City of Gonzales
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: January 20, 2026
FROM: Taven Kinison Brown, Community Development Director THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2026-01 Easement to Enable PG&E to Serve Power to a FreewayOriented Billboard on City Property APN: 020-201-022-000
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution No. 2026-01, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to execute an easement to enable PG&E to serve power to a freeway-oriented billboard on City property APN: 020-201-022-000.
BACKGROUND
On June 12, 2024, Legacy Signs applied for a Use Permit and Lease Agreement to build and operate an offsite advertising digital billboard sign off of 875 S. Alta Street, Gonzales, adjacent to Highway 101. On September 4, 2024, the Planning Commission considered and approved the Conditional Use Permit for the sign in question, including a recommendation from a design review committee on the colors, materials, height and placement of the sign on the City-owned property. On September 7, 2024, the City Council Approved a base 25-year Lease Agreement with Legacy Sign Company for the construction and use of the offsite advertising billboard sign on a city-owned 6+acre parcel adjacent to Highway 101 on Assessor’s Parcel Number 020-201-022-000. Building permit No. BP2025-00023 was reviewed by the city and was approved on 04/16/2025.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
PG&E currently has power lines and an easement traversing the City Property. PG&E needs to place an additional pole and a transformer between and perpendicular to the existing PG&E line and easement to serve the new electronic billboard sign. Alpha Land Surveys, representing Legacy Signs has prepared a AGENDA
ITEM
13 survey and an exhibit illustrating the additional needed easement across the city property to serve the new electronic billboard sign.
How Recommendation Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: This project supports our vision by enabling the city’s efforts to allow this sign, as an instrument of economic development and investment in the city.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ____ No____ N/A
Explain: This project supports our mission by committing the resources necessary to enable the construction and operation of this sign, which will generate revenue for the City to be able to provide services and enhance the quality of life in Gonzales.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ____No ____ N/A Explain: See Vision explanation above.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing X Yes No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: See Vision above.
ALTERNATIVES
Inaction, delay or denial of the granting of the easement will prevent PG&E from providing power to the electronic billboard and will postpone or prevent a new source of revenue for the City.
BUDGET IMPACT
While there will be no monetary exchange for the granting of the easement across the City’s 6-acre parcel, the sooner the sign is in operation, the sooner the base rent and positive revenue can be generated.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution No. 2026-01, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to execute an easement to enable PG&E to serve power to a freeway-oriented billboard on City property APN: 020-201-022-000.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2026-01