City Council - 10/16/23

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Combined Agency/City Council Minutes Page 2 of 5 October 16, 2023

Gavin Payton, Pittsburg, spoke in support of ACCE. He also extended an invitation to

the City Council and the community for a youth NAACP banquet taking place on November 4,

2023\. Proceeds from this event will go towards a youth scholarship.

Comments on rent stabilization, tenant rights and deplorable living conditions were

received from:

Randi Shelton

Norma Heid

Nicole Arrington

Christian Copeland

Latina Simpkins

Millie Philips

Essence Spencer

Ethan Silverstein

Kamilah Miller

Devin Williams

Archie Brumfield

Maricruz Manzanarez

Mayor Scales-Preston acknowledged those who spoke regarding their housing

concerns.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Member Killings attended the Public Safety and Economic Development committee

meetings as well as the Los Medanos Health Advisory Committee meeting.

CONSIDERATION

3\. Adoption of a City Council Resolution to Accept Grant Funds from Contra Costa County

Employment and Human Services for a Technology Lab at the Pittsburg Senior Center.

On Motion by Mayor Scales-Preston, seconded by Member Adams to adopt and carried

unanimously.

Bruce Ohlson, Pittsburg, spoke in support of this item.

4\. Adoption of a Minute Order to Appoint Board Members to the Pittsburg Enhanced

Infrastructure Financing District Public Financing Authority.

On Motion by Member Lopez, seconded by Member Adams to adopt and carried

>>> GOOD EVENING , EVERYONE. THE TIME IS 7:00. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER. MADAME CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL? >> YES. COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ? >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCILMEMBER KILLINGS. >> PRESENT. >> VICE MAYOR BANALES? >> PRESENT. >> MAYOR SCALES-PRESTON. >> PRESENT. >> I DO NOT SEE THE CHIEF IN THE ROOM THIS EVENING TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE, SELF I WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. I WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU, MR. CITY MANAGER. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. TONIGHT, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION BY PITTSBURG'S OWN PAT YOUNG, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF DIVISION I OF CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT. SO PAT. >> IT IS NICE TO TALK TO THE HOME TEAM. GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND STAFF. IT IS MY PLEASURE AND HONOR TO BE HERE AGAIN , REPRESENTING THE GROUP. SO I WILL GET STARTED. LET'S SEE. I SEE IT WORKING, BUT . THE RED AND THE GREEN. I PROBABLY JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. SO AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE MAP, THIS IS THE SERVICE AREA. CONTRA COSTA ON THE DELTA. WE ARE ABLE TO GET WATER FROM OUR LOCATIONS. THANK YOU. OKAY. SO WE ARE ABLE TO DIVERT WATER TO FOUR LOCATIONS. NEAR PITTSBURG , BROAD SLOUGH, NEAR OAKLEY, AND MIDDLE RIVER ON VICTORIA ISLAND. AND SO HIGH-QUALITY WATER FROM THE DELTA IS SEASONAL AND FLUCTUATES WITH THE RAINFALL THAT WE SEE EACH YEAR. THE DELTA WATER QUALITY IS LESS THAN DESIRABLE. WHEN IT SAYS THAT, IT IS STORED IN LOSS FOR CHARIS. AND WHEN THE DELTA WATER STARTS TO DECLINE , IT GETS REALLY HOT. SO THE MORE THAN 80-YEAR-OLD CONTRA COSTA CANAL, LET'S SEE. WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. WHAT DID I DO? THERE WE GO. SO I WANT TO DO THE LITTLE POINTER. IT DOESN'T WORK. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO YOU CAN ALL SEE THE BLUE LINE THAT REPRESENTS THIS NOW. SO THEY SUPPLY WATER VIA THE CONTRA COSTA CANAL FOR 5000 PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTY. WE ARE A WHOLESALER AND RETAILER. THESE PEOPLE LIVE OR WORK IN THIS AREA. THE REMAINING HALF RECEIVES WATER FROM THE AGENCY THAT PURCHASES CONTRA COSTA WATER. THE CITY OF PITTSBURG DOES. THE CITY OF PITTSBURG PURCHASES UNTREATED WATER, TREATS IT IN ITS OWN TREATMENT PLANT, AND DELIVERS IT AT THE DISTRIBUTION POINTS. OKAY. SO UNTREATED WATER SYSTEMS . WE OPERATE A COMPLEX SYSTEM TO ENSURE WATER IS DELIVERED TO THESE UNTREATED SYSTEMS. THIS INCLUDES THE CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT IN THE MUNICIPAL SYSTEMS ON THE MAP THAT WE SAW. AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, EACH OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICE SYSTEM PARTS IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURG HAS ITS OWN WATER SYSTEM AND OPERATES AND MAINTAINS. SO WE HAVE THESE DELTA INTAKES, FOR STORAGE RESERVOIRS, AND A SHORTCUT PIPELINE. SO THE JOURNEY FOR CONTRA COSTA'S WATER BEGINS WITH THE SNOWPACK. SO FAR THIS YEAR, WE ARE OFF TO A GREAT START. WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THE WATER SUPPLY. AS THE SNOWPACK MELTS, WATER FILLS THE RIVERS AND RESERVOIRS AND EVENTUALLY FLOWS INTO THE DELTA. WE PUMP WATER FROM FOUR LOCATIONS IN THE DELTA. WHEN WE PUMP THE WATER FROM THE DELTA, WE CAN EITHER STORE IT IN LAS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR. THE WATER IN THE CONTRA COSTA CANAL FROM THE DELTA THEN MAKES ITS WAY TO THE TREATMENT PLANTS BEFORE REACHING YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. SO OUR NEW WATER YEAR HAS STARTED, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1st. WE ARE HOPEFUL TO HAVE ANOTHER YEAR WITH ALL OF YOU AS WELL. STATEWIDE, LAKE SHASTA IS CURRENTLY 74% FULL. LAS VAQUEROS IS 74% FULL. WE ARE STILL FILLING, WE RESUMED FILLING IN OCTOBER. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS AS LONG AS CONDITIONS ALLOW. THE STORAGE IN THE RESERVOIR IS A GREAT BENEFIT TO CONTRA COSTA CUSTOMERS BECAUSE THE WATER QUALITY IS SEASONAL. WHEN DELTA WATER IS AT ITS FRESHEST, WE STORE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN LAS VAQUEROS AND WE USE IT WHEN WATER QUALITY BEGINS TO DECLINE. THANKFULLY, ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS HELPED US GET THROUGH THE DROUGHT BY USING WATER EFFICIENTLY AND MAKING CONSERVATION A WAY OF LIFE SINCE THE LAST DROUGHT. THE LAS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR PROVIDES THIS WATER QUALITY. THE NEXT SLIDE, US. PEOPLE HAVE REALLY GOTTEN THE MESSAGE. THEY UNDERSTAND. THIS IS QUITE IMPRESSIVE. BUT DUE TO THE WET WINTER AND LOW USE BY CUSTOMERS DURING THE DROUGHT, WATER SALES ARE DOWN BY 12.5 MILLION. IN FISCAL YEAR 24. SO EVEN THOUGH , OF COURSE, WE APPLAUD CONSERVATION, IT DOES HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE RATES. ADDITIONALLY, OPERATING COSTS ARE INCREASING DUE TO PURCHASED WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS. COST OF WATER IS 6.4 MILLION, ENERGY, 6.4 MILLION. CHEMICALS, 6 MILLION. TO ADDRESS THIS, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED OPERATING COST REDUCTIONS AND ADJUSTED THE TIMING OF CAPITAL PROJECTS. WE WILL ALSO JUMP INTO RESERVES. HOWEVER, THESE ARE A ONE TIME USE TRUCK STRATEGY. THIS IS NOT REINVEST IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. WE ARE IDENTIFYING LONG-TERM STRATEGIES NOW THROUGH OUR REGULAR UPDATES WITH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND 10 YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN. THESE HELP US EVALUATE OUR OVERALL FINANCIAL STRATEGY TO MEET THE DISTRICTS MISSION AND COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMERS. SO I REALLY LIKE THIS. I HOPE YOU CAN ALL SEE IT. THIS JUST GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW EVERY THREE DOLLARS OR SO IS SPENT . OUR CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING ABOUT THREE DOLLARS A DAY, AND THIS IS HOW MUCH WE ARE SPENDING. THIS IS HOW WE BREAK THIS DOWN. SO CONTRA COSTA WATER CONTINUES TO BE A GREAT VALUE TO CUSTOMERS. NEXT MONTH, WE WILL BE IN THE PUBLIC SETTING WITH THE 2024 RATES. THIS IS SOMETHING, OF COURSE, I'M SURE THE CITY OF PITTSBURG IS NOT FOND OF DOING, BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT TO ENSURE THE QUALITY OF OUR WATER AND SAFE DELIVERY. WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE. SO WHILE THESE RATES, EXCUSE ME, DO NOT AFFECT INDIVIDUAL USERS IN PITTSBURG , IT WILL LIKELY AFFECT THE RATES THAT WE CHARGE THE CITY OF PITTSBURG FOR THE WATER THAT THEY PURCHASED WITH US. THE UNTREATED WATER. THE WATER BREAKS WILL COVER MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE WATER ITSELF. THIS IS A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE OVERALL BUDGET. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE BUILT, THE CITY OF PITTSBURG. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE OUR CUSTOMERS UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT JUST GETTING THE WATER OUT OF THE RIVER. IT IS ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT GOES INTO TREATING IT AND GETTING IT TO OUR TAPS. NEARLY HALF OF THE WATER BILL GOES TO PAY MAINTENANCE , TO TREAT AND DISTRIBUTE THE WATER AS WELL AS REPAIR LEAKS, AND OVER 900 MILES OF WATER PIPES. THE BILL PAYS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WHICH WE WILL DISCUSS NEXT. SEE CWD WILL ALWAYS FIRST EXPLORE NON-RATE REVENUE WITH THESE INCREASES. THESE SOURCES OF INCOME MAY INCLUDE GRANTS, DEVELOPER FEES, LAND USES, AND PROPERTY TAXES. WE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 80% FUNDED AND 20% NON-RATE FUNDED. ONE THING I WANTED TO MENTION, TOO. YOU CAN SAVE THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. IT IS A TINY SLICE OF WHAT WE DO. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I THOUGHT IS ONE OF MY PARTICULAR INTERESTS , WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THIS, THIS IS THE FUTURE. THIS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ON CONSERVATION. THESE PEOPLE WILL BECOME STEWARDS AND HOPEFULLY BETTER STEWARDS THEN WE WERE FOR OUR WATER. SO THIS IS THE BUDGET REVIEW AND THE RATESETTING SCHEDULE. IN MID-OCTOBER, ACTUALLY , WE ARE GOING TO REVIEW THE REVENUE FOR 2024. IN MID-NOVEMBER, 2023, WE HAD THE NOTICES THAT WENT OUT TO ALL CUSTOMERS. AT THIS HEARING, WE WILL CONSIDER ADOPTING NEW RATES. IN FEBRUARY, 2024, NEW RATES WILL TAKE EFFECT. AND THESE INCREASES ARE NECESSARY TO FUND ONGOING OPERATIONS IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. THE COST OF SERVICES SUCH AS PURCHASING WATER, TREATMENT CHEMICALS, CONTINUES TO INCREASE. CONTRA COSTA WATER IS USING ITS RESERVES TO REDUCE THE IMPACT TO THE CUSTOMERS. SO THIS IS SORT OF A , I GUESS, TOOTING OUR OWN HORN, SO TO SPEAK. THIS IS HISTORY AS SOME OF OUR MAJOR PROJECTS AND HOW WELL WE HAVE MANAGE THEM. AS YOU CAN SEE, EVERYTHING, LOS VAQUEROS, THE RESERVOIR PHASE ONE EXPANSION, THE MIDDLE RIVER INTAKE, THE MULTIPURPOSE PIPELINE, THE BRENTWOOD WATER TREATMENT PLANT ALL CAME UNDER BUDGET AND ON TIME, WHICH IS NO SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENT AT ALL. SO THE CCWD FACILITIES BELONG TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND THEY HAVE PAID FOR THESE PROJECTS, IN LARGE PART, THROUGH THEIR WATER BILLS. THE RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT HAVE TRUSTED THE BOARD AND THE DISTRICT STAFF TO OPERATE IN THESE FACILITIES AND PLAN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FACILITIES TO MEET WATER QUALITY AND RELIABILITY GOALS. THE DISTRICT HAS A LONG HISTORY AND A LOT OF PRODUCTS ON SCHEDULE. WE SEEK OUT FIGHT --OUTSIDE FUNDING OVERALL. OKAY. SO YOU CAN SEE THE BLUE LINE THERE. THAT IS THE CONTRA COSTA CANAL. IT IS JUST A PIECE OF HISTORY. WHEN THAT CANAL WAS COMPLETED, ALMOST 80 YEARS AGO PROBABLY, THERE WAS 1940. THERE WAS A WATER FIESTA HELD HERE IN PITTSBURG THAT LASTED THREE DAYS. FOLKS WERE HAPPY THAT WATER WAS COMING IN AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DRINK THE WATER THAT THEY FOUND UNPLEASANT. BUT I KNOW IT IS PROBABLY FASCINATING THAT IT WAS HERE IN PITTSBURG GOING ON FOR THREE DAYS. THERE WERE PARADES AND FLOATS AND ALL KINDS OF CELEBRATIONS. SO THE CONTRA COSTA CANAL IS THE SYSTEM THAT WAS BUILT IN THE 1930s AND '40s. IT CONTINUES TO DELIVER. WE LOOK AT THE CANAL INTO SECTIONS. THE MAIN CANAL, SHOWN IN BLUE , WHICH RUNS DIRECTLY TO CLYDE , AND THE BLUE CANAL, SHOWN IN WHITE, WHICH CONTINUES FROM CLYDE TO MARTINEZ. THIS INCLUDES MULTIPLE CHALLENGES FOR US. THE GRAY LINE IS PART OF THE MAIN CANAL. ON TOP -- I WILL TALK ABOUT THAT SECTION IN THE NEXT SLIDE. BUT THE SAFETY , THE CANAL MEANS THE HAZARD FOR PEOPLE WHO DRIVE , PEOPLE WHO FALL IN. ALSO, THE WATER QUALITY OF THE OPEN CANAL. IT IS VULNERABLE TO WATER QUALITY, INCLUDING ALGAE BLOOMS AND STORMWATER RUNOFF. THE SUPPLY IS IMPACTED BY EARTHQUAKES, RISKS TO THE CANAL CAUSED BY STORMS. THE OPEN CHANNEL ALSO LOSES WATER TO EVAPORATION. THE COST TO MAINTAIN THE CANAL CONTINUES TO INCREASE. MOST OF THE CHALLENGES I MENTIONED OCCUR ALONG THE MAIN SECTION OF THE CONTRA COSTA CANAL. IT IS AN IMPORTANT SECTION AS IT DELIVERS 99% OF THE WATER WE TREAT AND SERVE. WE ARE NOW WORKING TO MODERNIZE THE CANAL IN A WAY THAT ILLUMINATES THOSE CHALLENGES AND RESULTS IN A RELIABLE FACILITY FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS. THE LOOP CANAL, THIS IS NOT PART OF THE EFFORT THAT WILL BE EVALUATED FOR FUTURE YEARS. THESE MILESTONES WERE DEVELOPED WITH A PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND STRATEGY AS WELL AS THE PROJECT TIME AND STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS. , I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND LOOK . THIS IS A MASSIVE PROJECT. TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES AT THE BEGINNING, CONTRA COSTA WASTE WATER DISTRICT IS REPLACING THE FINAL STRETCH OF OAKLAND ONLINE NEAR OUR INTAKE ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE. SINCE 2009, APPROXIMATELY 14,000 FEET OF THE CANAL HAS BEEN REPLACED IN PIPELINE. THE PIPELINE WILL INCLUDE DRINKING WATER QUALITY AND MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY AS WELL AS ADVISE WATER ISSUES DUE TO EVAPORATION AND FILTRATION. WE ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING APPROXIMATELY 6000 FEET OF OPEN CANAL AT THE INTAKE NEAR THIS ROAD IF YOU GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO. IT IS JUST A HUGE SITE. SO THIS IS JUST A LITTLE UPDATE ON THE LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR. HERE IS A LIST OF THE MEMBERS THAT ARE ALL COLLABORATING IN THE EXPANSION OF THE RESERVOIR. A BIG UPDATE WHERE WE ARE WITH LOS VAQUEROS EXPANSION PROJECT. THEY HAVE BEEN AWARDED MAXIMUM ELIGIBILITY FROM THE STATE THROUGH THIS. THIS IS A HUGE MILESTONE. THIS IS THE FIRST OUTSIDE INVESTOR. THESE PARTNERS INCLUDE CCWD AND CONTINUE TO EVALUATE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE EXPANSION PROJECT WHICH WOULD IMPROVE WATER SUPPLIES AND DEVELOP ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE MANAGEMENT WATER MANAGEMENT. IN RAISING AND INCREASING THE STORAGE CAPACITY AT LOS VAQUEROS, THE PROJECT WILL INTRODUCE NEW PIPELINES AND OTHER FACILITIES . CONTRA COSTA WATER RESERVOIRS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY -- THE SAME BENEFITS THAT THEY RECEIVED FOR DECADES IN ADDITION TO REALIZING NEW STREAMS FROM THE LOCAL AGENCY PARTNERS WITH WHO RENTED SPACE IN THE FACILITY. SINCE THE BEGINNING , BOTH 2012 I'LL BE EXPANSION GUIDED BY CONTRA COSTA WATER BOARDS THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF LOS VAQUEROS AND HOW WE HAVE THIS AGREEMENT WITH THE OTHER PART. IT MUST HAVE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY FOR THE CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT CUSTOMERS. IT MUST ENHANCE THE DELTA ENVIRONMENT AND ENHANCE FISHERIES. IT MUST RESERVE AN INCREASE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. CCWD MUST MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE WATERSHED AND THE RESERVOIR. AND MUST PROTECT THE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT OF CCWD CUSTOMERS COMMISSIONING THIS. THIS WAS PLACED BEFORE THE VOTERS OF THE CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT. WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC WATER AGENCIES TO EXPAND THIS. IT ALSO STIPULATES THAT MORE WATER WILL BE EXPORTED TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR WAS FORMED OCTOBER, 2021 . THESE WERE THE PARTNERING AGENCIES FINALIZING THE WATER REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE EXPANSION PROJECT, THE NEEDS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS COMES FIRST, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THEY BUILD AND EXPAND THE RESERVOIR WITH LOCAL FUNDS THAT ARE DEPENDENT ON THE WATER AND THE WATER QUALITY. SO THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR YOUNG. I HAVE A QUESTION WITH REGARDS TO THE MAIN CANAL. ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT, IN THE FUTURE, YOU SHARED THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE EXPANSION UNDERGROUND . IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE MAIN CANAL TO DO THE SAME? >> YES. THAT IS WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING OUT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS. BECAUSE YOU MAY HAVE THE WATER MEANDERING THROUGH THE CITIES. AND IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE WATER DISTRICT, GOOD FOR THE WATER QUALITY. >> THANK YOU. DO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR YOUNG? >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAVE A QUESTION BECAUSE I AM STILL LEARNING ABOUT THE WATER DISTRICT. SO THE QUESTION AROUND, WHAT IS YOUR RATE CASE SCHEDULE? YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW THE SALES ARE LOWER AND THEN PART OF, THAN ANTICIPATED. WE HAVE A LOT OF ENERGY CONSERVATION SO I AM CURIOUS ON WHAT YOUR RATE CASE SCHEDULE IS AND DIFFERENT RATEMAKING TO, YOU KNOW, LEVEL THAT OUT. >> SO WE ARE HAVING TO GO AND DO SOME OF OUR RESEARCH. THIS COMES TO A $2 MILLION DEFICIT. CUSTOMERS WERE SO GOOD AT CONSERVATION, WHICH IS WHAT WE ULTIMATELY WANT. SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT NOW. THIS IS THE SCHEDULE THAT I MENTIONED BEFORE FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER. ALL OF THOSE THINGS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH HOW MUCH WE RAISE TODAY. WE KNOW WE HAVE TO RAISE BECAUSE THE SUPPLIES AND ENERGY ARE JUST SKYROCKETING. >> GOT IT. QUESTION. IS THAT AN ANNUAL SCHEDULE, OR DO YOU DO IT EVERY THREE YEARS? TWO YEARS? >> YEAH. WE DO IT EVERY YEAR. PARTICULARLY WITH INFLATION, WE DO CUT IT EVERY YEAR BECAUSE THINGS ARE RISING. >> GOT IT. >> SO WE HAVE TO DO IT. >> OKAY. THAT'S HELPFUL. I HAVE ONE OTHER QUESTION ABOUT YOUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. DO YOU HAVE, LIKE , TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS? I MEET A LOT OF YOUTH WERE LOOKING FOR JOBS. HOW CAN THEY GET THEMSELVES ON THE RADAR? >> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE PRIMARILY FOR THOSE STUDENTS IN COLLEGE. I WOULD HELP THEM WITH ONE OF MY NEXT COMMITTEE MEETINGS. WE WANT TO START GOING TO THE SCHOOLS MORE. I THINK HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, TOO. WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IS EXPOSE THE HIGH SCHOOLERS TO THE TYPES OF JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE. NOT JUST FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO GO TO COLLEGE. THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER JOBS. I WANT TO EXPOSE OUR YOUTH TO IT. SO I WANT TO CONSIDER GOING TO PITTSBURG HIGH SCHOOL AND DOING SOME ADMINISTRATIVE WORK TO SEE WHAT THEY DO. THE LAST TIME THIS OTHER SUBCOMMITTEE WAS HERE, WE TALKED ABOUT CREATING A COUPLE OF INTERNSHIPS FOR KIDS WHO ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE, ARE NOT GOING TO BECOME ENGINEERS. SO IT IS AN ONGOING PROCESS. AND IF YOU ACTUALLY CHECK OUT SOME OF THE UNIONS, THEY HAVE A LOT OF PROGRAMS WHERE THEY TRAIN PEOPLE TO DO WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE WATER DISTRICT. THEY ALSO HAVE CLASSES AND PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP THOSE PEOPLE. IT HELPS THEM PREPARE THEMSELVES TO DO THESE JOBS AND TAKE THE EXAMS. SO IF I THINK OF IT, I WILL SEND YOU A COUPLE OF THESE. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THEY DON'T KNOW TO GO TO THE UNIONS. SO IF YOU ARE AT THE SCHOOL, MAYBE THEY CAN COME TO THE SCHOOL. >> I AGREE. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS IS, SOMETIMES PEOPLE GO TO THE SCHOOLS AND THE TEACHERS ARE THERE TALKING TO THESE CLASSES. PEOPLE DON'T NORMALLY THINK ABOUT THIS. I WANT TO OPEN THIS TO EVERYONE HEARD I AGREE WITH YOU. THERE IS A LOT TO BE WORKED OUT. WE NEED IT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO AGE OUT OF IT YOU NEED TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING. >> THANK YOU. THAT IS AWESOME. >> AND ONE THING ABOUT THE FUTURE. >> VERY GOOD. >> SO THERE IS A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO GO. I THINK ANOTHER DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR MARTINEZ, WILL BE WITH US. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR YOUNG. >>> NEXT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR PROCLAMATION FOR THIS EVENING. I WOULD LIKE PATEL TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM. MR. PATEL , HE IS WITH TEAM PITTSBURG. HE IS A GIS ANALYST. HE JOINED OUR TEAM IN OCTOBER 2019. HE BECAME A U.S. CITIZEN LAST MONTH, SO WE ARE EXCITED --[ APPLAUSE ] TO PRESENT HIM WITH THIS PROCLAMATION THIS EVENING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> NATIONAL IMMIGRANT DAY. WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS KNOWN AS THE WORLD'S MELTING POT, EVERY YEAR ON OCTOBER 20th, NATIONAL IMMIGRANT STATE GIVES US A REASON TO REFLECT ON HOW UNIQUE AND DISTINCT IS AMONG THE NATIONS HERE. WHEREAS AMERICANS , WE ARE PROUD OF A LONG HISTORY OF WELCOMING IMMIGRANTS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD AND VALUE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS , AS THIS TO OUR NATIONS, BLEND OF CULTURES, CUSTOMS, AND TRADITIONS, AND WHEREAS AMERICA IS THE WORLD'S GREAT EXPERIMENT IN FREEDOM AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS. UNLIKE ANY OTHER NATION ON OUR PLANET, IT IS FOUNDED AND BUILT BY IMMIGRANTS. WHEREAS AMERICA HAS CITIZENS EITHER BY BIRTH OR BY CHOICE , BOUND UNDER A COMMON FLAG, THE CONSTITUTION, UNITED BY A LEGACY OF THE LAND OF FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY. AND WHEREAS WE ARE SOME OF EVERY IDEAL AND DREAM , THE EVERY STEP IS SURE WITH IMMIGRANTS SEEKING NEW OPPORTUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES. WHEREAS THE CITY OF PITTSBURG IS PROUD OF OUR IMMIGRANTS THROUGHOUT HISTORY AND TODAY, THAT HAVE MADE A HOME HERE IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURG. NOW I, SHANELLE SCALES-PRESTON, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF PITTSBURG, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 28th, 2023, AS NATIONAL IMMIGRANT STATE , AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO CELEBRATE THIS DATE WITH PROPER CELEBRATIONS AND ACTIVITIES. MR. PATEL , DO YOU HAVE ANY REMARKS HE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE? >> JUST, IT IS GREAT TO WORK WITH TEAM PITTSBURG. I LOVE WORKING WITH THE STAFF AND ALL OF THEM OUT THERE. SO ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE YEARS. >>> MARIA , THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, HAS A FEW COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. THE FOLLOWING TEAM MEETINGS WILL BE THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18th, AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM, LOCATED AT 80 POWER AVENUE. ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21st, AT 10:00 A.M., HERE IN THE MARINA CENTER. PUMPKINS WITH THE POLICE IS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18th. AT 6:00 P.M. AT PICK OF THE PATCH PUMPKINS LOCATED AT CENTURY BOULEVARD AND EAST LIMA ROAD. THERE WILL BE A FALL TREEPLANTING EVENT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21st, AT 9:00 A.M. AT CITY PARK, LOCATED AT CIVIC AVENUE. THE HAUNTED HOUSE IS ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21st, FROM 7:00 TO 9:00 P.M. HERE AT THE MARINA CENTER. THERE WILL BE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS , THOSE INTERESTED. PLEASE GO TO THE PITTSBURG REC.COM TO SIGN UP. HALLOWEEN BASH IS ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20th, FROM 12:00 TO 5:00 P.M.. THE NATIONAL FAITH AND BLUE TRUNK OR TREAT IS ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31st , AT BUCKLEY SQUARE. I BELIEVE IT IS 5:30 TO 7:30 P.M. FINALLY, THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS IS STILL UNDER RENOVATION, SO PLEASE PLAN ON HAVING THE NOVEMBER 6th AND NOVEMBER 20th MEETINGS HERE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MARIA. MOVING ON TO COMMITTEE REPORTS. ANY REPORTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES THIS EVENING? COUNCILMEMBER KILLINGS. >> PUBLIC COMMENTS. SORRY . >> MADAM CLERK. PUBLIC COMMENTS PLEASE. >> WILSON. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAME MAYOR, COUNCIL PERSONS, STAFF, AND FELLOW CITIZENS. I AM BRUCE OHLSON , PITTSBURG'S MR. BICYCLE. MY COMMENTS TONIGHT HAS TO DO WITH THE PROJECT THAT WE ARE APPLYING FOR FEDERAL DOLLARS TO WIDEN THE PITTSBURG ANTIOCH HIGHWAY. IN THE DAYS AFTER THE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING , I SPOKE WITH ASKING TO BE ASSURED THAT BICYCLE LANES WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT , AND BOTH ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD TRY. I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING PUBLIC MEETINGS LONG ENOUGH AND SPEAKING WITH STAFF LONG ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE TERM TRY MEANS. IT TRANSLATES ROUGHLY TO, NOT A CHANCE. EVEN WITH MOVING KIRKER CREEK, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIT INTO MORE VEHICLE TRAFFIC LANES , PLUS AN AUXILIARY VEHICLE LANE FOR LEFT TURNS PLUS BIKE LANES. THAT IS NOT SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT A SHOULDER, WHICH WE WOULD LIKE ALSO. SO WHAT DO I WANT? THE CITY COUNCIL DOES NOT HAVE TO PASS A RESOLUTION ASKING OR TELLING STAFF TO INCLUDE BICYCLE LANES IN THIS PROJECT. YOU ALREADY HAVE. PITTSBURG'S GENERAL PLAN, PITTSBURG'S BICYCLE PLAN , PITTSBURG'S ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN , AND PITTSBURG'S SOON TO BE ADOPTED SUSTAINABILITY PLAN ALL CALL FOR COMPLETE STREETS. COMPLETE STREETS INCLUDE BICYCLE LANES. YOU HAVE OR WILL ADOPT ALL OF THESE PLANS. PLEASE DIRECT STAFF TO FOLLOW THE PLANS THAT YOU, OUR LEGISLATIVE BODY, HAVE ADOPTED. OUR STREETS AND ROADS ARE FOR THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND GOODS, NOT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF AUTOMOBILES. THE PITTSBURG-ANTIOCH HIGHWAY CURRENTLY HAS BICYCLE LANES. PLEASE KEEP THEM >> GAVIN PAYTON . >> HELLO, CITY COUNCIL. I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THEY WILL BUY A TICKET FOR AN APPRECIATION DINNER FOR --AND SUPERVISOR GLOVER FOR ALL THEIR HELP IN SUPPORTING YOUTH. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THIS BECAUSE THIS WILL ALSO INVOLVE A SCHOLARSHIP. RIGHT NOW, IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, WE NEED SUPPORT. RIGHT NOW, WHETHER TO DO THAT, THEN AND INVESTING IN AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, BECAUSE YOU HAVE -- IN THE FUTURE. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE ANSWERS TODAY, BUT TOMORROW, YOU COULD HAVE THEM THEN. TO HELP SET THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO BE ABLE TO NOT FACE THE SAME THINGS WE FACE TODAY, WE WANT TO START BY DOING A POSITIVE THING FOR OUR YOUTH. THANK YOU. >> RANDY SHELTON. >> HELLO. I AM SPEAKING FOR RENT CONTROL. I JUST WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF MY STORY AND WHAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH AS A RENTER IN PITTSBURG. WE MOVED IN EIGHT YEARS AGO. IT WAS $800 WHEN WE MOVED IN. GRACE STAR OWNS THAT PROPERTY. WE WERE PAYING 2200 AFTER UTILITIES AND FEES , WHICH , COME TO FIND OUT, WAS PAYING FOR PEST CONTROL, GARBAGE, THE POOL, THE GYM , THAT WE DON'T EVEN USE, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID BECAUSE THOSE SHUT DOWN. THEY DON'T EVEN PAY FOR PEST CONTROL. WE ONLY HAVE ONE GARBAGE. SO PEOPLE TRASH THE COMPLEX EVERYWHERE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO EXPOSE DIAMOND HILLSIDE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT NICE PEOPLE. LAST NOVEMBER, WE HAD FROM FREON. IT TOOK THEM THREE WEEKS TO FIX IT. MY DOG WAS POISONED AND KILLED FROM THAT. I GOT SIX. I LOST 30 POUNDS IN ONE MONTH. I HAVE A SCAR ON MY EYE NOW FROM THE AMMONIA ATTACKING MY IMMUNE SYSTEM. I DON'T HAVE ANY PAPERS WITH ME BECAUSE IT WOULD JUST BE TOO MUCH TIME, BUT I HAVE YEARS OF EVIDENCE AND PAPER TRAILS OF ME ASKING THEM TO DO MAINTENANCE. TO FIX THINGS. THEY DON'T DO IT , AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE NOT DOING THAT. THE PREVIOUS MANAGER WAS ALSO EMBEZZLING. WE GOT COVID RENT RELIEF PAPERS WHEN WE DIDN'T OWE ANY MONEY. WE PAID OUR RENT EVERY MONTH. THEY MADE FAKE PAPERS TO CHARGE US FOR MONEY THAT WE PAID. SO THEY WERE MAKING FALSIFIED STUFF. THE MANAGER WAS EMBEZZLING. THE MAIL WAS GETTING STOLEN. THEY HAD PEOPLE ON CAMERA DOING THIS AND THEY NEVER DID ANYTHING BECAUSE THE MANAGER WAS EMBEZZLING AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO REPORT IT. IT AFFECTED MY SSI AS WELL. THEY KNOW I AM ON DISABILITY. THEY STILL INCREASED THE RENT. THEY JUST LOST OUR LEASE NOW. WE GOT A NEW LEASE. NOW IT IS GONE AND THEY WANT US TO PAY AN EXTRA $200 A MONTH. I AM RUNNING OUT OF TIME, BUT IT IS NOT WHAT WE SIGNED FOR AND THEY ARE ALSO TOWING OUR CARS. THE TENANT CAN CALL AND GET OUR CAR TOWED BECAUS