CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUteS
February 17, 2026
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
Before we begin, we would like to acknowledge the Ohlone people, who are the traditional ustodians of this land. We pay our respects to the Ohlone elders, past, present and future, who call this place, Ohlone 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
Anthony Tave, Mayor
Devin Murphy, Mayor Pro Tem
Norma Martinez-Rubin, Council Member
Maureen Toms, Council Member
Cameron Sasai, Council Member
B. STAFF PRESENT
Melissa Klawuhn, Acting City Manager/Police Chief
Eric Casher, City Attorney
Fiona Epps, Communications Director
Markisha Guillory, Finance Director
Andrea Dwyer, Community Services Director
Stacy Shell, Human Resources Director
Roxane Stone, Deputy City Clerk
Deputy City Clerk Roxane Stone announced the agenda had been posted on February 12, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. with all legally required written notices. Item 4A on the meeting agenda would be considered on a future agenda.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
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:
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Gov. Code §54957.6
Agency designated representatives: Human Resources Director Stacy Shell, Finance Director Markisha Guillory and Gregory Ramirez, IEDA Employee organization: The Pinole Police Employees Association (PPEA) Item to be considered on a future agenda.
5. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION:
None
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
Debbie Long commented on the arguments in favor of an Elected Mayor, as presented by Mayor Tave, Mayor Pro Tem Murphy and Council member Sasai and repeated statements that nothing would change from what the current Mayor did; however, every argument pointed to a Strong Mayor. More than once policy decisions were stated, but according to the City Attorney that would not change unless voted upon at any time by the Council majority. It was stated that the Mayor would just show up for two Council meetings a month but there was evidence to show that statement was untrue. Many times the Mayor, as well as other members of the City Council, were present for many public events and assigned to regional boards.
Ms. Long added that it was stated that an Elected Mayor had more regional power, but that was also untrue since when attending any regional event, even as a non-Elected Mayor, there was just that much more influence. Often five Council members had differing priorities and it was difficult to render what was most important. Once again, the majority of the City Council would ultimately make that decision. Since this was not the power of an Elected Mayor, she asked whether it was assumed that the Council majority would give the Elected Mayor that power. An Elected Mayor shifted the culture, and once again she asked if there was an authority that would be given over to an Elected Mayor by a Council majority. It was also stated that an Elected Mayor would give more choice to the voters, and she disagreed and suggested that it was democracy to have more diversified representation spread throughout the community, which offered much more choice and representation to the voters.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Ms. Long commented it was stated by the Council majority, time and time again there would be better leadership with an Elected Mayor. She reminded the Council majority of their words when describing Council member Toms in 2024, when her Mayoral term ended. Council member Sasai stated "She showed exemplary leadership and pushed us forward on environmental issues." Mayor Pro Tem Murphy stated "We came to rely on her leadership and guidance." Mayor Tave stated "A great leader and it's great to keep the same Council for consistency." Council member Martinez-Rubin stated "She had shared expertise." For the Council majority that was of the opinion an Elected Mayor would provide better leadership, she asked whether they were lying then or whether they were lying now to the people. She suggested the answer was clear, they were trying to deceive the people now and the reason was because it met their objectives of moving up a political ladder and it fed egos.
Ms. Long added that while it was said that an Elected Mayor would not receive a higher salary, it was also said several times by the City Attorney that could be changed at any time by a Council majority, just by giving an Elected Mayor more power would do. She pointed out the Council majority had a record of giving itself hefty increases in salary and travel expenses and their track record spoke for itself. She stated a Mayoral rotation of the City Council would produce levels of experience, leadership, purpose, presence, and involvement as historically had been the case.
Mary Horton commented she was speaking not as a critic but as a colleague, and as a former Mayor of the City of Pinole. She commented on the effort to change the annual Mayoral rotation to an Elected Mayor via a June ballot. She highlighted her background as the former Mayor having been elected five times. She commented on past attempts of former City Councils to place tax measures on the ballot which had failed and which had been humiliating and embarrassing, although the City's first tax measure finally passed in 1998. She urged the City Council not to get ahead of the people and pointed out people did not line up at the podium if they were happy.
People came to the City Council if they were confused or angry, and concerned why nearly $50,000 could be spent on a ballot measure, and they were confused as to why Council members needed $60,000 for a travel budget when $3,000 per Council member had sufficed. She pointed out both items passed by a split 3-2 vote. She read into the record a quote from Thomas Jefferson, and emphasized what was important to the people were roads, parks, police and fire and not having to attend a Council meeting but see services performed that the people needed.
Ms. Horton suggested if the City had an additional $50,000 or $100,000, she would rather see the funds spent on potholes, paving the parking spots in the dog park and touch-up San Pablo Avenue, Appian Way, or Tara Hills Drive where people commuted daily. She heard comments about the need for diversity in the Mayor's chair, and pointed out there had been multiple examples of diversity with past Mayors. She had been elected as part of the first female majority on the City Council. She urged the City Council to keep the Mayoral rotation and stated she would not support the item on the June ballot.
REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS
A. Mayor Report: None
Announcements: None
Mayoral & Council Appointments: None
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes February 17, 2026
C. City Council Committee Reports & Communications
Council member Toms reported she attended the Contra Costa Mayors Conference, with a presentation from the Executive Director of the Contra Costa and Solano Counties Food Bank, about long-time programs. She also attended the governing body of the Green Empowerment Zone (GEZ), and reported enabling legislation for the GEZ had been amended last year to allow the appointment of seven Directors who lived or worked within the GEZ representing the environment or environmental justice organizations. One of the seven Directors appointed had been Pinole resident Pete Srivarom. She added that the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center had been working with the GEZ and she provided an update on their work plan and goals.
Council member Toms also requested the meeting adjourn in memory of Lea Deuel, a Pinole resident and daycare provider for over 50-years, whose background and family she highlighted, and who lovingly served multi-generations.
Council member Sasai requested the meeting adjourn in memory of Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy was pleased to celebrate Black History Month and Lunar New Year and he looked forward to the proclamations on the meeting agenda. He reported he had been appointed by the Contra Costa Mayors to represent the City of Pinole and the Contra Costa Mayors Conference at the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, with the Board of Directors having recently met to receive a presentation from BART General Manager Bob Powers on some of the system's current priorities and updates as well as an upcoming transportation measure that would impact all counties in the Bay Area and the potential impacts on BART operations. He also represented the City of Pinole on the West Contra Costa Transportation Authority (WestCAT), and explained that the funding of the transportation measure would also impact WestCAT and AC Transit. He encouraged people to become educated on the upcoming measure.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy also reported he was the Chair of the Marin Clean Energy (MEC) Technical Committee and participated in a series of budget workshops over the past two weeks and facilitated the last Technical Committee meeting. He detailed the MCE budget highlights and encouraged residents to stay involved in the MCE Board of Directors meetings, with a meeting scheduled for February 19, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.. Meetings were available online and the meeting agenda was available on the MCE website. He highlighted the meeting agenda to evaluate options for rate reductions or rollbacks to support MCE customers during ongoing economic challenges.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy added he also attended a meeting of RecycleMore and highlighted the actions taken including updating the Employee Handbook for the agency, setting the Workplan for Senate Bill (SB) 1383, Election of Officers, and reported RecyleMore meetings for the next year would take place in the City of San Pablo, with more information on the RecycleMore website.
Council member Martinez-Rubin reported she attended the Pinole Pollinator Pathway Project at Fernandez Park, sponsored by Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed and the City of Pinole, and she provided input on the Council Procedures, as drafted by the Council Procedures Subcommittee. She stated the Council Procedures Subcommittee would next meet on March 18, 2026 to discuss the format of City Council meetings and possible revisions to better include and engage the community and become more efficient on conducting meetings.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Council member Martinez-Rubin also attended the WestCAT Board of Directors meeting where the highlight was the results of an on-board survey with passengers of WestCAT buses from September and November 2025, and she highlighted the results of the survey. The WestCAT Board met on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Pinole Council Chambers, with the meeting televised on Comcast Channels 26 and 28.
D. Council Requests for Future Agenda Items
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Murphy/Council member Toms to direct staff to provide an update from the Contra Costa Community College District, to explore opportunities for partnership and to receive a report from the Chancellor and/or College President.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Tave, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
E. City Manager Report / Department Staff
Acting City Manager/Police Chief Melissa Klawuhn invited community members to attend a Meet with the Recruiter Outreach and Input Session scheduled for March 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Youth Center. More information would be provided as part of Item 8B (1). She also reported on February 21, 2026 Tiny Tots would hold an Open House from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at the Tiny Tots location at 2454 Simas Avenue. The facility would be open to the public to visit and learn about early learning and pre-K classes, with more information available on the City event calendar on the City website.
Acting City Manager/Police Chief Klawuhn added that Pinole Community Television (PCTV) staff attended the Alliance for Community Media Conference in Sacramento, with PCTV having participated in several workshops on a number of topics and the key takeaways were highlighted.
Also, the Bay Front Chamber of Commerce would host the State of the Cities Address on March 12, 2026 from 7:30 to 9:45 a.m. at Leila by the Bay Restaurant in the City of Hercules, with Mayor Tave to speak on behalf of the City of Pinole and with tickets available online through Eventbrite.
F. City Attorney Report: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED (Items 7A through 7F)
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS / COMMUNITY EVENTS
A. Proclamations
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
1. Japanese Day of Remembrance
The City Council read into the record a proclamation recognizing February 19, 2026, as Japanese Day of Remembrance.
Council member Sasai thanked the City Council for the acknowledgement of Japanese Day of Remembrance. When first elected to the City Council in 2022, this recognition was one of the items he requested be returned each year. He was pleased the item was on the meeting agenda.
He also recognized Virgina Fujita, former Mayor and Council member of the City of Pinole, who had Japanese-American ancestry and noted he was the second of that group to represent the City of Pinole as well. He reported his grandparents had been incarcerated during World War I!, and there was a saying in the Japanese-American community, Never Again, and learning from the past to inform how to move in the future. He recognized what happened from 1941 through 1944 was a lack of individualized process, and targeting people based on their ancestry with citizens detained without trial or access to an attorney. When considering the meaning of the proclamation, he suggested the same situation was being repeated in the present day. As representatives, he stated the City Council had authority to make change and legislate and he thanked the City Council for leading the way to ensure and acknowledge that due process was being dismantled in real time and they should lead the way in the Bay Area.
2. Lunar New Year
The City Council read into the record a proclamation recognizing February 17, 2026 as Lunar New Year.
3. Pinole Historical Society
The City Council read into the record a proclamation honoring the Pinole Historical Society.
Jo Ann Gannotti, Secretary for the Pinole Historical Society, thanked the City Council for the proclamation.
Peter Murray, a member of the Pinole Historical Society Board of Directors, also thanked the City Council for the proclamation. He recognized the founding members of the Pinole Historical Society, and members' effort to categorize documents and search for old sites in Pinole, such as the location of the adobe, which location was secret to ensure its preservation. While it was unfortunate the Pinole Historical Society had been unable to secure a site for a museum, the reservation efforts continued and he looked forward to working with the youth of Pinole to continue the efforts and grow interest. He also highlighted essays prepared by elementary school children to direct their focus on Pinole history, which effort he hoped would continue moving forward to ensure more home-grown Pinole history buffs.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
Council member Martinez-Rubin reported the Pinole Historical Society prided itself on having identified mostly photographs and documents that contributed to the archives by Pinole residents.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Council member Martinez-Rubin was hopeful as there was an increased interest in the histories of specific groups that there would be continued preservation of the history of the City and its different communities. She recognized there was knowledge and familiarity of the City's history from legacy families who had been in Pinole for years, which was important. She hoped to build upon the good work that residents had created that made up the City's history. She thanked the members of the Pinole Historical Society and looked forward to increasing its membership. She also looked forward to people visiting and sharing at the Pinole Historical Society booth at the Farmer's Market.
B. Presentations
City Manager Executive Search Kick-Off - Bob Hall & Associates, Joe Gorton
Acting City Manager/Police Chief Klawuhn introduced Joe Gorton, the Executive Recruiter with Bob Hall & Associates who would provide a presentation and the kick-off efforts for the Pinole City Manager position.
Joe Gorton, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bob Hall & Associates, provided a PowerPoint presentation for the Pinole City Manager Recruitment, which included an overview of his background; the recruitment process and timeline for community engagement and recruitment; candidate screening; City selection process; finalists and when a City Manager is selected and request for feedback on the ideal City Manager candidate, desired experience and qualifications, desired leadership and management style, desired community engagement and communication style and collaboration and partnerships.
Responding to questions from the City Council, Mr. Gorton clarified the following:
• The oral assessment with the City Council would be conducted in Closed Session and not open to the public. Bob Hall & Associates would offer questions for the City Council to consider to be developed in concert with the Human Resources (HR) Department and the City Council. The City Council would have ample opportunity to provide input to those questions to ensure those being developed elicited the responses the City Council was looking for to make a good and timely decision on a City Manager candidate. (Martinez- Rubin)
• Community engagement was again highlighted with a Meet with the Recruiter Outreach and Input Session scheduled for March 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Youth Center. (Martinez-Rubin)
• Community engagement would be designed for transparency and to receive feedback and provide the City Council with that feedback in a forum in which it could review. Again highlighted the community engagement process. (Martinez-Rubin) • Most of the candidates would contact Bob Hall & Associates confidentially for numerous reasons, including confidentiality prior to a job offer since the candidate did not want to potentially cause issues at the current workplace, and the recruiter would work with the HR Department on the confidential process. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy) Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
• Acknowledged oftentimes new Council members or the community may not have a full understanding of the role of the City Manager and education was important. A public presentation of the roles and goals of the City Council and the City Manager was typically provided and it was expected the Pinole Municipal Code (MC) outlined these roles. To have effective governance, the City Council and City Manager must integrate and grow in the same direction and while that doesn't always happen, sometimes it did. Clarified the City Manager would be subject to the candidate pool that applied, likely there would be a mix, and possibly there could be candidates desirous to relocate to the Bay Area, and pay and personal goals of the candidate would be taken into consideration. There were challenges for smaller agencies, like Pinole, with some candidates climbing the ladder, with the recruiter to discuss the goals and aspirations of the candidates and what the City Council could live with, such as what the candidate would be willing to accept. Clarified much of the work of the recruiter was to try to recruit the best possible candidate, with the best pedigree that would be with the City forever. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy) • Described the screening criteria or assessment methods outside of the oral assessments used to evaluate a candidate's track record or tenure, management style and ability to sustain long-term initiatives, through screening interviews, review of the candidate's cover letter and résumé. Described the City Manager Code of Ethics (which identified a minimum of two-years in a City) and the recruiter would ask direct questions whether or not a candidate had short-tenures at different agencies. The City Council also had the opportunity to review résumés and cover letters and ask the very same questions as the recruiter, although the hope was that the recruiter would have already asked those questions prior to an interview taking place. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy)
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
Mayor Tave asked for clarification how the recruitment firm would capture the policy and governance portion and balancing that skill set for a City Manager.
Mr. Gorton acknowledged that was always a challenge. He commented that was expected to be captured through the screening interview as part of a discussion with the candidate, where they would learn whether the candidate had been successful in their current position. He explained it would depend on the fit, the priorities and vision of both the City Manager and the City Council.
Mayor Tave would like to see the recruiter capture how the candidate balanced those two issues and keeping the public informed.
Council member Toms reported she met with Mr. Gorton earlier in the week. There were three reas she was interested in
a team, and got the team working together. In addition, engagement and community style with the public, making sure the public was aware of the different aspects of what staff was working on and being able to manage five bosses adequately.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Council member Toms wanted to ensure the City Manager candidate was able to push back and tell any member of the City Council that confirmation was needed from the City Council as a whole and not an individual member. She sought a City Manager who was strong enough to indicate that to a Council member if that occurred and to push back without repercussions.
Council member Martinez-Rubin added she also had individual conversations with Mr. Gorton prior to the City Council meeting. She would like the City Manager candidate to have a sense of integrity and ethics, the City Manager to uphold the City Manager Code of Ethics to the best possible, and the City Manager to be assertive yet diplomatic with the community and Council members. She found there was a lot to learn on the dais and she appreciated a collegial relationship with the City Council to allow an opportunity for input and feedback on an individual level when reports were presented by the City Manager and staff and when there was a request to the City Manager. She was counting on the candidate's level of competency with respect to fiscal issues including adaptability and resilience, ability to juggle new state mandates that were oftentimes unfunded and balance that with individual requests City Council members may make in any given year. Also, the candidate to have the financial and budget management skills so that the City Manager could educate and let the City Council know of the impacts of short-term requests relative to long-term mandates and long-term debt the City may have as well as forthcoming expenses the City Council may not see.
Council member Martinez-Rubin sought a City Manager who was able to walk a fine line of advising the City Council, while implementing decisions and withstanding a sensed degree of pressure, with the City Council having discussions on the spot, and a willingness to get back and evaluate those requests. It was important for a new City Manager to let the City Council know the time needed for the best evaluation exercise for staff to be responsive to the City of Pinole.
Council member Martinez-Rubin further sought a City Manager who was collaborative and team- oriented with their own staff so staff was not micromanaged, had visionary and strategic thinking on the part of someone who knew project and city management, a sense of humor and a degree of fun making every day a personal challenge and opportunity for growth, personally, individually and professionally, that in turn transferred to the work with staff and in turn with the City Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy emphasized the importance of the community engagement practices.
He asked for clarification of the reference to youth and schools in the PowerPoint presentation in terms of engagement.
Mr. Gorton explained that generally he would reach out to the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) or other groups to see if there was a Youth Program or Youth Council, and he would gather that information to determine who would fit.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy recommended Mr. Gorton contact the Principals or their designated alternatives. He also commented that the Principal of Pinole Valley High School (PVHS) was a wonderful advocate for educational institutions and given changes in the district at Pinole Middle School, Mr. Gorton should engage with that school as well. He also recommended other stakeholders/partners should include the Pinole Library, tenant associations and Homeowner Associations (HOAs) including the Pinole Grove Tenants Association, new associations in the City and civic advocacy groups such as the Rotary, Lions Clubs and Pinole for Fair Government.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Mr. Gorton explained that he generally would receive information on stakeholders/partners from the City. He would reach out directly to those groups and introduce himself and invite feedback via a meeting on Zoom. He also confirmed that while he had worked with the City of Pinole in the past, he did not have any information on stakeholder/partner feedback.
Council member Sasai had no additional comments on the process, which was very straightforward and standard. He looked forward to seeing how this effort advanced in the coming months. As to the ideal qualities of a City Manager candidate, integrity was the number one factor, and he was uncertain how that would be vetted through conversation given it was a challenge for every single job, but should be prioritized. He would like to see someone who was receptive and adaptive to good feedback, and taking feedback seriously and not personally.
Council member Sasai commented a former City Manager had stated it didn't matter what other cities did and how they addressed issues. Pinole needed someone who was in constant conversations regionally, knew how best to perform in their job, address policy issues and recognize that new Council members come in and don't always know how City government functioned. He expected a level of educational awareness and respect in terms of the City Manager authority pursuant to the PMC, and one who would defer to the City Council in terms of how it voted on issues, and in terms of how laws and policies were implemented the City Manager should defer to the City Attorney.
Council member Sasai added that interagency collaboration was important, and while not a requirement that the candidates be from the area, he expected the candidate to understand how to liaise with different departments/agencies and push items forward. The candidate should also have intercultural competency, which should be seen in practice in terms of how a City Manager communicated with residents given that the community was very diverse with different backgrounds and ages. He sought a City Manager who had prior experience in constituent affairs, knew how to respond to each constituent differently and was respectful and followed up.
Mayor Tave sought a recruitment process with structured conversations with data behind it along with transparency in response to the tough questions; a City Manager who could clearly communicate the way and path forward; communicate to the full Council and receive direction from the full Council; a candidate who could address unfunded state mandates that affected smaller cities more than larger cities; possibly forecasting and ability to communicate where the City was in its spend curve and where it expected to be; and follow the City Manager Code of Ethics and ability to balance governance and operations.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy asked how comfortable Mr. Gorton felt with the feedback moving forward with the process and next steps.
Mr. Gorton stated he was very comfortable with the excellent feedback provided. He commented that carefully designed questions from the City Council would be very effective, particularly if they were to touch on questions that were important to each Council member.
Mr. Gorton provided his contact information for Bob Hall & Associates, which was also available on the company website, and advised anyone may contact him with feedback outside of the meeting.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
2. Pinole Community Television Performance Dashboard
Communications Director Fiona Epps provided a PowerPoint presentation on the PCTV Performance Dashboard, which included an overview of the background of the PCTV Community Media Center Strategy for Fiscal Year (FY) 25/26 and the City Council request to bring back: 1) a proposed framework to measure community engagement in alignment with strategic communication goals; and 2) include a proposal for an annual public forum focused for PCTV services and programs that would help explore membership tiers and fees; PCTV Strategy Goals & Objectives; the PCTV Dashboard Metrics; PCTV Performance Dashboard, Community Meeting Stats; top types of programs aired; community engagement statistics and proposed annual public forum.
Responding to questions from the City Council, Communications Director Epps and Acting City Manager/Police Chief Klawuhn clarified the following:
• The percentages by City views on the PCTV Performance Dashboard, as shown in the PowerPoint presentation, was 51 percent from the City of Pinole. Clarified the percentages shown for views from other cities could be attributed to when the City conducted outreach events. As an example, a lot of visitors came to Pinole to attend the Annual Car Show and National Night Out. Another factor for viewers outside of Pinole could be with the online viewership where the City's events were more accessible and social media also played a part with PCTV on social media that provided widespread viewership across the Bay Area. Clarified the data of viewership was from the viewer's IP address. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy)
• The information in the Community Media Stats referred to local bulletins submitted to the surveys that may be available and things from different agencies such as information from Chamber of Commerce or any local agency providing information that could be posted on upcoming events. There was also a page on the City website to allow the submittal of local bulletins and local residents may also provide local bulletins. No fee was associated with submitting local bulletins. (Martinez-Rubin)
• Staff was trying to increase sponsored ads, not for the purposes of advertising, but to sponsor public access programming. The City was offering a promotion where businesses may send their business information (graphics or video) that could be posted for free on the local public channels in an attempt to add content to the channels, build relationships and increase the community's awareness of PCTV. Staff was in discussion with the Bay Front Chamber of Commerce about strengthening that partnership. There was also a pricing structure available on the City website for structured ads. (Martinez-Rubin) • The Pinole Police Department (PPD) Blotter was no longer available on PCTV. When the PPD updated to the Records Information Management System (RIMS), it eliminated the Police Blotter, which had been done by hand by a dispatcher on a daily/weekly basis.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Citizen RIMS had been substituted as the source of information and any member of the public may pull historical data. Citizen RIMS could be accessed through the PPD website. (Martinez-Rubin)
• Acknowledged a recommendation to consider some element of the travel program sponsored through the Senior Center. (Martinez-Rubin)
• Acknowledged a recommendation to allow residents who travelled outside Pinole to somehow bring back something about having identified themselves as a resident of Pinole, who was now in a different location and talking to residents or business owners in that location and sharing their travel experiences. This would not be done live, keeping personal information safe, but programming could be presented as content possibly two months after the fact, as an example, so as to develop content and participation, with something about Pinole mentioned during that trip and also consider ways to promote the City's logo. (Martinez-Rubin)
• Clarified average views were 11-minutes in length. (Mayor Tave) • If anyone wanted to film their own content, it could be submitted to PCTV, which would screen the content to ensure compliance with Federal Communication Commission (FCC) standards and ensure no copyrighted material was used prior to airing any content. (Mayor Tave)
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
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 Regular City Council Meeting on February 3, 2026.
B. Receive the January 31, 2026 - February 13, 2026, List of Warrants in the Amount of $1,412,701.55 and the February 13, 2026 Payroll in the Amount of $557,031.97 C. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Submission of an Application to the California Coastal Commission for Whale Tail Grant Funds and Designating the Authorizec Representative. Action: Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Lilly Whalen, Kapil Amin)
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
FY 2025/26 Second Quarter Investment Report. Action: Receive a Report (Markisha Guillory)
E. Placement of Liens for Delinquent Unpaid Waste Collection Charges Falling Delinquent between September and December 2025, Considered at an Administrative Hearing on February 4, 2026. Action: Adopt a Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Roxane Stone)
For Item 9A, Council member Martinez-Rubin requested the following revisions:
to read:
Ignoring those tensions and differences was idealistic since as diverse as the City was, the City Council and the City's voters had varied opinions and values, resulting in varied social, educational and political backgrounds.
She [Council member Martinez-Rubin] questioned whether Pinole needed an Elected Mayor who required staff and a salary higher than other Council members, guestioning whether an Elected Mayor in Pinole would make the City better, and in her opinion would be a precursor to proposing a charter or Strong Mayor, tilting further the authority of said Mayor and placing the executive power on one individual, the Elected Mayor, which was a form of government not supported and one that did not exist in most cities in California Deputy City Clerk Stone requested the February 3, 2026 meeting minutes be continued to the next City Council meeting to allow her time to review the revisions.
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Murphy/Council member Toms to continue Consent Calendar Item 9A to the next meeting of the City Council.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Tave, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
ACTION: Motion by Council member Sasai/Mayor Pro Tem Murphy to adopt Consent Calendar Items 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E, as shown.
Vote: Passed Tave, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
Ayes:
Noes: None
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 202€
Abstain: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Section 2.12.010 to Modify the Start Time of Regularly Scheduled City Council Meetings. Action: Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Section 2.12.010 to Modify the Start Time of Regularly Scheduled City Council Meetings (Eric Casher)
City Attorney Casher presented the staff report dated February 17, 2026, and recommended the City Council introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 2.12.010, "Time of Regular Meetings" to modify the start time of regularly scheduled City Council meetings.
Council member Martinez-Rubin asked whether the work of the Council Procedures Subcommittee would affect the proposed changes to the ordinance.
City Attorney Casher explained this ordinance was very specific to the meeting time and location, with the City Council having provided direction to move the meeting time to 5:30 p.m., which would not impact the work of the Council Procedures Subcommittee. However, the City Council meeting time had been referenced in the Council Procedures and that could come back to align with the ordinance once adopted.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
ACTION: Motion by Council members Martinez-Rubin/Toms to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 2.12.010, "Time of Regular Meetings" to modify the start time of regularly scheduled City Council meetings.
Vote: Passed 5-0
yes: Tave, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
loes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
B. Community Services Master Fee Schedule. Action: Conduct Public Hearing and Adopt Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Andrea Dwyer, Markisha Guillory)
Community Services Director Andrea Dwyer provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Community Services Department Master Fee Schedule Updates, which included an overview of the background of the annual comprehensive schedule of user and regulatory fees.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
In this case, the fees related to just the Community Services Department, and included fees collected for requests such as reserved use of City facilities, participation in various City programs, and an examination and adjustment of the fees as part of normal operations.
Community Services Director Dwyer reported that currently a comprehensive fee study was being conducted, and would be presented to the City Council later in FY 2025/26, but since the Community Services programs were beginning registration in early spring for summer camps and classes, staff recommended that the City Council consider adjustments to the Community Services fees at this time.
The benefits of fee adjustments, recommended adjustments, cost recovery analysis, future analysis and considerations and cost recovery levels were all highlighted.
Responding to questions from the City Council, Community Services Director Dwyer clarified the following:
• The requirements for security guards for private facility rentals where security guard officers provided protection on-site, were familiar with the facility and were present to de- escalate any situation. To be equitable to all people who rented City facilities for events, the number of people determined the number of security guards required regardless of the rental. (Toms)
• City of Pinole sponsored events would not have security guards but full-time staff may be present. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy)
• As to whether there was some flexibility in hiring security guards, clarified the City did not receive revenue from the use of security guards. Since the City had done fairly well with its facility rentals, staff had to consider a Request for Proposal (RFP) for on-call services, specifically for a security guard company to be selected through the bidding process, with the City to use the lowest bidder. The application form for the rental of City facilities, included no option for someone to hire their own security guard (although that had happened in the past with some nonprofit groups). Security guards were hired by the City, worked for the City and followed the City's rules. The application form asked about the type of event, number of people and whether or not alcohol would be served, which affected the costs for the rental of a City facility. (Martinez-Rubin) • Confirmed alcohol was the only mood enhancing substance listed on the form for renting City facilities. While there could be other forms or paraphernalia or mood enhancing substances, due to the process in which to obtain an alcohol permit through the PPD and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), additional security would be required along with compliance with other parameters. Staff could check how other jurisdictions were handling this concern and work with the City Attorney on possibly identifying other mood enhancing substances. The City's Facility Rental Policy may have to be amended after further research, but it would potentially not change the Master Fee Schedule because how security guards would be applied in the policy would not change. (Martinez-Rubin)
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Rafael Menis reported he had provided written comments on Item 10B, but referenced Page 124 of 206 of the agenda packet, Master Fee Schedule, Community Services Department Fees, and commented there were a few cases where the redline changed from a monthly to a three-month segment, and other cases where it changed from a four-week session to a weekly session. He asked why it was being restructured in that way. Also, while there were fee increases in many categories, there was no fee increase for the summer Tiny Tot program for two-days. He asked whether that was because it was a lower cost demand. In addition, as to the questions about other substances being used at events besides alcohol, he suggested the City could potentially have liability issues if an event planner, as an example, indicated a desire to have a rave and participants used Ecstasy or other drugs. He suggested the main reason people had alcohol at events was because it was a legal substance to consume at a state and federal level, whereas other substances had differing legality at the state and federal level, which may need to be reflected in the City's guidelines. He asked the City Attorney for an opinion.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
Council member Sasai asked about the non-resident and resident rates for facility rentals and asked about the percentage split between the two when City facilities were rented.
Community Services Director Dwyer stated she could provide a report to the City Manager but suggested a substantial number of non-residents had reserved City facilities; one had been as far away as the City of Antioch.
Council member Sasai referenced the non-resident base rate for the first nine hours, as shown, and asked for clarification.
Community Services Director Dwyer clarified there was no maximum but explained it was not cost prohibitive to rent a facility for one to two hours and then have to turnover the hall, which took about an hour, with a minimum of five hours between set up and tear down, and staff also provided a cheaper rate for cleanup and decorative hours, with an option to reserve at that cheaper rate.
If the event reached seven hours, as an example, one could purchase additional hours from there.
Council member Sasai asked about the fees for the security guards and asked if a security guard would be required if there was an event hosting ten people.
Community Services Director Dwyer explained it would depend, since if it was a party that started for ten people, one security guard would be required, and if alcohol was served two security guards would be required
Mayor Tave commented looking at the park rental for a baseball field, as identified on Page 121 of 206 of the agenda packet, it was $20 and for a night game $15/hour, and Community Services Director Dwyer clarified the increase was due to the lights.
Mayor Tave found those fees to be low. He was curious how the fields were used since it appeared the field did not get any of that money and asked if that was normal or should the fee be increased.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Community Services Director Dwyer commented the fees had been substantially lower a few years ago. She explained the intent was to create enough of a fee where one would want to book the entire season. The City had a great relationship with both local and non-local groups for the season, and those groups were doing 20 to 40 possible games, well worth the rate since they did not require staff the day of the event, but the City prepped and maintained the fields and all of that money went back into the maintenance of the fields. She also clarified the cost covered the cost for lights during the game, but the groups did not want to create client flight or a fee where groups would not want to book with the City at all. She added the City was at 152 percent for cost recovery of the City's fields.
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Murphy/Council member Toms to adopt a resolution approving the Updated Community Services Master Fee Schedule.
Vote: Passed
Ayes: Tave, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
11. OLD BUSINESS: None
12. NEW BUSINESS
A. FY 2025/26 Mid-Year Budget Review (Second Quarter Financial Report.) Action:
Receive Report and Adopt Resolution Authorizing Budget Amendments (Markisha Guillory)
Finance Director Markisha Guillory provided a PowerPoint presentation on the FY 2025/26 Mid- Year Budget Review (Second Quarter Financial Report), which included an overview of the purpose of the mid-year budget review; budget highlights - General Fund and Non-General Funds, General Fund Adopted Budget Overview; General Fund Revenue Budget Summary; General Fund Expenditure Budget Summary; General Fund Budget Summary; Measure | Update; and summaries for the Recreation, Building and Planning, PCTV Fund, Sewer Enterprise Fund Budgets and a summary of the proposed budget amendments.
Finance Director Guillory recommended the City Council receive the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 Second Quarter Financial Report and adopt a resolution authorizing budget amendments.
Responding to questions from the City Council, Finance Director Guillory clarified the following:
The budget adjustment for the Cable Access TV Fund (Fund 505) and plans to engage in sponsorships had not materialized. The former City Manager had plans for proposed sponsorships that did not happen and since those efforts were not moving forward, the budget adjustment had been made, as shown in the PowerPoint presentation. (Sasai) • The Measure I Update and budgeted expenditures were as outlined in the PowerPoint presentation. Measure I was a General Tax and could be used for any general municipal purpose and was part of the General Fund and accounted for in a separate fund.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Measure I funds had been accounted for similarly to Measure S funds. Confirmed during a Town Hall meeting with the public the discussion included projections staff thought may be left over after covering the gap projected and citizens had been able to weigh-in on priorities around those projections. However, once the budget was developed, the number staff had projected, which was between $400,000 to $500,000 had not materialized, and was needed to further fill the gap in City operations due to non-discretionary costs, increases in the medical rates higher than projected and rates from the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The Measure | budgeted expenditures included: Police Department - $1,752,454, Road Maintenance - $182,752, Park Maintenance - $356,256 and Recreation Programs - $300,000. These numbers were in the adopted budget. The Town Hall had been held before the adopted budget with staff again going off of projections. Reiterated the amounts reflected the proportion of funds needed to fill the gaps. (Sasai and Martinez-Rubin)
• The General Fund Expenditure Budget Summary and Proposed Budget Adjustments included the payment of consultant fees for polling, funds for code enforcement abatement and funds for a portion of a position that needed to be captured in the Public Works Budget. The $33,000 for the polling consultant was a one-time expense. (Martinez-Rubin) • The budget projections for the end of the year were again clarified, as was the Measure I update and how the budgeted revenue of $2,599,000 was being expended, as outlined in the PowerPoint presentation. While it was thought there would be residual Measure I funds available where the City could have been able to do other things, such as more funding towards roads, those funds were ultimately needed to fill the $2.6 million gap the City would otherwise have had. Before the passage of Measure I, the City was already facing a $1.6 million deficit, with $844,000 pulled from the reserves as a one-time transfer and there had to be a backfill going forward. Starting this current budget with a deficit, and with the passage of Measure I, the gap had been filled. In addition, there was growth in other areas, as previously described, which ended up absorbing the $2.6 million and there were no funds left to do extra things. Recognized the concern with the inability to put more funds into roads, while also recognizing this was a mid-year budget review with more discussions on the budget as part of the budget process. (Mayor Tave)
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Rafael Menis provided the following comments on the Mid-Year Budget Review (Second Quarter Financial Report):
- Page 180 of 206 of the agenda packet, for interdepartmental charges, expenditures totaled $1,020. He understood the concept of interdepartmental charges that should zero out for any given quarter, and asked the reason why there was an expenditure noted. - Page 24 of the FY 2025/26 Second Quarter Financial Report, (Page 182 of 206 of the agenda packet) Non-General Funds, Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (Fund 206), had shown a growth allocation payment and the revenue was at 92 percent of budget and trending higher due to a larger growth allocation.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Commented the January 20, 2026 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR stated the City's population was either declining or remaining roughly flat for the past several years and asked if it was growth in the number of calls, growth in sales tax dollars or some other category.
- Page 17 of the FY 2025/26 Second Quarter Financial Report (Page 175 of 206 of the agenda packet), General Fund Expenditures, as to the inadvertently missed positions with regards to code enforcement and Public Works, asked whether there was a similar way they were both removed and if there was a connection between the two, or whether they were two items that just happened to not get caught by the various eyes looking at the budget. Expressed concern this was two instances across two different departments and was curious to have more detail as to how it had been inadvertently removed.
Anthony Vossbrink asked about the parks and recreation maintenance budget and a reference by the Mayor about baseball diamond park fees, which could be related to when the baseball teams held practices during the day versus at night. He also asked whether a fee had been charged for the use of the fields, or whether a number had just been put into the budget since lights were not needed in the afternoon for the baseball diamond at Fernandez Park or Pinole Valley Road. Referencing the new soccer field at Pinole Valley Road and Wright Avenue, he understood there had been a quick opening although more time should have been taken to evaluate the drainage situation given there were major drainage issues on the soccer fields. He asked about the cost and whether that was included in the maintenance budget as well as general repairs to parks including the bridge creek planks that were broken out at the Senior Center, the creek bridge and the dog park soccer field creek bridge, which needed two to three planks replaced, and which had been brought up several times. He asked if that was part of general maintenance or had it been placed on a list of back burner items.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy thanked staff for the presentation and looked forward to the upcoming Finance Subcommittee meeting to further discuss the budget. He offered a motion to move the item, which was seconded by Mayor Tave.
Council member Toms referenced Page 7 of the PowerPoint presentation and stated she had calculated the numbers for sales taxes received with the two Measure S's and Measure I, and the baseline sales and use taxes, which was at $10 million, quite a bit more than the property tax the City received. She highlighted that figure, which would be an important item at a future meeting when discussing gas stations.
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Murphy/Mayor Tave to receive the Fiscal Year (FY) ame 2 Second Quarter Financial Report and adopt a resolution authorizing budget Vote: Passed 5-0
None Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Mage tes - February 17, 2026
B. Approve and Authorize the Mayor to Execute the Employment Agreement for Garrett Evans to Become the Interim City Manager. Action: Adopt a Resolution per Staff Recommendation (Stacy Shell)
Human Resources Director Stacy Shell presented the staff report dated February 17, 2026, and recommended the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Employment Agreement for Garrett Evans to become the Interim City Manager.
Mayor Tave reported pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(c)(3), agenda Item 12(B) was a recommendation to approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Employment Agreement for Garrett Evans to become the Interim City Manager. On December 16, 2025, the City Council directed staff to negotiate an Employment Agreement with Retired Annuitant Garrett Evans, to serve as the Interim City Manager at the rate of $131.22 per hour, with an effective date of employment on March 9, 2026. The fiscal impact of this employment agreement was offset with the salary and benefits attrition from the current City Manager vacancy.
Garrett Evans introduced himself to the City Council and the public. He stated it was an honor and he looked forward to the opportunity to work for the City of Pinole, achieving and keeping continuous goals and objectives, going into the budget by June, and assisting the City Council and staff.
Responding to questions from the City Council, Human Resources Director Shell clarified the following:
• Mr. Evans would have a start date of March 9, 2026 and was anticipated to serve as Interim City Manager until the full-time City Manager was appointed by the City Council, anticipated anywhere between June, maybe August 2026, when the position would be filled permanently. (Martinez-Rubin)
• The Employment Agreement with Mr. Evans was just and fair compensation, with the compensation for the Interim City Manager dictated by CaPERS since Mr. Evans was a Retired Annuitant, and the City was required to pay a Retired Annuitant who filled a City Manager role at the same rate as posted on the publicly available salary schedule, the hourly rate of the previous City Manager, and the rate the City must pay Mr. Evans. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy)
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Anthony Vossbrink asked the Mayor and City Council how they decided to move forward with an agreement for an Interim City Manager when the City was looking at having a permanent City Manager on-board sometime in June, July if not August 2026. Based on his recollection, the last time there was this issue, former City Manager Andrew Murray departed the City and former Police Chief Neil Gang took over the position. He asked about the cost savings of having the current Police Chief continue in her dual role for another two months, and emphasized given the significant financial impacts that the public deserved to know the reasons why the City Council made the decision to move forward with this item.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Council member Martinez-Rubin asked if the City Council could respond to the question posed by the speaker.
City Attorney Casher explained the City Council may address the comment, but he would recommend and advise against disclosing anything discussed in Closed Session since many of those conversations had been discussed in Closed Session. The City Council may provide an overview summary and general thoughts, but specific conversations in Closed Session should remain in Closed Session.
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Murphy/Council member Toms to approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Employment Agreement for Garrett Evans to become the Interim City Manager.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Tave, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: 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
Marlia Holmes, Manager, Pinole Library, provided a brief update on recent successes and what lay ahead for the Pinole Library. She highlighted library programming and stated the Pinole Library had hosted a Lunar New Year Celebration with 250 attendees for a multigenerational event celebrating culture, connectivity and learning; along with a range of creative and educational programs which reflected the heart of Pinole, including the Character Design Workshop, inspiring young artists to develop their own original characters and storytelling skills. In addition, the Library hosted Read to A Dog Program, building confidence and literacy in their youngest readers in a supportive and non-judgmental environment, and a Screen-Printing workshop allowing adults the opportunity to explore hands-on creativity and self-expression.
Ms. Holmes stated as the Pinole Library celebrated its successes it also had to prepare for the transition on March 1, 2026 when the Pinole Library would close for infrastructure upgrades and reopen in February 2027. Improvements would include a new HVAC system. new roof, upgrades to electrical lighting and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades to the parking lot. After February 28, 2026, all Pinole Library holds would move to the El Sobrante Library with the Pinole Book Drop to be closed. Patrons may return materials to any other Contra Costa County Library location.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026
Everyone was invited to a last gathering on February 28, 2026, the last date of service from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. when the library would host a With Love for Pinole Library program, a time for reflection and celebration. Lunch would be served at 1:00 p.m. with community members able to write messages on their heart wall and memory jar, and Ms. Holmes hoped that families, long time patrons and new visitors would join them. She looked forward to reopening as a stronger and more accessible and ready-to-serve facility for Pinole patrons.
Rafael Menis reported he may have been recently exposed to the Influenza A virus which was currently at a High distribution rate in California and increasing rapidly per the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) charts. He also reported COVID-19 rates remained Low with one Very High and one Medium in Alameda County. Most sites in Contra Costa County remained Low or Very Low, with one shared site between Contra Costa and Alameda counties with a Medium rating. He continued to encourage people to wear masks, particularly due to the flu which could be fatal to the elderly and immuno-compromised and otherwise disadvantaged populations. He commented that one of the successes of the 2021 winter season with masking and the lock down was not limiting the death rate from COVID-19 prior to the vaccines but limiting flu transmission for that year.
Mr. Menis also commented that a member of the community rebuked him for focusing on white people who had been killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. A valid criticism, he reported U.S. citizen Keith Porter Jr. had been killed by an off-duty ICE agent on New Year's Eve, per the LA Times Review. The circumstances in that case were more disputed than the incidences involving Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, with witness statements stating the victim had been walking away from the ICE agent when repeatedly shot in the back. He asked the City Council to adjourn the meeting in memory of Keith Porter Jr.
Council member Toms reiterated her request for the meeting to adjourn in memory of Lea Deuel.
Council member Sasai also reiterated his request the meeting adjourn in memory of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a Civil Rights icon, someone through his actions had shown that regardless of color, minoritizing individuals should not just be seen and heard but also be empowered.
14. ADJOURN to the Regular City Council Meeting of March 3, 2026 in Remembrance of Amber Swartz, Lea Deuel, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Keith Porter Jr.
At 8:30 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Tave adjourned to a Regular City Council Meeting on March 3, 2026 in Remembrance of Amber Swartz, Lea Deuel, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Keith Porter Jr.
Submitted by:
pras
Heather Bell-Spears CMC
City Clerk OF
Approved by City Council: March 3, 2026 PINOLE
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Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - February 17, 2026 +
CALIFORNIA