City of San Pablo
Meeting Minutes - Final
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/89046076519
Monday, March 3, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Cruz led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Rita Xavier, Vice Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado, and Mayor Arturo Cruz
Present: 4 -
Councilmember Abel PinedaAbsent: 1 -
Councilmember Patricia Ponce arrived at 6:03 PM.
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, Aurora Betancourt, Sepideh Karimiziarani, and Jasmine Gonzalez.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PRESENTATIONS
March 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
1. RECEIVE PRESENTATION OF 2024 YEAR-END ANNUAL SURVEY
RESULTS FROM STRATEGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-098
No Public Comment was received.
Presented.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Rodriguez made the following announcements:
•The announcement for our Annual Community Foundation Grant Program for the 2025-2026 program year will take place this Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
•The upcoming service of Dumpster Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2025. •In addition to our Federal Immigration Enforcement Policy, the San Pablo Police Department will be hosting a community workshop on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the San Pablo Community Center. •Highlighted the upcoming plans for the City of San Pablo's free Spring Eggstravaganza, taking place on Saturday, April 12, 2024, at the San Pablo Community Center.
CONSENT CALENDAR
No Public Comment was received.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Councilmember Xavier, seconded by Councilmember Ponce,and approved by vote of those present, to adopt all items in the Consent Calendar.
The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Ponce, Xavier, Pabon-Alvarado, and Cruz4 -
Absent: Pineda1 -
MINUTES
2. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 18, 2025
CEQA: This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
25-100
Approved as Submitted on the Consent Calendar.
LIABILITY CLAIMS
March 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
3. CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIM OF KATHLEEN POPIO (DOL 10/03/24)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-097
Denied Claim as submitted on the Consent Calendar.
PROCLAMATIONS
4. CONSIDER APPROVING REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARCH 2025 AS AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-105
Approve by Minute Order.
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
5. CONSIDER CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION TO RATIFY A 2025-26 LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL PROTECTING STATE OF CALIFORNIA FUNDING
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CITY OF SAN PABLO TRANSMITTED ON FEBRUARY 20, 2025 FROM SAN PABLO MAYOR CRUZ TO THE CITY ’S
STATE LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES, STATE SENATOR JESSE
ARREQUIN (D-7TH) AND STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBER BUFFY WICKS
(D-14TH)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-118
Approve by Minute Order.
6. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO SELL POLICE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AT
PUBLIC AUCTION PURSUANT TO SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
3.16.120, WITH REVENUE FUNDS RECEIVED TO BE CREDITED TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 VEHICLE REPLACEMENT FUND ACCOUNT
(102-2110-46300)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-074
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-027
March 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
7. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION OF $20,000 FROM THE SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
GRANT REVENUES (SLESF) FUND 210 FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FROM BARRICADE AI, INC.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-095
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-028
8. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION (1) ACCEPTING THE 2024 ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT; (2) DETERMINING THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT IN 2024 COMPLIED WITH THE DEPARTMENT ’S MILITARY EQUIPMENT FUNDING, ACQUISITION, AND USE POLICY 709 AND APPLICABLE STATE LAW; AND (3) DETERMINING POLICY 709 WILL BE CONTINUED WITHOUT CHANGE
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-036
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-029
9. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING PUBLIC WORKS TO (1) APPLY
FORSUBMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO ’S GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICES’ (NPS) OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY
PARTNERSHIP (ORLP) GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE MCNEIL PARK
PROJECT (0501), AND (2) AUTHORIZE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE THE GRANT APPLICATION AND TO TAKE OTHER ANY
NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RECEIVE SUCH AGREEMENTS RELATED TO
THIS GRANT FUNDING
CEQA: The McNeil park project (previously called the SPARC project) has been determined to be categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15304 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Section 15304 exempts from environmental review “minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and /or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes .” The Project would involve alteration of the site from an empty lot with demolition debris to a park, including grading, new landscaping, and minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored .
The Project would not remove any mature trees; the trees within and adjacent to the Project site would be preserved in place.
25-108
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-030
March 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
10. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) APPROPRIATING $100,000 FROM ROAD
MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION ACCOUNT (RMRA) FUNDS TO THE SUTTER AVENUE URBAN GREENING PROJECT (“PROJECT”, CIP 0300); (2) INCREASING THE CONTRACT AMOUNT WITH KEREX ENGINEERING INC .
BY $ 100,000 FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION OF $ 4,534,652 INCLUDING CONTINGENCY AND (3) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CHANGE ORDER WITH KEREX ENGINEERING INC. TO PERFORM
ADDITIONAL GRINDING AND REPAVING PAVEMENT RESTORATION
WORK
CEQA: The Sutter Green Project was assessed and determined to be Categorically Exempt from environmental review under Section 15304(b)&(f), 15301(b)&(c), and 15302(c) of the CEQA Regulations. The CEQA Notice of Exemption (NOE) was originally filed at the Contra Costa County Clerk ’s Office on January 31, 2022, and a revised NOE was filed on March 13, 2024. 25-116
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-031
11. RE-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 MARCH 3, 2025 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-004
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-032
12. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
THE GENERAL FUND DESIGNATED RESERVES (GFDR) FUND BALANCE FOR A TOTAL FUND BALANCE OF $ 8,698,050 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 TO ALLOCATE FOR ALL FUTURE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED APPROPRIATIONS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025, EFFECTIVE MARCH 3, 2025 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-070
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-033
March 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
13. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION (1) AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
TRIPEPI SMITH & ASSOCIATES FOR MARKETING AND BRANDING
CONSULTING FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$150,000 OVER AN APPROXIMATELY TWO (2) YEAR PERIOD; AND (2) APPROPRIATING $50,000 FROM FY 2024-25 CITY MANAGER
CONTINGENCY RESERVE AND $ 100,000 FROM FY 2024-25 GENERAL
FUND DESIGNATED RESERVES INCREASING THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUDGET LINE ITEM BY
$150,000 (100-1320-43600) TO FUND THE AGREEMENT
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-045
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2025-034
ORDINANCE
14. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 2025-001 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE (TITLE 17 - ZONING ORDINANCE) TO REVISE EXISTING REGULATIONS PERTAINING
TO THE PERSONAL CULTIVATION OF CANNABIS AND TO ESTABLISH
LAND USE STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN PERMITTED
COMMERCIAL CANNABIS BUSINESSES IN THE CITY OF SAN PABLO.
CEQA: The proposed amendment is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
25-107
Waive second reading; Adopted Ordinance 2025-001.
Enactment No: ORD 2025-001
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No items scheduled.
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
March 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
15. CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
DETERMINE AND EXPLORE FURTHER POLICY FEASIBILITY OF NEW
GENERAL FUND REVENUE MECHANISMS (IN SEQUENTIAL
RANK-ORDER) WITH NECESSARY COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND
OUTREACH EFFORTS, AND INCLUDING POTENTIAL ELECTORATE AND PROPERTY OWNER POLLING UNDER THE CITY MANAGER ’S BUDGET AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 - 2027 PERIOD
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project at defined by CEQA. 25-119
No Public Comment was received.
A motion was made by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Councilmember Xavier, that this RESOLUTION be Approved.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Ponce, Xavier, Pabon-Alvarado, and Cruz4 -
Absent: Pineda1 -
Enactment No: RES 2025-035
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS (IF ANY)
16. 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.
25-101
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTS
City Councilmembers reported on attendance at intergovernmental agency meetings, conferences, and seminars since the last meeting.
City Councilmembers announced calendar of upcoming events and coordinated attendance; reported on local events attended since the last meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:54 p.m. to the Special Closed Session meeting on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., in memory of Ricardo Ponce, uncle to Councilmember Patricia Ponce.
March 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Dorothy Gantt, City Clerk
____________________________
Arturo Cruz, Mayor