Scotts ValleyBand of Pomo Indians Project UpdateSeptember 30, 2025Gillian Haen,Assistant City Manager Proposed Project Site
Background2016-Tribe submits request to Dept of Interior (DOI) for land to trust in Vallejo.July 8, 2024-After 8 years of litigation and analysis, BIA posted an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze potential environmental consequences of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians (Tribe) proposed Casino and Tribal Housing Project. This was the first the City heard of the project. City attended scoping meeting in late July.August 2024-Tribe reached out to City in early August to begin discussions with City. Late August City sent comment letter to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in the Department of the Interior (DOI) outlining potential City impacts and concerns with the document/project.
Background (Cont)November 19, 2024 –City & Tribe enter into Cooperative Agreement to further analyze potential impacts to the City. (Water Infrastructure, Easements, Capacity, Supply; Sewer, Wastewater and Stormwater; -Vehicle and Emergency Access; Transportation Infrastructure and Capacity; Public Safety Services; Social Impacts; Other Impacts)January 10, 2025-DOI approved Fee to Trust Application and the Gaming Eligibility for the Tribe.March 24, 2025/April 10, 2025-Three lawsuits filed from other tribes with competing gaming interests, challenging the DOI Gaming Eligibility determination approval.March 27, 2025-DOI issues Temporary Recission of Gaming Eligibility Determination & sent City request for comments.April 1, 2025-Tribe filed a complaint and injunction seeking to reinstate Gaming Eligibility.May 29, 2025-City sent a letter to the DOI regarding the Temporary Recission of the Gaming Eligibility.
Pending Litigation•April 1, 2025-the Tribe filed suit in federal court challenging the DOI’s reversal of its January 10, 2025 decision. The Tribe contends the action was unlawful because it deprived the Tribe of vested rights, violated due process, exceeded the Department’s authority, disregarded reliance interests, and was influenced by political pressure from a rival Indian tribe and its lobbyists. •March 24 and April 10, 2025-three lawsuits were filed by other tribes, challenging DOI approval of the trust acquisition and its gaming eligibility determination for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. These cases are pending before the same District Court Judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia who is presiding over Scotts Valley’s own litigation.
Gaming Compact & Gaming Ordinance StatusGaming Compact: March 4, 2025, Governor’s Office accepted Tribe’s request to negotiations for a Tribal–State Class III gaming compact. The Tribe and State met March 27, 2025 for 1stnegotiation. After the DOI issued March 27, 2025 letter temporarily rescinding the gaming eligibility, negotiations were put on hold. Required Compact Approvals:Once compact is successfully negotiated, it must be ratified by the California State Legislature and approved by the Secretary of the Interior before taking effect.Tribal Gaming Ordinance: Tribe adopted Gaming Ordinance in 1996 to authorize and regulate Class I, II, and III gaming on Tribal lands. January 28, 2025, Tribe amended Gaming Ordinance to ensure compliance with IGRA and federal regs. On March 25, 2025, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) approved the amended Ordinance. https://www.scottsvalleycasinoea.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Scotts_Valley_Casino_and_Tribal_Housing_Project_EA-508.pdf Proposed Project Process•The Tribe must complete 2 processes before the Proposed Project can be approved. –The Fee to Trust application-approved January 10, 2025; Gaming Eligibility ‘temporary recission’ status.–Gaming Compact negotiation with the Governor -if the Tribe chooses to develop a Class III Gaming facility. A class II facility would not require a compact. –The City does not hold discretionary approval over either of these processes. –The City's role is limited to Responsible Agency status relating to the environmental impact assessment in the Fee to Trust process & ensuring City easements and infrastructure on the site are protected.
Gaming Compact Process-Paused until DOI Decision finalized•Negotiation:Tribe submits request to negotiate Tribal State Gaming Compact with the California Governor detailing types of gaming allowed on reservation. Without the Gaming Contract, the Tribes gaming facilities are limited to Class II gaming (card rooms and bingo games).•Federal Approval:The negotiated compact must be approved by the federal government. •Tribal Gaming Ordinance: Tribe must establish a tribal gaming ordinance outlining how the casino will be operated, including regulations on gaming activities, revenue distribution, and background checks. •NIGC Review: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) must review and approve the tribe's gaming ordinance.
Proposed Interim DevelopmentInterim Development of Modular Tribal OfficesSeptember 19, 2025 The Tribe began site work on its trust land in Vallejo to establish temporary office facilities. The Tribe is interested in a MOU with the City for interim City services including water, Police and Fire. This potential MOU would provide the City with an opportunity to deliver services on a reimbursable basis.Future plans for the 160 acre property include an eight-story casino and event venue, 24 units of tribal housing, an expanded tribal administration center and open space preservation, including a potential creation of 3,640 jobs. The current construction proposal does not include the larger casino development which remains on hold pending the litigation. The current proposal consists of parking and two small modular buildings intended to be used for the Tribal offices.
Benefits and RisksBenefits:•Provides essential municipal services that safeguard health and safety at the Tribe’s temporary offices.•Ensures cost recovery to the City and avoids unfunded impacts on the General Fund.•Strengthens the City/Tribe intergovernmental relations •Establishes clear roles/protocols for EMS and water.•Advances implementation of the Cooperative Agreement approved by Council in November 2024.•Creates foundation for additional agreements as tribal development progresses.•Opportunity to work together on community benefits for Vallejo and longer term infrastructure needs the City has.
Risks:•May increase demand on fire/police service, but cost recovery mitigates provisions & ensures the Tribe receives same services that citizens of Vallejo receive.•Enforcement of terms, even with a limited waiver of sovereign immunity, may be more complex than with non-tribal entities.•Some community members may view MOU as linked to the Tribe’s long-term development (e.g., potential casino project), although it would only apply to temp offices.•The City doesn’t hold any approval authority over the federally designated Tribal Trust land, the Gaming Compact Processes, or any development activities on the Tribal trust land. (This is an opportunity to work closely with the Tribe to ensure City impacts are mitigated adequately, even though the Tribe is not bound to work with the City).
Benefits and Risks
•Risks of not moving forward with the MOU are that the Tribe may proceed in this process without involving the City. The BIA analysis of mitigation may not be the same as the City of Vallejo analysis on appropriate mitigation, therefore the City should not completely rely on the EA process to protect the City's interests. The City water transmission line on the property, the City water tank, and the fact that the hillside is a documented landslide zone are a few of the larger concerns that need further analysis and mitigation relating to potential future project impacts. Since the City does not have approval authority, it is a better position to prepare for the most impactful outcome and protect our City interests by working together in a government to government relationship, rather than risking the impacts without any mitigations to assist the City.
Benefits and Risks
Overall Project Concerns •Community concerns regarding casinos are fairly common. The Cooperative Agreement provides the City a path to independent analysis of areas of concern that are specific to Vallejo in order to ensure mitigation reduces impacts since the land to trust was approved by the BIA. The impact studies for water, Economic/social impacts, Traffic and Public Safety are underway. Most likely Both infrastructure and monetary mitigations will be recommended.•The requested MOU for interim development of the modular offices would also ensure reimbursement of potential services provided. These services would not be at any level other than already provided to the community of Vallejo.•Intertribal collaboration with all Tribes with jurisdiction in Vallejo will continue per the Native American Heritage Commission lists of Native American tribes.
Next Steps•If the City Council approves staff to further negotiate an MOU, –Staff will research, with consultants, impacts of interim development of Tribal offices to ensure those impacts are reimbursed/mitigated; and –Bring back the draft MOU for City Council consideration.–As the scope analysis of the impact areas becomes available, staff will also return to City Council for consideration of the studies and proposed mitigation of the larger casino development. This impact analysis funded by the Tribe will continue concurrently with the litigation and its pending outcome.•The next step after the MOU and litigation resolution, would be to negotiate an Intergovernmental Agreement. There will be additional opportunities for public input during the MOU consideration and the Intergovernmental Agreement process.
RecommendationReceive an update on the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians trust land and proposed development and consider directing staff to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the interim development of the Tribal Offices.
Shipbuilding in Solano County / Maritime Industry in Vallejo White Paper9/30/2025 Council Meeting Gillian Haen, Assistant City Manager
Shipbuilding Agenda•SHIPS Legislation and Rep Garamendi Request•Opportunities for City of Vallejo•City draft outline and MIC white paper•Staff Recommendation and Next Steps
SHIPS Legislation History/Timeline •10/2024: US Navy issued RFI for dry dock to support aircraft carrier•12/2024: First version of Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS Act) introduced.•3/2025: California Forever announced plans to build new shipyard on Solano County ranchland zoned for marine industrial uses (Collinsville)•4/2025: SHIPS Act reintroduced to Congress and President Executive Order (EO) on shipbuilding was issued.•EO is similar to SHIPS Act but has greater emphasis on the defense industry rather than commercial vessels.•8/2025: Rep Garamendi requested City and stakeholders to provide summary and prospectus of maritime industry in Vallejo and its role in the region’s shipbuilding future.
SHIPS Act Purpose and status•Focused on enhancing U.S. maritime workforce and industrial base by expanding the U.S.-flag international fleet, making U.S.-flagged vessels more competitive, and investing in shipyard infrastructure and training programs.•Aims to increase the number of domestically manufactured, US-flagged and -crewed commercial vessels from 80 to 250 and increase the US’s merchant marine capacity. •Has bipartisan Support•Establishes $250M annually for financial incentives for shipbuilding, with an additional $100M annually set aside for small shipyards and an institutional tax credit for investment in shipyard construction and renovation. •Calls for streamlining environmental review of shipyards and port facilities.•Act is pending in the legislative process.
Opportunities for Vallejo•City’s land use policies encourage expansion of maritime industries.•State and Federal funding for infrastructure improvements can increase Mare Island’s development and benefit the City of Vallejo.•MIC, Mare Island master developer, is supportive of maritime industry on Island.•SHIPS proposed maritime training program could work well with existing maritime operators (MIDD and Lind) and Cal Poly Maritime Academy programs.
City Draft Outline and MIC White Paper•MIC Revitalization of Existing West Coast Maritime Industrial Base White Paper–Provides technical details and pictures of existing assets on the Island including dry docks, piers, shipways, berths, industrial facilities, and housing support•City Maritime Industry White Paper Outline–Vallejo’s maritime history–Existing facilities and expansion opportunities–Regional partners and collaborations–Infrastructure improvement needs and funding opportunities
Staff Recommendation and Next Steps•Hire consultants and grant writers and engage lobbyists to help develop an in-depth maritime industry proposal for Congressman.•Create working group with partners to develop region wide proposal.•Gather more detail on shipbuilding opportunities and related industries in Vallejo.
CONTACT(S)
Gillian Haen, Assistant City Manager
Mare Island Ownership Map
Maritime Industry in Vallejo
I. Background-Vallejo’s History
a. Mare Island location and connectivity
b. Mare Island maritime history
c. Mare Island Company, the Island’s new master developer
II. SHIPS ACT Legislation
III. Existing facilities
a. Current facilities supporting maritime industry
b. Ship repair activity
c. Waterfront operations (MIDD, LIND, Marina, WETA, USCG) d. Infrastructure and facility analyses
e. MIC’s White paper detailing exiting facilities supporting maritime uses.
IV. Potential expansion opportunity
a. Businesses with expansion capacity to support maritime industry b. Housing expansion opportunities (See MIC white paper) c. Maritime support industry expansion opportunities (i.e.: autonomous vehicles)
d. Workforce Development
V. Expanded shipbuilding and maritime services that can be provided in Vallejo and fulfill the critical national maritime needs
VI. Regional Partners and Collaborations
a. Partner Cities
b. US Coast Guard operations
c. Cal Poly Maritime Academy
VII. Funding Opportunities
VIII. Infrastructure Improvement Needs
a. EDA Grant Mare Island Infrastructure Assessment
b. New Mare Island Specific Plan draft
c. City request for amendments to SHIPS Act legislation i. Environment and permitting streamlining
ii. Financial assistance via loans, grants, tax credits iii. Reactivation of dredging
IX. Future uses that support SHIPS building and maintenance
X. Next steps moving forward
a. Engage consultant to facilitate working with regional partners and developing formal proposal
b. Continue to gather key information supporting maritime industry uses on Mare Island
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com
Revitalization of the Existing West Coast Maritime Industrial Base: A Case for Strategic Reuse
Mare Island Co. – September 25, 2025
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com Introduction
In an era of ever-increasing global power competition, America’s shipbuilding industry and maritime industrial base require revitalization to ensure national security and economic resilience.
Mare Island, located strategically along the West Coast of the United States, is the ideal starting point for investment in this effort. Established as the first naval base on the West Coast in 1854, Mare Island was purpose-built by the federal government to support military maritime industry. Despite its closure in 1996 as an official Naval base, the infrastructure that was developed remains and has been maintained through various public private partnerships. The Nimitz Group, LLC dba Mare Island Co. (MIC) currently oversees management of nearly 1,000 acres of land on Mare Island. (See Attachment A for map overview of Mare Island parcel ownership.) When considering the highest and best use of American tax dollars, there is no other location on the West Coast where investment can make a larger impact than Mare Island. Not only does the required infrastructure already exist, but the community surrounding Mare Island is filled with skilled and eager constituents.
Investment in existing assets on Mare Island is the quickest path towards a safer and more secure global maritime presence for the United States. Working together, MIC and the United States federal government can swiftly and efficiently contribute tangible progress to this objective.
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com Mare Island Assets
Mare Island’s existing assets that can support these revitalization efforts include, but are not limited to the following:
• Dry Docks
• Piers
• Shipways
• Berths
• Industrial Support
• Housing Support
Technical details and exhibits for each asset are included in the following pages.
Please see Attachment B for a geographical orientation of each asset.
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com
DRY DOCKS
There are four dry docks on Mare Island. See Exhibit 1 for aerial reference.
Exhibit 1
Each dry dock varies in construction type and size. Please see Exhibit 2 for a table summarizing the current capabilities of Mare Island’s four dry docks.
**Vessel draft dependent
Exhibit 2
MIC has leased Dry Docks 1, 2, and 3 to Mare Island Dry Dock, LLC (MIDD) and Dry Dock 4 to Lind Marine, Inc. (Lind). Dry Docks, 2, 3, and 4 are actively utilized.
Dry Dock 1 is currently undergoing systems upgrades.
Each dock is equipped to handle military and commercial vessels. A list of military vessel capabilities for each dry dock can be found in Exhibit 3.
Dock Length Max Ship Max Max Draft Shore Potable Steam Sewer (ft) Length Beam** Tide +5 MLLW Power Water
1 486 476 (inner seat)
502 502 (outer seat)
2 690 680 ft (inner seat) 4000A 480V
715 704 ft (outer seat) 3Ph
3 667 657 (inner seat) 3200A 480V
687 677 (outer seat 3Ph
4 420 410 (inner seat)
439 429 (outer seat)
No
96 ft 28’9” Yes 6000 lb/hr Yes
74 ft 25’ 9” No Yes No
No
92 ft 34’ 9” Yes 6000 lb/hr Yes
94 ft 19’ 3” Not avail No No
1 2 3
4 The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com
Exhibit 3
The Mare Island dry docks are one of two regional locations on the West Coast where vessels between 200 and 780 feet in length can contract for maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Investment in the continued modernization of these dry docks is the quickest path towards increased maritime efficiency along the West Coast.
Dry Dock 1 Dry Dock 2
LCS-1 class AS-39, AS-40
TAGOS-23 class CG-47 Class with buoyancy augmentation,
TAGM-25 class DDG-1000 with buoyancy augmentation
TAGS-60 class DDG-51 class with buoyancy augmentation
MCM classes DDG-79 class with buoyancy augmentation
T-ARS-50 class DDG-125 class with buoyancy augmentation LCS-1 class
LPD-17 class with dock width, sill width modifications, new caisson LSD-41 class
SSBN 726 class with buoyancy augmentation
SSN 688 class with buoyancy augmentation
SSN-774 class with buoyancy augmentation
TAKE 1 class with dock width, sill width modifications, new caisson TAO-187 class with dock width, sill width modifications, new caisson T-ARS-50 Class
TAGOS-23 class
TAGM-25 class
TAGS-60 class
T-EFP-1 Class
Dry Dock 3 Dry Dock 4
AS-39, AS40 Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS)
CG-47 class Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship (MCM) DDG-1000 USCGC Juniper Class Buoy Tenders (WLB)
DDG-51 class USCGC Keeper Class Buoy tenders (WLM)
DDG-79 class Flight IIA USCGC Sentinel class Cutter (WPC) DDG-125 class Flight III USCSC Medium Endurance Cutter Class (WMEC) EED -964 class T-AGSE
LCS-1 class Stalwart-class ocean surveillance ship T-AGOS-60 class LSD-41 class
SSBN 726 class
SSN 688 class
SSN-774 class
TAGOS-23 class
TAGM-25 class
TAGS-60 class
T-ARS-50 Class
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com PIERS
There are three existing piers on Mare Island. See Exhibit 4 for aerial reference.
Exhibit 4
MIC manages Pier 21. Piers 22 and 23 are managed by the United States Army Reserve.
Each pier is 750 feet long by 80 feet wide. The piers do not have active utilities but possess the infrastructure available to reinstate services. Major connection points for all major utilities are within reasonable proximity.
The United States Navy last dredged the piers in 1993/1994 to 39 feet. To once again dock vessels, approximately 29 acres of area would require dredging.
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com
SHIPWAYS
There are two existing shipways on Mare Island. See Exhibit 5 for aerial reference.
Exhibit 5
North of Dry Dock 1, Shipways 1 and 2 feature as prominent landmarks along the Mare Island Strait. Reinforced to withstand the weight of naval vessels prior to launch, these shipways provide a vital access point to the Mare Island Strait. A 150-ton reinforced land route from the dry docks to the shipways for structural module movement still exists to this day. A snippet of the general plan from the original construction blueprints can be seen in Exhibit 6.
Although the 40-ton bridge cranes that once spanned the shipways are no longer in use, they, along with the removable dam construction blueprints, would serve as a guide for restoration of the shipways system.
1 2
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com
Exhibit 6
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com BERTHS
In addition to the unique maritime assets outlined above, there are upwards of 10,000 linear feet of structurally reinforced berth space bordering the Mare Island Strait managed by MIC.
Utility infrastructure has been repaired or upgraded in several locations. With additional investment, these systems could be expanded to support larger vessels with the power, potable water, sewer and steam systems required while berthed.
A sample image of typical Mare Island berth space is shown in Exhibit 7.
Exhibit 7
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com
INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT
Industrial facilities, ranging in size from 5,000 square feet to over 300,000 square feet surround the maritime facilities along the waterfront. Information on three sample facilities can be found in Exhibit 8 below. Photos are also included for reference. Note that these facilities are representative of a larger portfolio of available properties owned by MIC. Additional information on these facilities, as well as others in the portfolio, can be provided upon request.
Exhibit 8
Building 678 – Current Day
Address
Building
Number
Square Feet
(+/-)
Original
Use Power Water Clear Height
1275 Nimitz Avenue 678 110,382 Foundry 4,000 amps of 480v 6" domestic
service
Various; main
bay at >40'
210 Pintado Street 599 110,000 Metals Storehouse
2,100 amps of 480v;
1,400 amps of 120/280
4" domestic
service
Various; main
bay at >36'
1175 Railroad Avenue 1310 86,000 Sheetmetal Shop 800 amps of 480v (x2) 6" domestic
service 24'
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com
Building 599 – Current Day
Building 1310 – Current Day
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com
HOUSING SUPPORT
Several former barracks facilities have been maintained on Mare Island. Housing for service members and supporting staff is a necessary yet often overlooked requirement.
Information on two sample facilities can be found in Exhibit 9 below. Photos are also included for reference. Note that these facilities are representative of a larger portfolio of available properties owned by MIC. Additional information on these facilities, as well as others in the portfolio, can be provided upon request.
Exhibit 9
Building 459 – Current Day
Address
Building
Number
Square Feet
(+/-) Original Use
690 Walnut Avenue 459 40,000 Barracks
13th Street & Flagship Drive M-37 79,000 Barracks
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com M-37 – Current Day
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com Conclusion
There is no better place than Mare Island to invest in the revitalization of America’s maritime industry. Split between San Diego and Seattle, its physical location along the West Coast is strategically ideal. An eager constituency is ready to support revitalization efforts, and most importantly, essential maritime, industrial, and housing infrastructure are primed for reuse.
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com Attachment A
The Mare Island Company 1195 Walnut Ave. Vallejo, CA 94592 mareislandco.com Attachment B
Mare Island Strait
Causeway Bridge