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2023-06-20 Special CC SACIC MinutesSpecial Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 20, 2023 1 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION (SACIC) TUESDAY- -JUNE 20, 2023- -6:59 P.M. Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Councilmember/Commissioner Jensen led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers/Commissioners Daysog, Herrera Spencer, Jensen, Vella and Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft – 5. Absent: None. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember/Commissioner Jensen moved approval of the Consent Calendar. Vice Mayor/Commissioner Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. [Items so enacted or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.] (*23-363 CC/23-10 SACIC) Minutes of the Joint City Council and SACIC Meetings Held on May 2, 2023 and May 16, 2023. Approved. AGENDA ITEM (23-364 CC) Resolution No. 16056, “Reappointing Carly Grob as a Member of the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.” Adopted; (23-364 CC-A) Resolution No. 16057, “Reappointing Hanson Hom as a Member of the Planning Board.” Adopted; and (23-364 CC-B) Resolution No. 16058, “Reappointing Teresa Ruiz as a Member of the Planning Board” Adopted. Councilmember Herrera Spencer moved adoption of the resolutions. Councilmember Vella seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Grob, Ms. Ruiz and Mr. Hom and presented a certificate of reappointment to Mr. Hom. (23-365 CC) Public Hearing to Establish the Proposition 4 (Appropriations) Limit for Fiscal Year 2023-24; and Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 20, 2023 2 (23-365 CC-A) Resolution No. 16059, “Establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2023-24.” Adopted. Councilmember Jensen moved adoption of the resolution. Vice Mayor Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. (23-366 CC) Resolution No. 16060, “Approving and Adopting the City of Alameda Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25.” Adopted; (23-11 SACIC) Resolution No. 23-19, “Approving and Adopting the Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission Budget for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25.” Adopted; (23-366 A CC) Resolution No. 16061, “Approving Workforce Changes and Amending the Management and Confidential Employees Association and Alameda City Employees Association Salary Schedule in Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25 Effective July 1, 2023.” Adopted; and (23-366 B CC) Resolution No. 16062, “Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Necessary Documents with the Alameda County Transportation Commission to Accept $567,000 in Grant Funding to Design the Lincoln Avenue/Marshall Way/Pacific Avenue Corridor Improvement Project.” Adopted. The Finance Director gave a Power Point presentation. Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft stated members of the American Legion Post provided comments at a previous meeting related to repairs for the Veterans’ Building; requested clarification about the next steps in the process; an email was forwarded to staff about the Veterans’ building in Hayward being partially funded by the County of Alameda; inquired whether there are options for County funding in Alameda. The City Manager and Public Works Director responded that they are not aware of County funding for Hayward. Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft inquired when the other repair items will be addressed. The Public Works Director responded the presentation included a list of desired improvements to the Veterans’ building; stated an internal service fund has a pre - defined capital plan; feedback from Council was to add heating; staff is performing a number of items from the list; some repairs have been done and others will be worked on in the next two years; interior painting will occur later; Council has discretion to fast track projects; funding is needed; other items included in the Veterans’ list are not included in the capital budget; recommended performing the upgrades proposed in the two-year budget and revisiting other items; the current capital budget for building facilities is aggressive; Public Works is staffing up; two new positions in the Facilities Division will open once the budget is approved. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 20, 2023 3 Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft stated the bullet point causing concern is related to the plumbing system and hot water in all bathrooms; she considers having ho t water in a restroom and kitchen as a matter of sanitation and health/hygiene; inquired whether the hot water project is complicated. The Public Works Director responded the kitchen and bar are not currently in use ; stated both areas would require significant investment to get back to operating status; the update is a larger, long-term project; the hot water and women’s restroom project requires an overhaul of the plumbing system , which will be a significant investment; the restroom was recently renovated due to a break in the plumbing causing water damage; the renovation had been done without integration of hot water; the repair was completed to respond to the circumstance. Councilmember/Commissioner Jensen discussed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requiring hot water in restrooms; stated work going on at the Veterans’ Building is long overdue; hot water should be included in the work plan; without hot water, the City will be out of compliance with federal requirements; she understands that there are (ADA) improvements included; inquired whether Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements will address issues at the Veterans’ building. The Public Works Director responded in the affirmative; stated the ADA Transition Plan is forthcoming helpfully in the next six months; the Plan includes priority ranking; issues in the Veterans’ building can be addressed using ADA funding. Councilmember/Commissioner Jensen expressed support for staff looking at the ADA program and utilizing the funds to make improvements. Councilmember/Commissioner Vella inquired the cost estimates and processes for the hot water project. The Public Works Director stated that she does not currently have the information; staff does not have cost estimates for items on the Veterans’ group list that are not in the capital plan; if the costs warrant additional appropriations, staff can seek funding when staff get estimates and returns to Council. In response to Councilmember/Commissioner Vella’s inquiry about the potential timeline, the Public Works Director stated staff can cost out the work over the summer and return to Council with an update in September. Councilmember/Commissioner Vella stated the process seems to be a procedural matter that should not prevent or delay work from occurring; staff would need to contract out other work. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 20, 2023 4 Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft stated the Veterans’ building in Hayward is on the National Historic List; the building is managed and maintained by the County of Alameda; expressed support for staff finding out whether there is any ability to gain funding from the County for maintenance of the building in Alameda. The Public Works Director stated staff will look into the matter; the City purchased the building from the County decades ago; the purchase obligated the City to maintain the building and continue access for the Veterans’ group. Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she is concerned about the City not looking at adding hot water to the restrooms in the next fiscal year. The Public Works Director stated staff is happy to return in the fall with the costs. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer stated it is important to consider restoration of all of the bathrooms on the list; it is imperative to have ADA compliant restrooms; concurred about the need for hot water; stated the work for the kitchen and bar area is key for the organization to host events and raise money; the building cannot be rented out; expressed support for prioritizing hot water and ADA projects. Stated the Hayward Veterans’ building is run by the County; the Alameda building was run by the County until 1996; expressed support for hot water and kitchen repairs; discussed the building history: Greg Owens, Veterans Group of Alameda. Expressed support for building restoration efforts; stated repairs are important for Veterans as well as community events and Sea Cadets; urged Council to support maintenance projects: Kurt Winkowski, American Legion Post 647/Veterans Group of Alameda. Stated the proposed budget provides sustainable funding for the Community Assessment, Response and Engagement (CARE) team; discussed the Police budget; expressed support for streamlining Police administration, reducing the number of funded Police positions, and providing funding for continuing expansion of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI): Marilyn Rothman, Alameda. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer inquired how staff will address concerns raised by public commenters. The City Manager responded staff will explore costs for repairs and return to Council in September; staff needs time to perform analysis; staff will perform the work and return in September. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer inquired why wayfinding signage is not budgeted in year one of the budget. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 20, 2023 5 The City Manager responded staff is implementing Seaplane Lagoon wayfinding signage; stated there is a lot on City staff’s plate , including additional improvements at Alameda Point; staff needs more time to ensure there are sufficient staff resources available for implementation. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer inquired whether there has been any improvement to the area signage for businesses at Alameda Point. The City Manager responded staff is discussing the matter ; stated revamping permanent signage would take a lot more time and may have a different cost estimate; staff needs time to determine the exact cost to revamp all permanent signage; staff is discussing interim solutions with existing tenants. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer stated temporary signage with names have been put up for some businesses; some businesses do not have individual signage; the community at-large knows Spirits Alley; expressed support for equal treatment of businesses at Alameda Point; stated temporary signage should be considered for businesses, such as Dashe, Urban Cellars, Building 34, and Faction Brewery; expressed concern over businesses leaving Alameda Point; stated many businesses have left. The City Manager stated staff is looking into ways to provide temporary signage; permanent signage is expensive; expressed support for more comprehensive and permanent signage; stated staff will continue looking into temporary signage . Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft stated great street improvements have occurred, but work is in progress; expressed concern over spending a lot of money now and then needing to spend money again once the project is complete. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer inquired whether the City will provide temporary signage for businesses. The City Manager responded funds are available for temporary signage in the operating budget; stated staff does not have a complete, comprehensive revamp of all permanent signage; staff is looking at ways to provide temporary signage for some of the businesses under the current budget. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer inquired whether the project will occur in year-one or two. The City Manager responded staff will try to provide temporary signage in year -one. Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether a motion is being created with the inclusion of the direction to staff related to returning with information on the Veterans ’ building improvements, to which Councilmember Herrera Spencer responded in the negative. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 20, 2023 6 Councilmember/Commissioner Jensen expressed support for fiscal responsibility and moving forward without a deficit; stated pension liability has been an issue for many years; requested clarification about the status of the City’s pension liability. The Finance Director stated staff added two million dollars to the budget in year-two to cover the increased pension liability; the City has had some great CalPERS returns; the pension liability lags two years behind; staff will bring forth a pension and Other Post- Employment Benefits (OPEB) discussion; staff has contracted with a company that allows staff to run scenarios as part of the fiscal resiliency plan; Alameda is better than most cities regarding pension; staff has a good plan to maintain funding. Councilmember/Commissioner Jensen stated Alameda has been successful in funding all capital needs in the past seven years; it is exciting to see the new parks and playground replacements; the City has resurfaced most tennis and pickle ball courts; needs are large; there is work to do at the Veterans’ building. Councilmember/Commissioner Jensen moved approval of the staff recommendation, including adoption of the resolutions, including identifying funding to make all improvements, particularly regarding hot water, at the Veterans’ building. Councilmember/Commissioner Vella seconded the motion. Under discussion, Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft discussed Exhibit 3; stated the reports indicate where money is going and is nicely laid out. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer inquired whether Councilmember/ Commissioner Jensen would be open to a friendly amendment to the motion for the temporary signage at Alameda Point for other businesses ; noted Dashe Cellars, Urban Cellars and Building 43 do not have signage. Councilmember/Commissioner Jensen responded that she appreciates the amendment and understands businesses are requesting more effective signage; stated that she will not include the amendment to the motion; each time she visits Alameda Point, new things are occurring; supporting immediate signage replacement would be difficult. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer stated the City has recently lost several businesses at Alameda Point; the losses are unfortunate; there is signage for some businesses; pre-COVID-19 businesses are struggling; she will not be able to support the proposed budget without signage. Vice Mayor/Commissioner Daysog expressed support for the May workshop; stated decisions being made by Council did not occur in a vacuum, but from a process; discussed Exhibit 3; stated roughly $45 million will be spent on infrastructure the City needs; the City is typically excited about above-ground matters, but there needs to be Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 20, 2023 7 investment in infrastructure in order to keep the City going; roughly 45% of the infrastructure is to be spent on sewer and stormwater maintenance; adopting the operations and maintenance budget is ensuring the City invests in things that keep it going. Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft stated so much underground is unseen; discussed seismically safe conduit that ensures safe water supply; stated street closures and detours are temporary; staff has been proactive with sewer mains; discussed proactive measures to avoid sinkholes similar to City of Oakland; expressed support for City staff. Councilmember/Commissioner Herrera Spencer stated the City lost two businesses at Alameda Point: Rock Wall Winery and Hangar One Distillery; people cannot find remaining businesses when using Uber; the remaining businesses are significantly smaller than the two large businesses which left; expressed concern over people being unable to find businesses at Alameda Point; stated it is unfortunate that temporary signage will not be provided for businesses. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Daysog, Jensen, Vella and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft - 4. Noes: Councilmember Herrera Spencer – 1. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor/Chair Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger, City Clerk Secretary, SACIC The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.