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Agenda Item No. 5(A) EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, March 19, 2013 – 6:20 p.m. Hillside Conference Room REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, March 19, 2013 – 7:00 p.m. City Council Chambers Meeting Location El Cerrito City Hall 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito Greg Lyman – Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Janet Abelson Councilmember Rebecca Benassini Councilmember Jan Bridges Councilmember Mark Friedman ROLL CALL Councilmembers Abelson, Benassini, Bridges, Friedman and Mayor Lyman all present. 6:20 p.m. CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Lyman convened the special City Council meeting at 6:20 p.m. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC – No speakers. COMMISSION INTERVIEWS, STATUS AND APPOINTMENTS Conduct interviews of candidates for city boards, commissions and committees. Interviews may result in an announcement of appointment at the meeting. The City Council may also discuss and determine the scheduling and structure of future interviews. Action: Conducted interviews. Appointments made (Danziger and Jones.). ADJOURNED SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING at 6:58 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Abelson, Benassini, Bridges, Friedman and Mayor Lyman all present. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 5 Version: 3/28/2013 7:00 p.m. CONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Lyman convened the special City Council meeting at 7:03 p.m. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OR OBSERVATION OF MOMENT OF SILENCE was led by Councilmember Bridges. 2. COUNCIL / STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Lyman announced the City Council’s appointments of Deb Danziger to the Arts and Culture Commission for a term concluding on January 1, 2014 and Sharon Jones to the Human Relations Commission to a term concluding on January 1, 2017. Councilmember Benassini announced that the City is offering free compost to El Cerrito residents at the Recycling Center on March 23, 2013. On March 21 Playland Not at the Beach is hosting a kick-off party for the Relay for Life event in El Cerrito where residents can learn how to get involved in the American Cancer Society’s programs and fundraising events. The El Cerrito Police Officers are hosting their annual Tip a Cop event that benefits Special Olympics. Anyone who would like to attend this special fundraising event for Special Olympics can participate by showing up for dinner at Macaroni Grill on March 28 from 6-9:30 p.m. Mayor Lyman thanked Congressman Miller for coming to El Cerrito on March 16, 2013 to answer questions at a Town Meeting. Mayor Lyman represented El Cerrito in the Albany Little League and Albany/Berkeley Girl’s Softball League opening season parades on March 16. Many El Cerrito youth play in both leagues. Earlier this evening, there was a swearing in ceremony for police explorers, cadets and officers. Mayor Lyman said it was a privilege to be among such exceptional people who are dedicated to service in our community. 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Liz Ruhland, El Cerrito Library Manager, invited everyone to the Library’s 100th anniversary party which will be at the El Cerrito Library on June 14 at 7:00 p.m. The actual anniversary date falls on October 31. The Centennial Celebration of the Contra Costa County Library system is also this year and will be celebrated on July 21 in Pleasant Hill. Al Miller, El Cerrito, stated that the New Library Campaign Committee has changed its name to the El Cerrito Library Foundation. Mr. Miller also invited all to attend Stege Sanitary District’s 100th Anniversary open house on May 18 at the Stege Office Building, 7500 Schmidt Lane from 1-4 p.m. 4. PRESENTATIONS A. Northern California Special Olympics Award for Fundraising Efforts – Presentation by Sylvia Moir, Chief of Police and Ruth Sanchez, Special Olympics. Chief Moir stated that the department received an award for being a “Top Five Producer” and highlighted the collaborative commitment and contributions of El Cerrito in Special Olympics. Chief Moir praised the efforts of Lieutenant Steve Bonini, Sergeant Shawn Maples, and the entire El Cerrito Police Department who participated in the in Tip-a-Cop, Torch Run and Bike- to-Bridges events eagerly. These events raise enough money to send nearly ninety special Olympians to regional and state events at no cost to the athletes or their families. The joy expressed by the athletes and their families is heartwarming and reminds all of us how important this contribution is in their lives. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 3 of 5 Version: 3/28/2013 Ruth Sanchez, Special Olympics thanked the City for its support of Special Olympics and noted that the Bike to Bridges event has raised $2,000,000 and emphasized how much the program means to athletes and their parents. Stephen Bonini, Police Lieutenant, thanked the entire community for their support of Special Olympics. Money raised at the local Tip-a-Cop event was as much as that raised in the City of Berkeley and other large cities in metropolitan areas. Action: Received presentation. B. Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Services – Presentation by Mark Peterson, Contra Costa County District Attorney. Action: Rescheduled to a future City Council meeting at Mr. Peterson’s request. 5. ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR – Item Nos. 5A through 5D Moved, seconded (Friedman/Abelson) and carried to adopt Consent Calendar Item Nos. 5A, 5C and 5D in one motion as indicated below. Item No. 5B was withdrawn from the consent calendar at the request of Councilmember Benassini. A. Minutes for Approval Approve the March 5, 2013 Special Meeting – Closed Session and Regular City Council meeting minutes. Action: Approved minutes. B. League of California Cities By-Law Amendments Consider amendments to the League of California Cities Bylaws and direct the City Clerk to complete the ballot on Bylaws Amendments based on the Council’s vote and return it to the League no later than April 19, 2013. The proposed amendments would amend the Bylaws to provide that: 1) Resolutions submitted to the League for presentation to the General Assembly must be concurred in by at least five or more cities or by city officials from at least five or more cities; and 2) The League Board may take a position on a statewide ballot measure by a 2/3rd vote of those Directors present. Currently, the Board may take positions with a simple majority. Actions: Withdrawn from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Benassini and severed at the request of Mayor Lyman. Moved, seconded (Friedman/Bridges) and carried unanimously to approve the amendment of Article V1, Section 2 of the League’s bylaws relating to submission of resolutions to the League’s General Assembly as set forth in the resolution and incorporated by reference in the ballot (resolutions submitted to the League must be concurred by at least five or more cities or by city officials from at least five or more cities). Moved, seconded (Friedman/Bridges; Ayes – Councilmembers Abelson, Bridges and Friedman; Noes – Councilmember Benassini and Mayor Lyman) and carried to approve the addition of Article VII, Section 16, (2/3rd vote of Directors present rather than the current rule of simple majority vote) to the League’s bylaws relating to the League Board vote threshold for taking positions on statewide ballot measures as set for in the proposed resolution and incorporated by reference in the ballot. C. Proclamation in Recognition of Stege Sanitary District’s 100 Year Anniversary Approve a proclamation commending and congratulating the Board of Directors and Staff of the Stege Sanitary District for providing one-hundred years of exemplary service to its customers and the community. ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 4 of 5 Version: 3/28/2013 Action: Approved proclamation. D. Support for Federal FIRE and SAFER Grant Programs At the request of Mayor Lyman, authorize the Mayor to sign a letter thanking Congressman George Miller for his continued support for the reauthorization of the FIRE and SAFER grant programs and encourage Representative Miller to support FIRE and SAFER grant programs in the future. Action: Approved recommendation. 6. PUBLIC HEARING – None 7. POLICY MATTERS A. Award Urban Greening Consultant Contract Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with MIG, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $154,000 for preparation of a citywide Urban Greening Plan and change orders in an amount not to exceed $15,400. Presenters: Melanie Mintz, Environmental Services Manager. Action: Moved, seconded (Abelson/Bridges) and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2013–11. B. Earth Hour Proclamation Approve a proclamation proclaiming March 23, 2013 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to be Earth Hour in the City of El Cerrito and calling upon all residents, businesses, and institutions to turn off non-essential lighting for this hour to make a global statement of concern about climate change and demonstrate commitment to finding solutions. Presenter: Maria Sanders, Environmental Analyst. Action: Moved, seconded (Abelson/Benassini) and carried unanimously to approve the proclamation. 8. COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS/LIAISON REPORTS A. Mayor Lyman reported that the Tree Committee had a lively discussion about tree selection criteria. Mayor Lyman encouraged the incorporation of the Tree Committee into urban greening discussions. The Human Relations Commission (HRC) discussed bullying and teen suicide. The HRC received a presentation regarding mental health services provided to El Cerrito High School students. The HRC also received a presentation about the Rising Waters movie on March 23 and is looking into doing something for Asian-Pacific Islander Month. The movie Nani, which El Cerrito resident Justin Tipping helped produce will be shown on March 29. The HRC is also beginning its work on planning the next Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the parade in El Cerrito. The Crime Prevention Committee met and discussed crime activities for the year including the overlay of Neighborhood Watch groups and their territories with city maps to look for gaps in areas where there are no active groups and assess the potential for more community outreach to increase safety and security within the city. Mayor Lyman also reported on his attendance at the March 14, 2013 RecycleMore meeting in which the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority Board: 1) Directed the Executive Director to come out to West County cities to give a presentation on the contract that ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 5 of 5 Version: 3/28/2013 is under negotiation. The terms sheet presented was generally supported. The Council needs to make a decision on the terms sheet however the sheet does not affect El Cerrito; and 2) Discussed the future of the Joint Powers Authority Agreement. The agreement was formed principally to pay off a debt which will end on December 31, 2013. The future of the JPA is being discussed with support from a Technical Advisory Committee and the consultant who helped with strategic planning at the Waste Management Authority. At its March 7, 2013 meeting, the Contra Costa Mayors received a presentation regarding Contra Costa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (CCVOAD). Voluntary organizations active in disasters include: American Red Cross, California Resiliency Alliance, California Emergency Management Agency, Contra Costa Office of Emergency Services, Interfaith Council of Contra Costa, Contra Costa – Solano Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army and Volunteer Center of the East Bay. Fire Chief Maples also attended the presentation and assured Mayor Lyman that El Cerrito’s emergency plans are in place. The City is prepared to ask for funding in the event of a disaster. B. Mayor Pro Tem Abelson reported that she was in Washington D.C. recently in her capacity as Chair of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. Mayor Pro Tem Abelson met with Congressmen Miller, Garamendi, and McNerney regarding support for funding of transportation projects and programs in Contra Costa County. Meetings were also held with other transportation agencies such as the National Department of Transportation and American Public Transit Association (APTA). The delegation also met with the director of ITS America – an agency that puts together innovators in the area of transportation. Mayor Pro Tem Abelson also attended a two day seminar at UC Berkeley on parking and spoke briefly about the innovative Integrated Corridor Mobility Program that the City Council previously supported. C. Councilmember Benassini reported that due to an unfortunate scheduling event she missed the Financial Advisory Board (FAB) meeting but reported that the FAB discussed organization, welcomed new members and discussed how the FAB could be more useful to the City Council. The FAB would like to have more interaction with the City Council, work with staff to receive information on a more timely basis and possibly meet more than once per month during the budget cycle. The FAB also discussed what they want to do throughout the coming year and wants to make sure that it can fulfill its duties by giving good advice. D. Councilmember Bridges – No report. E. Councilmember Friedman – No report. 9. ADJOURNED REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING at 8:28 p.m.