Tomorrow, 3-19 – Regular City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet here – note that the city is shifting to a new agenda website.

To start, there are three closed session items- Conference with labor negotiators- city clerk, Conference with labor negotiators- PPEA (police union), and Conference with legal counsel- anticipated litigation. I would not expect the council to return before 6 PM.

For proclamations, there’s a proclamation for Nowruz and one for Cesar Chavez day. Then there are 2 presentations- one from ConFire, and one from Maria Picazo as acting community service director on a july 4th celebration update.

Then there’s the consent calendar- There are minutes for the last meeting, as normal- and minutes for the meeting of November 7th, which had some controversy and required closer review. Then there are the normal warrants, approval of the annual progress report on housing element implementation, and considering having the city sponsor the Pinole Valley High School’s Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Study Stop at the Asian American Museum in San Francisco and Broadcast of Heritage Show (net cost $3200, page 93).

There are 2 old business items- Adopting a resolution to establish the new city seal, logo and branding guidelines, and amending the city’s procurement policy to include an environmentally preferable purchasing policy and program, prefer buying american-made union workforce vehicles, and include union bug on printing where feasible (page 212).

Finally, there is one new business item- the FY 2022-23 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. There’s quite a bit in this one- some points of interest were a condition to forgive loans by Bridge Housing for Pinole Grove in 2024 if they agreed to maintain affordability for 19 years (page 366), which I suspect they did not do; the city’s top 10 employers and total workforce now and 10 years ago, which shows that the workforce in Pinole doubled in that time from 4,332 to 9,400 (page 470); and that even though the city’s population has declined, per capita and household average income have both increased substantially (page 468).

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.

Today, 3-18- Listening session for city manager recruitment, 12 PM, virtual. “

Join us virtually as we host a “*Listening Session*” with Bob Murray & Associates for the recruitment of City Manager! An Executive Recruiter will seek and gather input from the participating community members to help develop an ideal candidate selection criterion for this important search.

On *Monday, March 18, 2024, at 12pm (PST)*, please join us via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88683583814?pwd=cUpiNWZhdW1IeDdJZi85clJEODlLdz09

Meeting ID: 886 8358 3814
Passcode: 589642

If you’re unable to virtually join us or would like another opportunity to participate, the City has also scheduled an in-person “Listening Session” at the *Pinole Senior Center* (2500 Charles Avenue, Pinole, Ca 94564) on *Saturday, March 23**^rd ** from 10 – 11:30 am*.” (city calendar).

Tomorrow, 3-16- Creek cleanup, in person, Alhambra valley road, 10-12
AM. “This Saturday, March 16th from 10am-12pm will be the next Community
Cleanup hosted by the Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed and Pinole
Valley High School Earth Team. Meet on Alhambra Valley Road in the Upper
Watershed:
https://www.google.com/maps/search/37.970091,+-122.215415?entry=tts“
(City of Pinole facebook).

Tomorrow, 3-13- Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee meeting, 6 PM, Pinole City Hall/Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet here. TAPS will be discussing traffic and pedestrian safety issues submitted by the community (Request to enhance crosswalk and upgrade signs at Pinole Valley Park, request to add ADA ramp on corners of Amend St and Mann Dr), staff updates on CIP projects (appian and marlesta intersection), development projects (none), the Active Transportation Plan, and grants (no updates).

You can join the meeting by zoom direct link here, 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. There are new instructions for public comment on this agenda packet, so I am unsure if the ordinary methods apply. They state

“SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS TO CITY ENGINEER BEFORE OR DURING THE MEETING VIA
EMAIL
smishra@ci.pinole.ca.us
Comments received before the close of the public comment period for that item will be read into
the record and limited to 3 minutes. Please include your full name, city of residence and agenda
item you are commenting on. Any comments received after the close of the public comment
period will be distributed to Council and relevant staff after the meeting and filed with the agenda packet.”

Tomorrow, 3-13- Coffee with the City, Peet’s Coffee (Pinole Valley Shopping Center), in Person 8-10 AM. Have questions for city staff? Come ask them in a more informal setting at Coffee with the City (now including more staff than just the police department).

Today, 3-12- Senior Food Program, Pinole Senior Center, in Person 10 AM- 11 AM.
 “The Pinole Senior Center will be partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County on their Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens 55+ will be able to receive free groceries, including healthy pantry staples, eggs, cheese and assorted meats twice a month. The time for the distribution is 10:00 am – 11:00 am.

If you are interested in the program all individuals must complete the Senior Food Program Application. Applications are available on the City of Pinole website via the Senior Center page: https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/senior_center

In addition, applications are available at the Front Desk of the Senior Center and can be submitted Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am – 1 pm. Applications can also be submitted on the day of the food pick up. Individuals must bring proof of age such as an ID or Driver’s License and proof of home address which can be a PG&E bill, water bill, or statement listing out the name and residence of the individual. If you have any questions regarding the program please contact the Recreation Coordinator at ksantoyo@ci.pinole.ca.us“. (city calendar)

Today, 3-5 – Regular City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet here – note that the city is shifting to a new agenda website.

To start, there is one closed session item- Public Employee Performance Evaluation, City Clerk. I would not expect the council to return before 5:30 PM, though depending on the evaluation it may take longer.

For proclamations, there’s a proclamation for Perscription Drug Abuse Awareness Month, American Red Cross Month, Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day, and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. There is also a presentation for ARCHES2.

Then there’s the consent calendar- There’s the normal minutes and warrants, approval of the 2022-23 housing successor annual report, a resolution to amend the master salary schedule to reflect the previously adopted pay grades for interim city manager and police commander, the Financial Year (FY) 23/24 second quarter investment report, an affordable housing agreement for the Pinole Vista Apartment Project at 1500 Fitzgerald Dr, a contract for the Pinole Seals to operate the Pinole Swim Center for the 2024 season, a resolution adopting a side letter between the city and AFSCME Local 512 to permit hiring more junior engineers, and a resolution to approve a legal services agreement with Redwood Public Law LLP so Eric Casher can continue serving as City Attorney.

Finally, there is one new business item- the FY 2023/24 Mid-year financial report and related budget adjustments.

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.

Tuesday, 2-27- Senior Food Program, Pinole Senior Center, in Person 10 AM- 11 AM.
 “The Pinole Senior Center will be partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County on their Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens 55+ will be able to receive free groceries, including healthy pantry staples, eggs, cheese and assorted meats twice a month. The time for the distribution is 10:00 am – 11:00 am.

If you are interested in the program all individuals must complete the Senior Food Program Application. Applications are available on the City of Pinole website via the Senior Center page: https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/senior_center

In addition, applications are available at the Front Desk of the Senior Center and can be submitted Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am – 1 pm. Applications can also be submitted on the day of the food pick up. Individuals must bring proof of age such as an ID or Driver’s License and proof of home address which can be a PG&E bill, water bill, or statement listing out the name and residence of the individual. If you have any questions regarding the program please contact the Recreation Coordinator at ksantoyo@ci.pinole.ca.us“. (city calendar)

Tomorrow, 2-21- Community Service Commission meeting starting at 5 PM, Pinole City Hall/Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet here. Items to be discussed- Community Service commission event schedule, Community Service Commission event roles and responsibilities, Community Service Day, and Community Outreach/Engagement.

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.

Today, 2-20 – Regular City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet here – note that the city is shifting to a new agenda website.

To start, there are three closed session items- Conference with Labor Negotiators, for the city’s Engineers, Public Employee Appointment for City Attorney, and Public Employee Performance Evaluation for the Interim City Manager. I would not expect the council to return before 6 PM.

For proclamations, there’s a Centenarian recognition for Mary Bianchini Highfill (page 6), Japanese Day of Remembrance (marking the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which gave the US army the power to remove civillians from the west coast and was used to intern 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry, page 7), and recognizing Fiat Music’s 50th Anniversary. There is also a department update by the Pinole Police Department.

Then there’s the consent calendar- There’s the normal minutes and warrants, a resolution to adopt a revised compensation and benefits plan for management and confidential employees (new police role, pay range adjustments, flexible healthcare spending account contribution, life insurance benefit increase, long term disability insurance benefit increase and short term benefit removal and shift of employees to state plan, new retirement account type with matching city contribution, longevity pay. Total new cost $164,320 (pages 43-45).

Followed by a contract for scanning/imaging services to digitize older public works and community development paperwork (result of request for proposals given by 4 entities, city staff recommends SoftFile, for current Financial Year (FY) has funds set aside of $100,000 already. page 92), development process and timeline for the FY2024-25 operating and capital budget (begins 2/27/24, Council meeting for mid-year budget review and budget admentments 3/5/24, community survey in March, Finance Subcommittee meeting for financial policy updates 3/27, department budget reports March-April, Finance subcommittee meeting for baseline budget and Capital Improvement Project (CIP) status/baseline 4/10/24, City Council meeting for updated master fee schedule and updated financial policies 4/16/24, Special council workshop on baseline budget items and CIP, allowing for council requests for staff analysis of potential additions/deletions to either 4/30/24, City Council meeting presenting preliminary proposed operating and capital budget and CIP for FY 2024-25, including staff analysis of council suggestions 5/21/24, Pinole-Hercules wastewater subcommittee meeting for preliminary proposed FY 2024-25 operating and capital budget for the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) 5/23/24, Planning commission meeting to review the preliminary proposed FY 2024-25 CIP 5/27/24, City Council meeting to review revised proposed budget and CIP  6/4/24, City Council meeting to adopt final proposed budget, CIP and appropriations limit 6/18/24, Special city council meeting if necessary to adopt revisions to final proposed budget, CIP and appropriations limit 6/25/24 (pages 134-5).

Then there’s a side letter to return an education incentive for associate’s degrees to the Pinole Police Employee’s Association labor agreement (net cost $25,600, page 137), the second quarter report on implementation of CIP projects (highlights noted on pages 143-7), a resolution to maintain the Stormwater Utility Area assessment at $35 per equivalent runoff unit (page 224), and placement of liens for delinquent unpaid waste collection charges (total lien $49,887.02 page 228). After that, there is a resolution to hire the Lew Edwards group to consult on informational outreach and surveys related to a fall revenue measure or measures (cost $113,500 page 232), and a resolution authorizing the City to apply for the Prohousing Incentive Program and receive funds from it (potential gain of $650,000 page 273).

Finally, there is one new business item- adoption of the Parks Master Plan.

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.