Tuesday, 9-17- Regular City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the
agenda packet at  https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/72/files/agenda/657.

There are six proclamations, National Punctuation Day, Constitution Day, Hispanic – Latinx Heritage Month, United Against Hate Week, Fire Prevention Week, and California Firefighter Memorial Day. There is one presentation- Pinole Valley Park Project Presentation – Community Services Director, Andrea Dwyer.

Then there’s the consent calendar- There are the normal minutes and warrants (with an end of service payout to Neil Gang of $130,011.96 page 4), the fourth quarter investment report (pages 40-42), fourth quarter financial report and year-end adjustments (pages 43-52 for the staff report, use of measure S fund balance of $769,339 to balance the recreation and cable TV access funds $593,187 for the first, $176,152 for the second page 53, pages 55-63 for the budget charts), a contract for a new master control system for PCTV with $4,420.03 in new costs this fiscal year (pages 64-66 for the staff report, 69-72 for the quote), a consulting agreement to support the environmentally preferable purchasing policy and program for $3000 (pages 73-74 for the staff report, pages 78-9 for the proposal), a contract for technical assistance to Pinole businesses to comply with the single use plastic ordinance (total cost $67,050 including $5k for sign printing from measure S 2014 funds page 82, staff report pages 80-82, request for proposals pages 101-145, proposal pages 146-182),

 formally adopting the municipal code amendment 8.38 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FOODWARE AND BAG REDUCTION second read (since apparently it was not properly adopted the last time. Text of the ordinance pages 187-197),  the second reading and adoption of an ordinance adding chapter 9.19 “Safe Storage of Firearms” to the municipal code (ordinance text on pages 204-6, requires storage of weapon and ammunition in locked containers when not on the person of an owner, and in locked containers with a trigger lock in any vehicle, bars overnight storage in a vehicle, and does not apply to active duty military personnel and law enforcement in the course of their duties).

After all of that, there is one item under public hearings- Introduction And First Reading Of Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.08.010 Of The Pinole Municipal Code To Increase Council Members’ Salaries (staff report pages 207-8, ordinance text 209-10). Fiscal impact of raising council salaries to $759.41 per month would be $4725.84 for the next two fiscal years, due to the raise only applying to those elected after it took effect (page 208).

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, 9-10- Senior Food Distribution, Pinole Senior Center, In person 10-11 AM.

“The City of Pinole Senior Center will be partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County to offer the Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens ages 55+ will be able to receive free groceries, including healthy pantry staples, eggs, cheese, and assorted meats twice a month. The program at the Senior Center (2500 Charles Avenue) is available for Pinole senior residents only. This program will take place every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The next distribution will be on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.

Individuals interested in the program must complete the Senior Food Program Application. Applications will be available at the Senior Center and can also be found on the Pinole Senior Center website:

https://www.pinole.gov/city_government/senior_center
For questions, contact, mpicazo@pinole.gov.” (Pinole pulse, 9-6)

Monday, 9-9- Planning Commission Meeting, 7 PM, Pinole City Hall, Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet here https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/964/files/agenda/683 (note the new URL).

There will be 2.5 items on the agenda- the minutes from the prior meeting, municipal code and specific plan amendments to conform with state law and implement the housing element (see pages 12-14 for a summary, pages 17-60 for details with pages 59-60 flagging the particular housing element programs). To quote the highlighted parts of pages 59-60- “Investigate Density Bonus beyond state law.”(page 59), “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 59), “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 59-60), and “Lower the approval authority of entitlements for all Density Bonus projects from City Council to Planning Commission.” (page 60).

The half item is a conditional use permit modification that will almost certainly be continued to the October 28th 2024 planning commission meeting because the staff review will not be completed before then (page 61).

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.

Monday, 9-9- 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, September 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, 9-6)

Tuesday, 9-3- Regular City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the
agenda packet at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/61/files/agenda/678 .

There are 2 closed session items- public employee performance evaluation with regards to the city manager (which I assume is for the interim city manager, as the new one started just over a week ago), and conference with real property negotiators on APN: 401-163-003 (i.e, the Pinole Post Office at 2101 Pear St) negotiating parties City Attorney and American Postal Infrastructure. I would expect those to take at least an hour.

There is one oath of office, for the new City Manager Kelcey Young. There are three proclamations, honoring Police Chief Neil Gang, Building Staff Appreciation Day, and Suicide Prevention Day and Suicide Prevention Week.

Then there’s the consent calendar- There are the normal minutes and warrants, a letter of support for AB 1955 SAFETY Act (bars any school body from revealing a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression to anyone without their consent unless required by law page 49), a letter of support for AB2583 which would impose new speed limits on a narrower segment of school routes in 2025 and 2028 (25 mph in 2025, 20 mph in 2028) page 58), 

an amendment to the City of Pinole Conflict of Interest Code to include the Junior Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Police Commander classifications (page 81), appointing councilmembers (Mayor Toms and Vice-Mayor Sasai) as voting delegates for the 2024 league of california cities annual conference general assembly meeting (page 88), formally adopting the municipal code amendment 8.38 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FOODWARE AND BAG REDUCTION first read (since apparently it was not properly adopted the last time, page 93), restoring a budget allocation for temporary contract planning services (net fiscal impact $150,000 to building and planning fund, no impact to general fund page 108), 

adopting a resolution authorizing the City manager to execute 4-year on call planning services agreements as needed for staff augmentation, planning studies and environmental services (13 different entities qualified for possible selection, total cost over 4 year term for all capped at $1.5 million which will be partially or fully recoverable depending on the service page 114. If you want to read the various entity packets, they are on pages 166 through 947), authorizing the purchase of one police patrol vehicle- 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility, which is a standard Internal Combustion Engine vehicle (net cost $54,768.36, page 948), 

approving the installation of a memorial sign on Fire Station 74 in honor of Captains Bob Ramos and Rich Voisey (no fiscal impact to the city, all costs covered by ConFire page 953), and a resolution amending resolution 2024-59 to align with the county deadlines for submitting arguments for and against the sales tax measure (pages 962-4, though I would note that the updated deadlines have already passed).

There is 1 public hearing- the first reading of an ordinance adding chapter 9.19 “Safe Storage of Firearms” to the municipal code (ordinance text on pages 978-980, requires storage of weapon and ammunition in locked containers when not on the person of an owner, and in locked containers with a trigger lock in any vehicle, bars overnight storage in a vehicle, and does not apply to active duty military personnel and law enforcement in the course of their duties).

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.

Wednesday, 9-4- Police Chief Candidate Meet and Greet, 5-7 PM, Senior Center Main Hall 2500 Charles Ave, in Person. “This is a rare opportunity for community members to come and meet the finalist Police Chief candidates before they have their final interview with the City Manager. The two finalists will share information about themselves, and answer questions from the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to get to know the finalists up close and personal. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided. All are welcome.

We encourage community members to submit interview questions for the finalists to address during the event. All suggestions will be reviewed by the City’s recruitment firm, and selected questions will be posed to the finalists. Suggestions can be emailed to mark@publicsectorsearch.com by Monday, September 2nd.

Contact: Fiona Epps at fepps@pinole.gov

” (https://www.pinole.gov/event_list/police-chief-candidate-meet-greet/)

Wednesday, 8-28- Community Service Commission meeting, Pinole City Hall, Hybrid 5 PM. You can find the agenda packet here- https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/94/files/agenda/665. Items to be discussed- Minutes of prior meeting, Community Services Commission events update, United against Hate Week, and Summer Programming.

You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here, 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.

Tuesday, 8-27- Senior Food Distribution, Pinole Senior Center, In person 10-11 AM. “The City of Pinole Senior Center will be partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County to offer the Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens ages 55+ will be able to receive free groceries, including healthy pantry staples, eggs, cheese, and assorted meats twice a month. The program at the Senior Center (2500 Charles Avenue) is available for Pinole senior residents only. This program will take place every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. [sentence struck for incorrect information- I confirmed with Maria that the next distribution is in fact today].

Individuals interested in the program must complete the Senior Food Program Application. Applications will be available at the Senior Center and can also be found on the Pinole Senior Center website:

https://www.pinole.gov/city_government/senior_center
For questions, contact, mpicazo@pinole.gov.” (Pinole Pulse, 8-22-24)

Tuesday, 8-20- Regular City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the
agenda packet at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/72/files/agenda/657 (this is a very large pdf- over 100 mb). There is also a corrected version of the broadband assessment at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/72/files/agenda/659 .

There are 2 closed session items- conference with labor negotiators with regards to the interim city manager, and public employee performance evaluation with regards to the interim city manager. I would expect those to take at least an hour.

There is one proclamation, recognizing the city’s interns Phoebe Deza and Ileana Miranda. There are 2 presentations, the first on the city’s sales tax ballot measure, and the second on the City Council internship program.

Then there’s the consent calendar- There are the normal minutes and warrants, a letter of concern regarding a new proposed casino in Vallejo (pages 30-31), and a letter of support for the City of Pinole and Richmond Community Foundation’s Application to the Partnership for the Bay’s Future Policy Fund Grant (letter itself on page 51, description of the grant and the process in staff summary on pages 34-6).

There is 1 public hearing- an extension of the entitlements for the Pinole Vista Project (223 units at 1500 Fitzgerald, the K-mart site). This is due to financing difficulties (pages 155-6 for the applicant’s letter). If you would like to review the project, the packet for it is pages 64-154.

Under old business we have adopting an initial study-negative declaration for the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and adopting the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan itself. The initial study-negative declaration goes over the potential California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) effects of the plan (pages 166-305). Changes made from public input on the draft plan are noted on page 158. There’s a lot to the plan itself (pages 306-500 for the plan proper, pages 501-540 for the inventory forecast and targets, pages 542-552 for the regulatory background, pages 553-620 for the evidence that supports the plan, and pages 621-761 for the CEQA documentation which is a duplicate of the initial-study negative declaration on pages 166-305 (save for the cover page on page 621). I’m unsure why it’s included twice. Following that, there’s CEQA greenhouse gas emissions thresholds and guidance on pages 763-816 (omitting the ending intentionally blank pages)).

The core of the document are tables 10-12, on pages 452-498, which show the actions, what department will be responsible for them, when they will be done, and potential grant funding sources for the action. Table 10 (pages 452-480) focuses on mitigation measures- actions the city can take alone or with partners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Table 11 (pages 481-489) focuses on the adaptation actions- dealing with the effects of wildfire, extreme heat, sea level rise and the like. Table 12 (pages 490-498) focuses on actions the city can take itself.

Finally, under new business there are 2 items- the energy conservation, generation and storage assessment and the Municipal Broadband Feasibility Study.

The highlight of the energy assessment is the chart showing the various options and their cost vs cost savings (page 839). If all projects were adopted, the cost would be $592,300 and the savings would be $111,147 per year, for a time to payback of 5.3 years. However, $31,950 of that cost savings requires no expenditure on the city’s part at all, because it’s correcting PG&E’s overbilling the city for our streetlights (page 870).

The Municipal Broadband Feasibility Study conclusions can be found in the corrected assessment at pages 25 and 26, and mostly recommend incremental changes- partner with Richmond on their fiber, work with CCTA on the smart traffic lights fiber, add conduits to public works projects. They also mention Starlink, though I am unsure as to how long that will remain an effective broadband service as demand increases.

You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here, 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.