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
Monday, March 16, 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 Abel Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 4 -
Councilmember Patricia PonceAbsent: 1 -
Note that Councilmember Pineda 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
Planning Manager, Sandra Castaneda Marquez
Associate Planner, Griffen Dempsey
City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt
Interim Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were four (4) Public Comments received for Oral Communications from the following: Karanveen Bhatia, Iracema Camargo, Marco Sandoval and Joyce Synott.
March 16, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PROCLAMATIONS
1. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MARCH 2026 AS AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-079
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
PRESENTATIONS
2. PRESENTATION OF THE 2025 ANNUAL YEAR END COMMUNITY SURVEY
CONDUCTED BY STRATEGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SRI)
26-088
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Matt Rodriguez made the following announcements:
1. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new business in San Pablo, Eggbread at 102 San Pablo Towne Center San Pablo, CA 94806 on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 4pm.
2. City Partner Echo Housing will be offering a Fair Housing training online on March 20, 2026 from 10am - 12pm.
Go to https://bit.ly/4qM7mGQ to register.
3. Upcoming City event, Eggstravaganza, will be hosted at San Pablo Community Center 2450 Rd 20, San Pablo, CA 94806 on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10am-12pm. Residents are encouraged to attend for holiday family activities.
4. The next Dumpster Day is Saturday, April 18, 2026.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
3. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-109
Approved.
March 16, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
4. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 2, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-112
Approved.
PERIODIC REPORTS
5. CONSIDER APPROVING VENDOR CHECK REGISTER REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-114
Approved.
LIABILITY CLAIMS
6. CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIM OF DEMARCO WOOTEN (DOL 8/10/25)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-099
Denied.
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
7. REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026 AS NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH IN
THE CITY OF SAN PABLO
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-044
Approved.
March 16, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
8. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING AN ACCESS EASEMENT BETWEEN
CITY OF SAN PABLO (GRANTOR) AND THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT AND REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC (GRANTEES), TO BE LOCATED ON THE PROPERTIES COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1050
GATEWAY AVENUE; APN 417-310-012 (PARCEL ONE ), AND 1000 GATEWAY AVENUE; APN 417-310-013 (PARCEL TWO) IN ORDER TO
FACILITATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACCESS AND REFUSE
COLLECTION
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 easement not resulting in the creation of any new parcel)
26-054
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-031
9. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN WEST CONTRA COSTA INTEGRATED WASTE
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (RECYCLEMORE), A JOINT POWERS
AUTHORITY, AND THE CITY OF SAN PABLO REGARDING
IMPLEMENTATION OF SENATE BILL 1383 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS; AND (2) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE MOU CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-096
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-032
March 16, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
10. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING GRANT FUNDS
FROM THE CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY TO THE MCNEIL PARK PROJECT (0501) IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 1,000,000; AND (2)
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS REASONABLY NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE CITY ’s
RECEIPT OF SUCH FUNDS
CEQA: The McNeil Park project (previously called the SPARC project) has been determined to be categorically exempt from environmental review 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 involves 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 will not remove any mature trees; the trees within and adjacent to the Project site would be preserved in place. 26-078
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-033
11. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING $ 200,000 FROM
THE CALTRANS COMMUNITY CLEANUP AND EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS
GRANT PROGRAM FOR LITTER ABATEMENT PROGRAMS AND
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT; AND (2) AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT AND TO TAKE OTHER
NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RECEIVE SUCH GRANT FUNDING
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-097
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-034
12. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING THE MID -YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE BIENNIAL 2024-26 YEAR-2 ADOPTED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 TOTALING $2,858,817
CEQA: This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
26-104
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-035
March 16, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
13. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION (1) RATIFYING A PRIOR REQUEST SUBMITTED BY THE CITY MANAGER ON MARCH 3, 2026; AND (2)
AUTHORIZING A FORMAL REQUEST FOR THE INCLUSION OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO IN SENATE BILL 762 (ARREGUIN) LEGISLATION, WHICH
ADDRESSES AN EXEMPTION FROM STATE STATUTORY LIMITATIONS UNDER SECTION 7251.1 OF THE CALIFORNIA REVENUE AND TAXATION
CODE PERTAINING TO TRANSACTIONS (SALES) AND USE TAX
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-107
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-036
14. CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HINDERLITER DE LLAMAS AND
ASSOCIATES (HDL) FOR SALES AND USE TAX AUDITING, ALLOCATION
AND AUDIT RECOVERY, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, FORECASTING,
REPORTING, AND RELATED CONSULTING SERVICES
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-110
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-037
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: 4 - Pineda, Xavier, Pabon-Alvarado and Cruz
Absent: 1 – Ponce
* * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * *
March 16, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
PUBLIC HEARINGS
15. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER ADOPTING A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO
HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR CALENDAR
YEAR 2025 TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE GOVERNOR ’S OFFICE OF LAND
USE AND CLIMATE INNOVATION
CEQA: California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) reporting requirements do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment. 26-055
The public hearing opened at 7:59 PM
There were no Public Comments received.
The public hearing closed at 7:59 PM
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Xavier, seconded by Councilmember Cruz, 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 2026-038
16. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025 TO THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND The GOVERNOR ’S OFFICE OF LAND USE AND
CLIMATE INNOVATION
CEQA: Governor’s Office of Land Use and Innovation reporting requirements do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
26-057
The public hearing opened at 8:12 PM
There were no Public Comments received.
The public hearing closed at 8:13 PM
A motion was made by Councilmember Cruz, seconded by Vice Mayor Xavier, that this Public Hearing Resolution be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Enactment No: RES 2026-039
March 16, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
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.
25-521
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 8:23 PM to the Special City Council Meeting and Closed Session of March 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Casey Erlenheim, Deputy City Clerk