PREPARED BY: CHIARA HANNA DATE OF MEETING: 04/06/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROPRIATING FY2025-26 GENERAL FUND DESIGNATED RESERVES (FUND 110) IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,755 TO THE CITY-WIDE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT (0505) AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO UTILIZE SERVICES FROM EXISTING ON-CALL CONSULTANT, WATEARTH, INC., TO DEVELOP A FINAL CITY-WIDE BEAUTIFICATION PLAN
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2023-2025 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statements:
Build a Healy Community - 121. Explore New City-wide Beautification Plan (i.e. Landscaping Maintenance; Street Medians; Street Trees; Street Banner Program/Tied to Economic Development) is a major policy goal contained in the FY 2023-25 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
On April 7, 2025, the City Council adopted the FY 2025-27 City Council Priority Workplan via Resolution 2025-044. Under Major Policy Area: Build a Healthy Community, the City Council adopted Policy #121 - Explore a New City-wide Beautification Plan. The policy identifies key focus areas including landscaping maintenance, street medians, street trees, and a street banner program.
In late 2025 and early 2026, the City Manager conducted internal staff ideation sessions to develop potential concepts for a City-wide Beautification Plan. This effort resulted in a Proposed Draft conceptual plan consisting of 14 potential capital projects across expanded categories, including economic development, public art, street medians, street trees, and other miscellaneous improvements.
The Proposed Draft Plan was developed with initial planning parameters, including project cost limits, annual funding targets, and compliance with applicable City policies and State requirements. This was presented to the City Council on January 20, 2026.
Following City Council review of the conceptual plan, majority vote direction via minute order was provided to proceed with hiring a project engineer/consultant to develop a final City-wide Beautification Plan, including detailed cost estimates, implementation strategies, and ongoing maintenance needs over the next 3-year period (i.e. FY 2027 - FY 2029).
To advance the City-wide Beautification Plan, staff proposes utilizing Watearth, Inc., an existing on-call consultant, to prepare a comprehensive final plan.
The proposed scope of work for Watearth, Inc. includes:
• Gathering information and vision from project proponents for each proposed project;
• Developing planning-level construction and implementation cost estimates;
• Preparing project implementation plans;
• Collaborating with City staff to determine ongoing operations and maintenance costs; and
• Developing a recommended 3-year implementation plan that aligns with the City Council’s target budget of not-to-exceed $250,000 annually.
The final deliverable will provide a comprehensive roadmap for implementation of a City-wide Beautification Plan, including cost estimates, funding strategies, and project timelines. Funding in the amount of $250,000 each fiscal year for the completed plan has been incorporated into the City’s proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Budget for FY2026-27 and FY2027-28.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution:
1. Appropriating $73,755 from FY 2025-26 GFDR (Fund 110); and
2. Authorize the City Manager to utilize Watearth, Inc., an existing on-call consultant, to develop a final City-wide Beautification Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the proposed action will appropriate $73,755 from FY 2025-26 General Fund Designated Reserves (Fund 100) for consultant services related to development of the final City-wide Beautification Plan.
The final Beautification Plan will include detailed cost estimates and funding strategies for future capital projects. Public Works staff has incorporated future funding allocations of $250,000 for FY2026-27 and FY2027-28 into the Draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget which is slated to be presented to City Council later this month. The final year of the Beautification Plan for FY 2028-29 will be incorporated into the next CIP Budget cycle, with funds allocated as part of the future CIP budget approval/update process.
The fiscal impacts are outlined in the table below.
|
Description |
Transfer FROM: Fund/Account |
Transfer TO: Fund/Account |
Appropriate TO: Fund/Account |
Amount |
|
FY2025/26 GFDR Funds |
110-0000-49999-GFD-426 |
320-0000-39999-GFD-426 |
320-0505-43602-GFD-426 |
$73,755 |
|
TOTAL |
$73,755 |
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution