Author: Rafael Menis

Protest, 10-25-25

Saturday, 10-25- Protest (weather conditions depending), 11 AM-12 PM, intersection of Tennent and San Pablo Avenues. “

On the Fourth Saturdays of the month, join the Indivisible – North East Bay chapter in Pinole as we vocally and physically express dissent, and make known the (de)legitimacy of the current administration sitting in the white house.

**UPDATE!! The location of this protest has been set going forward for all 4th Saturdays of the month every month (and is no longer rotating). We will be at Tennent Ave. and San Pablo Ave. in Pinole in the open space across from Tina’s place.

We participate and activate hyper-locally in this non-violent and peaceful social and cultural movement to protest authoritarianism in the U.S. and are building volunteer people power that is sustained, consistent, and unrelenting, until everyone is moved from their apathy and into action to stand up for democracy and re-dedicate themselves to building a better one. Only we, the people, can save us!

11 AM – 12 PM – Peacefully Protest – meet at the corner, bring your signs, Bluetooth speakers with music, noise-makers, and a passion for people power!” (https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/813154/ for more information and if you want to register)

Halloween Movie, 10-24-25

Friday, 10-24- Halloween Movie, 6 PM-8 PM, in person Fernandez Park. “Have a spooktacular night at Fernandez Park with the showing of Hocus Pocus 2 on Friday, October 24 at approx. 6:15pm. Wear your Halloween costumes, bring your chairs, and blankets for a festive Halloween evening. Popcorn and candy will be provided! For questions, please email recreation@pinole.gov.” (https://www.pinole.gov/event_list/halloween-movie-2/?event-date=2025-10-24%2018:00:00)

Street Eats 10-24-25

Friday, 10-24- Street Eats, 5 PM- 8 PM, in person Downtown Pinole. “

Get ready for Pinole’s first-ever Street Eats Pop-Up Night, hosted by Kitchen@812 and Pinole Artisans on Friday, September 26, October 10 & October 24 from 5–8 PM in Downtown Pinole! 🍔🎨 This vibrant celebration brings together delicious food, local art, and community spirit for an unforgettable evening.

What’s Cooking:

  • Tasty Bites: Enjoy dishes from Kitchen@812’s amazing pop-up vendors.
  • Local Art: Explore creations by Pinole Artisans’ talented artists.
  • Family Fun: Groove to live music and enjoy kids’ activities.
  • Pinole Pride: Support our local businesses and artists, all Made in Pinole! 💝

Event Details:

  • When: Friday, September 26, October 10 & October 24 from 5–8 PM
  • Where: Downtown Pinole
  • Stay in the Loop: Follow Kitchen@812 and Pinole Artisans on social media for vendor and entertainment updates!

Artist/Vendor Opportunity: Pinole Artisans members can showcase their artwork for free! Limited spaces available at Uptown Yard, Diosa and Pear Street Bistro. Join Pinole Artisans to participate by clicking button below.

Bring friends and family to celebrate Pinole’s food and art scene! Questions? Contact Kitchen@812.” (https://www.pinole.gov/event_list/street-eats/?event-date=2025-10-24%2017:00:00)

Find the Right Contractor Workshop, 10-23-25

Thursday, 10-23- Finding the Right Contractor workshop, 12 PM-1 PM, in person Senior Center. “
Learn how to spot red flags, avoid scams, and choose licensed, trustworthy contractors for your home projects.
This Senior Scam Stopper℠ workshop offers practical tips to safeguard your money, your home, and your peace of mind, presented by the California State Licensing Board

This is the fifth in a six workshop series focused on accessible living for seniors and those with disabilities made possible through a grant awarded by the AARP Community Challenge.

For more information visit: https://www.pinole.gov/pinole-accessible-living-program/

This free event is open to all—registration is encouraged to help us plan for a comfortable experience. Sign up online (https://www.pinole.gov/pinole-accessible-living-workshop-sign-up/) or at the Pinole Senior Center.

Contact: Keith Marks at KMarks@pinole.gov” (https://www.pinole.gov/event_list/hiring-with-confidence-finding-the-right-contractor/?event-date=2025-10-23%2012:00:00)

United Against Hate Know Your Rights Workshop, 10-22-25

Wednesday, 10-22- United Against Hate (UAH) Know Your Rights workshop, 10 AM-12 PM, in person Contra Costa Community College. “

Stop by Contra Costa Community College for the Know Your Rights and Family Preparedness workshop and stop by our table for Contra Costa Stands United Against Hate and CA vs Hate posters!

Contact: Christy Lam-Julian at christy@lamjulianfoundation.org” (https://www.pinole.gov/event_list/united-against-hate-contra-costa-community-college-pledge-drive/?event-date=2025-10-22%2010:00:00)

Community Service Commission meeting, 10-22-25

Wednesday, 10-22- Community Service Commission meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1089/files/agenda/984.

There is one presentation administring the oath of office to new commissioners, and a discussion of the Halloween Movie this Friday.

Under new business, there is approving the minutes of the meeting for October 23rd 2024 (pages 5-7), reviewing the community service commission bylaws (pages 8-11), discussion of a Veterans Day event, Holiday Events Update, and the Holiday Meeting Schedule.

You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82770240301&gt;, entering the webinar ID 827-7024-0301 into zoom directly, or calling +1 (669) 900-6833 or +1 (253) 215-8782 or +1 (346) 248-7799, then entering the meeting ID 827-7024-0301#. Once in the meeting by phone, you can raise your hand by pressing *9, and unmute by pressing *6 once called on. You can also attend the meeting in person at Pinole City Hall, 2131 Pear St, or at UCLA Meyer Renee Luskin Conference Center 425 WESTWOOD PLAZA, LA, CA 90095.

Pinole City Council meeting, 10-21-25

Tuesday, 10-21- Pinole City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the
agenda packet at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1023/files/agenda/982.

There are two closed session items- Public Employee Performance Evaluation- City Manager (under government code section 54957), and Conference with Labor Negotiators, with the agency designated representatives being the City Manager Kelcey Young (who is absent), Human Resources Director Stacy Shell, Finance Director Markisha Guillory, and Gregory Ramirez from IDEA, and the employee organization being the Pinole Police Employees Association (PPEA) (under government code section 54957.6. Note- item 4A (the city manager evaluation) will be taken out of order at the end of open session per the mayor.

There are two items under mayoral and council appointments- creating a city council procedures subcommittee (staff report pages 7-8) and creating an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) subcommittee.

There are seven proclamations, recognizing Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week (page 9), National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month (page 10), LGBTQ+ History Month (page 11), Breast Cancer Awareness Month (page 12), Indigenous People’s Day (page 13), Filipino American History Month (page 14), and Larry Itliong Day (page 15). There are also three presentations- the first being Community Development Department ADU Outreach & Implementation Intern Estrella Silva’s Presentation on Summer Internship, the second being a presentation from the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California by Chris Lodgson, and the third being a presentation on a flood forecasting tool and flood control by Mark Boucher, PE.

Then there’s the consent calendar- There are the normal warrants, along with the minutes for the September 16th city council meeting, a set of resolutions updating (a 5% increase) and fixing the employer’s contribution for employees and annuitants in the following categories- elected officials, management employees, confidential employees, ASFCME Local 1 employees, ASFCME Local 512 employees, and IAFF Annuitants noting that the PPE is not included in this due to negotiations being ongoing (staff report pages 68-70, fiscal impact of payments $3,721,524 already budgeted for page 70, resolutions pages 71-82),

a resolution to approve master salary schedule updates implementing prior resolutions that actually updated the salaries (2025-49, 50, 57, 58, and 67 as noted on page 84) (staff report pages  83-4, no fiscal impact page 84, resolution page 85, redlined salary schedule pages 86-9), Placing liens for delinquent unpaid waste collection charges falling delinquent between September and December of 2025, considered at an administrative hearing on October 2nd 2025 (staff report pages 90-1, fiscal impact a lien of $28,811.04 in total page 90, resolution page 92),

a determination of Public Convenience or Necessity for Quick Mart located at 1477 FITZGERALD DRIVE, SUITE 107 for the grant of a type 20 alcohol sales permit (beer and wine) (staff report pages 93-96, resolution pages 97-8), a resolution to authorize the receipt and expenditure of a grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (BSCC- Byrne SCIP) of $187,253 to inform the public about Extreme Risk Protection Orders and update the Police department’s firearms storage (staff report pages 99-100, fiscal impact gain of $187,253 page 100, resolution pages 101-2, grant application pages 103-179),

a determination of Public Convenience or Necessity for Yo Sushi at 2432 San Pablo Ave for the grant of a type 20 alcohol sales permit (beer and wine) (staff report pages 180-82, resolution pages 183-4), an update of the city’s conflict of interest policy to reflect the new job classifications of communications director and IT manager (staff report pages 185-6, resolution pages 187-8, updated code pages 189-92),

and finally an amendment to Cityzen Solutions Inc.’s contract for public engagement software extending its term for 3 years and appropriating $648 from the general fund for this fiscal year’s cost (staff report pages 193-4, fiscal impact $51,143 over next 3 years, $648 this year page 194, resolution pages 195-6, amendment pages 197-203, original agreement pages 204-222).

There are two public hearing items – the first being an introduction and first reading of an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code and update the City’s Building and Fire Code (staff report pages 223-6, resolution pages 227-236, the ordinance pages 237-9, relevant code sections pages 240-290, informational letter pages 291-294), and the second being conducting a public hearing and adopting a resolution ordering The Levy And Collection Of The
Annual Assessments For The Pinole Valley Road Landscape And Lighting Assessment District Of Fiscal Year 2025/26 (staff report pages 295-7, fiscal impact total revenue of $60751.51 an increase of 2% page 296, resolution pages 298-9, engineer’s report pages 300-319).

There are no old or new business items.

You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here
<https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89335000272&gt;, entering the webinar ID
893 3500 0272 into zoom directly, or calling +1 (669) 900-6833 or +1 (253)215-8782 or +1 (346) 248-7799, then entering the meeting ID 893 3500 0272#. Once in the meeting by phone, you can raise your hand by pressing *9, and unmute by pressing *6 once called on. You can also attend the meeting in person at Pinole City Hall, 2131 Pear St.

No Kings Rally, Protest- 10-18-25

Saturday, 10-18- No Kings Rally, 10-11 AM, in person, Refugio Park (Hercules). “

Join us for our No Kings Rally in Hercules as we unite in a chorus of people power: there are No Kings In America!

We rose up once, and on October 18 we’ll rise again—because one national day of action isn’t enough to protect our democracy.

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS nonviolent movement continues to grow stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people.

We will make this a day of joy because protecting democracy should be celebrated.

10 AM – Peace and Freedom Rally We will have speakers including elected officials join us – including our supervisor who represents us on the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, Shanelle Scales-Preston, and other fabulous local voices! This rally event in Hercules is limited to 99 people, so register soon!” (https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/848354/)

Saturday, 10-18- No Kings Protest, 11 AM-12:30 PM, in person, intersection of Sycamore and San Pablo (Hercules). This event is not space-limited, unlike the rally, and signs are welcome! “

The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Grow our movement and join us.

A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.

You are welcome to wear royal blue to represent the Blue Coats who stood firm against the Red Coats, and a colonial tri-corner hat! Colonial cosplay welcome!

Parking for peaceful protest: Please park on Sycamore Avenue (toward Aventine Apartments) and avoid parking in the business parking lots.

This event is organized by Indivisible North East Bay. We are an activist community empowering people in Hercules, Rodeo, Pinole, Crockett, Port Costa, and beyond! Find us at: i-neb.org Email “join” in subject line to join our chapter at indivisible.northeastbay@gmail.com.” (https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/848352/)

Finance Workshop, 10-14-25

Tuesday, 10-14- Pinole City Council workshop, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1087/files/agenda/959 (and it’s just 18 pages this time, so a fair bit faster to read through than most packets!).

There is only one item on the agenda- the Finance Workshop. The staff report is on page 4 (noting that staff recommends 3 strategies for polling and future agenda items- a bond program for infrastructure, a parcel tax for Public Safety and/or a Special Tax for Public Safety; and that the goal of the workshop is to determine which strategies the council wants to have as future agenda items/poll), and the presentation is on pages 5-18.

You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here
<https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89335000272&gt;, entering the webinar ID
893 3500 0272 into zoom directly, or calling +1 (669) 900-6833 or +1 (253)215-8782 or +1 (346) 248-7799, then entering the meeting ID 893 3500 0272#. Once in the meeting by phone, you can raise your hand by pressing *9, and unmute by pressing *6 once called on. You can also attend the meeting in person at Pinole City Hall, 2131 Pear St.