City of San Pablo
Meeting Minutes
City Council
5:00 PM City Council ChambersTuesday, January 20, 2026
CITY COUNCIL/LOCAL SUCCESSOR AGENCY/JOINT POWERS FINANCING
AUTHORITY
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pabon-Alvarado led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Arturo Cruz, Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Abel Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 5 -
Staff Present:
City Manager, Matt Rodriguez
City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey
City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt
Interim Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned to Closed Session at 5:01PM regarding:
1. CLOSED SESSION
Pursuant to Gov’t Code section 54957:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title: City Manager
26-014
No Public Comments were received on Closed Session
Reconvene to Regular Session at 6:09 PM
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Arturo Cruz, Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Abel Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 5 -
January 20, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
Staff Present:
City Manager, Matt Rodriguez
Assistant City Manager, Maria Ojeda
City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey
Police Chief, Brian Bubar
Economic Development and Housing Manager, Kieron Slaughter City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt
Interim Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action on Closed Session
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
One Oral Communication was received from the following: Mikresh Karki
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PROCLAMATIONS
2. CONSIDER APPROVING AND PRESENTING PROCLAMATION
COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK CAROL REID ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-536
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
PRESENTATIONS
3. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF
EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED FOR OCTOBER 2025 -
DECEMBER 2025
25-533
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
An additional late submitted Oral Communication was allowed and received at this time from the following: Nick Ubaldi.
January 20, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Matt Rodriguez made the following announcement: In Partnership with The San Pablo Economic Development Department, The Cities of Albany, El Cerrito, Pinole, and Richmond, the City of San Pablo is hosting a Job Fair open to the public on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at City Hall, 1000 Gateway Avenue, San Pablo.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
4. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2025
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-528
Approved.
PERIODIC REPORTS
5. CONSIDER APPROVING VENDOR CHECK REGISTER REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2025
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-505
Approved.
6. RECEIVE AND FILE THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-003
Received and Filed.
LIABILITY CLAIMS
7. CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIMS OF ALMA AVILES (DOL 6/24/25) AND CARLOS G. QUINTANILLA (DOL 6/24/25)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-532
Denied.
January 20, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
8. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE LOCAL SUCCESSOR
AGENCY OF THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF
SAN PABLO APPROVING AN ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET AND ADOPTING
THE RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 (“ROPS 26-27”)
CEQA: This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
25-480
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES LSA 2026-001
9. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH 101VOICE FOR HOSTED VOIP
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT OF $ 821.26 IN ONE TIME IMPLEMENTATION COSTS, AND $ 2,470.93 IN MONTHLY COSTS FOR A TOTAL COST OF $149,286 OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-509
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-001
10. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH PINNACLE PETROLEUM, INC .
FOR THE PURCHASE OF FUEL FOR CITY OPERATIONS; INCREASING COMPENSATION BY UP TO $ 90,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26; AUTHORIZING COMPENSATION NOT TO EXCEED $ 180,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 THROUGH MARCH 1, 2027; EXTENDING THE AGREEMENT TERM THROUGH MARCH 1, 2027; AND ESTABLISHING A TOTAL
AGREEMENT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $974,846
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-535
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-002
January 20, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
11. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE FISCAL
RESILIENCY RESERVE POLICY, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 20, 2026.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-005
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-003
12. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE GENERAL FUND
DESIGNATED RESERVES (GFDR) FUND BALANCE FOR A TOTAL FUND BALANCE OF $ 6,836,566 FOR FY 2025-26 TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVED APPROPRIATIONS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 20, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-004
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-004
13. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. 651 WITH THE CONTRA COSTA
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE A CITY OF SAN PABLO LOCAL FUNDING CONTRIBUTION OF $ 217,877 FOR THE COUNTYWIDE
SMART SIGNALS PROJECT
CEQA: This proposed action is consistent with the previously completed Initial Study with previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration /Environmental Assessment.
25-545
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-005
14. ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING CHAPTER 15.04 OF THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, VOLUMES 1 AND 2, WITH APPENDIX CHAPTERS G, H, I, J, N, P AND Q, AS AMENDED; 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, WITH APPENDIX CHAPTERS BB, BF, BG, CI, AND CJ, AS AMENDED; 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE WITH ANNEXES A, C, AND I; 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE WITH APPENDIX CHAPTERS B, C, F, G AND H; 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE WITH APPENDIX CHAPTERS A, D, G, H, I, J, M, AND R; 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, AS AMENDED; 2025 CALIFORNIA
25-534
January 20, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE; 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE WITH
AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT; 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE; 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE; 2025
CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE; 2025 CALIFORNIA
WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE; AND THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, AS AMENDED; AND DETERMINING
THAT ADOPTION OF THESE AMENDMENTS IS EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.
CEQA: This proposed action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) ( i.e., the “common sense” exemption) in that its purpose to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, limb, health, property, and public welfare of construction and its adoption will not have the effect of deleting or substantially changing any regulatory standards or findings and it can be determined with certainty that the adoption of the proposed amendments to the Municipal Code has no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. In addition, adoption of these amendments is exempt from review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 because the project is an action being taken by a regulatory agency where the process involves procedures for the protection of the environment that do not have the potential to cause significant effects on the environment.
Adopted.
Enactment No: ORD 2025-006
No Public Comments were received on the Consent Calendar.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Vice Mayor Xavier, seconded by Councilmember Cruz, and approved by vote of those present, to adopt all items in the Consent Calendar. The motion passed as follows:
Aye: 5 - Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, Pabon-Alvarado and Cruz * * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * *
January 20, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
ORDINANCES
15. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO ADDING CHAPTER 9.70 (JUST CAUSE FOR EVICTION
PROTECTIONS) AND CHAPTER 9.80 (HOUSING STABILITY AND
ANTI-HARASSMENT PROTECTIONS) TO THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-488
There were 11 (eleven) Public Comments received from the following: Roxana Alvarado, Ramiro Maga ña, Ana Romero, Ms. Clara Faira, Paul Frank, Domingo Barajas, Linda Jackson, Nana del Carmen, Rhea Laughlin, Jennifer Rizzo, Tomasa Espinoza
A motion was made by Councilmember Cruz to waive first reading and introduce. This Ordinance failed for lack of second.
A motion was made by Councilmember Pineda, seconded by Councilmember Ponce to refer the ordinance to staff for the following revisions and return to Council at a later date:
1. Increasing relocation assistance for No-fault Evictions to an amount equal to two (2) months rent;
2. Allowing displaced tenants to return to the rental unit after a No -Fault Eviction at the same rent in effect at the time of the eviction, subject to any allowable increases under state law; and
3. Extending anti -harassment protections to residents of mobile homes, with the mobile home residency law taking precedence in the event of any conflict.
Motion Passed as follows:
Aye: 5 - Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado Meeting went into Recess at 8:21 PM
Meeting Reconvened at 8:33 PM
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Arturo Cruz, Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Abel Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 5 -
January 20, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
16. CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF SAN PABLO SLOGAN “TEAMWORK SAN PABLO 2026 - THE YEAR OF SERVICE” FOR THE JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2026 PERIOD
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-543
No Public Comments were received.
A motion was made by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Mayor Pabon -Alvarado, that this RESOLUTION be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado5 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-006
17. CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED (DRAFT) CONCEPTUAL CITY -WIDE
BEAUTIFICATION PLAN, CONSISTING OF PROPOSED CAPITAL
PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER <$ 75,000, FOR POTENTIAL FUTURE
INCORPORATION< ADOPTION AND PROGRAMMING INTO THE CITY ’S
ADOPTED MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP)
BUDGET FOR FY 2026-27, FY 2027-28 AND FY 2028-29
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-008
No Public Comments were received.
It was moved by Mayor Pabon -Alvarado, and seconded by Councilmember Cruz to Direct the City Manager to formally solicit a project consultant or engineer to develop a final Plan which includes all cost estimates, project timelines, including one -time funding Allocation sources identified for future capital programming into the City ’s Multi -Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget for project implementation for FY 2026-27, FY 2027-28 and FY 2028-29 periods. The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado5 -
January 20, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
18. 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 2026 - JANUARY 2028
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 25-544
One Public Comment was received from the following: Juan Munúz.
It was moved by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Mayor Pabon -Alvarado to nominate Councilmember Cruz to serve a two -year staggered term from February 2026 through January 2028 on the SPEDC Board, and to submit the appointment to the SPEDC Board for approval. The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado5 -
19. CONSIDER RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
PABLO AFFIRMING RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCILMEMBER
APPOINTMENTS BY MAYOR PABON -ALVARADO OF INDIVIDUAL CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS TO ALL TEMPORARY AD -HOC SUBCOMMITTEES,
STANDING COMMITTEES AND REGIONAL /LOCAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026 PURSUANT TO SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.16.070
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-007
No Public Comments were received.
It was moved by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Vice Mayor Xavier, and approved by vote of those present, to adopt this resolution. The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado5 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-007
January 20, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS (IF ANY)
20. 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.
25-517
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTS
(a) Councilmember Arturo Cruz
(b) Councilmember Patricia Ponce
(c) Councilmember Abel Pineda
(d) Vice Mayor Rita Xavier
(e) Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 9:17 PM to the Special City Council meeting of January 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Casey Erlenheim, Interim Deputy City Clerk