CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
December 6, 2022
1. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN HONOR OF THE US MILITARY TROOPS
The City Council Meeting was held in a hybrid format (in-person and via Zoom videoconference 1d broadcast) from the Pinole Council Chambers, 2131 Pear Street, Pinole, California. Mayo alimi called the Special Meeting of the City Council to order at 5:17 p.m. and led the Pledge ( Allegiance.
2. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
efore we begin, we would like to acknowledge the Ohlone people, who are the traditional custodians o is land. We pay our respects to the Ohlone elders, past, present and future, who call this place, Ohlon Land, the land that Pinole sits upon, their home. We are proud to continue their tradition of coming together and growing as a community. We thank the Ohlone community for their stewardship and support, and we look forward to strengthening our ties as we continue our relationship of mutual respect and understanding
ROLL CALL, CITY CLERK'S REPORT & STATEMENT OF CONFLICT
An official who has a conflict must, prior to consideration of the decision; (1) publicly identify in detail the financial interest that causes the conflict; (2) recuse himself/herself from discussing and voting on the matter; and (3) leave the room until after the decision has been made, Cal. Gov. Code § 87105.
A. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT
Vincent Salimi, Mayor
Devin Murphy, Mayor Pro Tem
Norma Martinez-Rubin, Council Member
Anthony Tave, Council Member
Maureen Toms, Council Member
B. STAFF PRESENT
Andrew Murray, City Manager
Heather Bell, City Clerk
Eric Casher, City Attorney
Roxane Stone, Deputy City Clerk
City Clerk Heather Bell announced the agenda had been posted on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. with all legally required written notices. Two written comments had been received in advance of the meeting, posted to the City website and distributed to the staff and the City Council.
Following an inquiry, Mayor Salimi reported he had a conflict with Item 4A due to the proximity of his residence. He asked the Mayor Pro Tem to lead the Closed Session.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy led the meeting at this time.
4. CONVENE TO A CLOSED SESSION:
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
Citizens may address the Council regarding a Closed Session item prior to the Council adjourning into the Closed Session, by first providing a speaker card to the City Clerk.
A. CONFERENCE WITH PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Gov. Code § 54956.8
Property: 612 Tennent Avenue
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Deputy City Clerk Roxane Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
5. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION At 6:20 p.m., Mayor Salimi reconvened the meeting into open session.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy reported on the results of the Closed Session when the City Council had approved a slight modification to the project at 612 Tennent Avenue and had removed the live/work requirement for two of the units on the property.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD (Public Comments)
Citizens may speak under any item not listed on the Agenda. The time limit is 3 minutes and is subject to modification by the Mayor. Individuals may not share or offer time to another speaker.
Pursuant to provisions of the Brown Act, no action may be taken on a matter unless it is listed on the agenda, or unless certain emergency or special circumstances exist. The City Council may direct staff to investigate and/or schedule certain matters for consideration at a future Council meeting.
Rafael Menis, Pinole, updated the City Council on the elevated COVID-19 case rate for the City of Pinole and encouraged everyone to wear masks indoors and outdoors, particularly in crowded public spaces. In terms of transparency, he congratulated his fellow candidates in the recent election for filling out their Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) forms properly but noted that to his knowledge there was at least one set of forms that had not been filled out properly. He asked that those responsible for the forms ensure they had been filled out correctly to show the proper expenditure of campaign funds in conformance with state law.
REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS
A. Mayor Report
1. Announcements
Mayor Salimi reported it had been his privilege to serve as the Mayor of Pinole. He also had the privilege of having been invited to the White House for the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and after that visit had the opportunity to meet with members of Congress. In addition, he had met with Dr. Kenneth Hurst, Superintendent of the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) who was working to make improvements to the WCCUSD.
B. Mayoral & Council Appointments: None
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
C. City Council Committee Reports & Communications
Council member Martinez-Rubin invited members of the public to join WestCAT staff and volunteers at the 19th Annual Stuff a Bus Holiday Donation Drive, which would collect non- perishable food items and toys on December 14, 2022, at the Target parking lot located at 1400 Fitzgerald Drive between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The donations would benefit the Contra Costa and Solano County Food Bank. Toys for all ages would be accepted to benefit children affiliated with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Chips for Kids Drive. A list of acceptable donated items was available at www.foodbankccs.org. She wished everyone a Happy Holiday.
Council member Toms reported she had attended the first in-person Mayors Conference in the last few years in the City of Richmond; reported the WestAT Board meeting for the month of December had been canceled; and had attended a retirement reception for long-time City of Orinda Council member Amy Worth who had served on many regional boards such as the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). She also planned to attend the Wildfire Prevention Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, December 12, 2022, to discuss a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for wildfire prevention in the East Bay.
Mayor Salimi asked that Item 7D, Council Requests for Future Agenda Items be considered after the Council reorganization.
E. City Manager Report / Department Staff
City Manager Andrew Murray reported that holiday events had been held at the Senior Center culminating in the traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 3, 2022. He briefed the City Council on the tentative agenda items for the December 20, 2022 City Council meeting.
He too wished everyone a Happy Holiday.
City Attorney Report
City Attorney Eric Casher wished everyone a Happy Holiday.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Cordell Hindler, Richmond, requested the following future agenda items: a proclamation recognizing the Pinole Valley High School Football Team for its achievements; and consideration of hiring a consultant to conduct diversity, equity and inclusion. He also wished everyone a Happy Holiday.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
8. RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS / COMMUNITY EVENTS
A. Proclamations
1. Pinole Valley High School Girls Volleyball
The City Council read into the record a proclamation recognizing the Pinole Valley High School Girls Volleyball Team for its achievements.
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Mage tes - December 6, 2022
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
A member of the Pinole Valley High School Girls Volleyball Team thanked the City Council for the recognition and noted that the team had won its championships after some challenges.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
2. Pinole Valley High School Girls Tennis
The City Council read into the record a proclamation recognizing the Pinole Valley High School Girls Tennis Team for its achievements.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
The Coach for the Pinole Valley High School Girls Tennis Team reported that more than half of the team had not picked up a tennis racket prior to the start of the season and those girls had come through for the team.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
3. Human Rights Week
The City Council read into the record a proclamation recognizing Human Rights Week on December 4 through December 10, 2022 with the proclamation provided to Mayor Pro Tem Murphy.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Cordell Hindler, Richmond, congratulated the Pinole Valley High School athletic programs. He was also pleased with the Human Rights Week proclamation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
B. Presentations: None
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial. These items will be enacted by one motion and without discussion. If, however, any interested party or Council member(s) wishes to comment on an item, they may do so before action is taken on the Consent Calendar. Following comments, if a Council member wishes to discuss an item, it will be removed from the Consent Calendar and taken up in order after adoption of the Consent Calendar.
A. Approve the Minutes of the November 15, 2022 meeting.
B. Receive the November 12, 2022 - December 2, 2022 List of Warrants in the Amount of $967,306.52 and the November 25, 2022 Payroll in the Amount of $571,214.97.
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
Approval of Findings to Support Local Modifications to the 2022 California Building Code; Second Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt the 2022 California Building Standards Code and Update the City's Building and Fire Code [Action: Adopt Ordinance on Second Reading per Staff Recommendation (Casher)]
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Cordell Hindler, Richmond, asked the City Council to approve the Consent Calendar, as is.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
ACTION: Motion by Council members Toms/Martinez-Rubin to approve Consent Calendar Items 9A through 9C, as shown.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Salimi, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Tave, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
10. COUNCIL REORGANIZATION & ELECTION MATTERS
A. Accepting and Declaring the Results of Canvass of the November 8, 2022 Municipal Election [Action: Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Bell)]
City Clerk Bell presented the staff report and recommended the City Council adopt the resolution contained in Attachment A to the December 6, 2022 staff report.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Cordell Hindler, Richmond, asked the City Council to approve the election results, as shown.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
ACTION: Motion by Council members Martinez-Rubin/Toms to adopt a resolution of the City of Pinole in the Matter of the Canvass of the Returns of the Regular Municipal Election of November 8, 2022 and Declaration of the Results.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: None, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Tave, Toms
Noes:
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy led the meeting at this time.
B. Presentations to Mayor Salimi
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Mine tes - December 6, 2022
The City Council read into the record a proclamation honoring and recognizing the accomplishments of Mayor Salimi.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia reported that he and Supervisor Federal Glover had provided a proclamation to City staff in recognition of Mayor Salimi's leadership, for being the first Iranian-American on the Pinole City Council and one of the first in the state. He commended the leadership of the Mayor and the City Council with respect to its work with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) to reopen the Fire Station on Pinole Valley Road. He also acknowledged and congratulated Council members Anthony Tave and Norma Martinez-Rubin for their re-election to the City Council and commended their continued leadership and congratulated and welcomed newly-elected Council member Cameron Sasai. He looked forward to continuing to work with the Pinole City Council to improve its partnership with the County, and commented on the implementation of new 24/7 mental health services and fire and animal services. He also congratulated the Pinole Valley High School athletes for their achievements. He also recognized and congratulated new Mayor Devin Murphy.
Rafael Menis, Pinole, praised Mayor Salimi for his efforts to make the City of Pinole better, ensure everyone got through meetings in a reasonable time frame and acknowledged the Mayor's fight for justice for the people of Iran and his work with the Sister City movement. He also recognized Mayor Salimi's support of the Pinole Library, benches on Galbreth Road, support to reopen Fire Station 74, and his work beyond the City of Pinole reaching out to the Consulate Generals of Ukraine and France, and building connections between the City of Pinole and the rest of the world allowing Pinole to become better known regionally and worldwide. In particular, the Mayor's fight for justice in Iran and having residents of Pinole rally around that movement was noted Alexander Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor, City of Hercules, congratulated outgoing Mayor Salimi and recognized new Mayor Murphy, re-elected Council members Martinez-Rubin and Tave and newly-elected Council member Sasai. He recognized that history had been made since Mayor Salimi was one of the first Iranian-elected officials in the country, and new Mayor Murphy was Pinole's first openly LGBTQ+ and African-American Mayor. He thanked everyone for their service. He added he would become the Mayor of the City of Hercules in the next week and along with Mayor Murphy and the Mayor of the City of San Pablo, they would be the first consecutive Mayors in the country under the age of 30.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
City Manager Murray recognized the demands of the job to serve on the City Council and he too commended the Mayor for his many achievements as reflected in the proclamation and in the ublic comments. On behalf of City staff, he thanked Mayor Salimi for his service, which wa ritically important and most admired, and presented tokens of appreciation and flowers for th Council member Martinez-Rubin thanked Mayor Salimi for his service, and wished him the best with years of health to him and his family.
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
Council member Toms thanked Mayor Salimi for putting a pause on his busy life to help the City.
She was aware he had sacrificed his business and family time to serve the City of Pinole and she wished him well in the future.
Council member Tave also thanked Mayor Salimi for his service, acknowledged his engagement with the community, and suggested the City was better because of him and his leadership, which set a standard for the City Council as it moved forward.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy too thanked Mayor Salimi for his leadership and stand on issues relevant to the community and for taking time out of his busy life as a notable businessman. He was grateful for his leadership and courage, and stated he would be missed on the City Council, with his energy, exceptional values and brilliance something that must be kept and molded into the new City Council.
C. Remarks from Mayor Salimi
Mayor Salimi detailed his personal background and upbringing in Iran and Paris, France and stated at the age of 19 he had come to America to find the American Dream and where he had attended college, which would not have been possible without those who supported and believed in him. He was grateful to have served the City of Pinole as its Mayor and as a Council member and provided an overview of the accomplishments over the past four years including work on the budget, adding additional staff, increased hours for the Pinole Library, improving relations with the County, County approval of Measure X funds that allowed Fire Station 74 to be reopened, increased City revenues, new businesses in Pinole, increased funding for police and fire, approval of more housing in the past two years than had been approved in the past 20 years, and with many of those achievements having occurred during the pandemic. He emphasized that economic development remained important as well as funding for Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, the possibility for a Charter City and real estate transfer development tax or parcel/sales tax options to increase revenues for the City. He also suggested opening a municipal bank offered potential for the City and he hoped the City Council would continue to consider those revenue options.
Mayor Salimi thanked the Mayor Pro Tem for his assistance and for being the first openly LBGTQ+ and African-American Mayor in the history of Pinole. He also congratulated incoming Mayor Pro Tem Toms, Council members Martinez-Rubin and Tave; he thanked former Council members Maria Alegria, Debbie Long, Steven Tilton, Pete Murray, Roy Swearingen, Tim Banuelos, and Mary Horton and stated his work would not have been possible without their help to bridge the gap, which had allowed him to become a better Mayor. He further thanked City Clerk Bell, Deputy City Clerk Stone, City Manager Murray, City Attorney Casher, Fire Chief Chris Wynkoop, Police Chief Neil Gang, Finance Director Markisha Guillory and the entire City of Pinole staff. He particularly expressed his appreciation to his wife Monica Hicks, and his children _ and other family members present in the audience, and expressed his appreciation to Congressman John Garamendi, Supervisors Gioia and Glover and the people of Pinole who helped him to become the person he wanted to be to achieve the American Dream. At this time he presented a brief Jib Jab video.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
Steven Dorsey, Fire Captain, City of Pinole and a member of the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, thanked Mayor Salimi and the City Council for its hard work, dedication and collaboration on fire services, and where the City Council had made decisions that would greatly improve fire services and firefighter safety in the City of Pinole and in the County.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy declared a recess at 7:50 p.m. The City Council meeting reconvened at 8:05 p.m. with all Council members present.
BRIEF RECESS
Administer Oaths to Newly-Elected Council Members [Action: Administer Oaths]
City Clerk Bell introduced Marilou Sasai who administered the Oath of Office to her son and newly- elected Council member Cameron Sasai.
City Clerk Bell administered the Oath of Office to Council member Anthony Tave.
City Attorney Casher administered the Oath of Office to Council member Norma Martinez-Rubin.
Council member Martinez-Rubin stated she was ready to get to work, thanked those who voted for her and allowed her to continue on her second term on the City Council representing the residents of Pinole. She particularly thanked her husband Jeff Rubin for his support.
Council member Tave thanked the citizens of Pinole for again electing him. He promised to serve them well and asked anyone to reach out via text or email. He looked forward to progress from the City Council.
Council member Sasai stated it was an honor to represent the City of Pinole where he had been born and raised. He praised Jesus and all of the blessings that had built his character to reach this point. He spoke to the effort to reach this point and thanked his role model parents for their support; described his parents' background and work ethic; thanked everyone who supported and endorsed him including his brother, volunteers and advisors, all of whom he identified by name.
He shared a quote from Dr. Cornel West; hoped to do more for the community by serving on the City Council; would always put residents' needs above special interests and would approach the office of Council member with the same tenacity he had approached community engagement during his campaign. He looked forward to working with the City Council and staff to address residents' needs with a focus on responsible community-led budgeting, protecting black lives, keeping power accountable and putting equity and justice first when pursuing policy.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Rafael Menis, Pinole, praised Council member Sasai who walked among the community, spoke his truth about his background, and who had shown why he was the person everyone could trust to fight for justice, a more sustainable and equitable community and one which had been built to support everyone and all different modes of transportation and being. He offered his assistance to do whatever was necessary to make Pinole a better place.
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
Alexander Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor, City of Hercules, again congratulated re-elected Council members Martinez-Rubin and Tave and newly-elected Council member Sasai. On behalf of the City of Hercules, he stated their door was always open to working with the City of Pinole.
Mary Horton, Pinole, former Mayor and Council member, congratulated everyone on the dais.
She otherwise urged the City Council not to take too long to come up with a solution for pedestrian safety given the area in front of St. Joseph's Catholic Church where people in the crosswalk were not clearly visible to traffic, especially at dusk. She hoped the City Council would move as expediently as possible to address that safety hazard.
Vincent Wells, President, United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, also thanked and congratulated those who had won the election, acknowledged the work to reach this point, and looked forward to working with the City Council in the future.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem [Action: Approve Rotation Schedule by Minute Order and Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Bell)] City Clerk Bell presented the staff report and recommended the City Council appoint the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem pursuant to the current rotation schedule, as shown in Attachment A to the
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
City Clerk Bell reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
ACTION: Motion by Council members Martinez-Rubin/Tave to adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pinole Approving the Appointment of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Murphy, Toms, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Tave
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
F. Administer Oaths to Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
City Clerk Bell administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Pro Tem Toms.
State Controller-Elect Malia Cohen administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Murphy and offered her congratulations to the new City Council members. She also recognized Cesar Zepeda, newly- elected to the City of Richmond City Council who was present in the audience.
Mayor Pro Tem Toms thanked everyone in the Council Chambers, her family, including her parents watching on-line, and other family members watching on Zoom.
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
Mayor Pro Tem Toms recognized the hard work the City Council had achieved in the past, future work that would need to be considered, and the many issues to be addressed in the next few years including housing, economic development and infrastructure, partnerships with the WCCUSD, other cities, the region, vehicular/pedestrian/bicycle safety and the need to retain the City's healthy reserves.
Comments by Newly-Appointed Mayor
Mayor Murphy thanked the residents of Pinole, City staff, the Council and those watching for the opportunity to serve the City of Pinole as a Council member and now in the role as the new Mayor.
He was beyond grateful given the challenges, sacrifices and obstacles faced by his parents, ancestors and original indigenous peoples, reminding everyone this moment was their wildest dreams. He thanked his parents for giving him life, urging him to live his life in his truth, in authenticity and live life to the fullest as a form of resistance and resilience. He thanked the numerous voters in Pinole who trusted him to serve the City of Pinole and the City Clerk for running sharp elections and prioritizing the integrity of democracy. He described his family's background and also spoke to the current and future challenges facing the City of Pinole, including small businesses still struggling and recovering from the impacts from the pandemic, food insecurity, seniors stuck in homes with little social interaction, black and indigenous communities of color who continued to struggle with violence and erasure of their experiences, and the impacts of the climate crisis such as wildfire, sea level rise and drought impacting everyone.
Mayor Murphy explained that two years ago he sought to run an inclusive campaign to reflect the importance of building a new generation of leadership in the City of Pinole, with the work having expanded to center on the voices of those who had been unheard. He suggested it was time for local government to hear and amplify those voices and needs and co-govern to create an equitable, long-term solution centering on values of justice, equity, accessibility, transparency and diversity.
Mayor Murphy stated as Mayor he would prioritize paving a road to recovery from the pandemic would also continue to combat the impacts of the climate crisis, improving Citywide communications and creating a more just, equitable and inclusive city by embracing the diversity of the City of Pinole as the sixth most diverse city in the State of California. He was confident the current composition of the City Council and City staff would prepare the City to be a world class 21st century city all residents deserved.
Mayor Murphy thanked the higher power that allowed him to serve in this role and his family including immediate and extended family members, Pinole firefighters, many local residents and numerous organizations he identified by name. He was honored to have earned the trust to serve as the youngest, first black and openly gay Mayor for the City of Pinole in its' over 100-year history.
He identified the many achievements that had been accomplished over the past few years in Pinole, and he looked forward to moving forward to build a vibrant, inclusive and resilient City everyone deserved. As Mayor, he would continue to serve residents with the utmost respect, honor and hard work daily to deliver the governance residents deserved.
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
Mayor Murphy read a quote from former South African President Nelson Mandela into the record.
He emphasized his hope and dream to make residents feel proud, safe and thrive in the City they lived in and visited
Mayor Murphy declared a recess at 8:29 p.m.
FIFTEEN MINUTE RECESS - RECEPTION IN CITY HALL FOYER
The City Council meeting reconvened at 9:00 p.m. with all Council members present.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
Citizens wishing to speak regarding a Public Hearing item should fill out a speaker card prior to the completion of the presentation, by first providing a speaker card to the City Clerk. An official who engaged in an ex parté communication that is the subject of a Public Hearing must disclose the communication on the record prior to the start of the Public Hearing.
12. OLD BUSINESS: None
13. NEW BUSINESS
A. Nominate Council Members to Serve on Boards and Subcommittees [Action:
Discuss and Provide Direction (Bell)]
The following Board and Subcommittee Appointments were made for 2023:
Joint Powers Authorities and other Interagency Regulatory Bodies of which the City is a Member Delegate/Primary Alternate
Association of Bay Area Toms Sasai
Governments (ABAG)
Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Murphy Toms
Pinole/Hercules Wastewater Tave/Toms Murphy
Subcommittee
West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Tave Murphy
Management Authority
(WCCIMA. "RecycleMore")
Martinez-Rubin Sasai
Western Contra Costa Transit Martinez-Rubin/Toms Murphy Authority ("WestCAT")
Interagency Collaboration Bodies of which the City is a Member Bayfront Chamber of Commerce Sasai
Contra Costa Mayors Conference Murphy Toms
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
East Bay Division League of Murphy Toms
California Cities
West County Mayors and Murphy Toms
Supervisors Association
Subcommittees of the Pinole City Council
Finance Subcommittee Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem & City Treasurer Committee on Memorials Tave/Toms
Municipal Code Ad-Hoc Subcommittee Tave/Toms
Planning Commission Interview Ad-Hoc Toms/Martinez-Rubin Subcommittee
TAPS & Community Services Commission Tave/Sasai
Interview Ad-Hoc Subcommittee
Participants in Formation Process of East Bay Toms/Tave Wildfire Prevention and Vegetation Management
Joints Powers Authority
Historic Preservation Overlay/Old Town Design
Guideline Review Ad-Hoc Subcommittee*
*Committee Inactive at this time
Technology and Communication Murphy/Tave
Subcommittee
Project Labor Agreement Ad-Hoc Tave/Toms
Subcommittee
Council member Toms offered a motion seconded by Council member Martinez-Rubin to appoint Council member Martinez-Rubin as the Delegate and Council member Tave as the Alternate to the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) given Council member Tave's experience in capital projects and since she [Council member Toms] attended the meetings as part of her day job.
Council member Tave suggested Council member Sasai should serve as the Alternate to allow him to learn early given that WCCTAC was complicated and there was a lot to digest.
Council member Toms withdrew her motion.
Council member Martinez-Rubin commented she had served on WCCTAC since the beginning of the year and it was important for the delegate to be aware of how projects were planned regionally, with the more technical aspects discussed as part of the WCCTAC Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2021
ACTION: Motion by Council member Martinez-Rubin/Mayor Pro Tem Toms to Appoint Council member Martinez-Rubin as the Delegate and Council member Sasai as the Alternate to the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC).
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Murphy, Toms, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Tave
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Council member Tave offered a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Toms to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Toms and Council member Tave to the Municipal Code Ad-Hoc Subcommittee.
Council member Martinez-Rubin commented she had enjoyed serving on the Subcommittee in the past and in the event of an absence she would like to be able to step in.
City Attorney Casher advised there were Brown Act considerations since many items reviewed by the Subcommittee were ordinances, as an example, that also came to the City Council for action and only two Council members would be able to participate in any discussion about an ordinance, where an alternate would not be needed. If a delegate was unavailable for a Subcommittee meeting, the meeting would be rescheduled.
ACTION: Motion by Council member Tave/Mayor Pro Tem Toms to Appoint Mayor Pro Tem Toms and Council member Tave to the Municipal Code Ad-Hoc Subcommittee.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Murphy, Toms, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Tave
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Murphy reported the list of Board and Subcommittee appointments would be brought back at the next City Council meeting to be approved by resolution.
The City Council returned to item 7D at this time.
D. Council Requests for Future Agenda Items
Mayor Pro Tem Toms requested a future agenda item to provide a proclamation to the Pinole Valley High School Varsity Football team for its First Place Championship in its division.
Consensus given.
Council member Sasai requested a future agenda item for a procurement policy for general goods produced, such as letterhead, envelopes, business cards and banners, with a union printer to be used exclusively for those products. Consensus given.
City Manager Murray clarified the City did not have a procurement policy requiring a union printer for such goods.
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
Mayor Murphy requested a future agenda item to schedule a joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council before the end of February 2023, with staff to work with the Community Development Department to craft the agenda given upcoming new housing laws and the need for an update on current projects.
Council member Toms suggested a joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council be considered prior to the end of March 2023 since the City may receive comments from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on the Housing Element that could be included in the discussion.
Mayor Murphy was willing to work with staff on an available date. Consensus given.
Mayor Murphy requested a future agenda item to discuss future action around Pinole Pride Day and wanted to see Pride Day and the incorporation of the City of Pinole incorporated into one event during the month of June. Consensus given.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD (Continued from Item 6) (Public Comments) Only open to members of the public who did not speak under the first Citizens to be Heard, Agenda Item 6.
Citizens may speak under any item not listed on the Agenda. The time limit is 3 minutes and is subject to modification by the Mayor. Individuals may not share or offer time to another speaker.
Pursuant to provisions of the Brown Act, no action may be taken on a matter unless it is listed on the agenda, or unless certain emergency or special circumstances exist. The City Council may direct staff to investigate and/or schedule certain matters for consideration at a future Council meeting.
Cordell Hindler, Richmond, understood that Hercules High School was short around 60 teachers, although the WCCUSD had held a job fair in the summer to retain teachers prior to the new school year. He congratulated both the Pinole Valley High School Girls Volleyball and Tennis Teams for their outstanding seasons, congratulated Mayor Murphy for being the youngest Mayor for the City of Pinole, shared a quote from Ed Sullivan and congratulated Council member Sasai for being the second youngest Council member in the City of Pinole. He also invited everyone to the Richmond Rotary Club Holiday Auction scheduled for December 9, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. at Richmond Country Club.
Anthony Vossbrink, Pinole, reported on the continual issues facing public health, safety and quality of life in Pinole, which included traffic lights up and down Pinole Valley Road and throughout the City, which continued to be an issue since several of the light poles were either damaged or inoperable for the past six months and more. He urged the new Mayor and City Council to address those issues. While he understood the Public Works Director was looking into cost-saving measures to address the issue, he suggested that would take away from the ambience in the City. He added that ingress/egress also needed to be addressed into the neighboring shopping centers and bulb-outs needed to be painted white or an iridescent color with reflecting markers or signage.
Alfred C, a resident of Berkeley, congratulated the new City Council and looked forward to Pride Month and new City leadership. He agreed that lighting was needed in the community, particularly at the bus stops in the downtown.
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022
ADJOURNMENT to the Regular City Council Meeting of December 20, 2022 in Remembrance of Amber Swartz.
At 9:40 p.m., Mayor Murphy adjourned the meeting to the Regular City Council Meeting of December 20, 2022 in Remembrance of Amber Swartz.
Submitted by:
City Clerk
Approved by City Council: December 20, 2022
OF PIN
CALIF ORNIA
Pinole City Council Special Meeting
Minutes - December 6, 2022