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City Council · Wed Oct 23, 2024

City Council · Regular meeting, continued

Key decisions

Passed2024 officials' money rules

The council voted to hear from anyone who wants to speak, then put in place the city's 2024 rules on which officials must report their money and property (its Conflict of Interest Code) and its appendix.

Yes
Howard, Ross, McKillop, Zorn
Absent
Malhi
Context

Why State law requires every city to have a Conflict of Interest Code, and these changes update it for changes in city staff and duties since 2023.

Motion
Howard, seconded by McKillop

PassedCity appointments law

The council voted to approve the new city law as presented in the first of its two votes.

Yes
Howard, Ross, Malhi, McKillop, Zorn
Context

Why The City Clerk's job has grown from ceremonial to complex and technical work, including public records requests, and cities statewide have been switching from elected to appointed clerks for more efficient operations.

Proposed Hear from anyone who wants to speak, then take the first of two votes on a new city law changing the city's rules on appointed officers: changing Section 2.04.050 and Section 2.68.080, adding a new Section 2.06.010 and Chapter 2.06, and removing Sections 2.60.020 and 2.60.030.

Motion
Howard, seconded by McKillop

Also approved, in one vote4 items

Yes
Howard, Ross, Malhi, McKillop, Zorn
Motion
Ross, seconded by McKillop

PassedDevelopment incentives zoning

The council voted to take the final vote on a new city law changing city zoning rules: adding a chapter on exceptions (Chapter 22.45); adding a chapter on developer incentives for community benefits (Chapter 22.81); and updating many district chapters' rules on definitions, height, setbacks, and floor space to match the 2023-2031 housing plan, and allowing accessory dwelling units on religious institution land, among other changes.

Context

The agenda does not say what specific new exceptions or community benefits the new chapters would allow.

PassedQuarterly investment report

The council voted to hear the city's quarterly investment report for the month ended September 30, 2024.

Context

Why These reports are given to the council to show the status of the city's investments and that they follow the city's investment policy, whose priorities are safety, liquidity and yield.

PassedClimate justice grant

The council voted to let the city apply for a Federal EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant.

Context

Why This area ranks in the 97th percentile for flooding risk and 98th for air pollution, and the grant offers up to $20 million with no city match to help revitalize the area.

The agenda does not say how much money the grant would bring or what the city would do with it.

PassedShared costs study

The council voted to let the city manager sign a contract with Willdan Financial Services to study what the city's shared services cost each department (the Citywide Cost Allocation Study).

Context

Why The city has not done a full study of these shared costs since 2017, and needs one to determine the true cost of city services and to meet federal rules for recovering costs on state and federal grants.

Reports and discussion, no vote

No voteMarina rules and enforcement

The council was asked to hear from anyone who wants to speak, then take the first of two votes on a new city law changing the rules for the Martinez Marina (Chapter 12.36) and for enforcing city rules (Chapter 1.12).

Context

Why The city took over running the Marina in August 2024 after its operator ended its contract, and the marina's rules have not been updated since 1998, so staff propose updates like changing when late fees are due.

No voteMarina fee schedule

The council was asked to hear from anyone who wants to speak, then set new user fees and service charges for the Martinez Marina (the Marina Fee Schedule).

Context

Why The city took over running the Martinez Marina from Almar Marina Management on August 22, 2024, and needs to officially set fees and charges, raising only electricity and water rates effective January 1, 2025.

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