Engagement

Pinole City Council meeting, 6-18-24

Tomorrow, 6-18- Regular City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the
agenda packet at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/70/files/agenda/138 –
note that the city is shifting to a new agenda website.

To start, there are no closed session items. Expect the meeting to start at 5 PM directly. There will also be no proclamations or presentations- there’s a *lot* on the agenda.


So we start with the consent calendar- There are the normal minutes and
warrants, a construction contract for Pinon Trunk Sewer Capacity Phase 2 Project (construction budget of $4,988,048.05, contingency of $498,804.85, funds reallocated from SS2201 to SS2401 in a total amount of $6,810,000, page 66),

a resolution approving revised compensation and benefits plan for Management and Confidential Employees (allow cashing out 25% sick leave accrual on retirement instead of years of service credit, reduce city contribution to health care flexible spending account from $1200 to $500, update salary ranges to reflect 4% cost of living adjustment (COLA) effective 7-1-24; net cost $106,438 as 4% cola already accounted for, pages 87-88),

adopting the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25 Appropriations Limit ($170,199,403, page 134),

second reading and adoption of an EV charging ordinance to permit the city charging for use of its EV chargers ($.35 cents/KWh during non-peak hours, $.40 cents/KWh from 3-9 PM. Flat fee of $1.50 per session, overstay fee of $1 per minute up to 30 minutes after 4 hours 15 minutes of charging, cap on rate increases of PG&E rate increase or once yearly – page 143),

second reading and adoption of the military equipment use policy and ordinance (drone policy pages 157-161,  new drones cost $12k page 174),

second reading and adoption of Chapter 8.38 of the Pinole Municipal Code “Single-use Plastic Foodware and Bag Reduction” (ordinance text pages 184-194),

calling the election for City Council seats and City Treasurer seat, consolidating with County election on November 5th (estimated cost $22,500, page 196),

adopting a resolution to amend agreement with Client First Technology Consulting to provide professional support services for instant solar permitting (cost of $35k but fully offset by grant, page 202),

adopting a resolution to extend the term of the Climate Fellow by two months (net cost $11,000, page 227),

a resolution for an agreement with Client First Technology Consulting for support services for the new community development permit tracking and online application system (net cost $75k, page 256),

a letter of support for AB 3259 regarding transactions and use taxes (text of letter pages 285-6, text of the law pages 287-290),

and placement of liens for delinquent unpaid waste collection charges between January and April 2024 (Lien total $38,513.38 including administrative fees, page 291).

There is 1 public hearing- Financial Year 2023-24 Utility Users Tax Review (gas and electricity UUT continue to rise, telecommunications continues to fall, total increase of 3% to $2,389,000 page 295).

There are 2 old business items- the final proposed FY 24/25 operating and capital budget, which will cut $1,398,449 to achieve a balanced budget primarily through freezing vacant staff positions in the public works and police departments, and reducing the general reserve percentage from 50 to 45% (page 306) leading to total sources of $27,890,013 and total expenditures of $27,849,548 for the general fund baseline budget (page 305), and the revised proposed 5 year Capital Improvement Plan from FY 24/25-FY 28/29 – which now has prioritization scores for most projects and costs (net cost this year $18,130,894, page 564 also shows the cost split across funds).

Finally, for new business there is discussion of the process for establishing the office of an Elected Mayor (pages 645-650).


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.

Pinole City Council meeting 6-4-24

Today, 6-4- Regular City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the
agenda packet at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/58/files/agenda/131 –
note that the city is shifting to a new agenda website.

To start, there is 1 closed session item- conference with legal counsel- existing litigation with MVP Construction. I expect this to take at least an hour.

Then there will be proclamations for Juneteenth, Pride, and Philippine Independence Day.

Then there is a presentation by the city manager to provide a department update.

Then there’s the consent calendar- There are the normal minutes and
warrants, a proposed update to the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Commission Joint Powers Agreement (WCCTAC JPA) which would update various language and permit payment of stipends (potential net cost of $519 or $1038, depending on stipend amount- page 62 of agenda packet), and second reading and adoption of an EV charging ordinance to permit the city charging for use of its EV chargers ($.35 cents/KWh during non-peak hours, $.40 cents/KWh from 3-9 PM. Flat fee of $1.50 per session, overstay fee of $1 per minute up to 30 minutes after 4 hours 15 minutes of charging, cap on rate increases of PG&E rate increase once yearly – page 99).

There are 3 public hearings (one of which will be continued to the next meeting)- Financial Year 2023-24 Utility Users Tax Review (continued to June 18th meeting), First reading of an ordinance to ban single use plastic foodware and bags (text of the ordinance from page 105-114 with more detailed explanations on why it was written this way in reports from pages 116-259), and a first reading of an ordinance on the police department’s military equipment review and policies (notable change is request for 2 drones and proposed policy for their use- see pages 294-8 for the drone policy).

Finally, there are 2 old business items- the revised proposed FY 24/25 operating and capital budget, which has suggested cuts to reach a balanced budget or a surplus (depending on if 6% $1.3 million or 10% $2.1 million cuts are chosen, pages 309-315), as well as other options like reducing the city’s reserve amount (net impact $1 million) or freezing vacancies (net impact $430,000) (page 307), and the revised proposed 5 year Capital Improvement Plan from FY 24/25-FY 28/29 – which now has prioritization scores for all projects (page 550) and a waterfall chart showing when and in what stages each project will occur, along with costs (pages 642-3).

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.

Pinole Senior Food Distribution, 5-28-24

Tuesday, 5-28- Senior Food Distribution, Pinole Senior Center, In person 10-11 AM. “


*SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM*

The Pinole Senior Center is partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County on the Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens 55+ are able to receive free groceries, including healthy pantry staples, eggs, cheese, and assorted meats twice a month. The program at the Pinole Senior Center is available for Pinole senior residents ONLY. It will be every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The next distribution will be on *Tuesday, May 28th, 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 Front Desk of the Senior Center and can also be found on the Pinole Senior Center website: _https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/senior_center_ <https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/senior_center>

Applications can be submitted to the Pinole Senior Center Front Desk Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am – 1 pm and 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. Any questions regarding the program please contact Kristina Santoyo, Recreation Coordinator, at _ksantoyo@ci.pinole.ca.us_ <mailto:ksantoyo@ci.pinole.ca.us>” (city newsletter)

Pinole City Council meeting, 5-21-24

Today, 5-21- Regular City Council meeting, 4 PM, Hybrid (note the earlier start time!). You can find the
agenda packet at https://pinoleca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/69/files/agenda/122  –
note that the city is shifting to a new agenda website.

To start, there is 1 closed session item- public employee appointment, city manager. I expect this to take at least an hour.

Then there will be proclamations for Public Works Week, Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, Local and Community History Month, Emergency Medical Services Week, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Month.

Then there is a presentation on the anti-tobacco program.

Unlike normal, there are mayoral and council appointments to the Community Services Commission and the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Commission- the interview subcommittees recommends the appointment of Laurelle Martin, Nickolas Teller, Robert Kopp, Debbie Ojeda and Omar Butler to the community services commission (agenda, page 14) and appointing Ben Doyle, Faith Dunham-Sims, Kent Moriarty, Oliver Collins, and Krystle Pasco to the Traffic and Safety Pedestrian Committee (page 16).

Then there’s the consent calendar- There are the normal minutes and
warrants, a resolution approving a side letter agreement to the memorandum of understanding between the city and AFSCME 512, the Financial Year (FY) 2023/24 third quarter financial and investment reports, letters of support for AB2584 Regarding the Purchase of Single-family Homes by Institutional Investors and AB3259 Regarding Transactions and Use Taxes in Solano County, FY 23/24 3rd quarter report on Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), and adopting a resolution approving an affordable housing agreement for the Appian Village Complex.

There are 3 public hearings- the first reading of an ordinance to establish restrictions and rates for the city’s EV charging spaces, a review of draft sewer rates for FY 24/25-FY28/29 (of note, rates for single family homes will increase sharply under this proposed plan, from $1041.17 in FY 24/25 to $1860.61 by FY 28/29- see page 284 of the agenda packet for details), a community engagement hearing on the police department’s military equipment review and policies (notable change is request for 2 drones and proposed policy for their use- see page 340 and pages 359-363).

Finally, there are 2 old business items- the preliminary proposed FY 24/25 operating and capital budget (which does have some reductions from the baseline budget, but still has a $1.1 million dollar shortfall- see page 367), and the preliminary proposed 5 year Capital Improvement Plan from FY 24/25-FY 28/29 (which has the removal of the Galbraith pocket parks as the main thing of note- see page 621).

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.

Community Service Day, 5-18-24

Saturday, 5-18- Community Service Day, various locations in Pinole, 9 AM-12 PM (registration starts at 8 AM), in person. “

Join the Community Services Commission as they host Community Service Day on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 9am – 12pm. This is an opportunity to make your community beautiful by volunteering on a variety of 3-hour community projects including reviving parks and amenities, community centers, and MORE! Volunteers will work 9a.m. – NOON. Registration starts at 8am. Light breakfast and lunch provided.


If you would like to volunteer, please email recreation@ci.pinole.ca.us or call 510-724-9062. Registration can be completed on the day of the event or via our online system https://pinolerec.recdesk.com/Community/Program.” (city newsletter)

Pinole Senior Food Distribution, 5-14-24

Today, 5-14- Senior Food Distribution, Pinole Senior Center, In person 10-11 AM. “


*SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM*

The Pinole Senior Center is partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County on the Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens 55+ are able to receive free groceries, including healthy pantry staples, eggs, cheese, and assorted meats twice a month. The program at the Pinole Senior Center is available for Pinole senior residents ONLY. It will be every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The next distribution will be on *Tuesday, April 9, 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 Front Desk of the Senior Center and can also be found on the Pinole Senior Center website: _https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/senior_center_ <https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/senior_center>

Applications can be submitted to the Pinole Senior Center Front Desk Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am – 1 pm and 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. Any questions regarding the program please contact Kristina Santoyo, Recreation Coordinator, at _ksantoyo@ci.pinole.ca.us_ <mailto:ksantoyo@ci.pinole.ca.us>” (city newsletter)

Pinole Budget Workshop (Special Council meeting) 4-30-24

Tuesday, 4-30- Special City Council meeting, 5 PM, Hybrid. You can find the agenda packet here – note that the city is shifting to a new agenda website.

There are three workshop items- the strategic planning financial report, the city’s baseline Financial Year (FY) 2024-25 budget, and the city’s draft FY 24/25- FY 28/29 Capital Improvement Plan.

The strategic planning financial report is important, so I will highlight the key details here. The first is at the end of the report, where it states “The fiscal impact of taking no action would leave the City’s General Fund fully depleted of reserves by FY 2028-29, at which point the City would be forced to implement hiring freezes or layoffs to avoid bankruptcy. The option of “doing nothing” is not feasible without forcing the City into bankruptcy proceedings.” and “The status quo fiscal model indicates that the City faces a structural deficit that would increase from an annual shortfall of $7.8 million by FY 2034-35 to a deficit of $10.5 million by FY 2044-45. Reserves would be fully depleted by FY 2028-29. Without taking any action, the City would face severe fiscal consequences, such as bankruptcy, which could mean significant reductions or full outsourcing of services, including police, parks, recreation, and public works. It would have negative impacts on economic development and quite possibly home prices. The City would face difficulties in recruiting and retaining its workforce as it would have a negative reputation in the labor market.” (agenda packet, page 53). In other words, if we do nothing we go bankrupt, most likely in FY 2030-31, when the Section 115 trust runs out. (See figure 2 on page 10 for a graph illustrating the deficit curve).

Baker Tilly presents 4 possible scenarios to avoid this- Scenario 1, where the city immediately (as of November 2024) passes every revenue option open to it- parcel tax, sales tax, users utility tax, real property transfer tax, business license tax changes and increased franchise fees. It does not undertake any cuts. (pages 15-17) This scenario does provide adequate revenue (as shown in figure 3 on page 17 and figure 4 on page 18), but that number of tax changes would probably need to go over multiple election cycles, reducing the effect.

Scenario 2 has a mix of revenue increases and cost cuts. It assumes increased franchise fees, UUT expansion, a real property transfer tax on the revenue side, and on the cost cut side it assumes increased employee pension contributions, increased employee medical contributions, ending the medical retirement benefit for new employees (though the impact of that is not tracked in the figures, see page 20), and a flat cut of $500,000 to general fund expenditures in every year going forward (pages 18-20). This scenario provides adequate revenue through FY 31/32, after which expenses yet again exceed revenue by increasing margins (see figure 5, page 20 and figure 6, page 21). In other words, moderate cuts and revenue gains are not sufficient to solve the longer-term problems once the section 115 trust runs out.

Scenario 3 is entirely based on cost cuts. Like scenario 2, it assumes increased employee pension contributions, increased employee medical contributions, and ending the medical retirement benefit for new employees. Unlike scenario 2, it calls for all remaining costs to be cut from the general fund directly (through such means as hiring freezes, layoffs, deferring or removal of capital projects, department closures and outsourcing), averaging out to 12% reductions every year and ranging in raw amounts from $1 million to $7.6 million in any given year over the period. (pages 21-23). While the report states that there would still be a deficit of $4.5 million in FY 2044-45 with this model, this is not shown in figures 7 or 8 on page 24.

Finally, there is Scenario 4, which has one revenue increase (sales tax) and 10% expenditure reductions as in Scenario 3 from every year after FY 2030-31 (ranging in raw dollar amounts from $3.4 million to $7.4 million). (page 25). As figures 8 and 9 on page 26 show, this would stabilize the budget, but would also have substantial impacts to city services.

There are also more detailed looks at the various strategies- how much revenue would be expected from a sales tax, or a real property transfer tax and so on. Given frequent complaints over roads, I think it’s worth highlighting strategy 5, which would stabilize the city’s road condition through a $25 million general obligation bond (which would end up costing $43 million assuming the city’s finances are rated investment grade), and which would require a 2/3rds majority vote by the council and the voters. (pages 33-35). I do not think it would be realistic to assume an investment grade rating on the city’s debt given our current economic trajectory, and *none* of the scenarios account for the associated costs of this strategy.

The city’s baseline budget shows a $1.3 million dollar deficit (page 56), due mostly to increased CALPERS costs ($700,000) and healthcare costs to a lesser extent (page 60). As a result, the city is going to need to implement immediate cuts, the nature of which are not yet available. (page 56).

Finally, the capital improvement plan lists projects removed (energy upgrades and hazel st gap closure), expected to be complete by july (tree mitigation, high capacity trash bins (though I think this one was removed), sewer plant air release valve replacement, hazel st storm drain improvement, safety improvements at Tennent and pear/plum streets, safety improvements at Appian and Marlesta (the new stoplights), energy conservation generation and storage plan, active transportation plan, municipal broadband feasability study, and the parks master plan), and recommended for addition due to outside grants or priority (tiny tots flooring and painting, sewer plant solar and battery, lower tennent trunk sewer capacity, sewer plant boiler and centrifuge replacement, Pinon-2 capacity, Pinon trunk sewer capacity phase 2, storm drain creek discharge improvements, old town traffic calming, sidewalk rehabilitation program and road maintenance repairs) (pages 68-69). The total cost impact in this fiscal year is $19,118,464, of which $90,000 comes from the general fund, $4,125,262 comes from measure S 2014, and the rest comes from dedicated funds such as the sewer enterprise fund for $8,190,000 (page 81). There are also many unfunded projects, which can be found on page 84.

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.

Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee meeting, 4-10-24

Wednesday, 4-10- 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 (Traffic signs at Pinole Middle School for “No U-turns”, request to remove poles blocking ADA ramps on Pinole Valley Road and Granada Ct), staff updates on CIP projects (appian and marlesta intersection), development projects (none), the Active Transportation Plan, and grants (possible joint grant with county). There’s also 2 future agenda items listed- ATP presentation to the committee for review and feedback, and changing the name of the committee to include bicycles.

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.”