CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
June 17, 2025
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
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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
Cameron Sasai, Mayor
Anthony Tave, Mayor Pro Tem
Norma Martinez-Rubin, Council Member*
Devin Murphy, Council Member
Maureen Toms, Council Member
*Remote Attendance
B. STAFF PRESENT
Kelcey Young, City Manager
Roxane Stone, Deputy City Clerk
Eric Casher, City Attorney
Markisha Guillory, Finance Director
Fiona Epps, Communications Director
Prajwol Bhandari, PCTV Administrative Coordinator
Dave Snell, PCTV, Coordinator
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
Deputy City Clerk Roxane Stone announced the agenda had been posted on June 11, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. with all legally required written notices. Written comments had been received in advance of the meeting, distributed to the City Council and staff, posted to the City website and made available to the public to view in the Council Chambers.
Following an inquiry, the Council reported there were no conflicts with any items on the agenda.
CONVENE TO A CLOSED SESSION
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 LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Gov. Code § 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager, Kelcey Young, City Attorney, Eric Casher, Human Resources Director, Stacy Shell, Finance Director, Markisha Guillory and Gregory Ramirez, IEDA
Employee organizations: AFSCME Local 1, AFSCME Local 512 and the Pinole Police Employees Association (PPEA)
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Gov. Code § 54957
Title: City Manager
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
5. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION At 8:11 p.m., Mayor Sasai reconvened the meeting into open session. There was no reportable action from the Closed Sessions.
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.
Maria Alegria, referenced a resolution which had been adopted by the City Council on March 18, 2025 regarding community values which complied with Senate Bill (SB) 54, the California Values Act, and other informational materials related to Stand Together of Contra Costa County, which were supposed to be made available to the public in City facilities and in different languages in order to inform residents of their constitutional rights.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
Ms. Alegria referenced a recent episode of forcibly removing and handcuffing California State Senator Alex Padilla from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference for asking a question regarding removal tactics against immigrant communities by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents which she found an affront to democracy. She asked of the status of City efforts to ensure residents were informed and felt safe from similar violations of the constitution by ICE, since immigrants were living in fear and intimidation. She asked who was responsible for implementing the resolution approved by the City Council and asked for an update under the Mayor or City Manager's Report
Rafael Menis, reported on the current state of transmission for COVID-19 in the region, with the national data no longer available since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had changed out how its website had been organized, but he was able to provide information from another CDC source which indicated there had been an increase over the past couple of weeks related to wastewater values based on a 0 to 15 scale. The City of Pinole was at a rate of
1.766 in April 2025 and rate of 2.924 as of June 7, 2025. He encouraged people to take increased precautions given new COVID-19 variants and increased transmission in the vicinity over the past couple of weeks where there could be a spike in infection rates.
Mr. Menis also thanked everyone who participated in the rally and No Kings protest on June 14, 2025, in particular Mayor Sasai and Council members Murphy and Toms who attended the peaceful protest. There had been other events in the City of Hercules and everything worked out fantastically with these local events having worked out better than some national events. He added President Trump had contested he had the power to compel Iran's Supreme Leader to conditionally surrender presumably through making war. He read into the record Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, which stated that Congress had the power to declare war, not the President, and he asked that they keep that in mind.
7. REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS
A. Mayor Report
1. Announcements
Mayor Sasai reported he attended the Contra Costa Mayors' Conference when appointments were made to regional boards. He congratulated Council member Toms for her re-appointment as Alternate to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Board and Council member Murphy's reappointment as the Alternate to the East Bay Economic Development Alliance Executive Committee. He also thanked everyone who joined the community in the Pride ano Juneteenth events at Fernandez Park, City staff who put in the work and the Community Services Director and her team for their work on the event which had a beautiful showing. He looked forward to the event in 2026.
Mayor Sasai also met with Eduardo Martinez the Mayor for the City of Richmond and had a discussion about immigration policy and what could be done to work in collaboration and side by side to keep residents safe and ensure residents were safeguarded against misinformation.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
There had been an ICE presence in the region, particularly in the City of Concord, and there were fears in the local community with more discussions to come with neighboring jurisdictions to ensure the City of Pinole had information confirming ICE sitings so that people were not in fear.
Mayor Sasai also thanked Mr. Menis for the self-invite to the No Kings rally in the City of Hercules, which had been well attended from people throughout the county to stand up for democracy in the most non-partisan way possible. He also thanked Council members Murphy and Toms for attending the rally. Additionally, he met with the WestCat Board of Directors and reminded everyone the Youth Ride for Free program was ongoing until July 31, 2025, with those 18 years of age and under and who had a valid school identification able to ride public transit for free.
Lastly, he attended the Philippine Independence Day celebration held every year by St. Joseph Church. He looked forward to the next celebration in 2026.
Mayoral & Council Appointments: None
C. City Council Committee Reports & Communications
Mayor Pro Tem Tave reported RecyleMore recently met, he had been unable to attend the meeting, asked Council member Murphy to attend as the Alternate and he expected a report would be provided.
Council member Murphy reported he attended the League of California Cities Revenue and Taxation, and Transportation, Public Works and Communications Policy Committees and highlighted the agenda discussions; a meeting of RecycleMore with a discussion of several issues impacting waste management and environmental compliance, adoption of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 operating budget and a couple of presentations which he also highlighted particularly an available grant related to SB1383, California's Organic Waste Law.
Council member Murphy also attended the Pride/Juneteenth celebrations and thanked the Community Services Department team for making it happen and all City Departments who had been a part of the event; thanked the City Manager, Public Works Director and Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager, for a recent robust discussion of critical infrastructure and needs and updates to the Wastewater Treatment Plant and upcoming projects; welcomed Cheryl Cotton, the new Superintendent of the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) whose background he highlighted and announced Marin Clean Energy's (MCE) Certify and Amplify Webinar scheduled for July 18, 2025, was a valuable opportunity for local small and diverse businesses to grow through accessing the State Contracting Clearinghouse, with the webinar free for small business owners with more information available at the MCE website.
Council member Toms reported she attended the Contra Costa Mayors' Conference at which time she had been selected as one of the Alternates to the ABAG Executive Committee and detailed a presentation from the County Clerk Recorder on the Mapping Prejudice Project, working with the University of Minnesota and community volunteers to find out the multiple restrictive covenants that exist on properties that were racially motivated and identify all recorded documents, to have them amended. She also attended the League of California Cities Housing, Community and Economic Development Committee and briefed the City Council on presentation on local fire insurance, housing innovations and public/private partnerships and legislative updates.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
Council member Toms referenced in particular legislation that would move the Housing Element process up six months to give both ABAG, who determined the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), an additional six months and gives cities six more months to start the process.
SB79, the Abundant & Affordable Homes near Transit Act, had also been discussed and would require local governments to approve by right dense residential housing near specific transit stops without any public engagement, environmental review or consideration of State Certified Housing Elements and was to be considered by the Assembly and which legislation was opposed by local governments, unions and affordable housing groups.
Council member Toms also attended the Pride/Juneteenth celebrations and congratulated staff on doing a great job. She asked the City Council to adjourn the meeting in memory of Vera Rowsey, a resident of Pinole, a retired teacher, administrator, former Principal of De Anza High School and Pinole Middle School, Pinole Seals mom, dancer and dance mom, member of the Pinole Tennis Club and Vice President of the West County Forum who would be deeply missed by family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. She had spoken with Mrs. Rowsey's husband several times in the last week who asked that she share a message, to think about having advanced directives for loved ones.
Mayor Sasai confirmed the meeting would adjourn in memory of Vera Rowsey. He also announced the Pinole Police Department asked that anyone with information about the May 28, 2025 incident and random act of violence against Mrs. Rowsey contact the Pinole Police Department at (510) 724-8950 or (510) 724-1111 the non-emergency line. He encouraged people to report any suspicious activities. He otherwise commented what was happening in the federal government was not normal, seeing images of Senator Padilla being detained for doing his job and asking questions was disheartening along with seeing the New York City Comptroller detained this date for doing his job along with other actions that were not democratic.
D. Council Requests for Future Agenda Items
Council member Toms understood the City Clerk had been looking at potential dates in the month of August for a follow-up City Council Retreat. While not a request for a future agenda item, she asked that an email response from staff be provided.
ACTION: Motion by Council member Martinez-Rubin/Mayor Sasai to direct staff to prepare a Letter in Support of Assembly Bill 762, which banned disposable vapes in the State of California with the letter to be submitted to the appropriate California State portals.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Sasai, Tave, Martinez-Rubin, Murphy, Toms
loes None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
ACTION: Motion by Council members Martinez-Rubin/Toms that the City of Pinole Support Assembly Bill 996, by adding the City's name and seal to the Coalition Letter the League of California Cities had prepared and which would clarify that any existing sea level rise plans assessment or information that local government have worked on can be used to Vote: Passed
Ayes: Sasai, Tave, Martinez-Rubin, Murphy, Toms
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent: None
E. City Manager Report / Department Staff
City Manager Young thanked everyone who attended the recent Coffee with the City Manager; announced Pinole Community Television (PCTV) and the Pinole Police Department would have a booth during the Car Show on June 22, 2025, and the Senior Center Pancake Breakfast would kick-off the Car Show from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. She thanked the Community Services Department for its great community events and reported forty children have signed up for the summer camp which had a wait list. She also thanked the Public Works Department with rea curbs currently being painted in the community as part of new daylighting laws with a presentation to be provided to the City Council in July. In addition, the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run would be held on June 25, 2025 carrying the torch from the community corner starting at 8:30 a.m. all the way down to San Pablo Avenue. She thanked all staff who were involved in the event.
City Manager Young also reported red cards were currently available in English at City Hall and other facilities to be distributed in other languages soon, with staff working with a professional translating service to ensure all information was as clear as possible. This was a multi-department project, with multiple rounds of edits and information on Stand Together Contra Costa was available on the Community Resources section of the City website or anyone may contact City staff for more information. She also reported speed limit reductions were underway, with speed limit signs being switched out in various roads including San Pablo Avenue and Pinole Valley Road. Grinding of the roads would also occur this month. The Pinole Police Department would start enforcement of the new speed limits in July with everyone asked to be mindful and drive safely.
F. City Attorney Report: None
8. RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS / COMMUNITY EVENTS
A. Proclamations: None
Presentations
The items were taken out of order from how they had been shown on the meeting agenda.
1. Robert Walker Memorial Presentation
Crusic it and pale oment and rest mail an anim hand an int City's Corporation Yard building in honor of Robert Walker Jr.'s exceptional 45-years of service to the City of Pinole.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
The applications had been reviewed by the City Council Memorial Subcommittee. The estimated cost of the sign is $3,040.91 and the sign copy on the plaque was detailed. Another application submitted by Pinole resident Bob Kopp for a redwood memorial plaque at Pinole Valley Park was highlighted and would consist of stainless steel, with native flowers, stones and solar ground lighting adjacent to Pinole Valley Park. Materials and labor would be donated and ongoing maintenance costs would be minimal and done by the Public Works Department. The sign copy on the plaque was also detailed
Communications Director Epps recommended the City Council approve two memorial applications for Naming and Dedication of City Facilities in honor of Robert Walker Jr., accepting special circumstances for the memorial according to the City's Memorial Policy and 1) install a memorial sign on the Corporation Yard Building; and 2) install a redwood memorial plaque adjacent to Pinole Valley Park. If the Corporation Yard sign and redwood plaque were approved by the City Council, staff would make plans to install the memorials before the end of the year. If the Corporation Yard sign was approved, staff would proceed with working with the vendor on final design concepts for the sign. Staff would review to ensure the signage design adheres to all City branding guidelines and installation would be performed by the vendor. Signage expenses would be paid by the City of Pinole. If the redwood plaque was approved staff would coordinate with Pinole resident Bob Kopp on installation and materials, with the installation to be donated by Mr. Kopp.
Mayor Sasai thanked everyone who advocated for the Robert Walker Jr. Memorial. He and Council member Murphy served on the Memorial Subcommittee and were very proud to recommend the City Council approve the staff recommendation.
Council member Toms thanked staff for the beautiful wording, particularly for the redwood plaque.
Council member Martinez-Rubin thanked the staff of the Pinole Police and Public Works Departments along with Mr. Kopp for the coordinated effort to design a memorial, with both the redwood plaque and Corporation Yard sign providing good integration of natural materials. She hoped the memorial would bring a bit less heartbreak if at all possible and smiles to the Walker Responding to questions from the City Council, Communications Director Epps clarified:
• The expected completion date for the Corporation Yard sign installation was expected by the end of the year. (Sasai)
• Acknowledged a request for a ceremony in recognition of renaming the Corporation Yard when the project was complete. Acknowledged a recommendation to coordinate the renaming ceremony with Mr. Walker's November 21st birthday, with staff planning to make the installation of the memorials a very special event. (Sasai)
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Tracy Walker, speaking on behalf of family members, her father's co-workers and the community her father served so faithfully, requested the City Council approve the memorial installations, as proposed by staff
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
Ms. Walker asked the City Council to move forward with the memorials to reflect her father's deep legacy and roots planted in the City, with her father having given his life to the City in years of service, heart, humility and unwavering dedication. The memorials were more than symbols, but memories of a man who showed up every day and treated people with respect and love and who should be remembered. The memorials meant a great deal to the Walker Family and those who worked beside her father.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
Mayor Sasai clarified this was a presentation for the Robert Walker Jr. Memorials, with the actual request to be considered under Consent Calendar Item 9L.
2. PCTV Community Media Center Strategy
Communications Director Epps provided a PowerPoint presentation on the PCTV Community Media Center Strategy which included an overview of the PCTV Strategy Development; introduction to the PCTV Strategy Development Team and PCTV volunteers; initial assessment of PCTV which included input from the City Council, the PCTV Team and results from a PCTV survey (November-December 2024) to community members; PCTV vision and mission; goals and objectives and the actions to be taken to achieve the goals and objectives An overview of the programming strategy for local government and community content, community and engagement and services, cultural and educational content and interactive and special features, and partnerships and collaborative projects were also highlighted. In addition, goals on technology, development of sponsorships and memberships, City support for event coverage, photo/videography, video production and audio-visual support, fiscal sustainability, community engagement and outreach and the PCTV marketing plan were further highlighted.
PCTV Administrative Coordinator Prajwol Bhandari provided a brief Website Tour of PCTV.
Communications Director Epps took the opportunity to recognize Media and Communications Fellow Charlie Elison, a volunteer working with PCTV who was present in the audience. She noted the implementation of the PCTV Strategy was already underway with staff working on key objectives and with a full roll out of all programs and services expected to be completed in one year. The marketing plan had been projected to be implemented in the next three to four months.
By the start of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27, PCTV aimed to establish a revitalized community driven operation, quadrupling viewership and achieving a 300 percent increase in community support and participation.
Responding to questions from the City Council, Communications Director Epps and PCTV Coordinator, Dave Snell clarified:
• Acknowledged appreciation for the work done thus far by PCTV and the ability for Council Clarified PCTV had previously been launched on streaming platforms and was heavily watched through the City's website and was available on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire. (Murphy)
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
• Clarified around 70 percent of the survey respondents indicated they would watch PCTV if available on Internet streaming channels. The marketing strategy goal was to make people aware PCTV was available on Internet streaming channels and PCTV would promote heavily in spreading the word and would leverage that in the future. (Murphy) • Acknowledged appreciation for the membership tiers and engagement in that way as a model of sustainability and clarified the kinds of benefits and perks that could be offered with each membership tier to PCTV, which led to a list and cost out of items which were highlighted and which led to a membership price based on youth versus seniors and what a business could pay. (Murphy)
• Acknowledged a request to see more clarity on the City's investment in PCTV and open data around performance indicators with staff to possibly return with a framework of the public facing PCTV performance dashboards and have that information available on the City's website, which would help track growing engagement and make it easier to invest in PCTV. Clarified that level of detail had not been included in the PCTV Strategy, but staff had access to several sources of data they planned to leverage for measuring the success and outcomes of PCTV, including the Master Control Automation System TelView, where they would be able to access data on the number of viewers for Internet streaming channels, but they would not have data on cable viewers. The survey indicated that out of 171 respondents, about half have watched PCTV before, some on a weekly basis. Putting out additional surveys would help PCTV gage success and outcomes. The number of sponsors and volunteers who sign up would also be beneficial data and staff also had access to website data analytics and could utilize social media analytics through the City's new social media platform on Instagram. Staff could build out a more structured framework and was looking at all avenues of data that could be sourced. • Acknowledged appreciation and congratulations to the PCTV Team on how far it had come since 2020, appreciation for the PowerPoint presentation and bringing the PCTV Strategy in-house. (Murphy)
• Acknowledged appreciation for all of the hard work of the PCTV Team and the fact much of the work was being done behind the scenes. Acknowledged a request for more presentations as the PCTV Media Center Strategy was developed. (Tave) • Clarified the vision and mission for PCTV as detailed in the PowerPoint presentation.
Clarified the vision statement and reference to "trusted leader in local news" referred to PCTV. (Martinez-Rubin)
• Clarified PCTV was working on updating its current content on its channels.
Acknowledged some content that had been airing was outdated. PCTV was looking for new content, the Media Communications Fellows were working on that component and people have submitted content through a form on PCTV, including Rocket Crockett and other media. Outdated content would gradually be replaced with new original content, plus content from the community and more information from the City on public service announcements and reformatting of social media and flyers to wide screen to be shown on PCTV. PCTV's Master Control also had integration with social media. (Martinez-Rubin) Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
• Clarified the standard and public access fees for PCTV with public access fees for Pinole residents and standard fees for everyone else. (Martinez-Rubin) • Clarified the survey results of who was watching City Council meetings and coverage of government meetings which was one of the most valued services of PCTV. While not as popular as seeing local news, local business news and arts and cultural programming was important and people valued civic engagement and access to local government through PCTV. (Martinez-Rubin)
• Clarified Instagram live steaming for City Council meetings and community events could be explored. (Sasai)
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Irma Ruport, stated the PCTV Community Media Center Strategy was over a year and half late.
She also understood PCTV had been reassigned to the City Manager's Office over a year ago contrary to a statement in the PowerPoint presentation. She added she had a list of community events which occurred over the last year and a half, including the Valor Village Grand Opening, Contra Costa Fish Migration Day, Earth Walk, Juneteenth etc. and she had submitted an email to the Communications Director in 2024, who asked that she be patient. She asked how patient taxpayers should be in that they had two local channels on PCTV, with no one videotaping community events. She found someone was calling the shots and wanted to know who it was.
Ms. Ruport commented the new Communications Director had been with the City a year and a half, whereas the PCTV Coordinator had 40+ years of broadcast experience and 27 years with PCTV and other news organizations. Erick Wilson, the Cable Technician for PCTV had 20+ years of broadcast experience. Given all of that experience, she questioned why someone who had worked with the City for so long had not been given the job of Communications Director. While this was not personal, she noted when they had people with that level of experience and do not utilize those talents, she found someone was calling the wrong shots. She agreed with the PCTV strategy and wanted it to move forward but questioned why it had taken a year and a half to bring forward the presentation and possibly another year and a half could pass before the strategy was implemented.
Ms. Ruport suggested if PCTV was not being utilized as it should, the City should get rid of it, since taxpayers were paying for it. She asked that an ad hoc committee be established with PCTV and include two Council members. She suggested PCTV be moved back to where it should be prior to having been moved under the City Manager's Office or considered as a separate division. She hoped that PCTV would be in attendance for the upcoming Car Show.
Rafael Menis, asked for clarification of PCTV being "a trusted leader in local news", as noted in the vision statement and how that was compatible with the programming strategy under Page 42 of 738 of the agenda packet, Section VI. Technology and Infrastructure, (2), Al and Streamlined Editing Tools, as written. He noted Pages 38 and 39 of 738 of the agenda packet, and the time set aside for editing, was at six percent currently and planned to be six percent in the updated time with the main adjustment, a shift from video production to public access. He asked if Artificial Intelligence (Al) production would improve the editing process and why the percentage of time allocated to editing would be the same amount.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
Given the known issues of Al causing confabulations, hallucinations or lying in its output since Al does not and could not know the truth, given it was a large language model and predicting the most likely outcome, Mr. Menis asked what sorts of protections would be put in place in any Al process to ensure PCTV would remain a trusted leader and information it was putting out would remain accurate. He also had questions about suggested cutbacks in PCTV service in order to allow it to realign its process to be more sustainable.
Mr. Menis referenced page 41 of 738 of the agenda packet, which indicated PCTV recommends scaling back or eliminating certain services and that Commission meeting video production could be transitioned to staff liaisons using basic video equipment and Zoom for recording and livestreaming. Additionally, video coverage of City-sponsored events could be limited to a select number of high-priority events annually and the adjustments would enable PCTV to dedicate more time and resources to community-based projects and strategic initiatives, including revenue- generating activities. He asked if that meant Planning Commission meetings would not be broadcast using PCTV equipment but livestreamed on Zoom. He asked of the practical impacts to the Planning Commission or other City Commissions/Committees and whether this change would result in the same quality of service or a lesser quality of service. He asked to what extent would the City Council be able to influence any of this process in that a lot of this was being implemented now and asked whether there would be room for City Council and public feedback on the process.
Maria Alegria, thanked Mr. Snell for his commitment to the City of Pinole. She loved The Pulse and energy Council member Murphy provided when Mayor, and suggested as a public service, that was what was needed. She was concerned with the fact the federal government was cutting funding for public broadcasting and it was more critical than ever for the City to be in control of its messaging and content provided to the community. She pointed out the City had a great facility at kitchen at 812, who had been doing cooking videos and that was something people loved which could be considered for potential programming. Also, there were people who have done documentaries, including her husband who had created A Song for Cesar, a documentary about Cesar Chavez, which was available to public institutions and could be aired on television. Another friend created the documentary 100 Years from Mississippi, the story of a woman who left Mississippi to escape racial violence and vowed never to return, and was another example of content that was already produced that could be aired. She encouraged the City to consider such opportunities.
Ms. Alegria added her husband was also an editor, and she was familiar with editing content for a brief video. She wanted to keep PCTV and emphasized the City needed to figure out how to maintain and sustain it. She recommended they could also bring in youth since they needed those voices and the more they get out there and the more PCTV was promoted would be great.
She again suggested cooking, documentaries and bringing in the youth should be considerations for content.
Anthony Vossbrink, echoed the comments made regarding things going on with respect to the City's management of PCTV. PCTV had competent people led by Mr. Snell but a former Assistant City Manager several years ago had restricted Mr. Snell and his team's ability to accomplish things. As an example, the scheduling grid which was posted weekly was a far cry from what had been done in the past with regards to content and timing.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
Mr. Vossbrink found they were going backwards with regards to posting events on PCTV with all events scheduled being shown to occur in the a.m. versus p.m. and he found no one was proofreading the schedule prior to posting on PCTV. PCTV had a lot of skilled people in-house and he questioned bringing people from outside given the City's limited budget. He added that posting of public notices and City meeting cancellations could be better handled so the public could view and know when meetings are canceled before the meeting was held not after the fact.
He also understood an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Tax Senior Workshop and Red Cross Blood Drive had been canceled due to over-scheduling.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
Council member Murphy thanked Ms. Alegria for her words about the broadcasting, particularly given the vision for PCTV as outlined and the importance of community storytelling since there has been disinvestment with national public broadcasting. He found the PowerPoint presentation was great, but the work now was to think how to lean into the community storytelling and what resources to give to residents.
Council member Murphy offered a motion, seconded by Mayor Sasai to direct staff to develop and return to the City Council with a proposed framework for a public facing PCTV performance dashboard to be featured on the City website and to be designed to visually track community engagement metrics and alignment with strategic communication goals and include in the proposal the establishment of an annual public forum (open house or community feedback session) specifically focused on PCTV services and programming.
On the motion, Council member Toms asked whether or not the City Council may take action on a presentation item.
City Attorney Eric Casher confirmed this was a presentation item but the City Council may provide could provide direction and a motion could be entertained. No formal action could be considered specific direction on a motion directive to staff and that could be considered.
Council member Martinez-Rubin commented the matter of evaluating processes and actually displaying data, such as dashboards was something that needs some financial and resource considerations and for staff to return to further develop their strategy, would require some thinking behind who would be doing that kind of data collection compilation analyses, etc. to eventually display a dashboard. She deferred to staff to let the City Council know what was doable given where they were in the implementation of the strategy. She found the presentation to be an overview of the enhancements PCTV would have and the actual documentation and processes and display of data about those processes, results to be read by anyone whether they use Open- Source applications or not still required some staff time and or some financial investment. She did not want the City Council to downplay the necessary resources either whether people, time or money in order to do what was necessary, not only for PCTV but for a number of program activities spearheaded by staff at City Hall.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
ACTION: Motion by Council member Murphy/Mayor Sasai to direct staff to develop and return to the City Council with a proposed framework for a public facing PCTV performance dashboard to be featured on the City website and to be designed to visually track mmunity engagement metrics and alignment with strategic communication goals ar clude in the proposal the establishment of an annual public forum (open house community feedback session) specifically focused on PCTV services and programming.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Sasai, Tave, Martinez-Rubin, Murphy, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Sasai thanked the Communications Director for her hard work. He found the City website looked sharp and in terms of web design and logo design, found the community would appreciate Ms. Alegria. In response to questions about Al policy and staff time for editing, he asked whether that. He also would like to see PCTV air the documentary A Song for Cesar, as mentioned by staff was comfortable addressing the questions at this time.
Communications Director Epps clarified Al technologies and the difference from the allocation from the previous staff time to the new regarding video production and editing time, and noted with the Al technology, that would go into the video production staff allocation since the Al editing tools were used during video production activities, and that was why the editing stayed at six percent for both the before and after. The video production time went down, since they would be using more advanced technology and bringing in other content the community would create.
The entire City Council thanked PCTV for this major feat.
3. Presentation on California Lineage Based Reparations and the California Reparations Commission Recommendation
Mayor Sasai reported he had been informed by staff the presentation would be deferred to a future meeting.
9. 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 members) 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 Regular City Council Meeting on June 3, 2025.
Receive the May 31, 2025 - June 13, 2025, List of Warrants in the Amount of $,1,450,114.06 and the June 6, 2025 Payroll in the Amount of $532,924.45.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
C. FY 2025/26 Final Proposed Operating and Capital Budget. Action: Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Markisha Guillory) D. FY 2025/26 Appropriations Limit. Action: Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Markisha Guillory)
E. Adoption of Growth Management Plan (GMP) Checklist and Authorization for Submission to CCTA. Action: Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (David Hanham)
Approve an Amendment to the Employment Agreement for the City Clerk. Action:
Approve an Amendment to the Employment Agreement for the City Clerk (Stacy Shell)
Adopt an Ordinance Renewing AB481 Military Use Equipment. Action: Waive the Second Reading and Adopt an Ordinance Approving the Renewal of the City's Military Equipment Use Policy. (Melissa Klawuhn, Jeremy Crone) H. Adopt an Ordinance Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map in Pinole.
Action: Waive the Second Reading and Adopt an Ordinance per Staff Recommendation (David Hanham)
1. Amended Reserve Policy. Action: Adopt a Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Markisha Guillory)
J. Approval of Fiscal Year 2025/26 Capital Budget and Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. Action: Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Heba El-Guindy)
K. Amend Consulting Services Agreement between the City and GHD, Inc. for the Development of an Active Transportation Plan - Project IN2106. Action: Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Heba El-Guindy)
L. Approve Memorial Installations in Dedication of Robert Walker. Action: Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Fiona Epps)
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Ana Avila, representing her fellow colleagues, referenced Item 9L and asked the City Council to approve the memorial installations and dedication for Robert Walker Jr. which was important to the members of the Corporation Yard to see the legacy left by Mr. Walker Jr.
Rafael Menis provided the following comments on the Consent Calendar:
- Item 9A, Page 92 of 738 of the agenda packet, revise the first sentence of the third paragraph to read: Rafael Menis, thanked Ms. Wilks for her written comments which introduced him to Zolly v. City of Oakland 2022, where he found commentary from legal firm Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) discussing the case.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
- Item 9C, noted there were still a blank bullet point under the heading, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Projects, as shown on Page 271 of 738 of the agenda packet and blank bullet points on Page 272 of 738, under the headings of Baseline Work (Including Staff-Initiated Special Projects) and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Projects/Annual Programs, and asked if anything was missing or were they typographical errors. Regardless, they need to be addressed since this was the final version of the budget to be adopted.
Also for Item 9C, on Page 330 of 738 of the agenda packet, the General Fund for library services had shown the same overall proposed budget for FY 2025/26 as it does for FY 2024/25. The library would be shut down for maintenance improvements for part of FY 2025/26 but it was possible it could be for FY 2026/27. He asked if an adjustment to the amount the City paid Contra Costa County would be required during the period of time when the library was closed.
- Item 9E, Page 397 of 738 of the agenda packet, 6. Five-Year Capital Improvement Program, stated the last CIP approval was June 3, 2025 with Resolution 25-. Assumed this would be updated to read June 17, 2025 with the relevant resolution when and if the City Council decided to adopt the CIP. If an error, it should be changed before the item was approved.
Item 9J, Page 438 of 738 of the agenda packet, Project #SS2407, Private Sewer Lateral Program, noted the timing of the program overlapped with the City's Peer Program with regards to energy efficiency rebates. Described how he recently encountered an issue where in order to get the rebate, one needs to apply and go through a process by June 30, 2025. As part of that process, one must pass a City required sewer lateral inspection; however, the revolving fund from the City to help with repairs for the sewer lateral would not be live before July 1, 2025, creating a Catch-22. He asked for clarification and stated he was asking in his private capacity.
Maria Alegria, referenced Item 9C, as it related to the Police Department budget and asked whether there were plans for providing enhanced security on trails to ensure community safety.
She also asked for examples of the vision for the expanded police drone program. For Item 9J, she asked about Project #RO2505 Safe Routes to Schools, noted the funding identified and commented this was a community priority that would provide a sense of safety for increased walking and cycling. She asked why trails had not been included in the project since they encouraged walking and cycling. She pointed out as part of the 2024 Parks Master Plan, the community prioritized paths, lanes, trails and the waterfront at Bay Front Park for improvements.
She asked the City Council whether there were any plans for providing more safety on City trails.
As to Project #RO2402, Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program, Ms. Alegria asked for more information on the program, as to when it would start, who would be eligible and whether it involved a grant program. In addition, Project #RO2401, Road Maintenance Repairs, asked which streets had been prioritized and reported Wright and Doidge Avenues have been crumbling over the past ten years, trees were not being maintained and utilities were digging up the streets. For Project #RO1710 San Pablo Avenue Bridge over BNSF Railroad, she asked how much Caltrans had committed to the project. She understood that BNSF announced its capital investment plan at $3.8 billion and she asked whether there was any way the City of Pinole could get a piece of those funds to help with the project.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
City Manager Young responded to some of the public comments. In terms of the peer funding as part of Project #SS2407, Private Sewer Lateral Program, she clarified it would roll forward and be made available after June 30, 2025. As to security on City trails, that was a big priority for the City. That issue would be brought back to the City Council with recommendations on how to improve or what could be looked at and she had discussions with the Police Chief regarding those pieces. There were additional questions from the public and she asked that they be provided in writing to allow staff to respond.
Council member Murphy asked that Item 9l be pulled from the Consent Calendar to be voted on separately. He was not in favor of the item and had communicated with the City Manager about a possible retreat or Special Workshop Session he would like to consider as a future meeting.
Council member Toms asked that Item 9C be pulled for discussion.
Council member Martinez-Rubin requested Item 9A be pulled for discussion.
Mayor Sasai asked that Item 9G be pulled for a separate vote.
For Item 9A, Council member Martinez-Rubin referenced Page 97 of 738 of the agenda packet, and asked that the second to last sentence of the last paragraph be revised, to read:
She [Council member Martinez-Rubin] noted that in a different state policy committee she sat on, other cities had discussed that and there were no means currently to incur charges.
For item 9C, Council member Toms explained she had pulled the item since she continued to have concerns about the City Council Travel and Training Budget. She offered a motion, seconded by Council member Martinez-Rubin that the City Council Travel and Training Budget go back to its previous number of $4,500 per Council member.
ACTION: Motion by Council members Toms/Martinez-Rubin for Item 9C, the City Council Travel and Training Budget to go back to its previous number of $4,500 per Council member.
Vote: Failed 2-3
4yes Toms, Martinez-Rubin
Joes Sasai, Tave, Murphy
Abstain: None
Absent: None
For Item 91, Council member Murphy realized it was tied to the budget and reported he had a great conversation with the City Manager and learned more about staff's approach, but based on the conversation from the prior City Council meeting and a review of the budget, he suggested there was a lot of uncertainty nationally and locally, with opportunities where the City could dig deeper into the budget, particularly with the City's Investment Strategy and some of the City Council Priorities established at the recent City Council Retreat.
Minute Sty Counci, Regular Meeting
Council member Murphy also suggested it would do the City Council justice to review the adopted Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) strategy. He was aware the City had a pending deadline of June 30, 2025 to approve and adopt a balanced budget, and was okay with being the lone vote, but wanted to reiterate the need and a request to staff to agendize a comprehensive presentation and consideration of a Special Meeting on the City's Investment Strategies and the City Council Priorities and LTFP Strategy, which would help to evaluate more implications of reducing the General Fund Reserve from 50 to 25 percent. That would allow a better and more robust context of broader fiscal objectives. He was thinking about capital safety improvements and public infrastructure and long-term obligations, but was unsure they had the time this budget cycle to do that, but it seemed they were jumping ship to this investment strategy around the $2.5 million use of the fund, when the City Council had not yet received the investment strategy. While he understood a report was expected to be provided soon to explain how the $2.5 million would be used, he asked that Item 9l be voted on separately.
Finance Director Markisha Guillory clarified the plan for the $25 million funding was to go into the Other Post-Employee Benefits (OPEB) Trust with no separate investment strategy they were setting for that, it was just adding the other OPEB Trust to the current Section 115 Trust, where they fund a portion of the pension contributions to the City. That would be managed in the same way by a public agency, Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS), and managed the same way in terms of the investment strategy.
Council member Murphy reported the City Manager had expressed to him during his meeting with her a bit about what the City Council would be offered soon in terms of information. He asked for an update.
City Manager Young clarified she had let Council member Murphy know about some of the potential options of how they could invest funds into the OPEB strategy. She also wanted to discuss the option of bringing forward a larger financial discussion and a workshop for the City Council to discuss both the budget, this particular investment strategy and answer questions.
Also, to have the opportunity to provide that information to both the City Council and the public, to be able to discuss the budget, financial strategies and potential revenue sources, as part of a larger discussion and include how the funds would be typically invested and what that looked like.
Council member Murphy asked when a workshop or Special Meeting could be agendized, and City Manager Young advised that still needed to be discussed internally. She suggested by the end of September at the latest staff could come forward with a workshop.
Council member Murphy suggested a motion was not needed with that commitment from staff.
He again asked that Item 91 be voted on separately.
As to Item 9G, Mayor Sasai respectfully stated he was in opposition to the item. His stance on the item had not changed in the past three years and he suggested in recent times it was abundantly clear why military use equipment was not appropriate for use by City governments.
He asked that Item 9G be voted on separately.
Council member Toms requested a separate vote on Item 9C as well.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
ACTION: Motion by Council member Toms/Mayor Pro Tem Tave to adopt Item 9A, subiect to the changes provided by Council member Martinez-Rubin and Rafael Menis and Items 9B,9D, 9E, 9F, 9H, 9J, 9K and 9L, as shown.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Sasai, Tave, Martinez-Rubin, Murphy, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Tave/Council member Murphy to approve Item 9C, as shown.
Vote: Passed
lyes Sasai, Tave, Martinez-Rubin, Murphy
loes: Toms
Abstain: None
Absent: None
ACTION: Motion by Council member Toms/Mayor Pro Tem Tave to approve Item 9G, as shown.
Vote: Passed 4-1
Tave, Martinez-Rubin, Murphy, Toms
Sasai
Abstain: None
Absent: None
ACTION: Motion by Council member Toms/Mayor Pro Tem Tave to approve Item 9l, as shown.
Vote: Passed 4-1
Ayes: Sasai, Tave, Martinez-Rubin, Toms
Noes: Murphy
Abstain: None
Absent: None
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. FY 2024/25 Utility User's Tax Review. Action: Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Markisha Guillory)
Finance Director Guillory provided a PowerPoint presentation for the annual review of the FY 2024/25 Utility User's Tax (UUT) which included an overview of the background of the purpose of he public hearing as outlined in the June 17, 2025 staff report; annual review process during thi det process to include the summary amounts realized and resolution to approve changes tr The 10-year history of the UUT collections from FY 2015/16 through FY 2024/25; gas and electricity UUT collections over the past 10-years; Telecommunications UUT collections over the past 10-years and UUT exemption guidelines and recommended changes to income exemption thresholds were all highlighted.
Finance Director Guillory asked the City Council to adopt a resolution modifying the household income eligibility thresholds for exemptions from the Utility Users' Tax for FY 2025/26.
Responding to questions from the City Council, Finance Director Guillory clarified:
• Staff had budgeted conservatively and moving forward for FY 2025/26, included a four percent growth rate, to be reviewed mid-year for possible adjustment. (Murphy)
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
ACTION: Motion by Council members Toms/Murphy to adopt a resolution modifying the household income eligibility thresholds for exemptions from the Utility Users' Tax for FY 2025/26.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Sasai, Tave, Martinez-Rubin, Murphy, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
B. Community Services Department FY 2025/26 Master Fee Schedule. Action:
Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Andrea Dwyer) Mayor Sasai reported there was no staff report for the item since staff asked that the item be continued to the July 1, 2025 City Council meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Tave/Council member Murphy to continue the public hearing for the Community Services Department FY 2025/26 Master Fee Schedule to the regular City Council meeting of July 1, 2025.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025
Vote: Passed
Ayes: Sasai, Tave, Martinez-Rubin, Murphy, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11. OLD BUSINESS: None
12. NEW BUSINESS: None
13. 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.
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
14. ADJOURNMENT to the Regular Meeting of July 1, 2025 in Remembrance of Amber Swartz and Vera Rowsey.
At 10:36 p.m., Mayor Sasai adjourned the meeting to a Regular City Council Meeting on July 1, 2025 in Remembrance of Amber Swartz and Vera Rowsey.
Submitted by:
Heather Bell, CMC
City Clerk
Approved by City Council: Approved July 1, 2025
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Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - June 17, 2025