City Council

Mayor Councilmembers Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger This information can be interpreted for you free of charge. Visit City Hall at 10890 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530 or learn more at www.elcerrito.gov/LanguageAccess Esta información se puede interpretar gratuitamente. Visite el Ayuntamiento en 10890 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530 o obtenga más información en www.elcerrito.gov/LanguageAccess 这些信息可免费为您解释。请访问位于 10890 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530 的市政厅，或访问 www.elcerrito.gov/LanguageAccess 了解更多信息 TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (5:00 PM) Hillside Conference Room - 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito Join Via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89733524666?pwd=LeYVhPsnT7rtGA5Y1C6z9oRveX1D66.1 Meeting ID: 897 3352 4666 Passcode: 146393 Dial in: 1-408-638-0968 Public Comments: 1. In-person, by submitting a request to speak to the City Clerk. 2. Via Zoom, using the "Raise Hand" feature to request to speak. 3. By phone, dialing *9 to "raise your hand", and *6 to unmute. 4. Online, using the "Submit Comments" feature on the meeting event. 5. Via email to cityclerk@elcerrito.gov indicating Public Comments – Agenda Item #. Written comments received by 11:00 AM the day of the meeting will be provided to the City Council and posted online in advance of the meeting. Comments received after the deadline will be provided to the City Council and posted after the meeting. Accommodations: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 510- 215-4305. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable accommodations. Closed Captions are available via zoom. Conduct: This meeting is held pursuant to City Council Rules of Order and Procedure. Page 1 of 2 Agenda Packet Page 1 of 8 Mayor Councilmembers Gabe Quinto William Ktsanes Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Motoyama Rebecca Saltzman AGENDA Carolyn Wysinger 5:00 PM ROLL CALL - CONVENE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING 1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC All persons wishing to speak should sign up with the City Clerk. Remarks are typically limited to 3 minutes per person and to items on the special meeting agenda only. 2. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND LIBRARY TASK FORCE INTERVIEWS, STATUS AND APPOINTMENTS Action Proposed: Staff requests that City Council conduct interviews and, at the conclusion of interviews, confer with staff regarding the ongoing recruitments, any remaining vacancies, and the scheduling of further special meetings to conduct interviews (if applicable). Council may decide to make appointments at the conclusion of the meeting. Contact: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management 3. ADJOURN SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING The City of El Cerrito serves our diverse community by providing exceptional services that create a safe and resilient future for all. Page 2 of 2 Agenda Packet Page 2 of 8  AGENDA BILL Agenda Item No. 2. Date: July 14, 2026 To: El Cerrito City Council From: Holly M. Charléty, City Clerk, City Management Subject: BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND LIBRARY TASK FORCE INTERVIEWS, STATUS AND APPOINTMENTS ACTION PROPOSED Staff requests that City Council conduct interviews and, at the conclusion of interviews, confer with staff regarding the ongoing recruitments, any remaining vacancies, and the scheduling of further special meetings to conduct interviews (if applicable). Council may decide to make appointments at the conclusion of the meeting. BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS City staff continues to publicize board, commission and committee vacancies as they occur. Vacancies are published on the City’s website and in the West County Times; posted at City Hall, the Community Center, the Library and other various locations throughout the City including Little Libraries. Staff continues to utilize the City Manager's Update, social media outlets, and press releases to increase awareness and opportunities for residents to participate by attending meetings and/or serving on a Board, Commission or Committee. Library Task Force On February 17, 2026 the City Council formed the El Cerrito Library Task Force (Resolution 2026-11) to serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council with regard to a new or updated library for El Cerrito. On March 3, 2026 the City Council provided staff direction on the application structure, selection process, and interview questions. Based on the selection process, as the number of applications received by the deadline exceeded 12, each Councilmember independently reviewed all applications received and put forward a list of applicants, in preferred order, that they wanted to interview for a seat on the Task Force. Based on the feedback, the top 10 ranked candidates were scheduled for interview as listed below. Interview Schedule Interviews scheduled for this meeting are as follows: Interview Applicant Interviewing for: Time 5:00 PM Overview/Questions N/A 5:15 PM Amy Chen Library Task Force 5:30 PM Rachel Rosekind Library Task Force 5:45 PM Bethany Woods Library Task Force Agenda Packet Page 3 of 8  Agenda Item No. 2. 6:00 PM Leta Negandi Library Task Force 6:15 PM Chelsi Sparta Library Task Force 6:30 PM Eden Rosekind (Youth) Library Task Force 6:45 PM Council Recess N/A 7:00 PM Kimberly Wemmer Library Task Force 7:15 PM Linda Takimoto Library Task Force 7:30 PM Tom Panas Library Task Force 7:45 PM Ian Bader Library Task Force 8:00 PM Itai Trilnick Library Task Force 8:15 PM Alison Tan Citizens Street Oversight Committee 8:30 PM Valerie Woodson Human Relations Commission (1st Choice) 8:45 PM Valerie Woodson Civil Service Commission (2nd Choice) 9:00 PM Michael Kessler Arts and Culture Commission 9:15 PM Council Discussion STRATEGIC PLAN CONSIDERATIONS This action supports the City’s Strategic Plan Goal(s) of: • High Performing Organization; and • Livability and Belonging. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS This section is not applicable to this agenda item. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS This section is not applicable to this agenda item. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS This section is not applicable to this agenda item. Reviewed by: Attachments: Application(s) on file with the City Clerk 1. Commissioner Interview Worksheet 2. List of Pending Applications Agenda Packet Page 4 of 8  JULY 14, 2026 EL CERRITO BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENT WORKSHEET SUBJECT TO CHANGE Legend ACC = Arts and Culture Commission HRC = Human Resources Commission CSC = Civil Service Commission LTF = Library Task Force DOA = Date of Appointment Indicates a PARTIAL TERM ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION (2 Seats) Name Term Eligible Applicants DOA – 3/1/2029 Michael Kessler DOA – 3/1/2029 2 existing vacancies CITIZEN STREET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (1 Seat) Name Term Eligible Applicants DOA - 3/1/2029 Alison Tan 1 existing vacancy Arsh Hothi (recent application, not yet scheduled for interview) CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (3 Seats) Name Term Eligible Applicants DOA – 3/1/2029 Valerie Woodson (also pursuing HRC) DOA – 3/1/2029 Lillia Refes (unavailable to interview) DOA - 3/1/2027 Julie Jennings (recent application, not yet scheduled 3 existing vacancies for interview) HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (3 Seats) Name Term Eligible Applicants DOA – 3/1/2028 Valerie Woodson (also pursuing CSC) DOA – 3/1/2027 Beverly Green (non-responsive) DOA – 3/1/2027 3 existing vacancies Page 1 of 2 Agenda Packet Page 5 of 8  LIBRARY TASK FORCE (7 Seats) Name Term Eligible Applicants 1 year from DOA Amy Chen 1 year from DOA Bethany Woods 1 year from DOA Chelsi Sparti 1 year from DOA Eden Rosekind (Youth Applicant) 1 year from DOA Ian Bader 1 year from DOA Itai Trilnick 1 year from DOA Kimberly Wemmer (Youth Member) Leta Negandhi Linda Takimoto Rachel Rosekind Tom Panas Christina Baumgardner (not selected for interview) Pamela Austin (not selected for interview) Rachel Meresman (not selected for interview) Suzanne Balmaceda (not selected for interview) Page 2 of 2 Agenda Packet Page 6 of 8  Application Status as of 7/6/2026 Name Board Name Application Status Application Date Interview Date Michael Kessler Arts and Culture Commission Active 06/10/2026 07/14/2026 Alison Tan Citizens Street Oversight Committee Active 03/19/2026 07/14/2026 Arsh Hothi Citizens Street Oversight Committee Active 07/06/2026 Julie Jennings Civil Service Commission Active 07/01/2026 Lillia Refes Civil Service Commission Active 01/21/2026 Valerie McCann Woodson Civil Service Commission Active 03/05/2026 07/14/2026 Katherine Kimsey Community Safety Committee Active 05/07/2026 Tova Feldmanstern Community Safety Committee Active 06/03/2026 Arsh Hothi Design Review Board Active 07/06/2026 Erin Gillett Design Review Board Active 07/06/2026 Ann Lehman Economic Development Committee Active 07/07/2025 Beverly Green Economic Development Committee Active 10/22/2025 Jonathan Stern Economic Development Committee Active 01/20/2026 Rahul Iyer Economic Development Committee Active 07/14/2025 Han Miao Environmental Quality Committee Active 06/25/2025 Sasha Hahn Environmental Quality Committee Active 01/22/2026 UlugBeck Nurmatov Environmental Quality Committee Active 05/12/2026 Julie Jennings Financial Advisory Board Active 07/01/2026 Beverly Green Human Relations Commission Active 10/22/2025 Valerie McCann Woodson Human Relations Commission Active 03/05/2026 07/14/2026 Amy Chen Library Task Force Active 04/06/2026 07/14/2026 Bethany Woods Library Task Force Active 03/30/2026 07/14/2026 Chelsi Sparti Library Task Force Active 04/17/2026 07/14/2026 Christina Baumgardner Library Task Force Active 04/17/2026 Agenda Packet Page 7 of 8 Name Board Name Application Status Application Date Interview Date Eden Rosekind (Youth Applicant) Library Task Force Active 04/17/2026 07/14/2026 Ian Bader Library Task Force Active 03/23/2026 07/14/2026 Itai Trilnick Library Task Force Active 04/08/2026 07/14/2026 Kimberly Wemmer Library Task Force Active 04/16/2026 07/14/2026 Leta Negandhi Library Task Force Active 04/16/2026 07/14/2026 Linda Takimoto Library Task Force Active 04/13/2026 07/14/2026 Pamela Austin Library Task Force Active 04/03/2026 Rachel Meresman Library Task Force Active 04/17/2026 Rachel Rosekind Library Task Force Active 04/16/2026 07/14/2026 Suzanne Balmaceda Library Task Force Active 04/17/2026 Tom Panas Library Task Force Active 04/17/2026 07/14/2026 Agenda Packet Page 8 of 8