult program and once for a children's program.

0:13:58and thanks again to yawn and Cassie for thinking of the trees.

0:14:04and finally.

0:14:07this year celebrates. So else Rita Library celebrates 75 years on Stockton Avenue to acknowledge such a monumental date. We're holding the El Cerito Library Author Series inviting published authors who have a relationship with Elserito to come and speak to us. Our first one is in a little over a month, and that's going to be Gail Sukiyama on Saturday, May eleventh, from 1030 Am. To 12 Pm. Stay tuned for other upcoming installments of our author series

0:14:37tonight. Going out, going on right outside my door right now is our first installment of our hooks and needles program, wherein people are invited to gather together to craft

0:14:47with thread Floss yarn whatever, and come by the first Tuesday of the month for some. Do it yourself, bonding.

0:14:56That's pretty much it for me. Thanks for using the library, and, thanks to the Elserito City Council.

0:15:03I thank you very much for your presentation.

0:15:06Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): You.

0:15:06We're gonna have some questions here from our council. Do we have any questions?

0:15:13Okay? Yes. That Pop council member for Delaware. Yes.

0:15:17yeah. Hi, Heidi, thanks for all you do, and all your staff.

0:15:20Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): Hi, Paul, thank you.

0:15:22I'm a little upset. I missed Prince Harry coming to El Cerrito.

0:15:26Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): Well, he didn't come. It was just no, he didn't come.

0:15:30Okay.

0:15:30Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): You would probably would have heard about that. I think.

0:15:32Yeah, a couple of questions. I keep getting different

0:15:38numbers feedback from folks who support our library that say, we're the

0:15:43the most popular library in the county, the most popular in West County.

0:15:47the most numbers I know we haven't. You mentioned an increases up in circulation. Can you tell us what the real

0:15:55figure it.

0:15:56Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): We are the busiest branch in West County, as in we circulate the most items in Western Contra Costa County in the Contra Costa County Library system.

0:16:05In West County. Good.

0:16:07And I just happened to see actually, today on TV,

0:16:11contra, Costa County is doing ads for the library card, the Central library card. Have you seen those yet?

0:16:19Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): I haven't seen those. I think it's just our standard library card. I believe I.

0:16:25Or the county. It looked like it was a new program.

0:16:29And they were saying, everybody in the county get it. You can use it at any library throughout the county. And is that correct?

0:16:35Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): I believe that's that's a library card.

0:16:39Library card! That's.

0:16:39Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): That's what we offer you. Now, yeah, you can use throughout the county.

0:16:43So you're just advertising now is the.

0:16:45Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): It's just an advertisement.

0:16:47Okay, thank you so much.

0:16:49Okay, hold on here for a second. Heidi.

0:16:52Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): Yes.

0:16:53I have a motion to approve the proclamation. So moved. Second, okay, I have motion by Council Member Deli and a second by Council, member Motoyama city, city, city, city clerk, Mayor, Rudnick.

0:17:07Mayor, pro tem. Weisinger.

0:17:09Councilmember Fideli, Council, member Motoyama, aye Council, member quinto

0:17:15aye motion passes with mayor Rudnick and Mayor protem weising are absent.

0:17:19So Heidi Goldstein, I want to present this to you. And

0:17:25you see it right here. It's a true proclamation celebrating library week, which is April seventh to the thirteenth. And just so proud of your work through the years, as you know.

0:17:36Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): So much.

0:17:37Was my library for many, many years continues to be, and I spent almost every day an el after elementary school. I at Fairmont. I spent there at the library for a whole hour and a half.

0:17:52My mom got home from work. So yeah. So I read so many books there through the years, and checked out a lot of library books. So but look forward to this new generation of young people, you know, visiting our library and to have

0:18:09new residents. We have a lot of new residents here who have not checked out our library yet, but hopefully they will soon, and look forward to a twenty-first century library in the near future. So again, thank you for all your work.

0:18:23Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): Thank you so much.

0:18:24I'll drop this by personally.

0:18:26Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): Oh!

0:18:27Yeah. Hope to see you soon.

0:18:29Heidi Goldstein (El Cerrito Librarian): Okay, thank you so much.

0:18:31Thank you. Next we have.

0:18:35let's see, next presentation is at T modernization plans presentation. And we have

0:18:45a friend and colleague, Brandon Barranco, manager of external affairs at at and T. Welcome.

0:18:52Thank you.

0:18:56Good evening, City Council. Thank you, Council Member Fideli, for inviting me here and be able to speak tonight. My name is Brandon Barranco, and I'm here on behalf of at and T.

0:19:05To give it, and to give a brief update about what our network modernization filing before the Cpc is.

0:19:12So in March of 2023 at and T submitted an application to the California public utilities.

0:19:18requesting the removal of At and T's obligation under California law to be the tradition to provide traditional landline services in a large portion of our service territory in California, known as the carrier of last resort

0:19:31at, and t's color obligation is calc means that we must provide traditional copper landline services

0:19:37to any potential customer in our Sarah's territory. However, with caller obligation no longer making sense, since there are less than 5% of households in California that still use copper landlines.

0:19:50Currently, in Contra Costa County, the number of copper based customer percentage is lower than the state average at 1.6%, 19,000 residents.

0:19:58So why are we filing now?

0:20:01The fact is that the copper network will fail not if but when the parts needed to repair the 30 plus year old network are no longer being made.

0:20:10If we turn off, if we turn down the network in targeted locations that have other connectivity options, we'll be able to reuse and repurpose underutilized copper network to maintain the network for those who truly don't have any other alternatives until they become available.

0:20:26We filed for colonial relief because it is the first step to create a plan to tradition, to transition, remaining copper based customers to a different technology for perspective. In our 21 State copper aligned footprint.

0:20:4020 States have approved a transition plan. California being the sole state, not 2 of

0:20:47California, needs to prevent this uncertainty of what will happen when the calf or network fails, and when we are unable to repair it.

0:20:54Now I want to emphasize, no one will lose their phone service if our filing is approved by the CPU. C.

0:21:01Removing the carrier of last resort. Designation again, is just the first step to have California create a plan.

0:21:07To transition transition the remaining copper customers to a different technology.

0:21:12After this step we are still required by the CPU C and Fcc

0:21:16to work through a myriad of regulation and legal areas before we transition anyone off our copper network.

0:21:23This is a multi-year process, and we do not anticipate our filing being even determined this year or next year.

0:21:31But it is important that the State has this conversation, and have our regulators provide us guidance and direction on a transition. And what that would look like from a state perspective.

0:21:41So where are we today?

0:21:43The CPU C has assigned an administrative law judge to our filing.

0:21:47and has conducted outreach and fact, finding for our application

0:21:52at, and T. Has participated in 6 public participations, hearing hearings across the State, hosted by the CPU. C

0:22:00for constituents and impacted parties to share their opinions and concerns.

0:22:04Currently, there have been over 3,000 comments submitted online to the CPU CC website.

0:22:10In addition, the administrative law judge has actually state our case. Meaning paused. Our case.

0:22:17To investigate a reverse auction

0:22:20meaning. Given the opportunity for other providers or entities to purchase and operate our copper network

0:22:26along with the color obligation on their own terms.

0:22:30we are waiting the judge's decision on that question, and until then our proceeding has been paused.

0:22:37But I just want to emphasize that the heart of At and T's network. Modernization is to ensure that California has a plan to tradition customers before the network fails.

0:22:45It is our goal that the residents of El Cerrito and everyone in the State has the most reliable, most resilient, and modern network that they deserve. I'm happy to answer any questions and thank you for your time. Okay, let's go back to the Council. Any questions, comments.

0:23:01I have some questions. Go ahead. Thank you so much for coming. I think this has been an issue of concern that was brought up to us, and what it sounds like. What you just said is

0:23:13you want at and T to be able to transition out from being the provider of last resort, so that the State can do a transition plan, and the State can figure out what to do with people that can't access the service. So why, if the obligation is on at and T. Why should the State do that?

0:23:32Well, it it's just the fact that the networks at its end of is that it's end of life. And so we're going before the State or State regulators and ask them, give us direction. Give us guidance. How do you want this transition to happen? It's gonna happen one way or another, 2120 States out of 21 have already approved a plan. So I mean A as a resident. I don't want at T to make those decisions. I want our government to, and that's why we went. We are before the CPU. See? Asking for that direction. So they can do the research.

0:24:00Here are ideas. Tell them those are bad ideas, or tell us. They're good ideas. But we need the State's input on this transition. So and that this, the system is the copper system is failing is that from lack of maintenance. No, we are able to maintain it right now, but the parts that we need to maintain it are no longer being made companies that we have used as vendors are no longer in business. So as I mentioned, our hope is to have targeted relief in areas that do have good connectivity.

0:24:29do have other options, and to repurpose those parts, to maintain the parts of the network that truly have no other alternative.

0:24:36And then, what what is your recommended plan for the people that will be losing their landlines. That will be, yeah, basically, customers of last resort. Absolutely. So again, that's why we're before the Cpc. So they can tell us we'll present ideas like wireless. Is that a good option? What kind of speeds are you looking for? What are the parameters. That would be an alternative to a copper, a copper network, a true alternative. Not one created by at T, but one that's approved by our regulators.

0:25:05and then the cost of that transition and response who bears that

0:25:12at and T are

0:25:15current services are for a copper landline is around $47. So we have made a commitment, whatever that alternative will be will not be beyond that price point.

0:25:24So $47 is the the last resort service cost for the year, for a month, for for a copper landline for copper landline.

0:25:34And so, you know, is is, for example, would at T just give people cell phones with service $447 a month, if that's the only option better than them. Yeah, that is something we have contemplated, and that's not off the tip.

0:25:47Thank you. Thank you.

0:25:48Council member for Dela. Yes, thank you for coming. We appreciate it as council, member, Motiama said, we've gotten a lot of concerns, because, as you know, El Cerrito was on a hill.

0:25:58as Berkeley is, and it's not just a matter of transferring from a landline to cell doesn't work up there right? So there's no place to put those people that may need who want service up there.

0:26:10You mentioned. This isn't going to be happening soon. Do you have a realistic estimate of what we're talking about? So our residents, don't I? I? To be honest, I don't. With the stay from the jet administrative law Judge. We don't know how long he's going to take to make a determination if a reverse option is something that he wants to pursue, and if the question is, he does want to pursue a reverse option. Can they? Our application move parallel

0:26:33to the auction. So our timeline is murky at best right now. Well, just the poc takes a long time for anything. It's not going to be a quick turnaround right? Again. I I was gonna say, there's a

0:26:46transitions and everything in telecommunications. I worked up in the State capital on this issue, and a committee that dealt with at and t breaking up and cell phones just coming out.

0:26:56I was wondering if, is there any concept of special designated areas like we have for wildfire areas

0:27:04that are special and need assistance and maybe need more time to get through this. Yes, so there are unfortunately due to the wildfires. There have been a lot of State legislation requiring

0:27:18rightfully, so that our wireless facilities and our macro sites in high fire severity areas have generator backup. But to answer your question directly about

0:27:29could there be carveouts for copper?

0:27:32I don't foresee that being on the table just because we're just transitioning away from it.

0:27:39But again, that's why the CPU CC. Can interject and tell us

0:27:44you don't see it, because it's not economic. Your company just doesn't want to do it, or it's not economic. Or I mean, there's safety issues involved here.

0:27:53I don't foresee it because the network's going to fail, and we don't have the part.

0:27:56so as long as we can maintain it we will.

0:27:59I was just going to give an example of that time up in Sacramento. We at the time pack bell was our local landline carrier here.

0:28:07and a lot of merging going on amongst the bell companies.

0:28:11And they were cellular was taking over pretty dramatically, and they pack. Bell started closing down and taking away all the phones.

0:28:20and as it turned out, there were

0:28:22sports facilities, baseball fields, places where we needed phones. And there were certain times when people couldn't get

0:28:30call a hospital get an emergency.

0:28:33So we actually in the legislature had to pass a law to specially designate

0:28:37certain areas that could be designated that needed a phone booth there. So what I'm saying is, transitions take time, and it may take longer for you to get to the place you want to get to.

0:28:49But our residents are a major concern to us, and their safety is the major concern. So

0:28:54there's some safety concerns. We're going to be talking to you about it. No, absolutely. I mean, then, that's why we welcome these public participations. Hearings by the Cpc. To listen to the turn advocates and other advocates out there that have especially around public safety, and none of our alternatives are going to be valid if they don't meet the Cpc. And Fcc's requirement around 911,

0:29:17calling in terms of being able to connect, to dispatch, and be able to identify exact location where the person is calling from all those

0:29:27rules and regulations are going to have to apply to any

0:29:31and like in the utility the whole.

0:29:34The whole group has to pay for anything that is special, whether it's energy or whatever changes that happen. If there are certain designated groups.

0:29:44people that are not on in that designated group would have to pay for that as well in some kind of mass rate case.

0:29:52I am not sure how. Well, let's just stay in touch. Yeah, okay, thank you. A couple of questions for me. I'm reminded as a former Angelina, the big earthquake that we had there, and cell phones did not work. They were all dead, and the only phone that was available was my phone and the the whole neighborhood was using my phone from Matt Washington.

0:30:16You know, we have a similar similar situation here in the East Bay with the Hayward fault, and we're overdue for the big one here. And what do you say? Have to say about that? And you know what we have the concern. I did speak to the Mayor of Santa Rosa, who had to deal with fires in the Flatlands when they said that we would never have fires, and then they had fires. And you look at all the cell phones that went dead after that. What can you tell Elsa readens about?

0:30:44Yeah, what's in store? Yeah. Well, for example, with the fire fire burns copper equally as it burns. Fiber. It's not

0:30:54It's it's not a hundred percent sure thing, but what I can say. It is easier to repair a fiber network than a copper network. It can take us a day to repair a fiber network because it's made out of glass versus having to string copper pairs together one by one. So it is just more resilient to your point about power outages.

0:31:14copper. I don't know. I

0:31:16we're I'm not sure where this came from, but copper does rely on electricity, too. I mean, if if the copper is going into our switches at our central office and our get electricity is down, it still not may not operate. I again, I'm not.

0:31:30It's just not a hundred percent foolproof.

0:31:34network. Yeah, yeah, I I just wanted to let you know about my personal experience. And my my neighbors in Mount Washington, and and you know, it was only the folks that had landlines that were able to you know, share their phones and let their loved ones know that they were safe and sound.

0:31:53So yeah, something to just be mindful of. Have another question regarding the news that we've gotten recently about the data breach of 73 million Californians and Americans. Can you explain that to us, please?

0:32:10Silver lining, I guess, is that 7.6 are current customers. The remaining of the millions of data that has actually was already released on the dark web 2 years in 2,019. So a lot of that information is just being re

0:32:25submitted online. I, what I can say it, it doesn't seem like anyone was in our network. With malicious intent. We don't know if it was a vendor of ours that made a mistake. We are offering credit card and or credit.

0:32:41monitoring to any impacted customers at our own cost.

0:32:45Okay, I very much appreciate that. Can you give us? Do you have a link

0:32:49that you can share to our residents.

0:32:52Yes, absolutely. I will send you a link to our caller, our modernization plan, and also the

0:32:59data breach. Okay? Well, great. Thank you for being here. Welcome, Elsa. Rita. Good to see you again. That was Brandon Baronco, manager of external affairs at at T. Thank you.

0:33:09Yes. Comment. Oh, sorry. Oh, it's okay, you can. I did. I just want for the public

0:33:16as Mr. Baronko explained. There is a public comment being taken by the California Public Utilities Commission as well. And if you go to their website, you can kind of follow the the links to the their website to provide online comments regarding this issue, it is preceding a 2, 3, 0 3 0 0 3. So if you do have concerns about this. Please send your comments to the CPU. C.

0:33:40Okay, thank you very much. Next we will go to public comment.

0:33:45Our remarks are typically limited to 3 min per person.

0:33:48I may reduce the time limit per speaker, depending on the number of speakers, and they limit the total time for public comment to facilitate the completion of business on the agenda.

0:33:59comments for regarding, not agenda, presentation and consent. Calendar items will be heard. First comments related to items appearing on the public hearing or policy matter portion, so the agenda will be heard prior to the city council, taking action on each item. As a clerk.

0:34:17We have 10 speakers 3 min.

0:34:23Chris will be adjusting the timer. Okay, thank you.

0:34:26Okay. Excuse me. May. May. Maybe you want to have our our city clerk give the teleconference and public comment instructions.

0:34:34Sure, thank you.

0:34:40This hybrid meeting provides an option to participate in person, or via zoomed with close 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 your comments directly, your comments will be heard prior to council taking action for members of the public who wish to provide oral testimony.

0:35:06The mayor will announce the time for public comment on each applicable item. Public comments will only be taken in person, and a request to speak can be submitted to the city clerk by completing a Speaker card.

0:35:18The Council's adopted rules of order and procedure specify that public speakers address the city council in an orderly and respectful manner, precede their comments with their name and the city of residence, and be respectful of time limits.

0:35:32time may not be yielded from one speaker to another. Disruptive behavior, such as shouting, applause, booze, speaking out of turn, approaching the dais or podium without consent is also prohibited. We ask that everyone be respectful in observing these rules, so that all speakers can feel comfortable while providing their comments.

0:35:52Thank you, councilmember, Quinto, that concludes my instructions. Very good. Let's go with

0:35:58you said we had 10 speakers. So 3 min correct.

0:36:04First speaker

0:36:06is BL. Followed by Faith M.

0:36:10And then Alan Mayer.

0:36:17Good evening. Hi! Good evening. First of all, I want you to know that I've lived in El Cerrito for 36 years. It's a long time

0:36:26on our own city streets, and sometimes in this room, apparently not now, which is good.

0:36:33Masked brown shirts call for a ceasefire, a victory for Hamas.

0:36:39the medieval, barbaric jihadi death cult that started this terrible war

0:36:46by viciously torturing and slaughtering and stealing its neighbors in the early morning hours.

0:36:54A ceasefire? No, is not a call for peace

0:36:58that really means a victory for Hamas.

0:37:02the genocide of Jews.

0:37:04all Jews.

0:37:06and the destruction of Israel, the only Jewish State.

0:37:10I know that this is not anything the city council would endorse.

0:37:16Please be brave

0:37:17and take a stand.

0:37:19Vote. No, on any divisive ceasefire resolution that may come your way.

0:37:26Vote no to deny Hamas victory and to uphold the rational and democratic values of our threat threatened Western civilization

0:37:37vote. No, to not allow this creeping brown shirt fascism.

0:37:43which is also a violent Hitler youth

0:37:47that we don't see around us today, but have seen all over the area.

0:37:52Please do not allow them to take hold or gain power in our community. I thank you for voting no one any ceasefire resolution that comes your way. Thank you.

0:38:05Next speaker is Faith M. Followed by Alan Mayor and Lucinda Cason.

0:38:13Good evening.

0:38:16Last week the Cemetery Journal conducted a survey of its readers asking, should local governments weigh in on foreign policy? 94.7 voted No. 1.7 voted. Yes.

0:38:30that tracks with what we've seen here. I want to thank you for continuing to spec

0:38:37for the majority, for the stable majority and for keeping us sort of out of

0:38:42I'll see. Thank you.

0:38:45Next speaker is Alan Mayer.

0:38:47followed by listen to casting, followed by Alum Lee.

0:38:51Good evening. Good evening. I'm resolute of Kensington.

0:38:55I want to thank the city councilman for keeping his focus on local issues, and especially on keeping peace in our community.

0:39:02and for more of getting into those who urge you to Wade Wade into international affairs.

0:39:07Thank you again.

0:39:10Next speaker is, listen to Kasson, followed by Eileen Lee, followed by Sam Jacken

0:39:16Jacqueline.

0:39:17I didn't think

0:39:19my name is Lucinda Cassin, and I am a board member at Temple, Beth Palau, West Contra, Costa County's only synagogue.

0:39:27I'm here today to respectfully ask that the El Cerino el Cerrito City Council continue to not

0:39:35put a ceasefire resolution on the city Council agenda.

0:39:39I know that this.

0:39:41in some areas, is not a popular position to take and appreciate that you all have taken that position and taken some personal abuse for maintaining that position.

0:39:54We are all Jews and Muslims, alike distressed by events in Gaza, and many Jews, both here and in Israel.

0:40:04want to see Bibi Netanyahu gone.

0:40:07He is corrupt.

0:40:09and his decisions are strictly aimed at staying in power so that he can avoid jail.

0:40:16But a ceasefire resolution issued by the Elser Rido City Council will not remove Bb.

0:40:23From office.

0:40:24It will not facilitate a ceasefire

0:40:28or cause the return of the hostages.

0:40:31It will not decrease the number of Gosens dying.

0:40:35and it will not remove the threat that Hamas poses to Israel.

0:40:41What he will do is increase anti-jewish vitriol. In the East Bay

0:40:47similar resolutions passed in other East Bay communities have already contributed to the increase in incidences of anti-jewish hatred, and we saw violence against Jews during during and all the details. Cerrito march

0:41:03here back in January.

0:41:05So again, I respectfully ask that Council members continue to refuse to put a ceasefire resolution on the agenda. Thank you.

0:41:16Next Speaker is Eileen Lee, followed by Sam Salkin, and then Dean Cortez.

0:41:24Good evening.

0:41:25Aye, dear Mayor pro Tamman.

0:41:28council members. Thank you for standing strong and keeping your focus on local issues as a Berkeley Resident. I come to El Cerito for medical treatments.

0:41:41and it's a pleasure to walk in here tonight

0:41:45and

0:41:47feel the respect and calm that fills this hall.

0:41:52Thank you for fulfilling your role

0:41:55in our democratic government, to listen to your community

0:41:59and to rely on your own wisdom as you make your decisions.

0:42:04Thank you. Again.

0:42:06Next Speaker Sam Salkin, followed by Dean Cortez and Nina Joe.

0:42:15Mayor pro tem City Council members. My name is Sam Salkin.

0:42:19and an El Cerina, resident and a homeowner.

0:42:22I want to address 3 things tonight.

0:42:24First item that I'd like to address is what I would call your avoidance of getting embroiled in foreign policy.

0:42:31I want to congratulate you for your being steadfast, for your listening, for your tolerating, at times disruptive behavior, that I might not have tolerated where I on the Council, but I appreciate the fact that you allowed a broad spectrum of perspectives to be brought into the room, and I understand that both the Mayor and others on the Council have this

0:42:54endured some abuse and some threats, and this should not happen in El Cerrito. But I want to commend you for

0:43:02a level of decorum.

0:43:05That in many ways separates the El Cerado community from many other East Bay communities.

0:43:10The second thing I'd like to address is National Library Week.

0:43:14And I want to thank you for your support. And

0:43:17it's actually part of the funeral. The first thing I wanted to address, which is, we're very fortunate to have an amazing library system. I was at the library just 10 days ago, and libraries in many communities have become a focus of disruption and of tearing us under the fabric of community. And here we have a library that brings our community together. So thank you for your resolution today, and thank you for your continued support of the library, even though it's a county institution.

0:43:46And then, finally, I would like to address the gentleman from at. And T.

0:43:50They're not trustworthy.

0:43:52We're trying to lay off their obligation on the public.

0:43:57This is like classic

0:43:59big business monopoly stance. Let's remember. Paul probably remembers this from his time in Sacramento when at, and T. Was the monopoly throughout the country, and the model was at. And T. We don't care. We don't have to.

0:44:15And this isn't this. Isn't that that light? So what I want to encourage you to do is to continue to bring this forward for us through the residents. I appreciate the links to the website, but make sure they come back here because they're actually trying to take their obligation. And this notion, the parts aren't available, etc, because they didn't buy them.

0:44:38The network is in bad shape because they didn't maintain it.

0:44:42If you and I maintain, if you and I own the network, and we were here to serve the people rather than make a profit, it would look very different than it does today, so don't let them scam us. Thank you.

0:44:54The next speaker is Dean Cortez, followed by Nina, Joe, and Arnon, owner.

0:45:01Good evening.

0:45:03Good evening. My name is Dean Kerase. I'm a lifelong resident of El Cerrito.

0:45:09mayor pro tem quinto

0:45:13councilmembers Motoyama and Fideli.

0:45:15I

0:45:17girded myself once again on the second Tuesday or the first Tuesday of the month.

0:45:24It was city council meetings had become my least favorite Tuesday evening activity, and I came down here in my usual cold sweat, with a pit in my stomach.

0:45:36and I see, rather than having another hour of

0:45:41argument and conflict. We have a very quiet meeting.

0:45:44The reason we have a quiet meeting is the City Council has chosen

0:45:49to not agendize divisiveness.

0:45:52and I am very grateful to you

0:45:55for your strength and fortitude in doing that

0:45:59I also want to say

0:46:02I have witnessed and empathized with the abuse both

0:46:07you are elected officials, and our city staff has suffered through

0:46:13during these meetings. I want to thank you all for your strength.

0:46:17and I want you to know that there are many, many people in the city who are very appreciative.

0:46:23very grateful, and I look forward to more constructive engagement now

0:46:28with the city.

0:46:30So thank you very much.

0:46:33Next speaker is Nina Joe, followed by Arnon, owner.

0:46:37and then Ellie Kim.

0:46:41Good evening.

0:46:45good evening, Council members.

0:46:47My name is Nina, and I grew up in Richmond, California.

0:46:51I went to school in El Cerrito, and I currently live here in El Cerrito with my husband, David. For the past 4 years

0:46:59I've always loved the Bay love the Bay Area because the community and the people here believe in what is just

0:47:07that is evident through San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, and Albany, passing a ceasefire resolution.

0:47:15I believe El Cerido should be among that list.

0:47:20I apologize if you have heard these thoughts before, but I feel obliged to remind you.

0:47:24but over 32,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2,023,

0:47:30and over 14,000 of those are children.

0:47:33To put that in perspective. There's a population of about 25,000 in Elserito itself.

0:47:40Most recently, over the past 2 weeks, the Israeli army destroyed the Al Shifa Medical complex which constituted 30% of the capacity of the health system in the Gaza strip.

0:47:52I can't talk directly to President Biden, but I can talk directly to you

0:47:57as an El Cerino, resident as a human being, I demand a permanent Cease fire.

0:48:03Thank you.

0:48:05Next speakers are are non-owner, followed by Ellie Kim.

0:48:14Good evening, Council members. My name is Arnold Orrin.

0:48:18Citizen. I'm a resident of El Cerrito for over 20 years.

0:48:23I want to thank you and join the other people who thank you for

0:48:27staying focused on the business of Elsorito.

0:48:31fixing the roads.

0:48:33checking on the

0:48:35playgrounds.

0:48:36checking on the

0:48:38green area that we have

0:48:40and stay focused on our city

0:48:43and the well-being of the residents of the city.

0:48:47Nothing that we would

0:48:49pass as a resolution here, 18,000 miles away from the conflict.

0:48:56would help.

0:48:57would just cause more

0:49:00hatred

0:49:02and division. So I con, I congratulate you

0:49:05staying focus

0:49:09And and if if there's a

0:49:11urge to do something is to do something as a community.

0:49:16we're both

0:49:17Palestinians and Jews, and Israelis

0:49:20in a constructive and helpful way. Thank you.

0:49:26Next speaker is Ellie Kim.

0:49:35Good evening, everybody. Thank you so much for hearing us, and thank you for doing an amazing job leading the community. I've been living in El Cerrito. My my name, my full name is Eleanor. I was scared to talk

0:49:48my real name.

0:49:51the agenda because lately it feels like the community is not very safe.

0:49:57I attended a Jewish party with my daughter. She's 2 and a half.

0:50:02and it was for kids. There was this Muslim lady with us. Her kids were dancing with the Jewish kids. Everything was great. I was so happy and like for a second I thought, hey, that's what it should be. That's what we should magnify to my family in Israel. I'm originally Israeli. But now I'm Israeli. American. Thanks God, I love America. And I was like, Yeah, that's what we're about. That's what America is about unity. Together.

0:50:31And it was over. I went with my daughter to the slide, and there was a swastika of the slide. If anyone hear that.

0:50:38and that's terrifying

0:50:41a resolution. If it comes to your way, please vote no, because it's not signifying pace. Please let's vote for peace. Let's foster something together, but not something that you devise us and make

0:50:52other citizens feel unsafe here.

0:50:55Thank you.

0:50:57Councilmember Kinta. That concludes our public comment. Thank you very much.

0:51:02Now we'll go to adoption of the consent calendar

0:51:07and we have

0:51:09a committee on aging, reapportionment, recommendations, B. Urban forest Committee, reapportionment, recommendation, C.

0:51:17Birthday proclamation

0:51:20d. Is the second reading adoption of an ordinance to revisions to City Board, Commissions and committee regulations E

0:51:28authorize annual report for landscaping and lighting assessment district for fiscal year 2024, 25 F. Is a parking time limit modification in front of 11 2, 2, 4, San Pablo Avenue G is annual parcel assessment.

0:51:46For the national pollutant discharge, elimination system

0:51:50and drainage maintenance activities for fiscal 2425

0:51:55H's amendment to the joint exercise of powers. Agreement between El Cerido and West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee.

0:52:03I is a contract for utility users tax administration service, and Jay is agreement for

0:52:10swim, center, activity, pool, slide and tower replacement. Is there any thing that my council would like to hold

0:52:21I don't want to pull any items, but I have a question, some questions about some items.

0:52:26Okay, and I do as well, let me number C.

0:52:32G. And I.

0:52:34So that is

0:52:36questions on just 7 C. 7 G. And 7, I for me.

0:52:41he.

0:52:42she

0:52:44and I, and I'm sorry you had. Okay, I have questions on 7 e.

0:52:507 g, and 7, I.

0:52:54Okay.

0:52:56So in the meantime,

0:52:58what about if we can have a motion on the consent calendar

0:53:05on A, B,

0:53:08DFH. And J.

0:53:12I have a question. I'm so moved all seconds.

0:53:15Madam City clerk.

0:53:16Mayor Rudnick.

0:53:18mayor, protem, weisinger, councilmember fideli councilmember modiama. Aye, Council member keto aye.

0:53:26motion passes with Mayor Rudnick and mayor protem weisinger absent very good thank you. Let's go to some of that question on C,

0:53:36yeah, I did, just to to staff, and maybe even city manager can answer on Earth Day.

0:53:41You know we we've been kind of famous through Janet Abelson of having an event at our city.

0:53:47center here by the pool.

0:53:53there is going to be plant giveaway at the is that what's and I was gonna ask.

0:53:58make sure people know about that. But are there any plans in the future to re reinvest in developing an Earth Day event. Thank you. Council member. Yes, this year. We due to limited staffing. We are focusing mostly on just promoting the work parties and

0:54:13the plant giveaway as well. Next year we're gonna re envision Earth Day and see how we can do something different and bring back. Something a bit larger event. Can you mention the locale of the plant, giveaway again for people? Thank you. The plant giveaway will be sponsored by the else Rito Community Garden Network and Garden Club, and it'll be at the Corpy this year, was where we're going to be doing the tool pickup as well as the plant giveaway. It'll be at 12 noon

0:54:41at the corpyard at bend of Schmidt Lane, across from the Elserado Recycling Center.

0:54:48Okay. Great next we'll go to G.

0:54:53Hmm.

0:54:54thank you, Mayor.

0:54:59I have a question about the or just a question of recommendation about them on soundtrack settlement dollars.

0:55:08and I know that we have received, or we will be receiving our settlement of $310,000

0:55:14and given kind of the additional requirements

0:55:18of

0:55:20the update to the art.

0:55:22the Npds requirements. It feels like this is one time money that we could reinvest

0:55:28to do one time implementation of infrastructure for cleaning, you know, keeping our creeks clean and things like that. And is there? What is the plan for the settlement? Dollars?

0:55:40Good evening, Council, member Motoyama Yvette obese the city's public works. Director. Thank you for the question. The Mpds fund is actually right now. Expenses exceed revenues, and so we do need additional funding to pay for existing activities

0:55:58and increasing our requirements due to the new permit.

0:56:03So we really would be asking for council to as part of the upcoming budget process, to pro appropriate that funding for ongoing on operations and increasing permit requirements, and that'll get us through the next 2 years. In the meantime, city Staff is working with the Contra Costa Clean water program to look at other funding options for the long term.

0:56:29There's a budget workshop this year, so we are continuing to regionally. Look for additional funding for long term this month Santo funds will help bridge the gap for the next couple of years.

0:56:40and we, additionally, there's additional funds from the special needs of months until settlement agreement that we can apply for one time funds to do green infrastructure projects. And so we will be working with a council that's supporting us in the in that class action lawsuit to apply for fund that kind of one time funding later this month.

0:57:04Thank you. Thank you so much.

0:57:07Yeah. A couple of questions on that as well.

0:57:10so it's one time funding for. And I just wanted to say, you know, we put a lot of things on consent. This is something, I think, that the people of else reader should know about is, there's a lot of regulation and a lot of staff we're going into maintaining our clean water and making sure

0:57:27we? We have a we abide by the Clean Water Act. And now we've gotten a lot of new requirements. So this one time funding for that will be a value.

0:57:39Is it something that in the next year we need to think about additional staffing for, or are you just.

0:57:45I mean, are the you're gonna see this year how significant these new regulations are. Is that right? Right? So currently, it is taking more staff time to to stay up to date on all the new requirements, and we are asking for a little more funding for consultant support, and that's going to be possible. If the Monsanto funds are appropriated in the fund in the Npds fund.

0:58:10And we are working with our regional partners at the Clean cut, clean Contra Costa clean water program to look at exactly what would fall on the regional level and what would fall on the city to implement these programs. So yes, we will continue to inform council as to whether other resources will be needed in the long term to continue complying with the State mandates.

0:58:32So you have the list and the analysis of all the additional things you have to do. MRP. 3.0

0:58:38one of them is about single use. Bag ban, can you explain what that might mean to us.

0:58:44It says, talks about credits. Other cities are, in fact.

0:58:48getting rid of and think the State's reevaluating the plastic bag band because it hasn't worked out as we thought. Can you describe what it means to us in El Cerrito?

0:59:00Thank you, Council member. And again, I'm apologize for not introducing myself earlier. Christine, the Laird Management Analyst Public Works Department. Thank you.

0:59:09Yes. So we currently receive offset credits for our plastic bag. Ban as well as our food wear ordinance. And we receive 10% of offsets through those programs. And under the new permit, we're going to be losing those 10% offsets. So we're gonna have to come up with

0:59:26other methods to meet our trash load reduction goals. So the bands that we

0:59:32conducted aren't going to be worth

0:59:34anything.

0:59:35Unfortunately, I mean, we won't be. If we're talking to our restaurants, we we they will be using better

0:59:42utensils and things of that sort. Yeah, but as far as a credit that

0:59:47correct. So we are going to be getting credit for it for the clean water program. However, we're still going to be reducing the amount of waste going into the waste stream and increasing compost, going into the facilities and reducing greenhouse gases.

1:00:02Why would they take away? That?

1:00:04Isn't that a value?

1:00:07I'm unable to answer that question. I can find out. But it is something that the clean water program has provided comments to the water board and feedback on the impacts of losing these credits. And so that has been communicated regionally.

1:00:22Thank you.

1:00:24Okay, Council, member, Batayama.

1:00:27Thank you, Mayor, I apologize. You, said E. And I heard G. So I skipped to

1:00:32to Item G, which was the Npd. Yes, but I did have a question about 7 E. About the landscaping and lighting assessment district.

1:00:43Go ahead.

1:00:44No, we. We skipped it because

1:00:46same speakers so well, we're going back to? Yeah. So I apologize for that. That was my mistake. I just had a question about the landscaping and lighting assessment district. And just making sure that I understand that our we are at the point where we have general fund contribution in order to do the work that the district requires, and that's the 163,200.

1:01:19I'm sorry I missed the question. I'm sorry I just kept talking, and I didn't allow you time to get up to the podium. So I just wanted to just confirm my understanding of the landscaping and lighting assessment district and looking at that budget. We do need to do a contribution up from the general fund of 163,000 every year in order to meet the requirements of that district.

1:01:43So the 1, 63, and let me just flip to that

1:01:47page.

1:01:57and I appreciate your helping me understand this, because we're going into budget season, and I think it's

1:02:05so for me to make sure I understand what is what's important here? Yeah, of course.

1:02:11So the 163,000 on page 31 of your packet. That's actually the general fund transfer from the the special fund to the general fund to pay for administrative costs. Citywide costs. So the

1:02:32general fund is supporting landscape maintenance activities throughout the city. But that expense is in the general fund. Okay? So that's a reimbursement back to the general fund from the Llid

1:02:46to pay for overhead expenses. Yes, that's really helpful. And then

1:02:51I had a question about the the Special District Fund. Is there a sunset on this? Because when I read the language it didn't mention whether or not there's a sunset to this, so does it need to go back at some point before voters to

1:03:06reinstall it.

1:03:08I see a headset as city attorney. Can you help I absolutely can. There is no automatic sunset on the landscaping and lighting assessment district. It does not have to go back to voters or property owners at any point in time, under the changes in State law that have been made by Prop. 2, 18 and prop. 26, since the district was initiated

1:03:32Even under those changes the city can continue to collect the assessment that's authorized by the formation documents unless there's another change in State law in the future. That prevents that. But we don't have to get renewed authorization from property owners or voters in the future.

1:03:49Okay, thank you very much.

1:03:51Okay. Let's go to I. Then the contract for utility users, tax

1:03:57administration services. Okay?

1:04:00Yes. Hi, good evening. Council members, clerk, Coleman, budget and finance manager. We also have Vicki Beatley on Zoom this evening to answer any questions. Vicki is with Hdl.

1:04:11Thank you. The analysis. So so a couple of questions.

1:04:15This is for $28,000. Is that correct? To assist? That's the annual amount. And is this.

1:04:21will you ever come back to it? Is this for ongoing forever. If will this be part of the ongoing effort, or will you come back to council to ask

1:04:29so this one that we for the 5 year duration of the contract 5 years after that time any additional contracts, should we decide to pursue those would come back to the council.

1:04:41You saying here that you believe this will increase the utility users tax? Is there any? Why do you believe that to be true?

1:04:49We at this point in time receive the revenues that we get, and we track them. But we don't have staff capacity to pursue any revenues that we may not be receiving. We don't have capacity to audit to ensure that we're receiving the correct payments. So we basically get what we receive. And we say, Thank you.

1:05:06And throughout. Through this process we believe that we will see improved compliance, and we believe that we will see potentially levies of the fines and penalties that are in our meeting code for anything late, and so we think that that will regain a lot of those revenues.

1:05:25After one year I see there will be audits after one year. Will there be an audit.

1:05:30or is that after 5 years? So that's a component of it? I don't know if is Vicki online

1:05:37Vikki Beatley: Yeah, online, yes.

1:05:38Yeah, Becky, do you wanna speak a bit to the audit process?

1:05:41Vikki Beatley: Sure. So good evening, Mayor. Members of the Council, Vicki Beatley. I'm a principal at Hdl companies, and to your question there are a couple of different components. But one of the things that I spend my time on is doing what we call compliance audits, and that's what was being referenced. So that happens on a monthly basis. It's not a periodic time.

1:06:02We verify that the payments that come in are actually the correct amount of payments

1:06:07and based upon the utility users tax that is charged by the city compared to what's remitted, and that is something

1:06:14anecdotally. When I was talking to the staff about this process that we have clients that we've actually gotten recoveries for, because

1:06:23you won't be surprised for me to say this. But there are agencies out there, utilities that are not remitting the correct amount of utility users tax, and have not been doing that for a number of years.

1:06:35Also, with respect to the due date that the city has that's embedded in the municipal code.

1:06:41A lot of the

1:06:43excuse me, utility

1:06:45reporters

1:06:46follow their own date as opposed to the date in the municipal code. And so, as those payments come in, the payments that are beyond the city's actual due date will be applied penalties and interest, and you will be able to see the results of that compliance audit to your question.

1:07:05On a monthly basis, as the revenue increases to the city, at least for the first year. Because that's not something that's necessarily gonna be ongoing.

1:07:15Yeah. And I I was just hoping, since overall the total is over $100,000, that

1:07:21rather than a monthly thing which is not convenient to city council, that maybe after a year

1:07:26we have some report back to us that, in fact, we do have an increase in U ut revenues very simple, like what the number is. Now, what is it in the year?

1:07:35Report it back so we can feel good about spending this money.

1:07:39Yeah, we can absolutely provide that part of the audit or not. I just didn't know if there was a separate report, a part of the audit. We can absolutely do that. Ht already provides us quarterly sales. Tax reports that we present to the Fab, and we give to you as well to the Council. We can do annual ones for ut. The same quality of reporting that we get on sales tax and that, and just know that we would love to hear that there is an increase that would make.

1:08:04And if there is a significant increase, we can also reference that in our general fund. Quarterly updates as well.

1:08:13Thank you. Mayor. I also have a question about the UTI did look in the budget book.

1:08:21and I actually couldn't see how much revenue and total for the year annually. We get from UT. And I wanted to understand that because, you know, we're we're gonna pay $155,000 over 5 years, and if the ut is not that much, I don't know if we really need to have an audit to increase that even by 50. So I just wanted to understand the context in which we're looking at the ut.

1:08:46So I don't have the exact number handy. My computer is being a little slow. We receive between 3 and a half to 4 million dollars annually through the different forms of ut that we have as a city. So it's a major revenue source for us. That's about the same amount that we receive from Measure r which is our transactions and use tax. So utility users tax is a very large component of our general fund budget.

1:09:07Okay? And for my understanding in the future. Where would I find that number in the budget book?

1:09:15it's in there. And if it's not broken out specifically, that's something that we can improve in the level of detail that we provide on the general fund revenue sources. Okay? Cause I. I have my hard copy and I was flipping through can find it there. I will try to find it online and couldn't find it there either. So I just wanna make sure that it's easy this spot absolutely next time. Yeah. And we can include that level of detail as well with the major forms of taxes in the general fund. We can include that in the Quarterly reports as well. Yeah, that sounds like, this is a very significant source. So on it.

1:09:45So thank you

1:09:46it quick.

1:09:47Anyone else. Okay, we have an adoption of the consent calendar on C,

1:09:54EGNI,

1:09:58or is it EG. And I. See we did. GC. 10. I. Okay.

1:10:06I'll I'll move that

1:10:08second. Okay, ma'am. Say Clark.

1:10:11Mayor Rudnick.

1:10:12Mayor pro tem weisinger council member Fideli. Aye.

1:10:16councilmember modiama aye councilmember quinta aye.

1:10:20approved with Mayor Rudnick and pro and mayor pro tem. Weisencher absent.

1:10:35Okay. Next, we will have policy matters and consideration of distribution of

1:10:42year 2022, 2023, general fund surplus in accordance with the comprehensive financial policy. And we have crystal reams.

1:10:53Oh, you're at crystal pipe.

1:10:57Crystal is

1:11:00Crystal Reams (Finance Director/Treasurer): I'm here. I'm I'm sorry I'm here, but I am. My Internet connection is very, very spotty. So I am going to pass this to my wonderful budget manager, who is

1:11:14more than capable of explaining explaining this. But this is

1:11:21basically a

1:11:23something that we would like to make this an annual item, regardless of whether there's a surplus or not. This is something that we believe it is very important to show transparency, and to just illustrate to the council and to the public of what of what's happening? And so this is

1:11:47kind of just what you guys saw at Budget? There are some very minor deviations.

1:11:55Mainly the section 1, 15

1:11:59deviation that you guys saw.

1:12:03there was a a difference in calculation. And so when we dove into our our financial policies.

1:12:11in our mid year presentation, we actually went on actuals which are were a little bit more conservative. But our financial policy actually dictates that we use budget numbers. And so that's the the major deviation that you guys are are, gonna see? But

1:12:31I am going to hand it over to Claire for any questions while I'm I'm here, too. But I just I worry that I'm gonna cut out. So

1:12:42this this is something that we want to bring to you guys every single year, regardless of whether we have a surplus or not. But this is the waterfall effect of any surplus that we're you know that we would that we would actually have so it. Just it walks through that, and I'm gonna pass it over before I cut out.

1:13:04Okay.

1:13:06Good evening again. Again. Clerk Coleman, budget and finance manager. Crystal covered the the high level notes. But as she mentioned. This is codifying. The general fund waterfall reserves. This is something that you've seen a couple of times now. And we included a similar table to what we had with the midyear update. And that's that table that shows all the different components. As Crystal mentioned. The one change that you may notice is that 33 surplus, and that's because of the change in how

1:13:36those numbers. This is to codify and make sure that all of our reserve policies are implemented. As you'll notice, we actually are. Slightly over funded in a great way. On the Edrf. We have full coverage for our 3 months of payroll as per our policies.

1:13:52that at the current level, and then there are the recommendations for the General Fund reserve of that 10 the contributions to the section 1, 15, and the remainder for one time, expenditures as recommended by staff and adopted by council.

1:14:07Any questions. Okay, any questions.

1:14:12That's a member of Tatiana.

1:14:16So

1:14:19thank you so much for this. I feel

1:14:22this will help

1:14:23our residents understand? Where we are, with the overall financial health of our city. So I think there's some misunderstanding that what we have left over for one time expenditures is all we have left. It's like. No, we. We put all of our money into our savings accounts as we should as a responsible and sustainable city. And this is really

1:14:51the extras the 727,000. Right? So

1:14:56I think that's that's the important takeaway that our our disaster fund, our fund reserve.

1:15:04and you know our start on addressing our pension liabilities. It's all paid for first, before we start to consider the one time expense, and I really appreciate all your work to make this so clear. I think.

1:15:20The the next steps, I hope that we get to see soon are kind of the investment policies for the 1 15, because it's nice that we're

1:15:27accumulating money, but it needs to get some kind of return for it to be helpful to us over time. Is there any update on when when that is happening in terms of the

1:15:39sure? So the Financial Advisory Board is still going over the recommendation. And it is our hope that at the next meeting they will have

1:15:48a recommendation. We should note that

1:15:53cars! Who we have deposited our section 1, 15, trust

1:15:58we. That's who we use for our section 1, 15. Trust. We've deposited

1:16:03the money, and currently, it's in a very, as you know, very stable. As you said, money market account, the the previous investment firm with us. Bank.

1:16:14I think it was called High Mark has. Now they've gone with another company's or the the company has changed hands.

1:16:22So we are actually waiting to make sure that we have all of the same language that needs to go into any updated policy, it still won't necessarily affect our own investment policy that we that we have currently but could be we'll be taking that hopefully, the the plan is to take that to the Financial Board at the next Advisory Board at the next meeting. If they have a recommendation, then we would bring that back to the Council for your

1:16:47Approval or action

1:16:50great. And then my other question is, I know that

1:16:55this will take a lot of work. But I was wondering if there's any status update on that kind of replacement and maintenance reserve calculation for our facilities.

1:17:05So

1:17:06we have ideas and goals. We do not currently have.

1:17:11the level of analysis that we are hopeful to get eventually. One of our goals in the next budget process is to start creating those funds. So at least we have the structure and can start planning for those. But a full analysis of all of our citywide assets is a very large undertaking, so it'll probably be a longer project, but that we can at least build the core infrastructure in our financial system so that we're prepared for that. And we can start doing the pieces we're able to while we plan for that bigger project.

1:17:37Yes, I I just want to keep it top of mind, because that's the other savings bucket that we need to start filling, so that when the day comes when we need it, it'll be there.

1:17:49One other thing is

1:17:54so is there is. Can you just go over the reasons why the surplus was so large this year, and probably the likelihood that it will not be so large for 25, the 2425 fiscal year. Yeah, absolutely.

1:18:09There are a few key components. The number one and the largest component was a large number of vacancies. In fiscal year 23 those were budgeted positions that were not filled, and so there was a very high amount of salary savings that was seen as a result. But

1:18:23it's while it's great to have a surplus. That's also work that the city really intends to do in service of the community. So we don't aim to budget for a large number of vacancies. We wanna have a budget that's closer tied to what we really think it's gonna be we, the city has also filled most of those positions since then, and so our budget is we expect it to be much closer to the actuals this year. There were a few other components revenues exceeded some expectations in various categories.

1:18:50and so

1:18:51some of this also, as a relatively new finance team is understanding our budget numbers, understanding our operations and starting to make those adjustments to the best of our abilities each year, each quarter, to make sure that our budget is as accurate as possible. It's the best plan. It's the best representation of city services.

1:19:09A big portion of this for this

1:19:12this fiscal year is the Rpt. The real property transfer tax about what percent of this, or you know what portion of this surplus is really that higher revenue from that source

1:19:24I may have to get back to you on that one. I don't have the number top of mind. I

1:19:29unfortunately have not yet memorized the entire budget to actual ratio, but I'm trying. Give me a little while. I might get there. But I I can get you that number of the estimate of how much we budgeted versus what we brought in. It's worth noting that last year we had a 6.9 million dollar surplus and we did not meet

1:19:47our real property transfer tech school. We came in

1:19:51like about 800,000 below, or something like that. We didn't meet our target. We still had these this surplus. So

1:19:58you know, we, I remember when we went to Measure V, we were thinking, if it you know the amount of houses we tend to sell and how much they tend to sell for we could usually count on between 2.7 and 3 million a year when we had those years with 4 million that was above and beyond. So we could still reasonably end the year at what

1:20:19sort of the original intent was. So

1:20:22it's

1:20:23it. It's just it's it's, you know, the fluctuating and volatility of the market that we're still trying to figure out?

1:20:29Okay? And since you've brought it up, is there? Is there a thought to go back to that more typical conservative Rpt number going forward for this next fiscal year? Certainly what we what we believe that that we'll be able to handle this year, and then if we go above that, then that's great. But we definitely are. That's why we came and lowered it at mid year. We want to be a lot more realistic if we can, as best we can be about our revenue projections.

1:20:57Thank you.

1:20:59Good questions.

1:21:00Council member, Fredell. Thank you.

1:21:03Just known, I think I said a couple council meetings ago that the house next door to me was for sale. It sold in 1 h.

1:21:11So if that's any indication, and I'm seeing lots of signs around town, lots of for sales signs. So interest rates may start coming down, but

1:21:20didn't seem to be impacting too much. So in introducing this I heard about, we want to visit this annually before the Council. You're you're not talking about changing the 4 priorities. You're talking about

1:21:33impacting the results of the revenue. So it's the plan to bring the kind of the codification. Let's say to bring this to you each year at the end of the year after the audits been adopted. We'll bring you this item with the waterfall, so you can see exactly how much the city is setting aside. And can you mention how the Fab was involved with this?

1:21:53Yes, I don't know if Crystal is

1:21:56connect.

1:21:57Crystal Reams (Finance Director/Treasurer): Yup, I'm still here. Yep, Christarames finance director. No. The Fab was definitely pivotal in adopting the all of the changes to the financial, the comprehensive financial policies. And so this is this has not changed. They do review this annually, and we do bring their recommendations to you but this current water?

1:22:23Oh, sorry I'm so sorry. This current waterfall effect is what is in in place right now. And as claire just was speaking to. No, this is something that we want to bring to you guys annually.

1:22:37just to

1:22:39just to clarify exactly what she said. I mean, it's regardless of if there's a surplus or not, I think, for transparency purposes. This is a good practice to bring forward every year. So you guys can see what what's happening.

1:22:56But the Fab agreed with the order of the waterfall.

1:23:00What.

1:23:01Crystal Reams (Finance Director/Treasurer): They? I believe that they are. Yeah, they were the ones that kind of approved the waterfall effect.

1:23:07We are working closely with the Fab. We have 2 new members. We're moving into budget years where we're gonna really be a team. And I'm glad that this is happening. And and we got this. This is important to talk about our reserves. This is reserve monies we're talking about, which is we didn't have 3 years ago. So thank you very much.

1:23:28I just wanted to point out, you know, when I was in Washington. Yeah. The the Congress folks that I met with they're counting on on lower interest rates by the summer. So. But I know we have a lot of homeowners that are waiting, and but know that I just got the little postcard in the mail the other day, and homes are still selling, and homes are still being so

1:23:56by the summer. Hopefully.

1:23:58people are waiting for the lower interest rates so they can start buying their new cars and purchasing new homes. And our folks that want to sell here

1:24:09I have. Neighbors that I know in the area

1:24:13we're excited to.

1:24:15you know, start their next chapter. And you know, hopefully, we'll get more new families that

1:24:22are. Yeah, waiting to move in

1:24:25for the right opportunity. So now, it's the time for members of the public who wish to provide public comments regarding this item

1:24:34request to speak can be submitted to the city clerk by completing a spear guard.

1:24:38Public comments can be taken in person only please remember to identify yourself and your city of residence. At the beginning of the comments, madam, state clerk.

1:24:48councilmember Quinta, we do not have any speakers. Okay, we'll bring it back to the Council here, and any last comments last thoughts.

1:24:59Just that. Thank you for all your work. Crystal and Claire, and it's really good that you also feel that it's important for us to know where we land every year with our fund balance, because I think you know.

1:25:15the important thing is just because there is a fund balance doesn't mean that there's money to spend. It is already allocated, and it needs to be there for us.

1:25:27And I think the the biggest

1:25:29a reminder to me of lately of of why we need to to know this fund balance is that the purchase or order roll forward of a million dollars was unexpected.

1:25:39And you know, you guys found that through your forensic work, and it's something that we're we're liable for. And if we didn't have a fund balance, if we didn't have this ability to absorb surprises, you know, if this were 2020 we would be freaking out that we had another 1 million dollars that we couldn't account for, and our fund balance at that point would have been a million, a hundred 10,000 negative. And

1:26:06we're not. We know. You come before us a million dollars. We need to change. And it's like, it's okay. It's it's okay. It's not great, but it's not the for alarm disaster that it would have been back in 2020. So I think that you know this. This is why we did the hard lift. And this is why, you know, it's really important for us to keep an eye on this going forward, and so thank you for all your work to do that.

1:26:32Yeah, I I echo what my council member just said here and and Crystal. Thank you for all your work, Claire.

1:26:39You know it's it's great to have new members of Fab and a complete crew at finance. And and you guys are doing a great job. So again, thank you for all your work. Do I have a motion to approve?

1:26:54Don't I'll move

1:26:55about a second. A second. Okay, madam. Say, Clerk Mayor Redneck.

1:27:00mayor pro tem weisinger

1:27:02councilmember Fideli.

1:27:04Aye, councilmember modiama aye council member Kito. Aye motion carries with Mayor Rudnick and mayor. Pro tem weisener absent.

1:27:13Okay. Next we have city council, local and regional liaison assignments.

1:27:20Thank you. Couple of things. I'm pleased to say that the East Bay Eda awarded the Contra Costa transportation authority.

1:27:29the legacy award this year its highest honor in Oakland last week.

1:27:34And also on the fire. There's the fire chief there. We pass the Mou last Council meeting dealing with the Wildfire Prevention group of the East Bay, and they'll have their first meeting. April 20, ninth.

1:27:4810 Am. Here in this city council chamber. So it's very exciting. And and there goes the fire. Jeep right now.

1:27:55okay, thank you.

1:27:57Councilmember motown.

1:27:59Okay, thank you. Mayor. On March twentieth I participated in our own ulcer lobby day up in Sacramento, and met with many departments, and are elected there

1:28:11to press for support for all the work we do here in El Cerrito. On March twenty-first I attended the Abag Executive Committee meeting, where we discussed, and pass a resolution to in support preliminarily of the Bafa bond, the Bay Area Housing Finance Agency Bond, and they'll be putting forward a likely 20

1:28:321 billion with a B dollar bond to support Housing development in the Bay area that's going to come before a bag's executive committee for final on formal vote on April the tenth

1:28:45or April eighteenth. Sorry. So that will be a big game changer for us in the Bay area to be able to support housing development work at all different levels. And the important part for that money is that 20% of it is controlled by the Bay Area Housing Finance Agency. But 80% of those funds will be controlled by county. So it's really important that the county understands what our needs are in El Cerrito for those allocation of fund

1:29:12and the March 20 Si attended the California League of Cities Housing Community Economic Development Policy Committee Day in Burbank.

1:29:23And then we, where we discussed 2 pieces of legislation. One was legislative carveouts for zoning for thrift stores, which turned out to be more of a corporate sponsored

1:29:37piece of legislation, and it was voted down.

1:29:40It was to, you know, a very large Thrift Store company wanted to have a ability to place at their store wherever they wanted, and that got voted down, and

1:29:51That was the sort of the big surprise on that. And on March 20 seventh I attended Rosie, the Riveter National Historic Park event to recognize the Congressional Medal of Honor for the Rosies, and to announce the Rosie Awards which will encourage women to be recruited and retained in the building trades.

1:30:10and with, along with Congressman Garr, Mendy.

1:30:13and on March the 20 ninth I attended the St. Peter, Cme. Church, Good Friday. Breakfast along with our fire and police officers and council members and other community members, and it was a very nice event.

1:30:26Thank you. Very good.

1:30:29So I was home getting getting over that Washington cold that everyone at so I don't have anything to report. But look forward to our our future Cal cities, meetings, and our board of directors, and we're gonna all meet in Sacramento.

1:30:48In a few weeks. So we will all be there.

1:30:51So we're gonna adjourn the city council meeting the next regularly scheduled city Council meeting is

1:30:59Tuesday, April sixteenth, 2024, at 6 Pm. And we have completed this meeting at 7 20

1:31:086 meeting is over. Thank you very much.