Minutes — Martinez City Council, April 2, 2025

ACTION MINUTES

CITY COUNCIL

DATE: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
TIME: 5:30 PM – Study Session
7:00 PM – Regular Session
PLACE: City Council Chamber, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez, CA 94553; and Councilmember Greg Young will be participating virtually from Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill, located 525 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20002.

Full details are available via audio/video recording on the City website. Additional documents pertaining to City Council meetings (i.e. written public comment, presentations) can be found on the City website.

REGULAR SESSION

CALL TO ORDER
 Mayor Zorn called the meeting to order at 7:11 PM.

ROLL CALL
 All Councilmembers were in attendance.

PRESENTATIONS (00:07:55)

1. New City Staff Introductions
 Community and Economic Development Department
 CED Director Jill Bergman introduces new staff member Sophia Valenti, Code Enforcement Inspector.
 Finance Department
 Finance Director June Du introduces new staff member Shannon Murray, Accounting Technician.

2. Proclamation - Earth Month
 Proclamation reading by Mayor Zorn.
 Accepted by Sonny Hutchinson of Sustainable Contra Costa.

3. Proclamation - National Library Week
 Proclamation reading by Mayor Zorn.
 Accepted by Noelle Burch, Library Manager of the Martinez Library.

4. Martinez Library Update
 Presented by Noelle Burch, Library Manager of the Martinez Library.

5. Annual Update from the Contra Costa Library Commission (00:51:45)  Presented by Matt DeFraga, City Appointed Representative.

PUBLIC COMMENT (00:42:50)
 Public Comment was made by Elizabeth; Kristen Henderson.

CONSENT CALENDAR (00:58:18)
 Public Comment: None
 Closing Council Comments: None
 Motion by VM Howard, seconded by CMR Malhi, to approve consent calendar items #1- 9.

Motion carried; (5) Five Ayes (Ross, Malhi, Zorn, Howard, McKillop).

1. Motion waiving reading text of all Resolutions and Ordinances.

2. Motion to approve City Council Action Minutes for March 19, 2025.

3. Motion to reject Claim presented to the City by John Castro (GL-21170-MZ).

4. Motion to reject Claim presented to the City by Vivian Perelman (GL-21439-MZ).

5. Motion approving the Check Reconciliation Registers, dated February 27, March 6 and March 13, 2025.

6. Waive the reading and adopt the Ordinance No. 1469, approving amendments to the Martinez Municipal Code by: 1) adding Chapter 15.55 (Amnesty Program for Unpermitted Dwelling Units); 2) amending Chapters 22.12 (Residential Districts) to reference new Chapter 15.55; 3) amending Chapters 22.04 (Definitions) and 22.34 (General Requirements and Exceptions) to relocate the definition for “Site Area Coverage”; 4) amending Chapter 22.43 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) to reflect updated State law and reference new Chapter 15.55; 5) amending Chapter 16.60 (Major Sign Programs) to include regulations; and 6) other minor text amendments.

7. Adopt a resolution approving an adjustment to the Fiscal Year 24-25 (FY 25) budget appropriating FB101 committed fund balance for police equipment and supply purchases.

8. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with Baker Tilly increasing the contract amount by $32,000 for the development of a baseline long-range financial forecast to support the city’s strategic and financial planning efforts.

9. Waive the reading and adopt an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Martinez Amending Section 2.52.010 (Officers Designated) of Chapter 2.52 (City Officers) of the Martinez Municipal Code.

***CONVENE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT NO. 6***

10. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Maze & Associates (Maze), to prepare and file the State Controller’s Office (SCO) Report for the Sanitation District 6 and ratify the payment for the services provided for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2024.
 Public Comment: None
 Closing Council Comments: None
 Motion by Boardmember McKillop, seconded by Boardmember Young, to approve consent calendar item #10. Motion carried; All Ayes (Howard, Ross, Zorn, Malhi, McKillop).

***RECONVENE AS THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MARTINEZ***

GENERAL BUSINESS ITEMS (01:01:02)

1. Receive presentation and provide feedback from Contra Costa Transportation Authority outlining key strategies for the Martinez Amtrak Station Shared Mobility Hub to improve access, safety, connectivity, operations and the passenger experience at the Martinez Amtrak Station.  Presentation by Stephanie Hu, Contra Costa Transit Authority; Adam Dankberg, Kimley Horn.  Public Comment: Bernadette, Kelsie, Andy Smith.
 Closing Council Comments: Council thanked presenters for sharing the concepts and plans for the new Mobility Hub. There was discussion about the reduction of parking spaces; the connection of bicycle lanes to existing infrastructure; EV charging stations; and a request for more information on actual usage by Martinez residents.

2. Receive report, hold discussion, and provide direction to staff regarding the proposed Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years (FY) 2025-26 through 2029-30.  Presentation by Assistant City Manager Lauren Sugayan, Public Works Director Joe Enke.  Public Comment: Bernadette.
 In-depth discussion held between staff and City Council. Council provided necessary direction to staff.

3. Receive report, hold discussion, provide direction to staff regarding adjustments to the downtown parking permit program, and adopt a resolution implementing a temporary reduction in parking permit fees for merchant and employee parking in the downtown meter zones, effective May 1, 2025.  Presentation by Police Chief Andrew White.
 Public Comment: None.
 In-depth discussion held between staff and City Council. Council provided necessary direction to staff, including changes to resolution to clarify parking permit eligibility standards.  Motion by Vice Mayor Howard, seconded by Mayor Zorn, to adopt resolution with revisions.  Motion carried; All Ayes (Howard, Ross, Zorn, Malhi, McKillop).

4. Receive report, hold discussion, and consider revising the parking bail schedule pertaining to parking meter violations.
 Presentation by Police Chief Andrew White.
 Public Comment: Bernadette.
 In-depth discussion held between staff and City Council. Council provided necessary direction to staff on parking citation amounts; amounts to stay the same at this point in time.

5. Receive report, hold discussion and by motion, approve a preferred layout design for Parking Lot 4.
 Presentation by Public Works Director Joe Enke.
 Public Comment: None.
 In-depth discussion held between staff and City Council on the differences between the two options presented, including layout, traffic flow, timelines to completion, and costs.  Motion by Vice Mayor Howard, seconded by CMR Young, to approve by motion Option A.  Motion carried; four ayes (Howard, Ross, Zorn, Malhi), one nay (McKillop).

CHIEF OF POLICE (04:26:01)

1. Comments/Updates
 No comments.

CITY MANAGER (04:26:05)

1. Comments/Updates
 No comments.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS (04:26:10)

1. Sustainability Subcommittee Verbal Report Out for March 24, 2025  Mayor Zorn reported on upcoming cleanups throughout the City with Republic Services.

CITY COUNCIL (04:26:20)

1. Comments/Updates
 Vice Mayor Howard shared District 1 clean up event will be May 3, 2025.  CMR Malhi acknowledged recent holidays; mentioned complaints received regarding pickleball hours and noise.
 CMR thanked the public and staff for staying for the late meeting.

ADJOURNMENT
 Mayor Zorn adjourned the meeting at 11:32pm.

* * * * *

Eve Kearney, Acting City Clerk
04/03/2025
____________________________
Brianne Zorn
Mayor of the City of Martinez

Martinez City CouncilApril 2, 2025

Martinez City Council
April 2, 2025