1 Agree 12/19/2025
1 Agree 12/19/2025
12/21/2025 5 Agree
1 Agree 12/19/2025
1 Agree 12/19/2025
1 Agree 12/19/2025
1 Agree 12/19/2025
These top comments are surprising, "We want more gas stations! Let the market decide!" We have too many gas stations already. This city is like 12 square miles in total and we have how many gas stations? I can think of 6-7 off the top of my head. Never has there been a line more than 1 car long in all the years I've lived here.
Just as the market has a role, so does government. I for one support limiting certain industries with the goal of keeping our land and people healthy. What are these free market people hoping for 5 more gas stations so our downtown is just an asphalt jungle of gas smells and exhaust? When has the introduction of more gas stations ever had an effect on the price in any meaningful way. These comments all feel pretty disingenuous and makes me wonder who is actually the person behind the keyboard.
This feels too limiting. We have enough gas stations in Pinole; we do not need any more, but putting limits on expansion seems counterintuitive, considering all the new housing that's being built or was recently built. I own both an EV and a gas-powered car, mostly because the EV long charging times are highly inconvenient.
Don't restrict gas stations, just build more EV charging stations. Or expand the gas stations to INCLUDE EV chargers.
The proposed ordinance will prohibit a gas station’s ability to upgrade, improve environmental protections, install EV chargers, etc.
This ordinance is a focused assault on gas stations… and doesn’t take community needs into consideration.
affordable housing traffic in the future
We have enough gas stations
Great idea. We don’t need more gas stations!
There are plenty of gas stations in the city.
1 Agree 12/19/2025
1 Agree 12/19/2025
1 Agree 12/19/2025
1 Agree 12/19/2025
1 Agree 12/19/2025
12/19/2025 2 Agree
12/21/2025
No more gas stations! There are plenty in Pinole. The old gas station that was on the corner of Tennent and San Pablo Ave contaminated much of the area just under Old Town with no remediation. Stop the madness! We need to drive electric vehicles and not rely on fossil fuels.
It seems that Pinole has plenty of gas stations and given the future direction toward other forms of energy, combined with the environmental impact of having gas stations, I think it makes a lot of sense to prohibit the future addition and expansion of gas stations in Pinole.
Have you measured greenhouse gas emissions around Trader Joe's/I 80/Pinole Valley Rd in the afternoon after students are released from school? I think the traffic circulation there is worse than at any gasoline fueling station I've observed in Pinole (cannot say the same about neighboring communities).
Prohibiting is too strong a word given that the infrastructure for electricity is substandard to say the least. and most people still drive a gasoline vehicle and will continue to do so. There are enough gas stations in Pinole right now, however, with the influx of hundreds if not thousands of new residents that could become a challenge. New housing should from now on also be mandated to include EV charging. Existing housing should be mandated to include EV charging where EVs are owned and used.
We have plenty of gas stations where dense housing is being considered. There are two large facilities in the Fitzgerald area, another across the freeway, two on Pinole Valley Road and a couple on the San Pablo corridor. Why would we need more gas stations as more people have moved to hybrids. Heck I forget to fill my hybrid and mainly use electricity. I like the Tesla charging station up at Fitzgerald and notice that people connect their cars and go shopping. It would be nice if another electric charging station is planned and it could be near any new housing development or revitalization of the business corridor.
I agree about the need for charging stations but I don't think you really speak for those of us not lucky enough to own a hybrid or electric vehicle.
The free market will drive this. Government control and manipulation is not the best answer.
1/22/2026
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1/20/2026
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1/14/2026
The top 25 tax revenue incomes have 5 gas stations included on Pinole's list. You will have over 600 new homes / apartments so where will we all be getting gas if you keep decreasing the number of stations. We barely have enough to survive on so most can't buy new cars. We no longer have telephone poles - we have electric trees emitting EMF around the clock. Tell California and their agendas to stay out of our town because they are destroying it !!!
There are 5 gas stations on your top 25 tax revenue incomes plus they also bring in gas taxes. Also you are adding over 600 new homes / apartments so where will we be getting gas in the future. We don't have money for new vehicles - we barely have money to survive on ! PINOLE has to stop California's agenda that is destroying our town and leaving us tax payers with the bill.
I appreciate so much that Pinole is doing this to protect our environment and our health.
Most of the scientific papers that have climate change alarmism are paid for by companies that have an interest in non-fossil fuel energy solutions. These papers cherry-pick data that supports the interests of the companies that paid for them, and ignore data that contradicts those interests. The science shows that the climate temperatures have varied wildly over history, including before there was significant, or any, human activity. To think that human activity has much affect on climate is arrogance.
People will always need gasoline and other fossil fuels. If they cannot get gas in Pinole, they will go elsewhere. So all this proposal will do is reduce revenue for Pinole.
This is America and competition is always better for the consumers. The city has already done in the Safeway Shopping Center by curtailing their plans for gas pumps and cheaper gas. The gas taxes are now going to Hercules so much for our roads. The other side is with any station upgrades or new stations tagging on EV charging stations or one day Hydrogen pumps could be additionally required as a bargaining item for the necessary approvals.
More EV chargers! The Pinole Supercharger on Fitzgerald is a great recent addition but it's often full or close to full with resulting frequent surge/more expensive pricing as a result. The non Tesla chargers at Sprouts are also regularly used and sometimes no free chargers available there too ... What about another SuperCharger in the Bowling Alley parking lot??
Gas cars are still very widely used. Having more gas stations would increase competition and drive down prices.
1/14/2026
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John gioria says go electric so te 2 zesty mayor's, Yellow and brown lick taints in agreement.
Additional gas stations are not needed, replace/fix the current ones with effective, modern and with compliant standards only.
The need for gas stations will dissipate naturally when and if enough people adopt use of fully electric or hydrogen cars instead of gas or hybrid cars.
Absolutely terrible survey. Biased and leading questions. Poor grammar, double-negative "not unconcerned" makes someone concerned. Diesel is not gasoline and therefore can be considered an alternate to gasoline in this survey but I have no doubt the council wants to restrict diesel access as well. How much sales tax is the council denying the city, that could be used to fix our roads, by banning new/expansion of fuel stations? This does not address the priorities of the citizens: safety and good roads.
I am very concerned with your liberal agenda that has failed everywhere it's been attempted.
Stop with YOUR DEMOCRAT DRIVEN AGENDA and do what Pinole taxpayers PAY you to do.
Fix our roads, add amenities like gas stations that add to our life in many ways, fund police and do not force your political nonsense on them, look at the firefighters budget and the crushing debt of their BLOATED PENSIONS AND WAGES!!!
Quit CONTOLLING EVERY ASPECY OF OUR LIVES. Let is make our own choices. I an on leaving this Communist area soon.
Don't listen to petroleum companies dire warnings about California denying itself. We don't need any more gas
stations than those already existing.
Fix our ROADS
With all the new housing developments in Pinole, we need more gas stations and pumps, not less. Also, fixing our roads should be top priority.
1/9/2026
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1/8/2026
1/9/2026
1/8/2026
1/8/2026
1/8/2026
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1/8/2026
weather you like it or not, fossil feul is not going away.
I think it is a bad idea to limit the amount of pumps at a gas station. It is .ore important for people to have more pumps and more options.
Pinole seems like it already has more gas stations than other towns per capita. I don’t think we really need anymore.
That being said Pinole needs to really focus on alternatives by working with the county since right now travel by car is literally the only option since generally westcat service is so poor.
While I’m happy to see all the new developments going in I also had concerns that it seems like barely any retail or additional transit service/infrastructure is being planned to support all of the new residents which will just end up with them being car dependent too.
Working with the county destroying the local towns
The all electric mandate in CA will likely be delayed due to grid capacity issues. Let existing gas stations make improvements and allow the Safeway site establish a gas station is they deem it necessary to redevelop the site.
Fix the roads first
San Pablo though downtown from Richmond parkway to the bridge is soo bad.
We have more gas stations than new locally-owned restaurants it seems. No more has stations please!! Everyone goes to Safeway in Hercules anyway. Unless our old Safeway is to get a gas station- that’s ok.
Pinole needs to address issues that affect Pinole residents and stay in our lane...
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I like where I get my gas and feel there are enough stations around town to pick from and that we don't necessarily have to have more stations as I don't have a problem now with what is available.
Not everyone has electric vehicles nor can afford them. If Safeway was to put their hat back in for acquiring the Tara Hills Safeway property I would support a lower priced reliable gas station.
Please fix the roads first.
I believe that there are plenty of gas stations in Pinole already. Our car is hybrid (EV + gas) and we trickle charge it at home and still use gas for longer trips but we would consider getting an EV for our next car if there was more charging infrastructure. Never once have we waited more than an minute in line for gas. I believe Pinole should be a progressive environmental leader and make the healthier choice for our residents and families. We don't need more gas stations in Pinole.
Forcing people to travel for fuel does not solve the problem you are wanting to address. would this limit new EV charging at gas stations? or adding markets? both of those don't seem problematic to me
I drive a diesel so options are limited, but 2 fuel depots for me in Pinole is more than enough.
I think the market should determine how many gas stations are needed. Until we can make the alternative more affordable for most people, gas unfortunately is the option. Insurance for electric cars are very expensive and having electric panels doesn't even pay for itself anymore due to the waste of energy if you don't have a battery. The state recently reduced how much people can be paid out through PG&E so why would people opt to go "green" if it's so much more expensive? Make it more affordable then people will buy in! I don’t shop for gas in PInole I can get it much cheaper in Rodeo or downtown Walnut Creek the gas stations are just plain overpriced!!!
12/20/2025
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12/19/2025 3 Agree
12/21/2025
12/19/2025
We have enough gas stations for our 20,000 people living here in Pinole and for additional people who come to shop here.
You seem to be in the minority Mr./Ms./Mss./Them/They/It, The whole point of government is to regulate and look out for the people. This is their job, I'm glad they're considering this move. When have you ever struggled to get gas in Pinole? I don't think you have to drive more than mile from any point in the city to find a gas station. To Pinole leadership, yes please keep your noses where they are, looking out for the health and well being of your citizens. I do agree that some government regulation is in order, but I feel that it should be less than more. We seem to disagree. I'm with Reagan.
None at this time
I believe we need to eventually stop using fossil fuels. The sooner we start, the better. However, a transition that takes into account the most disadvantaged citizens is important.
We do not need more gas stations.
n/a
We need more merchandise stores
We need more non-chain merchandise stores that would bring people to downtown. Maybe a beer garden, a florist, a boutique, we need to revitalize downtown.
The market will drive this.
No
CITY COUNCIL
REPORT 9.E.
DATE: MARCH 17, 2026
TO: MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: Heba El-Guindy, Public Works Director, [email protected] SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF TWO BLOWERS FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (CIP PROJECT # SS2501)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution to approve the purchase of two blowers from APGN, Inc. for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (CIP project # SS2501).
BACKGROUND
The Wastewater Treatment Plant operates a system of three blowers, two on-duty and one standby. In February 2025, one blower was purchased from APGN, Inc. on an emergency basis to replace one of the three Aerzen manufactured blowers that had experienced a critical failure.
The Aerzen blowers’ manufacturer notified the City that some of the main components are no longer available from their supplier, making the two remaining blowers obsolete.
Acquiring blowers has a long lead time, as replacement of the first blower took eight months to arrive at the Treatment Plant. The blowers are an extremely critical part of the Treatment Plant’s operation. In the interest of preventing equipment downtime, staff recommends the acquisition of the two remaining blowers in advance of a potential failure.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
In order to avoid substantial duplication in the costs of design, operation and maintenance, this is a sole source purchase. The blower system requires multiple blowers to operate at the same time in an automated and seamless manner, thereby justifying this purchase to be a sole source using the same manufacturer (APGN, Inc.) similar to the last blower purchase in 2025.
It should be noted that prior to selecting APGN, Inc. (APGN) in 2025, extensive research was conducted and a total of four blower manufacturers submitted pricing. APGN supplied the most competitive pricing and was the most highly recommended based on references. Site visits were carried out at two other wastewater treatment plants in the East Bay (City of Benicia and Oro Loma Sanitary District) to discuss the operations and maintenance characteristics of the APGN blowers.
After APGN was selected, the City team worked with the engineering staff to ensure that the
new blowers will service the Plant’s present and future needs. The City required APGN to meet higher performance standards and specifications than the Aerzen manufactured blowers that were originally adopted as part of the 2015 design of the last major Treatment Plant upgrade project.
Based on City staff experience, the first APGN blower that was purchased in 2025 is more power efficient, quieter, and provides more air to the process than the two Aerzen blowers.
Depending on the time of day, the blowers consume the highest or second highest amount of electricity out of all the equipment running at the Treatment Plant. With greater energy efficiency, the new APGN blowers are expected to result in cost savings on the monthly utility bill.
FISCAL IMPACT
Cost of acquiring the two blowers amounts to $272,791.50 including 15% to cover taxes and fees. Purchase of the two blowers will be funded by the Sewer Enterprise Fund 500.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-___
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PINOLE,
COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, TO
APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF TWO BLOWERS FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FROM APGN, INC. FOR A FUNDING AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $272,791.50 WHEREAS, the City of Pinole Wastewater Treatment Plant staff are responsible for maintaining the Plant’s infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Pinole Wastewater Treatment Plant relies on three blowers to provide essential service to the residents of Pinole and Hercules; and WHEREAS, one of three Aerzen blowers was replaced with an APGN blower that was budgeted in FY 2024/25; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to replace the two remaining Aerzen blowers that became obsolete due to the lack of replacement parts; and
WHEREAS, the Replacement of Blowers at the Treatment Plant (Project # SS2501) is an approved project in the City Council approved Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY 2025/26 through FY 2029/30; and
WHEREAS, City staff have deemed that purchase of the two additional APGN blowers as a qualified sole source purchase meeting requirement of the City’s procurement policy; and WHEREAS, the total cost for purchasing the two APGN blowers not to exceed $237,210 including 15% to cover taxes and fees; and
WHEREAS, purchase of the two APGN blowers will be funded by the Sewer Enterprise Fund 500; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pinole does hereby approve the purchase of the two APGN blowers identified herein for a total amount not to exceed $272,791.50 and authorize the City Manager to approve the Purchase Agreement and associated documents in conformance with the Procurement Policy.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Pinole City Council held on the 17th day of March, 2026 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was regularly introduced, passed, and adopted on the 17th day of March 2026.
___________________________
Heather Bell-Spears, CMC
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL
REPORT 12.A.
DATE: MARCH 17, 2026
TO: MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: Heba El-Guindy, Public Works Director, [email protected] SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT APPIAN WAY AND MARLESTA ROAD (CIP PROJECT # RO1714) AS
COMPLETE AND APPROVE FILING OF NOTICE OF COMPLETION
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution to accept the Safety Improvements at Appian Way and Marlesta Road (CIP project # RO1714) as complete and approve filing of the attached Notice of Completion (NOC).
BACKGROUND
The Safety Improvements at Appian Way and Marlesta Road (Project) is an approved project contained in the City of Pinole’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 through FY 2026/27. The Project involved the installation of a new traffic signal at the Appian Way and Marlesta Road intersection, new high-visibility crosswalks across all legs of the intersection, green bicycle lanes treatment on Appian Way within the project limits, advance warning signs, and a slurry seal of the intersection.
On February 10, 2021, the City contracted with CSW to perform the Project design including development of the detailed design plans and technical specifications. On October 10, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 2022-81 to award a construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Gruendl Inc. - DBA Ray’s Electric (Contractor) for implementation of the Project. The awarded construction contract was for $650,810 in addition to 10% contingency in the amount of $65,081 for a total contract amount of $715,891.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
After clearing the lead time for the traffic signal equipment, the Contractor mobilized to start work on September 6, 2023. During the construction phase, there were three change orders necessary due to extra work triggered by utility conflicts with new signal installation and the relocation of a pedestrian light. However, various project quantities in the field were less than the initial bid, and the change orders did not increase the overall contract amount. The Contractor successfully completed the Project’s contract scope by February 1, 2025. The final cost for the Project is $600,218.40 which came in under the original contract amount of $715,891 (including contingency). Staff performed the final inspection of the Project and determined that all work has been carried out in accordance with the approved Project plans and specifications.
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the Project as complete and authorize staff to file the Notice of Completion (NOC) with the Contra Costa County Clerk Recorder. The Contractor is required to correct any defects for the Project that arise within one year of the NOC filing, and the Contractor has submitted the required bond to secure this obligation.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City Council approved by Resolution No. 2022-81, a construction contract budget of $715,891 (including 10% contingency) funded by $350,000 of One Bay Area Grant Program (OBAG) funds, $129,400 in Transportation Development Act (TDA) grant funds, and $236,491 of Measure S-2014 funds.
The Contractor, Gruendl Inc. - DBA Ray’s Electric, completed the work below budget at a total project cost of $600,218.40 mostly funded by OBAG and TDA grant funds.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution
B. Notice of Completion
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-___
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PINOLE,
COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT APPIAN WAY AND MARLESTA ROAD (CIP PROJECT # RO1714) AS COMPLETE AND APPROVE FILING OF THE NOTICE OF
COMPLETION
WHEREAS, the adopted City of Pinole (“City”) FY 2022/23 through FY 2026/27 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) included the Safety Improvements at Appian Way and Marlesta Road (CIP Project # RO1714), the (“Project”) as a funded project; and WHEREAS, the Project involved installation of a new traffic signal at the Appian Way and Marlesta Road intersection, in addition to installation of high-visibility crosswalks across all intersection legs, green bicycle lanes treatment on Appian Way within the Project limits, advance warning signs, and a slurry seal of the intersection; and WHEREAS, on April 26, 2022, staff released the Project request for bids, with the received bids reviewed in September 2022; and
WHEREAS, on October 10, 2022, City Council adopted Resolution 2022-81 to award a Construction Contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Gruendl Inc. - DBA Ray’s Electric (Contractor) for the Project; and WHEREAS, on February 01, 2025, the Contractor completed the Project scope with associated last invoice; and
WHEREAS, staff has performed the final inspection and determined that all work was satisfactory; and
WHEREAS, the Notice of Completion has been prepared for recordation in accordance with Sections 6103 and 27383 of the California Government Code.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pinole does hereby accept the Safety Improvements at Appian Way and Marlesta Road (CIP Project # RO1714) as complete and approves the filing of the Notice of Completion.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Pinole City Council held on the 17th day of March 2026 by the following vote, to-wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was regularly introduced, passed, and adopted on the 17th day of March 2026.
____________________________
Heather Bell
City Clerk
Recording Requested By and Return To:
City of Pinole
Public Works
2131 Pear Street
Pinole, CA 94564
NOTICE OF COMPLETION
NOTICE IS HERBEBY GIVEN of completion of the following public work project, generally described as SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT APPIAN WAY AND MARLESTA ROAD:
1. Description of the public work project:
Name of project: SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT APPIAN WAY AND MARLESTA ROAD Contract No. RO1714
Location of Work: Intersection of Appian Way and Marlesta Road Scope of Work: Installation of a new traffic signal, as well as traffic signage, including advanced warning signs on Appian Way, bicycle lanes marking, and high visibility crosswalks
2. Contract for the performance of such work was awarded to:
Gruendl Inc. - DBA Ray’s Electric
411 Pendleton Way, Suite B
Oakland, CA 94621
3. Value of the work is: $600,218.40
4. Project Owner:
City of Pinole
2131 Pear Street
Pinole, CA 94564
5. The real property described herein is owned by the City of Pinole in fee.
6. Construction Lender: None
7. Date of Completion: February 01, 2025.
To the best of my knowledge, the foregoing is true and correct. Recording of this document is requested for and on behalf of the City of Pinole pursuant to Sections 6103 and 27383 of the California Government Code.
CITY OF PINOLE
A Municipal Corporation
Heba El-Guindy, T.E.
Public Works Director