Summary

City Council approves budget and housing actions

San PabloJan 21, 20263 min read

At a glance

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The City Council adopted a series of budget, infrastructure, and policy measures, including a $217,877 local contribution for the countywide Smart Signals project, a five-year VoIP contract totaling $149,286, and new reserve policy changes. It also sent a tenant-protection ordinance back to staff for revisions instead of introducing it, after the first-reading motion failed for lack of a second.

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Economic Development San Pablo Economic Development

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City Council

Topics discussed

TransportationBudget & TaxCommerceHousing

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What this means

The Council approved several actions that affect city spending and services, including telecommunications, fuel purchases, reserves, and traffic signal upgrades. It also moved forward on a citywide beautification plan by directing staff to get a consultant and estimate costs and timelines for future budget planning. On housing, the Council did not adopt the eviction and anti-harassment ordinance yet; instead, it asked staff to revise it and bring it back later with stronger relocation help and broader protections.

Key decisions

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Adopted an administrative budget and recognized obligation payment schedule for the Local Successor Agency for FY 2026-27.
Authorized a five-year hosted VoIP telecommunications agreement with 101VOICE with total costs not to exceed $149,286.
Approved a fuel agreement amendment with Pinnacle Petroleum, Inc., raising and extending spending limits through March 1, 2027, with a total agreement cap of $974,846.
Adopted amendments to the Fiscal Resiliency Reserve Policy and General Fund Designated Reserves, including a total fund balance of $6,836,566 for FY 2025-26.
Authorized a $217,877 local funding contribution for the countywide Smart Signals project.
Adopted the 2025 California building and related codes by ordinance.
Did not introduce the just-cause eviction and housing stability ordinance; the first-reading motion failed for lack of a second.
Referred the housing ordinance back to staff for revisions, including higher relocation assistance, tenant return rights after no-fault eviction, and mobile home protections.
Adopted the city slogan 'Teamwork San Pablo 2026 - The Year of Service.'
Directed the City Manager to seek a consultant or engineer for a final citywide beautification plan.
Nominated Councilmember Cruz for a two-year term on the San Pablo Economic Development Corporation Board, subject to board approval.
Adopted the 2026 Councilmember committee and regional/local assignment appointments.

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Meeting information

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City Council

Jan 21, 2026, 1:00 AMCity Council Chamberscompleted

CITY COUNCIL/LOCAL SUCCESSOR AGENCY/JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY

Agenda

*IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENTS AND MEETING PARTICIPATION*
NOTICE:
PUBLIC COMMENT
AGENDA MATERIALS
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION Pursuant to Gov’t Code section 54957: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Title: City Manager
ROLL CALL
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
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CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PROCLAMATIONS
CONSIDER APPROVING AND PRESENTING PROCLAMATION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK CAROL REID ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT. CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
PRESENTATIONS
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTED FOR OCTOBER 2025 - DECEMBER 2025
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
CONSENT CALENDAR
MINUTES
CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2025 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
PERIODIC REPORTS
CONSIDER APPROVING VENDOR CHECK REGISTER REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2025 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
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RECEIVE AND FILE THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
LIABILITY CLAIMS
CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIMS OF ALMA AVILES (DOL 6/24/25) AND CARLOS G. QUINTANILLA (DOL 6/24/25) CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE LOCAL SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING AN ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET AND ADOPTING THE RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 (“ROPS 26-27”) CEQA: This is not a project as defined by CEQA.
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CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH 101VOICE FOR HOSTED VOIP TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT OF $821.26 IN ONE TIME IMPLEMENTATION COSTS, AND $2,470.93 IN MONTHLY COSTS FOR A TOTAL COST OF $149,286 OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH PINNACLE PETROLEUM, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF FUEL FOR CITY OPERATIONS; INCREASING COMPENSATION BY UP TO $90,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26; AUTHORIZING COMPENSATION NOT TO EXCEED $180,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 THROUGH MARCH 1, 2027; EXTENDING THE AGREEMENT TERM THROUGH MARCH 1, 2027; AND ESTABLISHING A TOTAL AGREEMENT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $974,846 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE FISCAL RESILIENCY RESERVE POLICY, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 20, 2026. CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
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CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE GENERAL FUND DESIGNATED RESERVES (GFDR) FUND BALANCE FOR A TOTAL FUND BALANCE OF $6,836,566 FOR FY 2025-26 TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVED APPROPRIATIONS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 20, 2026 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. 651 WITH THE CONTRA COSTA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE A CITY OF SAN PABLO LOCAL FUNDING CONTRIBUTION OF $217,877 FOR THE COUNTYWIDE SMART SIGNALS PROJECT CEQA: This proposed action is consistent with the previously completed Initial Study with previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment.
ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING CHAPTER 15.04 OF THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, VOLUMES 1 AND 2, WITH APPENDIX CHAPTERS G, H, I, J, N, P AND Q, AS AMENDED; 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, WITH APPENDIX CHAPTERS BB, BF, BG, CI, AND CJ, AS AMENDED; 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE WITH ANNEXES A, C, AND I; 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE WITH APPENDIX CHAPTERS B, C, F, G AND H; 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE WITH APPENDIX CHAPTERS A, D, G, H, I, J, M, AND R; 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, AS AMENDED; 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE; 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE WITH AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT; 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE; 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE; 2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE; 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE; AND THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, AS AMENDED; AND DETERMINING THAT ADOPTION OF THESE AMENDMENTS IS EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT. CEQA: This proposed action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (i.e., the “common sense” exemption) in that its purpose to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, limb, health, property, and public welfare of construction and its adoption will not have the effect of deleting or substantially changing any regulatory standards or findings and it can be determined with certainty that the adoption of the proposed amendments to the Municipal Code has no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. In addition, adoption of these amendments is exempt from review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 because the project is an action being taken by a regulatory agency where the process involves procedures for the protection of the environment that do not have the potential to cause significant effects on the environment.
* * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * *
ORDINANCES
CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO ADDING CHAPTER 9.70 (JUST CAUSE FOR EVICTION PROTECTIONS) AND CHAPTER 9.80 (HOUSING STABILITY AND ANTI-HARASSMENT PROTECTIONS) TO THE SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION
CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF SAN PABLO SLOGAN “TEAMWORK SAN PABLO 2026 - THE YEAR OF SERVICE” FOR THE JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2026 PERIOD CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
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CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED (DRAFT) CONCEPTUAL CITY-WIDE BEAUTIFICATION PLAN, CONSISTING OF PROPOSED CAPITAL PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER <$75,000, FOR POTENTIAL FUTURE INCORPORATION< ADOPTION AND PROGRAMMING INTO THE CITY’S ADOPTED MULTI-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET FOR FY 2026-27, FY 2027-28 AND FY 2028-29 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION ON CITY COUNCIL APPOINTIVE PROCESS TO FILL ONE (1) VACANCY ON THE SAN PABLO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A TWO-YEAR STAGGERED TERM FROM FEBRUARY 2026 - JANUARY 2028 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
CONSIDER RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AFFIRMING RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCILMEMBER APPOINTMENTS BY MAYOR PABON-ALVARADO OF INDIVIDUAL CITY COUNCILMEMBERS TO ALL TEMPORARY AD-HOC SUBCOMMITTEES, STANDING COMMITTEES AND REGIONAL/LOCAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026 PURSUANT TO SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.16.070 CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
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
Councilmember Arturo Cruz
Councilmember Patricia Ponce
Councilmember Abel Pineda
Vice Mayor Rita Xavier
Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado
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ADJOURNMENT
Staff Present: City Manager, Matt Rodriguez City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt Interim Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
Staff Present: City Manager, Matt Rodriguez Assistant City Manager, Maria Ojeda City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey Police Chief, Brian Bubar Economic Development and Housing Manager, Kieron Slaughter City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt Interim Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim
Respectfully Submitted, ____________________________ Casey Erlenheim, Interim Deputy City Clerk
ROLL CALL
Approval of the Consent Agenda
No Public Comments were received on the Consent Calendar.
An additional late submitted Oral Communication was allowed and received at this time from the following: Nick Ubaldi.
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City Council approves budget and housing actions

At a glance

Projects mentioned

Committees mentioned

Topics discussed

What this means

Key decisions

Timeline & follow-ups

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City Council

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