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Agenda Item No. 5(A) EL CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CONCURRENT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING Monday, December 5, 2011-7:30 p.m. City Council Chambers Meeting Location El Cerrito City Hall 10890 San Pablo A venue, El Cerrito Ann Cheng - Mayor Mayor Pro Tern Bill Jones Councilmember Rebecca Benassini Agency Chair/Councilmember Janet Abelson Councilmember Greg Lyman 7:30p.m. ROLLCALL Councilmembers Abelson, Benassini, Jones, Lyman and Mayor Cheng all present. CONVENE CONCURRENT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING Mayor Cheng convened the Concurrent City Council/Redevelopment Agency meeting at 7:32 p.m. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG was led by Councilmember Lyman. 2. COUNCIL I STAFF COMMUNICATIONS Jerry Bradshaw, Public Works Director, stated that the City has received an award from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Pavement Management Program for Most Improved Roads in 2011. Mr. Bradshaw reported that El Cerrito is the second best paved city in the Bay Area. Lance Maples, Fire Chief, announced that the annual holiday toy drive is underway and in full swing. Donations look good this year. Captains Kelleher and Pace have been busy elves on their days off. Chief Maples invited the public to come to a pancake breakfast Saturday at the Community Center and drop off a toy at any fire department station in El Cerrito, Kensington or Richmond. 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC Al Miller, El Cerrito, announced that the Sundar Shadi Holiday Display will be installed on December 17 at 9:00 a.m. on Moeser Lane at Sea View Drive. Everyone is invited to help with the display and view it. Mr. Miller stated that the Shadi Holiday Display is unique and what ---PAGE BREAK--- Version: [PHONE REDACTED] Page 2 of 6 makes El Cerrito continue to be known throughout the Bay Area. Mr. Miller also stated that it is time for others to help with installation of the display as well. 4. PRESENTATION Update on El Cerrito Police Department Activities and Priorities Presenter: Sylvia Moir, Police Chief. Action: Presentation heard. ChiefMoir commented on comparisons of key measurements between 2011 and 2012 and provided updates on other Police Department programs and initiatives. 5. ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR- Item Nos. SA and SB Moved, seconded (Benassini I Abelson) and carried unanimously to adopt Consent Calendar item Nos. SA and 5B in one motion as indicated below. A. Minutes for Approval Approve the November 21, 2011 City Council meeting minutes. Action: Approved minutes. B. Urban Greening Plan Grant Application Adopt a substitute resolution approving an application for grant funds from the Urban Greening Planning for Sustainable Communities Grant Program (Proposition 84) for preparation of an Urban Greening Plan. Action: Adopted Resolution No. 2011-85. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS- None 7. POLICY MATTERS City Council/Redevelopment Agency Reorganization Election of City Council and Redevelopment Agency Officers. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION Mayor Cheng thanked her husband Wiley, her family and friends for their support during her term as Mayor, particularly for allowing her the time to be available to the community and attend multiple community meetings. Mayor Cheng also thanked her fellow councilmembers for their considered deliberation and service to the community, for giving their best, for their mutual respect and decorum, and for their creative and complimentary thinking. Upon reflection of the last year, Mayor Cheng noted that El Cerrito may be one of the first City Councils to adopt multimodal transportation as a Council Goal and expressed appreciation for the following accomplishments: the first Spring Fling along San Pablo A venue, installing historic pavers, the beautiful streetscape, upcoming public art projects, participation in the first Alberrito Street Event which brought hundreds of community members together, establishing a reputation for being bike friendly at all levels within the city including the first bicycle town hall meeting and the PACE car program. Mayor Cheng also thanked the community for its willingness to explore and support alternative transportation and acknowledged prior City Councilmembers for their leadership and contributions. The City is unique in that it is aligned to achieve the same vision and refrain from getting mired in conflict. Mayor Cheng concluded by stating that it is a great gift to work together and trust each other and to step up and do one's best. ---PAGE BREAK--- Version: 12/1412011 Page 3 of 6 Mayor Pro Tern Jones thanked Mayor Cheng for her efforts and contributions over the past year, and noted that it is particularly nice to see the younger generation come forward and serve as leaders. Reorganization of the Office of Mayor Cheryl Morse, City Clerk, declared the Offices of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore vacant and called for the Office of Mayor. Councilmember Abelson nominated Mayor Pro Tempore Jones to the Office of Mayor. City Clerk Morse called for any additional nominations and there were none. Moved, seconded (Lyman/Benassini) and carried unanimously to close nominations for Mayor. Action: The City Council unanimously selected Mayor Pro Tempore Jones as Mayor of the City of El Cerrito. Reorganization of the Office of Mayor Pro Tempore Mayor Jones called for nominations for office of Mayor Pro Tempore. Councilmember Benassini and Councilmember Abelson nominated Councilmember Lyman to the Office of Mayor Pro Tempore. Mayor Jones called for further nominations to which there were none. Moved, seconded (Jones/Benassini) and carried unanimously to close nominations. Action: The City Council unanimously selected Councilmember Lyman as Mayor Pro Tempore. City Council Comments Mayor Jones thanked the City of El Cerrito for placing him in the position of Mayor and stated that it was a great honor. Mayor jones noted that the City Council selected a mission statement this year which set high standards for serving the community. To meet the expectations of the mission statement the City Council must continue to be prepared to meet the challenges of governance in today's environment. It is important that the City define a course of action, set priorities and assign resources in order to effectively and efficiently set the way with a clean sense of purpose and fiduciary prudence. The City cannot fall back into a reactionary mode and needs to set a clear direction. In the upcoming year we need to attend to the present and plan for the future in a responsible and progressive manner. Some issues are directly under the City's control. Other issues are driven by forces outside the City's purview. In January the City will be opening its new Recycling Center, a project that has dedicated funding to pay for its development and operation. This project is an example ofEl Cerrito's pioneering efforts toward supporting sustainable policies and community practices. Additionally, the strategic plan will provide priority direction and goals for city operations, special projects, capital improvements and development. The City Council will also be looking at the future of redevelopment in the City, however decisions were made by the State Legislature that will be decided by the California Supreme Court and in an indirect way, the will of the people of California. Soon, it will be the City Council's job to set the course of action based upon the resolution of issues which are now in question. Another project, will involve studying whether a city charter form of governance will be the best way for El Cerrito to govern itself in the future. The Council will also be developing a budget for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year that will reflect the goals of the City and which will continue to keep day to day operations solvent. One of the most frustrating issues, not only for the current City Council but for Councils past, will be to continue to search for and identify methods for financing replacement of the City's aging and inefficient library, public safety building, busy senior center and upgrading the ---PAGE BREAK--- Version: [PHONE REDACTED] Page 4 of 6. community center. Mayor Jones stated that it is time to make the improvements or else the improvements will be forced upon the city before it is ready. On a positive note, the City will be continuing the multi-city sustainability study project with the goal of making the City and our neighboring cities more sustainable and buildings more energy efficient. The City will also begin the multi- year process of updating the General Plan as required by the State. The strategic plan will fold into this project as will the specific plan for San Pablo Avenue. Mayor Jones concluded by stating that he looks forward to being a member of the City Council who will team with city staff, the boards, commissions and committees and residents to make the best possible decisions and implement actions that will live up to the mission on the City. Mayor Jones also recognized family and friends present. Councilmember Lyman said that as Mayor Pro Tern, he looks forward to this New Year and supporting the Mayor and city initiatives, including additional financing. Councilmember Abelson emphasized that the city is waiting to hear what will become of redevelopment in California and expressed concerns that might arise if redevelopment is eliminated. Councilmember Abelson stated that she looks forward to working with the newly reorganized City Council and doing her best for the residents of El Cerrito. Councilmember Abelson also expressed her appreciation for the work of staff in the past year. Councilmember Benassini thanked the City Council and acknowledged the contributions of Mayor Cheng over the past year, particularly her openness, and also thanked staff, her husband Scott and new daughter Katie. REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REORGANIZATION Reorganization of Redevelopment Agency Chair Mayor Jones called for reorganization of the Redevelopment Agency. City Clerk Morse declared the Office of Redevelopment Agency Chair and Vice-Chair vacant and called for nominations for the office of Chair. Agency Member Lyman nominated Agency Member Cheng for the Office of Redevelopment Agency Board Chair. City Clerk/ Agency Secretary Morse called for any additional nominations and there were none. Moved, seconded (Benassini/Lyman) and carried unanimously to close nominations. Action: The Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously in favor of selecting Redevelopment Agency Member Cheng as Chair. Reorganization of Redevelopment Agency Vice-Chair Agency Chair Cheng called for nominations for the Office of Redevelopment Agency Vice- Chair. Agency Member Lyman nominated Agency Member Benassini for the office of Vice-Chair. Mayor Cheng called for any additional nominations and there were none. Action: Moved, seconded (Cheng/Lyman) and carried unanimously to close nominations and select Agency Member Benassini as Redevelopment Agency Vice-Chair. 8. COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS/LIAISON REPORTS (Held over from the meetings of November 7 and 21, 2011.) A. Councilmember Cheng reported that the Arts and Culture Commission has narrowed the San Pablo A venue art project to 10-15 wind mobile kinetic pieces that will be two tones of metal ---PAGE BREAK--- Version: 12/14/2011 Page 5 of 6 in chrome and copper. The artists are continuing to work under the direction of the Commission members. The Human Relations Commission (HRC) also met recently. On Saturday, January 24,2012, before the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, there will be a movie at the Cerrito Theater, tentatively, Selma, Lord, Selma. The HRC has also created a mini-grant program for El Cerrito teachers for teaching diversity and equity in the classroom. Finally, the HRC voted to recommend that Eden Housing consider naming the garden plaza in front of the proposed senior housing project [at the Tradeway site] in honor of Ernest Iyama, a long-time resident of El Cerrito who passed away recently, and who was also a foundational figure in anchoring the Japanese American Citizens League in Oakland and Berkeley. B. Councilmember Abelson reported that the Environmental Quality Committee is working on a number of areas, including the showing of a film on February 4, 2012 at the Cerrito Theater at 10:00 a.m. The film event will include an opportunity for the community to interact on the topic of development and "first ring cities." Councilmember Abelson also stated that she witnessed the placement of three components of the new Recycling Center office building as they were placed at the new site. Additionally, Councilmember Abelson has been appointed to the League of California Cities Community Services Policy Committee and the Administrative Services Policy Committee for the coming year. C. Councilmember Benassini reported that the Financial Advisory Board (F AB) met a couple of weeks ago to conduct its annual review of financial policies and recommended minor changes. The F AB is awaiting mid-year financial numbers and will examine sales tax revenues in January. D. Mayor Jones announced that there is a vacancy on the Planning Commission and explained that it is one of the more important commissions with quasi-judicial powers. Mayor Jones encouraged all to apply. Additionally, the Tom Bates Regional Sports Field/Gilman Fields Complex Joint Powers Authority (JPA) has $67,000 in the bank after paying $75,000 the JP A has to keep in the bank as required by the East Bay Regional Park District. The City will not have to contribute to the underwriting of operations. Improvements are still needed in the parking area and to develop a baseball field. This will be taken up for consideration in the coming months. Mayor Jones noted that Councilmember Lyman represents the user groups so there is representation for El Cerrito from two perspectives. E. Councilmember Lyman reported that the Design Review Board met in November to consider a sign update. The Crime Prevention Committee continues to look for members and discussed the success of the National Night Out event and report and membership at the Committee's last meeting. The Committee will be looking at new policing techniques and ways to expand the surveillance program. Councilmember Lyman also informed the City Council and public that new rates were approved at the last Integral Waste Management Authority (IWMA) meeting. SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS Item No.2 Council I Staff Communications 1. City ofEl Cerrito Receives "Most Improved Roads" Award from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission - Submitted by Jerry Bradshaw, Public Works Director. Item No. 4 Update on El Cerrito Police Department Activities and Priorities 2. Powerpoint presentation -Submitted by Chief Moir. ---PAGE BREAK--- Version: [PHONE REDACTED] Page 6 of 6 9. ADJOURNED CONCURRENT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING at 8:37p.m. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is December 19, 2011 at 7:30p.m. in the Council Chambers, 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito.