PREPARED BY: JIMMIE ZHOU DATE OF MEETING: 2/2/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO ADOPTING THE ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC (SPEED) STUDY FINAL REPORT PREPARED BY GHD AND THE RECOMMENDED SPEED LIMITS SET FORTH THEREIN
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:
Sustain Traffic Safety Program is a major policy goal contained in the FY 2024-26 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) requires the City of San Pablo to conduct an Engineering and Traffic (Speed) Survey (E&TS) in order to allow the San Pablo Police Department to enforce excessive speed violations with the use of radar. An E&TS is only valid for a maximum of five (5), seven (7) or ten (10) years depending on the circumstances. A copy of the current E&TS must be filed with the Clerk of the Contra Costa Superior Court to allow the enforcement of excessive speed violations with the use of radar.
The current E&TS was conducted in 2015 and was adopted in 2016. It was then extended to its maximum of 10 years.
GHD, an on-call Traffic Engineer consultant firm, was contracted to conduct an E&TS for the City of San Pablo in February 2025. The study consisted of vehicle speed surveys and analysis of roadway data for 34 street segments to establish speed limits using the methodology set forth in the CVC and California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Device (CA MUTCD). All other streets in City of San Pablo fall under the “local street” category and have a default speed limit of 25 MPH. The final report of the study was completed on November 21. It was reviewed and approved by both Public Works and Police Department.
Out of the 34 street segments, the final report recommended maintaining existing speed limits for 32 of the 34 segments.
The other two street segments - Amador Street between San Pablo Dam Road and McBryde Avenue, and Road 20 between San Pablo Avenue and El Portal Drive - have the street characteristics of having an adjacent school and being a high pedestrian generator. This would support a further 5 mph reduction from existing speed limit.
Staff recommends adopting the Engineering & Traffic Survey Speed Limits Study Final Report and the established speed limits for all 34 street segments.
Public Safety Standing Committee (PSSC)
On January 28, 2026, the PSSC, consisting of Mayor Pabon-Alvarado and Councilmember Xavier, reviewed all recommendations by City staff and findings from the Engineering & Traffic Survey Speed Limits Study Final Report, with the established speed limits for all 34 street segments. The PSSC members recommended formal consideration and approval by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for conducting the Engineering and Traffic Study by GHD is not-to-exceed $55,000 by labor and material, using FY26 Engineering & Admin Professional Service Operation Budget. There is no additional cost to adopt the final report and the speed limits.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution
Att B - City of San Pablo Engineering & Traffic Survey Speed Limits Study Final Report
Att C - Speed Limit Summary list 2025 E&TS