Summary

Council adopts housing and safety measures

San PabloNov 18, 20252 min read

At a glance

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The City Council approved a $30,000 alcohol-safety enforcement grant, adopted a $10,000 special-event sponsorship allocation, updated the city fee schedule with inflation-based annual adjustments starting July 1, 2026, and introduced two zoning ordinances tied to the Housing Element and accessory dwelling units.

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City Council

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Budget & TaxPublic SafetyHousing

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What this means

The council accepted grant reimbursement of up to $30,000 to support police alcohol-safety enforcement aimed at reducing youth access to alcohol and improving community safety. It also set aside $10,000 for one-time special event sponsorships and directed staff to create a new sponsorship policy by June 30, 2026. In housing matters, the council moved forward two zoning changes: one to implement the city’s housing plan and update land-use rules, and another to allow accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to be sold as condominiums.

Key decisions

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Reduced Oral Communications time from 3 minutes to 2 minutes per speaker.
Approved the November 3, 2025 City Council minutes.
Received and filed the Treasurer’s Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
Approved the October 2025 Vendor Check Register Report.
Adopted Resolution 2025-139 to authorize an alcohol-safety enforcement grant agreement with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and accept up to $30,000 in reimbursement funding.
Adopted Resolution 2025-140 to allocate $10,000 for FY 2025-26 one-time discretionary special event sponsorships and direct staff to develop a new policy by June 30, 2026.
Adopted Resolution 2025-141 updating the Master Fee Schedule and adding annual inflation-based fee adjustments starting July 1, 2026.
Waived first reading and introduced Ordinance 2025-004 to update zoning code provisions implementing the Housing Action Plan and General Plan Update 2035 and revising ADU deed restriction provisions.
Waived first reading and introduced Ordinance 2025-005 to allow ADUs to be sold as condominiums.

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Meeting information

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City Council

Nov 18, 2025, 2:00 AMCity Council Chambers Members of the public may view this meeting online by using this URL https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89046076519completed

Agenda

*IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENTS AND MEETING PARTICIPATION*
NOTICE:
PUBLIC COMMENT
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AGENDA MATERIALS
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 3, 2025 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA
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PERIODIC REPORTS
TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CONSIDER APPROVING VENDOR CHECK REGISTER REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2025 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL TO REDUCE YOUTH ACCESS TO ALCOHOL AND INCREASE SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY, AND (2) ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDING REIMBURSEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $30,000 OVER THE DURATION OF THE GRANT PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2025 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2026, TO FUND GRANT-APPROVED ALCOHOL SAFETY ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS BY SAN PABLO POLICE PERSONNEL CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION (1) ALLOCATING SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR FY 2025-26 ONE-TIME DISCRETIONARY SPECIAL EVENT SPONSORSHIPS IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 UNDER THE CITY COUNCIL DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET (FUND: #100-1110-44050); AND (2) FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP A NEW POLICY ON CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL EVENT SPONSORSHIP FUNDING BEFORE JUNE 30, 2026 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
* * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * *
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) ADOPTING AN UPDATED CITY OF SAN PABLO MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR PLANNING, BUILDING, PUBLIC WORKS, COMMUNITY SERVICES, POLICE, AND OTHER CITY-WIDE MUNICIPAL SERVICES; AND (2) ADOPTING AN ANNUAL BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX ADJUSTMENT TO MAINTAIN FEES RELATIVE TO INFLATION AS RECOMMENDED IN THE WILLDAN FINANCIAL CONSULTING GROUP FEE STUDY TO BE APPLIED EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST OF EACH FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2026 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
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CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE (TITLE 17 - ZONING ORDINANCE) CHAPTER 17.26, ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS; CHAPTER 17.32, RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, ALLOWED USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS; CHAPTER 17.34, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, ALLOWED USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS; CHAPTER 17.38, OVERLAY AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS; CHAPTER 17.54, PARKING AND LOADING; CHAPTER 17.60, SPECIAL RESIDENTIAL USES; CHAPTER 17.62, SPECIAL NONRESIDENTIAL USES; CHAPTER 17.68, UNIVERSAL TERMS; AND CHAPTER 17.70, USE CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTIONS, TO IMPLEMENT THIRTEEN PROGRAMS OF THE HOUSING ACTION PLAN OF THE SAN PABLO 2023-31 HOUSING ELEMENT; IMPLEMENT THE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2035; AND UPDATE THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT DEED RESTRICTION PROVISIONS CEQA: These amendments to the San Pablo Zoning Code implement the adopted Housing Element and were previously evaluated in the Addenda to the 2030 General Plan EIR (certified on April 18, 2011) prepared for the Housing Element, Environmental Justice Element and Amendments to the Health and Safety & Noise Elements (adopted on March 18, 2024) and on the General Plan Update 2035 (adopted on July 7, 2025), which found that there would not be any new or additional significant environmental impacts due to adoption of the Housing Element. Further, the amendments would implement programs from the 2023-31 Housing Element and would implement the land use designations identified in the General Plan Update 2035, so they are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.085 which states that CEQA does not apply to rezonings that implement the schedule of actions contained in an approved housing element. Finally, modifications to the accessory dwelling unit portion of the Zoning Code are statutorily exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17, which exempts the adoption of ADU ordinances.
CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE (TITLE 17 - ZONING ORDINANCE), CHAPTER 17.60, SPECIAL RESIDENTIAL USES, SECTION 17.60.070, ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, TO ALLOW THE SALE OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUS) AS CONDOMINIUMS, AS AUTHORIZED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 1033 AND PURSUANT TO 2025-2027 CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY WORKPLAN POLICY 301.4 CEQA: This amendment to the ADU portion of the Zoning Ordinance is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17, which exempts the adoption of accessory dwelling unit ordinances. Additionally, the ordinance would be categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA, in accordance with Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment because it consists of minor changes to land use regulations that do not, on their own, impact the environment. Any projects proposed pursuant to the changes proposed would be separately evaluated for their environmental impacts.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS (IF ANY)
MATERIALS SUBMITTED AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE AGENDA WILL BE APPENDED AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETING. THIS IS NOT AN ACTION ITEM BUT MERELY A MECHANISM FOR MATERIALS SUBMITTED AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE AGENDA TO BE APPENDED TO THE PUBLISHED AGENDA AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETING
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTS
Mayor Arturo Cruz
Vice Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
Councilmember Rita Xavier
Councilmember Abel Pineda
Councilmember Patricia Ponce
ADJOURNMENT
CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE (TITLE 17 - ZONING ORDINANCE) CHAPTER 17.26, ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS; CHAPTER 17.32, RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, ALLOWED USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS; CHAPTER 17.34, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, ALLOWED USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS; CHAPTER 17.38, OVERLAY AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS; CHAPTER 17.54, PARKING AND LOADING; CHAPTER 17.60, SPECIAL RESIDENTIAL USES; CHAPTER 17.62, SPECIAL NONRESIDENTIAL USES; CHAPTER 17.68, UNIVERSAL TERMS; AND CHAPTER 17.70, USE CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTIONS, TO IMPLEMENT THIRTEEN PROGRAMS OF THE HOUSING ACTION PLAN OF THE SAN PABLO 2023-31 HOUSING ELEMENT; IMPLEMENT THE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2035; AND UPDATE THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT DEED RESTRICTION PROVISIONS CEQA: These amendments to the San Pablo Zoning Code implement the adopted Housing Element and were previously evaluated in the Addenda to the 2030 General Plan EIR (certified on April 18, 2011) prepared for the Housing Element, Environmental Justice Element and Amendments to the Health and Safety & Noise Elements (adopted on March 18, 2024) and on the General Plan Update 2035 (adopted on July 7, 2025), which found that there would not be any new or additional significant environmental impacts due to adoption of the Housing Element. Further, the amendments would implement programs from the 2023-31 Housing Element and would implement the land use designations identified in the General Plan Update 2035, so they are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.085 which states that CEQA does not apply to rezonings that implement the schedule of actions contained in an approved housing element. Finally, modifications to the accessory dwelling unit portion of the Zoning Code are statutorily exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17, which exempts the adoption of ADU ordinances.
Staff Present: City Manager, Matt Rodriguez Assistant City Manager, Maria Ojeda City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey Police Chief, Brian Bubar Administrative Services Director, Arturo Castillo Community Services Director, Greg Dwyer City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt Interim Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
Approval of the Consent Agenda
Mayor Cruz called a recess at 7:42 PM Meeting reconvened at 7:49 PM
ROLL CALL
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Council adopts housing and safety measures

At a glance

Committees mentioned

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