City of San Pablo
Meeting Minutes
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 Tuesday, February 17, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 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
Interim Public Works Director, Jill Mercurio
Economic Development and Housing Manager, Kieron Slaughter City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt
Interim Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No Public Comments were received for Oral Communications.
Motion to Change the Order of Agenda Items
A motion was made by Mayor Pabon -Alvarado, seconded by Councilmember Xavier for Council to consider moving Agenda Line item 16. File ID 26-047 for formal consideration after Ceremonial Matters and before the Consent Calendar. Motion Passed as follows:
Aye: 5 - Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado
February 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PROCLAMATIONS
1. CONSIDER APPROVING AND PRESENTING PROCLAMATION
COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MAINTENANCE AND
OPERATIONS SUPERINTENDENT DANIEL GOMEZ ON THE OCCASION OF
HIS RETIREMENT
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-073
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
An oral communication received late was allowed by the Mayor from the following: Daniel Vidrio
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
ORDINANCES
16. 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. 26-047
There were three Public Comments received from the following: Berta Alvarez, Tomasa Espinoza, Rhea Laughlin A motion was made by Mayor Pabon -Alvarado, seconded by Vice Mayor Xavier to Waive First Reading and Introduce the Ordinance. The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Cruz, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado3 -
Noes: Pineda1 -
Abstain: Ponce1 -
Mayor Pabon-Alvarado called a recess at 7:04 PM
Meeting was Reconvened at 7:13 PM
February 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
Rollcall
Councilmember Arturo Cruz, Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Abel Pineda, and Vice Mayor Rita Xavier
Present: 4 -
Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-AlvaradoAbsent: 1 -
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Matt Rodriguez made the following announcements:
Saturday, March 7,2026 is the next Dumpster Day.
City Manager commends the Community Services Department on hosting a successful event - The Valentine's Day Family Dance.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
2. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 20, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-001
Approved.
3. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 26, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-051
Approved.
PERIODIC REPORTS
4. CONSIDER APPROVING VENDOR CHECK REGISTER REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-042
Approved.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-043
Received and Filed.
February 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
6. CONSIDER APPROVING THE REVISED BUDGET CALENDAR FOR THE FY 2026-27 AND FY 2027-28 BIENNIAL BUDGET
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-056
Approved.
LIABILITY CLAIMS
7. CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIM OF ABASI BUFORD (DOL 10/05/25) CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-036
Denied.
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
8. CONSIDER APPROVING AND ISSUING A PROCLAMATION COMMENDING PASTOR OTHA JOHNSON ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 103RD BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATION, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO THE SAN PABLO
COMMUNITY
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-070
Approved.
9. CONSIDER APPROVING PRELIMINARY STATE OF CALIFORNIA
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND COMMUNITY FUNDING NEEDS FOR
2026-27 STATE OF CA LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND BUDGET PROCESS
FOR THE CITY OF SAN PABLO
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-062
Approved.
10. CONSIDER APPROVING REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARCH 2026 AS PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE
AWARENESS MONTH
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-050
Approved.
February 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
11. 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) TO SUPPORT A WASHINGTON D .C. TRIP FOR HELMS MIDDLE
SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH THE CLOSE UP PROGRAM
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-067
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-018
12. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR THE TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM; (2) ACCEPTING UP TO $ 782,661 IN GRANT
FUNDING OVER THREE FISCAL YEARS TO PARTIALLY FUND THE
EXISTING FULL -TIME POLICE OFFICER POSITION IN THE SAN PABLO
POLICE DEPARTMENT TOBACCO OUTREACH UNIT AND PERSONNEL
COSTS FOR QUALIFYING GRANT ACTIVITIES; AND (3) APPROPRIATING
REIMBURSED GRANT FUNDING TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET,
TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING AN EFFECTIVE, COMPREHENSIVE, AND
STRATEGIC APPROACH TO COMBAT ILLEGAL TOBACCO USE AMONG
MINORS
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-046
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-019
February 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
13. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO ESTABLISHING THE STORMWATER UTILITY
ASSESSMENT RATE FOR FY 2026-27 AND REQUESTING THE CONTRA
COSTA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION
DISTRICT TO ADOPT AN ANNUAL PARCEL ASSESSMENT FOR DRAINAGE
MAINTENANCE AND THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE
ELIMINATION SYSTEM PROGRAM
CEQA: Establishing the Stormwater Utility Assessment (SUA) does not trigger CEQA since it is not a project per CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. This Section of the CEQA Guidelines states that a project does not include continuing administrative or maintenance activities, or the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities, which do not involve a commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
26-028
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-020
14. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO’S GRANT APPLICATION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY (EPA) SAN FRANCISCO BAY RESTORATION GRANT FOR THE
SAN PABLO GREEN STORMWATER MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE
PROJECT FOR APPROXIMATELY $ 1.4 million; AND (2) AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT APPLICATION AND TO TAKE
OTHER NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RECEIVE SUCH GRANT FUNDING
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-027
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-021
February 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
15. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN CITY OF SAN PABLO -OWNED PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1050 GATEWAY AVENUE; APN 417-310-012 (PARCEL ONE ), AND CITY OF SAN PABLO-OWNED PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1000 GATEWAY
AVENUE; APN 417-310-013 (PARCEL TWO) FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSFERRING 2,347± SQUARE FEET FROM PARCEL TWO TO PARCEL
ONE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE DRIVEWAY ALIGNMENT AND ACCESS CEQA: The proposed project has been determined to be categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15305 - Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations (minor lot line adjustment not resulting in the creation of any new parcel).
26-052
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-022
There were two Public Comments on the Consent Calendar from the following: Ray Hernandez and Taura Monteiro.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Councilmember Cruz, 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: 4 - Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, and Xavier
Absent: 1 - Pabon-Alvarado
* * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * *
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS (IF ANY)
17. 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.
25-519
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTS
(a) Councilmember Arturo Cruz
(b) Councilmember Patricia Ponce
(c) Councilmember Abel Pineda
(d) Vice Mayor Rita Xavier
February 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
(e) Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:20 PM to the Regular City Council meeting of March 2, 2026.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Casey Erlenheim, Interim Deputy City Clerk