Regular City Council Meeting February 18, 2025

0:00:07-Oh.

0:00:10all right. The February 18, th 2025. Regular City Council meeting is called to order at 6 0. 2 Pm. Will the clerk, please call roll Mayor Weisinger, present mayor pro tem quinto. Yep, council member. Present council, member Otiyama, present Council, member Saltzman. Here we have a quorum.

0:00:30The 1st item on the agenda agenda is consideration under Ab. 2449, city clerk. Do we have any requests? We do not. Mayor. Okay, please join me in the pledge of allegiance or a moment of silence.

0:00:44I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

0:00:48to the republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:00:58The next item on the agenda is teleconference and public comment. Instructions from our city clerk. Thank 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

0:01:25for 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 only be taken in person, and a request to speak can be submitted to the city clerk by

0:01:37completing 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, their name and city of residence, and be respectful of time limits. Thank you, Mayor, that concludes my instructions. All right. The next item on the agenda is Council Staff Communications city Manager. Do we have any staff communication? If I can interrupt briefly, if anyone is logged into zoom. Please make sure your device is muted, because that's where that feedback is coming from.

0:02:07I don't know.

0:02:10All right, city manager. Do we have any staff communications. Yes, we do. Thank you, your honor. I am Karen Pincus, City manager. Just a few things to report. I hope you all were able to go upstairs and take a wonderful look at our at our gallery space Exhibition. That's honoring Black History month. There's going to be an artist reception on Thursday, February 27, th 2025, from 6 to 7, 30. So please come, and you can hang out with the artists.

0:02:37and this exhibition will be shown through March 31, st 2025. Further, we do have a call to artists from our Arts and Culture Commission, inviting artists to submit proposals to display their work in the gallery space upstairs. So please feel free to submit your proposal online by March 7, th at 4 Pm. And for this and information about the gallery space you can visit L. Dash, cerrito.org slash gallery space for details.

0:03:03and I did want to also report that our fire chief, Eric Sailors, was invited to the site of the Eaton Fire in Pasadena to conduct a post incident review of the tragic fires that occurred earlier this year. During the review, chief sailors was focused on the effectiveness of evacuations, parking restrictions, and home hardening to support the State in learning from this incident, and we'll be bringing back critical lessons to El Cerrito. So we will have a follow up on that for the Council as well.

0:03:28And finally, this is kind of a big deal, everyone. There's only about 30 tickets left for the crab feed.

0:03:35That's March 8, th 2025, at 2025 at 6 pm. At the Community Center, and this is a fundraiser for our David Hunter Scholarship Fund again. Tickets on sale. Now, El cerrito.org slash online Reg, and again selling out fast. So get your tickets for the crab feed. And with that, your honor, that concludes my remarks.

0:03:57Thank you so much city manager. Do we have any announcements from any of the Council Members

0:04:03council member? Thank you, Mayor. I do want to point out a couple of upcoming events. One is on March 15, th at the Community Center. Our poet Laureate, Tess Taylor, will hold a family poetry workshop

0:04:17at 6 30 Pm. And on March 20. Second recycle more will be doing a repair workshop also at the Community Center from 10 to one Pm. And to make sure, if you want to bring something to get repaired. If you pre-register, they'll make sure that someone is there that can help you. So please do, preregister. If you'd like to attend that. I plan to bring a lamp.

0:04:40Thank you. Any other announcements from the Council.

0:04:44All right. Just a few mayoral announcements

0:04:49on February 6th and 11th the city council held interviews for upcoming term, expirations and existing vacancies on boards, commissions, and committees. The Council's held 26 interviews, and made 22 appointments. Thank you. To all of our continuing volunteers as well as our newly appointed ones. A list of appointments is available online and will be highlighted in this month's city managers. Update for more information, please, contact the city clerk

0:05:18and just some information about what we've been doing on the mayor front this these last couple of weeks, as we announced last week, we reaffirmed our Sanctuary City status, and we were so heartened and so humbled by the response that we received via online through emails, through text messages. We got some 4,000, I think, will views on our social media alone. So we thank you so much for your support. We know that this might be a hard road for us. As we said in the statement, our city manager and her team are going to be watching

0:05:47for any unfortunate legislative blowback from that. But we do stand firm with our community members.

0:05:53I also attended our new, our new employee orientation. So thank you. To all of our new employees, some who have just started with the city, some who started last year. We only do one orientation per year. So thank you so much for all you do for our city, and it was a joy to be able to speak with you all this year.

0:06:11You'll be soon seeing some new Council headshots. We only do this when we get an influx of Council Member new Council members. I'm glad to get a new one. I didn't get a haircut before the last one, so I'm glad to get a new Council headshot. So thank you, council members, for taking your time out for the Council headshots.

0:06:26We're continuing the schools, the school collaborative with West Contra Costa unified, and Supervisor John Joya, that Council member, Motima, pointed me to when she was the mayor. I'm looking forward to the continuing work, not just with myself. Unfortunately, as the mayor, I don't get to go to as many of the meetings as I used to, but our Parks and Recs. Manager, Chris Jones, has been attending those on behalf of El Cerrito, so I'm looking forward to expanding our work as our community schools expand here in West contra Costa

0:06:53the the majority of the Council, actually 3 council members, myself, mayor pro tem quinto, and councilmember. Salsman all attended the Contra Costa Mayor's conference, so it was great to see some more of our council members. Our mayors across the county, and to see what we are all doing as a county.

0:07:10And finally Karen stole my thunder. But I will say it is my commitment tonight before I put head to pillow. I'm going to buy my crab feed ticket.

0:07:19I still haven't done it yet, but I promise that I'm going to do it all right.

0:07:24The next item on the agenda is all communications from the public. Now is the time for members of the public who wish to provide public comments regarding matters not on the agenda. Consent items and presentation items. 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. City clerk. Please proceed.

0:07:52Thank you, Mayor. We have 7 requests to speak, so we will start with Inc. Bruce, followed by Elaine Fielding.

0:08:03Good evening. My name is Inga Brest and I have been a resident of El Cerrito for 32 years. I'm also a lifelong bicyclist.

0:08:13I am speaking out against the Richmond Street Improvement project

0:08:18first.st I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak with Yvette Ortiz and Jared Mullen last week. They are wonderful people. We presented them with a 23 page rebuttal, which we also emailed to you today.

0:08:34I'm not long speaking out against bike lanes in lieu of parking

0:08:39prominent long time. Bicyclists and social influencers are saying that paving over the world with bike lanes is not the answer.

0:08:48They do not make bicyclists safer. That includes me, nor any other traffic participants, for that matter, simply because you can't take away the actual causes of incidents, such as driveways and intersections and imprudent traffic behavior.

0:09:06They do not change any mentality. Unfortunately they are not green, and they harm the neighborhoods that they run through.

0:09:152 weeks ago the city council of San Mateo. You may know this voted to restore the majority of the parking spaces that were removed on one of their streets to make room for bike lanes. The reversal will cost 2 million dollars.

0:09:32These bike lanes are a classic example of the city doing something to the residents, not with them, but to them, said San Mateo Council member Nicole.

0:09:4690% of my community is against this project.

0:09:5190%

0:09:53community residents are the experts on their own neighborhoods and know best. What needs to happen to achieve greater safety and well-being?

0:10:03Are you really going to overrule them?

0:10:08Far more than the piece of metal that is my bicycle, and far more than the piece of metal that is my car. I care about the people in my community, the actual humans who live, work and commute. There.

0:10:23I am asking each one of you

0:10:26to find the courage in your heart to prevent the injustice the city is about to inflict on my community and stop this project

0:10:37because it is simply unconscious, able to do otherwise.

0:10:42Thank you very much.

0:10:44Our next speaker is Elaine Fielding, followed by Ethan Kim.

0:10:53Madam Mayor, City councilors.

0:10:55My name is Elaine Fielding, and I live on Richmond Street, in El Cerrito.

0:11:02regarding the Richmond Street Complete Street Project.

0:11:06I am here to request that the needs of senior residents and of people with mobility challenges be reflected in the final plan for this project.

0:11:18I'm inspired to speak to speak up this evening by our 10 year old granddaughter, Ali Shell.

0:11:25who was born with a condition which allows her minimal mobility.

0:11:31But she uses an electric wheelchair

0:11:34when she comes to visit us.

0:11:36Her mom parks the van on the street outside our house, and Ali Shell drives down the van ramp to greet her doting grandparents.

0:11:46When I told them that the city may remove 50%. Of parking, maybe even all the parking outside my house. Ali Shell was upset asking.

0:11:58so where are my mom? And I supposed to park?

0:12:03It seems cruel to be adding yet another challenge for wheelchair users of our sidewalks.

0:12:10I asked the city if Ada experts were consulted, and are signing off on this proposal.

0:12:20At the very least, it appears to be against the spirit of the Ada.

0:12:27and what is your answer to Elisha's question?

0:12:30Where are we supposed to park?

0:12:35We also wonder what happened to democracy in this town?

0:12:38This project aims to encourage cyclists to come from all over

0:12:44to have a smooth ride through our city.

0:12:48But who cares about how this will impact the residents who use this this street every day.

0:12:55The project designers have treated the people who live on Richmond Street as non-stakeholders in these plans.

0:13:05Do you even know the demographics of the street.

0:13:09Likely about 40% of us are seniors. Our modest homes have narrow and often deep driveways.

0:13:17challenging for senior drivers reversing out into the busy street.

0:13:22Some houses have no garage, and some are using their garages for purposes other than parking cars. So accessibility to street parking has a major impact on the functions of everyday living. For us.

0:13:36The plan designers seem to be telling us

0:13:40the project needs 2 bicycle lanes.

0:13:43Who cares about your problems? Just get out of our way, and how many cyclists currently use Richmond Street

0:13:54by my neighbor's count. It is less than 20 per day. Thank you for your comments on sunny days. Your time has ended. Thank you. Our next speaker is Ethan Kim, followed by Kathy Baca.

0:14:11Good evening. My name is Ethan Kim, and I've been a resident of El Cerrito for 4 years, and I'm against the Richmond Street Improvement Project.

0:14:19The project, as currently proposed, is deeply flawed and demands immediate reconsideration.

0:14:24The plan not only disregards the needs of an entire community, but also fails to deliver on its stated goals raising concerns about equity, safety, environmental impact property values, financial responsibility and research. Integrity

0:14:40city asserts that extensive community engagement was conducted.

0:14:44However, El Cerrito residents were not adequately consulted.

0:14:48A survey conducted by the Richmond Street Neighbors Association revealed that 90% of the 205 households surveyed on Richmond Street opposed the project

0:14:58with only 6.5% in favor

0:15:02these numbers indicate a sphere. Disconnect between the city's outreach and the actual concerns of the residents.

0:15:07The Council's primary duty is to serve its community. Why, then, is this project being pursued? Despite overwhelming opposition.

0:15:16the project also violates the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to account for residents with mobility, challenges, eliminating street parking in favor of bike lanes disproportionately harms those who rely on close access to their homes, such as seniors and disabled individuals

0:15:33without proper accommodations. These individuals face increased isolation and reduced independence.

0:15:41The complete streets should serve all users equitably, not favor one group at the expense of others.

0:15:47We surveyed the number of bicyclists using Richmond Street, we found only 27 bicyclists on the day we did the survey compared to the 8,000 cars purportedly traversing Richmond Street daily. That's 0 point 3% of traffic or 300 times fewer bikes than cars.

0:16:05This project, as designed, disregards, residents, needs, and imposes unnecessary hardships.

0:16:11This is about more than just infrastructure. It's about fairness, integrity, and government accountability. Thank you.

0:16:19Our next speaker is Kathy Baca, followed by Gaia Sonatina.

0:16:30Hi I'm Kathy Baca, and I live on last 40 years

0:16:37no, last 25 years. But I 40 years ago I was living in Albany.

0:16:44and I regularly took Bart to work in Oakland.

0:16:47One day I struck up a conversation with a pleasant lady who often caught the same train to her job.

0:16:54It didn't take long to find out. We both had daughters named Sarah for mothers. That's an immediate bond.

0:17:03After that Janet and I visited whenever we ran into each other.

0:17:09When I moved to Richmond Street, 25 years ago, I found out that Janet lived in El Cerrito, too, and was usually either the mayor or on the City Council.

0:17:20I 1st got to know Janet Abelson because Bart was accessible.

0:17:25Building transportation systems with accessibility in mind, allowed someone like Janet to commute, to work or anywhere else on Bart, and because of that ability allowed me to get to know her.

0:17:39Ada requires accommodations to be in place when the city does a project

0:17:45when Ada work is done 1st or accounted for. First, st then everyone involved

0:17:55can use the system, able-bodied or not. This allows everyone to be involved in their community

0:18:03and society. It promotes, promotes equity.

0:18:08Retrofitting is much more difficult and expensive. It promotes inequality by making the person needing accommodations, ask for them.

0:18:18putting them in a subordinate position by having to wait for help. How long will it take until I get that blue line?

0:18:28Let me tell you

0:18:30in those 1st days after an injury like mine, it's critical to have the ability to get in a friend's car so you can get to the doctors

0:18:40or the market.

0:18:41Much better to have the accessible parking ready to get to your friend's car at the curb and have them take you where you need to go.

0:18:51For these reasons, Ada. Accommodations should be in place for all of Richmond Street, both sides 3, 4

0:19:01well, actually, if the Richmond street project is done.

0:19:07Ada is about kindness and equity and participation in society, and it is the law.

0:19:18The last time I was here people were talking about honoring Janet

0:19:22with a street name. Change. I'm all for that.

0:19:26But I also hope that we can honor her by insisting that this project be Ada accessible the entire street, both sides. Thank you. Our next speaker is Gaia Sonatina, followed by Stuart. Sonatina.

0:19:49Perfect.

0:19:57Hello! I'm gaia I've been living in El Cerrito for 7 years.

0:20:03I have 2 small children at the local elementary school, and we bike everywhere.

0:20:11I'm so glad you are all here. I have some things to say.

0:20:18There are many people who feel that the Richmond Street project is robbing them of their right to park on the street.

0:20:27The streets that belong to the public.

0:20:29The streets that a few months ago were petitioned for calm traffic calming updates

0:20:35in a city that requires each residence to have 2 off-street parking spaces. There should be minimal street parking in our neighborhoods.

0:20:45Change is really hard, especially when you feel like you're on the losing side.

0:20:50But this is the kind of change that will have a positive, long-term effect impact on El Cerrito.

0:20:58Think about a town or city you've been to. That was easy to walk, full of restaurants and shops.

0:21:07What did those streets look like?

0:21:09Were they wide, straight thoroughfares lined with parking.

0:21:13or are they small streets with wide spaces, walking spaces and trees.

0:21:18I know where I would rather live

0:21:20is a parking space worth sacrificing, a beautiful, safe, living environment.

0:21:27My request for those in favor of street parking is to think about what the neighborhood could feel like if cars and their storage came second to the people operating them.

0:21:39After all, we are the ones living in the space, not the cars. Thank you.

0:21:46Our next speaker is Stuart Sonatina, followed by Antonio Silva.

0:21:58Good evening, Stuart. Sonatina el Cerrito. Since 2018. I also have 2 boys at Harding Elementary.

0:22:05I'm 35. Most of my friends and coworkers are somewhere between 30 and 50.

0:22:11Many of us have kids. I'd like to take my couple minutes to tell you a bit about our lives.

0:22:17Some of us occasionally use bikes to transport ourselves or our children, and some of us don't. However, all of us wish we did it more. We buy bikes for our kids, but then barely let them ride, because there's nowhere to safely do. So.

0:22:31We buy e-bikes for ourselves, but then don't use them, because riding in the street with cars is terrifying

0:22:37during school drop off and pick up. It's occasionally nice to chat with other parents.

0:22:42but it's difficult to do so, because we can't relax and let our kids run around and play outside the school. The car drop off. Zones dominate the entire area, and they're backed by a road

0:22:52filled with cars honking at each other and not paying attention to where they're going.

0:22:56It's a meat grinder.

0:22:58In the evenings we occasionally like to go out to eat could be

0:23:02pizza or tacos, or even just ice cream. But what it definitely isn't is a nice outdoor evening.

0:23:09Anything near San Pablo is guaranteed to be loud and awful with the 40 or 50 mile an hour traffic.

0:23:17and that's if the place even has somewhere to sit outside.

0:23:20There are limitless vacant lots on San Pablo, but try finding a nice restaurant

0:23:25where they have been allowed to forego car parking for a nice outdoor set of picnic tables.

0:23:30You'll need to go to an Albany beer garden for that

0:23:35on the weekend we we'd like to go out to Albany Beach or up to Tilden

0:23:40as a crew, but there's no bus service. So each family gets in their own private car and drive separately.

0:23:46The theme here is the lack of social interaction.

0:23:49instead of our outings being opportunities to easily spend time together. We're stuck figuring out car logistics and eating ice cream in strip Mall parking lots. Next to idling cars.

0:24:00planning of the automobile city focuses on saving time

0:24:05planning for the accessible city focuses on time well spent.

0:24:11Please remember that when approving.

0:24:13please remember that when approving urban projects like Richmond Street. Every square foot that isn't a parked or driving car makes for a more pleasant El Cerrito.

0:24:23I did, and our final speaker is Antonia Silva.

0:24:32Hello! I'm Antonio Silva. I've been a resident of El Cerrito for many years. I moved away for a while, but I'm back.

0:24:40and I've been living here now for over a year.

0:24:44One of the things that.

0:24:46of course, what I wanted to talk about, of course this is again about traffic situation.

0:24:52I'm not talking about Richmond Street. I'm talking about San Pablo Avenue.

0:24:56I don't know what the involvement is. I don't know who

0:24:59is in charge of this or whatever. But San Pablo is a disaster between northbound from Portrero all the way to Wall Street.

0:25:10and it's like they started this project, and it's unfinished.

0:25:16and quite frankly, it looks awful.

0:25:20and there's only one lane of traffic where there used to be 2 going through there. So you have traffic jams and all kinds of other problems.

0:25:28And it's like who's in charge of this. I mean, I don't know. I don't wanna

0:25:32cast any aspersions at even at the city. Maybe this is the county's business or the state money. I don't know what's going on here, but

0:25:41we need to get some answers on this and this that needs to get finished.

0:25:44I mean, it's been a whole year or better. I don't I don't I? I didn't put it down on my calendar when they started the project. But

0:25:52and quite frankly, I don't like what they've done the way they've done it, with all the extra islands and all the different weird stuff, and the way the cars move. It's just crazy.

0:26:01And I think we needed just a a simple, straightforward approach

0:26:06to Santa Avenue, and I don't. I don't understand on. And then all the money and everything that's been spent on this, and they've they've

0:26:14taking out all the landscaping, and I mean, it's just it's crazy.

0:26:18And I'd like to know what's going on. I don't know.

0:26:21I'd I'd like to get some answers on that.

0:26:25anyway. I mean, before we spend money on Richmond Street to do a project there.

0:26:31we need to take care of San Pablo Avenue.

0:26:33That's pretty darned important, anyway. Thank you.

0:26:37Thank you, Mayor. That concludes our request to speak.

0:26:40Can I make a brief request? Can I just ask that staff follow up with Mr. Silva, because I think their answers to the questions about the project there. It looks like a vet is so. Thank you.

0:26:52Thank you. Thank you. The next item is resolution honoring recycling operations. Supervisor Mario Gonzalez in retirement.

0:27:04Can we please have the presentation?

0:27:09Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

0:27:11I am Yvette Ortiz the city's public works. Director.

0:27:15Thank you for the opportunity tonight. To honor Mario Gonzalez, our recycling Operations Supervisor

0:27:22for his 35 years of dedicated service to the city of El Cerrito.

0:27:28Maria joined the city in December of 1990

0:27:32as a part-time recycling aide, and he was promoted to full-time recycling worker. 4 years later

0:27:39he operated the forklifts at the recycling center, drove our recycling trucks throughout town.

0:27:45Provided awesome customer customer service.

0:27:49In 2010. Mario advanced to the role of the city's recycling Operations Supervisor.

0:27:56and began overseeing the city's curbside, recycling collection and operations of the pioneering, recycling center

0:28:04for the past 15 years. Maya has made sure that our residents and businesses receive uninterrupted recycling service

0:28:12on weekdays, weekends, and most holidays.

0:28:17he uses his ingenuity to keep the city's diverse fleet of recycling trucks and heavy equipment up and running

0:28:25to meet a very high service demand.

0:28:28Mario is definitely the con in the storm.

0:28:32Mario also played a pivotal role in the building of the new recycling center, helping with the program development, with the design and all the coordination needed during construction.

0:28:43Thanks in no small part to Mario's leadership.

0:28:46The award-winning center and the curbside recycling center are a source of pride for our community.

0:28:53More than 90% of our residents rate the city's recycling programs as excellent to good well above the national benchmarks.

0:29:02Maya's leadership and innovative approach during challenging times, including the international upheaval in the recycling markets and covid

0:29:11the pandemic ensure the continued operations of our our recycling programs.

0:29:19and made sure that both this community and the environment benefited from these uninterrupted services.

0:29:26Most notably Mario has recruited, trained, and mentored the city's outstanding, recycling team.

0:29:33A lot of who are here today

0:29:35current past and future generation of our staff.

0:29:40they seamlessly, with Mario's assistance, they seamlessly run all aspects of the city's recycling operations, and provide one of one of a kind customer service.

0:29:51Mario, your dedicated service and environmental stewardship had left a lasting impact on our community, and your colleagues. Thank you.

0:30:00Thank you. To Mario's family as well. His wife Pilar. Children and grandchildren are here today

0:30:06for supporting him throughout his career in El Cerrito it hasn't been easy starting sometimes at 4 am. Both as a driver and to support the current drivers.

0:30:16Responding at midnight to a fire alarm or security alarm. We were just talking about that yesterday or last week.

0:30:23and just covering the front counter on weekends. If Staff was not able to come in.

0:30:28Mario, it's been an honor and a pleasure to work with you, you will be greatly missed. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement.

0:30:49Thank you very much to all of you here present today. It's has been a great honor for me, working this many years with a a group of professionals

0:30:59that are very dedicated to El City of El Cerrito. Thank you very much to City Council Karen Pincus, our city manager, Yvette Ortiz, Public Works director, and many, many managers that I have seen in the past, such as Becky Darkin, Susan Catchy, and others, such as Mr. Schultz, Maria Sanders will provost everybody. Thank you so much.

0:31:26and thank you so much for the the current manager. Amelia. Timbers. Thanks so much for being here. Christina. Carlos Steven, thank you all. Thank you so much.

0:31:59Thank you so much. So I'll go 1st around for any council questions or comments. I'll start here at the end with Council Member Casanas. Okay, I'll be very quick. Thank you very much for your service to the city.

0:32:13I think I can speak for a lot of people that we have great pride in our recycling center.

0:32:18But most of us don't really know who the people are behind the scenes that make it work. And you're obviously a key person who's made it work, and for that I am extremely grateful, and though I have not been in those 3 to 30 years, I tremendously appreciate that you have been and thank you very much.

0:32:34I echo what my colleague just mentioned. I want to say congratulations.

0:32:40You know I am there all the time, especially when there are

0:32:46things that I wanted to pick up, such as books and records, and mulch

0:32:52and compass. So you took care of everything, and we're grateful to your longtime service and look forward to your next chapter in life. Congratulations on your retirement

0:33:04councilmember. Motyama.

0:33:06Thank you, Mayor, so I really want to appreciate how you've been able to grow in responsibility over time in the at the recycling center and in the city. And thank you really, from the bottom of my heart, because, you know, we all love the recycling center, that your work has made it the crown jewel of our city, and really made the reputation of our city. So thank you so much for that

0:33:30councilmember. Salzman.

0:33:32Thank you, and did. Owed everything that's already been said. And I really appreciated you taking Council, Member Cassanis and I to tour the facility last month and learn some more. I've been a regular user, but I learned a lot more in that background tour, and we're so lucky to have had you here for so long, and you will be missed. Congratulations!

0:33:56And and I just want to say, Mario, you you've been with us for 30 years. I actually started using the recycling center. I must have been 15 or 16, so it would have been either right before you started, or right after when it wasn't as nearly as fancy as it is now. I moved away for a long time, and came back and said, What is all of this?

0:34:15So thank you so much for the work again that you did, and help in building that to what it is, and and I know that you have a great crew, that you have passed on everything that you have learned and and done to them. So thank you again for your service to our city.

0:34:29Oh, before we take a picture. Thank you, Holly, for giving me that dirty look. Do I have a motion to approve. I'll move. I'll second. Okay. So, moved by with that Motyama, and seconded by Mayor pro tem quinto, I have a motion to approve this Proclamation City clerk. Will you please call the vote? All those in favor, please say, aye, aye.

0:34:53motion carries all right. Now we can take pictures.

0:36:11The next item is adoption of the Consent calendar, which includes the following items.

0:36:17approval of the minutes, proclamation, and recognition of Gene. Thompson.

0:36:23proclamation and recognition of well-grounded tea and coffee, Environmental Quality Committee, reappointment, recommendation, urban Forest Committee, appointment Recommendations Community Safety Committee, Recommendation Monthly disbursement and check Register Report for January 2025 authorize the purchase of a police vehicle, emergency equipment.

0:36:46And just to note items B and C has a representative here to speak and receive the proclamation which will occur after the adoption of the Consent calendar.

0:36:56Are there any brief questions or requests by the Council to pull items off the consent? Calendar? So, Council Member sauceman.

0:37:03I don't.

0:37:04I would like to speak on item C, but it sounds like we'll get a chance to do do that later. But on. Item FI just wanted to know, are there plans to agendize that recommendation? Or for discussion, or

0:37:20from staff hearing what the plans are about, whether or how to implement that.

0:37:27Thank you. So the the recommendation for from the Community safety Committee, and I don't know if Jim is here.

0:37:37anyway. We have been discussing. This is, regarding the pilot program for red flag parking and restrictions. We are indeed planning to bring that back to the city Council. We're within and unfortunately our fire chief isn't here this week. he is is he's out this week and so. But we have been discussing this and bringing this looking to either.

0:37:59Continue this program, expand the program, bring that back. So we're still working on that. But I appreciate the recommendation of the Community Safety Committee to make it permanent and to expand the program. And we are indeed doing that. That, will we? I don't have a timeframe, but we are planning on bringing that back to the Council that is great to hear, and I hope it will come soon, because to have enough time to do the outreach and make it work right if it's going to be expanded or made permanent, I think it'd be important to start that discussion soon. Thank you.

0:38:26All right, Council Member Multiama. Yes, I have comments on 7 A and 7 F and 7 g.

0:38:38And 7 H.

0:38:42Okay, Holly, for comments. Can we go ahead and improve? Or do we go ahead and take the comment, yes, okay, go ahead. So on 7 a. In the minutes of december 17.th I think it was erroneously noted that Steve Price was against the bike lanes.

0:38:58and if I may Mayor Mota. There are a couple of revisions that I will make to the minutes if approved by the Council. One is the distinction between the 2 speakers, Miguel and Leslie Adams. We I also corrected the spelling of the last name for Stuart and Guy Sonatima, and I corrected the speaker. Steve Price's comments to reflect his support of bike lanes

0:39:21versus his opposition, and for the January 21st meeting minutes. I also corrected supervisor joyous comments to correctly reference the Veterans building.

0:39:32Thank you.

0:39:33And then on

0:39:367 FI just wanted to make a comment that I really appreciate the Community Safety Commission

0:39:43on the way they brought this recommendation to council. I think it's really a a sign of how we were hoping that the advisory bodies would work, that you guys would have, you know, good discussions and then bring us recommendations that are actionable. So I really want to commend the committee and Mr. Dolgonis for for bringing forward this recommendation.

0:40:08and on 7 g. The check register.

0:40:13I had a whole bunch of questions, but I will keep them to just some of them on check number 9, 1, 9, 4 0 we have from Pacific Coast Avenue chambers.

0:40:26Audio visual design with a really high cost. So I'm assuming that this design means that there will be some cost coming to us in the next budget regarding the update to the AV design. So this item was, I know that I'll take this because Crystal is at a training this week.

0:40:47This is for a needs assessment for the council chambers that the it and the city clerk have been working on. We do not have a pathway forward just yet. This will be something that the City Council has to discuss, but this design was able to give us a cost estimate.

0:41:03Thank you.

0:41:05And then 9, 2, 0 6, 4, the Folsom Lake Ford police administrative vehicles for $300,000. How many vehicles is that? And I guess

0:41:15my always. My concern is that we always get approvals for cars on the ones and the twos, and we never see how many cars in total. And this seems like a lot of vehicles. And we just had vehicles approved. These are those vehicles.

0:41:30These were the vehicles that the city council approved in May and July 2024 delivery often happens much later, after approval, and or you have to order them. And these days cars have have been

0:41:41have taken quite some time to be able. So these are indeed, those approved vehicles, and yes, they will be the vehicles that are being discussed in the next item for outfitting those are the vehicle. Those are the exact vehicles. They are 2 patrol vehicles and 3 administrative vehicles that were approved by the Council. It just. They all came at once, and they were all paid by one check.

0:42:01Okay? And then on 7 H. That was a question about outfitting them. So that that is 80,000 is all we need to outfit all 5,

0:42:11and those are the 5 new ones. Not? Yes. So was the retrofit of the canine car a new car that we were going to use for canines? Or is it an old car? I believe this is retrofitting a canine car to a patrol vehicle. Is that right? But then that would be an old car right? Not a new car

0:42:33correct.

0:42:37So would there be another cost to upgrade one of the 5 new ones.

0:42:43Currently, the canine car that we're it was outfitted to replace a previous canine car, and the canine program is

0:42:55We don't have a dog right now, so we don't need the need for that, that new car. So we're converting it to an actual patrol car. Okay, so what is a new vehicle that was going to come to be a canine. It's a new vehicle that has not been used, so it's being converted to a thank you for the clarification.

0:43:14Thank you any questions on this. Set your council, member, Casanas. I have just an observation.

0:43:19and forgive me for not remembering the dates or the amounts, but I I remember maybe it was 2,024

0:43:25when the request for additional police cars came to council.

0:43:29It was in the midst of financial

0:43:33budget restraints and trying to get the finances in order.

0:43:37and it was a bit of a negotiation back and forth about how many cars were requested, and how much, how many were actually approved. I think there was.

0:43:44If I remember correctly, there might have been 4 requested, and Council agreed to approve 3 of them.

0:43:48Again. I may have the numbers. Not quite right.

0:43:51but one thing that struck me was when I saw the price of the cars.

0:43:55It was something like 50 or $60,000. And I was. I was surprised. I was thinking, that's the same price as a family sedan. It can't be that a police car is the same price as the average car in the street.

0:44:06and it sitting in the audience. You know, I have no way of really asking. You're digging deeper deeply into it. But I just sort of held that into my mind, thinking that somehow that wasn't right.

0:44:15And then, when I, when I saw this expenditure and request to authorize expenditure

0:44:20for the retrofit of the cars and adding equipment to the cars. Light bulb went off in my head, and I said, oh, that makes sense. The police car is not whatever that 1st number was, whether it was 50 or 60, but it's that, plus the additional equipment and technology and all the things that go into making it a police car.

0:44:36So my request would be that when

0:44:38a purchase like this comes before council, that the full cost is revealed.

0:44:44You know I'm not sure that the decision would be any different, but I feel like it's more transparent to say

0:44:49the car is X amount plus the retrofit or the added equipment is this amount? It may be coming. They may come at different times, maybe coming from different vendors, but in order to be transparent about what's being spent to prevent it altogether. And again, the decision might not been any different, might have been the exact same number of cars and same authorizations, but I just feel a little bit better having it all in front of us at one time rather than piecemeal.

0:45:13We can. We can make it clear in something like this that that happens in the future that you know again, as as Council member, Modiyama noted that these are the. These are the cars that were approved last year. So we can make sure that we're including as much information as possible in the staff report going forward. Thank you. Thank you.

0:45:31And then one other comment I have. This is on the Urban Forest Committee, which I'm the Council liaison, and I went to the last meeting, and Kathy Blair, I'm not sure if I'm saying her name last name correctly, was

0:45:43retiring after coming out and having served on the committee for a long time, and I just want to use this as an opportunity to thank her.

0:45:50It was you know. Clearly she was. She was very passionate about the work she had done, and proud or rightfully proud of the work that the committee had done, and she had done with them.

0:45:59So in addition to recognizing the reappointment of 2 people, I'd like to also recognize the

0:46:04coming out and retirement of one person from the committee being Kathy.

0:46:11Thank you. Okay. Do I have a motion to approve the consent? Calendar moved. Second.

0:46:19All right. So I have a motion from Council Member Salzman, and a second by Multyama City clerk. Will you please call the vote? All those in favor, please say aye, aye, any opposed motion carries

0:46:31all right. So, accepting the proclamation, for let's see.

0:46:41for the proclamation and recognition of well-grounded coffee will be Kevin O'neill, president of the President of the Chamber of Commerce.

0:46:49So we invite you up, Kevin, to make comments.

0:46:55Come on up! Come on up, Jenny K.

0:46:58Look! I got my Jenny K. Out. It's in the bag, but I have it with me.

0:47:04Well, thank you all for for this proclamation, and for the recognition of our

0:47:1120 years of service to the city of El Serina.

0:47:16It's been a real privilege.

0:47:18I just want to tie in with the whole recycling center thing. When we opened we were like one of the 1st businesses, this tiny 280 square foot post coffee shop like

0:47:28and recycling. I was so glad that we had a town like this where we could recycle. Oh, talking to that sorry

0:47:38so! And

0:47:40over the years we've contributed to various ptas and sport like youth sports and organizations. Just really felt welcomed here and love the the civic and just the civic environment here, where where people really like to give back to the community and participate.

0:48:00Jen.

0:48:03thank you so much for the opportunity. We really appreciate El Cerrito and everything. All the support that they've given us. Our very 1st customer is here

0:48:15just by chance, because he's Mr. El Cerrito, and he comes to every El Cerrito meeting. Al Miller. He actually it was a fun story came on the 1st day that we were open, which was in January 20 years ago.

0:48:32and we were not ready, and we were trying to set up our cash register, and we didn't have time to run to Semi Freddy's because our 1st day they weren't able to deliver to us, and so Al Miller went and picked up our 1st delivery of pastries for us. So that we could open, and then, when he came back, we had the register ready, and we were ready to go. So thank you. And Al Miller still comes to the coffee shop. So thank you so much for all your support

0:49:02and all of the city staff support and

0:49:06community has been a wonderful place to do business. So thank you so much.

0:49:13Raise our kids. They've all been working since 3 weeks old. It's what we like.

0:49:20Are we ready to take pictures? Now?

0:49:22Okay, let's do it.

0:50:26Thank you.

0:50:36All right, and and Kevin O'neill should not go very far.

0:50:40because the next next we will have the present presentation of the proclamation. In recognition of Gene Thompson. I did those backwards, Holly, but I'm sure it doesn't really matter. So accepting the proclamation again, is Kevin O'neill, President of the Chamber of Commerce.

0:51:02Hello, everybody where should I look? Do you guys?

0:51:07All right? Thank you. Yeah, Jean, sadly. Gene Thompson passed away last month, and

0:51:15She devoted her life to this. Farmers. Market tells you just farmers market. She she took it over when the business there was a Merchants Association there at the Mall that dissolved, and no one to to take it over. She stepped in, and had been doing it ever since to and

0:51:36she loved it. It was literally what was keeping her alive. She did what she loved till the day she died.

0:51:44I we could always hope that that we have that kind of life so truly dedicated to it, and her her.

0:51:55Her work is inspiring us to preserve her legacy. The chamber is working with the city and with regency, the folks who own the Mall to find an operator to carry on her legacy and believe that it will stay going for another 20 years or more. So thank you very much for recognizing her work.

0:52:16Thank you. Kevin. And another picture

0:52:29outlook.

0:52:35Okay.

0:53:01all right.

0:53:03The next item is establishment. Okay.

0:53:08you can go ahead and make a comment. Go ahead. Thank you. Sorry. Just wanted. Oh, did they leave already? They're still here. Okay. Great just wanted to thank well grounded and jetty K for being such pillars of our community.

0:53:26They've been very important for me. It's a place I can walk to. It's become kind of my second office since I started my campaign. Have a lot of meetings there. I'm sometimes there 2 or 3 times a week with folks from the community meeting, and

0:53:40you know the the celebration you had at well grounded and Jetty KA couple of weeks ago just reminded me of why, it's so great to live in El Cerrito, which is, you can just show up with you and your family, and you're bound to run into people, you know, you're bound to meet new people that you should have already known. And so it's just such a great community gathering space. So thank you

0:54:03make a comment, too. I don't think he's here, but jean's husband, Don has been, I believe, maintaining the management of the farmers market in her absence, and I just want to thank him for doing that. I know it's not a permanent solution that they're waiting for different management, but keep it going until that happens. I appreciate that and appreciate Don for doing that.

0:54:26Maybe you could relay that to him.

0:54:29Thanks.

0:54:30Thank you. I also want to extend my congratulations to well grounded and to Jenny K. I know they're the start dates are not quite the same, so maybe you'll be back again for Jenny K. But you know, well grounded is really a 3rd space for our community.

0:54:49a really gathering place, a place where you know you get to hear what's going on in the community in a certain way, and I really appreciate that. And

0:55:01you know, it's 1 hopes that maybe the mayor or myself or somebody else could get sandwiches named after us.

0:55:09I'm working on it coming up with a recipe.

0:55:13And then regarding Jean Thompson, I do want to say thank you. Because the farmers market is such a part of El Cerrito. It's you know, we. We are that kind of progressive city because we have a farmers market, so I'd like to thank her and her whole family for their dedication to providing this amenity to us.

0:55:33Thank you anything, all right. So the next item is establishment of the Pier Street, San Mateo Street Utility Underground District for the I. 80 Central Avenue Interchange Improvements Project. Can we please have the staff report.

0:56:01Katie Mayor and council members, Yvette Ortiz, the city's public works. Director

0:56:06tonight with here with me tonight is James Musutani, our associate engineer, also one of the new employees for started in December, and Halal Hamdan, the city of Richmond's project manager for the I 80 Central Interchange project.

0:56:24So I'm gonna start by giving you some background on the I 80 Central Avenue Interchange Improvements Project and then turn it over to James, who'll walk you through the undergrounding process.

0:56:37So, as I'm sure you all know, Central Avenue serves as a primary east west route here in the city of El Cerrito. It's a connect. It connects the Bart station to I-eighty 580 as well as regional commercial and recreation areas on the west side and connects all these areas to residential neighborhoods in El Cerrito and Richmond.

0:57:03As a result, Central Avenue can experience heavy congestion, especially during the weekend periods.

0:57:11and this affects the cross streets on Central Avenue, as well as sometimes the off ramps on I-eighty.

0:57:20As a result, improving the operations of the I. 80 Central Avenue interchange became a focus of regional collaboration

0:57:28almost 20 years ago, and the key partners, have been Richmond, Contra Costa, transportation, authority, and El Cerrito

0:57:41several or many comprehensive studies have been done about this on this corridor, and Richmond and El Cerrito work closely to secure funding as part of the

0:57:53Contra Costa transportation, authority, measure J

0:57:57for transportation. The have some sales tax for transportation, and that was when we secured the 1st source of funding for the project back in 2,004.

0:58:06The project has gone through of like, I said, many studies, feasibility, studies to narrow down which options would be moved forward to design and ultimately 2 phases were chosen for the project phase, one that was led by the Contra Costa transportation authority and completed in 2018

0:58:26that consisted of redirecting westbound left turns on central from the I-eighty on ramp to the 580 on ramp at ride in road

0:58:39that was done through message signs as well as by installing traffic signals at the 5 80 on ramps, because those used to be always stops.

0:58:51Now phase. 2 of the project is known as the local roads realignment. It is being led by the city of Richmond, currently.

0:59:01So this graphic here.

0:59:05I'll try to walk you through the elements of that project.

0:59:10One of the reasons why there's congestion on Central Avenue is because there's so many closely spaced intersections between San Joaquin on the west to

0:59:23San Mateo

0:59:24on the east, and there's closely spaced intersections. So there's not a lot of space to store cars, and so they back up into each other. So the local roads realignment project will improve the operations by creating more space between the signalized intersections. And one of the way we're going to accomplish that is, by adding a new roadway connection between Pierce and San Mateo. Here's Pierce.

0:59:51It's the frontage road. Here's San Mateo, and they'll be connecting a new roadway here.

0:59:58And then the other way to get more space between signals is making Pierce street right in, right out only.

1:00:06and removing this signal at Pearson Central.

1:00:12And now the primary access is going to be at San Mateo. There'll be a new signal at San Mateo

1:00:18Which will connect back to Pierce Street and this at this new signalized intersection there will also be a westbound left Turn Lane, so we can store cars that are

1:00:29turning left into this major shopping area. Here to the south.

1:00:35There are other elements of that will make this project complete. This project, including new accessible sidewalks, removing obstructions, some new landscaping, stormwater treatment facilities, and a key part of that is utility undergrounding.

1:00:54And I'll turn it over to James.

1:00:57Thank you very much. Good evening.

1:01:00So a major part of project is utilities undergrounding, which is why we're before you today. And this is going to be done under a program called Rule 20 A. It is a program that was instituted by the California Public Utilities Commission, and it allows investor owned utilities to allocate work credits to cities and counties

1:01:22for future undergrounding work.

1:01:26Rule 20. A in particular

1:01:30is initiated by a city in public areas for the public good.

1:01:38And that serve the public interest. There are multiple reasons for doing this which are on the slide here.

1:01:47But the main reason is to improve accessibility and also some traffic improvements.

1:01:54The cost of doing this undergrounding work is through these work credits that are allocated at the end of the undergrounding process.

1:02:04Pg. And E. In this case will take the work credits, and that will pay for take those from the municipality.

1:02:12then the cost will be paid for through the rates that are paid by residents and

1:02:22people that are connected to the electrical grid.

1:02:26But because the cost is eventually going to be borne by ratepayers.

1:02:32rule. 28 projects have to be dictated or have to be determined to be in the public good, and that requires a public hearing and going before council. In this case.

1:02:44and to distinctly remove this from other undergrounding projects which are becoming more prevalent, which are the wildfire hardening and

1:02:56projects. That is a different program that is not involved with this project or rule 20 projects in general.

1:03:05So in 2,022, the city of Richmond adopted the Pierce Street, San Mateo Street, underground utilities district.

1:03:14This project, because it is led by the city of Richmond, will be paid for using the city of Richmond's Rule 20. A work credits

1:03:23to support the city of Richmond in their goals. The city of El Cerrito needs to adopt a complementary

1:03:31underground utility district, as you can see on the Graphic. Here, in the kind of brown orange, is the borders of the underground utility district for the local road realignment project. The dotted line is the city border between El Cerrito and Richmond, as you can see, there's a small portion of the district that is within El Cerrito City limits, and so, in order to match the city of Richmond's action and complete the

1:04:00Districts Area Council will need to approve a this

1:04:05similarly named Pierce Street, San Mateo Street underground Utilities district

1:04:10to make the public the impacted

1:04:15property owners aware of this potential district, information informational notices of this meeting was sent out prior to the meeting.

1:04:26earlier this year in late January.

1:04:33For those property owners the rule 20. A credits

1:04:37will, in addition to the undergrounding work, will cover the conversion of their electrical panels to underground connections.

1:04:48If Pg and E. Is doing the conversion rule 20. A work credits will cover the entire cost.

1:04:54If the property owner decides that they would rather have a different contractor.

1:04:58Do the underground con utility box conversion, then the credits will only cover $1,500 of that replacement.

1:05:11Yeah, I just wanna add that

1:05:16that the city city staff will continue to work closely with the city of Richmond staff. And so that will plan on holding additional public meetings with the property owners that are impacted, which is a total of 12. And we'll continue to

1:05:30reach out to them and hold meetings to talk about the schedule and the cost.

1:05:35the schedule right now. Initially, the project was supposed to start construction in late 2025. There's a lot of pieces to this puzzle. And so currently, the city of Richmond is aiming to start construction either in late 2026, or early 27,

1:05:52and during that time we're still continuing to work with Pg. And E. To estimate cost and schedule that will affect these property owners, so we'll be continuing to reach out. But

1:06:03city of Richmond has committed to. If there's any gaps in the rule, 20 funding that they will support those property owners in El Cerrito as well as Richmond.

1:06:14And again, Richmond is using their rule. 28 credits. The city of El Cerrito has our own separate rule, 28 credits.

1:06:24And just to conclude again, we're asking the Council to establish the Pierce Street, San Mateo utility underground district for the I-eighty Central Avenue Interchange Project. This project is in the public interest, and because it is on a route that has a high vehicle traffic, it's an arterial route, it will improve accessibility, and it connects regional recreation areas.

1:06:54And that concludes our presentation. And I'm available to answer questions as as well as James. And Hello.

1:07:01thank you.

1:07:02Are there any questions from the Council? I'll start with Council member, and then I have, I think, 3 questions.

1:07:111st of all. I I think this is a a great idea. I ride that path down Central often, and I know what it's like, and you get stuck in lanes, and

1:07:19there are lots of cars going to 99 ranch tons of cars going to Costco. And it's just gets to be very congested and everyone stops.

1:07:26One question I have is that as cars are coming from San Pablo, and they're approaching San Mateo, which is now be. If they're going to going to 99 ranch or going to the pot shop, they would turn there instead.

1:07:37Are there going to be signs to let people know that they need to turn there. I can envision people

1:07:42continuing forward, thinking they can turn

1:07:45on Pierce, but they're not going to be able to anymore. So I was just kind of wondering if there's some

1:07:50I don't know for forethought about letting those cars know ahead of time that they this is your opportunity to turn. Don't go a block further. Because then you're stuck.

1:07:58Yeah, thank you for the question and suggestion. We can definitely with the projects currently be designed right now. So we can add that as a comment to the design plans to add directional signage. Okay, my second question is, I'm curious that it looks like there's an extension of San Mateo that's being created as a new new roadway.

1:08:18What's what's there now? Whose land is that now? And how is that land acquired?

1:08:24So the project does include right away acquisition to complete that connection. And so, if I can ask Halal to answer that question, thank you.

1:08:37Hi, my name is Hilal with the city of Richmond public work as senior civil engineer. So right away. Acquisition. It's it's ongoing we'll lead it.

1:08:48And we're still not yet with the negotiating with the owner. So we're looking sometimes towards the end of the year. Once we have our plaque, or you know, survey done. And then we still gonna start approaching the

1:09:05the property owner. So we have about 2, 2, 3 property owners that we need to acquire full take and the rest. Our easements

1:09:16are there buildings on those parcels? Now, there are. Okay. Yeah. There's 2 buildings and

1:09:23one restaurant. I don't know if you know, the areas might be impacted a little bit. But yes.

1:09:31thank you. Then my last question is about

1:09:35you. You mentioned that the cost, the long term cost, is borne by Pg. Road players.

1:09:41Is it a surcharge specific to El Cerrito and Richmond Pge customers, or is it spread broadly to all? Pg. Broadly, I mean to all resident, all residents in the Pg. And E. World? Not not specifically Richmond or El Cerrito. Well, we got

1:10:00our city. Of course we got the credit, and we we leading the this project. So the credits to towards us, not towards the city, not so much the credits. But

1:10:09whatever add on is on people's utility bills later. No, no, no.

1:10:15it's just basically undergrounding and connecting to the Resident, that's all. There's no additional charge to the residents

1:10:23the way I understand it, and we can follow up. But the way I understand it is that that is, work is spread across all Pg and E customers. And we're like, we're all paying for other rule. 28. Work. Okay, that's thank you.

1:10:40Thank you, Mayor, thank you for the presentation. And I I really enjoyed seeing all the details. So just to

1:10:52calm people in our community. None of that eminent domain roadway acquisition work is doing within the city of El Credo City limits. Correct?

1:11:01Yeah. Yes. So that's that's in Richmond. So it's not happening in El Cerrito. So I just want to make sure that people do not panic. Just yes, so just to. And so our council member brought it up. I just want to make sure that we're I may want to clarify, too. Can I bring up the presentation again?

1:11:26It's still there. No need to rescreen share.

1:11:33be sure.

1:11:56So meanwhile we'll have coordination with the once we get closer we'll get coordination with the residents, and we'll have focus meetings with them just to you know. It's it's gonna be a joint effort between Pg and E. City of Richmond. And

1:12:13I just wanted to clarify like the the major. You know, right of way. Acquisition is in this area here with the new roadway. That is the city of Richmond. There is a little sliver here. In this larger parcel.

1:12:27That's mostly in the city of Richmond, but there is a little part that's in El Cerrito and that's to like widen this area to put to add the left. Turn lane

1:12:41also to accommodate the A/C bus transit as well. Okay, thank you. And I know that that you explain that there's if Pg and E. Does the work, there's no cost to the Resident for that connection to the undergrounding system. Can you confirm that there is no that there is no cost expected for any part, not the design, not the undergrounding, not the

1:13:09none of that I'm confirming here. Pg, and e just talking to them almost every other day, just you know, making sure that we are in the same page. And

1:13:20the city of Richmond is leading this. And it's coming from our credit. So basically, we're taking care of everything here. Well, thank you very much for looking after our El Crito residents.

1:13:31And just have we gotten a lot of feedback from our residents when you did the outreach

1:13:38we did not hear back. Okay, thank you.

1:13:42Any questions. Council member Salzman. No questions. Okay? And councilmember Motyama, you actually asked my question, which wasn't a question. I just wanted to, as you said, reiterate for the community the part about if there is any overrun that that is actually going to go towards the Richmond credits a lot of times. We get kind of dinged with the the idea of overruns projects going, you know more. But even if it does go more to the community members, that's this is not our project. And so this is going to be covered by their credits.

1:14:11Okay.

1:14:13any. No other questions from the council, just to to add just the last sentence here. Pg, and E confirmed that, you know, with the credit. It will basically cover everything we have enough. And hopefully, we'll get Pg and E going. Okay, well.

1:14:34the public hearing is now open. Now is the time for members of the public who wish to provide public comments regarding this items. Request to speak can be submitted to the city clerk by completing the Speaker card, public comments will be taken in person. Only please remember to identify yourself in your city of residence. At the beginning of your comments. City clerk. Please proceed. Thank you. We do not have any requests to speak on this item. Okay, do I have a motion to close the public hearing?

1:15:02Second.

1:15:03so moved by Mayor pro temp quinto, and seconded by Council member Motiyama, City clerk. Will you please call the vote all those in favor, please say aye, aye, any opposed motion carries.

1:15:15Thank you very much. Thank you, Staff, don't we have to, if I may. That was

1:15:19to close the public hearing. You still need to take action on the resolution before you. Oh, you're right. There is a second motion here. Do I have a motion to approve the resolution? I moved. Okay. So, moved by Miltiyama, seconded by Mayor pro tem quinta, I have a motion city clerk. Will you please call the vote all those in favor, please say, aye, aye, any opposed

1:15:41motion carries. I'm not sure what's causing that feedback.

1:15:47Oh, that knocking I'll have. I'll have it. Look into it because I'm not sure I think it might be one of the mics of the dais. Yeah.

1:15:57okay.

1:15:59does she? Should she just turn on whenever she wants to speak. Yeah, I I think that might be a solution. And then we can have it. Look at it after the meeting to see if there's any connection issues

1:16:09all right. The next item is legislative platform study session. Can we please have the staff report?

1:16:19Thank you, Madam Mayor

1:16:21Council. My name is Alex Orlogas, the Assistant City manager. I'm here tonight with Dane Hutchings. He's the founder and CEO of the public California Public Policy group

1:16:33we call it Cppg. So just wanted to let you know I'm going to be using that acronym.

1:16:38We are here tonight to guide you through a study session for you to review and provide input on the draft of our city's first, st ever legislative platform.

1:16:51And as discussed in the Agenda Bill, we worked with Cppg, we've actually been working with Cppg. They were running public policy group at first, st but we've worked with them since fiscal year 2023 with Grant writing and became and began legislative advocacy services on a trial basis in fiscal year 2024. These services were formally added by council approval in fiscal year 2025

1:17:19I want to note that, Cppg, they play a key role in monitoring, analyzing, and advocating on state legislation and budgeted issues, impacting our city

1:17:31and having this legislative advocate in Sacramento really ensures that the city is informed about potential legislative changes and funding opportunities while also fostering those important relationships with State elected officials to make sure that our specific needs are heard and are understood at that statewide level.

1:17:54So with that creating and maintaining a legislative platform is critical and necessary for any city like us undergoing these efforts in Sacramento, and you'll hear much more about that in Dane's presentation.

1:18:09This platform, this draft platform before you is also aligned with the El Cerrito strategic plan, which in itself, as you remember, had an extensive development process. And this platform is really the result of many, many hours of Cppg and city staff from all all levels of the organization and all departments working to develop.

1:18:32So before I turn over to Dane. I do want to emphasize that this is a study session. It's intended solely to receive input. On the draft document before you. It's not an action item, and we are not seeking any decisions or votes. This evening. We are all ears, both Dane and I and I will be taking vigorous notes.

1:18:55and we plan to return to the City Council in March with an updated document for your review and consideration. And with that said, I will pass the mic to Dane. Thank you.

1:19:06Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and Council Dane Hutchings, with the California Public policy group.

1:19:13Just jump right in here. So we're gonna be reviewing just I did want to quickly highlight sort of what's happening right now in Sacramento state of play. If you will

1:19:24also touch on the legislative platform background and purpose.

1:19:29The drafting process. And then advocacy engagement.

1:19:44That was going to be my question. But I didn't know if that was more technical errors. Hey! How's how am I sounding now? Alright

1:19:54and just council members, just to let you know we did get feedback from our it staff, that the feedback noise and the cutting in and out cannot be heard on zoom or in the civic plus fee. So the audio is still going through, but it is cutting a little bit in and out with your microphone. We'll have to do some testing after the meeting. Thank you.

1:20:15Okay, here we go. Let's jump in.

1:20:18So before we jump into the platform, I did want to provide just a little overview, a really high level overview of what we have going on right now. So in this new 2 Year session that began on January 6, th we have

1:20:31a total of about 35 new lawmakers out of the 128 total. So we have 23 new Assembly members, and 12 new senators, state senators.

1:20:41Assemblywoman, Buffy Wicks has been your representative for some time now. She is now the chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which many regard as likely one of the most powerful committees in State government. She also sits on housing and community development, natural resources and privacy and consumer protection. Senator Freshman, Senator, replaces former Senator Nancy Skinner, how quickly we

1:21:11escape our mind! But you know one thing about Senator Erragine. Came in as a freshman is chairing 2 committees, which is, which is fairly rare. He's very, very engaged. We've had the pleasure of meeting he and his staff on a variety of issues already.

1:21:27He chairs the Senate Public Safety Committee human services, and then sits on a variety of other committees. Feedback from his staff is that he? He wants to go up there and really take care of business, and so really pleased to have him representing the city.

1:21:43So moving forward. You know, we we do have. In January, prior to the fires that took place in Los Angeles and Southern California.

1:21:56There was a small surplus projected in the State's General Fund budget. Of course this is fantastic opportunities for local agencies to seek district specific funding requests that being said, the devastation down in Southern California certainly has put a question mark with respect to the Budget uncertainty. One of the recent actions that the Governor took was delaying tax receipts for those impacted by those fires till October.

1:22:23We've seen this in years past with respect to other natural disasters, torrential floods, mudslides, other fires. And so it does put a little bit of a cloudies up the crystal ball a bit, but we still feel like we're the States in a strong position.

1:22:39Thus far

1:22:41there's still over a thousand measures that have been introduced. A 1,000 individual pieces of legislation that have been introduced, a lot of which touch on areas such as governmental transparency and operations, housing and land use, wildfire prevention and mitigation energy utilities and solid waste, public safety and emergency services all of these things that this city has its fingers on. And so we project that there will be

1:23:03likely over, you know, 2,500, over certainly over 2,000 pieces of legislation introduced really, by the end of the of this Friday, the Friday, the 21st is the bill introduction deadline.

1:23:14And one thing I did want to note is that there's something else here. That's sort of just it

1:23:20we're going to have to navigate. And that, really, simply put, is the California's ability to work with Washington, DC, and so I certainly want to thread that needle of of upholding our values. While at the same time recognizing that we want to still stay competitive. And we we you know, we need our Federal partners for critical funding all over the State of California, including El Cerrito. So all of these things are going to be playing out, and I and I'll note that

1:23:44Governor Newsom really has I think, tempered his tone with respect to the ability to want to work with the Administration, and I think that message is being received to State lawmakers across the State as well. And so we're we're hopeful that we can be opportunistic where we can but certainly want to uphold California values

1:24:04so shifting to the legislative platform. You know, one of the the key benefits is, we want to make sure that we're creating a helpful guide for communicating with various stakeholders about the city's priorities. And so not only your State delegation, which I know that this, that this Council has a fantastic relationship with its its delegation. But it's about communicating that message to the other 118 lawmakers across the State as well. And not only to them.

1:24:33but to the administration, regulatory administrative bodies. Your residents and the general public at large, and app

1:24:42the platform also allows the city to have a game plan.

1:24:45You. You would be shocked to know that there were 5,564 bills introduced in the 2022, or I'm sorry. 2023, 2024 legislative session.

1:24:56It is incredibly hard to try to sift through all of those bills and having a game plan, allowing your legislative advocates and your staff to to effectively screen those bills, figure out what matters. What doesn't matter to the city really does enhance our ability to advocate on your behalf. And I'll note that

1:25:16out of those 5,500 bills. About 2,600 have had some impact or could have some impact to various local government agencies because of the services that we provide to our residents across the State. So it's certainly good to have a game plan. Understand that we want to be a part of the solution. We want to be at the table, not on the menu.

1:25:39Additionally. Yeah, this provides guidance and direction to city staff. As we're kind of going through all of those measures. So it allows us to secure important

1:25:50Oh.

1:25:52amendments in the process helps us establish. You know, engagement early on for budget deadlines, as well as for the for the throughout the legislative process and its deadlines.

1:26:02it allows immediate engagement on legislation throughout the process. So whether that's securing amendments early, or even as we saw. You know what we tend to see typically every year legislation dropping with maybe only a week or 2 in the entire legislative session, and so traditionally, a piece of legislation will will be introduced in January or February, and it will move through, and the Governor will sign it in either August or September, depending on the timing. But we've seen legislation

1:26:28that's very comprehensive. That has direct impact to our city clients. That are that is introduced 1012 days before the session

1:26:36concludes, even 3 days before the session concludes, which is the constitutional deadline for bills to be to be amended. So again allows us to jump right in and engage immediately in that process.

1:26:50So, moving on to the drafting process as the assistant city manager mentioned.

1:26:55We held a series of deep dive meetings with your departmental staff. Mostly, we're 60 min occasionally. We're 90 min in length, really digging into the details and so

1:27:06assessing policies that have an impact on departmental operations looking at major issues, projects, initiatives at the city. That, we need to be aware of that. The that we need to sort of vet against some of the policies that are that are pending throughout the process.

1:27:21looking at and assessing your critical funding needs or priorities that we should know more about. And then, of course, how we can best serve as your legislative advocate.

1:27:30It's also important to note that in crafting the platform this initial draft, we really did have your strategic plan in mind, which we worked very closely with your staff on

1:27:41one slide that I did. Want to add, I guess there's a secondary slide on this as well as I wanted to provide a little bit more clarity with respect to the process on how this would, how this would take effect, assuming it would be be adopted at a later date.

1:27:57So the the point here is is certainly not to usurp council, direction, authority. Here, in fact, I am an advocate of council discretion that is my, that is my primary job is making sure that your voices are heard up here in Sacramento. Why, we want to have a platform and really a robust platform number one. It's because of all the bills that are introduced. We want to make sure that we're keeping a watchful eye. Number 2.

1:28:20We want to make sure that we're engaging properly in in a timely manner.

1:28:27When I I know that the the the platform and policy is is outlined fully in an attachment one but wanted to provide this clarity with respect to the discussion today. So

1:28:41we want to make sure that. And it's fairly standard practice that if a position is clearly consistent with the adopted platform, the city manager would be authorized to request the mayor, or in the mayor's absence. The mayor pro tem. To sign an advocacy letter without taking the item to Council.

1:29:00Revised advocacy. Letters and advocacy activities may continue to be submitted on behalf of the city. So what does that mean? So once we've we see something that's that's aligned with the platform, we take the appropriate position on that piece of legislation

1:29:13between the time that we have drafted, perhaps that initial, you know, opposed, unless amended letter or that support letter. That bill. That same bill is likely to be amended

1:29:2412 times in a in a fairly short period of time, and so to be able to continue that direction throughout the process is critical versus having to once the bills amended, whether it be technical or substantive, have to come back. Do another staff report come back and present and then receive further direction. So you know, we wanna make sure that we are staying engaged throughout the process. And what we're what we're

1:29:49seeing here with respect to our process is saying, okay, want to make sure that we can get

1:29:54Mayor Sign or Mayor pro tem's signature on this prior to formally engaging on that piece of legislation

1:30:02things like advocacy, letters testifying and policy committees attending meetings with State legislative, regulatory and administrative agencies, negotiating amendments or comments on policy, legislative, regulatory, or administrative actions that impact the city

1:30:19seeking funding for key programs. That support city initiatives and meeting with stakeholders involved in, you know, legislative, regulatory, and administrative proposals.

1:30:30And then talking about sort of these ex, you know, extenuating circumstances.

1:30:35So there are times, I mean, here's here's a clear example. From last year there was a bill that that dropped. It was Assembly Bill 98. It was a complete what was sort of known as a gut and amend meaning. It was a bill that was an Assembly bill that was over in the Senate.

1:30:51All of the language was completely stripped out of the bill 35 pages of new language was inserted into the bill the Wednesday before the Saturday, which was the deadline at midnight, so it was about 74 h. Notice that this

1:31:04rewrite of a bill was introduced. There was just no way for

1:31:10any of our clients to be able to take these things to council. You know some of them mayors were, you know, mayors, vice mayors, were on, you know, vacation or or unavailable over the weekend.

1:31:21And so in those types of circumstances, circumstances, we had. Several clients have their city manager author a letter in those cases right? And it really did overhaul land, use authority for every local agency. And it's something that I know that my team and and legal California cities is working hard to clean up this year to provide more clarity and some relief

1:31:41for local agencies. But it was, in fact, signed into law. And so you know, these types of things happen through the budget process. These things happen.

1:31:50you know, every year on a variety of issues. And so there are some of these really tight timelines, where, with your indulgence, we would engage. When we understand that these

1:32:01would have, for example, they they still align with the city's platform, they would directly impact the city's finances, responsibility, or legal authority. And they were to, and the legislation is either intended to protect or increases local revenues. And so, under these types of circumstances, would be sort of that 3rd lever where the city manager would have the opportunity. But frankly.

1:32:23the intent here is to ensure that Council is fully apprised of the actions that they reflect the platform, and that the mayor, or in the mayor's absence, the mayor pro tem would would author these these letters on various actions.

1:32:41So now, jumping to the you know the the content of the platform as it it is, fully covered in attachment one but you know, at a very high level. I didn't want to, you know. Just read every platform statement on on a microphone here.

1:32:59So you know, we touched on housing and land use. So an example would be supporting legislation that takes a comprehensive approach to housing production. You know El Cerrito was one of the 1st pro housing cities in the State. It's time that you all are recognized for that good work other than a participation trophy. We want to make sure that we're that we're getting funding, that we're getting credit, that where credit is is due

1:33:19on the transportation front, you know, supporting regional transportation projects, such as Barton, Ec. Transit huge, I mean, you know, being so close to the Bart center the library project. The entire thing is just ripe for Tod. It is such a. It's a model project across the State, and we want to make sure that we're at the table and advocating for the completion of that project.

1:33:40With governance, transparency and administration, balancing public trust, increasing public participation. But then, taking a look at those unfunded mandates. I mean, we. We get these all the time where we've got top down. Laws that say, you must do this, and here's no money to pay for it, and so ensuring that if there is going to be a new requirement in law that we can work with our State partners to try to secure funding for the implementation of those policies.

1:34:07Wildfire, of course, very, very relevant. Not only what we've seen in Southern California, but you know, we know that we are at risk here in the city as well, and so working with your team on supporting legislation and funding to implement. Wildfire prevention efforts, home hardening fuels, mitigation but ensuring that we are partnering with the State on

1:34:29State fire, severity zones, and not just a top down approach where whereby we have no say to the unique topography, wind conditions and things like that that really have an impact to our city on public safety, talking about supporting legislation. That report

1:34:45promotes the responsible and ethical use of crime fighting technology.

1:34:49supporting, funding to make public safety building upgrades on the park and recreation side supporting legislation, funding for the development and maintenance of parks supporting legislation that promotes walkable or bikeable communities. And so that's a high level overview. But of course happy to take any questions and looking forward to discussion. Thank you.

1:35:12Okay, thank you so much. Are there any questions from the Council?

1:35:18Questions and comments. Yes, and I apologize. I have a lot. Thank you for the presentation.

1:35:27I appreciate all the work that went into this, and I see, there's a lot of detail and a lot of thought put into it. I am very concerned about the approach of we are in this. If we do adopt it, and I'm glad we're not voting on it tonight. I think this was a good approach to bring for a conversation and then see where we wanted to go on a vote in a couple of weeks.

1:35:48But if we do adopt this as it's written, we are handing over our authority, and a lot of these statements within the legislative platform are extremely broad, and can be construed by different people to mean different things. So some of them, I might say, Oh, yeah, I support this. But then I talked to Lisa, and she thinks it means a different thing. And I talked to Karen, and she thinks it means a different thing. So they're not.

1:36:12They can be interpreted in different ways, and I'll go through a bunch of examples. I've served on several bodies made up of elected officials, and never have we just completely handed over authority, including bodies that met

1:36:26once every 2 months, or once every month we figured out a way to make it work, and it's true there were some exceptions where there was a bill that was such a high priority. We knew there were going to be negotiations. So in that one case, we said, we give authority to the, you know, President of the Board and the Executive to make a decision, and we give them the authority to negotiate under this framework. So I think

1:36:50we can do that while still saying general legislative position should come to the Council. I don't feel comfortable giving lots of broad statements and saying, Go, figure this out because I'm ultimately accountable for any position, and there might be some positions that come forward that I actually completely disagree with. But then I've signed off on it, saying, I approve it essentially so for me. That's as an elected official representing community members. That's very problematic with me.

1:37:19So I I don't feel comfortable with the overall approach, but just to bring up some

1:37:25some of the language in here, and I just highlighted a bunch of things that could mean

1:37:29one thing or could be in another. So under the housing section supports legislation that permits flexibility for cities over the entitlement process.

1:37:39Flexibility can mean a lot of things. It could mean a thing that, you know, makes housing easier to build. It could mean something that makes housing harder. To build. Flexibility means a lot of things. Number 8 oppose legislation that penalizes cities that have been acting in good faith to support housing. That sounds great. And for El Cerrito I would support that because we have actually been acting in good faith. But there are

1:38:03dozens, or probably over 100 cities in the State that say they've been acting in good faith, and they really haven't. And so I don't think it's okay for them to say I'm acting in good faith. So you know, we should not penalize them. I think you know, at some point I actually support penalizing them. So I I don't support that. But these are just some examples about how they can be construed in different ways. 11 opposed legislation that requires unnecessary updates to local general plans.

1:38:31What does unnecessary mean? Who decides what is unnecessary? Again, there's some things I agree, probably wouldn't be unnecessary. But it's just too broad.

1:38:40Going to the Public Safety Section

1:38:44support legislation that prevents and reduces drug related crimes. I won't read the whole rest of them.

1:38:50Often. Things that say they're trying to prevent and reduce drug related crime have nothing to do with prevention. They have everything to do with criminalization, often criminalization of black and brown communities very much, not in support of that the part about treatment is great, but again, these can be construed in different ways. And so that's why I'm not comfortable handing this over

1:39:13support legislation that promotes the responsible and effective use of drones. What does that mean? Who decides what that means? I agree there should be responsible and effective use. But like, there's no clear definition of that. So we need to have these discussions. Oppose one size fits all ban on specialized equipment for law enforcement. I won't read the whole rest of it, but there might be some equipment that comes out that actually, we do want a ban on. I mean, I don't.

1:39:41Technology is changing all the time. So like I can't foresee what's coming next, and there might be something that we all agree that needs to be banned. So I don't think we should have such a broad statement there.

1:39:53Moving down to transportation and public works. This is actually something I'm okay with, including Number 14. But I would actually want to broaden this one. It says, support legislation that facilitates and funds increasing the number of electric vehicle charging stations and the related infrastructure. I would say we shouldn't just limit that to vehicles, but also to bicycles, e-bikes

1:40:19onto more language that's not totally clear. Support, 18 support, effective leveraging of energy efficiency programs tailored to address local needs and concerns. I have no idea what that means. So would love to know.

1:40:3622 supports, legislation increasing the flexibility of compliance with clean fleet regulations and mandates

1:40:43that could mean a lot of things, including saying we're going to support getting rid of all regulations on clean fleets. So I don't support that.

1:40:51Let's see, I think there was a couple other ones here. Okay, going back down to governments. Governance transparency.

1:41:01Number 6 support legislation that promotes the ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Again, what does ethical and responsible use mean? I think we would probably all 5 of us have different definitions.

1:41:15And then 8 oppose legislation that would negatively impact the city's finances, responsibilities, legal authority, operations, program services and infrastructure on its face. That sounds great.

1:41:26But maybe there's something that we think is so important that it's okay. If it has a small negative impact on one of those things. I mean, we have a lot of different priorities in the strategic plan, and some of them might have some, you know, negative impact on finances or something else. And we might say, You know, that's worthwhile, because that's a trade off. So I just

1:41:46I think I'd like to kind of go back to the drawing board and have a different approach. Everybody I've been on, and that I followed have kind of more of like a 2 page thing actually very similar to the summary that you just presented to us. That's very broad, and that kind of is more

1:42:03targeted on what our top concerns are not a whole laundry list of all I mean. With this we could take a position on 500 bills. Is that strategic? I don't. I don't know that it is. I think we should figure out what you know. Our priorities really are. And we should set up a structure where you can come to us and get input. Get sign off whatever that is, every month every other month and create a process where, especially when we're getting into the end of the legislative session, which, unfortunately, is when we have a bunch of

1:42:32canceled council meetings that we can give authority on specific legislation that is top priority to have some more flexibility. So that's where I would like to see this move. Sorry that I had so many issues to raise

1:42:47council. Member Motiana.

1:42:49Thank you, Mayor. Thank you for the presentation, and having been the beneficiary of having the the lobby tour of

1:42:59Sacramento, and seeing how effective it was to get ourselves in front of department heads and electeds there to kind of talk about El Cerrito and kind of raise our profile so that we can get support for funding, I think, was really really useful, and you know I never really quite understood lobbying before, but that that all made sense to me. So I appreciate that we're doing this, and I appreciate the the approach, because I think

1:43:25not so much. I I perceive this as not so much kind of blanket authority to advocate for stuff, but more of a sieve to say, if we throw 5,000 pieces of lavish legislation into this bucket and shake it out. According to these concepts, what will, what will remain and what what should we focus on? Because, you know, we are a small city, so we don't have like

1:43:51multiple lobbyists for each issue following multiple things. And so I think we do have a lot of wants. And clearly, these lists are very long, but we need to to winnow it down in in a way that doesn't impact staff significantly. That allows us to be efficient. So I don't think, you know I wouldn't want to give up our authority either, but I think we need something

1:44:19to help us winnow down, to to get to legislatively what our priorities are. And I think the hard part is that we have to have this thing. That's kind of broad, because we don't know what kind of legislation, and what the details are that are coming. So so I do appreciate all the work that went into this, especially the staff contributions

1:44:39so.

1:44:41given that I do have some questions and concerns about some of the items. One is on housing Number 5 regarding the short term rentals, and so I know I've asked this before, and I should probably know what it is. But what is our policy towards short term rentals? And

1:45:01how is that working so it can staff respond to that.

1:45:06I believe Sean is on

1:45:16great. Okay.

1:45:17Sean Moss (Planning Manager): Hi! council members Shawn Moss planning manager. I'm sorry. Council Member Motoyama. Can you repeat your question?

1:45:27Can you tell me what the current policy is for short term rentals, and how that's been going.

1:45:33Sean Moss (Planning Manager): Yes, so currently.

1:45:37So the city has an ordinance. Well, in the city's zoning ordinance

1:45:43bed and breakfasts are regulated. That's a land use category, and there are specific standards for bed and breakfasts

1:45:51and homeowners.

1:45:55Single family homeowners who live in their single family homes. Can get an administrative use, permit to operate a bed and breakfast there. There are limitations on that use. There are limitations on the number of bedrooms that can be operated as a bed and breakfast and other limitations. To date. We have a handful of approved

1:46:21bed and breakfasts. I think there's about. I want to say there's about 5 of them citywide

1:46:27so obviously, you know, I I think we're all aware that there are other short term rentals that are operating in the city. I did when I received your question by writing earlier today. I I did just some quick research. And

1:46:45you know, searched Airbnb, and it seems to be. It's very difficult, because the you know the rentals are the nature of them is, you know, a unit might be available one day, and not the next, or one weekend, and not the next. So it's it's kind of hard to say how many we have in the city at any one time. But I I did a couple of a few different searches for different

1:47:08different durations, and you know there appear to be somewhere in the neighborhood of

1:47:12a dozen 15 ish, you know, less than 20 kind of at any time.

1:47:19So we do do up. We do do

1:47:22enforcement on these, as we are made aware of of problems regarding illegally operating short term rentals.

1:47:33And you know there have been several. We have had several code enforcement matters that have been opened up as a result of complaints that we've received. It's not we. We have a an FAQ, also on the website. That kind of gives the rules about bed and breakfasts and short term rentals. And what the current rules are. It's not. It's a difficult enforcement

1:47:58issue, because it takes a tremendous amount of staff time and resources to do enforcement on these, and so it hasn't been a leading priority yet at this time we did in the past start an effort with the planning Commission to create some rules, to regulate short term rentals more closely, and that effort

1:48:26kind of stalled for a variety of reasons. It might be something we we pick back up in the future. As you know, kind of as as our our time and and priorities allow. So hopefully. That answers your question. I can happy to provide additional information if you need it.

1:48:42Thank you. So it just seems surprising as a priority for lobbying.

1:48:47Given that. Okay. On

1:48:51Wildfire number 4. Insurance. It seems to be just for at risk residents. But I think in in our case we're all at risk

1:49:03and so anything regarding insurance reform would be something that would probably be of interest to everybody in town, including

1:49:12our Government work as well. So so broadening the concept of in insurance. And then

1:49:21for Number 5 under Wildfire, the clearing of trees.

1:49:27I think one of the things that I think is important with all of this is to keep with the Vegetation management plan, and when that's completed and brought to us and the Climate Action plan, because I think the clearance of trees

1:49:45there's a lot of best practices about maintaining ecosystem. So I think that there's a lot of of you know. Again, as Council Member Saltzman, there's a lot of nuance around all these items.

1:49:59on public safety. It

1:50:01it was in your summary, but not so clearly in the public safety response about you know, keeping in mind civil liberties and curbs on technology that are ethical. So I know, I trust that our

1:50:17police and fire are ethical. I just wanna make sure that it's translating into our policy positions to give that more strength.

1:50:28On transportation number 4.

1:50:35the opposed legislation and or funding that substantially increase vehicle capacity on roads without equal investment in supporting transit, and alternatives that lessen vehicle demand. One thing that is not.

1:50:49or should be included in that, or maybe some other number. Is that what are the the

1:50:54concerns that we have as a city? Is that our, you know gasoline tax? We rely on that. And since cars are turning to electricity, we really need to look at something else to support the the maintenance of our roads. So you're looking switching from, you know, gas tax to, you know Bmt or some other metric to support that ongoing

1:51:21and then I know we have in the

1:51:27number 24 is the under transportation is where the climate, action, and adaptation plan is for carbon neutrality. I think anything related to climate.

1:51:40and energy efficiency, fossil fuel reduction. All that needs to be, I think, more permeated through all of the policy positions.

1:51:52So those are my comments.

1:51:55Thank you.

1:51:56Thank you. Council Member Council members. I'll start with Mayor Turretin.

1:52:01Let me go first.st Yeah. Why don't you go ahead? Alright?

1:52:06thank you, Dane, for your presentation and all your work on this. It is important, and I appreciate it.

1:52:13I, too, share many of the same concerns expressed particularly by Councilmember Saltzman. As as I read through this, my reaction was to think so many of the so much of the terminology was subjective.

1:52:25and whether it was, you know, what's what is a good actor. What is excessive? What is? I'm not gonna go go point by point, but you know terms such as humanely supported. Well, one person's version of what that is is different from another person's, and

1:52:38you know something that's unnecessary. Well, one person thinks it's necessary. Some other person thinks it's not.

1:52:43and throughout the whole list. I just kept coming across terms. I thought, well, amongst us, we're going to look at it differently, and that's fine.

1:52:50But if we're removed from the process and handing it over to someone else. There's not that opportunity to discuss this where they are amongst ourselves.

1:52:58And I, you know I might come out in the minority sometimes or other times the majority. But there will be differences. And it's important, I think, to work through those differences and understand people's different perspectives, and why

1:53:10I do understand that there are last minute actions taken in Sacramento that need to be responded to immediately. I think that's a little different. I I don't know what the solution is. I hadn't thought of this so much as a relinquishing of authority until Councilman mentioned that, and then kind of light bulb went off my head. And I thought, Yeah, kind of is what it feels like. And that's worrisome, because I know there are differences in how terms are

1:53:35interpreted. And you know, different values that we have. And another example would be.

1:53:41you know, issues around AI and technology and law enforcement clearly differences within our community with amongst us, even about what's appropriate, what's not? What are things to be cautious about? What are things to feel wrong with.

1:53:55So I just I share that anxiety about these

1:54:00very subjective terms, that we may not all be on the same page with.

1:54:04and I will leave it at that.

1:54:06Mayor pro tem. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you very much for this presentation. I overall support

1:54:14of this. And looking at you know, but

1:54:19making sure that El Cerrito has a say when it comes to future legislation

1:54:27is so important. So looking at this overall

1:54:31and knowing the Jpas that the city belongs to

1:54:36it, it goes hand in hand with the future of making sure El Cerrito has a say in what we do statewide, and also on the Federal level and in my leadership role in the League of California Cities.

1:54:52I know the Legislature has made a lot of changes with.

1:54:59instead of putting out as much bills and and potential bills as possible to limit it to 35 and 35 only. So hopefully that went through looking at the things that you put here regarding community choice aggregation. And we play an important role in what we do

1:55:23with our Jpa with marine clean energy.

1:55:27So definitely trying to get to 2045 faster is so important. So but

1:55:34you know, it's it's the main things that we work on, and that what all cities work on overall.

1:55:41So and I know you've worked with the League of California Cities in the past. So appreciate

1:55:48your leadership on that. And what you're trying to do with the city of El Cerritos. So I know there isn't there. There's some legislation that I certainly don't support, even though the League supports.

1:56:04But overall I want to make sure that

1:56:08we look at this, and we look at what the League stands for as a future President of the League, and then I'll be President in October.

1:56:17I want to make sure that the things we work on, especially when it comes to public safety. We're looking at the Los Angeles Division, all 88 plus cities. They want more. When it comes to public safety. They want to see the data on the 18 bills that Democrats pushed

1:56:38but so working that angle to make sure we will most likely vote on this on my board on Thursday and Friday of this week.

1:56:48We want to see the data on these bills that are passed to make sure that they're truly working, because we look at cities next to us that have gone sideways because they don't know what bills passed and what didn't so know that our police department, our fire department

1:57:07they're doing the best that they can do, and I want to support them when it comes to.

1:57:13You know, dealing with situations here in El Cerrito. But we want to look at the whole picture statewide as well, and we have a different view when it comes to public safety here than what the city of Oakland has.

1:57:28But we also know why Oakland residents are moving to El Cerrito, because they don't have the public safety we have here. So

1:57:38we look at businesses that have left Oakland and San Francisco. And hey, we want to make sure that these Oakland businesses have every opportunity to move to El Cerrito, or different parts of Contra Costa, and I know you're looking at the business parks where Chevron used to take the lead in San Ramon. They are wining and dining.

1:58:00You know the last of the corporations that are in these cities that have gone sideways because of no public safety. So, taking a more pragmatic approach of what we need to do here and support it up and down. But I want to make sure that we also look at the League of California cities perspective, because we're giving a statewide view.

1:58:23More pragmatic view, nonpartisan view. We look at the politics here in our progressive bubble

1:58:31of the East Bay, and a lot of times these things don't add up. And you know, and I want to make sure that we deal with these issue by issue, instead of what

1:58:41the Democratic party of what the Republican Party says. So that this is the most important thing that we're looking at with the League of California Cities to make sure when it comes to all these bills that were passed, that we study this. And the way to study is this is to get the data. So I hope you can help us on that in the future.

1:59:04Thank you.

1:59:05Thank you so much. Mayor pro tem. And I want to also. Thank you, Dane, for the work that you are doing, and I'm going to echo some of what councilmember Motoyama said. I probably will amp it up a little bit, because, she said she approved of the approach. I want to say that I love the approach, and I'm going to tell you why.

1:59:20and I want to 1st say that this dais is a nonpartisan dais. But I did have the opportunity. I do currently serve on the California Democratic Party's Platform Committee.

1:59:31and it was a bit confusing, because before that I was on the Legislative Committee, and I didn't really understand what we were doing. We were having a legislator come before us and ask us to endorse things for the party. And I'm like, what? How are we making a decision what is going on until I got on the platform committee, and I realized that the platform is the Bible.

1:59:49and I would have to ask mayor pro tem kinto and council member multiyama. But I don't recall, since I've been on this dais that we've had a Bible of really what is our standard. What do we stand for, and what are we going out and actually lobbying for? When we go to National League of Cities and speak with the Congress members. When we go to Cal cities and speak with the State legislators. Even I recall we had a conversation here on the dais at the end of the year

2:00:13where we were actually considering what we were voting for at Cal cities. And we didn't agree with what Cal City says. So we do have these conversations on the day it's not about. It's not at all about handing over control, except for the times when it will have to come to the mayor or the city manager, and that's

2:00:30heavier is the head that wears the crown sometimes that that's what happens. There's going to be times where we're not always going to be able to do the thing, but we have to have a Bible of some sort, so we can say we support legislation that prevents and reduces drug related crimes, whatever that is. We want to haggle about the wording as we're putting together the document. As this is a study session. That's fine. But we need a document like this because we need someone who's going to lobby for us and to speak with the legislators. We're not always going to be the ones that's going to be doing it.

2:00:59and for me. And I spoke to you, Dane, about this earlier before our council meeting I mean Mayor pro tem kento, and I have spoken to Congressman Gary Mendy, I think, 3 years now, or it will be 3 years at National League of cities, and we go into him. And we say, You know, this is what we're doing. We're trying to build a library, you know, we need a public safety building. We'll have these kind of loose conversations about what our needs are and what the city is doing. But this is somewhat thing for us to always point back to

2:01:25and for me whether it's in legislation, whether it's in art, whatever it is. You always go back to the basic thing. You go back to the Bible. We need a Bible, so I thank you for this work that you're doing. I wholeheartedly support it. I like my Council Member peers would like to see us kind of workshop some of the language around some of the things, the only one that I pulled out, and it may apply to a lot of a lot of them. We need money for a whole bunch of things.

2:01:49We need money for a lot. So some of them you had just supports, legislation, and some of you had support, legislation and or funding. There are a couple of them where we need to make sure we're saying the one that I pulled out was the one on senior services. Everybody knows we support, we we, you know, support senior services.

2:02:08but they also know that we need a senior center, and we don't. We say that we don't have the money to do that yet. So I want in our on our literature and our platform to say we are seeking funding for us to get a senior center at some point.

2:02:20So that's the only thing that I would really

2:02:23say about it right now is that I'm glad that you brought this before. I'm glad you put this in much thought. I want to thank the staff members who clearly went to Dane with the priorities of what our strategic plans are in various parts of our city. And I want to highlight the community member that talked about the work going on on San Pablo. I live right there on that corner at the Mayfairly Building. It's terrible every time I try and get an uber, or try and drive out. I say, who did this to the street?

2:02:47Oh, we did this to the street, so I want to thank all the staff members who brought this so that we know what we're actually. But I'm glad to have a core that we can start and work from from there.

2:02:59That's my, that's my commentary. Okay?

2:03:03Oh, yes, go ahead.

2:03:05So it sounds like different council members have different opinions on how this will be implemented. So I'd love to know is the intention that you would come to the Council for legislative positions, and only when you absolutely needed to take positions without council, or how I read it is that nothing would come to the Council for for a position. It would just go to the city manager. So what? What is the intention?

2:03:31Good, happy to provide clarity? So

2:03:36we as a as a firm. And and this is fairly standard practice, for you know any any city that has a a legislative advocate that is asked to engage on behalf of their client to the to the Legislature uses the an adopted platform to advocate on those specific needs. And so because of the large volume of legislation, how quickly it moves, and

2:04:04to Council member, Monteyama Monteyama's Point.

2:04:09we. The the document is broad because it is inherently reactive.

2:04:15We can try and sponsor a piece of legislation and move forward, but it is broad, because we have to see what the legislature comes up with. We take that, and then we have, you know, our discretion under the platform.

2:04:27But the idea is for the Council to

2:04:29come to a consensus on a, on a set of ideals that provides guidance to staff

2:04:35and and to you know your consultant to engage on the city's behalf. I will say

2:04:42you know, number one. This is not a a you know, a gauntlet that says, we have to engage on every single piece of legislation that touches the platform, because to your point we would engage on 500 bills, and that is certainly not the intent

2:04:56you know. I I've got. I got 5 lobbyists, my team. I don't know if I could engage in 500 bills for one city. That would be one heck of a feat.

2:05:04You know, I would say. You know anecdotally some of our, some of our most active full service. City clients may engage anywhere between 20 and 30 bills per year but this is you know, you know, when I say actively engage. I mean, you know, submit a position letter work on trying to secure amendments to a piece of legislation, advance a piece of legislation.

2:05:26But what we do in the background is using this platform. Say, Okay, what matters and what doesn't matter. And then the things that do matter. Let's go through and really analyze those bills. And we provide very detailed a level analysis primarily for Staff's purposes, because they they have so many things they've got going on and say, Okay, take this 35 page Bill. Synthesize it for me, highlight. Why, specifically, it's gonna impact El Cerrito.

2:05:50And then at that point we go. Okay, is this worthy for us to take a formal position on the platform, you know, using our platform, and then we would then go with, you know, and and move in that direction, ensuring that the mayor or mayor pro tem under the approved platform can engage

2:06:07I would also note that this is not a. There is nothing prohibiting an individual council member from expressing their views that dissent from perhaps what's on the platform. So we've had cases where? Where clients you know, where a city will provide a support letter for a piece of legislation, and one council member will submit their own opposition letter and say, I I you know I just sent from you know the Council, and certainly don't. you know. Want to make you know. Have everyone, you know.

2:06:36submit their own, you know letters on things, but that is certainly an option, and I know that it's part of our process as we continue to engage with you.

2:06:46Another method that we also include is making sure that when the city does take a position on a piece of legislation. That Council was made aware of that position. And so there's no council member that feels as though they've been blindsided, or, you know, gets a phone call from someone saying, Hey, you all position on this piece of legislation. Folks are aware of what's happening. But to, to.

2:07:08you know frankly, to have

2:07:11to have every piece of legislation go through the deliberative process of the brown act to be notified, deliberated, discussed at, you know at length, and then, you know a a direction is given. By the time that happens, the the piece of legislation may have already been amended 3 or 4 times, and and I mean? That's just. You know. I've been doing this for 20 years. I've been representing local governments for, for you know, over 10, and for a full service city

2:07:38that has, you know, a host of different policy areas that they have to, you know, keep their eye on

2:07:47having some flexibility and being nimble throughout the process is critical for effective engagement. And and I mean

2:07:56that that has been my, that has been my experience, and and really the the standard for most firms? Who engage with with local agencies. Can I ask a follow up question? Then make one comment. Have you had situations where a city manager has taken a position based off this long laundry list. And then it was found out that a majority of the Council did not support that position. And what would you do if that happened

2:08:22in in my career that has not yet happened? Most city managers are, have a pretty strong sense of self preservation, and know who their bosses are. And and you know, I trust the city administrator to to ensure that if something just doesn't feel right.

2:08:36Let's kick it to council, get their feedback on it. That's typically what happened. But I have not been in a situation whereby city managers directed me as their advocate, to position on something where the majority of Council disagreed. No, that is good to know. I just do want to state there are many other ways of doing this, and I've also worked on State legislation for more than 20 years as an advocate

2:08:57in working for nonprofits, but also as an elected official for 12 years, and I've never done it this way.

2:09:04So there are other ways to do it without it being burdensome to the staff or to the body. So at Bart and at the Alameda County Transportation Commission every year we would adopt a platform that was usually about 2 pages long, maybe at most 3 pages long. That showed our top priorities not all the laundry list of all the things we could potentially weigh in, but like

2:09:27this is what we're gonna focus on this year. And it changed from year to year because certain years there were different things. There were safety issues that came up there were funding issues that came up, and so they were slightly different every year. And then we said to our staff, and our lobbyists, go figure out. You know what are the bills, and then bring them to us.

2:09:43and then they wouldn't bring each bill in a separate hearing. They'd bring a slew of bills, so they might bring 10 bills at once and say, these are the bills.

2:09:52Take a position. Maybe a couple of us would have questions on a couple. Sometimes we just approve them all without even having discussion, because it was so clear to approve them. So it doesn't have to be this burdensome process to get the Council to weigh in and vote. There are many ways to do this. This is not the only way to do it. I absolutely agree that we need a document that says where we stand, I'm kind of surprised it hasn't happened before. It's

2:10:17so I I'm glad we're creating a document. I just, I'm not comfortable with this way, and if we do go this way with this language, as it's stated today, I will vote. No, even though I agree with a lot of the priorities in the document.

2:10:31Thank you, Mayor. So I have participated in kind of advocacy work.

2:10:41and I know that that's different, because, being an advocate and being a local government is not the same thing.

2:10:49And you know, I I'm sure there are many ways to do this. But I

2:10:54no, we don't have a whole lot of time. Staff does not have the bandwidth to

2:11:01analyze a lot of legislation for us. So

2:11:06I was wondering how you kind of see us moving forward, because in my experience of kind of having to jump on legislative things. That there's usually some.

2:11:18you know, communication like Oh, here are the 3 pieces of legislation that you may want to keep your eye on, and it comes out as like a bulletin, or or some.

2:11:29you know, notice, and then we can kind of follow, and then you then there'll be like, Oh, 2 of them die, but one of them is moving forward and it's changed. So we're we're following along, as you know, as soon as the bill is identified.

2:11:43what happens so is that something that you do, or we're really trying to just get down to? Okay, here's a pretty cooked bill. And we think it's problematic, or how how, how does this kind of interplay of us understanding and knowing in real time what's going on without having to like.

2:12:03have a whole nother department in our city to kind of get that information to us.

2:12:10So it.

2:12:13I guess the answer is, yes, to all of it. We so you know our our team

2:12:18takes the legislative platform, and I guess I should start by saying what I'm hearing from from everybody, and what we'll work with your staff on is simplify, and that's fine. I think over time.

2:12:29You know we can. We can continue. You know, this is a living document that's not meant to be set in stone. But it's something that is assessed typically once at the beginning of each legislative cycle. So every 2 years. But can certainly you know what we do, I should probably also back up and say, You know.

2:12:46I think as you all you adopt a platform, whatever form it it takes. I have a feeling that there are going to be now, folks with a watchful eye saying, Hey, why are we positioning on this? What's going on with this, you know, and we're gonna start receiving that feedback from counsel to to staff. What we do is we catalog all of those. So if it falls outside of the platform, we would say, well, it falls outside of the platform, so we would want to take a formal position. We would need to take it to stay with, you know. Do a staff report, take it to council.

2:13:13and and and act on that.

2:13:16We catalog all those, and we take those, and then we do a series of of another round of of of deep dives, and and connect with with with staff, and and if needed, counsel. Excuse me to then make modifications to that plot platform we see this is sort of a living and breathing document that continues to be continues to evolve over time.

2:13:37We take the platform, and then, as we see pieces of legislation coming in, you know, a perfect example we were doing years ago. Pre covid. We had, a whole series of policies. With respect to, you know, integrating technology into into brown act biddings. These things were not very prevalent

2:13:59now we see it every single year, and so sometimes we have pieces of statements that we know are are policies that are kind of brewing based on conversations that are happening in Sacramento. What lawmakers have stated there that they're interested in, and so allows us to sort of be prepared for when these these pieces of legislation drop.

2:14:18But we take these pieces of legislation. We provide very detailed analyses to allow for folks here at the city to review.

2:14:26judge it against the platform and say, Okay, do we need to position, you know? Yes, or you know, yes or no, if and and oftentimes what we're able to do is because we have this guiding document. We can engage to a certain extent, you know we can. We can work with your delegation. We can talk to committee consultants and staff on bills that are that are are pending, and say, Hey, you know we you know the city based on the platform. We may have some concerns on on the direction that this bill is.

2:14:52We, you know we haven't yet taken a formal position. But we'd like to have conversations. So it allows us to have those conversations and to engage with staff at all levels and members at all levels on the city's behalf.

2:15:04You know. Again, I think there's this, I'm just

2:15:09this misconception that we're we're going to be just positioning on hundreds of pieces of legislation, and I can, I can tell you categorically, if that is the will of the Council, we will do it. But I would strongly, strongly advise that we, you know, limit that and really save you know our ammunition, for when it really counts and and where we can really make an impact. And so you know.

2:15:33our staff really works around the clock to ensure that we are analyzing legislation, providing you a priority or curated bill list as predicated on the platform.

2:15:42And so things that just don't even come near it or touch it. We don't bring it to you if it gets brought up to us by council. We'll then go and take a look, but it allows us to just narrow down just this massive volume of pieces of legislation that gets introduced every year.

2:15:56Councilmember Casanas. Yeah, thank you. You've mentioned a few times that it's not 500 pieces of legislation, I think you said, with the full service city it might even only be 20 that seemed to be a top end.

2:16:08So it strikes me that if it is in that range of 20

2:16:13whatever, 1520 25, that it's not particular particularly onerous to bring those morning

2:16:20legislative actions to council, maybe present them as a as a

2:16:28Yeah of the call done.

2:16:33Sorry I lost. I forgot the term.

2:16:36A consent. Item.

2:16:37this is consent. Times. If we have a consent. Item. There's maybe 4 or 5 pieces out there that you're concerned about at that moment.

2:16:44Probably you know of the 5 pieces that you're presenting to us at that time most of us would be okay with all of them. But there might be that time where one of them stands out like, what does that mean? We really want that position and have a discussion about it. I think, presenting it.

2:16:55The Council is something that is a consent item that allows us the option of pulling it and discussing it further. And if it feels like something we don't want to discuss further, just let it go and let you take the lead. So that would that would be.

2:17:07You know how how I envision a process that might work more comfortably for me.

2:17:11You know, knowing that it is only 20. I don't see that that's

2:17:14particularly particularly difficult to come back to council and say, these are the items that we're looking at, how do you feel about it?

2:17:21If it was 500 I would feel differently until

2:17:26yes, please do. Yes, thank you, and and thank you for this conversation. So you know again, as as the mayor indicated, this is the city's first, st ever legislative platform that we've ever discussed. We Dane, is our 1st lobbyist that the city has ever had.

2:17:45And so this is new to all of us but one of the things that has, you know. And and again the development of all of these statements was done in conjunction with all of our staff, not because this is a staff driven item

2:18:01and I would never, even as a city manager, you know, to councilmember Saltzman's Point. I would never presuppose. I never presuppose a council vote, and I never presuppose a council position. That is exactly what this is for.

2:18:14What we developed with Dean on a staff level was to all of these items that we are seeing day after day that are constantly impacting our operations. And while I understand, you know, looking at some of the wordsmithing and making sure that we're not being too vague. But we're not being too specific. I mean, there's a lot of balance there.

2:18:34and we want, and I totally understand that as well. But a lot of this has to do with the fact that even though we do have our own lobbyist, and we are trying to make some sort of impact for El Cerrito. We are also a very small staff

2:18:48and honestly Council member, Casanas. I don't even know who would write the staff report.

2:18:53Maybe one of us. I I mean, honestly like we would have to work that out in the past. What we have done for when the League of cities has provided us action alerts. Sometimes it's like it's going to be heard that day. I need a letter today.

2:19:08We might not have the ability to have time to do that. Which is why you know again, whether it's priorities, or a, or a very detailed list, or however that works to have that set of understanding in the platform, so that we can. The mayor can, or the mayor pro tem, or whomever on the council, if necessary, can make that action.

2:19:29That is what some of the being nimble and flexible about it is. And so I just kind of wanted to, you know, to share my thoughts on on why, this platform is important to me as the manager and for our entire city staff is.

2:19:45All of these items are directly in alignment with the strategic plan. All of these items are what we are seeing on a day to day basis. And frankly, I I'm not sure that these are necessarily, you know.

2:20:00we're talking a lot about at the staff level, about procedure and implementation. Some of these policy items that is indeed up to the city council. But what we're seeing is a lot of these policies or these laws that are coming down are directly impacting our work into the mayor's point. I agree. I think every single one of these should say support legislation and funding, because that at the end of the day is exactly what's what

2:20:25we as a city have been struck by is a lot of these unfunded mandates, and all of the things that we're required to do, that staff is required to do that. We don't have a lot of resources to be able to do. And so I just wanted to to kind of, you know, make that point that one of the reasons we're doing this is so that Staff does. It's not just, Dane, but that staff has the understanding from the city Council that these are the things that we understand together.

2:20:53and that that we can provide Dane direction, and then and and through that our legislators direction. On how all of these bills directly impact El Cerrito.

2:21:05And I want to kind of add on to that this, that, and I'm going to say something. It may be deeply unpopular, and it might hurt feelings. But, El Cerrito, we're not a Board of Supervisors, so we're not San Francisco. We're not Berkeley.

2:21:20we're not Oakland. We're not even Richmond. And I think that there's this idea that we are about to get a bunch of stuff brought to us, and we are going to be sitting here talking about human trafficking and all that kind of stuff, and everybody wants to have their say. And and it that's not what this is. I think that city manager, I think that you packaged it

2:21:38very accurately, because there's so much direction that needs to be had, not just to us, but to Dane, but to the staff. This is I wanna, I will continue to say, and I hope I don't offend anyone of another

2:21:50religious belief. But this is the Bible for all the things that we do, whether it's how we're seeking funding, who we're seeking, funding for, how we're seeking it for infrastructure. And it's a lot different. I have to say this. It's a lot different than being in a special district or like you, said Councilman, being an advocate. It's it's a lot different. And our staff needs that type of direction. But we're not going to be sitting up here all day.

2:22:13I mean, there are going to be times when the yes, the police department will bring something about AI and Drones. We have sat here and had those conversations, and that is stuff that we will. There's going to be plenty of conversations of those types to be had. That's just not what this is, and I don't want us to get bogged down in this idea that everyone needs to. Everyone wants to have their say and make sure that the thing gets said because I don't. That's not where the direction this is going. I like the fact that you, said city manager.

2:22:38There are just times where we, as we're asked to write a you know a letter of support. Well, does that go with the plan?

2:22:46There are times when a maybe assembly Member Wicks is asking us. We actually, at the end of this week. Very great example. At the end of this week the staff has to draft what is it called city manager the Our. Not unless a legislative packet. But she's doing her legislative packet, and he wants to know what our priorities are. Well, you don't have to ask too many questions. It's in. It's in the document. So this is not for us to sit around cat Walling all day. This is for that kind of stuff that does come. We just got that email on Friday.

2:23:15And it's it's doing a week now. So we need to understand, get back to the basis of what we're actually here to do. And that's what we're here to do. We're here to direct staff. We're here to set priorities that we sent to the Legislature. We're here to get money. We're here to get money, and that's why I'm dang put getting money in there. That's what we're here to do.

2:23:34Does anyone else have any other comments.

2:23:38That one what happened? Oh.

2:23:41we are also trying to not have things come down to us that we have to pay money for. Yes, getting money, but also not spend it. Not spend it. Yeah, there you go.

2:23:51All right. Now is the time for members of the public who wish to provide public comments regarding this item. 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. City clerk. Please proceed. Thank you, Mayor. We just have to request to speak on this item. So we'll 1st invite Henry Simmons up, followed by Al Miller.

2:24:25Hey, Council members so great to see all of you, and fun to hear such a spirited discussion about how El Cerrito can figure out how to advocate for itself and our shared priorities. I'm Henry Simons, principal government and community relations representative for Bart.

2:24:42Director Ghosh sends her regrets that she's unable to attend this evening, and I just want to speak in support of. You know the line in your legislative platform advocates for supporting legislation, funding to promote, sustain and expand service levels for Bart. A/C. Transit and other regional transit providers. Your support for hopefully eventual support for vital transit operating funds is exactly what we're hoping to see from cities like El Cerrito and cities across our region.

2:25:11In this really challenging moment or transit. And we really, you know.

2:25:16appreciate your deep partnership with us.

2:25:21you know, as we all know, we're working on transit oriented development of this at El Cerrito Plaza station, which will allow thousands of El Cerrito residents or new residents to experience the best. This city has to offer, including a new, hopefully, a new library.

2:25:34and every day Bart is an essential lifeline, carrying thousands of El Cerrito residents to jobs and connecting them to school family and their community. I know the topic of Bart. Security has come up in the past before this council, and you know I just want to make sure that folks know all the good things we're doing on that front. We doubled police patrols in 2024 and crime on, Bart declined 17%. Our, you know, delays caused by police

2:26:03responses is also way down as well, which shows when we keep our system safe, we run better service, too. We're also one of the most cost, efficient transit system in the country. Our costs have grown more slowly than inflation, and our cost growth is the lowest of any peer transit agencies. We're really looking after every you know, dollar of the public's money very, very carefully, and all of our current issues are really

2:26:26caused by work from home and relying on fares for operations that have left us with a very significant deficit we're going to face in the coming years.

2:26:35You know, other communities across the country support their regional rail with more operating funds than Bart receives, and if stable funding isn't identified. Bart might have to cut service close stations or end service at 9 Pm.

2:26:48We reduce commute times and highway congestion, improve our quality of life with access to jobs and education and support the regional economy, you know. Just think about how bad traffic on Highway 80 would be, or San Pablo would be, you know, right out here, if you know Bart wasn't here to move hundreds of thousands of people a day. Look forward to continuing to work with all of you on our shared priorities at the State and Federal levels to ensure stable long term transit funding is prioritized. Thank you.

2:27:18Thank you. And our next Speaker Al. Miller.

2:27:27Good evening, Mayor Council members. I'm Al. Miller. I've been a resident of El Cerrito since 1979.

2:27:36I was very interested to see the presentation.

2:27:40I was somewhat surprised and disappointed because there was nothing in there about tracking legislation about libraries.

2:27:49and one of the reasons that I wanted to be sure to bring it up tonight was

2:27:56you might know that last legislative series. In 24, Governor Newsom signed a law that said all 3rd graders in the State of California must have a library card by no later than end of 2026.

2:28:15No, to my knowledge, the Contra Costa county library, of which our library is a branch of.

2:28:23was aware of this bill, but not, like our library staff.

2:28:29the county, to my knowledge, the county librarian was not aware that he would lay the requirement to make sure this happens

2:28:39on branch libraries, no resources, no additional personnel just in effect, do it.

2:28:50So I'm urging that you

2:28:53add a subject, or on your legislative platform libraries similar to the way the Park and Recs

2:29:01was indicated. Listed. I think it was the last slide or near the last slide in the presentation.

2:29:09Oh, the direct result and impact on our library is that

2:29:19you guess what the Staff's primary responsibility to do for the next 2 years

2:29:26somehow come up with a program that they can be sure that all the public private Charter elementary schools in El Cerrito.

2:29:37all of the 3rd graders in those schools, and there's quite a few of them have library cards.

2:29:44They're eager to do it. We all want everybody to have a library card.

2:29:49but the fact that they're getting no more the resources

2:29:54to do it, excuse me, means that they have to cut back on some of the things that they've been doing. For example.

2:30:05programming, like our very successful author series in 2024, celebrating the library, 75th anniversary.

2:30:16They don't have won't have time to do that.

2:30:19They're already the busiest library branch in West County in the amount of materials that they check out.

2:30:28and the year and the door counts that they have.

2:30:32Thank you for your comment. Your your time is ended. Thank you

2:30:38that that concludes a request from the public mayor.

2:30:42I don't maybe be saying the same thing. I just wanted to point out that on the list that we have under Parks and Rec. The last item does say, support legislation that provides funding mechanisms for public library facilities and programs.

2:30:54It's not terribly specific, but it does. There is that line there.

2:30:59Councilmember Mothiyama

2:31:01just wanted to also point out that we have additional detail in our packet materials, and so libraries are called out.

2:31:11Any other comments from Council.

2:31:15Thank you so much for your your work day, and I look forward to meeting with you further.

2:31:21All right. The next item is city council, local and regional liaison appoint assignments.

2:31:27Are there any Council reports?

2:31:31Council? Member Mutiama?

2:31:33Thank you, Mayor. On February 11th I met with Buffy Wicks's field representative to talk about a little bit more detail about El Cerrito and our priorities. On February 12th I attended the Abag Housing Committee, where we'll start to focus on how to provide funding for housing projects without the bond.

2:31:59Thank you. Councilmember Salsman

2:32:03as was already reported. But I think I'm required to report. I attended the Mayor, the Contra Costa Mayor's conference last week. Thank you, Mayor. I attended the the Contra Costa Mayor's conference with my colleagues and the Mayor and council member

2:32:24Rebecca Saltzman. I also attended the

2:32:30Last week the Bach mug

2:32:34air District Board meeting. Yeah. And we changed the name to Bad Bay Area Air district, but on paper it will be always known as Buckmud.

2:32:47and so they. There is a new logo

2:32:50or the the bad board now, so, but had nothing to do with that. But it's something that staff

2:32:59worked on so we'll be known as bad. So and then I attended the

2:33:08the Contra Costa Lafco Commission meeting last week. As well.

2:33:13Thank you. Council member, thank you. I attended the Urban Forest Committee meeting last week.

2:33:19Thank you, and I attended the I can't remember if this was before or after our last meeting, but the West County Mayor's association, and, as, as mentioned, the Contra Costa Mayor's Conference.

2:33:30and with that it is now

2:33:33what is it? 8, 35 Pm.

2:33:36And we are adjourned. The next regularly scheduled city Council meeting is Tuesday, March 4, th 2025, at 6 Pm. Have a good night. Everyone.