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2020-05-20 Continued 5-19 Special and Regular Meetings MinutesContinued May 19, 2020 Special and Regular Meetings Alameda City Council May 20, 2020 1 MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MAY 19, 2020 SPECIAL AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WEDNESDAY- - MAY 20, 2020- -7:00 P.M. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Knox White, Oddie, Vella, and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft – 5. [Note: The meeting was conducted via Zoom] Absent: None. CONTINUED SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEM (20-345) Recommendation to Create an Alameda Strong Community Relief Fund to Provide Grants or Other Types of Relief to Small Businesses, Non-profits and Residential Renters that have been Negatively Financially Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Community Development Director stated Councilmember Oddie requested to discuss whether or not there is Council interest in appropriating or allocating $300,000 to augment the grant program; the remainder of the discussion had been closed due to sufficient direction provided from Council; staff is moving forward with the fund and the only outstanding item is related to the additional $300,000 allocation; the Council may agree to a different amount. Councilmember Oddie expressed support for augmenting t he fund; stated the fund is an investment, not an expense; the restaurants saved will provide sales tax revenue and will help keep people employed; this is the people’s money; the City has over -collected from people over time and has managed assets; noted the program is over-subscribed; expressed concern for the outcry from those that may not receive any funding; stated there will be pressure should the majority of businesses not receive an award. Councilmember Vella stated that she is weary of investing m oney the City does not have or will potentially need for other items; for the long-term future and ability to provide services; stated action needs to be taken quickly on the fund; bureaucracy has been cut out as much as possible; expressed support for loo king at the program in a broader context after the City has made effort to fundraise the account; stated the City is providing essential services and Council needs to ensure those services are fully funded in both short and long term; expressed support for the ability to make investments, and expend other resources to try and help the fund gain traction and contributions from the private sector; for knowing the trade-offs of looking at additional expenditures. Vice Mayor Knox White stated the City has a h ealthy reserve and will continue to have a healthy reserve even after spending down; expressed support for seeding the fund by matching grants or to help spur community donations; for guaranteeing a set amount of money for the fund; stated there is no trade-off in providing the additional $300,000 that Continued May 19, 2020 Special and Regular Meetings Alameda City Council May 20, 2020 2 is sitting in reserve funds; there will be trade-offs down the road, in numerous years; now is the time to help local businesses; expressed support for putting $200,000-300,000 into the existing program and taking the next 50 companies $7,500 through the previous funding process; for putting the money into the Alameda Strong fund as a matching fund on a dollar-to-dollar basis to spur community investments. Councilmember Daysog stated that he is satisfied with the current structure of the program provided by staff, including the amount of funds; expressed support for changing paths in the future if needed. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed concern for not replenishing the reserves; for the curve [of COVID-19] continuing to move up; stated Council does not know how the curve will impact businesses going forward; funds might be used up and unable to be provided for businesses hit by a potential second wave of COVID-19; expressed support for holding the line now with what has been proposed to ensure a robust, well marketed program; stated the program will be well funded and able to help small businesses, non -profits and renters; expressed concern for an unknown economy; for dipping into healthy reserves; stated staff has provided an ambitious timeline to put the fund together; the item can be brought back to explore other options. Councilmember Oddie stated the discussion is worth having; noted the impacts of the second round [of COVID-19] are unknown; stated that he would like the rules of behest payments be reiterated by the City Attorney’s office to allow for compliant donations. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for a memo outlining behest payments; inquired whether a motion is needed for staff to continue, to which the CDD responded in the negative. CONTINUED REGULAR MEETING CONSENT CALENDAR The minutes of the regular and special meetings [paragraph no. 20-346], the agreement with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP [paragraph no. 20-353], the agreement with Akerman LLP [paragraph no. 20-354], the cooperative agreement with the California Department of Transportation [paragraph no. 20-356] and the parking on City streets and lots ordinance [paragraph no. 20-357] were removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Councilmember Daysog moved approval of the remainder of the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Oddie seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.] (20-346) Minutes of the Regular and Special City Council Meetings Held on April 21, 2020, and the Continued Regular City Council Meeting Held on April 22, 2020. Continued May 19, 2020 Special and Regular Meetings Alameda City Council May 20, 2020 3 Councilmember Vella stated the minutes are difficult to follow due in part to technical difficulties; noted the meeting via WebEx crashed late at night during Council deliberation leading to confusion; stated the timing of the special meeting discussions were difficult to follow and two separate conversations and motions related to timing and substance occurred; expressed support for a recap of any motion should a technical difficulty occur in the future to ensure clarity for Council and the public. Councilmember Vella moved approval of the meeting minutes. Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. (*20-347) Ratified bills in the amount of $2,680,607.47. (*20-348) Recommendation to Approve the City of Alameda Investment Policy. Accepted. (*20-349) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract in the Amount of $135,000 with First 5 Alameda County for Receipt of a Grant to Implement the Alameda Early Learning Community Network (ELCN) Action Plan. Accepted. (*20-350) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute an Agreement Amendment with OpenGov, Inc. to Consolidate Three Existing Separate Software License Agreements into One Agreement and Add a New Budget and Planning Module, for an Amount Not to Exceed $195,041 for Year One and an Annual Amount Not to Exceed $134,156 for Years Two through Five, for a Total Five-Year Compensation Not to Exceed of $731,665. Accepted. (*20-351) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute a New Agreement with Urban Futures, Inc. (UFI) to Complete a Financial Forecasting Model and Associated Strategies, in an Amount Not to Exceed $80,000, plus $12,500 in Contingencies, which are in Addition to the Existing Pension Strategy and Modeling Agreement between the City and UFI, Previously Executed by the City Manager in March 2020, in an Amount Not to Exceed $45,000. Accepted. (*20-352) Recommendation to Approve a Report on City Activities and Expenditures Related to the COVID-19 Emergency. Accepted. (20-353) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP for State Legislative Services for a Term of One Year, with the Possibility to Extend for Two Additional Years, for a Total Three Year Compensation in an Amount Not to Exceed $270,000. Public Comment Read into the Record: Continued May 19, 2020 Special and Regular Meetings Alameda City Council May 20, 2020 4 Urged Council to take steps to inform the public in sufficient detail that will permit and informed understanding of the City’s lobbying activities; discussed enhanced transparency being provided through the City’s website, including a compendium of current and past lobbying activities, and details being included as exhibits to reports: Jay Garfinkle, Alameda. Councilmember Vella stated that the firm has been contracted with for longer th an her duration as a Councilmember; expressed support for a 15-month term contract; stated the firm may then be re-evaluated with additional options. The City Manager stated the firm has a one year contract with two year extensions; a 15 - month term takes the contract to the end of the legislative session in the following year; performing a Request for Proposals (RFP) at the end of the term would be helpful. Councilmember Oddie stated there is an approved legislative agenda document which details lobbying items; Council does not receive much information back on successes; noted a previous issue with the Surplus Lands Act; stated that he would have appreciated a faster response from the lobbyists; expressed support for public discussion to inform all about lobbying actions. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated federal packages have been kept updated; expressed support for a public meeting. Councilmember Vella moved approval of authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP for State legislative services for a term of 15-months and a total compensation amount not to exceed a prorated amount of 15-months of $270,000. Vice Mayor Knox White seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. (20-354) Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Akerman LLP for Federal Legislative Services for a Term of One Year, with the Possibility to Extend for Two Additional Years, for a Total Three Year Compensation in an Amount Not to Exceed $270,000. Note: Public Comment by Jay Garfinkle was read into record as part the above agenda item [paragraph no. 20-354]. Councilmember Vella moved approval of authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Akerman LLP for Federal legislative services for a term of 15-months and a total compensation amount not to exceed a prorated amount of 15-months of $270,000. Councilmember Oddie seconded the motion. Continued May 19, 2020 Special and Regular Meetings Alameda City Council May 20, 2020 5 Under discussion, Councilmember Oddie stated that he would like to receive information in either open or closed session; noted the impact of the COVID-19 virus should be looked at and updates should be provided. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the firm is also providing strategic advice about who is voting in which way. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. (*20-355) Resolution No. 15653, “Amending the General Fund and Fleet Services Operating Budget by $118,720 for Costs Associated with the Purchase and Installation of In-Vehicle Data Terminals.” Adopted; and (*20-355A) Recommendation to Authorize Purchase of Police in-Vehicle Data Terminals, in an Amount Not to Exceed $102,792, from DuraTech, Inc. and Authorize Installation in an Amount Not to Exceed $15,928, by Lehr Auto Electric. Accepted. (20-356) Resolution No. 15654, “Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Cooperative Agreement with the California Department of Transportation to Complete the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED), Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PS&E) and Right-of-Way (ROW) for the Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project.” Adopted. Councilmember Vella recused herself and left the meeting. Public Comment Read into the Record: Stated the current design removes 23 parking spaces; discussed parking spaces being occupied at Central Avenue; stated existing parking spaces on Webster Street are needed are necessary for businesses; urged Council to address parking needs for Central Avenue and Webster Street: Jim Strehlow, Alameda. Vice Mayor Knox White moved adoption of the resolution. Councilmember Oddie seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: No; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Absent; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 3; Noes: 1; Absent: 1. (20-357) Ordinance No. 3280, “Amending Alameda Municipal Code Chapter XII (Designated Parking) to Improve Procedures for Management of Public Parking on City Streets and in City Lots.” Finally passed. Public Comment Read into the Record: Continued May 19, 2020 Special and Regular Meetings Alameda City Council May 20, 2020 6 Stated that the use of parking funds going toward bicycle enhancements is non-compliant; parking funds should address parking issues, not bicycle projects : Jim Strehlow, Alameda. Vice Mayor Knox White moved final passage of the ordinance. Councilmember Vella seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Daysog stated that he does not support the item and will continue to vote no. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: No; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 4; Noes: 1. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.