Hello. All right.

We're gonna go ahead and.

Call the meeting to order.

Not call to order the regular city council meeting of

May 5th, 2026.

So moving to item two of the agenda, we'll do

our land acknowledgement.

Before we begin, we would like to acknowledge the a

Loney people who are the traditional custodians of this land.

We pay our respects to the E Loney elders past,

present, and future who call this place a Loney land.

The land that penal sits up upon their home. We

are proud to continue their tradition of coming together and

growing as a community.

We thank the Ohlone community for their stewardship and support.

And we look forward to the strengthening, our ties as

we continue our relationship of mutual respect and understanding.

Okay, mayor, can we go back to the pledge of

allegiance? Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh, got it. I missed.

How did I miss that? everybody. If you could

join me with the pledge of allegiance.

I pledge alleg pledge allegiance to the flag of the

United States of America.

To the Republic for which it stands one nation indivisible

with Liberty and justice sprawl.

Sorry about that. All right. Well, keep rolling to item

three. Thank you. Madame clerk for the catch.

So that is a roll call and city clerk's report.

Madam city clerk. Good evening, mayor. Tave here. Mayor pro

10 Murphy.

Here council member Sai here. Council member Martinez, Ruben here,

council member Toms here in REM city manager, Evans present

city attorney cashier here, mayor the agenda was posted on

Friday, May 1st.

2026 at 12:30 PM with all legally.

Required notices, written comments were received in advance of the

meeting, distributed to the council, posted to the city website.

And are available at the back of the change chambers

for public viewing.

Item four a will be continued to May 19th, 2026.

Does the council have any conflicts to report on the

agenda tonight?

Seeing none. That concludes my report. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. The next item we'll take is item.

We're gonna jump around and go to item eight, a

proclamations.

After the proclamations we'll go into closed session for items.

Four B we will resume the regular meeting at approximately

8:00 PM.

So we'll jump to proclamations. If the council would join

me in our proclamation for public service recognition week.

Public service recognition week.

May 3rd through the ninth, 2026.

Where has Americans are S are served every single day

by public servants at the federal state county and city

levels.

These individuals who do the work that keeps our nation

working.

And across our nation public employees take not only positions,

but oaths and.

Whereas public service recognition week is a.

Time set aside each year to honor all individuals who

serve our nation as federal.

State county and local government employees and whereas many public

servants risk their lives each day.

And service to the people of our communities, as well

as operate our public facilities.

And provide the diverse services desired by the American people

with integrity.

And efficiency and whereas public servants provide institutional knowledge.

Experience and continuity.

That supports the long term.

Sustainability of our community assets.

And organizational history.

And whereas here in our city, our staff promotes and

sustains the high quality of life in Pinole.

And in partnership with our community delivers cost effective services.

Services in a personal responsive and innovative manner.

And whereas the city of Pinole has 102 dedicated regular

employees of which 20%.

Have over one decade of continuous service to our community.

And of those employees, 40% have over two decades of

continuous service to our community.

And

Raz in 2025, the following city of Pinole employees celebrated

milestone years of service.

Marisha Gillery five years.

Matt Jones, 10 years.

Mike Howell, five years, Patrick Bowie, 20 years.

Andre Roberts, five years, Charlene Davis, 10 years.

And Anna Avila, 25 years.

Now, therefore I, Anthony, Tave the mayor of the city

of Pinole do hereby proclaim that May 3rd, 20, 26.

To May 9th, 2026 is public service recognition week.

All citizens are encouraged to recognize the accomplishment.

Accomplishments and contributions.

Of government employees at all levels.

Federal state county and city, and especially our city of

Pinole employees.

So do we have somebody.

Accepting the, we do. We have staff? Yes.

All right. Public service.

Recognition.

All right, everybody. .

Thank you. Congratulations.

Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you.

1, 2, 3.

Thank you.

Do we have any comments from council?

I just remember Martinez Ruby. I, I just went up

to.

To Anna and Ash her to.

Spread the secret of enduring for 25 years in one

organization.

These days, I think within the past couple of decades,

actually not many people do that.

They for different reasons, they.

They move elsewhere.

So I'm certain

that your peers have learned much from you and you

from them over time. And I thank you for your

interest in continuing to be a consistent presence.

On the second floor when people come in from outside

and don't know anyone.

In city hall, it's always helpful to have the staff

who are facing the public.

Encounter someone who is willing to assist as you do.

So thank you.

All right, council member. Thank you. And just the folks

that I mentioned read off here in proclamation, just also

wanna express my thanks. Pleasure to work with O with

you all and Anna as well.

25 years. It's not easy being front facing.

Public employee for the city.

They're great moments. They're awesome moments where folks are angry,

upset for whatever reason it might be.

But wanna thank you for all your composure, but also

bring a really great light energy to our city hall.

Thank you.

Well, I'll just say, thank you.

To our staff. I know the work that we do.

Is not easy.

And at times can be difficult, especially with different regulations

coming in different operations manuals, but you guys have really

held down the Fort and we just wanna say, thank

you.

Okay. All right.

So we'll go ahead. Move to our next proclamation.

Municipal clerks week.

Okay. Got it right.

Here.

And I'm getting there.

Getting there.

Getting there.

Oh, here we go.

Beat these guys. Okay.

57th annual professional municipal clerks week, May 3rd through the ninth.

2026, whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk, a

time honored and vital part of local government.

Exists throughout the world. And whereas the office of the

professional municipal clerk is the oldest among public servants. And

whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk provides the

professional link between the citizens, the local go governing bodies

and agency of governments at all.

At other levels and

whereas professional municipal clerks have pledged to be ever mindful

of their neutrality and impartiality.

Rendering equal service to all.

And whereas the professional municipal clerk serves as the information

center.

On functions of local government.

And community and whereas professional, municipal clerks continually strive to

improve the administration of the affairs of the office, of

the professional.

Municipal clerk through participation in education programs, seminars.

Seminars workshops and the annual meetings of their state.

Provincial county and international professional organizations.

And RAs, it is most appropriate that we recognize the

accomplishments of the office, of the professional municipal clerk.

Now, therefore I, Anthony Tave mayor of the city of

Pinole county of Contra Costa, state of California on behalf

of the city council.

And the city of Pinole proudly recognize the week of

May 3rd through ninth.

May 3rd through May 9th, 2026 as professional municipal clerks week and further

extend appreciation to our professional municipal clerk.

Heather Bell Spears, professional municipal, deputy city clerk, Roxanne stone, and

administrative assistant. Olivia Tucker Rojo.

And to all professional municipal clerks for their vital service,

they perform in their exemplary exemplary.

Dedication to the communities they represent.

All right. Here we go. Professional municipal clerk.

Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Okay. Any words?

From council.

Not many. I, I don't believe people outside of, of

city hall.

Actually re realize how much work was on.

Behind the scenes in preparation for meetings.

Meetings and the office of our city clerk has much

to do with that.

Somewhat as a coordinator of.

Of of things as they relate to what department heads

have to prepare for, for meetings as well.

My summary is that a municipal clerk?

Is no longer paper and pen.

Many things, digital and always looking out for the better

use of things. Digital.

And increasingly we're hearing more and more about.

AI artificial intelligence.

And certainly you have been among the staff here in

trying to ensure.

That the data that's collected from the public.

Is respected in such a way that confidentiality.

Continues and as well that private.

Information is not disclosed to any party. That's not NEC

that does not need that information. So thank you in

advance for continued work in that realm.

Realm, because we all continue to learn about how AI.

Applies in our world these days.

And thank you for being here for us.

All right.

Council member Toms and then council member decide. Yes. I,

I wanna recognize our.

City clerk, staff of Roxanne stone, Heather Bell.

Spears and Olivia

Tucker ROHO the position of city clerk is vital to

the city. In fact, it's one.

That I learned about

growing up and the importance of the city clerk.

When I was able to meet one of the long-term

city clerks in which we named this.

These chambers after and that's Betty Grimes. So.

You're in a, a very important position and we do

thank you.

Thanks. And I'll just add to that and, and just

say big, thank you to our city clerk staff. I

know.

City clerk cannot be here tonight with us, unfortunately, but

I know she's mentor mentored by the best. And also

on top of that, my understanding is that she also

mentors.

A great deal of city clerks in the region.

And so just want to thank her for professionalism.

As well as staff, deputy city clerk stone.

Also making history. I know you're in several, several of

a proclamations as well. So I want to thank you

for your leadership.

Professionalism as well as Olivia as well. Pleasure to work

with you all.

All right. I, I do have to say my thank

yous as well. I'm usually on the phone with them

if something's going wrong, or if I'm not able to

log into something, but.

They've been patient with me the whole time. And I

just wanna say thank you again for your professionalism and,

but I was lucky to have you.

No rabbit.

Okay, so we'll move on to economic development week.

Proclamation, lemme get

economic development week, May 4th through the eighth, 2026.

Whereas economic development is a critical component of vibrant resilient.

Resilient and inclusive communities with more than a hundred thousand.

Economic development professionals worldwide, worldwide.

Working to create, retain, create, retain, and expand high quality

job opportunities and support long-term equitable growth. And whereas economic

development helps build strong neighborhoods, promote sustainability, enhances quality of

life, and generate a robust tax base that supports essential

public services.

Services and whereas economic development professionals.

Work in rural, suburban, and urban settings across, across the

public and private sectors.

Sectors, including cities, counties, chambers of commerce.

Universities public-private partnerships and nonprofit organizations.

Helping communities grow and thrive.

And whereas economic developers

serve as collaborative stewards and bridge builders.

Builders, uniting stakeholders, such as residents, businesses.

Elected leaders, industry partners and educational.

Institutions to advance workforce development investment.

Infrastructure innovation.

And community prosperity and

whereas in the city of Pinole, the economic development division.

Established in 2021.

Implements a city's economic development strategy to attract and retain.

Businesses support, small business growth.

Activate underutilized sites.

And promote a thriving and resilient local economy.

And whereas since 1926,

the international economic development council.

Has led the profession globally.

Promoting equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic.

Advancement through education, advocacy and innovation.

And whereas the success of economic development in Pinole is

strengthened by strong partnerships among local business businesses.

Community organizations, regional agencies and city leadership, all working together

to foster innovation.

At track investment and create a prosperous future for residents.

Resonance now, therefore I, Anthony Tave mayor of the city

of Pinole county of Contra Costa, state of California.

Do hereby proclaim the week of May 4th through May 8th, 2026.

As economic development week in the city of Pinole and

encourage all community members to recognize the significant contributions that

economic develop development professionals.

Make to the wellbeing and vitality of our city.

Okay, do have

all right. Awesome.

Thanks Mr. Chair.

You want me to go this way? Yeah. Okay. Okay.

Right. You're right. Thank.

Okay. All right. We're good.

One more. Thank you. Thank you.

Okay. Words. Absolutely. I, I mean, these proclamations, we hand

'em out, but we don't get to say thank you

or enough. Okay. Perfect time to do it. If I

may, we have yeah. 5 48, but they're director.

Wayland. I think you have one of the toughest, but

most fun jobs. And the reason I think about that

is because you work across sectors, you must work across

sectors.

Sectors in order to do the kinds of things that

us council people often generally talk about as falling under

the umbrella of quality of life. That quality of life

requires.

Requires in the world in which we do not barter

for things, the economy of things.

And so with your perspective,

your and your staff's work and diligence in wanting to

have Pinole become a thriving city.

In, in many different areas.

Areas. Thank you for your continued service.

To not only looking at things in the near term,

but as they will progress.

And look to become

for not the current generation, but future gen generations and

panel. Thank you.

Thanks. A lot of things uncertain in government, but one

thing I'm confident about is that we have the best

community development director in the business.

And so just want to thank you for all your

work.

Amazing what you've accomplished here in Pinole and such a

pleasure to work with you and your staff do who

do an amazing job day in, day out. Thanks.

I'll second that, I mean, you guys are doing great

Lilly. Your leadership has definitely been.

Part of this city since I've been here. And it's

definitely something that.

Just to see it grow and Pinole.

Peno pen's gotten so much out of, out of your

work in the, in your office. So just wanna say

thank you.

Okay. Thanks.

Alright, we'll move on to.

Police officer week.

Okay.

Police officer week, May 11th through the 17th.

2026.

And peace officers. Memorial day, May 15th, 2026.

Where, whereas there are over 750,000 law enforcement.

Officers serving in communities across the United States, including.

Our current 24 sworn members of.

The Pinole police department and whereas in a resolution approved

by the United States Congress in 1962.

The president is authorized and requested to issue proclamations designating

May 15th of each year.

As peace officers, Memorial day in honor of federal.

State and municipal officers who have been killed or disabled

in the line of duty and designating in each year,

the calendar week during which May 15th occurs as police week.

And.

Whereas the members of the Pinole police department play an

essential role.

In safeguarding the rights and freedoms.

Freedoms of residents in the city of Pinole and.

Whereas three peace officers.

Officers, Constable Arthur McDonald.

Officer John M. Sellers.

Sellers and officer Floyd, H Schwartz made the ultimate sacrifice.

Their lives to protect the citizens of our city.

And res it is important that all citizens know and

understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police department

agency.

And then members of our police department recognize their duty

to serve the people of our city by safeguarding life

and property.

By protecting them against violence and disorder and by protecting

their innocent against deception and the weak against oppression and

or intimidation.

Now, therefore I, Anthony Tave mayor of the city of

Pinole county of Contra Costa, state of California.

Call upon all citizens of the, of the city of

Pinole and upon all patriotic civic and educational.

Organizations to observe the week of May 11th through the 17th

as police officers week.

Commemorating law enforcement officers in our community and across the

nation.

Passed and present who by their faithful and loyal devotion

to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their

communities. I further call upon all citizens of the city

of Pinole to observe May 15th, 20, 26 as peace office's Memorial

day in honor of the law enforcement officers.

Officers who threw their courageous deeds.

Deeds have made the ultimate sacrifice, sacrifice to their community.

Or have been disabled in the performance of duty.

Let us also recognize and pay respect to the survivors

of our fallen heroes.

Awesome.

Okay. And I don't know if chief want to accept

the confirmation.

Thank you.

Thank you. Perfect.

Mayor and counsel

just, I wanna accept this proclamation on behalf of all

of the officers and professional staff for the, that work

at the Pinole police department. So thank you very much

for this proclamation.

Awesome. Thank you. Awesome.

I think council member Martinez Rubin is pushed her button.

So I think she's ready. Yeah. Any comments from council?

I pushed that button, chief laun and officers. You are

like my primary care provider.

I love you all, but don't want to see you

anytime soon. Meaning I do not wanna be in a

crisis where I require services, but I know that I

can count on you.

And I think residents in Pinole know that they can

count on you.

And I hope for you. Lots of health.

And ongoing safety in practicing what you do well.

Thank you for keeping our city safe. Mm-hmm well

said.

And member society. Thank you, mayor. And let me say

it too. Again, we have the best chief in the

business.

You have been incredibly responsive.

To Nino panol and anytime I've had to ask questions,

questions or, or work with a resident to talk about

an issue you've been there. So I wanna thank you

for your responsiveness, your professionalism.

As well as all of our police officers here in

Pinole, talk about our frontline staff. Those are our frontline

staff that, that really put their, their work in their

lives on line to protect themselves and want to thank

you all and pay respect of all the following peace

officers here in Pinole and across California nation. Thank.

Council member Toms. Go ahead. Yes. I wanna further.

Echo those sentiments and

thank all the police officers of our city.

For taking on the most visible and most important jobs

that we have in the city.

I also wanna recognize the families of the fallen officers

that we have had.

We still have, I'm aware of at least one family.

That is still connected with Pinole.

And I just want to recognize.

Her family, Bernie Schwartz's family.

As we recognize the Memorial day. Thanks.

Great, just chief, thank you for everything. And that you

do in the department. Does I know that the work

is never easy in that business and you guys handle

it with a sense of grace and professionalism that our

community is very thankful for. So just wanna say thank

you to you and your team.

Okay, everyone. We're through proclamations.

So I think we're gonna jump back to our.

Close session meeting and

reconvene at approximately eight o'clock. Okay. Someone wanna say thanks

to everybody.

And we'll see you at eight.

So, yeah, we'll go ahead and Gale, we're still waiting

on the city manager.

And mayor pro temp, but we'll, we'll go ahead and

go. Okay.

All right. So we'll reconvene to open session.

City attorney are we we're just continuing to after the

meeting, correct? Yeah. So no reportable action. And then the

city council will reconvene into closed session after the regular

meeting agenda.

To conclude item. I think it's four B. Fantastic. Okay.

So we'll move on to item six citizens to be

heard.

Madame clerk.

We have Mary Horton.

Followed by Debbie long and then William Horton.

That'll teach me to turn in my card last. Okay.

I get it now, my name is Mary Horton. I'm the

former mayor of Pinole.

I am voting. No.

On measure, measure D

but I want to explain first.

I have friends on both sides of the measure D

issue.

Which is the ballot measure for the directly elected mayor.

So if I may, I would like to address.

Mayor. Tave the undecided voter.

The issue was brought up.

By one of the male council members in the February 3rd

council meeting and later covered by the Contra Costa news.

Where one council member.

Said, I truly believe we have to do something about

our current system.

Because it's not working.

However I want to address the fact that has been

understated or even overlooked.

The mayor's rotation.

People will say, don't you wanna directly elected mayor?

And I say, we already do. We elect a mayor

and a vice mayor every two years.

According to vote totals at election time, it's codified in

the memo.

For excuse me for the wokeness.

This memo, 2010 dash 87.

The memos then put before the council to reaffirm the

election results.

And fold in the highest vote getter and the second

highest vote getter as mayor and vice mayor for one

year terms.

This process has been around largely unchanged for about 40

years.

For example, the mayor's rotation works like this.

And the 2020 election.

Where mayor where Devin Murphy.

Was elected with the highest votes to rotate into the

mayor's chair in 2023.

And Maureen Toms was elected with the second highest votes

to rotate in the mayor's chair in 2024.

A co regarding the 2022 election.

Camera society was the highest vote getter. The youngest vote

getter as well.

Youngest mayor Anthony Tave was the second highest vote getter

and added to the rotation.

The irony is that the trio gentleman in the center

of the day is.

Devin Murphy, Anthony Tave Cameron. Sasai not only.

Participated in the mayor's rotation.

But they benefited from the mayor's rotation.

At in, at any council meeting, one can observe the

trio in the center, virtually pass every item with a

3, 2, 4, 1 or five. Oh, vote almost always with the C

three votes of Murphy.

Tave and Sai

so it begs the question, what is not working with

the system of the rotation.

Mayor's rotation. One could say that the system is only

working too well.

With the three gentlemen in the center. Why then is

there a directed.

Elected mayor question, even on the ballot.

I would argue that

thank thank you. Speaker, may I finish my question? Just

real quick?

Okay, so I'm voting no on measure. D keep the

mayor's rotation, no paragraphs, no Kings and Pinole. Thank you.

Thank you. Speaker. Next speaker.

Debbie long.

And then William Horton.

Good evening council and mayor.

I am among others have questioned the legality of the

mailer that was sent to households in Pinole. In particular,

several people have referred to the Miller as a yes,

OND flyer, according to the Supreme court, they can spend

money on in informational materials, but those must be provided

a fair balance present.

Presentation of the facts, both pros and cons.

And not a one-sided pitch.

Factors courts look at are the style and tenor or

tone a flyer that gives a positive endorsement emphasizes only

benefits.

Benefits omits any opposition, views or downsize at his mail,

close to an election and looks like campaign advocacy.

Not neutral education, explicit words like vote. Yes. Aren't even

required.

Required. You might say if it looks like a duck

quacks, like a duck.

Then it's a duck. If a flyer was produced and

mailed at city expense and reads like an endorsement without

balance, it is likely improper.

If they included language that provided a one-sided position and

included language that was incorrect or misleading.

Then California law may have been violated.

So how does this Miller violate the law?

It's style and design for starters.

Eight colors eight by 10 glossy.

Glossy big, bold lettering of different color.

The words, the office of the mayor.

And in bold, smaller lettering underneath.

As an elected position.

And we already have an office of the mayor. One

that is rotated.

But still in office. The question of why it was

put on the ballot, it states the city council approved

to put it on the ballot.

But should it have stated that it was either a

split vote or a three to two vote? It sounds

as if it was unanimous.

Fiscal impacts of an elected mayor. It states no change

in salary.

However, when the discussion took place, it was decided that

the salary could be decided later with the city attorney

stating it could take place at any time.

The impact should have read unknown.

Since in essence, this is a blank check to be

written in the future.

How does an elected mayor impact me? That was one

of the questions.

Questions. The response says nothing about the impacts of an

elected mayor.

When it should have included that an elected mayor controls

the agenda as well as has more financial.

Control since they also sign warrants.

Warrants currently they only preside over a meeting and consult

with the city manager on the agenda.

As far as disclosing more information, it gives the city

website only.

But in order to balance that information, a website for

the campaign against measure D should have been added as

well.

Perhaps to have avoided this looking like a yes on

D Miller. There should have been a statement saying this

is not an endorsement of measure D and informational only.

So if the flyer was produced and mailed by at

city expense and reads like an endorsement without balance, it

is likely improper.

Please vote. No on measure D thank you.

Thank you. Speaker next speaker, please.

Mayor and counsel

my name is William Horton. I'm a pen, taxpayer and voter.

I speak against measure D.

On the June 2nd ballot, it is unnecessary to have a

directly elected mayor.

In Pinole compared to a bigger city like San Francisco.

The Merrill rotation has worked efficiently in Pinole for decades.

The two city council candidates with the highest vote totals

of the citizens.

Citizens will be added to the mayor's list every two

years.

They will each take turns at being mayor for one

year.

This Chair, Menis the Mary's duties.

And is very democratic. There is no problem that measure

Dee would fix.

However measure D would change.

The mayor Protem selection to an arbitrary majority vote of

the Pinole city council.

The democratic collection of the mayor pro tem.

Tem would be eliminated from the vote of the people.

The mayor pro tem would be substituting an absence of

the mayor.

Measure D wastes 55,000 from the city Pinole budget.

That means less money for police.

Fire parks and streets.

Your job as a city council.

Is to provide the best quality of life for us.

The taxpayers and residents.

Residents summary. There is no problem.

With the mayor's rotation, all five council members.

Have been mayor during the last eight years.

That is a very fair and democratic process.

Please focus on police.

Fire parks and streets. And I have already voted.

No on measure D

thank you. Speaker next speaker, please.

We have Raphael Menez followed by Richard castle.

And then Jennifer Horn.

Good evening, mayor council staff, the public, my name's Rael

me. I'm.

And I have two topics I'd like to discuss tonight.

First, the overall rate of COVID 19 and influenza a

in.

The wastewater treatment values for Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

So far as I can determine that continues to be

at a very low level.

For both viruses based on the latest CDC data.

Coming in from last week, there's still a couple of.

Odd outliers and Alameda, but at this point I'm reasonably

confident that they are outliers. Given the overall trend data

has been shifting towards.

Towards very low, not just at the state level, but

also regionally. And.

Nationally might be more of an issue in the summertime,

but.

For right now, I think the risk is relatively as

low as it's going to be given the current endemic

situation.

And

my question.

About measure D is more, I think, through the mayor

to the.

Council members who voted to place it on the ballot.

And my question is.

Why was there not a pro argument submitted to the

county?

Department of elections to be printed along with the con

argument there.

Because for most ballot measures, you see a pro argument

and a con argument listed. I would argue that in

order to have proper democratic deliberation,

you need to be able to see the pro and

the con argument to be able to see, not just

the legal and technical and neutral text that the city

attorney or whatever entity is drafting.

It's a proposition.

Will bring forward, but also what the proponents and opponents

see the measure as doing what their goals for it.

Are, but it's not there. Nobody filed any comments for

measures E and F I presume because they thought that.

The duration of the term of the elected mayor was

less material, but whether or not there should be an

elected mayor at all.

But

what I'm looking at the county.

Pamphlet that they send out for information. All that I

see.

Is the argument against

and I guess I'm asking the council, you know,

why was an argument in favor, not submitted. Was it

just a matter of time? Did people not know about

it was an argument not put together at a timely

fashion? Like what was the reason.

Because if we're asking the people.

To vote on something. I think it's also important for

the people to be.

Informed as to, you know,

why they should vote for, or against a given thing.

Thank you. Thank you, speaker. Next speaker, please.

Richard castle.

Followed by Jennifer Horn.

Hello, my name's Richard Kosel. I'd like to register my

objection to the yes. On D informational flyer that was

mailed to the city of Pinole residence, California law limits.

How taxpayer money can be used on communications.

To ballot measures, public agencies cannot spend public money to

advocate for.

Or against a ballot measure, they can spend money on

informational material.

But those materials should be.

Fair and balanced and present both pro and cons and

not a one-sided pitch.

The city of Pinole was aware of the noon D

position and language prior to issuing this mailer.

And did not include it in on the mailer. What

is not allowed is a flyer that gives a.

Positive endorsement providing

only benefits and leaving out any oppositional view.

It is, or if it's mailed.

Close to an election and has campaign advocacy.

And not neutral language.

Again, the city of Pinole was aware of the noon

D language.

And did not include it. Key cases on this is

Stanson versus mock 1976.

Ruled that public agencies may spend.

Fun on informational materials.

Materials provide fair and present fair presentation of the relevant

facts, including pros and cons.

That cannot engage in promotional campaign style activities.

That cannot provide a one-sided emphasis.

On benefits, emissions of downsides or opposing views.

Views positive endorsements or distributions close to the elections.

Elections and can and cannot include.

Improper advocacy.

Express expresses, sorry. Explicit phrases like vote. Yes. Are not

required.

Required supporting cases on this would be Vargas versus city

of Salinas in 2009, California Supreme court reaffirmed this case.

And it reviewed the city's communications.

Website material and fact sheet. And it, it stated that

it did provide information.

But it underscored that was one-sided or campaign like effort

remained improper.

Citizens for responsible government versus city of Albany.

1997, it involved a city ballot.

Questioning wording that included.

Included argue, promotional language about benefits.

Benefits. And it also stated that it was concerned that

ha had a partisan slant in public materials.

Materials. This was a campaign flyer.

This was your yes.

On D replacement instead of putting it into the.

Ballot material. And I think that that was pretty, pretty

bad on city council.

Okay, thank you. Thank you, speaker. Next speaker, please.

We have two online.

Robert Mackey. Oh, I'm sorry. Is it Jennifer Horn? I'm sorry.

Good evening, mayor prote members of the city council.

City attorneys, city executive, or whatever.

Manager and everybody else here, I'm here to urge the

voters of Pinole to vote. No on measure D.

We all, many of us have gotten our ballots. Some

have not yet, but when you get it,

please open it up, make your choices.

And check that box. The no box for measure D.

There are two main reasons to vote? No, and we've

kind of been over this a lot.

One main reason that the public is not clamoring for

it. In fact, they're doing anything, but.

Right. You guys have heard many, many voices from the

residents of Pinal that they did not want measure D

to put on the ballot.

It wasn't mentioned by the city of PUO or by

the Pinole residence, any recent poll.

And the asserted reason mayoral.

Legitimacy makes no sense. There's no indication that that is

an issue that needs to be addressed. It's also not

fiscally prudent.

$57,000 to put it on the ballot.

And the mayor's salary is set by city. Council can

be changed at any time.

And said at any rate.

The second reason is probably most important of all right

now.

Given the city's current fiscal.

Situation. It is serious.

And it needs to be addressed seriously.

The city is facing a budget deficit of 4.28 million this

year.

And will be relying on a one-time transfer to balance

the budget.

But what about next year? And what about the year

after that?

There's a structural imbalance in this city's budget.

And it needs serious consideration.

A thoughtful approach and hard choices need to be made.

Instead of that, we get measure D.

Which is anything but serious consideration.

Thoughtful approach or a hard choice to address a true

issue.

Seen within the context of the city's pervasive deficits and

reliance on tax increases. One time fixes.

Measure D is nothing but a distraction.

From the real issue at hand.

Not to mention a complete waste of time.

And money. So maybe there's a third reason to vote.

No, on measure D it's our way of telling this

council.

The three members who voted for this distraction in particular.

To knock it off and to get back to business,

to focus on the real issues the city faces.

Faces and make the hard decisions we elected you to

make.

Use your creative thinking for good.

This time and figure out how to get this city's

finances back in black.

It's budget time and we are watching.

No unmeasured D thank you.

Thank you. Speaker next speaker, please.

Now we'll go online. Robin Mackey.

Speaker you might be on mute. I'm sorry. Yes. Okay.

I'm I'm muting. Thank you.

Good evening. My name is Robin Mackie.

Thank you for serving our city.

I, I walk my dog to the Pinole valley dog

park every day.

And I'm grateful to all the people who maintain our

parks in Pinole.

They're well maintained, clean and beautiful.

I'm here to share with you. Some things you might

not be aware of.

Last week a sign went up in Pinole valley, dog

park that said.

City of Pinole dog park will be closed eight to

five, May 4th and fifth for maintenance, which may include herbicide.

Applications. I emailed.

Recreation, Pinole dot gov.

Gov and ask what kind of pesticide would be used

and where would it be applied?

As of today, I haven't received an answer.

A few months back in February, February, I also noticed

the company Marine.

Who does park landscaping and maintenance applying what looked like

a pesticide next to the children's playground.

In Pinole valley park, I asked the worker what he

was using and he said,

spider killer. There wasn't any sign posted at all.

You're probably as shocked as I am. And especially if

you take your children to that playground.

The public has a right to know when they're being

exposed to pesticides.

I would like for the city council to number one.

Find out what herbicide they're using in the dog park.

And.

Where they're applying it inside the fenced area.

And or outside number two.

To contact the landscaping company Marine and find out what

they're using to kill spiders.

Spiders next to the Pinole valley ch park children's playground.

And number three to tell them that they must put

up signage.

And let the public know when they're going to be

applying pesticide in the public parks.

Parks. And I'd like you to report back to the

public with this information at the next meeting.

As an agenda item.

I have to say, I don't feel safe going to

the dog park, not knowing what my dog and I

are being exposed to.

I wanted to make sure.

That the city council and anyone listening to this broadcast

are aware that this is going on in our parks.

Parks. And also that this is on record.

I will follow up with an email detailing detailing my

request.

To the counsel.

Thank you very much.

Okay, thank you, speaker.

Next speaker, please.

John.

B and speaker, can you please state your first and

last name for the record?

Yes. Can you hear me? Hear me? Yes. Go ahead.

Can you hear me?

Yes. Go ahead.

Can you hear me? Okay.

We can hear you. Go ahead.

What's going on. Is that.

you're better. Our children's playground.

And number three to tell them that they must put

up signage and let the public know when they're going

to be applied pesticides, speaker hold speaker, hold on. Have

audio problem. I'd like you to report back to the

public with this info information at the next meeting.

As an agenda.

Madam clerk.

Can you? Yes, sir. Are you.

Able to turn your TV down. And can you hear

us an email? Yeah, I hear a recording. My request,

Robin Mack.

Mackie to the council. Thank you. Very feedback.

Okay, sir. Are you able to turn off your TV

and or computer in the background? Because we're getting the

feedback.

Okay, hang on one second.

Yes. Yes. Can you hear me? Hear me? Yes. Go

ahead.

Can you hear me? We, we can hear you, but

you have, you have something in the background turned up

and you need to turn that off.

Can you hear me? Okay. We.

Okay, Ron.

How about now? We, we got you. We can hear

you. Go ahead. And can you state your full name

for the record? Yes. My name is John J boy.

Tell them that they must put up sign. Can I'm.

I'm happy to bere, sir. Hold on. Hold on. Problem,

sir, you have some on, in your background.

That needs to be turned off.

As let me try logging on and logging off.

There.

Something, something went away. Do you hear me now?

Yes. And please state your full name for the record.

Okay, sorry about all these tech glitches. My name is

John J. Blair medical. Can you? Yes.

And I'm glad that you sir, are you.

Able to turn your TV down in. Can you hear

us an email? Yeah. I hear a recording request, Robin

Mac to the council.

Thank you very

speed heat mayor. He's logged off.

Okay. I think we will.

We'll go to the next speaker. Hopefully the.

Technical difficulty. You'll.

Or remedy at some point, but tweaker, we do have

a comment.

At the end of the meeting, there's a second round

that you could join in.

On item 13, after we get through the presentations.

Okay, Madam clerk, next speaker, please. Thank you. That concludes

public comment.

Okay. So

we got through citizen citizens to be heard. We'll move

on to item seven reports and communications.

Mayor's report.

I only have one item that ran into a few

citizens and contacted the.

City manager about early morning.

Around sprouts. And I know this has been discussed with

counsel.

But a couple citizens that were sitting at the bus

stop approached me.

About lighting and it appears that one of the lights.

Is blocked by branches. So it doesn't light the.

Specific it's almost like there's light.

The bus stop and then no light into just like

super dark.

So I was just wondering if there was something that

public works or the team might be able to look

at.

Other than that.

They just had that announced me something I ran into

and I know that a few.

Citizens were also cont

contacted about it as well. So if something we could

look into.

Okay, so we can move to.

Counsel mayor and council appointments looks like we don't have

any of those.

Move to item C city council committee reports and communications.

I'll start to my left with council member Toms.

Toms. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Since we last met in April, I attended the calc

city city leadership leadership.

Event in Sacramento.

And attended several sessions, including.

Sessions entitled how government can partner with youth.

And there were a couple of communities that had a

children and youth bill of rights.

Rights that really engaged.

Youth in the, in the city.

And I was thinking, you know, for future.

We may want to do that at the beginning of

the fall, kind of visit that.

As something that we can look at for the new

students entering the new school year.

Another session, which was really important. And there were.

Presenters from Solano county Sasoon specifically.

That talked about.

Rumors and how to address.

Crises. This was the

example of the California forever.

Project that's proposed outside of Sao.

Sasoon and then there was another speaker who talked about.

Emergency communication.

We also had an opportunity to meet with.

Our assembly members, staff.

And also our Senator

Argen on some of the bills that are proposed.

From Cal cities that would benefit our area. And I

just wanna highlight specifically that there is a bill.

That we were asking both of them to support and

that had to do with.

Increasing fines for

theft of copper wires.

Wires because the, the

damage that is done is just it multiplies the, the

actual.

Benefit or, you know, whatever the resale value.

Is, it's just incredibly damaging. And we shared the problem

that we experienced here in Pinole with lines being cut

and our having to reroute emergency.

Communications.

And then, you know, the problems that we've had here

at city hall.

City of Richmond was also in attendance at this meeting

and gave examples of their.

Streetlights that have gone out.

But there's a number of bills that we were.

There to discuss. And it was a really good opportunity

in our state. Senator gave us.

Quite a bit of his time, mainly because he was

just done.

In committee. So he was free for the rest of

the afternoon.

Upcoming meetings that I have in at the end of

this week and next week.

Is all wildfire related. I will be attending a.

A wildfire.

Working group.

A task force meeting on Friday.

We have our east bay wildfire government coalition meeting.

Next next week, and then I'm gonna be.

Attending a, an

introduction to land use planning for wildfires in California.

In Chico next week as well. So that's what the

topic's gonna be.

For the next week and a half. And that's the

end of my report.

Fantastic. Thank you. Council member, Toms council member Sai, please

go ahead.

Thanks mayor. I'll start with committees first.

For the public, the WIC TAC or west Contra constant

transportation commission meeting has been, that was set for April 10th.

It's been canceled. The next meeting will be on May 22nd.

Other

committee I'm on is west cat.

No new updates from the last time I give a

report, but do you just wanna highlight now that we

have some information on this?

That there are free weekend rides all summer long.

Starts on May 16th and you can do that and, and

gain the benefit from that until July 26th.

Saturdays and Sundays only, you just have to just get

on board at west cat bus. You don't need a

pass.

A ticket or repayment, you can enjoy free ride during

the weekends during that time period.

I wanna mention to

joined.

Our fellow local legacy, Cal cities in Sacramento, it was

much smaller than, than the previous one we had this

past year.

Been great to convene with. I know we had the

first ever like inaugural young electeds group.

Convene formally and be recognized by, by Cal city. So

want to thank my colleagues for their work on that,

and also great to be attending some of the panels.

One I wanna highlight is the immigration rights panel that

we had. I think it was somebody for, from the

Riverside.

Not county. It was chief of police for city of

Riverside, who.

Was singing the lead on some of those issues in,

in his city, as well as somebody from a non-profit

on, on immigrant rights and, and great to.

See some of the work that other cities encounters have

been doing to protect our, our vulnerable com vulnerable communities

at this time.

I wanna mention to you that I met with the

Pinole players.

Board joined them for their board meeting, went on site

and they, I know, came last meeting and had some

requests. And so.

City manager. I'll, I'll email you with some details there

and how to move that forward in terms of getting

their art on, on the face of, of the building.

And other things that they have requested as well.

Last thing.

I was honored to give the first pitch at the,

a game last Friday in a mission that because I

did represent Pinole.

Penal in my capacity as the council member.

And so just great to see the community there. And

I ran into some people who are from Pinole, who

attended, which so was really great to share a moment

with the rest of the community.

Things are my only updates and I have some comments

for another item on seven.

Thanks. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Council members, Sai mayor

prote Murphy, please. Yes. And thank you, mayor. I'll keep

it very brief. First of all, I just wanted to

request that staff follow up on the public comments that

have been made around the dog park. I can get

an all lot of inquiries about just updates there. And

I, I know our residents love our dog park, so.

If y'all can just get back to them and also

just put something on the website as well.

With additional information. That'd be great.

Also wanted to uplift that our next CE board meeting

is next. Oh, actually not next week. Next week.

Representatives from M C E as well as all of

the community choice aggregators across the state will be meeting

in Sacramento.

So for those of you who are familiar with the

California league of cities, there is something very similar to

that called Cal CCCA, the California community choice association. Those

of us who represents our cities as well as each

CCCA will, will be meeting in Sacramento to, to discuss.

First of all celebrating 10 year, our 10 year anniversary

as an association, but also discussing.

Next steps around issues, dealing with rebate and programs, our

rates and options. And of course our community programs that

we do in all of our cities, in our jurisdictions.

Jurisdictions. And then the next CE board meeting will be

on.

Excuse me would be on May 21st.

So just wanted to update the community on that and.

Last, but not least just wanted to also thank you

to the residents who reach out to me every day.

There are so many folks who have questions, but also.

You know, really just need navigation of the website. So

shout out to the, our website and it team, cuz

I'm oftentimes referring residents to our website and, and identifying

where folks can. I like fix their problems, but just

wanted to also commend for residents for continuing the C

communication.

Reaching out for coffee, love doing those things. We'll continue

to do those things and just really honored and humbled

to serve this vibrant and wonderful community. So that's it.

Thank you, mayor.

Thank you.

Council member Martinez. Ruben. Thank you. I also got to

attend the city.

Leaders summit in Sacramento.

And a number of sessions that were quite informative and

always learning opportunities.

I attended one that was focused on water.

And I'm trying to find my notes so that I

don't misinformed you. But one of the things that came

out of that was certainly a lot of terminology that

people most involved in water.

Issues are, are very well acquainted with.

And very thought provoking and, and a very simple, but,

but thought provoking question that came outta that session is

how, how do we mitigate.

When

problems when water becomes scarce and you know, we're

often.

I think most of us can recall when we have

been asked to.

Not take longer showers, you know, do our individual share

to not use as much water.

In for personal use, but there are larger issues associated

with water and among those are land use, which is

what is, was interesting to me. And how do we

go about planning in cities?

So that we take into account what is developed and

the eventual.

Necessity for water, you know, so all, so that kind

of that kind of, of of matter is, is certainly

of interest and ongoing as we continue to, to have

developments and want to develop more.

Another session that I attended.

Focused on childcare as, as infrastructure.

And that was quite interesting and exciting and made me

very proud that here in Pinole, we have tiny tots

and that we have for several decades now consider that

an important service.

To our residents.

Residents as well as a matter of necessity to offer.

Parents a means to continue developing their own economic plants.

Their is their individual personal family, economic plants.

And so just reframing the, the matter of childcare.

Was very eye-opening to me personally.

And a reminder that

perhaps we ought to have a presentation on tiny touch

and all that it has been doing for us and

seeing it through that lens, how it continues to offer.

Parents an opportunity to

be part of the economy and in turn be part

of.

The sector of, of, of consumers that we rely on.

When we have reliance on sales tax and property taxes,

et cetera.

So another session.

Was local government and immigration enforcement policy.

And a delight there was as well, something that the

city had introduced last year.

About how we are addressing.

Unreasonable staging by ice.

In on properties that otherwise would be for, for the

city and how we've put in place, not only a

resolution, but an ordinance associated with that.

So interestingly enough, or maybe not so not so surprising,

not all cities have something like that. So that speaks

to.

What we consider among the matters that we consider important

here.

And that's a fair treatment of everyone.

What was fun as a closing session was to hear

an author, the author of a book title, the 13

ways to kill your community. And although the author was

Canadian, a lot of what he's said.

Had great relevance to cities here in the states.

And among the things that he mentioned was, again,

to not plan for

not only quantity, but the quality of water, the water

that's available to us.

That comes out of our tap as well as the

water that's used for.

Infrastructure not to attract business or businesses is something that

can kill a community. And here we speaking about economic

development.

Or the availability to not the availability, but the existence

of competition. And I can recall in this city,

some folks being afraid of competition, but competition creates diversity.

In economy and economy creates and, and that diversity allows

for opportunities and options.

For consumers to access different services and different prices and

different consumer goods.

Goods, another way to kill your community is not to

engage youth.

And or not to engage seniors. So we've got both

spectrums of the life cycle and another reminder of how

the importance of including all demographics.

Demographics in the work that we do and in the

activities for which we plan.

Deceiving ourselves, deceiving ourselves and believing that, that we are

ever so unique.

I think we've heard this at other Cal cities events

that we have a more commonalities and differences.

Across the state. And so to learn from each other

is important so that we don't quote, reinvent the wheel

wheel.

And thus make our efforts that much more costly because

we're believing that we are creating something and completely new.

Not shopping in our own cities. We all, actually,

we invite people to come to Pinole and shop.

And we appreciate that they are consumers here in our

city.

Very simply, but not to address the aesthetics. And I

have had conversations with our inner city manager about the

importance of the smaller things.

That visual, the aesthetics that.

That invite or, or disinvite people to be part of

our city.

Not to cooperate amongst ourselves.

Or inter

sartorially or across regions.

Regions living in the past. And he cited some examples

of the kind of thinking that reflects living in the

past.

One of them that he, that he had an acronym

for. He titled fear F E a R.

Fire up everyone against reasonable solutions.

But the better lesson that I learned was can we

rather than have conversations about yet another solution? Can we

have conversations about.

One less problem.

And so that was a good takeaway for me.

Reject everything new. And I think we have, we hear

different variations of that here.

Ignore outsiders. And again, that's an just inviting.

Innovative and different perspectives to cities can also create an

atmosphere where we limit the experiences that we have for

the perspectives that inform our decisions.

Decisions growing complacent.

We can do that ever so easily. If we're not

reminded of that by someone who hasn't been part of

a discussion or who has.

Entered into a discussion at a, at a point where

we're close to making a decision, but we haven't heard

that last input.

So again, public comment is that much more important?

And not taking responsibility because we don't want to be

blamed. We love the glory and we love the kudos,

but we also have to remind ourselves we, that we

are responsible for the decisions that we make and some

of those decisions don't and won't work.

And

so

I had a lot to learn there and I hope

that next time I can see more of you at

the sessions.

Sessions. And that is my report for tonight. Thank you.

Thank you. Council member Martinez. Rubin we'll go ahead and

jump to council.

Requests for future agenda items, item 70.

Does the council have any future agenda items?

I would, if I may. Yeah.

Given the comments of the, of the person from the

public.

Could we have a

brief presentation on the kinds of HES pesticides that herbicides

that have been used, I think also will reminded me

as, as the gopher problem.

And I know that's been addressed, but there must be

some way that we've done it, that meshes with the

natural cycle of, of things. So I would like to

have a presentation on what we're using, what city is

using. Thanks. I'll second that, oh, okay. Do just a

quick.

Comment. What do you mean by brief?

Our usual request. Our usual request, I believe is about

a 12 to 15 minute presentation.

By speaker. And I think that would apply as well

to staff and then allow some questions and answers from

the.

From the, either the public or the DAS. So just

a very simple.

Mm, here's what we're used, what we're doing. Mm-hmm,

how we're doing it. I'd also like to know if

there is temporary signage put up.

And, and what that might look like if there was.

Just so that if somebody says, Hey, we're spraying in

this area.

But, yeah. Okay. Just wanted that quick.

Clarification just so that we can make sure this is

more informative in nature.

Madame clerk.

I think we had a motion.

Yes. We had a motion in a second. Second. Okay.

Merit Tave yes. Mayor pro Tim Murphy. Yes. Council member

Sai. Yes. Council member Martinez. Ruben. Yes. Council member Toms.

Yes. Motion carries. Thank you.

Are there any other, okay. I I'd like to bring

up one, one item and it's something that we were

doing in the past was somewhat of a report out

of, you know, the potholes and all of that type

of reporting is maybe some of that activity that's been

going on in this city.

And usually I think last time it was through the

ma through the city manager's report was just some quick

data points for, for community.

I don't know if that's something that we can maybe

bring back or.

I know there's a few presentations that are probably on

its way, but.

Just a quick snapshot of, of what we're doing as

far as a maintenance in, in, in the field or

anything of note.

I would be happy to bring that forward in. That's

great. The next city manager report, at least an update

and then continue that. Okay.

I dunno if we need a motion or anything for

that, but .

All right. Okay. So seeing no other future agenda items.

I'm wondering if we can move to seven E we'll

do city manager report.

No city manager report this evening, but I'm anticipating one

nun. The next one. awesome. Thank you. Thank you.

Let's see. Okay. Moving to seven F.

Thank you mayor. Tave nothing to report this evening.

C council member SIG. Go ahead.

Yes, city attorney, would you be willing to just respond

to the public comments regarding the.

Mailer on measure D E N F. And your opinion

on the, if, whether or not it's legally defensible.

I'm happy to through the chair.

So there's reference to multiple cases. There are legal standards

that apply. It's mostly under the public resources code. There's

a prohibition on using public resources for campaign purposes. It's

something that we're very familiar with. There's lots of case

studies out there on agencies that have been.

Cited and fined for violations of that. The mailer that

we prepared was reviewed by the city attorney's office, obviously,

and staff, we feel like it's very content neutral and

is educational in, in its purpose and nature. A certainly

was a, an intended to advocate for any position.

And I'll just note it would be.

Just the idea of including an opposition.

Kind of website on it is, is not anything that

we would do. So it's really just to provide educational

information to members of the public.

So that they're informed that there's a ballot measure that's

on in June in what it essentially would involve and

what it means. So I'm, I'm happy to speak with

any members of the public who have questions about that

to, to clarify any points. I, I appreciate the public

comment.

And would be happy to discuss that with anybody who's

interested.

Thanks city attorney. Appreciate it.

Can I also ask a question. I know that there

was two speakers and one mentioned $55,000 for the.

Ballot measure. And then one mentioned 57,000.

It seems like there might be some confusion as to

what the number was.

To actually put a measure on the ballot and, and

this is what the county would charge.

Any any city or was it particular to this city?

For, for a, a ballot measure. Yeah. So I believe

that reference is directly from our staff report. When we

prepared the staff report to.

Provide context for the cost associated with the balance measure.

It was an estimate, but it was based on.

Prior years, the cost associated with advancing a ballot measure

for a primary election, which tends to be a little

bit, a little bit more expensive than a, a November

election. And it also included cost associated with staff time

to put it on. So it, it was, it was

an estimate, but it was a pretty conservative estimate. We

don't believe it was more than the, that.

But it was from the staff report and maybe there

was.

I, I think it was 57, that was in the

staff report, but I'd have to check.

Yeah. Okay. Do we have that number or is it

something that maybe we can.

We can get

the actual costs. Yeah. Just so that it's clear.

For, for everyone with the number was yeah. Yeah, we

can, we can certainly pull that together. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. Alright. So

that was seven F

next on the agenda. We're gonna move to item nine.

Since we've already done our pro proclamations and recognitions presentations

and community events.

So we'll move to item nine consent calendar.

Was there.

Any council member that liked to pull an item.

No. Okay. We'll move to public comment.

Raphael menace.

Good evening again, just a brief comment on item nine,

a patient number 25. I wanted to direct, I wanted

to thank director shell for getting back to me on.

Item.

Comments about item.

Nine. Let's see.

D E S clarifying. It was the 2025 values number

2026 ones.

Ones and noting that, you know, I would appreciate.

Replies back from staff on the remaining items. That's all.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you. Speaker. Are there any other speakers for

item nine consent Gallagher. That concludes public comment. Okay. Bringing

it back to counsel.

Would be looking for a motion move to approve.

It's on calendar second.

I'll second second by council member, Tom Madam clerk.

Mayor Tave yes. Mayor pro 10 Murphy. Aye. Council member

Sai. Yes. Council member Martinez. Ruben. Yes. Council member Toms.

Yes. Motion carries. Thank you.

Okay. I didn't item.

10 will be moving to.

Public hearings. Let's see. So 10 a.

We're conducting a public hearing. Oh,

it's being continuing. I should be going to the city

manager for to guide us through this for item

10. Yes. Thank you very much.

Mr mayor, as noted, we are asking to continue the

item two May 19th.

But do recommend that you open the public hearing. See

if there are any comments, any from public hearing.

And then we would now, do you keep the public

hearing open? I'm just confirming with the city attorney.

Yeah, we could, we could open the public meeting and

continue it to.

Main the date. Certain, yeah. Okay.

Alright, so we'll open.

The public hearing for item.

10 a

did we take public comment?

Yeah, we could. Right. Is there any public comment for.

Item 10, a, there are no public comments. Okay. So

we'll Mr. Meer. I'll, I'll move that. We continue this

to May 19th.

Okay, motion by council member, Tom. Second, last second, second,

second by mayor pro tem Murphy.

Mad Madam clerk. Can we.

Mayor Tave yes. Mayor pro 10 Murphy. Aye. Council member

Sai. Yes. Council member Martinez. Ruben. Yes. Council member Toms.

Yes. Motion carries. Thank you.

Okay, so moving to item 11.

Old business. We have none.

Moving to item 12 new business.

City manager. Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor and

members of the city council.

Tonight's first new business item is the preliminary.

Proposed fiscal year 26, 27, operating in capital budget.

Staff will be presenting a budget update. That includes comments

from the finance subcommittee.

Quite a, quite a few of my overarching comments that

you'll hear.

In the next couple moments are similar to the comments

I made last week at the finance subcommittee. Just wanna

share them with the full counsel.

I certainly like to start off by thanking Marisha and

her team at the finance department.

They have done an excellent job pulling this together and

being very responsive to the department, to myself.

And to others as we've put this together, I'd like

to thank all the department, heads and staff. This isn't

the most fun experience.

When you prepare reduced budget, I want to thank the

mayor for a suggestion to create a 3, 6, 10.

Budget. Cut.

Sort of

way to kick this budget discussion off. As we looked

at the.

Deficit levels and how to address it. You'll notice as

staff gets into the departmental cuts, especially if you look

at the six to 10%.

Levels staff is looking at potential existing vacancies or potential

reductions in staffing levels.

I think during the next fiscal year,

staff in the finance subcommittee should spend time reviewing some

of the six and 10% cuts to see if there

are opportunities to prepare for the fiscal year 27 28 budget.

But take the time there.

What we are proposing and want look forward to the

input by the council is the 3% level.

That should generate about a million dollars in savings.

Savings. When you add with that, the $1 million from.

What we're anticipating with.

CONFIRE in our discussions.

And, and then

utilizing half of what was originally projected roughly of the

one 15 trust for this year to make a softer

landing over the next two to three years and then

have a balanced budget.

Also included in this budget just to keep in mind

is about a million, almost a million and a half

of capital improvement projects using general fund. So there's a

couple levers in there that are making this go up

a little bit higher than.

We'd like to see, and certainly we can work with

the finance subcommittee or the.

Infrastructure in transportation ad hoc to make sure that there's

a priority looking at how do the money's and this

is I'm taking away from my next comments and the

next staff item, but how working with the account to

make sure that capital projects in those dollars that do

use general fund.

Are going to the projects that the council wants and

the community wants, which certainly I've heard over and over,

which is roads.

Wrote so, but going back.

The positive message here is the yellow brick road is

a pathway for a balanced budget that begins this coming

fiscal year.

Without the need for draconian cuts.

Cuts. It does require some discipline. And if there are

cost increases, staff,

needs to identify the offsets for the council to consider,

to keep that budget balanced. And again, look forward to

your comments on.

Levels of reductions assumptions and the yellow brick road. I'll

hand it over to our.

Wonderful finance director.

Thank you. City manager, Evans.

Evans. Good evening, mayor Tave members of the city council.

Staff and members of the community.

This evening, we're bringing forward. The preliminary proposed fiscal year

20 26, 27.

Budget for your review. Next slide.

For this item, staff recommends that the city council review

the preliminary proposed budget.

And provide direction to staff for changes.

Changes to incorporate into the next draft of the document,

which is the revised proposed version.

Next slide.

So before we take a look at the numbers.

Just staff wanted to provide a, a recap of the

budget development process.

This process consists of a, a series of activities.

Involving staff, the council and the community.

And the goal is to build a budget for the

upcoming fiscal year.

We're in the formulation phase of the overall budget cycle.

The finance subcommittee has held several meetings during which it

has reviewed financial policies.

The long-term preliminary long-term financial forecast, as well as the

preliminary budget.

Staff has held a number of internal meetings, including.

Detailed budget review with the finance department and with the

city manager.

The city council held a special city council meeting or

budget workshop on March 31st.

And they, and provided some feedback during that meeting, including

the direction to provide three, six and 10% budget reduction

scenarios.

Scenarios, the finance subcommittee held an subcommittee, held a meeting

on April 29th to review the preliminary proposed budget. And long-term

financial forecast as well.

And that brings us to today where we are presenting

the preliminary proposed budget.

Upcoming meetings will include the revised proposed budget on June 2nd.

And the plan is to have the budget adopted by

the city council on June 16th.

It should also be noted that the budget is, or

this process is an iterative process.

Meaning that the budget will continue to be updated until

final adoption.

And that includes a number of items, for example.

When we receive updated budget projections, those are included.

Included also, we are working to close the budget gap

so that in itself will cause some changes to the

budget. So when the revised proposed budget you'll see different

numbers than what you see tonight.

And will continue to rev refine it in an effort

to present a balanced budget for adoption.

Next slide. Oh, I'm sorry. This is the correct one.

So looking at the general fund baseline budget, we start

with our revenues.

Revenues the city does have a diverse revenue base.

And overall general fund revenues are projected to increase by

3% from the current fiscal year fiscal year, 20 25, 26.

The major tax categories, including property tax sales, tax, utility

users, tax franchise.

Transient occupancy tax and business license.

Also, including intergovernmental.

Show modest, but steady growth.

Overall, there are some where we see significant growth and

that's for several reasons.

Reasons, for example, in the utility user tax, we see

a 17% growth and that's because this is based on

what we are projecting to receive in the current fiscal

year, which is significantly higher than the budget.

Also, if we look at franchise taxes, we see a

bit of a, a decrease there of about 2%.

And that's mostly

because of the cable.

Franchise taxes continue to

decline. And that's just due to consumers shifting away from

traditional cable services.

Services. We also see a decrease in the transient occupancy

tax of about 13%.

And that's just due to trends and also due to

some outstanding.

Receipts that the city has not received.

And then lastly,

for fees. We also see.

A six, 16% decrease.

And that's mostly due to abatement fees in the code

enforcement area where we're starting to see improvements. And so

less fees are being assessed.

So again, overall, we're looking at a 3%.

Increase which equates to approximately $942,000.

From the previous fiscal year.

Next slide.

So looking at our expenditures, these are all of the

items that our revenues cover or fund.

Expenditures are projected to increase.

6% over last year.

Or over the, the current year and that equates to

about $1.8 million.

For salaries and wages, we do assume a 3% cost

of living adjustment across the board.

We included the 3% just to be consistent with the

current fiscal year, but no final decisions have been made.

For a benefit specifically with CalPERS, we're seeing a 10%

increase.

For other benefits, a 9% increase and that's mostly due

to increases in healthcare.

Looking at professional services.

Specifically the fire services contract, which is broken out below

the professional services line.

We're looking at an increase of 8%.

And the city's fire related.

Obligations, we're looking at it an increase of 9%.

And that aligns with the increase in CalPERS, because that

is one of the costs that remains with the city.

And that is the payment for the unfunded liability.

That the city is obligated to pay for, for former

retired fire staff.

And if we go down to transfers out, which is

our operating subsidies to other funds, we see a decrease

of 6%, and this is just due to a lower

subsidy to the planning division with the community development department.

And I will provide more information on that when we

get to that, that budget slide.

Budget's like

next slide.

So here we wanted to show or to provide a

breakdown of the general fund transfers to other funds to

support.

Operations where the, the costs are not fully cost recoverable.

And there are three main areas. It's the recreation fund

of about $1.8 million.

It's spread out across administration, the senior center, tiny tots,

the youth center and the swim center.

The planning and building fund also receives a subsidy of

$491,000. And that is in the planning division, which is

not.

Able to cover 100% of its costs.

And then the Pinole community television, or PCTV receives a

general fund subsidy of $478,000.

And then also contributions to other funds includes the equipment

reserve fund. And this is where we.

Try to build up funds for equipment and vehicle replacement

as needed.

So there's a flat $150,000 transfer to that fund every

year.

Also should be noted that past annual transfers of $250,000

each built fund balances of 1.9 million.

In the city road improvements fund.

And 1.3 million in the arterial rehabilitation fund for road projects.

Projects and portions of those funds are budgeted to be

used in the next fiscal year for some road projects.

And you'll hear more about those in the C I

P presentation.

Next slide.

So putting it all together.

And looking at the revenues versus the expenditures.

Brings us to a projected budget deficit.

Of approximately $852,000.

If we are looking at our overall long-term structural deficit.

It actually comes to $4.3 million.

And that is due to considering or classifying.

Our transfer from the section one 15 trust as one

time revenue as opposed to ongoing. And that is because

if we continue to withdraw from the trust at the

rate that we are withdrawing now,

it it's, it's expected to be fully depleted by fiscal

year 20 29 30.

And so if we were to pull that below the

line,

are structural deficit is approximately 4.3 million that we're looking to

start addressing.

Through long-term fiscal planning.

Next slide.

So as was mentioned,

during the budget workshop staff was.

Directed to prepare 3%, 6% and 10% budget scenarios. All

of the details are provided in your attachments in a,

in attachment B to the staff report.

But here we wanted to highlight the 3% scenario, just

because it's consistent with the budget deficit that we are.

Estimating, it comes out to about $738,000.

And as we can see, there are a number of

service level impacts.

That staff has, has considered as we work through this.

Process. So it's listed by department and we're looking at

a number of impacts.

Such as elimination of public meeting support and meeting minutes.

Lots of reduced training opportunities across the board.

Across all departments we're looking at.

A number of consulting activities that would have to be

eliminated a number of city events.

Events community outreach items.

Also looking at vacant.

Positions as well, possibly freezing.

Those employment or employee activities, including wellness programs and appreciations.

In the technology.

Area, I'm looking at reduced support for our online payment

system.

Pinole community TV.

We're looking at a number of.

Repairs that would have to be eliminated from this, this

budget for the truck and movie screen repairs.

Repairs and also outreach materials.

Materials looking in the, the public safety area, a number

of functions would have to be absorbed.

By sergeants, reducing patrol availability.

Reduced parking enforcement and transportation to the jail.

Possibly no crossing guard and so on. And so all

of those details are listed in the report.

We're looking at the public works areas. Certain levels of

service typically handled by junior staff would have to be

taken on by more senior staff.

And that could lead to delays in projects.

Projects next slide.

So as we're looking at the full budget picture,

also wanted to provide it, provide some information on.

Estimated reserve balances that the city continues to carry.

And we would like to keep those in place.

And so we have four different pots here.

Of reserves and they're set up for, for different purposes.

Purposes. So looking at the general fund unassigned fund balance,

we're projecting a balance of.

About $4.2 million.

Of that funding in the past has been used to

pay for, or fund some capital projects or one time

initiatives.

Initiatives, but as we can see, if we continue using

that funding source in the same way, it continues to

decrease. It's a one time source of funding that will

not be replenished.

And so we would really need to be careful about

how we're using those funds.

In addition to that, it's always good for a city

to keep a certain level of unassigned fund balance.

To carry us through the fiscal year. When we have

low PO low points of cash flows.

Flows for instance, we don't receive our first major installment

of property tax until December. So from July through December,

the unassigned fund balance helps us to float until we,

we receive that funding source.

The general reserve, which remains intact as well. This is

based on the city's general reserve policy to maintain 25%

of total ongoing.

General fund expenditures.

We continue to main maintain that we're listening, looking at

an estimated balance of 7.8 million for the upcoming fiscal year.

Which aligns or complies with the policy.

We also have an equipment reserve fund, which I mentioned,

which receives $150,000.

Each fiscal year. And that balance is expected to be

about $153,000 before we transfer in the annual amount.

And then we have our section one 15 trust. So

after this year's transfer into the general fund, we're estimating

a balance of about 12.1 million for next fiscal year.

Can, can I ask a quick question? Sure. So the

12 million here.

That's that has the 4 million.

Or it's assumed that that's taken. So it's really 16.

As of today. That's correct. Okay. Yeah. And so mm-hmm

all right, thank you. You're welcome.

Question as well.

That's 16 million was

the initial amount.

In the trust back in 2018? Yes. Are you going

back to, it was approximately 16 million. Yes.

So it hasn't grown very much really, right. It's been.

A fund that's been available in time of.

Need

to help to help offset costs in pension. And mm-hmm,

this proposed.

The proposed amount for FY 26, 27 is one of the

larger.

Amounts that we've S I, they thought that I have

seen right in recent years. Mm-hmm or in our

five years in common. Yeah. Yeah. okay. Thank you.

So wait, and I'd just like to mention, it's actually

seen some significant growth. It's just that the rate at

which we're with withdraw the funds.

Has grown since then.

So at one point it was over 20 million, but over

the last few years, it's.

It's approximately 2.3 million and it grows with the cost and

the, the pension.

Requirements. Yeah. Thanks for clarifying that. Yes. You're welcome. Thank

you. Sorry to interrupt. No, that's okay. This is good.

Okay, next slide, please.

So

to work towards sustainability. It's important to zoom out to

the full.

Financial forecast and address challenges and opportunities.

Through the annual budget process. And that is one of

the, the goals of preparing a long-term for financial forecast.

To achieve this. The city maintains a 10 to 20

year financial forecast that has been presented to the finance

subcommittee as well as to the full city council during

the special meeting.

Some key elements of the forecast includes the transfer in

from the section one 15 trust being moved.

Moved below the line to reflect that it's a one-time

funding source.

Projected expenditures include a 1% cost of living adjustment.

And that is consistent with the forecast that was presented.

Before fire related costs have been separated to show estimated

contract costs versus the city's ongoing costs.

And it also includes the yellow brick road model.

Which has been incorporated to guide the development of a

phased approach to address projected budget deficits through.

A combination of revenue increases as well as expenditure re

reductions during the annual budget process.

Next slide.

So here's a recap of the preliminary long-term forecast, which

was initially presented.

And at that time, we showed a deficit for fiscal

year 27 or 20 26, 27 of approximately $718,000.

We've since updated the forecast to provide more.

Information and to also include the yellow brick road.

Next slide.

So here we include the initial 20, 26, 27 projection. And we

also added in the updated.

Updated projection. And as was mentioned earlier, we are looking

at a, a deficit of approximately $852,000. If we're not

counting the section one 15 trust.

We've also provided more detail. So you'll see a number

of additional revenue and expenditure categories included in the forecast.

We also included in the last column, the compounded annual.

Growth rate, just so you get an idea of how

revenues and expenditures are growing annually.

Next slide.

And then here we have the side by side.

Side-by-side comparison of the, again, the initial.

Projection for next fiscal year versus the updated budget.

And next slide.

So here we're showing

the yellow brick road and.

The idea here is to show the actual structural.

Deficit. And again, dropping the section one 15 trust below

the line, since it is not considered ongoing at the

current rate.

We're looking at a

deficit of approximately 4.2 million, which continues to grow.

Throughout the forecast.

And then we also are looking at a number of

ways to start to address the long term structural deficit.

One includes the 3% expenditure reductions.

Which comes out to under just under a million dollars.

As an estimate, and also considering.

Discussions with campfire to possibly.

Renegotiate the contract there.

Contract's there, which we could potentially realize another $1 million.

That were factored in. We would reduce the transfer from

the section one 15. Trust.

From the 3.4 million down to 2 million.

And then going out each year, we would carry forward

the reductions that we would make in, in the fiscal

year, 20 26, 27.

Carry those forward to future years and also look for.

Additional reductions each year, but also look for revenue.

Enhancements at the same time. So a combination of both

of those.

To continue to cut away at the, the structural deficit.

And what you see here is that over time we

start to withdraw less.

From the section one 15 trust and the goal is

to preserve the lifespan of that trust beyond the next.

Four fiscal years.

And if I could jump in.

When you look at this, a as I mentioned.

There are certain elements.

Elements within that six, 10.

Cut range that really could be looked at for the

28 F column. If you will.

As well as well as then at 29.

You know what other revenue enhancements cause every two to

three years you would like to have another revenue.

Addition, not just cuts because you know, it just.

Wears down an organization. If you just continually contract.

So, whether that's hotel, whether that's retail, whether that's cannabis,

whatever those topics could be.

You want to

really set a goal for staff to try and achieve

and bring that forward to you all.

You know, another hotel, $500,000.

Great that, you know, takes care of that, that column,

you know, or that, that block, if you will.

And every two to three years, you just keep on.

Trying to expand the economic base.

Because, you know, you you'll have a, I think the

growth is about 800,000.

This year from last year or this current fiscal year

to next fiscal year overall.

But sales tax and property tax only takes so much

of that.

So you have to plan out that's gonna be a

steady growth.

How can we make sure we're ahead of.

CalPERS and OPEB and other costs that may be going

faster than two or 3% and always.

Keeping pace. And so that's where you want to try

and find more revenue opportunities.

Okay. So

shifting to the other.

Operating funds in the city.

Outside of the, the general.

Fund three of the operating funds, which I discussed earlier.

Does receive subsidies from the general fund for their.

Operations, but starting with the recreation fund.

Which receives the majority of its revenue or a good

portion of its revenue from.

Program fees and also receives $1.8 million from the general fund.

And there are no significant.

Increases in the expenditures. These are pretty much ongoing expenditures.

And they line up with the growth that we see

in the same areas in the general fund.

Next slide.

Next is the planning and building fund.

And this fund receives a general fund subsidy as well.

Specifically for the planning unit.

The building division, fully recovers. All of its costs.

A couple of items to highlight here is the Grant's

category.

The community development department has pursued and received.

Several grants that

add up to about $1.3 million.

You'll also see that the professional services.

Services category under expenditures.

Increases significantly. And that's mostly for grant expenditures. So those

are, are fully covered by that.

I mean, the fund also receives fees.

From licenses and permits as well as fees.

And the increases that we see here are based on

the updated master fee schedule that will be coming.

Before you very soon for adoption.

Next slide, please.

So the, the Pinole community television fund.

Also receives revenue from franchise taxes, chargers for services. The

majority of those are from internal departments for services provided

by PCTV.

PCTV and then also receive the transfer in from the

general fund.

And again, no major increases in.

The expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year.

Next slide.

And then the last fund is the, which is a

major enterprise, is the sewer enterprise fund.

It's fully sustainable.

The fund includes operating costs as well as capital improvement

projects.

Projects re receives charges for services, which are assessed on

property tax bills.

And also receive charges for services from Hercules.

You'll notice.

That capital outlay.

Has decreased significantly.

From the current fiscal year.

And that's mostly due to how capital projects are accounted

for in the budget.

In prior years.

Five years worth of capital projects were front-loaded into the

budget.

For this year, the enterprise is looking at capital projects

on an annual basis.

And so the $6.4 million that you see budgeted is for

one year, whereas the 29.2 million in the current fiscal year.

Included five years worth of capital improvement projects. So it's,

it's a, it's a change in the accounting method.

And then also it goes back to the charges for

services on the Hercules side, because the capital improvement projects

were reduced that also reduces their, or its share of

cost.

Next slide.

So looking at

the preliminary proposed budget for.

All funds, which includes the general fund. It includes special

revenue funds.

Specifically for capital improvement projects, as well as some public

safety, special revenue.

Next slide.

It also include capital.

Project funds. The major two are the two that I

mentioned earlier that the general fund.

Contributed to, and that's the city street improvements fund as

well as the arterial streets rehabilitation fund.

This also includes both of the enterprise funds.

The sewer and PCTV

PCTV and then the section one 15 trust as well.

So looking at all funds across all city operations, the

preliminary proposed budget totals, approximately 7 74 $0.4 million.

Next slide.

And finally

next steps in this process would be for staff to

receive recommendations from the city council this evening.

For incorporation into the next version of the budget, which

is the revised proposed budget.

And that budget will be presented to the city council

on June 6th.

And that concludes the presentation and staff is available for

any questions.

Questions. Okay. So we'll bring it back to council. Look,

we'll start on.

My left council member Toms. Go ahead. Great. Thank you.

I'm gonna start with page four of the presentation.

The the third to the final line.

Is other revenues.

Revenues. And there's been a 35% decrease.

And I'm wondering what, what those.

Represent what that represents.

So there's a, a couple of things. One is the

rental income from the post office. That's the.

The major one, the other is a reduction in the

projection for investment income. We have.

Less idle funds to invest.

Which results in less interest income. So those are the

two main factors. So is that related to the, the

balance of the one 15 trust going down or is

that oh, that's it just the unassigned fund balance. Okay.

In the general fund mm-hmm okay. Thank you. On

the next page under fire.

Service contract, this shows an 8% increase, but that doesn't.

Doesn't take, I'm assuming that doesn't take into account a

potential renegotiation.

Of a million dollars. That's correct. Okay. Mm-hmm thank

you for that.

And

then on the next page under.

Transfers to other funds that would be page six. Mm-hmm

.

Oh, yeah, there it is.

Where it talks about tiny tots.

Tots and, you know, I'm kind of thinking that.

There are

you know, regular market rate.

Nursery schools.

That you know, are treated like a business and they're

not subsidized. Can we.

Perhaps take a look at how we're operating this. Are

we subsidizing?

Childcare for residents.

How are we comp you know, compared to say a

Montessori type.

Preschool.

And should we, you know, kind of take a look

at our.

Business model there.

You know, where only a portion of the residents could.

You know, benefit from having sort of a city subsidized.

Program.

Something to think about.

Let's see general fund.

And on

page eight.

I noticed that the reduction for the city council.

Is only 8,000.

456.

And we

you know, two years ago, we tripled.

Tripled the expenditure for travel.

I'd be in favor of dropping that down.

Quite a bit more.

And being able to use less of our one 15

trust.

You know, I think it it's really hard for us

to ask our other departments to do reductions when.

We're not able to

do the same for ourselves.

And then

just an overall comment on the one 15.

Trust is that for many years?

Since it was established in 2018.

With a 16 million balance.

In today, we're at 16 million.

That tells me that we've been able to operate on

the interest. We've been able to pay on the interest.

And the, the more that we.

Draw that down, that interest is not gonna be available

and that's just going.

Get flushed away that potential. So whatever we can do

to rely less on that one 15 trust in the

longer term, we're gonna be in better shape.

And those are the only.

Questions that I had marked. Thank you.

Okay. Council members. SI. Thanks mayor. And, and thank you

for your presentation.

First of a few for, for.

Budget. And the first question I have is if you

can report out.

Any of the feedback recommendations from the finance subcommittee.

And open to members of the subcommittee as well.

Hopefully you can inform the discussion here tonight.

Just key takeaways from, okay. Okay. I don't even

remember what we.

I don't recall any specific.

Some of some of the comments and, and we.

With production time, we just didn't have time. It was

to add.

We had created, you know, specific sheets looking at the

3, 6, 10 S.

And we had just listed the expenditures and then the.

What that trimming would be at 3, 6, 10.

And what the subcommittee thought would be helpful.

Would be the actual revenues.

Revenues associated with that department as well because some departments

are.

Near breakeven, you know, building.

But some need a higher level of.

Subsid subsidies city manager's department. So it just provides a

better perspective and that's something they wanted.

Unfortunately, just trying to get everything done very quickly within

a, within a, a quick turnaround. We couldn't do that,

but we'd be happy to share that with the council

and obviously make it available for.

Anyone else. Okay. And, and the subcommittee have any recommendations

or thoughts on the three?

Six 10% reductions itemized list there in terms of what

they would be in favor of.

Seeing move forward. Discontinued. Was there any feedback from the

committee on that?

I don't believe.

So what we asked for one.

Traditionally in the larger forecast was a 3% increase. We

asked to go down to a 1% and we had

a bit of a discussion. Mm-hmm .

in challenging budgets.

Budgets sometimes when you are at a deficit.

You'll either list a zero or is the city treasure

point out or negative, you know, where you would ask

furloughs?

Furloughs. And, and so what we've.

Asked and recommended is just showing 1% right now instead

of three.

That's at least more manageable over time to see an

increase at that level of general salaries.

Salaries, but obviously everything needs to be negotiated. We're not

getting into that mess.

Here.

Because everything, but also

what the finance subcommittee.

You know, was leaning towards or.

And I'm not going to speak for the mayor who

was there.

But, you know, it was a 3% let's look at

that.

Six to 10%. I mean, if you wanted to talk

about a balanced budget,

July one, you're talking the 10% route.

And when you look at what is.

Necessary in I'll just pick one public safety.

It's a substantial impact.

And so that is something that.

When you look at the yellow brick road and do

it with a.

Thoughtful, you know, measurable way with, with discipline, you can

do that without such a draconian impact.

Now are there opportunities for.

Maybe delaying some C I P projects that aren't road

related.

You bet. And we're gonna, you know, hear 'em in

the next item a little bit and you, and I'm

sure some of you'll be looking at those going.

I could wait a year for that, you know, or

something like that kind of discussion while the revenues catch

up.

Or other cuts come into play.

There's also several items that receive subsidies.

Or activities.

That again, maybe you delay a year or two.

But that's, those are bigger projects that, you know, I

would always recommend you work with the full counselor or

subcommittee to make sure everyone's comfortable with them.

Because that does impact future.

3% can be absorbed in most gov in most departments.

It's not fun, but it can be absorbed.

And, and that's really what we tried to stay at.

Now, if you all say Nope.

We want a balanced budget, July one, then we'll prepare

that.

For you all in coming.

Over the next month. Thank you for providing that feedback,

but just so I'm clear.

If the counselor wants me before with, with 3.4 million transfer

from section one 15, trust.

We're looking at 3% across the board.

And that would take us to balanced.

Yes, sir. It it'll get us closer to balanced along

with the fire department. Yeah. Okay, good to know. I

wanna ask about the general fund baseline budget.

Slide here 21% increase in materials and supplies. Just wanna

ask if that's consistent.

That in that percentage increases consistent with previous years.

Or if that's abnormal for, for this year.

So it

this is fuel. This includes fuel.

And public safety clothing.

So I'm imagining that we factored in some of the

costs that we are seeing for the current fiscal year.

In included those in the, the projection going forward. And

I think fuel would be the one that's the most.

Costly where we're expecting some significant.

Increases for next fiscal year. Gotcha. So it's just the,

the cost of gas has yes. Brought up mm-hmm

it brought this up significantly? Yes. Okay. Sounds good.

I'll ask about the planning department.

One of the

items that was suggested in 3% reduction was reduction.

Production from one. I'm sorry.

Taking out one of the two summer interns in that

department.

Can you just, just provide us some of the tangible.

Benefits that, that we can get from.

One to two summer interns. What, what can residents expect

if one intern is.

Not funded is Lily.

Is director Whalen online, Roxanne, do you know.

I didn't. I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question. Went

the Wayland. I think she is.

I am online. Okay. There she's. Hello?

Council. Can you hear me? Yes. Good evening.

Okay, good evening. Hi Lily Whelan, your community development director.

So we piloted the

summer intern program.

Last year and we had.

Three interns working on

housing element programs.

Programs two, the interns were working on housing element programs

and then the other intern was working on GIS project.

So our idea for this summer was to continue.

With our housing element programs specifically with our.

A D U and SB nine lot spit program.

Outreach.

Organizing and promotion of those programs.

Programs as well as

some fair housing rights.

Rights workshops that are in the housing element as well.

Okay.

Very helpful. Thank you so much.

And I think that may be all my questions for

now. Thanks mayor.

Thank you, council members. So I mayor prote with questions.

Yeah. Thank you, mayor.

Thank you, director Gillery for your presentation.

The first question I had was.

So in terms of the, the OPEB trust.

One of the most, I feel like one of the

most inconsistent.

Areas that we are seeing every year on the budget

is how much the state is charging us for the

cost of those.

Of that liability per year, is that correct? We don't

have the same.

It's not the same number. Correct.

Do you mean the cost of managing yeah. The funds?

Yeah. So the, the, the cost of Tran the transfer

in that we need every year.

Oh, from

so the amount we're withdrawing from the right, the trust.

Is that consistent every year.

No, it's not consistent every year because we're seeing growth

in the.

Employ employer require contribution from pers. Okay. So it's based

on that. So the city instituted a formula.

When it established the trust mm-hmm and that formula

is we take the amount budgeted in any given budget

year.

And we back out the amount from the baseline year,

which was fiscal year 20.

1819 mm-hmm and that difference.

Is then withdrawn from the trust or transferred from the

trust into the general fund.

So that's the formula that we've continued to use.

So as we continue to see increases.

Increases in the purse cost that require contribution.

We continue to see increases in the amount that we're

required to required to withdraw from.

The trust. And what is that number from the state

for the cost that we're seeing every year? How much

is that increasing?

Oh, so you mean the total contribution every year? So,

yeah.

It, it varies so anywhere, I would say over the

last five years.

It's been anywhere from a 6% increase up to a

10% increase. Okay. Which is what we're seeing.

In the upcoming fiscal years, there is a 10% increase.

10%. Yeah. For, and then this current fiscal year we

were in, it was about 8%. Is that correct? It

was, that sounds right. About seven to 8%. Okay. And

then before those five years, what was the increase?

I would have to go back and do the, the

research on that too. Get the trend. I would love

that in the next conversation that we have about the

budget. Okay.

I I, what I, what I ask is that.

I guess, you know, I'm seeing that this is a

constant conversation.

We've had, I think the chief investment officer from CalPERS

come and make a presentation. Thank you for organizing that.

Mm-hmm and what we are.

So one of the, the thoughts I have is that,

you know, we're paying membership into associations.

For example, we had council members today talk about their

attendance at the California league of cities.

One of the core responsibilities of that association, their words,

not mine is to protect local revenues.

Revenues are we seeing that?

This issue is being addressed through that association.

I'm asking.

Staff that question through the, which association? The associate, the

we, so we as a city. Yeah. Pay every year

into the California leagues cities. Mm-hmm is that correct?

Mm-hmm yes, we do. Okay. That's correct. And so that

organization would ideally be paying for.

Or be advocating for things that would protect.

The city's local revenues. Mm-hmm . So are we seeing

that calc cities is working on that particular issue to

keep those numbers consistent?

Is that, does staff have that?

Did data if I could jump in there. Okay. In

my experience.

During the monthly PMA meetings that I, I participated in,

certainly Sam Brightman would, would give us an update on.

League calc city's efforts.

Efforts. It certainly is a monumental task to try and

keep some of that.

Under control even. I think if I recall there's, you

know, a push now to.

Reduce some of the

pepper like improvements that we had, which were huge. Mm-hmm

.

And so that's, you know, where calc cities is trying

to focus our efforts now to make sure there isn't

any more, you know, slippage there, if you will, to.

Loosen, what was put in place?

Is there a bill introduced in the assembly that calc

cities is fighting for, that would keep the, a OPEB

costs consistent over time.

Not that I'm aware of.

We'd have to do more research. Yeah. We'd have to

research that. Okay. And I, I asked that again, because

today we're reviewing another budget. Mm-hmm, where we're seeing

an, an inconsistent number.

That is obviously increasing and we've had council members.

Also say that we are engaging in this organization.

Association that is supposed to be helping us protect our

local funds. Mm-hmm . And so I would, I would.

I would think it's very relevant for us to consider

the cost of.

What we're moving within an organization.

And how they're supporting us. An example is.

We once had a consultant called Townsend that was supposed

to help us get funding for our city and apply

for grants. My understanding is that organization.

Helped us get several grants out. I'm not sure what

the amount is, but I know that we had been

working with that public affairs firm for a while to

get grants and we made money.

By getting those grants and, and it was cost effective.

So now I'm, you know, as I'm thinking about this,

these OPEP costs that continue to increase in our city.

I also wanna make sure that we are looking at

the fine print of numbers and thinking about how we're

spending, I think $10,000 on a association fee fees for

Cal cities. Are we getting that money back?

That's a question that would be pending, I guess, given

the data of what, how we're moving this bill forward

or this Association's work forward.

You know, I also wanted to ask about.

The

3% budget. So I love the yellow brick road model.

I'm just wondering about the service level.

Impacts and the pacing of said budgets.

Budgets. So of course we want to approve a budget

before July 1st.

And I think we've done that for the last couple

years. Well, mm-hmm I also see that the service

level impacts, I would love more information about.

The win.

And, and how, or what objective criteria was used by

directors to impact to develop these service level impacts.

So for example,

city council.

Since this is a topic that a council member in

particular seems to be interested in.

What reduced training opportunities are we talking about?

I think that would be something that staff would have

to ask the council about, but that's an example of

a department that is.

Obviously with 3% saying that there would be reduced training

opportunities.

But we can also look at a larger number that

has a larger impact, and we can look at the

police budget.

From your presentation, we saw that the police budget is

about.

63% of our overall general fund budget. Mm-hmm and

a 3% reduction means that that's $393,000.

It says that functions absorbed by patrol.

Sergeants is the service level impact.

What does that mean? When are those functions going to

be.

Absorbed how often

reduce patrol availability.

When, how much

no crossing guard where

who elimination of staff training on legal updates and scenarios.

Scenarios which trainings, which are required. we, you know,

I think these like service level impacts are great starter

conversations. I know this is preliminary, but you know,

for me seeing the service level impact. I I'd actually,

at this point would wanna go to 6% because I,

I kind of feel like it's very general here.

But I'm also acknowledging that maybe staff just is still

working out those budget considerations and those criteria.

For us to better as a council, understand, again, the

win.

The who and the, where of those civil service level

impacts.

There's also the possibility, right? That if we approve a

budget,

and we see how it works over six months, we

can go to that mid-year budget and consider, Hey, we

actually wanna fund a particular department more because X, Y,

and Z mm-hmm . So I just would love more

information about.

That objective criteria.

In the service level impact in particular, because we are

looking at an equitable 3% across the board. I think

there's.

There's a, there's an important distinction between.

Again, when we're looking and I'll come back to city

council, when we're looking at 3% of city council.

The overall city council budget is only $250,000.

But when we're looking at our police budget, which I

think we value.

Of course a 3% impact has more money. It is

equitable because it is 3% across the board.

But it is impactful at the same time, probably more

on our budget to decrease 3% of our police budget.

Than it is to decrease 3% of our city council

budget.

And I think that's an important message for the public

to know. And I, it very much clearly seems like

it's an important message for the council to know too.

To so my suggestion and my question is whether or

not those things have been considered in that 3% versus

that 6%.

Have those been considered? Yes. And what we can do.

Is, we can not only.

Send a sort of the detailed printout, if you will,

for the city council and all five of you can,

you know, reflect on it. And then maybe when we

come back, excellent questions and points. I really appreciate this

kind of feedback.

And then we can also look at a little bit

filling in maybe a little bit.

You know, I think when you do presentations, you, you

keep it a little vague, unfortunately, that doesn't help or

no, no, but we can share what those impacts are.

The three, the six to 10 mm-hmm and in

some ways,

where, you know, I was trying to allude, I think

it would be great.

To take when you have a little more time than.

What we have is what 50 days roughly to have

it all approved by June 30th, roughly mm-hmm , you know,

and, and something that you know is required unless you

wanna see your bond rating, everything else just drop. So,

so that's, and I.

Very much appreciate your point. Budgets are living documents. You

can change them in July. Thank you. Yeah. So, so

great. You know, and so let's make sure we work

with the council.

And the community. So they're fully aware of these kind

of impacts.

And yes, if it's August, September, and we're like, I

don't really like this impact because we really liked a

patrol.

Officer that was very visible or a crossing guard. What,

you know,

then fine. We go tinker a little bit and say,

all right, this is the other way we can make

that up. Gotcha. And thank you for mentioning that interim

city manager. I think what is.

For me very insidious is the reference to.

Department budgets that don't make the large impact to address

our deficit.

So I just want to be very clear about.

As a council, we have a responsibility to communicate, of

course, to the public about.

A deficit. We have a responsibility to.

Communicate a surplus, which we've seen as a council aswell.

But I keep hearing a reference to a particular department.

And I wanna make sure that we're thinking about the

service level across the board and the who's who's and

what's what's when I do see a city council budget,

I don't see a heavy budget there. I see a

250,000. That seems pretty good. When I see other departments,

I also see large budgets. Well we're full service, a

agency agency. So those depart.

Departments should have heavy budgets, but I also want to

be clear that we're, again, messaging to the community, the

clarity.

Behind what is most resourced?

Resourced and what actually digs into this yellow brick road

model.

Because again, $10 is not going to make a huge

dent.

In this budget, but when we're thinking about the hundreds

of thousands of dollars,

I see now where you all are talking about, but

we do need to understand that service level impact aswell.

So the last question I'll have is that I have

is just about the.

The value of

like the 3% versus temp, again, the value of this

model, which I love that y'all have brought in the

yellow brick road. So I'm just wondering.

How might we

move things faster.

That like, move those numbers faster. I know you all

have given that thought, but I'm just like,

is there, is there a world where we do.

You know,

10 earlier and then go down versus.

Three firsts and then up is that, is that a

model that is out there that you all have as

well? because I I'm learning this new model here,

which I think is phenomenal, but I also would just

have a question. I'm sure residents have got same, same

question too. Do we make those drastic cuts and then

build back up versus.

Slowly making those cuts, you know, the alternative just wanted

to ask about that.

Great question again.

And something

could we come up with, you know, and we certainly

have gone through the 10% cuts.

And

you know, I think when you.

In one of the slides you had the subsidies.

Page. That's one of the, the real starters. Yeah. Frankly,

if you're trying to do, and, and that's where.

Probably a night, a more solid discussion amongst the council.

And you're hearing from the community because you're talking tiny

top seniors pool.

You know, PCTV all those things that everyone loves.

Loves. And so you, I think.

That's why as staff, we were trying to be a

little more deliberate.

And not rush to that, to, to cause you know,

the, the, the backlash without some serious consideration and.

Time, but it certainly is.

Timely to always look at those every few years.

Got it. Okay. And then.

I think that that big proposal.

Is is the big proposal here at the 3% is

also just acknowledging the timeliness of those programs. Right? So,

again, when we're talking and this is just for the

future, cuz I know this is a living document and

it's also the preliminary budget, but I, I do, I

would like to see a sense of timing about these

service level impacts. You know, I think about.

A recent decision by staff to separate two programs in

June. And what I know about the month of June

in Pinole is that it's a very.

Busy month it's approval of the budget month.

It's programs. It's the beginning of summer.

And so in some ways, understanding some of our budget

pacing would be as valuable as understanding the overall reduction

as a year.