Special Meeting for Community Advisory Commission Interviews and City Council Meeting

MIKE GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. IT IS NOW 5:38 AND WE ARE GOING TO CALL THIS STUDY OPEN FOR OUR COMMISSION INTERVIEWS. MADAM CITY CLERK, CAN YOU CALL OUR FIRST APPLICANT? >> MONIQUE ROBINSON. >> GOOD EVENING, MS. ROBINSON, AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO APPLY FOR A SEAT ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. WE WILL GO AHEAD AND ALLOW YOU TO GIVE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION . TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. >> MY NAME IS MONIQUE ROBINSON AND I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH SINCE 2019 . PRIOR TO THAT I WAS A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF ANTIOCH AND PRIOR TO THAT A RESIDENT OF BRENTWOOD. I HAVE BEEN THIS WAY FOR QUITE A LONG TIME. I CURRENTLY WORK FOR THE CITY OF CONCORD AND SO , BY WORKING AT THE CITY OF CONCORD, IT ALLOWED ME TO LEARN MORE AND SAY, WE HAVE ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS. LET ME CHECK OUT MY CITY. SO IN JUST BEING AROUND THE CITY, HOW CAN I BETTER HELP TALK TO INDIVIDUALS , TALKING TO FRIENDS OF MINE WHO LIVE IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURG AND LETTING THEM KNOW, IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE, COME TO THE COUNCIL MEETINGS, MAKE YOURSELF BE A VOICE SO YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF HEARD, AND ALSO I WAS INTERESTED IN APPLYING TO THE POSITION BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE KIND OF INTIMIDATED TO COME TAKE COUNCIL MEETINGS OR THEY MAY SEE THE COUNCILMEMBERS AND BE LIKE, I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO THEM. BEING ABLE TO BE IN THE ADVISORY ON THE ADVISORY BOARD, THEY CAN MAYBE COME TO ME AND FEEL A LITTLE BIT MORE COMFORTABLE AND THAT WAY I CAN RELAY THAT INFORMATION TO THE COUNCIL. >> THANK YOU. NOW WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR COUNCILMEMBERS TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS. I WILL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ. >> HELLO, MS. ROBINSON. ARE MATCHING. I SEE IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC IN THE COURT SYSTEM . I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE UNDER HIGH STRESS GO TO COURT. THEY WOULDN'T BE THERE OTHERWISE. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT TIMES DURING YOUR COURT TENURE THAT YOU DEALT WITH DEALING WITH PEOPLE IN HIGH STRESS AND HOW YOU HELPED MITIGATE THAT STRESS? >> I FIRST STARTED OFF IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE IN MARTINEZ. OF COURSE, PEOPLE WOULD COME IN, THEY WOULD BE UPSET BECAUSE HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FILE THE PAPERWORK. THE WAY I HANDLED THE SITUATION WAS TO ALWAYS REMAIN CALM. I'M ALWAYS A SMILEY PERSON , SO ONCE THEY SEE A SMILEY, THEY KNOW THIS PERSON CAN HELP ME OUT. TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, BE ABLE TO HELP THEM , NOT GIVING THE COLD SHOULDER, EVEN IF IT WAS TAKEN A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME. MAKING SURE THAT HEY, I'M HERE, I CAN TRY TO HELP YOU AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. AND THEN, FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE, I MOVED INTO THE --AS COURTROOM CLERK. WOULD HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD COME UP AND SAY, I DON'T KNOW IF I'M SUPPOSED TO BE HERE. I DON'T KNOW IF I'M LATE. I NEED HELP. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? EVEN THOUGH I HAD A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON I WOULD MAKE SURE , GIVE ME YOUR NAME, GIVE ME YOUR INFORMATION TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT COURTROOM. JUST TO BE THERE BECAUSE, LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S A HIGH STRESS SITUATION. IF YOU ARE IN COURT, YOU WANT TO BE THERE. JUST LET THEM KNOW, I'M JUST A PERSON LIKE YOU. LET ME TRY TO FIGURE OUT SO I CAN HELP YOU. MIKE THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? THANK YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION ROLE. YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME IN OUR AREA AND OUR CITY. MY QUESTION IS, IN YOUR TIME BEING HERE COME UP WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE KEY ISSUES FACING OUR COMMUNITY? >> I WOULD SAY NATIONWIDE IS THE HOMELESSNESS . AND THEN I ALSO THINK , TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO BE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME VISIT , I KNOW I WAS FOLLOWING IT AND I WAS SURPRISED ABOUT THE TARGET CLOSING DOWN, SO WHEN YOU HAVE BUSINESSES CLOSING DOWN, THAT CONCERNS A LOT OF RESIDENCE, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET TO MY MEDICAL OR GET TO MY NEEDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT? I KIND OF KEEP AN EYE ON, WHERE ARE WE PUTTING THE TARGET? WHAT ARE WE PUTTING THERE BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR CITY IS NOT LOOKING ABANDONED BECAUSE THEN PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO COME VISIT OUR CITY. OUR DOWNTOWN AREA IS GREAT, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMERTIME. I THINK I HAVE SEEN SAL ON THE NEWS ONE TIME. BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT , HOW CAN WE GET OUR BUILDINGS BACK ? HOW CAN WE GET MORE BUSINESSES? I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT MOMS AND POPS, BUT ALSO THE BIG BUSINESSES. PEOPLE CAN COME VISIT OUR CITIES AND I'M A BIG BELIEVER OF MAKING SURE OUR ROADS ARE NICE BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE VISITORS, WHEN THEY COME DRIVE, THEY DON'T WANT TO DRIVE ON A ROAD THAT IS MESSED UP. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR APPLYING AND FOR SPEAKING WONDERFUL ABOUT OUR CITY. WE DEFINITELY NEED SOMEONE, SOMEONE ON THE COMMISSION WHO WILL KNOW HOW TO HANDLE PEOPLE , NOT IN THEIR BEST, BUT ALSO DIRECT THEM. YOU WILL SOON FIND , IF YOU ARE SELECTED, YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND SOMEONE WILL RECOGNIZE YOU AND WANT TO CHITCHAT ABOUT PROBLEMS THEY MIGHT BE HAVING. BUT WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE POTENTIAL CANDIDATE TO KNOW HOW TO TALK TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. SO, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MS. ROBINSON. LAST QUESTION, ARE THERE ANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OR ANY COMMUNITY GROUPS THAT YOU MAY BE AFFILIATED WITH OR WORK WITH IN THE COMMUNITY LOCALLY? >> NOT ACTUALLY BEING IN THE GROUP, BUT I ATTEND BAY CHRISTIAN. I KNOW THAT IS CONCORD, BUT THEY DO COME OUT TO --I BRING MY SON TO VOLUNTEER AT THE SHOWERS WHEN THEY COME ON LELAND AND ST. VINCENT , ST. PAUL. I LET THEM KNOW, YOU HAVE TO GIVE BACK, BE ABLE TO HELP SOMEONE. AND, MY CHURCH BEFORE THEY MOVED TO TEXAS WAS OUT ON CALIFORNIA STREET AND WE USED TO ALWAYS DONATE BACKPACKS AND STUFF LIKE THAT TO THE SCHOOL SPIRIT WE WOULD FIND A SCHOOL TO ADOPT IN PITTSBURG AND GIVE BACKPACKS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SO, JUST VOLUNTEERING BUT NOT WITH A SPECIFIC GROUP OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. >> THANK YOU. AND SO, WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS HERE THIS EVENING . BUT WE WANT TO THANK YOU, ONCE AGAIN, FOR COMING FORTH AND APPLYING FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. WILL BE MAKING A DECISION AT OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THAT MEETING , BUT STAFF WILL REACH OUT AND LET YOU KNOW A DECISION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. WE DEFINITELY THANK YOU FOR COMING AND APPLYING. >> THANK YOU, ALL. >> THANK YOU. >> I ON A VERY. IONA BERRY . >> HELLO. >> GOOD EVENING, MISS BARRY, HOW ARE YOU THIS EVENING? THANK YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. JUST TO OPEN UP, WE WILL ALLOW YOU TO MAKE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION, SHOWING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU ARE INTERESTED ON SERVING ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. I WILL OPEN IT UP FOR COUNCILMEMBERS TO ASK QUESTIONS AS WELL. WE WILL TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO YOU TO SHARE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR INTEREST IN THE MISSION. >> MY NAME IS IONA BERRY I USED TO WORK AT THE CITY OF PITTSBURG AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE I STARTED BECOMING INTERESTED IN RECREATION AND EVERYTHING RECREATION WISE, HOW PARKS ARE STRUCTURED , WHAT GOES INTO THAT, ZONING LOGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO PURSUE A DEGREE IN RECREATION. I USED TO WORK FOR CHILDREN'S REGIONAL PARK AND I CURRENTLY WORK FOR THE CITY OF DANVILLE, SO I'M STILL INTERESTED. I HAVE BEEN TO --SORRY, I'M REALLY NERVOUS. I'VE DONE EVERYTHING THAT PITTSBURG HAS TO OFFER , RECREATION WISE . I USED TO PLATE LITTLE LEAGUE AT CITY PARK. I USE IRON HORSE TRAIL A LOT. I GO BY SKATING, YOU NAME IT. I NOTICED THAT PITTSBURG HAS THE MARINA OPEN FOR KAYAKING , BUT WHEN I WAS AN EMPLOYEE THERE, THEY TOLD ME AT THE OTHER MARINA , THE ONE NEAR THE SCHOOL THAT THESE THEY USED TO HAVE PARASAILING. THAT REALLY INTERESTED ME AND WHAT PITTSBURG HAS TO OFFER. I LOVE THE DOWNTOWN AREA. I FEEL LIKE THE DOWNTOWN AREA IS SO PRETTY . THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO DOWN THERE. >> AWESOME. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. I WILL OPEN IT UP TO COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ. >> NO WORRIES, I GET REALLY BAD ANXIETY, TOO. I JUST TAKE DEEP BREATHS. NO PROBLEM, TAKE A MOMENT TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS, WHAT IS AN ISSUE FACING OUR COMMUNITY. I WANT TO FOCUS ON SOMETHING POSITIVE. YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH PITTSBURG , WHAT IS ONE THE THING THAT REALLY STANDS OUT TO YOU IN A POSITIVE WAY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ? >> THE PARKS. I NOTICE A LOT OF PEOPLE USE THE PARKS ALL OF THE TIME. EITHER TO WALK THEIR DOGS , PEOPLE ARE THERE WITH THEIR KIDS, PLAYING SPORTS , BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL, WHATEVER. I ALWAYS SEE PEOPLE AT THE PARKS, EVERYWHERE. >> THAT'S AWESOME. AND I THINK FROM SOMEONE THAT SUFFERS FROM ANXIETY, I LIKE SEEING PEOPLE OUTDOORS BECAUSE THERE'S SOMETHING CALMING ABOUT JUST LOOKING AT GREENERY AND BLOSSOMING FLOWERS. >> YEAH, IT'S NICE. >> TAKING A WALK IN THE PARK HELPS. WERE EVEN IMAGINING IT HELPS TO CALM YOUR NERVES AND GO ABOUT YOUR DAY. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. >> COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? >> THANK YOU. WELCOME MISS BARRY. I LOVE HEARING YOUR STORY ABOUT LOVING THE OUTDOORS . IS IMPORTANT TO GET OUT AND REALLY ENJOY THE OPEN SPACE THAT WE HAVE . WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PITTSBURG AND THE COMMUNITY OVERALL, WHAT OTHER THINGS HAPPENING, WHAT ARE SOME KEY ISSUES THAT YOU THINK , AS A COMMITTEE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER , IT WOULD BE THINGS THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO FOCUS OR SERVICE AROUND? >> MORE SOCIAL GATHERINGS, MORE THINGS FOR PEOPLE TO RECREATE SOCIALLY. I REALLY LIKE THAT FIRST FRIDAY EVENT THAT WE HAD AND I REALLY LIKE THE ITALIAN FESTIVAL, THE PUPPET SHOW WAS REALLY CUTE. I LIKE THE PEOPLE ON THE STILTS. I LIKE A LOT OF THE EVENTS WE ARE HAVING. REMEMBER THE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL BEEN A LOT BIGGER. I THINK IT IS NICE NOW, BUT I REMEMBER IT BEING HUGE. IT WAS THE WHOLE DOWNTOWN AREA AND I FEEL LIKE WE COULD BRING THAT BACK. IF THAT MAKES SENSE. >> WE HAVE THE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL LAST YEAR FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC, I THINK. IT WAS NOT AS BIG, AND SO, SCALING IT SO THAT AS FOLKS COME BACK, WE WERE HOPING IT WILL GROW TOO. BUT IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL. >> YEAH, IT WAS NICE. >> THANK YOU. >> ARE THERE ANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OR ANY SERVICE GROUPS THAT YOU EITHER VOLUNTEER OR ARE AFFILIATED WITH HERE LOCALLY? >> I ACTUALLY VOLUNTEERED AT THAT EASTER EGG HUNT LAST YEAR . AND THEN I WAS VOLUNTEERING AT --WHAT WAS IT? I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, BUT IT WAS AN EVENT AT THE MARINA CENTER RECENTLY. I TRIED TO ORGANIZE --NOT ORGANIZED, VOLUNTEER THINGS LOCALLY. I TRIED TO VOLUNTEER A LOT . I TRIED TO STAY VERY LOCAL , THOUGH. I LOOK FOR THINGS ONLINE. A LOOK AT THE WEBSITE, INSTAGRAM. I TRY TO EMAIL THEM. MY COUSIN WAS IN VENTURE SCOUTS. HE WAS DOING A LOT OF THINGS WITH OF THE BOY SCOUTS SO I JUST PARTICIPATED WITH HIM. >> DEFINITELY WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU, ONCE AGAIN FOR APPLYING . WE ARE ALWAYS EXCITED TO SEE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENGAGING AND WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT . WITH THAT WE WILL NOT BE MAKING ANY DECISIONS HERE TODAY. BUT WE WILL BE MAKING OUR DECISIONS FOR APPOINTMENT AT OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING. YOU DON'T HAVE TO ATTEND THAT MEETING, BUT STAFF WILL NOTIFY YOU ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IN TERMS OF THE SELECTION BY THE COUNCIL . WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR APPLYING AND DEFINITELY HAVE A GOOD EVENING. >> THANK YOU GUYS, TOO. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> MICHAEL. >> GOOD EVENING. HELLO. >> THANK YOU, WE WELCOME YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. I KNOW YOU APPLY FOR PLANNING COMMISSION AS WELL. WOULD DEFINITELY APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT IN TERMS OF SERVICE AND WANTING TO BE ENGAGED. SO, WITH THAT, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO OPEN IT UP. I KNOW YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE FORMAT A LITTLE BIT. I WANT TO OPEN IT UP, LET YOU SHARE ABOUT YOURSELF, AND WHY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. >> AGAIN, I'M MICHAEL. I'M INTERESTED IN SERVICE. I'M NOT INTERESTED IN PUTTING A BIAS ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT PEOPLE TELL ME AND WHAT THEY WANT TO PRESENT IT TO YOU GUYS AND THE BEST ADVISORY WAY I SEE POSSIBLE. IN MY OPINION, I COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT ASSET TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. THAT'S WHERE MY DEFINITE EXPERTISE IS , COMING FROM LABOR AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT. BUT, I WILL SERVE WHEREVER THERE IS A NEED FOR SERVICE AND THAT'S WHY I AM HERE. THAT'S WHAT I'M ABOUT. >> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND I WILL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ. >> I KNOW YOU SAID YOU HAVE NO INTEREST, BUT SOMEWHERE DEEP DOWN THERE I KNOW , I'M THINKING THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN SOME ISSUES WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND IT DROVE ME TO WANT TO MAYBE SPARK YOUR INTEREST TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY. >> DEFINITELY. THERE IS BIAS BUT I WOULDN'T LET THAT GET AHEAD OF MYSELF. >> WHEN IS A BIAS, IS THAT ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU IDENTIFY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY? >> KIND OF, YEAH. NOT AN ISSUE, PER SE, BUT MORE OF AN OVERSIGHT. I SEE A GREAT PROBLEM WITH DENYING PEOPLE , FOR EXAMPLE, AN FF FELT FOR BEING A HOME-BASED STARTUP BUSINESS. IF I WANTED TO BE LICENSED AND REGISTERED LEGALLY, I DON'T SEE AN ISSUE WITH THAT. THAT IS MY PERSONAL STAKE IN THIS WHOLE MATTER . I'M TRIED TO START A BUSINESS AND I HAVE BEEN DENIED MY ABILITY TO PAY THE CITY TAXES AND MONEY AND REVENUE. BECAUSE I WANT TO ENGINEER SPECIFIC ITEMS . THAT'S PROBABLY MY DEEPEST BIAS. I WANT TO HAVE MY BUSINESS. >> COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ -- I MEAN ADAMS. >> THANK YOU, IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN. YOU ACTUALLY ANSWERED ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD, WHICH IS, WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES YOU THINK THAT ARE FACING OUR COMMUNITY? ARE THERE OTHER THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IN SERVING ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE? ARE THERE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE KEY ISSUES THAT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN OR THAT YOU HAVE SEEN? >> ABSOLUTELY. I HAVE SIX OF THEM. I CAME A LITTLE BIT PREPARED. MY NUMBER ONE WOULD BE MULTICULTURAL ENGAGEMENT . BASICALLY, I THINK IT COULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL TO POINT A CULTURAL AMBASSADOR TO EVERY GROUP AND RECRUIT THEM AND --SO THAT THEY COULD GO BACK TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES, CHURCHES, WHATEVER THEY GATHER AND BRING IT BEFORE THE COUNCIL, BEFORE THE ADVISORY COMMISSION AND GIVE THEIR INPUT ON THE LARGER BASIS. THAT'S NUMBER ONE. TWO WOULD BE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND EDUCATION . I BELIEVE IT WAS ROCKEFELLER WHO SAID HE WANTED A COUNTRY OF WORKERS, NOT THINKERS AND I THINK THAT IS BACKWARDS. IT'S ANTITHETICAL WRONG . I WANT THINKERS BECAUSE MORE THINKERS MEANS MORE BUSINESS MEANS MORE EMPLOYMENT MEANS BETTER FOR EVERYBODY. THREE, GOES RIGHT INTO ECONOMICS . IT IS CRIMINAL THAT WE HAVE CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS THAT DON'T KNOW HOW TO BALANCE AN ACCOUNT . DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT A CHECKBOOK IS. THAT'S DISGUSTING. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A CREDIT SCORE EVEN MEANS. IT'S TERRIBLE. WE NEED TO BETTER ADVISE EVERYONE COLLECTIVELY ON ECONOMICS AS A WHOLE. >> I'M TAKING NOTES. KEEP COMING. I'M LISTENING. I LOVE THIS. >> THANK YOU. FOUR WOULD BE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP . WE HAVE A WHOLE RIVER, ALMOST THE LARGEST SHOREFRONT OUT OF ALL THE CITIES THAT DON'T TOUCH THE BAY . WE DON'T UTILIZE IT. THAT GOES INTO BUSINESS AS WELL . I HAD A WHOLE PLAN ON THAT I WAS WANTING TO PRESENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON AN IDEA I HAVE FOR BOTH POWER AND REVENUE, AND BUSINESS. RELATED TO JUST THAT. IT'S ENVIRONMENTALLY GREEN. FIVE, ENHANCING MOBILITY AND REDUCING TRAFFIC. COMPUTER -- THROUGH COMPUTER SYSTEMS PROGRAM, WE HAVE THE INTERNET AS WELL , ANOTHER HIGHLY UNDERUTILIZED ASSET TO NOT JUST THE CITY BUT THE STATE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS HAVE NOTICED, BUT THE PITTSBURG WEBSITE KIND OF SUCKS . JUST A LITTLE BIT. IT'S VERY HARD TO NAVIGATE AND LOADING TIMES FOR EXAMPLE ON VIDEOS IS JUST NOT GREAT UNLESS YOU ARE ON A DESKTOP . SO, WHEN I SAY TRAFFIC, I CONSIDER IT NOT JUST TRAFFIC DOING EMOTIONAL TRANSPORT OR ANYTHING, I SEE IT AS INTERNET TRAFFIC. SIX, THE CERT PROGRAM. I HAVE GREAT INTEREST IN THAT AND JUST BEING PREPARED IN GENERAL . THAT'S WHERE MY BIAS WOULD COME INTO PLAY. I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE COMMUNITY PATROLS . WE SHOULD HAVE A COLLECTIVE EFFORT , A CITYWIDE EFFORT OF PEOPLE WANTING TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY , AND THEY CAN'T DO THAT IF THEY ARE NOT TRAINED TO DO THAT. IF THEY ARE SCARED OF THE VIRTUAL THAT THEY WOULD USE IT TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY, I THINK THAT IS CRIMINAL AND IT JUST REDUCES ANY EFFORT THAT A THIRD-PARTY CITIZEN LIKE MYSELF WOULD BE ABLE TO LEND AID TO SAY SOMEBODY BEING ROBBED . I'M NOT GOING TO HESITATE TO HELP , BUT I HAVE TRAINING IN THAT. I BELIEVE THAT SHOULD BE OFFERED TO EVERYBODY THROUGH GRANTS. WILL HAVE PLENTY OF THE FUNDS WE CAN GET FROM THE STATE NOT TO MENTION THE FEDS. AND DO NOT USE THAT FOR SAFETY AND EMPOWERING PEOPLE THROUGH THE ACT OF ACTUALLY PUTTING THEIR HANDS ON TOOLS AND LEARNING HOW TO USE THEM , THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF OVERSIGHT AND A LITTLE BIT OF BIAS ON ANYBODY WHO IS AGAINST WEAPONS. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO USE A GRINDER UNTIL I PICKED UP A GRINDER, BUT IT CAN STILL KILL ME. >> VERY TRUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LIST AND FOR THE FEEDBACK. >> YOU ARE VERY WELCOME. >> YES, THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD AS CLOSING REMARKS FOR COUNCILS CONSIDERATION? >> CLOSING REMARKS, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT MYSELF BEFORE YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. DESPITE MY NOT INTERESTED IN BEING A PUBLIC YOUR, I DO HAVE INTEREST IN SERVING . THAT'S ALL I'M ABOUT. BEING THE BEST THAT I CAN BE, EVERY DAY AND SHARING THAT WITH ANYBODY THAT COULD USE IT. >> THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR APPLYING , FOR LOOKING TO GET ENGAGED IN TERMS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND BEING A VOICE IN TERMS OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY. COUNSEL WON'T BE MAKING ANY DECISION TONIGHT BUT WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AT OUR NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING AND AT THAT TIME , STAFF WILL REACH OUT TO YOU TO LET YOU KNOW COUNCIL DECISION . YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE AT THE MEETING BUT YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED OF COUNCIL DECISION. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> HAVE A GREAT NIGHT. >> I WAS INFORMED THAT CANDIDATE NUMBER FOUR IS NOT PRESENT SO WE WILL BE MOVING ON TO NUMBER FIVE, A STAGE HENSON? >> HI. >> GOOD EVENING, DOING WELL. THANK YOU FOR APPLYING FOR A SEAT ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. WE WILL OPENED UP BY GIVING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST GIVE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION , SHARING ABOUT WHY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THEN I WILL OPEN IT UP FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO BE ABLE TO ASK ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS . WE WILL TURN IT OVER AND ALLOW YOU TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> THANK YOU. HELLO, I AM A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURG AND I'M INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION BECAUSE I HAVE A PASSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISM. I'M CURRENTLY PURSUING MY ASSOCIATES DEGREE AT LOS BANOS COLLEGE. I'M MAJORING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND I WILL BE CONTINUING MY EDUCATION AT CAL STATE EAST BAY IN THE FALL. I'M PURSUING POLITICAL SCIENCE , PUBLIC POLICY AND SOCIETY. I'VE INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION BECAUSE I WANTED TO GET MYSELF MORE INVOLVED IN MY COMMUNITY. CURRENTLY, I AM VOLUNTEERING MY SERVICES ACROSS THE COUNTY . I'M INVOLVED WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED MOTIVATED TO HELP OTHERS, WHICH IS OUT OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA. I WORK IN CONCORD FOR PACIFIC SERVICE CREDIT UNION WHERE WE PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT AT THE CONTRA COSTA FOOD BANK. I DO COMMUNITY SUPPORT THERE AS WELL. BUT, I REALLY WANTED TO SEGUE INTO COMMUNITY ACTIVISM . JUST KIND OF GAINED EXPOSURE TO HOW THINGS ARE RAN HERE IN THIS CITY ORDINANCE AND ON A MUNICIPAL LEVEL . I DID BRING A COPY OF A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR YOU GUYS. I TOOK A MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT TEST , JUST SO YOU GUYS CAN GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF PERSON I AM. I WAS NOT SURPRISED TO FIND OUT I WAS A PROTAGONIST TYPE PERSONALITY. I REALLY DO HAVE A PASSION FOR CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE. I FEEL THAT IF YOU WERE TO GIVE ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON YOUR ADVISORY COMMISSION, IT WOULD EXPOSE ME TO NOT ONLY LEARNING, BUT ALSO BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND GETTING MYSELF INVOLVED WITH MORE ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN PITTSBURG. THIS IS WHERE I LIVE, OR I RAISE MY FAMILY , AND I ALREADY FEEL LIKE THE CITY HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB WITH DEVELOPING . YOU HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING THE CITY AND I HAVE SEEN IT REALLY CHANGE SO MUCH IN THE PAST DECADE. I WANT TO BE A PART OF THE CHANGE YOU GUYS ARE DOING. THAT'S THE MAIN REASON WHY I AM HERE. >> THANK YOU. I WILL OPEN IT UP FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO ASK QUESTIONS. I WILL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ. >> HI. ON THE ISSUES FACING OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW, SPECIFICALLY IN THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH, ARE THERE ANY TRENDS OR AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH YOU CAN POINT OUT? >> I DEFINITELY THINK WE COULD HAVE MORE PROGRAMS FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE. I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE STEMMING FROM. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE THAT ARE DEALING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE. MOST OF THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION DO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ARE SELF-MEDICATING. WE DON'T REALLY HAVE ENOUGH PROGRAMS HERE IN THE CITY TO GET PEOPLE ONTO THE RIGHT TRACK, THE RIGHT MEDICATION. ALSO, EVEN GETTING THE COUNSELING THAT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND RECOVER . SO, YEAH, I WOULD SAY THAT THERE IS SOME AREA OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO DEVELOP MORE PROGRAMS FOR TACKLING ISSUES ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWER. >> COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? >> THANK YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THE ROLE . WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SERVING ON THE COMMISSION AND YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS HE WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO THE COMMISSION IF YOU WERE APPOINTED TO THE ROLE? >> I'M VERY SOLUTIONS BASED. I CAN BE A BLESSING AND A CURSE SOMETIMES BECAUSE ANYTIME SOMEBODY BRINGS A PROBLEM TO ME, I ALWAYS WANT TO THINK OF A SOLUTION. SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST WANT ME TO LISTEN AND SIT OF ME TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I THINK THAT WHAT I COULD BRING TO THE COMMISSION IS JUST , CREATIVITY. I'M AN ALTRUISTIC PERSONALITY, SO I'M REALLY --. I'M ABLE TO EMPATHIZE WITH OTHERS. I CAN DEFINITELY PUT MYSELF IN THEIR POSITION AND TRIED TO FIND A WAY , SEE MY WAY THROUGH THE SITUATION. I FEEL LIKE MY CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, ALTRUISM WOULD BRING A GREAT AMOUNT OF VALUE TO THE COMMISSION. >> GREAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. LAST QUESTION, YOU SHARED THAT YOU SERVED WITH THE CONTRA COSTA FOOD BANK OR MAY HAVE VOLUNTEERED THEIR. COULD YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OR THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED IN TERMS OF THE COMMUNITY AS IT DEALS WITH FOOD INSECURITY. >> YEAH, WELL, I LEARNED THERE ARE A LOT OF FAMILIES THROUGHOUT CONTRA COSTA COUNTY THAT RELY ON CONTRA COSTA FOOD BANK. EXPERIENCE THERE , MOSTLY I WAS JUST PUTTING TOGETHER PACKAGES, FOOD BOXES, GOING THROUGH DONATIONS AND SEPARATING EXPIRED FOOD . MY COMPANY DOES DONATE TO THEM, BUT FOR ME, I FOUND A LOT OF VALUE IN JUST PUTTING IN MY TIME . I EVEN HAD MY OWN EXPERIENCES WHERE I HAD TO ONE-TIME RELY ON THE CONTRA COSTA FOOD BANK TO FEED MY FAMILY. SO, IT WAS VERY SENTIMENTAL TO ME, FOR ME TO PUT MY -- GIVE BACK TO THOSE THAT ARE IN THAT POSITION THAT I ONCE WAS AT. I THINK THAT'S KIND OF WHY --THAT'S A BIG REASON WHY I CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND WHY I WANT TO PUT MY SUPPORT AND BE INVOLVED. BECAUSE OF MY OWN EXPERIENCES . HAVING TO -- HAVING STRUGGLED IN LIFE . UNDERSTANDING THAT AND HAVING TO OVERCOME THAT BY JUST STRIVING TO BE BETTER. I'M 39 YEARS OLD AND I'M JUST NOW GETTING TO MY ASSOCIATES DEGREE. I HAVE TWO REALLY CHANGE MY LIFE AROUND AND BE STRIVING FOR MORE TO BE A BETTER ROLE MODEL FOR MY DAUGHTER. I REALLY WANT TO SEE THE CITY. I WANT THE CITY OF PITTSBURG TO BE A SAFE PLACE FOR MY FAMILY. I WANT MY DAUGHTER TO WANT TO RAISE HER FAMILY HERE . THAT'S REALLY IT. >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. ARE THERE ANY CLOSING REMARKS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE OR ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER IN CLOSING OUT THE INTERVIEW? >> I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS AGAIN FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR ME OUT. I DON'T HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE AND THAT'S WHY I AM APPLYING , THAT WAY I CAN GAIN THE EXPERIENCE AND LEARN FROM MY PEERS ON THE COMMISSION. JUST REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW THINGS WORK. ONCE I LEARN HOW THINGS WORK, I THINK I WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE MY WHEELHOUSE IS HERE. RIGHT NOW, I'M JUST TRYING TO GET IN AND TAKE ACTION WHERE NEEDED. I'M ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP WHERE NEEDED. I'M RELIABLE . LIKE I SAID, I AM INNOVATIVE. I FEEL LIKE IF YOU PRESENT A PROBLEM OR AN AREA THAT MIGHT NEED OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT, I WOULD BE HELPFUL WITH SOME IDEAS. I'M ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT WAYS THAT WE CAN MAKE THINGS BETTER. WAYS TO MAKE MYSELF BETTER . SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, AGAIN. I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS PICK THE RIGHT PERSON, EVEN IF IT IS NOT ME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, AGAIN. WE ARE MAKING THE APPOINTMENT AT THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THAT MEETING , BUT STEPH WILL REACH OUT TO YOU TO LET YOU KNOW THE DECISION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER . WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR APPLYING FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> TO KARI . >> NAMASTE, EVERYONE. >> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. WHAT WE WILL DO HERE IS OPEN IT UP , ALLOW YOU TO PROVIDE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION AND SHARE WHAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION . AFTER THAT, I WILL OPEN IT UP TO MY COLLEAGUES TO ASK ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS , BUT WE WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU AND ALLOW YOU TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME FOR THIS INTERVIEW. MY NAME IS SUE VOSS. I AM FROM NEPAL AND I MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES FOR MY MASTERS AND IT'S BEEN FIVE OR SIX YEARS BEING IN THE AREA WORKING AS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER. I AM LIVING IN PITTSBURG SINCE 2021. MY WIFE IS MY NEW HOME RIGHT NOW. BEFORE WHY I APPLIED FOR THIS COMMISSION IS BECAUSE , IN THE PAST, I HAVE HELPED MY COMMUNITY . HOW CAN I HELP AND IMPROVE THE PUBLIC'S LIKE SENIORS . IN MANY WAYS, THROUGH EDUCATION LIKE GIVING TRAINING TO COMPUTERS. HELPING SET UP LABS IN SCHOOL SPIRIT RECENTLY, I'M ALSO HELPING HUNDREDS OF KIDS TO GO TO COLLEGE. WITH MY FRIENDS, WE STARTED A PROJECT . OUR MISSION IS TO FIND LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND HELP THEM TO COLLEGE. BASICALLY, IN ANY FAMILY, --THE FAMILIES LIVES ONCE THEY GET A GOOD EDUCATION, THE CAN GET A JOB SO THEY CAN START THEIR OWN BUSINESS. THAT'S HOW. SINCE I MOVED TO PITTSBURG, OR HAVE -- . WHAT I BELIEVE IS, FRIENDS AND FAMILIES CONNECT AND CELEBRATE AND ALL LIVE TOGETHER. IT'S BEEN LIKE TWO OR THREE YEARS. I HAVE TO ORGANIZE EVENTS , EVERY FESTIVAL, WHATEVER. AND THEN THAT'S KIND OF TO BRING ALL THE FAMILIES TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE AND ENJOY . MOST OF THE FAMILIES HERE ARE VERY BUSY DURING THE WEEKEND, THEY ALWAYS GET EXCITED TO GET FAMILY TOGETHER. I WANT TO WORK WITH THE CITY BECAUSE WHAT I BELIEVE IS, SOMEWHERE THERE'S A DISCONNECT BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND THE CITY. I TRAVEL AROUND THE COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT CITY DOES AND THEY BASICALLY HAVE QUESTIONS AND SOMETIMES ARE FRUSTRATED. PERSONALLY, MYSELF, I'M QUALIFIED , I THINK, TO FIND A SOLUTION TO WORK WITH THE TEAM HERE AND CITY SO THAT IT'S A GIVE-AND-TAKE HERE. THE CITY CAN PLAN OR BUILD THINGS , OR EVEN THE COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHY I AM HERE. I HOPE I WILL GIVE IT OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING. I WILL OPEN IT UP TO MY COLLEAGUES AND I WILL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ. >> ASIDE FROM THE ISSUE YOU ALREADY IDENTIFIED, CAN YOU NAME US THREE KEY ISSUES CURRENTLY THAT WE ARE FACING AS AN ENTIRE CITY. THREE KEY ISSUES AND ALSO THROUGH SOLUTIONS TO THOSE ISSUES. >> WELL , I HAVEN'T EXPLORED WHAT ARE THOSE ISSUES WITH THE CITY'S, BUT I BELIEVE IN SPENDING MUCH TIME FINDING THE PROBLEMS, WHAT I BELIEVE IS HOW I CAN HELP THE CITY TO --. FIRST THING IS HEALTH AND WELLNESS. IF ANYONE OF THE FAMILY MEMBER IS NOT FEELING WELL OR IS SICK, THAT KIND OF AFFECTS EVERY MEMBER. THE OTHER MEMBER CAN BE HAPPY AND LIVE FREELY. CONSIDERING THAT , BECAUSE SOME OF MY NEIGHBOR FRIENDS ARE DEALING WITH SOME ISSUES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. COLLABORATING WITH OTHER FRIENDS WE STARTED WIGGLY PROGRAMS. WE GATHER SOMEONE'S HOUSE AND WE HAVE A CERTIFIED TRAINER AND HE CAN GUIDE US TO MEDITATE AND DO YOGA. IT LOOKS VERY SIMPLE, BUT THAT'S VERY EFFECTIVE. THAT'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS VERY IMPORTANT. WITH OUR HAPPINESS, WITH OUR HEALTH, AND THAT AFFECTS OUR NEIGHBORS AND FAMILY. THE SECOND THING IS, EDUCATION. IN MY COUNTRY, EDUCATION IS THE NUMBER ONE THING. ALL OUR PARENTS, THEY RISK THEIR LIFE , RISK EVERYTHING TO SEND THEIR KID TO THE GOOD SCHOOL , TO GET THE GOOD EDUCATION. HERE IN PITTSBURG, I HAVE SEEN SOME OF MY FRIENDS WHO ARE VISITING HERE, NOW THEY WANT TO GO OUT OF THE CITY. I WONDER WHY, WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO OUT? BECAUSE THEY WANT TO FIND A GOOD SCHOOL FOR THEIR KIDS. THAT'S NOT GOOD. I DO WANT THEM TO TO ANOTHER CITY. I'M LOSING FRIENDS AND LOSING MY NEIGHBORS. SO, PROBABLY, CITY CAN DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION AND QUALITY OF EDUCATION , AT LEAST FOR THE --. WE WANT THE BEST EDUCATION. NOT NECESSARILY TO HAVE BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT VERY SMALL STANDARDS LIKE IF ARCADE DOESN'T HAVE ANY SCIENCE, WE THINK THE SCHOOL DOESN'T GIVE ATTENTION . THIS IS VERY SMALL THINGS BUT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THE THIRD THING , I DON'T KNOW I STILL HAVE TO EXPLORE, MAYBE I WILL DO RESEARCH ABOUT -- I DON'T KNOW . THESE ARE THE COUPLE OF THINGS THAT TRIGGER ME. THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT ME HERE. >> THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU LAID OUT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE. I HAVE NO QUESTIONS. YOU ANSWERED A LOT OF THEM . I COULD TELL YOU HAVE A HEART FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THAT IS IMPORTANT HERE. YOU ARE PART OF A DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT IS HERE IN OUR CITY, AND SO I JUST APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THAT WITH US. I HAVE NO QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD AS CLOSING REMARKS FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER? >> WELL, THIS IS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE HERE. I HAVE NO CLUE HOW THE INTERVIEW WILL GO AND ALSO I HAVE NOT MET EXISTING OR PREVIOUS COMMUNITY BOARD ADVISORY MEMBERS , SO THAT AT LEAST I COULD SEE THE EXPERIENCE. BUT AT LEAST, AFTER I GO BACK HOME I WILL EXPLORE MORE AND UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WORKS. I WILL CONTINUE BY ANY MEANS TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY. TO CONNECT OUR COMMUNITY LIKE THE CITY AND I WILL SEE IF I HAVE ANY KIND OF FEEDBACK. I WILL PUT FORWARD WITH YOU . THAT'S ALL. NOTHING ELSE. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. SO, WE WILL BE MAKING THE APPOINTMENT AT OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING. WE WON'T BE MAKING ANY DECISIONS TONIGHT. BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO ATTEND. IT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT, BUT YOU CAN IF YOU WOULD LIKE. THE STAFF WILL REACH OUT TO YOU , TO LET YOU KNOW CITY COUNCIL DECISION . WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR APPLYING AND SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO COME OUT. >> MY PLEASURE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD EVENING. >> WILL HAVE JUST ON CARRY . >> HELLO. >> GOOD EVENING, MISCARRY. >> HOW IS IT GOING? >> GOING WELL. WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION , SHARE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES TO ANSWER OR ASK ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS. WE WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU. >> I LOVE THIS. GOOD EVENING, COUNSEL . MY NAME IS JATON KERRY. THE MORE FRENCH YOU AT THE MORE I FEEL BETTER ABOUT MYSELF . MY MOM WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT. I HAVE BEEN A PITTSBURG RESIDENT FOR ABOUT 21 -- 26 YEARS. MY JOURNEY HERE WAS FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. ONE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT MYSELF IS THAT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. ONE THING I NOTICE, THERE WAS A NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT TO HAPPEN AND I WAS ALWAYS VOCAL ABOUT WHAT THOSE NEEDS WERE . I WOULD OFTEN SOMETIMES MAKE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE WHO ACTUALLY SERVED DIFFERENT FROM THE FACES I SEE NOW BUT IT WAS A PART OF WHAT I WANTED BUT I WANTED TO BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT. WHEN HE ASKED ME WHAT BRINGS ME ON MY JOURNEY HERE, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. I'M HERE TO SERVE. AND WHETHER I AM DEVOTED INTO THIS POSITION, I WOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE AS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT OR RESIDENT IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURG WHICH I AM PROBABLY A MEMBER OF. BUT SHOULD I TALK ABOUT WHO I AM THOUGH? >> YES, BY ALL MEANS. >> I'M A MOM OF TWO TWO LOVELY BOYS . I HAVE BEEN AN ACADEMIC MY WHOLE LIFE. I PLAYED TEACHER WHEN I WAS LITTLE AND WHEN I BECAME GROWN I BECAME A TEACHER. THE ONE THING I NOTICE, I COULD NOT AFFORD TO LIVE AND WORK HERE IN PITTSBURG . I TAUGHT FOR MANY YEARS AND BECAUSE OF THE LOW PAY , IT LED ME TO TEACH OUT IN SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. I'M CURRENTLY WORKING NOW AS A DIRECT ARE OF A NONPROFIT THAT REALLY IS RECRUITING NEW TEACHERS INTO THE FIELD, PARTICULARLY BLACK TEACHERS. AND THEN ALSO WORKING TO ADVOCATE FOR INCREASING THEIR PAY. WHAT ELSE ABOUT ME? I LOVE TO GARDEN. I LOVE IT. I LOVE CAMPING IN THE OUTDOORS. I'M AFRAID OF HEIGHTS. LET'S SEE, WHAT ELSE? I GUESS THE THING I AM NEXT LOOKING TO DO, I WANT TO BE A FOSTER PARENT. MY KIDS ARE GROWN AND OUT OF THE HOUSE. I'M A NURTURER. THAT'S ONE THING I WANT TO TAKE ON, BE A FOSTER PARENT. THAT'S THE NEXT THING I WANT TO DO. THAT'S ME IN A NUTSHELL. >> THANK YOU. I WILL OPEN IT UP FOR MY COLLEAGUES. COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ? >> HELLO. NICE TO MEET YOU. >> NICE TO MEET YOU, COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ. >> EARLIER , YOU SPOKE ABOUT HOW IN THE PAST YOU HAVE ADDRESSED NEEDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS . SPECIFICALLY, WHAT KIND OF NEEDS DID YOU HELP ADDRESS? >> THERE WAS A FEW. THERE WERE A FEW INITIATIVES THAT CAME THROUGH IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURG THAT I WAS A PART OF . AS A PART OF BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE I REALLY DID ANYTHING OTHER THAN VOICE MY OPINION, BUT THAT'S IMPORTANT WHEN YOU ARE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT. IT WAS PERTAINING TO THE HILLSIDE PRESERVING OUR HILLSIDES. THAT'S WHAT ISSUE OF CONCERN THAT I WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN. SECONDLY, I THINK IT WAS HAVING DISPENSARIES HERE IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURG . I VOICED MY CONCERNS AND GAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT INITIATIVE. I THINK THE THIRD ONE WAS BUILDING A SCHOOL OR CHARTER SCHOOL, SPECIFICALLY DOWN THE STREET. I HAD PARTICIPATED IN THAT. GIVING MY THOUGHTS AND OPINION ON THAT AND I ACTUALLY WROTE LETTERS AROUND THE RESEARCH THAT THEY SHARED AROUND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT CHARTER SCHOOL. AND THE OTHER THING WAS, TO INCREASE THE HOURS OF SMALL WORLD PARK . I REMEMBER BEING A TEACHER AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE MY STUDENTS TO SMALL WORLD PARK AND ME WRITING MY CITY COUNCILMAN AND SAYING WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT INCREASING THE HOURS SPENT MANY YEARS LATER THEY INCREASED THE HOURS FOR SMALL WORLD PARK TO HAVE IT EXTENDED TILL OCTOBER. I FEEL LIKE I WAS PERSONALLY A PART OF THAT BECAUSE I WROTE A LETTER SAYING I WANTED TO TAKE MY LITTLE ONES TO AN OKTOBERFEST AT SMALL WORLD PARK BECAUSE THEY WERE CLOSE IN SEPTEMBER. I THINK THE LAST ONE WAS HAVING MORE YOUTH PROGRAMS. YOU CAN'T IMAGINE AS A MOM , WHEN YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE YOUR CITY TO TRY AND GET YOUTH PROGRAMS FOR YOUR CHILDREN. SO, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE ABOUT INCREASING THE YOUTH PROGRAMS HERE IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURG. >> THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? >> THANK YOU FOR APPLYING AND SHARING ABOUT YOURSELF. YOU HAVE TALKED ALLOW -- ABOUT A LOT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IS. WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BRING TO THIS WORLD? >> I DON'T KNOW. I REALLY DON'T. I THINK WHEN I THINK ABOUT MYSELF NOW, I'M A SINGLE MOM. I'M AN EMPTY NESTOR. WHAT I CAN RECALL UPON IS MY JOURNEY FROM BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP AND HAVING BEEN VERY COMFORTABLE AND NABBING A SINGLE MOM AND HAVING TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEMS AND HOW THOSE SYSTEMS WERE NECESSARILY FRIENDLY TO A SINGLE MOM WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT? I MEAN THE AFFORDABILITY OF PITTSBURG , MY GOD, IT HAS CHANGED. I BECAME A FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNER LAST YEAR. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> I THINK I BRING THAT VOICE. I BRING THAT VOICE OF SINGLE MOMS, BLACK WOMEN IN PARTICULAR, WHO LOVE THIS CITY AND WANT TO PRESERVE THIS CITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN, WHO WANT TO SEE IT THRIVE . I THINK I BRING THAT VOICE. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S GOOD. >> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD AS CLOSING REMARKS FOR COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION? >> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE. I WANT TO SAY THAT , AND NO NOT NECESSARILY. I DO WANT TO GET TOO POLITICAL, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU. THE COUNCIL WILL MAKE THE APPOINTMENT AT OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING. NO DECISION WILL BE MADE TONIGHT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO ATTEND THAT MEETING. IT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT BUT YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY STAFF AS FAR AS THE COUNCIL DECISION. WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. >> THANK YOU. BYE-BYE. >> SONJA SHEPPARD. >> HELLO. >> GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING, MR. SHEPPARD. THANK YOU FOR APPLYING TO THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. WE WILL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A BRIEF STATEMENT. GIVE YOURSELF AN INTRODUCTION AND WHY YOU'RE INTERESTED IN SERVING IN THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION. I WILL OPEN IT UP FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS AS WELL. >> I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN PITTSBURG FOR 29 YEARS AND I HAVE SEEN DEVELOP AND GROW OVER THE YEARS . I LIKE TO BE A PART OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPING FOR THE FUTURE. >> I WILL OPEN IT UP TO COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ. >> OH, SORRY, I THOUGHT IT WAS ON. >> I WOULD SAY, MORE BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN . WE HAVE MADE SOME STRIDES IN THAT WAY. I LIKE THE NEW FACE OF IT. IT IS LIKE MODERN AND NEW AND GIVES A GOOD FACELIFT TO DOWNTOWN PITTSBURG. THE HOUSING ISSUE . THE UNHOUSED, THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THAT. PROBABLY COME ALSO, MORE JOBS. >> THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? >> THANK YOU. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU, MR. SHEPPARD. WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN BRING TO THE COMMISSION? >> I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY FROM MY CHURCH TO SENIORS TO HOUSING WITH STILLMAN AND PEOPLE LOOK AT ME AS SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO GETS INVOLVED. THEY SEE ME TRYING TO GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL POLITICS . THEIR EFFORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND SPEAK UP HERE'S WHAT I THINK. I'M ALWAYS INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TELL ME WHAT THEY THINK. I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD MIDDLE PERSON IF I WERE THERE . HERE'S WHAT MY NEIGHBORS THINK. HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE AT MY CHURCH THINK. HERE'S WHAT THE PEOPLE AT THE SENIOR HOUSING THINK. A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK TO ME AND TELL ME, HERE'S WHAT I THINK BUT I'M AFRAID TO GO FORWARD OR I DON'T GET OFF WORK IN TIME TO GO TO A MEETING. I THINK I COULD BE USEFUL IN THAT WAY TO BE A VOICE FOR OTHER PEOPLE. >> THANK YOU. >> AND SO, THE FINAL QUESTION JUST TO ASK, YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY AS FAR AS ENGAGEMENT. CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ANY SOLUTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY MAYBE IMPLEMENT OR ANYTHING YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORWARD TO THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION? >> I'VE NOTICED THAT THERE IS A LOT OF EMPTY BUILDINGS DOWNTOWN AND ONE OF THE THINGS I THOUGHT ABOUT WAS USING IT AS LIKE A MEETING ROOM , LIKE HUBS FOR PEOPLE , OR MAYBE INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNERS , THAT THEY COULD RENT THE SPACE BY THE MONTH OR HOURLY OR EVEN SIX MONTHS AT A TIME. RATHER THAN HAVE IT JUST BE EMPTY. POP-UPS WAS A GREAT IDEA. IT'S MEETING SPACE. I ALSO HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE WISHING THEY HAD BANQUET SPACE PICK I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S POSSIBLE BUT KITCHENS IN THERE. A CATERER TO COME IN AND BANQUET AND EVENT , WHETHER IT IS LIKE THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF A NONPROFIT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, JUST A PLACE TO MEET IS REALLY IMPORTANT SPACE FOR PEOPLE . I ALSO THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO THINK ABOUT SHARING AN OFFICE SPACE. IT'S REALLY BIG, THOSE OFFICES DOWNTOWN, AND I THINK THAT IF THERE IS A DENTIST AND A DENTIST LEFT, ONE OF THEM ALONE CAN'T MAYBE AFFORD THE RENT, BUT TOGETHER THE TWO OF THEM COULD GO INTO BUSINESS TOGETHER. OR MAYBE PARTITION , BUT BECAUSE THE RENT IS A LITTLE HIGH, MAYBE THEY NEED TO PROMOTE SHARED SPACES. OR OTHER USES OF THE SPACE. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD AS CLOSING REMARKS FOR THE COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION? >> I THINK PITTSBURG HAS GROWN A LOT. I LIKE THE THINGS I HAVE BEEN SEEING. I DO LIKE THE LOOK OF THE ATKINSON PROJECT BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT MOVING IN AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A WAY TO COMMUNICATE AND TALK WITH THEM. THE LEASING REQUIREMENTS , YOU HAVE TO MAKE 2 TO 3 TIMES THE RENT. IT IS DETERRING PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO MOVING IN . I FIND THAT SOMETIMES TALKING TO PEOPLE, EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK YOU DON'T HAVE ANY SAY SO ON IT REALLY INFLUENCES WHAT HAPPENS. I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF THE BUSINESSES RECENTLY , SOMEONE APPROACHED HIM AND ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD EVER CONSIDER COMING TO PITTSBURG TO HAVE A BUSINESS. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP COMMUNICATION OPEN AND THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD I'M PRETTY GOOD AT SEEING UNPREDICTABLE SOLUTIONS OR OUT OF THE BOX SOLUTIONS TO THINGS AND I THINK THAT I CAN BRING THAT TO THE TABLE. MY INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY IS THERE AND I HOPE THAT I WOULD BE AN ASSET IN THAT WAY. >> THANK YOU. THE COUNCIL WILL MAKE ITS APPOINTMENT AT OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING. IT WON'T BE THIS EVENING . YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND BUT YOU ARE DEFINITELY WELCOME TO BUT YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY STAFF AS WELL AS THE COUNCIL DECISION. WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR APPLYING TO THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION AND ALL OF YOUR ADVOCACY AND ENGAGEMENT HERE IN THE CITY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SO, THIS WILL CONCLUDE THE SPECIAL MEETING . WE WILL TAKE A RECESS AND BEGIN THE REGULAR MEETING AT 7:00 P.M. >> IT IS NOW 7:01 AND WILL CALL THIS REGULAR SCHEDULE THE MEETING TO ORDER. CAN YOU CALL THE ROLE? >> COUNCILMEMBER SCALES-PRESTON IS EXCUSED. COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ, COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS, VICE MAYOR KILLINGS, MAYOR BANALES IS ABSENT AND EXCUSED. >> CHIEF, CAN YOU LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL . >> AT THIS TIME WE ARE GOING TO READ OUR PROCLAMATION FOR THIS MONTH AND IT IS IN RECOGNITION OF RED CROSS MONTH. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MR. LARRY TO THE PODIUM . >> HI. >> HELLO, GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR RECEIVING THIS PROCLAMATION THIS EVENING ON BEHALF OF RED CROSS MONTH . I WILL READ IT AND THEN PRESENTED TO YOU. WHEREAS IN HONOR OF THOSE THAT TURNED COMPASSION INTO ACTION , RED CROSS MONTH FALLS ON THE MONTH OF MARCH . WHEREAS THE RED CROSS SOCIETY HAS BEEN SAVING LIVES IN THE 1800S, IT HAS MADE UP OF VOLUNTEERS WHO OFFER TO HELP OTHERS IN TIMES OF CRISIS, OR IS ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, AMERICAN RED CROSS RESPONSE TO AN EMERGENCY EVERY EIGHT MINUTES , WHICH MEANS EVERY 24 HOUR PERIOD, THE RED CROSS WAS WANTS TO APPROXIMATELY 180 EMERGENCIES. WHEREAS RED CROSS BAY AREA CHAPTER SERVES NEARLY 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTIES OF ALAMEDA, CONTRA COSTA, SAN FRANCISCO, SAN MATEO , AND WHEREAS THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL REGION RED CROSS HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN WAS A SUCCESS OR 1294 FREE SMOKE ALARMS WERE INSTALLED , 462 HOMES MADE SAFER THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS, LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND PARTNERS. WHEREAS WE DEDICATE THE MONTH OF MARCH TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS TO SUPPORT THEIR MISSION TO PREVENT AND ALLEVIATE HUMAN SUFFERING IN THE PHASER EMERGENCIES BY MOBILIZING THE POWER OF VOLUNTEERS AND THE GENEROSITY OF DONORS. NOW THEREFORE, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURG , DOES HEREBY HONOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS BAY AREA CHAPTER FOR THEIR MISSION AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF PITTSBURG. >> ALL RIGHT. YEP, SHE'S COMING. >> THE RED CROSS DID PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF THE DISASTERS HAPPENING IN PITTSBURG IN 2023. OF THOSE , HOME FIRE ALARMS WERE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTIES, YOU GOT 10 OF THEM. AND OF THE DISASTERS OF HOMEBUYERS RESPOND TO, THERE WERE 17. SO WE APPRECIATE THAT AND AS YOU MENTIONED, VOLUNTEERS WERE HELPFUL AND THE COOPERATION WE HAD WITH YOUR CITY AND RECLAMATION , I'M HAPPY TO RECEIVE ON BEHALF OF RED CROSS AND OUR VOLUNTEERS. THANK YOU. >> WE WILL MOVE ON TO CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND REMARKS. >> I WILL HAND IT OVER TO MARIA. >> THANK YOU. HELP SHAPE PITTSBURG DOWNTOWN MARINA , PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ENGAGE WITH THE CITY AT A COMMUNITY MEETING REGARDING OLDTOWN, MARINA AND ADJOINING NEIGHBORHOODS. THIS IS ON SATURDAY MARCH 16th FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M. AT THE MARINA CENTER. THE SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT IS JOINED THE PITTSBURG YOUTH SPRING CORE. ALSO KNOWN AS PSYCH, A PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES ACTIVITIES, WORK EXPERIENCE, WORK ETHIC, COMMUNITY PRIDE , COMMITMENT AND VOLUNTEERISM. SPACE IS LIMITED, SO PLEASE REGISTER AT PITTSBURG REC.COM. THAT'S IT, THANK YOU. >> . MADAME, CITY CLERK TO HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? >> KNOW WE DO NOT. >> SAY NONE, I WILL MOVE ON TO CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS . ANY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE ANY REPORTS FOR ANY COMMITTEE MEETINGS? COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS. >> THANK YOU. THE LIFE ENRICHMENT SUBCOMMITTEE MET ON FEBRUARY 21st. TALKED ABOUT SEVERAL ITEMS TAKING PLACE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. MYSELF ALONG WITH COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ FOR THEIR -- ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER JENNIFER CRUZ AND FERNANDEZ. WE TALKED ABOUT COMMUNITY SERVICES, A CULTURE AND DIVERSITY INITIATIVE. WE WERE LOOKING AT WAYS TO SUPPORT LOCAL NONPROFITS WANTING TO ADVERTISE THEIR EVENTS AND PROMOTE THEM AND POTENTIAL CITY SUPPORT . WE TALKED ABOUT THOSE . THAT ITEM IS ACTUALLY GOING TO COME BACK. WE ARE STILL IN DISCUSSION AROUND THAT. WE TALKED ABOUT THE CDBG COMMUNITY, DEVELOPED BLOCK GRANTS. THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN REVIEWING THE GRANTS THAT ARE COMING UP IN THE NEXT CYCLE, AND SO, NO DECISION MADE. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT BUT JUST UPDATING THE COMMITTEE AROUND THAT. AND THEN WE REVIEWED A PROPOSAL FOR BEFORE AND AFTER CARE FOR THE CITY. REVIEWED THE BIDS THAT CAME IN AND LOOKED AT THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND HAD MADE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WILL BE COMING TO COUNSEL. WHAT ELSE DID WE TALK ABOUT? AND THEN WE REVIEWED QUALITY-OF-LIFE GOALS AS A FOLLOW-UP FROM THE GOALS WORKSHOP THAT WE HAD EARLIER IN THE YEAR. NOTHING FINALIZE. WE WERE REFINING THEM, TALKING SUE THROUGH SOME OF THE GOALS WORKSHOP AND WE WILL BE WORKING TO REFINE THOSE AS WELL. BUT, GREAT MEETING. A LOT OF WORK IN PROGRESS AND WHAT I APPRECIATE IS THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE IS BEING VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING AROUND LIFE ENRICHMENT FOR THE CITY, WHICH IS IMPORTANT. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS THIS EVENING? ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ONTO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM, FIRST AND A FORSAKE --FOR CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. TONIGHT'S FIRST CONSIDERATION ITEM IS REGARDING APPOINTING A BOARD MEMBER TO FILL A VACANCY ON THE PITTSBURG ENHANCE INFRASTRUCTURE DISTRICT PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY BOARD. EIFD. WHAT ROBERT IS GOING TO PRESENT TONIGHT ARE SOME CITY COUNCIL COULD APPOINT THE FIFTH MEMBER TO THE EIFD. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE , TONIGHT, JUST TO PRESENT SOME IDEAS THAT WE CAN GO THROUGH ONE THOUGHT COULD BE A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, COMMUNITY ADVISER COMMISSION AS WELL AS SIMILAR TO THE INTERVIEW PROCESS WE JUST WENT THROUGH WITH THE COMMUNITY ADVISER COMMISSION. ROBERT WILL WALK YOU THROUGH SOME OF THAT AND WE WANT TO HAVE FEEDBACK TONIGHT AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK, BASED ON THAT FEEDBACK WITH EITHER NAMES FROM DIFFERENT COMMISSIONS, OR HAVE AN INTERVIEW PROCESS AT THE COUNCIL DIRECTION. ROBERT? >> THANK YOU, CITY MANAGER. GOOD EVENING, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FIFTH BOARD MEMBER TO THE PITTSBURG ENHANCED INFRASTRUCTURE DISTRICT PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY. AS YOU ARE AWARE, THE CITY IS IN THE PROCESS OF WARMING AN ENHANCED INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING DISTRICT OR EIFD FOR SHORT. THAT PROCESS WAS RESTARTED THROUGH ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION FOR --. AS PART OF THE EIFD FORMATION PROCESS, IT ESTABLISHES THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY OR EFA FOR SHORT. THAT BOARD WILL BE CRITICAL TO NOT ONLY THE ESTABLISHMENT BUT ALSO ESTABLISH IT GOING FORWARD BECAUSE THAT IS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THAT BODY, TO OVERSEE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EIFD AND ESSENTIALLY WAS GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING PLAN , WHICH I WILL GO INTO DETAIL MORE. WHEN THE PFA FIRST MET AND ADOPTED ITS BYLAWS, IT CREATED THE FOLLOWING COMPOSITION LISTED HERE ON THIS SLIDE OF THE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVING ON THE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SUBCOMMITTEE, AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THERE IS CURRENTLY ONE VACANT SEAT FOR THE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. AS THE CITY MANAGER EXPLAINED TO YOU, ONCE YOU GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF APPOINTING THAT FIFTH MEMBER , WHAT WILL HAPPEN THEN IS THAT WE WILL BEGIN THE PROCESS OF RELEASING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING PLAN, THE IFP, SO THAT THEY CAN BEGIN THE PUBLIC REVIEW PROCESS. IT WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE PUBLIC , THE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED THROUGH THE IFP. THE PFA AND THE CITY COUNCIL. AND AS EXPLAINED EARLIER, THE IFP AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE --IT WOULD GO THROUGH A PROCESS OF THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS BY THE PFA , WHERE FEEDBACK IS HEARD ON THE IFP AND ANY OBJECTIONS -- CAN BE RAISED THROUGH THE FORMATION OF EIFD BUT IMPACTED PROPERTY OWNERS . ALSO DURING THAT TIME, THE IFP WILL COME TO COUNSEL FOR ADOPTION AS WELL. THAT IS THE PART OF THE EIFD FORMATION PROCESS. WITH THAT SAID, RECOMMENDATION BY COUNSEL LISTED IN THE STAFF REPORT IS BY MINUTE ORDER TO APPOINT THE FIFTH A BOARD MEMBER OF THE PFA FOR THE PITTSBURG EIFD . WITH THAT OFFER MENTIONED MEMBER BEING A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PITTSBURG EIFD BYLAWS. WE ALSO FURTHER RECOMMEND AS A CITY MANAGER , THAT MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC BE A PAST OR CURRENT APPOINTED MEMBER OF A CITY COMMISSION OR A COMMITTEE. NOW, AS CITY MANAGER EXPLAINED EARLIER AND IF THE COUNCIL WISHES FOR MORE TIME TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION, THERE IS ALWAYS THE OPPORTUNITY TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM TO A LATER COUNSEL DATE TO VOTE ON AT THAT TIME. YOU CAN DECIDE ON HOW YOU WOULD LIKE THAT PROCESS TO LOOK LIKE WHETHER YOU WISH TO HOLD INTERVIEWS OR CONSIDER BENCH OF EXISTING CANDIDATES FROM SERVING ON CITY COMMISSION. THAT IS ULTIMATELY UP TO THIS COUNSEL TO DETERMINE HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED WITH APPOINTING THAT FIFTH MEMBER. WHETHER TONIGHT OR AT A LATER DATE. SO, I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT AND MYSELF AND STAFF ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE. >> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. DO ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AS IT RELATES TO THIS ITEM? COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? >> I HAVE A QUESTION. THROUGH THE VICE MAYOR. JUST ON A PROCEDURAL TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HAVE DESCRIBED. IF YOU --IF WE DO INTERVIEWS AND THEY WOULD COME TO A COUNCIL MEETING FOR A SPECIAL MEETING, IF IT IS A BENCH OF FOLKS THAT ARE ALREADY APPOINTED, HOW WOULD THAT WORK? WOULD WE GET A LIST OF REVIEW? >> IT WOULD BE -- THAT WOULD RELY ON THE FEEDBACK OF THE COUNCIL. COUNSEL CAN IMPROVISE WITH --THEY CAN EITHER BE OPEN AGREEMENT OR AS WE SUGGESTED A LIST OF COMMISSION COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND IT WOULD BE SPECIFICALLY ON THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY UNDERSTANDING , WE WOULD EXPLAIN WHAT THAT ENTAILS AND WHAT THE EF-5 DO YOU HAVE IS SO THEY HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEY WOULD BE APPLYING FOR. THAT'S WHAT THAT PROCESS WOULD LOOK LIKE. STAFF WOULD BE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AS TO WHO OR WHERE OR BE AN OPEN INVITATION TO COMMISSION OR COMMITTEES FOR MEMBERS TO --WHO WISH TO ALSO SERVE ON THIS PFA. >> THAT IS HELPFUL. THANK YOU. >> IF I COULD, MR. VICE MAYOR . WHAT I THINK WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL WITH STAFF , WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION AND INFORM THEM OF THIS OPPORTUNITY, IF THIS IS SOMETHING THE COUNCIL WANTS SO THAT WAY WE CAN GAUGE SOME INTEREST. THEY CAN THEN PASS ON TO THEIR STAFF LIAISON OF THOSE COMMISSIONS . YES, I WOULD BE INTERESTED. WE COULD THEN HAVE A MORE ABBREVIATED , BECAUSE YOU KNOW MOST OF THE -- YOU KNOW THE CANDIDATES. ABBREVIATED INTERVIEW SESSION FOR YOU. IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO AND THE COULD BE SORT OF A STREAMLINED WAY FOR GAUGING INTEREST ON WHO YOU WOULD THINK WOULD BE THE BEST OR MOST SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR THE FIFTH SPOT ON THE EIFD . >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? JUST IN TERMS OF TIMELINE , I KNOW YOU BROUGHT UP THE FINANCING PLAN . DO WE ALREADY HAVE A TIMELINE WE ARE TRYING TO STICK TO IN TERMS OF GETTING THE FINANCING PLAN OUT THAT IS CONTINGENT ON GETTING THIS FIFTH MEMBER SEATED? >> OUR PLAN IS UPON APPOINTMENT OF THE FIFTH MEMBER, WE WOULD UPDATE WHATEVER DRAFT DOCUMENTS WE HAVE FOR THE IFP AND THEN WE WOULD BEGIN THE PROCESS OF RELEASING TO THE PUBLIC FOR PUBLIC REVIEW. IT IS AN APPROXIMATE FORM OF PROCESS FROM RELEASE OF THE IFP TO ADOPTION AND THEN FORMATION OF THE IFP. >> WE HAVE TIME BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO BE A LITTLE BIT BRISK ON ADDRESSING IT, BUT WE WILL MAKE IT WORK. >> WITH THAT, I'M DEFINITELY OPEN IN TERMS OF WHAT THE INITIAL RECOMMENDATION WAS . JUST WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY INTEREST, IF I DID SEE ANY TYPE OF NEXUS , POTENTIALLY WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION , A MEMBER THAT IS ON THE LAND-USE SUBCOMMITTEE, THAT WITH EIFD, BUT DEFINITELY OPEN AND I GUESS DIRECTION WOULD BE SINGH WHO IS INTERESTED FROM THE COMMISSIONS. >> THAT IS VERY HELPFUL. WE DON'T NEED ANY KIND OF VOTING BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A MEMBER, BUT THAT IS HELPFUL AND WE WILL BRING BACK A LIST WITH AN INTERVIEW PROCESS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO CONSIDERATION ITEM NUMBER FOUR. I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE CITY MANAGER. >> THANK YOU, AGAIN. SECOND CONSIDERATION ITEM IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PITTSBURG MISCIBLE CODE TO ADD CHAPTER 8.14 , ILLEGAL DUMPING , JORDAN DAVIS HAS A FEW SLIDES FOR YOU. I FOUND WHILST PREPARING FOR THE ITEM WAS FROM 2017. THAT WAS THE CITY PICKED UP 632 MATTRESSES AND 361 COUCHES OR SOFA CHAIRS DURING THAT YOUR. TWO MATTRESSES A DAY AND ONE COUCH. THIS IS AN ISSUE WE WANT TO COME UP WITH AS MANY WAYS TO ADDRESS AS POSSIBLE. JORDAN? >> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. IS THE CITY MANAGER MENTIONED, A SHORT PRESENTATION TO TOUCH ON SOME MORE STATISTICS THAT DEAL WITH ILLEGAL DUMPING IN THE CITY. WHICH HAS INCREASINGLY BECOME AN ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND THE CITY SPENDS MORE THAN $100,000 ANNUALLY ON THE CLEANUP OF ILLEGALLY DUMPED DEBRIS. ITEMS DUMPED AS A CITY MANAGER MENTIONED ARE OFTEN LARGE, HEAVY, MAY BE HAZARDOUS OR CONTAIN HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. REQUIRING A LOT OF PROCESSING IN ORDER TO PICK THOSE UP AND ALSO TO DISPOSE OF THEM. ALTHOUGH ILLEGAL DUMPING AND LITTERING IS A CRIME UNDER STATE LAW, PROSECUTION HAS BEEN MINIMAL, AT BEST AND REALLY WHAT THAT HAS LED TO IS IT NOT BEING A DETERRENT IN ILLEGAL DUMPING . IF THEY DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN, THERE IS NO INCENTIVE TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY. A FEW MORE STATS , CLEAN UP BY YOUR. I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING IN THE STAFF REPORT, WHICH DEALT WITH BOTH TONNAGE AND CUBIC YARDS . WE HAVE ESTIMATED WHAT THAT IS AND THOSE NUMBERS COME FROM OUR REPORTING, WHICH IS SOMETIMES DONE DIFFERENTLY BOTH BY STEP OR BY CONSULTANT, BUT WE CAN PRETTY WELL ESTIMATE WHAT THOSE ARE. IN 2021, THERE WERE ABOUT 1200 TONS , A LITTLE BIT MORE, AND IN 2022, THAT NUMBER WAS DOWN SLIGHTLY. THERE IS AN ASTERISK AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO NOTE, 2021 WAS VERY HIGH BECAUSE OF THE ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS THAT WERE DONE. NOT AS MUCH WAS DONE DURING 2020 BECAUSE OF COVID, BUT IN 2021, CLEANUPS OF ENCAMPMENTS, THAT NUMBER SKYROCKETED . IF YOU REMOVE THAT NUMBER, 2022 GREW SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE 2021 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME OF THE INCOME CLEANUP . WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND CUBIC YARDS IN 2021 WAS ABOUT 306 AND 288 IN 2022. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD DO A FEW THINGS. FIRST IT WOULD PLACE THE LIABILITY ON THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF A VEHICLE THAT VIOLATES THE ORDINANCE IF THE VEHICLE IS USED OR THE OWNER OR OPERATOR REASONABLY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO BE USED IN THE COMMISSION OF ILLEGAL DUMPING. VERY PLAINLY, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? WE HAVE A LPR, AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS AND IF WE SEE THAT A TRUCKER OR VEHICLE WITH THE LICENSE PLATE IS INVOLVED IN A COMMITTING ILLEGAL DUMPING ACT, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT WE COULD UTILIZE THAT INFORMATION AND THE OWNER OF THAT VEHICLE COULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT ILLEGAL DUMPING. IF THEY SAY IT WASN'T ME, I LOADED THE TRUCK TO A FRIEND OF MINE, THEY STILL, FOR THIS ORDINANCE, MAY BE DEEMED RESPONSIBLE. THE VIOLATION WOULD ALSO CONSTITUTE A MISDEMEANOR AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE FINE WOULD BE $1000 FOR EACH VIOLATION. THE CITY MANAGER IS AUTHORIZED TO OFFER COMMITTEE SERVICE AVAILABLE IN LIEU OF THE FINE . IF THERE IS AN OUTSTANDING FINE, THE CITY MAY COLLECT ANY PAST DUE FINE AS A PERSONAL OBLIGATION. AN ONGOING VIOLATION MAY BE ABATED BY THE CITY , THE COST OF THE ABATEMENT WOULD BE CHARGED TO THE PROPERTY OWNER. IN THIS INSTANCE, THAT IS A VIOLATION OF THIS PROPOSED MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION TO ALLOW ILLEGAL DUMPING TO STAY ON YOUR PROPERTY. WE RECOGNIZE THAT VACANT PROPERTIES CAN BE ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING. BUT HERE, WE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE THAT THE OWNERS OF THOSE PROPERTIES TAKE -- POTENTIALLY -- TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR LINEUP SHOULD ILLEGAL DUMPING OCCUR. OF COURSE, AND COST OF ABATEMENT UNPAID AFTER 45 DAYS, AN INVOICE CAN BE RECOVERED VIA A PERSONAL OBLIGATION. WITH THAT, STAFF RECOMMENDS THE CITY COUNCIL INTRODUCE AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PITTSBURG MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADDING CHAPTER 8.14 , ILLEGAL DUMPING . I AM JOINED BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND THE CITY ATTORNEY AND AS A TEAM WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JORDAN. DO ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? JUST A QUICK QUESTION, IN TERMS OF --YOU ARE PRESENTING IT, IS THIS ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE THROUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT? IS IT THROUGH PD? HOW WOULD IT WORK IN TERMS OF HOW WE IDENTIFY ILLEGAL DUMPING? >> IT WILL BE A TEAM EFFORT AND DEPEND ON WHAT WE CAN DO. THE PD HAS ACCESS TO OUR CAMERA NETWORK . A REQUEST FOR SERVICE IS PROBABLY GOING TO COME IN AND GO TO PUBLIC WORKS OR COME TO ENFORCEMENT. DEPENDING ON THE NATURE WHERE IT IS LOCATED, EITHER OF THOSE DIVISIONS WILL LIKELY REACH OUT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY VIDEO . IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THERE IS VIDEO, THEN WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO ENGAGE THE CITY ATTORNEY . OF COURSE, CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENFORCE THE MUNICIPAL CODE BY THESE ADDITIONAL MEASURES, POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE TO US. IF FOR WHATEVER REASON IT IS NOT CAPTURED ON CAMERA , THERE WEREN'T WITNESSES, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN REALLY TRACK DOWN, WE WILL WORK TOGETHER EITHER TO WORK WITH A PROPERTY OWNER IF IT IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, AND THAT FALSITY CODE ENFORCEMENT REALMS . IF IT IS IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY, WE WILL WORK WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AND PUBLIC WORKS TO GET THAT CLEANED UP. >> THANK YOU. IF THERE AREN'T ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, I DO WANT TO APPRECIATE STAFF, BOTH JORDAN AND THE CHIEF. I KNOW THIS CAME BEFORE THE PUBLIC SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE. DEFINITELY SUPPORTIVE OF THE ORDINANCE. I THINK WE ALL REALIZE THE ISSUE AROUND THE REGION WHEN IT COMES TO ILLEGAL DUMPING AND DEFINITELY WANTING TO GET OUR STUFF MORE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS IT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. I WILL DEFINITELY OPEN IT UP AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION IF THERE IS NO OTHER QUESTIONS. COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ? >> I MOVE FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PITTSBURG MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD CHAPTER 8.14, ILLEGAL DUMPING. >> COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS? >> THANK YOU, I WILL SECOND THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR. >> ALL RIGHT WITH A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ AND SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS. AND CAST YOUR VOTES. THAT MOTION PASSES 3-0. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT. DO ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CONSIDER THAT CONSENT CALENDAR --. I WILL STOP FOR A MOMENT. MR. CITY MANAGER. >> STAFF IS REQUESTING THE ITEMS EIGHT AND 12 ARE PULLED AND STAFF WILL RETURN AT A LATER DATE WITH BOTH ITEMS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SO DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR MINUS ITEMS EIGHT AND 12? COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT OR ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR EXCLUDING ITEMS EIGHT AND 12 . >> WE HAVE A MOTION . COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ? >> I SECOND THE MOTION. >> WE HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND.