City of San Pablo
Meeting Minutes
City Council
5:00 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 2, 2026
CITY COUNCIL/LOCAL SUCCESSOR AGENCY/JOINT POWERS FINANCING
AUTHORITY
Closed Session begins at 5:00 PM
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 Abel Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 4 -
Councilmember Patricia PonceAbsent: 1 -
Staff Present:
City Manager, Matt Rodriguez
City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey
City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt
Interim Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
CLOSED SESSION
No Public Comments were received.
Adjourned to Closed Session at 5:01 PM regarding:
1. CLOSED SESSION
PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
TITLE: CITY ATTORNEY
26-068
Reconvene to Regular Session at 6:06 PM
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Arturo Cruz, Councilmember Abel Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 4 -
Councilmember Patricia PonceAbsent: 1 -
March 2, 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 Management Analyst - Housing, Elizabeth Lopez
City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt
Interim Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No Public Comments were received.
No reportable action on Closed Session
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No Public Comments were received for Oral Communications
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PROCLAMATIONS
2. CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARCH 2026 AS PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-091
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
PRESENTATIONS
3. PRESENTATION AND UPDATE BY CONTRA COSTA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (CCTA) ON THE I -80 SAN PABLO DAM ROAD INTERCHANGE PROJECT (PHASE 2)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-071
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Matt Rodriguez made the following announcements:
1. The next Dumpster Day is Saturday, March 7, 2026.
2. Draft Operating Budgets for Fiscal Years 2026/27 and 2027/28 are currently being prepared and will be presented for first review at the Budget, Fiscal and Legislative Standing Committee meeting on April 1, 2026, followed by a second review at a Special City Council Budget Session on April 8, 2026.
March 2, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Pabon-Alvarado called a recess at 7:06 PM
Council Returned to session 7:16 PM
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Arturo Cruz, Councilmember Abel Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 4 -
Councilmember Patricia PonceAbsent: 1 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
4. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 2, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-066
Approved.
5. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 9, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-013
Approved.
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
6. CONSIDER APPROVING REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARCH 2026 AS AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-077
Approved.
7. CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER
INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN WEST CONTRA
COSTA INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
(RECYCLEMORE JPA) AND THE CITY OF SAN PABLO REGARDING USE
OF SAN PABLO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-094
Xavier recused.
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-023
March 2, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
8. CONSIDER RESOLUTION (1) APPROVING A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KOSMONT FINANCIAL
SERVICES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE II CONTRACT SERVICES
FOR ENHANCED INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING DISTRICT (EIFD)
FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT; AND (2) REVISE ONE -TIME FUNDING APPROPRIATION TO $ 79,500 FROM FY 2025-26 GFDR FUND 110 OPERATING RESERVE TO FUND # 100-1310-43600 OPERATING BUDGET - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED ON JANUARY 26, 2026 VIA RESOLUTION 2026-009)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-093
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-024
9. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION (1) ACCEPTING THE 2025 ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT; (2) DETERMINING THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT IN 2025 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. 26-012
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-025
March 2, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
10. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY (CNRA) PROPOSITION 68 GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 205,476; (2) ACCEPTING THE FINAL
BUDGET RECONCILIATION FOR THE SUTTER AVENUE GREEN STREET PROJECT FOR GRANT CLOSE -OUT; AND (3) RE-ALLOCATING
PREVIOUSLY APPROPRIATED FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 294,099 FROM THE SUTTER AVENUE GREEN STREET PROJECT (0300) IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 100,000 TO THE SAN PABLO DAM ROAD I -80 GATEWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (0605), IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 100,000 TO THE
POST-CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT, AND IN THE AMOUNT OF $94,182 TO THE SAN PABLO AVENUE BRIDGE PROJECT (0202) CEQA: The Sutter Avenue Green Project was assessed and determined to be Categorically Exempt from environmental review under Sections 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. 26-033
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-026
11. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO APPROVING THE AMENDED AND RESTATED MUNICIPAL
POOLING AUTHORITY JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT FOR PROPERTY, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION, PUBLIC LIABILITY, AND OTHER INSURANCE COVERAGES.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-075
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-027
March 2, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
12. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A FIFTH AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH MACK 5 FOR
PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE
NEW SAN PABLO POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND TRAINING FACILITY INCREASING COMPENSATION BY $ 436,455 TO COVER ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR A TOTAL AUTHORIZATION NOT TO EXCEED $1,773,803 CEQA: The City with the assistance of Michael Baker and Associates (MBA) concluded that the proposed Police Department Headquarters and Public Safety Training Project (“project”) is consistent with the existing land use and zoning designations for the site and will not result in an increase in the severity of impacts identified in the prior Environmental Impact Reports (EIR’s) or Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) or in any new impacts not previously considered in the prior EIRs and MND. In accordance with this analysis, MDA prepared addenda to the two EIRs and the MND, which the City Council considered and approved on December 20, 2021.
26-087
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-028
ORDINANCES
13. ADOPT 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. 26-090
No Public Comments were received on the Consent Calendar.
Waived second reading; adopted Ordinance
Aye: Cruz, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado3 -
Noes: Pineda1 -
Absent: Ponce1 -
Enactment No: ORD 2026-001
March 2, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
Approval of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Councilmember Cruz, seconded by Mayor Pabon -Alvarardo, to adopt all items in the Consent Calendar. The motion passed as follows, exceptions noted on items 7 and 13:
Aye: 4 - Cruz, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado
Absent: 1 - Ponce
* * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * *
PUBLIC HEARINGS
14. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING UNDER THE TAX AND EQUITY FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT (“TEFRA”) ON MARCH 2, 2026 IN CONNECTION WITH
THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS BY THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUTHORITY (THE “CMFA”), A JOINT EXERCISE OF
POWERS AUTHORITY AND PUBLIC ENTITY OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $ 15,000,000, (THE “BONDS”), TO: ( 1) FINANCE OR REFINANCE THE ACQUISITION,
CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT AND EQUIPPING OF ALVARADO
GARDENS PHASE II, A MULTIFAMILY RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT (THE “PROJECT”) LOCATED AT 13831 SAN PABLO AVENUE, SAN PABLO, CALIFORNIA (THE “CITY”); AND (2) PAY CERTAIN EXPENSES INCURRED IN
CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA 26-084
The public hearing opened at 7:26 PM
No Public Comments were received.
The public hearing closed at 7:26 PM
A motion was made by Councilmember Cruz, seconded by Councilmember Pineda, that this PUBLIC HEARING/RESOLUTION be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Cruz, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado4 -
Absent: Ponce1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-029
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
15. SAN PABLO PLANNING COMMISSION
A) INTERVIEWS AND APPOINTMENTS:
(1) CONDUCT INTERVIEWS, AND
(2) APPOINT COMMISSIONERS TO FILL THREE VACANCIES BY
RESOLUTION FOR A FOUR -YEAR TERM (FEBRUARY 2026 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2030) OR PROVIDE OTHER DIRECTION TO STAFF
B) ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY APPOINTED
26-076
March 2, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONERS
No Public Comments were received.
It was moved by Mayor Pabon -Alvarado, seconded by Councilmember Pineda, to Appoint 2 (two) candidates to the Planning Commission for the February 2026-February 2030 term by Resolution .
Appointed and sworn in were Johana Gurdian and Jerome Jackson. Staff was also directed to advertise for 1 (one) Planning Commissioner Vacancy from March 3, 2026 through March 24, 2026. The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Cruz, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado4 -
Absent: Ponce1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-030
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.
25-520
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 8:38 PM to the Regular City Council Meeting of Monday, March 16, 2026.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Casey Erlenheim, Interim Deputy City Clerk