CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
May 5, 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 and broadcast) from the Pinole Council Chambers, 2131 Pear Street, Pinole, California. Mayor Tave called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of
2. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Before we begin, we would like to acknowledge the Ohlone people, who are the traditional custodians 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 T. Murphy, Mayor Pro Tem
Norma Martinez-Rubin, Council Member
Cameron Sasai, Council Member
Maureen Toms, Council Member
B. STAFF PRESENT
Garrett Evans, Interim City Manager
Eric Casher, City Attorney
Markisha Guillory, Finance Director
Melissa Klawuhn, Police Chief
Heba El-Guindy, Public Works Director
Lilly Whalen, Community Development Director
Roxane Stone, Deputy City Clerk
Deputy City Clerk Roxane Stone announced the agenda had been posted on May 1, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. with all legally required written notices.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 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. Closed Session Item 4A, would be continued to the City Council meeting of May 19, Following an inquiry, the Council reported there were no conflicts with any items on the agenda.
Mayor Tave modified the meeting agenda with the City Council to consider Item 8A. Recognitions / Presentations / Community Events, and upon the completion of the proclamations the City Council would convene to Closed Session Item 4B and resume the regular City Council meeting at approximately 8:00 p.m.
8. RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS / COMMUNITY EVENTS
A. Proclamations
1. Public Service Recognition Week
The City Council read into the record a proclamation recognizing May 3 through May 9, 2026 as Public Service Recognition Week.
Council member Martinez-Rubin thanked City staff for their work. In particular, she recognized Administrative Assistant Ana Aviles Avila for her 25-years of service to the City of Pinole and for continuing to be a consistent presence on the second floor of City Hall.
Council member Sasai also expressed his appreciation to City staff. He too recognized Ana Aviles Avila for her 25-years of service to the City.
Mayor Tave also expressed his appreciation to City staff.
2. Municipal Clerk's Week
The City Council read into the record a proclamation recognizing May 3 through May 9, 2026 as Municipal Clerk's Week.
Council member Martinez-Rubin highlighted the work of the City Clerk's Office, particularly when preparing for City Council meetings. She recognized Municipal Clerks were no longer paper and pen, but were now using digital and working to ensure the data collected from the public was respected in such a way that confidentiality continued and private information not disclosed to any party that did not need the information, particularly in light of the current push for the use of Artificial Intelligence (Al). She thanked the City Clerk's Office for its continued work.
Council member Toms also recognized City Clerk Office staff, City Clerk Heather Bell-Spears, Deputy City Clerk Roxane Stone and Administrative Assistant Olivia Tucker-Rojo, and stated the position of City Clerk was vital to the City. She noted the Council Chambers were named after long-time City Clerk Betty Grimes and she again thanked the City Clerk's Office for its service to the City.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Council member Sasai also recognized the City Clerk and her staff and acknowledged that City Clerk Bell-Spears also mentored other City Clerks in the region. He thanked the City Clerk's Office for its professionalism and leadership.
Mayor Tave also expressed his appreciation to City Clerk Office staff and stated the City of Pinole was lucky to have them.
Economic Development Week
The City Council read into the record a proclamation recognizing May 4 through May 8, 2026 as Economic Development Week.
Council member Martinez-Rubin expressed her appreciation to Community Development Director Lilly Whalen who worked across sectors and recognized her perspective and diligence for Pinole to be a thriving City. She thanked Community Development Director Whalen for her continued service in the near term and for future generations in Pinole.
Council member Sasai also recognized Community Development Director Whalen and her staff and thanked them for their work.
Mayor Tave also expressed his appreciation to Community Development Director Whalen
4. Police Officer's Week and Peace Officer's Memorial Day The City Council read into the record a proclamation recognizing May 11 through May 17, 2026 as Police Officer's Week and May 15, 2026 as Peace Officer's Memorial Day.
Police Chief Melissa Klawuhn accepted the proclamation on behalf of all of the officers and professional staff who worked at the Pinole Police Department (PPD).
Council member Martinez-Rubin commended the Police Chief and the PPD, with residents knowledgeable that they could count on the PPD. She wished the PPD lots of health and safety in practicing what they did well, and thanked the PPD for keeping the City safe.
Council member Sasai found the City of Pinole had the best Police Chief in the business. Police Chief Klawuhn had been incredibly responsive to the needs of Pinole and available to discuss any issue. He thanked Police Chief Klawuhn for her responsiveness and professionalism and the members of the PPD frontline staff who put their lives on the line to protect Pinole citizens.
Council member Toms thanked the PPD for taking on the most visible and important jobs in the City. She also recognized the families of the fallen officers, with one family still connected to the City of Pinole; Bernie Swartz's family.
Mayor Tave also commended the work of Police Chief Klawuhn and the entire PPD, and was thankful that the PPD handled its work with professionalism and grace.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
B. Presentations: None
The City Council convened to Closed Session Item 4B at this time and planned to return to the regular meeting at approximately 8:00 p.m.
CONVENE TO A CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Gov. Code §54956.9(d) (2) or (d) (3)
Number of potential cases: 1
Item continued to May 19, 2026
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Gov. Code §54957
Title: City Manager
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Deputy City Clerk Roxane Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
5. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION At 8:26 p.m., Mayor Tave reconvened the meeting into open session.
City Attorney Eric Casher reported there was no reportable action from the Closed Session with the City Council to reconvene into Closed Session after the regular meeting agenda to conclude Item 4B.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD (Public Comments)
Clizens 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.
Mary Horton, former Mayor, City of Pinole, stated she would vote No on Measure D. She had friends on both sides of the Measure D, issue which had been brought up during the February 3, 2026 City Council meeting, which had been raised by a Council member and later covered by the Contra Costa news, where one Council member stated "I truly believe we have to do something about our current system because it's not working."
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Ms. Horton found the current mayoral rotation system had been understated and overlooked.
The Mayor and Vice Mayor rotation was done every two years, according to vote totals at election time, codified in a memorandum dated 2010-87. The memorandum was put before the City Council to reaffirm the election results and folded in the highest vote getter and second highest vote getter as Mayor and Vice Mayor for one-year terms. That process had been largely unchanged for about 40-years.
In the 2020 election, Devin Murphy had been elected with the highest votes and would rotate into the Mayor's chair in 2023. Maureen Toms had been elected with the second highest votes to rotate into the Mayor's chair in 2024. In 2022, Cameron Sasai was the highest vote getter and Anthony Tave the second highest vote getter and had been added to the rotation. Messiers Murphy, Sasai and Tave participated in the Mayor's rotation and benefitted from that rotation. At any Council meeting, one could observe the trio virtually pass every item with a 3-2, 4-1 or 5-0 vote, which begged the question, what was not working with the current system of the Mayor's rotation. One could say the system was working too well with the trio in the center, and she questioned why there was even an Elected Mayor question on the ballot.
Ms. Horton reiterated she would vote no on Measure D, and asked that the City keep the mayoral rotation with no power grabs and No Kings in Pinole.
Debbie Long commented that she and others had questioned the legality of a mailer sent to households in Pinole. Several people had referred to the mailer as a Yes on D flyer. According to the Supreme Court, the City could spend money on informational materials, but those must be provided a fair, balanced presentation of the facts, both pros and cons, and not a one-sided pitch.
Factors courts looked at was the style and tenor or tone of the flyer that gave a positive endorsement and emphasized only benefits, omitting any opposition view or downsides, and was mailed close to an election and looked like campaign advocacy, not neutral education. Explicit words like "vote yes" were not even required. If a flyer was produced and mailed at City expense and read like an endorsement without any balance, it was likely improper. If language was included that would have provided a one-sided position or was incorrect or misleading, California law may have been violated.
Ms. Long suggested the mailer had violated the law by its style and design, consisting of eight colors, 8 x 10 glossy, big bold lettering of different colors, the words, "The Office of the Mayor" and in bold smaller lettering underneath reading "As an elected position." She noted the City already had an office of the Mayor, one that was rotated but still an office. The question of why it was placed on the ballot, the flyer stated the City Council approved to put the measure on the ballot, but it should have stated it was either a split or 3-2 vote, and it sounded as if it was unanimous. Also, the fiscal impacts of an Elected Mayor had stated on the flyer there would be no change in salary, although when the discussion had taken place, it was decided the salary could be decided later, with the City Attorney stating "it could take place at any time." The fiscal impact on the flyer should have read unknown, since in essence this was a blank check to be written in the future. 'As to how an Elected Mayor impacted me,' one of the questions on the flyer, the response said nothing about the impacts of an Elected Mayor when it should have included that an Elected Mayor controlled the agenda, as well as had more financial control since an Elected Mayor also signed warrants. Currently, the Mayor only presided over a meeting and consulted with the City Manager on the agenda.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
The flyer also listed the City website only as providing more information, but in order to balance that information, a website for the campaign against Measure D, should have been added. To avoid this looking like a Yes on D mailer, Ms. Long suggested there should have been a statement included that it was not an endorsement of Measure D, and was for information only. She added if the flyer was produced and mailed at City expense and read like an endorsement without balance, it was likely improper. She urged a No vote on Measure D.
William Horton opposed Measure D, as unnecessary as compared to a larger City like San Francisco. The current Mayoral rotation system had worked in the City for decades. The two City Council candidates with the highest vote totals of citizens would be added to the Mayoral rotation list every two years and each took turns at being Mayor for one year, which was democratic.
There was no problem that Measure D would fix, but it would change the Mayor Pro Tem selection to an arbitrary majority vote of the City Council. The democratic election of the Mayor Pro Tem would be eliminated from the vote of the people and the Mayor Pro Tem would be substituting in absence of the Mayor. Measure D wasted $55,000 from the budget, which meant less money for police, fire, parks and streets. The job of the City Council was to provide the best quality of life for taxpayers and residents. He suggested there was no problem with the current Mayoral rotation, all five Council members had been Mayor during the last eight years, a fair and democratic process. He urged the City Council to focus on police, fire, parks and streets and reported he had already voted No on Measure D.
Rafael Menis reported the overall rate of COVID-19 and Influenza A in the wastewater treatment values for Contra Costa and Alameda counties continued to be low levels for both viruses based on the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, with some outliers in Alameda County. Referencing Measure D, he asked for those Council members who voted to place the measure on the ballot, why there was no pro argument submitted to the County Department of Elections to be printed along with the con argument, since most ballot measures had a pro and con argument listed. He argued that in order to have proper democratic deliberation both sides needed to be provided to see the legal, technical and neutral text the City Attorney or whatever entity drafted, and what the proponents and opponents saw the measure as doing. He noted the County information pamphlet only included an argument against, and he again asked the City Council why an argument in favor had not been submitted and he wanted to know the reason why it was not submitted given the importance for people to be informed why they should or should not vote for a given item.
Richard Cossel registered his objection to the Yes on D informational flyer mailed to Pinole residents. State law limited how taxpayer money could be used on communications for ballot measures. Public agencies could not spend public money to advocate for or against a ballot measure. They could spend money on informational material, but those materials should be fair and balanced and present both pro and con arguments and not a one-sided pitch. The City of Pinole was aware of the No on Measure D position and language prior to issuing the mailer and had not included that information on the mailer. A flyer giving positive endorsement providing only benefits and leaving out any oppositional view, if mailed close to an election or had campaign advocacy and not neutral language was not allowed and the City of Pinole was aware of the No on D language that had not been included.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Mr. Cossel highlighted cases related to this topic and the improper use of public funds in political campaigns, including Stanson v. Mott 1976; Vargas v. City of Salinas 2009 and Citizens for Responsible Government v. City of Albany 1997. He found the flyer had been a replacement for not including that information in the ballot material and he suggested that was bad Jennifer Horn urged voters to vote no on Measure D. The public was not clamoring for this, many residents had stated they did not want Measure D to be placed on the ballot, it was not mentioned by the City or residents in a recent poll, the reason it was for Mayor legitimacy made no sense, there was no issue that needed to be addressed, it was not fiscally prudent with $57,000 spent to place the measure on the ballot, and with the Mayor's salary to be set by the City Council which could be changed at any time and set at any rate. Also, the City's current fiscal situation was serious and needed to be addressed seriously. The City had a budget deficit of $4.28 million this year and would be relying on a one-time transfer to balance the budget. She asked what would happen in the next year and years thereafter with a structural imbalance in the City's budget that needed serious consideration, thoughtful approach, and hard choices, rather than consideration of Measure D. Seen within the context of the City's pervasive deficits and reliance on tax increases and one-time fixes, Measure D was nothing but a distraction from the real issues at hand and a complete waste of time and money. Voting No on Measure D would also tell the three Council members who voted to place this distraction on the ballot, to knock it off and get back to business and focus on the real issues the City faced and make the hard decisions they were elected to make. She urged creative thinking for good this time and figure out how to get the City's finances back into the black. She urged a No vote on Measure D.
Robin Mackey reported she walked her dog to the Pinole Valley Dog Park daily and was grateful for the City's well-maintained and clean parks, but noted in the past week, signage had been posted in the dog park to notify users that the dog park would be closed on May 4 and 5, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for maintenance, which may include herbicide applications. She emailed the Recreation Department and asked about the kind of pesticides to be used and applied but had not received an answer. In February 2026, the landscape company that provided maintenance for the City appeared to be applying a pesticide next to the children's playground at Pinole Valley Park. She had asked what was being used and was informed it was spider killer, although no signage was posted, which raised concern that the public had the right to know when they would be exposed to pesticides. She asked the City Council to find out what herbicides were being used in the dog park and where it was being applied, whether inside/outside the fenced area, contact the landscaping company and find out what they were using to kill spiders next to the children's playground and tell them they must post signage and inform the public when they would be applying pesticides in public parks and report back to the public with this information at the next City Council meeting as an agenda item. She no longer felt safe going to the dog park. aiven the unknown what she and her dog were potentially being exposed to. She also wanted to ensure the City Council and anyone listening to the broadcast were aware of what was happening in City parks and wanted it on the record. She planned to follow up with an email detailing her request to the City Council.
7. REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS
A. Mayor Report
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Mayor Tave reported a couple of residents had approached him to report one of the lights at the bus stop near Sprouts was blocked by branches and he asked the Public Works Department to take a look at the area.
Announcements: None
B. Mayoral & Council Appointments: None
C. City Council Committee Reports & Communications
Council member Toms reported she attended the League of California Cities (LCC) City Leadership Summitt in Sacramento along with several sessions. A couple of communities had a children and youth bill of rights which engaged youth in the City and she hoped the City Counci could visit that in the fall as something to be considered for new students entering the new school year. There had also been presenters from Suisun in Solano County who discussed how to address rumors and crises, with the California Forever Project planned outside of Suisun an example, a presentation on emergency communication and opportunities to meet with Assemblymembers' staff and State Senator Jesse Arreguín about proposed legislation from the LCC that would benefit the area, including legislation to increase fines for the theft of copper wire.
Council member Toms also reported she planned to attend upcoming meetings including a Wildfire Working Group Task Force meeting on May 8, 2026; East Bay Wildfire Government Coalition meeting in the next week and an introduction to Land Use Planning for Wildfires in California in Chico in the next week.
Council member Sasai reported the West Contra Costa Transportation Commission (WCCTC) meeting of April 10, 2026 had been canceled with the next meeting scheduled for May 22, 2026.
He had no new updates from WestCAT, but announced free weekend rides would start on May 16, 2026 through July 26, 2026, on Saturdays and Sundays only, no passes, tickets or payment required. He also attended the LCC City Leadership Summit with the first ever young electeds group having been formally recognized, and attended some of the panels, highlighting the Immigration Rights Panel, with the Chief of Police for the City of Riverside having provided information on immigrant rights. He was pleased to see the work other cities and counties had been doing to protect vulnerable communities.
Council member Sasai also reported he met with the Pinole Player's Board of Directors and visited the site and would email the Interim City Manager details on how to move forward Pinole Player's request to allow artwork on the face of the building along with other requests. He also reported he was honored to give the first pitch at the A's Game on May 1, 2026 representing the City of Pinole in his capacity as a Council member.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy requested staff follow up on the public comments related to the use of pesticides/herbicides at Pinole Valley Dog Park. He asked that any updates or additional information be posted on the City website. He also reported representatives from Marin Clean Energy (MCE) and the Community Choice Aggregators across the state would be meeting in Sacramento for the California Community Choice Association (CCCA) meeting to recognize CCCA's 10-year anniversary and next steps around issues dealing with rebate and programs, rates and options and community programs. The MCE Board would next meet on May 21, 2026.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy thanked residents who reached out to him daily with questions and who asked for help navigating the City website and he thanked the Information Technology (IT) team for their assistance. He thanked residents for their continued communication and reaching out for coffee; he loved those types of engagement and would continue as he was honored and humbled to serve the community.
Council member Martinez-Rubin reported she also attended the LCC City Leadership Summitt in Sacramento, attended a number of sessions and highlighted some of the sessions attended including one that focused on water and learned new terminology around water issues. She found the questions from the session to be thought provoking, such as how to mitigate problems when water became scarce, and how cities could plan and take into account what was developed and the eventual necessity for water, which would be an ongoing issue as the City wanted and continued to develop more. She also attended a session that focused on childcare as infrastructure and was proud the City had the Tiny Tots Program, which was an important service to residents and a matter of necessity to offer parents a means to continue developing their own individual family economic plans. Reframing child care had been eye-opening, and a reminder there should be a presentation on Tiny Tots and the services provided and how it continued to offer parents an opportunity to be part of the economy, and in turn be part of the sector of the consumers they relied on with respect to sales and property taxes.
Another session attended was Local Government and Immigrant Enforcement Policy, and Council member Martinez-Rubin was pleased the City had introduced an ordinance in 2025, which addressed unreasonable staging by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on properties that would otherwise be for the City. She also participated in a session with the author of a book titled The 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, which she described in detail.
D. Council Requests for Future Agenda Items
Council member Martinez-Rubin offered a motion, seconded by Council member Sasai for staff to provide a brief presentation (12 to 15-minutes) on the kinds of pesticides/herbicides used in City parks.
Mayor Tave would also like to know if there was any temporary signage posted in City parks, and what that may look like if pesticides were used.
ACTION: Motion by Council members Martinez-Rubin/Sasai for staff to provide a brief presentation (12 to 15-minutes) on the kinds of pesticides/herbicides used in City parks.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Tave, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
Joes None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Tave requested a report out on pothole repair activity in the City through the City Manager's Report, with quick data points and a maintenance snapshot for the community.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Magutes - May 5, 2026
Interim City Manager Evans advised he could provide that information in the next City Manager's Report as an update.
E. City Manager Report / Department Staff
Interim City Manager Evans anticipated a report would be provided at the May 19, 2026 City Council meeting.
F. City Attorney Report
Council member Sasai asked the City Attorney to respond to the public comments about Measures D, E and F, and his opinion whether the flyer referenced was legally defensible.
City Attorney Casher acknowledged the references to multiple cases and confirmed legal standards did apply mostly under the Public Resources Code. There was a prohibition on using public resources for campaign purposes which was something he was familiar with, and there was a lot of case studies on agencies that had been cited and fined for violations. The mailer that had been prepared had been reviewed by the City Attorney's Office and staff, and they were of the opinion the flyer was very content neutral, educational in its purpose and nature and not intended to advocate for any position.
City Attorney Casher commented the idea of including an opposition website on the mailer was not anything the City would do. The mailer was intended to provide educational information to members of the public so they would be informed there was a ballot measure on the June 2, 2026 ballot, what it essentially would involve and what it would mean. He was happy to speak with any members of the public who had questions and who needed to clarify any points. He appreciated the public comment and would be happy to discuss it with anyone who was interested.
Mayor Tave commented one of the speakers mentioned a cost of $55,000 for the ballot measure and another a cost of $57,000. There appeared to be some confusion with the actual cost for placing a measure on the ballot; the cost was under the purview of the County. He asked if the cost was for any city, or particular to Pinole for a ballot measure.
City Attorney Casher explained the reference had come directly from the staff report when staff had prepared the initial staff report to provide context for the cost of the ballot measure. he cost was an estimate based on prior year's costs associated with advancing a ballot measure for a primary election, which tended to be more expensive than a November election and included the costs associated with staff time to place the measure on the ballot. The cost was a conservative estimate and staff did not believe it was more than that. Again, the figure came from the staff report, which he recalled was a cost of $57,000, but he would have to confirm that was accurate.
Mayor Tave would like clarification of the actual costs, and City Attorney Casher confirmed that information could be pulled together.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED (Items 7A through 7F)
Deputy City Clerk Stone reported there were no comments from the public.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
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 April 21, 2026.
B. Receive the April 18, 2026 - May 1, 2026 List of Warrants in the Amount of $336,379.33 and the April 24, 2026 Payroll in the Amount of $569,787.48.
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Rafael Menis referenced Item 9A the minutes for the Regular City Council meeting on April 21, 2026, Page 25 of 374 of the agenda packet, and thanked Human Resources Director Stacy Shell for getting back to him with a response to the inquiry in the first bullet, as shown, and clarification of "2025 values," not 2026 values. He otherwise would appreciate replies back from staff on the remaining questions outlined on the same page.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
ACTION: Motion by Council members Martinez-Rubin/Toms to approve Consent Calendar Items 9A and 9B, as shown.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Tave, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt a Resolution, Pursuant to Government Code Section 4217 and its Required Findings: (1) Approving a Single-Source Energy Services Contract with Serious Controls for the Installation of Two Battery Energy Storage Systems at the Pinole Youth Center and the Pinole Tiny Tots/Swim Center and (2) Designating the City Manager as the Authorized Signatory for all Agreements and Associated Documents, which are Currently Pending Approval by the Federal Department of Energy, to Complete these Installations Fully Funded with Marin Clean Energy Pass-Through Federal Funds. Action: Continue to May 19, 2026 per Staff Recommendations (Lilly Whalen)
11. OLD BUSINESS: None
12. NEW BUSINESS
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
A. Preliminary Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Operating and Capital Budget.
Action: Receive a Report (Markisha Guillory)
Interim City Manager Evans introduced the item to review the Preliminary Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Operating and Capital Budget. Staff would present a budget update with comments from the Finance Subcommittee. He thanked Finance Director Guillory and her team for pulling the item together, being responsive to the Departments, to himself and to others. He also thanked all Department Heads and staff in the preparation of a reduced budget. He thanked the Mayor for the suggestion to create three, six and ten percent budget reduction scenarios and noted as staff got into the Departmental cuts for the six and ten percent reduction budget scenarios, staff would be looking at potential existing vacancies or potential reductions in staffing levels. In the next fiscal year, staff and the Finance Subcommittee should spent time reviewing the three, six and ten percent budget reduction scenarios to see whether there were opportunities to prepare for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027/28 budget.
At this time, staff requested the City Council review and provide input on the three percent budget reduction scenario, which would generate around $1 million in savings, adding $1 million from what was anticipated with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) discussions and utilizing half of what was originally projected of the 115 Trust for this year, for a softer landing over the next two to three years to have a balanced budget. This budget also included almost $1.5 million in Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) using General Funds, with a couple of levers making the budget higher than preferred. Staff would work with the Finance Subcommittee and Infrastructure and Transportation Ad Hoc Committee to ensure CIPs that used General Funds were going to the projects the City Council and the community wanted, such as roads.
Interim City Manager Evans also explained the Yellow Brick Road budget scenario model was the pathway forward for a balanced budget for this coming fiscal year, without the need for draconian cuts. It would require discipline and if there were cost increases staff would have to identify the offsets for the City Council to consider to keep the budget balanced.
Finance Director Markisha Guillory provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Preliminary Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Operating and Capital Budget which included an overview of the budget development process; General Fund Baseline Budget; General Fund Transfers to Other Funds; General Fund Budget Summary; Department three percent budget reduction scenario; estimated reserve balances; overview of the Long-Term Financial Forecast (LTFF); Preliminary LTFF First Draft; Preliminary LTFF (Yellow Brick Road) - Updated Draft; Recreation Fund; Building and Planning Fund; Pinole Community Television (PCTV) Fund; Sewer Enterprise Fund and Preliminary Proposed Budget - All Funds.
In terms of the next steps, staff would receive recommendations from the City Council for incorporation into the next version, the Revised Proposed Budget, with the Revised Proposed FY 2026/27 Operating and Capital Budget and Five-Year CIP to be presented to the City Council on June 6, 2026.
Finance Director Guillory recommended the City Council review the Preliminary Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Operating and Capital Budget and provide direction to staff for changes to incorporate into the next draft of the document, the Revised Proposed version.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Responding to questions from the City Council, Interim City Manager Evans, Finance Director Guillory, Community Development Director Whalen and Police Chief Klawuhn, clarified the following:
• General Fund Baseline Budget, Other Revenues, included the rental income from the U.S.
Post Office and reduction in the projection for investment income with less idle funds to invest resulting in less income, related to the Unassigned Fund Balance in the General Fund. (Toms)
• General Fund Baseline Budget, Fire Services Contract, had shown an eight percent increase, but had not taken into account a potential re-negotiation of $1 million. (Toms) • General Fund Transfers to Other Funds, Tiny Tots, had shown the operating subsidies at $133,651. Acknowledged a recommendation to consider whether the business model should be evaluated since only a portion of residents benefitted from the City subsidized program. (Toms)
• For the Department three percent budget reduction scenario, the City Council budget had shown a reduction of $8,456. Acknowledged a recommendation to drop down more and use less of the 115 Trust, particularly since the City Council was asking City Departments to make reductions and the City Council should do the same. (Toms) • The 115 Trust, had been established in 2018 with a $16 million balance. The 115 Trust balance was now at $16 million with the City operating on the interest and the more drawn down the interest would be unavailable. Acknowledged a request to rely less on the 115 Trust in the long term where the City would be in better shape. (Toms) • Feedback from the Finance Subcommittee on the three, six and ten percent budget reduction scenarios included a recommendation to identify the revenues associated with the Departments as well, since some Departments were near break-even, while others needed a higher level of subsidy. (Sasai)
• If the City Council decided to move forward with $3.4 million from the 115 Trust, it should consider the three percent budget reduction scenario, which would get the City closer to a balanced budget, along with a re-negotiation of the CCCFPD contract. (Sasai) • General Fund Baseline Budget, Materials and Supplies, had shown a 21 percent increase, which included fuel and public safety and clothing, and factored in some costs for the current fiscal year, included in the projections moving forward. Acknowledged fuel was the most-costly item for the next fiscal year. (Sasai)
• For the Department three percent budget reduction scenario for CDD-Planning, the City piloted a summer intern program last year with three interns working on Housing Element programs and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) projects. For this summer, the idea promotion of those programs as wit as for some ar housing negat. workshops in the Housing Element. (Sasai)
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
• The cost of transferring-in each year and the amount the City was withdrawing from the 115 Trust was not consistent each year given growth in the employer contributions from the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CaPERS). The City instituted a formula when it established the 115 Trust, and took the amount budgeted in any given budget year and backed out the amount from the baseline year, FY 2018/19, and that difference was withdrawn and transferred from the 115 Trust into the General Fund. As the City continued to see increases in CaPERS costs, it continued to see increases in the amount required to be withdrawn from the 115 Trust.
Over the last five years, the increase had been anywhere from six up to ten percent. For this current fiscal year, the increase was 7 to 8 precent. Before the five years, the increase trend would have to be reviewed and staff would have to come back with that information.
As to whether this issue was being addressed through the League of California Cities, and whether the League was advocating for things to protect local revenues, staff clarified an update could be provided on the League's efforts, but it was a monumental task to keep some of that under control. There was a current push to reduce some of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) improvements that had been in place, and where the League was focusing its efforts to ensure there was no slippage to loosen what was in place. Whether there was current legislation that the League was advocating for in the Assembly that would keep Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) costs consistent over time, staff was unaware and that would have to be researched.
Acknowledged concern whether the City was getting its money back in membership fees to the League of California Cities. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy) For the Department three percent budget reduction scenario, the Yellow Brick Road model and the service level impact, acknowledged a request for more information on the when and how and what objective criteria had been used by the Department Heads to develop the service level impacts. As examples, what reduced training opportunities would be considered for the City Council budget and what did a three percent reduction mean for the service level impacts anticipated for the PPD. While there was recognition staff may still be working on the budget reduction service level impacts, acknowledged a request for the potential service level impacts to be detailed for both the three and six percent budget reduction scenarios, with staff to provide a detailed printout for the City Council to review for the three, six and ten percent reduction scenarios. Staff also acknowledged the budget was a living document and changes could be made during the budget process. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy)
• The City Council would need to have a more solid discussion around the operating subsidies and it was important to review those operating subsidies every few years. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy)
• Acknowledged a request to see the timing of the proposed service level impacts based on the proposed budget reductions and a better understanding of the budget pacing, along with the overall reductions over the year. Acknowledged a request from staff as to what the City Council could do as policy makers to address CaPERS costs each year and what staff's recommendation should be from any association the City was part of that would keep that number consistent, ideally through a bill process, with staff asked to bring that information forward to allow that discussion to happen. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy) Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
• The budget reflected fewer costs this year due to the one-year closure of the Pinole Library, with the projected budget showing a six-month cost. (Martinez-Rubin) • As to the narrative portion of the budget, which referred to the City Council Department, that was a placeholder and the next narrative would more accurately reflect what the City Council would have accomplished in FY 2025/26. (Martinez-Rubin) • While the City Council budget was not as grand as other City Departments, with no personnel or operations, the City Council had the option to review need and use of travel funds. Acknowledged some funds were placeholders, and the City Council may consider the use of funds not used this year for something more tangible next year, such as the purchase of a vehicle for the Public Works Department or the PPD, otherwise unused funds would remain in the City Council budget and not be used. (Martinez-Rubin) • As to the Equipment Reserve Fund, staff clarified there was no official policy for the use of the funds, but it had been the City's practice (before the Finance Director's employ with the City) that $150,000 flat was transferred annually into the fund. Confirmed the procurement of a police vehicle as part of the April 21, 2026 City Council meeting agenda, had been purchased through the Reserve Fund. Clarified there had been a balance in the Reserve Fund before the purchases of approximately $490,000, with several vehicles purchased for the PPD and the Public Works Department, and between those for this fiscal year, there was a projection to end with a balance of $153,000. In the next year, an additional $150,000 would be contributed for a fund balance of around $300,000 next year. (Sasai)
• Traffic Safety Fund 205 and Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund 206, and a line item for repair and replacement of traffic cameras in the amount of $7,500, was clarified In the three percent reduction scenario, another line item for surveillance videos (whether traffic cameras, surveillance videos or license plate reader (LPR) cameras) at $30,000 was identified for elimination. There was no line item in the budget to increase the number of cameras in Pinole. The drone program in the amount of $30,000 was also clarified, and in this current fiscal year some of the funds had been used to expand the program and purchase a couple of indoor drones. Acknowledged a recommendation for the PPD to increase technology and how it may aid the City. (Sasai) • Clarified the three, six and ten percent budget reduction scenarios had taken into account the operating subsidies. (Mayor Tave)
• Acknowledged the Finance Subcommittee had asked staff to detail the three, six and ten percent budget reduction scenarios and escalation of reductions that would happen to provide qualitative data in the narratives. (Mayor Tave) • Staff recommended the Finance Subcommittee consider the idea of starting with the six percent budget reduction scenario and see if there were ways to build back up. (Mayor Tave)
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
• Staff clarified again the Preliminary LTFF (Yellow Brick Road) - Updated Draft, and as the City Council considered goals and projects, consider whether the City Council was adding to this model or not. In terms of the Transfers-In from each Department, staff had the data at the Department level and could discuss with Department Heads pulling specific growths to see over a three-or-four-year period how subsidies had increased, as an example. (Mayor Tave)
• Tracking of energy costs and savings if any, was clarified with staff working on a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to go out on May 8, 2026, with the deadline the end of May, to determine whether there were additional energy savings projects that could be implemented in the next fiscal year to 18-months, to bring realized savings to the community. (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy)
• Whether the three and six percent budget reduction scenarios were realistic given the contractual obligations the City had with labor groups, staff noted there were no final labor agreements and the budget reflected all of the obligations currently in effect for the different labor groups, but did not reflect any potential or proposed agreements. (Martinez-Rubin)
• The budget numbers were current for staffing, salaries and benefits and were the best estimates based on where the City was currently. Staff was also looking at actual trends and what was happening now and considering that as well in terms of Materials and Supplies. (Mayor Tave)
PUBLIC COMMENTS OPENED
Rafael Menis provided the following comments on the Preliminary Proposed FY 2026/27 Operating and Capital Budget, based on the budget information in the agenda packet, as follows:
- Pages 304 and 305 of Page 374 of the agenda packet, Draft, City of Pinole, Preliminary Proposed LTFF (Yellow Brick Road), understood that 2027(F)(1s') (as shown in the table) was the first forecast that had initially been presented to the Finance Subcommittee and 2027(F) was the current proposed budget, with the City proposing with all adjustments, to withdraw $2 million from the 115 Trust.
- Asked whether it would be possible to break out the change from three percent to one percent in the cost-of-living (COLA) adjustments, and have that factored in as part of the revenue/expenditure costs, to be adjusted in the surplus deficit calculation on Page 305, otherwise it would show a decrease in salaries from year to year not just a lower rate of increase. Asked if there was a way to break that out, and show it as a factor when speaking of three, six and ten percent budget reductions. He suggested the City should also be talking about the costs they were asking all bargaining units to absorb, when going from three to one percent or the PPD wanted 8.5 percent and down to one percent.
Asked where the increased franchise fee to cover road damages had shown up in the Franchise Tax, which mostly accounted for year-to-year, and was roughly $1 million, and the City was only seeing $850,000 in the Franchise Tax across all categories.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
- Page 88 of Page 374 of the agenda packet, noted the sales tax breakdown was unclear for the breakdown for all categories.
- Page 72 of Page 374 of the agenda packet, noted the Strategic Plan ended in 2025 and asked if there were plans for an update.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED
In response to the Mayor, Finance Director Guillory explained Vehicle Impact Fees were being collected but not allocated and had been included in the budget document in the summaries. Per year, approximately $1.2 million had been collected
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy commented he had seen a lot of cities across the state talk about the ongoing real estate capital world, where cities were realizing how much development and land they had which was not being used, and were selling off their properties that were vacant. He understood the City of Pinole had done that in the last couple of years and asked in alignment with the LTFF, what was a reasonable approach to that in terms of new numbers. He asked how the City could better set up those conversations if they had not already.
Interim City Manager Evans was aware of the vacant lot across from the U.S. Post Office, and looking at opportunities for properties the City owned and leveraging those were being considered. He had spoken to a developer about the Faria House property and there could be interest there, which would be part of a follow-up analysis to be brought to the City Council for consideration.
In response to the Mayor Pro Tem, Finance Director Guillory clarified the Sewer Enterprise Fund reflected a decrease in the capital projects from last year to this year, to the coming fiscal year, and the way the projects were accounted for. In the past, they were budgeted all five years of the CIP, for sewer related projects in one fiscal year to the tune of $29 million. Moving forward, they were looking at the CIP and determining which projected to fund annually through the budget process, as opposed to funding the full five years' worth of projects, particularly when they knew they would have projects that would not be completed in the upcoming fiscal year.
The Public Works Department had assessed projects in various phases, with those upcoming in the next fiscal year and staff budgeted to that level, as opposed to covering all five years in one year. That change would not impact the General Fund. The Sewer Enterprise Fund was self- sustaining and all of the projects could be fully funded with the ongoing annual revenues, in addition to the accumulated fund balance. Also, the Associate Civil Engineer position, which was currently vacant, was budgeted 100 percent from the Sewer Enterprise Fund and would not be impacted by the three percent budget reduction scenario.
Council member Martinez-Rubin recognized reductions could not be uniform across all Departments because of the different consequences based on increases or decreases in any given Department budget. Having said that, while not being arbitrary and what she believed was a pattern of usage, she offered a motion to decrease the City Council Travel and Training Budget by 45 percent from $64,130 to $35,272, which would allot an equal amount to every Council member at $7,054.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Council member Martinez-Rubin stated by doing so, the City would end up with a savings of $35,272 that could be allotted elsewhere and an amount that could be used in the next fiscal year in a way that had greater impact than simply the reduction of training opportunities, and which still left options for Council members to consider what kinds of educational or training events they may attend
Council member Toms seconded the motion.
On the motion, Council member Sasai commented of the three, six and ten percent budget reduction scenarios, he was curious about the fixation on the City Council Travel and Training Budget year after year. This was his fourth year on the City Council, he had been attending almost all LCC events and had the opportunity to meet with state leaders and participate in other training opportunities as part of the City Council Travel and Training Budget, and he was frustrated to hear this every year.
Council member Sasai offered a substitute motion to reduce the City Council Travel and Training Budget to zero and eliminate the entire budget.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy asked about the savings total if the City Council Travel and Training Budget were to be eliminated, but which he understood was also associated with associations and memberships. He asked staff whether they could explore pulling back from all of that and identify what amount could be saved in travel, training and memberships. He seconded the substitute motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy commented that while he understood the City Council Travel and Training Budget was not tied to memberships and associations, the use of the funds had been tied to conferences by associations, which the Council had used from its travel and training budget in the past, and where the Council oftentimes attended dinners with other Council members or events with state representatives, as examples. He again asked about the costs of the memberships to the budget annually and the costs of the travel and training budget.
Finance Director Guillory advised she would have to review the budget. For travel and training, the City Council received $12,000 per Council member, with the Mayor an additional allocation of $600, with the total around $64,000 for travel and training, but she was unsure of the membership costs at this time without reviewing the budget.
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy noted there would be savings as well if the City Council were to reduce involvement in memberships. He reiterated Council members traveled to attend conferences for professional development of memberships they held as a City agency and what staff was doing as well. If Council member Sasai was open to amending his motion, he would like staff to explore both the elimination of the travel and training budget for the City Council and extend that to the memberships of the places in which the travel and training budget was being spent. He suggested the City Council should see that cost savings as a package, which would be an excellent cost savings.
Council member Sasai understood the LCC, like the Contra Costa Mayors Conference memberships, were not included in the travel and training budget, and were different line items.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Council member Sasai stated when tying the expenses of travel and training to actual conterences, he was referencing line items under the City Council budget, which had shown the City was paying separately for the LCC East Bay Division membership meetings, a separate expense from the City Council travel and training budget. The City Council could still reap the benefits from the memberships the City paid for as long as they were still within the East Bay Division membership meetings and still benefitted from those briefings.
Finance Director Guillory advised the total for memberships and dues was $23,485 in addition to $64,000 for the City Council Travel and Training budget.
As to the annual dues to the Bay Front Chamber of Commerce, when asked by the Mayor Pro Tem, Community Development Director Whalen understood the membership fee was between $1,500 and $2,000.
ACTION: Motion by Council members Sasai/Toms to Extend the City Council meeting to 11:30 p.m.
Vote: Passed 5-0
Ayes: Tave, Murphy, Martinez-Rubin, Sasai, Toms
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy understood the cost savings would be around $65,000. As the maker of the substitute motion, he asked Council member Sasai whether it would be possible to amend the motion, and recommend staff return with information in the next process before the cut was made, with staff to review all memberships and consider more possible savings.
Council member Sasai stated his motion was only for the City Council Travel and Training Budget and had not included memberships. He would be happy to entertain a motion on the memberships, but his substitute motion was only on the City Council Travel and Training Budget at this time.
Council member Toms suggested the second on the substitute motion could be withdrawn if the Mayor Pro Tem wanted the item to be brought back. She clarified the previous City Council Trave and Training Budget was $4,500 per Council member per year. In 2025, she suggested any time a Council member attended a Mayors Conference or an East Bay Division meeting that be counted in the travel and training, because many times it added to the top and was not allocated to a member of the Council individually. The City Council Travel and Training Budget had almost been tripled from $4,500 and she was proposing it go back to $4,500.
In response to the Mayor, Finance Director Guillory explained if the City Council Travel and Training Budget funds were not used, they would not roll over into the next year, they would have to be re-budgeted with the funds going into the Fund Balance.
Council member Sasai hoped to reduce the budget to zero for the City Council Travel and Training Budget.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Council member Sasai reported he had met with Congressman Garamendi in D.C. on two occasions related to budget asks that City staff had put together, and found the value of being face to face to detail how the budget asks may benefit the community, and he also advocated in D.C. over the past year for public safety funding to keep residents safe during community events While Congressman Garamendi had an office in the City of Richmond, and while there was validity to that point, they needed to be consistent as well when meeting with State elected officials Assemblymember Wicks had a District Office in Oakland and Senator Arreguin a District Office in Richmond, which were easily accessible, and those efforts would not be lost if moving forward with this motion and having one-on-one meetings with the electeds would be beneficial rather than meeting with other representatives at the same time.
Council member Sasai added that he found there were meaningful training opportunities through the LCC and National League of Cities, but the materials and literature from those sessions could be provided and one did not have to attend in person to get that information. He reiterated his substitute motion given the structural deficit involved where a decision had to be made.
ACTION: Motion by Council member Sasai/Mayor Pro Tem Murphy for the City Council Travel and Training Budget to go to zero.
Vote: Passed 3-2
Ayes: Tave, Murphy, Sasai
Noes: Martinez-Rubin, Toms
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy clarified with the Interim City Manager that staff would return with information on service level impacts at the three, six and ten percent budget reduction scenarios as well as outlining how to achieve that aim should the City Council want to move forward more immediately or ramp up over the next several months.
Mayor Tave preferred to consider reductions more than three percent, and while he recognized there would be impacts, based on the subsidies the City provided, as outlined in the PowerPoint presentation, such as the Youth and Swim Center, a three percent reduction would impact the Swim Center more than the Youth Center and Tiny Tots. He would like more information on what was possible with the programs. He understood the Swim and Youth Centers and the Tiny Tots programs were highly subsidized programs and he would like to see if there was a way to work with the operators of the programs to determine a better way to generate additional revenue or consideration of leasing opportunities. He recognized the lion's share of the subsidies were administrative, the Senior Center and the Recreation Fund, which programs he hoped staff would evaluate further.
Mayor Tave agreed that energy costs was another thing that needed to be looked at with the use of light emitting diode (LED) lights a huge savings on a month-to-month basis that could be realized straight away. He hoped those tactics could be used to reduce the budget. He otherwise would like to see Requests for Proposals (RFPs) out for roads since the summer period was the window to get work done, and whatever resources were needed would make an impact for the citizens of Pinole, which was his priority for this budget cycle.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Murphy would also like staff to bring back an assessment of all Department memberships, the costs, the must haves and what was liked to have, and he was uncertain whether staff had considered the mandates of the association memberships the City was required to be a part of, and identify what were nice to haves. He would like to see comparatives from each Department at the next budget session.
B. Preliminary Proposed Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2026/27 through Fiscal Year 2030/31. Action: Receive a Report (Heba El-Guindy) Mayor Tave recommended the item be continued to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
ACTION: Motion by Mayor Tave/ to continue the Preliminary Proposed Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2026/27 through Fiscal Year 2030/31, to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
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.
Anthony Vossbrink echoed the comments made by previous speakers during the first Citizens to be Heard that citizens of Pinole vote No on Measure D, with most of the reasons and basis having been addressed. Given the City's financial situation and with the City facing a $4.2 million plus deficit, moving forward, he would like to see the City Council and the Mayor spend more time and emphasis fixing the budget and the City's financial situation. He also found it odd for one reason or another that over the past few months, some members had been absent during the Finance Subcommittee meetings, with a meeting either canceled or postponed, absent public notice until member or City staff member, be considered.
In response to the member of the public, who asked about the use of pesticides/herbicides in City parks, Mr. Vossbrink commented he had addressed that issue years ago and could provide answers to the speaker's questions. He agreed that issue be included on a future agenda for discussion.
Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026
Given the speaker's time had expired, Mayor Tave suggested if the speaker had any additional comments he could email City staff.
City Attorney Casher advised the Mayor may adjourn the regular meeting and let everyone go home and then convene to Closed Session and report out, if there was a report at the next City Council meeting.
ADJOURN to the Regular City Council Meeting of May 19, 2026 in Remembrance of Amber Swartz and CONVENE to a Closed Session for Item 4B.
At 11:15 p.m., Mayor Tave adjourned to a Regular City Council Meeting of May 19, 2026 in Remembrance of Amber Swartz and convened to a Closed Session for Item 4B.
Submitted by:
Heather Bell-Spears CMC
City Clerk
Approved by City Council: May 19, 2026
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Pinole City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes - May 5, 2026