[0:00] The time is 719. This is a regular meeting of the Emeryville City Council. Madam Clerk, the roll.

[0:10] Council member, private force.

[0:13] Here. Oh, because usually you do the whole, I want to note that, okay, we'll be here. Yeah, let's be here.

[0:19] Yes, we are.

[0:20] Councilmember Solomon.

[0:22] Councilmember Welch.

[0:23] Here.

[0:23] Vice Mayor Carr.

[0:24] Present.

[0:25] And Mayor Moira.

[0:26] Present.

[0:27] Next, we have approval of the final agenda.

[0:29] Members, do we have a motion?

[0:31] I'd like to pull something from the consent calendar before we go forward.

[0:36] That's when we get so.

[0:37] Okay.

[0:38] When you get.

[0:39] We'll find agenda.

[0:40] We can do that at the consent.

[0:41] Motion to approve the final agenda.

[0:44] Second.

[0:45] Now them clerk the roll.

[0:46] Council Member Pryforce?

[0:48] Aye.

[0:49] Council Member Solomon?

[0:51] Aye.

[0:51] Council Member Welch?

[0:52] Vice Mayor Carr?

[0:54] Aye.

[0:55] And Mayor Moira?

[0:57] Motion carries.

[0:59] Next we have special orders of the day.

[1:02] First we have a proclamation of the city council of the city of Emeryville.

[1:07] Designating October 2025 as art and culture month in Emeryville,

[1:12] and acknowledging October as arts and humanities month nationally, and I will now read the

[1:18] proclamation.

[1:21] Whereas the city of Emeryville enacted a 1% for the arts program in 1990, resulting in

[1:27] over 600 pieces of artwork sponsored by the city and private developers required to comply

[1:33] with the program now in its 35th year, and the city of Emeryville declared October 2010 as

[1:40] National Arts Month, and the East Bay Cultural Corridors,

[1:44] 510 Arts Month in the City of Emoryville,

[1:48] and recognize the work of the California Arts Council,

[1:51] and the California Arts Council recognizes the Rotten City Cultural District,

[1:56] RCCD of Emoryville as one of just 14 cultural districts in 2022

[2:02] awarded funds, expanded programming in each of these districts.

[2:06] And the City of Emeryville Awarded Project Management Responsibilities to RCCD to ABG Arts Group and the City of Emeryville strongly supports national arts and humanities month in October the largest annual celebration of arts and humanities in the nation for three decades and recognized by the White House Congress, states, counties, cities throughout the United States.

[2:34] And the city of Emeryville and Emeryville celebration of the arts works in partnership with

[2:40] Alameda County Arts Commission to support the arts and humanities locally.

[2:45] And Emeryville's celebration of the arts exhibition celebrating its 39th year officially

[2:51] opens on Friday, October 3rd, 2025, and will take place October 4th through October 26th,

[3:00] 25 at 5905 Shell Mount Street and features the works of artists and crafts people, both established and emerging, who live or work in Emeryville.

[3:13] And RCCD is highlighting the events and activities of RCCD partners, including the city of Emeryville, where-hand development Emeryville celebration arts,

[3:23] gallery 4509, 55th Street, are this co-op,

[3:28] Jared's pottery, Pixar, and Bay Street in partnership to lead efforts to advance the arts through

[3:34] program services, community building initiatives, and such the Emeryville Film Festival, are

[3:42] this residency is mini-grants to performing and visual, are this, are this professional development,

[3:48] our installations and in our this database.

[3:53] And the RCCD is sponsoring the inaugural art and cultural month in Emeryville with weekly

[3:58] themed events that highlight existing partners and our activities while creating new opportunities

[4:05] and providing professional development for local artists, including but limited to

[4:11] Clay with your food at Jared's pottery, an event mixing chefs, scientists,

[4:17] kilns, clever foods and celebrity judges, beyond the lamplight,

[4:22] art show at Gallery 4509, showcasing original works of artists employed by Pixar

[4:29] for the inaugural show at Gallery 4509, operated by Emoryville Celebration of the Arts.

[4:36] Tours of public art and open studios throughout the city, including facilities, campuses and the greenway, as well as a night time get lit tour of light lit sculptures and nearby businesses, offering evening entertainment.

[4:56] New visual art installations, including...

[5:00] Two murals, a marquee, RCCD sculpture, and an unveiling of Packard Jennings' birthhouses along the greenway. New district streetlight

[5:10] banners by local artists crafted in their June RCCD residency. The arts and humanities enhance and enrich

[5:18] the lives of all Americans, and participation in the arts offers engaging, constructive, and safe

[5:25] environments for young people and children learning critical thinking skills and improving

[5:31] focus when provided a solid foundation in the arts.

[5:36] And public art projects are an element, but public art projects are elements of civic pride

[5:42] and help define and formulate responses to social, economic, and cultural issues faced

[5:48] by citizens.

[5:48] And the arts have tremendous educational value, community value, and economic value.

[5:55] Now, therefore, it be resolved by the City Council of the City of Emeryville,

[6:00] that October 2025, is hereby designated art and culture month in Emeryville,

[6:07] and the City Council encourages our community members to participate,

[6:11] and share in the arts and humanities in Emeryville, and to participate in arts and culture month,

[6:17] and be it further resolved by the City Council of the City of Emeryville,

[6:22] the October is hereby designated National Arts and Humanities Month,

[6:27] and the City Council encourages our community members to promote their arts and humanities

[6:33] throughout the region and the country. As proclaimed by the City Council of the City of Emeryville

[6:39] other regular meeting held Tuesday, September 16th, 2025.

[6:46] And do we have a member to

[6:51] it, somebody to accept?

[7:03] Wonderful, with anybody like to address the council

[7:06] or make a brief statement, you can come to the podium.

[7:12] Sharon Willshire, community liaison for the 40-Fist

[7:14] Street Artists Co-op, and also the project coordinator

[7:17] for Emeryville Celebration of the Arts.

[7:19] And I just have to say 39 years and look what happened.

[7:24] I mean, this is so exciting for me, and I think you've mentioned everything about the

[7:30] art exhibition that opens on Friday, October 3rd, the exhibition and the reception are all

[7:36] free.

[7:39] And we also have Nancy Carp and Dancers, we'll be presenting a dance performance on the

[7:44] 12, which is a Sunday.

[7:47] Sarah Cobranski will be also hosting

[7:50] the Acrastic Poetry Workshop,

[7:52] and it'll culminate with a poetry reading on the 26th.

[7:56] We are absolutely thrilled to be sort of the book ends

[8:00] for Arts and Culture Month, and to be the kickoff event,

[8:05] and also be the closing event, and just encourage people

[8:07] to come to the exhibition, but also enjoy

[8:10] all the other things that are going to be happening this month.

[8:12] It's really exciting, and so thank you.

[8:16] Thank you, Sharon.

[8:20] Welcome.

[8:21] Thank you.

[8:22] Hi, my name is Serela Reynolds.

[8:23] I'm the director of ABG, Art Group.

[8:25] I'm here on behalf of myself and my partners, Trent Thompson,

[8:28] and Erica, and Rika's.

[8:30] We were tasked with building the Rotten City Cultural District

[8:33] and executing this vision.

[8:34] And I just want to say thank you for this tremendous opportunity.

[8:37] Thank you to the Council, to the city,

[8:39] to Amber and Chad and Rebecca,

[8:41] and all the city staff that have supported this vision.

[8:43] hearing you read it all out loud and all the things that we've done over the last couple

[8:48] years. Wow, that's a lot. And I'm really proud of the work that we've done. We couldn't

[8:54] have done it without our city partners and all the, the, the them, the partners. We're

[9:00] ham and Sharon and celebration of the arts and Pixar and everybody that's been involved.

[9:04] And so I just want to say thank you so much for this proclamation for this tremendous honor.

[9:09] and it's been a wonderful experience and we're just getting started so thank you so much.

[9:16] Thank you.

[9:19] Welcome.

[9:20] I could even introduce you better with where Ham development.

[9:23] I just wanted to say that Ham, when the staff had been fabulous putting this whole thing together

[9:28] and the age the G team has been wonderful.

[9:32] When you look around town, you see all the, all this, the effort that they made that pops out all over the city.

[9:42] It's just a great celebration and where Ham's delighted to be part of it.

[9:48] Thank you.

[9:52] Any other comments?

[9:55] Maybe before I provide the proclamation, I'll ask any member.

[10:00] Members of this council, if they'd like to comment on the proclamation or the art community.

[10:09] Thank you for all you do to make our city very beautiful, appreciate it, and grateful for your work, grateful for your leadership in the art world. Thank you.

[10:19] Thank you, Vice Mayor.

[10:23] I think I have a problem.

[11:14] From staff that you'll be receiving a significant schedule, very shortly.

[11:20] Thank you, Amber, and thank you staff for coordinating these activities, and again, thank you

[11:27] to the artist community for everything you do to beautify the city.

[11:31] We know this and we appreciate it, thank you.

[11:35] Next we have a presentation, the Emeryville Children and Nature.

[11:41] I believe there's a slide deck.

[11:45] Welcome.

[11:47] Thank you so much for having us.

[11:50] I'm just going to give a brief and an intro here before I turn it over.

[11:54] Most of you are familiar with us in our work, but briefly, we started out as

[12:01] Emeryville Children in the Nature founded by Patty Weber here and we have been

[12:05] working to increase equitable access to nature for all of the kids and people

[12:12] living in Emeryville.

[12:12] And this last year we have been working as a nature everywhere community and we've

[12:17] always supported, applied for, and awarded to be a nature everywhere community.

[12:24] And apart as a part of that, we chose to focus on early childhood, specifically increasing

[12:29] access to nature for early childhood.

[12:32] And we've had the support of what's called technical assistance support for a year from

[12:38] the nature everywhere in the cities.

[12:41] And we have our leads here with us today,

[12:44] who are coming to visit and helps port us.

[12:47] We've had some great meetings today with public works.

[12:50] And with the school and we're feeling the love.

[12:54] And what we're going to do tonight

[12:57] is just kind of remind all of us about why we're doing this work

[13:01] and why it's so important to connect children to nature.

[13:07] And before we turn it over,

[13:08] We just want to remind you about our ribbon cutting tomorrow from 2.30 to 5 for at Stanford

[13:16] Park for the Nature Exploration Area that we are piloting and collaboration with the city,

[13:21] which we really appreciate their support on.

[13:28] Hi, everybody.

[13:29] I'm Jen Salinas.

[13:30] I work with the children and nature network, and I have been the lead technical assistant

[13:34] supporting the efforts that Patty and Susan have been leading here.

[13:40] Hi, I'm there.

[13:40] I'm there, Athena. I'm a program manager at the National League of Cities and Collead with Jen.

[13:47] We can go to the next slide, please.

[13:53] Next slide.

[13:56] So we wanted to set up a little bit about what

[13:58] the nature everywhere communities initiative is. Just kind of crown you in the work that

[14:04] Patty and Susie have been, Susie's going to have been leading here with the rest of the

[14:07] and rebuild children in nature team. This is a national movement that we have throughout the country.

[14:14] we have about a hundred communities involved with the goal of bringing more equitable access to

[14:19] nature, every word children live, learn, and play. Go to the next slide.

[14:26] The nature, everywhere community initiative is a partnership between three organizations,

[14:32] so the children and nature network, the National League of Cities, and Kupu,

[14:36] are all involved in supporting communities throughout the country to increase nature

[14:41] to bring this effort to their cities.

[14:46] Next slide, sorry. So we really wanted to highlight what early

[14:50] childhood nature connections is tonight because that is the focus area that the Emoryville

[14:56] Children in Nature team has chosen to focus on. So we're going to go over that.

[15:00] A little bit and share what the benefits are around nature.

[15:05] So what we like to say is that nature makes kids happier, healthier, smarter, and better stewards of the environment.

[15:12] And we have the research to back this up and to prove it. It's really important to us that when we're going out there and we're talking about nature and what it can bring and what it can do for children and for their families and for the community overall, we want to make sure that that's grounded in research.

[15:27] and so everything that we say does have plenty of research to back it up, the children in

[15:31] nature network website has the largest research library that documents the research behind

[15:37] the connections here. And so that is a QR code that will get you to the website to learn a

[15:44] little bit more about that. We can go to the next slide though. I will share some of those highlights.

[15:50] So nature makes kids healthier. We know that greenness near homes, near schools, and in the community

[15:56] can support healthy or birth outcomes. It increases physical activity, it gets healthier,

[16:03] weight, to children. We see more robust immune function and reduce near-sidedness. It's

[16:09] really essential and critical for healthy development in children. One of the things that we like

[16:14] to emphasize is that a lot of people can see nature as being a nice to have. It's an extra,

[16:26] but

[16:26] As humans grew up in nature, and it's such a critical component of our development, and for us to have healthy development, we want to make sure that we are connected to nature.

[16:39] Next slide, please. So we also say nature makes kids happier. And again, there's lots of research that shows us.

[16:45] And we're saying kids because that's kind of our emphasis, but it's the whole community, right? We want to bring this nature to the community.

[16:52] And we're starting with this focus on children, but we know that then that expands out to their families and to the rest of the community.

[16:59] But we see that it enhances children's mental health, their emotional well-being, it reduces stress. Next slide.

[17:07] And we like to say that nature makes kids smarter. There is a lot of evidence that shows that being around nature, having access to green spaces,

[17:15] even looking outside a window and being able to have green views,

[17:20] helps enhance attention.

[17:22] It gives so helps children with self-regulation,

[17:24] it decreases their stress, right?

[17:26] It creates the environment that really supports optimal learning

[17:29] for children.

[17:31] And next slide.

[17:33] And another piece that we really like to lift up

[17:36] and emphasize what this work is that when children

[17:40] develop these closed relationships with nature

[17:42] from a very early age, they grow to have

[17:47] pro-environmental behaviors, right?

[17:49] They grow up into adults that are going to care

[17:51] about their environment, they love their environment,

[17:53] and they want to take care of it.

[17:55] And that's a really important part of this work, too,

[17:58] as we look to the future of our communities

[18:00] and how we can continue to support that.

[18:03] Next slide.

[18:05] So the early childhood nature connections toolkit,

[18:09] we describe it as four interconnected components

[18:11] that the local team has really been working to support and make sure that we're hitting all of these

[18:16] four areas of infrastructure, workforce capacity and professional development, programming and

[18:22] family engagement, and then amplifying and sustaining the work through policy and through funding.

[18:27] So things like the co-bore come into place when we're thinking about, sorry, children's outdoor

[18:32] bill of rights is what co-bore is when we're thinking about the policy component of that. Next slide.

[18:39] So, um, just want to very quickly go over this because I know we don't have too much time,

[18:44] but when we're thinking about infrastructure, um, we're just thinking of how can we expand

[18:48] access to nature-place spaces, so adding nature to outdoor spaces in early childhood programs,

[18:55] and our other public spaces like parks, um, where, or community centers where young children can,

[19:02] our, our and where their families are as well. Next slide.

[19:06] And we really want to make sure that we're activating those spaces to programming and family engagement and celebrating families cultures and traditions is a really important part of this right.

[19:16] We want to make sure that the nature that we're offering is reflective of the community and their needs and their desires and how they want to connect to nature.

[19:26] Next slide, we want to make sure that those using these spaces like teachers and early childhood providers feel comfortable in those spaces.

[19:36] So how can we provide professional development and strengthen the ECE pipeline so that teachers and early childhood educators are trained with nature based practices in mind.

[19:46] In the next slide, policy and funding, making sure that as a community, we're really advocating for public investment in nature access and inclusion.

[19:58] We're thinking about how can we have...

[20:00] Funding to support facility and environment. How are we building in programmatic and professional development funding as well? Really thinking about if we want this to succeed, we need to be creative. We need to think about how are we blending this into the fabric of our community and how are we weaving it into the policies into everything that we want to have this community so that it lives long term and that

[20:29] and that when you people think about and reveal, they think about all that it has around nature to provide to youth and families.

[20:38] And next slide, we're going to share a couple of community examples.

[20:43] So we have a few slides, a key.

[20:47] One at community is San Francisco, so nearby.

[20:51] I think we're next slide, please.

[20:54] So they have a focus on, sorry, I got a little nervous.

[20:58] environmental justice and they thought, they thought of how, sorry, good news, thank you.

[21:35] Nature exploration areas in their parks, in public spaces, and early childhood sites.

[21:42] So they have over 30 community partners that they've worked with, including city agencies.

[21:49] And you can see some of their accomplishments

[21:52] are they've developed nature exploration areas in public parts,

[21:57] public sites, including eight stand-alone nature exploration areas,

[22:01] and three with traditional playground equipment,

[22:04] and also have developed some in nature exploration areas

[22:08] in 21 preschools or family childcare centers.

[22:13] And the next slide.

[22:15] These are just some examples of some of their city-wide initiatives, so they focus on a number of the pathways, including nature-based programming and really thinking of how to align with city-wide programs in the connections that the communities already have, so like YMCA and with city-wide events.

[22:36] And also they focus on outdoor learning environments and professional development.

[22:42] I'll show some examples of this next slide.

[22:46] But you can see that they've worked to, this is before and after the early childhood center.

[22:52] So they've worked to add nature to these centers and it's all been invitation based in not mandatory.

[23:00] But they've worked, as I mentioned, with family child care homes and early childhood centers,

[23:07] partnering with, so the low-income investment fund, a community development financial institution,

[23:13] as well as other partners.

[23:15] But aligning with some of the logs are actually repurposed.

[23:20] So thinking of alignment with green infrastructure and repurposing the logs from the presidio.

[23:28] And they've also include loose parts for learning, shade, that's important for children for being able to enjoy the outdoors and also improving air quality.

[23:42] And they've also had a year-long professional development program, which they've worked with the educators and directors.

[23:50] So, it's not required, but it's not mandatory to be part of the program, but when they invite the directors, they think it's been helpful for the sustainability of the initiatives.

[24:08] And they also have, oh, I think it was on the last slide, but as I mentioned, they've worked in public parks too, so they have a network of nature exploration areas as well.

[24:22] And one other point we want to make is that all of these connect to sustainability and resilience initiatives.

[24:28] I know that's on the next slide. It's an important part of the city too. So one of the priorities.

[24:37] So thinking of all the ways that tree canopy, stormwater management, pollinator and wild habitats and nutrition access are priorities and can fit in into the infrastructure and program being components.

[24:51] and help not only sustain a billion resilience, but it'd be important for opportunities for children's learning.

[24:59] So, thinking of...

[25:02] While life habitats or opportunities for sensory experiences and learning, especially if these are on early childhood centers, nutrition access, so thinking how this can connect to community food security, as well as nutrition opportunities, and learning about farm to school and farm to ECE, and also providing intergenerational energy,

[25:29] or generational programming and for storm water management on the next slide I'll talk about how

[25:37] especially with nature exploration areas there's other opportunities to align with watershed

[25:43] restoration so their ways like when parks are with park developments their night may not be

[25:51] opportunities for permanent structures because there could be flooding or other storm water issues

[25:55] But there could be opportunities to have to develop nature exploration areas and use these parks.

[26:03] They cite for when there's not flooding so that most of the time.

[26:09] So there might be opportunities in more funding opportunities, especially when you're working with the flood district.

[26:16] And one example is Denver and they have a nature play guideline that's very helpful to see some case studies of how they've worked with parks.

[26:25] with developing nature exploration areas, and they also develop the guidelines jointly with their mile high slide district.

[26:39] So just to wrap up, I mean, we try to squeeze a lot into a quick presentation, but hopefully by doing that we hope that we were able to illustrate the many ways in which nature is important.

[26:50] We see how it supports mental health. We know that it can support climate resilience and sustainability for community.

[26:55] it supports child development for optimal development.

[26:59] Whoa, some crazy's happening up there.

[27:03] And so we want to make sure that this is really interwoven within your community.

[27:07] I'm sure that all of us can get behind the idea of children and nature,

[27:10] and how that can benefit our communities and our families.

[27:14] And that work really takes creative partnerships,

[27:17] how are we building cross sector teams,

[27:20] how are we making connections between the city and nonprofits and cultural organizations,

[27:25] And really thinking about creative partnerships and solutions to these problems.

[27:30] We have lots of communities out in the country that have been able to do this.

[27:33] And we have lots of examples to share with you if you're interested in learning more.

[27:39] I just want to emphasize the value of bringing each of your community and there's ways to do so.

[27:45] And our team over here has been getting the work started and it's up to us to continue that work going.

[27:52] Thank you.

[27:53] I don't know if there's time for any questions or.

[27:56] Yes.

[27:57] Thank you all.

[27:58] And I'll ask the members of the council.

[28:01] If you have any questions or comments on the presentation.

[28:05] Feel free to raise your hand.

[28:17] Presentation.

[28:18] Members Solomon.

[28:20] Can you just say one more time.

[28:22] The event tomorrow.

[28:23] What are the details?

[28:24] What should the public expect to see?

[28:27] is the event is to sell it. It's the ribbon cutting for the Stanford Park Nature Exploration

[28:34] area. So you heard them talk about it at NEAs, the nature exploration area. So it's a pilot

[28:40] that we have done that has been in the works for a long time through Parks and Rec. And tomorrow we're

[28:49] we're going to celebrate it. We have music and food and supporters and all kinds of

[28:58] some things from 230 to 2 to 5 fish and also a big thanks to Vice Mayor Carr. She has been

[29:09] a huge supporter for us. She came with the Nature Everywhere National Conference. She came with

[29:15] me she there to to the conference to support us there. She's been a huge advocate and support here

[29:22] as we we got back to really move forward with the work. Um tomorrow we are Nicky Fortunately

[29:31] not a bass is coming by with the help um again for by based by Samaracard connecting us with her

[29:40] and it's going to be good event and it's going to be the kick off for much more to come.

[29:49] Thank you, Susan. Any other questions or comments from Council?

[29:56] I can make a comment.

[29:59] First of all.

[30:00] So thank you Susan for introducing me to this phenomenal group of people that you're working with, Vera, Jen, Patty, I already knew about your work, but I did not know the scale of it and I'm so proud of what you have made it.

[30:19] you have partnered with national organizations,

[30:25] including children in nature.

[30:27] I did not realize that there was such a huge conference

[30:30] that I attended in Minnesota.

[30:33] Thank you so much for allowing me

[30:37] or inviting me to attend that.

[30:40] I really appreciate it.

[30:41] I learned a lot.

[30:42] It appealed to my inner child to go and attend

[30:47] all these programming that they had put on that were outside in the parks. I made sure every

[30:53] program that I pick is out in one of the parks. So I would pick those and I had to have all these

[31:01] flies and these ends crawling over me. It was just part of the experience, but it was it was fun

[31:07] to do something outside. I know they had a lot of indoors ones also, but they were putting me

[31:12] sleep, so I went right outside. So not that they didn't have anything meaningful to say they did,

[31:18] but it's always more fun to have the learning outside, whether you are a child or an adult.

[31:25] So I mean, it's just great and your work is amazing. I hope I know you are taking this whole week,

[31:34] Jen and Vera, you've taken a time to come and meet with the people here in the city and you are building

[31:39] those relationships in order to continue this phenomenal work in our city.

[31:45] Very, very grateful to you all. And I hope you continue this. We beyond this this council,

[31:53] we beyond me, we beyond my time. I would love to come to your kickoff tomorrow as well as all

[31:59] the amazing events that you have planned to this organization. Thank you for bringing this to our city.

[32:08] Thank you, Vice Mayor.

[32:10] Are there any other comments or questions?

[32:13] Member Pryforce.

[32:15] Hey, y'all.

[32:17] So there are CEOs who have had a major impact on me.

[32:24] I mean, Jim Clifton, John Esposito,

[32:28] Cheryl Dorsey, and Darrell Hammond of Kabul.

[32:33] Daryl is one of the most remarkable people, I can say, I can say white dudes, but now

[32:43] just people, like he is just an amazing individual, I even declined an acquisition of my

[32:51] company in its earliest stages after having a conversation with him, and it's because of

[32:58] is the love of children and especially in terms of creating sort of this idea of the inclusive

[33:06] background and he helped me to really just just how to pitch that how to focus on that.

[33:13] And so to see Kaboom's name in terms of being a part of this programming both locally and

[33:20] nationally is really amazing and just as amazing is, you know, I want to thank Vice Mayor

[33:26] car for supporting this movement that that Patty and Susan that y'all just have been

[33:34] just really leading and I remember it's early as years and I mean what you all have done is

[33:43] I think this activism that I'd like to see more of in Emoryville that you can have this idea

[33:52] concept based on real community love based on hey I really want to see this happening and it

[33:57] might not in the beginning get as much support from the city but then you keep going you keep

[34:04] going and then it becomes this and so you know I'm just really impressed and I love what you

[34:13] all are doing and as much as we can support I'm definitely there so thank you for your

[34:22] your heroistism.

[34:27] Any other comments or questions?

[34:32] I'd like to just thank you one more time.

[34:36] I have two boys, five and seven, and I can't tell you how awful it is going to

[34:43] sterile plastic playgrounds that have come into Vogue over recent years, and I hope the

[34:50] this changing and people see the value in exposing kids to nature and natural play environments.

[35:00] I'm very excited to see the, I'm going to try to come for part of the unveiling tomorrow, and I'm really excited for that. And even more so, to bring my kids there, hopefully shortly afterwards. So, thanks again for the work you're doing.

[35:21] Next, we have announcement of commission and committee vacancies.

[35:24] Thank you, Mayor, just wanted to remind everyone that there's a current recruitment open for

[35:30] unscheduled vacancies.

[35:32] The application is available on the website and the application closes on September 29th.

[35:39] Thank you.

[35:41] Thank you.

[35:41] Next we have Council Member Special Announcements or reports on meeting attendance.

[35:47] I can.

[35:48] Vice Mayor.

[35:49] Thank you, Mayor.

[35:49] So I have the report on the meeting at Watergate on Saturday, September 6th, the purpose of the meeting was for MIG, which is one of our design winters, is that what they are,

[36:09] Muhammad, you were there, so you can let me know what are the design vendor, what capacity were they engaging in.

[36:17] They are an urban design and planning firm.

[36:20] Okay, so I just want to make that clear for the public.

[36:23] They are a very nice group of people.

[36:25] The purpose of the meeting was to engage with

[36:28] Watergate residents to determine the viability of the power street redesign.

[36:33] However, it was notice is the public meeting,

[36:36] because of the last minute cancellation notice.

[36:38] It created a lot of confusion, many residents who had planned to show up didn't show up.

[36:42] And people have asked for another meeting during a weekday for those of those of the residents that couldn't attend because of the religious holiday or other reasons.

[36:54] To not in and that meeting should include not only just water gate residents, but other stakeholders along Powell Street.

[37:00] So that was one of the meetings and if it's to be noticed as a public meeting, perhaps it can be held at a public venue.

[37:10] That was my first report of the meeting.

[37:13] And the second meeting I had was with former Mayor Jack Asher on August 21 regarding a page on our website,

[37:22] which is one of the council priorities to make very informed or informative website for our residents and businesses.

[37:34] The purpose of the meeting was regarding putting a page on the website for businesses and residents regarding their rights around the issue of immigration,

[37:44] which many of our Bay Area and state leaders have taken up.

[37:50] It is my understanding that staff is working to update the website based on the feedback that we received from the community and I look forward to that those updates.

[38:00] Thank you, Vice Mayor. Any other announcements or reports on meetings?

[38:07] Number, pride force.

[38:09] This, some synergy here.

[38:12] So colleagues, I know some would prefer

[38:14] I'm not bringing this up.

[38:16] But recently I met with a progressive group of activists

[38:19] who asked for my take as an elected official on

[38:22] Charlie Kirk.

[38:24] I chose instead to speak as an educator

[38:27] because I was an educator in a tech world

[38:29] and my work in philanthropy has always been youth centered.

[38:32] I know as many of you do that even when events happen far beyond our city limits, they touch

[38:40] Emoryville. Our babies are watching. I now have two in my care and whether it's young people

[38:46] enrolled at Emory Unified playing in our parks or enjoying the comfort of their homes,

[38:51] they are being raised in a world that feels less safe when they see not only the assassination of

[38:57] of the Church, but also the words and hate on which he built his fame and fortune.

[39:03] Thus, Todd Nehesi quotes, wrote today, in Vanity Fair, in this piece, Charlie Kirk,

[39:09] redeemed a political class finds its lost cause.

[39:12] There is a rush to sanitize Kirk's legacy.

[39:15] Praising his civility, while ignoring his actual record of vilifying civil rights leaders,

[39:20] queer people, trans people, Muslims, immigrants, black people, Haitians, and Jews.

[39:25] I urge my colleagues and a public to recodes article and full.

[39:30] Jesse Jinder, one of my favorite cultural critics who happens to be trans,

[39:34] reminds us that political violence is not only the bullet,

[39:38] it's also the policies, laws, and rhetoric that strip people of dignity

[39:41] in ways deemed as respectable or practicing politics the right way.

[39:47] And let me add, political violence is also paying for the bombs

[39:50] that rained down on Gaza in genocide.

[39:53] is in a sinus that allows us to look away from what the world most wants us to see.

[39:58] Whether it's the destruction of Gaza?

[40:00] Or the recent hanging of the Marcher Avian, I'm sorry, the Marcher Avian Vi, tripe, trey, trey, emississippi.

[40:10] As cold swarms, ignoring Kirk's words while celebrating his image is not neutrality is complicity.

[40:16] Berion, the truth of a man's records, allows hate to be wreaked package, a civility, and that very act in dendres democracy itself.

[40:25] I'll close my remarks with this.

[40:27] Some have sought to doubt play Kurt's killing by insisting it was not in assassination.

[40:33] I hold heartedly disagree with that lack of empathy, given a history of our country.

[40:39] He was a political actor targeted on a public stage.

[40:42] We can condemn that act of violence without erasing a truth of who he was.

[40:46] A special Talbot Swan said, a white man murdered a white man, I wanted a white

[40:51] colleges in America and wanted a wider states in the nation, but y'all mad at black people.

[40:57] And I would add, at trans people, at Muslims, at immigrants too.

[41:01] We have always been made scapegoat when power structures need and other to blame.

[41:06] Here in every bill our values demand better.

[41:08] That is why the city will be adding a know your rights section to our website, because

[41:12] safety, dignity, and freedom are not privileges.

[41:15] They are protections owed to all who call the city home.

[41:18] And as we prepare to celebrate pride in every field this weekend, we affirm that these protections

[41:23] belong to every member of our community without exception. Finally, I offer my prayers to

[41:29] Charlie Kirk's family who must now live with this tragedy. Life is sacred, but so is freedom,

[41:35] justice and truth, our babies are watching. Are there any other member special announcements or reports

[41:42] on meeting attendance? Seeing none, we next have the city manager's report.

[41:48] Thank you, Madam Famina. Mr. Mayor, I just would like to report out for the community that echo housing will be hosting an in-reviewed tenants right workshop for tenants property owners and managers on this Friday, September 19 at 5.30 pm at the city of in-reviewed council chambers.

[42:12] And there will also be an opportunity to participate via Zoom.

[42:18] And this information is currently on our website.

[42:21] Thank you.

[42:23] Thank you.

[42:24] Next, we have X-Fartake Communications members.

[42:26] Do you have any X-Fartake Communications to report?

[42:31] Seeing and hearing none.

[42:32] Now is the time for public comment on the consent agenda or items not on the agenda?

[42:38] Seeing no members of the public to speak on that.

[42:41] We will now move to the consent calendar, and advice Mary you mentioned earlier, there was an item you wanted to pull for discussion.

[42:50] Thank you for that, Mary. Yes, 10.5. It is the local hazard mitigation plan.

[42:56] That is what I'd like to either pull for further discussion or get some clarifications on.

[43:05] So I'd like to ask for a motion to approve items 10.1 to 10.4 and 10.6 and 10.7 and we will discuss 10.

[43:17] Options approved the items, sorry, it's my motion to approve the items.

[43:21] I can.

[43:22] Madam, click the roll.

[43:24] Council member, private.

[43:25] Aye.

[43:26] Council member Solomon.

[43:27] Council member Welch.

[43:28] Vice Mayor Carr.

[43:30] And Mayor Mora.

[43:32] Motion carries.

[43:32] We'll now discuss item 10.5, the resolution of the City Council of the City of Emeryville,

[43:40] adopting the 2025 to 2030 local hazard mitigation plan to replace the existing LHMP appendix.

[43:51] Is there a specific question, Vice Mayor?

[43:58] I have a comment actually, and that might lead to some questions or discussion.

[44:04] The comment is this that I had to ask back when I was on the transportation committee

[44:09] and this had come in front of, I think many committees, this plan had come in front

[44:13] of many committees.

[44:15] I had asked that the hazard mitigation plan included the maps indicating Emeryville is not

[44:23] the severe fire zone and as well as the Cal fire language in the hazard mitigation plan

[44:33] so that this information can be used to help the pool insurance of the HOA's where possible

[44:40] because I work for an insurance company. I know that they use a city's hazard mitigation plan to

[44:48] factor these factor they premiums on.

[44:52] So, and I understand the item was returned to City Council of FEMA for approval,

[44:57] but that doesn't mean that we don't, we can,

[45:00] Not add the language. Now, after a FEMA reviewed it, FEMA just reviewed the plan, but it didn't say this is exactly what we want.

[45:11] They went send it back to council to include or strike anything that the city doesn't believe is necessary.

[45:19] But since this plan is going to be valid for five years, I would just like to have this plan include in it the map and the language from Cal Fire,

[45:29] indicating Emreville status in the fire zone so that this information can be used by the HOA's

[45:35] in our city to get discounts that they could possibly get on their pooled insurance.

[45:42] So it sounds like the question here is for staff given the the fact that the city is not in a

[45:53] is there a reason why, is there somebody from staff who could speak to that not being discussed in the local hazard mitigation plan?

[46:06] Good evening, Mayor. We have Lori Elefon here that can talk to the local ahead of mitigation plan. She did a lot of the legwork with staff.

[46:15] So she can probably answer your question and I'll jump in. We're needed.

[46:18] Welcome, Lori.

[46:22] It does say in the plan that Emeryville is not subject to wildfires, but to address your concern, we have added the fire maps to our website.

[46:36] So if somebody goes onto the website and goes into fire services, there's a link to those maps.

[46:44] Thank you so much for doing that. I had heard that from our city manager, but what I'm trying to say is that's not enough.

[46:50] For insurance companies to look at the website, it is something that what they look at is really the hazard mitigation plans.

[47:00] So for us to update the hazard mitigation plan, we would have to go back to FEMA.

[47:06] When we make the changes for their review and approval.

[47:11] Sorry to interrupt that. I just want to take all the questions first, then we'll open for public comment and then the discussion.

[47:17] Do we have any other questions on this item?

[47:22] Number Welch.

[47:23] I'm sorry.

[47:24] I'm sorry.

[47:25] So just to clarify, essentially what it says on the farm app is that we are not subject to wildfires.

[47:33] That's what the map says.

[47:35] And then it says that in the plan.

[47:37] So it's still noted.

[47:39] And then so when insurance companies are doing their assessment,

[47:43] that information that we are not subject to wildfires, that information is available to them, is that?

[47:49] Yeah, it says in the plan based on Emoryville's topography that it is not subject to wildfires.

[47:56] So they have access to that information.

[47:58] So they would have access to that and we can move to include those in the next update, actually have the maps in the plan.

[48:07] But to add the plan and to start changing it, we would have to go back to FEMA.

[48:11] And would that be what kind of impact would that have on like the approval or would that have some type of?

[48:18] Well, you have one year to adopt the plan.

[48:23] So it just depends on how fast FEMA moves.

[48:26] I mean, we would have to redo the plan, redo the review sheet that they use because in the review sheet,

[48:35] you point to the exact pages that everything is on.

[48:38] So if you start moving things around,

[48:43] then you'd have to go back to FEMA with the whole plan.

[48:47] And I'm not sure if we'd have to go back to CaloES first,

[48:51] because that's how it normally works as you go to CaloES.

[48:54] They approve it and form it forward

[48:58] to FEMA for final approval.

[49:00] So last time it took,

[49:03] we sent it to CaloES in November.

[49:08] they sent it back in December. We had to make some changes which we made. They approved it in February

[49:13] and sent it to FEMA and FEMA did not return until April.

[49:21] So.

[49:21] Vice Mayor, another question. Yes, so five months versus a five-year plan. And then

[49:29] redoing it after five years. I think makes a lot of difference for the residents in this town.

[49:34] We are H.O.A. Heavy, a city, which is an H.O.A. Heavy.

[49:40] So that's something that the question, I'm glad that Council Member Welch has raised that.

[49:47] It was exactly the exact question that I was going to raise.

[49:51] I, my understanding actually was different, but thanks for clarifying that.

[49:55] So FEMA, just this is the question I have.

[49:58] It's a FEMA-cended back to Council.

[50:00] approve and adopt, but it's really too adopt, because we came to council in September, 2024, correct

[50:09] council approved it at that point, didn't have any changes or comments.

[50:15] I had brought that up in the Transportation Committee. I had raised this exact part, and I had

[50:21] are raised in January of this year with staff to add it. So I think at this point, because we are

[50:29] in a joint heavy community, it should be considered. But I'm going to defer to my colleagues

[50:36] for other questions and how they wish to proceed.

[50:44] So for my understanding, I'm not an HOA community, but I do represent a large share of our

[50:53] renter community, and some of our multifamily units do have pools, so it sounds like it

[51:02] might be a matter of communication on how the insurance companies are drawing into information.

[51:08] Um, is there some sort of supplement or letter or communication that can be added to the plan?

[51:14] Um, specifically sort of providing directions to interway communities and also to, um, uh,

[51:21] sort of renter, uh, communities, you know, the landlords over renter communities.

[51:25] Uh, that kind of lets them know, hey, here's some updates.

[51:28] And, and these updates may be impacting you or, um, they may be, um,

[51:32] And so, and then they can use that when they're sort of negotiating insurance rates.

[51:41] If I could jump in real quick, looking at the file maps and what they reference within their maps is that

[51:49] CalPire has their maps do not affect insurance rates or availability.

[51:53] They should not be impacting on their reference inside of the CalPire maps.

[52:00] Thank you, Pedro.

[52:02] Any other questions, a member, pride force?

[52:06] So I think I'm then interested in maybe how do insurance companies make those sort of determinations.

[52:14] So maybe that's this is a matter of us talking to insurance companies and seeing like how today.

[52:19] Yeah, because maybe it's the buck is really on them and then trigger and now and then we adjust from there.

[52:29] So Pedro, you were saying the maps are what do not affect that. That's why I'm asking for the language to be included, not just the maps.

[52:41] That is, that is going to be asking for a sentence that just says that the calfire maps do not.

[52:49] show that Maryville's in a, like, just that one sentence.

[52:54] No, there was, there was a particular language that I had sent, uh, that was just, that, that was

[53:00] sent in January by the staff to me, and I had said included in the, the, uh, mitigation plan

[53:08] in the hazard mitigation plan. Those, that particular paragraph, and I think that you would have to

[53:14] follow-up with staff, and that was the language that came from Cal Fire, that it was

[53:22] language more than just the maps. And if I can find it, I can let you know what it was.

[53:30] Number Welch.

[53:31] Lori, again, it says in the plan that we are not in a wildfire risk. So it's going to say

[53:38] some iteration of that, whether it's from Cal Fire specifically or as we can't just make

[53:44] up, we're not lying, so we can't, that would be fraud. If we said that we are not at risk of wildfires

[53:52] and we are, so this is a plan based in truth, so it states that, and whatever iteration it would

[54:02] still equal, in reveal is not at risk of being a part of a wildfire event, correct? So it's there.

[54:14] So let's say that it says that we are not, you know, based on the topography that we are not at wildfire risk that we're more at risk for urban fires, as of our density.

[54:26] We also added a note in there that.

[54:30] reference to what was suggested that every of those zones has not been designated as moderate

[54:37] high or very high on fire hazard severity maps. So it's in there as a note to clarify that under

[54:42] the fire services maps that we linked to in there. So that information's in there.

[54:50] So that's that's

[54:52] fine. I mean at this point if that's the language but if you can add the language that I'd asked for

[54:58] that it just come direct.

[55:00] Currently from Cal Spire that, I mean, after five years that to me doesn't make sense, but again, it's something that I can defer to, but I would probably not vote for this item as an aye, only because I think that language is important.

[55:17] I'd like to actually, if we have other questions before public comment, a member of Solomon.

[55:25] Okay, I'd like a member of Pryforce.

[55:27] Go ahead.

[55:30] Okay, I'll now open public comment seeing no members of, oh, please.

[55:40] Hi, this is Doug Jones.

[55:41] Put a organizer of SCIE United Healthcare Workers.

[55:45] I'd like to point out one concern that we have about the report, which is that,

[55:50] It staff correctly identifies that a major natural hazard

[55:55] for a Marineville is earthquakes.

[55:56] The contemplate center earthquake in the nearby faults

[56:01] that run as close as three miles down the Marineville

[56:03] that might be as strong as a seven point two earthquake.

[56:07] Just want to be really clear, a seven point two earthquake

[56:10] is enormous.

[56:12] It's going to cause buildings to collapse.

[56:14] People are going to be injured.

[56:15] People are going to be severely injured.

[56:18] And they're going to be coming into the hospital

[56:19] that you're getting ready to approve building from Center. A hospital that

[56:25] Center is asking you to build, which is too small. So it's really important to

[56:30] consider that. And this is the process for moving, you know, this, you know,

[56:38] this review to place in 2023 and 2024 and ended relatively early in 2025. It's not

[56:48] It's all of a sudden,

[56:49] I've been said we've got this massive hospital project.

[56:52] I would ask whether it be included in this particular review,

[56:59] or in your decision-making process that you contemplate what's coming up

[57:03] over the next year or two, as you consider this project,

[57:07] to consider whether you're going to be mitigating risk

[57:11] in the decisions that you're going to be making regarding the size of this hospital

[57:14] the capacity of safety net services that we're going to need when the earthquake takes place.

[57:20] Not if. Thanks. Thank you for your comment. I'll now bring it back for council discussion.

[57:30] Number price force. To get you to vote on this, would it be a matter of us having a

[57:39] attitude motion, we're in the language that you have shared with us and that you worked

[57:46] on that that be added in a way that would be explicit to those who are most vested in

[57:57] some of the concerns that you have you ever raised.

[58:02] Yeah, the concern that I had raised was about the language that was actually given by Cal

[58:12] Fire, but not clearly in the hazard mitigation plan.

[58:21] So I had asked for that as early as January, in order for, I think, Laurie, you have stated

[58:27] that we can include it in the next iteration of that.

[58:30] But that's after five years.

[58:33] And to me, it may be too late for some of the people

[58:37] who are already affected.

[58:39] So I'm thinking five months versus five years

[58:42] just to close that would be much better.

[58:49] Then waiting, I think that just what we have currently,

[58:53] I just want to make sure that people don't get rejected,

[58:57] just for what we have currently.

[58:59] because I want the language of califier in there.

[59:02] And I think there are some other community members

[59:04] who have discusses with HabExpress that as well.

[59:08] In fact, when this topic was closed,

[59:10] I thought, OK, it was closed in January.

[59:13] Someone I saw at ECC mentioned

[59:15] that this is a concern, even in their age, OAS.

[59:19] So that's the reason why I think that it is something

[59:23] that should be added, it is what we have

[59:27] may not be enough. And if it can be added after five years and should be reconsider why not now when we can do it. That's that's my concern.

[59:41] Member Welch, go ahead.

[59:43] Madam Vice Mayor with all due and absolute respect, I want to reiterate that the insurance

[59:51] commissioner for the states that we cannot use the maps that the maps are not the thing.

[1:00:00] We have the information, as far as what has been determined, as far as our wildfire risk in the plan.

[1:00:09] What is the specific language from Cal Fire going to say differently than we have already said?

[1:00:16] It says that we are not a wildfire risk. That's not going to impact the insurance rates.

[1:00:22] And I absolutely 100% understand that the insurance rates are a concern.

[1:00:28] There are a strain on many of our residents.

[1:00:31] No one's arguing against that, but this isn't going to change that.

[1:00:36] We're looking, and I know you want to achieve this and help the rates, especially the

[1:00:43] rate increases that many people, not just in everyville, across the state of California, are

[1:00:48] experiencing, but this specific language is not going, we have the notation that states what our

[1:00:56] risk is. So how is this going to make a difference if we use our own language versus

[1:01:03] calfires language if it's all saying the same thing. It's saying the same thing that we are not

[1:01:09] at risk for wildfires. How is it going to make a difference?

[1:01:16] Thank you councilmember for raising that that's that's exactly my my point to Lori's thing is the offer to

[1:01:25] Add it after five years is why not now? I mean if it's going to make a difference then why is it not going to make a difference now?

[1:01:32] So that's that's what I'm trying to get to

[1:01:34] I just can I just yes

[1:01:37] Yes, I say we could add it after five years because if we make the edits now

[1:01:41] It's going to have to go back to FEMA then we're pushing back the timeline. That is why she made the offer.

[1:01:47] She didn't say it was going to make a difference. She just said we could add it later because we are set on this timeline.

[1:01:55] We're on a timeline and if we go back to make it, it's throwing off the timeline.

[1:02:01] If I could, Lori, could you clarify when you offered the alternative of adding additional language now,

[1:02:09] Now, a lot of breathing on the no-fire risk, whether that's at it now or in five years,

[1:02:16] will it make a difference in five years?

[1:02:19] Well, we'll make a difference.

[1:02:20] I don't know if it will make a difference for insurance or not.

[1:02:23] We include a lot of things in our plan that don't always that aren't required by FEMA to

[1:02:31] be in there.

[1:02:32] So I would try to say is that if the language wanted to be included, we could include

[1:02:37] it.

[1:02:38] It doesn't mean it's going to have any impact.

[1:02:41] Thank you, Vice Mayor.

[1:02:43] Thank you, Mayor.

[1:02:44] The question I have then is because you include all of these things,

[1:02:49] what is the timeline?

[1:02:50] Council Member Wells brings up this timeline.

[1:02:53] Why are we struggling with this timeline?

[1:02:57] Why are we?

[1:02:57] Because if you don't adopt it within the year,

[1:03:00] you have to start all over again with the planning of the plan.

[1:03:03] You have to go back and do everything all over.

[1:03:05] You can't just submit a new plan and say we're done.

[1:03:09] Is there a way around it? Is there a work around?

[1:03:12] Because I had asked for it in September.

[1:03:14] I could check with FEMA and see what that would entail.

[1:03:18] Yeah, if it's just a simple amendment, I think we should be fine,

[1:03:22] and we should not have to do it all over and reinvent the wheel.

[1:03:27] No, not for the amendment. If we just change it,

[1:03:30] it's only if we don't adopt it by April.

[1:03:34] April of next year, April of 26, if you don't adopt it by April of 26, then you have to start the whole process over with the surveys and the planning team in doing it.

[1:03:44] Why don't we just come back and have that option and then figure out what the language is.

[1:03:53] or I think we still have time before April

[1:03:56] to go ahead and make that decision in a very educated manner.

[1:04:01] Versus, thinking, oh, we are struggling against timeline,

[1:04:04] this decision has to be made today and now

[1:04:07] where we don't really have all that information.

[1:04:09] If we could get the information,

[1:04:11] we could potentially bring this item back.

[1:04:13] And I think I would be very supportive of that,

[1:04:15] bring it back to explore exactly what the timelines are,

[1:04:20] what is required of us,

[1:04:22] whether a simple amendment would just do it and we can just approve it and can we just put that

[1:04:26] language for the satisfaction of many of the community members who want that language in there.

[1:04:33] Member Solomon.

[1:04:36] Thank you. Vice Mayor, I'm both not on the nature way and not an insurance expert, so can you

[1:04:43] and you don't have to like read off the specific paragraph for like what I think this is what

[1:04:49] I was getting up. But what specifically would if we were to adopt an amendment and change the plan?

[1:04:57] What what information would you want it being?

[1:05:00] Included that is not reflected in a sentence that says, Emoryville is not a risk of wildfires.

[1:05:08] I don't think that's exactly what it says from what I read, but I think it's.

[1:05:14] If you can read it or bring it up on the screen, we can just

[1:05:24] all look at it together.

[1:05:28] I read it out unless, you know, I want to pull up the city webpage, but please just read it.

[1:05:32] Reading is fine.

[1:05:33] The part where it says no, it says Emoryville zones has not been designated as moderate high or very high on the fire hazard severity maps.

[1:05:44] That's not in our plan.

[1:05:47] That's what I'm yeah.

[1:05:49] Yeah, what's everything on the website again, we don't know the timeline if if we make this amendment change, we have to go back to FEMA and ask them the question.

[1:05:56] If they're going to be, sorry, we just want to, Pedro, we just want to know what is written in the plan itself with the language that describes no file file file file file risk.

[1:06:08] Oh, inside of the, not the website, the actual plan that's been reviewed by FEMA and approved.

[1:06:23] Anybody else has it open feel free to have it now.

[1:06:26] I think my network is down. Otherwise I was trying to open it.

[1:06:29] I have it for you.

[1:06:31] The city of remote does not have a terrain or vegetation conditions for large or devastating wildflowers, wildfires.

[1:06:38] However, urban fires, residential commercial, structure fires, or industrial fires are a constant threat.

[1:06:46] Is that enough for the enemy to read more?

[1:06:47] So it makes the distinction between wildfires and urban fires.

[1:06:51] Correct.

[1:06:52] Because that's truth.

[1:06:53] Okay.

[1:06:54] Thank you, Pedro.

[1:06:57] Other comments?

[1:06:59] Member Solomon.

[1:07:00] Yes.

[1:07:00] If I may as is that, with that in mind, thank you, Pedro, for that.

[1:07:05] What information would you want to, would you suggest be included again?

[1:07:09] Doesn't have to be exact language.

[1:07:12] But what's not included in what Pedro just read that's in the plan.

[1:07:16] We would want to take five months to.

[1:07:18] I don't know if necessarily five months.

[1:07:21] Or that's speculating that it's five months.

[1:07:22] It could be just one day.

[1:07:24] And they would probably say, yeah, I've counsel wants to improve it with that.

[1:07:27] And it is.

[1:07:28] It's interesting.

[1:07:29] It's interesting.

[1:07:29] I'm going to say to FEMA, I guess I'm slightly concerned that we both spend the staff

[1:07:35] time and we send off an email who knows if that person is still employed by the federal

[1:07:39] government.

[1:07:41] And I want to make sure that we get it right, but also, I guess I'm not clear.

[1:07:44] I'm still not clear on what language we would want to be including that.

[1:07:49] I want to add to the sentence that Pedro just read, that not being just that just

[1:07:54] that one sentence.

[1:07:55] I think that is it's not just one sentence, Lori. I think it's just like this whole paragraph

[1:08:01] in quotation that was provided to you, Latania, from Cal Fire when I had raised this issue back

[1:08:07] in December, January. That was one of the things that I had raised and you had provided to me

[1:08:13] and then we exchanged emails about it being included in the hazard. So if you have access to that email,

[1:08:20] So maybe you can read it because I'm not able to access it right now.

[1:08:24] So to answer your question, Matthew, it is more than just that I think that one sentence that's on the website.

[1:08:31] But the website actually captures what is in that quotation from the sentence, the website captures what is in that quotation.

[1:08:41] It's a little bit more specific than what is in the hazard mitigation plan.

[1:08:45] So I mean, if we could just, you know, I'm talking about the sentence that Pedro read that on the website, if we just inserted that one sentence.

[1:08:57] If I'm able to not zone in the fire hazard zone and these are the maps, yes, if that.

[1:09:04] If that if that helps with condensing that language or that's what references, I would be agreeable to that because it's a little bit more than then just that.

[1:09:15] I mean, and I don't think that amendment is such a huge, I don't think that is such a

[1:09:21] change.

[1:09:22] I think the count from the actual maps and things like that and started reenranging things

[1:09:27] around.

[1:09:27] That might be a little bit different, but we could do that sentence and do a link to the

[1:09:32] maps.

[1:09:33] If that is something that can easily do, I would, you know, what, I would be satisfied

[1:09:39] with that.

[1:09:40] I think many people would be satisfied with that.

[1:09:42] So if that is what we can do and have the links, I think that and if it doesn't involve a lot of involvement of federal agencies or going to, I think that's an easy fix and easy solution that can capture.

[1:10:00] A lot of concerns, not a substantial change.

[1:10:04] Well, just to be, are we talking about the website or the document?

[1:10:08] I think I'm the document, adding the one sentence that Pedro Red, that's on the website that says

[1:10:15] Emeryville is not zoned in the high medium.

[1:10:19] I like to give member Welch an opportunity.

[1:10:21] I would just like to make a motion. I mean, we've been talking about this.

[1:10:25] I feel like we've reached an agreement at this point, we feel you feel good about adding that,

[1:10:30] and it sounds like Lori, we can do that and we can add the link. So I would like to make a motion

[1:10:34] to approve the hazard mitigation plan with the edit just to add that paragraph and then add a link

[1:10:41] that one sentence around the zoning that is actually on the website and then add it.

[1:10:45] Hold on one, sorry, we'll try to interrupt. Can we just get what clearly is, if there's any

[1:10:52] modification whatsoever to the document as is. Does that trigger the FEMA process and

[1:10:59] entail the the meeting of the cost? So it's still that. It's not that it's the editing

[1:11:05] at all. Any edits trigger that review that multiple possible multiple month process? And okay,

[1:11:13] I actually like that motion.

[1:11:15] Yep.

[1:11:16] Okay.

[1:11:17] So there's no motion.

[1:11:18] Member price force.

[1:11:22] So I'm not subject expertise when it comes to these things.

[1:11:27] But I am going to follow a vice mayor,

[1:11:29] cars lead on it in terms of how they choose the vote.

[1:11:35] Because it sounds like vice mayor,

[1:11:38] car did the right things in terms of making sure

[1:11:42] staff new because this is the back in December January and a couple of weeks will be in October.

[1:11:51] And in a highlights an issue as a list of process, we just had a member of the community just

[1:11:56] talk about, you know, our soon to be built hospital, pending, whatever. And so, and I'm sure that there

[1:12:07] some things around that process that is important.

[1:12:10] And what it sends a message to the Emberville community

[1:12:14] is that if a council member, if a vice mayor

[1:12:18] can't go through the bureaucracy,

[1:12:20] I'll try to get something done.

[1:12:22] The well-hold do we have?

[1:12:24] And so that's the concern that it's all full display

[1:12:30] is the breakdown in our process

[1:12:32] because it sounds like they approached it early

[1:12:36] enough. And then, and then we get to this point where we're just like, well, we got to do it now

[1:12:42] or we got to, you know, and then we did time like a time line, you know, which is a, it's a fairly

[1:12:47] sort of rail-roading experience that is typical bureaucracies, you know, what are my mentors,

[1:12:54] that that is in O Jackson, had his PhD was on bureaucracies at HBCUs, and so in our reddit in order to

[1:13:02] and so this is the nature of bureaucracies and so with a pressure is on the person and not on the system itself.

[1:13:09] And so however vice mayor car votes I will vote in that direction.

[1:13:15] I just have a clarifying question.

[1:13:18] One thing I'm struggling with is if the document currently states that there's no wildfire risk,

[1:13:25] It doesn't seem like any way of rephrasing that changes the underlying message, which is that there's no wildfire risk.

[1:13:34] So whether you're an insurance company or any other reader, I'm struggling to understand the value of it.

[1:13:43] Now if it was as simple as simply adding a variation on that, that might be fine and it's certainly doable.

[1:13:51] But my concern also is with the process and the cost, I like to note, Lori is not an employee of the city.

[1:13:59] We pay for her time,

[1:14:03] and can somebody on staff comment on the possible cost of restarting this process?

[1:14:13] I mean, it depends on how long it takes.

[1:14:15] Really, without knowing that and how long it's going to take.

[1:14:17] I mean, submitting it and waiting for the answer is really what's going to take the time.

[1:14:21] So, you know, there's going to be some costs for Lori to rewrite this and submitting

[1:14:26] makes some calls and see if we can get responses back and do them follow-ups, but to give you

[1:14:31] an actual number, I can't really give you at this time, but there will be some costs.

[1:14:35] Okay, well, I'm just trying to establish that it's not free, but again, my question is,

[1:14:40] if there's no wildfire risk, it doesn't really matter how you phrase it. Vice Mayor.

[1:14:46] Thank you, Mayor. With regard to that first question about cost, I think that the city owes it to the people to do this right and the process should have been done right as early as September of last year when.

[1:15:00] It was raised in the transportation meeting. And then, Laurie, it is not you that I am bringing this to what I'm trying to say. It was raised at that time.

[1:15:10] It was raised a second time. And I think that these are concerns that if we are raising, and these are concerns that are not addressed or not passed on, then I think it is a concern of the whole city, the people that we represent.

[1:15:26] I, again, yes, I am an agreement that the process should be followed with regard to the language being as is.

[1:15:36] I, you know, the, the concern that is this language enough. If this language were enough, why would our department go and add additional language and maps in the website to alleviate those concerns and that's all I'm asking.

[1:15:52] This language isn't enough.

[1:15:55] Can I ask the staff just to respond to that point?

[1:15:59] So, if the document says there's no wildfire risk,

[1:16:04] what was the driving force behind adding the links

[1:16:07] and the additional language that elaborates on why there's the maps

[1:16:12] and why there's no wildfire risk?

[1:16:15] I'll take that question there.

[1:16:17] And the response would be, the Vice Mayor brought it to me and requested, because we didn't

[1:16:25] get this data until February 2025, indicating that the city of Emreville was not in any

[1:16:34] fire hazard severity zones. The hazard mitigation plan came out. She requested that it be included.

[1:16:41] We were explaining the purpose of the hazard mitigation plan is just that what are the hazards

[1:16:46] within the city of Inriville and how will we mitigate those hazards and it's very important

[1:16:53] that we have a plan in place because during significant hazards the city tends to rely on

[1:17:00] FEMA reimbursement because we tend to overrun across when we are addressing emergencies within

[1:17:07] the city because there is no fire hazard because we're not in a fire hazard zone there was

[1:17:14] nothing to mitigate, to be included in this plan.

[1:17:19] So the statement from the Vice Mayor was

[1:17:22] it's very important based upon a lot of the HOA's

[1:17:26] and the insurance rates that they are paying,

[1:17:29] where could we include it?

[1:17:31] So one suggestion was to include it on our website

[1:17:36] under the fire department.

[1:17:39] And so the map is currently there.

[1:17:41] And the language that the vice mayor requested, which came directly out of the map, is also reflected there, such that members of the community can

[1:17:52] whole information that they may need for their insurance company.

[1:17:57] That states the city of Emoryville is not in a high fire zone.

[1:18:01] Now, since that time, we have learned that our current insurance

[1:18:06] commissioner has indicated that insurance companies do not

[1:18:09] reference these calfire maps in determining insurance rates.

[1:18:15] So we could put it there, the other option, and I'm still kind

[1:18:19] of working through this, as I spoke with a vice mayor about where else

[1:18:22] could we potentially put it, so that members of the community could

[1:18:26] access it is there's some other plan, such that we could adopt the

[1:18:30] mitigation plan as it is being presented to you all tonight since staff has spent an incredible amount

[1:18:35] of time working on it. And I have not come up with a second location forward, but that is why it's

[1:18:41] and the fire department page now. Thank you. Thank you, Latanya. So I think my initial question still

[1:18:48] remains, which is if the document says there's no fire risk, it doesn't it doesn't seem

[1:19:00] So at this time, I don't see a compelling reason to revise the document, especially if the phrasing might just be nice to have at this point.

[1:19:13] We've discussed this item quite a bit, is there a motion?

[1:19:16] Motion to approve.

[1:19:19] Is there a second?

[1:19:21] Second.

[1:19:23] Madam clerk the roll.

[1:19:24] As a member of private force?

[1:19:28] I will after a member of course I'll skip for me.

[1:19:32] So it's spelled out in the rules of procedure how the voting works and so it's by alphabetical order of council member followed by vice mayor followed by mayor.

[1:19:44] Okay.

[1:19:45] I can make a substitute motion then.

[1:19:52] Okay.

[1:19:52] When the plan with the language that was suggested and which is on our website, so that it gives

[1:20:00] There's people more clarity in order to get their HOA insurance in the right pool.

[1:20:09] Is there a second for the substitute motion?

[1:20:14] Madam Clerk, the roll for the substitute motion.

[1:20:18] Council Member Prifers.

[1:20:20] Council Member Solomon.

[1:20:21] No.

[1:20:22] Council Member Welch.

[1:20:24] Vice Mayor Carr.

[1:20:26] And Mayor Moira.

[1:20:28] No.

[1:20:28] Motion fails.

[1:20:29] on the initial motion, Councilmember Prifers.

[1:20:38] Councilmember Welch, Vice Mayor Car, NAY, and Mayor Mora.

[1:20:43] All right.

[1:20:44] Motion carries.

[1:20:45] Next we have a public hearing item 11.1.

[1:20:50] This is a introduction and first reading of an ordinance of the City Council of Emeryville

[1:20:55] the pending section 7.01 of chapter 7 of the Emerville Municipal Code regarding delegation

[1:21:03] of authority to the public works director and design these to approve plan or design improvements

[1:21:10] to public property.

[1:21:12] I'd like to note that I will open the public hearing on this item.

[1:21:16] However, we are going to continue this item to the next meeting or to the meeting on October 7th.

[1:21:26] So as a matter of formality, because it's been noticed, I will now open the public hearing on this item.

[1:21:35] The time is 840,

[1:21:40] and I will not close the public hearing.

[1:21:45] Do I have that right, Madam Clerk?

[1:21:49] Yes, Mayor, you'll continue the item to the next regular meeting on October 7th.

[1:21:54] Okay, so this item will be continued.

[1:21:57] Next we have no action items and then department head reports.

[1:22:03] Don't report this evening.

[1:22:06] And future agenda item requests from council members.

[1:22:12] Members, are there any future agenda item requests?

[1:22:15] I have not had the opportunity to discuss this agenda item with staff, but it is regarding

[1:22:21] a web page and it is regarding the New York rights web tab on the web page.

[1:22:29] I just wanted to be on a separate one instead of being hidden in the under residence tab

[1:22:42] or some of there, it should be its own tab for at least that purpose.

[1:22:48] It should be clear to people where to find that information.

[1:22:51] If that's the purpose of our website, we should make our website transparent, clear, and easy to access.

[1:22:58] It should not be a guessing game to find these things.

[1:23:01] So that's my future agenda item to have no your rights to have its own separate tab

[1:23:07] for each issue that is for no your rights.

[1:23:09] So regardless, this is regarding the new section of the website, the new page for know your rights,

[1:23:17] but your item is to discuss the navigation on the website.

[1:23:23] How one would get to that page is that right?

[1:23:29] Sure.

[1:23:29] I mean, if you want to couch it that way, what it's just a simple agenda item to state that,

[1:23:35] know your rights should have its own separate tab.

[1:23:37] So my concern is that there's actually more, you know, in terms of the language, the placement of the page, it might require a more detailed discussion and I'm wondering if that's something that you'd be okay discussing a budget and governance.

[1:23:54] I would even be okay just with discussing it with the staff if we could just have it where you know, so we could just have it.

[1:24:02] Well, I want to note that like there's no policy decision around that that's strictly operational

[1:24:06] So that would pivot to madam city manager in the staff.

[1:24:10] There's nothing for the council.

[1:24:11] So that's where the legislative body operations is the city manager.

[1:24:16] Could the city manager comment on this issue?

[1:24:20] Yes, Mayor.

[1:24:21] Thank you.

[1:24:22] And I have been working with the vice mayor and the mayor.

[1:24:26] And I think I sent it to the council.

[1:24:28] we did not have a Know Your Rights page initially on the city's website and even though I had not gotten

[1:24:34] a council majority and it is an operational call, I felt like it was the right thing to do, especially

[1:24:42] considering the climate that we're in now and so staff worked very intently to lift up a new

[1:24:50] Know Your Rights page with just about all of the information that our vice mayor has provided to us

[1:24:56] And there are some additional edits.

[1:25:00] We will certainly, I received on my operational task list, and I will certainly look at it as staff resources and capacity allows, but I'm happy to continue working on that item.

[1:25:11] Okay, so you'll be able to work with Vice Mayor on further edits on the know your rights page.

[1:25:18] Absolutely, and I've already provided an email stating so.

[1:25:22] Okay. Thank you.

[1:25:24] Does that address the concern?

[1:25:27] Yes, for now it does.

[1:25:29] Okay, any other future agenda items,

[1:25:35] a number of price force.

[1:25:38] If my colleagues don't have any other thing to add, I'd like to make a request

[1:25:45] of that the Podge of Allegiance return to capital.

[1:25:49] Sorry, that interrupt. If you don't mind, I do have one myself.

[1:25:55] Oh, okay.

[1:25:56] item to ask the staff to look at potential revenue-sharing models related to billboards within

[1:26:08] the city, so existing billboards, and to examine the new revenue-sharing models introduced

[1:26:17] recently in Oakland for their billboards and currently going on in Berkeley that allow

[1:26:25] those cities to benefit from the ad revenue on their billboards and to evaluate the

[1:26:35] economic potential economic benefit to see if this is something worth doing in

[1:26:42] Emoryville. So with a show of hands who would support directing staff to look into this

[1:26:49] billboard revenue sharing exploration.

[1:26:57] Okay, we have five members.

[1:27:02] Okay, a number,

[1:27:02] a prior force, go ahead.

[1:27:05] I'm a pro. So thank you. Yeah, so adding the pledge of allegiance to council chambers,

[1:27:14] I invite that discussion to return to determine, should we have the pledge of allegiance and I will

[1:27:24] You

[1:27:36] need a visible number.

[1:27:41] Members with a show of hands is their support for adding the pledge of allegiance back

[1:27:46] to the Aronna future agenda, seeing none of the motion fails.

[1:27:54] The time is 847, this meeting is adjourned.

City Council Regular Meeting

Agenda

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