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, September 8, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM in the Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pabon-Alvarado led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Abel Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 4 -
Councilmember Arturo CruzAbsent: 1 -
Staff Present:
City Manager, Matt Rodriguez
Assistant City Manager, Maria Ojeda
City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey
Police Chief, Brian Bubar
Police Captain, James Laughter
Economic Development and Housing Manager, Kieron Slaughter City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt
Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
Administrative Clerk I, David Gonzales
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
One Oral Communication was received from the following: Alexander Sanchez
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PROCLAMATIONS
1. CONSIDER APPROVING AND PRESENTING PROCLAMATION
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF LATANYA (LT) FISHER.
CEQA: This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
26-456
No Public Comments were received.
Presented.
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
Meeting went into Recess 6:24 PM
Meeting Reconvened 6:33 PM
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Abel Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Present: 4 -
Councilmember Arturo CruzAbsent: 1 -
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
No remarks were made.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
2. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 20, 2026.
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-414
Approved.
3. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 3, 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-437
Approved.
PERIODIC REPORTS
4. CONSIDER APPROVING VENDOR CHECK REGISTER REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2026
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-368
Approved.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2026 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-415
Received and Filed.
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
LIABILITY CLAIMS
6. CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIM OF LUIS ALBERTO ESTRADA (DOL 02/09/2026)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-418
Denied.
7. CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIM OF AMINA JONES (DOL 06/10/25) CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-421
Denied.
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
8. CONSIDER RATIFYING LETTER FROM SAN PABLO MAYOR
PABON-ALVARADO TRANSMITTED ON AUGUST 3, 2026 TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM URGING HIS SIGNATURE TO SB 762
(ARREGUIN) LEGISLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 7251.1 OF THE
CALIFORNIA REVENUE AND TAXATION CODE PERTAINING TO
TRANSACTIONS (SALES) AND USE TAX EXEMPTION
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-424
Approved.
9. DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE FOR THE
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE (SEPTEMBER 23 - 25, 2026) IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-450
Approved. Designated Councilmember Patricia Ponce as voting delegate and City Attorney Brian Hickey as alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
10. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER
INTO A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND
MONITORING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF RICHMOND FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2600 MORAGA ROAD, SAN PABLO,
CALIFORNIA (FUTURE MCNEIL PARK SITE) IN CONNECTION WITH THE
RHEEM CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-392
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-144
11. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER
INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH BAY AREA COMMUNITY RESOURCES
(BACR) FOR AN ELEVEN -MONTH FULL -TIME FELLOW IN THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS DIVISION IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,000 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-413
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-145
12. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROPRIATING $ 100,000 FROM THE
SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES GRANT FUND 210
(SLESF) FOR THE RENEWAL OF SOFTWARE LICENSE SERVICES WITH PEREGRINE TECHNOLOGIES FROM JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, AT A COST OF $ 100,000 AS OUTLINED WITHIN THE EXISTING
CONTRACT AGREEMENT
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-417
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-146
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
13. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING AMENDMENTS THROUGH A
SIDE-LETTER AGREEMENT TO SECTION 4.3(A), OPERATION DIVISION DIFFERENTIAL, AND SECTION 4.3(E), MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PAY,
OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SAN PABLO
POLICE EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION POLICE MANAGEMENT UNIT TO
CLARIFY ELIGIBILITY AND CONDITIONS OF PAYMENT FOR CALPERS REPORTING PURPOSES, EFFECTIVE RETROACTIVELY JULY 1, 2022 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-438
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-147
14. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT WITH
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR
MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAM (MHET) SERVICES, INCREASING THE PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT LIMIT BY $ 77,714; AND (2)
AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF INCREASED PAYMENTS REIMBURSED
BY THE COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF MHET SERVICES BY THE
SAN PABLO POLICE DEPARTMENT, TO A TOTAL LIMIT NOT TO EXCEED $649,266 OVER THE TERM OF THE EXISTING AGREEMENT, EFFECTIVE THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-439
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-148
15. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE CITY OF SAN PABLO ’S CONFLICT
OF INTEREST CODE
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-442
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-149
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
16. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) RATIFYING THE CITY ’S SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (MTC) FOR
$4,500,000 IN FUNDING ASSIGNED TO MTC, COMMITTING ANY
NECESSARY MATCHING FUNDS, AND STATING ASSURANCE TO
COMPLETE THE SAN PABLO AVENUE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
PROJECT (CIP PROJECT NO. 0202); AND (2) AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR CITY
PARTICIPATION IN THE GRANT PROGRAM
CEQA: Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the adoption of the subject resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application is exempt from environmental review. Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, a “project” does not include the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities, which do not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. An environmental review analysis consistent with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements will be prepared for the design and construction plans at time of implementation.
26-446
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-150
17. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING A SPONSORSHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 5,000 FOR THE CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE FOUNDATION SAN
PABLO FORWARD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND $ 2,500 FOR THE
CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE FOUNDATION
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-447
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-151
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
18. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL TO REDUCE
YOUTH ACCESS TO ALCOHOL AND INCREASE SAFETY IN THE
COMMUNITY, AND (2) ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDING REIMBURSEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $ 68,118 OVER THE DURATION OF THE GRANT PERIOD FROM JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, TO
FUND GRANT -APPROVED ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS, EQUIPMENT
ACQUISITION, AND TRAINING FOR SAN PABLO POLICE PERSONNEL CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-449
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-152
19. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT
WITH CONSTANCE RIEDINGER DBA RIEDINGER CONSULTING, LLC
FOR FORENSIC SCHEDULING CONSULTING SERVICES, INCREASING MAXIMUM COMPENSATION BY $ 50,000, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-453
Adopted.
Enactment No: RES 2026-153
ORDINANCES
20. CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING CHAPTER 3.16 OF THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE TO (1) INCREASE THE CITY MANAGER ’S
CONTRACTING AUTHORITY; (2) INCREASE MONETARY THRESHOLDS
RELATED TO PUBLIC PROJECT BIDDING TO ALIGN WITH CURRENT STATE OF CALIFORNIA THRESHOLDS; AND (3) INCREASE THE
MONETARY THRESHOLDS RELATED TO FORMAL AND INFORMAL
PROCUREMENT OF NON-PUBLIC PROJECTS
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-416
Waived Second Reading and Adopted.
Enactment No: ORD 2026-008
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
21. CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE SAN PABLO ZONING CODE,
CHAPTER 17.60, SPECIAL RESIDENTIAL USES, SECTION 17.60.070,
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, TO UPDATE DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO REFLECT CURRENT
STATE LAW AND PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS (ADUS)
CEQA: This amendment to the ADU regulations in the Zoning Ordinance is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17, which exempts the adoption of accessory dwelling unit ordinances.
26-440
Waived Second Reading and Adopted.
Enactment No: ORD 2026-009
No Public Comments were received on the Consent Calendar.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
It was moved by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Vice Mayor Xavier, and approved by vote of those present, to adopt all items in the Consent Calendar. The motion passed as follows:
Aye: Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado4 -
Absent: Cruz1 -
* * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * *
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
PUBLIC HEARINGS
22. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE POLICE SERVICES AND CODE
ENFORCEMENT SECTION OF THE CITY MASTER FEE SCHEDULE TO
ESTABLISH FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ’S
ADMINSTRATION OF ITS CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON (CCW) PERMIT
PROGRAM
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-434
The public hearing opened at 6:53 PM.
No Public Comments were received.
The public hearing closed at 6:53 PM.
A motion was made by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Councilmember Pineda, that this RESOLUTION be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado4 -
Absent: Cruz1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-154
ORDINANCES
23. CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO ADDING CHAPTER 9.60 TO THE SAN PABLO
MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF SAN PABLO ’S RENT REVIEW PROGRAM EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2027
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-344
One Public Comment was received from the following: Jennifer Rizzo A motion was made by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Vice Mayor Xavier, that this ORDINANCE be Waived First Reading and Introduced. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado4 -
Absent: Cruz1 -
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
24. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED WITH A PROPOSED
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2.40 OF THE SAN PABLO
MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL SALARIES OF CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR THE NEXT ELECTED TERM OF OFFICE IN
DECEMBER 2026 PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 36516(A)
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. 26-423
No Public Comments were received.
A motion was made by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Vice Mayor Xavier, to take no action to adjust Council Member salaries (Option One).
In discussion, a motion for was made by Mayor Pabon -Alvarado, seconded by Councilmember Pineda, to direct the City Attorney to prepare an Ordinance amending SPMC Chapter 2.40 to increase Council Member salaries (Option Two).
In further discussion, an alternate 3rd motion was made by Mayor Pabon -Alvarado to continue the item to the September 21, 2026 City Council meeting when the full Council would be present. The motion failed for lack of a second.
The motion for Option Two to direct the City Attorney to prepare an Ordinance amending SPMC Chapter
2.40 was subsequently withdrawn.
The original motion for Option One made by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Vice Mayor Xavier, to take no action to adjust Council Member salaries was then considered and passed as follows:
Aye: 3 - Ponce, Pineda, Xavier
No: 1 - Pabon-Alvarado
Absent: 1 - Cruz
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS (IF ANY)
25. 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.
26-425
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTS
(a) Councilmember Arturo Cruz
(b) Councilmember Patricia Ponce
September 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
(c) Councilmember Abel Pineda
(d) Vice Mayor Rita Xavier
(e) Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 8:02 PM to the Regular City Council session scheduled for September 21, 2026. This adjournment is dedicated to the heartfelt and respectful memory of LaTanya Fisher, who served as Human Resources Management Analyst for the City of San Pablo. Over the course of 28 years, LaTanya made exemplary contributions in various administrative roles within the City Manager's Office, leaving a lasting legacy of distinction and dedication to the community and City organization.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Casey Erlenheim, Deputy City Clerk