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, May 18, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 PM in the Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Xavier led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Arturo Cruz, Councilmember Patricia Ponce, and Vice Mayor Rita Xavier
Present: 3 -
Councilmember Abel Pineda, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-AlvaradoAbsent: 2 - Staff Present:
City Manager, Matt Rodriguez
City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey
Police Chief, Brian Bubar
Interim Public Works Director, Jill Mercurio
Community Development Director, Allen Tai
Community Services Manager, Jean Clark
Associate Planner, Griffen Dempsey
City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt
Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
Administrative Clerk I, David Gonzales
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No Public Comments were received for Oral Communications.
May 18, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PROCLAMATIONS
1. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MAY 17-23, 2026 AS
NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
CEQA: This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
26-233
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
The City Council and City staff observed a moment of silence in fond remembrance of Allan Panganiban, the City’s former Public Works Director, whose recent passing is deeply mourned.
PRESENTATIONS
2. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF
EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED FOR JANUARY 2026 - MAY 2026
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
· DAVID GONZALES - ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK I
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
· ALLEN TAI - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
COMMUNITY SERVICES
· JASHANAE HUEY - PARATRANSIT DRIVER
· TAYLOR MELTON - COMMUNITY SERVICES MANAGER
POLICE
· IVANIA OROZCO - POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK
PROMOTIONS
· GRIFFEN DEMPSEY, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
· CHRISTIAN LARREYNAGA - ASSISTANT ENGINEER
· CASEY ERLENHEIM - DEPUTY CITY CLERK
· VICTOR BERUMEN - MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS
SUPERINTENDENT
· ERICK GUZMAN - MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
CEQA: This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
26-228
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
May 18, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
City Manager Matt Rodriguez made the following announcements:
1. Election Day is June 2, 2026; polls are open 7:00 AM–8:00 PM. San Pablo voters may use 24-hour ballot drop boxes at City Hall, 1000 Gateway Avenue, and Contra Costa College, 2600 Mission Bell Drive. Voter registration closes May 18, 2026. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by June 2, 2026.
2. A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held June 1, 2026 at the regular City Council meeting. The City Manager’s Office will host virtual budget sessions on May 20, 2026 (English) and May 27, 2026 (Spanish), 6:00–7:00 PM, covering the proposed General Fund budget, community investments, and fiscal challenges .
Webinar details are available on the City budget webpage, ENews, and social media.
3. The Economic Development / Housing Division will host a rent review workshop on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 5:00–6:00 PM at San Pablo City Hall, 1000 Gateway Avenue, to explain a proposed ordinance and rent -review process for increases above a set threshold. Spanish translation and light refreshments will be provided. For details, contact City Hall at 510-215-3000 or visit the City website.
4. The next Dumpster Day is Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 2600 Moraga Road from 7:00 AM until dumpsters are full or 12:00 noon.
5. City Hall offices will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, for Memorial Day.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
3. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 4, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-240
Approved.
PERIODIC REPORTS
4. CONSIDER APPROVING VENDOR CHECK REGISTER REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-235
Approved.
May 18, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
LIABILITY CLAIMS
5. CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIM OF LAVONDA PHILLIPS (DOL 01/06/26)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-230
Denied.
6. CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIM OF SEBASTIAN RODRIGUEZ (DOL 04/09/26)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-232
Denied.
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
7. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SB 1408 LEGISLATION AUTHORED BY STATE SENATOR ARREGUIN (D-7TH) TO SUPPORT CONTRA COSTA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY ’S DESIRE TO IMPOSE OR EXTEND A DISTRICT TAX BY ORDINANCE OF UP TO 1%, EVEN IF IT EXCEEDS THE 2% CAP WHEN COMBINED WITH OTHER
DISTRICT TAXES IMPOSED BY LOCAL AGENCIES
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-195
Approved.
8. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE SAN PABLO CITY COUNCIL
ENDORSING THE CONTRA COSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
FACILITIES BOND MEASURE (MEASURE G) ON THE JUNE 2, 2026
STATEWIDE PRIMARY BALLOT
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-194
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-066
May 18, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
9. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) PRELIMINARILY APPROVING THE ENGINEER ’S REPORT; (2) DECLARING INTENTION TO LEVY AND COLLECT
ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE SAN PABLO STREET LIGHTING AND
LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1982-1 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27; AND (3) SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 15, 2026 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-217
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-067
10. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING SENATE BILL 1 (SB 1) ROAD MAINTENANCE
AND REHABILITATION ACCOUNT FUNDING AND PROJECT LIST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 TO BE COMPRISED OF THE GIANT ROAD
PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT (0601) AND THE SAN PABLO DAM ROAD I-80 GATEWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (0605)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-218
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-068
11. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT WITH SOS RICHMOND FOR CREEK CLEAN UP, HOUSING
ASSISTANCE, JOB COUNSELING, AND OTHER SERVICES, AS PART OF A
GRANT AGREEMENT WITH CALTRANS FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $120,000
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-220
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-069
May 18, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
12. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A SIDE
LETTER TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE SAN
PABLO POLICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2027 BY ADDING A PROVISION FOR NOTARY PAY FOR
EMPLOYEES IN THE POLICE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT CLASSIFICATION ASSIGNED TO BE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S NOTARY PUBLIC
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-229
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-070
13. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTINUE AND
ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH CONTRA COSTA HEALTH SERVICES
FOR REGIONAL COORDINATED OUTREACH REFERRAL AND
ENGAGEMENT (C.O.R.E.) HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM SERVICES, TO
IDENTIFY, ENGAGE AND CONNECT PERSONS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS TO HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR (1) A MULTI-CITY CORE TEAM FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, FROM JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $ 103,073; (2)
FOR A SAN PABLO /RICHMOND CORE TEAM FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, FROM JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2029, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $ 387,621 OVER THE THREE -YEAR AGREEMENT TERM; AND (3) APPROPRIATING $103,073 FROM FY 2026-27 GENERAL FUND
DESIGNATED RESERVES (GFDR FUND 110) TO FUND THE MULTI -CITY
CORE AGREEMENT
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-231
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-071
14. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING AGREEMENT WITH OPENGOV, INC. FOR
THE ADDITION OF PERMITTING AND LICENSING SOFTWARE SERVICES
FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR A FOURTEEN -MONTH
TERM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $73,600
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-236
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-072
May 18, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
15. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION APPOINTING MS. SARA
ORTEGA-WONG TO THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS - SAN PABLO
MEASURE K AND MEASURE S CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES FOR AN INDEFINITE TERM BEGINNING MAY 18, 2026. (TWO VACANCIES) CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-238
Adopted.
Enactment No: 2026-073
16. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTED POLICY ON FUNDING ONE -TIME, DISCRETIONARY GRANT
AWARDS BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR SPECIAL EVENT ACTIVITIES AND
EVENTS SPONSORED BY ELIGIBLE NON -PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
LOCATED WITHIN CITY INCORPORATED LIMITS; AND AUTHORIZING A ONE-TIME ANNUAL FUNDING APPROPRIATION OF $ 30,0000 FROM THE FY 2026-27 CITY MANAGER CONTINGENCY OPERATING RESERVE (FUND 190), EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-243
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-074
ORDINANCES
17. ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING TITLE 2, CHAPTER 2.28, OF THE SAN PABLO
MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
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.
26-239
Waived Second Reading and Adopted.
Enactment No: ORD 2026-005
Approval of the Consent Agenda
No Public Comments were received on the Consent Calendar.
A motion was made by Councilmember Cruz, seconded by Councilmember Ponce, that all items on the Consent Calendar be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Cruz, Ponce, and Xavier3 -
Absent: Pineda, and Pabon-Alvarado2 -
May 18, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
* * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * *
PUBLIC HEARINGS
18. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER AMENDING THE SAFETY AND NOISE ELEMENT OF THE SAN PABLO GENERAL PLAN 2035 TO ADOPT THE SAN PABLO ANNEX OF THE 2024 LOCAL HAZARD
MITIGATION PLAN INTO THE SAFETY AND NOISE ELEMENT AS PART OF THE ADOPTING RESOLUTION AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2140.
THIS IS A CITY INITIATED PROJECT AND IT APPLIES TO THE ENTIRE SAN
PABLO PLANNING AREA
CEQA: This amendment to the Safety and Noise Element of the General Plan was previously evaluated in the Addenda to the 2030 General Plan EIR (State Clearinghouse # 2008082069, certified on April 18, 2011) prepared for the General Plan Update 2035 (adopted on July 7, 2025), which found that there would not be any new or additional significant environmental impacts due to adoption of the General Plan Update, including the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. 26-234
The public hearing opened at 6:46 PM
No Public Comment was received.
The public hearing closed at 6:46 PM
It was moved by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Councilmember Cruz, and approved by vote of those present, to adopt this Resolution. The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Cruz, Ponce, and Xavier3 -
Absent: Pineda, and Pabon-Alvarado2 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-075
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
19. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING SECTION 2.08.070 OF THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL
CODE PERTAINING TO THE DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR 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.
26-246
No Public Comments were received.
It was moved by Councilmember Cruz, seconded by Councilmember Ponce, and approved by vote of those present, to waive the first reading and introduce the Ordinance. The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Cruz, Ponce, and Xavier3 -
May 18, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
Absent: Pineda, and Pabon-Alvarado2 -
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.
25-525
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTS
(a) Councilmember Arturo Cruz
(b) Councilmember Patricia Ponce
(c) Councilmember Abel Pineda
(d) Vice Mayor Rita Xavier
Request for Council to consider at the next regular meeting flying the LGBTQIA+ Flag at San Pablo City Hall during the month of June, 2026.
A motion was made by Councilmember Xavier, seconded by Councilmember Cruz, that this be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Cruz, Ponce and Xavier
Absent: 2 - Ponce, Pabon-Alvarado
(e) Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 6:54 PM to the Regular City Council meeting of June 1, 2026 in memory of Allan Panganiban, City of San Pablo Public Works Director and City Engineer.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Casey Erlenheim, Deputy City Clerk