City of San Pablo
Meeting Minutes - Draft
City Council
6:00 PM City Council Chambers
Members of the public may view this meeting online by using this URL
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83708212256
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Pabon-Alvarado led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Abel Pineda, Councilmember Rita Xavier, and Vice Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 4 -
Mayor Arturo CruzAbsent: 1 -
Staff Present:
City Manager, Matt Rodriguez
Assistant City Manager, Maria Ojeda
City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey
Police Chief, Brian Bubar
City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt
Assistant City Clerk, Leticia I. Miguel
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No Closed Session.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Public Comment was received by Cordell Hindler, Rajdeep Sidhu, Lorena Esquivel, and Nwall Al-Moraveelo.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PRESENTATIONS
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
1. CONSIDER APPROVING AND PRESENTING PROCLAMATION
COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING POLICE SERVICES TECHNICIAN JO ANNA RODRIGUEZ ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 24-436
No Public Comment was received.
Presented.
2. CONSIDER APPROVING AND PRESENTING PROCLAMATION
COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
MICHAEL LICHTLE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-049
No Public Comment was received.
Presented.
3. BI-ANNUAL UPDATE FROM SAN PABLO YOUTH COMMISSION (SPYC).
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 24-434
No Public Comment was received.
Presented.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Rodriguez made the following announcements:
•The Community Services Department will be hosting the Annual Valentine's Family Dance, scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2025.
•The upcoming service of Dumpster Day is scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2025.
CONSENT CALENDAR
No Public Comment was received.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Councilmember Pineda, and approved by vote of those present, to adopt all items in the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 17.
Item 17 has been continued to a future City Council meeting.
The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado4 -
Absent: Cruz1 -
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
MINUTES
4. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 2024
CEQA: This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
25-001
Approved as Submitted on the Consent Calendar.
5. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 9, 2024
CEQA: This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
24-435
Approved as Submitted on the Consent Calendar.
LIABILITY CLAIMS
6. CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIMS OF ROBERT ADAMS (DOL 5/29/24) AND SHAREE TAYLOR (DOL 8/15/24)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-037
Denied Claim as submitted on the Consent Calendar.
PERIODIC REPORTS
7. CONSIDER APPROVING VENDOR CHECK REGISTER REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2024
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-022
Approve by Minute Order.
8. RECEIVE AND FILE THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 24-432
Received and Filed.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
9. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO APPOINTING THIRTEEN COMMISSIONERS TO THE SAN
PABLO YOUTH COMMISSION
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 24-422
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-001
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
10. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE CITY ’S CLASSIFICATION AND
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 BY APPROVING THE
AMENDMENT OF THE PART -TIME SALARY SCHEDULE TO COMPLY WITH
CALIFORNIA MINIMUM WAGE REQUIREMENTS
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-005
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-002
11. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING WORK PERFORMED BY MICHAEL PAUL
COMPANY INC FOR THE HAPPY FRIDAY PARK (ORIGINALLY BID AS BUSH AVENUE POCKET PARK) PROJECT (0502) AS COMPLETE; (2) DIRECTING
A NOTICE OF COMPLETION TO BE PREPARED AND FILED WITH THE COUNTY RECORDER; AND (3) RE-ALLOCATING UNUSED APPROPRIATED FUNDS FROM THE HAPPY FRIDAY PARK (0502) IN THE AMOUNT OF $105,234.14 TO THE MCNEIL PARK PROJECT (0501) AND TO THE SAN PABLO AVENUE BRIDGE PROJECT (0202)
CEQA: The Bush Avenue Pocket Park Project is categorically exempt per CEQA Guidelines 15303(d) and (e), and Section 15304(b) and (f), as it only includes, respectively, new construction of small structures (e.g., play equipment, new water meter, new fence, etc.) and minor alterations of land (e.g., new landscaping, minor trenching and backfill where new surface is restored). The CEQA Notice of Exemption was filed at the Contra Costa County Clerk's Office on December 18, 2021.
25-043
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-003
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
12. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE JULY 1, 2024, LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JARVIS FAY, LLP, INCREASING MAXIMUM COMPENSATION BY $ 50,000, FOR A NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $100,000
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-014
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-004
13. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING WORK PERFORMED BY CENTRAL ROOFING, INC. FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER ROOF REPLACEMENT PROJECT (0107) AS COMPLETE, AND (2) DIRECTING CITY ENGINEER TO
FILE A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE COUNTY RECORDER
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-015
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-005
14. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING WORK PERFORMED BY CAL PRO SERVICE CORP. FOR THE SAN PABLO POLICE ANNEX PROJECT
(SPPD21) AS COMPLETE, AND (2) DIRECTING CITY ENGINEER TO FILE A
NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE COUNTY RECORDER
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-016
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-006
15. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT IN A TOTAL AUTHORIZED NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $50,500, FOR CONSULTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AND FRANCISCO AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE LEVY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 FOR SAN PABLO STREET LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1982-1 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-017
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-007
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
16. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING WORK PERFORMED BY UNITED STORM WATER, INC. FOR THE CITYWIDE TRASH CAPTURE DEVICE INSTALLATION PROJECT (0305) AS COMPLETE; (2) DIRECTING CITY
ENGINEER TO FILE A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH THE COUNTY RECORDER; AND (3) RE-ALLOCATING PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 33,300 FROM THE CITYWIDE TRASH CAPTURE DEVICE INSTALLATION PROJECT (0305) TO THE LEROY HEIGHTS STORM DRAIN PROJECT (0306) AND THE MCNEIL PARK
PROJECT (0501)
CEQA: The Citywide Trash Capture Device Installation Project was assessed and determined to be Categorically Exempt from environmental review under Section 15301 of the CEQA Regulations. The CEQA Notice of Exemption was filed at the Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office on June 12, 2024. 25-018
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-008
17. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE FISCAL RESILIENCY RESERVE POLICY (LAST REVISED ON APRIL 15, 2024) FORMALLY ESTABLISHING THREE (3) NEW RESERVE FUNDS (FUND 103, 104, 105), AND MAINTAINING TWO (2) INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS (130, 140) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 WITH A
ONE-TIME APPROPRIATION FROM UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 21, 2025 (Continued from 01/21/25)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-004
Continued to a future City Council Meeting.
18. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
THE GENERAL FUND DESIGNATED RESERVES (GFDR) FUND BALANCE FOR A TOTAL FUND BALANCE OF $ 6,671,279 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 TO ALLOCATE FOR ALL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED APPROPRIATIONS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 21, 2025
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-003
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-009
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
19. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE WAIVER OF
FEES FOR USE OF THE RUMRILL SPORTS PARK KIOSK, AND A
TWO-THIRDS (2/3) REDUCED FEE AT RUMRILL SPORTS PARK FOR FIELDS 1 AND 2 FOR THE SAN PABLO UNITED YOUTH SOCCER CLUB FOR THE 2025 WINTER\SPRING SEASON
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 24-388
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-010
20. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING $ 8 MILLION FROM
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) SAN FRANCISCO
BAY WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FUND (SFBWQIF) GRANT
PROGRAM FOR THE POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCB) TOTAL
MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD (TMDL) SPECIAL STUDIES AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT; AND (2) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO
ANY AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE GRANT
CEQA: The project is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a funding action, as it is not a project under CEQA nor an activity that may cause a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical environment change pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(a) and 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15002(d). 25-008
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-011
21. CONSIDER RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
PABLO AFFIRMING RECOMMENDED APPOINTMENTS BY MAYOR
ARTURO CRUZ OF INDIVIDUAL CITY COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL /LOCAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025
PURSUANT TO SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.16.070
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-047
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-012
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
22. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL
FUNDING AGREEMENTS AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO WITH THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE BROADWAY EL PORTAL SAFE ROUTES PROJECT (CIP 0704)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-048
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-013
23. CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EVENT SPONSORSHIP OF $2,000 TO HELMS MIDDLE SCHOOL (WITH BAY AREA COMMUNITY
RESOURCES AS NON -PROFIT 501c(3) ORGANIZATION ACTING AS FISCAL AGENT) FOR A READING CARNIVAL EVENT IN MAY 2025.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-012
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-014
24. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A $1,000
SPONSORSHIP FOR BIKE EAST BAY ’S ANNUAL BIKE -TO-WHEREVER DAY ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-013
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-015
25. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO REAPPOINTING ROBERTA FELICIANO TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THE TERM FEBRUARY 2025 THROUGH
FEBRUARY 2029
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-052
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-016
PUBLIC HEARINGS
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
26. PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO CONSIDERING AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION’S DENIAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ADD
OFF-SALE GENERAL ALCOHOL SALES, INCLUDING DISTILLED SPIRITS,
TO AN EXISTING BEER AND WINE LICENSE FOR A LEGAL
NONCONFORMING CONVENIENCE MARKET AND REVOCATION OF AN
EXISTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 1212, LOCATED AT 14701 SAN PABLO AVENUE, APN: 413-310-017
CEQA: Categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, Section 15301, Existing Facilities, Class 1.
24-427
The public hearing opened at 7:23 p.m.
Public Comment was received by James McCarty and Mohammad Alammari.
The public hearing closed at 7:40 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Councilmember Xavier, that this RESOLUTION be Adopted.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado4 -
Absent: Cruz1 -
Enactment No: RES 2025-017
27. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO PERTINING TO REQUEST FROM RICHMOND
SANITARY SERVICES TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES RATES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025
CEQA: Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), establishing maximum solid waste collection rate adjustments is statutorily exempt under Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8) and 14 Cal. Code of Regulations Section 15273 on the basis that the proposed changes to rates and charges are needed to meet operating expenses, and is also categorically exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA guidelines, on the basis that there is no significant environmental impact as a result of the rate changes. A Notice of Exemption will be filed with the County Clerk if the resolution is adopted.
The public hearing opened at 8:00 p.m.
Public Comment was received by Patricia Linert.
The public hearing closed at 8:05 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilmember Pineda, seconded by Councilmember Xavier, that this RESOLUTION be Adopted.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Ponce, Pineda, and Xavier3 -
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
Noes: Pabon-Alvarado1 -
Absent: Cruz1 -
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
28. CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF SAN PABLO SLOGAN “TEAMWORK SAN PABLO 2025 - THE YEAR OF EMPOWERMENT” FOR THE JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2025 PERIOD
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-042
No Public Comment was received.
A motion was made by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Councilmember Xavier, that this RESOLUTION be Adopted.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado4 -
Absent: Cruz1 -
Enactment No: RES 2025-019
29. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION ON CITY COUNCIL APPOINTIVE PROCESS TO FILL ONE (1) VACANCY ON THE SAN PABLO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A TWO -YEAR STAGGERED TERM FROM FEBRUARY 2025 - JANUARY 2027
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-020
No Public Comment was received.
A motion was made by Councilmember Pineda, seconded by Councilmember Xavier, to Approve Option
2. Option No.2:
Proceed with selection of current incumbent (Mr. Saman Farid ), make by motion and approve by majority vote via minute order, to serve a vacant 2-year staggered term from February 2025 - January 2027, and submit the City nominee to the SPEDC Board for approval.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Pineda, and Xavier2 -
Noes: Pabon-Alvarado1 -
Absent: Cruz1 -
Recused: Ponce1 -
January 21, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Draft
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS (IF ANY)
30. MATERIALS SUBMITTED AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE AGENDA WILL BE APPENDED AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETING. THIS IS NOT AN ACTION ITEM
BUT MERELY A MECHANISM FOR MATERIALS SUBMITTED AFTER
PUBLICATION OF THE AGENDA TO BE APPENDED TO THE PUBLISHED AGENDA AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETING.
25-050
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTS
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 8:41 p.m. to the regular meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., in memory of Ms. Josefa Cruz, grandmother to Mayor Arturo Cruz.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Dorothy Gantt, City Clerk
____________________________
Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado, Vice Mayor