Jose Rodriguez

El Niño Local Emergency Proclamation

The city failed to recover $363,000 in 2024 flood costs; officials stressed reserves and documentation are critical for FEMA reimbursement.

Closed-session litigation exposure

Unknown — litigation exposure could carry settlement or judgment costs for the city, but no figures were disclosed.

Fiscal Year 2026-2027 City Budget

A $12.7 million projected deficit with only about $500,000 in unassigned reserves left by the end of FY27 — plus $235,000 restored for senior meals.

Library programming and event publicity

Beer and wine service at new Korean BBQ on Highland Avenue

New state changes will cut development fees for ADU applicants starting January 1.

Business License Tax Reform (Gross Receipts Tax)

Reform aims to address a projected budget deficit; a competing tax initiative reportedly risks undermining the collaborative process.

Blue Curb Disabled Parking Spaces

Minor cost for curb painting and signage, not itemized in the agenda.

Police Portable Radios via Federal Grant

$27,226 in federal grant funds with a matching appropriation in the Police Department Grants Fund.

City Towing and Impound Service Contracts

Sets the rates and terms the city pays for police-related towing for three years.

Personnel Change

Unfilled part-time positions mean stretched-thin staffing, though no new budget direction has come from the city manager.

environmental policy and industrial development

The completed assessment used about $500,000 from the EPA and nearly $300,000 from the state; cleanup grants are a possible next phase but require the city to apply as property owner.

New public comment rules under SB 707

Pending ~$7 million encampment resolution grant

Over $7 million requested, plus roughly $4 million in leveraged county and partner resources.

Union Tower affordable apartments completion

This project adds much-needed housing stock, potentially easing rent burdens for many.

Six city-owned development sites

Business License Tax Reform Advisory Committee Direction

Reform of the business license tax could change city revenue and business costs; amounts were not stated.

Capital Improvement Program On-Call Consultants

Up to $3.8 million in combined not-to-exceed consultant spending over three years.

Library patron suspension policy

Library as election voting site

Loss of dedicated library security

Consent agenda

Approval of the agenda

Approval of September 21 minutes, as corrected

CEQA exemption and CUP for on-site beer and wine — Handu Korean Barbecue, 820 Highland Avenue

Adoption of 2027 meeting dates, as corrected

Election of officers — Chair and Vice Chair

Approval of the meeting agenda

Approval of the February 2, 2026 meeting minutes

Adoption of 2027 meeting dates

Policy 105 Request – Suspension or Elimination of Council Budgets

Consent Calendar (remaining items including 9.1, 9.2, 9.4, 9.5, 9.9-9.15)

Consent Item 9.3 – Caltrans Clean California Grant Amendment (Eastside I-805 Community Greenbelt, CIP 22-09)

Consent Item 9.6 – Notice of Decision, CUP and TPM, 327-333 Laurel Avenue Condominium Conversion

Consent Item 9.7 – Notice of Decision, CUP and CDP, Caliber Collision Center, 402 West 35th Street

Consent Item 9.8 – Notice of Decision, CUP for Off-Sale Alcohol, 2945 Highland Avenue (Party Time Market)

Public Hearing 10.1 – Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment Ordinance (Second Reading)

Public Hearing 10.2 – Massage Establishment Ordinance Amendments (Chapters 10.70 and 10.79)

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Purchase of Five (5) Type III Advanced Life Support Ambulances for the Fire Department.

Investment Transactions for the Month Ended July 31, 2026.

Policy 105 Request – Suspension or Elimination of Council Budgets

Called the timing hypocritical given the council's earlier refusal to place a tax initiative on the ballot.