pages: CityCouncil/2021-05-04.pdf, 22
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CityCouncil | 2021-05-04 | 22 | Stated that she participated in discussions with City staff and consultants and provided input from the view of implementation of the City's Zero Waste Implementation Plan and Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP); she is enthusiastic about the City's leadership in Zero Waste; ACI has been an impressive partner over the past 20 years in implementing the City's program and becoming a leader in Zero Waste; urged Council to endorse the staff recommendation: Ruth Abbe, Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA). Stated that he has no objections to the matter; expressed concerns about conflict of interest; discussed Vice Mayor Vella's compensation as a regional attorney for Teamsters; stated there is an appearance of impropriety: Erin Fraser, Alameda. Vice Mayor Vella stated that she does not work for Joint Council 7; as an attorney, someone can work for one law firm which has another law firm in the same city; there is no financial connection; she does not work for Joint Council or the Teamsters Local for frontline workers; she is happy to have the City Attorney weigh-in on the matter. The City Attorney stated that his understanding from the comments made is that Vice Mayor Vella's source of income is not going to be impacted by this contract based on representations; there will be no conflict of interest based on State law. Vice Mayor Vella inquired what would create a conflict of interest. The City Attorney responded State law provides that the decision makers would have a conflict of interest in a number of circumstances whether it be real property or source of income in business; the types of conflicts are varied. Vice Mayor Vella inquired the specific conflicts related to the current matter. The City Attorney responded the fact that employees might be unionized and Vice Mayor Vella has a representation relationship of employees, which are unionized generally, does not present a prohibited conflict of interest under State law; conflict matters are highly fact- specific; in general, representing employees in a matter would not create a conflict of interest in the case where the Council is granting a franchise agreement to the organizational structure; Vice Mayor Vella's comments indicate that she does not represent the employees. Vice Mayor Vella stated that she also does not work for a union which represents the employees. The City Attorney stated there is zero financial implication; the final decision always rests with the decision maker; however, based on representations, there appears to be no conflict of interest. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft outlined her involvement with an increase in ACI rates; stated the previous owner of the company had temporary workers with no benefits; she visited the site and met with management; the situation was wrong and the workers needed to be made employees in order to allow for benefits; management discussed the matter with the union; the change incurred a cost; the community supported not wanting workers to suffer due to Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 20 May 4, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-05-04.pdf |