Monday, 1-13- General produce distribution, 9-10 AM, Pinole Senior Center, in Person. “

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County will be providing free bags of fresh produce every second Monday of the month. The next drive-thru distribution is *Monday, [January 13], from 9 AM to 10 AM* (or as supplies last) at the Pinole Senior Center parking lot, (2500 Charles Avenue) You do not need to be a member of the Pinole Senior Center or a senior to receive food. One bag per household and this will be a contactless event, please follow the directions from staff and volunteers when you arrive. Parking or exiting your vehicle will not be allowed. Please open your vehicle’s trunk when you enter the parking lot. Food items will be placed in the trunk only by staff/volunteers. If you have any questions, contact mpicazo@pinole.gov<mailto:mpicazo@pinole.gov> or call us at (510) 724-9800.” (Pinole Pulse, 12/5, amendment from 12/20 pulse)

Tuesday, 12-17- City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the
agenda packet at  https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/76/files/agenda/752 .

There are no closed session items- so you should expect the meeting to start at 5.

There is one presentation, from Friends of the Pinole Creek Watershed on the possible establishment of a new Creekside Park (pages 7-21).

Then there’s the consent calendar- There are the normal warrants, along with the minutes for the November 19th and December 3rd city council meetings, a resolution to accept a 2-year policy fund grant from the partnership for the bay’s future (to develop an affordable housing fund policy guide, design and implement a social impact bond and rehabilitation program, and redesign and launch rental registry program (pages 79-80, with more detail on pages 80-81)) (staff report pages 78-82, resolution pages 83-4, memorandum of understanding pages 85-100, letters of support pages 101-6), 

second read and adoption of an ordinance amending chapter 10.56 “speed zones” of the Pinole Municipal code, which seems like it is different than the previous resolution- looking at pages 113-114, where the text of the ordinance is, it shows Pinole Valley Road between Tennent and Granda (I assume spelling error for Granada there) at 25, Pinole Valley Road between Granda Court and Simas Avenue at 30 and Pinole Valley Road between Simas and south city limit at 30 as previously, along with San Pablo avenue between Oak Ridge Road and Sunnyview Drive at 25 and San Pablo Avenue between Sunnyview and the west city limit at 30 as previously. However, it strikes the old speed limits for Appian Way, Fitzgerald Drive, and Pinon Avenue (page 114), which seems odd because the report in the December 3rd agenda packet (which you can find at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/64/files/agenda/739) explicitly calls out all of those except Pinon as being areas where the city was keeping those speed limits (page 148, December 3rd agenda packet). However, the ordinance in the December 3rd packet does have the same limits listed (pages 196-7 December 3rd agenda packet), so it seems as though the report is out of line with the ordinance. 

There is another consent calendar item to amend the consulting services agreement with R3 consulting group with regards to the solid waste franchise agreement negotiations to add $25,000 to the total cost to pay for a nexus fee study (page 116, also notes funds coming from Solid Waste Fund budget) (staff report pages 115-16, resolution pages 117-19, amendment text page 120).

There are several linked resolutions (as a single consent calendar item) to adopt the sales tax passed by measure I (staff report pages 121-2, though I think there would be substantial financial impact if these resolutions were *not* adopted, administrative agreement pages 123-9, preparation payments agreement 130-1, duplicate staff report pages 132-3, resolutions pages 134-7), another consent calendar item accepting and declaring the results of the canvass of the November 5th 2024 Municipal election (staff report page 138, election results pages 139-162 (with the relevant results for Pinole being on pages 161 for measure I, 151 for city council, and 152 for treasurer), the certification on page 163, and the resolution on pages 164-5), and for the last consent calendar item, a resolution to adopt a rate increase of 2.39% for Republic Services waste collection as per their contract (pages 166-7 for the staff report, 168 for the rate sheet, 169 for the letter from Republic Services).

This will be followed by the Council Reorganization- a presentation to Mayor Toms, remarks by Mayor Toms, Selection of the new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem (which per tradition and resolution should be Cameron Sasai as Mayor and Anthony Tave as Mayor Pro Tem, see item 10C on page 170, with the new Mayoral Rotation on page 173 and the relevant resoluton on pages 174-5), administering the oaths of office to the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, and transfer of Gavel and comments by the New Mayor. There will then be a recess for a reception.

Finally, there will be one item under new business- nominating council members to serve on Boards and Commissions (with the staff report being on pages 177-8). The current assignments are listed on pages 179-181, and the draft proposed assignments are on pages 182-4.

You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89335000272>, 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.

Saturday, 12-14-

“We invite you to celebrate the holidays with us by joining our annual Holiday Breakfaston Saturday, December 14th from 9 am – 11 am at the Pinole Senior Center. Enjoy a delicious breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, coffee, and orange juice.

Tickets will be priced at $10 and will include a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Advanced ticket purchase is required.

Purchase your ticket at PinoleRec.com“(https://www.pinole.gov/event_list/holiday-breakfast/)

Wednesday, 12-11- Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee meeting, 6 PM, hybrid. You can find the agenda packet here https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/111/files/agenda/745.
TAPS will be discussing their minutes, Traffic and pedestrian safety issues (traffic calming policy, 6 citizen requests, list of traffic issues and status , caltrans issues, staff updates from the police department,  development projects, the active transportation plan (with the draft being most of the agenda packet). There’s also a slide on how to make maintenance service requests- via email at pwservicerequests@pinole.gov or online at https://pinole.gov/services/contact-us/report-a-problem.
You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85670839226> , entering the webinar ID 856
7083 9226 into Zoom directly, or calling +1 (669) 900-6833, then
entering the meeting ID 856 7083 9226#. 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.

Wednesday, 12-11- Coffee with the City, Pinole Valley Road Starbucks, 8-10 AM, in person. Come have coffee and talk with city staff!

Tuesday, 12-10- Senior Food Distribution, Pinole Senior Center, In person 10-11 AM. “
     *SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM*

The Senior Center partners with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County to offer the Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens ages 55+ to receive free groceries, including healthy pantry staples, eggs, cheese, and assorted meats twice a month. The program is available for Pinole senior residents only. There will be only one food distribution for the month of December on Tuesday, December 10th from 10 am – 11 am at the Senior Center (2500 Charles Ave.).

The second distribution scheduled for Tuesday, December 24th is canceled. The Senior Food Program will resume on January 14th, 2025.

Individuals interested in the program must complete the Senior Food Program Application. Applications are available at the Senior Center and can also be found on the Pinole Senior Center website <https://www.pinole.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SFP-Application.pdf> [link replaced by direct link to the PDF]. For questions, contact, mpicazo@pinole.gov.”(Pinole pulse, 11/7, Rec and Roll 12/5)

Today, 12-9- Planning Commission Meeting, 7 PM, Pinole City Hall, Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet here https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/123/files/agenda/744 (note the new URL).

There will be 5 items on the agenda- the minutes from the prior meeting, setting the commission’s meeting schedule for 2025 (page 15), a variance and design review for a pole sign at 1007 San Pablo Avenue (pages 16-22 for staff report, 23-25 for resolution, 26-31 for conditions of approval, 32-40 for site plans), a use permit request from Sprouts Farmer’s Market to shift from selling beer and wine to selling those and spirits (pages 41-49 for staff report, 50-51 for resolution, 52-55 for conditions of approval, 56 for site plan, 57-8 for council finding of public convenience or necessity (PCN)), and initial review of municipal code amendments (pages 59-62 for staff report, 63-64 for resolution, 65-84 for text of amendments, 85-88 for highlighted programs addressed by amendments). Broadly speaking, this batch of amendments is to make SB9 projects simpler, implement objective standards for SB9 units, and update the city’s ADU ordinance to align with state law (see pages 85-88).

You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here, entering the webinar ID 865 0537 5301 into zoom directly, or calling +1 (669) 900-6833 or +1 (253) 215-8782 or +1 (346) 248-7799, then entering the meeting ID 865 0537 5301#. 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.

Today, 12-9- General produce distribution, 9-10 AM, Pinole Senior Center, in Person. “

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County will be providing free bags of fresh produce every second Monday of the month. The next drive-thru distribution is Monday, December 9, 2024, from 9 AM to 10 AM (or as supplies last) at the Pinole Senior Center parking lot, (2500 Charles Avenue) You do not need to be a member of the Pinole Senior Center or a senior to receive food. One bag per household and this will be a contactless event, please follow the directions from staff and volunteers when you arrive. Parking or exiting your vehicle will not be allowed. Please open your vehicle’s trunk when you enter the parking lot. Food items will be placed in the trunk only by staff/volunteers. If you have any questions, contact mpicazo@pinole.gov or call us at (510) 724-9800.” (Pinole Pulse, 12/5)

Tuesday, 12-3- City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the
agenda packet at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/64/files/agenda/739 .

There are no closed session items- so you should expect the meeting to start at 5.

There are three proclamations, for Remembering Robert Walker (page 7), Honoring First Responders for their exemplary life-saving efforts on October 8th (page 8), and Honoring Matt Avery on His Retirement (page 9).

Then there’s the consent calendar- There are the normal warrants (but not the minutes), a resolution to update the master salary schedule to adjust for the minimum wage increase in the new year for seasonal/temporary positions (from $16 to $16.50 in the minimum wage, and by proportional amounts in higher steps- see page 27) (net fiscal impact $2312.25, page 21), and second read and adoption of Pinole Municipal Code and Specific Plan Amendments related to Housing Element Programs No. 10, 12 and 15, and Regulatory Consistency. Copying over the relevant points from when the planning commission considered this on September 9th- (see pages 74-78 for a summary, pages 30-31 for the ordinance, pages 33-73 for details with pages 123-4 flagging the particular housing element programs). To quote the highlighted parts of pages 123-4- “Investigate Density Bonus beyond state law.”(page 123), “Amend the Emergency Shelter ordinance to comply with AB 139 and to ensure that standards for emergency shelters are subject to the same standards as other uses in
the same zone and parking requirements are based on staffing levels only.
• Amend the zoning ordinance pursuant to Government Code Section 65583 to allow
for Low Barrier Navigation Centers by right in areas zoned for mixed uses and
nonresidential zones that permit multifamily uses.
• Amend the zoning ordinance in RMU to permit manufactured homes on permanent
foundations as if they were single-family homes.”(page 123), “Review and revise standards and definitions for both group homes and residential care facilities to ensure that they are fully compliant with all appropriate state laws
and that there are no constraints on group homes in the Zoning Code. This includes
an amendment to allow group homes in the R zone as a permitted use by right as is
allowed in all other residential zones and adding a definition of group residential to
the Zoning Code.
• Review the definition of family and revise as appropriate to ensure that the definition
does not require, or imply that it requires a single lease or rental agreement.
• Amend the zoning ordinance to comply with state density bonus law (California
Government Code section 65915). Specifically the update will increase the maximum
density bonus from 35 to 50 percent, add student housing as a housing type that is
eligible for density bonus incentives, reduce parking from 2 to 1.5 spaces for two and
three bedroom units and from 2.5 to 2 spaces for four or more bedroom units. The
City is complying with state density bonus law though the code is not yet updated.” (pages 123-4), and “Lower the approval authority of entitlements for all Density Bonus projects from City Council to Planning Commission.” (page 124). There is also the planning commission’s resolution on pages 125-6.

There is one public hearing item- First reading of an ordinance amending chapter 10.56 “speed zones” of the Pinole Municipal code, with a resolution to accept a traffic speed survey and establish new speed limits- Pinole Valley Road from Tennent Ave to Granada Ct going from 30 to 25 MPH, Pinole Valley Road from Granada Ct to Simas Ave going from 35 to 30 MPH, San Pablo Avenue from Oak Ridge Rd to Sunnyview Dr going from 35 to 25 MPH, and San Pablo Ave from Sunnyview Dr to the West city limit going from 40 to 30 MPH, and additionally Pinole Valley Road from Simas Ave to the city limits going from 35 to 30 MPH (see page 128 for the relevant table, fiscal cost not stated, reported as minimal (128). Resolution on pages 129-30, Report on pages 132-193, ordinance on pages 194-197).

You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89335000272>, 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.

Tuesday, 11-26- Senior Food Distribution, Pinole Senior Center, In person 10-11 AM. “


     *SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM*

The Senior Center partners with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County to offer the Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens ages 55+ to receive free groceries, including healthy pantry staples, eggs, cheese, and assorted meats twice a month. The program is available for Pinole senior residents only. This program takes place every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The next distribution will be on *Tuesday, November 26th from 10:00 am – 11:00 am*. Individuals interested in the program must complete the Senior Food Program Application. Applications are available at the Senior Center and can also be found on the Pinole Senior Center website <https://www.pinole.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SFP-Application.pdf&gt; [link replaced by direct link to the PDF]. For questions, contact, mpicazo@pinole.gov.”(Pinole pulse, 11/22)