Antonio Castro

The meeting agenda for the Administration, Finance and Public Safety Standing Committee included the call to order, roll call, and public comment period. Key discussion items involved considering an update to the City's 2026 Legislative Platform, with staff recommending review, amendment, and subsequent recommendation for adoption by the City Council to guide legislative activities. Another item involved considering the resolution to reestablish warrant issuance and signing authority within City Council Policies, which required a roll call vote.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussions included President Pro Tem Kent and President Turrow making announcements, and Board Member Blunt requesting a future agenda item. The primary action item involved the consideration of an update on artwork for the New Library Children's Area, where Board Members provided input on additional artwork enhancements. The Consent Calendar, which included the approval of minutes from the December 9, 2025, Library Board Regular Meeting, was approved unanimously (5-0).

The session included discussion and action items such as a Mock City Council Meeting focused on Civic Center Discussion. A subcommittee also discussed mental health awareness, life skills, and promotion/marketing efforts. The minutes from a prior meeting indicated that the Teen Council received three guest speakers (the mayor, parks and recreational director, and a library management analysis designer), reviewed preliminary artwork designs for the children's space focusing on apricot tree and nature themes, covered an overview of government structures, and planned to redo committee groups and select roles for the next mock city council meeting.

The combined documentation pertains to two Teen Council meetings. The agenda for January 14, 2026, included presentations and discussions on the Library Artwork Preliminary Design, a presentation from the City Manager/Mayor & City Council, and preparation for a Mock City Council Meeting. The minutes from the December 11, 2025 meeting detailed that members toured City Hall and met with representatives from various departments, including Community & Economic Development, Transportation & Public Works, Finance & Information Systems, and Recreation. The council also established that during the 2026 meeting year, members will engage in in-depth work with each committee, and the meeting schedule was updated to twice per month. Announcements regarding volunteer reminders for Breakfast with Santa were also noted.

The meeting agenda focused on public works matters. Key discussions included providing status updates on various Capital Improvement Projects currently being managed by Public Works staff. Additionally, the committee considered and provided input on proposed parking restrictions for two specific locations: a 300-foot section of Lassen Avenue between McFadden Avenue and Cornett Avenue, and concerning trench shoring driveway visibility issues at 13826 Princeton Avenue. The committee supported measures to enhance safety regarding the Princeton Avenue driveway visibility concern.